She once again studied her reflection, trying to find anything that needed fixing. But she was stalling, and she knew it. With a sigh, she moved to the door, ready to seek out the others. She had to stop avoiding them—better to face the group, Eamon included, than to wander around alone, attracting the stares of every judgmental Balenan courtier who happened to cross her path.
To her horror, she found Cody lingering right outside her door, a bow again slung across his shoulder.
Chapter Fourteen
“Cody!” she hissed. “What are you doing here?”
He took in her attire with surprise. “Waiting for you. What are you wearing, Lucy? How will you train in that?”
“You can’t seriously think we’re training again this morning!” Lucy protested. “Don’t you realize what a mess we’ve made?”
Cody stared at her blankly. “What are you talking about?”
Lucy sighed, willing herself to be patient.
“Cody, there’s a huge scandal over what we did yesterday. Surely you noticed how the whole room was staring at us at dinner!”
Cody still looked confused. “You said something about that, didn’t you? But I can’t say I noticed anything. Do you mean people found out we were doing weapons training, and they disapprove?”
“Not exactly,” said Lucy, suddenly uncomfortable. It was bad enough talking about the gossip with Jocelyn and Eamon. Having to explain it to an oblivious Cody was infinitely worse. “We were…indiscreet to have disappeared for so long just the two of us. People got the wrong impression. They think we were up to something…clandestine.”
Cody just stared. “Why would they think that? This sounds like another one of your over-sensitive reactions, Lucy. We go off all the time in Raldon, and no one thinks anything of it.”
Lucy sighed again. She had to remind herself that her parents had sent Cody along for his ability to protect her and Matheus in a fight, not for any skills in navigating court etiquette. It wasn’t his fault Lucy has made this misstep, any more than it was Lady Rodanthe’s. Lucy realized, with a rush of shame, that her mother had trusted Lucy to know how to handle herself without close guidance on such matters. She had been haunting the court at Kynton for years, after all.
“We’re not in Raldon, Cody,” she said, trying to speak patiently. “We’re guests in a royal court, and the same rules don’t apply. It’s my fault. I should definitely have predicted this. I just wasn’t thinking. I never would have pulled such a stunt in Kynton, so I should have known I couldn’t get away with it here.”
“It all sounds like a big fuss over nothing,” said Cody dismissively. “You’re not seriously going to let such nonsense stop you from training today, are you?”
Lucy sighed. Cody just didn’t understand how these things worked. “I’m sorry, Cody, but I can’t. It’s not something I’ve made up—it’s a real problem.” She chewed her lip anxiously. “I just hope I haven’t alienated the royal family.”
Cody made an impatient noise, but Lucy cut him off with a wave of her hand.
“You just have to trust me on this one, Cody. Take Matheus instead. He’s dying to see the base tree.” Lucy didn’t add it aloud, but she also hoped that if Cody spent the day with Matheus in the jungle, it might help convince people that there had been nothing untoward in her own outing.
Cody didn’t look impressed, but Lucy gave him no opportunity to argue. She hurried off down the corridor, eager to put some distance between them before anyone—especially Lady Rodanthe—saw them meeting together outside her room.
She had hoped to catch the rest of the group, but it seemed they had grown used to her preference for arriving alone, and no one was waiting for her. She made her way toward the dining hall, feeling dispirited. At the last moment, she decided she couldn’t face a crowd of strangers. She veered off in the direction of a pleasure garden that the visitors had been shown during their tour of the castle. It was in an internal courtyard not far from the dining hall. She would walk there for a while, try to clear her head. She wasn’t all that hungry anyway.
At first the lush foliage of the garden—so different from the equivalent features in the palace at Kynton—did little to soothe her agitation. It was too similar to the jungle, too reminiscent of her embarrassing misstep the day before.
But as she strolled through the maze of palm fronds and moss-covered trees, she felt herself begin to relax. The greenery was bursting out of its bounds, drooping over the stone paths, making it seem like she was a world away from the castle. It was easy to imagine she was alone.
“Did you notice that the Kyonan girl didn’t show her face at breakfast today?”
The snide voice broke into Lucy’s thoughts, shattering the illusion of solitude.
“I’m not surprised,” a second girl replied with a snicker. “After being caught like that yesterday.”
“Scandalous, isn’t it?” the first speaker responded, with obvious relish. “They say her mother was just the same, sneaking off to the jungle at all hours with a string of slaves.”
The voices were getting closer, and Lucy turned away quickly. She had heard more than enough, and she had no desire to encounter the gossiping locals. She hurried into the next walkway, feeling more weary than upset. The overheard conversation was no surprise—it was exactly what she had known the spiteful members of the court would be saying.
She turned the corner and drew up short, barely able to restrain a gasp of dismay at sight of the man standing there, looking calm and commanding.
“Good morning, Luciana,” said Rasad, his words courteous but his gaze still holding that faint hint of amusement. He inclined his head. “You look as lovely as ever.”
“Thank you.” Lucy bobbed a slight curtsy, still unsure of the Thoranian’s rank.
His eyes flickered back the way she had come. “These Balenans seem determined to prove me right in my criticism of their narrow-mindedness, don’t they?”
Lucy felt her face growing red. The embarrassment that she had been too weary to feel before flared into life now that she knew there had been another witness to her humiliation. Rasad seemed to have a knack for being on hand to overhear when she was insulted.
“I…” she struggled for words, but Rasad came to her rescue.
“No need to say anything, my dear Luciana. I know better than anyone how foolish my neighbors can be.” He offered her his arm.
Part of Lucy wanted to make a quick escape, but there was something compelling about the Thoranian man, just as the first time they had met. She found herself accepting the offered escort, following his lead as he guided her through the winding paths of the garden.
“I am sorry that you have not had an entirely pleasant visit to Nohl so far,” said Rasad, after a moment. “But selfishly, I hope it will make you more inclined to accept my invitation.”
Lucy frowned, in no mood for cryptic comments. “What invitation is that?”
“The invitation to accompany me and the rest of the Thoranian delegation when we return to Thirl tomorrow. You would be welcome to stay as guests in the palace, as the Kyonan prince and the Valorian prince and princess intend to do.”
Lucy looked up at him in surprise. “You’re inviting me to go to Thorania?”
He inclined his head. “And your brother, of course.”
“But…why?”
Rasad looked faintly surprised. “I thought I told you the other night. I think you would like my kingdom.”
Lucy didn’t miss the territorial edge to his tone as he said “my kingdom”, and she wondered again who this man was that he could issue an invitation for foreign visitors to stay in the palace.
Rasad was still speaking, his lip curling in scorn as he glanced in the direction of the gossiping voices, which had long since faded. “I know you have Balenan blood in you, but I think you might feel more at home in Thorania than here. We are not so insular. We have long been used to the presence of Kyonans, and those of mixed heritage. I have Kyonan blood in
my own ancestry, in fact.”
“You do?” Lucy looked at the self-assured Thoranian, appraising him with new eyes.
“Certainly,” he said calmly. “As I said, it’s not uncommon in Thorania.”
“You said it was your idea to invite the Kyonan royals to visit,” said Lucy slowly. “And I understand that the purpose of their visit is to address the matter of Kyonan descendants who may wish to relocate to Kyona now that the passage is clear. Are you one of the ones who wants to live in Kyona?”
Rasad didn’t immediately answer, and Lucy thought something flickered behind his eyes. But the next moment, his expression was as unruffled as usual. “No,” he said smoothly. “I have no wish to leave Thorania. I think, if you grace us with a visit, you will understand why.”
Lucy was silent, trying to process the unexpected invitation. Rasad had succeeded in making her curious about Thorania, and she couldn’t deny that she was flattered by his obvious desire for her approval. But she couldn’t help but wonder whether she fully understood the nature of what he was offering.
“I imagine you’ll want some time to think about it,” said Rasad courteously. “I’m sorry that time is so short, with us leaving tomorrow. But I hope you will consider the matter.”
“I will,” she assured him seriously. “Thank you for your generous invitation.”
He gave a slight bow, leading her gently but inexorably toward the edge of the garden. He engaged her in light-hearted conversation as they walked, saying nothing of significance, and offering her no overblown compliments. It was clear from his speech that he was a person of high privilege and education, and used to a position of command. The more time she spent with him, the more flattered Lucy felt by the personal invitation.
It wasn’t until they had entered the corridors of the castle that he raised her hand in a more intimate gesture.
“Think about my offer, Luciana,” he said, his voice and eyes suddenly intense. “Thorania would be honored by your visit, as would I.” He pressed his lips to the back of her hand, then turned and strode away with a confident step, leaving Lucy dazed and reeling. He was the most confusing person she had ever met, but she couldn’t deny that there was something magnetic about him.
She suddenly became aware of someone’s eyes on her. She turned quickly, thinking of the malicious girls from the garden. Her alarm drained away when she saw that it was only Eamon, but the expression on his face quickly chased away any feeling of relief. His eyes were so fiery as they rested on her that she felt a flush rising to her cheeks, before she remembered that she had nothing to be ashamed of. She lifted her chin slightly.
“Eamon. What brings you here?”
“I was looking for you,” he said, his voice steely. “I was concerned that you missed breakfast.”
“I wasn’t hungry,” said Lucy colorlessly.
There was a moment of silence as Eamon apparently tried to think of a diplomatic way to express his thoughts. He failed.
“What did that man want? That was Rasad, wasn’t it?”
Lucy raised an eyebrow. “I don’t see how that’s any business of yours.”
Eamon scowled in the direction Rasad had left. “I don’t trust him.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be strengthening ties with Thorania?” Lucy snapped. “You should be trying to get in Rasad’s good books, not alienating him. He’s very influential in the Thoranian court.”
It was Eamon’s turn to raise an eyebrow. “Yes, I heard he’s some kind of advisor. But Lord Rodanthe didn’t seem to know much about him. What is his rank, incidentally?”
Lucy felt herself flush slightly. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “But he has the ear of the king. It was his idea to invite you to visit Thirl, to discuss the Kyonan descendants living in the kingdom.”
“His idea, was it?” asked Eamon flatly, his handsome face showing scorn. “Who told you that, him?”
“As a matter of fact, he did.” Lucy glared at the prince. “And if you’re implying that he was making it up to impress me, that’s ridiculous. He hardly seems like the type of person to show off.”
“Ridiculous, is it?” said Eamon cuttingly. “If he’s the one who wanted us to come, isn’t it strange that he hasn’t identified himself to Lord Rodanthe in any of the discussions regarding our visit? Since you’re such an expert on him, tell me this. If he’s so senior in diplomatic matters within Thorania, why is he taking such an interest in you?”
“Thank you,” snapped Lucy. “Very complimentary.”
She turned, ready to march off in a huff, but Eamon reached out with lightning speed, stopping her with a hand on her arm.
“You know what I mean, Lucy,” he said impatiently. “I’m not trying to insult you. I’m just saying you don’t have a formal role on this delegation. You’re here as a relative of the Balenan royal family, so what interest would Thorania have in you? If this Rasad is so interested in relations between his kingdom and Kyona, why hasn’t he made any effort to speak with me, or even with Jocelyn?”
Lucy shrugged. “Maybe because you’ve been glaring daggers at him since the moment you first saw him.” She lifted her chin in the air. “Maybe I’m giving a better impression of Kyona than you are. That’s probably why he’s issued me a formal invitation to join the delegation and stay at the palace in Thirl.”
“He has?” Eamon let go of her arm in his surprise.
Lucy nodded. “He wants me to leave with the group tomorrow.”
“And are you going to?”
Lucy didn’t immediately answer. The truth was that she wasn’t sure, but she didn’t think Eamon had earned any right to hear her reservations. Of course, she was only going to be allowed to go if Cody could be brought to agree, but she didn’t want to admit that either. If she was honest with herself, she had been flattered by Rasad’s assumption that she was free to make the decision herself.
“I don’t like the idea of you going as his guest,” said Eamon, frowning to himself.
“Why not?” asked Lucy, firing up at once.
Eamon’s expression was once again fiery. “I thought you were upset about all the gossip from yesterday,” he challenged. “I don’t see how it helps for you to be having clandestine meetings with another man, and accepting invitations to stay with him.”
“How dare you?” Lucy gasped. “Clandestine meetings? In the castle gardens in the middle of the morning? I haven’t done anything inappropriate, and you’re the last person I have to answer to for my actions! How dare you turn Rasad’s invitation into something sordid? You’re behaving like a child, and I refuse to listen to you.”
She turned with a flounce, striding away before Eamon could stop her again. Whatever doubts she had harbored about Rasad’s offer before were swept away in the tide of her anger. Whether she would have accepted the invitation without the prince’s intervention she would never know. But she certainly intended to accept it now.
Chapter Fifteen
If she had any second thoughts the next day, she was far too proud to show it in front of the others. Eamon still seemed unconvinced as they waited for the Thoranian delegation in the castle courtyard, but as Lucy was pointedly not speaking to him, he had no opportunity to say so. Jocelyn was delighted that her friend was to join them after all on their onward journey, and her cheerfulness helped soothe Lucy’s uncertainty.
The dowager queen had seemed disappointed that her great-niece and great-nephew were departing so far ahead of schedule. Lucy felt a little guilty at the older woman’s sadness, but they would pass back through Nohl on their way home, so it wasn’t a final goodbye. Plus, she felt reinforced in the wisdom of her decision by the combination of another dinner punctuated by whispers and stares, and the open relief on Queen Verena’s face when Lucy suggested that she and Matheus accompany the Thoranian delegation.
Clearly she had caused the royal family some embarrassment, although King Giles was too well mannered to say so. Lucy wondered whether it was the rumors of indiscretion
that made things uncomfortable for her mother’s cousins, or the fact that her behavior must have inevitably reminded people of her mother’s treasonous activities.
Either way, she had no desire to overstay her welcome.
Matheus had little choice but to accompany her, given that Cody had agreed. The older Kyonan had admitted to some curiosity about Thorania. What he hadn’t admitted, but Lucy suspected, was that in light of the two near-fatal incidents Lucy had witnessed, he had some doubts about his ability to ensure Lucy and Matheus’s safety in Balenol once the delegation and their guards had left.
At any rate, Cody had made it very clear that either both of them went or neither of them went. He had been tasked with keeping them safe, and he couldn’t do that effectively if they weren’t in the same place.
Not that Matheus seemed to mind. Lucy wasn’t sure whether it was because he had also become curious about the kingdom of Thorania, or because he wanted to continue traveling with Eamon, whom he admired far too much for Lucy’s liking.
Lucy knew her mother had said to consider Lord and Lady Rodanthe in charge, but she couldn’t bring herself to seek their permission, not after the excruciating embarrassment of her last conversation with the noblewoman. She knew it was possible they wouldn’t be thrilled to have the company of the three additional members of the party as they traveled onward—their responsibility for the little group, such as it was, had only been intended to apply until the delegation left for Thorania. But Lucy comforted herself with the reflection that even if she had asked them, they would hardly have said it was either unsafe or improper for Lucy and her brother to go to Thorania, since they and their own charges were doing exactly that.
In any event, she was pleased to learn that Cody had taken up her suggestion and had shown Matheus the base tree the day before. It was only fair that her brother should share in the experiences that had so impacted her in the jungle. She was pretty jealous when she discovered that Cody had even taken Matheus through the tunnel, but it was too late to insist he show her, too. Perhaps on their way home.
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