by Genia Avers
His tongue raked across her tongue before his mouth closed over hers and found her soul. Her body surrendered completely to his lips. Cursing her weakness, Subena melted into him, one little kiss making her forget assassins, decoys, and plots. The only thought that penetrated her brain was that they were overdressed.
He released her and leaned back into the seat facing her. “Subena, you should’ve been watching.”
“Was that a test?” She fixed him with an icy stare. At least the fool man was smart enough to remain silent.
She detected a flicker of a smile before he turned and stared outside the coach. He didn’t look at her again, keeping his eyes on the passing terrain.
She felt foolish. The kiss had probably been a ruse in case they were being watched. He hadn’t felt anything.
With her bubble burst, she stared at her feet, not knowing what else to do. The bulge registered with her subconscious before she realized what she’d seen. Her eyes fixated on his crotch. Her spouse’s arousal loomed before her, large and unquestionable.
She was oh-so-pleased. And she giggled. Just like a silly girl.
Kamber turned his attention away from the window and followed her gaze. “Awkward.”
He crossed his legs, making his pants tauter at the crotch. She couldn’t stop giggling.
He spread his legs and leaned forward, his elbow resting on one thigh and his nose almost touching hers. “I amuse you?” he asked, running a finger under her chin.
Her giggles stopped. His nearness did strange things to her insides.
Desire resonated from his deep green eyes and filled the coach. Her vision blurred. She saw nothing but Kamber.
“Maybe, princess, I should amuse myself.”
Before he could make good on his threat, the carriage halted. Kamber swore under his breath and sat straighter. The lover vanished and a soldier rose to full alertness.
He scanned the area before he visibly relaxed. She looked out the coach window and spotted Remington, who’d driven the coach, waiting beneath a sycamore tree. Ronan stood next to him.
“Do you think we were smart to involve your brother?” Subena stared at Ronan, wondering how she could ever have thought that he, not Kamber, might be the one for her.
Kamber made a growling sound. “Absolutely not. But after the devilkin got wind of our plan, it was the only way to keep him quiet.”
He helped her from the carriage. A perfect gentleman—and perfectly cold. The minutes inside the coach might’ve never happened.
Ronan smiled at Subena. “I brought the basket.”
He spread the cloth on the ground near the stream, just as they’d planned. Ronan’s idea actually. Subena got the impression that the lad had never been on a picnic.
“Are you sure you want to be involved in this mess?” she asked.
Ronan nodded. “Don’t you start on me, too.”
He refused to look at her, just opened the basket as if she hadn’t spoken and set out the food. Like the men, Subena shoveled greens onto plates, but she couldn’t make herself eat.
“I’m not complaining about the food, mind you…” Remington spoke between bites as he gnawed on a reptile drumstick, “but don’t you think it would have been less suspicious to talk inside the palace? Who’s going to believe this? Me? At a picnic?”
Ronan laughed, his voice sounding younger than his seasons. “The only thing suspicious about you at a picnic is that we didn’t bring another coach full of food.”
Remington tossed his meatless bone at the prince.
“I don’t care if people know we’re plotting.” Kamber picked up a berry and tossed it into the underbrush. “They’ll think we’re planning Subena’s departure, which we are. I didn’t want to talk at the palace because there are too many hidden passages—anyone could listen.”
And we don’t know who else has supersensitive hearing.
“But only the family knows about the passageways,” Ronan insisted.
“We can’t be sure of that,” Kamber responded.
No one spoke. They all watched Remington attack the second drumstick. “I’m sorry,” the big man muttered. “Did anyone want this?”
Three heads shook in unison. “Good.” He took another bite and most of the second drumstick was gone.
“What I want,” said Kamber, “is a way to make it look like Subena’s inside the carriage while she’s actually safe in the palace.”
A huge ball of food protruded from inside Remington’s jaw when he spoke. “Young Ronan’s come up with a good plan. He’s going to pretend to be Subena.”
“No.” Subena and Kamber spoke at the same time.
“Why not?” Ronan’s jaw line stiffened.
They’d hurt his feelings. “Ronan, I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you.”
“Nothing’s going to—”
“You’re not going in the carriage.” Kamber tossed another berry into the brush.
“Hear him out before you decide.” Remington spoke matter-of-factly. “If I’d told you that you couldn’t do something at his age, Kam, what would ye have done?”
Kamber didn’t reply. Subena could tell from the set of her husband’s jaw that Remington’s remark hit its bull’s-eye.
“Besides...” Remington swiped at his mouth with his sleeve. “I’m rather keen on seeing the lad in a skirt.”
“I’m not wearing any dress,” Ronan retorted, apparently not deciphering the twinkle in Remington’s eye. “I agreed to a cloak. And I’ll pull the hood over my head.”
“Fine,” Kamber barked, coming out of his pouting coma, “but the minute the carriage passes through the gate, you get out. Understand?”
Ronan glared at his older brother. “I’m not a dunce, Kamber. You don’t have to talk to me like that.
Kamber’s jaw tensed. Subena watched him visibly relax it. Her husband picked up another berry and tossed it into the air. Everyone watched, the tension mounting, as he repeated the toss and catch, toss and catch.
“Hold on,” Kamber said. A berry dropped onto the cloth. “If Ronan gets out of the coach, there won’t be anyone in the carriage. We won’t have a decoy.”
Ronan’s grin grew wider. “I’m going to make a dummy out of burlap and hide it in the carriage. When the carriage clears the castle gates, I’ll put my cloak on the burlap and position the dummy so it can be seen from the window. Remmy will orchestrate a diversion by having the guards check for snipers. While everyone’s running around like drunken equestors, I’ll slip away unnoticed. I’ll join you and Subena in the woods. Near the old well.”
“It’ll work,” Remington said, picking up Ronan’s meat and chewing.
“It’s an excellent plan,” Subena said, trying to appease Ronan. Appease yes, but there was no way she’d let him take her place. “It’s just too risky. Why don’t I just get in the coach myself and get out at the same spot?”
“Because…” Ronan sounded miffed that she hadn’t supported him. “When I take off the cloak, I’ll be Ronan. If you’re seen outside the coach…”
Subena sighed. His logic made sense. Too much sense. She glanced at Kamber.
“Got any better ideas?” Remington asked.
“No,” Kamber admitted. “You’re the man, Ronan.”
Subena gulped, feeling queasy. She had a bad feeling about the plan.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Tears streamed down Winsome’s face. “I don’t see how sending Subena back to Mydrias will help anything. We can protect her better here.” She flushed and glanced toward Subena. “No offense, dear, but your country doesn’t have the best army.”
Subena tried to smile in return, but she wasn’t sure she succeeded. “No offense taken.” The depression hovering over the breakfast table stunned her. She’d forgotten that only Kamber, Ronan, and Remington knew she wasn’t really leaving Gatsle.
“At least wait until Rothart has returned.” The king had gone to Creshin’s land to seek a peace treaty.
&nbs
p; Kamber wiped his mouth with his napkin, taking longer than the simple task required. “We’ve been over this, Mother. Subena’s in great danger. We believe the person attacking her is in Gatsle.”
“I want to go with her.” All eyes turned toward Tam. He hadn’t spoken once during the entire meal.
“Sweetie, I’ll be back.” They hadn’t planned for this.
He crossed his arms. “No you won’t.” He jumped up and his little legs raced from the room. She made a move to go after him but Winsome reached for her arm. “Let him go.”
Subena nodded. Trying to comfort Tam would mean more lies to cover a necessary deception. She choked down the last of her breakfast and retreated to her room.
“Can I help you pack?”
She’d forgotten Kelsie. The maid had to go.
On second thought, she might provide some needed collaboration.
“Thanks. I’ve already packed, but you could make sure all my trunks are properly tied down on the carriage. I need to make sure I haven’t forgotten anything.”
The maid curtsied. Her eyes went round. If servants talked, Kelsie would let everyone know that Subena wouldn’t be returning anytime soon.
“But miss… Why take everything?”
“I’m not sure when I’ll return. If ever.”
Kelsie’s eyes widened. “Take me with you.”
Subena smiled, feeling sorry for the overly dramatic creature. “I can’t. The journey will likely be dangerous.”
The maid dropped to her knees and grabbed Subena’s hands. “Please.”
“I promise you, they won’t send you away.”
The sniffling intensified.
“Kelsie, please stop crying.” Subena extracted her arm but the maid didn’t leave. She had to get rid of her.
“I’m sorry you’re upset, but please go check my trunks. I promise I won’t let them send you away. Now go.”
The maid still did not move. “Kelsie, go check on my trunks. Now.”
The stare-down lasted for several seconds. Subena felt her expression harden as she looked into the maid’s tear-filled eyes. She felt awful, but Subena had to get the maid out of the room. And fast.
Kelsie stood with her chin tucked into her chest. Without looking up, she prodded her toward the door.
“Whew.” Subena locked the door after the maid. She listened until she heard the click of Kelsie’s shoes fade and then whispered, “Ronan, where are you?”
“In here.” The lad stepped out of her armoire, grinning as though he enjoyed hiding in dark places. “That was close.”
“Too close.” Kelsie nearly always rummaged through her clothing.
Subena grabbed her cloak from the arm of a chair and pulled the wig out of the inner pocket. She tossed both items to Ronan. “Put those on. And hurry.”
“I’m not wearing a wig,” he snorted.
“Then I’ll be getting in the coach.” She reached for her cloak.
Ronan whirled it away with a flourish. “Fine. I’ll wear it. But you better not laugh.”
She shouldn’t be amused. They were taking a real risk. While Ronan struggled with the fake hair, she peeked out her door, as much to keep from laughing as to make sure no one lurked. “There’s no one in the hallway.”
She gave her brother-in-law a quick hug. “Go now. Before I change my mind.”
Ronan dashed out. Subena ducked back into the room. Leaning against the back of the wooden door, she whispered a quick prayer to Bockle. “Let Ronan be safe.”
Two seconds was all she had. Kelsie had taken all her lag time.
She pulled the bag that contained one of Ronan’s uniforms from beneath her bed. She tried to dress quickly, but her arms swam in the uniform coat making it difficult to find the buttonholes. She had to roll up the pant legs and secure the waist of the trousers with her belt to keep them from falling down.
“Not exactly parade ready,” she said to her image as she turned herself about in front of the old mirror. With any luck, it wouldn’t matter. The uniform was only a precaution and would only be seen from a distance. Bockle willing, no one would try to get a closer look. She needed to move about the palace. If anyone saw her, they’d simply see a junior soldier, no more. She unlatched the bolt, walking into Kamber’s suite. She closed the door, careful to lock the entrance to her room.
From behind Kamber’s curtain, she watched Remington escort Ronan, a.k.a. her, to the coach. It would’ve been amusing—watching Kamber’s younger brother as he hunched down, trying to take dainty steps in imitation of her own gait—if she hadn’t been so worried about him.
With her enhanced vision, she watched Kamber say farewell to his pretend wife, even going so far as to plant a kiss on her cheek. Subena chuckled at her husband’s audacity. She’d no doubt that Ronan mumbled some choice words in return.
Her husband had publicly announced that Remington would escort the carriage to Mydrias. The big man took his position. He’d keep everyone away from the coach.
“So far, so good.” Using her magnification glasses, she made out the guards at the palace gate. The soldiers reminded her of ants in a disrupted anthill. Gatsle guards swarmed everywhere.
Five soldiers saluted the carriage as it passed. Then, the gate closed. That was her signal to move. If she were going to meet Kamber in his study, she had mere minutes. If only she didn’t have to get there by tunnel.
Kamber had insisted that crawling through the palace labyrinth was the only way to guarantee she’d reach the other side unseen. Why had she agreed? The passageway had been spooky the night before when he’d shown it to her. Without her spouse, it seemed like the very depths of hell.
She forced her body into the narrow entrance. The dank air assaulted her senses and the unmoving shadows took on monstrous shapes.
She closed her eyes, willing her trembling body to be still. “I have a mission.” Sucking in a lungful of dusty air, she scurried deeper into the murkiness.
Her body froze. Resisting.
“Okay,” she whispered aloud, trying to pump up some confidence. “It’s just a little ole tunnel.”
She ran and then crawled, moving as fast as she could. She wished she possessed Kamber’s ancient speed skill—she’d already be out of the tunnel.
Kamber would need his speed. He had to race to his study, change clothes, gather the gear, and position another dummy in his chair. A dummy that would look like her prince should anyone peer into the window.
Subena tripped over a fissure in the floor of the tunnel. She fell, scraping her knee and tearing Ronan’s uniform trousers. “Crap, crap, crap.”
She permitted herself a half-second in which to rub her leg. Then, she ran again.
Every spider web she brushed against only served to increase her need for oxygen. She stumbled.
The folds in one of her pant legs came loose. I can’t afford to fall again. She stopped to tug the extra fabric into her boot.
Movement. She heard movement.
Subena stopped breathing so she could hear. She waited. A small animal scurried across the floor, the sound of its clicking nails echoing in the cavernous space.
“Mother of Bockle,” she hissed. Leaning against the dirt wall, she placed her hand against the mossy surface for support. Dirt particles fell at her touch; a surge of panic coursed through her body.
I have to do this. She couldn’t let fear sabotage her mission. This is a passageway, not an underground tunnel.
She opened her eyes, glimpsing a sliver of light. Just ahead. She’d made it to the south wing.
The exit was close. “Keep moving,” she whispered. She needed to take the center passage. She groped at the wall. She had to find the damn thing first.
Something crawled on her leg. Subena slapped at it without slowing. Her mind kept repeating: Hurry. Hurry. Hurry. They wouldn’t be able to catch the carriage if she didn’t move faster.
She bumped into a wall. Panic intensified. “Crap.” She had to crawl. Her body froze. She couldn�
�t do it.
Don’t get crazy.
Self-coaching didn’t help. More fear spread through her body like a slow poison. She couldn’t crawl. She couldn’t go back.
Voices intruded on her whimpering. She sniffed. More voices.
Subena forced her mind to reach beyond her terror. She heard the voices again. Louder this time. Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
She held her breath and crawled. She managed to reach the fork in the tunnel without passing out. There she could stand.
Which direction was Kamber’s study? Think.
She followed her instincts, running even faster than before. And saw it ahead: the clandestine door leading to Kamber’s study.
Thank Bockle.
Subena rushed to the doorway, slowing to ensure stealth. She didn’t know whose voice she’d heard.
She placed her ear against the heavy wood. Instinct warned— Don’t open the door.
“What do you want with me?” She heard Kamber sneer.
“Shut up.” Another booming voice resonated through the door. An unknown voice.
Subena heard a loud pop. “Tie him up.”
Someone replied, but the door was thick and the man’s accent was thicker. She couldn’t make out the words.
“The guards will be here any second.” Kamber’s voice echoed loud and clear. “You won’t get away with this.”
“Most of the palace guards have gone with your pretty little wife.” The unknown speaker laughed. “Besides, we heard you tell your assistant you were not to be disturbed. We thank you for that.”
A loud cackle followed the man’s statement. Several people spoke at once. She didn’t understand any of them. Or recognize the voices.
“Who put you up to this?” Kamber asked.
Damn. Their plan seemed so foolproof when they’d contrived it. She counted at least five different voices. Her heart insisted she barge into the room and demand Kamber’s release. Her brain counseled her to wait.
She heard an indistinguishable sound. A flurry of activity.
A noise, maybe furniture being shoved, echoed through the tunnel. Muffled orders. The next thing she heard was “Push him.”