“Yes, of course.” Taryn curtseyed low to her mother and left the opulent rooms in a haze.
Later that morning, as she said her farewells to Duke Anje and Hayden, she couldn’t hide her disappointment. Hayden assured her it wasn’t her fault; he even went so far as to take some of the blame. If he’d known Lliandra’s response would be so hurtful, he would’ve stepped in the previous night. Taryn didn’t have the nerve to tell him what Lliandra had accused her of with Aomori, although she suspected he’d already heard from the court gossip mill.
Tinsley gave her a warm hug in parting. Aomori’s was a bit restrained.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered to his ear alone. “I’ll do what I can to make it up to you.”
He gave her arm a slight squeeze. “I don’t blame you.” The meaning behind his words relieved her guilt somewhat, but there was a lot of work to be done on her part to clear his name. If his family heard he’d sullied a princess, they might insist he marry her. That was a complication neither of them needed.
Taryn stood with Sabina, waving until the carriages were through the gate. Her friend was stoic, but underneath her calm demeanor, Sabina was devastated to have Hayden leave so soon after arriving in Talaith. Knowing she was to blame compounded Taryn’s guilt.
When the last of the carriages disappeared, Taryn steered Sabina toward her rooms. “We need to talk.”
Lliandra’s rant that morning made it clear where her mother stood as far as loyalty. It was time Taryn figured out who she could trust. If the empress thought she could control her second-born daughter, she was dead wrong. The tricky part would be convincing her she was right. With Sabina’s help, she just might pull it off.
THE fortnight before they traveled north was a haze of activity for Taryn. Lliandra made sure her schedule was full each day: Training with Sword Master Tudyk, followed by another bell of practice with the soldiers in martial arts. In the afternoon, Sabina and Eliahnna gave Taryn etiquette lessons. If she thought Hayden harsh in his instruction on the road to Paderau, he was a kitten compared to the young women. They took their role seriously and made Taryn walk, talk, bend, and eat like a princess. Muscles she didn’t know she had ached from holding a fork at just the right angle.
When they finished with her, Taryn was turned over to Master Gameson, the head scholar in Talaith. His job was to school Taryn on everything from ruling Houses in the seven kingdoms to trade routes across the sea. Her mind swam with the information he crammed into her brain each day. Myrddin often joined them in the library, helping translate archaic texts or lending support to Gameson’s lesson. Wary that he might be spying for Lliandra, Taryn kept her interactions with him brief. After a time, Myrddin’s genuine interest in her education garnered her grudging trust. It was Celia’s presence that truly confounded Taryn.
Several times, she arrived with a tray of tea and cakes. After seeing to Taryn’s comfort, she would either sit quietly while Master Gameson instructed Taryn or she would peruse the stacks of books. Rarely did she interrupt the lesson or try to ingratiate herself with Taryn aside from the refreshments. Taryn tolerated her but made no offer of anything that could be construed as friendship. Celia was first and foremost Marissa’s lady. Taryn had absolutely no doubt that the woman reported everything to Marissa. Watching everything she said for fear of what may or may not be passed along was exhausting.
For his part, Master Gameson tolerated the intrusions, but Taryn sensed he wished Myrddin and Celia would leave them alone. Eventually, Taryn was able to tune out the pair and focus on learning, not caring if they told Lliandra or Marissa what was taught in the library. Spies, she realized, would be part of her life from now on. Each day she met her tutor and Celia appeared, Taryn made it a challenge to be as boring as possible, hoping the woman would lose interest and leave her alone.
When her schedule permitted, Taryn spent time at the beach with her younger sisters and Sabina. The cove, with its high cliffs and relative privacy, was where they shared their secrets. It was here that Taryn told Sabina of Lliandra’s violent reaction to the Aomori Incident, as they began calling it. Sabina was rightfully incensed when Taryn confided that Lliandra had blamed her for everything. She knew as well as Taryn did the affair was a fabricated lie to tarnish Taryn’s reputation, quite possibly to destroy the bond she shared with Rhoane.
Since Lliandra and Marissa continued with their plans to match Sabina with Aomori, on those afternoons at the beach, Taryn and Sabina carefully constructed ways to thwart the empress. At first, they were careful not to say too much in front of the younger princesses, but Tessa insinuated herself into their scheme. Eliahnna listened to their argument with equanimity, eventually offering her support.
A major complication they found hard to resolve was Herbret’s insistence Sabina would be his bride. He constantly hounded her, making promises of a life lived in luxury, of being spoiled by a man who adored her. He professed his love at every occasion, making certain Lliandra saw everything. To Taryn’s and Sabina’s horror, after the Aomori Incident, the empress had made concessions to Herbret, offering to reconsider his petition for Sabina’s hand.
Taryn used Celia’s closeness to Marissa as an opportunity to learn. Not just about her sister but Herbret. It was no secret at court that Celia and Herbret shared a rather unique interest in each other, with some courtiers going so far as to suggest they were both Marissa’s lovers. Of course, the last was always whispered behind a concealing hand, with a knowing nod or wink to accompany the rumor.
In those two weeks, Taryn became adept at playing the game. It wasn’t about just her anymore but Sabina, as well. For her friend, she would wallow in the filth of politics and court intrigue.
Taryn sent several messages to Rhoane, which were once again left unanswered. The few times their paths had crossed in the palace, he’d pretended not to see her, and after a while, she quit looking for him. Only at night, when she was alone in her rooms, did she allow the heartache. Only there did she cry bitter tears of hurt and disappointment. She’d already failed him in so many ways. She didn’t blame him for his distance, but as long as her bonds sparkled in the light, she held onto hope.
On the morning they were set to travel to the Narthvier, Cora brought Taryn a dainty silver circlet with tiny fleur-de-lis, each petal studded with sapphires.
“The empress sent this for you to wear on the road.”
Taryn admired the little crown in the mirror. “It seems a bit impractical for travel, don’t you think?”
“It’s what Her Majesty wishes.”
Taryn knew better than to argue with what Lliandra wished. Her cheek stung at the memory of the slap she’d received.
The others were gathered in the courtyard, talking excitedly to one another when Taryn arrived. Sabina wore a deep green riding gown with her luxurious hair piled on her head. Her coppery skin glowed in the early morning sun, and Taryn smiled at her friend.
“Are you excited to see Hayden?”
Sabina blushed prettily. “Do you think he’s looking forward to seeing me?”
“I’m certain of it. What are you going to do for eight whole days?”
“Don’t tease. I’ve grown rather fond of the marquis,” she whispered to Taryn. “I’ve written to Mother about him. She wants to meet him, of course, but I think she approves.”
“That’s wonderful news.” The bold move was a calculated risk. Lliandra outranked Sabina’s mother, Queen Prateeni, but not even the great empress would court the wrath of the Summerlands. At least they hoped.
Sabina put a finger to her lips. “I don’t want to hex it. Tessa and Eliahnna don’t know yet, and I’d like to keep this between Lord Hayden and me for as long as I can.”
“My lips are sealed.” Taryn pretended to lock her lips, turning a key. “She’ll find out anyway, you know. That woman has eyes in the back of her head and ears everywhere.”
“I know. That’s why I’ve only told you. I know I can trust you.”
“That mea
ns the world to me.” It did. More than Sabina would ever know.
Rhoane approached with the Eleri woman by his side. He wore a circlet very similar to hers, with emeralds dancing in the sunlight.
“Your Highness.” Taryn curtseyed low to Rhoane. She made a smaller curtsey to Janeira. “It’s nice to make your acquaintance.” Then in Eleri, she said, “Cyr doyensa. Me palaith tu daer oyensais gardainen.” She’d begged one of the riders who had come with Janeira to teach her the traditional greeting.
Janeira regarded her with curiosity. “I was unaware you spoke Eleri,” she said in stilted Elennish. “I am happy to meet you, as well. But your apology is unnecessary. Prince Rhoane has explained everything to me.”
Taryn bowed her head. “Thank you, fair mistress. I am humbled by your forgiveness.”
“I said it was unnecessary; I did not say you were forgiven.” She slapped Rhoane on the back and walked away.
Taryn stared after her. “How rude.”
“Interesting. That is what she said about you the night of the ball,” he said flatly.
Ouch. “About that. There’s really nothing I can say that would adequately convey my apology. I was foolish, and I’m truly sorry.” By the look on his face, Taryn could tell he thought it was more than her dancing with a few men and drinking too much. “You don’t believe the rumor, do you? Rhoane, I didn’t sleep with Aomori.”
His glance flicked to Sabina and back to her. “The empress had it on good authority that something happened in the garden.”
“Rhoane, I was with Taryn the entire night. Even in the garden. Hayden and Tinsley were there, as well.”
Confusion, hurt, anger, disbelief—all crossed his features. His lips pursed into a tight line, and his jaw flexed several times. “Why would someone lie to the empress?”
Sabina opened her mouth to speak, but Taryn cut her off. “Seriously? You can’t think of anyone who would love nothing more than to have you and me fighting? Think about it, Rhoane. Who has the most to gain? I sent you, I don’t know, half a dozen notes asking to meet with you to explain, but you ignored them. Again.”
Aware of the stares around them, she lowered her voice. “Now, you come down here all holier-than-thou and tell me that you believe Marissa’s lies. Again. Do you honestly think Sabina, my best friend, would lie to the empress?”
“I have received no notes from you. Not previously, nor now. As for the other issue, there is no proof Marissa had anything to do with this.”
“I guess back in Paderau when you asked me to never doubt you, that was a one-way promise.”
Taryn didn’t wait for a response. She turned away from him and stalked to Sabina’s carriage. Let him have Marissa; if he didn’t have complete faith in Taryn, then he didn’t deserve her.
When they reached the carriage, Sabina put a soothing hand on Taryn’s arm. A prickling beneath her touch, like ShantiMari but twisted and crimped into a painful knot, singed Taryn’s skin.
“He will come around, Taryn. Do not lose faith.” At Taryn’s rolled eyes, Sabina continued, “Am I truly your dearest friend?”
Despite herself, Taryn chuckled. “Yes, you ninny. Now get inside so we can be off.”
After leaving Sabina with her younger sisters at the carriage, she meandered through the crowd to where a groom waited with Ashanni. As she approached, she saw a familiar figure pawing through the leather bag Rhoane had given her that first day in the cavern. She kept her most treasured items in there: the silver hairbrush he’d produced for her, the ornate dagger from Tessa, the book of Aelinaen fairy tales Eliahnna had given her for her birthday, a journal, and the Seal of Ardyn.
“Did you need something, Herbret?”
His squat little body swiveled around, the color draining from his face. “I was making sure you had everything you’d need for our trip north.”
“Right. Because you’re my steward now?”
He splayed his hands wide. “One can never be too prepared.”
Taryn retrieved the bag from the pommel of her saddle and slung it over her shoulder, adjusting the fit across her body. She rested a hand on the hilt of her sword. “And am I prepared?” She tapped her fingers along the flared dragon’s wings. “Or am I missing anything?”
His pasty cheeks blossomed like roses as he stammered out a reply. “I-I-I m-m-meant no disrespect, Your Highness. The empress asked that I ensure you’re taken care of for the journey.”
“The empress? And why would she do that?”
“Well, I would think that is obvious, Princess. The Eleri prince is otherwise occupied, and your mother wanted me to satisfy any needs you might have.”
Taryn threw up a little in her mouth. She would definitely have a talk with Lliandra about who should be satisfying what. “As you can see, I’m fine.” He started to shuffle away when Taryn said, “And Herbret? Don’t ever touch my things again. The next time, I won’t be as lenient. Imperial command or no.”
When he’d disappeared between the horses, she slipped a hand into the bag, feeling for the hidden seal. When her fingertips brushed against the soft velvet pouch, she let out a sigh of relief. It was going to be a long ride to meet King Stephan.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Rhoane crouched behind the royal tents, his legs cramping with the effort. Each night they camped, he roamed the darkness, looking for answers. Taryn’s final words before they left Talaith had stung. Sabina had found him their first night on the road, and swore upon Julieta’s honor she said nothing to the empress, reiterating she was with Taryn the entire night.
Until Taryn’s arrival, he’d managed to avoid court gossip, but each day brought forth new challenges and rumors.
He stretched up, catching the scent of body odor masked with floral oils. A few paces from where he hid, a lithe figure moved quietly past the tents. Intrigued, he followed.
The figure reached a wooded area behind their camp and disappeared into the foliage. No good ever came of surprising someone in tight, densely packed quarters, so Rhoane stayed hidden under a tree, resting his foot upon the trunk, his back pressed into the wood.
After three-quarters of a bell, the figure emerged from the trees. A branch snagged her hood, revealing Celia’s pale face.
His blood sped through his veins with his quickened pulse. When the figure approached, he straightened from where he’d slouched and said quietly, “Out for a midnight stroll, Lady Celia?”
At the sound of his voice, she squeaked and pulled her cloak tight around her neck. “Your Highness! You frightened me.” The hood slipped off her face and she glared at him. “Are you following me?”
“No, but I do find it curious that you are roaming the campsite without an escort, dressed in a heavy cloak in the midst of summer.”
She tossed her hair and looked haughtily at him. “There is no law against it. I can do what I wish. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must see to my mistress’s comfort before she retires.”
“Yes, of course. Would you like me to accompany you?”
“I can find my way.” Another toss of hair followed by a wicked smile. “But if you’re asking for my company, then I would be honored.” An undercurrent of meaning rested in her words.
She started for the camp, and he moved in step beside her. Faint blue markings marred her otherwise pretty skin. “Taryn tells me the two of you have become close.” It was a bold lie, but something was not right with Celia.
“Quite. She is dependent upon me for so many things. I help with her research, you know.”
“Indeed. You are an asset to her work.”
“Not just that, but in all facets of her life. I know every intimate detail.”
Warning flares lit in his mind. “You must be honored. To gain her trust is not easy.”
“You should know.” Celia snorted.
“Celia,” Rhoane held her arm and stopped, “is there something you are not telling me? Something I should know?”
“Isn’t it obvious? She doesn’t love you. Why, just
this evening I saw her with one of the soldiers behind the tents. Her appetite for pleasure is immense, like her mother’s.” Fully caught up in her story, Celia continued in a rush, her face shining with excitement. “There are times I’ve had to sneak courtiers into her rooms through the secret passageways. The cries I hear from her bedchamber, you’d not believe. Forget about her, Your Highness. Find someone worthy of you.” She patted his cheek with false sympathy.
“I thank you for the warning.” They continued on as Rhoane sorted through her lies. If Taryn had met a soldier that evening, he would’ve known. When they reached Marissa’s tent, Rhoane thanked Celia for her information. “You have spared me much heartache this night.”
“I just want what’s right for you.”
“Your concern touches me. Do you still have the notes Taryn sent to me, or have you destroyed them?”
A flicker of guilt cut across her face before she pulled a look of offense over her features. “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about. Thank you for escorting me. Good night, Prince Rhoane.”
She slipped into Marissa’s tent, and he heard her rustling around for several minutes before she grew quiet. He checked on Taryn’s tent and listened to her gentle breathing through the rough fabric for a long time before returning to his own cot for a fitful night’s sleep.
The next few nights he watched for any sign that Celia might again sneak away, but each evening after dinner, she and Marissa would remain in their quarters. Taryn kept close to Sabina and the younger princesses, riding by their carriage during the day or sometimes hanging back to ride with the soldiers. He doubted Celia’s word but asked Baehlon to ride with the guard all the same. If anything inappropriate was going on between Taryn and a soldier, he’d hear about it.
A few days before they were to arrive in Paderau, Rhoane sat with Baehlon and Janeira, apart from the others, a small fire crackling against the night. A few bold men stared at her with an open invitation in their eyes, but she ignored them. She had exchanged her court attire for leather trousers and a tight-fitting vest, which did as much, if not more, to inflame the Fadair.
The Stones of Resurrection Page 30