There’s no time for the shock to fully register as she continues. “This is your strength, your power—what the goddess has blessed you with. And I hope that you will embrace this gift one day instead of hiding it.”
I have no words. My mouth is parched, like it’s been scrubbed raw with sandpaper. My eyes tear up against my will, and I glance at the floor, unable to keep looking into her knowing, violet eyes.
She places her hand on my shoulder. “Do not be alarmed. Your secret is safe with me. I only wanted to tell you this now, as I fear I won’t have the chance later.”
Finally, I meet her gaze. “Empress, thank you for these kind words, but I’m here to ensure you will have all the time needed to rule your queendom for many years to come.”
Her full, pink lips spread into a beautiful, heartbreaking smile. “I trust the will of the goddess, and she has sent me you. You have been chosen to fulfill a duty where I cannot. Trust your instincts, Kaliope. And always, above all, live well in Her na—”
A loud bang echoes off the stone walls as the doors are flung open. Shouting erupts, disturbing the tranquility of the temple. Before I even jerk my head toward the source, I cross my arms, grasping both the hilt of my sword and the dagger in my chest harness, and jump to my feet. Extending them before me, I turn to meet the disturbance.
A group of protectors march toward us, and a man with straight dark hair dressed in fine blue silk and a black cloak pushes his way past them.
“Forgive us, empress,” one of the protectors says as he comes to an abrupt stop. “We tried to hold His Highness back until your ritual was complete, but his barbaric ways—”
“I can speak for myself,” says the man I’ve never laid eyes on before. He then glances at me briefly before advancing toward the empress.
I raise the tip of my sword to his throat, halting his steps, as the protectors draw their swords and latch on to his arms. His eyes zero in on me, and I match his hard gaze. The deep blue of his irises are like a river at sunset as they catch the flicking candlelight.
“I’m not going to harm her—” He shrugs off their hold, turns his gaze on Empress Iana. “Empress, this is uncalled for. You have no right to abduct me while my kingdom is under attack.”
Empress Iana rises slowly, turning to meet the man’s sour face. “We’ll discuss this with the aid of the Council,” she says patiently, then looks at me. “Protector Kaliope, meet your new charge, Prince Caben Paynebridge. The last living heir to Perinya.”
Seated in the Council’s chamber, only a round, oak table between us, I study the man announced to be my charge with blatant contempt.
When the empress declared my new duty in the temple, my eyes nearly popped out of my skull, and I fought back the urge to argue and dispute her claim right in front of everyone. It was all I could to do to swallow down my words and follow them to the chamber. The whole way, Prince Paynebridge fought and quarreled with the protectors, while the empress only ignored his insults.
Now, his tirade still fresh in my mind, his disdain toward my empress and queendom written smugly on his face, it’s damn near impossible to keep myself from leaping across this table and running him through with my sword.
“I have yet to be crowned!” the surly prince says. “I can’t abandon my kingdom at this time. I must go back.” He rakes a hand through his dark wisps of hair. “This could be considered treason in my country.”
Councilor Herna laces her fingers together and rests her elbows on the table. “Yes, but you’re no longer in your country.” She cranes an eyebrow, then continues before the prince can retort. “The empress brought you here to ensure that you will be crowned. The Otherworlders are determined to claim our resources for their own.” She looses a heavy breath. “Perinya, having just lost its king, is the most vulnerable right now.”
Prince Paynebridge jumps to his feet, knocking his chair to the floor. “We’re not vulnerable,” he shouts. “At least Perinya wasn’t until you forcefully removed its ruler. My country needs to see a strong, determined king ready to retaliate against this attack.”
“Sit down, Prince Caben.” It’s Empress Iana who speaks, and all eyes shift toward her. Now covered in a white robe, she rises from her seat and paces the chamber. The prince rights his seat and plunks down in it. The empress turns toward him. “Your father bestowed me with the power to intervene on his behalf,” she says. “And until we fully understand why the Otherworlders have resurfaced after all this time, no one is going to—”
“They’re running out of mercury,” he interrupts. “It’s the logical explanation, and they’re attacking Perinya because it’s closest to their realm. I need to be back in my kingdom, preparing for retaliation.” He balls his hands into fits, his knuckles white. A silver ring on his right hand glints, catching the sunlight seeping into the room.
The empress paces again, and I take in the prince’s hard features, wondering how upset the empress would be if I punched him right now.
Unclenching his hands, the prince rests one arm on the table and plants his chin in the palm of his hand, fingers splayed across his lips and jaw. I notice for the first time that a scar runs from the outer corner of his left eye to the middle of his cheekbone. It’s white and faded, and blends into the contours of his face and smooth skin.
Averting my eyes, I focus my attention on Empress Iana as she continues. “Prince Caben, Perinya is closest in proximity to the Otherworld, yes, so you’re correct. Naturally they’d strike there first. It means they’re desperate, or else they’d have come right to the source. Here.” She lifts her head high. “But we need to discover why now, after nearly a hundred years, they are suddenly so desperate to obtain large quantities of it.”
“Empress,” Prince Paynebridge says, with more patience than I’ve heard from him thus far. “I respect my father’s wishes, and I understand the urgency of our situation, but this pact he made with Cavan to intervene must have been made years ago. When I was a child, and possibly even before your coronation.” He bows his head for a moment, looking down at the table as if to gather his thoughts. His dark bangs fall forward, over one eye. Then he looks up at her. “I’m no longer a child, and I must lead my army.”
The empress crosses the chamber and grabs the room remote, clicking on the wall display. An image of a large convoy appears on the screen. They ride in Cury-crafts and on horseback. And some walk, toting luggage. “Half of your army has already been depleted. And the other half is evacuating Perinya’s citizens to Laryn as we speak. I’m sorry, Prince Caben, but this was your father’s wishes as he declared them to me before he died, and I will keep my word to him.” She presses her lips into a thin line. “Whether in life or death, as I swore it.”
The prince’s mouth clamps tight and a muscle jumps against his jaw. I watch as he searches for words. The shock of his father’s declaration and his obvious mistrust must be running through his mind. For a fraction of a second, I almost pity him. But then I wonder how old the prince is, and if the Perinyian King thought his son’s age would hinder his rule. Or if he simply felt his son was an unfit ruler.
Empress Iana turns off the wall display and approaches the table. “Once the citizens are safe, your troops will come here and group with the Cavan Army. Then we—together—will lead an attack on the Otherworlders.” She bows her head. “I pray that Farrah will spare the lives of the prisoners of war already taken.”
Prince Paynebridge scoffs. “Pray to your goddesses all you’d like, but I’d rather take action—to ensure all my people are freed and bought home.” Nodding his head to each member of the Council, and lastly to the empress, he pushes his chair back and rises. “I feel my voice is no longer needed here. I’d like to clean up and fill my stomach.” He walks toward the door, but the empress holds up her hand.
She motions to me. “Protector Kaliope, please escort Prince Caben to a chamber on our wing. Appoint a maid to him and make sure he has everything he needs.” She eyes me resolutely. “For now, as I ha
ve more than enough Nactue to watch over me, I’d like you to guard the prince during the remainder of his stay in Cavan.”
My insides burn; heated coils of mercury lash at my stomach and bones. The taste of coppery anger and frustration settles in the back of my throat, but as all eyes are on me, I take the order from my empress with stride. I stand and adjust my sword, making sure His Highness gets a good look at it, then bow my head. “Yes, empress.”
“Thank you,” she says, and with a wave of her hand, I’m dismissed.
Marching ahead of Prince Paynebridge, I take the lead and exit the chamber. “Keep up,” I say to him under my breath. Once we’re farther down the corridor, I say louder, “If you try anything stupid, I’ll slice you from stomach to throat. I don’t care who you are.”
I expect a sarcastic reply, but he says nothing. Glancing back, I make sure he’s still behind me, then I think better and fall behind him. From his arrogant display in the Council’s chamber, I don’t doubt that he’d try to escape. He seems like a spoiled, petulant child, and I won’t allow him to do anything that may risk the safety of the empress or Cavan’s citizens.
I’m not pleased I’ve been assigned as his sitter, but I’ll do my job with pride. For my empress. And I’ll prove my leadership role regardless.
After we step out of the lift, I direct him toward the Nactue’s side of the wing. Then once we reach my chamber door, I point to the room next to it. “This is your quarters. Silvia will be your maid. I’ll send her in now.” I hope that I’ve already established somewhat of a kinship with my maid, and that I can trust her to report any strange behavior from the prince to me.
Turning to go into my chamber, I’m halted as the prince extends his arm, flatting his palm against the wall and blocking my exit. “Protector Kaliope,” he says, and I hear the lilt of a foreign accent as he says my name. “I have not eaten since our convoy left. Make sure the maid brings fresh fruit and meats.”
My fingers close around the hilt of my sword. My teeth grind, and my jaw aches from the pressure. Slowly, I turn my head toward him, and his deep blue eyes stare into mine. “I’m aware of how your country is ruled, Prince Paynebridge. But in Cavan—the queendom—women are respected. We’re the head of the household and the leaders.” I glare at his smirking lips and scowl. “And I don’t care that you’re royalty. It’s my job to guard you, and I assume, to keep you from making trouble. So you will not order me around. Understood?”
He drops his hand and pulls himself up to his full height that I guess is near six-two, and puffs out his chest. “Fruit and meat,” he says confidently, without a hint of annoyance. Then he pivots and opens his door. “Oh, and I’d like the maid to bring me fresh linens and towels daily.” He glances at me with a lopsided smile, then shuts the door in my face.
My blood boils. I stare at the door as if I can see right through the wood and flay the prince with my eyes. Taking a measured breath, I count to three before I turn and head into my room.
I press my back to the cool wood of the door. For the first time, I question my empress’s discernment. Surely, if Alyah has given her insight as to who I am, she knows my temperament. She knows what I’m capable of and what I did to my father. I close my eyes, pushing away the memory.
Alyah, give me tolerance.
I clamp down on my anger as my father’s face appears in my mind. If His Highness continues to try my patience, I fear Perinya will soon be mourning the loss of a prince, as well.
“Stay near Kai for the day and learn the Nactue’s schedule,” I direct Lilly through the transmitter. Her holographic face nods. “Once the prince is settled in, I’ll bring him along to the training facility for our meeting.”
Static hisses. “All right,” she says. “I’ll see you this afternoon. But I can’t wait until everything is worked out so we can all be together.”
“I know. Me, too. Keep Willa out of trouble.”
Her robotic voice laughs. Then a long beat filled with static follows before she says, “I hear the prince of Perinya is quite handsome. Do you think the Nactue can use him for sparring practice?”
Rolling my eyes, I say, “Lills, believe me, once he opens his mouth, all they’ll want to do is knock it shut.”
She smirks. “Well, Kal. I have heard there’s a few ways to hush a man up. You could—”
“Bye,” I snap into the device, cutting her off.
“Bye, Kal.” She laughs into the device once more, and then the transmission link shuts down. The blue-green holographic image of her zaps away.
Lilly has always been more outgoing than me when it comes to relationships. She’s tried being my matchmaker more than once. Yet hearing the prince talked about in that manner only succeeds in making my stomach roil. I suspect that was her intention, as she knows just how lame I am when it comes to these matters. But she’ll soon see for herself just how annoying His Highness can be.
I slip the transmitter into my chest harness as Silvia exits the prince’s chamber and stands before me in the corridor. “Nothing to report, mistress,” she whispers. “He ate, bathed, and then slept through the night. He asked to be awoken at the same time as you this morning before he retired.”
“Thank you, Silvia.” I give her a small smile, thinking it sounds more like she’s speaking of a baby rather than a prince. Which, by his behavior yesterday, isn’t too far off. “Just keep me posted if he should do or say anything alarming.”
She bows her head low, then shuffles off to my room. I open my mouth to stop her, but close it as she quickly slips inside and shuts the door. When I asked her to keep after the prince, I didn’t intend for her to continue looking after me, also. Pressing my lips together, I decide I’ll direct another maid to work alongside her so she doesn’t become overburdened.
Staring at my room door, I consider going back in and contacting my mother. It’s only been two days since I last saw her, but that sinking feeling I had as we parted before the ceremony has been a nagging constant ever since. I know that Emily is taking care of her, but this has been the longest we’ve been separated. I need to make sure she’s taking her meds and that she’s all right.
I take a step toward my room, but freeze when the prince’s door opens. He halts mid-stride when he sees me, his eyes scanning my form.
His lips curl into a crooked sneer. “Am I to never be alone, then?” he asks, annoyed.
I raise an eyebrow. “Were you ever alone in your kingdom?”
He releases an audible breath and crosses his arms over his chest. I figure I’ve made my point when he doesn’t deny it.
“Did you have breakfast in your room? Or does His Highness wish to be escorted to the dining hall?”
“I don’t eat breakfast.” He turns on the heel of his boot and heads down the corridor toward the lift.
Of course. Breakfast is for the weak! “Fine,” I mutter, falling into step behind him.
After we reach the bottom level of the palace, the silver doors part and we step into the inner ward. The morning sun shines through the stained glass windows, casting colorful hues across the marble floor and walls. The whirring from sweeper-bots mingles together with the chatter form Court members as they flurry around.
Halfway across the foyer, I realize the prince is heading for the palace doors. I step in front of him. “Hold it, Prince Paynebridge. Where do you intend to go?”
He sidesteps me. “Out.”
I step before him again. “No. You’re not permitted to leave the palace.”
“I want to see Cavan,” he says, dodging me.
Planting my hand firmly on his chest, I hold my stance. “Your memories of our great capital city will have to serve you at this time. We have more pressing issues at the moment, don’t you agree?”
“I was young when my father last brought me here, and I want to see the city—get a feel for the people and customs again.” He maneuvers to his right, knocking my hand aside, and quickly changes direction, evading my block.
Groani
ng, I launch myself in front of his path. “If you want to explore, you’ll need a full guard with you. You can’t simply wander around the city unprotected.”
“Why? Do I have something to fear from your country?” His eyebrows lift. “Is your realm so unruly that your citizens would attack royalty?”
Biting down on my lip, I consider taking him to the Baltique Quarter—to one of the pubs where the thugs and mercenaries hang out. But then I think better of angering my empress and sigh. “No, Your Highness. You have nothing to fear. But Cavan is not unlike any other city. We do have our rogues. You should take a full guard.” I lift my chin, challenging. “This seems like something a wise ruler of a kingdom would know.”
Dipping his head forward, the prince glares at me through a thick fringe of lashes, his deep blue eyes alight with humor . . . or scorn. “Have you never attempted to do anything at all adventurous, Protector Kaliope?” He tilts his head, his eyes squint. “No. I imagine that as head of the empress’s guard, spontaneity would not be a desired quality.” His eyes travel over my form. “But at least I know I’ll be well protected.”
A laugh almost escapes my lips. “I’m vowed to protect my empress.” Turning to lead us back toward the inner ward, I let the knowledge of who I’m not vowed to protect linger in the air.
After a short while, I glance over my shoulder to make sure His Stubbornness is keeping up, and find he’s gone. “Bastard.” Scanning people as they pass, I glimpse the tail of a gray tunic slipping through the palace doors. I sprint across the inner ward, dodging and barely colliding with a protector, then throw the doors open and search the court. A hooded figure races down the steps, his dark gray pants peeking below the cover-up.
“Stubborn, infuriating male—” I bite down on my rant and look to the heavens. Farrah, forgive me if I must end this man.
Of Silver and Beasts (Goddess Wars) Page 5