“Shouldn’t be a problem for him. The princess seems to be quite fond of little Gavin,” Saar adds.
“Is that so?” This piques Cordae’s interest.
“I saved her life. It’s how I came to be a servant in the castle. She is curious as to why I would have saved her. Do not worry—she is nothing I can’’t handle.”
“I’m impressed. Putting the princess in danger simply so you could rescue her and be the hero in her eyes? You’re right——I shouldn’t have doubted you even for a moment.” Cordae offers praise, assuming I intentionally put Lily in danger.
Which I did. “I will report when I can.” I give a curt nod and return to Kova.
Gavin’s quick retreat stings. Is it something I said or did? In an attempt to be his friend, it seems I may have pushed him further away. My heart sinks with the thought. Perhaps it is for the best.
The way I feel around him continues catching me off guard. I am strong, I am independent. I do not need anyone. But with him around? I want to need someone—him. Something about him enchants me.
I pick up my discarded cloak and put it on. I make my way through the corridors until I stand before the back door. I would like to think I am going outside for a stroll in the sun before the weather turns too cold for such a luxury, but I know deep down that I just want to see him again.
I wander toward the grove of trees where he worked last night. I notice that his tools are all still lying where he left them earlier. Where could he have gone? I walk to the stables. Hernan is brushing down one of the mares when I enter.
“Your Highness, my apologies, but I was not aware you required a horse. I will prepare one for you right away.”
“No, it’s all right. I’m looking for Gavin. Have you seen him?”
“He left, Your Highness.”
“Where did he go? And for how long?” This worries me greatly. Why would he just leave without so much as a good-bye?
“He did not say. He asked me about his horse, and I informed him she was in the pastures. He ran out of here and has yet to return.”
“How long ago did he leave?”
“Hours ago,” he says, now looking far more concerned.
“Please alert me the moment he returns.” I do not know what else to say. Could he truly have left without a word? Will he return? He was clearly upset by something at the market. Did I make him uncomfortable? Maybe it was his way of telling me he isn’’t interested in me, and simply wanted to get away. But that doesn’t make sense. The only other thing I could guess at is the argument between those two men, but why would he care?
“Your Highness?” Hernan says tentatively. I turn back to him. “Is he in trouble?”
“I don’t know,” I whisper and walk back the way I came. I enter the castle through the kitchen, the liveliest room in the castle.
“Why such a sad face?” Tolla, the head cook, asks as I sit at the table across from where she works.
“It’s nothing. Just worried about a friend.” I force a smile on my lips to show her it’s all right.
“Where is he?” Hera marches into the room, angry. She is not often angered, so whoever she searches for had best have a good excuse for whatever they have done or didn’t do.
“Who?” Tolla asks.
“The new servant, Gavin. He has yet to complete a task I gave him before sunrise. And now he is nowhere to be found.”
My breath catches.
“Your Highness! I did not see you there. My apologies.” Hera looks at me, a bit taken aback.
“It is quite all right, Hera. However, you should know that Gavin did not finish his chores because of me. I am sorry for the inconvenience.” He had better have a really good excuse.
“Oh, do not apologize, Your Highness. If he was with you, it is not my place to be angry or upset with him. I assume he is now finishing the jobs I gave him earlier?” Her voice rises. Her tone suggests it is more of a threat than a question.
“Actually, I sent him to retrieve something for me. He will attend to his chores as soon as he returns.”
“Very well. Thank you, Your Highness.” She curtsies, and before I can say anything more, she exits.
“Oh, dear.” Tolla gives me a look.
“What?” I sit a little taller, curious as to what she is thinking.
“I’ve seen that look before.” She laughs.
“What look?” My voice arcs.
“You care for him, don’t you?” she teases.
“I’ve only barely met him. How could I have feelings for him beyond friendship?” I argue, but I know it isn’t true. I felt connected to him the first time I saw him, even if he was a distraction while I was fighting Elian.
“You can deny it out loud all you wish, Princess. Just don’t deny it to yourself.” She laughs and goes back to her cooking.
Thinking of Gavin, I slip away and go in search of Elian. I walk the halls in no hurry to be anywhere. I knock three times on his bedroom door.
“Enter,” his gruff voice says.
I turn the handle and open the door enough to go inside the room.
“Ah, little sister! How are you feeling?” Elian drops the papers he was holding onto his bed and puts his arms around me.
“Better, thank you. What are you doing?” I step to his bed, looking over the maps lying there.
“Father and I are planning a hunting trip. After the kind of week we’ve had, he thought it might be best to get away for a day or two. Any extra food we bring back will be sent to the market for those who need a helping hand. It’’s a winning plan all the way around.” He grins from ear to ear.
“Who is going?” I ask with hesitance, only slightly upset that this is the first I’ve heard of it.
“Father, myself, and Armando.” He nudges me with his elbow, smirking.
“Why do you tease me so?” I huff.
“Oh, come now, sister. You can’t tell me you don’t have even the slightest interest in our captain. He certainly has an interest in you.””
“I will admit that on occasion, I have felt butterflies in his presence. But that means nothing. I am sorry, for I do not wish to hurt his feelings, but I do not think there is anything between us, nor will there ever be.” I think about the way I’’ve felt around the captain versus how I feel about Gavin.
Gavin wins, no matter how hard I try to pretend I’m not interested in him. His short black hair and his tan skin, the way his green eyes shine, the way they look into mine when we talk. I can’t help but feel hurt by his sudden disappearing act, but I can’’t be angry at him, either. Something was clearly bothering him, even in the market.
“Is there someone else who holds your heart, Lily?” Elian looks at me seriously.
“It doesn’t matter. I don’t think he’s interested.”” I shake my head, perhaps subconsciously trying to shake my feelings for Gavin, even though I hardly know what I’m feeling.
“It’s the new servant, isn’t it? The one who saved you.” Elian leans against the bed and waits for an answer.
“You remember the other day during our fight, when I seemed distracted and you got the upper hand for a moment?”
“Not quite how I recall it happening, but what’s your point?” He chuckles.
“I was caught off guard because I noticed him. The second I saw him, I just felt this pull, this attraction that I don’t understand. He disappeared before our fight ended, and I didn’t think I’d ever see him again. So it was a tad confusing to wake up after nearly drowning and see his face.” I pick at a loose thread on my dress, realizing how odd that was. What was he doing in Tivor?
“You don’t think he had anything to do with it, do you? I mean, falling into the river and all.”
“That doesn’t make sense, Elian. Why would he cause the accident only to rescue me? Besides, the horse got spooked. That’s all.””
“I just had to ask. You are my baby sister. Have you told him any of this? Acted upon your feelings?” he asks softly.
“It seems that despite his calm nature, his past still haunts him. I believe it’s why he asked for a job rather than money. And I don’t want to push him if he’’s not ready for anything more than a friend. So for now, that’s what I’ll be for him.”
“You are very brave, sister. How about this—why don’t I invite him to come on the hunt? Perhaps then he will open up a bit more, be more trusting. And then he’’ll know that he has two friends here.”
There is no mockery in Elian’s expression or voice. It means more to me than even I fully understand.
“Thank you!” I smile. “I would love that. And I think he would too.”
“Good. Should we ask him together, then?” Elian turns to the door.
Do I tell him that Gavin has just disappeared? With his earlier suspicion, I think it best not to give Elian another reason to doubt Gavin. “Actually, he’s running an errand for me at the moment. But I will ask him how he feels about it when I see him again. If he agrees, I will send him to you so you can let him know of your plans.”
“Very well. Just know that we leave first thing tomorrow morning, so the sooner you ask him, the better.”
“Of course. I should see him this evening. Thank you, brother!” I stand on my tiptoes and kiss his cheek.
“You’re welcome, little sister,” he teasingly replies.
I walk to the door, but before leaving his room, I turn around and stick my tongue out at him. A childish act, but when he calls me “little,” he knows he’ll get a response out of me, which is why he does it.
I return to my room and pick up a book from my side table. Creatures of Avonathia. I lie down and hold the book above me as I flip through the pages.
A soft knock pulls me from the book. I drop it on the bed and approach the door leading into the servants’ passageway.
Hesitantly, I approach it, opening it only slightly. Before me, a sliver of light illuminating his face, stands Gavin. I open the door a little wider, pleased to see him, but still upset from earlier.
“Your Highness, I’m sorry for visiting so late. Hernan told me you wished to know the moment I returned. And my sincerest apologies for leaving so abruptly earlier.” He bows low.
“No need for that. I was only afraid I scared you away. You should know, however, that Hera was less than pleased at finding you weren’t here. I told her I sent you on an errand, so if she asks, I advise you stick to that story.”” It is hard to be upset when he looks at me the way he is now, sadness in his eyes, appearing weak and tired.
“Of course. I mean, you did want your cloak back, did you not?” He smiles and holds out my cloak, the one I was wearing when I went into the river.
“Thank you! Whatever happened to it?”
“When I pulled you from the river, you were freezing to death. I removed the cloak and gave you mine so you would warm up.” I vaguely remember whispers of movement as he lifted me, wrapped me in something—now I know it was his cloak—before putting me on a horse.
“Thank you. So I suppose what I told Hera wasn’t just a story.” I can’t help but smile.
“Of course not.” He winks. “I will leave you now. My apologies again.”
“Actually, wait!” I bite my bottom lip.
“Yes, Your Highness?” He raises a brow.
“Father, Captain Armando, and Elian are going hunting first thing in the morning, and they would like you to join them, if you care to.”
“I would be honored, if not slightly confused as to why they would invite a lowly servant such as myself.”
“You know, around here, you’re the only one who sees yourself as a lowly servant. Yes, you work here. And for lack of a better word, you are a servant. But you’re anything but lowly, and certainly worth more respect than you give yourself credit for. But to answer your question, you have been invited because the king and my brother, Elian, would like to thank you again for rescuing me,” I explain, unable to understand how he can think so little of himself.
Gavin opens his mouth as if to speak, but no words come out. His eyebrows draw together in confusion. He looks down at his hands where they begin picking at his tunic before looking back up at me. “Thank you.”
I don’t know why I thought it would be a good idea going hunting with the king, prince, and captain of the guard of the kingdom I’m helping overthrow. Especially when it would be the prime opportunity to sneak around the castle and gather information.
But when the princess informed me that I had been invited, part of me just couldn’t resist. The three most influential people in the kingdom, all in one place, at the same time? With no reason to doubt me, to distrust me, perhaps they will be fountains of information.
The sun has yet to rise, but here we stand in the stables, preparing our horses. Hernan is nowhere in sight. I look about, in awe that they would give the stableman the morning off and prepare their own steeds for this trip.
“Are you ready?” Prince Elian claps his hand on my right shoulder.
“Yes, Your Highness.” I say, a bit surprised by the prince’s greeting, considering we’ve never even spoken before. But he acts as if we’re good friends.
“Good. From here on out, no more ‘Your Highness’. In the woods, hunting and camping, we are all friends. Rank is of no importance.”” Elian smiles and returns to his horse.
“Yes. Very well said, son. I couldn’t agree more. So, Gavin, tell us a bit more about yourself.” King Chavez mounts his horse. The rest of us follow his lead.
“There isn’t much to tell, truthfully.” I’m glad to be the last in the company because it means they’re all facing away from me. And right now, that’s appreciated, considering how uncomfortable I am. Not that I can’t tell a lie and be convincing——I just didn’t expect the attention to fall on me so quickly.
“Truly, there must be something. Where are you from? Do you have a family?” Armando questions, though he does not sound as inviting as Elian and the king have. In fact, he sounds downright accusing, which makes me curious. He has no reason to hate me. Unless he saw me dressed as one of his soldiers—but that can’t be. I was far too careful.
“I have no family. And I’m from nowhere. I’m a poor man all on my own, grateful to have a roof over my head and a place to work for my keep.”” I answer simply, not wanting to go into detail about my past.
A memory comes to mind. One I’ve worked too long, too hard to forget for it to haunt me now. But with all the questions being thrown my way, with every thought I have about my cover story, the truth is too close.
I was eight years old.
“Gavin, watch the stew,” Mother said to me distantly, moving away from the fire and toward the door of our single-room hut.
“Yes, Mama.” I sat down beside the pot and began stirring our supper. When Papa gets home, I’d go play with Mateo and Tara. Mama and Papa always let me play after supper before it got dark.
Mama gasped. I turned toward her, but she was peeking out the door, not paying me any attention at all.
“What is it, Mama?” I asked.
She still didn’t look at me or say anything. I shrugged and turned back just as the door crashed open.
I jumped, knocking the pot over, spilling stew all over the floor. I bit my lip and tried not to cry. “I’m so sorry—”
“Gavin, Ellette.” Papa fell through the entrance, scrambling.
“Brentley, what is going on?” Mama asked, helping Papa to his feet.
“Go! Now! Take Gavin and run as far and as fast as you can. Get away from here and don’t look back.” Papa pushed us toward the hidden door at the back of our home, opening it just enough for us to slip through.
Mama grasped Papa’s hands, trying to pull him along with her. “Please come. Whatever is going on, just run with us. We will go wherever you need to go. Don’t make me leave you behind.”
“Go. Take him and run.” Papa cried, tears leaving paths in the dirt caked to his face.
“Don’t leave us, Papa!” I yelled, not
understanding a bit of what was happening.
“Well, well, well. What do we have here, Brentley? You got a family you never told us about?” A larger man appeared behind Papa in the hut. The door closed, leaving us on the outside and Papa on the inside.
“Take me. Do whatever you want with me. But don’t you dare touch my family.” “Come, Gavin!” Mama grabbed my head, and we ran.
We didn’t make it to my favorite oak tree only a few feet away. Men began yelling. Lots of them. And chasing. They grabbed me around my waist and did the same with Mama.
“I don’t think so,” one of them said, taking us back around to the front of the hut and dumping us on the ground just inside the doorway.
“You have a son, Brentley. How could you not tell Cordae about that? I’m sure he would love to meet the kid. What’s his name?”” The large man kicked Papa in the side.
“Leave them alone!” Papa yelled back, curling up, trying to protect himself.
The tears I tried not to cry came forth. Mama sobbed as they bound her hands behind her back and gagged her, forcing her to her knees and placing her right beside Papa.
“Please don’t hurt them,” I asked, my voice barely loud enough to be heard over all the commotion.
“Cordae has had enough of your games, Brentley. You are a dead man. But your son will be all the payment needed.” The large man laughed and turned back around, glancing at me. He looked at the man standing next to me, the one who had carried me in here. ““Take him outside.”
I watched as the big man unsheathed his sword and turned back to my parents. The last thing I saw were tears running down both their faces. The man took me, put me on a horse, and the last thing I heard was Papa screaming Mama’s name.
I come back to the present moment, back to reality. In the company of King Chavez, Prince Elian, and Captain Armando. All asking me about things I’ve tried to forget, but they’re not asking about those memories or that Gavin. They think I’m the poor Gavin who needed work. Gavin died a long time ago. Only Derrick remains now, and that’s all that matters.
Once Upon an Assassin (Finding Gold Book 3) Page 6