by Frost Kay
Tehl slowed his gait to match hers as they ascended the staircase. Her legs were so much shorter than his. Again, much to his displeasure, he noticed that with every other step she took, her bare right leg peeked out. “Where did that gown come from?” he asked gruffly, censure in his tone.
Sage kept her eyes on the marble stairs answering. “It was a gift. I came here in a rush so I did not have time to collect my things, and, even if I had, I wouldn’t have had something suitable for dinner. The only thing I own that would be fine enough is my costume from the Midsummer Festival. And, somehow, I didn’t think you would want me wearing that tonight.”
The revealing costume she’d worn popped into his mind. It had been seductive, way too much skin on display. “It would have been inappropriate.”
She sniggered. “I thought so too, hence, this gown.”
His mind caught on that thought. She wasn’t a traditional bride who brought a hope chest with all the things deemed necessary for marriage contained therein. She’d come to the palace with only the clothes on her back. He hadn’t spared a thought for what she would wear tonight until she showed up looking like every man’s fantasy.
When they turned the corner, entering the royal wing, low and behold, Sam lay in wait for them. Leaning casually against the wall, one boot braced behind him, he was the epitome of casualness.
“How did he arrive so quickly? We left before he did.”
Tehl shook his head. “I stopped asking that years ago. I’ve grown up with him, yet even I don’t know all his secrets.”
Sam straightened and opened Sage’s door for the two of them. She pulled free from Tehl and was across the room before he’d even clicked the door shut behind him. She made it apparent that she didn’t want him to touch her, at all. The door opened again, this time admitting his cousin.
“By all means, invite yourself in,” Sage replied sarcastically.
Gavriel and Sam both stepped to Tehl’s side to watch the strange female pacing across the room. She eyed them unhappily, her dress flaring around her legs with each turn. She was like a caged griffin, regal in her bearing, but dangerous if you moved too close.
Sam was the first to move. He strutted to her bed and plunked down, groaning. “This bed is so comfortable.” His brother stretched out his hands behind his head, ankles crossed. The feisty brunette squinted at Samuel and crossed to the opposite side of the bed, scowling at his brother.
Sam gave her an approving smile. “You did well tonight. I don’t believe there was a single person in the room who was not at least partially in love with you by the time you left. The only ones who probably shall hate you are those who were hoping to take your place in my brother’s bed.”
“They can have him,” she grumbled. Tehl watched as a calculating gleam entered her eyes as Sam lazed on her bed. “That still doesn’t explain why you are now in my bed. Get off.”
“It would be my pleasure,” Sam purred, the devil in his eyes.
Sage’s narrowed dangerously. “I will tie you up and drop you off my balcony if I have to.”
Tehl fought a grin. His brother would no doubt have something to say to that.
“Tie me up? I must admit that sounds rather appealing, there are so many options.” Sam reached up and caressed the head of the bed. “This would be the perfect bed for…”
A dull thud sounded and suddenly a blade quivered in between Sam’s fingers, embedded in the headboard. Sam’s face was a mask of shock. Tehl’s eyes snapped to the smirking female. He hadn’t even seen her throw it. She stepped back from the bed and glided to a nearby chair. With fluid grace she placed her foot on the chair, so reminiscent of the Midsummer Festival’s night, when she’d displayed her scars. His betrothed then hitched up her dress exposing a thigh sheath. She plucked two more blades, placing them at a precise angle on the bedside table. She switched legs and pulled three more from another sheath there. Sage dropped her foot, lifting her hands to the flowers in her hair, gently tugging. He then noticed they weren’t just hair ornaments but weapons, very long, dangerous-looking needles. She shook out her hair and released a happy sigh. Last but not least, she pulled the fine chain that dropped into her dress and revealed a very pretty looking dagger that dangled on the end. She was a walking armory.
She clasped her hands in front of her. “Now, as I was saying, get off my bed.”
Sam obeyed this time, though he took his own sweet time, taking a moment to pry the blade from the bed. His brother tsked when he saw the gouge in the beautiful wood. “Look at what you did, Sage. This is jardintin wood.”
“You should have gotten out of her bed then,” Gavriel replied dryly. His cousin turned his attention to Sage, disapproval on his face. “Did you not even think to warm me when you snuck off the ship today? At first, I panicked because I couldn’t find you, but when I discovered Hayjen and Lilja had also disappeared I hoped you were only with them, so I waited, just in case. But none of you returned. I’d just decided to make a search for you when Rafe appeared, very much unhappy.” Sage cringed. “That man was beyond angry. He demanded I tell him where his mate went.”
Tehl’s brows rose at that. Mate?
“I could only guess he somehow meant you so I let him know I hadn’t seen you for hours. He stalked off, cursing up a storm. Fortunately, I then spotted Hayjen, and he was able to inform me of your whereabouts. If I hadn’t been detained by the rebellion leader, I would still be out there, looking frantically and praying that I wasn’t going to happen upon your carcass instead.”
“You left Gavriel behind?” Tehl growled.
Sage shot him a mulish look. “He is not my guardian. I can do as I please.”
“That may be so,” Tehl replied coolly. “But he is also your friend. How could you do that to him?”
His betrothed looked chagrined and held her hands out to Gav. “I am sorry, Gav. I didn’t mean to worry you. There were a few things I needed to wrap up tonight. I truly meant to come back though. It’s just…” She hesitated. “There were complications.”
“Ah. The rebellion leader,” Sam deduced. “How long have you been together?”
“Never.”
Tehl shifted, arching a brow at her. “You appeared very cozy at the Midsummer Festival. I got the impression you had been together a long time.”
“I merely played a role much like I did tonight. We only faked love and affection for each other.”
“He wasn’t acting, sis,” Gav spoke up softly. “Every man at the table that night felt his claim on you. Be honest with us. Are you attached to him?”
Sage sunk her fingers in her hair, frustration in the movement. “I have always admired him. Rafe is brave, loyal, intelligent, and kind. I have worked with him closely for over a year. Of course, I was attached to him. He was my mentor… He was my friend.”
“Was?” Tehl questioned.
Anger stiffened her body and she glowered. “Yes, was. It was he who sent that monster to me, and he was a part of the Circle who also decided to protect him, the very same which almost condemned me for attempted murder.” Her body shook, angry tears spilling onto her cheeks. “Then he sold me to a man he knew I loathed, sentencing me to live in the same place where the worst horrors of my life took place. ”
“What of our conversation in the cavern? I thought Rafe had plans in order for Rhys.”
Sage laughed, slapping her leg like what he said was comical. There wasn’t anything funny about what he’d said as far as he knew. He slid a glance to Sam but neither was his brother laughing. Good, he hadn’t missed anything, though her behavior remained a mystery.
“You did see him at the negotiation, right?” She raised her hand above her head. “About this tall, utterly ordinary until you see the rot of his demented soul? The man who pawed at me and orchestrated this whole farce?” Another hysterical giggle escaped her. “Mark my words, he will go free. He is rather like the wind. You know, he’s there only because you see the effects of his actions, but as soon as you
think he’s in your grasp, you open your hand to find nothing.” Her bleak eyes turned to Sam. “You told me he would be punished and would never hurt anyone else, yet he is, this very day, running around free in Sanee. I stabbed him, trying to free the world from his particulate brand of evil, yet the Circle protected him and blamed me.” She then turned to Tehl, accusation in her eyes. “Once again, after your conversation with Rafe, I was relieved that he might disappear from my life, but no. Instead, he is the one who somehow has the power to orchestrate my enslavement to the Crown once again.” She chuckled without mirth. “And now his destruction is impossible. If he were to go missing now the rebellion would blame you and all the hotheads itching for a change in government would just use it as an excuse to start their fight back up again.”
“We will…” Gavriel started.
“No. She’s right,” Tehl cut him off, never taking his eyes off Sage. “Our hands are tied at the moment.” She deserved to know they would protect her. Their situation was not ideal, but she would become his family in a matter of weeks. They may not be best friends, but they did want the same thing.
Tehl marched over and knelt in front of her. She had given up much, so he could do this much for her. “In two weeks you will become part of our family. You could have done as you pleased, you owed no loyalty to me, but you did it out of love for my people, and I will not forget that, ever. We are unlikely allies, and now we are to be partners. I promise you this: you will be safe here. I will protect you to the best of my ability, and when the time comes in which I may act without fear of the repercussions you spoke of, then there will be nowhere he can hide. This I vow.”
Her green eyes glimmered. It was obvious many emotions roiled around inside her. “I will hold you to that, my lord. The same goes for you, and yours. I’ll protect your family to the best of my ability.”
She stepped back and shoved her arm toward him, watching him carefully. Tehl clasped her forearm, his fingers overlapping.
“Allies then.”
“Yes. Allies,” he echoed.
Chapter Fifteen
Sage
Her conversation with Tehl the week prior fueled her anger. Allies, what a joke.
Sage lunged, meeting her opponent’s sword with her own. Her muscles strained against the weight of the larger man’s brute strength. She bared her teeth at him and spun away, blocking one of his strikes. They circled each other, wary, searching for weaknesses. Sage loved sparring, being as she was so small, she often had to figure out how to take down opponents much larger than she. And when she was able to best them there was nothing so invigorating as that glorious win.
She continued to eye her opponent, trying to anticipate his next move. He was good, she would give him that much, but she knew she was faster. She smiled inwardly. He’d just given himself away with a slight movement of his torso. By the time he’d attacked, she was already in motion, slipping under his guard and knocking him to his knees. She leaned over his shoulder and placed her blade at his throat.
“I yield,” he huffed out, black hair shining in the light. His purple eyes peered up at her, crinkling at the corners. “I also had you though.”
She sniffed and stepped away, ignoring all the male eyes watching her with interest. Her unladylike pursuits made quite the impression on courtiers and soldiers alike, setting tongues-a-wagging.
“Sage.”
Spinning, she caught the rag he’d thrown and wiped her face and neck. It was warm out, already causing sweat to trickle down her spine as well as in between her breasts. That was the worst part about training, the breast sweat. She wrinkled her nose and tugged her leather vest back into place. Most of the time she wore a linen shirt underneath but when sparring on days like today it was much too hot. That left her in trousers, boots, a leather vest, and arm guards. Sage placed the towel on the fence and leaned against it to inspect Gav as he ran a towel over his own face and hair.
“You weren’t giving it your all.” Irritation colored her voice. “I will not break. I am not made of glass. Again,” she demanded, as she pushed off the fence and strode to the center of the ring.
Gav scowled at her but didn’t move from his spot. “I understand you will not break but it still feels wrong to spar full force with a woman.”
“So you let me win?” Sage clenched her teeth.
Gav looked at her hesitantly. “No, not necessarily…but I could also never hurt you.”
“If you will not spar with me, then I will find someone else.” She scanned the area locking onto combat master. “Zachael! Would you spar with me?” The combat master grinned at her and moved their way.
“You have been at this for two hours already today. Don’t you think you should take a break or finish making plans?” Gav asked.
That had her seeing red. She shoved her sword into her scabbard and stalked to Gavriel. “That’s exactly why I am out here, to escape wedding plans.”
Garreth glanced up from sharpening his sword. “I thought most women loved that sort of thing.”
Sage rolled her eyes, placing her hands on her hips. “Do I seem like most women?” The men around her snickered, and she smiled in spite of herself. In the twelve days since she’d arrived, she had trained every morning and afternoon with the Elite. It had taken her a while to get used to being surrounded by men again and several times she’d felt herself start to panic, but Gavriel never left her side and the men never touched her. They were always courteous and respectful. After a week, being around them felt familiar, similar to being around her brothers. If someone pinned or surprised her, she usually had to fight some anxiety, but she managed.
In the beginning, Sage was relieved that the only time she had to interact with the crown prince was for dinner. But as the days wore on, she realized that he had, in fact, abandoned her so that she alone had to manage all wedding preparations, and in just two short weeks too. That first day she’d taken Marq to task for announcing their betrothal in such a way. She’d begged him to somehow give them more time, but, despite her pleading, he wouldn’t change his mind. She’d seethed at the comments she’d had to bear from the women she was forced to spend time with. Everyone thought she was already carrying the heir as it was the only reason they could think of for such haste. The thought made her nauseous. Thank goodness that wouldn’t be for some time.
“You are definitely one of a kind.” Zachael’s words pulled her from her thoughts.
Murmurs of agreement followed his comment, and she blushed. Sage waved away their words when Gav leveled her with a look and asked, “What is so bad about planning a wedding? My wife loved it.”
She turned from his searching eyes to stare at the sky. How could she explain herself without giving away her true feelings, or rather the lack thereof, for the crown prince?
“I wasn’t born to this life,” Sage whispered. “I always imagined myself marrying behind my family’s home in the forest, or maybe in my meadow.” She shrugged, trying to cover the emotion rolling in her gut. “I figured I would know each and every face in the crowd and it would be a simple affair. I’d be surrounded by friends and family with the man I loved. I only wanted simple. I still want simple.” It was the truth and her dream. She dropped her head and gestured to the palace behind her. “This is anything but.” Sage pulled a face. “What is the difference between ivory or eggshell? Anyone?” She spun in a circle and received shrugs. “That’s my point. Who cares what color of cream the napkins are? And my betrothed has dumped it all on me.”
“He hates it as much as you do. Perhaps he thought you would enjoy it,” Garreth tossed in. “But it’s all worth it, right? The responsibilities come with the man.” Garreth raised a brow, as if daring her to say something to the contrary.
Sage swallowed a bitter retort and spoke sentiments more suited to a woman in love. “He is worth any trial, even suffering through wedding plans.” The words were ash on her tongue.
In two days, she would say her vows, promising her life to a ma
n she cared nothing for. Just the thought had her feeling stifled. She needed to get away for a while. “You are probably right.” She pasted on a smile and turned on her heel. “I think I’m about done, I need to get out of the sun. Gav, I will meet you here two hours before sunset.”
Sage fled the training ground in favor of the palace, slipping into one of its shadowed coves. Gavriel appeared several moments later, striding briskly down the corridor. Once he’d disappeared around the corner, she slipped back outside and snagged an abandoned cloak from the pile with a mental note to return it later.
She needed to see her papa. Her mum visited every day, even her brothers, Zeke and Seb dropped by a time or two, but she had yet to see her father, and she craved his company desperately.
Slipping past the walls was all too easy as no one had noticed her departure. Sage took her time walking to the forge, finding comfort in the familiarity of the town as she meandered from one street to the next. Being so cooped up inside the palace had started to feel unbearable, so, with each step away from it, she could feel her tension falling away.
The hustle and bustle of the community brought a certain amount of solace as well. Grubby children laughingly chased one another, whipping around the scolding merchants and gossiping laundresses, their little bare feet slapping against the ground. Their bright eyes and joyful smiles brought forth one of her own.
Every home and business was familiar, and she felt as though each one she passed was welcoming her home. Sage rounded the final corner, her heart leaping in her throat. Everything looked the same, from the open stall displaying their wares to the scrolling vine shutters decorating the window. Each piece that adorned her family’s arched door widened her smile. Every year, she made a flower and presented it as a gift to her mum, and her mum displayed each one with love and pride. Sage flew to her home, kicking up dust behind her. She skidded to a stop when she slipped into the forge, the sweltering heat welcoming her home. Jacob was leaning over her father, checking his chest and both men jerked when they heard her abrupt arrival.