by Frost Kay
“I was wondering when you would show yourself.”
What was she talking about? “What do you mean?” Sam asked, never taking his eyes from hers.
Sage leaned closer, like she had a secret. “I saw a glimpse of the real spymaster.” Her lips turned up into a smug smile. “You can fool everyone else, but you cannot hide from me.”
“What am I hiding?” Sam ran his eyes over her features with deliberate slowness, trying to gauge her meaning.
She shrugged, her gaze just as intent. “Anger, pain, guilt; a number of things really. I bet the only people who truly understand you are your cousin and brother, but I doubt either of them knows the true extent of your façade. I think you’ve worn it so long you don’t know yourself what is real and what isn’t.”
Sam kept his face impassive, despite the fact that her words hit disturbingly close to home. He’d played so many parts over the years, he sometimes felt like he’d lost himself. She was very keen to have noticed, and he idly thought it was a shame she wasn’t one of his sneaks. He quickly pulled himself from his thoughts. He wasn’t here to have a heart to heart with Sage; he was here to retrieve her.
“Over the last few hours, Tehl, the Elite, and I have searched high and low for you. We were worried that you had been taken or worse. Now you can imagine how I feel finding you, instead, sitting here, drinking in a pub.”
Sage’s eyes narrowed, and she tugged her arm from his grasp. “Don’t you dare judge me. I have done nothing but comply over, and over, giving everything of myself to help everyone around me. So what if I wanted a drink before I shackled myself to a man, a title, and cage I want nothing to do with? It’s a very little thing to let me have this small moment to myself.”
Sam tensed when silver flashed into her hand. Where in God’s name had that blade come from? The longer he spent around Sage, the more intrigued he became. His new sister was a mixture of soft and hard. If only she could get over her aversion to his brother, she had potential to be a fine asset to their kingdom. He snorted. That and if his brother finally learned some tact. It was going to be a long road to success.
She stabbed the blade at him. “I have seen you with new, let us call them diversions, every day of the week. You do not get to judge me, or counsel me on my actions and morals. I wanted a chance to think in peace, so I took this chance as it is the only one I shall probably be afforded for some time.”
“Yes, but at the expense of others,” he retorted.
“That’s rich coming from a representative of the Crown. When have you had to make a sacrifice that cost you everything?” Her eyes dropped for a moment before returning to him, filled with ire. “So forgive me if I don’t feel bad for taking a couple hours to myself so I could say goodbye to my life and family. After all, I’m only continuing yours at the expense of mine.”
Sam shot to his feet when she stood from the bench suddenly. The last thing he needed tonight was to hunt her down. Again. Sam scrutinized her as she shifted to the balls of her feet. He was sure he could keep up, but it would be a bloody waste of time. He had several meetings he needed to make tonight so he needed her to come now.
“Are you ready then, my lady?”
Sage stared at the back exit for a long moment before tossing a glare his way and stalking to the door, her cloak swirling around her. Sam smiled behind her back. She may be tough on the outside, but she was warm and passionate once you got past her walls. He’d enjoyed making her scowl. They would be great friends; she just didn’t know it yet.
Chapter Seventeen
Tehl
Where the hell had she gone? When her ladies complained that she hadn’t shown up for her dress fitting he figured she was out practicing, as was her custom every morning and evening, much to the shock of his court. When Gavriel barged into his study, worried that she didn’t show up for her customary bout, he felt behooved to send a few Elite to discreetly search for her. It wasn’t until all four Elite showed up empty-handed that he finally got frustrated and, while grumbling under his breath, stomped from the room, determined to find her himself.
His first thought was to visit his father, for he knew they shared an affinity for hiding out whenever there were royal duties to attend to. When he got there, however, he was surprised to learn she hadn’t been there all day. Next, he checked the infirmary, but Mira, likewise, had no idea of her whereabouts, and, by then, Tehl had started to actually worry. By a stroke of luck, Jacob overheard Tehl’s inquiries and casually mentioned Sage visiting her father. He’d stalked out of the room irritated that she hadn’t notified someone of her departure. Was it too much to ask that she use good sense and take measures to protect herself?
He took Sam, Gavriel, and a few Elite to the forge, but yet again she’d evaded him. Even her father, Colm, didn’t know where she was, having thought she’d headed home already. Now more concerned, they broke up into three groups, his team searching the fishermans’ district. They checked everywhere they could think of, even visiting Captain Femi, but to no avail. By the time they returned to the training yard, Gav’s group was already there, still empty-handed.
“Anything?” he growled, already knowing the answer.
“Nothing,” Gavriel said tensely. “We need to form a larger search group and soon. Something could have happened.”
Tehl nodded and pushed back the thread of panic twisting inside him. Sage was smart. If someone had stolen her, she’d escape. They just needed to find out where to. The Elite surrounded him and someone procured a map and a lantern. His men squatted down next to him as he spread the map across the dirt. He squinted at it. Was she stolen, or did she run? It would narrow their search if they knew if she ran or was taken. He tugged on his hair, frustrated that he didn’t know her mind well enough to make a guess. Worried purple eyes caught his attention. Gav was the closest to her. He would know.
Tehl caught Gav’s eye and jerked his chin, standing. Once the two of them had walked out of hearing range he turned and looked his cousin straight in the eye. “Is she running?”
Gav blew out a frustrated breath. “No. Sage was upset this morning but she wouldn’t leave like this.”
“Why was she upset?” He had barely seen her so it couldn’t have been his fault at least.
“You dumped the wedding on her.”
Tehl blinked at him. “Women love planning weddings. Emma loved it.”
Gavriel tossed him a droll look. “Is Sage anything like Emma or even most of the women of your acquaintance?”
“No,” Tehl drawled, thinking of her colorful word choices and warrior skills. In all his life, he had never met a woman like her. Her boldness, fortitude, and compassion set her apart from the women he’d been raised with.
“Then why would you think she would enjoy planning a wedding?” Gav lowered his voice. “She’s been forced into it with a man she hardly knows nor cares for? I mean, think about it. Do you remember how you felt planning the Midsummer Festival?”
Tehl grimaced. What a bloody nightmare.
“Exactly.” Gav pinched the bridge of his nose as he continued, “You had months to plan it. You threw her into this without any prior experience and worse still, your father has given her a scant two weeks to do so. It’s an event most of the kingdom will attend so you can see why she’d be, not only upset, but more than a little overwhelmed.”
He was an idiot. He’d been so relieved that it was no longer his responsibility that he hadn’t stopped to think about how she might feel. Tehl simply assumed she had plenty of help and that it wouldn’t be a problem. He sighed. What was done, was done. Now they could only move forward.
Tehl returned to his men, crouching next to Zachael who had joined the group after he’d stepped away with Gav. Zachael sent him a look that promised questions later as Tehl filled him in on their progress so far.
“We searched here and here.” Tehl pointed to the fisherman and merchant district. “Gavriel will lead a group south and…” A commotion at the gate drowned ou
t his voice. He stood and caught Sage shoving his brother away from her.
“Who knows where those hands have been so keep them to yourself.”
She was safe.
Something loosened in his chest just knowing that, but with the relief came anger. He quickly ran his eyes over her, seeking any sign of abuse, but not a hair was out of place. He found that to be, somehow, both reassuring and frustrating, especially when she unclipped the oversized cloak and sauntered up to Garreth, batting her eyelashes as she spoke.
“I borrowed your cloak this morning, I hope you don’t mind.” Tehl’s jaw clenched when she next lifted her hair up, baring her neck, her back slightly arched. Garreth’s eyes very briefly skimmed her curves before snapping to him, a question in his eyes.
Before he could do anything, Sage touched the Elite’s arm, effectively returning his attention to her.
What was going on?
“You’re not upset, are you?”
“I don’t mind, darlin’.”
Garreth placed a hand over hers, his thumb running along her skin while the entire group just stared at the spectacle before them. She was flirting with one of his men, right in front of him.
What. The. Hell?
A sturdy hand gripped his shoulder. “Calm down, she isn’t propositioning him,” Sam whispered.
“Like hell she isn’t,” Tehl ground out. “Where did you find her?”
“In an alehouse.”
He saw red.
Tehl considered himself a calm and logical person, but there was something about Sage that made him lose it. Here he had been, worrying over her, searching high and low, just hoping nothing terrible had happened, while she’d actually been out drinking.
“Do you understand what you put me through?” he thundered, without thought.
Sage dropped her hand and turned to him, cocking a hip. “My lord, I went to visit my family.”
Tehl jerked forward, out of Sam’s grasp. “We searched for you for hours. You left without notifying anyone, leaving your protection behind. Neither your father nor Lilja knew where you had gone.”
She smirked.
She bloody smirked at him. Like his words were funny.
“My men wasted their personal time searching for you. Did you want to punish me?”
Her mocking laughter floated over the silent group of men. “Not everything is about you, my lord. I needed to get away and say goodbye to my family. Would you deny me that? Keep me here forever?”
Reason filtered through, causing him to bite his tongue to keep his damning words from spilling out. “No. But your actions put you in danger.”
“I wasn’t in any danger.” She jerked her chin toward the men surrounding their display. “Your men can attest to that.”
“You are not infallible; I have had you before.”
The expression on her face made him pause.
“You will pay for that comment,” Zachael muttered under his breath.
Tehl’s brows furrowed in confusion as a round of sniggers erupted around him.
“Not the best choice of words, brother,” Sam imparted.
He stiffened, realizing his mistake too late. Sage’s face turned an alarming shade of scarlet at the blatant reminder of her capture. Her hands clenched at her sides.
“You’ve never had me,” she emphasized, glowering at the surrounding men who were now trying to disguise their laughs as coughs. “You surprised me one time.”
“One time is all it takes. My enemies are your enemies. You can’t wander around doing whatever you want, you have responsibilities.”
“Responsibilities?” Sage hissed.
Tehl froze. He knew that tone, it was the same one Gav used before he ripped someone’s head off. Seething rage.
“You want to speak of responsibilities? With me?” Her pitch rose, almost screeching.
He wanted to rub his ears, but he didn’t think it would go over well. Her arms gestured wildly, a crazed look on her face.
“Where have you been the last week? Not once did you help or give me guidance. I never even wanted a big wedding. I’d be fine with a quiet ceremony in a meadow but YOU—” She jabbed a finger at him, eyes blazing. “YOU are the royal. We’re doing this because of you so this should all be on your shoulders, not mine. I will not be your rug or dumping grounds whenever you have undesirable tasks. We will be equals or nothing at all.”
“Nothing at all? You are already mine, I paid the acquiesce toll not even five days ago. In two days, you will wear my cuffs, my ring. It is already as good as done.” The red in her face deepened with every word he spoke. Why was she getting so angry this time? He had merely stated the truth.
“Now you’ve done it, you bloody idiot,” Gavriel whispered.
Tehl spared his cousin an annoyed glance before focusing on the woman spitting fire in front of him. She stormed up to him, stopping two strides away.
“Do you enjoy humiliating me?” Sage spat, her eyes burning.
“What are you talking about?”
“Don’t play stupid, Your Highness. Did it ease your conscience to pay my acquiesce toll?” She gestured to her curvy body. “You may have bought me like a whore, but I will never wear your cuffs.”
That was downright offensive. He had never treated her like a whore, not once. When he visited her father, he’d been respectful and was trying to do the right thing. This union might not be what either of them had envisioned for their future, but he still wanted to follow the proper protocol pf a groom as best he could. The curious looks from his men were problematic. Sage was very close to giving them away.
“Leave us,” he bellowed. The Elite bowed and removed themselves, leaving only Garreth, Zachael, Gavriel, and Samuel. Tehl scowled at Sage, every inch of her body radiating defiance. “Are you out of your mind? Do you not recall the need for secrecy?”
“I didn’t forget, I just don’t care.”
That heated his blood. The troublesome wench. “Well you better start caring,” he said, through clenched teeth, “we have an agreement.”
“We do, but don’t you dare tell me how I can react to something. I can say what I want and how I feel. You will not silence me. I have my own mind.”
“Even if it reveals us?”
“You mean reveals you?” she challenged, tossing her silky brown hair.
Tehl stepped toward her. If Sage made threats, she needed to know he wouldn’t back down. He had no problem discussing things or working through problems, but he’d be damned before he was cowed on something this important.
“If you fail to keep your end of the deal, then I will forgo mine. You’re the one who asked for time.” Tehl wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her against him, smoothing his hand down her back.
She paled but held her ground, still as stone in his arms, not an ounce of give. “I would kill you first.” She twitched, and he felt something sharp pressed against his stomach.
A blade.
Always with a damn blade.
Tehl scowled at her, wondering where she pulled the dagger from without him noticing.
“Listen, and listen well, my lord. I will marry you, but I will never wear your cuffs. I belong to only myself, even if you paid my father more gold than a dragon could horde. You can’t buy my loyalty, compliance, or affection.” Her dark green eyes glittered dangerously. “I am to be your wife in name only, we are enemies that happen to have a common enemy, nothing more.”
Cuffs. There was that word again. It was the second time she’d mentioned it. When a couple married, tradition mandated that both husband and wife wear cuffs, his on the biceps and hers on the wrists. It was a fitting symbol of them being bound to each other forever. It also served as a sign to others, as well as a reminder to themselves, of their union. Whether she liked it or not, they would be bound to each other in two days.
Tehl studied her, attempting to discern the turbulent thoughts swirling around in her head. His gaze dropped to her wrists, and he stared for a m
oment before gently sliding his fingers along the twisted flesh. Sage jerked her arm away like his fingers burned her. Was that a reaction to his touch? Or was it born from the things she’d suffered?
He raised his eyes back to her face, and he actually felt pity for her. Her whole body was defensive but behind that he could see there was embarrassment and pain. Tehl kept his face impassive. If she saw his pity, she would only shut down. Instead, Tehl set her away from him and stepped back. As soon as he did so, she flipped her dagger and stowed it in an invisible pocket on her thigh. Momentarily distracted, Tehl leaned closer, intrigued.
Where did it go? Did she have special pockets in her trousers? Tehl shook himself. Thoughts for another time.
“It’s perfectly clear you’d rather not wear my cuffs but it doesn’t really matter; you must.” Tehl held up a hand when her mouth opened. Probably to curse him to the leviathans or something. He brushed his sleeve not meeting her eyes. “Have you not thought about the fact that I will wear yours as well?”
Her mouth opened and closed a couple of times before she huffed out a breath. “I… I hadn’t considered it.”
Sage’s honesty cooled some of the frustration, and he was able to respond more calmly. “Look, we need to learn from each other.” Tehl ran a self-conscious hand through his hair, giving her a small smile. “As you have already observed, I am not gifted with words or a great understanding of people. You must tell me what you mean or want, preferably in private, or I won’t understand. After what you suffered, I can understand your aversion to something that represents being bound, but keep in mind you’re not the only one who is bound in this. You’re not alone.”
“I don’t believe you.”
Tehl reined in the spark of anger her stubbornness set off and merely raised a midnight brow. “Have I ever lied to you?”
Sage pursed her lips, squinting at him. After a moment, she turned her head to the side. “No,” she mumbled.
“What was that?” Tehl baited.