by Frost Kay
She watched with satisfaction as his jaw tightened for a moment. “My lady,” he growled through gritted teeth.
Sage nodded to him with a smug grin, walking around him and down the airy hallway. She ignored the prickling sensation between her shoulders; she may not have heard him following her, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t there. He moved with stealthy feline grace. As she reached the stairs, a large hand gently wrapped around her bicep. Sage stared at the hand and slowly peered up at the large man with raised brows. “Yes?”
He cocked his head then released her, offering his arm. “My lady?”
Her eyes narrowed on him. The surrounding Guard shifted uncomfortably as she stared Rafe down. It was a trap. If she didn’t take it, she’d look petty but if she did, he would have control.
“It’s not a problem to be solved, Sage, it’s an offering.”
She bit her lip and hesitantly slipped her arm into his. They were both silent as they descended the stairs. Even when they reached the bottom, he didn’t release her but guided her through the palace like it was his own home. Inwardly, she rolled her eyes. No doubt he had been doing his fair share of snooping in the last month. He probably did know it as well as his home.
“I am curious to meet this Scythian woman.”
Sage looked at him through the corner of her eye. “I just bet.”
“I would like to meet her today.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
Why not? Because he was dangerous. Rafe wasn’t even Aermian. She didn’t even know what he was really doing in their country. How could she trust his motives? She couldn’t. He was a liar, a fake. Sage felt him staring at her as he tried to figure her out, to read her. She kept her face blank.
“I taught you that mask, little one,” he whispered. “You cannot hide from me.”
Her teeth ground together for a moment before she answered. “I don’t trust you.”
He sucked in a breath. “Did you not agree to my help before the war council?”
Sage let a smile play on her lips. “I did, but I did not say in what capacity.”
“Oh?”
She halted and looked into Rafe’s familiar amber eyes. “I neither need your help nor want it. You cornered me in the meeting, and I didn’t appreciate it. You forced my hand.”
He shrugged a shoulder with a smirk. “I am a spy, little one, it’s what I do.”
Sage returned his smirk with one of her own—but hers had an edge. “Indeed, but as you often taught me, the devil’s in the details. I never said in what way I would work with you.” Her smile turned smug as his faded. “I find myself in need of a bodyguard that can blend into the crowd.”
“You want me to be your bodyguard?”
“Yes, unseen, unheard. Zachael and the rest of the men would rip into me if I disappeared into the city without an escort but—” Sage slapped his chest, “—with your protection that takes care of that little detail, thus negating the necessity for a military escort. Meanwhile, I can go and retrieve my real helper.”
“Indeed. Might that person have magenta eyes?”
Sage smiled brightly at him. “Indeed. What a lucky guess.” She turned her back to him and sauntered toward the doors. Sage flipped her hair and called over her shoulder. “Don’t forget a cloak, at the moment you practically scream ‘see me’.” His grumbling about cheeky women made her smile widen. She couldn’t wait to see Lilja.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Sage
Sage sprinted down the halls, her boots echoing on the marble floor. She was running late. Adjusting the delicate package in her arms, Sage veered to the right, heading toward the infirmary. Hopefully, Mira was still there.
She rushed into the room, slamming the door back. The look on Mira’s startled face was priceless as she dropped the sheet she was folding.
“Sage Ramses, what are you are doing?”
Sage halted in front of her friend and pulled her into a quick hug before Mira pushed back and scolded again.
“Where have you been? Sam dropped by looking for you. He questioned me until I finally booted him out of my space. Aren’t you supposed to be at dinner?” Mira’s gaze flickered to Sage’s hair. “Good grief. What happened to your hair?”
Sage blinked at the rapid succession of questions fired at her. “I visited Lilja.” She pointed to her crazy hair. “Lilja is what happened to my hair, and, yes, I should be at dinner which is why I am here.”
“That makes no sense.”
“Yes, it does.” Sage huffed. “My ladies-in-waiting will take far too long to get ready for dinner. The crown prince will be as ornery as a badger by this point, so I need someone who can help me tame this beast.” She gestured again to her hair. “And quickly.”
Mira threw her head back and laughed. “There’s no helping that mane.”
“Please?” Sage pleaded, batting her eyelashes. “I’ll hand over what Lilja sent home for you, if you help me.”
The healer perked up, intrigued. “What did she send?”
Sage took a step back and swung the parcel before her. “Fix my hair, and you’ll find out.”
“You drive a hard bargain. But I suppose I accept,” Mira smiled as she moved over to a desk. She peeked up as she dug around in one of its drawers. “You know, I would have helped you without a bribe.”
“Just as I would have given you Lilja’s gift without your help,” Sage retorted, and plopped onto a cot.
Mira yanked a brush out of the drawer and rushed to her side. “This might hurt.”
She winced. “I know.”
Mira began the painstaking process of untangling Sage’s salt-encrusted hair. “You smell like seaweed.”
“I know.”
“You look like seaweed too.”
She reached around and smacked Mira’s hip. “I know.”
“Will you tell me what Lilja sent? I’m dying here.”
“Just some seaweed and herbs.”
Mira stilled for a moment. “Sea herbs?”
Sage smiled at the excitement in her friend’s voice and nodded. “Sea herbs.”
Mira let out a little yip and spun in a circle before attacking her hair with the brush again. “I can’t believe she was willing to part with some. Sea herbs are so hard to harvest that they’re extremely hard to come by, not to mention expensive. It must be because you’re living here now.”
“I doubt that’s the case,” Sage replied with a soft smile. “Lilja trusts you. You are not only skilled but a very caring healer. I’m sure it had nothing to do with me and everything to do with your own kindness.”
Mira said nothing for a moment as she began to braid above sage’s ear. “Thank you.”
“We’ve been through this: there’s nothing to thank me for.”
“You’ve done more than you could’ve known.” Mira tied off the left braid and began on the right. “Before I met you, I thought about pursuing something other than healing. I was so tired of the slurs from men and the vicious comments from other women regarding my profession. The things they would say about Jacob and I…it was disgusting.” Mira’s voice hardened. “I am his daughter, blood or no blood. It abhors me how people speak of us.”
Sage closed her eyes as Mira’s fingers worked through her hair. “I’m sorry. People can be cruel, especially when they don’t understand something.”
Her friend sighed. “I was tired. All I wanted was peace, and to work with my father in the infirmary, to just do what I love. I saw that it hurt Jacob every time someone spouted off something ignorant. I didn’t want him punished for my choices so I was very close to giving it all up, both for his sake and mine, but then I met you.”
Sage’s eyes popped open, and she stilled Mira’s hand while twisting around. Mira met her gaze, her face full of so much affection that her heart squeezed. In the most unlikely of places, Sage had found true friendship, a sisterly companion she’d forever cherish.
“Even at your weakest, despite the pain, yo
u worked through it so you’d be stronger. Each nightmare could have kept you cowering in your bed, but you didn’t allow them to overwhelm you, you kept pushing forward. Watching you deal with your demons gave me the motivation to face mine and not let the actions and opinions of others steal the joy in my life.”
Sage swallowed against the lump forming in her throat. She was so fortunate to have Mira in her life. The woman’s heart held more love, compassion, and kindness than anyone she had ever known.
Sage lifted Mira’s hand up and kissed the back of it. “You’re a gem, Mira.”
The healer brushed aside her comment and kissed her on the crown of her head. “The feeling’s mutual dear.”
Sage twisted back around with a smile.
Mira spat into a bin. “Blech. Even your hair tastes like seaweed.”
Sage laughed.
“Time to get you out of here.” Mira piled the remaining loose hair high on the back of Sage’s head, pinning it and then wrapping the braid around the updo. “Done.”
Sage murmured her thanks as she leapt up and opened the package. Deep purple fabric slithered out that Sage couldn’t help but caress. Mira halted by her side and Sage absently passed the healer her herbs, her eyes never leaving the exquisite fabric.
“Where did Lilja find that?” Mira asked in awe, hugging her herbs close to her chest.
“I stopped asking since she never gives me a straight answer.”
“Sounds like Lilja.” Mira plucked the fabric from the cot, her eyes rounding. “How do you wear it?”
Sage smiled. “Just wait and see.”
***
After many knots, curses, and giggles, Sage was ready to go. The process had proved more complicated than anticipated, but she was finally done. Sage brushed her hands along the eggplant silk once more. “Well? What do you think?”
“What do I think? Everyone will stare at you for it looks exquisite. It resembles a dress, yet there are no seams, laces, or buttons.” Mira shook her head, bewildered. “It’s both fascinating and confusing. I’m still not sure how we figured out how to tie that thing together, and I’m sure I couldn’t figure it out again if I tried. ”
“Let’s chalk it up to exquisite craftsmanship.” Sage swept the fabric to the side and hugged Mira before hustling to the door. “Thanks for your help, I owe you.”
“Yes, you do. How about you get Lilja to cough up another one of those dresses for me but in blue?”
“I can do that.” Sage sniggered and paused at the door, craning her neck to look at her friend. “You sure you don’t want to quit being a healer to be a lady-in-waiting? I hear there’s a position open. Surely, it would be better than working here. I mean, just think of your reputation!” Sage widened her eyes dramatically.
Mira picked up a sheet and tossed it at her. “Get out of here, wench.”
Sage laughed as she departed, calling out, “Your wish is my command, harpy.”
Her smiled widened at Mira’s fading cackle. It felt good to laugh. She picked up her skirts and sprinted to the dining hall taking care not to wrinkle the material. She winced when she heard music drifting down the hall. Swamp apples, they had already started dining. She was so late. Tehl would not be in a good mood.
She paused in the shadows just outside the door to arrange her dress, squaring her shoulders. Time to put on a good show for the court.
Sage tipped her chin up and adopted a careless air as she glided into the hall, the silky fabric gliding with her as she moved across the smooth marble floor. Sam spotted her first, arched a brow, and sent her a look as if to say you’re in trouble. Sage forced herself to stay relaxed, holding her smile instead of sticking her tongue out at him, like she wanted to. She puffed out a laugh. He would, no doubt, figure out a way to crack a joke about how the gesture was somehow provocative.
Tehl noted the direction of his brother’s attention and finally spotted her. Sage widened her smile in what she hoped looked like delight. Leisurely, the crown prince stood and moved down the stairs from the dais, wearing his full court smile. Oh boy. He was definitely not happy. Her afternoon with Lilja had been so fantastic and now he would surely ruin it. She forced her feet forward and dipped into a curtsey when he reached her. “My lord.”
His large hand slipped into hers and lifted her. “My lady,” he rumbled deeply, placing a kiss on her cheek. “What in the hell are you wearing, and where have you been?” he hissed in her ear before pulling back, his smile still in place.
Sage snuggled up to him and peered up into his face. “I got caught up.”
“Obviously.”
“Sorry.”
He eyed her dress once more and scowled briefly before once again schooling his features into something more pleasant. Tehl placed her hand on his arm and turned, guiding them both toward the dais. He blew out a breath and glanced at her from the corner of his eye. “Did you have to wear that?”
Sage dropped her eyes to her dress with a faux smile like he complimented her. “What’s wrong with my dress?” she murmured.
“It leaves nothing to the imagination.”
Sage bit the inside of her cheek to keep herself from biting out a nasty retort. Most of the women of court were dressed much more scantily. “I am completely covered.” And she really was, save a small keyhole on her back. The dang thing didn’t even have a slit. “I’ve worn much more revealing dresses than this.”
Tehl helped her up the stairs and pulled her chair out. Sage sat and eyed him as he seated himself.
“What?” he muttered.
“What’s so immodest about it?” she asked softly.
“It’s not what it covers.” His eyes roved down her body and snapped back to her face. “It’s how it fits.”
“It was a gift from Lilja, and it’s lovely.” The purple complimented her hair, skin, and eyes. It flowed over her curves and onto the floor, neither too tight nor too loose, just fitted.
The crown prince snorted. “Of course, it was,” he muttered underneath his breath. “I agree it is lovely, but it’s enticing.”
Sage blinked. Did he just compliment her? “And that’s a bad thing?”
He blew out a breath. “My problem is that every other man is intrigued by the knots tying your dress.” Tehl shifted looking uncomfortable.
“Why would they be interested in my knots?” Sage asked, playing stupid.
His eyes narrowed. “You know what I am talking about.”
A smile played on her lips. “I’m sure I have no idea what you mean.” Sage wanted to cheer when his nostrils flared.
“Every man is wondering if they tugged just right if it would come undone,” he gritted out.
“Oh,” Sage fake-gasped, though his obvious embarrassment had her bursting inside with mirth. She stifled a laugh.
“Oh indeed,” Tehl growled. “I bet the rotten bastards will all vie to dance with you tonight.”
Sage took pity on him and patted his hand. “It would take a lot more than that to get this to come undone. Mira spent a half-hour wrapping me in it.”
Tehl plucked a grape from his plate and leaned back into his chair with a grin. “I bet you loved that.”
Sage rolled her eyes and snagged a piece of cheese from her own plate. “I swear she was slow on purpose.”
The crown prince shrugged one shoulder. “It’s a possibility. She has a vengeful streak, that one. Have you done anything to vex her recently?”
“Too many things.”
“Enough flirting you two,” Sam teased from across the table. “It’s bad enough I have to deal with it every day. I don’t need to experience it at the table as well.”
Good-natured laughs surrounded them. “Leave them alone, they’ve only been married a month.”
Sage dipped her head like she was embarrassed to cover her humor. This was the game they played. Little pieces of truth mixed with deceptions so no one suspected what they were really about. The laughing faded and dinner resumed with soft chatter and the tinkling of
silverware.
Over the last month, she and the crown prince had finally settled into a routine of sorts for dinner. They didn’t say too much unless others engaged them and that suited them both very well. They stole small touches during the meal that weren’t so stolen with many eyes on them. Each of these things was, of course, meaningless to them personally, only a deception to please the people surrounding them.
That evening, Sage chatted a little with the gentleman next to her who looked old enough she feared he might keel over at any moment. When the music changed, Sage met Tehl’s eyes. This was always the hardest part for them. She loved to dance, and the crown prince could dance, but they weren’t comfortable dancing with each other. It was still hard for them to pretend to enjoy being in each other’s arms.
Tehl stood and offered his hand, and Sage slipped into her love struck persona as she accepted his hand. He led her down the stairs to the floor and stiffly pulled her into his arms. They began a slow swirling dance, and she smiled at the couples that whirled past, speaking to him from the corner of her mouth. “You’re too rigid, you need to soften.”
“Said no woman ever.”
Her gaze flew to his and she stumbled a step. His face had not changed but she could just detect some humor in the crinkling of his eyes. “You’ve been spending too much time with your brother.”
A smirk lifted the corners of his mouth, and his eyes flashed down to hers for a moment. “Or yours.”
“What?” she asked stupidly. “When did you see my brothers? I haven’t seen Zeke and Seb in a good two weeks.”
“They had a shipment that needed to be dropped off.”
“And they sought you out?” Sage questioned.
“No, I saw them and invited them for a pint.”
“A pint?” she echoed. Who was this man and what did he do with her cantankerous husband?
He grinned. “You said that out loud.”
That mortified her a bit but she shook her head and focused back on the surrounding crowd. “I still can’t believe they didn’t come and see me.”