“Yes.” He nodded slightly. Twenty years hadn’t faded the skin enough to count. Uncovered, it made him too identifiable, but he didn’t tell the widow that.
He found the uniform as promised and was pleased to find that it fit acceptably. The jacket was dark blue with red accents, and there was a black mourning armband folded with it. With the uniform on and his hair cleaned up he hardly recognized himself. He’d trimmed his beard down to a light stubble but didn’t completely do away with it, so that his tan lines wouldn’t reveal it was a hasty decision.
The weapons he chose were carefully concealed in the uniform, leaving no trace. He knew the guards did carry swords, so he strapped one on, and tucked the queen’s box away into his jacket.
He tried not to think too much as he got ready. If he let himself actually stop and consider what he was about to do, he might have second thoughts, and he couldn’t allow that. He’d never been so conflicted before, but then, he’d never been asked to kill an innocent girl before. He couldn’t back out now. Queen Minoa was no fool. She wouldn’t let him go free after exposing her plan to him. He wasn’t quite arrogant enough to think he could outrun the reach of a queen. He had to go to the castle. There was nothing else to it.
It was a bit of a trick getting out of the house without the widow spotting him in his uniform, but he managed, and soon he was inside the palace walls. He had expected someone to intercept him with questions, but true to Queen Minoa’s word, no one seemed to notice his arrival. Perhaps others were privy to this plot.
Briefly he wondered what he was going to do all afternoon until evening, but no sooner did he arrive then a man approached him. Zaig could tell by the adornments on his uniform that he was some kind of officer.
“Her Highness wishes to see you.” The man turned without waiting for an answer. Zaig quickly fell into step behind him, but his mind raced on ahead. Why did the queen want to speak to him so suddenly? Had she reconsidered her wish to kill the princess? He couldn’t tell whether it was hope or disappointment pulsing through his veins.
The officer led him through the maze of the castle, and Zaig found himself searching the corridors for a glimpse of his target. It was said that Princess Ailda was the most beautiful woman in the whole kingdom, but Zaig wasn’t certain anyone could rival the queen.
The rich furnishings of the castle were enough to distract him from the nervous energy coursing through him, at least momentarily, and he let himself take it all in. The rooms here were all lit by gas lamps, and carpets graced the corridors. The wood furniture was dark and polished, and everywhere he looked were bouquets of summer blossoms, lending the air a faint, sweet smell that made him want to sneeze.
The guard he followed stopped and opened a door, gesturing for Zaig to go in. He entered, and the guard shut the door behind him.
Queen Minoa sat at a large desk, looking even more regal than he’d anticipated. Her dress, full, golden, and covered in pearls, was more suited to royalty than the one he’d last seen her in, with its lace collar and puffed sleeves. If he wasn’t worried she’d have him executed for it, he might have taken the time to admire her beauty properly. Instead, he stifled those thoughts.
“Your Highness.” He remembered to bow.
“Good afternoon.” She motioned him forward without looking up, and Zaig couldn’t help a frown. Something was off. The urgency in her motion contradicted the decorum in her voice. Her pen flew across paper as he approached and stood in front of the desk. Finally, she looked up from her writing, and a look of shock passed over her. Her eyes roamed his face before she masked her surprise, and Zaig felt an odd sense of accomplishment at catching her off guard.
The queen recovered quickly and held up what she’d written, speaking at the same time. “You’re the new recruit then. What is your name?”
“Zaig,” he answered softly, scanning the page. Don’t say anything suspicious. We’re overheard.
Minoa went back to writing, the urgent scratching of her pen prickling his nerves. “Is there a second part to that name?”
“Not anymore.”
The queen glanced at him curiously before holding up her paper. “My Captain of the Guard can find you some easy work to help you gain experience, and Queen Ailda will need an escort to go riding this evening.” Remember everything I told you. Be careful. Be vicious. The gold awaits you tonight.
Zaig’s mind reeled with the deception of it all. Did the princess suspect Minoa wanted her killed? Should he expect her to be armed? Why did a girl merit so much caution? The queen studied him intently, and he forced a nod to let her know he understood. “Yes, Your Highness.”
“Right then. You’re dismissed.” She flicked a hand like she couldn’t wait to be rid of him, and he wondered if under her cold demeanor she was nervous too.
He turned and headed for the door.
“Oh, and Zaig,”
He stopped midstride and turned back.
“Good luck today.”
He barely heard the words. Tingles ran up his spine and blood pounded in his ears. In her hands was one final message.
If she kisses you, you will die.
Chapter Three
The captain of the guard posted him at a gate in the back corner of the castle grounds. Zaig wondered why they didn’t just wall it up and be done with it. No one came or went, and he didn’t see any signs that anyone had been by that way in a long time. The monotony grated on his nerves and set his mind racing.
He went over and over the situation he’d gotten himself into. What was he doing here? This wasn’t him. Hunting down ruthless fiends was one thing. He could justify it if he let himself think about it. But a girl? A girl who’d done nothing but get in the way of power . . .
How could he justify this?
Something about the whole situation bothered him. It didn’t make sense. He’d gone after dozens of men, well trained and dangerous, and no one had ever gone to the same lengths as Queen Minoa. Why was she being so cautious over a mere girl? What made this job so different from the rest?
And what was that last message supposed to mean? There was no reason the princess would want to kiss him. He was a stranger to her, supposedly just a guard along to escort her. Why would she even try to kiss him? And why was it such a deadly prospect? No answer presented itself.
Finally, the sun started to meander down the face of the sky, and Zaig dared to hope he’d be called soon. He couldn’t take much more of standing here idle. The heaviness of the overcast sky added to the dreary mood pressing in on him. His eyelids felt leaden. He should sleep. If he was to function as well as the queen was demanding he needed some rest, and he doubted anyone would care if he actually guarded this gate. This was all for show.
He slid to the ground and propped up against the wall, but his nerves weren’t as tired as the rest of him and he couldn’t clear his thoughts. He could just leave. If he could get out of Laivden before anyone noticed, that would be enough of a head start. He could hide out until the queen gave up looking for him. How long would she search if he left with the knowledge she was trying to have the young queen killed?
A shiver ran down his spine. Minoa was not a woman to be trifled with. He’d gathered that much from their brief meetings. She’d hunt him to the ends of the earth if she had to, and there was still the problem of money. To run and hide he’d need supplies and funds to pay people off to cover for him. Right now he had enough to pay the widow for the month, and he wasn’t leaving town without settling with her. No, it wouldn’t work. It would take too long, and he couldn’t fight off the queen’s army.
For a second he considered asking to join the boys at the logging camp. But he pushed the idea aside before he’d finished thinking it. They had troubles enough without him bringing more. When he left Laivden he wanted it to be quietly, with enough money to take him far away, where no one would know what he could do.
Which meant he had to stay here now and finish this last job.
Several more hou
rs passed before the captain came to the abandoned gate. Zaig got to his feet and brushed himself off, and the captain waved a hand toward the stables. “Her Majesty the Queen wishes to go riding. You’re to accompany her and see that she gets back safely.”
“Yes, sir.” Zaig tried out an awkward salute, suddenly reluctant to relinquish his tedious duties at the gate. But there was nothing for it now. He followed the captain to the stable yard.
Outside, a stable boy was saddling two horses. The princess—he still couldn’t make himself think of her by her new title—was standing with her back to Zaig. When she turned he nearly tripped over his own feet. The rumors were indeed true. She was stunning. Pitch-black hair cascaded around her shoulders, framing a snowy white face made paler still by her full red lips. Large green eyes lent her an innocent, juvenile touch, but the youthfulness didn’t distract from the beauty.
“Are you ready?” The captain’s harsh voice jerked Zaig back to reality, and he stammered a yes.
Ailda only smiled coyly then let the captain lift her into the sidesaddle. Zaig mounted the second horse, trying not to show his attention as Ailda arranged the skirt of her green riding habit. He didn’t know what kind of material it was, but it looked soft, and the green matched her eyes, which sparkled at him from beneath her black riding hat. So the princess wasn’t in mourning either.
She turned her horse away, and he fell in behind her as she led the way out a side gate. She angled her mare away from the city, and Zaig pulled his gaze from her to the gently rolling hills ahead, with faint trails showing through the tall summer grass. He needed to get control of himself. He was here for a job, not to admire how she handled her horse, or the way the short veil on her hat bobbed every time she turned her head.
“You’re new here,” she said once they topped the first rise. She glanced back, and Zaig had to pull himself from troubled thoughts.
“Yes . . . Your Majesty.”
“I’m afraid riding with me isn’t a very glamorous first assignment.” Her voice was soft and held the warmth of a smile, so different from the cold calculations of Queen Minoa.
“Better than guarding a gate no one uses, Ma’am.”
“Please, we’re far from decorum here. Don’t ma’am and majesty me. That’s all anyone has done since Father . . .” She slowed her mount until they were side by side, and sighed. “I don’t feel like a queen yet. Let Minoa handle those things for another year until I’m of age. I still want to be a princess. Call me Ailda.”
“Ailda.” He tried it on his tongue. He wasn’t sure how to feel about the familiarity, wasn’t sure why she would want it. There was too much distance between their social stations. And there was the queen’s last warning. The safe thing would be to use her title, keep that barrier between them. But the way she smiled made him want to call her whatever she asked. He grinned. “Riding might not be very glamorous, but the view has improved drastically.”
She giggled, but her eyes told him she was well aware of her beauty.
He needed to stop right now.
“What’s your name?” She tossed her hair back, and his stomach did a somersault.
“Zaig.”
“How old are you, Zaig?”
She was so energetic. What was he doing here? He couldn’t hurt this girl. He needed to concentrate, to think clearly. How could he get out of this? He felt numb, and hoped he didn’t sound it as he answered. “Twenty-five.”
“Oh! There’s not much difference between us. I’m nineteen.” She smiled again and looked around them as if it were the most exciting view in the world. “I just love riding. I used to go on the foxhunts every chance I had.”
“What made you stop?’ He glanced back toward the castle. They hadn’t come very far yet, and anyone up in one of the towers would still be able to see them.
Ailda shrugged a little. “I don’t see the fun in hunting down a creature that doesn’t understand what’s happening and can’t fight back. There’s no sport in it.” She smiled. “Just riding and letting the wind tangle my hair is enough for me.”
He nodded slightly, and before he could say anything she cast him a sly grin and swatted her horse’s flank with her riding crop. The bay mare leapt forward, and Ailda urged her into a gallop before Zaig could even think about it.
He let his horse have his head, and the gelding was only too happy to take off after his companion. Zaig leaned low on his neck as the wind whipped against him, hoofbeats pounding in his ears. Ahead of him, Ailda was all whipping skirts and flying black hair, mixed with the snapping mane and tail of the mare.
Zaig dug his heels into his mount’s sides, urging him faster. Tufts of dirt and grass flew up from the horses’ hooves, and for a moment all he could think about was catching the girl in front of him, not what he was supposed to do once he succeeded.
Princess Ailda cast a glance over her shoulder and laughed, urging her horse on. Zaig drew alongside her, and the horses stayed neck and neck, their hooves eating up the distance, taking them farther and farther from the castle.
Time was a faraway thing and he didn’t know how long they raced with no destination before Ailda straightened in the saddle and slowed her mare. Zaig leaned back slightly and lifted the reins, and his horse broke down to a bouncing trot, then a walk.
Ailda laughed breathlessly and gently commanded her puffing mare to whoa, then slid to the ground, bending to pick the bright wild flowers that peeked up through the waving grass. “Aren’t they lovely?”
Zaig barely nodded, quickly scanning the land around them. The castle and city were completely out of sight. Sweat tickled his neck as he dismounted and let the reins of his horse dangle. How was he supposed to kill this girl? He hadn’t lied to the queen. He had killed before. But it had always been scoundrels deserving of death who’d escaped the law’s reach by lack of evidence. Often times he was hired by lawmen themselves to deal in situations where the only witness was a crying woman and nothing could be proven. This was entirely different.
“Zaig?”
He blinked hard and cast the princess a questioning look.
“Did you hear me?”
“Ah . . .” He licked his lips.
“Is something wrong?” Ailda stopped picking and turned to face him fully. Zaig hesitated and her expression changed to terror. “You’re here because of her, aren’t you? My stepmother. She wants to kill me too, doesn’t she?”
She knew. How could she know so fast? Had there been other attempts? Zaig swallowed hard but had no answer for her. He needed to lie to her, throw her off the scent. But he couldn’t. Not with her looking right at him, knowing what he was.
The green pools of her eyes brimmed with tears. “Please. Please don’t.”
Suddenly, five thousand gold pieces didn’t seem like much. There were other ways to start over. Zaig couldn’t see a target. Only a child, terrified of her parent. His mind raced for a solution. There had to be something.
His gaze slipped toward the forest, hidden from view by the hills. The queen was going to kill him.
“Come with me,” he said.
Chapter Four
The thud of hooves and squeak of leather filled the air, but the pounding of Zaig’s heart drowned out all else. As his horse climbed a slope, he leaned low to avoid the branches reaching for him from all sides. He cast a glance over his shoulder to see Ailda right on his heels. At least she could ride.
They’d traveled hard to reach their destination. The sun had long since disappeared, forcing them to slow their pace for safety. Zaig halted in front of a long, narrow cabin, its windows beaming a welcome glow, and slid off his horse. The lathered animals puffed hard, their heads low. They had no intention of wandering.
Zaig glanced at Ailda. “Wait here.”
She nodded, looking nearly as breathless as the horses.
Zaig turned and approached the cabin. The scent of roasted meat drifted to him, and if he hadn’t been sick with nerves he would have been starving.
; He hesitated, taking the moment to wrestle down his feelings. They’d help him. He knew they would. But could he bear to put them at possible risk?
A glance back at Ailda’s innocent face, and he knew he had no choice. He took a deep breath then rapped solidly on the door.
There was a moment’s pause before a rough voice demanded, “Who is it?”
“It’s me. Zaig.”
The door swung open, revealing a tall, burly man wielding an ax. A smile spread across his face. “It is you!” He discarded the ax and clapped Zaig on the shoulder, nearly knocking the wind from him. “Come on in. Eat something. Boys, Zaig’s back!”
Six heads looked up from where the men sat eating. Zaig tried to protest but was ushered inside.
“Have a seat. Where have you been?”
“Brax, I—”
The man pushed him into an empty chair. “What brings you up here? What’ll you drink?”
“Brax, listen!”
Brax stopped dishing food onto a plate and the room went silent as the men turned expectant eyes on Zaig.
Zaig took a deep breath. “I need your help. There’s someone with me.”
“What happened, Zaig?” Zehlam piped up from the table.
Zaig rubbed his forehead, not quite sure where to begin. It had been so long since he’d seen these friends, he was almost ashamed the reunion now took place under such circumstances. But he’d come this far. He couldn’t back down now. “Frinnan came to me and said the queen regent was offering five thousand gold pieces for an assassin.”
“You’re still with that soggy sailor?” Brax cut in, the lines between his eyes deepening.
Zaig frowned at him. “He’s my friend. So I went and met with the queen, and she wants the princess killed, only when it came down to it . . .” He shrugged. “I couldn’t do it. I know I promised never to drag you into my problems, but I can’t take her back to the palace. I brought her here.”
He was prepared to stop an onslaught of protests but none came. The youngest of the group, Raff, jumped up. “You just left Queen Ailda outside? Honestly, Zaig.”
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