To bring you good luck, we have put your Telling Stones in the bottle.
Luciana peered at the bottle, and sure enough, there were three pebbles in the bottom. The number two, red, and black. With a sigh, she pressed the bottle against her chest. She had indeed met a tall and handsome stranger with red hair and a black horse.
“Are you done, my lady?” Jensen asked.
“Not quite,” she replied, then went back to the letter.
We cannot wait to hear from you! Maeve says on the third day after today at dawn, you are to place a note in this bottle and put it in the same place that you found it.
Please write! And know that you always have our love.
Brigitta. Sorcha. Gwennore. Maeve.
Luciana wiped a tear from her cheek. “I love you, too.”
Jensen stiffened. “My lady?”
“I was talking to the dog.”
Pirate snorted and flopped onto his belly, a forlorn look on his face.
Quickly, she inserted the note back into the bottle and corked it. Then she squeezed some water from her skirts, deposited the bottle in a deep pocket, and slipped on her shoes. “I’m ready to go.”
Back in her bedchamber, she built up the fire in the hearth, then quickly removed her wet clothes and put on a robe. It was dangerous to keep the correspondence from her sisters, but she couldn’t bring herself to burn it. The bottle and pebbles were harmless, she figured, since they wouldn’t mean anything to anyone but her. After inspecting the room, she found a slight opening in the upholstery of one of the chairs and slipped the note inside.
When Gabriella came in with her breakfast tray, she gasped at the sight of wet clothes in front of the hearth. Luciana was equally shocked, for her maid had come in through the dressing room.
“How did you do that?” Luciana wandered toward the dressing room door, which was still open.
“There’s a servants’ door,” Gabriella replied as she set the tray on the table. “My room is on the other side. I thought you knew that.”
“Oh, of course.” Luciana waved a dismissive hand. Now that she was looking for it, she could make out the lines of a door hidden in the wooden paneling. “And your room has another way out?”
“Yes, a servants’ corridor.” Gabriella gathered up the wet clothes. “I’ll take these to the laundry room, then come back to help you dress for mass.”
“Thank you.” Luciana watched as Gabriella pushed a hidden latch in the paneling and a door swung open. As the maid left, she smiled to herself. This was a way she could leave without being followed by her guard.
Mass wasn’t as bad as she had feared. A new guard escorted her to the chapel and back, since Jensen was finally getting some rest. Afterward, she did as her father had requested and spent the rest of the day in her bedchamber.
That afternoon, a new guard from the Lord Protector’s army arrived. Unfortunately, he knew about the second exit through Gabriella’s room. He spent his time marching from one exit to the other.
Dinner in the Great Hall was uneventful. Luciana kept glancing at the musicians’ gallery, hoping to see her dream man, but he never put in an appearance. Disappointed, she retired to her room early.
As Gabriella helped her change into her nightgown, she told her, “I won’t need you for the rest of the evening.”
“Really?” Gabriella’s eyes lit up. “The servants are having a party tonight with all the food and wine that was left over from last night’s banquet.”
“Then you must go and enjoy yourself.”
“Thank you!” Gabriella rushed through her small room and out the door.
Quickly, Luciana pulled on a black gown and dark cloak. In her bedchamber, she plumped up a line of pillows and pulled the coverlet over them. Now if a guard or Gabriella checked on her, they would think she was asleep.
A twinge of guilt pricked her. It was not like her to deceive people, but how could she explain her need to go to the southwestern tower? And she certainly couldn’t risk anyone hearing her reunion with her mother. Besides, if the guards were here to keep her from escaping her betrothed, there was no need for that. In order to keep her father alive, she would go ahead and marry the Lord Protector. Even if he was a Beast.
This one small act of rebellion would not cause anyone any harm. She slipped through Gabriella’s room and peeked out the door. The hallway was empty! The guard from the Lord Protector’s army must be by the other door. She dashed down the servants’ corridor before he could return, then scurried down the stairs.
In the courtyard, she stayed in the shadows, her dark gown and cloak keeping her hidden. There was quite a bit of traffic going back and forth through the south gate as servants brought food from the kitchens to the hall where they were having their party. She followed a group out and no guards stopped her.
It was a dark night, with clouds hiding most of the twin moons. She dashed across the sheep pasture, then climbed the stairs in the southwestern tower till she arrived at her mother’s favorite room.
“Hello,” she whispered as she shut the door. The small bedchamber was dim with a little starlight shining through the two windows. “It’s me. Luciana.”
There was no one there. Yet.
* * *
“Report,” Leo told Nevis and Brody that evening in his tent.
“Nothing happened,” Nevis said as he poured himself a goblet of wine. “It was a quiet day.”
Leo drummed his gloved fingers on his desk. What was taking the assassins so long to make their move? He’d only arrived here yesterday, but already he was getting damned tired of lurking about the camp when he should be in the castle, attempting to court Tatiana.
He glanced at Brody. “Anything to report?”
The dog shifter looked up from the meal he was wolfing down. “She … stayed in her room most of the day.”
“And when she wasn’t in her room?”
Brody slanted a wary glance at Nevis, then downed his goblet of wine.
Leo sat back in his chair. Had she talked to more dead people today? “Nevis, you may go.”
“Huh?” Nevis looked them over, then lifted his chin. “Why should I? Do you think I can’t be trusted?”
“I trust you when it concerns me,” Leo told him. “But this is about Lady Tatiana.”
“She’s going to be your wife. I would protect her just like I do you.” Nevis thumped his chest. “With my life!”
Leo gave his old friend a wry smile. “All right. But there are some strange things going on you might find hard to believe. And you’ll need to keep it secret.”
“Of course.” Nevis stepped closer. “What is it?”
“We believe she’s Embraced,” Leo said softly. “And her gift is the ability to see and talk to the dead.”
Nevis stiffened. “Damn. That is strange.”
Brody sighed. “It’s about to get stranger.”
“How do you get stranger than that?” Nevis asked.
Brody refilled his goblet. “She received a secret letter at dawn.”
“From her lover?” Nevis asked.
“No!” Brody shouted, then gritted his teeth. “She’s not having an affair.”
Nevis scoffed. “Of course she is. I found that note she wrote to Captain—”
“Forget the note.” Leo folded his arms on the desk and leaned toward Brody. “How did she receive this letter?”
Brody sipped some wine. “It was on a rock offshore. She had to wade into the sea to get it. I tried to stop her. The undertow was strong and swept her off her feet—”
“Is she all right?” Leo asked.
Brody nodded. “And she was delighted with the letter.”
“It must be from her lover,” Nevis grumbled.
“No.” Brody shot him an annoyed look. “If the letter was from Captain Booger, why would he leave it in the sea where it was dangerous for her to retrieve it? He could leave it anywhere in the castle.”
“That’s true.” Leo frowned. “Unless he’s
one of the assassins and he’s trying to kill her.”
Brody shook his head. “I don’t think he left it there. He was nowhere in sight.”
“Then who left it?” Leo asked.
Brody hesitated, then looked away. “I don’t know.”
Leo narrowed his eyes. “You do.”
Brody made a noise of frustration. “It was … seals.”
“What?” Leo and Nevis both asked.
Brody shrugged. “I told you it was strange.”
“Seals?” Leo ran a gloved hand through his hair. “Some creatures from the sea brought her a message? How?”
“It was in a bottle. With a few colored pebbles.” Brody shifted in his chair. “And there’s more.”
“What?” Leo muttered. “A walrus?”
“She made the sign of the moons.”
Leo sat back. Holy shit. “That could get her killed.”
“Did anyone see her?” Nevis asked.
Brody shook his head. “She was careful.”
“Not careful enough.” Leo tapped a finger on the table. “Why would she pray to the goddesses? That only happens on the islands.”
“According to the gossip I heard, that’s where she was nursed back to health. After she and her father became ill in Ronsmouth, he took her to a convent on the Isle of Moon. They have a nun there who’s a renowned healer.”
Nevis nodded. “I heard the same thing.”
“So she switched her faith to their goddesses?” Leo asked. “She couldn’t have been there a fortnight.”
Brody shrugged. “But if she nearly died, and the nuns saved her, she might believe it was their goddesses who made it happen.”
“I suppose.” Leo didn’t actually care which gods she prayed to. He just didn’t want her endangering herself in the process. He sat up when something occurred to him. “The message could have come from the Isle of Moon.”
Brody’s eyes widened. “Perhaps.”
“But who would send it?” Nevis asked.
“A nun from the convent?” Brody suggested.
Leo tilted his head, considering. “Would a nun use seals as a messenger service?”
Brody frowned. “You’re thinking a witch sent it?”
Leo sighed. “I don’t know what to think.” But one thing was clear. His betrothed was much more interesting than he had ever imagined she could be. Beautiful and intriguing. He couldn’t wait to discover more about her.
* * *
Luciana woke with a start and gazed around the dark room. She’d waited so long she’d fallen asleep on the bed.
She rushed to the tower window that overlooked the Southern Sea. The twin moons were still above the western horizon. Dawn was an hour or so away.
Disappointment needled her as she made her way down the spiral staircase. She’d waited for hours, and her mother’s spirit had never appeared. Or perhaps her mother had come, but she’d slept right through it.
At the base of the tower she found Pirate, curled up and waiting. “How did you know I was here?” She rubbed his ears. He’d probably tracked her with his excellent sense of smell. “Come on, let’s go.”
They ran across the meadow. A heavenly scent emanated from the kitchens. The daily bread was being baked. As they entered the ground floor of the keep, she spotted a huge pillar candle that had been burning all night long. On the table surrounding it were smaller candlesticks. She lit one, then climbed the stairs.
As they walked along the upstairs hallway, her steps sounded loud on the black-and-white tiled floor. Even Pirate’s claws made little clicking noises. At this time of night, the castle seemed deserted. They reached the smaller hall that led to her bedchamber.
It was dark. Pirate crouched low and growled. She eased forward, holding out her candle, but Pirate jumped in front to stop her. Why was her door open? She glanced down and gasped.
Jensen was on the floor in a crumpled heap.
Pirate gave him a quick sniff, then slipped through the open door.
“Jensen?” Luciana knelt beside him. Her heart thudded in her ears. Was he dead? She didn’t see any blood.
She shook him and he moaned. Oh, thank the goddesses!
“What’s happening?” Tatiana asked, and with a yelp, Luciana nearly dropped the candle on her guard.
“Ye scared me self to death.” Luciana pressed a hand to her pounding heart.
Jensen moaned again.
“It looks like someone knocked him out,” Tatiana whispered.
“I wonder what happened to the guard from the Lord Protector?” Luciana asked.
“Oh, I saw him,” Tatiana replied with a smirk. “He’s outside Gabriella’s door, snoring away. He’s going to be in big trouble.”
Luciana’s gaze shifted to the open door. Was Pirate all right? “Go inside and see if anyone’s there.”
“Me?” Tatiana scoffed. “Are you trying to get me killed? Oh. Right. Just a minute.” She slipped inside.
With a groan, Jensen sat up. His eyes widened with alarm. “My lady. Are you all right?”
“Yes. But someone’s been in my room.” She helped him to his feet.
Tatiana filtered through the wall. “There’s no one there, but the dog. He’s—”
“Stay behind me.” Jensen drew his sword and pushed the door wider open.
Luciana followed close behind, holding the candle aloft so they could see. When they neared the bed, she gasped.
Her pillows were still lined up under the coverlet to look like she was asleep. But a sword had been plunged right through them.
“By the Light,” Tatiana whispered. “Somebody wants you dead.”
Chapter Twelve
“Is she all right?” Leo demanded. It was an hour before dawn, and Nevis had woken him with alarming news.
“She’s shaken, but otherwise fine,” Nevis replied.
“What the hell has happened?” General Harden threw on a cloak as he rushed out of his tent and headed their way.
Nevis quickly repeated the news while Leo paced in front of his tent, eyeing the fortress in the distance. It was still dark, so he could only make out a few torches on the curtain wall. “Where is she now?”
“Her guard took her to her father,” Nevis explained. “She’s now heavily guarded in the duke’s private rooms.”
Leo continued to pace. “And our guard? Where the hell was he?”
Nevis winced. “He fell asleep outside the maid’s door.”
Leo halted with a jerk and clenched his gloved hands. “See to his punishment. And where was Brody? How did an assassin get past him?”
“Brody wasn’t anywhere near her bedchamber,” Nevis said. “He spent the night guarding the southwestern tower. Somehow she sneaked out of her room to go there.”
“Why?”
Nevis shrugged. “Hell if I know, but it saved her life. The assassin stabbed her bed in the dark, believing a line of pillows was her body.”
She’d sneaked out without her guards knowing? Leo groaned inwardly. “Was she meeting someone?”
Nevis shook his head. “Brody said she was alone the entire time she was in the tower.”
By the Light, what was she up to? The woman was too intriguing for her own good. Leo resumed his pacing. “And no one saw the assassin?”
Nevis sighed. “The guard caught only a glimpse of him before he was knocked out. He was masked and moving extremely fast. Brody was able to detect the man’s scent, so he should be able to identify him.”
“Where’s Brody now?” the general asked.
“He’s outside the duke’s private rooms,” Nevis said. “If the assassin comes near, he’ll recognize him.”
Leo continued to pace, too tense to remain still. “Tell the duke to move his daughter to a tower and install guards at every entrance. Two at her chamber door. Station the guards inside the tower, where no one can see them. Only a select few should know her new location. Make sure to include some of our guards. Meanwhile, the duke will spread the word that she is bac
k in her old rooms, where she is in bed, seriously wounded and not expected to live.”
The general nodded. “A good plan. If the assassins think they’ve succeeded, they won’t make a second attempt.”
“What about Brody?” Nevis asked. “Shall I take him through the barracks to track down the assassin?”
“Wait a few hours. I want the assassin to believe he got away with it, so he’ll relax his guard. And I want to be there when Brody finds him.” Leo tugged at his gloves. “For now, have Brody guard the tower. And tell the duke to double the guard around himself. The assassins will target him next. Go now. Keep me informed.”
“Aye.” General Harden gave him a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. We’ll keep them safe.” He strode toward the fortress with Nevis at his side.
Leo watched them go. His plan had worked. Too damned well. The assassins had tried to complete their mission before the Beast could arrive. But dammit, they might have succeeded tonight if Tatiana had been in her bed where she belonged.
Shit! He could have lost her. He tilted his head back, dragging his gloved hands through his hair. To hell with the plan. He couldn’t hide here in the camp any longer. Tatiana was his betrothed. He should be with her, guarding her himself.
No one would dare mess with the Beast.
* * *
Luciana was back in her mother’s room in the tower. Under normal circumstances, she would have rejoiced that her father had moved her here. Now she had a much greater chance of meeting her mother.
But circumstances were far from normal. Someone had tried to kill her, and according to her father, the assassin was following orders from the king.
The king wants me dead. The words repeated in her mind as she paced back and forth in the dark room. Father had insisted she stay hidden here for a few days.
Only a little moonlight came through the two windows. The candlestick on the bedside table cast a flickering glow against the walls, making shadows loom and fall as if they were reaching out to grab her.
She shuddered. Her imagination was getting out of hand. But why shouldn’t she be afraid? The king wanted her dead.
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