Ties of Destiny (Curse of the Crown Book 1)

by Caitlin Taylor

  If things had been different if he’d been more careful, if only... if only he could have met the Prince on different terms.

  A voice pulled Jeffrey out of his thoughts, his name being called.

  He opened his eyes. Kieron, deep lines etched into his forehead. Holding out a hand, Jeffrey gave a small smile. Kieron accepted, and Jeffrey pulled him into his lap, cradling him against his chest. “I’m sorry, Trian,” Jeffrey whispered.

  “What happened? What are you sorry for?” Kieron asked, his voice marred with worry.

  “Everything.” A whisper, hidden in fiery hair.

  “Tiras?”

  “Let me just hold you.”

  Kieron shuffled and wrapped his arms around Jeffrey, nuzzling Jeffrey’s neck.

  Neither man spoke.

  Chapter 14

  With Ignacio at the wheel, Jeffrey had taken the passenger seat, leaving the Prince to stretch out on the back seat. The Prince had said nothing all morning, his eyes were red-rimmed and glassy. Making use of the space available he’d stretched out and gone to sleep. Ignacio meanwhile tried to engage Jeffrey in small talk. They steered clear of politics and instead focused on people, places, and later when it became apparent that Jeffrey was an avid reader like Ignacio, books.

  At first, Jeffrey tried to avoid talking, wanting to keep a distance between them. But after the events of the last few days, his defences had been breached in too many places and it was a long tedious journey, worse without the benefit of conversation. Slowly but gradually, he gave in and chatted. Ignacio made it easy, he had always made it easy. They seemed to share many opinions and had read many of the same books.

  When Ignacio cited a poem from a book, Jeffrey responded without thinking. It wasn’t until after he had spoken and saw the look on Ignacio’s face that he realised his mistake. He’d walked right into the elaborately laid trap without realising it. Some books were not widely available, some ancient texts had never been translated. Checking on the Prince, he found him still fast asleep.

  “I’ve been amazed at your manner from the beginning. The casual way you speak to nobles. The ease with which you learned complicated palace protocols. Even before we came here I thought you were a very unusual type for a soldier. I couldn’t put my finger on it before, but there was something different about you compared to other soldiers I’ve met. Now I understand. You were born a noble, weren’t you?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jeffrey shrugged.

  “Of course, you don’t. And neither do I really. Except, of course, my priority will always be the Prince. If I feel he needs to know, I will tell him.”

  “There’s nothing to tell though.”

  “You may keep saying that, but I suggest you take some time to think about it. It would be better coming from you, rather than me.”

  Jeffrey remained silent.

  “Can I ask why?”

  “You can ask any question you wish.”

  “And you won’t answer any of them. Fine. If that’s what you prefer. Will you tell me where you were born?” Jeffrey remained silent. “You may not answer my questions with words, but you did just provide a lot of answers. So much makes a lot more sense now. I imagine it has something to do with why you’ve been rejecting Akoni. You know he couldn’t care less what class you’re from, where you were born, what language you grew up with. He’ll make the most tolerant King we’ve ever had, and I see him making a lot of changes that will change our world for the better.”

  “If he gets to be King and isn’t killed by his father before then.”

  “There is that. You could help, you know.”

  “Me, against the King?” Jeffrey laughed humourlessly.

  “You’re smart enough to know that your orders come from a royal decree, which means that, you’re duty bound to obey Akoni’s orders. Not anyone else’s.”

  “Including the King, if they contradicted those of the Prince, unless he created a new decree. For which he would need his council, who don’t move fast and aren’t easily convinced, of anything.”

  “Precisely.”

  “Why wouldn’t you report me? You could have me sacked. Or worse.”

  Ignacio laughed quietly. “You are the first personal guard he has had in a ridiculously long time that actually cared about more than getting their pay. You’ve put up with his moods and found a way to manage his persona. You’ve protected him at a time when he was most vulnerable and in need. No one else has even had enough initiative to challenge what happened, to ask questions, to try to understand. Why would I want to have you sacked, when you’re the best thing that happened to him in forever?”

  “I was told there was someone before, who served him for many years.”

  “Tyler. He was something else too. They had a rough start together but became something like friends over time.”

  “He died protecting him, right?”

  “Yes. He doesn’t like to speak of the event or him. I don’t recommend you bring it up with him.”

  They were quiet for a time, eventually, Jeffrey spoke. “I was born in the south. My mother... wasn’t local to the area. We’re not a big house, you might say we’re at the bottom of the upper class. Fighting was something I always liked, and I was good at it too. When things happened, it was an easy out for me.” While it wasn’t all a lie, it wasn’t the whole truth either, it was as much as Jeffrey was willing to give away.

  “Thank you for sharing. Will you tell me your real name?”

  “My name is Jeffrey now. That’s all that’s relevant and matters.”

  “You’re worried I could find out who you are... or were before. I’m certainly curious but I’ll respect your wishes.”

  “I’m worried for him more than me, so please don’t tell him.” Talking of these things brought memories to the surface that Jeffrey worked hard to forget. The sight of his brother’s broken body.

  “Not unless it’s worse not to tell him. Do your parents know where you are?”

  “If they do, it didn’t come from me.” He remembered his father’s last words clearly. The disgust in his voice. The look in his eyes.

  “So, you’ve no contact with them either?”

  “Not in many years. There’s no need, no benefit to them or me.” If there had been a way to stay in contact with his sister, maybe his mother. He would have liked that once, a long time ago. Life had moved on. It was better this way.

  “It was your choice to leave your old life and start over, right?”

  Jeffrey nodded, trying to push the memories away.

  “I can’t imagine what could have happened to drive you to that.”

  “That’s because you like your life, the pretences, the superficial conversations, the falseness, the verbal fighting that’s so subtle no one even knows who’s winning.”

  “If I could choose, I would not say that I would opt for superficial or fake over real in anything, whether conversation or relationship or otherwise. It’s more that I’ve found a way to manage the world I live in and its requirements.”

  “Good for you. I guess I never did.”

  “Which surprises me. What I’ve seen in recent weeks, especially these last few days... You navigate everyone with an expertise I’ve rarely witnessed.”

  “Honestly, I think I learned more being part of the legion than I ever did before.”

  “What brought you to the legion of all places?”

  “As I said, I always liked fighting. We had trainers for all different types of weapons and I made use of that. I got pretty good with most of them. When I needed to earn a living, it was an easy job.”

  “Don’t think I’ve ever heard someone say that the legion was easy. I hear some of the conditions aren’t so good.”

  “I’m not fussy. Yeah, we slept rough sometimes, but we always had enough food. Not exactly set course menus but it filled your belly. When you get hungry enough, you don’t care what it is you’re eating, if it’s warm it’s a bonus. And when yo
u’re exhausted you’ll sleep anywhere that seems safe enough.” Besides he’d deserved no better, Jeffrey thought. All part of the price he paid for his failings. “The human body is amazingly adaptive, we can endure much more than we think, and we can cope with much more than we would expect. Now, sleeping on a proper mattress is a luxury to me.”

  “Don’t you miss it?”

  “By the Goddess, I don’t!” Not when the strongest memories he had were of the hurt he’d caused, the crying, the screaming... the pain.

  “What’s missing?” the Prince asked sleepily. Jeffrey tensed, had he heard them? Did he know?

  “Awake again at last, sleep well?” Ignacio replied his voice unaffected ease.

  “Hmm if your driving were better, I might have slept better.”

  “Ah, he’s back to his old self.”

  “What were you talking about?”

  “Jeffrey told me about the poor conditions in the legion. I think you may need to do something about that when you’re King.”

  “That’s not it. You said something about missing it.”

  “My Lord Ignacio asked whether I missed my home,” Jeffrey interjected. “Soviga has very different climate to the capital. The heat in the south can be exhausting. I quite like the moderation of the midland summers actually, so I told him I did not miss it.” The lies came so easily to Jeffrey now.

  “Soviga... I like that area. Good people, better food.”

  “I’m quite sure those four words sum the area up perfectly adequately,” Ignacio said, his voice taking on a scathing tone. He gave Jeffrey an apologetic shrug.

  It ended the conversation rather effectively, avoiding additional tension.

  ***

  “Are we nearly there yet?” the Prince asked into the silent car.

  “We’re about three hours away from the fort,” Ignacio replied, still at the wheel.

  “Can we stop somewhere for lunch? I’m starving.”

  “You should have had breakfast. I told you we wouldn’t be stopping. There’s nowhere we could stop at.”

  “I was sick, I couldn’t eat. Isn’t there another village coming up?”

  “I also told you not to drink so much last night. It’s your own fault for not listening to me. What am I your advisor for, when you never storming listen anyway.” Ignacio’s voice was heavy with exasperation.

  “No hard feelings, handsome. I still love you,” the Prince hushed and leaned forward to place a kiss on Ignacio’s cheek.

  Jeffrey gawked at their behaviour.

  “Get lost,” Ignacio laughed.

  “So, food?”

  Ignacio sighed but relented. “There’s another village coming up. We can have a look there if we find anything remotely edible we can buy.”

  “We should avoid stopping,” Jeffrey piped up. “Villages may not be as... used to nobles as city folk.”

  “What are you implying?” the Prince asked.

  “I’ve had one of the servants prepare some food, just in case. It’s in the trunk. If you pull over, we can get it out and eat while driving. It’ll save time too.”

  The Prince frowned. “You’re avoiding my question. And what made you get food packed?”

  “Call it a hunch,” Jeffrey said and shrugged. He’d spent a long time on the veranda with Kieron the previous night, his thoughts scrambled and ineffective. Before heading to bed, he’d remembered Marek and his wish to help Jeffrey. He’d found him in the servants’ quarters and asked him if he’d be able to package some food for them the next morning and put it in the trunk, preferably in a way that no one else would know. He’d blamed it on having got peckish on the way to the villa. Marek had been most pleased with being given the request and agreed eagerly.

  Ignacio stopped the car at the side of the road and they all got out, appreciating the chance to stretch their legs. In the trunk, they found a number of containers and tins and paper bags filled with sweetmeats, fresh and dried fruits, and a number of other easily transported dishes that could be eaten cold. It was more than enough food for all three of them.

  “Your servant was very eager,” Ignacio noted with a chuckle.

  “I did save him from being slapped, possibly worse. He was quite grateful.”

  “You asked Marek?” the Prince said with a raised eyebrow.

  “I’m surprised you know his name.”

  The Prince blushed and turned away, staying silent.

  “Help me get this out,” Ignacio said to Jeffrey. When they were both leaning over the trunk he whispered. “He knows the names of most of the servants, he knows a lot he doesn’t let on.”

  Jeffrey’s mouth dropped and he stared. What did that mean? The Prince had never called any servant by his name. What else did he know that he didn’t let on? An elbow in his side made Jeffrey move, lifting boxes out of the trunk. They picked a few and placed them on the back seat. After closing the trunk, they got back in the car, only a few short minutes lost.

  This time Jeffrey took the driver’s seat to let Ignacio get some rest. He was not shy and made use of the empty roads by going quite fast. He’d never driven a car like the Prince’s. Transport vehicles carrying soldiers, weapons, or supplies had been the extent of his driving experiences. The Prince’s car was responsive to every command, a joy in every way.

  “We’re supposed to get there alive, you do know that, right?” Ignacio commented drily.

  “What, not strong enough for a bit of fast driving? You might not want to eat too much then,” Jeffrey joked. Taking one hand off the wheel he picked a sweet meat from the box in Ignacio’s lap and brought it to his lips. His eyes stayed off the road and locked on Ignacio even while he chewed.

  “Jeffrey, I already know you have a death wish, but it is your job to protect me. I appreciate the fast driving, but I’d really prefer you to keep your eyes on the road.”

  Jeffrey scoffed but did as asked, a grin playing on his lips.

  “First opportunity I get, I’m going to lock the two of you in a room and throw away the key,” Ignacio grunted. “If that doesn’t sort you, you can kill each other and be done with it.”

  “Aww, Nace.”

  “Just don’t.”

  The Prince laughed but said nothing else. Neither did Jeffrey. Being locked in a room with the Prince wasn’t an entirely unpleasant idea. If the world couldn’t get to them, if it would move on without them, Jeffrey thought he might quite happily let himself be locked in with the Prince.

  The road was straight and long, more of a dirt track than anything else. Either side of them a desertlike landscape passed by, the ground hard and dry, in shades of white and beige. A rare brush of green shrubbery all that broke the monotony.

  A haze appeared in the distance and at first, Jeffrey thought he imagined it. As they came closer, he could make out low structures. They were reaching the last village marked on the map. Jeffrey slowed down gradually, not wishing to take risks in a village, where people might be crossing the street without expecting any traffic.

  They passed a horse-drawn cart, loaded with something hidden underneath a thick cloth, tied down tightly. The village itself didn’t have much of note. The buildings were old and run down, windows shattered, dirty or broken facades. Children were running in the street, the clothes hanging off them looking more like rags than anything else. Chickens seemed to be walking around freely, a goat stood at the side of the road munching on a rare bit of greenery.

  Graffiti decorated many of the houses, some of it faded and hard to read the rest in a local dialect none of them understood. Some of the symbols were concerning, they looked a lot like rebel propaganda Jeffrey had seen on some of his previous assignments. Seeing them made him nervous about possible activity in the region. But Jeffrey said nothing, not wishing to alarm his precious cargo unnecessarily. It made him edgy though. They stood out worse than a sore thumb and he had an odd feeling that something bad was about to happen.

  When they left the village behind, he felt only marginally better.
They still had nearly two hours to go.

  They continued to drive through dreary countryside with hardly a shrub in sight. Jeffrey threw repeated looks into the rear-view mirror, the odd feelings increasing.

  “Your Highness, My Lord, I’m going to need to know more about why we had to come out this way. Something about this feels very wrong. We should not be here.” Silence filled the car. “You said the King was being lied to. About what? If you want me to even attempt to keep you safe, you need to talk to me.”

  “The skirmishes being reported, they are not isolated incidents.” The Prince’s voice was heavy with a mix of emotions. “It’s organised attacks. Small numbers of people that attack with speed and stealth to cause maximum impact, then they disappear.”

  “The rebels,” Jeffrey stated.

  “You know?” The Prince asked with shocked surprise.

  “I am a soldier. I’ve been stationed in nearly every part of the empire at some point or other. The western regions have had more than their fair share of fighting. Most recently from rebels. I’ve fought them, though I don’t know much about them.”

  “I’ve not heard them be called rebels before very recently,” Ignacio said.

  “Soldiers have been calling them that for a long time. It’s getting worse, is that what has you worried?”

  “It’s more than that,” the Prince sighed.

  “So why exactly are we out here in the middle of nowhere?”

  “It’s become apparent that I can’t rely on the reports presented to council. I need to see for myself. If it were possible I’d tour the whole empire, but my father would never allow it. So, this is the next best thing.”

  “I don’t think I understand. How is a visit to a single fort helping you?”

  “By giving me an honest glimpse of the state of the legion. By giving me insights that his advisors are denying my father.”

  “You’re putting your life in danger for insights... Are you crazy?”

  The Prince laughed.

  “There’s no more danger on this road than if we had gone back to the palace directly,” Ignacio said.