Villain's Assistant

by Carley Hibbert

  The Lieutenant’s eyes came into focus. His eye patch was pushed aside, leaving an odd circle of white skin around an eye so dark it looked almost black from retina to iris.

  “My mo—” He couldn’t complete the word, not aloud. My mother is dead. “Ursula said that her father and brother—”

  The Lieutenant motioned for Benjamin to follow him into the hallway. He shuffled over to a quiet niche, his shoulders sagging under the weight of the day’s events.

  “I had no idea about your mother. I knew even less about her than you did,” he pled. “Please believe me. If Aldo or Branwen knew of this, they kept it to themselves for a good reason.” His eyes went blank as he sank against the wall. “I can’t believe—”

  “You saw her?” Benjamin asked.

  “A glimpse.” The Lieutenant closed his eyes and covered his face with his hands. “I did that to your mother.” A dry sob tore from the old man’s chest.

  They stood quietly for a moment before he opened his eyes.

  “The hate on her face. I’m so sorry. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it myself.”

  Benjamin felt a stab of pain in his chest. “Her father and brother?”

  “I worked for her father. She actually helped me get my position with him.”

  “Shreb Senior?”

  He nodded.

  “So Shreb is her brother? Shreb is my uncle?”

  “Well, half-brother.”

  “Is that supposed to make it better?”

  “No. Sorry.” His father rubbed his face, smudging dirt into his circle of clean. “I just don’t understand. She wouldn’t have anything to do with her brother. Shreb hated me. Oh—” His mouth froze into the shape of a large O.

  “This was about revenge?” Benjamin gasped. “My life was revenge against you?”

  Benjamin nearly gagged on the disgust that climbed up his throat. He paced back and forth in front of his father, who sparked so much of this misery. All the lies he told had built Benjamin’s life.

  “Ursula hated her father but loved him all the same. He never had time for her because she couldn’t carry on his name. When we fell in love, I told myself that she would be happy to leave it all behind her. When her father discovered that we were secretly married, he was thrilled. She could provide him with a proper heir to his villainy, but then he died.”

  “What about Shreb II?”

  “Shreb never really thought much of the boy who shared his name and even less of the boy’s mother. He was always a disappointment. The senior Shreb took me under his wing. He treated me as his son. So, of course, Shreb Junior hated me. He tried to kill me after his father gave me the Heart of Darkness, something he wanted more than life.”

  “The Heart of Darkness?”

  “With it comes the power to rule the Thieves Plain. I gave it to the king,” the Lieutenant said, tilting his head against the wall. “It was supposed to mark the end of the greatest threat to the crown. Then came the murder of Aldo’s brother and my sister—Rebecca’s parents—and the rise of Mouthrot, and so on.”

  Benjamin squeezed his head, trying to push out all the clutter. He had absorbed more information than he could digest in one day.

  “Great Wolves! Is my family in the middle of everything in the entire kingdom?” His eyes popped open. “Does that mean I’m related to the king?”

  “No, but that makes Rebecca your cousin,” the Lieutenant said.

  “More family?” Benjamin sighed, collapsing against the wall. “I just had both parents return from the dead. My mother tried to kill the king with my previously unknown uncle. My father is trying to protect the king with my previously unknown cousin.” He pressed his fists against his eyes. “I was an orphan not more than a month ago!”

  The Lieutenant placed a sympathetic hand on his shoulder and squeezed. And even though it didn’t feel very comforting, Benjamin appreciated the sentiment.

  Branwen emerged from the shadows, rambling orders, flanked by two guards. His black cap was still missing, but his snowy hair was less rumpled. A clerk attempted to take down the secretary’s commands as they walked. He dipped his quill into the ink well that one of the guards held.

  Branwen ushered Benjamin and the Lieutenant into their waiting room where Odie stared at his brother Denny, who was a complete mess.

  “Rebecca is sleeping in her bed now. The surgeon says she will be fine. Most of the blood was from the assassin when she pulled her knife out of his throat. More kings should wear corsets, it seems.”

  Denny sank back into his chair in relief, wiping tears away. Odie wrapped a bear-sized arm around him, while Branwen filled them in on the rest. Ursula and Shreb had escaped easily, leaving false trails for the guards. Mouthrot was still safely locked away in the dungeon; the king would set the date for his execution as a gift for his niece.

  “How thoughtful,” Benjamin said, rolling his eyes.

  Branwen barely contained a smile but nodded.

  “I’ll tell His Majesty that you approve. Though I think he may just be trying to prevent the princess from killing another man with her bare hands.” Branwen lifted the corner of his mouth. “I think that we won’t have to worry about anyone trying to take advantage of her.”

  Benjamin smirked. The duchess would keep her distance for a while, but it didn’t seem to concern Lady Jalene at all. If anything, the opposite was true. She seemed to love Rebecca more.

  “How is Aldo taking this?” the Lieutenant asked.

  “After having Rebecca in two life-threatening situations in which she came out better than her attacker?”

  The Lieutenant swallowed and flexed his jaws.

  “I think the king is upset but relieved she was able to defend herself. Though I think he plans to caution the princess against putting herself in direct danger again. She is the sole heir at the moment.”

  “The engagement?” Benjamin just remembered.

  “Tomorrow. Now go take care of yourselves.” Branwen smiled at him. “You all look terrible.”

  Benjamin looked down and was surprised to see his new suit torn and bloody. The Lieutenant steered the sad quartet to the kitchens for something warm to eat.

  Off in a corner, the fiery-haired maid sat with a cup of tea on her lap and a steak over one eye. A tight frown tugged her full lips down. A tall footman with equally red hair crouched over her, his jaw flexing. Benjamin had forgotten about her. He wasn’t sure why she had stepped in front of Baldo, but she was the only person who had helped him.

  He pushed his stool back and approached her. The tall man, who must have been her brother, stood up as he approached, his face stony.

  “I just wanted to say thank you for helping me.”

  The girl removed the chunk of meat from her face and smiled faintly. Apricot freckles glistened under her good eye. The purple bruise clashed with her emerald eyes. “A lot of good it did.”

  Benjamin nodded at this. “We still had to try,” he added with a shrug.

  Her eyes brightened, and she smiled. “Yes, you’re right. We do need to try.”

  The brother sighed, obviously not happy about the idea of his sister putting herself in harm’s way.

  “The king will be pleased to know he has such loyal servants. May I ask your name?”

  “Molly,” she said, blushing.

  “Thank you, Molly.”

  Benjamin shook her hand. Her grip was firm, and he felt heat rise in his own cheeks. He returned to his soup, his hand tingling. The Lieutenant gave him an approving look.

  Benjamin ducked his head and ate mechanically, not tasting anything, but at least it was warm. He needed some warming up. His mother’s words returned to him, chilling him. You were meant for villainy. You belong to me. Ice flowed in his veins. Someone examined and dabbed Benjamin’s scrapes and then dismissed him to his room.

  Denny and Odie were given their own room, thankfully. Benjamin didn’t have the strength to fight with Denny right now. The Lieutenant walked Benjamin to his roo
m quietly, his hands behind his back, his head bent in contemplation.

  They paused outside his door. His father struggled with the day’s events. He wasn’t dealing with Ursula’s reappearance any better than Benjamin was. All of his father’s good intentions counted for nothing against all his miscalculations in the end.

  “Do you ever wonder if it all was worth it?” Benjamin asked.

  “Sometimes. But then I look at you, and I know it is, even if it doesn’t feel like it now.” The Lieutenant smiled weakly, his eyes focusing on another time. “You were worth it.”

  Benjamin nodded. The Lieutenant set his hand on Benjamin’s shoulder and then wandered off. Benjamin watched the old man for a while, unsure what he felt. His father had showed him more kindness in that moment than he remembered from his entire life with his mother.

  He entered his room with a sense of dread. Sleep. The one thing that would be the best medicine would probably be the most elusive.

  SIXTY TWO

  Rebecca woke under soft blankets. She tried not to move; breathing hurt. She didn’t remember falling asleep or being moved from the kitchen table. A dim lantern burned in the corner behind a shade. A dark form sat by the bed, much too large to be Dally or Benjamin.

  The man leaned over with a gasp of relief. “Rebecca!” Aldo grabbed her hand. “I was so afraid that I had lost you before I’d even really gotten you back.”

  “Your Majesty.” Rebecca’s voice was rough and broken.

  Aldo slid his hand under her neck and placed a glass of water to her lips. She sipped, and he laid her gently down.

  “The draught the doctor gave will make you thirsty, but he warned me not to let you drink too fast.”

  She nodded to this and closed her eyes, feeling the water cool her throat. She had not noticed how dry her mouth was.

  “I have faced fear many times in my life, but none compares to the terror I felt watching you throw yourself on my attacker.”

  A ragged breath stopped her uncle for a moment. Silence filled in his words. Rebecca opened her eyes, shocked at the weariness of his expression. He helped her drink more and pulled the cup away when she began to drink too greedily.

  “I would have been anxious if any of my men had acted so boldly. I would have been beside myself if it had been Sir Wendell, Branwen, or even Torrin’s son, Benjamin. You cannot imagine how heartsick I felt as I watched, stiff as a rock, as my whole family jumped to her death for my sake. I’m not sure I would have counted it an equal trade. Your life is more precious to me than my own.”

  He reached out and placed a trembling hand on her head, brushing her hair away from her face. “You must promise me Reyna, to guard your own life with as much fierceness as you have guarded mine tonight.”

  Rebecca reached up and placed her hand on her uncle’s. “Lady Jalene is still young. You will have your own family soon.”

  “It is your life, not my future heir’s that I am worried about!” He squeezed her hand too fiercely and withdrew his hand in apology.

  The door opened behind him. “I will leave you to Dally. Rest. Your friends will be anxious to see you tomorrow.”

  He kissed her gently on the forehead, his beard prickling her nose. Smiling, he wished her good night.

  Dally cradled her face in her hands. Her tears fell onto Rebecca’s nightgown. “You foolish girl!” She planted a big kiss on her forehead. “Don’t ever do that again!”

  Rebecca reached up and wrapped her arms around Dally. She felt a prick deep in her chest as she saw Dally’s composure crumble. It hurt nearly as bad as her injury. “I’m sorry, Dally! I’m okay. Really. I’m sorry!”

  They cried for a few moments together and then wiped their eyes and laughed. Rebecca’s side burned, and her whole body ached.

  “I’ve never seen Sir Wendell so mad! I think you’ve just earned yourself a few extra bodyguards.” Dally handed Rebecca a beautifully embroidered handkerchief.

  Rebecca moaned at this while Dally wiped away more tears. “And the king! I think both of them burst into tears afterward.”

  She cringed as her nurse adjusted her pillows. Rebecca had just done her duty to her king. How could it end with everyone angry with her? Dally brought over a bowl of broth that smelled wonderful. I didn’t do anything wrong! I’d do it again.

  “I suppose Branwen or Benjamin must have been pleased, at least?”

  “Pleased? Pleased you’re not dead! Denny was near murdering Benjamin. He acted as if Benjamin had thrown you at that assassin himself!”

  “Oh, Denny,” she said, accepting a warming spoon of broth. “That’s my fault.”

  “Rebecca?”

  “I think he has this idea about us. We’ve known each other for so long. I always thought he was acting the protective big brother. When he found out who I really was—”

  “Ah, his dreams were crushed. He must care for you very much.”

  She frowned. Dally offered another spoonful of broth.

  “He’s my friend, Dally. I would do anything for him.”

  “Then tell him that, but let him find a new path in life.” Dally offered more broth. “He just needs time. Too much has happened.”

  Rebecca closed her eyes, letting her lids cool her burning eyes. She thought quietly as she swallowed the broth. Dally sat the bowl down and pulled the blankets up. “Rest. I’ll be close by.”

  SIXTY THREE

  Benjamin stared into the dark, unwilling to close his eyes. Every time he did, he saw things he was powerless to undo. He tried pretending his mother didn’t exist, even as he caught glimpses of her angry stare in the corner of his mind. Baldo would creep into his thoughts next. Baldo, who was younger, more devious, and more organized, was much more like the boy his mother had tried to make him into. How had they both ended up on the wrong sides? If he had made his interview that day, where would he be now?

  Things were supposed to be coming to a close. Mouthrot was captured. Shreb was on the run, and yet it felt like the beginning of something horrible. Was there ever a neat ending? His mother was the reason this couldn’t end. She wasn’t the type to leave things alone. Neither Benjamin nor Lam would have peace until she either won or was destroyed. And if anyone could help fight Ursula, it was him. He was well practiced.

  Ursula’s war was not solely about Benjamin or the king; it was about his father and her father as well. Hadn’t she said as much? Perhaps Benjamin could escape to a foreign kingdom while the dust settled. A part of him would love to run away from it all. This war could be another injury to attribute to the Lieutenant, Torrin, or Black-Eyed Barnaby. Benjamin rolled onto his back to stare at the darkness hanging over him.

  The Lieutenant, so capable and strong, cowered at the sight of Ursula. How did she have the power to control and frighten so many? Don’t you know who your mother is? Branwen had asked. Ursula was the daughter of Shreb the First and sister to the idiot Shreb II. She was the most clever and dangerous of them all. His mother had devoured her own heart that had burned with her lover’s betrayal. There was no heart left for Benjamin as a child. She only had a hole where she stored all her plans for revenge.

  After a time, the night’s shadows revealed the serpentine pattern on his pillows. At first, faint lines of gray appeared, and then green vines, leaves, and flowers. Benjamin traced them silently as he lay on his side, waiting for time to pass. Benjamin didn’t know what his options were exactly. He had made vague plans to assist Rebecca, to be her personal Branwen, but he wasn’t sure he could do it now.

  Benjamin pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes, wanting to block out all the thoughts and feelings. He wanted to numb his body. He didn’t want to make choices. He didn’t want to do anything. He didn’t want to think anything. He didn’t want to be anywhere. He wanted to be nothing. Hot tears trickled down the side of his nose. Benjamin had cried once because his mother had died…and now he cried because she was alive.

  When sunlight filtered through the curtains, someone tapped at Benjamin�
��s door. He got up, thankful for a reason to get out of bed. Odie slunk in his door, dragging Denny behind him. Denny crossed his arms and glared. Odie slid behind Denny and pressed him forward, prompting his older brother to say something. Benjamin’s head throbbed. He closed his eyes and wished he wasn’t here. It was too early for hollow apologies or accusations. He couldn’t take it.

  Not today.

  “How about we just skip to the end?” Benjamin said through locked jaws, his chest tightening as he spoke. “You blame me for Baldo’s choices, for your lack of fortune, and for Rebecca throwing herself at an assassin.”

  All the pressure that had been building in him his whole life poured out of him. There was no stopping it. It felt wonderful.

  “I don’t put ideas into people’s heads,” Benjamin continued. “And I didn’t wake up one morning with an unexpected desire to destroy some guy named Denny.” He jabbed the empty space in front of the brothers. Benjamin’s face burned, and his head spun with adrenaline.

  “I didn’t ask for my mother to be the most conniving, evil woman this kingdom has ever known! I didn’t ask to be Shreb’s nephew. I didn’t request a father who had taken in a pack of orphans. I didn’t ask to attract the negative attentions of a hidden princess with a temper that could burn down this whole castle! I never had ambitions so specific or grand.”

  Benjamin clamped his eyes shut, unable to process the ghostly brothers who stood before him.

  “A crazy woman raised me! One whose every breath was aimed to make me the greatest villain’s assistant that the world had ever seen. Just like my father—a man who never existed. And what kind of mother fakes her death to ensure I followed the path she laid out for me?”

  Benjamin clenched his fists so tight he thought his knuckles would crack, as if he was trying desperately to hold on to reality itself before it slid away from him. Denny’s face was white, his eyes wide. Odie glanced up then tucked his head back down. Benjamin’s eyes shifted to the predictable pattern of the wallpaper.