Assassin's Crown (The Assassin and her Dragon Princes Book Book 3)

by Ivy Clyde

"The same excuse my siblings have been giving for not being able to capture you," said Ren, flashing me another grin. "I'll just say I was attacked by a dragon on my way to the dungeons and that I barely managed to escape with my life."

  I gaped at him. He was a trickster.

  "You can stay here as long as you like, Daria," said Ren in a graver tone. "My house is not monitored and even the servants will stay away from these quarters as long as I tell them. I want to help you take back what's yours."

  "Are you helping me to avenge your mother?"

  "Partly," he replied. His blue eyes were somber as he looked at me. "Also, because you are my first love, Daria. I suffered not knowing whether you were dead or alive. Every day, I prayed, bargaining with the goddesses to bring you back. I vowed to help you if the goddesses ever let me see you again."

  An ache flared inside my chest. Tears stung my eyes as I struggled to control the emotions raging inside me. Ren was truly the only friend and family I had left since the last time I was in Drakhaven. So far, I thought I was alone but his appearance brought back a surge of happy childhood memories.

  "You know what I really want?" I asked, fixing Ren with a grim look.

  He straightened up. "What is it, Daria?"

  "I want a bath."

  He laughed out, his eyes lighting up with mirth once again. "Is that all?"

  I nodded. "You have no idea how hard it is for a woman to go without a proper bath in the wilds."

  Ren turned serious once more. "There's so much I want to ask you. Where have you been all these years? Was it hard to live away from the palace? Did you ever think of me?" He ran fingers through the thick locks of his fiery orange hair, a forlorn expression marring his beautiful face. "Those questions can wait though, right?"

  "I need some time, even though I know there isn't a lot of it. The only thing I can tell you is that I am determined to avenge both my mother and father. Ivan won't be the only one paying. Even the nobles who have been under his wing will pay for their wrongdoing against my people."

  "That's the only thing I need to know. No matter what, I'll help you." Ren's warm hand closed around mine. He suddenly got to his feet, moving behind my chair. Leaning down, he hugged me from the back, taking me by surprise. "I am still the old Ren. I may have changed to the world, but it's still me."

  I froze for a moment before letting myself relax in his embrace. Even though the assassin within me scoffed at the emotions welling inside me, warning me of making a mistake, my heart swelled with warmth.

  Ren stepped away, walking towards the door. "Finish your food. I will get some clothes for you and you can take a long, long bath."

  "Thank you," I said just as he closed the door.

  I was finishing up the rest of the cherries when Ren came back with a pile of clothes and linen towels. Dropping them on the bed, he said, "This house was built around a natural hot spring. Just wait till you experience the best bath you've ever had."

  "I can imagine," I said, having experienced a bath in a hot spring up in the mountains during a mission. It was truly wonderful to soak up in the luxuriously heated water that drove away all exhaustion and made the skin smooth as porcelain.

  Ren led the way out of the room, carrying the pile of clothes and towels in his arms. The corridors of the house were light and airy. It wasn't as lavish as I'd expected from a prince's manor but the place was homely and warm. He took me down a staircase and into a vast hallway at the bottom, beyond which stood the natural spring he'd mentioned. Steam wafted inside the hall, blown in by the gentle breeze that blew in through the open doorway.

  "I can go the rest of the way," I said, taking the clothes from Ren. "How about you come back in an hour?"

  "All right, then. Enjoy yourself. I might drop in to peek later..."

  "Ren! We are cousins!"

  "No, we aren't," he said, winking at me and turning away. "I fully intend to pursue you, Daria. This hot spring is only the beginning of the many wonderful things I possess. I'll show you more when we're courting."

  I shook my head and walked through the doorway to reach the hot spring. It was several degrees warmer here. I suppose it was time to tell Ren about my mates and who and what they were.

  Taking off my blood-stained garments, I dipped a toe in the steamy water. It was hot and soothing. Stepping fully into it, I submerged my body in the healing waters, reveling in the feel of heat against my skin.

  Over the next hour, I contemplated over the things I would tell Ren.

  The morning sunshine was warm as I walked through the pebbled paths of Ren's rose garden. The heady fragrance from the hundreds of blossoming roses was intoxicating. I inhaled deeply, savoring every scented breath.

  Ren walked beside me, dressed in a long, luxurious outer robe of maroon velvet. I was attired in a lavender silk dress with my hair flowing loose behind me as it dried in the sun and wind.

  "Are you willing to tell me what happened since the time you left the palace all those years ago?" he asked, coming to a halt beside a stone bench. He motioned for me to take a seat on it.

  "I witnessed what happened to my mother," I began when we were both seated. "She killed herself before my eyes."

  Ren's gaze was kind as he squeezed my hand.

  "I was in shock for years. One of my mother's maids escaped with me and left me under the care of a powerful sorceress in the south. In all that time, I never knew who I was. My memories remained buried deep inside me."

  "Then what caused you to remember?"

  "I am coming to that," I said, knowing it was time to tell Ren about my relationship with the three princes. "While I lived in the sorceress's care, I had the opportunity to meet Prince Cain, Prince Adal, and Prince Norvin."

  Surprise flitted through his face. "The three rebel princes."

  I nodded. "I have been their companion over the past month. During that time, I also mated with each of them. They are the three dragons you've been hearing rumors about."

  "Wait, wait, wait!" Ren was staring at me with wide eyes. "Three dragons? I have only heard them mention two!"

  "Well, there is a third dragon too," I said. "He just hasn't made a dramatic entrance in front of my cousins yet."

  "Three dragons...wow..." Ren shook his head, glancing at me excitedly. "Ivan isn't the only dragon in the four kingdoms anymore."

  "No. A fourth dragon will join the party soon."

  "You," Ren guessed correctly. As I nodded, he became thoughtful. "So how did they help you remember the past?"

  "The sorceress kept my inherent powers suppressed while I stayed in her guild. When I mated with the princes, each of those blocks was removed. I regained my powers as a dragonborn and my memories surfaced back. Yesterday, a few more memories came back to me after meeting you."

  A hopeful smile lit up Ren's features. "So, you haven't forgotten about me? About us?"

  “No, I remember.”

  His smile broadened. "So you can think of me as a man and not your cousin? At least, give me a chance?"

  "No, Ren," I said with a shake of my head. "I am mated to the three princes now. My heart is theirs now."

  "I understand what you're saying," he said slowly, his brows contracted. "You mated with them as part of a ritual so they could shift into their true forms. Once you take back the throne, you will help them get back their kingdoms and positions."

  "I hope so," I added, studying a stray leaf that the breeze put in my lap.

  "So, the princes will go back to their own kingdoms and you will stay in Drakhaven. You will need a king by your side. Someone you can trust."

  It took a moment for me to understand Ren's concern. He thought the princes would leave me once Ivan was defeated. We hadn't really discussed what we would do when the time finally arrived, but I was sure of one thing. There was no way I could live without seeing them. If need be, I'll fly across the four kingdoms to see them.

  "We didn't know Cain would shift into his dragon form after mating with me," I explained. "Ba
ck then, my memories and abilities were still locked within me. They are my true mates, Ren. I can't love anyone the same way I love them."

  "Love," Ren mused. "Are the three princes ready to share you between themselves?"

  "Yes," I said in a confident voice. "I have been upfront with them. They will not make me choose."

  Ren got to his feet and casually looked towards the sky. "Three men willing to share one woman..." He glanced at me. "You are too precious for them to give up. They would rather give up their egos." Nodding at me, he smiled. "I can see why you are so loyal to them. It's all for the best though. Bizarre as it would be, the four kingdoms bound by ties of marriage can only mean peace and prosperity for all."

  "I am going to need an advisor," I said, moving to stand beside Ren. "You are able to think of the future clearly when we just started conversing."

  He chuckled. "It's part of being in the royal court, Daria. You must think of your future moves before proceeding with any plan."

  "I have no idea how a royal court works," I mused. Suddenly, the idea of sitting on a throne in front of hall full of scholars and nobles felt daunting.

  "You have nothing to worry about," said Ren, throwing an arm around my shoulder. We began walking through the garden once more. "You just sit there and listen to the old vultures fighting among themselves. In the end, your decision and command will be followed anyway."

  "I am going to get rid of those greedy nobles," I said at once. "I want intelligent individuals who care for the people. My aim is to heal the land and the people. That's the kind of queen I want to be."

  Ren came to a halt, stopping me in my strides. He stepped before me and sunk onto his knee. Keeping his head bowed, "I will make sure your vision comes true, My Queen," he said.

  There was no mirth or mockery in his voice. It was the first time someone called me queen. A new emotion erupted inside, one of extreme power and gratitude. The three princes showed me how passionate a ruler had to be to truly be responsible for their people. Cain, Adal, and Norvin gave up their thrones and lives to abide by their duty. I would be the same, I vowed as my gaze fell on Ren.

  "Thank you," I said, kneeling down before him. His blue eyes looked into mine. "In the war to come, you will be my ally."

  "An ally and a friend," he added.

  We both smiled as I moved forward to hug him, just as I'd done a thousand times as a child.

  21

  I watched the contents of a large copper cauldron bubble and broil, the liquid a dark shade of brown because of the herbs infusing in it. It was the third day since I brought the herbs to Davin, the healer tending to the people of Okarijun. It was at a good time too because his son, Davon, had contracted the sickness.

  "We can't thank you enough," said Oisha, a middle-aged healer from a neighboring town. "Whoever gave you these herbs is the most magnanimous in the four kingdoms!"

  I smiled, knowing he was talking about Daria.

  "And we thank you too," said an elder lady who was a healer from a nearby village. "You have saved a lot of lives."

  "I just wish we'd known earlier," I said in a low voice, remembering the suffering we saw in the campsite outside the woods of Okarijun. As I looked ahead, things had definitely changed over the course of a few days.

  There was medicine being handed out, steaming pots of cooking porridge stood nearby and there were more people helping out than before.

  "You are a good man," said the older lady with a smile. Her wrinkled face reminded me of Kora, my mother's handmaiden. Every time I thought of her, my stomach contracted uncomfortably. I could only hope she was alive and doing well.

  One of the younger men came forward to bow before me. From the state of his simple hemp clothing, I could tell he was a peasant. "My mother sent me to thank thee," he said, looking at me. Red spots appeared in his cheeks as he quickly averted my gaze. "My sister's fever is gone after taking the potion."

  "That is good news indeed," I said with a smile. The boy looked struck. Mumbling, he bowed clumsily once more and ran away. I looked at the healers gathered around the pot of brewing herbs. "Did I say something wrong?"

  The elder lady smiled and hit me in the back. "You're so pretty you made the boy blush. Tell me the secret now. Which noble house do you belong to?"

  I hesitated. "I am just a simple farmer."

  "I don't think so," said Davin, coming to take a seat beside me. "You may dress like one but your speech is far too refined. And as granny said, you're too pretty and polished to be a farmhand."

  I chuckled, knowing it won't be long before they started taking the matter seriously. So far, they'd been too busy making the potion and tending to the sick. Now that the danger was averted with plenty of herbs to go around, they would start questioning my identity and background.

  I hoped Norvin and Cain would be back tonight to meet me on the nearby hill so we could leave for Fuvaros tonight. We'd left Daria on her own for three days. While I knew she could protect herself, I couldn't stop the anxiety weighing down my stomach. She was, after all, in the emperor's territory.

  I glanced at Davin beside me. He was no longer covering his mouth with a cloth as he moved around tending to the patients. With the availability of the right herbs, the sickness was leaving.

  "Could I speak to you in private?" I asked.

  He nodded, getting to his feet.

  I followed him deeper into the woods, away from the crowd of recovering people and other healers. Reaching a secluded spot, he turned around to face me.

  "What would you like to tell me?" he asked in a grim voice.

  "If you require more herbs, contact Lord Koishi in Baledonia and let him know about the situation here." I took out the heavy bag hidden underneath my outer robe and held it out to him. "There is gold here. Use it to buy herbs from Baledonia. The ingredients you need grow abundantly there and are quite cheap."

  The healer stared at the bag in my hand but didn't proceed to take it.

  "Where did you get the gold from?" he asked, his gaze grim.

  "The same place we found the herbs."

  "You stole it from Tasher?"

  I nodded.

  He stepped back, creating a distance between us. "I don't want his gold, especially when it was stolen. Take it back, young master."

  "The gold is given to you by the same person who sent the herbs," I said, stepping closer to Davin. "She is the one who has the right to it, not Tasher. You can accept it without any guilt upon your consciousness."

  "She? Who do you speak of?"

  "The Queen."

  He shook his head and closed his eyes. "I don't understand what you speak of. You don't seem like an ignorant or dumb person. Only the emperor rules over these lands."

  "Not for long, Master Healer," I said in a firm voice. Meeting Davin's gaze, I lifted my chin. "The true heir to the throne has arrived in Drakhaven. It won't be long until she washes away the filth that has accumulated in the royal court."

  Davin looked fearful for a moment but slowly, the fear faded away. His eyes turned bright and he looked at me with wonder. "I will keep it a secret, young master. You can trust my words. My son is saved from the plague solely because of you and this queen you speak of. I will not betray you, so tell me who you really are."

  "I am Prince Adal of Baledonia."

  Davin stared at with widened eyes before looking away. When he turned back to glance at me, he bowed before me respectfully. "Thank you for everything, Your Highness. We'll always be in your debt."

  "It's our duty to protect our people. We regret it took us this long to get to you."

  Davin shook his head, anger creeping into his expression. "The emperor and his minions have thwarted your every effort to help us, Your Highness. I have seen the posters and notices they've strung up all over Okarijun. They wish to capture you to extinguish the last hope of the people." He moved nearer now, his hand moving to close over mine. "If you need any assistance from me, please let me know, Your Highness."

&nb
sp; I smiled, feeling a rush of gratitude for the elder healer. It was the first time I had an actual citizen thank me for my efforts. While it was my duty to help them anyway, it felt good to know I'd done something right to alleviate their suffering.

  "Take this gold," I said, thrusting the bag of gold at him. "I am not giving it to you to spend it on yourself, Master Healer. This is for you to buy herbs from Baledonia. Help the ones in need. This is simply a resource for that."

  Davin nodded, taking the heavy bag from me. "Thank you, Your Highness. I will surely use it to help the townspeople." He looked thoughtful for a moment before glancing back at me. "If I may, Your Highness, could I ask you another question?"

  "Go ahead."

  "Among the posters plastered all over town, there is one of a woman. Is she your companion or someone greater?"

  I wondered if it would be all right to give away Daria's identity. He already knew who I was. He already knew I was in league with Prince Cain of Iorna and Prince Norvin of Redfall. It was only natural he knew of our fourth companion. The world would know her soon enough anyway."

  "She is Queen Daria, the daughter to King Helmut and Queen Eibhlin, the rightful heir to the throne of Drakhaven," I announced.

  "The long lost princess has come back," he whispered, joy and wonder mixing into his voice. Bowing deeply, he walked away towards the camp by himself.

  I looked westward. The sun had already set by now, casting long shadows on the forest floor. Shots of pink and gold stained the darkening sky. The day was at its end. Knowing I could trust Davin, I left the camp behind and began walking towards the hill where I'd separated from my companions.

  It was hours before either Cain or Norvin appeared. The cold worsened as the evening turned darker. I hope Daria is safe and warm, I thought, looking at the stars overhead. I loved stargazing since I was a child. It was a lonely endeavor but I passed many nights learning the names and positions of the many constellations hanging in the night sky.

  The memory of a particular stargazing night flashed through my mind. It was a warm Baledonian night and for the first time, I had company in the astronomical tower. Daria's scent still filled the observatory even after she left the next morning, leaving me to revel in the pleasure I'd experienced with her. She was my mate and lover. My heart throbbed painfully from missing her. The pain of separation was always unbearable.