Ruined (8 page)

The warriors nodded without reply. Em suspected they would rather stab themselves in the eye than frolic on Lera's beaches. She couldn't blame them.

“Let's get started right away,” the king said. “You're here because your trade agreements with Vallos are no longer valid, since we control the country now. So tell me what you want.”

Iria slid a piece of paper across the table. “Those were our terms with Vallos. We'd request the same from you.”

The king frowned at the paper for a moment, then pushed it aside. Cas nudged it closer to him, and Em noticed him stealing a glance. The terms were most likely purposefully terrible, since the warriors had no intention of signing any new trade agreements. It was simply a distraction, so they could remain in Lera to plot the attack.

“No,” the king said.

“Do you have terms you'd prefer?” Koldo asked.

“No. That's your job. Come up with something better.”

“We will send word to our king and draft new terms,” Iria said. “Should we move on? We'd like to discuss the port of Olso.”

The king folded his hands together and rested them on his stomach as he leaned back in his chair. “Yes?”

“The clause in the peace treaty that gave you the port expired five years ago,” Iria said. “Yet Lera ships are still there.”

“The clause expired only if Lera was satisfied that Olso didn't pose a threat to any of the other kingdoms,” the king said.

“We don't,” Koldo said.

“No?” the king asked. “I've just received word from my hunters that the Ruined were spotted trying to enter Olso.”

Em's breath caught in her throat, and she looked at Iria, trying to keep her expression neutral. The warrior's face showed
genuine surprise. Koldo and Benito wore matching expressions.

“When did you hear this, Your Majesty?” she asked.

“Just yesterday.”

“I don't know anything about that, but we can't control what the Ruined try to do, Your Majesty,” she said.

“I have other reports saying that warriors have been spotted in Vallos as well. What would warriors be doing in Vallos?”

“Enjoying the countryside?” Iria guessed, twisting a lock of hair around her finger. Em pressed her lips together to keep from laughing.

The king narrowed his eyes. “Many of the Ruined are currently in Vallos.”

“As is the entire population of Vallos. We are allowed to visit Vallos, Your Majesty,” Iria said. “Their entry laws are far more relaxed than yours.”

“That will be changing.”

“I'm sure,” Iria said.

“Partnering with the Ruined is an act of war,” the king said.

“Understood. But like I said, I don't know anything about that. And regardless, that clause is five years expired. We've been patient, and we ask that you honor your agreements.”

“It's not happening.”

“Why not?” Cas asked.

All heads swiveled to him, matching expressions of surprise on the faces of every adviser. The queen's eyes widened, and she put a hand on Jovita's arm, like she was afraid the girl would jump in with her own questions. Jovita merely raised an eyebrow.

“Casimir!” his father exclaimed.

“I wasn't agreeing with them, I was asking a question,” he said. “Why do we still control that port?”

“Because of the clause in the treaty,” the king said.

“Is it true the treaty said we'd return the port to them five years ago if they hadn't shown violence against other kingdoms?”

The king paused for a moment. “I would need to see a copy to be sure.”

Em barely held back a snort. It was smart of him not to admit to that, even if it was true.

“I'd like to think we honor our word,” Cas said.

His father rose suddenly, shooting his son a look so full of venom that even Em was tempted to crawl under the table. To Cas's credit, he just stared back at his father.

“We will continue this discussion another time,” the king said. He glared at the warriors. “I've ordered any Ruined attempting to sneak into Olso captured and brought to me for questioning. If you're lying about helping them, I
will
find out.”

Em gripped her hands together so tightly it almost hurt. It wasn't unexpected that the hunters had noticed the Ruined moving into Olso. She had hoped they would have more time before the king became suspicious, but that was all he had. Suspicions.

The king walked out of the room, and the advisers followed suit. The queen and Jovita stood behind Cas's chair until he finally noticed and stood as well.

The queen leaned over and said something to Cas as Em followed them out of the room. He shrugged, which was apparently
not the answer his mother wanted. She marched away, her skirts swishing around her feet.

Jovita lingered, and Cas gestured for Em to follow them. She obediently walked down the hallway and into the library. Jovita pushed the door closed behind them.

“What are you doing?” Jovita had a way of speaking that was both furious and quiet and calm.

“What do you mean?” Cas asked, plopping down in a chair and stretching his long legs out in front of him.

Jovita glanced to where Em stood by the door, as if just noticing she was still with them. Jovita hesitated, but Cas looked at her expectantly.

“Defying your father in front of the warriors is inappropriate. And not helpful.”

“I wasn't defying him. I asked a question.”

“It was an inappropriate question,” Jovita said, planting her hands on her hips. Em edged around her and sat down in a chair across from Cas.

“It was not,” Cas said. “What is the point of making treaties if you're not going to honor them?”

Jovita sighed like Cas was an idiot. “You just don't understand, Cas.”

Cas imitated her sigh. “Neither do you, Jovita.”

Em choked back a laugh, brushing her fingers across her mouth. Cas caught her smile and his lips turned up as well.

Jovita rolled her eyes. “Gross. I don't need to see your budding romance right now.”

“Jovita,” Cas said in a warning tone.

“Your father is going to throw you out of the meetings if you disagree with him.”

“I've been in those meetings longer than you. I'm allowed to start asking questions.”

Jovita walked to the door. “You may have been in them longer, but at least I know when to keep my mouth shut and obey.”

Cas pulled on his knuckle, turning away from Jovita. She left the room, letting the door shut behind her.

A long silence settled after Jovita left, and Em watched as Cas stared at the floor.

“It was a fair question,” she finally said.

“You don't have to agree with me just because we're married,” he said with a hint of amusement.

“Trust me, there's no danger of that.”

He cocked his head, studying her for a moment. “How do you feel about a little adventure?”

“I'm for it.”

“It's kind of dangerous. And my parents will be furious if they find out.”

“Then I'm definitely for it.”

He hopped up. “Good. Change into pants. Something discreet.”

EM WAITED FOR
Cas outside the door to the staff kitchen, as he'd instructed her. She'd changed into black pants and a loose green shirt. She rolled up the sleeves as she waited.

Cas rounded the corner with a guard, the young dark-haired one who was always at his side. The guard smiled at Em, revealing a tiny gap between his two front teeth. His square jaw, wide nose, and green eyes all worked together to make an unexpectedly handsome face.

“Mary, have you officially met Galo?” Cas asked.

“I don't think so. Nice to meet you, Galo.”

He tilted his head forward. “You too, Your Highness.”

Cas pushed open the door behind Em, and she followed him into the kitchen, with Galo trailing behind her. The first room
was where the staff ate, with a door off to the side that led to a bustling area where they prepared the food. A few small tables were scattered around the room, and a boy sat at one, polishing a pile of forks.

The boy had a small scar above his left eyebrow, and he couldn't have been more than thirteen or fourteen, though he was already quite tall and broad. Em's mother hadn't allowed children under the age of sixteen to work in the kitchens, or anywhere remotely dangerous in the castle.

Cas led them outside into the sunlight. They headed through the gardens, Cas glancing back at the castle once like he was checking to make sure they weren't followed. Em got the impression they were sneaking out, and she was eager to see how Cas was going to do it. If there was a way to get out undetected, there was a way to get in.

They made it to the back wall, and Cas walked to the tree Em had already pegged as a good escape route. He grabbed a thick, low branch and hoisted himself up. He climbed until he could step onto the wall.

“When you're king, perhaps you can use the gate?” Galo called to him. He still stood on the ground with Em.

“Not if my mother is still alive,” Cas said. He looked down at her. “Coming up?”

“I'd be happy to help you,” Galo said.

She snorted. “Thanks, but I'm fine.” She grabbed the branch and climbed up, easily hoisting herself onto the wall. Cas was peering over, and she followed his gaze to the other
side. A guard lifted his hand.

“Hello, Roberto,” Cas said.

The guard's mustache quirked up. “Hello, Your Highness.” He reached for the rope near his feet and tossed it to Cas.

Cas passed the rope to Galo, who had just climbed the tree. Galo tied it to the trunk and waved that it was ready. Cas grasped the rope with both hands.

He braced his feet against the wall as he climbed down. She noticed that he winced as he descended, favoring his right side. The left shoulder was still sore from the attack. She tucked that into the back of her mind, in case she needed to use it against him later.

Em grabbed the rope when he was on the ground and began her own descent. Galo followed, his boots hitting the ground with a thud. He straightened and grinned at the older guard standing by the wall.

“Usual warning,” Roberto barked at Galo.

“Yes, I know,” Galo said. “Endless shame and a lifetime of misery if anything happens to Prince Casimir.” He took a quick glance at Em. “Or Princess Mary.”

“I'll also remind you that an attempt was just made on Prince Casimir's life,” Roberto said.

“I'll be fine,” Cas said. He gestured at Em. “I brought her.”

Em barely managed to hold back a laugh. That was her. Protector of the prince of Lera.

Roberto pointed out at the city. “Go ahead, then. If you're not back by sundown, I'll alert the king that you left.”

When Cas turned away, Roberto grabbed Galo by the arm and said something Em couldn't hear. Galo nodded, his expression more serious when the guard let him go.

Em traipsed down the hill behind Cas. It was clear and sunny, the ocean breeze rustling the leaves of nearby trees. Green grass dotted with a few trees spread out in front of them, and Cas headed to a thin dirt path.

“Did you see Royal City when you came in?” Cas asked, slowing so he was walking beside her. Galo walked on his other side, scanning the area around them. She'd never seen this guard in action, but she liked the way he didn't keep his hand poised over his sword. She could easily take it from him, if she caught him by surprise.

“No,” she said. “The royal escorts took us around the city.”

The dirt path rounded a corner, and the sounds of people talking and hooves clomping filled the air. They were suddenly in the center of Royal City, with people streaming in and out of shops and making their way through the streets.

Em watched a father and daughter walk across the street with bags full of food in their arms. She could see a food market, a clothing store, and a feed store just in her immediate area. Carts lined the street, with men and women selling jewelry, trinkets, and sweet-smelling breads.

There was nowhere like this in Ruina. Even before King Salomir destroyed their cities, they weren't like this. A city was maybe made up of three shops, and it wasn't unusual to find the food market had run out of everything except dried beans. She'd
never even considered sneaking out to visit Ruina cities by herself.

Cas jerked his head, indicating that she should follow him. He had his hands in his pockets, his thin white shirt flapping with the wind against his chest. He didn't look much like a prince to the unsuspecting public, but the people of Royal City must have known him.

“Does anyone ever recognize you?” she asked, glancing around at the people walking past.

“No. Sometimes I get a few looks, but no one expects me to just be wandering around the city by myself, so they don't notice.” He stopped at a cart with an umbrella over it. “Three, please.”

The man reached into the cart with a pair of tongs and pulled out three steaming buns. He put each one in a separate paper bag, holding his open hand out to Cas without giving him much of a glance. Cas dropped a few coins in his hand and took the bags.

“Cheese bread,” he said, handing one bag to her, and another to Galo. “Every time you come to the city, you buy one. It's a rule.”

She opened the bag and peeked inside, the smell of fresh bread wafting through the air. She grabbed the bun and took a small bite. It was soft and chewy, with a hint of cheese flavor, and she took a second, bigger bite.

“It's delicious,” she said.

“I'm glad you like it. The marriage might not have worked out if you didn't.” The edges of Cas's mouth twitched.

“How tragic. The union between Lera and Vallos destroyed over cheese bread.”

Cas laughed, revealing the dimple on his left cheek. His eyes sparkled in the sun, and it was easy for Em to forget for a moment that he was the prince of Lera. He was more relaxed than she'd ever seen, like the castle sucked half his energy away.

“Cas takes his food very seriously,” Galo said. The prince didn't blink at being called “Cas” by a guard.

“I don't blame you,” she said. She took another bite of her bun.

They finished their bread and Cas led them down the street. Em realized they hadn't even been in the busiest part of town, as the crowds and stores increased the closer they got to the shore. Something must have made Galo nervous, because he said something to Cas, and they cut across to a less populated street, lined with small homes and apartments.

The ocean came into view, and Cas looked both ways before crossing the wide street dividing the city from the beach. Em followed him, stepping one boot into the sand, then the other.

The beaches of Vallos and Ruina were rocky and often chilly. She'd never seen one with white sand stretching out as far as she could see in either direction, the ocean glittering in the sun. Several ships were docked at the harbor in the distance, their sails flapping in the wind.

A few groups of people dotted the sand, many dressed in strange outfits. The men wore loose, short pants, with sleeveless shirts. The women wore something like very small dresses. The hems barely reached mid-thigh, and their arms were totally bare. Em's mother had been a fan of flesh-baring fashion—Em
remembered a dress with a neckline that went all the way down to her belly button—but this would have gotten an eyebrow raise even from Wenda Flores. Then she would have immediately demanded one of her own.

Cas took off his shoes and socks and left them in the sand like he didn't care if someone came along and took them, so she did the same. Galo left his on, hanging back as they headed closer to the ocean. They walked until the cool water rushed over their feet, and Em curled her toes around the sand.

“Can I ask you a question?” Cas asked.

“Sure.”

“Why didn't you bring anyone with you? Friends or maids or guards? If I were leaving my home, I'd want to bring as many people with me as possible.”

“There aren't that many people left,” she said, squinting out at the ocean. “My parents are gone. A lot of people I knew were killed after the attacks on the Ruined began.”

“And your parents never had any children besides you, did they?”

“No,” she lied, a sharp pain stabbing through her chest as she thought of Olivia. “My mother wanted to have more, but she couldn't. I would have had ten brothers and sisters, if it was up to her.”

“Was it lonely?” he asked.

“Sometimes. It was tough, not having anyone around who really understood what my life was like. You know what I mean?” She looked to him for confirmation, and he nodded. “But my
mother brought other children our—my—age into the castle, so there was always someone around to play with. Two boys became very good friends. Aren is one of them, actually.”

“Just friends?”

She glanced at him. His voice seemed intentionally flippant, and she wondered for the first time if he was jealous of Aren.

“Yes, just friends,” she said honestly. “He's like my brother.”

“Ah.”

“You don't think I would bring a boy I was in love with to watch me marry someone else, do you?” she asked with a laugh.

He shrugged, his expression a bit sheepish at having been caught. “I guess not.”

“We did try to kiss once. We were thirteen. Neither of us could stop laughing long enough to actually do it.”

“Did you have someone you left behind?” Cas asked. “Someone you loved, I mean.”

She lifted her eyebrows. “Are you sure you want to know that?”

“Sure. You can tell me the truth.”

“Not really.” Damian's face flashed in front of her eyes. “I had a friend who would have liked to be more, but it never became anything. My mother was very disappointed in me, I think.”

“Why? She liked him?”

“Everyone liked him. He came from a powerful family, but he was still everyone's best friend. The kind of guy who never forgot a name. Always made everyone feel special. It would have been a good match, but my mother didn't force me.”

She didn't know why she'd blurted out that story about
Damian, but Cas's expression brightened as she told it. She might be inclined to tell him all her stories, if he was going to look at her like that.

She took a tiny step away from him. It was easier to think when he wasn't close enough to touch, and she needed to use this opportunity to get information about Lera's defenses.

She pointed to a tall, round tower in the distance, at the edge of the coastline. “Is that your coastal defense?”

He nodded. “Those towers are scattered up and down the coast, though we have three just in this area.”

“Have you had any threats since the last war with Olso?” she asked.

“No. An Olso ship was spotted several years ago, but when they contacted the crew, they claimed it was off course. It turned around when the guard in the tower fired a warning. Once the warning is fired, troops immediately come down from the castle and surrounding areas. By the time the ship arrives, an army is ready for them.”

She pointed to the ships in the harbor. “Where are they coming from?”

“Vallos and Ruina.”

“Do you have a lot of ships from Ruina?” she asked.

“We have people there, working the coal mines. The criminals who aren't suited to be hunters are sent there to work.”

“The hunters are criminals?” she asked.

“Yes. We didn't have enough volunteers, so my father sent most of the prison population.”

“Were they given a choice?”

“No. And my father used the entire prison population, even petty thieves and people who would have served only a few months. He promises everyone a pardon, but with no end date for their service. Just offers them money for each Ruined kill and sends them out.”

She had no room inside of her to feel compassion for the hunters, but maybe she understood them for the first time. Maybe they were as trapped by their circumstances as she was.

“No wonder they want to kill you.” She glanced over her shoulder. They were alone except for Galo, standing a few paces away. “Come to think of it, I should have brought my sword. There are probably a few people nearby who want to kill you.”

“Oh, at least a few?” He looked like he was trying not to smile.

“I'm sure. They might try to kill me simply for standing next to you. Perhaps you could keep a larger distance between us?” She scooted away from him, a grin spreading across her face almost against her will.

He laughed. “I think I'd actually prefer to have you close by.”

He extended his hand to her, and her breath hitched in her throat as she realized she wanted to take it.

“Walk?” he asked.

She slipped her hand into his, and when he laced their fingers together, her entire traitor body flushed. She ducked her head, pretending not to notice the bursts of happiness exploding in her chest.