Shattered Assassin (13 page)

The assassin watched the gate lower, her eyes narrowed against the rising sun. The wall was a jutting, giant piece of slick black rock, with no foot or hand holds to scale the wall. The castle, visible in the distance, was made of the same material. This place would be very hard to get into — if they weren’t in the process of lowering the gate to let her in. She hid a cruel smile as she watched the guards on their horses, the big animals shifting uneasily as if they felt her nearby. The monster, the unstoppable killer. Hidden right in their midst.

The sun had fully risen by the time the gate was lowered. Several figures waited on the other side. Judging by the crowns, she guessed the older gentlemen was the king, and the woman by his side must be the queen. Another much younger man stood with his arm around a woman — and Kazia guessed he was heir to the throne and so she must be his young bride.

Her eyes skipped over them all and went immediately to the one she suspected was Randolf. He was tall and blond and very well dressed.
Clean, I’ll bet.
She frowned, because she had been traveling in a storm and surviving sword fights for the last three days. She looked more like a drowned rat than a princess worthy of being his queen. She sent panicked eyes at Crystali, who gave her a weak smile, clearly thinking the same thing.

“Princess Kazia?” It was the king, striding forward as guards stumbled out of his way.

Luke maneuvered his horse, blocking his path. “And you are?”

“I am William, King of Abeni.” He didn’t look outraged, as Kazia had suspected he would. Instead, unbelievably, he was smiling. “You must be the captain of her guard. I’ve heard good things about you, lad. And I’m grateful for keeping her safe, but you can rest now. We’ve got the strongest military in the world. She is safe.”

Luke opened his mouth like he wanted to object, or say something,
anything
, but he remained silent, finally remembering his place. Kazia slid from her horse, stumbling a bit, and suddenly Nakomi was there for her to lean on, turning toward the king. The big wolf wasn’t growling, but she wasn’t moving either.

“And who is this?” William stopped, his hands rising slowly. He had a kind, weathered face, and light blue eyes that twinkled. White hair stuck out at odds with his crown.

“This is Nakomi, Your Majesty. She is my bravest protector.”

“Then we owe her a great debt.” The king looked right into Nakomi’s eyes, inclining his head. “Thank you, brave one.”

Kazia felt tears swimming and fought to keep them from spilling down her cheeks. “Nakomi, rest. We’re safe now.” Nakomi gave her a long look, as if asking
Are you sure?
Kazia smiled, and then the tears did spill, but Nakomi limped back to her sled and flopped down, exhausted.

“Has she been injured?”

“Yes, Sire. We were attacked…” She trailed off, looking to Luke for help, but he was watching her with an unreadable expression.

“Attacked?” The king’s blue eyes darkened, and Kazia realized he wasn’t looking right at her, but rather watching her from the corner of his eye. She wondered at it, forgetting to answer, so Luke finally answered for her, “Yes, Your Majesty. We were attacked in the Northern Arburst Forest.”

“Bandits?”

“We don’t believe so. They were too well-trained. Too well-armed.”

“The assassin.” The king moved forward, clasping Kazia’s shoulders. “You must be a very brave princess, indeed. Welcome home, Princess Kazia.”

Kazia choked on a sob. Home. Could she really find a home here with these people? A new family? “Thank you, Sire.”

“No more of this Sire business. I’m William. Or Father, if you’d prefer. Come, meet my son. He has been waiting for you.” Kazia started to shake and felt the blood drain from her face as she turned toward the rest of the family, who, while she hadn’t been watching, had come outside the city gates and waited just outside her circle of guards. All of them wore swords, even the queen, and Kazia felt very small next to them.

As if of their own accord, Kazia’s eyes went to Luke, and she saw the pain there before he could hide it.
This hurts him.
Kazia felt her eyes widen in surprise, but then Randolf was stepping forward and kneeling at her feet, bowing deeply as he took her hand. “I’ve been told of your beauty, Princess, but the words did not do you justice.”

She resisted the urge to fan herself with her free hand. “Thank you, Prince Randolf.” He rose to his feet, and she got her first good look at his face. He wasn’t unpleasant to look at. Strong jaw. Blond hair cropped short and light blue eyes. He stood as tall as Luke, but not nearly as broad. And not nearly as handsome.

It does not matter. It does NOT matter.

Randolf’s eyes seemed to study her with a desperation she hadn’t expected, as if he was trying to memorize every detail.

“Princess. Welcome. We’ve worried for your safety.” His brother strode forward, clasping her arm, kissing both her cheeks.

“Thank you, Prince Tobias.” She was proud of herself for remembering his name from Randolf’s letters.

He motioned to the woman standing behind him, a tall, slender woman with rose-blonde hair and deep brown eyes. “This is my wife, Serela. And my mother, Queen Charlotte.” Both came forward, grasping Kazia by the shoulders and kissing both her cheeks.

Serela seemed a bit uncomfortable, but Charlotte stepped back, studying Kazia with wide green eyes while still holding her shoulders. She brushed a silky white curl behind her ear and nodded, as if agreeing with herself. “Yes, you are a beauty. And I see kindness in your eyes. Come, let’s get you back to the palace so you can rest.” They led her to their coach, waiting inside the city gates. Kazia cast an anxious glance back at Nakomi. “My wolf…”

“They can pull her sled up to the palace steps and we’ll have our staff carry her to your quarters.” William smiled.

“Thank—thank you.”

“We have our house pets as well.” His eyes sparkled with mischief and Kazia wondered what, exactly, these house pets were. Her guard surrounded the carriage as it rolled through the city streets, and the formidable gate was closed. There was no getting into the city now. And no getting out. Randolf sat across from her, his blue eyes watching her every move. When she dared to glance up at him, he smiled; it seemed that his kindness hadn’t been exaggerated. After only a few seconds he leaned forward, reaching for her hand. “I’m so sorry for everything you have been through, Princess.”

“Thank you, Prince Randolf. And please, call me Kazia.” Past his head, Kazia could see Luke, riding his big brown gelding, green eyes scanning up and down the streets, watching for threats, protecting her.
It’s his job, you stupid girl
.

She deliberately turned her attention back to Randolf, who beamed at her like she’d just offered him the world. “And you must call me Randolf, of course.” His parents rode with them, but Tobias and his wife had taken a different carriage. The king and queen watched them with sweet smiles, and Kazia was immensely uncomfortable. Randolf didn’t seem to notice. “I’ve been so looking forward to this meeting. I’m sorry it had to be under such difficult circumstances, but I promise you, Kazia, we will keep you safe.”

“Once you’re crowned queen, the assassin will have to give up,” Charlotte said. Kazia wanted to point out that her mother had been queen when she was murdered in her bed, but that, of course, would be rude. Randolf still watched her with those intense blue eyes and Kazia squirmed. In the ten thousand times she had imagined how it would be when they first met, this hadn’t been even remotely close. She was a soaking wet, emotionally and physically exhausted, tangled, bloody, muddy mess. She wasn’t sure what was going on under those light blue eyes of his, but she was positive she didn’t warrant the smile he was giving her.

The ride was thankfully a short one. She kept peering through the window to check Nakomi until Luke rode close, his green eyes not quite meeting hers as he said, “I’m watching her, Princess. She’s safe in my hands.” Kazia sat back, both relieved and hurting at the same time, and not knowing quite why.

“He’s a very loyal captain, isn’t he? I’m impressed with his diligence. When we merge our kingdoms, there is a good chance he will retain a position in the Royal Guard,” Randolf said it in such an off-hand way that she wasn’t sure he was serious until he blinked at her baffled expression. “Well — you didn’t think — I mean, my men are trained for war… I just assumed—”

“My guards have kept me alive through a very dangerous situation, Prince Randolf. Any decisions made on replacing any of them will be a joint discussion.”

Randolf’s jaw dropped and Charlotte inhaled sharply, but William only chuckled. “Feisty one, isn’t she?”

Randolf colored and looked away.

“Forgive me, Prince Randolf. I’m very tired.”

He raised his eyes to her face again and smiled weakly. “How could I be offended for long when you grace me with your beauty?”

Beauty. Right.
She stifled a sigh and leaned back against the seats.

“Here we are!” William announced, his eyes sparkling like he had somehow just missed the whole awkward conversation.

Luke stood by the door, offering his hand as Kazia climbed out. “Thank you, Captain. Nakomi?”

Luke glanced behind the carriage, where Nakomi’s sled was just arriving. “Safe and sound,” he said.

“Allow me to show you to your quarters, Kazia.” Randolf offered his arm. Kazia glanced up at him and back at Nakomi, but William seemed to understand the look without even seeing it.

“We’ll have our staff carry—”

But Nakomi rose to her feet, ambling over to Kazia and looking up at her, as if saying,
Well, let’s get on with it then.
Kazia smiled.

“My, she’s even bigger up close,” Randolf said, but there wasn’t fear in his voice. Just curiosity.

“Yes, she’s… bigger than average,” Kazia said, which was a massive understatement. The scientists in her kingdom had done research far and wide and found no trace of a wolf ever being as big as Nakomi. Kazia said it was the love. Love made her grow. Luke had once told her if that was the case, Kazia herself should be as big as her castle. A quick look at his cold features and Kazia was pretty sure he didn’t think that anymore.

“I’ll be accompanying her, of course,” he said when he caught her glance, his hand on the hilt of his sword like he would attack them all if they gave him any argument.

“Of course. I admire one so dedicated to my princess.” Randolf smiled down at her and she tried very hard to return it without grimacing. She had just met him. It felt odd to be called his already, even if she was very much so. Luke’s jaw tightened and a vein in his temple throbbed, but he said nothing, staring straight ahead in the best display of Royal Guard behavior she’d ever seen in him. Nakomi followed them through the castle, up the stairs, and almost made it to Kazia’s new quarters before her legs started to shake, her tail dragging on the ground.

“We’re almost there, wolf pup,” Kazia whispered, laying a hand on her back, alarmed at the weakness. Benjamin and Heath both stepped up, their hands lightly on Nakomi’s sides like they could offer her their strength.

“Bring a blanket to the fire, please,” William asked the maidservant waiting for them.

She rushed to find a blanket while Kazia’s guards stood in the doorway, four of them kneeling next to Nakomi, holding her up. Or attempting, anyway. “She must be heavy, huh?” Kazia couldn’t resist.

Benjamin rolled his eyes. “Ya think?”

Luke brushed past them, searching the room for threats and checking the windows. “We’ve had the city locked down since we received word she was coming. No one has been in here,” Randolf said, watching Luke with a frown. Luke glanced at him but didn’t pause in his search. The maid threw the blanket in front of the fire just as Kazia’s bags arrived, Crystali behind them. The men gratefully laid Nakomi on the blanket, where she sent Kazia one long eye roll and promptly went to sleep.

“The princess will need a warm bath drawn, if you please,” Crystali told the other maid, who curtsied and scurried out. “Does this meet with your approval, Kazia?” Randolf still held her hand on the crook of his arm, and she wondered how to escape.

For the first time, she actually looked at the room as a room, and not just a space where scary creatures could hide. The four poster bed had thick, rose-colored blankets and so many pillows she could drown in them. The stone floors were covered in furry rugs with the castle crest woven into them. Two plump armchairs framed the fire place, and beyond them was the sitting room. “Yes, thank you. It’s beautiful.”

“Let’s let our princess get settled, son.” Somehow, when King William called her theirs, it didn’t bother her at all. “We’ll see you for dinner tonight, right?” He smiled at Kazia and she realized again that he wasn’t looking directly at her. And in the warm glow of the candles, she could see that his eyes were a milky white.
He’s blind!
She thought, but no, that couldn’t be it, because he could see — he’d commented on how pretty she was and how big Nakomi was.