Shattered Assassin (14 page)

Kazia realized belatedly they were all waiting for her response, and she stuttered, trying to remember the question. “I—er…” She looked helplessly at Luke, but he was standing silent at her door, his eyes on the far wall and his hands behind his back. No help there.

William patted her arm. “Just rest. You’ll feel better then.”

She felt like an idiot, but forced a smile. “Yes, of course.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

_“
S
O WE DIDN’T MAKE
the best first impression. By dinnertime we’ll have you more stunning than you’ve ever been before,” Crystali said as she bustled around the room, unpacking their things.

Kazia watched from behind the bathing screen, letting her head rest against the lip of the tub. “Aren’t you
tired?”
Kazia asked.

“A little. But I love a challenge.” Crystali paused, tipping her head to the side, plotting in her head.

“Oh, now making me presentable is a challenge?” Kazia smirked and thought about throwing the soap at her maid. Knowing her luck, Crystali would catch it and use it to scrub her mouth out, so she resisted.

“You get a short rest, but then we must get you ready. The whole city is waiting anxiously for sight of you.”

There was a knock at her door. Kazia squealed and dove under the bubbles. Crystali sent her an exasperated look as she went to the door. “Now isn’t a good time, Captain.” At the mention of his name, or at least his title, Kazia’s pulse sped up. She mentally cursed at herself and considered washing her own mouth out with soap — since it wasn’t possible to wash her brain.

“Is she asleep?” Luke’s voice drifted through the room and Kazia’s heart ached.

“No. She’s bathing.”
Oh good grief,
Crystali!
Kazia felt the blood roar to her cheeks and was grateful no one could see her.

“Oh—oh! Right. Oh. Her—” Luke stumbled over his words before clearing his throat and trying again. “Lord Jeffery is here to see her.”

Kazia’s eyebrows shot up as she scrambled out of the water, tugging on the thick robe and jerking her hair away from her neck. “Jeffery is still here?” she asked, padding around the screen.

Luke’s eyes caught her and didn’t let go and she was sure her heart stopped completely. “Princess.”

“Princess!” Crystali gasped, jerking Kazia back into the moment.

“Why is Jeffery still here? He should have been on his way home days ago. Is Braydton here as well?”

Luke’s lip quirked, just a bit, and she resisted the urge to point out that he had seen her in less than she was now — when he had rescued her from the lake several years ago.

“Jeffery hasn’t been allowed to leave. The city’s under lockdown. Braydton left before they closed the city.”

“How does that make any sense?” Kazia frowned.

Luke shrugged. “I haven’t seen much of what they do make sense. How is this any different?”

“Princess, shall we get you ready?” Crystali asked through clenched teeth.

Kazia felt like a scolded child and blushed yet again, ducking her head toward the floor. “Of course. Captain, please tell Jeffery that I will see him at dinner.”

Crystali yanked and pulled and braided and curled Kazia’s waist-length blond hair into submission. She dusted Kazia’s fair cheeks with rouge and complained that her eyes were dark brown and not blue. “Blue, I could work with,” she muttered.

Kazia just wanted to sleep. The dress Crystali threw at her was pale pink with demure lace at the bodice and lots of layers. “How on earth did you pack that all the way here?” Kazia asked, trying to tug the dress into place.

“I’m good at what I do.” Crystali shoved the ornate braids and curls out of the way and started on the hundred tiny pearl clasps that went all the way up the back.

“I can’t breathe.” Kazia gasped.

“Good. That’s how it’s supposed to be.” Crystali stepped back, admiring her handiwork as Kazia stepped in front of the mirror.

“Prince Randolf isn’t going to recognize me.” She raised an eyebrow at Crystali’s reflection behind her, but Crystali just beamed proudly as she settled Kazia’s crown atop the mass of curls.

There was a light tap at the door, and Crystali swung it open. “Prince Randolf to accompany—” Luke trailed off as Kazia swept around the corner, the silk of her dress rustling as she moved. His eyes moved slowly from the top of her head down, sweeping back up to her face, and Kazia swore there was pain in his eyes when he cleared his throat. “Prince Randolf is here, Princess.”

Randolf waited in the hallway, and his eyes widened as she came into view. After the way she’d looked when they met, it was gratifying, to say the least, that he was impressed. He stuttered several times before holding his arm out without a word. It was several steps down the hall before he found his voice. “You look stunning, Kazia.”

“Thank you. You look very handsome, Randolf. ” She smiled as she looked away, trying to hide her blush. Ahead of them, Luke’s shoulders tightened and Kazia’s smile faded. He didn’t want her, but apparently he didn’t want anyone else to want her, either.

She hesitated outside the dining room, gathering her courage. Randolf paused with her, and Luke, standing at the door, glanced back with a question in his eyes. The room had people in it — she could hear them, lots of people — people who would stare at her and judge her, and there might just be a few who wanted to kill her.

Luke turned on her with a low growl that Kazia was certain he’d learned from Nakomi. “If you aren’t up to this—”

“It will be fine, Kazia. Just a few nobles who are very excited to meet you.” Randolf beamed at her.

“She’s had a very long journey and she wasn’t feeling well to begin with. Throwing a party wasn’t the most considerate thing you could have done,” Luke snapped.

“Captain, you forget your place,” Randolf snarled back.

“Prince Randolf, Captain, please,” Kazia murmured, although she wasn’t entirely sure she wouldn’t pass out soon. She patted Randolf’s arm. “The captain knows my limitations well, and he is only trying to do his job, as he was trained so well to do. Please don’t be angry at him.”

The scowl melted off Randolf’s face and he forced a smile. “Of course. I’m sorry. I had forgotten your illness.”

“You can’t forget her illness or you’ll kill her,” Luke said.

Kazia sent him an exasperated glare. “Captain,” she said through gritted teeth. “Remember that Prince Randolf has only gotten to know me through letters and hasn’t had a chance to understand my illness as you have.”

“I am remembering. That’s why I’m telling him what I know.” Luke’s green eyes were positively sparking.

“Kazia, I don’t know how the Royal Guard behaves in your kingdom, but in mine this type of behavior is unacceptable.” Randolf straightened to his full height — but he still wasn’t as tall as Luke.

Kazia stifled a groan and wished desperately for the solitude of her quarters. “Randolf, the captain was my brother’s best friend. He is like — like a brother to me,” Kazia said. Luke’s eyes snapped to her face and he paled like she had hit him.

“Oh. I hadn’t realized.” Randolf gave an embarrassed chuckle. “I do have a lot to catch up on, don’t I?”

“Princess, your company awaits,” Luke said, his voice icy cold as he swung the door open and stepped aside. Kazia felt a little like she had just been thrown to the wolves and she glared at Luke as she swept by. He looked at her, but his face was expressionless and if he saw her glare, he pretended not to.

There was a general gasp as they walked in together, and she felt her fingers dig nervously into Randolf’s forearm.

“What a handsome couple!” Charlotte said as she came around the table to greet them.

“You clean up well, Princess Kazia.” Tobias smiled from where he stood at the other end of the table. William’s eyes sparkled at her.

Randolf turned her toward the crowd gathering in the commons. “Princess Kazia of Sylvana, my future queen!” he announced. The crowd roared in approval and she waved the way she had been taught since she was a tiny girl, all while trying to stop her knees from shaking. When Kazia thought she would collapse if she had to stand in front of all those people one more second, Randolf steered her to the table. Others took their places all around her, and she was surrounded by nobles trying to talk to her. She wanted to cry or climb under the table or fly through the roof — none of which was possible. When her Uncle Jeffery slid into the seat across from hers, she thought of drowning herself in her gravy. She made polite conversation through the entire meal, trying to make eye contact and be polite and be a princess, but she was so tired.

Jeffery waited until they were nearly through with dessert to catch her attention. “What news do you bring of my home, your highness?”

“Your — your home?” Had he not gotten the missive about Kristina?

Luke appeared out of nowhere at her elbow. “I don’t believe that’s polite dinner conversation, m’lord.” Kazia wanted to cry, she was so grateful to hear his voice. It took her two tries at picking up her fork before she realized she was trembling.

“And you, Captain, are out of place,” Jeffery sneered. Luke didn’t seem concerned. He stalked down the table and leaned near King William, whispering in his ear. The king’s milky eyes moved slowly around the room, settling on Kazia, and he nodded.

Luke stepped back as William rose to his feet. “We must allow our princess to retire early, as she has been traveling and is fatigued by her adventures. Everyone please join me in wishing her good night.”

The guests were surprised, but all murmured their farewells as Luke helped Kazia to her feet. “Thank you, your majesties.” She inclined her head, and William’s eyes sparkled. Charlotte didn’t look at her, instead glowering at William, but waved a dismissive hand.

“Kazia, allow me to escort you back to your rooms.” Randolf threw his napkin down and came around the table, tucking her hand into the crook of his arm. It wasn’t until they made it to the hall that she realized he was angry. “If you needed to leave, Kazia, you should have addressed me, not sent your guard to my father.”

Kazia opened her mouth to object, but Luke, storming down the hallway after them, beat her to it. “She didn’t send me. I was watching her.” Kazia knew he was supposed to watch her, but the words still sent shivers up her spine. “Even from clear across the room I could tell she was in trouble. You were three seats down and you didn’t notice,” Luke snapped.

Kazia rolled her head back on her neck, trying to ward off the headache she felt coming. “Captain, he doesn’t know me well enough to see the signs.” She sighed.

“Common sense shouldn’t have failed him, then,” Luke spat. She had never seen him so unprofessional, and Randolf was clearly not used to being spoken to like that. He sputtered as his cheeks went a blotchy red and white. Thankfully, they reached her room just then, and Luke swept inside, checking for anything suspicious. “Nakomi has been here the entire time,” Benjamin said, nodding toward the wolf sitting in front of the fire, watching them like a statue.

“Captain, a word?” Randolf’s voice was icy cold and Kazia wondered, in an exhausted haze, if they were going to duel or something else just as stupid.

She squeezed his arm, trying to distract him. “Thank you for your welcome, Prince Randolf.”

“What? Oh, of course, Kazia. We are happy to have you. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to summon me.” Finally turning his full attention on her, he bowed low over her hand, bringing it to his lips. “I only await your command.”

She smiled, trying to hide the pain that was rapidly taking over and making every joint and limb ache. “Thank you, Randolf.”

He touched her cheek and gave her a tender smile before turning crisply and leaving. Luke stayed where he was at Nakomi’s side for several more seconds, watching Kazia before swinging away, shutting the door with a snap. Kazia closed her eyes gratefully, moving toward the bed. Crystali intercepted her, gently steering her toward the dressing screen. “Let’s get you in your nightgown, Princess. You’ll never get any rest in this dress.”

She tossed and turned through the night, in too much pain to get any real rest. Fighting her natural inclination to sleep during the day wasn’t helping matters. She finally fell into a restless slumber sometime near dawn, and even though she heard Crystali answer the polite knocking at her door several times, she couldn’t rouse herself enough to fully wake until the sun was sinking in the western sky. “Jeffery was here several times to see you, Princess,” Crystali said as she helped her dress, in a much simpler and less painful costume than the day before. “As was Prince Randolf.”

“Thank you for not waking me up, Crystali.” Kazia smiled at her in the mirror, trying not to notice the dark circles under her own eyes or the fact that she looked like the walking dead. Crystali grinned without looking up, her expert fingers weaving Kazia’s hair into more intricate braids.

The knock at the door made her jump so suddenly that Crystali’s hands, already woven through Kazia’s hair, became tangled. It took several seconds of Crystali muttering under her breath before she was free. “Lord Jeffery to see Princess Kazia,” Heath said as Crystali swung the door open. Crystali glanced back at Kazia and she nodded, moving to the sitting room to receive him.

The big black castle seemed to trap the sun’s heat during the day and kept it much warmer than it was outside. Even so, Crystali had a roaring fire going and Kazia gratefully settled into the chair next to it, and Nakomi limped in to lie at her feet. “Crystali…” Crystali leaned toward her. “Could you please summon Luke?”

“Of course, your highness.” Crystali scurried away as Jeffery strolled in. He didn’t look like he was in mourning.

“Dear Uncle. How are you?” Kazia didn’t force herself to her feet. She lacked the willpower and the desire.

He frowned at the insult but didn’t comment, instead settling himself in the plush chair across from her. “I am only half a man without my dear Kristina,” he said. He smelled strongly of whiskey and she tried not to gag when his breath reached her.