“What have you done with her?” I jerk in his grasp, ignoring the stab of pain as the knife digs in deeper.
“Nothing...yet.” He shifts to look at the hall behind him, inching us backwards. Despite the vast size of this building I am familiar with this part of the palace. He is taking us to the throne room.
My gaze flickers to my right as I try to send a silent message to Bastien. He doesn’t nod, doesn’t show any reaction. I can’t tell if he understands.
“So what now?” Bastien asks, following after us, his body positioned to attack when given the slightest chance.
“Aloysius will decide what to do with her.” His breath smells off. There is a sickening, overwhelming aroma to it, as if he has been drinking something foul.
I can see the double doors up ahead and begin to panic. The guard manning the door looks up. I can see his surprise and confusion. “Sir?”
“Get the King!” Drakon grunts as I slam my heel into his shin, running it down to his foot. “Get him now!”
“Bastien,” I call, but he is already on the move. We both know what will happen the instant Aloysius is within sight of me. We have to take Drakon down now.
In a blur of black, Bastien leaps. I slam my head back into Drakon’s face, shattering his nose. His arm releases me and I fall to the floor just as Bastion lands beside me, his punch driving Drakon into the ground.
A loud crack echoes around the hall. I turn and see Drakon’s eyes roll back. Blood begins to pool around his head as it rolls to the side. Bastien snatches the front of Drakon’s uniform and draws his arm back to strike again.
“What’s the meaning of this?” a voice booms.
I feel the cold sensation slip over my mind as I slump to the floor. I gasp as I clutch my side, feeling the reverberations of approaching footsteps. When I look up, I see Aloysius’ livid face hovering over Bastien. “You’ve killed him!”
“Aloysius,” I call, reaching out to him. He pales as he rushes to my side, taking my hand in his. He turns it over and stares at the blood on my palm.
“Darling, you’re hurt.” A growl rumbles in his chest as he pulls me into his arms and turns on Bastien. “Did you do this?”
“No,” I whisper as I rest my head over his pounding heart. “Bastien saved me.”
The afternoon has grown unseasonably cool. I wrap my arms about myself as I stare out over the palace grounds. The main gates opened nearly an hour ago. Streams of people arrive from the city below, each dressed in their best clothes. I can see children running and playing, their laughter like music on the air.
I have lost count of their numbers as they pass out of sight and through the main doors of the palace. I sink down onto my bed, fighting back the tears that threaten to fall. I’m trying to be strong. I swipe at my eyes before I ruin my makeup.
Alesta has done a wonderful job making me beautiful. As I look at myself in the mirror I almost smile. She made me look perfectly fierce.
A knock sounds at my door. “I want to be alone.” There is a pause and then another knock. “Alesta, please.”
“I am not Alesta.”
I turn to look at the door, struggling to place the gentle voice. It sounds familiar somehow and yet I know that I have not heard it while staying in the palace. Lifting my skirts, I turn to face the door. “Come in.”
When the woman enters I am struck by her beauty. Her skin is fair and flawless. Her golden hair is coiled about her face, trailing down her back. Slender shoulders dip into the curve of a beautiful scarlet dress that cinches at the waist and flares back out at the hip. Her delicate hands clasp before her. Violet eyes search my face after she closes the door behind her.
“I’m afraid I’m not in the mood for visitors,” I say, rising slowly from the bed. My skirts are ridiculously large and heavy. The bust of my dress is tight, crushing my ribs together. I feel as if I will come popping out of it at any moment. My purple dress sparkles like diamonds woven into each strand. The rich color deepens as your eye trails from my chest to the floor.
The woman takes a step forward. “I have Alesta to thank for allowing me to see you. I know you must be very busy so I won’t stay long.”
I glance around my empty room and laugh. “Not really. I’m just waiting for the music to start.”
Her responding laughter sounds like wind chimes, soothing and pleasant. “Your friend came to see my yesterday. They thought you might like to see me before…” she trails off as she lowers her gaze.
I realize with a start that she is fumbling nervously with the beading along her skirts. “Alesta?”
“No,” she smiles and looks up at me. I watch as she takes a deep breath and presses her shoulders back. “Kyan thought it only right that you have your...your mother with you on your wedding day.”