The Kingmakers(114)

“Please don't be a big one.”

The glow from her blade illuminated the deep shadows and showed her two glowing eyes in the cramped space beneath her desk. Then she saw the size of the beast, poised to strike, tail swishing.

“Pet!” Adele yanked back the blade and immediately the cat came prancing forward. “You rat!”

Pet stretched, yawning lazily before brushing up against her. Adele scooped him up. “How did you get here, you little stowaway? Did you know we were heading back to Edinburgh?” He went limp in her arms and purred contentedly, staring at her with half-closed emerald eyes. They settled into a chair, and immediately the cat snuggled into her thick fur-lined coat. She wrapped it around both of them.

“What am I going to do with you? Don't you know how dangerous it is where we are going? There's a war on. This is no time to visit with your extended family.”

As was her habit, Adele's fingers brushed along the inside of the cat's collar. She felt something tiny protruding and she stopped, her heart quickening. She fumbled with the leather band and pulled it from the sleepy cat. There, tucked into the seam of the collar, was a small slip of paper.

Adele knew instantly what it was. She kissed the cat's head. “You're a messenger again, little one.”

The thin paper was delicate, and she labored not to tear it as she unraveled it. Gareth's handwriting stared back at her, more practiced and precise than it had been the year before when he wrote his first note to her.

Never doubt my love for you. I miss you even now. The warmth of your hand. The taste of your lips. I will see you soon.

G

Her eyes closed and she drew the paper to her lips. Memories spilled over her. The way he had so carefully made love to her, with all the focus of turning the page of a book. The thought of him holding her, flesh against flesh, made her shiver with wondrous memory. Her hand went to her chest, already feeling the wild flutter of her heart. She had never experienced anything like it. For someone who struggled to maintain control, she had been satisfyingly out of control.

She missed Gareth more so now. She missed the way his blue eyes stared at her when she woke up, the way his breathing seemed to match hers. She missed being able to talk to him. He was always so calm.

In a way, she hated that she always felt stronger with trusted friends at her side, because now she had to stand by her own decisions, good or bad. How many times had Anhalt or Gareth stared aghast at her when she announced an idea? Adele smiled at the memories of their stunned faces. Then she sighed.

Pet paid no mind, content to settle down for an overdue nap. Adele conceded that maybe he had the right idea about the future. Each bridge had to be crossed, and what would happen would happen regardless of her worrying.

There was a knock on the door. “Enter.”

The door blew open, and a wave of frigid air accompanied two men. Adele straightened in her seat. Pet mewed in annoyance at the sudden cold and dug deeper into the folds of her coat. Hariri blew on his reddened fingers and stamped his feet to restore some circulation while Shirazi stood motionless. She didn't waste their time.

“Gentlemen, you no doubt are wondering what we are about. As with our last excursion to Grenoble, your utmost discretion is required.”

Shirazi inclined his head, while Hariri replied with gusto, “You have it, Your Majesty.”

“Thank you. First, Mamoru, my former tutor, has sent an assassin to eliminate Greyfriar. He feared Greyfriar's influence over me.”

Hariri snorted. “Paranoid.”

Adele said, “Regardless, we must stop her.”

“A woman assassin?” The pirate's fingers caressed his curled beard. “She must be something.”

“She is highly skilled, and worse, Greyfriar won't see her coming.” Adele didn't elaborate on the reason why.

“I doubt that,” he countered. “Greyfriar is the finest swordsman I've ever seen. He could easily handle any attack. And he's not one to be wooed by some female, not with as fine a catch as yourself in his sights.”

Hariri always amused Adele. And he was partly right. Against a sword or any other physical weapon, she had faith Gareth could handle himself, but not against geomancy.

“What do we know of this assassin?” asked Captain Shirazi.

“She is a Zulu originally from the Cape.”

“Do we know where Greyfriar is or where this assassin intends to strike?”

“Perhaps. Mamoru knew that Greyfriar was bound for Scotland. My sources indicate that the assassin will go there and wait.” The ship dropped, causing Adele to pause until it gathered way again. “Provided we hold together.”

Hariri smiled and shrugged.

Shirazi looked at her doubtfully. “You do realize that Scotland is enemy territory, and very expansive, Your Majesty?”