Rebel's Honor(67)

"Let's get you into this."

"Let's?" Lynx folded her arms. No matter what Tao had said about  Tatiana, Lynx had no intention of letting this stranger know she mourned  the loss of the love of her life. "My mother taught me to tie my shoe  laces when I was a child. I haven't needed help with dressing since  then."

Tatiana's piercing dark eyes settled on Lynx. "The emperor is right. You are a wild one."

"The emperor? He sent you?"

"He thinks you need help-with the length of your skirt."

Lynx snorted. "So much for our deal."

"What deal would that be, Highness?"

"That I could wear my knee-length dresses with a bustle as long as I  seduced his son," Lynx said icily. Mott's ex-mistress was the last  person in the world with whom Lynx would want to spend her last morning  as a single woman. Even Mother Saskia would have been preferable to  this.

Lady Tatiana's perfectly penciled-in eyebrow rose. "And have you seduced his son?"

Lynx's cheeks warmed. "I hardly think I need discuss that with you."

Laughter rattled in Lady Tatiana's throat. "Have no fear, Princess Lynx,  sex between the two of you is assured-given how our crown prince's  tongue hangs out every time he looks at you. A boiled goldfish has more  sense that he does. And looks less gormless."

Lynx scowled, both at her own childish blush and at Tatiana's crass  directness. Not to mention her veiled insult. "I suppose you'll be  checking our bed sheets, ready to report to the emperor when the boiled  goldfish and I finally do the deed?"

Tatiana's smile reminded Lynx of an old lioness, tired but not to be  trifled with. She held out a corset and bustle. "Your dress."

Lynx frowned, considering her course. Should she do what Uncle Bear  would suggest and wear the long dress to keep the peace? Or should she  risk defying the emperor and refusing?

Perhaps tired of holding the garments, Tatiana dropped the garment on  the bed and glided over to an icon of the Dragon, the only adornment in  the stark room. She studied it as if was the most fascinating piece of  artwork in the world.

Heart pounding as she considered the consequences of this decision, Lynx  fingered the lacy gold corset. In one quick movement, she wriggled out  of her sleep-creased dress and tossed it on the floor. Then she grabbed  the golden wedding gown and pulled it over her head. The silk settled  around her as if the dress had been made for her.                       
       
           



       

It hadn't. At least a dozen Norin brides had worn it before her. Some  Chenayan seamstress had labored to ensure it fit her perfectly. Lynx  slid her hands down the luxurious skirt, aware of the fabric bunching at  her feet. She had an oath to fulfill and if tripping over a long skirt  smoothed that process, then she would not fight it. Hands fumbling at  her back made her jump.

Lady Tatiana's fingers expertly tugged at the ties lacing the dress  closed. She half-coughed, half-snorted. "Tall, thin, and not a natural  curve in sight, and yet you still have men gagging after you." She gave  an especially hard tug on the ties, almost choking the breath out of  Lynx. "How is that possible?"

The last thing Lynx wanted was to discuss her attributes, such as they  were, so she pulled away. Tatiana laughed, a croaky sound, and Lynx  wondered what Mott's ex-mistress thought of her decision to wear the  traditional dress. She turned to face her, trying to read her  expression. Tatiana's thoughts were hidden behind a haughty sneer.

It was time to get rid of her.

Lynx pulled herself up tall and said firmly, "I am quite capable of doing my own hair."

Another snort. "If you call that mess of a bun you've been sporting  ‘capable,' then yes, I suppose you are. If, however, you wish to look  like an empress, then allow me to help you. After all, Highness, the  boiled goldfish is not the only person you need to impress today."

Lynx sighed. As much as she hated to admit it, Tatiana was right. Not  only did she need to seduce Lukan if she was ever to fulfill the Dmitri  Curse, but she also had to beguile the rest of the high-born if she was  to make any allies here.

That didn't mean she had to be gracious about it. "Fine," she snapped,  and plunked herself down onto the bed to await Lady Tatiana's  ministrations.

Within minutes, Tatiana had rustled up a box of make-up and an array of  hairbrushes, hot tongs warming in a brazier, and handfuls of clips. Lynx  closed her eyes and allowed herself to be primped. An hour later,  Tatiana declared her ready and held up a mirror up to Lynx's face. Lynx  gasped, hardly recognizing herself.

"On your feet, Highness," Tatiana said, stepping back.

Lynx teetered up on the high heels Tatiana insisted she wear. "Winds! How am I supposed to walk in these?"

"Carefully, unless you want to confirm in everyone's minds that you are nothing but a jumped-up low-born."

Lynx glared at her. "The word you are looking for is Norin. And there is  nothing elevating about marrying into the Avanov family. Despite your  lack of aversion to spreading your legs for the head."

Instead of looking offended, as Lynx hoped, Tatiana smiled, the only  real smile Lynx had yet seen on the woman. "Come, Highness, save the  act. We both know you'd rather be out on the plains, dressed in leather,  hunting down ostrich poachers."

Lynx shrugged, acknowledging the truth.

"But, instead, here you are." A hand brushed Lynx's dress as if Tatiana  were wiping out imaginary creases. "A toy for a spoiled man. So wrong on  so many levels. But, sadly, given time, Highness, and you'll be  spreading your legs, too. Just like the rest of us."

Lynx was about to comment that she would never be like the rest of them, but Mott's ex-lover was already at the door.

"Maybe spreading my legs for Lukan is my plan," Lynx said to her back,  knowing she had not come off victor in this meeting. Still, she couldn't  resist adding, "Our bed sheets? For when the day comes?"

Tatiana didn't look back at her. "Will be taken care of." She swept out of the room in a shimmer of gemstones and silk.





Chapter 41





For the first time in his life, Lukan was early. He straightened his  crown in the mirror on the wall of the antechamber where he waited for  Lynx, Tao, and Kestrel. A magnificent dragon with ruby red eyes, the  crown suited his face perfectly.

He sighed. Today, he was getting married. Against his will.

Regardless of what Dmitri had said about the sanctity of human choice,  Lukan had been a tile right from the start-a mere piece on the strategy  board to be manipulated by his father and his uncle. Squandered even, if  it suited their game plan.

Well, today, all that would change.

The moment his father lay dead at his feet, he would deliver a damning  speech to the high-born. Lukan smiled with grim satisfaction; in a  stroke of genius, he had briefed Morass to hold back after shooting his  father until the speech had been given. Even Felix had seemed happy with  that arrangement.

So, if all went according to plan, Felix's cretin wouldn't have to let  fly his second quarrel. Lynx would walk free. His smile turned to a  grimace. What he would do with her after that remained a mystery.                       
       
           



       

The rasp of boots on the flagstones reached him. He recognized the gait before he saw the wearer.

Axel.

Lukan's usual anger at his cousin flared, but he stifled it. The minute  his speech started, he would need Axel like never before. He fixed a  smile as Axel entered the room. It was wiped away by the gasp that  escaped his lips. "You look . . . terrible. Exhausted. Like you haven't  slept."

Axel grunted, and Lukan wondered if his cousin would deign to reply.  Then, with an astuteness Lukan bemoaned, Axel drawled, "You look like  hell, too. Even your diamond has lost its sparkle."

Lukan probed his stone. It brought his mission to break the news to the  high-born to the fore. He felt his face pale-even more than it probably  already was.

He changed the subject. "You have the rings?"

His cousin had the honor of being ring-bearer for both him and Tao. Axel  pulled four gold bands, each slightly different, out of a pocket and  tossed them into the air, catching them expertly. He dropped them back  into his pocket and fixed Lukan with a sharp stare. "So, Morass?"

Lukan's heart skipped a couple of beats.

Felix had told Axel about their plans. Of course he had. But did that  include Felix's scheme to murder Lynx? An icy chill surged through  Lukan. He studied Axel's face for any clue that his cousin suspected she  could be in danger. As usual, Axel's sardonic expression gave nothing  away. Lukan briefly considered taking Axel into his confidence but  rejected the idea. The fewer people who knew what he planned, the  better.