A Rebel and a Rogue (The Cursed Kingdom #3)
Chapter 1
Ro
There’s something special about the atmosphere of a wedding. Or any party, really. People crowded together to celebrate, sipping on wine, dancing with a partner, laughing amongst friends. The good mood carries into the air in an intoxicating way.
A perfect distraction.
I meandered through the familiar halls of Highcrest Castle as music poured from the reception. My fingers lazily caressed the shiny collection of gilded vases, an assortment from various kingdoms. Probably gifts for special events such as the one currently taking place.
For a moment, I pondered how much one might be worth in the markets.
“Where would you even put it?” the little voice spoke into my mind, rudely intruding on my thoughts.
I glanced down. The light blue gown was flawlessly tailored to my body, Fabric wrapped straight across my chest and arms with tapered long sleeves, a style that revealed my shoulders in a similar fashion to the newly crowned Queen of Highcrest.
A gorgeous creation, but the absolute worst for concealing unwittingly donated items. My fashionable clutch was already almost at capacity with a gold threaded napkin and fancy cake knife.
“Maybe I’ll make room on my shoulder,” I retorted with a snarky thought.
From beneath my styled hair, tiny nostrils huffed in annoyance.
My copper locks, pinned back on one side with a pearl hair comb, flowed over my other shoulder in silky, relaxed waves.
Tula had insisted I trade my natural pin-straight look for something softer, and the added volume conveniently provided broader coverage—perfect for hiding a pocket-sized dragon companion.
“And don’t read my thoughts, it’s rude,” I said with my mental voice.
“Then don’t think so loud,” Braxius replied.
I raised my eyebrows and pursed my lips.
That’s fair. The little man had been sequestered in my sister’s room while the battle waged in the market square, but he was tired of being cooped up and didn’t want to miss out on the festivities tonight.
Mainly for the scraps of meat served with the main course that I wouldn’t touch.
Two guards entered the hall on their regular patrol route. I removed my tempted fingers from the priceless object they’d lingered on and placed them together behind my back in a picture of demure modesty. I flashed a wide, bright smile.
Normally, my goal was to remain unseen, but in this environment that would look suspicious. This was a time of revelry and celebration, so polite and cheery was the name of the game.
I may not have had my bow and quiver readily accessible, but a woman still had weapons to wield.
The male guard’s cheeks immediately turned pink at the blazing attention I shot his way, but the woman guard received my interest in strides.
I matched her stare until they passed, though she wasn’t my usual sort of fun.
Confidence boosting, nonetheless. I wouldn’t be surprised if my freckled dotted skin tinted slightly.
Tio would scold me for not taking the opportunity to try something new, to branch out and mix things up, and he’d be absolutely gutted if he knew he missed a chance to attempt setting me up with a castle guard.
Law enforcement and a thief, he’d find that hilarious.
If he were here, he’d also offer to create a distraction for me to take that gorgeous vase. Though that would have been fun, I figured I owed Nora and Nick a tad more respect on their big day than our perfect duo cleaning out their stock of imported goods.
The idea of them ruling provided more comfort than I ever had regarding royal leaders. Knowing the queen was a bad ass without magic that raided human trafficking ships, and that her husband followed her lead like a golden retriever puppy? Highcrest had never been in better hands.
All kingdoms should be blessed with such caring and proactive leadership. Bare fucking minimum if you asked me, but others weren’t so lucky.
Finding myself hidden from prying eyes, my small hand purse weighed heavier with the continual addition of tiny trinkets to stuff in them. A flutter on my shoulder parted my hair, and Braxius popped his little blue-scaled head out.
“Hey, you’re supposed to remain hidden while we’re here, remember?”
He shook like a dog coming out of water before giving me a look and a tiny whimper. “I’m getting restless.”
“I know, I know. The ceremony ended, they’re starting the reception, and we are almost on our way out. Before sunset we’ll head back to camp and you can stretch your wings,” I whispered to my little buddy.
With a purr from the rare and almost extinct creature, he nestled back on my shoulder, hidden behind the curtain of copper swept over that side.
Knowing which halls would lead to the front gate, or bring me further into the castle’s belly, I opted for a little more exploring. My time acting as a staff member here taught me the layout.
Winter would be approaching before long, even with the height of summer still around the corner, but always best to be prepared.
Whatever would be leftover from my haul today could definitely supply me with quality leather boots and gloves.
Who knew the next time I’d grace castle halls with excess wealth just begging to be freed from their royal confines?
I’d been blessed with more opportunities than most, that’s for sure.
Playing the ever cheerful guest at a royal wedding, I practically skipped down the corridors when other staff passed by, too busy with their duties on this auspicious occasion to pay much attention to a lone guest. One of the servers set down a silver tea tray on a cart placed outside the kitchen, removing the food scraps and bustling away.
Soundlessly, I plucked a fancy tea-stirring spoon and added it to my collection before carrying on down the hall. Cutlery would fall farthest on the list of things Nora and Nick would care about compared to priceless trinkets and history-laden objects that adorned hall tables.
Respect still paid, I’d like to think.
Mid-skip, distracted by the movements of the servants to the right, I didn’t see the woman rounding the corner to my left at the same time I did.
We collided, and instinctively, my hands fixed on her arms, holding them down.
A training response Ravinder ingrained in me.
Take control of my opponent long enough to assess their weapons and intent.
When my eyes fell upon the face of my beautiful sister, I relaxed my grip and pulled her into a hug. “Tu!”
She bristled while I squeezed the air from her lungs with my bear-like hold, but brought her arms around me, too. “Hi Ro,” she said.
I pulled back, saying, “Nora’s dress looked absolutely stunning, Tu.
And sly work dressing me to match. I think a few ladies of the court held jealous smiles that their froufrou dresses didn’t mimic the queen’s style.
” This gig was something Tula had dreamed of for years, another reason I’d keep my unpermitted payments to minimal kitchenware and things that could fit in my palm.
She tried to shake off the ego-boosted smile I gave her. “The pattern idea came from another dress she wore to the engagement announcement. It wasn’t difficult to replicate.”
“Stop,” I scolded, tucking a loose blonde curl behind her ear.
“She looks absolutely incredible, and you did that. Quite scandalous actually, but I’m sure you’ve set a new fashion principle going forward.
People will travel from all across Myelle to come have a dress made by the one and only Tula Collins.
Goodbye to drowning in ball gowns, and hello to a sexy, form-fitting fashion revolution! ”
The attempt to bite away her smile told me how much she would actually love that.
“Dad would be so proud of you,” I said, dampening the good spirits of the conversation while a tidal wave of grief and reverence washed over us both.
She nodded. “I want to say the same for you, but…” Her gaze darted towards my now bulky handheld purse before meeting my eyes again.
Well shit. I knew when we’d collided she’d heard the trinkets jingling together. Even if she hadn’t, I think she knew me well enough.
“Hey, Dad encouraged it sometimes,” I defended lightheartedly while working to dam up any further reflection on the matter.
“Yeah, only when you stole the quill from the taxman’s pocket before he could record that Dad was short that year.”
His chuckle echoed in my mind as I recalled the way he’d scooped me in his arms and spun after the tax collector left with irritation lines sullying his face. That teddy bear of a man never held anger when I’d get myself into trouble.
Deep down, I knew he’d wished I’d find a straight and narrow path, like Tula.
But after what he and mom had gone through, fleeing from their homeland due to fear of their vicious ruler, I knew my calling in life was for something different than just accepting how things were.
Somewhere inside, I think he knew it too, which was why he never punished me like he admittedly should have.
Behind Tula’s back, he’d say, “Just make sure you’re good enough that you don’t get caught, Chirp. ”
My smile returned, thinking of the fond nickname. What I wouldn’t give to hear it one last time.
“Not staying for the reception?” Tula changed the subject.
I sighed. “No, I’ve got some stuff to do before I go, and I’d prefer to leave while the sun is still out. Better to scope anyone trailing behind that way.”
I saw the worry shine in her eyes, though she did her best to hide it.
She didn’t like the path I’d chosen. I’m sure neither of us would be able to count how many times she’d begged me to stay, offering to support me, either supplying me quarters within the castle or in the small city within the castle walls.
She’d insisted her salary could afford it, but there was a freedom I craved that could never be found by staying in one place.
“The world calls to me, Tu, and I have to answer.” I leaned in, pressing a kiss to her cheek. Despite being younger, I stood a few inches taller. She looked up at me with the beautiful brown eyes of our father.
“Just…try to stay out of trouble?” It’s the only middle ground she could offer, never full acceptance.
“You know I do my best.” I twirled around her shoulder, letting her continue toward the reception.
I, on the other hand, had a few stops to make.
With a bit of a sad sigh, I left my sister’s beautiful dress on the bed in the castle suite I’d been allowed to stay in.
There was no point taking it with me. I donned my brown leather riding pants, and cream-colored long-sleeve blouse that tapered at my wrists and cinched with a drawstring under my bust that created ruffled pleats flowing over my midsection before tossing on my dark cloak and heading for South Harbor.
My chestnut steed, Asperion, jabbered to himself about the busyness of the city, and all the smells that he found overwhelming.
We continued past Sunvale until we hit the slums of South Harbor.
Asperion hated the smell of fish, so I secured his reins to a tree a few blocks away from the market.
Since the last time I’d visited this town, before our kick-ass market battle, there were noticeably less homeless citizens scattered throughout the street.
Heading to a popular hub where the less privileged gathered during the day to wait for the soup kitchen to open, I approached half a dozen people lingering on the outskirts of the market.
I dispersed a couple gold-plated utensils that’d been delivered to my suite with every meal.
The serving staff never asked for me to return them and kept sending new sets.
Clearly, they’d wanted me to take them. Less dishes for them to clean, so win-win.
The displaced citizens showered me with gratitude, but I didn’t need their thanks.
I couldn’t stand to see suffering, and there was an endless supply. In a small corner in the depths of my soul, I’d always heard a faint whisper that I needed to do something big. What specifically, I wasn’t sure, but witnessing the state of the world, it was evident there was work to be done.
One of the little boys got so excited to see the castle symbol of lions on his spoon that he ran off in delight to show his friends.
Unfortunately for me, one of his friends happened to be a guardsman on duty.
While Nora and Nick had made strides to remove corrupt soldiers from their charge, I still wasn’t technically on the right side of the law—though I was sure the new King and Queen wouldn’t allow me to rot behind bars for something so trivial.
But the little boy’s pointed finger targeted me in my gray cloak, already an oddity in the warming weather, and I’d rather not spoil the castle celebrations by requesting bail.
“Hey you! Stop right there!” the guard shouted in my direction, summoning a few of his colleagues staggered about the square.
“Well this should be interesting,” I muttered before taking off, using what I could of the sparse crowd for cover.
The soldiers converged from the northern end, meaning I only had the street I came in on, which would quickly become less populated and make me easily trackable, or the alley towards the docks where the fish market still drew a crowd.
Decision made.