30. Annabelle
ANNABELLE
O ne crossbow didn’t feel like enough, so I took two, slinging them across one another on my back and keeping the bolts sheathed in quivers on one side of my hips, my rapier hanging from the other.
Father. Mother. Stirling.
I tried not to think about them too much, but let the rage build within me. I would kill Lyrason, and I would prevent this from ever happening again. I had never planned to be queen, but I would strive to be the ruler this country needed with my every breath.
I strapped on my leather riding boots, slipped a knife in place and got rid of the earrings and bracelet that could get caught in a fight. Finally, I tied my plain, dark cloak around my neck and lifted the hood so I wouldn’t be easily identified at a distance. I knew Lyrason was after me in particular. I was next in line to the throne after all. I would be both his biggest threat and his biggest asset if I came under his control.
I was preparing to leave my room when I heard hurried voices outside followed by a timid knock. They couldn’t be a threat or Kasten wouldn’t have let them through. Still, I kept a hand on my sword as I flung open the door.
Venerick stood there, panting and jacketless. His face was pale, a blood stain bloomed on one sleeve of his cream shirt, and his dagger was drawn in the other. Surprisingly, he wore the sort of cap common folk wore. “Annabelle.” His shoulders sagged in relief as he saw me, his whole face going slack. Then a second later his eyes widened at the assortment of weapons across my body. “By the kingdoms, you’re an entire armory.”
I decided to take that as a compliment.
Venerick seemed to think so too as his shocked expression became appreciative. “You look magnificent.”
The words warmed me more than they should have. I liked this man. “Why are you wearing that cap?”
He pulled it from his head and his cheeks flushed. “A servant gave it to me so I would be less obvious in the hallways. He was a kind chap. He said the servants were gathering in the kitchens where it was safe.”
I rolled my lip between my teeth. I’d bet that had been Noah. And the servants were exactly who I needed right now.
Kasten was leaning against the hallway wall with his arms folded, watching our exchange. He actually looked bored. How could anyone be bored in a palace full of armed men shouting that you had killed the king? He took in my weapons with an unsurprised expression and raised an eyebrow. “Really, Annabelle? How many arms do you think you have? They’ll slow you down and get in your way if you actually have to fight. It’s not practical.”
I stayed focused on Venerick, though I didn’t miss Sophie elbowing her husband and giving him a meaningful look. Kasten was all about practicality and efficiency. He wouldn’t understand that I needed to wear these to feel strong. To feel impenetrable. An armor that even the death of my family couldn’t break through.
A tremor entered my breath. No, I wouldn't think about them. Not now. I had to stay in control.
I snapped all my attention back to Venerick. I knew how big a favor I was about to ask my betrothed. “Venerick, Duke James will use the city guard to take the city for the traitor, Lyrason. Could you go with Kasten’s soldiers and help them stop him? The city guard will listen to you.”
Venerick became very still, his rich brown eyes focused on mine. I was asking him to betray his friend. I was asking him to put his life at risk. He wasn’t a soldier or a tactician. He spent most of his time in offices, meetings, and courtrooms. I held my breath, uncertain what he was going to say. Then he bowed. “Your Highness. I can get soldiers into his mansion. But I may need help getting out of the palace first. I fear I’m also a target.”
I nodded. “I know somebody who can smuggle you out. They’ve helped me many times.”
He lurched as we turned. “They have? Smuggled you out of the palace?”
I nodded, starting to move down the corridor. “I’ll explain later. Thank you, Venerick. I am so grateful for this. If you can secure the city, I can secure the palace.”
He swallowed then clenched his fists. “Just don’t marry that man. No matter what Lyrason promises or threatens you, don’t marry him.”
I smiled despite myself. “I won’t.”
I picked up our pace, the others close behind, Kasten becoming my looming shadow. Kingdoms, I was glad he was on my side. His scowl alone was terrifying.
Venerick fiddled with his blood-stained cuff as if nervous. I assumed the blood wasn’t his since he showed no other sign of injury. I couldn’t quite picture him in a fight. He turned back to me, and I realized he had been building up the courage to speak. “Annabelle, I know our relationship has been unconventional and was arranged by your father, but…if we make it out of this alive, would you give me a chance? A proper chance to get to know you properly? Weapons included? I would like that very much.”
Despite my sorrow and my fear. Despite my life coming crashing down around me, my heart stuttered for a beat. He was so sweet.
I stared at him. I had never expected to feel anything toward Venerick except friendship and an appreciation for his kindness. But, right now, I wished everything else would stop so I could find out what Venerick had been through to get to my side and thank him for everything he was doing for me. I was so grateful to have at least one ally from the palace. I wanted to appreciate him fully.
But now was really, really not the time. I nodded once and quickened my pace.
I led our pitifully small group down the stairs while strange sounds echoed down the corridors. I might have built an information network over the last five years, but I had never imagined I would need personal loyalties within the guards. I had always assumed the royal guard would obey me without question. But it appeared Lyrason had infiltrated it. This must have taken him years.
If Father had betrothed me to him as expected, would all this have been prevented? Or would Lyrason have still killed them all as soon as we were married. Probably. I suspected his goal had always been to become king. That snake.
Kasten killed two aggressive groups of supposed royal guards, both lots dispatched with arcs of bright light before I could even load my crossbow. As I approached and lowered my hood, another group saluted. I considered letting them join our party, but I didn’t know any of them personally and didn’t want to get stabbed in the back when I confronted Lyrason. So we sent them off to spread the news that Lyrason was initiating the coup and to rally loyal troops to me.
With every step, I became more and more confident with Kasten on my side. That weapon of his was beyond anything I had imagined. If he had wanted the throne for himself, he could have killed me by merely flicking his wrist. Father had been wrong to alienate him, and I was very lucky that Kasten had immense self-control. When this was over, I’d owe him more than my life. I’d owe him the whole kingdom, even after my family had so deeply wronged him. I’d never forget that.
I entered the kitchens and was glad to find them empty of soldiers. Instead, servants huddled in groups talking in worried voices and glancing at the doors. Many held kitchen knives or pokers from the fire. My anxiety eased a little.
When they saw Kasten, their faces paled with terror, and they brandished their makeshift weapons. I pulled down my cloak hood and held out my hands in a peaceful gesture.
“Please don’t be alarmed. General Kasten is loyal to the throne as he has always been. He is defending me. The traitorous Lyrason has killed the king, queen, and crown prince and is blaming it on the general. Even now he slaughters his way through the palace. I need your help to stop him.”
The kitchen staff didn’t look as reassured or emboldened as I had hoped. I searched their faces for ones I recognized and was relieved to see Frank, the junior underkeeper, there. He had smuggled me across the gardens and through the outer wall more times than I could count. I called him over, and he approached nervously in his brown clothes and messy sand-colored hair. His freckled skin appeared drained white despite his tan from days in the sun. “Frank, I need your help. Can you get Lord Venerick out of the palace as quickly as possible without being spotted.” I glanced at Kasten who stepped closer. Frank flinched. “Then can you leave a discreet door open for Kasten’s soldiers without it being obvious to Lyrason’s guards? I need soldiers I can trust in here.”
Frank swallowed and nodded to Venerick, but hesitated when it came to Kasten. He looked uncertain for a moment. “Is there a way to tell them where to meet me? There are a few small, unmarked doors in the outerwall next to woodland that might work.”
Kasten turned to the guard dressed as a maid. She was almost as tall as Sophie’s personal guard, Meena, and had similar rich brown skin and a long braid down her back. She was not exactly inconspicuous. She looked like one of the legendary female warriors from Tyrazastan. Sophie had taken advantage of the pause to apply salve to a wound on her arm.
Kasten nodded to her. “Shireena, accompany Lord Venerick out of the castle grounds. Get to Sir Philip and give a full report immediately. Bring the soldiers stationed in Straight Street here as fast as possible, and tell Sir Chase to get his battalion here. Give them the position of Frank’s door.”
Frank bowed his head. “I’ll get them through the outer wall into the grounds, but there is no easy way to get multiple people across the wide lawn in daylight. It’s too exposed.”
Kasten didn’t seem surprised or concerned by this. “Just get them through the outer wall. Sir Chase will work out the rest.”
I handed Shireen my royal signet ring. “In case anyone questions you inside the castle or in the city.” I turned to Kasten. “All your soldiers are trustworthy, correct?”
He nodded. “Completely.”
Venerick raised a finger. “One moment.” He lifted the cap in his hands and walked into the crowd. Noah pushed toward him and the two had a short exchange where Noah bowed to him and Venerick returned his cap. What had happened between them? I would have to wait to ask when all of this was over.
Venerick gave me one last anxious nod and left with Frank and Shireena. He was still nervously playing with the cuff of his sleeve. I really, really hoped he survived this.
I turned to the rest of the crowd for anyone else who could be useful that I could trust. There was Tilly, the kitchen maid who always brought my breakfast and pretended I had been in my room even if I had not yet returned from the streets. I summoned her, then looked for Dorothea, who secretly collected and washed my muddy and sometimes bloody clothes. Noah, my main connection to the information network within the city proper, came toward me of his own accord, his cap was back on his head. Finally, I was relieved to see Jared, the retired guard who had become a farrier and was my crossbow instructor. These were no great warriors, but they were loyal, and I would take loyalty over brute strength any day. I just hoped I wasn’t about to get them all killed.
I handed Jared one of my crossbows, even though it had smaller dimensions than he was used to. “I ask for your protection.”
He took the weapon without question, bowing to me. “Your Highness.”
I turned to Noah. “Do you have any information for me?”
He wrung his cap nervously in his hands. “Lord Lyrason’s soldiers rushed out of the palace thirty minutes ago. They saddled horses and were heavily armed. They headed west. Also, I heard of fighting in the streets. Just small pockets as of yet. The city guard is setting up barricades.”
“It’s just Lyrason now. I won’t honor him with a title any longer.” I looked Noah straight in the eyes. “I need information fast, especially about Lyrason’s men. But I also need Duke James's location, the actions of the city guard, any halfsoul sightings, and whether troops are moving to the palace from Lyrason’s estate.”
He licked his lips, bowed deeper than he needed to, then scurried off with an anxious step.
I blew a deep breath. We were all out of our depth today. But Father had always said that adversity and chaos were when you see what you are made of. I would show them that I could handle this. No. We could handle this. It was a surprisingly comforting thought. I was so used to being alone.
At that moment, a maid stumbled into the room, pushing her bonnet back from where it had fallen over her eyes. She pointed behind her, speaking to nobody in particular. “Troops are amassing in the throne room. More are entering. Mostly royal guards, I think. What is going on? Are we safe in here?” She caught sight of me and Kasten and pressed her hands over her mouth.
I turned to my small group. “We should take a closer look. Maybe we could enter through the musician’s gallery?”
Kasten considered, rubbing his hand against his chin. “It’s risky, but I should be able to defend you. Lyrason has a way to counteract my kryalcomy, but none of his soldiers seem to have the same. Just…don’t do anything reckless.”
I scoffed. “Don’t worry. My sense of self-preservation is unusually high right now.” I turned to Tilly and Dorothea. “Take us through the servant passages to the musician’s balcony. You can be our lookouts if needed. Nobody is looking for you.”
I loaded my remaining crossbow as Kasten gave brief orders to Meena and Sophie.
Lyrason wasn’t going to get away with this. He would pay dearly for killing my family.