Chapter 14 Amaryllis
AMARYLLIS
Within an hour I’m sitting at the vanity, fully dressed, and my hair is pinned Meera’s best attempt at an ornate bun.
To my surprise, after a few minutes of bickering, I actually started to enjoy her company – especially when we tried using her cosmetics.
I’m not used to doing my own make-up, and Meera’s efforts at helping only seemed to make it worse, but somehow we ended up with a look that blends well with my outfit.
The petal-pink cream above my eyes matches the sparkling hem of the gown, and rosy tint staining my lips brings out the colour in my cheeks. I hope my attire is suitable. And I hope that Kaz likes it.
Not that it matters what he thinks. Not at all.
“We’ve done well, Ami.” Meera grins. “The boss will be pleased.”
Suddenly, I’m grateful for the powder hiding my cheeks. “Thank you.” I clear my throat.
Meera’s smile drops. “You know you don’t have to do this, right?
If it’s too much?” Placing her hand on the back of my chair, she lowers herself until our eyes meet in the mirror.
“There’s a reason Bertie and I were shocked when you actually showed up.
None of us think this is a good idea, apart from the boss, of course. ”
Shrugging, I shake my head. One job – that’s all it is. And Kaz will be with me the whole time.
How hard could it be?
“It’s fine. I can do it,” I say, touching up my lip colour.
Meera sighs. “You know, you’re not how I expected you’d be, Princess.”
I raise an eyebrow, but before I can ask her what she means there’s a knock at the door.
Meera straightens. “That’ll be him.” She grins, patting me on the shoulder. “I’ll leave you two to it. It’s showtime!”
My mouth opens, but she’s gone before I have a chance to say goodbye, the room feeling much colder without her.
Heart pounding, I turn back to the mirror. A loose red curl threatens to escape my hairstyle. I’m just smoothing it into place when a deep voice vibrates through my core.
“Good evening, Ruby.”
My fingers freeze on the curl. Lowering my hands, I turn slowly.
Kasimir stands metres away, his arms folded as he leans against the closed door. Once again, I didn’t hear him enter.
I’ve no idea how he does it. A man of his towering height should not be able to pass through the shadows so easily and yet somehow he does, catching me off guard every time.
It’s like the nighttime bows to him. It lets him pass through dark rooms and sit unnoticed in shadowed corners while two oblivious maids help their princess bathe—
Breath quickening, my cheeks heat. I still don’t know why I did it. I’d never touched myself in front of a man before, barely even touched myself alone. But there’s just something about him. Something that makes me want to try all the dangerous, exhilarating things that I’ve never dared to try.
And the worst part is, I know if I could turn back the clock, I’d do it all again.
“How are you feeling?” he asks, stepping into the firelight. Just like during the ball, he’s dressed more formally than usual. A finely made black cape hangs from his shoulders while an embroidered tunic covers his chest – probably hiding an obscene number of daggers.
Turning back to the mirror, I try not to show how much that affects me as I reply, “I’m feeling well, thank you.”
I hear him sniff with laughter. “Glad to hear that,” he says.
Then he steps closer until I can smell the faint hints of pine as his hands grip the back of my chair.
“You won’t be in any danger tonight,” he reminds me.
“Everything has already been arranged for you. And I can promise I won’t let you out of my sight, even for a minute.
Just think of this as a party – a nice, safe party where you get to perform. ”
Tilting my chin up, I meet his green eyes. “A nice safe party where your friends are off busy stealing from the host?”
“The best kind of party.” He grins, ignoring my scowl.
“What are you stealing anyway?” I press. “Don’t you have enough gold?” I glance pointedly around the room at his gilded portraits. Clearly, despite his home address, he’s not poor.
Kaz chuckles, dropping his voice. “You know, there are a lot of things worth more than money in this world. Perhaps if you dance well and behave.” My lower belly warms at his words almost instinctively. “Then maybe I will show you the goods after the heist.”
With a smile, he draws back, extending his hand for me to take. “Come now, we should leave. Mr Bailey is expecting us and it’d be rude to keep our generous host waiting.”
I scowl again. “I can think of something else our generous host might think is rude.” If I were a better princess I’d already have written a report to the Captain of the Guards.
I don’t care what Mr Bailey might’ve done. Stealing is wrong. Always.
Kaz slips me a wink, a shadow crossing his features as I take his hand. “Trust me, Ruby. Sometimes rules are better broken.”
By the time we reach the tavern, the rain has slowed just enough for stars to peek through the gloomy clouds above. Just like the rest of the street, the old building has been cobbled together with cracked stones and wooden beams painted black to match the night sky.
The roof, half-rotten from too many damp winters, has holes large enough to let the golden light from inside seep through. And the walls seem to shake from the roaring shouts and music coming from within them.
I’m still clinging onto Kasimir’s arm as he leads me to the front door. Only the two of us walked this way. The rest of his crew found an alternative route to avoid any suspicion.
“Remember, you’re perfectly safe with me,” he says, passing me a reassuring smile before pushing the door open.
Hesitantly, I nod. Like he said, it’s just a party. A nice, safe—
My jaw unhinges.
Inside, the tavern is raw, candlelit chaos. Piles of broken glass decorate the floor, while stumbling men climb over each other to hurl their orders at women.
But these women don’t look like the servants at the palace. The women here are dressed in strange gowns that swing freely around their calves and push their busts up to their chins.
Chairs and tables lie upturned on the floor, with the occasional collapsed person joining them. The air is heavy with the stench of smoke and alcohol, as if there’s been so many drunks here for so long that even the walls are beginning to feel woozy.
The moment we step through the doorway, the noise quietens and the hungry gazes of at least thirty men all land on me – each of them sizing me up like I’m the next drink to be served.
Kaz presses me to his side, placing a possessive hand on my hip. The move forces most of the men back to their drinks. Not all of them seem to care, though. I still feel several stares burning onto my skin and undressing me with their heavy gazes.
“Kasimir!” someone cheers from across the tavern.
I glance up to see a large man with greying hair charging towards the two of us. His aged cheeks are flushed red with alcohol.
“Mr Bailey,” Kaz waves back, grinning. “It’s been too long since we last spoke, my friend.”
Friend? I scoff internally. Keep your enemies close, I suppose.
The man hurries over and exchanges pleasantries with Kaz while I struggle to maintain the smile on my face. Until finally, Mr Bailey turns to me.
“And this must be the lovely Scarlett,” he muses.
“Certainly,” Kaz replies, his green eyes meeting mine with a wink.
Slipping Mr Bailey a demure smile, I present my hand as he swipes it up to place a single kiss against my skin.
Of course, as per Kaz’s letter, my name tonight is not Princess Amaryllis. It is instead Miss Scarlett Diosa. She’s a real dancer, a prima ballerina from my kingdom’s royal opera house and practically ballet royalty.
Scarlett’s famous everywhere for her perfect technique, striking red hair, and endless fouetté turns. The pressure to convince them that I’m her is immense, but it’s also not the reason for my nerves as Mr Bailey lowers my hand.
“Scarlett and I met after one of her performances in the inner city,” Kasimir lies confidently. “As soon as I laid my eyes on her, I knew that she’d be mine, and we were engaged within the season.”
Playing the part, I smile up at him dreamily before presenting a wide-eyed Mr Bailey with my glittering engagement ring. His surprise matches mine from one hour ago.
Kasimir had slipped it on moments before we left, insisting that just being by his side wouldn’t be enough. The men here needed proof I was ‘taken’.
Part of me suspects that the whole thing is just an excuse for Kaz to touch me more. Not that I’m opposed to that. But the butterflies in my stomach are certainly finding the ring, along with the extra touches, very distracting.
“I’m so glad you could both make it tonight,” Mr Bailey says with a grin. “And thank you, Miss Diosa, for offering to grace us with one of your performances. As you can see, we have a full house tonight in anticipation for your show.” He gestures to the overflowing bar.
“It is my pleasure,” I reply, dipping my head graciously.
“Now,” the gleeful man continues, “I’ve had a stage prepared for you, and we’ve found a pianist who’s willing to play the music you require. Do you need any time to get ready, or can I announce the start of the show?”
My heart sinks a little. If only he knew what this show was really for.
“I just need a quiet space to warm-up,” I tell him truthfully.
“Of course.” He clasps his hands together. “Let me show you to a private room.”
Kaz watches me carefully as I tie my shoes, wrapping the pink ribbons twice around my ankles before knotting them and tucking the ends out of sight. Then he continues to stare as I stretch, even letting me use his forearm as a barre to go through my warm-up.
While I’ll admit the offer of help was nice, it’s much harder to hold my arabesque stretch with my hands wrapped around his strong arm and my nose inches from his chest.
Just as I’m completely losing myself in his scent of wild forests, I catch a glimpse of the glittering ring on my finger again. The sight of it makes my stomach dip, and my ankle gives way, sending me crashing into his chest.
“Falling for me already, Ruby?” Kaz teases as he helps me back onto my feet.
My cheeks burn, but I don’t give in to him. Instead, I shoot him a scowl as I shrug his hands off me. “I could never fall for someone who thinks it’s acceptable to steal from innocent tavern owners.”
Kaz chuckles. “It’s funny to hear you assume Mr Bailey is innocent. Perhaps you’ll feel differently after you’ve seen what it is we’re stealing.”
“We’ll see,” I huff, smoothing the wrinkles out of my tutu. “I’m ready for my dance now.”
Kasimir offers me a smile before gesturing to the door. “Your stage awaits you.”