Chapter 27 Kasimir
KASIMIR
My little dancer ran from me.
I couldn’t believe it at first. I waited in bed for over an hour, my dick hard as a rock, before searching through the house.
I wasn’t angry. I thought she must be hiding somewhere, probably naked, probably touching that pretty pussy while she waits for me to catch her – I bet she loves to be chased.
But it was only when Meera confronted me in the hallway that I got the full story.
This morning Ruby crept out of bed, lied to my face, my accomplices let her leave and then, she ran.
I should feel betrayed. I should, like Meera said, take the fucking hint and leave her to her golden crowns, her palace gardens, and her princes. But I can’t. Because the thought of anyone else touching what’s mine makes my hands burn for my daggers and all I see is red.
So now I’m here, watching her once again through the hedgerows while that damned prince blabbers away beside her.
And my vision is fucking crimson.
“I’m quite certain you’ll love my palace,” Orion says with a smug grin.
“A few years ago my mother had one of the ballrooms converted into a theatre. You’d be welcome to use that stage for your dances.
” He sits next to Amaryllis on a stone bench, lounging comfortably against the backrest while Ruby sits rigidly beside him.
She hasn’t said much the entire half hour I’ve been watching them – only the occasional murmur of approval or shrug.
Orion, on the other hand, has been gloating like he’s king of the world.
“Oh, to dance on a real stage would be delightful!” one of Ruby’s sisters beams. Blossom, I believe, sits nearby with a book in her hand – although she’s spent more time admiring Orion than reading.
“A delight, indeed,” he purrs back to her.
Blossom giggles, and I scowl as he tosses her a grin. Fucking bastard is loving every minute of this.
Rolling my shoulders, I carefully lift the bow I stole from a sleeping guard as my fingers nock an arrow into place.
It’s been a while since I’ve shot anything other than wooden targets.
The winding streets of Night Alley don’t usually lend themselves well to archery, but in this case, it’s perfect.
Especially since Orion’s chest is already so puffed out.
Drawing back the string, I hold my breath. “Goodnight you fucking—”
“You better have a damned good reason for aiming that bow at my sister, you creep!”
My heart lurches. Whipping around, I drop the bow and reach for my dagger.
But then my lips flatten. There’s no threat.
A short woman with long raven hair and scorching black eyes glares at me. She’s one of Ruby’s sisters – Dahlia, I think. Or at least that’s what they kept screaming at her when she’d start shit. I may have spent a little too much time observing them all during the week I was watching Hugo.
“Well, go on then. Spit it out. Tell me why you’re here or I’ll call for the guards!” She growls at me with way too much confidence for her five-foot frame.
I roll my eyes. “That’s none of your business, Princess. Go back to your flower-picking.” Brushing her off, I return my attention to Orion, but my focus is interrupted when Dahlia lets out a loud gasp.
“Oh my Stars!”
I turn back to see her jaw unhinging as she points at me frantically.
“It’s you! You’re the guy!” she squeals.
“What?”
“The Scorpion! Oh, this is amazing!” Dahlia throws her head back, laughing so loudly I’m worried Orion or Blossom will hear.
“Quiet,” I hiss. Glancing back through the hedgerow, I see Orion still chatting with Ruby, and Blossom watching them eagerly – clearly both oblivious to the cackling maniac I’ve got behind me.
Relieved, I sigh. But when I turn back to Dahlia, I’m met with a cold slap across the face.
“That’s for making my sister cry!” she snarls.
What the actual fuck?
I grasp my cheek. “What are you talking about? When did I make her cry?”
“You’ve just been messing with her head,” Dahlia argues, any humour in her tone long gone. “Ami’s a really good person, you know?”
“I am aware,” I growl.
“Yeah? So you better not break her heart then.” She folds her arms, staring me down.
“I don’t know why you’re here, or how serious you are about her, but Ami deserves someone who can love her.
She deserves romance, someone to bring her flowers, breakfast in bed.
Not just a pretty boy who’ll take her virtue and move onto the next girl. ”
“Does it look like I’m moving on?” I bite out. And fuck what she’s saying, I can be romantic. I’ve killed two men for Ruby. What more could a girl ask for?
Dahlia scowls, but before she can argue, a piercing scream sends us both spinning towards the hedgerows.
Prince Orion is down on one knee. In his hands, he holds a velvet ring box containing a huge diamond ring that sparkles blindingly bright in the sunlight. Ruby’s lips fall open just as Blossom lets out another excited scream.
With a grin, Orion whispers something to Ruby while sliding the ring onto her finger. I don’t know what he said, but it’s enough to make her frown soften a little.
“Hey,” I hiss at Dahlia, fixing my gaze on the prince. “You gonna scream if I kill him?”
“Stars, no,” she scoffs. “Ami told me what he did. Orion’s an arse. Do to him what you did to Hugo, for all I care.”
My eyebrows shoot up. Perhaps Princess Dahlia is not so bad.
Reaching for the bow, I aim it at Orion and nock the same arrow.
“Wait, stop,” Dahlia panics, gripping my arm. “You can’t do that here, you might hit Ami.”
“I won’t.” My fingers curl around the bowstring. This is a simple shot. He’s still down on one knee, completely unmoving, and soon, he won’t be breathing either.
“Wait,” Dahlia hisses as I close one eye. “No!”
She shoves into me just as I fire the arrow, sending it flying in a random direction.
Shit!
“Ami!” Dahlia screams.
The arrow pierces the branches, making the hedgerow shake, and all I can see are flashes of colour through rustling leaves.
There are shouts from the other side. My heart pounds. If I’ve actually hurt her, I swear I’ll slit Orion’s throat and then do the same to myself.
After a few awful moments, the leaves settle and I hear Orion screaming for the guards. Ruby’s backed against a hedgerow, looking petrified but otherwise unharmed, while Blossom runs towards her, grasping her arm.
I almost groan in relief. The stray arrow sticks up from the grass, having perfectly speared the velvet ring box. At the same time I notice tiny drops of blood on Orion’s fingers. The arrow must’ve just nicked him.
“Nice shot,” Dahlia whispers, grinning as she peers through the branches.
“Told you, I wouldn’t hit her.” But I also barely hit him. Frustration claws up my throat. There’s no time to try again. I can already hear the heavy boots of guards swarming the clearing.
Shoving the bow into the hedge, I cast a final glance at Dahlia. “You should get out of here before the guards start asking you questions.”
“They can try.” She shrugs. “But I saw nothing. Too busy flower-picking, remember?” She shoots me a wink.
I’m grateful she’s not a rat, but I’m not about to thank her when it’s her fault Orion’s still alive.
With a scowl, I push away from the hedgerow.
“Hey,” Dahlia barks, making me glance over my shoulder. “I wasn’t lying when I told you not to break my sister’s heart.”
“I know,” I yell back. “But really I’m not the threat here.”
“Good.” Dahlia’s expression turns icy, and as I turn away to leave the grounds, I catch her adding, “Because not all of us princesses are as forgiving as Amaryllis.”