CHAPTER 10
Sakura
Keeping an eye on the interloper was something to do. But Sakura wished that he’d stayed inside where it was warm.
Peering around the corner of the chicken coop, she watched the teenage guard loiter next to the forge. Keenan was still inside, doing who knew what. How had he convinced that guard to open the lock? Did they have traitors among their staff, bought off by their Daric guest?
Smoke curled out of the chimney. Sakura rubbed her gloved hands together and spared the smith a moment of jealousy. Perhaps she needed to rethink her methods.
The door opened, and the guard joined Keenan in the doorway. As they spoke too quietly for her to hear, Keenan’s attention shifted to his surroundings. His head slowly rotated as if searching for something. A fear of being caught? That mysterious “feeling of being watched” sensation?
His eyes turned in her direction, and Sakura ducked behind the building. After a few moments, she cautiously poked her head back out.
Instead of stalking toward her, panicking, or anything else that might indicate he’d noticed her presence, the weapon-smith ushered his guard friend into the forge. There was no window on this side of the building, so she couldn’t see what they were doing.
She watched, waiting for one of them to come back out. When nothing happened after several minutes, she inched forward a little more. Then farther.
Could she risk sneaking up to the forge and looking into a window?
“A princess spying?” an unamused voice said behind her. “I expected that to be beneath you.”
Sakura spun to face him, wincing when her hand smacked the corner of the chicken coop.
Folding her hands in front of her, she tried to rub the stinging spot without drawing his notice.
“I told you, I’m concerned about what happens in my home,” she said coolly, lifting her chin a little more.
“And I would like to know why you are sneaking around trying to make yourself a sword to replace the one we took from you.”
“Sneaking around?” he snorted. Tilting his head back, he said, “Your home is uncomfortable, all right? I wanted something familiar to ground me.”
She raised an eyebrow. “So you could do what? What are you really here for, weapon-smith? Other than enchanting my mother so that she treats you above your station?”
Pressing his lips together, he set his hands on his hips and spun away. His shoulders lifted, and then she heard a loud, annoyed-sounding exhale.
“You want to know my deep, dark secrets?” He looked over his shoulder, then slowly turned and took a deliberate step forward.
Holding her eyes with his brilliant blue ones, he bent toward her.
Sakura felt herself leaning forward to hear his strong but quiet words.
“I made a promise. And I intend to keep it.”
The mild tang of wood smoke filled her nostrils while her mind flipped through the types of dangerous promises he could have made.
But as he withdrew, she was struck with the idea that he didn’t look dangerous.
Powerful, certainly. Able to take care of himself.
The slight bulge beneath his left sleeve testified to that.
But the corners of his lips crimped in a way that seemed more sorrowful than threatening.
“You look cold,” he said gruffly. Gesturing to the wisp of smoke drifting from the chimney, he huffed, “I already put out the fire, but the building is still warm. And I can light it again if you want.”
“Sequester myself in a lonely building with a stranger and a guard in league with him?” Sakura didn’t quite cross her arms, but she did grasp one elbow. “Yes, that sounds like a splendid idea.”
He stared at her for several long moments, blinking slowly. Then he shook his head with a sigh. “Fine. Freeze if you want.” Striding away, he called out, “It’s not perpetual motion, but I can show you a few things about blacksmithing if you come.”
Refusing to be swayed, she latched onto her other elbow and glared at the whitewashed wall next to her while he crossed the yard and disappeared into the forge.
Whatever strange pull he had over her mother must be starting to affect her too.
And what made him think she would be interested in such things?
Had he studied her before coming? Paid her servants for intelligence, just as he’d befriended that guard?
… except she’d been careful to hide her interests from the servants. Unless one of the maids found a book stuffed in an armchair, but she was certain she’d always put them away.
Perpetual motion…certainly he hadn’t latched onto that silly comment she made earlier?
It didn’t matter. Giving her head a slow, tiny shake, she straightened her shoulders and minced away. He could keep his secrets for now. She didn’t need to follow him all day.
And the library was warmer.
~
“Sakura dear, where have you been all morning?” Mother called as Sakura passed the open door of a sitting room.
Folding her hands in front of her, Sakura made sure her posture was perfect and retraced her steps. “Simply monitoring the functioning of our castle, as a future non-queen should. Did you need me for something?”
Mother raised an eyebrow. “Non-queen? Perhaps as things currently stand, Sakura dear, but laws can be changed.” Gesturing gracefully for Sakura to sit, she said, “I had hoped you were making our guest feel comfortable. He’s such a nice young man, isn’t he?”
Pausing, Sakura glanced at her mother before lowering herself the rest of the way to the chair. “Keenan?”
“Of course, Keenan,” Mother replied with mild exasperation. “Do we have another guest that I don’t know about?”
Sakura took a moment to compose her answer. “He’s a blacksmith, Mother. A commoner. Why would I have anything to do with him?”
“A weapon-smith,” the queen corrected.
“What’s the difference?”
Shrugging, Mother stood and paced regally to the window. “Perhaps you should ask him. It would give you something to talk about.”
Sakura stared blankly at her mother for a few moments. Recovering, she said carefully, “Aren’t you the one who taught me to always respect the distinction between commoners and those they’re meant to serve?”
“But is he one?” That strange gleam was in Mother’s eye again. “I believe there is more to our young friend than meets the eye.” Turning, she gave Sakura a pleasant smile. “Make an effort, won’t you, Sakura dear? You may not see it now, but he is the key to gaining your heart’s deepest desire.”
“My heart’s…?”
“It is time for lunch.” Mother glided toward the door. “Come, and do try to be agreeable this time.”
That settled it. Sakura stared wide-eyed after her mother for a minute before slowly rising to her feet. The weapon-smith must have bewitched her mother somehow. Not only encouraging friendliness but claiming that Sakura would find…more?
Her mind flitted back to the summer her prophecy was given. Perhaps it was a test of some kind. But why? What could Mother possibly hope to prove?
If it was a test, Sakura would not fail. Her hand wrapped itself in her skirt, squeezing the fabric before she made herself let go so it wouldn’t wrinkle. A princess couldn’t reveal inner turmoil. She had to be as smooth as glass.
And as colorless.
Keenan was late to the meal. He’d changed from the simple clothes he’d worn at the forge to the clothes that the servants had found for him.
His right hand pulled at the hem of his waistcoat as he waited for the footman to seat him, and his eyes wandered to the tapestries on the walls instead of settling on his dinner companions.
“Keenan, how nice of you to join us.” Mother’s smile was a little tight as she gestured imperiously toward the servants. “Have you been enjoying your stay so far?”
His blue eyes focused on Sakura for a moment before transferring to the queen. “I’ve been well looked after, Your Majesty.”
Dipping her eyes to her plate, Sakura slowly rotated the stem of her glass between her fingers and said nothing.
Mother’s lips tipped up as she slid her eyes sideways to Sakura. “I was just telling my lovely daughter how fortunate we are to be blessed with your presence. Don’t you think she’s lovely, Keenan?”
His eyes darted over to Sakura again. “Certainly, Your Majesty.” He cleared his throat. “Quite lovely indeed.”
What was Mother trying to do? Sakura’s fingers tightened on the glass. She adjusted her grip so she could lift it to her mouth, forcing her hand to slow so it wouldn’t knock against her plate. Or was the weapon-smith’s enchantment this clumsy and awkward?
If he was angling for her affections, he could have replied with honest praise at her mother’s obvious prompting. Not that she wanted such words from a commoner.
She snuck a glance at him while sipping from her glass. Keenan’s clothes fit better today, emphasizing the lines of his strong shoulders. His looks were a stark contrast to those of most of her people, but appealing nonetheless. If he had a title…
She stopped that line of thought before it could go any further. Despite Mother’s current odd mood, marrying a poor, untitled man would cost her the crown. The entire point of her isolation was to avoid such an eventuality.
Besides, she didn’t need to ruin any more lives.
When no one said anything else, Keenan picked up his silverware and began eating. Mother sent Sakura a pointed look, but she ignored it. Whatever was going on, she didn’t plan to be dragged into it.
They reached the final course. The queen cleared her throat. “The gardeners informed me that they have cleared the paths and prepared the beds with the earliest spring flowers. Perhaps you would care to survey them this afternoon, Sakura dear?”
A safe topic. Exhaling slowly, Sakura molded her lips into a demure smile. “That sounds lovely. Thank you for letting me know, Mother. I’ll head that way once we finish.”
“Splendid!” The queen turned her glowing eyes on the weapon-smith. “Keenan, won’t you escort her? The gardens are always best when viewed in company.”