CHAPTER 49 #2
Keenan cast a glance at Sakura. She didn’t seem concerned to see the little dragon that had been throwing flames around the castle the previous evening. Nor did she appear surprised that Cherry was checking in with Keenan for the treacherous guard who had chased after her.
He frowned. “We weren’t too obvious, were we? Am I only free because your father hopes to follow me to Oliver?”
She patted his arm. “I am certain that everyone else believes the story you presented: an out-of-control dragon and a guard under suspicion who took advantage of her disturbance. Am I correct in supposing that he fled with the tinderbox so that my mother will never obtain it?”
This was the part he hadn’t quite worked out yet. “Getting it out of the castle was the point of his flight,” Keenan said slowly. “But Mamoru was very clear that it’s mine, not Oliver’s. He has to go back to Daraigh at some point.”
“And you don’t?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.
“For some reason, she seemed convinced that I would have a reason to stay.”
Sakura pursed her lips. “But presumably my mother will eventually realize that you tricked her. What will you do if you have the tinderbox in your possession when she does?”
“I don’t know.” Leaning over, he said, only half joking, “As the law currently stands, you’ll be out of the line of succession once we’re married. Want to run away with me and hide somewhere until it’s safe to return? I can find a job as a blacksmith; you can find a use for your mechanical skills.”
To his delight, she rolled her eyes at him. “If you think I could vanish without anyone caring, you are a fool. We would be pursued within a day, and you would stick out everywhere in Ryuni. You are too obviously foreign.”
“But I don’t feel safe storing it somewhere your mother could easily search and find it.” He gave her a little smile. “And I would rather not go into hiding on my own.”
“What if we don’t live at the castle?” Sakura said slowly.
When he tilted his head questioningly, she smiled and gripped his arm.
“It is customary for members of the royal family to reside here, but it is not required for anyone but the monarch. We could purchase a house in the city and staff it with those we trust. That would keep the tinderbox out of Mother’s reach. ”
Keenan gave her a skeptical look. “Wouldn’t she have access to our house? As both the queen and your mother…”
“I can find ways to keep her away without being obvious that I’m doing so.” Tilting her chin up, she gave him a smug smile. “And if you’re concerned that she’ll send someone to steal it, then forge a safety box, and I’ll create a lock that doesn’t rely on a key.”
“A box?”
“I’ll have Kagemori help me with the protections. We could even create a hidden room to put it in.” Her black eyes shone with excitement. “It will be the safest place in Kurowan.”
A green snout appeared between their faces. “What about me? I could help protect it.”
“If your mother approves, that sounds like a plan to me,” Keenan told her, grinning as hope welled up in his chest. He might yet be able to keep the sphinx and all its creatures safe.
“We won’t be able to do much until after the wedding, though,” Sakura cautioned, some of her enthusiasm fading.
“I may be able to begin the search for a suitable residence in a few weeks, but it won’t be safe for you to carry the tinderbox until we can move in.
Do you think Oliver will be agreeable to hiding that long? ”
Cherry dropped out of the tree, landing on the ground at their feet. “I’ll check with him when I return. How long will he need to wait?”
Keenan looked at Sakura; he hadn’t been involved in any of those plans.
“About seven weeks,” she told the dragon. “I’m surprised Mother expects to pull a royal wedding together that quickly, but I’m not going to argue given the circumstances. The less time she has to discover the switch, the better.”
“What if she does?”
“I’m not sure if she can,” Keenan replied, rubbing his jaw in thought. “My understanding is that she has to meet a magical creature and know its name unless the creature is in her presence.”
Sakura’s eyebrows pulled together. “Then is it useless if they all stay away from the holder?”
Was it?
“I’ll have to ask the next time I see Mamoru.” Maybe they didn’t want to be on a constant watch for whoever carried it? “My training was fairly basic.”
Voices sounded on the path behind them. Keenan grabbed Cherry and shoved her under the bench, ignoring her squawk of protest. If someone saw her, it could ruin everything.
A couple strolled around the corner, the young woman’s hand tucked properly into her companion’s arm. They paused when they saw who was on the bench, then continued forward at a pace that was somehow leisurely and hurried at the same time.
“Your Highness!” the lady said, dropping into a curtsy as she reached Sakura and Keenan. “It is so good to see you back in the capital. I have missed you these three years you’ve been gone.”
“Indeed,” Sakura replied coolly. “Then I would think you could have found the opportunity to visit.”
“We wanted to, but it just wasn’t possible,” the lady demurred, setting one hand on her chest and leaning closer to her companion.
“Chujiro and I have been so busy, what with planning a wedding, making preparations for him to take over more responsibility at his father’s estate, and beginning our new life together.
” Turning to Keenan, she added, “And I hear congratulations are in order for you as well? Though perhaps congratulations isn’t quite the right word, since I hear you were unsuccessful in avoiding the prophecy, despite your retreat to the winter castle? ”
“Quite sad to hear that, we were,” Chujiro said sorrowfully, but there was a gleam in his eye. “But I’m sure, given proper guidance, Prince Hatori will acquit himself well when he is called upon to rule.”
A hiss like that of an angry cat came from beneath the bench, and Sakura’s face closed off. Keenan stood and offered a hand. “I’m Keenan, the unfortunate betrothed. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
The other man stared at his hand for a moment, then slowly reached forward and took it. “Likewise.”
“The prophecy wasn’t quite accurate,” Keenan said casually, enjoying the grimace on the other man’s face as Keenan tightened his grip. “I’m a weapon-smith by trade. I’m an expert at swinging a hammer, but I’ve spent a little bit of time learning to swing a sword as well.”
“Is that right?” Chujiro said, discreetly trying to retrieve his hand.
Keenan hung on. “It might get me in trouble with the Hartford guard sometimes, but I’ve never liked bullies.”
He finally released his opponent, watching with satisfaction as Chujiro carefully flexed his crushed hand. Challenging a nobleman to a fist fight was probably a bad idea, but that didn’t mean Keenan had to watch Sakura suffer the man’s belittling comments.
“How very…inspiring.” The nobleman turned back to the princess. “Congratulations on your betrothal, Your Highness. May it bring you every happiness you deserve.”
After a bow and a curtsy that may have been slightly more respectful, the couple walked off.
Keenan sat back down next to Sakura, watching them go with a scowl.
He’d seen plenty of people fawning over his own royalty, but he’d never witnessed such a condescending attitude. He wasn’t sure which was worse.
“You shouldn’t have done that, Keenan,” Sakura sighed.
“His father is part of the Assembly of Strength.” When he stared at her blankly, she explained, “The group who would approve a change to one of our founding laws, such as the one that a princess can only rule if married to a man of nobility or royalty.”
“With that kind of power and his pleasure at your exclusion from the succession, he seems like a prime candidate for the source of your prophecy,” Keenan grumbled, glaring down the path again. “I see no reason to play nice with him.”
“Him, or Mother,” Sakura frowned. “What better way to convince a man to face danger to retrieve an old tinderbox than to promise him a princess for his trouble? And with a prophecy claiming the princess will marry a commoner, it becomes believable.”
“I’ll grant that your mother is a mite crazy,” Keenan replied.
“And maybe she would be willing to risk you for the power of the tinderbox. But I don’t care if it’s your mother, that Chujiro, or someone else behind it.
You said the Assembly wasn’t going to change the law anyway.
So why should I let them insult my girl? ”
Sakura stared at him for a moment. Then her hands were on either side of his face and the perfect princess was pulling him in for an enthusiastic kiss.
His eyes jolted wide in surprise, but then he set one hand on her waist and buried the other in her hair.
He wasn’t sure what he’d done to spur such a response, but he could get used to this.
“Perhaps I do not wish to remain here until I return to Oliver,” a slightly disgusted voice next to their feet said. “May I deliver Oliver’s message so I can find somewhere else to hide?”
The princess pulled back, a light blush staining her cheeks while she pressed her lips together. The corners turned up anyway.
Releasing her, Keenan turned to the little dragon with a sigh. “Yes, Cherry. What did Oliver send you to tell me?”
“He’s found a place to lie low, but he fears that someone may overhear or that the queen will use magic to compel you to reveal his location.” She blinked her green eyes. “If you find the castle is no longer safe, call for me. I will show you the way.”
“But I don’t have the tinderbox. How am I supposed to call you?”
She reached down, put one clawed hand into a small bag that Keenan hadn’t noticed at her waist, and pulled out a freshly cut twig. “Oliver and I each put some of our magic into this. If you call my name while holding it, I’ll come find you.”
“I’m no longer planning to leave,” Keenan said as he accepted the gift.
He turned it over in his hands, noticing a very slight tingle that quickly vanished.
“But I’ll be sure to use it when I’m ready to reclaim the tinderbox, as long as Oliver doesn’t send you back sooner because he can’t wait any longer. ”
She spread her wings, preparing to take flight again. “You’ll see me before then regardless. The magic will only last about a month, so I’ll have to bring you a new twig before then. Look for me in three weeks.”
“Thank you, Cherry,” Keenan said fervently as she launched herself into the air. “I appreciate you helping us like this.”
“We’re friends,” she replied, her creaky voice drifting down from the trees. “And this is more exciting than lurking near the caves.”
Keenan just hoped it didn’t get even more exciting. He had to stay unremarkable for seven weeks, and then he would marry Sakura, work with her to build a safe place for the sphinx, and maybe even confirm what the queen had told him about Liesl.
Excitement would mean something had gone wrong.
“We should probably head in before someone comes looking for us,” the princess said reluctantly. “Kasumi isn’t the only one who knows this was my favorite spot, and Hari is still a little too happy to see me home. Frankly, I’m surprised he hasn’t already appeared.”
Keenan shuddered dramatically. “I can only imagine the result if my foster brother stumbled across us. I’m sure Prince Hatori wouldn’t be as bad, but it still sounds like something to avoid.”
“I concur,” she said with a little smile.
He stood and offered a hand to help her up. It was tempting to keep it, but he decided to bow to convention this time. She took his proffered elbow with a knowing smile, and Keenan straightened his shoulders in preparation for their return to the castle.
Seven more weeks. He just had to survive for seven more weeks, and then he would be able to return to some form of normalcy.
He hoped.