12. Princess Esemeray
PRINCESS ESEMERAY
Fifteen minutes of walking through the castle, and her heart was still pounding. If the captain had not been there…her stomach sank at the thought. How far would Peter have taken it? Considering the way her gown bunched in his fists, how his tongue slid down her neck—she certainly had an idea.
Disgust curled in her stomach, burning her insides, and she desperately needed to wash away his touch.
From the corner of her eye, Esemeray observed the captain as he escorted her back to her rooms. No words passed between them, filling the bright castle halls in a heavy silence.
His rapid breathing and roaming eyes betrayed a racing mind.
Was it because of what he witnessed with the prince?
Or simply because he knew he would soon see Aria?
She supposed both. It was clear Captain Rutherford fancied her.
She could tell by the way his eyes always found her, by the way his breathing increased, every single time she was near.
Infatuation or obsession? She didn’t know.
“Well, here we are,” Captain Rutherford said, offering a small smile. His eyes darted toward her door, waiting for Aria to appear.
“Thank you, captain.”
He lingered for a moment, his cheeks flushing with every passing second. When the door didn’t open, he blew out a breath of what seemed like frustration, turned on a heel, and quickly fled without another word.
She studied him, strolling down the halls. For once, she pitied him. How long had the captain yearned for Aria? Esemeray’s shoulders slouched, her cheeks falling as the pressure in her chest pulled at her heart. Poor Rutherford.
Esemeray opened her bedroom, and a chill went down her spine at the sight of her mother and father standing inside. She almost called for Rutherford—nearly turned, and darted toward him. But she knew he could not save her from her parents.
Esemeray plastered an innocent smile and curtsied as she stepped through the door. “Hello, Mother, Father.”
Her father shook his head with disappointment, her mother’s icy blue eyes pinning her where she stood. “I had an interesting visit with Peter.”
Esemeray’s chest tightened, her hands bunching into fists behind her back. Her lips trembled, but no sounds came out.
Her mother cleared her throat. “He informed me of what you did to him, and we saw the damage you caused to his nose.” She seethed. “Unacceptable.”
What I did? Heat flooded her cheeks from the pure betrayal. Esemeray glanced toward her father, scanning his face for answers, but his face was unreadable. Her mother stalked closer. “You kicked him? Punched him? And insulted him?”
Esemeray’s eyes went wide, her body stiffening. “No, Mother… I did not… Peter?—”
“Enough… Esemeray…that is enough of your lies,” her father said, lips tight.
“My lies?” Esemeray rasped. Her mother clicked her tongue in warning, and Esemeray’s hands trembled behind her, and her blood ran cold.
A new feeling for Peter arose.
Not just hate.
Abhorrence.
Her father approached with his hands behind his back, and Esemeray couldn’t help but flinch. She half expected him to hit her with the way his face turned crimson.
“I don’t have much to say to you other than how truly disappointed I am with you.” His voice was thick with emotion. He rubbed his temples. “This is unacceptable. You may have just ruined the alliance with Kingdom Thrasher.”
A lightness spread through her chest, her worries falling like stars.
Good.
Her mother pushed past her, slamming into her shoulder. “You will not be joining us for dinner tonight. Stay in your room for the evening and do…whatever it is that you do. For your stupidity, you will starve tonight.” Her mother glanced toward her father, then took her leave.
Esemeray swallowed hard, her breathing shallow.
Her parents only ever looked at each other like that when there was a problem…
a big problem. Perhaps Peter threatened to back out of the marriage, but she doubted it.
Peter wouldn’t…not with King Tharuq so adamant about the alliance.
There was something else going on between her parents, and she hoped it had nothing to do with her.
Her father shook his head, his hand lingering on the doorknob. “I expected better from you.” He gently closed the door. Normally, he would have slammed it.
The silence in the room grew loud, static ringing in her ears. Esemeray slouched, tears welling in her eyes. She threw herself on her bed and wept. Somehow, someway, it was always her fault.
Hours went by, and Aria still hadn’t returned.
Esemeray lay on her bed, with a book in hand. She figured reading might lift the weight off her chest, but it did no such thing.
She couldn’t focus.
Running a hand over Mr. Pebbles, she glanced at the time, sucking in a sharp breath. Worry snaked up her spine with every tick of the clock.
So much for getting lost in an adventure novel.
Maybe she could find Aria instead. She had to be around here somewhere, and Esemeray had nothing else to do. Chewing on her lip, she set Mr. Pebbles down on her pillow, carefully tucked away her book, and darted for her door.
She raced toward the stair railing and scanned the ballroom from above.
It was empty—no servant in sight. She hummed, placing her finger under her chin.
She supposed all the staff were serving dinner; Esemeray knew her mother worked the servants to death for Peter’s send-off.
That would explain all the lavender bouquets she ordered.
Pathetic.
A deep, rough voice sounded behind her. “Princess Esemeray, what are you doing? I was told to keep an eye on your door.”
Her stomach hollowed.
Captain Rutherford.
She schooled her features and turned around with a sweet smile. “Oh, Captain Rutherford! I didn’t see you. I was looking for Aria. Do you know where she is?”
The captain looked different from earlier. His brown hair was ruffled like he had been pulling at it. His eyes were glazed over, and he swayed with each step toward her. Is he drunk?
His cheeks stained bright pink. “She is always with you.” His breathing increased as he adjusted his stance. “When did you last see her?”
Esemeray glanced around the large hall, trying to recall, before meeting his worried stare. “A few hours ago at least.”
Captain Rutherford blinked once. Twice. “I will look for her, princess.” He motioned to her bedroom door, his throat bobbing. “Please return to your room. I will send another guard to keep watch in the meantime.”
Esemeray smiled despite the knot forming in her stomach. She went silent for a moment, thinking of a way to convince him. She waved her hands like her mother would, hoping the captain would listen. “No need, captain. I can manage.”
He cocked a sharp brow. “I’m afraid those were direct orders from the king.” His glossy eyes shone like the Emerald Sea.
Why did Father request guards to be stationed by my door? Maybe Rutherford told Father the truth about Peter in the garden.
Esemeray sucked on her cheek. “Right, I hope Aria is well.” For a moment, she admired the captain’s rugged, handsome young face, wondering why he chose this job in the first place. Just like Colette, he was too beautiful to be working here.
“Me too.” He motioned to the door again, his eyes softening.
Esemeray offered a parting nod, then walked to her door, glancing back to see if he had left. He was still keeping a close eye. She flashed him a tight smile and closed her door. Leaning against the wooden frame, she took a long, long breath.
What’s Aria up to?
Aria had never been gone this long before. Something was indeed wrong. Esemeray searched for Mr. Pebbles. Spotting him by her feet, she scooped him up. “We’re going on a little adventure. Stay hidden, okay?”
Mr. Pebbles squeaked in answer.
Esemeray’s heart dropped to her toes. She and Elora used to do this—used to go on adventures.
She frowned, the memories pulling at her chest. Before the necklace, they’d roam the castle halls, as crickets, sometimes mice, and other days they’d fly in the skies as birds, and perch on branches watching the sun rise. They used to live.
Esemeray placed Mr. Pebbles in her pocket, somewhere safe where he wouldn’t be smashed.
She slid on her slippers, and darted for the balcony.
Carefully, Esemeray slipped past the glass doors, closing it gently.
For all she knew, Captain Rutherford had his ear glued to her door, listening to every peep. Wouldn’t be the first time.
Breathing in the fresh crisp air, Esemeray scanned the grass below, her chest surging with adrenaline. Eyeing a passing guard, she waited for him to turn the corner. He’d be back around in five minutes.
Esemeray glanced around, eyeing a pole she could slide down. There. A smile spread across her face.
The guard disappeared behind the wall.
Now was the time.
She straddled the railing, her legs shaking as she stepped over.
Her palms tightly gripped the pole. She blew out a quick breath, whispering to herself, “I can do this.” She slid down, her feet hitting the cold, drenched grass a moment later.
She nearly trembled with relief. Looking around, she dashed across the lawn, careful not to be seen.
Orange and pink spilled across the sky, promising darkness in less than an hour. Esemeray wasn’t worried about time; she had an idea where Aria could be.
Esemeray recalled their conversation last week; the amusement in Aria’s voice: “I always wished to ride a horse. Sometimes when my thoughts become too loud, I’ll sneak off to the stables and read for hours.”
Rocks crunched beneath her feet, and the sweet, pungent roses hit her as she snuck through her mother’s garden. It was risky, but worth the shortcut. She wove through rows of bushes, heart lurching in her throat. She noticed a servant lingering on the patio, smoking what looked like a cigar.
Of course, dinner was held in the garden dining area tonight.
Oh gods.