Chapter 6
Lia also leapt from behind the pillar, following Tyrell toward Captain Julian who was standing far too close to Tavia.
The surprised couple jerked apart and stared at the newcomers in dumbfounded silence.
“Away from her,” Tyrell warned, raising his blade and taking a step forward.
“It’s alright, princess,” Lia said, aggressively motioning for her to come. “You’re safe now.”
Tavia’s eyes met Lia’s before her face reddened with fury. “What are you doing here?” she demanded.
“Saving your life,” Lia insisted.
“Your maid is right,” Captain Julian agreed somberly. “I warned you, you’ll catch your death of a cold out here.”
Until that point, Lia had been trying to restrain Tyrell, now she almost wished he would just leap forward and cut the captain in half. Even playing innocent, Julian was boorish.
“You . . . you . . .” Tavia continued, her face somehow getting redder as she glared at her handmaid. “You ruined our kiss!”
“Kiss?” Lia argued. “He was about to bite your head off!”
Tavia’s jaw dropped. “How dare you! You don’t know anything about him!”
“I know more than you think!” Here, Lia turned her burning gaze on the captain.
“I know all seven of his former lovers mysteriously disappeared. I know his home contains a forbidden wing that reeks of death. I know he’s vile and rude and has no respect for your status.
I know that the moment he has his chance, he’ll add you to his list of lost loves. ”
Until that moment, Julian had been watching Tyrell. It made sense, Tyrell was the one threatening his life, afterall. However, as Lia ranted, he turned his cold gaze toward her and something about his expression changed—A subtle glint in his eye, a tiny upward turn at one corner of his mouth.
“Do you believe her, Tavia?” Julian asked.
“Well, why would I?” Tavia huffed. “None of it’s true!”
Julian didn’t say a word. He just stared into Lia’s soul with those bitter eyes.
Tavia glanced at him. “None of it’s true . . . right?”
“Trust me, darling, I have reasons for everything I do.” Julian’s voice was somber but was that . . . amusement sparkling in his eyes?
Lia choked in disbelief. The scoundrel was so confident in his grasp on Tavia’s heart, he wouldn’t even deny his crimes!
“Go to Lia, princess,” Tyrell ordered. “Please, for your own safety!”
The princess glanced from one face to the next. First to Tyrell, wide-eyed, jaw set, holding his blade aloft, he was practically dancing on his feet. He reminded Lia of a fox terrier, wanting to go in for the kill but restraining itself to please its master.
Then, the princess looked at her maid. Lia realized she was probably a mess—her hair had come undone and was clinging to her face in wet strands. Never had she felt such a strange combination of fear and fury. Her fists were clenched and her body trembled.
The princess glared at her, but chomped her lower lip as if she was seriously considering her warning.
But then the princess turned her gaze to Julian. There he stood, steady, calm, unyielding—a rock in the storm. Lia could practically see enchantment wash over his lady love and melt away her doubts.
“Whatever you’ve done . . . or . . . or haven’t done,” a tear joined the raindrops on Tavia’s cheeks. “I don’t care!” She threw her arms around his neck. “I love you, Julian!”
Tyrell’s jaw dropped. Lia was too dumbfounded to think or say or do anything. She never imagined Tavia’s affinity for broody rogues ever going this far. The man had practically confessed to murder and she still adored him.
“Come,” Julian soothed, gently patting her on the shoulder. “Perhaps it's best if we all return to the palace.”
He led Tavia past Tyrell, completely unfazed by the threat of his blade, and helped the princess down the hatch.
Lia and Tyrell stared after them, frozen by shock and/or perhaps whatever witchcraft Julian possessed. (And he must have possessed some, because how else could one be so awful and still manage to charm eight women?)
Then, realizing that their moment of pause was giving Julian another moment alone with the princess, Lia glanced over to Tyrell.
He had been staring at the now closed hatch, apparently just as shocked as she was. But he met her eyes, and then without a word, they both rushed forward, dropping down the hatch after the murderous villain and his victim.
After practically stumbling down every single stair, Lia found Julian in a wild fury. He twirled on them with a scarlet face, caught Tyrell by the shoulders and cried, “Are you trying to kill this horse?”
Lia looked over at Copper who was standing just inside the doorway where they left him. His shoulders were rounded, his head was down, and he was shaking all over.
“He bore two riders through the rain and you’ve let him freeze!” Julian barked.
“This isn’t even your horse, Tyrell!” Tavia scoffed. “How could you!”
Julian snatched Copper’s’s reins in one hand, and a lantern in the other. “I’m taking him to the keeper’s barn to warm him up. You’re welcome!”
Julian stormed out, leading the horse behind him.
Princess Tavia lingered a moment, then pursing her lips cast a cold glance on Lia.
“Do you know what I think?” she stated. “I think the real reason you hate my fiance is because he has a blue beard!”
“That has nothing to do—!” Lia started to yell but caught herself. “Wait, did you say, fiance?”
Tavia threw up her hood defiantly and marched out into the rain.