Chapter 14 The Chosen One
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
THE CHOSEN ONE
Lilyanna and I were the last to arrive for dinner that afternoon. She paused before the large carved doors of the dining chamber, her fingers fluttering over her neck.
I slapped her hands away. “Stop fiddling with it. It covers the marks perfectly, but it won’t if you manage to break it before we even arrive.”
The prince’s gift to her had been an elegant choker constructed of three rows of golden satin ribbons with small twinkling diamond crystals between them. It stretched from her collarbone to just beneath her chin, perfectly obscuring the angry red slashes from the twisted bed sheets.
My wrist jangled as I reached up to smooth back a strand of blonde hair that escaped the knot I invented for her.
My gift was more subtle. A simple gold bangle with a diamond clasp.
It weighed more than it should and kept bashing against my wrist whenever I moved, sending small jolts of irritation through me.
“Alright, let's do this,” I sighed, opening the door and ushering her through.
I wore my usual uniform of a sapphire sweater and black leggings, so no one paid me any attention as I scurried in behind Lilyanna.
She, however, was ravishing. Her midnight blue gown was so dark it looked black except when it caught the flickering candlelight.
Shards of diamond were sewn into the bodice and trailed down the flowing skirts like moonlight sparkling off ocean waves.
I smiled. I needed to get her out of this place as Siobhan wasn’t going to save either of us, but she could at least enjoy herself first. She really was remarkable.
Quite at home dressed up like royalty and equally talented when parrying with a razor-sharp saber.
Unfortunately, she was stubborn as a mule, and it may well be the death of both of us.
The dining table was laden with steaming platters of meat and vegetables.
My mouth watered as I caught sight of roasted lamb shanks, the bones pared and shining.
Fresh mint jelly I hadn’t tasted in years lay in a small dish beside the lamb, its surface reflecting the expansive candelabra above in a peppered green hue.
The prince rose and kissed Lilyanna’s hand while I remained fixated on the feast. He turned to me and held out his hand for mine, a roguish smile on his face. A golden waistcoat peeked out from amongst the dark double-breasted suit, a diamond pin in his lapel. A picture-perfect gentleman.
My nails flexed automatically. Clement didn’t usually let me get this close.
How easy it would be to deliver a scratch to the small band of flesh between his thumb and finger when he gripped my hand.
But could I then sit through dinner? What if the Collectors descended on the feast, stirring up every guard in the castle and town?
I’d never get away. I’d be held, questioned, and probably hung alongside Lilyanna just to prove to the queens they were doing something.
The prince’s hazel eyes, flecked with gold today, bored into mine. An invitation? A challenge? Something had shifted between us in the alley at the lunar festival. A creeping unease filtered down my spine.
I reached for him, my nails unsheathing like a tiger. My heart pounded as my vision tunneled upon his hand. The magic stirred, barely a flicker traveling through my veins. Shouldn’t I find out if he’d really done anything first?
The Sherriff’s face materialized before me. Not the perfect image from the newspaper clipping, but one where he was sprawled on a filthy bedsheet. Deep gouges dripped blood from his back, pooling with serum and slick mucosa from the trail of intestines cascading onto the floor.
I jerked my hand away just as Clement appeared in front of me, grasping my arm and tugging me toward the table. “You can sit next to me.”
“But—” I looked back. The prince had taken Lilyanna’s arm and was leading her to a chair, a flicker of amusement on his face.
“Clement,” the prince called. “Lilyanna’s dear sister can sit on my other side. That would make for quite the fun night, don’t you think?”
Yes, a second chance. I forced my breathing to deepen. In response, the magic slunk deeper, out of reach. Why did this keep happening around him?
The Sheriff’s face swam into view again.
My body flinched, suddenly cold as if doused in freezing water.
This had never happened before. Then again, I’d never stuck around to find out what happened to those I’d marked.
I should have known. Deep down I probably always did.
The Collectors side of the bargain was far worse than mine.
The magic tingled, reminding me it was still with me, that I could do this, but I’d have to focus.
It wanted to attach to determination and power, not uncertainty.
This was no time to develop a conscience.
If I could tag the prince at dinner, I would.
Otherwise, I’d go and grovel for forgiveness from Siobhan and use my trump card to buy myself a few weeks until I was dragged under again.
Clement narrowed his dark eyes at me when I remained mute. I shrugged, unable to remember if I’d been asked a question.
“If those two are sisters,” he said, “then we must be brothers, my dear prince. And so, I will sit on your left.”
The prince chuckled. “And it begins! These really are my favorite gatherings.”
Clement dragged me toward the head of the table, firmly planting himself between me and the prince. I slipped into the high-backed chair, forcing my mind to empty and the magic to bide its time.
I sucked in a deep inhale of the juicy aromas floating by. “You’ve had quite a few of these gatherings, or so I’ve heard.” I directed my comment at the prince, plucking a large lamb chop from the transparent diamond platter in front of me.
The prince chuckled. “Yes, that is true. And it seems like you have not been invited to many, judging by your lack of table manners.”
Clement elbowed me, and I dropped the bowl of buttered carrots I was tipping onto my plate alongside the lamb.
“I am joking! Eat!”
I pulled a face at Clement and resumed heaping my plate full. Matron was seated opposite me and Bryn beside her. My other side remained empty, giving me plenty of room to drag dishes across the table to my area.
I dipped my lamb in the mint jelly, barely able to stifle a moan as it melted in my mouth.
The meat was deliciously tender and cooked perfectly.
When was the last time I’d eaten like this?
Siobhan’s fluttering eyelashes came to mind, reminding me that it had been when she’d last asked me to join her.
She’d taken me on a private tour of the southern castles, casually slipping all the deals I could be making into the conversation, the lives I could control, the freedom I’d have.
I just had to give up every shred of dignity and incinerate every last one of my morals.
Her apprentice. I snorted. She wanted a lot more of me than that.
The prince raised his goblet. “A toast.” I lifted mine while the others did the same.
“I do so enjoy these annual gatherings. They are much more delightful than the ones my mothers used to make me sit through. And seeing as we have two new faces joining our unusual family,” he gestured to Lilyanna then to me, “I thought this would be the best way to celebrate.” He drank and we followed suit.
“Let’s begin. Ask me anything. I would love for you two to be comfortable in your new home. ”
I shoveled a forkful of honeyed parsnips into my mouth. When I came up for air, I asked the prince, “So, why do your fiancées keep dying?”
Clement choked on his wine. Lilyanna bit back a grimace, her fingers fluttering to the choker wrapped around her neck.
Clement gripped my knee under the table and lowered his face to mine. “He’s still the Goddessdamn prince, Tam. Behave.”
The prince’s smile was taut. He pushed food around his plate, head tilted. Lilyanna started chatting about trade routes between their cities, but his focus remained lasered on me and Clement.
“It’s a valid question,” I hissed back. “And you won’t let me close enough to find out.”
“For good reason.”
I rolled my eyes, and he groaned.
The prince’s fork chinked against the plate, and I looked up. “Do you need someone to cut up your food for you, my dear prince? There’s plenty of help around the table.”
Clement kicked me.
The prince put down his fork and grabbed the large carving knife. He held my stare, the room suddenly silent around us, before plunging the knife into his lamb, holding it like a spiked head. He tore off a large chunk with his teeth.
I snorted and Lilyanna giggled. Even Clement managed to smile.
Matron opposite me angled her goblet of wine at Clement. “I agree with the young lad.”
I turned to Clement and mouthed ‘young’? He pushed me away.
She tipped her goblet so it now pointed at me.
“You do still need to learn manners. We need all the help we can get around here, and I know you’re able to do it, girl.
” Girl? I snorted again, eyeing the now empty wine goblet and the single curl of gray hair that escaped her white cap and hung around her face.
“You practically sing your respects to me.” She poured more sweet red wine into her goblet from the carafe and grinned at me.
She was grinning at me? Clement was right, this dinner was weird, but amazing. “That’s because you practically ooze authority, ma’am.” I pressed my hand to my heart. “And I'm a teeny bit afraid of you.”
She nodded into her wine and hiccupped.
“What about me?” asked the prince.
I shrugged. “You’ll get there.”
He threw back his head and roared with laughter.
Clement gave me an exasperated look, but he couldn’t hide his smirk even beneath the thick stubble.
Matron’s words from our first meeting about being forgettable and Clement’s repeated warnings to stay under the prince’s radar trickled to the forefront of my mind. A bit too late for that.
I glanced at Lilyanna who smiled politely. She cut a tiny piece of potato and pushed it onto the back of her fork, her attention disproportionate to the task at hand.
As if sensing the shift, the prince scraped back his chair.
We all stopped and focused on him. He held out both hands toward Lilyanna, palms open and empty.
Then he closed his fists and spun around, the tails of his jacket flying out behind him.
When he reached her again, he dropped to his knees with a flourish and held out a ring.
“Lilyanna, my love, let us make this official. You are my chosen one.”
My stomach clenched. This is what she wanted, what she thought she needed. But had it sealed her fate? I needed to get her out of here, to drag her with me. I’d accompany her back home to tear up that stupid contract and be on my way.
I shook my head hoping she’d see, and Clement kicked me again. I glared at him before painting a smile back on my face.
I wouldn’t let anything happen to her.
Lilyanna threw herself at him, draping her hands around his neck.
He kissed her with such surprising intensity that I was almost jealous for a second.
The dimples popped in his cheeks and his eyes came alive as he beamed at her.
He really did seem to be in love with her.
Maybe he would leave with her if I could get them both out of here and away from the city?
Although, without the threat of the murderous castle hanging over us, I could concentrate solely on my mission and see if he was really guilty before I acted.
He’d done nothing but be welcoming and kind thus far with his behavior that of a normal, innocent man.
Maybe that’s why Siobhan sent me? She wanted to see if I’d obey her, even if the assignment was grossly unfair.
The Sheriff’s warning echoed in my ears. There must be some truth in the rumors about the prince for him to risk coming out of hiding and travel all the way up here, and there was still the reaction of my cowering magic to consider.
Distracted, I twisted the bangle around my wrist, the smooth gold cold against my skin.
“Do you like your gift?” Clement asked.
“Yeah, I do.”
“I picked it myself.” I stared at him, and he blushed.
“I mean, the prince sent me for it...I...Look.” He turned my wrist over and pressed on the diamond clasp.
A needle thrust out of the gold, its tip a rusted green.
“It’s not as effective as that kitchen knife you stole, but the venom on that needle will incapacitate a full-grown man.
” He pressed the clasp again and the needle sucked back inside the bangle. “Or kill someone of your size.”
“Wow. Well, I like it a lot more now.” His thumb brushed my wrist, sending tingles up my arm. “Don’t you think you should’ve told me first though? A little dangerous if you ask me.”
He chuckled, the sound rushing as coils of warmth through my body. “I think you can handle it. And as you seem intent on doing everything I tell you not to, I thought you may need the extra protection.”
He was worried about me? That was novel. “Thank you,” I mumbled. “So, are you happy that I’m still here, or are you still plotting to have me thrown out?”
“I’m growing used to having you beside me.”
“What a lovely sentiment.”
He kept his fingers loose around my wrist, his grip soft but firm enough to keep me from pulling away. “You’re different.”
I sucked in a breath. “This just keeps getting better and better. Please go on.”
He grinned. “And that’s what I like about you. You’re the only one here who openly speaks their mind. I find it…interesting.”
I should have rolled my eyes or tutted, but the way he said it, with a hint of color brushing his cheeks, made warmth bloom in my chest. He squeezed my hand and leaned in closer. For a second I thought he was going to kiss me, before the prince loudly cleared his throat and Clement swerved.
He gently replaced my hand on the table, and we both sat and listened to the conversations around us, neither of us really paying attention.
My sole focus was the closeness of his thigh to mine, the faint scent of pine I was coming to recognize on instinct as his, and the growing pressure that hummed in the air between us.
Clement cleared his throat. “Does Lilyanna like her gift?”
I stared at the gold choker. How perfectly it obscured the grooves carved into her flesh. Clement had chosen it? Clement had chosen it.
I shivered. “It’s a perfect fit.”