Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
TREASON
Early the next morning, with the dawn light smothered by heavy clouds, I slipped out the servant's door and cut through the city toward the stables.
The streets were empty, the cobbles neatly swept with fresh rain lingering on the bare washing lines strung between the houses.
My worn boots produced only a muffled tread as I hugged the shadows, acutely aware that my progress could be tracked from the castle windows directly to the main gates down the arrow-straight road.
The coin purse in my cloak pocket jangled with every step.
As always, Siobhan had been generous, and there would be no shortage of funds.
I just had to cement the getaway and hoard enough supplies so Lilyanna and I could travel west in the fast-approaching winter.
She’d agreed to go, but she didn’t need to know the plans.
I would tell her at the last minute, announce to the prince where we were going, and flee before the castle could crumble down around us, trapping us forever.
Maybe Clement would come with me, and I could keep him a secret from Siobhan, at least for a while.
He could prove quite useful when Siobhan inevitably forced me out on a new bounty.
He knew just enough to understand what I did, and so far, he wasn’t disgusted or horrified.
He’d probably become quite accustomed to murder with all the local disappearances.
I smoothed my cloak, even though it made no difference to the wrinkled fabric.
It would be strange not being alone. I could rest knowing there was always someone watching or turn and speak my mind when a random thought occurred to me, rather than muttering it into the thin air.
I smiled, a faint blossom of warmth stirring within me.
Reaching the wall, I stopped briefly to chat with the woman at the gates. Dew clung like slime to the crystals embedded within the stone. The fresh country air whistled barely feet away, but even the wind was barred from entering the confines of the city.
“Morning, lass. Found what you needed in our fair city?”
“Almost.” I withdrew a gideon from my pocket and tossed it to her. She kept her palm out, the single coin resting on her frayed gloves. I groaned and handed over another. “If I want to leave in a hurry, no questions asked, you’ll be here?”
“Aye.” She pocketed the coins. “I’ll know. I’ll be waiting.”
I nodded and turned left. The path was empty, my footsteps echoing on the cobblestones. The small houses all faced inward, their tall stucco backs windowless, blind to the beauty that lay behind the wall.
Finally, the scent of sweet hay and rolled oats replaced the stale air and a warm glow emanated from torches sunk into alcoves along the stable walls.
The building stretched long and deep with small rectangular windows hollowed into the stone.
Occasionally, a velvet-soft muzzle would poke out or the swish of a tail could be heard.
I rounded the open barn doors and walked straight into the prince.
“Good morning, Tam.”
I stopped short, recoiling from the front of his dark wool coat. “What in the Goddess’s name are you doing here?”
“Tamara,” Clement hissed. He rounded the prince, hovering in his usual position between us.
“Tamara?” The prince turned to me, a light shining in his blue eyes. A shiver crawled down my spine.
“It’s Tam,” I huffed.
“No, I like it. It suits you.” His lips curved, his dimples popping. “I know so little about you.”
My stomach flipped and heat crept up my neck. I glared at Clement who had gone rigid, his face drained of color.
“But that’s why I’m here.” He patted his thigh. “Come, I’ll show you.”
Come? I mouthed at Clement, but he ignored me, striding after the prince toward the back of the stables.
The last stall on the right stood empty, the heavy metal chain hanging limp at one end. The deep straw inside was flattened in the center with traces of steam coiling in the air, its occupant barely having exited. I ran my fingers over a carved plaque on the side that said, ‘Siobhan’.
“Where’s my horse?”
The prince chuckled. “Tamara, Tamara, Tamara”—I shot daggers at Clement—“so suspicious of my good intentions. I had her turned out this morning just before you arrived.” He waved his hand in the vague direction of the moors beyond the wall.
“I know that you only had enough for a few weeks lodging for her and as you will be a permanent fixture at the castle with my beautiful Lilyanna, I paid for an extended stay. You need not worry about doing any alternative jobs to pay for her anymore.”
He was still smiling at me, his teeth pearly white with small crinkles lining his eyes. He was handsome but dangerous. Dimly, the magic stirred in my blood, seeping into my veins, unfurling itself to protect me.
When I didn’t answer or offer my gratitude, he continued, “And of course, she would be far happier turned out to pasture.”
And much harder for me to get hold of. I forced a smile. “That’s kind of you.”
Clement elbowed me, and I rolled my eyes. “Thank you, oh kind and noble Prince Bellinor.” I bowed and Clement elbowed me again.
The prince threw his head back and laughed. The sound spurred my magic into teeming centipedes, frantically circling the length of my body. He clapped his hand on Clement’s shoulder. “Leave her alone. I love having someone who will play my games.”
As the prince stepped closer, Clement's hand snaked around my wrist, tugging me behind him. He drew a breath, preparing to give me a whispered lecture, but I yanked from his grasp and backed away.
“I need to go back. I have lots to do today.”
“Bye, Tamara,” the prince called.
My spine stiffened, my nails extending. I thrust my hands into my pockets and vowed to punch Clement the next time I saw him alone.
Fine. The prince knew. The castle had been quiet lately, but the spirits never rested.
They must have overheard, telling him I was planning on taking Lilyanna away.
Or was it me he wanted? Clement said the castle was after me first, that he couldn’t protect me when it did, but it didn’t matter. I was still going to win.
The stakes were too high.
* * *
I lay beside Lilyanna, my body jerking every time I felt myself succumbing to sleep.
All the fires were blazing, the windows permanently locked, but the spirits closed in. Every puff of air on my face, every tickle on my calf had me jumping out of bed and swatting at my body. Lilyanna slept through everything; it seemed to be her forte.
I stared at the bare patch of wall between the mute-colored tapestries.
The stones merged, gray on gray, the cement bleeding into the monotone.
Noiselessly, the bottom stone pushed outward, barely an inch but enough to draw my attention.
Then the one above did the same. A line gradually formed.
Below the ceiling, the ripple spread sideways in both directions in eerie unison.
It was a ‘T’, a sign. Were they coming for me? Warning me? I leaped out of bed and stumbled to the wall, barely able to keep on my feet. I ran my hands over the surface, but it was smooth. No cement flaked to the ground beneath, and the stones were cold.
I turned to check on Lilyanna, who remained fast asleep, her breath rhythmic and soft.
Maybe the spirits weren’t malevolent. Or not to me, at least. Siobhan was surprised I couldn’t see them.
Maybe my magic did more than I thought, and it connected me or kept me safe.
She’d been careful never to tell me what else blood magic could do.
She sidestepped my questions, always keeping me focused on the thing I was forced into doing with my gift.
Midnight stillness settled on the room. The night sky was abnormally clear. Even through the thick windows, the stars beamed. I threw off the covers and glanced one last time at Lilyanna to make sure she remained asleep and that the sheets lay calm before slipping from the room.
My cloak hung in its usual place, and I wrapped myself within its familiar folds. Closing the door to my room behind me, I rested my hand on the cold stone wall.
“I want to go outside,” I whispered, “and not meet anyone.” Nothing happened. I’d been very drunk the last time the castle opened up before me. Maybe I’d imagined it.
A gust of winter air blew down the corridor, purging the rose scent.
I snapped my head up and moved toward it, following a route I’d never taken.
My shoulders soon brushed the walls, my way chosen for me by the narrowing passageway.
Every time a new fork appeared, the castle forced me toward it, as if it were squeezing me out.
Eventually, a set of stone stairs rose before me spiraling up into the darkness. “I wanted to get out, not go up,” I hissed. Nothing answered. I turned around but the corridor disappeared, replaced by a bare gray wall.
My stomach churned, but I had no choice. Hugging the wall with my eyes glued to my feet and not at the ever-increasing drop, I climbed until I hit another door. I pushed against it, but something pressed back. I slammed my shoulder into it and squeezed through the small gap.
The wind tore into me, crushing me back against the door and sealing it tight. I fought for breath, my chest aching and my eyes watering at the sudden cold. I pushed toward the edge, my hood flying down and my hair ripping free from its bounds.
I was on the turret.
The wind raced around the crenels carved into the parapet, only ceasing when I leaned over the edge, pressing myself against the stone for shelter. The central street glowed faintly, illuminated by starlight. Lights burned in some of the houses, chimneys smoking, bats silhouetted against the sky.
A faint slam echoed behind me, but the wind tore the sound away before I could be sure I’d even heard it. I looked around. The turret was empty. I leaned back over the crenel and squinted at the horizon.
Beyond the wall, the moor stretched vast and wild to the south, unlit and untouched. I drank in a greedy breath, imagining myself out there, free of all responsibilities, carving my own path.
“Sleepwalking, Tam?”
I spun around, clutching the turret edge. “Where did you come from?” The door remained closed. How had he managed to sneak up on me?
The prince bestowed me with a smile. His chestnut hair was tousled, pink whipped into his smooth cheeks. He was unnervingly handsome even when he was playing with me. This time, I could feel his aura luring me closer.
“I fancied some air,” he said. “We seem to have a lot of similar ideas recently, you and I.”
The magic pulsed. This was my chance. He was alone, unprotected, unguarded. But how to make it look like an accident? I couldn’t just scratch his eyes out or seduce him. He couldn’t know what had happened, or I’d be dead as well.
“Yes, but at least I can dress myself.” I motioned for him to come closer. “Let me fix that.” One side of his lapel had turned up in the wind. I could smooth it out, catch the smooth skin of his neck with the edge of my nail.
The Sheriff’s face swam before me, and I blinked it away, swallowing back the bile that laced my throat. Not now. Focus, Tam.
He glanced down. “You have been most useful since coming here.” His eyes met mine. Tonight, they were black. Cold drenched my skin, the magic faltering at my fingertips. He stepped closer, and I ran my hand slowly up the velvet lining.
“I’m glad you’re staying longer to be with Lilyanna.” His breath washed against my face, making my stomach flip. I flattened the lapel and pulled away. The prince turned to look out over the city, his body hovering next to mine. “The castle likes you, Tam.”
I stiffened. I should push him over the edge. Scratch him first, do both jobs at once. He was so close.
“I like you, too.” His focus remained on the resting houses below, but his words were heavy.
I raised my arms, inching behind him. My heart thumped. So close. I was so close to being free.
The door slammed behind us, and I jumped backward as Clement barreled over. His feet were bare and his belt weaponless. He crushed me into a hug, his chest heaving before pushing me away.
Bryn materialized behind him, fully dressed and with not a hair out of place.
“Stay with the prince,” Clement barked. She nodded and moved into position behind him.
Clement grabbed my shoulder, spun me around, and frog-marched me back inside. He waited until we were outside my door before unleashing. “What were you doing?” His eyes blazed. Gone were the small crinkles, the softness, the comfort. For the first time, I saw the true professional.
“I, well...it.”
“You were alone with him.” He lowered his face to mine, his breath hot, voice shaking. “Goddess knows what—”
“It wasn’t like that. Don’t be—”
He shook me with a growl of frustration.
“Stop it. Calm down.” I pushed him away, but he held firm.
“You just don’t understand. You don’t listen!” His fingers tightened around my biceps.
“I do listen, I—”
“If you won’t leave, then at least stay in there with Lilyanna, Tamara. You’ll be safe.” His hands moved to my cheeks. The gesture should have been tender, but his whole body shook. With anger? Fear? Jealousy?
“It’s not safe anywhere here.” I deepened my breathing, forcing my heart to slow.
His thumb stroked along my cheekbone. “I can’t do my job if I’m constantly worrying about you.”
“And I can’t do mine!”
I froze.
He frowned at me. “Your job is in there.”
“Yeah, I know. It’s just...I don’t like being cooped up. I only wanted some fresh air.” Would he let it go? He already knew more than he should.
He dropped his hands from my face, running them down my arms, never breaking contact until he gently held my hands in his. “If you wanted fresh air, you should’ve told me. There’s plenty in my room due to the large hole you put in my ceiling.”
My breath whooshed out in a snort of relief. I ducked my head, and he waited until I met his gaze again. “Please behave, Tamara. Just until the wedding is over.”
I nodded. Guilt warred inside me. I’d do anything for this man, and I had no idea when he’d affected me so. When had he lodged himself within my heart?
But we were at odds. If I succeeded, at the very least, he’d be out of a job. Most likely, all the guards would be transported to the South to face trial in front of the queens and be hanged. Then what would I do? Continue onward wrecking people’s lives?
No. I couldn’t think like that. I’d get Lilyanna out, rescue her from this castle, then flee. See how long it took before Siobhan found me.
And Clement? My body sagged. He would have to look after himself.