Chapter 28. Selfish.
Caleb took a step from the shadows of the forest that shielded him from unwanted gaze. His face now carried a long scar that reached his lips, the end of his injury still bled.
Adrenaline pumped through my veins when his eyes bored into mine.
“What are you doing here?” Francis unsheathed the Silver dagger from his belt, stepping in front of me.
“Did Cordelia not tell you,” Caleb walked towards us, his eyes never leaving mine. “This is where we were going to meet for her part of the bargain.”
Francis’ fiery gaze landed on me, though he refrained from scolding me as his eyes moved back to Caleb.
I’d completely forgotten Caleb demanded meeting here in the letter. I’d completely forgotten he demanded a meeting at all. “I did not promise you a single thing.” I stepped out of Francis’ shield. “I agreed to consider helping, were you to follow up on my request—nothing more.”
Caleb took a step forward, his features sharpened. “Cordelia, I have proven my loyalty to you.”
“Bringing a few daggers is hardly any proof.” Francis scoffed.
“I risked my life stealing them,” Caleb barked, his fist planted on Francis' unmoving figure.
“Risked your life,” Francis mocked, returning the gesture as he pushed Caleb away. “How rich.”
“Leave this Francis.” Caleb's jaw clenched. “It’s between me and Cordelia.”
“Everything that involves her—involves me.” Francis’ voice dropped a few octaves as he shoved Caleb backwards.
Caleb staggered before returning the gesture. “Clearly it only goes one way, given she made a bargain without your knowledge.” He unsheathed his dagger as it shimmered golden under the Moon’s gaze—Royal steel.
I had to do something before they murdered each other.
“Enough!” My heart raced when I moved between the two men.
“Enough!” I barked at Caleb before focusing my gaze on Francis.
“It’s fine, Francis.” My hands fell onto his chest, his eyes shone in fury.
“Caleb is the only one who can get to the vault, anyway.” I crooked my head, begging for Francis to see through my scheme.
“No.” He frowned, his hand landing on my forearm.
“You have to trust me.” My eyes bored into his. “I trust Caleb with this.”
“Cordelia—” Confusion washed over Francis’ features as I turned to face Caleb.
“The key to the vault is—” I started, schooling my features.
“Cordelia!” Francis pulled on my arm, his knuckles whitening around the hilt of his dagger.
“Is in the Royal library.” I ignored Francis’ strong hold that loosened slightly at my words. “Hidden in one of the ancient volumes on Wurdulacs,” I finished, silently begging Francis to play along.
“What’s it called?” Doubt shone bright across Caleb’s eyes.
I offered a small glance at Francis, his stone-like eyes met mine when his voice lowered “You are making a mistake,” he bit out.
His words cut through the distance between us, making my body catch aflame. Perhaps he was a better actor than I was.
“I never saw the book with my own eyes,” I swallowed. “Mother never allowed me in the restricted area of the library.”
“How can you be so sure the key is there then?” Caleb’s eyes flickered with suspicion.
“I overheard Mother and Father speaking of it once.” The more I talked, the more suspicion Caleb expressed.
Damnation.
“Enough.” Francis pulled me towards the main entrance of the castle. “This conversation is over,” he spat out as we walked away from the stables.
“How am I supposed to find a book with no title in the biggest library in the Kingdom?” Caleb called after.
“Get out of here,” Francis said over his shoulder.
“Not until you tell me the title.” Caleb’s steps followed after us. “I took you for someone who would keep their word, Cordelia, but I see your Royal upbringing only taught you how to use others for your own gain—”
Francis pushed me behind him as he raised his dagger for a throw—
The dagger spun in the air before landing into Caleb’s shoulder as a muffled cry escaped his lips. Anger crossed Caleb’s face.
Francis unsheathed his Royal steel dagger in an instant. My heart banged in my chest as my lungs froze.
“One more step and this will land in your heart.” He raised the weapon for the throw; Caleb froze in place.
“This is your last chance Caleb,” Francis seethed.
“I should have killed you back in the dungeons, I should have killed you back at the cabin, but I am weak.” Francis walked towards the man.
“I am weak, for I remember you welcoming me into your family.” Francis dug his finger into Caleb’s injury, forcing a growl out of him.
“I remember your kindness and care when I needed it most.
“But make no mistake, I will kill you in a heartbeat, and not regret it a day in my life, if you as much as look at her one more time.” Francis twisted the dagger into his shoulder before freeing it from Caleb’s flesh.
“This is your last chance. I mean it.” Francis let go of Caleb’s shoulder, taking a step back. “Leave.” He nodded at the forest.
Caleb’s jaw twitched when he offered a firm nod. “I am sorry, Francis,” he whispered before disappearing back into the shadows.
“Are you all right?” Francis crooked his head, his eyes boring into mine. “Did I hurt you?” He glanced at my forearm, walking towards me.
“No.” I shook my head; shock still freezing my mind. “I was worried he would hurt you.”
“That bastard can’t hurt me.” Francis’ hand fell onto my waist, ushering me inside the castle. “And you needn’t worry yourself with my safety.” He planted a gentle kiss on my temple.
The main doors closed behind us; the music reached our ears anew. The ball was in full swing when we walked past the hall, up the stairs.
“I don’t want you to kill him on my behalf, Francis,” I admitted, stopping in the small corridor between the flights of stairs. “He is not worth it.”
Francis sighed, facing me. “Why do you always defend him?” His thumb traveled below my chin, raising it until my eyes met his. “He was the one to put you in danger.”
“I don’t know,” I replied honestly. “We talked in the dungeons and—” I sighed, sitting down on the steps of the stairs, unable to hold Francis’ gaze.
“Perhaps I saw myself in his words—someone unable to stand against what is expected of you out of fear, someone who tries hard to do what they're told, even if it’s the wrong thing to do.”
“You are none of those things.” Francis shook his head, crouching before me.
“You are never scared to go against your own interest. You care not for your own safety—which angers me deeply.” A sad smile tugged on the corners of his lips.
“If you’ve committed any wrongs, it was for the ones you love. ”
“You are wrong,” I whispered. “I left my siblings to fend for themselves once I gained freedom. I knew of the horrors Sandra must have endured on my behalf and did nothing until the very end. Her last months of life were spent in suffering because of me, her last moments were spent in an agony inflicted by me.” A tear slid down my cheek.
Francis caught my hands, bringing each knuckle to his lips.
“You were in a situation that had no right to be forced upon you.” Francis wiped the tear off my face.
“Sometimes we have to be selfish for the greater good, for if we destroy ourselves over things that cannot be changed, we won’t be able to provide help when we are able. ”
“Perhaps Caleb is doing the same,” I offered, earning an annoyed look from Francis. “He did get us the weapons as I asked him to...”
Francis sighed, a small chuckle pushing past his lips. “My dear Cordelia, when will you stop finding trouble?”
I shrugged. “It seems it finds me.”
“That it does.” Francis brought his lips to mine, planting a tender kiss. “Clearly I cannot leave you alone for even a second.”
“Is that a threat?” I smiled against his lips.
“Depends.” He got to his feet, offering me a hand. “Come, we need our rest for tomorrow.” He walked me through the corridor.
“My room is a level higher.” I made no attempt at stopping on our path away from it.
“I told you, I am not leaving you.” Francis walked me to his room, opening the door for me to enter. “I also recall someone’s body starving for attention.”