Page 4 of The Stygian Crown

Kara smiled, and it was all teeth. “I’ll give it to him.”Once I’m accepted back into the clan.

“All your expenses will be taken care of,” Serena said. “I’ve made you an appointment with the best modiste in the city already. Is your room to your satisfaction?”

Kara nodded. “Do you have any leads on the Sanguine threat? Where do I start?”

“To begin with, familiarize yourself with the palace and the courtiers in residence,” Calim said. “Try to find your way into their good graces. There’s new information that’s come to light since I negotiated this contract, though.”

“What is it, your highness?”

“Please. I’m just a man with a crown. Call me Calim.”

Kara gulped. How in Teleria had she ended up here, with the king of the realm, being told to call him by his first name? It struck her anew that she was talking to the grandson of Urian, the man partially responsible for the creation of Namirah’s curse.

“Calim.” His name stuck in her throat.

“We believe there’s a threat to my sister, Princess Ariana’s, life.”

“From the Sanguines?”

Calim nodded. “That’s our suspicion. Ariana’s betrothal to the Prince of Gavroche will be announced soon. Their marriage stands to strengthen the crown in both trade and military might, make us a real contender in Teleria again. There are some who’d prefer we remain weak.”

“The Vespertines will protect her,” Serena said, “but people know who we are. They see us coming, know our habits and schedules. You, however… You don’t have to be by her side day and night, but we’d like to you look out for danger. And find the person plotting to kill her before it’s too late.”

“My sister and I are the last in line to the throne. We have no heirs. We must dig out the roots of dissidence, or the problem will fester and grow. The palace is large, but our army is small. If the Sanguines took Lerathil, or, goddess forbid, instilled their own puppet monarch on the throne, I don’t think even the guild could stop them. Or the Stygians,” he said pointedly.

Kara’s mind whirled. Hunting a princess’s assassin sounded like a good way to end up dead. It’d be lucrative, though…and Logan or no Logan, she needed to secure her own money with her status with the Stygians still in limbo.

“Where is Princess Ariana right now?”

“She went to find herself in the desert,” Serena said, “but she’ll be returning soon. Her ladies-in-waiting would be a good place to start. They have powerful spouses, men who always tend to want more. You’ll need to be in their good graces if you want to get any information out of them.”

“And will the princess know my true identity?”

Calim faltered, and his eyes darted to Serena’s again. “For now, no. We’ll inform her if it becomes important. Are you up to the job?”

Kara nodded. “I’ll take it.”

Calim’s face broke into a beaming smile. “Splendid. My sister’s due to return to court soon, and I’ve been planning a masque to celebrate her return. Many foreign officials and dignitaries, as well as some of our own diplomats, will be there. Hopefully you’ll feel at home in the palace by then and will be able to gather some information.”

Chapter Two

Kara got lost twice on her way back to her room, and when she finally found it, she was exhausted and overwhelmed. A headache pulsed at her temples, threatening to grow. She fell face-down into the soft bed and groaned when she realized she’d need help to unlace this blasted gown.

There was a gentle knock on the door. “Come in,” she moaned, assuming it was Serena.

A young woman with mousy brown hair pulled into a sleek bun entered and immediately curtsied, her nose nearly scraping the floor. Kara rolled to her feet, waiting for the girl to rise and introduce herself, but she continued to hold the position.Bugger.

“Ah, please rise.”

“Pleased to make your acquaintance, my lady. I’m Merry,” the girl said. Her eyes were a clear, pale blue, her collarbones sharp beneath her plain dress.

Kara was tempted to say ‘good for you,’but decided not to rile the girl. “I’m—”

“Oh, I know who you are, of course, Lady Grey. They told me you were coming weeks ago. I’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival.”

Weeks?Logan must have been planning for her to take this contract since before she’d fled with Wesley.Yet he never mentioned it to me. That man needed to learn to be less withholding.

Merry frowned at Kara’s pinched expression. “Shall I draw you a bath, my lady?”

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