Page 37 of The Princess of Nothing
Over by the far table, a short, curious-looking man was searching through the pastries. Next to him was a tall, graceful woman. Both had pointed ears. She looked like sunshine, radiating gold from her hair to her bright eyes. She looked like Cedric, even in height, but his strong features came from his father. They glanced in my direction, whispered to each other, and quickly looked away. I assumed they wouldn’t be in a hurry to meet the girl they refused to save.
Kiros jumped up to see three men and a woman who’d approached us, all but forgetting me in the moment. I didn’t mind. I sat in silence as I watched him walk away. My mind drifted as I focused on people dancing. My mind always went to Morgana and her safety. No matter how many prayers I whispered for her, the worst-case scenario always crept into my thoughts. Then there was the man who had been in the pits with me. Patrick, if I remember correctly. I wondered if he’d died yet. Each thought pulled into another. My eyes flitted to Xenos, who walked proudly through the double doors. What secrets did he hide in the castle? The fortress and safety of home brought a relaxed, less guarded way of doing things. Would he have been foolish enough to leave something lying around that I could have used against him? Birch told me the Forest of Tranquillium was being cut down and he was responsible.
A guard watched me carefully when I stood to get another cake. Whatever they’d left lying around, there was no way I’d be able to find out yet. Not until Kiros trusted me. Until then, he was my mission, my only goal.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The warriors had come. Symbols were painted on their bearded faces, and their eyes were focused when they walked into the castle. Swords of silver remained stowed in hilts on their backs, and daggers in their belts. Some had long hair, tied at the back, and others had short cuts. Both ensured their hair would not get in the way in battle. Storming past me and Kiros, they were addressed at the double doors by a nervous-looking guard. They stood taller than almost everyone else at court. It took everything to tear my gaze from them as I walked with Kiros toward the carriage. “Who are those men?”
“They are barbarians. To others, protectors of the old faith. Mostly, they run with dragons.”
“Why are they here?”
“Father does business with them. He doesn’t wish to fight them. They have small numbers but are the fiercest of warriors.” His mouth twisted in disgust. “They care not for our laws. They ask for payment to keep the dragons under control. They look at the creatures as if they are kin. It’s very odd.”
I wanted to shout to them how King Xenos was keeping two dragons in Berovia. Doing so would ensure my immediate execution. I pursed my lips, unwantedly keeping in the words that would turn over Xenos’s world.
Kiros took my hand and helped me step into the carriage. “Let’s go, darling.”
Narrow, tall sun-washed stone buildings reached high into the cloudless sky. A bridge of arches led us into the heart of Claeri, the main city in Bluewater Province. We’d left the castle behind, glistening against the orange backdrop, and raced toward the people. White horses pulled us, dragging the wheels along the gravel. The grinding halted when we reached the smooth streets.
I craned my neck out of the window. A part of me wanted to take my chances and jump out of the carriage, but there were a dozen guards shortly ahead and behind us, and I didn’t have my staff.
I sighed deeply and sat back against the hot velvet seat. Wiping beads of sweat off my forehead, I turned my head toward Kiros.
His eyebrows slightly raised, and his lips curved into a smile. “You’ll love Claeri.”
“Thank you for bringing me.” I pressed my fingers into the aching muscles connecting my shoulder and neck, feeling relief in the pressure. “I needed to see outside of the castle walls.”
He leaned forward, brushing his fingers over the last fading bruise I had on show. “I’m so glad you have healed quickly. The ointment is made from ground unicorn horns. Only the elite use it, naturally. They’re very rare. We also have been adding unicorn blood to your teas. It renourishes you quickly.”
I ran cold. Unicorns couldn’t survive without their horns. I recalled the one in the forest. Its horn had been removed after it’d been killed. “Was it already dead when it had its blood stolen?” I questioned.
He cracked his fingers, flexing them outward. “I’m not sure.”
“Have you ever seen one?”
