Page 60 of Splintered Shadow
“If you came here to insult me, you can leave.” Sarah struggled to keep her voice even and betray the panic rising in her stomach. No puking before the press conference. That was definitely on the list of no-nos the assistant gave her.
“I came here to prevent you from embarrassing the family,” Cassana said. “That color is abhorrent. Stand still.” She grabbed a cloth off the dressing table and scrubbed Sarah’s mouth with more force than necessary.
Sarah flinched away from the claws. Capped or not, she didn’t trust them not to be razor sharp. The chains tinkled as Cassana worked to apply a more suitable lip color. This close, Sarah noticed the bracelet. It was very familiar. In fact, it was exactly like the security cuff Vekele had placed on her ankle.
Cassana caught Sarah staring. “Ah, you see my jewelry; a one-of-a-kind piece, given to me by the king after the death of my mate.”
“You’re a prisoner.”
She gave an icy smile and her eyes remained empty. “Spared as a grand gesture of the King’s benevolence but confined here. It could be much worse. Who else has such a luxurious prison?”
“A cage is a cage, even in a palace,” Sarah said, mentally scanning through what Vekele had shared of his family’s history. This was the wife of the uncle who had been executed, the last of that branch. That uncle had also assassinated Vekele’s parents, so it was not an unjustified execution.
Fuck. This family was nothing but murder, imprisonment, and treachery. She wouldn’t be surprised if some younger sibling had walled up an heir in the cellar. That seemed on brand.
Cassana stepped back to consider the lip color. “You are nothing like they say.”
“What do they say?” Sarah asked, despite knowing she shouldn’t play this woman’s game.
“That you are a fierce warrior. You tamed a beast.” Cassana’s icy smile returned. “And that you even tamed a void beast.”
“Are you implying that Vekele is the beast?” Offense wormed its way into her. She didn’t enjoy Cassana’s not-so-subtle jabs, but she ignored them. Vekele, however, was off limits, which was absurd. He’d be the first to tell her that he didn’t need his feelings protected.
Cassana’s eyes gleamed. Why couldn’t Sarah keep her mouth shut?
“While the gossipmongers consider you worth gossiping about, you are quite valuable beyond that. Baris was right to lock you away with Vekele. Better to have you as his captive than to let you be a rival’s pawn. You see, we are both prisoners in this very fine cage. You can hardly notice the bars.” She waved a distracted hand to the well-appointed room.
Turning her attention back to Sarah, she frowned. “Pink is such an unusual color, but it suits you. Now, remember to smile. If you are asked a question not on the list or you cannot remember an approved answer, say, ‘I am honored to be here.’ Easy, yes?”
“Sure. Easy,” Sarah said, mind already spinning. Cassana had said nothing that Baris didn’t already say, albeit in a more cynical take. Sarah knew her choices had been to marry Vekele or some random member of the family that supported Baris. Sheknewthat. Yet Cassana’s word shook her.
She shouldn’t have let the woman play games with her, but the damage had been done.
Vekele
Something happened to Sarah. When he arrived, she had been dressed and groomed to the court’s impeccable standards. The garment accentuated every appealing aspect of her form. He was an uninteresting lump in a stuffy costume compared to her glory. The media would adore her.
Yet her lips were pressed together in that way she had that indicated she was upset.
“Tell me,” he ordered.
“There’s nothing to tell. I hope I don’t regret these shoes.” She bent over to adjust a strap.
Vekele touched her arm, causing her to stand up straight. “Tell me what makes you upset.”
“It’s silly. Your aunt Cassana paid me a visit. I know she wanted to rattle my cage,” she said, color draining at the words, “but she still got to me.”
“That one will drip poison in your ear if you let her,” he said. “Do not let her upset you.”
“Well, lesson learned. Is it time?”
“Yes.” He held out an arm for her. She hooked their arms together, and they made their way to the ceremony.
“Was she involved in your parents’ murder?” Sarah asked, her voice barely a whisper.
“Undoubtedly. She was complicit in keeping Baris and me captive at Summerhall. No matter what she tells you, she is not innocent. My uncle was executed for high treason.”
“But she was spared.”
