Page 48 of The Assassin's Dancer
“I do.” I nod. “It sounds like a?—”
“Carriage!”
Kasimir yanks Destiny’s reins to the left, but we’re not quick enough. Half a dozen horses charge up behind us, followed by a huge gilded carriage.
Destiny rears, tossing us both from the saddle. Our backs hit the dirt hard, me landing with a thud and Kasimir slamming down beside me. Both of us gasp for air.
Metres away, the carriage screeches to a stop.
“Forgive me!” someone yelps.
Wincing, I turn my head to see the finely-dressed driver flapping his hands as he scrambles down from his seat.
“I’m so sorry!” he babbles, the feather in his hat quaking. “It’s so late, and I’ve been driving all night. I wasn’t?—”
“What in the devil is going on out there?” another man calls from the carriage.
“Are you alright?” Kasimir asks me. He’s pushed himself up and wastes no time helping me to my feet while I slap the dust from my skirts.
“I’m fine,” I lie. Every movement makes my bones ache, and I’m certain I’ll be a rainbow of bruises by tomorrow, but at least we’re both alive. “How about you?” I ask, reaching for his arm.
“I’ll be alright. But we should go before that idiot tries to kill us again.” He scowls at the panicking driver, who’s now scurried off to the carriage to no doubt be scolded by whoever’s inside.
I nod, then limp towards Destiny, holding back a groan with every painful step. Kaz rushes to help me, but we barely make it a few steps before a booming voice cuts through the morning air.
“Youdareinterrupt my journey?”
Flinching, I turn towards the voice. A tall man, finely dressed in ivory silks threaded with gold, stands by the glittering carriage. His wavy hair is similar to Father’s, golden like the sun, while his skin is much closer to porcelain. Although there’s nothing delicate about features, or the iron-coloured crown that sits on his head.
Furious, he marches over to us, and Kasimir quickly pushes me behind him. But then the man’s pale eyes catch on me, and he freezes.
After a few confused blinks, he sweeps his gaze towards Kasimir, before returning it swiftly to me, his scowl softening.
“Princess Amaryllis?” he asks, tilting his head.
My lips part. “Yes?”
“You know this guy?” Kaz hisses.
I shake my head.
“You look just like your portrait.” The man marches closer, his blue eyes wide. “They certainly did not exaggerate your beauty.”
I swallow uncomfortably. Without the furious scowl, he could almost be considered handsome.
“You must forgive me,” he continues, bowing deeply before rising and taking my bruised hand. “I’m assuming your father has informed you of my arrival. My name is Orion.” He presses a kiss to my fingers, and I sense Kasimir stiffen beside me. “Prince Orion.” He smirks. “And also… your soon-to-be husband.”
18
KASIMIR
“Soon-to-be husband?” I almost gag. At least the look on Ruby’s face shows she’s just as surprised as I am.
“Did your father not tell you?” Orion ignores me, the golden waves of his hair framing his chiselled face like a halo. But I know he’s no angel. The way his hungry eyes stare at Ruby as we stand only metres away from the carriage that nearly killed us – his carriage – makes my skin crawl.
“Sorry,” Ruby laughs nervously. “Father did mention something about another prince visiting, but I didn’t realise it would be so soon.” Her hands twist together. “And he certainly didn’t mention anything about a marriage between us.”
Orion chuckles. The sound is loud enough to scare birds from their trees. “Oh, my darling,” he purrs. “Nothing is finalised yet, of course. But your father and I have become good friends over the past few seasons, and so when he wrote to me requesting I pay a visit to court his beautiful eldest daughter, I could not refuse. And now, after seeing said beauty with my own two eyes,” he smiles, planting another kiss on the back of her hand, “it will not be long before I have him make our union official.”
