CHAPTER 2
Tisera
No,I didn’t.
I was broke.
The last two months I’d only just managed to pay the land taxes on my not-so-small plot within the city. Last month I’d had to borrow a bit of money from my housemate Dazar. He was more than willing — and more than capable — of paying for everything I needed, but I hated having to ask for his help, oranyone’shelp.
I hadn’t worked in months and I desperately needed a job. So, I didn’t really have a choice. Even if it hadn’t been a prince asking — to whom one does not say “no” — I’d have taken any job which came my way.
“I can and I will, Your Highness.” I nodded my head solemnly.
He approached and extended his hand. Most contracts for a mercenary like me would be in writing, but this one would be by handshake only. I took his hand, clasping my hand around his wrist, and he took mine. We shook firmly.
I shot a look over the prince’s shoulder at Kel, which I hoped said:thank you for this opportunity, while also saying:I hope you rot in the deepest of Hells, you bastard. It was a complicated look.
“Tell me everything,” I said as the prince released my wrist and I motioned for him to sit again.
Instead, he shook his head. “Why don’t we speak in my carriage, I’ll take you to meet Veora so you know where she lives and I can introduce you two.”
“As you wish, Your Highness.” I motioned to the door. He left and Kel followed behind him by a few steps.
“You’re welcome,” Kel whispered, tone even and a bit cold.
I wanted to hit him, or better yet, plant a well-placed kick between his legs, but I didn’t. The fact was, hehadhelped me, even if it seemed he hadn’t truly wanted to. He also hadn’t had much of a choice. If the prince had asked for recommendations for female warriors… I was the only one.
And it wouldn’t look good for me to be picking a fight in front of the prince. But by Brovos, I wanted to give Kel a good thrashing. Though a small part of me was a bit worried if I began grappling with him… it would turn into something else once our bodies were pressed together. So, best not to think of that… for many reasons.
I closed up the house and quickly told Avela I’d be out for a bit then followed the others out to a carriage. Kel held the door for me like the gentleman he wasn’t. I was a bit surprised when he didn’t join us. Instead, he closed the door behind me and probably joined the driver or took up the footman’s position at the back. It was just the prince and I inside.
The carriage started rolling down my long laneway.
“You and Kel have a history.” It wasn’t a question.
“We do.” I didn’t feel like elaborating. What I could say was, “He is an exceptional warrior, loyal and dedicated to Pearlia.”If not loyal and dedicated to women.
“He said something similar about you. Your father was a mercenary in his father’s service?”
“Yes.” It had been four years since my father had died, but it hadn’t been the war that had killed him. “The waning sickness took him.”
The prince grimaced. “I’m sorry. That is… unfortunate. I’m sure you know my sister, Princess Alice, had the waning sickness and though she survived, she is still frail and weak to this day.”
I nodded. “Yes. In fact, my Aunt Emri is Princess Alice’s lady’s maid.”
The prince nodded and smiled warmly. “I didn’t know that. Emri has been a wonderful blessing for Alice; for us all. She takes excellent care of my sister.”
I returned the smile. I knew Emri was happy in her position.
My aunt had raised me for a time. I’d not known my mother. She’d died giving birth to me. My father had been off serving in the Dath-Riven War, so Aunt Emri had taken me in. But when I’d been seven, Emri had taken the position as Alice’s lady’s maid and the war had ended. I had been raised by my father after that.
All he’d known was a mercenary’s life, and that was what he’d taught me. I’d been a hardened campaigner by the time I was ten. I’d been able to wield a sword as well as any boy my age by twelve and had been officially apprenticed to my father the next year… along with Kel. My father had joined with Drako’s Dragoons when I’d been eleven. He’d proven himself and Drako had liked him, so he’d given his son to my father as an apprentice. That had been how Kel and I had gotten to know each other, and why we knew each other so well. As for why we hated each other, that had come later.
“Now, to business,” the prince said, and I listened intently. “In truth, I am not worried about my mother’s condemnation of my lover. She won’t stop me from seeing Veora. She had to say what she did to save face, politically. But that also means Veora cannot be seen in the palace openly, hence the secrecy. Also, since it is fairly well known that Veora is my mistress, there will always be the constant threat of danger from those who seek to hurt me, or perhaps ransom her freedom. I offered her security at all times, but she is content with the protection of her brother most of the time. They live together, she and her brother. His name is Merik. Hence, she’d be most vulnerable when alone, like when she’s coming to the palace to visit me. She has reluctantly agreed to a guard at such times, as long as it is a woman.”
“So, I would only be needed when she’s coming to the palace, no other times?” I asked.
“That would be up to her. If she asks for an escort at any time, I would expect you to oblige.”
