“Can we talk about last night?” I started.
He looked at the brightening sky. “Later. When you getback.” He blew out a breath. “Be safe, Audryn. Don’t go getting yourself killed. I can’t take losing you too.”
Before I could respond, Jaspar walked into the house. His voice and my father’s mingled in the kitchen, words too low to make out the conversation. But the low hum of my father and another male was something familiar I hadn’t realized I missed since Kamden had died.
I sat for another twenty minutes before I made my way to my room. Packing was a challenge. None of my clothes were impressive. With the exception of Orion's gown, all my clothes were simple in structure and color. I could never afford the luxurious dyed fabrics the other women at the castle were sure to be wearing. I wasn’t typically self-conscious of my attire, but I’d need to entice the prince enough to keep me awhile. Suddenly, nothing seemed good enough, so I packed everything I owned.
All I needed was enough time to complete my tasks. First the book, then the king. If I could make it to Hunt, that would be a bonus. I’d need to work quickly and without hesitation.
11
AUDRYN
Our carriage followed the long, winding path as we ascended the hill leading to the castle. The trail was lined with a variety of flowers and plants, all with petals that were some shade of blue. The breeze swept through, making them ripple like waves of the sea.
In the daylight, the white stone walls of the castle were far duller than I remembered. The stone itself had somehow changed, appearing dingy and in need of attention. Severe damage and deep cracks marred the facade—the building looked like it might crumble at any moment.
We lurched to a stop and the door swung open, exposing the cool morning air. A uniformed guard stood outside, hand extended in my direction. Foolishly, I’d expected Prince Sutton to greet me, yet he was nowhere in sight. With a look of disappointment, the man assessed me.
My beige dress wasn’t impressive, but it was one of the nicer ones I wore when working in the tavern. The fitted top and waist were enough to draw the attention of lingering eyes, while the full length offered modesty for a conservative setting. The mid-length sleeves partially exposed the expansive tattoo on myleft forearm, but didn’t fully display the flowers and gray smoke crawling up to my shoulder.
“Something wrong?” I narrowed my eyes at the stumpy man, daring him to vocalize his assessment.
He shook his head. “No, Miss Audryn. Come with me.”
“Where’s the prince?” I cautiously took his hand and stepped out of the carriage.
“Unavailable.” He walked ahead of me and called over his shoulder. “He has more important matters to address.”
A second man carried my luggage, veering off with my belongings the minute we walked through the entrance.
“Wait, that’s mine!” I protested.
“They will be placed in your room and unloaded into the armoire,” the small man replied.
“No,” I complained, “I’ll unpack my own things. I don’t want others handling them. There are expensive clothes in there.”
My lie was obvious the moment it left my lips. The molding around the castle door was probably worth more than all of my belongings. Though there was one item in my luggage of value. My father had opened a locked chest belonging to my mother and retrieved a gown I hadn’t ever seen her wear. He’d given no context and told me to take it in case I needed something for a formal event.
Both men appraised me once more, suspicious of my statement. The first guard gave in. “Place herclosedluggage in the assigned room.”
“Thank you,” I muttered, grateful to keep the vial of ipecac hidden. I’d had the forethought to strap Jaspar’s dagger to my thigh before leaving the house. Bringing my sword would have been ideal, but I wasn’t sure they’d let me through the gate with it.
We moved through the castle swiftly, taking turn after dizzying turn. It would be challenging to find my way back to the main corridor on my own. We walked through a set ofdoors leading into an open room. Three women sat behind painting easels while a nude woman lay sprawled across a sofa at the front. The woman remained posed, not allowing her eyes to roam and see who’d interrupted the creative session.
“What is it?” the woman in the center asked. Small braids were pinned in swirls around her head. She didn't bother to turn and remained focused on the model.
To her left, a woman with long red curly hair sat, skin tanned from either the sun or luck of heritage. Her purple dress billowed out at the hips, showing off her petite waist. She sat straight and poised as if she was bred to marry a royal from the start.
A golden-haired woman in a soft blue dress sat on the right. I knew it was Maris without needing her to turn. At that moment, I wished I’d brought another tomato to chuck at the back of her head for a second time.
“Princess Leanna, the last guest has arrived,” the guard spoke to the backs of the women.
The woman in the center stood and elegantly turned. I paused at the sight of her. Even wearing a muted gown devoid of lace and beads, she was as stunning as she had been at the ball. With crystal blue eyes and sun-soaked skin, she was undeniably the prince’s sister.
“Good morning. Audryn, right?” She didn’t wait for my answer. “Nice of you tofinallyjoin us.” Her words were proper, but the way she accented ‘finally’ revealed her annoyance. “You may call me Leanna in informal settings. You shall address me with title in a formal environment.”
“Okay—yes.” It was irritating just how nervous I was.
