From the corner of my eye, the light shifted. The nearest sconce quivered before toppling from its alcove directly where Lilyanna stood.
Clement lunged for her, and they both fell forward. Her glass shattered on the stone, small sprigs of lavender floating in the sticky water. Flames danced down her back, catching the gold tunic. I grabbed the ewer and sloshed it over her while Clement patted the rest out. He helped her to her feet before the prince swooped his arm around her waist, whispering soothing words in her ear.
I put the jug back on the table as Clement stalked toward me.
“Why weren’t you paying attention?” he hissed.
“I was. I was listening to the story.”
“That’s not your job. You’re supposed to guard Lady Lilyanna, not listen to the prince brag about his hunting exploits.”
“Well, I was obviously paying more attention than you because that’s not what he was talking about.”
Clement gritted his teeth, lowering his face toward mine. “Do I need to tell you again?—”
“Well, my friends.” The prince clapped Clement on the shoulder, and he backed away a step, freeing my airspace. “Now that we both know how interesting you find my topics of conversation...” He winked at me. Clement's cheeks pulled taut beneath the dark stubble, a faint blush coloring his neck. “How about we return to more pressing issues.”
“Is it an omen?” Lilyanna’s voice trembled.
The prince turned to her, his smile tight. “Lilyanna, my dear, this castle is very old and very temperamental. Do not take any of its quirks to heart, there will be plenty of time for you both to become acquainted.”
“Both as in Lilyanna and me, or the castle and her?” I asked.
“All of the above, Tam.”
“Your Highness, a word?” Clement asked. The prince nodded, and they stepped to the side. “She needs to leave,” Clement said, not bothering to lower his voice and jabbing a finger toward me. “She’s not doing her job. There’s going to be an accident, and there are already many whispers circulating about the mysterious deaths. It’d be better for everyone involved if one of your personal guards looked after Lady Lilyanna instead.”
What was his problem? It was like he’d been waiting for an opportunity to kick me out. He dropped his defenses every now again, drawing me closer, even flirting with me, in his own restrained way, but it was all an act. Well, I could do that too, I’d had years of practice keeping people at arm’s length, but I needed to stay physically close now. If I were forced out of the castle, I’d never be able to get near to the prince again.
“No! I can do it,” I called.
They both turned to me. The prince bore a half-smile, amusement dancing across his face while Clement’s jaw tightened, a muscle ticking beneath the thick stubble.
Eventually, the prince walked back over to Lilyanna and gently took her hand. “What do you think, my love?”
The pause she took made my stomach somersault. Maybe she hadn’t forgiven me for the non-existent flirtation with the prince when I’d met him in the corridor.
“She has to stay. I only want her.” She brushed at her side and winced. A strip of charred fabric fluttered to the floor. “I’d like to return to my rooms.” Her smile was weak, her face ashen.
I stepped forward to help her, but Clement blocked me again.
“What are you doing?” I hissed and sidestepped him, but he flung out an arm to keep me back.
“It’s quite alright, Clement,” the prince said. “I will escort both ladies back to their rooms.” He held out his other hand to me.
Clement froze. His arm remained flung across my chest, his body between us. Did he really think I was that dangerous? I had only bitten him a little bit last night after he had disarmed me first with practiced ease. Maybe he thought it was my fault accidents kept befalling Lilyanna, and that bad luck may mar the prince as well. Whatever the reason, it was clear he didn’t trust me. I fought back the burn in my chest, trying to ignore how much it stung. At least it had been confirmed that any softness before was just an act, a way to pass the time. He didn’t want me here, he didn’t even like me. Why did that hurt so much?
The silence stretched.
Clement refused to move. His teeth remained locked together, gaze fixated on the floor.
The prince shrugged. “As you like.” He winked at me, dimples reappearing in his cheeks. “My guards do take their jobs a tad seriously.”
“As they should,” I said.
“Yes, quite. Don’t worry, Tam. We will have plenty of time to become acquainted”—Clement’s body shifted further in front of me—“I heard you are like a big sister to my dear Lilyanna.”
Did she tell him that? I’d been privy to their every conversation since arriving here. They never discussed anything other than trivial events. Lilyanna spoke at length to me about her family, her friends, her country, but never breathed a word of it to him. Or had I missed it? My insides iced as my stomach clenched.
