I smoothed my cloak, even though it made no difference to the wrinkled fabric. It would be strange not being alone. I could rest knowing there was always someone watching or turn and speak my mind when a random thought occurred to me, rather than muttering it into the thin air. I smiled, a faint blossom of warmth stirring within me.
Reaching the wall, I stopped briefly to chat with the woman at the gates. Dew clung like slime to the crystals embedded within the stone. The fresh country air whistled barely feet away, but even the wind was barred from entering the confines of the city.
“Morning, lass. Found what you needed in our fair city?”
“Almost.” I withdrew a gideon from my pocket and tossed it to her. She kept her palm out, the single coin resting on her frayed gloves. I groaned and handed over another. “If I want to leave in a hurry, no questions asked, you’ll be here?”
“Aye.” She pocketed the coins. “I’ll know. I’ll be waiting.”
I nodded and turned left. The path was empty, my footsteps echoing on the cobblestones. The small houses all faced inward, their tall stucco backs windowless, blind to the beauty that lay behind the wall.
Finally, the scent of sweet hay and rolled oats replaced the stale air and a warm glow emanated from torches sunk into alcoves along the stable walls. The building stretched long and deep with small rectangular windows hollowed into the stone. Occasionally, a velvet-soft muzzle would poke out or the swish of a tail could be heard.
I rounded the open barn doors and walked straight into the prince.
“Good morning, Tam.”
I stopped short, recoiling from the front of his dark wool coat. “What in the Goddess’s name are you doing here?”
“Tamara,” Clement hissed. He rounded the prince, hovering in his usual position between us.
“Tamara?” The prince turned to me, a light shining in his blue eyes. A shiver crawled down my spine.
“It’s Tam,” I huffed.
“No, I like it. It suits you.” His lips curved, his dimples popping. “I know so little about you.”
My stomach flipped and heat crept up my neck. I glared at Clement who had gone rigid, his face drained of color.
“But that’s why I’m here.” He patted his thigh. “Come, I’ll show you.”
Come? I mouthed at Clement, but he ignored me, striding after the prince toward the back of the stables.
The last stall on the right stood empty, the heavy metal chain hanging limp at one end. The deep straw inside was flattened in the center with traces of steam coiling in the air, its occupant barely having exited. I ran my fingers over a carved plaque on the side that said, ‘Siobhan’.
“Where’s my horse?”
The prince chuckled. “Tamara, Tamara, Tamara”—I shot daggers at Clement—“so suspicious of my good intentions. I had her turned out this morning just before you arrived.” He waved his hand in the vague direction of the moors beyond the wall. “I know that you only had enough for a few weeks lodging for her and as you will be a permanent fixture at the castle with my beautiful Lilyanna, I paid for an extended stay. You need not worry about doing any alternative jobs to pay for her anymore.”
He was still smiling at me, his teeth pearly white with small crinkles lining his eyes. He was handsome but dangerous. Dimly, the magic stirred in my blood, seeping into my veins, unfurling itself to protect me.
When I didn’t answer or offer my gratitude, he continued, “And of course, she would be far happier turned out to pasture.”
And much harder for me to get hold of. I forced a smile. “That’s kind of you.”
Clement elbowed me, and I rolled my eyes. “Thank you, oh kind and noble Prince Bellinor.” I bowed and Clement elbowed me again.
The prince threw his head back and laughed. The sound spurred my magic into teeming centipedes, frantically circling the length of my body. He clapped his hand on Clement’s shoulder. “Leave her alone. I love having someone who will play my games.”
As the prince stepped closer, Clement's hand snaked around my wrist, tugging me behind him. He drew a breath, preparing to give me a whispered lecture, but I yanked from his grasp and backed away.
“I need to go back. I have lots to do today.”
“Bye, Tamara,” the prince called.
My spine stiffened, my nails extending. I thrust my hands into my pockets and vowed to punch Clement the next time I saw him alone.
Fine. The prince knew. The castle had been quiet lately, but the spirits never rested. They must have overheard, telling him I was planning on taking Lilyanna away. Or was it me he wanted? Clement said the castle was after me first, that he couldn’t protect me when it did, but it didn’t matter. I was still going to win.
