But Ihaveto marry him to live.
But Idon’twant to marry a monster.
But –
Oh gods, Fabia, where are you?
Fifteen
It is the queen’s(or king’s)duty to kill those who commit acts of treason.
Pulling out intestines is like a magic trick.The “flags” just keep coming.It’s actually quite impressive,seeinghow much the gods managed to squeeze into our bodies.-KingRichard
Ignoring the loudfightingbehind me,trusting Jace entirely, I watch as Fabia wrestleswith her opponent on the ground.Shehaskept up a lot better than I thought she would.Six kidnappings she’sdefended me from so far, two of whichwereinstigated by my own guards.Granted, with those, Jace had only allowed the weakest member to get past him.But still.My guards train day and night,havesince theywere chosen to serve aschildren.And with the amount of gold on the line, I know theygaveit their all.
Which begsthe question: where in Hel’s namedidFabia learn to defend herself?And why, especially when she lives in a cult where it’s illegal to be rude?They haven’t had a murder there in who-knows-how-many years.
My eyes narrowing, I watch her every move.Idon’tlikepuzzles.Idon’tlike unanswered questions.Especially when theycanruin the plans I’vespent the last six years making.Didthe Court plant her with Arienna?Isshe anant, anagent of Evangeline’s, a member of FI-9 who’d give up her life to the cause?A cause thatdoesnot swear loyalty to the crown but to the kingdom itself?A kingdom I want to flip upside down.
I would be a fool to trust her.
Jace appearsbeside me.After sharing a glance to let me know everyone elsehas beentaken care of, he tiltshis head at Fabia.The same concernsareobviously on his mind.I nod.A lifetime of working together, of truly knowing each other,meansconversationscanpass wordlessly between us.
Raising a hand to his lips, hetakesa bite of a gosberry.The gods only know where he gotit from.“Lock your legs around her neck, my goddess.She’ll pass out faster.”
Fabia shootshim a dry look even as shedoesas he suggests.Kristist clawsat her ankles butcan’tstop them from squeezing the air out of her lungs.After a few seconds, the young warrior in trainingtapsout, and Fabia releasesher as she rollsto her feet.Reaching down, she offersthegolden-hairedgirl her hand with a smile.“You’ll have to teach me how you did that jumping kick earlier.”
“Only if you show me that thing you did with my blade.”
“Deal.”
Grinning, Kristist climbsto her feet.She hobblesaround, looking for her weapon.
Taking another bite of thebright-redberry, Jace pullsabronzeknife out of his tunic.He offersit to the girl hilt first.“Looking for this, my lady?”
Glancing at me, she smileswryly.Glancing at Jace, she blushesmadly.“N-no,” she squeaks.“You can keep it.”
“When did you have time to get food?”Fabia asksas she pushesher lilac bangs out of her face.
“When you were taking your sweet time with this young lady.”
Kristist turnsas red as his fruit.When he pressesit to his lips,Ithinkshe’sgoing to swoon.So much for her training to be a tough-ass warrior.
I makea note to have Echo,the head of my Royal Guard,pit the girls up against the older,shirtlessmales, I grab her knife from Jace’s hand.“You did well, Kristist,” Isayas I walkover toher.“But next time, aim for me, not one of my guards.I’m your target, and you alwaystake them outas soon as you get the chance.”I hold out the blade.Shetakesit with steady fingers.
“Y-yes,Your Majesty.”
“Now back to the training field.I’m sure Echo is looking for you.”
She grinsdevilishly.Scooting past me, shegoesto help her team.Words of encouragement in the form of taunts and teases sound behind me.
A warmth seepsthrough my chest at the sounds.Iamdoing allofthisbecause of them – the young thathavenot yet experienced the cruel horrors of warlike our generation has.
“We should head to your rooms,” Jacesays, finishing the last of his berry.“We only have an hour left for you to get ready.”
Nodding, I headdown the hall.Fabia and Jaceflankme.Had Irin been here, she would’ve taken point, but I’m notabout to let a civilian be the first to enterapotential dangerzone– even if Ihavemy suspicions thatsheisn’ta civilian at all.
When we arriveat my quarters though, Jaceisthe first one at the door.Standing off to the side, he opensit, then strollsin.
