“What?”
Theyrubbed their forehead, “Isaid, what are we going to do about the diadem?”
“LordPlagiswill be here tonight, if anyone has information about it, it’s that musty old scholar.”
Avlynmoved to rubbing their chin, “Sowhat’s the plan, ply him with ambrosia, and dangle a few young human maids in front of him to get him talking?” they gagged, “Theold lech.”
“Ihad a certain maid in mind whoIthink can certainly defend herself.”
Avlynraised a brow, “Theprincess?Youthink she would comply?”
“Avlyn, you know anyone can behave if given the right incentive.Doyou think the cohort would have her back?”
Avlynshrugged, “Convincea bunch of young warriors to have a beautiful woman amongst them every day?I’msurprised a few of them are even still holding a grudge, to be honest.”
Iplaced my fingertips together at my lips, “Good, and she will be allowed to duel as well.”Avlynshot me a look that clearly told me how they felt about that, but they were a good commander and simply nodded.
“Good, now if that’s all,Ihave a gala to prepare for.”
* * *
Ireturnedto the princess’s room and knocked, beforeCiaraquickly called out, “Enter.”
ShehadToriin front of the vanity, trying to add a few pins to her hair and failing, “Itold you; my hair just won’t be held by things like this.That’swhyIcut it short.”Oureyes met in her mirror, and she frowned. “Isuppose this will have to be good enough for tonight.Thankyou,Ciara.”Shestood, and it was certainly good enough.
Withoutthe pins, her straight dark hair fell below her chin, accentuating the strong line of her jaw, andCiarahad done something to also highlight her slate-colored eyes.Herlong neck was accentuated by the wide neckline of the gown, her skin glowed, andIcould just barely see her pulse accelerate under my stare.
Thegown truly made her gleam, although it was disappointingly covering, especially compared to earlier today. “Noone would mistake you for anything but thePrincessof thePearlKingdomtonight.Timeto go.”Iheld out my hand to her.Shestrode towards me, but something was off.Ihad seen her hold herself with a fine posture multiple times and move beautifully when training with the cohort.Butnow she slouched and held one arm crossed over herself.
“AndifIshould refuse?”Shelooked anxious.Thiswas not a good start.Wherewas the beast who had stabbed me with my own dagger?
“Well, you are welcome to remain in your room.ButIhad hoped to make you an offer, if you were inclined to listen?”
Shepulled on a sour look, andIcouldn’t help but grin at how her face twisted, “I’msure you do.”
Ciarascuttled out of the room asIlaughed, “It’snot like that,Princess.Doyou truly think so little of me?”Thelook she gave me clearly saidyes, butIshook my head and extended my arm again. “Walkwith me and hear me out.Shouldyou refuse,Iwill walk you straight back here as any gentleman would.”Icould see the machinations of her mind working, but it seemed her curiosity won out, and she laced her arm through mine.
Iwalked her around the end of the east wing, so we could see the small cove on the beach through the windows.Onlythe castle had access to it.Itwas surrounded by high sea cliffs, andI’dhad one of my cohorts out to train despite the late hour.Ilooked at her face and saw the longing there, andIknew she would agree.
“Youenjoyed training with the soldiers on the boat.Wouldyou like to continue?”
Sheturned to me and raised her eyebrows, but thenIsaw that hope leave her eyes, “Theywouldn’t have me.”Sheturned back to the window, that longing only growing stronger.
“Theycertainly would ifIordered it.Idon’t know how things are run inNiata, but here, soldiers obey my command.”Hernose scrunched up, andImuch preferred that look to the sadnessIhad seen creeping into her.
Butthen she turned to me again, those slate eyes holding mine as ifIwere staring into the heart of a hurricane, “Andwhat do you want in return?”Icould hear her heart beating faster.Shehad used her beauty and her charms on me more than once, working to get her advantage.Buthere, she knew she was the one bargaining, andIcould tell she didn't know if she would be able to follow through with the price.Ofcourse,Iwould never ask her for that,Inever had.Thechase was only fun when they succumbed willingly, but she didn’t know that.AndIwouldn’t reveal it quite yet.
“Ineed you to get some information for me.Fromone of my guests tonight.”Icould feel her shock, but kept going, “LordPlagisis in attendance, a fae older than myself, and quite the historian.He’salso a dirty old man.”
“Soundslike someone elseIknow.”
Ishot her a withering look, “Areyou interested in my terms or not?”Shepursed her lips together, and nodded, “Ineed any and all information you can get about theDiademofSorayaout of him, discreetly of course.”
“Andwhat is that?”
“It’san enchanted object that belonged toQueenSorayaof theEternalKingdom.Itis said to still hold a great deal of magical power but has been lost since her andKingSoractes’ fall.”Yes, the infamousQueenSorayaandKingSoractes, the last known fraternal twins.Isaw that this was not lost on her.
“Andyou want this, why?”Shenarrowed her eyes at me.
