The guard just shrugs. “King’s orders. Sorry.” He glances at Blossom, then gestures with his eyes over to her door.
Keeping hold of her hand, I lift my chin high.
“Have you forgotten what happened today?” I argue. “What poor Blossom and I both went through?” Mostly Blossom to be honest – since as soon as the arrow hit that gaudy ring box, I’d never felt safer. “If my sister wishes to sleep in my room, then she shall sleep in my room. I am the king’s eldest daughter and I answer only to him.”
“I’m sorry, Your Highness.” The guard doesn’t budge. “But I can’t go against a direct order. Now please, retire to your bedchambers before I put you in them.”
My blood boils. “Are you threatening me?”
“Ami.” Blossom steps between us. There’s worry tugging at her lips, and for a moment, it looks as if she doesn’t recognise me. “It’s alright,” she says. “On second thoughts, I’ll be alright on my own.”
My brows pinch together. “Are you sure?”
“Certain.” She nods.
Fists clenched, I resist the urge to punch the smirking guard as Blossom hurries off into her bedchamber. I’ve had a lot of men tell me what to do today, and frankly, I’m not in the mood to hear anything else.
Marching over to my bedchamber, I throw the door open and slam it shut behind me. Unfortunately, I’m granted little relief inside. The servants have already been in to light the candles and lay out my nightclothes against the bedsheets, but the last thing I want to do is sleep.
My bedchamber has never felt so suffocating.
With a huff, I press my back against the door. Stars, I wish I was dancing right now.
Dance would take my mind off the heavy ring now sparkling on my finger, ease the guilt I feel for scaring Blossom. From their spot on the vanity, my violet pointe shoes twinkle in the flickering light of the candles as if to tempt me.
There’s no way I could sneak out to our dance circle. Not with guards patrolling the halls. I’d never get past them, unless…
My gaze drifts over to the window.
This is a ridiculous idea, completely foolish.
Just because a trained assassin can squeeze through that opening and scale a fifty-foot wall does not mean that I can. But I’m tired of being told what I can and can’t do – and apparently that now applies to my own voice of reason.
With a wild grin, I charge over to my dresser to search for my dance gown.
A fifty foot drop feels a lot higher when you’re staring down at it. My feet are still on the floor with just my head poking out the window, but now I’m not even sure I’ll fit through the frame. Kazis bigger than me, but he doesn’t have hips – or at least not like mine.
Thankfully, after sliding a chair below the window, I’m able to pass through the hole, feet first. Then, lowering myself down, my hands grip the ledge. My lavender dance gown hugs my skin, the short skirt fluttering in the breeze, while stockings and the satin ribbons of my pointe shoes cover my legs. It’s not the most practical of climbing outfits, but it beats the floor-length gown I was wearing before.
Sucking in a breath, I use the tips of my shoes to feel around for any bumps or ledges. After a little tapping, I find a suitable place to plant my feet and slowly lower myself down. It feels like it takes hours, but eventually I make progress.
I climb down about twenty feet before my foot slips on a jagged brick and I yelp.
My face slams against the wall.
“Now this is a sight I never thought I’d see.”
I don’t have time to be grateful I’m still alive as I catch sight of Kasimir smirking up at me. Relief floods my systems, but I swallow it down.
I ran from him this morning. That was the right thing to do.
Wasn’t it?
“What are you doing, Ruby?” he calls up to me.
Steadying my breath, I continue down the wall. “What does it look like I’m doing?”
Kasimir laughs. “It looks like you have a death wish.”
