Page 27 of The Marked Princess

“We are.”

“We're a performing group called The Four Flowers, you know, because of our names?” Rosemary added. “We travel from city to city playing and singing, often times for people of very high standing. I play the lute.” She leaned in closer. “I have very talented hands.”

Alex was saved from responding, as Dahlia leaned forward to hand him a roll, glaring at her sister as she did so. “We can all play and sing quite well, but Lily is the true master. People travel from miles around to hear her sing.”

Lily ducked her head. “Dahlia exaggerates.”

“Not so. She has the voice of an angel, makes the rest of us sound like howling mutts,” Violet contributed, never looking up from the book she was reading.

Dahlia passed him a skin of water, her expression grave. “We were headed to the castle by the request of King Frederic, himself, to perform in the capital as part of the princess' birthday celebration. Our patron, the Earl of Agen, was on excellent terms with His Majesty. He'll be grieved to hear of the king's passing.”

“We're sorry for your loss, too”, Lily added, her big eyes brimming with sympathy. “I imagine you knew His Majesty well, given how close you are to his daughter.”

“He was a good man and a wise king.” Alex let his fingers graze the ends of Josselyn's hair as he watched her, her face peaceful in its rest. “He loved Josselyn and only ever wanted the very best for her.” He let his hand drop to the floor, turning his eyes to the rough, canvas wall.

“As she deserves.”

Chapter Sixteen

Josselyn leaned back against a cherry tree in the castle gardens, watching as a small, black kitten rolled around in the grass beside her feet. She dangled a pink ribbon in front of its face, laughing as it pounced, wrestling the ribbon with its paws. Letting the ribbon slip through her fingers, she reached out to scratch behind the kitten's ears. It purred in response, leaving the ribbon and climbing into her lap.

It looked up at Josselyn with solemn, yellow eyes that seemed to see right through to her soul. “Do I know you?” Josselyn asked, cocking her head with an inquisitive tilt. The kitten mewed, reaching out with its paw to touch her face. She laughed, swatting it away.

“That tickles.”

Jumping up, the kitten hopped off her lap and scampered toward the flower garden.

“Where are you going?” she called after it.

Looking over its shoulder at her, the kitten replied in a feminine voice, “I think she's waking up.”

“What? What do you mean? Who's waking up?” Josselyn looked around the garden, but they were alone. She looked back at the kitten, who had made its way into the flower bed. It spoke again, its voice altering slightly.

“Take this, Alex. She's going to be thirsty.”

That had Josselyn sitting up straighter, as something pricked at the back of her mind. “Alex”, she whispered, watching as the kitten made its way back to her, the stem of a flower clutched in its mouth. Dropping the flower onto her lap, the kitten butted its head against her chest and disappeared. Josselyn picked up the flower, twirling it in her fingers thoughtfully.

“A lily.”

“Princess... Your Highness... can you hear me?”

As the voices grew clearer, the garden faded away, and Josselyn found herself looking up at Alex, relief spilling across his face as their eyes met.

“Good morning, Your Highness. How are you feeling?”

Heat spread across her cheeks as she realized she was laying in his lap, and she hurried to sit up,a low groan escaping as pain radiated through her body.

“I've been better.”

She rubbed a hand over her face, then froze. Four pairs of eyes stared back at her, watching her with open curiosity. Three of them were undeniably related, with their dark hair and similar features, while the younger of the four stood in stark contrast, with her bright, blue eyes and alabaster skin. She was so slight of figure, Josselyn worried that the gentlest of breezes might blow her away, like the seeds of a dandelion fluff.

“What the - who are all of you?” She looked around, realizing they were in the back of a moving wagon. “And where are you taking us?”

The one with the wavy, black hair spoke up first. “My name is Dahlia Delaney, and these are my sisters, Violet, Rosemary, and Lily.” She gestured toward the front of the wagon. “Our father, Hiram Delaney, is up front.”

“They've agreed to take us to Tallis,” Alex added, watching her with concern. “You've been unconscious for quite some time, Your Highness. Are you sure you're all right?”

She managed a weak smile. “As well as can be expected, given the circumstances. Thirsty as all get out, but otherwise unharmed.”