Traitor's Crown (Stones of Terrene Book 3)

by RJ Metcalf

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Brandon

  Brandon’s breath stuttered in his lungs as he strode into Francene’s villa, every inhale giving him a fresh vision of horror and every exhale pushing it away for something new. What if the assassins sent after the Windsors were also after Jade? A server could easily get close enough to slice into Jade before anyone could even react.

  Brandon’s stomach clenched.

  He didn’t nearly lose her to his own hand to have her die on him now. He had so much to repent from first. He had so much to prove.

  He had to do right by her.

  The guard that gave him entry pointed Brandon toward the wing that Jade stayed in, but Brandon already knew. He jogged down the darkened hall and grim satisfaction filled him at the sight of the two Aerugan guards posted outside her door. Good. She had extra security. They scrutinized him as he drew near, and they relaxed marginally when he was close enough for them to recognize him in the dim lighting. The one on the right spoke, his tone quiet. “Your Highness?”

  “I need to speak to my daughter.” Brandon stepped between them and knocked briskly on the door. The odds were high that he was about to wake her up, and if he was lucky, she’d take after Sapphire in regards to interrupted sleep. If not … a small smirk crossed his lips. Well, then he’d know what he was like in the morning.

  The door jerked open and Zaborah stood there, dagger in hand, dressed in black, but without all the belts and accoutrements he was accustomed to seeing on her. Her eyebrows shot up to her hairline. “Your Majesty?”

  Brandon nodded past her. “Jade in here?”

  Zaborah lowered the dagger, but still blocked off the room with her body. “Yes.”

  “I need to talk to her.” He pressed his lips together. “And Zak. And you.”

  “What about?” Zak’s voice came from behind Brandon, and he turned to see the Monomi standing in the opposite doorway. Being in baggy sleep pants and a wrinkled shirt didn’t lessen the danger radiating off Zak. He held his sheathed sword loosely in one hand as he shoved a hand through his messy hair and yawned. “Zab, is she decent?”

  Zaborah glanced behind herself then nodded and stepped out of the way, allowing Brandon to enter into the dark chamber. Light flared, revealing a small sitting room, and an open door that Brandon presumed would lead to the bedroom.

  Jade leaned against the open door frame, rubbing at her eyes. “What’s going on?” She dropped a hand to look up and her eyes widened at the sight of him. Her gaze darted past Brandon to where Zak walked in, and her face pinked as she ran her hands down her rumpled pants and blouse.

  “One moment, please,” she squeaked out before disappearing into the bedroom. She appeared a minute later with a mechanics vest over her blouse, a blush riding high on her cheeks as she perched on the edge of a couch. “So why are you here?”

  Brandon motioned and Zak closed the door, granting the four of them privacy. “I assume you know that Everett was assassinated. What you don’t know is that Lucrum is going into lock down. Francene is going to be taken in for questioning, and General Titus is declaring martial law.”

  Zak’s eyes narrowed. “Francene is a suspect?”

  “Only because of her role here in the city. They need a starting point for suspects, and she’s the closest they’ve got.” Brandon sat on the couch opposite Jade and watched as Zaborah paced restlessly behind his daughter. Zak settled into a casual stance between Brandon and Jade, his arms crossed as he watched Brandon. Brandon lifted a hand, palm up. “I don’t really know her, so I can’t say with confidence, but I somehow doubt she’s responsible. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if this is some sort of in-fighting here in Aerugo.”

  Jade tilted her face up to Zak, her expression tight. “What if it’s Victor?”

  A noise akin to a growl emanated from Zak, and his hands clenched into fists. “I wouldn’t put it past that son of a whale.”

  “Zak.” The words threatened to stick in Brandon’s throat, but he forced them out regardless. “Take her somewhere safe.” His gaze darted back to Zaborah, where she stood rooted to the floor, holding her breath as she listened to him. “Both of you. Get Jade out of the city tonight, get her somewhere safe.”

  He met Jade’s gaze. Sapphire’s eyes. “I lost you when you were a baby, and I mourned you then. I nearly killed you myself, when I didn’t know who you were. Now that I have you, I don’t want to lose you again. I’m doing what I should have done before: keeping you safe.”

  Jade’s face slackened, surprise dropping her jaw. She blinked twice, then reddened. “No.” She stood, her petite form leaning over him, as she shook a finger in his face. “No. I’m staying. I finally want to do right by my people, our people, be the princess they need.” She swung a hand toward Zak, lightly hitting him in the chest. “We’ve already faced down more than we should need to, but I didn’t run away then. Why would I run away now? Especially since I actually want to step into the role that you and everyone else imposed upon me?” Jade gritted her teeth, her tired eyes flashing dangerously. “You didn’t want to be king, so you let it fall to me. Now you deal with it.”

  The cadence of her words held an echo of Sapphire in them, and grief rose in Brandon like a gentle fog. Cold, easily dispersed and yet pervasive. He shook his head and settled a shaky hand on his sword hilt before looking up at Zak. “If I fall, she’s next in line for the throne. She needs to be somewhere safe.”

  “Safe,” Jade scoffed. She marched away from the couches and low table. “Where is safe? The barrier is down! So there’s an assassin on the loose here. You know what?” She jabbed her finger to the north. “There’s countless armies on the loose out there!”

  Anger flashed through Brandon, adding heat to his words. “Yes, but at least an army is easier to avoid than an assassin in the shadows!” He rose to his feet but stayed where he was, aware of Zak’s subtle movement to stand between him and Jade. Zaborah angled herself to be between them too. Brandon shoved a hand through his hair. How to make his stubborn daughter see reason? “The summit is needed, so we can unite the southern kingdoms. But it’s also a horrible idea right now, because all these leaders? In one place? It’s perfect for picking them off.”

  “And you’d know all about that, wouldn’t you?” Jade’s scorn cut through him like an icy dagger, cooling some of his heat.

  Brandon nodded stiffly, his voice softer than before. “Exactly. And that’s why I’m sending you to safety.”

  “Where?” She turned away from him, but defeat weighted her words.

  “Anywhere.” He tried to look past Zaborah, but she shifted to hide Jade behind her. He held his hands out in a show of peace. “Anywhere but here in this accursed city.”

  “You said the city is under martial law.” Zak rubbed a hand over his arm, his expression dark. “How do you recommend we get her out?”

  He’d thought about that on the way in, and he dearly hoped he’d remembered correctly. “Is the Phoenix still outside the city limits?”

  “But that’s Mom and Aunt Rebecca’s airship, not mine.” Jade finally faced him, her eyes dry but red-rimmed. She hugged herself, her body language speaking of hurt while her voice stayed steady. “The Sapphire is mine.”

  “The Sapphire is in the royal airship yards. There’s no way you’d be able to get in it, let alone out on it.” Brandon sank back down on the couch. “Rebecca would agree with me, that your safety is of the utmost importance.” He shifted his gaze to Zak. “Get her to the Phoenix, and get her out of here.”

  “And what are you going to do?” Zaborah asked, bracing her hands on the back of the couch. “You’re staying?”

  Brandon’s mind flashed back to the assassin who froze in the window after Brandon’s command to stop. “We captured one of the assailants tonight. I need to follow-up with him and ask some questions.”

  Zaborah humphed and nodded.

  “I’m dissolving your engagement officially in the morning.” Brandon added. Jade’s e
yes widened and her gaze darted to Zak. Brandon felt a bittersweet smile break through the stress and he stood to stand eye-to-eye with Zak. “Do you swear to protect her with your life? To do all that’s in your power to give her a happy life?”

  Zak blinked, then nodded, his brow lowered in a manner that so resembled Zane’s serious scowl. “Of course.”

  “I give you my blessing, then.” Brandon turned away from Zak’s astonished expression to regard Jade. “Whom you wed is up to you. Whether it be him”—Brandon gestured at Zak—“or someone I’ve never met. I don’t know what the future holds, and I want you to be happy with what time we have left.”

  “I—thank you.” Jade bit her lip, incredulity painted across her face.

  “You’re welcome.” Brandon moved to the door, and paused there, his hand on the curved handle. “I love you, you know. I’m just not the greatest at showing it.” He glanced back, soaking in the sight of his daughter, alive, well, healthy. So similar to Sapphire when he’d last seen her. Determined. That spark in her eye. Beautiful.

  Would this be the last time he’d see Jade too?

  No. He had to do everything he could to protect her from this end of things.

  He swallowed hard and opened the door. “Be careful, please.”

  He didn’t look back.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Jade

  Jade stared at the closed door, her body numb.

  Brandon wanted her to flee. To turn her back on the people that she wanted to help. To leave the politics of Aerugo behind. To leave Weston to face the incoming chaos now that his father was dead.

  How could she do that now? She’d fought the idea of being queen, of having the responsibilities for so long, and now that she was at peace with it, now that she’d found the desire to lead, she was supposed to run from it?

  But she couldn’t deny the longing in her heart that wanted to haul her out the door as fast as possible, leaving behind the politics and world that she was adapting to. That deep-seeded pull for clear skies and fresh air tugged at her, urged her to sit a bit straighter.

  What would Brandon do with her gone? Was he really going to step up as king? Dissolve her engagement to Weston?

  He’d given her his blessing to marry Zak.

  “Come on,” Zaborah grabbed Jade’s arm and pulled her toward their shared room. Jade stumbled, then got her feet under her. Zaborah didn’t slow. “Pack only what you can’t survive without. We’re traveling light and fast.”

  “Dress dark,” Zak reminded, everything in his body tense, like a cat prepared to pounce. “I’ll go pack a bag, be back in a few minutes.” He rushed out the door.

  Jade stuffed her most practical clothing in a knapsack, her mind whirling. She grabbed her leather-bound traveling toolkit and tossed it in her bag. Krista had the exact same kit, so it wouldn’t be like she’d miss them later. Jade stopped. Krista. How could she forget? Jade gasped and pressed her hand into the soft mattress in an attempt to brace herself. “Zaborah, I can’t go. What about Krista and Briar?”

  Zaborah sat on her bed and pulled her black boots on. “What about them? They aren’t royal, they aren’t delegates. They should be safe.” She combed her fingers through her blonde hair and started braiding it back. “You can leave a note, if you want. But if you can code it so only Krista would get it, that’d be best.”

  “Right.” Jade glanced down at her beige pants and white blouse. “And, um, I don’t have anything dark that’s not a gown.”

  Zaborah groaned. “Right.” A midnight blue shirt smacked into Jade’s arm. “Borrow that.” Zaborah eyed Jade’s hips. “I don’t think either my pants or Zak’s will fit you well.” She sighed and slid off the bed. “I’ll go look for something. Finish up and write that note if you’re going to do it.”

  Jade grabbed her hairbrush and tossed it in the pack, quickly swapping out her blouse for the soft linen of Zaborah’s shirt. She added her white blouse to her bag and grabbed a sheet of parchment, quickly scrawling out a brief explanation in mechanic’s shorthand for Krista. Her heart ached. It had been several days since she last spent time with her best friend, and now she had to leave in the dead of night without even a proper goodbye. Tears blurred her vision, and she dashed her hand against them, steeling her heart. Krista had Briar. And Jade would be back.

  “Here.” Zaborah walked back into their room, holding out a pair of black pants. “They’re going to be too long, but”—Zaborah grimaced and gestured at her hips—“Zak’s closer to your size than I am.”

  Amusement at Zaborah’s discomfort warred with Jade’s own embarrassment as she took the offered garment. Never had she expected to be wearing any of Zak’s clothing. And especially not while in Aerugo. She held them up to her waist, noting that she’d definitely need a belt.

  “We need to wake up my mother,” Jade reminded Zaborah as she turned away to slip off her own worn pajama pants.

  “Zak’s on it already.” The jangle of a belt clinking sounded behind Jade as Zaborah strapped all her weapons on. “He’ll bring Samantha here, and he’s going to dismiss the guards.”

  It’s a good thing Kerlee took those supplies back to the Phoenix this evening.

  Jade’s legs tingled as she pulled Zak’s pants up. She quickly banished the absurdity of what she was doing and focused on the conversation at hand. She knelt on one knee to roll up the long hems, then sat on the floor to lace up her boots. “How’s he going to dismiss them?”

  Zaborah focused on strapping her potions belt around her waist. “They won’t be a problem. Leave it at that.”

  Great. He was either going to have to lie to them and possibly get them in trouble later, or knock them out or something. Jade tightened the last knot and sprang to her feet. She snatched another sheet of paper and scrawled Weston’s name at the top, quickly stating that she had to leave for her safety, and not to blame the guards. She’d return. Eventually.

  “You two ready?” Zak called from the other room.

  Samantha rounded the corner, her deep brown trench coat flapping into the door frame as she lunged at Jade. She hugged Jade, then stepped back, inspecting her outfit. A twinkle of amusement lit Samantha’s gaze at the clearly-too-big pants, and Jade squirmed away to grab her pack. Samantha settled her hand on her sword hilt. “You ready?”

  Jade gritted her teeth and nodded. As ready as she would ever be.

  Zak was staring out the window when Jade followed Zaborah and Samantha out of the room. He nodded in approval at Jade’s garb, a slight smirk at his lips that disappeared a moment later. “We have about two hours until sunrise, and for good or ill, we also have the cover of rain.” His brow knit. “Do you have a coat, Jade?”

  Jade scowled at the dark window. “On the Sapphire. Everything here is too princess-y.”

  Samantha shrugged out of her trench coat and slipped it around Jade’s shoulders. “I have a spare in my room. I’ll grab it.” She looked at Zak. “Head out. I’ll catch up.”

  “We’ll go out the kitchen back door.” Zak heaved his duffel over his back. “From there, we’ll stick to the shadows, make our way out to the Phoenix. Did Rebecca tell you exactly where they landed?”

  Samantha nodded. “I can guide you there easily enough. Be back in two sparks!” She slipped out the door.

  Zak caught it before it closed and nodded to the empty hallway. “Let’s go.”

  * * *

  Cold rain slipped down Jade’s back despite the heavy coat she wore over her bag, and she skirted around a large puddle in the street. Zaborah walked ahead of her, Zak beside her, and Samantha behind them, all on alert for anyone who would notice and remember them. Jade pulled her coat tighter around her, trying to cut off the dribble of water that trickled down her back. Maybe she shouldn’t have declined the offer to wear her mother’s hat.

  Zaborah stiffened and pointed to a shadowed storefront. Jade hustled to it, pressing her pack between the wall and her, trying to still her breathing so it wouldn’t be audible over
the rumble of rain. She breathed out her nose, trying to reduce the little cloud that formed every time she exhaled. Two sodden guards marched down the center of the road, scarcely paying any attention to their surroundings as they walked. She could barely make out what sounded like one of them complaining. If he was griping about the weather, then she had to agree in her heart.

  The wind gusted, lashing rain in her face and lancing her already-chilled body. She shivered and Zak bumped his shoulder against hers, leaning close, his breath warm over her ear. “We’ll get there soon, and then we’ll get you warmed up.”

  She knew he didn’t mean it that way, but heat rose to her cheeks at the potential double connotation of his words. “It’s not my first time working in the rain, you know,” she reminded, keeping her voice low as she watched the two guards round the corner.

  Zaborah motioned toward the road, and they detached from the wall, moving toward the city edge again.

  Zak’s gloved fingers enveloped her own, and he shot her a lopsided grin. “I know. And just like then, you look like a half-drowned cat. For the record, I’d rather you not get sick.”

  She wrinkled her nose up at him. “If I’m a half-drowned cat, then you’d better watch out for my claws.”

  His chuckle was lost to the sound of rain, but she saw the puff of visible air. He squeezed her hand and she hummed to herself, sorrowing as the light-hearted moment passed.

  To be leaving Aerugo was a relief that she hadn’t expected to experience anytime soon. But the circumstances necessitating it rankled. She glanced over her shoulder, unable to see the white palace through the darkness. How would Weston fare? Would his bodyguard be able to keep him safe? She never would’ve expected to consider him a friend, but here she was, worrying about his safety. If he’d already experienced one attack, would there be more? What about Queen Violet?

  Why did she have to leave while they stayed in danger?

  How would Weston finish that treaty?