Father winces before putting on a straight face once more and goes back to his desk while looking at me. “It is unfortunate that we lost Julio, but I believe it was only done to frighten us. This war isn’t happening, Lily. My sources have informed me it was a hoax. Someone wants me dead. Someone wants my throne. The army awaiting us out there wasn’t real. It was a ploy to get me away from my kingdom. And because someone is trying that hard, it is all the more reason for you to be here. To stay safe and prepare to one day be queen.”
“Should I ever be queen, my first act will be to allow anyone who wants to fight to do so.” I turn on my heel and leave Father to his work.
I make my way outside, where I find Elian fencing with Armando, captain of the guard, surrounded by the rest of Tivor’s army. I grab a sword from the stand and rest the tip in the grass, holding it before me as I stand on the sidelines and watch them parry.
The captain finally stops and braces himself on his knees, breathing hard and laughing. “I surrender.”
“Just in time,” I say. They both look up, barely noticing I’m there. I hold the sword out in a challenge to my brother.
“Lily, come now. You really want to go up against me? Did you not just see how I beat Armando? I would hate to tire you with a petty sword fight.” He laughs. Armando and the men standing around watching all laugh as well.
“If I didn’t know better, I would say you’re avoiding fighting me. Is that because you’re afraid you’ll lose?” I rest the sword against my leg as I braid back my long, curly black hair. No need for it to be in the way.
“Surely you don’t believe that. I understand your desire to fight, but I wouldn’t be a gentlemen if I beat you in front of all of these men. Surely there is something you could embroider instead.”
Before he can blink, I grab my sword and point it at his throat, the tip only centimeters away from his skin.
“Surely you are going to take back those words, brother, or you will eat them.”
He gulps. He brings his sword up to mine, pushing my blade away from his neck.
“Well, I wouldn’t want that. Just promise me you won’t go crying when I kick your royal behind.” Elian smiles with a wink before stepping back and standing prepared for battle.
I run my blade against his in a taunting manner before stepping forward in attack. Our swords clash time and time again, but having been taught together, our skills are equal, and neither of us can get the upper hand.
I spin around and swipe at his leg with my foot, but he jumps out of the way in time. I have to spin back around and jump to my feet before swinging my sword toward him. The blade nicks his finger, causing blood to flow down his hand.
I’m prepared to stop, but he continues fighting, using the injury as a distraction and pushing toward me. I spin out of his trap and block his next blow. A young man standing far off watching the fight catches my attention.
His eyes capture mine. I only barely whip back around and block my brother’s attack. It gives me an advantage, as I catch his arm and swing it behind him so he can’t move.
He drops his sword and laughs. I release him and take a step back. When I turn around once more, the young man is gone. I take a deep breath and smile, proud to have won that fight.
I don’t want to be the little sister of Prince Elian whom all the soldiers refuse to duel with. I want to be known for my strength, for my ability to wield a sword.
Elian’s joke about embroidering hit a nerve. I do not want to sit on the sidelines and make pretty things. I want to train. I want to know how to protect myself and those I love. And in order to be successful, I must show everyone that I am not a weak little princess.
“Well done, Lily.” Armando smiles, causing butterflies to stir in my stomach. Praise is always nice. But praise from one of the most skilled swordsmen in the kingdom? That is an honor.
“Thank you, Captain. At least someone around here can recognize talent when they see it,” I say, glaring at Elian.
I enter the castle gates on foot, needing to appear the part of a lowly peasant. As I walk toward the doors, I observe soldiers practicing their sword skills with their captain. I pause to watch for a moment.
Both men are skilled, equally matched. The captain swings around, blocking, attacking, using every move a soldier is ever taught. Both men turn. I did not recognize Prince Elian from behind.
Finally, the prince overpowers the captain, and he begins laughing, calling a surrender. I begin my walk once more, not wanting to attract attention to myself. A much softer voice speaks. I'm too far away to hear what she says, but it almost sounds as if she wants to fight.
I stop and turn back toward them. Princess Lily is holding a sword, her skirt and hair alike swaying in the wind. Taking a shortcut through the tall grass, I walk a little closer to the training grounds and watch.
The princess maneuvers just as well as either man did. She could benefit from wearing something more battle appropriate, but aside from that, she is skilled.
I watch her and the prince fight, neither one backing down. There is still much they could learn, but for their training, their age, and the fact that they are royalty, it’s an entertaining fight.
I wish to watch the rest of the fight, but I must get to Hera immediately. If my information is correct, she’s the one I’ll need to speak to about a job. I take one last glance at the royal siblings before continuing on toward the back door, where I am most likely to find the kingdom’’s fairy godmother.
Servants mill about, performing their different duties. Women tend to the garden, and men carry wood and tools to and fro. I ignore all of them and go straight for the door leading into the kitchen.
I stand just outside the threshold and look about, hoping to appear as innocent and lost as possible. A woman with the reddest of hair approaches me. If her wings didn’t give her away, her demeanor would have.
“Who are you?” she asks, approaching with caution. “And why are you just standing there, in the way of those who are working?”” She tilts her chin, sizing me up.
“I come seeking work, milady.” I bow low enough to show respect, but not as low as I would for someone such as the king.
“And why have you come looking for it here, when there are plenty of apprenticeships you could take in the market?” She looks me up and down.
I straighten, keeping my hands locked behind my back, standing as tall as I can. “I could not find work suitable, ma’am. I had hoped that here at the castle, there would be room for someone like myself.”
“And what is someone such as yourself?”
“Homeless, but a hard worker, and willing to earn my keep, ma’am.” I bow again.
“What is your name?”
I can’t tell her my name is Derrick. Though no one has seen my face, having the name of a known assassin would not be good for this operation.
I go back to the only other name I know well enough to answer to, a name I haven’t been called in ten years, a name Cordae wishes I would forget entirely. He certainly tried to make that happen.
I look into Hera’s eyes—there I see doubt, hesitation, and perhaps slight confusion. But still, she waits for my answer.
“My name is Gavin,” I say with conviction. So sure, I almost believe it. But I know it can’t be true. Gavin died the day Derrick was created, the moment Cordae turned me into what I am.
“I’m sorry, Gavin.” It sounds like more of a question as she rubs her brow and takes a step back. “But I do not have work for you here. Have a good day.” The door closes, only a hair’s width away from hitting my nose.
I want to kill Saar. He thought himself so clever, suggesting that I walk to the back door, give a knock, and ask to be hired. I knew from the start that my best way in was going to be pretending I’ve been there all my life.
It would have been simple. Easy. But now? Now Hera, the fairy godmother over Tivor, knows my face, my name—at least one of them. She will see me and know that she denied me a job. I
only allowed this to happen because Cordae agreed with his guard dog.
I walk through the castle gates toward the forest’s edge where Kova waits for me. We ride through the woods in silence. Finally, a plan that could work, and Saar had to get in the way. Why Cordae keeps him around at all is a mystery. He’s nothing but a mindless oaf with muscle.
I start to head toward the village market, but stop Kova in her tracks and turn the other way, farther into the forest and away from people. I can’t return to Cordae with more bad news. He’ll only send me back immediately to try again.
I will make camp for the evening and try another approach tomorrow. Clearly, Hera does not trust me—with good reason, I suppose, even if she doesn’t understand why. But certainly there are other ways into the castle.
“Good morning, my princess.” Mother pushes the hair from my face as she leans over me, smiling. I wish to send her away and fall back into my peaceful sleep, but she seems so happy and that makes me wonder what she’’s up to.
Considering Mother’s past, the fact that she was a maid in her own home, that she didn’t even know she was royalty until the woman they thought to be the real princess refused to conform to Queen Jossa’s wishes, even after twenty years, it is understandable that she would not require a maid to take care of me constantly unless I myself requested it. And only then would I be allowed one should the maid herself want the position.
I smile. “Mother.” She backs away so I can rise from the bed without conking heads with her.
She waits for me to get situated in the armchair before she begins running a brush through my hair. Gently, she untangles it, running her fingers through it to ensure she didn’t miss any snarls.
Once she has finished, she braids it, starting at the roots and stopping when she reaches the end before putting in a clip to hold it in place. “Thank you.” I stand and look at it in the mirror.
“You are quite welcome. Now, let’s get you dressed.” She pulls me to the armoire and begins moving dresses to the side when she determines them unfit for the day. As she pushes my favorite gown away, I protest.
“But that one is comfortable, Mother.” I grab the hem and play with the cloth between my fingers.
“Well, I have something better in mind than one of these dresses, no matter how comfortable they are.”
I give her a quizzical look. “What could that be?”
Mother grins wide as she pulls out a tunic and breeches, along with a cloak. I wrap my fingers around the cloth and pull it to me.
“Mother, do you mean . . .?”
“I’ve arranged a little outing for you.” Her smile widens. “Hernan is preparing a horse as we speak.”
“And what of Father?” I ask, cautious to get excited when I know the king does not approve of me going out alone, especially after yesterday’s events.
“I’ve sent a few guards in the opposite direction. Your father believes they are with you, but I know you prefer to travel alone.”
I fling my arms around Mother’s neck. “Thank you!”
“You must promise me you will be back before dark. You are to go on your little adventure, have fun, be safe, and return home. As always, do not tell people who you are. It is dangerous out there. Your father wants you to be safe, as do I. But I also understand that you need to be yourself, and that means you may leave, whether I help you or not.”” She laughs.
“I will be fine, Mother.” I pat her shoulder.
“I know you know.” She laughs, tears pooling, a single drop escaping and rolling down her cheek. “But I have to tell you anyway because I am your mother, and it’’s what I do.” She places a kiss on my cheek. “Now go.”
“Thank you, Mother.” I kiss her cheek in return and hurriedly change. I grab my sword from beneath the edge of my bed and head to the stables, where Hernan has a horse waiting for me.
I smile and mount, riding through the gates and into the forest. The freedom is sweet. Being holed up in the castle for days while scouts went to find out if an attack was imminent was horrible. Father is crazy for not wanting to take the fight to them.
Why would he want the battle to be on our ground? So many more people could die. But it matters not in this moment, because right now, there is not a care in the world. I am free to roam, to explore, to be myself. Not a princess, not royalty. Just me, Lily.
Goose bumps cover my skin as I ride, the morning air crisp and cool. I don’t let it stop me. The sound of the rushing river has me pulling on the horse’s reins to slow down.
I weave through the trees and approach a portion of running water that isn’t filled with rocks and waves, finding a little spot safe for stopping and getting a drink.
I dismount and approach the river. The forest is quiet and calm. I smile before kneeling down, cupping water in my hands, and drinking.
Refreshed, I stand and wait for the horse to finish drinking. Once she is finished, I pull on her reins, bringing her away from the river before mounting again. With the water so calm, I ride closer to it.
We go slower, just wandering aimlessly. But then a cold feeling sends chills down my spine. Not a movement, no sound except my breathing and the horse’s hooves every time she goes over a rock or walks through the brush.
The leaves rustle in the breeze and the water rushes past, picking up speed the farther down it gets. I urge the horse to move again, but she’s struggling to follow even a simple command. Resisting by going back rather than forward, swaying side to side. I turn in the saddle and look behind me. I hear an odd thud and turn back, reaching for the reins, but the horse rears, neighing in fright. I reach for the saddle pommel, the leather piece slipping out of my grasp, the horse moving too quickly for me to hold on. My arms flail, and the saddle disappears from beneath me.
I hear the splash before I fully register that I’ve fallen in the river. My entire body feels frozen, the breath stolen from my lungs as I go under, and everything goes dark.
There is no up or down. Everything is swirling, rushing around me. I can’t breathe—I can’t find the surface. I grab for anything, but I only find more water.
I rise with the sun. The first order of business is a quick bath in the river. The water is freezing, but after standing in the waves for a moment, it’s no longer so uncomfortable. I don’t dally any longer than I must. I wash and get out, putting on my clothes as fast as possible.
I gather my quiver and bow, and march off a little farther downstream in search of food. Finding a good tree, I climb up and begin searching. I take aim at the small creature hiding in the bushes across the river. The sound of rushing water hides any noise I could make, thus making the animal believe he is safe. Little does he know that while I hunt, nothing is out of harm’s way.
Just as I nock the arrow and pull the string back, I notice a much larger animal. And he isn’t alone. Sitting atop the horse’s back is Princess Lily.
I needed a new way into the castle. I believe I just found it. Hera wouldn’t give me a job, but the king would give me anything I wanted if I were to rescue the princess and return her to the castle. I aim toward a bush near the horse’s right leg, far enough away that no one will get hurt, but close enough to startle a horse.
I grab the arrow with rope tied at the end and rundown stream, following the dark form. I push harder until I’m ahead and take aim at the tree farther down the river bank and watch it sink into the trunk. I tie the other end of the rope to a tree by my side before jumping into the water.
The cold petrifies me, but I shake it off and push against the current, trying to reach Lily who is struggling less now. I grab the rope overhead just as she reaches me. I latch my arm around Lily’s waist and use the rope to keep us from going downstream in the torrent.
Quickly, I pull us both closer to the bank, staying with the rope so we aren’t pulled back into the current.
As soon as my feet touch the bottom of the river, I lean forward to lay the princess on the ground. She falls from my grasp onto the sand a
nd rock. I let go of the rope and brush her hair away from her face, looking up and down her form to ensure she doesn’t have any life-threatening injuries.
I turn her on her side in hopes that the water will drain from her lungs. She spits up water, coughing as she does before lying on her back. She doesn’t open her eyes or say anything.
“Are you all right?” I lean closer. She licks her lips and coughs again.
“Your Highness, are you all right?” I ask her again.
“Wh—wh—?” She tries to speak as she sits up, spewing more water and coughing.
“You should rest, Your Highness. You were in the river when I found you. I was able to pull you out, but you most likely inhaled quite a bit of water.”
“Who are you?” She looks at me, really sees me before another coughing fit interrupts her. She falls back down, unconscious. I notice that her skin is pale blue, and realize that I should have thought out my plan more carefully before executing it. I stand and find a soft spot of ground nearby.
I remove Kova’s saddle and blanket, then lay the blanket on the ground. Returning to the princess’s side, I remove her sopping-wet cloak and drape it on the rocks to dry in the sun. I slide my arm beneath Lily’s knees and the other behind her neck before picking her up and gently laying her down on the blanket.
I throw my cloak over her to act as a blanket. Once she is as comfortable as I can make her, I clear a spot beside her of all plants and begin making a ring of rocks. I gather kindling and start building a fire.
Holding her for ransom is a sure way to fail. But returning her home as her rescuer? King Chavez would gladly reward me for my heroics. They would assume I want money, but that’s not what I want at all. I want secrets, and that means being a spy. That means being a servant. She just has to survive.
I stoke the fire until it is large enough to sustain itself for a little while. I check on the princess one more time before picking up my bow and quiver and heading deeper into the forest in search of food.
Once Upon an Assassin Page 2
