The two brothers dragged my weak, broken body down the steps and threw me into the dark, musty prison after taking away my weapons. The cell locked with a loud click and they leered at me, throwing insults that I barely heard before they finally walked away.
Unlike them, I had no interest in money, or power, or the sheer thrill of murder. All I wanted was control over my own destiny and the ability to protect those I loved. The Ravens had once offered that. Until they’d threatened Dahlia.
Now they were going to pay.
Three
Dahlia
In the morning I sought out my brother in his study, where I knew he would be poring over his daily correspondence as he always did before midday. Sure enough, King Balsam was seated at his large marble desk with his dark head bowed over some letter he was writing. As I stepped inside, he glanced up, his blue eyes fixing on me. He was a handsome man, though one made up of all sharp lines and hard angles, from his aristocratic face to his perfect posture.
He set down his quill. “To what do I owe the pleasure, dear sister?”
I sank into a high-backed chair and folded my hands in my lap. “Someone tried to kill me last night.”
He blinked. “Pardon?”
“An assassin stole inside my bedroom while I was sleeping, but I managed to fight him off.”
Balsam lurched to his feet. “Who was it? Where is this assassin now? We must inform the palace guard at once.”
I hesitated. I couldn’t tell my brother the truth about Garon. Balsam would want to punish him, even though Garon hadn’t actually hurt me and had stopped attacking the moment he’d realized who I was. It wouldn’t matter that Garon had been his friend once too, or that he was my childhood love. Balsam would only see him as a threat that needed to be snuffed out immediately. There would be no doubt in his mind that Garon should be executed on the spot.
That was how my brother’s mind worked—everything was black and white, rules were there for a reason, and laws were not meant to be broken. Anyone who stepped outside of this strict world view would be dealt with quickly and harshly. It was effective and made him a good king, if a rigid one, but I tended to see the world in shadow. Garon was an assassin, yes, but he deserved a second chance to come out of the darkness and return to the light. Besides, he might be the only one who could find the person who hired him—and when he did, I would exact justice myself. I could be as brutal as my brother when needed. I simply liked to use a small, precise dagger to mete out my justice, not a sharp executioner’s blade.
“The assassin escaped,” I lied. “I didn’t see who it was. And I’ve already informed the palace guard, so you need not worry about that.”
Balsam reluctantly returned to his seat with a frown. “An assassin. After you.” He shook his head. “I’ll see what the Ravens has to say about this.”
“I believe the man was one of them.”
“Impossible. We have a deal. The royal family is off-limits.”
I spread my hands. “Not anymore, it seems. Perhaps they have a new deal with someone else.”
His eyes narrowed. “It has to be Illidan. Queen Casnia is out for my blood.”
“Why would she want to kill me?”
“To destabilize me.” He shrugged. “Everyone knows I rely on your counsel. Especially now that the war is getting worse.”
I sighed. The war between Talador and Ilidan had started before we were born and I was beginning to think it would never end. Our soldiers and wizards fought and died over borders and resources and for what? I didn’t know anymore. And if my brother truly did listen to my counsel then he’d know I would push for peace with Queen Casnia, not more war.
Balsam steepled his fingers on his desk as he considered. “Perhaps they want to prevent your upcoming wedding to Prince Nial in the hopes of breaking our alliance with Andaria.”
“Perhaps,” I said, since I’d wondered the same thing. “It could also be one of the other three kingdoms. Any one of them could want our alliance to fail.”
Balsam nodded. “Especially Rodor. They’re on the brink of war with Mesner as it is. The only one we can likely rule out is Korelan. I doubt the Archwizard would send an assassin to do her dirty work.”
“You’re probably right. She would send a wizard who could make it look like an accident. Unless of course that’s what she wants us to think.” Korelan tried to remain neutral in political alliances and stay out of conflicts—which just meant none of us trusted them.
My head ran through all the possibilities, trying to judge who would gain the most from my death. Though I was second in line to the throne, that would change soon once Fellina had her child, so killing me made little sense in that regard. I was counsel to my brother certainly, but otherwise an unimportant princess, except as a bargaining chip in a marriage alliance.
My upcoming wedding to Prince Nial would secure us a new trade route, an influx of soldiers, and much more. Too bad the thought of it made me ill. Not only would I have to marry a man I didn’t love, but I’d have to leave my home and move to a different kingdom. I’d argued against the marriage with my brother, but he’d convinced me it was for the best for our people, and I had to admit he was probably right. An alliance with Andaria could give us the resources and backing we needed to turn the tide in our war with Ilidan and finally bring peace to our land. I would do what was best for my country and my king, even if I kept thinking about the man with dark eyes and rough stubble who’d stood in front of me last night.
Garon and I had both known our love was forbidden. We’d understood that our relationship could never become more than a secret tryst. Neither one of us had cared about the consequences. Or so I’d thought. When he told me it was over I was heartbroken, but my brother convinced me it was for the best. After all, it would never have worked out, unless I was willing to take Garon as my lover after my marriage—but that wouldn’t be fair to anyone involved.
I’d tried to put my love for him behind me, but fate had brought us together again last night, and I had a feeling it wasn’t done with us yet. If I was going to find the person who wanted me dead, I would need Garon’s help. Which meant seeing him again. Which I wanted more than anything, despite knowing it would only bring me more pain in the end.
I rose to my feet. “I’ll find the person who tried to have me killed. But until then you might want to put extra guards on Fellina, to be safe.”
“I will. And on you as well.”
I arched an eyebrow. “When have I ever needed guards?”
“It’s for your protection. Humor your poor old brother, would you?”
“Fine. I’ll allow a few more to accompany me when I leave the castle.”
He gave me a rare smile. “So generous of you.”
With a nod, I left the room and went to find his wife, Fellina. Though she was Queen, she was also a wizard with an affinity for fortune runes. She might be able to help me gain insight from the future, but if not, she was a dear friend whose counsel I could use right now.
I asked one of the guards where she was, and he directed me outside to the Queen’s Garden, which had once been my mother’s, and her mother’s before that, and so forth. I headed down the hall in that direction, but was stopped by another man as he left his own quarters. My fiancé.
Prince Nial’s eyes widened when he saw me and he flashed a warm smile. “Good morning, Princess Dahlia.”
I gave him a quick nod. “Hello, Prince Nial. Has your day been well so far?”
“Yes, but it’s better now that I’ve seen you.” He took my hand and pressed a kiss to my knuckles. “Your beauty grows stronger every day.”
“Thank you. You are too kind.” I pulled my hand away as soon as I was able to without making a fuss.
“Are you excited for the ball tonight?” he asked.
“The ball?” Oh, right. With everything that had happened last night, I’d completely forgotten about the ball to celebrate Balsam and Fellina’s upcoming baby. “Yes, of course.”<
br />
“I do hope you’ll save me a dance.”
“I’m sure that can be arranged,” I said with a smile.
He rested his hand on my shoulder. “And soon it will be our turn.”
I swallowed hard. “Indeed.”
I’d delayed our wedding for years, making excuses that I was too young, or that my brother needed me during the war, but in a month’s time Nial and I would be married and working toward having an heir of our own. The idea filled me with disgust, even though Nial was not hideous, but simply average in every way, from his height to his weight to his face. The only thing that stood out about him was the silky black hair that was common in Andaria. At forty years old he was double my age, but I couldn’t find anything else truly objectionable about him, no matter how hard I tried. He was always kind to me and my family, seemed to have a good mind for politics and history, and treated his staff well. If he was boring and not particularly attractive to me, well, those were things I could learn to live with. Truly, he was the best I could have hoped for from an arranged marriage.
But I didn’t love him and I never would. That knowledge filled me with a terrible loneliness and longing I feared I would never be able to overcome. Then again, I wouldn’t love any of the other men my brother could have picked for me either.
My heart belonged to one man, and I could never have him.
Four
Garon
At first all I could do was sit there on the ground, hunched over and in pain, as my body protested from the beating they’d given me. I allowed myself some time to recover, but when the aches faded, my racing heart slowed, and my breathing became even again, I forced myself to get to my feet.
As pain lanced up my side, I gazed around my dark, empty prison cell and plotted my next move. In the past I would have accepted my punishment, gritted my teeth, and worked through it, confident that I would prove to them that I was every bit the assassin they were. But not today.
They’d threatened Dahlia’s life, and since I’d been unable to complete the assignment, they were going to send my wretched stepbrothers to finish the job. I couldn’t stand back and let that happen, even if it meant losing my position in the Ravens or defying Kabel.
I yanked off one of my boots, trying not to groan from the tightness in my ribs. Inside the leather was a secret compartment holding a few small tools, including lock picks. Vermot and Corgin were fools for not searching me thoroughly. It wasn’t like this was the first time they’d locked me up—and I was nothing if not prepared.
I inserted the tiny metal picks into the lock, and within seconds the cell door was swinging open. I pulled my boot back on and crept out of the prison, listening intently for the sounds of anyone around me. Few people actually lived in the Ravens’ headquarters and most of our business was conducted at night, so I had little fear of being caught now that the sun was rising.
I had to move slower than usual due to my injuries, but managed to avoid anyone by ducking into side rooms or dark corners. One of the many hidden exits was only a few feet away, but then I heard Kabel’s voice say the word, “Princess,” and I stopped to listen.
“Do it tonight at the ball,” he said. “Our contact in the castle will get you inside.”
The ball. I vaguely remember hearing about a ball to celebrate the royal baby’s impending arrival. I crept closer and strained to hear more.
“Won’t there be a lot of people there?” Corgin asked.
“That’s the idea,” Kabel said. “Prince Nial wants to make sure there is no way to connect him to the murder. Make it dramatic and then get out.”
Prince Nial—Dahlia’s fiancé? He was the one who wanted her dead? Sun and Moon, she was in more danger than I’d thought. I had to warn her.
“It won’t be a problem,” Vermot said, his voice haughty.
“Feel free to make it…messy,” Kabel said.
Corgin let out a low chuckle. “My specialty.”
My fists clenched at my sides. I was going to murder every single one of them for even considering it. But first I needed to reach Dahlia. I backed up and spun around, only to come face-to-face with Traya.
“Going somewhere?” she asked.
I swallowed. I’d take Traya out if I had to, but I’d prefer not to harm her. “I’m leaving.”
“About time. Surprised you lasted this long.” She handed me a large bundle. “Here.”
I opened it up and found my weapons inside, which had been taken by Vermot and Corgin earlier. “Thank you.”
She gave me a sharp nod. “Years ago, the Ravens worked for the royal family to keep peace in Talador. We worked in the shadows, taking one life to save thousands.” Her lips pressed together in a tight line. “When Kabel became Master, everything changed. Damn shame it’s come to this.”
“Yes, it is.” I briefly clasped my hand on her shoulder, before moving past her to the door. She didn’t stop me as I slipped outside.
Pain shot up my side again and I briefly paused to get through it, before strapping on my weapons. The morning sun brought a touch of warmth to the streets of Ralston, and I set off toward the castle with slow, pained steps.
By the time I made it to the hidden tunnels that ran under the castle I was exhausted, but determined to make it to Dahlia. She and I had discovered these tunnels by accident when we were kids playing hide and seek in an old abandoned part of the castle, and years later we’d shared our first kiss in a secret room we’d uncovered behind some old rubble. We both swore we would never tell anyone else about the tunnels, that they would be our secret and no one else’s, and to my knowledge Dahlia had kept her part of the bargain. Even after I’d broken her heart and she’s become engaged to another man.
But if Prince Nial truly was behind this contract, Dahlia’s engagement would be over. She was slated to marry the man in a month and the thought of her with him made my skin crawl, but I couldn’t be happy about this betrayal either. Even if she ended things with him now, her brother would arrange another marriage for her eventually. No matter how this played out, she and I could never be together, and then was no sense in hoping otherwise. A princess couldn’t marry an assassin.
Five
Dahlia
I stepped into the Queen’s Garden and spotted Fellina sitting on a bench beside the white lily-of-the-valley blooms. The garden was a gift from my great-great-grandfather for his young bride, filled with plants that could survive our harsh, cold northern climate. That was when the tradition of naming the royal daughters after flowers began, while the princes were often given other plant names.
Queen Fellina looked up when I approached with a kind smile, one hand resting on her large stomach. The physician estimated it would be another few weeks until the baby was born, and everyone in the kingdom eagerly awaited the day. I wondered whether the child would have her golden hair and unusual amber eyes, or the dark hair and blue eyes that Balsam and I shared.
“Hello, Dahlia,” she said. “Won’t you join me? It’s a lovely day.”
“How are you feeling this morning?” I asked, as I sat beside her on the bench.
“As well as can be expected.” She rubbed her round, extended stomach. “I’m very ready to meet this little girl, but we have fifteen more days to go.”
My eyebrows jumped up. “Are you certain? About the date and that it will be a girl?”
She nodded with a serene look on her face. “I saw it in the runes.”
I didn’t understand Fellina’s magic, so I couldn’t question her. Like all wizards, her family was originally from Korelan, though they’d become ambassadors and had settled in Talador when she was a child. Balsam was supposed to marry a princess from Rodor, but when he met Fellina at a ball he decided she was the one—and when he made his mind up about something, there was no swaying him. He spent months wooing Fellina, who resisted him at first because she had no interest in being Queen, but eventually she fell in love with him too. A quiet and unassuming woman, she balanced Balsam out and co
uld calm even his fiercest moods, or make him show mercy when no one else could. She’d also become one of my closest friends.
“I’m excited for you,” I said. “Do you have a name in mind?”
“I thought we might call her Lily, after your mother.”
My chest grew tight. “That’s a wonderful idea.”
“I’m glad you think so.” She took my hand and placed it on her stomach, where I felt the tiny girl moving about. “She’s going to need you. And the other girls will too.”
“What other girls?” I asked.
“Six daughters born to four mothers.” She plucked one of the lilies off the plant and brought it to her nose. “Lily, Rose, Jasmine, Camellia, Violet, and Iris. Together they will change the world. But they’ll need you to guide them.”
Unease twisted in my stomach. “I don’t understand. Are you saying my brother will be disloyal to you?”
“No. My husband may have many faults, but that is not one of them.”
Her words were scaring me now. “Then what? What have you seen?”
“Let’s discuss it some other time.” She squeezed my hand. “I have seen a great many things in the future, lives full of hardship and pain, but above all else, love. That’s what I wish you for, as well.” She tilted her head. “Isn’t that what you came to talk to me about?”
Fellina was often cryptic, and I’d long since learned that when she didn’t want to talk about her prophecies nothing would change her mind. She would tell me when she deemed it was the right time, but it was frustrating nevertheless. I sighed. “Love is not in my future.”
“What about your past?” she asked.
“Yes, there was love once.” I leaned back on the bench and gazed up at the trees above us. “I saw him again last night. He tried to kill me.”
“Is that so,” she said, although it wasn’t really a question, as if she knew exactly what had occurred.
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