Dissident (Forbidden Things Book 1)

by Nikki Mccormack

  “When did you ever address me formally?”

  “Valid point, but I am the instructor, am I not?”

  She said nothing.

  He adjusted some items on his desk. His hands were slender, almost feminine, his nails neatly trimmed. In the beginning, his rank had intimidated her enough that she hadn’t noticed such details. The knowledge that her ascard connection was much stronger than his reduced the sense of awe and increased her fear. Was he capable of teaching her to control her ability?

  “Perhaps I’ve been working you too hard.” He gave her a scrutinizing look. She responded with a bitter smirk. Unruffled, he continued. “You’re attending the feast this evening I presume?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ve a test for you then. The Watchmen believe Prince Yiloch has a creator with him.” She shivered at the thought, but the reaction went unnoticed or ignored. “The best adept I have for assessing the inner aspect of others is out of the city on assignment and my skill in that area is less than sufficient. We’ve worked on your sensitivity to others a great deal and you’ve gotten quite capable with your masking. I want you to investigate the prince’s men at the feast.”

  “Why can’t a Watchmen figure it out?”

  He gave her an indulgent look. “You know Watchmen are focused on sensing ascard manipulation. Determining the strength and trained purpose of someone’s inner aspect is a different skill. I need your ability, Indigo.”

  “I finally have an opportunity to enjoy myself and you’re putting me to work?”

  “I’m sorry,” his sharp tone and stern look negated the apology, “but you are in our service now. It shouldn’t take long for you to investigate the prince’s group. We know it’s not one of his soldiers in the barracks. That narrows it down to four possibilities, his captain, his Kudaness guard, his young attendant, or the prince himself. Supper would be an ideal time to discreetly investigate them.”

  She rubbed her temples, fighting a threatening headache. “You’re right. I agreed to this.”

  “You might take a nap before the feast. You seem tired.”

  “Surprising. Perhaps I’m not getting much rest lately,” she snapped. He met her eyes and she lowered her gaze to her hands. “I’ll try to do that. Is that all?”

  “It is. I’ll see you this evening, Indigo.”

  She nodded and left.

  At least Jayce was out, which meant she could take the nap Serivar suggested and perhaps even visit the residence bathhouse before dressing for the feast. A ladies’ maid, compliments of Caplin’s mother, was going to help Andrea prepare for the evening and she had offered the woman’s services to Indigo as well. That would take the stress out of the process.

  *

  Andrea wore a green gown with a pale skirt and a darker green velvet bodice. It had a square neckline and fitted waist all trimmed in dark green with gold accents. Her red hair wrapped into an elaborate bun and held in place by gold pins tipped with jeweled butterflies. A gold necklace with large emerald pendant completed the ensemble.

  “You look stunning,” Indigo commented as Andrea did a slow spin to show the finished product.

  Andrea blushed, beaming. “Your turn!”

  The maid helped Indigo into a gown with a deep v-waist. It had a gold velvet overskirt wrapped around the back and sides, split in front to reveal a dark blue velvet underskirt. The bodice, also dark blue, had a low neck mirroring the v-line of the waist. Braided gold cord accented both neck and waistline and crisscrossed down the sides of the snug bodice. Fitted sleeves started below the shoulder, leaving her upper back and shoulders exposed. More gold braiding banded tapered wrists. The maid pulled part of her hair up, adding sapphire studded clips that matched her necklace to hold it in place, leaving the back loose to fall over her shoulders in thick waves.

  Indigo smiled at her transformed reflection. Then the smile faded. She had only Jayce to look this good for.

  “You look spectacular.” Andrea’s face appeared over her shoulder in the mirror. “We’re going to stun the entire place to silence.”

  Her delighted laugh was contagious and Indigo smiled again. “We will, won’t we?”

  “Absolutely!”

  Andrea embraced her and she savored the normalcy the occasion allowed. The simple process of preparing for a royal feast required no lies and deceptions.

  Jayce arrived in a fine black suit with elaborate gold embroidery. Clean-shaven and trimmed. He stopped inside the door and stared at her with wide eyes. A slow smile curved his lips. She walked over and gave him a quick kiss.

  “You look incredible. I’m not sure I want anyone to see you like this.”

  “Thank you.” Let him think her flush was embarrassment rather than upset with his possessive comment.

  He looked past her. “You look fantastic, Andrea.”

  “Thank you, Jayce. You look splendid yourself.”

  “Caplin sent his carriage, but he couldn’t join us. Apparently, he’s acting escort to some Lyran dignitary. From the message, it sounds like he’s enjoying himself.”

  Indigo frowned. “I wouldn’t have expected Caplin to appreciate such a man.”

  Jayce gave her a puzzled look. “And I wouldn’t have expected you to judge someone for their race.”

  She gave herself a mental kick. They didn’t know who the Lyran dignitary was. The most widespread gossip suggested he was an ambassador from the Emperor Rylan, sent to renegotiate the trade agreement.

  “You’re right. I shouldn’t judge.”

  He shrugged it off and offered her his arm.

  *

  A gentleman usher announced them when they entered the palace ballroom. Guests milled about, frolicking butterflies in their formal attire. Myriad draperies and streamers in rich red and gold could have been flower petals in a giant garden. Massive crystal and gold chandeliers added a warm glow to fading daylight streaming in through many arches along the outside wall of the ballroom. Rich aromas wafted from the kitchens beyond the feast hall, making her mouth water.

  “Lady Indigo.”

  She turned. Serivar and his wife had entered behind them.

  “Headmaster Serivar.” She greeted with a formal curtsy. “This must be your lovely wife, Lady Vera?”

  Vera, a strong featured woman with steely eyes and a cutting smile, looked Indigo over as though appraising a cut of meat at market. “You’re the girl who has my husband staying late so many nights. I see what must keep him.”

  Serivar’s eyes popped wide. He took Vera by the shoulders, whispering in her ear while he steered her away. Indigo stared after them, aware that her mouth hung open in shock. She turned back to the solace of her companions only to have her world turned on its head again.

  Caplin was there now introducing Andrea and Jayce to a man whose face haunted her sweetest dreams. A man she wasn’t supposed to see ever again. The third man with them had dusty blond hair and pale eyes, the trace of stubble betraying mixed blood. Lyran royalty was always of pure descent, which meant that her Lord Eldrian was the Blood Prince. His regal bearing and the way his companion always stayed ever so slightly behind him left little room for doubt.

  How exquisite he looked in black pants, high boots, and a black fitted jacket with tails that hung to mid-thigh in the back over a pearlescent white vest embroidered elegantly in gold and deep blue. Under the vest was a decorative white shirt worked through with threads of pearlescent white. His jacket also had stylish accents of gold and blue thread on the lapels. His long silver hair added a touch of extra magnificence to the overall image.

  Rage boiled through her along with dizzying elation. Her heart had barely started to beat again when Caplin turned to her.

  “And this is Lord Jayce’s fiancée, Lady Indigo. My lady, may I introduce Lord Eldrian and Lord Kasyn.”

  Lord Eldrian? He was using a false name to avoid unwanted attention and drama. Allowing the nobility to go on assuming he was merely a dignitary. But did he have to use that particular name?r />
  A well of composure deep within came to her rescue and she executed a graceful curtsy, offering her hand to the prince.

  “My lord.”

  When he took her hand and kissed it, her pulse quickened and she consciously slowed her breathing to hide the thrill that coursed through her. As she rose from the curtsy, she caught the infuriating shine of amusement in his pale eyes. If only she dared slap him. It would almost be worth the ensuing chaos to see the humor struck from his handsome face.

  She forced a tight smile.

  “Truly a pleasure,” he murmured.

  He eased his hold on her hand, letting her slide it free, and Jayce shifted in closer. Yiloch stepped to one side, watching her while the man introduced as Lord Kasyn came forward. She curtsied to him as well. When she met his eyes, she saw curious interest there. Had the prince told him about her? Warmth blossomed in her chest at the thought.

  “A pleasure to meet you, my lord.”

  “Likewise, Lady Indigo.”

  When he moved away, Caplin moved around beside her and rested a hand on her shoulder in an absentminded familiarity, drawing dark looks from Jayce and Andrea. He didn’t appear to notice the effect the action had. His attention was on the prince. She longed to flee like a mouse that had walked unsuspecting into a room full of cats, but pulling away would draw more attention. She waited the moment out, doing her best to act as if nothing at all were amiss.

  “Make yourselves comfortable. Supper will be served soon. I must introduce our guests to a few more people.” Caplin was already scanning the room for those people.

  Yiloch gave Indigo a small, clandestine smile before moving on. A tall young man followed them staring uncomfortably at Lord Kasyn’s back—the attendant Serivar had mentioned—and an imposing dark-skinned Kudaness warrior flanked the group.

  Indigo stared after them, struggling for inner balance.

  Jayce grabbed her arm, his fingers pinching skin. “Be careful of that Lord Eldrian, he seemed much too interested in you.”

  “Did he? I didn’t notice.” She twisted free and trotted after Andrea, who was stalking away. “Andrea.”

  The other woman stopped and whipped around, scowling past her to where Caplin had vanished into the crowd.

  “When did you and Caplin get so friendly?”

  “Andrea, we’ve been friends for years.” Indigo kept her tone light, hiding a burst of irritation. “He’s distracted right now. I could have been a table for all the notice he gave me.”

  Andrea maintained her stubborn scowl for a second or two more then relented. “You’re right. I’m being sensitive.” She smiled suddenly and leaned close, abandoning anger with dizzying speed. “I never thought I’d say this about a Lyran, but that Lord Eldrian is something to behold. He even made my heart skip a beat. I guess breeding does make a difference.”

  A wave of nausea swept through her as she recalled the lies he had fed her. I was so willing to believe. “He is something else.”

  Jayce’s hand slipped under her hair and tightened on the back of her neck, letting her know her evasion hadn’t pleased him. “It isn’t polite to gossip, ladies.”

  The call to supper rescued her. Andrea hurried toward the head of the table where she would sit with Caplin. Indigo and Jayce were ushered to places further down one side. She avoided staring at Yiloch, though many people were less considerate, gawking at the Lyran prince with unabashed curiosity.

  When courses came, dish after dish, succulent, savory, and sweet offerings for the refined palate, she barely tasted the extraordinary selection. The wine, however, helped calm her nerves and she took advantage of the generous servers.

  She needed to ignore the prince. Jayce was already upset. Her heart, however, wouldn’t let it lie. Despite being enraged by his lies and saddened by the truth, seeing him again excited her. How long could she sit still and pretend to be content?

  A light touch on her arm made her turn, but neither Jayce nor the man on her other side were paying any attention to her. She spotted Serivar at the opposite table. He lifted his cup, a reminder of her duty. She gave a small nod, happy now to have a task to distract her.

  With a quick glance around the room, she located Yiloch’s three companions. Even with her masking and Serivar’s assurance of immunity, connecting to her inner aspect with Watchmen in the room required an act of extreme will. It was time to face that fear.

  She took a swallow of wine, steeled herself and reached out to the Kudaness man first. He was least likely to be a creator, considering Kudaness beliefs around ascard use. As expected, there was nothing out of the ordinary about him, aside from his menacing appearance.

  Satisfied, she sought out the young attendant sitting at the lowest table. When she touched him with her ability, his head snapped up. He looked around the room. His inner aspect was strong and ascard around him fluxed, bending to his will the instant he connected to it. She drew back, taking a sip of wine to hide her alarm. Clever of the prince to let his creator appear to be the lowest of his men.

  For curiosity’s sake, she inspected the captain, but he had no notable connection. She reached out to Yiloch then and the ascard around him changed, forming a barrier that deflected her inquest.

  Was that his doing or his creators?

  She drew back to herself.

  The prince continued talking with the king’s brother, Gavin, giving no outward indication that he noticed her query. When Gavin turned to say something to Caplin, however, Yiloch glanced at her and smiled. She averted her gaze.

  Had he felt her touch after all? If so, how had he known it was her? Or had he looked her way for another reason?

  She drank deeply of her wine to quell the fluttering in her stomach.

  I must learn to mask my ability better.

  An ascard sweep of the room picked out many Watchmen among the guards and a few other notable connections, including Serivar. The others were probably healers, though some might also be members of the King’s Order. A visual sweep brought her attention to the lack of Lyran slaves among the servers and attendants. Polite of the king to make such an effort, though she suspected it was also to eliminate the risk of one of them calling out the prince for who he really was.

  She sipped more wine and nibbled at her meal until people began to wander out to the ballroom, lured by the king’s musicians. Hoping to avoid angering Jayce anymore, she asked him to dance.

  He smiled, his cheeks flushed with wine. “Certainly.”

  He escorted her to the floor. He was a decent dancer, but he didn’t have the patience to keep it up long. After two songs, she found herself following him around the room to chat with his archery companions until she excused herself to search for Andrea, who might have something more interesting to discuss than aerodynamic benefits of different fletching materials.

  Yiloch was on the floor with one of many simpering ladies, executing Caithin dances as if he’d grown up with them. The sting of jealousy refreshed her frustration and she abandoned her quest for Andrea in order to secure another glass of the Lyran wine set out on a long table in the dining hall. With her back to the scene in the ballroom, she choked down one large swallow for the butterflies in her stomach and another for the tremble in her hands.

  In the brief pause between two songs, someone spoke behind her.

  “Might I have this dance?”

  When she spun around Prince Yiloch offered her his arm.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Indigo couldn’t find her voice.

  Yiloch plucked the glass from her hand and set it on the table half empty then offered his arm again. Lacking any practical escape, she placed her hand on his arm and let him lead her through a sea of brilliantly dressed aristocracy on the dance floor. He swept her around to face him, his right hand sliding into place on her shoulder blade. Explicit memories from their time in the prison brightened the wine flush in her cheeks.

  Keeping her voice low as he led her into the dance, she said, “You lied to me
, Prince Yiloch.”

  He matched her volume. “I wasn’t sure you would help me if I told you the truth.”

  Would she have? Even with her attraction to him, knowing who he was might have been enough to drive her from the prison. He’d made the right choice for his situation. That didn’t mean she had to like it. But she did like it. Not the lies, but feeling his touch again. Even this restricted contact revitalized her.

  While she gathered her thoughts, he led her through the dance so perfectly she needn’t have known the steps at all. Was there anything he did badly?

  “You looked into Caithin’s ascard use.”

  She stiffened, throwing them both off. He recovered within a beat, drawing her back into step with him.

  “What do you mean?”

  “At supper, you were investigating my men with ascard. What are they teaching you?”

  “I’m not telling you anything.”

  His chuckle infuriated her. “But you already have. Now I know they’re teaching more than healing and whatever they’re teaching, they don’t want people knowing about it.”

  She grasped for something to divert him. “I almost died after you left me. We were followed by one of those hounds.”

  His hands tightened, the humor in his eyes flickering away. Perhaps there had been more to his affections than convenience.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t want you hurt.”

  “But it was a risk you were willing to take.” She bit her lip. She needed to keep her voice down.

  “Indigo…”

  The gentle way he spoke her name brought delicious longing to the fore. She scowled, resisting. “Don’t address me so informally, Lord Eldrian.”

  The song ended.

  “Another dance,” he pressed.

  Before she could answer, his companion, the man introduced as Lord Kasyn, walked up to them.

  “Lady Indigo, this is Lord Captain Adran,” Yiloch introduced in a hushed voice.

  Adran nodded in distracted greeting, his gaze sweeping for anyone in earshot. “My lady, I believe your fiancé is displeased.”