“Exotic whore,” he snorted before tossing her chin aside. She kept her head down as her heart raced again. She looked over at the Captain for help. He nearly stood but stopped himself, gripping the edge of the table tight.
The King watched her closely before he turned from her back to the nobles at the table. His heavy cloak smacked into her legs as he dismissed her. She fought the urge to jump him. Strangle him. Her body nearly moved, but she forced it silent. Rage here would get her killed.
“Enjoy the party,” his tone again threatening. With that, he turned to the door. The scratching of chairs on the floor rung out as everyone stood and bowed to the King’s disappearing figure.
Relief flooded her system as she stood catching her breath. She walked back to her seat and Helen smiled at her.
“Well done,” she breathed grabbing her hand and rubbing the back of it. Serena didn’t know what to say.
“Your chin,” the Captain held out his handkerchief. She looked over at him meeting his eyes.
“What?”
“Oh,” Helen inhaled grabbing the handkerchief. She rushed to pat at Serena’s chin where a thin line of blood was growing. Serena didn’t recall the feel of his nail cutting her as her mind focused elsewhere. She looked over at the Captain whose eyes scrutinized her. Something familiar and foreign swirled in his eyes; more than just anxiety from recent events. She dared not place the look as her own emotions swirled.
“There,” Helen said with a smile handing the handkerchief back. She looked at the Captain’s face. “She’s alright Wesley. You can relax,”
As if waking from a dream the Captain scowled and put his handkerchief away. The servants removed the dishes, and everyone rose back to the dancefloor. The Captain hastily pulled Serena from Helen.
“That was the piece you picked?” He growled once out of earshot. She bit back her nerves controlling her thoughts.
“It was that or a rebel’s song. Would you rather me have played one of them?” He glared at her. “I even sang!” Both glared at the other in silence. “You didn't warn me about that requirement!” She poked him in the chest with an accusatory finger. Heat rushed to his cheeks reddening them at his mistake, but he glowered down at her shoving her hand away.
“You’re lucky you didn’t insult him. He’s not one to like the Warrior Queen.”
“It was my only choice.”
He took a steady breath as the sound of boots announced the Prince walking over.
“You played beautifully.” the Prince said with a smile seeming more at ease without his father around. The Captain and Serena bolted to bow. He waved their bows away.
“No need to do that. Would you care to dance?” The Prince offered Serena his hand.
“Is that smart?” the Captain asked. Serena wondered the same. No doubt it would draw further attention and at the moment Serena wanted to fade into the background.
Eyes already turned towards them. She looked around before returning to the outstretched hand.
“I’m the Crown Prince. I can do what I want. Besides my father left.” He turned to the band. “The waltz please,” Looking back at the Prince’s kind face she found her hand moving to his. The Captain snatched her hand holding her back.
“No. Daryl,” The Captain began, but the Prince ignored him and pulled Serena’s hand free.
He glared at the Captain before leading Serena to the dancefloor. Other couples followed suit filling the ballroom with an array of people as the music began.
“You look beautiful.” the Prince commented as they started the waltz. She looked up shocked.
“Flattery isn’t going to make me like you.”
He laughed a smile in his eyes. “I’m not used to a woman who’s so frank.”
“You need to meet Helen.” She returned before nearly cursing. She did not want to get her in trouble.
“Helen is very much like her cousin. The Captain and her are more like siblings than simple cousins.”
“Why are you dancing with me?”
“You seemed to need a break and dancing is the best I can offer you in this setting.”
“Thank you but I fear we’re drawing more attention than I want,” Serena said her eyes watching the glares of the ladies land on her.
“Let them glare. Enjoy the dance. Let the music take you away from the problems of the day. Breathe it in and let go even if it’s just a little bit.”
“Assassins don’t let it go,” she whispered. He frowned at her words.
“I think you handled yourself well with my father. He can be-”
“Brutish?”
“Demanding,” he corrected annoyance in his voice.
“So that’s the diplomatic term.”
“Perhaps,” he mumbled. “You’ve had an exciting introduction to Court, but I promise it is not always this lively. Soon not much will happen at all and boredom will sink in.”
She didn’t respond but listened to his words unsure of what to say. The dance ended and everyone clapped. He gently kissed her hand in a fluid motion much more relaxed than the Captain earlier.
“I shall see you around my Lady,” He stood up straight, and she curtsied as a new song started. He smiled and leaned to her ear.
“Try to get Wesley to dance. He doesn’t know how to enjoy himself.” He whispered before walking off. The Captain walked over his muscles tense as he glared after the Prince.
“We should leave.”
“You don’t want to dance with me?” She grinned playfully curtsying at him.
“You’re not manipulating me any more tonight. I want to get you out of here before you cause more trouble.” He grabbed her arm, but Serena yanked it free glaring at him. Before she could snap back, Helen ran over.
“Serena, Wesley,” The pair turned as Helen grabbed Serena’s hands holding her still as she looked her in the eyes. Helen’s eyes held such warmth drawing Serena in.
“Tomorrow will you and the Captain join Henry and me for morning tea?” she asked excitedly. Serena smiled.
“Of course,” Serena grinned before the Captain could speak. She was at the castle to give intel to the assassins. Helen felt like the first perfect well of information.
“I have work,” the Captain said with a sharp look at Serena.
“I can go alone.”
“You can’t let her come alone. Wesley, you can get out of it for an hour. Please?” The Captain took a deep breath fixing his jacket. “Wesley?” Helen pleaded. He let out his breath looking at her.
“If you weren’t my favorite cousin, I wouldn’t find a way, but I’ll come.” he sighed. Of course, he wouldn’t leave his favorite cousin alone with the Assassin of Acreage.
"Splendid. I cannot wait!” Helen squeezed Serena’s hands before letting go. “Enjoy the rest of your day.” She walked off to find Henry.
The Captain gently grabbed Serena’s hand placing it on his arm so he could escort her. Serena allowed it following his lead.
As they walked farther and farther from the dancefloor, he fidgeted as if suddenly self-conscious. She wondered what he thought about. Perhaps he wanted a dance after all. A laugh nearly escaped her throat at the absurd idea. Completely ridiculous. No matter the Prince’s words a pretty dress could not fool the Captain.
Arriving back at the room the guards nodded to the pair who walked inside. Serena spotted Mary cleaning and turned to the vanity first. She leaned on the wood pulling off her heels feeling the relief of her toes free from torture. Quickly she pulled off the Templarian ring and gloves sitting on the bench.
“You did well,” the Captain said breaking the silence. She looked up at him shocked.
“A compliment! Is the world coming to an end so soon?”
The Captain rolled his eyes shaking his head.
“Get your rest Assassin. I expect you to stay in your room for the rest of the day.” She snorted offhandedly waving her hand at him.
“I mean it. You want my trust you need to start earning it.”
“Keep it that way,” With that, he left.
Mary walked over.
“The room’s freshened up. I can draw you a bath as well. I also laid out some clothes for you.”
“Get me out of this torture device,” she said trying to reach behind and unlace it herself. Mary slapped her hands away.
“So how was it?”
“Fine.” Serena returned as Mary released the corset. Serena breathed deeper rushing to pull it off and work on the large poufy skirt.
“What happened?”.
“I danced with the Prince.”
“Sounds like fun although I doubt, he’s into you.”
“Why’s that am I not pretty enough?” Serena replied off-handed as she pulled out of the skirt.
“He prefers the other sex.”
Serena nearly tripped over the fabric at her words. How did a maid know such a thing? She never even heard such a rumor before and yet the maid did? Why would she tell her while being in cahoots with the Captain?
“Close your mouth before you catch a fly,” Mary commented as she walked to hang up the articles of clothing.
“How do you know that?”
Mary shrugged. “I just do.” She walked over with a wet rag and helped Serena clean her face.
“Why would you tell me?”
Mary stopped her amber eyes matching Serena’s as she peered into them.
“Because you’re on his side. There is more than one reason the Prince suffers here. The Captain brought you here for one reason. Protect the Prince. You’re the best shot he’s got. It’s simple really but I’m sure you figured that out. After all the Assassin of Acreage is much too smart to ignore the game she entered.” Mary finished cleaning her face.
Serena stared at her maid with new interest. What about the middle-aged women instilled such confidence? Her frankness could be from age or experience but felt highly irregular for the situation. Who played friends with an assassin?
“I know I am here only because I am useful to the Captain as much as I am useful to the Prince. I did not realize the severity of the Prince’s predicament. The King would not treat him well for such a belief.”
“No, but you’re not going to tell the King. You’re more likely to kill the tyrant.” Mary finished putting the clothes away and laid out a nightgown. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“No,”
“Very well then. Just a word of advice. If the guards snore too loud there are some extra pillows in the top of the wardrobe if you should need them.” She returned before curtsying and leaving out the maid’s door.
Peculiar woman. Intuitively Serena walked to the wardrobe no longer trusting the face value of Mary’s words. Serena opened the wooden door and reached up onto the higher shelf. A pillowcase caught her hand, and she pulled it agitated by the truth of Mary’s words. However, the weight felt off immediately spurring Serena to yank it free.
She rushed to look inside to find a folded-up maid’s uniform. A wicked grin covered Serena’s face. Time to find out exactly what happened at the castle.
◆◆◆
Chapter Six
The loud grating sound of snores soon leaked through the wooden doors at the front of Serena’s apartment. She walked back to the mirror, judging her image. The maid uniform was a simple white chemise with a blue dress with white trim on top. On the back was the King’s crest stitched in white. She pulled her hair up under a white handkerchief and rushed to dirty her face with soot from the fireplace. Convinced of her outfit, she turned to the servant corridor and slowly pushed open the door. In the hall on a stool, another guard sat leaning against the wall, snoring. Nimbly walking towards him, she slipped her finger to his back and grabbed his dagger.
Sliding it into her boot she quickly rushed down the hall looking for some sign of where the Captain’s study was, or even the Prince’s could be interesting. She wished she knew the castle better, but its massive size and repetitive halls made it difficult. Not to mention she only briefly walked through them. She wandered her way deeper into the underbelly, mentally marking her steps as she found herself in the laundress. The steam filled the room as the heat hit her like a wall.
A middle-aged woman spotted her peeking from the doorway.
“You!” she yelled out. “Get over here, new girl. These need to go up to the rooms.” She demanded, pointing to a pile of clean sheets. “The beds need fresh linens and make sure to tuck the corners.”
Serena walked closer, holding her head low.
“Yes, Ma’am.” She returned, picking up the fresh linens. It was another cover she could use to go in and out of rooms. Gathering up the sheets in her arms, she looked at the various doorways trying to decide which one to take. The woman let out an exasperated sigh.
“We don’t have all night! Up those stairs, three floors. Turn right and follow the hall to the end. It’ll bring you straight to the rooms now hurry up! It needs to be done by the time anyone returns.”
Serena rushed forth on the balls of her feet, following the instructions from the laundress. Reaching the end of the hall, a simple wooden door stood between her and a random room. She opened the door, peeking in. Nothing familiar. The room seemed vacant, if anything. She turned back to the hall peeking in one room after another trying to find something of interest. Persisting past what most would search, she finally opened a door that interested her. She recognized the furniture and smiled. The Captain’s room stood before her.
She stepped inside, looking around more closely. For a moment she wished she took poisons with her. A little something to loosen the tongue might help her pull information from the tight-lipped Captain but it would also destroy their working relationship. Her eyes moved to the oak bookcase full of history books, theories of battle, and fighting. Her eyes turned to the opposite wall where a large shield with two swords crossed behind sat. The Templarian Phoenix once again on display. Rolling her eyes at the sight, she turned to the first of two doors. Inside, she found his study.
It looked the same as before, but now his desk was strewn with papers. Several books sat open, scattered on various tables around the room. Her eyes landed on the portrait between them. A woman with blonde hair and blue eyes sat in a chair holding a young boy on her lap. The boy looked to be about five and sat dressed in a royal blue suit that stuck out above the pale blue dress of the woman. She noticed matching metallic eyes between the woman and the young boy. The same shade of color as the Captain. He looked so small and fragile in the painting. Nothing like the man she met. She looked back to the woman and noticed the silver necklace. Serena wondered what the story behind the necklace was. It could be used to blackmail the Captain but learning the details would be difficult. She knew this was his mother. Possibly the only surviving image of her. She felt sympathy for a boy who lost his mother so young, but it was quickly overshadowed by the reminder she never even had five years with her parents.
Fisting her hands, she pulled away from the image and turned to the desk. Carefully she moved papers looking for something of importance. She found a stack of letters and began reading them.
My dearest love…
She looked away as if caught reading something too personal. Glancing at them again, she noticed they were love letters, dated three years ago. Wondering what happened to his failed love, she snooped further reading past lines of infantile love, that reminded her too much of how she felt about Viper once. Reaching the last letter, she read it in full.
Wesley,
It pains me to part ways like this, but I have an offer of marriage in Templaria. He is not you. His father does not provoke me or my father. He can offer the safety you cannot, and he is not obsessed with the Prince. I’m accepting the proposal. I truly pray to the ancestors you can find a path that is not so lonely a life for you. You give too much of yourself to the Prince and Templaria. You allow your father to continue to treat you like a boy and not the man you are becoming. I coul
d not wait for you forever. I cannot bear the thought of finally losing you to your father. It may hurt now, but I am sure you will recover. You have plenty of work to occupy your time.
Have a good life, Wesley.
Orion
Serena snorted at the words. Infantile. She thought, shoving the letters back. To not even speak her truth to his face annoyed her. She wished Viper could have been truthful to her instead of shattering her heart. If he had another woman, at least she would know she was not good enough for him. He left her for dead much like this Orion left Wesley for greener pastures. Scowling, Serena refocused on her task, finding a new set of letters.
Captain,
The uprising in the north has been quieted, and I heard reports of the failure in Samoria. I am returning to the castle in six weeks. Be sure the men are ready for war when I arrive. If they are not, I will personally take offense and you shall face my punishment. Protect the King and his weakling of a son until I return.
The General
Serena pondered this information. Six weeks. Hardly felt realistic knowing that the north of Acreage was full of mountains. More likely to be at least eight, especially when marching such a large army through such narrow paths. Still, this was good intel.
She raced over more papers, scanning war plans and strategies. Each was neatly written and explained so even the dumbest of commanders could follow. The more she looked, the more capable she realized the Captain was. He planned for so many contingencies, including the response to an attack on the castle. Greedily, she slid the page into her boot. Gwayne would happily accept such knowledge.
Satisfied with her findings and not wanting to disturb the study anymore, she grabbed the sheets, shutting the door. She turned back to the main room and tossed the sheets on a chair. She wondered what else she could learn of the Captain and pushed open the remaining set of doors. Beyond, a lavish bedroom laid out in front of her.
The massive bed seemed to take up most of the space draped in satin sheets. It seemed much too big for one person as four poles rose at the four corners like pillars. She turned to his nightstand, looking for notes or other things that could tell her more about him. It had a few scattered notes with meaningless words. She moved to the other side of the bed, looking around. The creaking of floorboards drew her attention as she looked to the doorway.
The Death Sparrow's Shadow: The Assassin of Acreage Book One Page 7
