“Then why?”
“Because any rumours of the sky changing colour are quickly put to rest by the authorities.” Amira checked around for the second time. “And it usually only occurs near the forest or the capital.” Catching hold of her hand, she steered Lyana away from the growing throng. “You won’t have seen it near the Mine.”
“But what is…” She stopped speaking as Amira’s fingers dug into her hand, the sudden pain stilling her voice.
“It’s not good to ask.”
“Lyana.” They turned at the sound of Darius’ voice. Amira turned to move away, but Tay caught hold of her hand.
“Tell me.” Amira glanced down at her fingers, and then at Darius. “I won’t rat on you.”
“Father said it is the Coils.” And with those words, she tugged her arm free and headed into the crowd, disappearing from view within moments.
Tay watched her vanish before she turned to face Darius. A curious gleam lit his eyes as he stared down at her. “Is everything alright?”
“Yes,” she answered. “Amira just asked if I wished to go to her estate with her.” She felt compelled to use some of the truth.
“Why did she run off like that?” Light, teasing tones filled the space between them. “Did I scare her?”
“No, I think she likes you.” Tay got into the light-hearted conversation, but her heart wasn’t quite in it. The revelation about the sky and its connection to the Coils troubled her. She desperately wanted to talk with Darius about Amira’s words, but she couldn’t, not here. Indulging in a bout of faux sibling teasing, she waited for them to return to their rooms, hoping that Kail would leave them be for what remained of the night.
After what seemed like an age, they were allowed back into the building. The clock in the hall struck four thirty as they crossed the threshold. With their night disturbed, many of the guests chose to remain in the hall and talk. Darius and Tay stood beside the stairs, unwilling to leave the company of so many people. Kail was nowhere in sight, yet Talon walked amongst the crowd, friendly and approachable.
Confident that Kail would not attempt any abduction in the presence of such a crowd, Darius and Tay stayed in the hall, the ambiance felt like a mellower version of the ball. There was still the gossip and laughter, but it seemed quieter, more subdued.
“Good evening,” Talon’s voice sounded by her left ear, and she turned toward him. His hair was tousled from sleep and the trip outside, but his eyes were alert.
“More like morning,” Tay replied.
“Yes.” His voice was strangely terse and she gave him a searching look.
“Are you okay?”
“No.” Tay stepped back slightly at the curtness in his voice.
“Am I bothering you?”
“No, I’m just…” Talon’s eyes flickered about the room. Satisfied with whatever he saw, he continued, “Look, you’re leaving in the morning, and I don’t think I’ll see you again.” Tay felt her heart stop at the deathly serious note to his words. “So”－he reached out and caught hold of her hand－“I just want”－Tay sucked in a breath as he moved closer－“you to be careful.”
Tay’s head snapped up, almost disappointed that he hadn’t attempted to kiss her. “Thank you.” From the corner of her eye she could see Darius watching them, and a strange sense of satisfaction drifted through her.
“This isn’t an idle wish,” Talon continued, checking his surroundings for the second time.
“Sire?”
“I think someone intends for you to not make it home.” Tay stilled, the memory of her earlier frantic dash running through her mind.
“I agree,” she replied, allowing her fears to bubble to the surface. “They’ve already tried.”
“I thought they might have.” Talon nodded at the crowd surrounding them. “He has some clout, doesn’t he?”
“Can’t you do anything?” She stepped closer to him, ensuring that her words wouldn’t be overheard. “You’re the Prince.”
“That title doesn’t have as much power as it should,” Talon replied. “They are following Father’s instructions, and looking for traitors.” He gave a small snort. “And you have to admit that you and your brother are less than innocent in that regard.”
“What can we do?” Tay’s stomach sank unpleasantly with Talon’s words.
“I’ve decided that I need to see parts of my future kingdom.”
It took a moment for the implication of his words to sink in. The conversation in the room ebbed and flowed behind them, as Tay’s mouth dropped open.
“Do you mean…?”
“Yes.” Talon gave a small smile at the look of shock on her face. “I’ll return with you and your brother to the Mine.” He continued to speak, but Tay heard none of it, stunned by his decision, and troubled by the potential issues.
“But why?” she stammered out eventually.
“Because”－he reached down and took hold of her hand－“I don’t want you to disappear.” Tay held her breath as he drew her hand to his lips.
“Sire.”
Both turned at Darius’ approach. Tay stepped back quickly, removing her hand from Talon’s grip.
“You’d better tell him the good news.” Talon turned away, and began to walk toward the stairs. “I’ll see you at the station.”
Darius waited until Talon had reached the second floor before he turned to Tay. He raised an eyebrow in query, watching as Tay shrugged her shoulders helplessly. “He’s coming home with us,” she blurted out, unable to keep the panic from her voice. “He thinks that they’ll try to take the train.”
“And he thinks it won’t happen with him on it?” Darius replied with incredulity. “He’s gambling on his safety.”
“I don’t.” Tay felt her knees go weak, and she leant back against the balustrade in shock. “We’re going to have to warn Lyana,” she blurted out. “And I won’t be able to go home.”
“I did say not to flirt with the Prince,” Darius noted, with a wry smile. “Maybe his advisors will talk him out of it.” Tay raised her head in hope. “But,” Darius continued, the word striking down the flickering sensation in one fell swoop, “just in case, I’ll let her know.” Tay barely heard him, too preoccupied with thoughts of continuing with the charade. Moments ticked by as Darius stared down at her. “It’ll be fine.”
“I don’t think it will,” Tay whispered, her voice lost beneath the onslaught of emotions.
Darius watched her for a moment before, with a sigh, he reached out and drew her carefully into his arms. Startled, Tay froze for a moment, before relaxing and allowing him to hold her. It was a brotherly hug, at least that’s what she told herself, as he wrapped his arms about her, holding her gently.
“It will be fine,” he murmured against her hair. “I’ll help you get through this.”
Unable to answer, Tay rested her head against his shoulder, relaxing into his warm body with a strange sense of relief.
“Let’s get sorted.” He pulled back and handed her a handkerchief. “You’re going to have to lie, and lie well.”
Taking hold of the handkerchief, Tay dabbed her eyes, before she followed him back up the stairs. Thoughts of the trip home filled her mind, and she clamped down on the sensations they provoked. She could lie, she had managed it up until this point, it was purely a case of continuing the deception. As they reached the landing, she raised her head to watch Darius’ back, and the familiar, confused feelings began again. He had held her as though she were his sister, but Tay could not deny that he awoke other, less platonic sensations. There was also the issue of the Prince to consider, Talon had made no secret of his interest, which generated its own problems. The desire to be free of this hornets’ nest raged through her, and she wished she had never agreed to this insanity. Biting her lip in frustration, she continued on to the landing and their room.
Chapter 27
The train seemed slower as they moved across the landscape. Tay, Darius and the Prince were sitting in the lou
nge. A strange, unsettled silence rested over them, and Tay constantly fought the urge to fidget. Several of Talon’s guard stood at the entrances to the room, their demeanour rigid and humourless. Since the Prince’s arrival on the station platform, the atmosphere had intensified and you could almost cut it with a knife. Talon seemed unwilling to talk, and Tay and Darius too hesitant.
“What did Amira say?” Talon finally spoke, the atmosphere shattering with his words.
“Sire?” Tay asked, her voice small.
Talon rolled his eyes and stood. “I’ve told you before,” Darius shot her a look, but she ignored it. “Call me Talon.”
“Alright, Talon.” Clamping down on the nerves, she re-focused on the conversation. “What did you say?”
“What did Amira tell you?” he reiterated, with some patience. “I saw you talking to her.”
“Oh that.” Tay cast her mind back to the previous night. “She wanted to know if I could go and stay with her.” Darius gave her a searching look, but she ignored it too, focusing in on Talon and his questions. Despite his assistance and friendly demeanour, she could not forget that he was royalty. Tay glanced at the guards positioned about the room, painfully aware that she could not speak freely.
“I would have gone.” Tay tuned back to the conversation, wondering if she would ever be free of this feeling of dread. “It would have gotten you away from your betrothed.”
Darius shifted in his seat, and Tay shot him a sympathetic glance. Once this assignment was over, she would be free, but Darius would still have to deal with Kail. Not for the first time, she wondered how he would handle the situation.
“That’s true.” Darius caught her eye and winked, the simple gesture reassuring her. “But it would have caused more problems.” Talon turned his attention to the other side of the room.
“How so?”
“Surely you know that Amira’s father is not held in particularly high regard,” Darius replied, a strange mix of condescension and disappointment in his voice. Tay’s eyes narrowed at his tone. “Particularly after his attempt to start archaeological excavations in the forest.” Talon glared back at Darius, clearly infuriated by his manner. “But I’m sure you knew that.” With that, he picked up the cup that laid by his elbow and stood. “I’m going to my cabin.”
With several long strides, he walked toward the back of the carriage. With his absence, the cabin felt smaller, more claustrophobic. Tay turned her head to stare at Talon. The young prince was watching her, curiosity in his gaze.
“What?” She couldn’t help the touch of annoyance that tainted her voice.
“I’m just curious about your brother,” Talon uttered. “He doesn’t seem to like me.” Tay struggled for a moment, wondering if he had discovered their lack of kinship. Glancing across the carriage at Talon, she dismissed the idea that had he realised her deception, she doubted he would be so calm.
“He thinks this is a stupid idea,” Tay replied, conscious of the need to answer. “If Kail is determined to deal with us, why would he let you stop him?”
“I think your brother is overly paranoid,” Talon replied, “and a little over-protective.” He gave a small grin. “Is he like this with all your suitors?”
“No,” Tay replied. “I don’t have any suitors.”
“That’s not the Palace gossip.” The words fell against her ears, like lead weights splashing into a pond.
“What do you mean?” Dread teased at the edges of her mind. Their entire plan rested on Lyana’s anonymity. With that gone… she tried to resist the urge to panic.
“Did you think your dalliance had gone unnoticed?”
“I hoped.” She tried to brazen it out, acutely aware of the gaps in her knowledge. Lyana had covered the basic details of how to act, but had been reticent on personal history, insistent that none at court would know her. Cynical and frustrated, Tay snorted inwardly at the girl’s naïvety. Her brief exposure to the court revealed it for the nest of vipers it was. Lyana had sent her into this with barely enough information to survive.
“Of course you did,” Talon continued, the interest still sparkling in his eyes. “So what happened?”
“Excuse me?”
“Did your father forbid the relationship?” Tay’s mind began to whir as the questions started. “Did he leave you?”
Tay stayed silent. The answers were not available, and even if they were, the Prince’s curiosity was in poor taste. The silence stretched between them, thick and uncomfortable, and the noise of steel wheels on tracks was loud in the quiet.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Tay stood and crossed to the door. She heard him apologise as she opened the door, but she paid it no mind. The door closed behind her, and she leant against it, wondering just how she had managed to get herself into this mess. Closing her eyes, she waited. The door at her back remained still, Talon clearly taking the hint and leaving her alone. The rocking motion of the train soothed her and she finally pushed away from the door.
A few short steps and she was outside her cabin door. Something made her hesitate, and her hand fell away from the latch. Setting her jaw, she marched along the corridor to knock loudly on Darius’ door. Following the muffled summons, she depressed the handle and walked in.
Darius was laid on his bunk, eyes closed, and hands folded across his chest.
“Come to chastise me?” he asked, eyes still firmly shut.
“What’s with you?” She closed the door, and walked across the room. Sinking into a leather chair, she leant forward. “Could you be more antagonistic?”
“Probably.” He opened his eyes and sat up. “His presence here is a very bad idea.”
“So you’ve said,” Tay retorted. “Several times.”
“And I’ll say it again.” Rolling onto his side, he fixed her with an unwavering stare. “He’s no protection, to us or to himself.” Tay’s eyes were once more drawn to his, captivated by their deep-blue depths. “Should our enemies decide to make us disappear, the presence of the Prince is more of an enticement.”
“Why?” Tay was confused. “Why would Kail endanger the Prince, or risk exposure?”
“Because…” He didn’t get to finish the sentence, as a loud explosion ripped through the carriage. The train buckled, and Tay pitched forward, slamming her head on the edge of the bunk as she fell. Stars flared before her vision, and a curtain of blood slid across her face. The carriage continued to roll, throwing both of them to the floor. Tay heard Darius scream in pain, as he slammed into the table. The train rolled once, twice, and then fell still.
“Tay.” Through a haze of pain and blood, Tay stared across at Darius. The table had splintered and a large, jagged piece of wood was sticking in his side.
“Darius.” She tried to stand, but the pain in her head quickly put paid to that endeavour. With tortured, slow movements, she hauled herself across the wrecked carriage to his side. His blood dripped to the floor, and she took a breath. “I’m going to try to pull it free.”
“Don’t…” He caught hold of her hands and pushed her back. “If you do that, I’ll keep bleeding.” Swallowing convulsively, he pointed to the wood. “Try and break it off.”
Swallowing back the fear, Tay gingerly took hold of the shredded timber. The splinters tore the skin of her palms, but she ignored them as she began to break the wood. In the distance, she could hear shouts and the sounds of weapons fire. Pushing aside the trepidation, she concentrated on the ragged wound before her. It didn’t appear to be particularly deep, but she didn’t have enough knowledge to correctly treat the problem. Darius winced with each minute motion, until Tay’s nervous hands finally snapped the offending item in half. Dropping the remainder to the floor, she leant forward and tore the shirt away from the bloody stump.
“You seem to like my naked chest.” The joking words slurred from between his lips.
“Not like this,” Tay replied, missing the implication of his words, as she frantically began to tear strips from one of the pillowcases. �
��Two accidents within four days.” She wrapped the cotton tightly around his body, attempting to keep his torso still. “Are you trying to impress someone?”
“Is it working?” His voice drifted, and she glanced up at his face.
“Hey.” She slapped his face, pulling him back to wakefulness. “Don’t nod off.” With rapid movements, she secured the makeshift bandage. The stake was still prominent, but at least it wouldn’t shift position now. She covered him with a blanket. Finishing, she settled back and raised her fingers to the cut on her forehead. Flinching with the pain, she dipped a piece of cloth in the remaining drops of liquid from the base of a shattered china jug and cleaned the blood from her head. That done, she sat next to Darius and stared down at his pale, drawn features. With the wound bandaged, she was free to give in to worry. Blood stained the cotton bandages, and fear rose within her.
“The Prince?” Darius’ fingers curled about her wrist.
“I don’t know,” she uttered, listening to the continuing sounds of combat from outside. “I can’t leave you like this.”
“If he dies, you can kiss the rebellion goodbye.” Despite the pain, Darius’ voice sounded strong. “Make sure.” He let go of her hand, and sank back against the floor.
Tay stared at him for several moments, torn between the sense of his words and her concern for his well-being. Darius’ injuries were severe, and thoughts of losing him began to seep through her mind.
“Go on.” He pushed her gently toward the door. “I’ll be fine.”
Tay bit her lip, the wound in his side making his statement a lie. If she left him, he could…she didn’t want to finish that thought. He pushed her again, the strength missing from his hands. With a nervous gulp, she stood and glanced toward the door. Shots still rang out on the other side, and she clenched her fists.
“Tay?” Her heart turned over at the pained note to his voice. “You have to.” If she left, there was no telling if she would see him again. The thought burned through her like acid. Darius could not die, not when they hadn’t worked out their feelings. He may not feel anything for her, but in that moment, with Darius bleeding on the floor, she finally acknowledged her feelings for him. Memories of his sardonic, yet caring nature flooded through her mind, and she came to a decision. A moment’s hesitation, and she knelt at Darius’ side.
Amber Sky (C.O.I.L.S Of Copper and Brass Book 1) Page 26
