Assassin's Crown (The Assassin and her Dragon Princes Book Book 3)

by Ivy Clyde

  "What's the matter?" I asked in a deep, grim voice.

  "Your Highness," pleaded the closest woman. "You must help us. Our princess is not well at all."

  Anxiety spread through me. I glanced at Daria who was listening and observing the women before me.

  "Please, Your Highness," said a second maid. "Please come with us. We are unable to calm the princess. With Prince Zane unwell and Prince Mekhi out of the palace, we can only rely on you."

  Helena's screams punctuated the maid's begging. If she didn't calm down soon, she would end up hurting herself.

  "I shall be fine by myself," Daria whispered, leaning against me.

  It was a testament to how frazzled the maids were they didn't notice Daria acting so out-of-norm. Turning towards her, I focused on her. She gave a nod and gestured towards Helena's chambers. "Go take care of her," she said in a cold voice. "I know you want to."

  Daria was jealous. There was no mistaking the tone. I'd heard it many times when we were children and she found me playing with some of the boys from the stables. Now, she was envious of Helena, the woman she utterly hated. All for me. A foolish part of me actually liked it.

  "Stay out of trouble," I muttered.

  She nodded.

  I turned towards the women waiting for me with anxious faces. "I will see the princess," I announced, walking down the corridor. They followed after me, leaving Daria behind without a backward glance.

  A strong smell of herbs reached my nostrils just as I stepped inside the room. In the far corner, Helena stood on the bed, wild curls of her dark hair framing her face. Ripped pillows were scattered on both the bed and floor with goose feathers littering the whole space.

  "Please calm down, princess," beseeched Helena's personal handmaiden.

  "It hurts!" Helena screamed. "It burns!"

  A part of her hair shifted to reveal a dark brown paste smeared on her left cheek and neck. I winced, thinking of the pain she was in. She and I weren't dragonborns. Our wounds wouldn't heal as fast as our false siblings. It would be weeks before she was healed and the scars would remain for as long as she lived.

  Why did you have to go up against Daria with such vengeance? I wanted to ask her. She is far stronger and superior. How could you let your false superiority destroy you like this?

  "Sister," I called out.

  Helena's wild gaze focused on me. "Ren..." A glimmer of a smile flashed through her face before vanishing completely. She turned away from me. "Don't look at me like this."

  I moved forward, motioning for the maids to leave the room. They didn't need to be told a second time. They scarpered, giving me the privacy I asked for.

  "Come, sister," I said, climbing on the bed to stand behind her. "Enough of your crazy behavior."

  She turned around to face me, some of the wild anger in her dark eyes cooling a degree. "You are here to comfort me and you're calling me crazy." She chuckled, slowly sinking to her knees."That is why I like you the best, Ren. You don't treat me like fragile glass."

  I draped an arm around her small shoulders, bringing her against me. "You are not fragile, silly girl. You are brave and stupid enough to go after an enemy far stronger than you. What were you thinking?"

  "I hate that bitch," she spat, her fingers clutching the front of my tunic. "She is vile and an absolute whore. I wanted to capture her and kill her before she could hurt any of us again. I thought the soldiers would be enough."

  "Only the emperor can stand against her," I said. "Lesser mortals could never be a match for her."

  She pushed me and scrambled away. Pointing a finger at me, she sneered at me, crumpling her pretty face into a mask of fury. "You dare speak highly of her!" she shrieked. "You know what she did to Zane. Look what she did to me!" She moved her hair away to show the extent of her injury. "I had her that night. If you hadn't interfered, if the soldiers weren't stupid, she would be dead by now."

  "If I hadn't interfered, you would be dead," I said grimly. "That woman is far too powerful. A mere arrow wouldn't be enough to bring her down."

  A noise of frustration escaped her as she kicked at me. "I hate you for losing her."

  "You think I'm stupid enough to stand before a dragon and argue?" I asked. “I’m not like you.”

  Helena's chest heaved as she stared at me angrily. Slowly, gradually, she calmed down. Tears poured down her cheeks as she shook her head. "No, Ren. I don't want you hurt as well."

  I opened my arms to her. Slowly, she moved into my embrace and let me hug her. Clutching onto me, she cried, sobbing and weeping until all her energy ran out. I held her, whispering soothing words of comfort until she calmed down.

  "Why are you by yourself here?" I asked as she lay her head against my chest. "Where is Mekhi?"

  "Father commanded him to secure the city as well as the dragon temple," she muttered.

  "Why the dragon temple?"

  She shrugged. "Other than books in strange languages, there's really nothing worthwhile there. I don't know why father would bother putting guards there. He should have them around the palace and the city."

  "You're right." Stroking her hair gently, I said, "You should rest now, Helena. It's the only way you will heal faster."

  "You think so?" she asked in a small voice.

  "Of course," I said brightly. "Sleep a lot and eat all the nutritious food the kitchen sends. I will get you some good herbs too. You'll be better in no time."

  A soft chuckle escaped her as I slowly laid her on the bed. Covering her with a sheet, I moved to climb off the bed.

  "When I'm better, I swear I'll kill that whore."

  "Helena..."

  "I will kill her."

  Before I could say another word of warning, she'd closed her eyes. Helena, the false princess of the false emperor, was still in delusion. She would keep going against Daria to prove her worth which was truly nothing more than dirt.

  Helena was a street urchin plucked up by Ivan and placed in the palace to fill Daria's place. The four kingdoms were aware of the atrocities she committed under the guise of a saintess. Without Ivan's power, she would be nothing. I just wished she realized that.

  With one last look at her, I walked out of the room. Two maids waited by the door. As soon as I came out, they went in, leaving the corridor free of any unwanted spectators.

  I hurried to the spot where I'd left Daria. It was the bottom of the staircase that led to the late queen's residences. Double-checking both sides of the corridor, I ran up the stairs.

  The very top of the stairs had thick chains dangling from the balustrades uselessly. They'd been melted away to make a way through them. The late queen's residences were out of bounds for everyone. Even Ivan rarely stepped in there. The punishment was nothing less than death.

  Taking a deep breath, I walked through the space between the broken chains and entered another corridor. It was quite dark here with the windows and casements boarded up by planks of wood. Cobwebs hung overhead. Small clouds of dust rose up in the air with every step I took.

  Light poured from a room up ahead.

  I hurried forward, knowing it could only be Daria who'd dared to venture into these prohibited halls. Pushing at the open door, I stepped inside the room, gasping at the sight that waited for me there.

  Daria was attired in a luxurious crimson gown and seated on the throne that once stood in the assembly room of the palace. Ivan had it brought up here and locked away, using the throne belonging to the king. The Rose Crown, belonging to Queen Eibhlin was on her brow. It was a special crown wrought for the late queen by her husband, King Helmut. It featured five roses of pure gold over the curved headpiece with rubies embedded between them.

  Bright emerald-green eyes stared at me. It was the only thing keeping me sane and not go insane, saying a ghost sat before me. At that moment, she looked too unnervingly like Queen Eibhlin.

  My heart pounded in my chest with an unknown emotion. It was both awe and fear, mixed together with my love for her. I may care fo
r Helena but I would never stop protecting and loving Daria.

  Almost like an involuntary reaction, I felt myself sinking to my knee. "My Queen."

  23

  Just when the maids and Ren disappeared inside my old bedchambers, I turned away to walk up the staircase leading to my mother's quarters. The maroon uniform and the accompanying veil had disguised me effectively so far.

  Reaching the top of the stairs, I found the way blocked by thick iron chains strung across the two balustrades. I placed my hands on the cold metal and conjured my inherent ability, letting my palms heat up until they were white-hot. It took time, but I burned through the obstacles set in my path.

  My heart was already full of emotion. So far, I recognized every corridor we passed since the moment we stepped inside the palace. Of course, a few changes had come over the place such as a change in a painting or a decorative piece, but the polished stone walls of the palace remained the same as before. This close to my mother's chambers, my heart beat frantically with anticipation.

  Walking down a long corridor covered in dust and cobwebs, I found my way to my mother's bedchambers. A part of me still expected to see a young Kora, bustling about the room, straightening curtains or preparing my mother's gown and jewels. Then the image of what happened the last time I came there rose up in my mind. My mother, broken and helpless, with Ivan towering over her…forced to take her own life.

  The door opened at the lightest pressure, creaking with years of disuse and abandonment.

  Inside, I found the throne on which my mother sat beside my father. It was set next to the large bed. Everything was dusty and even the air smelled stale and suffocating. It was clear that no one had been here in years.

  I took several deep breaths, forcing my mind to stop thinking about my mother's last moments.

  My feet took me before a tall carved wardrobe. This was where my mother's most precious belongings were stored. With a pounding heart, I pulled at a handle. To my astonishment, the doors opened up to me.

  My hands moved across the gowns hanging there. Even though the fashion had changed over the past decade, the gowns were still gorgeous. However, most were moth-eaten and in a bad state of disuse. I stopped at a blood-red gown and took it out. It was beautiful and in a better state than its neighbors.

  Bringing the dress close to me, I inhaled the scent still clinging to it.

  The faint fragrance of roses wafted from it.

  "It smells like you, Mother," I whispered, bringing the gown in an embrace. Closing my eyes, I held it to my chest, imagining it to be my long-dead mother.

  Laying the dress on the dusty bed, I rummaged among the other items in the wardrobe. Carved ivory boxes full of jewels sat nestled in the back. Years ago, Kora would go through them, selecting the dress and matching jewelry for my mother.

  My hand brushed over the cool surface of a glass case. Moving away the clothes, I brought it out and stared at the Rose Crown. It was designed and wrought by my father, King Helmut, for my mother. The carved gold roses still glittered along with the large rubies embedded between them.

  Opening the glass case, I took the crown out.

  After inspecting it from every angle, I placed it on my head. Its weight felt oddly comforting.

  Walking to the tall mirror in the corner, I took off the dusty sheet covering it. I stared at my reflection in the grimy surface. Something didn't feel right. Without bothering to close the door to the room, I stripped off the maid uniform.

  Taking the crimson gown I'd placed on the bed earlier, I wore it. A separate maid would have been helpful to tighten the laces but I managed to do it on my own even though it took longer.

  Satisfied with my gown, I walked back to the mirror. The image looking back at me reminded me strongly of my mother. How many times had I stared at a mirror and only saw myself? That day, I saw my mother in me. My eyes glowed with emotion, reminding me of the wisdom my father held in his gaze. In a moment of deep pain and nostalgia, I found them both within me.

  "I am queen of Drakhaven," I proclaimed to the reflection in the mirror.

  My gaze fell on the reflection of the throne behind me. That seat had belonged to my mother.

  And now it was mine.

  This was how Ren found me, decked up in my mother's gown and her crown jewels.

  He seemed struck for a moment, his mouth parting as a flurry of emotions flashed through his face. No mocking or snide comment fell from his lips. Instead, he sank to his knees and called me queen.

  Power surged through me at his utter acceptance.

  "Daria..."

  His blue eyes reflected the flames that were engulfing me. I hadn't even noticed it. The gown on my body burned, suffusing the stale air of the room with an acrid smell. I swallowed and reined in my power.

  Ren moved forward quickly and covered me with his cloak. "Not that I didn't enjoy the little sneak peek, but we should leave before someone notices us."

  I nodded.

  "I will get dressed," I said. Ren turned his back to me, giving me the privacy to get rid of the remnants of the smoking gown. Putting on the maid uniform, I walked before him.

  "Are you taking that with you?" he asked, gesturing at the Rose Crown placed inside its glass case.

  "It is mine."

  "I know but let's not march out into the streets with something as valuable as that. Here, give it to me." Taking the box, he wrapped it in his cloak and tucked it under his arm. "How's that?"

  I grinned. "Definitely better."

  "Put the veil back on. Let's go home. My heart can't take anymore sneaking around."

  I shook my head. "It's time to find my princes. They are waiting for me."

  "What do you intend to do, Daria?" he asked. His gaze was somber, making me feel a slight twinge of guilt for involving him with me and the princes. Even though he had no loyalty towards Ivan, it was still dangerous for him. He was, after all, just a human.

  "I want to go to the dragon temple," I said. "There's something important there." I hadn't told him about the exact process that led Cain, Adal, and Norvin to shift into their true forms.

  "You probably want your hands on the artifacts and the books he's stolen from the other kingdoms," he said, trying to guess my motive.

  "Yes," I lied.

  "The dragon temple is heavily secured at the moment. That's what Mekhi is doing at the moment. Ivan commanded him to guard the temple."

  "I must get there," I said determinedly. "No matter what." I met Ren's anxious gaze. "Let's hurry to the inn where the princes wait. Please?"

  "All right, then. I'll do as you wish, My Queen."

  "Stop that!" I chided. "The moment has passed."

  He chuckled as I put on the veil. "You're the queen of my heart, Daria," he said, his eyes shining with emotion. I chose to ignore it, feeling sadness well up inside me. Over time, I hoped he would accept my heart had chosen Cain, Adal, and Norvin as my true mates, both in body and soul.

  A new day dawned with no other news from Daria. Leaving Adal and Norvin to play a game of cards they’d bought that morning, I paced the corridor outside the room. With the lantern festival at an end, it would be highly suspicious if we kept staying at the inn under the guise of carnival performers. Most of the rooms had already been vacated already. We had to either move out soon or think of a reason for remaining there.

  The innkeeper hadn’t noticed one of our numbers missing just yet. Thankfully, the man was always busy counting his coins at the counter or watching over the servings the waitress served the patrons. He seemed utterly oblivious to anything other than the profits his business was making.

  Feeling the need to breathe some fresh air, I headed down the stairs to reach the main dining hall of the inn. It was close to noon and the place was filled with merchants and rich shopkeepers having tea and refreshments. With nothing better to do, I sat at a table and ordered myself a pot of nettle tea and scones.

  My gaze flickered among the patrons sitting there. Noticing an
air of excitement among them, I moved my chair closer to a group of local shopkeepers who were loudly discussing a very arguable topic.

  “Some soldiers claimed a dragon freed the slaves and some say a woman did it,” said one of the men. “If you ask me, I think it’s both!”

  “It must be the same woman from the posters all over town,” said his friend.

  A maid moved in my vision to place a pot of tea before me. I batted at her to make her move away, earning a glare from her as she passed by. My ears pricked up as soon as I heard the words ‘fire’, ‘dragon’ and ‘woman’.

  “What exactly happened?” I asked, interrupting the shopkeepers’ loud discussion. “You can join my table for refreshments,” I said, gesturing at the steaming teapot and plate of freshly baked scones.

  It only took a nod amongst themselves before the five men joined my table, eagerly grabbing at the scones.

  “So what happened?” I asked.

  “The slaves at the prison were all freed three nights ago,” said the leader. His voice dropped dramatically as he leaned forward, making the rest of us to lean in as well. “I believe it’s the strange woman and the dragons in league with her. Who else would dare do such a thing in the capital?”

  “I know,” said the man beside him. “Only someone who is a dragon can dare go up against the emperor. They’ve been striking every opportunity they get. I wonder if the rebel princes are the dragons.”

  “They must be,” said the leader. “Who else would have the balls to go up against the emperor and live to tell the tale? Those three princes are still at large. It has to be them!”

  I looked around at the men, happily discussing me and my companions, completely oblivious that one of the dragons was sitting right at his table. Perhaps, we’d achieved a legend-like status that people enjoyed telling stories about but never quite believing in them.

  “So what happened afterward?” I asked. “Did they catch the slaves or the one who freed them?”

  “Of course, not!” said the leader of the shopkeepers joyfully. “The slaves have not been caught and I doubt the soldiers are attempting to either. Last I heard, Prince Mekhi was seen directing troops all over town.”