by Katie Ashley
“Okay, well, I’ll see you at dinner. I wanna get in a quick swim.”
I nodded.
“Sure I can’t convince you to join me?”
The hopeful tone in his voice caused me to look away. “No, I better not.”
“All right then.”
For reasons I couldn’t possibly condone or understand, I leaned over and kissed his cheek. “See you later,” I mumbled, before turning and scurrying away. I didn’t wait to see his reaction, and I already felt my mortification manifesting in the rush of blood to my face.
When I got to my suite, I immediately collapsed onto my bed. All the emotions from the day poured out, and I sobbed uncontrollably. I hated myself for it. I hated that I was leaving Kellan behind to the mercy of the Abir. I hated that I had led him on, and then I hated myself for allowing myself to care for Kellan at all. I hated myself for not being strong enough to run away with Micah the first time he asked me to. I hated that for a brief instant, I embraced what my life would be like as Kellan’s wife, living in the palace with servants and private movie theaters and expensive clothes.
Most of all, I hated I was an out of control mess.
Naomi had put out a dinner dress for me. As I went to slip to it on, I noticed there was a tear in the lining. I gasped when I saw something white contrasting against the black satin. It was a note.
Cadence,
Meet me at the servant’s entrance at one this morning. Wear boots or comfortable shoes and try to wear a couple of layers of clothes. Don’t carry anything with you. I have a bag for us. Destroy this as soon as you read it.
I love you.
Micah
Quickly, I took the lighter off the mantle and lit the note on fire. I threw it into the fireplace and stomped on it until it was only ashes. Someone knocked at the door, and I jumped. “Come in.”
“It’s just me,” Laurel said. She shook her head when she noticed I wasn’t dressed. “We’re gonna have to start lighting fires under you.” She sniffed the air and stared quizzically at me. “Speaking of, why does it smell like something is burning?”
“Oh, uh, I was trying to light a candle and caught some paper on fire.” I rolled my eyes, trying to lay it on thick.
Laurel gave me a curious look, but she didn’t question me. “Okay, we’ll do a quick refresh before you go down to dinner. And unfortunately, it’s a semi-affair since all the advisors and their families will be there.”
“Ugh, really?”
She nodded as I sat down in the vanity chair. She gripped my chin and surveyed my face. “Wow, you really did a number on your makeup, didn’t you?”
“Yeah, I got hot outside.” Inwardly, I cringed at how easy the lies began rolling off my tongue.
Laurel pursed her lips. “It does seem to be awfully humid today.”
After she brushed and fluffed my hair a bit, she started repairing the mess I’d made of my makeup. Just as she was about to finish, she knocked over her entire box of make-up. “Dammit, could I be more of a klutz?”
I knelt down beside her and started helping her pick up the tubes and containers. Suddenly, she gripped me by the shoulders and jerked me to her. Her breath hovered over my ear as she whispered, “If you’re thinking about escape, none of the underground exits are safe from the guards. Go down to the basement to the music room. You’ve been there before, right?”
Wide-eyed, I nodded.
“Under the grand piano, you’ll find a grate. It’ll take you around all the exits that are being watched. You’ll be safe then.”
I was dumbfounded for a moment. Then tears sprung to my eyes. She shook her head and stood up. In a booming voice she said, “Man, I gotta ease up on the caffeine! It’s making me too jittery, and I can’t keep anything in my hands.” When I still remained motionless on the floor, she said, “Thanks again for helping me. You’re all ready for dinner now.”
I eased up and wiped my eyes. “I was glad to help. I mean, after everything you’ve done for me, how could I not?” I said, my voice wavering.
Laurel bit her lip and turned away from me.
“I guess I better go,” I said.
She bobbed her head and then murmured, “Yes, you wouldn’t want to be late. We have to keep you out of trouble.”
When she still refused to look at me, I left. As I hurried to the elevator, I didn’t know how I would get in touch with Micah about the change of plans, but I guess as long as we changed our plans at the last minute, it would be all right.
Dinner was a grand affair that night complete with Fine Bone China and pure silverware. I eased down in my chair and appreciated the fact I didn’t have to polish the silver, nor would I have to clean it in the morning. It made me wonder who was doing my old job. If Mrs. Sullivan was pulling double duty, I’m sure she was not a happy camper.
As the sun set and the glittering chandeliers were lit, I couldn’t help thinking about the people in the valley—those that would be on curfew and without electricity tonight. I could almost see Griff huddled at home over a kerosene lantern with his medical books strewn before him on the table. Or, I could see him snuggling on the couch with Maggie. That thought brought a smile to my face. But the truth was, he was probably underground somewhere, following orders from Asher or other members of the Abir.
We’d barely gotten through the first course before Richard became utterly and completely wasted. I guess it made sense with all the pressures of the Abir, civil unrest, and a potential backstabbing advisor. Just when he turned and started leering at me, Kellan stood up and took my hand. “Let’s dance.”
Before I could argue, he’d already dragged me from my chair. A small quartet was playing, and a few couples were dancing. “Wait, I don’t know how to dance like this,” I hissed.
“Just go with the flow, Red.”
I sighed as his arms wrapped around me. Surprisingly, Kellan was able to lead me to where I didn’t look like a fool. Cocking my eyebrows at him, I asked, “Have you been watching reruns of that old show Dancing with the Stars or something?”
He snorted. “For your information, Red, my mother was hell bent on me being a cultured young man. So just as my father had me bloodied and bruised playing sports, my mother insisted on dance lessons.”
“I’m impressed.”
“I also dabble in the piano a little.” At my surprised expression, he shook his head. “That’s purely to be kept under wraps, got it?”
I laughed. “Okay, okay, I guess I can forget any sonatas or rhapsodies composed for me, huh?”
He grinned. “You’ll just have to play your cards right and see.”
As he continued waltzing me around the dance floor, an ache burned in my chest at the thought of leaving him. I wondered what he would think when he woke up tomorrow to find me gone. Would grief send him to help search for me or be so angry I’d chosen Micah that he’d welcome my punishment? Most of all, I feared what would happen to him at the hands of the Abir.
“Why the serious face, Red?”
“Oh, I guess I’m just tired, that’s all. It’s been a crazy few days.”
He nodded. “Why don’t you go on to bed then? Get a good night’s rest and tomorrow we can find something more interesting to do besides watching movies.”
A sob rose in my throat at the mention of tomorrow. When I finally could speak again, I said, “Sure, that sounds great.”
“I’ll walk you upstairs.”
I shook my head. “No, no, you don’t have to do that.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’ll be fine.”
Kellan smiled. “Okay then. I’m sure Mrs. Munroe will be up to tuck you in to bed anyway.”
Inwardly, I groaned. “Oh really?”
He nodded. “I wouldn’t want the gossips starting if I was found in your room. I have my reputation to protect,” he said, with a wink.
I laughed. “Yes, that’s true.”
“Goodnight Cadence,” he said. His eyes bore into me, searching me, pleading wit
h me to give him the green light for a goodnight kiss. And since it would be the last time I saw him, I threw caution, and my better judgment, to the wind.
With my heart beating wildly in my chest, I leaned towards him. He took my invitation, and very softly, he brought his lips to mine. It was tender, without passion. And at that moment, I vowed that I would do whatever I could to save him.
I pulled away, and he smiled. “Goodnight, Kellan,” I said, before quickly fleeing from the room.
Although I had practically sprinted down the corridor, Mrs. Munroe stood waiting for me at the elevator. “You really don’t have to see me to bed,” I said, as the elevator dinged.
Shaking her head, she got on with me. “It’s my job, Cadence.”
I sighed and rode up to my floor in silence. When I got to the door, I turned back to her. “Well, goodnight.”
“I’m to turn down your covers and see you’re properly taken care of.”
“Fine,” I muttered.
When I got inside, I found fresh pajamas had been laid out for me on the bed. Clearly Naomi knew my tastes and style because they were much more youthful than the pair I’d worn the night before.
“Go ahead,” Mrs. Munroe said, motioning to the pajamas.
My breath hitched as I realized she intended for me to go ahead and change. There was no way I could do that—no way to risk her seeing my tattoo. I snatched up the pajamas and started to the bathroom. “I’m sorry, but I’m a little modest and don’t like to change in front of people.”
I didn’t breathe again until I closed and locked the bathroom door. Quickly, I stripped off my dress, realizing how careful Naomi had been to pick out clothes that I wouldn’t need help getting out of, especially unzipping. As I slipped on the pajamas, I realized I would have to change again before I left with Micah since they wouldn’t make the best travel clothes.
When I emerged from the bathroom, Mrs. Munroe had turned the covers back and stood by the door. Obediently, I went to the bed and climbed inside. I almost expected her to come over and kiss me goodnight. Instead, she nodded and said, “Goodnight, Cadence.”
“Goodnight, Mrs. Munroe.”
Once she had closed the door, I leaned over and grabbed the alarm clock off the nightstand. After I set it, I rolled over, desperately hoping I would be able to sleep some. I wasn’t sure when I would be able to sleep, let alone in a bed, again.
A knock at the door jolted me awake. Fear gripped me at the thought of sleeping through my alarm. Glancing at the clock, I sighed with relief when I saw it was only a little after midnight. I swung open the door and gasped.
Micah stood before me.
“Has something gone wrong?”
He grimaced. “Roarke wants to see you.”
My heart shuddered to a stop and panic lodged in my throat. Did he want to confront me about what I saw in Kellan’s dream? “W-Why would he need to see me at this hour?”
“He said he’s got a dream that needs interpreting.”
“But do we have time?”
Micah nodded. “It shouldn’t take too long.”
I started out the door and then glanced down at my floral pajama bottoms and purple tank top. “Should I change? I mean, I wasn’t planning on really wearing these tonight, but Mrs. Munroe came back to my suite with me to see that I was ready for bed.”
Micah rolled his eyes, and said in a pretentious voice, “He said to fetch you, immediately.”
“Ugh, well, I guess I can’t keep Mr. Impatient waiting,” I replied, closing the door behind me. As I padded bare foot down the carpeted hall, I hoped Roarke wouldn’t find my attire inappropriate.
“Since when are you Roarke’s errand boy?”
“I’m working third shift this week since James is sick and Mark’s wife is having a baby. Roarke refuses to sleep without his nightcap.”
I snorted. “Yeah, it would be terrible if he actually had to pour his own liquor.”
When we reached Roarke’s suite, he knocked twice. “Enter,” came Roarke’s voice from inside.
“You called for me, sir?”
He bobbed his head and then eyed Micah. “Leave us.”
“Yes, sir.” He cast one final glance at me before he closed the door.
With a wave of his hand, Roarke beckoned me over to him. “Good evening, Cadence.”
“Good evening, sir.”
The suite’s air reeked of alcohol, and it made me wonder just how many drinks Micah had delivered tonight.
Uneasiness prickled along the back of my neck. “Is there a dream you need interpreting, sir?”
A leering smile curved on Roarke’s face. “Not really.”
“But I don’t understand. Micah said—”
He brought his index finger to my lips to silence me. “Actually, I told a little fib to Micah.”
Panic crept into my chest. “B-But why?”
“Oh, come on, Cadence. I know you’re far too smart to be asking me such a question.” He leaned in closer, his alcohol laced breath scorched against my cheek. “I wanted some time alone with you.”
I took a step back and fought to calm the panic overtaking me. I drew in a deep breath. “Sir, I beg you to remember yourself. You’re intoxicated, and I am Kellan’s future bride.”
“See it’s funny you should mention that. You seem to throw that term around when it serves your purpose, like right now. But earlier today when you spent five minutes in a linen closet with Micah, it didn’t seem to bother you.”
I felt the blood drain from my face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He smiled. “Oh, I think you do. See I have my own cameras set up along the family floor. I just happened to catch that little interval between the two of you.”
Trying to appear in control, I drew my shoulders back. “Micah is nothing more than a friend. I will marry Kellan before the month is up!” I spat.
Roarke snorted. “Kellan will never marry you. The pageant—him being with you—why, it’s just been a little ruse to have the province focus on something else but how screwed up the world is right now.”
I shook my head. “Richard knows how popular our marriage would be. Did you miss his speech today? Kellan and I being married will give people hope in the future.” I hesitated before I spoke the next part. “Especially if I get pregnant.”
He licked his lips and leaned forward. “Now that sounds like a promising idea.”
“I’ll ask you to remember yourself once more sir, or I will scream,” I threatened.
“You scream, and I’ll show the tapes of your closet romp to Richard and Kellan.” Bile rose in my throat at his implication. “But, if you do what I want, it’ll be our little secret, Cadence.”
I tried stepping back again, but I bumped into the wall. “Please stop.”
Roarke ignored me by crushing his lips against mine. I squirmed as the weight of his body pressed me into the wall. His mouth muffled my screams as I beat against his chest. When his fingers found the straps of my tank top, he jerked them. The flimsy fabric ripped, and I tried covering myself.
A bang came at the door, and Roarke jerked his lips from mine. “Who is it?” he demanded.
Micah burst into the room with Kellan and Richard on his heels. “What the hell is going on here?” Richard demanded.
Seeing a moment of escape, I flew across the room to where they were. All three of them stared wide-eyed at my disheveled appearance. The tattered shreds of my shirt hung around my waist. Under their intense scrutiny, I crisscrossed my arms tighter over my chest, desperately trying to cover myself.
Sensing my mortification, Micah whisked off his shirt. Shielding me from the others, he brought it over my head and then pulled my arms through until I was covered. I smiled weakly up at him. “Thanks,” I whispered.
“Roarke, can you explain what the hell you’re doing alone with Cadence?” Kellan demanded.
Roarke’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t have to answer to you about what I do in my private hou
rs.”
Kellan’s face reddened. “You will give me an explanation this instant!”
“She came up here on her own volition, the little whore.”
“That’s a lie!” Micah shouted, stalking towards Roarke.
“No Micah!” I cried, jerking him back.
He whirled around to face Richard and Kellan. “I swear to you it’s like I told you. He had me bring Cadence to him under the pretense he needed a dream interpreted.”
Richard surveyed Micah before glancing at Roarke. “Is this true?”
“Are you going to believe this boy from the gutter over someone you’ve known your entire life?”
“One only has to look at Cadence to realize the truth,” Kellan hissed.
Just when Roarke appeared to be done for, a cold smirk etched across his face. “I only did this to save our world, sir.” He stepped in front of Micah. They stared at each other a moment before he spoke. “I have just confirmed what I feared all along. Believers have infiltrated the palace.”
My heart shuddered to a stop. I stared wildly at Micah whose face drained of color. “What are you talking about?” Kellan demanded.
“I’m talking about the fact that Micah and Cadence are Believers.”
Kellan snorted. “Oh, that’s rich. Try to change the subject to get yourself out of trouble.”
Roarke ignored him. “I have believed these past few days it might be possible that these two were working together with the Abir to infiltrate the palace and overthrow you, Richard. I had Cadence brought to me tonight, so I could gain physical proof.”
“And to gain this physical proof, you had to pin her up against a wall and rip off her clothes?” Kellan demanded.
“Silence!” Richard shouted. All of us swiveled our heads and stared at him. Roarke seized the moment and grabbed Micah by the shoulders, jerking him around to where his back was in Richard’s view. “This scar is proof his tattoo was burned away.”
Micah whirled around. “That’s not true! I got that scar in an accident,” he argued.
By the look on Richard’s face, anything Micah said didn’t matter. “And Cadence also has a tattoo?”
Roarke nodded. “Yes, she does.”
Kellan stared from Roarke to me. “Tell them it isn’t true. Tell them you’re not a Believer.”
