“The ancestors blessed them,” she said with a mock-serious expression.
Aren rolled his eyes. “If I have to hear that one more time, I’m going to kill someone. Don’t be surprised if you see one of their heads just suddenly separate from their body.”
She glanced over her shoulder, at the empty path behind them. “Say that a little louder. I don’t think they heard you on the other side of the gardens.”
“Sorry.” He lowered his voice. “My mother used to tell me the ancestors had blessed me. I don’t like hearing it out of their mouths.”
“I know,” Em said softly.
“Maybe the ancestors didn’t bless anyone. Maybe they never even existed,” Aren said, his voice wobbling. His mother had been the castle priest, and his words weighed heavy on Em’s heart. He never would have dreamed of saying those words a year ago.
She reached over and squeezed his hand briefly. He squeezed it back.
The castle wall came into view as they reached the edge of the gardens. A wide swath of grass stretched between the wall and the gardens, making sure that anyone who jumped it would be in plain view of the guards.
“There’s one guard in that tower,” Em said without looking back at it. The tower was on the east side of the castle, stretching higher than the rest of the building. A perfect spot to watch the entire wall.
“Maybe two,” Aren said. “And did you see that watch post when we came in? From where it’s positioned, the guard would also have an excellent view of the entire castle grounds.”
“I couldn’t see anything in that stupid carriage.”
“It’s in the trees, not far from the main castle gate.”
“Find out how those shifts are assigned. I want to know if it’s always the same few people, or if they rotate.”
“Got it.”
She touched the wall. Stone. It was very tall, but there was a tree near the wall ahead that could easily be climbed, though it would be quite a jump to the other side.
“Guards posted on the other side of the wall?” she whispered.
“Yes. Not a popular position. Very boring, apparently. And you have to stand the whole time.”
“Find out how many and where.”
“Already on it.”
“A Ruined could take this wall down, right?” she asked. “At least a piece of it?”
“Damian could take down a large chunk of it at full strength.”
“Good.”
They continued walking, Em making a note of how long it took to walk the entire perimeter. If a hasty escape was necessary, the wall would pose a significant problem.
“How was the prince last night? You saw him, didn’t you?” Aren asked.
“Fine. It’s just a shoulder injury.” She blew out a breath of air. “He wants to talk to me about the Ruined.”
“What? How did that come up?”
“It’s my fault. I can’t keep my mouth shut. I may have said they were murdering us.”
“Mary would have hated the Ruined, Em. They murdered her parents.”
“So? No one here ever met her. They don’t know that for sure.”
“Was he mad? Was it like, ‘We’ll discuss this later, peasant. Now leave me to my murdering’?” He lowered his voice in an impression of Cas and grinned.
“No. It was more like he was intrigued. Like he was willing to talk about it,” she said, and Aren gave her a baffled look. “I know! I never considered the possibility that I could actually talk sense into him.”
“It’s not a possibility,” Aren said. “Even if Cas is willing to listen to you and the king died tomorrow, it wouldn’t change anything. The king’s advisers support the Ruined policies. Besides, he’s what . . . seventeen?”
“Yeah.”
“He’s been able to take the throne for two years. He was in those meetings when they decided. If he had something to say, he would have done it already.”
“True. Sympathy doesn’t mean much if you don’t take action.” She shuddered as the image of a shirtless Cas ran through her head. She didn’t like him in her head.
“Have you heard anything about Olivia yet?” Aren asked.
“No. I’m waiting for a natural way to slide it into conversation. I don’t want them getting suspicious. So far all anyone will talk to me about is dresses and the wedding. They haven’t even bothered to tell me the Olso warriors are coming. I’ve been practicing my surprised face.” She lifted her eyebrows, parting her lips dramatically. “How is that?”
“Terrible. Don’t do that.”
“Maybe Cas will remember to tell me today, since they’re supposed to arrive very soon. He’d barely spoken to me before yesterday, so I guess there wasn’t much opportunity.” She scrunched up her face. “Now I think he likes me.”
“That was the point, wasn’t it?”
“I guess.”
He rubbed his hand across the back of his neck. “We never talked about . . . uh . . . the sex part.”
“And we will continue to not talk about it.”
“Are you going to ask him to wait? I don’t think that’s unreasonable. You just met, after all.”
“Aren, we’re not talking about it.”
“Right. Sorry.” He slid his hands in his pockets, taking a few steps away from her. “I have to get back. I told them I was just checking in with you, so they’ll expect me back soon.” He grinned. “Plus, we shouldn’t be seen together too often. People will think we’re having sex.”
Em wrinkled her nose, trying to keep a smile off her face. “Gross.”
“The feeling is mutual.”
EIGHT
PEOPLE IN THE castle had started addressing Em as “Your Royal Highness” or “Princess of Lera.” She cringed inwardly every time.
The queen said she was going to start training Em in her “royal duties,” though for the last two days Em had been mostly alone, memorizing the castle grounds and searching for weaknesses. She ate meals by herself, since the king and queen had mostly disappeared after Cas’s stabbing. They were probably dealing with that hunter who had decided to kill the royal family instead of the Ruined.
Cas never sent for her, so she didn’t visit him. The guards reported that he was healing well. Em was glad for the break from him. Since he didn’t expect her to join him in his bed, she was free to wander the castle at night, slipping into rooms and sifting through drawers to search for information about Olivia’s location.
Jovita finally remembered to let Em in on the fact that the Olso warriors were coming to Lera for the summer, and Em put on her best surprised face when she heard the news. She was given a stunning light-pink dress to wear for the welcome dinner.
She’d already amassed a good selection of dresses, and Davina informed her she’d have many opportunities to wear them. It seemed the only thing the people of Lera liked more than fighting was partying.
Tonight’s dress had a whole parade of buttons in back, but dipped down very low in front, showing a generous amount of cleavage. Most of the dresses that had been sent didn’t exactly cover a lot of flesh, and she couldn’t help but think the queen had done it on purpose, to make a conservative girl from Vallos uncomfortable.
Em pushed back her shoulders with a smile. Good thing she wasn’t from Vallos.
Cas arrived at her door after the sun had set. He wore black pants, a white collared shirt, and a black coat with silver buttons down the middle. The coat hung open unbuttoned. He was a bit disheveled, like he’d run around the castle a few times before coming to see her. It would have been cute, had she not been determined to hate him.
“Good evening,” he said as she stepped out of the room. She was suddenly unsure what to do with her hands.
“Hello,” she murmured, avoiding his gaze. He offered her his good arm, and she took it and let him steer her down the hallway.
“Are you feeling all right?” she asked, stealing a glance at him. The deep black color of his coat made his eyes stand out even more than usual. It
was hard not to stare.
“I am, thank you. A little sore still, but it’s healing fine.”
“Glad to hear it,” she lied. Just how “fine” was he? Ready to make up for the wedding night “fine”? She shuddered and let her fingers brush against the rope tieback on the curtains as they passed them.
“Jovita told you about the warriors?” he asked.
“She did. I was surprised. I thought relations between Olso and Lera were tense.”
“They have been for a long time. But the warriors reached out recently, wanting to come in person to discuss a few treaties. Said they wanted to keep the peace.”
“That’s wonderful,” she said, suppressing a smile. Not a hint of suspicion in Cas’s tone. He really thought the warriors were there to bow down at Lera’s feet, like everyone else.
“Have you ever met a warrior?” he asked.
She had. And not just the ones she’d negotiated with recently. Many citizens of Olso had come through Ruina, since their kings and queens always seemed more intrigued by the Ruined than scared. Em’s mother had admired the way warriors dedicated their lives to training for battle, and had invited many to stay as guests in the castle.
Cas was watching her, waiting for her answer. Would Mary have met any warriors? It seemed unlikely. Olso looked down on Vallos.
“Not that I recall,” she said carefully.
They walked to the main dining room, the sounds of laughter and chatter filling the air as they approached the double doors. A staff member opened them, and Cas and Em stepped inside.
Several long rows of tables ran down the center of the room, most of them already full. Large bowls of bread and fruit sat in the middle of every table, and staff members scurried about, refilling wineglasses.
There were at least a hundred people, maybe more. Most of the wedding guests were staying in the castle for weeks, exactly as the warriors had said they would. To properly take down Lera, she needed to destroy many of their leaders, and a good number of them sat in this room. The governors of the six provinces reported directly to the king, and five of them were present. There were also a few captains, the Lerans responsible for managing safety and soldiers in their area. The queen had informed Em that judges, the lowest rank in Lera, had mostly stayed behind to manage their provinces in the absence of the governor or captain. They weren’t terribly important anyway.
“Prince Casimir and Princess Mary,” a voice announced.
Everyone in the room quickly stood, and Em scanned the crowd, looking for the warriors.
“Please be seated,” Cas said. Everyone obeyed and took their seats again.
Three people in white-and-red uniforms stayed standing for a beat longer than everyone else. The warriors. Two men and one woman. In fact, Em knew the girl. She had spent several days in the Ruina castle three years ago with her mother and father, a powerful Olso family.
Iria. That was her name.
A smirk crossed Iria’s face, and Em resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Iria had spent most of her time in the Ruina castle challenging Em to “duels” (“To the death!” she’d always yell, and then giggle), and the rest of the time antagonizing Em and Olivia at every turn.
Of course King Lucio had sent Iria. She had probably requested to come, because she knew it would annoy Em.
She took a deep breath and glanced at Cas. He was staring at her.
“Are you all right?” he asked, his eyebrows furrowing.
“I’m fine.” She cleared her throat. “Should we sit?”
Cas steered her toward the table at the front of the room, where Jovita and some of the governors were already seated. Em noticed the warriors were not seated with the royal family, which seemed like an intentional slight.
She and Cas sat as a member of the staff brought the warriors to meet them. Em leaned forward in her chair, plastering a smile on her face.
“Koldo Herrerro,” the staff member said, and the young bright-eyed warrior smiled at them.
“Benito Lodo.” The man with a dark beard nodded.
“Iria Ubino.”
Iria stepped forward. Her long, wavy dark hair was tied back in a braid that fell over her shoulder as she bowed her head in the traditional Lera greeting. Her dark eyes were trained only on Em as she straightened, and Cas looked between them.
“Have you met before?” he asked, loud enough for the warriors to hear.
One side of Iria’s mouth turned up, and Em hoped the warrior knew she was imagining strangling her. “I don’t think so.”
Iria waited a long time before speaking. Em wished Iria would hide her delight at torturing her a bit better.
“Apologies,” Iria finally said. “You look very much like someone I used to know, Your Highness.”
Em hoped her face was currently in some kind of pleasant expression and didn’t give away the fact that she was barely restraining herself from kicking Iria in the gut.
Cas lightly touched her hand, his fingers curling around hers, and Em jumped in surprise. Iria’s amusement intensified as she watched them.
“Please have a seat,” Cas said.
The warriors walked back to their seats, Iria throwing another glance at Em over her shoulder. Cas leaned closer to Em, moving his hand away from hers.
“She was trying to throw you off balance,” he said rather perceptively. “Don’t let her.”
It was excellent advice, though entirely misguided given the circumstances.
The servants filled her plate with food, and the hall buzzed with laughter and chatter. Em forced her food down so Cas wouldn’t become concerned.
After they’d finished eating and the musicians had started playing, the king and queen finally entered the hall. The festivities stopped for a moment, and Em watched as they breezed by the warriors without saying hello. All three of them stared at the queen, hard expressions on their faces. Fabiana must have been the most notorious traitor in Olso, and she certainly wasn’t doing anything to smooth things over now.
Em glanced at Cas as the music started again. She leaned into him, until her lips were close to his ear. “Why were they late?”
He shook his head slightly. “I don’t know.”
“It insulted the warriors,” she said. “Look at their faces.”
Cas casually glanced over at the warriors, then back to Em. “I think that everything insults them. They’re always mad about something.”
“And your parents made sure they’d be angry about this.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “You think so?”
“Yes.” Typical Lera strategy. They were always more concerned with making sure everyone knew how much better they were than with actually showing a little respect.
“I’ll go say hello,” she said. “Make them feel welcome.”
“I got the impression you were scared of them,” he said. “You were staring at Iria as if she was going to jump across the table with a sword and stab you.”
Em’s face twisted in a way that made Cas laugh. “I am not scared!”
“A little fear of the warriors is probably good sense.”
“I’m not scared,” she repeated firmly. “What’s she going to do, stab me in front of everyone?”
“It’s unlikely.”
“That wasn’t very comforting.”
His eyes were bright with amusement. “It was meant to be honest, not comforting. I’ve recently been stabbed at my own wedding, let’s not forget.”
“True.”
He glanced over at the Olso warriors. “Let’s ask them to come over here.”
“No, it would look better if I went to them. It’s a sign of respect.”
He paused for a moment. “All right. I’ll come with you.”
She couldn’t protest that, not without giving away the fact that she wanted to talk to them alone. She stood, and Cas did the same, leaning over to say something to his father. The king frowned, but didn’t protest.
The room quieted as they walked. The Olso warriors turne
d, then stood as they approached. Surprise crossed the men’s faces as Cas and Em walked around the table and sat down on the bench across from them. Iria still wore her smug expression, which Em decided to pretend she hadn’t noticed.
“How was the food?” Cas asked, gesturing to their empty plates.
“Very good, Your Highness, thank you,” Koldo said.
“They’ll be coming around with more, if you’re still hungry,” Cas said. “And dessert soon. I recommend the fig tarts. They’re delicious.”
Koldo perked up, his eyes scanning the room for the treats. Benito didn’t look at all impressed at the idea of dessert.
“I will be sure to get one,” Iria said. She fixed her gaze on Cas. “Congratulations on your marriage.”
“Thank you.”
“How wonderful that Lera and Vallos could finally be united.” Iria turned her smile from Cas to Em.
“Have you been?” Cas asked. “To Vallos?”
“I have,” Iria said. “A bit dreary, compared to here. Though not nearly as grim as Ruina.”
Em forced her expression to stay neutral. “I’ve never been to Ruina, but I’m sure you’re right.”
“Your Highness,” Iria said, glancing at Cas. “Do you mind if I dance with your wife?”
“If she would like,” he replied.
“I would love to,” Em said, lifting her skirts as she stood. She looped her arm through the girl’s and walked with her to the dance floor.
Iria put a light hand on her back and Em decided to let her lead. No need to antagonize her.
“Is it entirely necessary to have that look on your face?” Em asked through clenched teeth as they began to dance.
“What look?”
“Like you’ve figured something out and are delighted about it. You’re here to help me, remember?”
Iria chuckled. “I’m sorry. I’m just so amused. Emelina Flores as the princess of Lera. It’s ridiculous.” Her eyes slid to Cas, and Em glanced over as well. He was talking to the two other warriors, but he had one eye on them. “Though he seems thoroughly convinced.”
“Why wouldn’t he be? I told the warriors I could do it.”
“So you did. I bet against you. Lost a good bit of money, actually.”