Page 32 of The War and Deceit Series omnibus

Grayson’s rooms are blessed with an outside wall, so it looks out over the Black Cliffs of Morrowmer. It’s beautiful, especially in the sunlight, which is trying to break through the clouds. There isn’t much in Morrowmer except the city of Arhaven where our ancestors decided to settle and build the capital. There are stories of this land once being owned by the elves, saying we fought for the land. Although, many think the long-dead kings settled here because it is easily defendable against our enemies. The whole back of the castle is poised on the end of the cliff, the city sprawling before it, with large walls circling it, protecting it from the outside.

Deciding to make the most of the pleasant weather, I say my goodbyes to Jayne and head out into the corridor. I wish I had paid more attention when Grayson first brought me here, as these corridors all look the same and seem to be amaze. Eventually, I see sunlight illuminating the end of the hall and I hurry towards it, seeing that I’ve made it to the Queen’s Courtyard. This is not where I was planning on coming, although, if I’m honest with myself, I didn’t have a particular place in mind. But it’s quiet and peaceful here, even if it is close to the chapel.

Shuddering at the thoughts of the priests, I shake my head and walk out into the courtyard, taking a seat near one of the tiled fountains, a small wooden bench built up against it for that very reason. Turning to look at the fountain closest to me, I admire the different colours and patterns on the tiles, the water crystal clear as it falls into the coloured basin. Each fountain is surrounded by beautiful flowers, their scents filling the air. Closing my eyes, I enjoy the tranquillity of being alone in this place, the gentle sound of the trickling water lulling me into a state of calm. I’m not sure how long I stay in the courtyard exploring each fountain, admiring the flowers, and just enjoying having the time to myself. No one comes through while I’m there until the sun reaches its apex in the sky, the bells of the clock tower tolling the midday meal, and then I hear the footsteps of others as they make their way towards the food hall.

The thought of entering the hall by myself, with everyone staring at me, is enough to make me feel sick. My stomach is still full from breakfast, so I decide that it's not worth the stress.Perhaps I’ll just explore the castle some more? Nodding at my new plan, I push up from the bench and walk down the corridor that’s parallel to the one I’d entered the courtyard from. I don’t think I’ve ever been down here before, it’s quieter than the main corridors with little arched alcoves along the wall. There are no windows, but it’s lit with lamps and it feels warm, welcoming. I let my mind wander as I walk, my hand brushing over the stone wall, thinking over everything that has happened in the last couple of days, how my life has changed completely. I feelblessed that the Mother has chosen me for some purpose, but I can’t help but feel guilty. Not that I’m doubting the Mother, I know she has picked me for a reason, but I feel guilty thatIwas picked when the other slaves,children, are left to work until they die. I’d never thought about it much before, the injustice of it all, when I was one of them. What crime could I possibly have committed at the age of eight that deserved enslavement?

I’m so lost in thought that I don’t notice the foot sticking out of one of the alcoves. I trip over it, stumbling to my knees with a surprised cry.

“Mother above!” a male voice cries out, and I feel my cheeks blazing red with a blush. I recognise the voice, but I can’t quite place it. A hand reaches out and rests on my arm and I look up, my eyes widening in dismay. “I’m sorry, are you okay?” Prince Jacob asks, a smile spreading across his face as he realises who I am, his eyebrow raising, giving him a charming, if not cheeky appearance. “Lady Clarissa of Lake Haven, why do I always find you at my feet?”

“Your Highness.” I pull away fast, as if his touch burns, realising I just tripped over aroyal.If this had been Rhydian, his older brother and the heir to the throne, then this could have ended really badly. I don’t know much about the eldest prince, but I’ve heard stories that make me shudder. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you there, I was lost in my thoughts...” I ramble as I try to stand, my feet getting tangled in the skirts of my dress, and it's only when he reaches out to steady me, his hand landing lightly on my waist, that I realise something. “You remembered my name.” It’s more of a statement than a question, but he answers me anyway.

“Of course I remembered your name, you intrigued me.”

So much for keeping a low profile.If anything, more people seemed to notice me now—the pale stranger who arrived at the ball on the arm of one of the magicians, and left with another.I have no answer for the prince’s statement, and I flounder, trying to come up with something to say. My conversation skills are severely lacking after twelve years of being mostly silent. Thankfully, the prince saves me by asking me a question.

“Where were you heading? Not many dare to venture down to the royal family’s private quarters.” His smile turns into a grin and I feel myself paling as he speaks.

I was entering their private quarters?Shouldn’t there be guards stopping people from coming down here? Something seems to occur to him and his smile dims, a hint of a frown pulling at his brow. “Were you here to see my brother?” He tries to keep his voice neutral, non-judgemental, but I can tell that my answer is important.

“No!” Realising what he’s implying, my eyes widen even further. I don’t know why, but Ineedhim to know I wasn’t going to see his brother. “I had no idea, I am so sorry, I was just exploring, I—” My words come out in a rush and I can feel my hands start to shake again, his keen eyes picking up on my movements.

“It’s okay, I believe you.” His touch leaves my waist and he captures my hand, which was quivering slightly. “You were exploring?” His face softens, and I notice he starts to rub his thumb over the back of my hand in a way I’m sure he thinks is comforting, but instead awakens something inside me. “Why don’t I live up to my promise and show you the library?” I hadn’t really been paying attention to what he was saying, my focus on the movements of his thumb, but at the word library my ears perk and I finally meet his eyes.

“I would like that.”

His smile is so bright that he almost blinds me with it, and guilt rises within me. I’m not who he thinks I am. He lets go of my hand and turns, reaching back into the alcove he’d been sitting in. Peering around him, I realise that a sitting area hadbeen built into it, a closed book resting on one of the cushions. Picking up the tome, he tucks it under one arm and offers his free one to me. “In that case, allow me to escort you, Lady Clarissa.”

Linking my arm with his lightly, I duck my head, waiting for him to say he was joking or that he made a mistake. “Thank you, Your Highness.” He reaches out and touches my chin, making me flinch away from him at the sudden gesture. He pauses, his hand hanging in the space between us, his eyes narrowing for a second before he slowly lowers his hand, placing it on my shoulder instead.

“Please, when it’s just the two of us, call me Jacob.” I open my mouth to protest—I couldn’t possibly call one of the princes by his first name—but at his raised eyebrow I simply shrug. He starts to walk, and as I’m tucked against his side, I simply follow. Thankfully, he treads slowly, my feet still unused to these shoes that Jayne insists I wear. We stroll in silence for a few seconds, and I’m not quite sure what comes over me when I turn my head to look at him, our eyes meeting.

“Then you must call me Clarissa.”

I seem to take him by surprise, but he simply smiles again and nods in agreement. “Very well, Clarissa.”

We walk again in silence for a couple of minutes, but it’s a comfortable silence, and I’m grateful for it. I would never know what to say to one of the princes. We don’t see many people as we walk, but those we do see quickly bow, and I don’t miss the stares and the whispers.

Who is she? Why is the prince with her? Where is she from?

The whispers seem to follow us, like they’re being carried on a phantom wind, my insecurities shadowing us.

“So how does High Mage Grayson know you?” Jacob inquires casually, but I get the impression he’s looking for a certainanswer. I’m not sure how much Grayson has told them, and I bite my lip as I consider my reply.

Keep it simple, tell him only the basics.

“We grew up together in… Lake Haven.” If he notices my stumble over the name of a town I supposedly grew up in, then he doesn’t point it out, simply nodding. He is very good at making his voice even when he speaks about Grayson, but I can’t help but pick up on the tightening of the muscles around his eyes every time the mage is mentioned. “You don’t like him?”

Jacob looks at me quickly, surprise coating his words. “You’re very observant.” It’s not a question, so I simply nod in agreement. When seventy percent of someone’s communication is in their body language, and you’re one second away from receiving a beating, it pays to be able to read what they’renotsaying out loud. “It’s not that I don’t like him, I have nothing against the mage personally,” he explains, shooting glances at me, probably worried I’m going to run back and tell Grayson every word he says. “It’s magic I have a problem with.” This surprises me, and I’m sure he can tell as he nods at my unspoked reaction. “It’s brought us many technological advances, and the magicians fight our war—we would be far worse off without them. I just...it seems like an abuse of the Mother’s power.” I stay silent for a moment after he finishes clarifying, thinking over his words. He has a point, the magicians don’t always carry out the Great Mother’s will, and there is nothing making them use the power for good.

“But if she grants them the power, surely she is happy for them to use it as they need?” I muse. A look of surprised delight enters his eyes as I challenge him, like a part of him is waking up.

“That’s the difference, Clarissa. She’s given them this power, and it’s their job to use it in a way that suits her purpose.” He echoes my earlier thoughts, cutting off as a couple of courtiers walk past us, bowing to the prince before disappearing aroundthe corner. “I guess what I’m trying to say is that I don’t like how powerful they are, their seemingly limitless power—it makes me nervous. What’s to stop them from trying to take over the kingdom?” He’s right, and in a way, I agree with him, but there are some, like Grayson, that would never allow that.

“They never have before, why would they begin now?” My question seems to change something about him, his face darkening, and for a second I think I’ve offended him. He pulls me to a stop, lowering his voice as he pulls me closer to him so only I can hear.

“Things are changing, Clariss—” His voice low, urgent, until a cough has him pulling away.

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