Page 52 of A Dagger in the Ivy

Am I? I’m more than capable of protecting myself, but then I remember the queen. Her bruised arms and cut palms. Would I be able to defend myself if Torbin ends up like his father?

When I don’t answer, Nadya squeezes my hands. “It’s not too late to back out. Whatever you decide, I am on your side. I can be ready to leave with you in minutes. I will grab Thora and another horse, set the castle on fire, and we can be gone before anybody notices.”

I have to laugh at her fervor. “I promise you, if it comes to that, I’ll let you know.

Four days pass before I see Torbin again. He doesn’t come to any meals, and I don’t see him anywhere in or around the castle. The more time that passes, the more I become willing to believe that Torbin regrets what he did, that he hadn’t meant to kill Lord Alistair. He was defending his father’s honor, and it went too far. I wouldn’t react the same way, but Torbin obviously puts his family first and would do anything to protect them. I would assume he would jump to my defense as well. And as far as being his future wife, I have to believe he would not treat me the way I suspect King Silas treats the queen.

Or am I being foolish?

In any case, I’m a skilled soldier, and there’s no way I’ll let any man push me down and treat me with hostility. This marriage is necessary for Delasurvia, but that doesn’t mean I will let anyone mistreat me. Torbin will become very familiar with the sharp end of my dagger before thathappens.

I plan to ask him about it before I jump to any conclusions. Give him the benefit of the doubt. If he gets upset or reacts with any aggression, and I get the sense that the situation is out of control, I will take Nadya up on her offer.

Indira finishes changing my bedsheets and opens the door to leave my room. “Oh, Your Highness.”

I turn, thinking she’s speaking to me, but stop short of replying when Torbin enters the room. He moves with a confident stride, his presence filling the space with an undeniable energy. He is clad in hunting attire befitting his status as a prince, each garment meticulously chosen to convey both style and practicality. A tailored riding coat in a rich shade of forest green drapes over his broad shoulders, its supple fabric catching the morning light with a subtle sheen. The coat is adorned with intricate embroidery along the lapels, adding a touch of elegance to the rugged ensemble.

Beneath the coat, he wears a white shirt, its fabric crisp and clean against his skin. The shirt is cinched at the waist with a leather belt, its buckle gleaming in the sunlight as he moves. His trousers are of a darker hue, a sturdy material designed to withstand the rigors of the hunt while still maintaining a sense of refinement. Riding boots of polished leather encase his feet, their familiar scent mingling with the earthy aroma of the courtyard.

As he draws near, the heady scent of leather and earth envelops me, mingling with the subtle hint of cologne that lingers in his wake.

My muscles tense for a moment, the images of the lord’s bloody face intruding on my thoughts. But Torbin smiles charmingly at me, seemingly at ease. I return his smile, but my muscles remain tense.

“Torbin.” I stand from my settee and adjust my blouse. “I haven’t seen you lately. I thought maybe you’d left the castle.”

“I apologize, Celeste. I hope I didn’t worry you.” He closes the distance between us.

I force myself to stay steady, resisting the urge to reach for my dagger, as he takes my hand and places a gentle kiss upon it. My mind isspinning, trying to come up with a discreet way to bring up Lord Alistair.

“I hope I am not disturbing you.” He places his hands behind his back. “I wanted to explain my actions from the other night.”

A weight falls from my shoulders, relief settling in by the fact that he is willing to talk about it. “Yes, of course. I’m all ears.”

“Lord Alistair and my father have never seen eye-to-eye, and the way that man spoke that night was not the first instance of his disrespect to the king.”

“I see.”

“I’ve suspected him for a while now, having heard rumors that Lord Alistair has been seen with known assassins. He was so driven by his infatuation with my mother that I have no doubt he would have gone to great lengths just to have a chance at her.” Torbin rubs his fingers along his forehead. “That said, I never meant for things to escalate like that. I didn’t mean to kill him.”

My shoulders relax slightly. The soldier in me knows not to trust anyone completely, but he could be telling the truth.

“Perhaps I should have called for the guards instead of handling his attempt at treason myself,” he continues. “I realized, right afterward, how much it must have upset you. It was shocking for me, so I can just imagine how it affected you. I hope you can understand that it was an accident and forgive me for being so irrational.”

“I… um…”

He must sense my apprehension, because he takes my hands in his. The look in his eyes is soft, a plea for understanding. “I throw myself at your mercy, Celeste.”

When I gaze at him in this moment, I see the little boy I used to play with. Kind, caring, stealing pastries so we could sneak away for a snack… and the occasional prodding of a frog. I guess not much has changed. He hasn’t won me over entirely, but I will take his explanation with a grain of salt, keeping my guard from now on. “I understand,” I tell him, returning his smile. “Thank you for coming to me and explaining.”

“Oh, Celeste,” he says, bringing my hands to his lips. “I’m so relieved to hear you say that.” When he releases me, he reachesinto his coat pocket to retrieve a small, velvet box. “And I wanted to give you something before I depart.”

“Depart?”

“For the hunt. My men are waiting for me downstairs. We leave immediately. But first, this.” He extends the box to me.

Curiosity piqued, I accept the box, my fingers trembling slightly as I open it to reveal a delicate necklace nestled within. “Oh, Torbin. It’s beautiful.” The gold necklace has an intricate, gold, ivy-leaf pendant. The leaf is surrounded by a circle of small, pink gems, which is further encircled by shiny pearls.

He beams at my reaction, his gaze lingering on my face as he gently lifts the necklace from its confines. “It pales in comparison to you, Celeste.”

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