Page 66 of The Curse of a Kingdom
Oh, great, now she had to protect the evil seamstress's life from her soulmate’s scorn. “Don’t tell him, please. I don’t want to burden him with something so silly. Plus I took care of it myself.”
“You know I can’t just keep the secret, right? I swore allegiance to the crown, and to him.”
That was good to know. “Why him?”
Fael moved closer, his brows dipping as he checked his surroundings. “He is our future. If he is hell-bent on protecting you and your . . . fiancée, then so shall I.” He paused, his deep gaze scanning the room before he eyed her as if it was the first time he had ever seen her. “He put a target on you the moment he placed you in this room.” He added in a whisper, “I told him as much, but he is stubborn.”
“Why are you telling me this?” She matched his tone, and his deep, gold eyes softened. “You were there, weren’t you? The night he was taken from me?”
His lips tightened. “I can’t speak about it, not now or ever. But it’s not only the catty behavior you should be wary about. While the prince knows he must protect you, he is not aware of whom might try to hurt you and Mr. Black.”
Except he did now. Fael wasn't aware that Arkimedes had learned what had happened to him.
“I will be careful.”
“And I won’t leave my post, under any circumstance. I made a vow to him. You can trust me, Nava.”
She nodded, though she wasn’t sure yet.
He held her eyes and reached to close the door. “I’m sorry about . . . all of it,” he finished, and the door clicked behind him as he left the room.
* * *
Leela arrived at her room not long after, carrying a tray with food. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the gown hanging by her armoire.
“What is that?” She rushed to the end of the bed, putting the tray on the mattress as she stormed over to inspect the dress.
Nava stood by the tray of food, picking at the flaky pastry, lost in thoughts. When she came out of their home the night Arkimedes was taken, she’d seen several Dark Ones, hidden by the shade of the night and the darkness of their power. How many of the royal guards had seen her? How many knew this “Devon’s fiancée” lie was just a charade to buy them time?
Had the guard who’d almost killed her also known she’d been with Arkimedes the night he’d been taken? Had Herous been aware she was the same woman who’d come outside in her nightgown and had tried, but failed, to save him?
The king knew. Did that mean he was counting down her days? Was he going to try to kill her tonight when the castle was especially loud and busy? Yesterday she had gotten a taste of freedom, but today she was forced to face her reality once again. She was seeing the light at the end of this drab mess. With Arkimedes believing her, she had gained something big.
The food, rich in butter and salt, was bland in comparison. She moved her jaw, forcing the bite down.
She didn’t have time to wait for him to fall back in love with her, and dread tasted bitter because she knew the secret looming over her—their soulmate bond—needed to come out. But after seeing him so happy in this town, after yesterday . . . What if she ruined it all by coming clean?
She stuffed her mouth with a larger bite of bread to quiet some of the blooming anxiety.
“Is that your dress?” Leela asked.
“Yes,” Nava said with a full mouth. Eating was one of her default coping mechanisms. Sleepwalking was how her anxiety presented itself. She had nowhere to go in this castle while locked in this room. “The minions also delivered a wooden box, but I haven’t opened it yet. I’m afraid she sent me someone’s hand or ear as a souvenir.”
Leela’s face paled. “Do you think she would do such a thing? That would be a war call!”
“It was a poor joke!” Nava rushed to say, shaking her head. “Please ignore me.”
“Huh.” Leela eyed the aforementioned object warily, and then her gaze met Nava’s and softened. “Come, miss. Let’s start getting you ready for the celebration tonight.”
Nava wrapped her robe around her body and sauntered toward the dressing table, sitting the way she had for the past few days. Her skin was heated and flushed, her body sensitive and swollen, her mind not as sharp as it usually was.
“The party is not until later tonight. It’s pretty early to get ready,” she commented as Leela started brushing her hair with a musical hum.
“Solstice celebrations are for everyone to attend,” she chirped with a grin. “Including us.”
“I like that. Maybe that way, I won’t be by myself.” Nava smiled.
“I’m sure your fiancé will love keeping you company . . .” Leela hesitated. “Even while wearing that dress.”
