Page 50 of A Tale of Treachery

Redmond’s face filled with amusement while Nameless squinted at me. “We have met multiple times. You know my name, Dahlia.”

I grimaced and met Redmond’s gaze, a knowing look passing between us. We both turned our attention back to Nameless, my mind still drawing a blank.

He sighed. “Really?”

We both waited.

“It’s Thomas. Try to remember it this time. Now, we must go. The king has been waiting for your presence for the past day and is growing impatient.”

Thomas was rude, but that wasn’t what bothered me. The king was looking for me, which could only mean one thing: Aiden.

Dread filled my gut, and I clenched my fists. I knew there would be repercussions for the little show Aiden had put on, but I was completely unprepared for whatever this was.

The feelings I’d had for Aiden weeks ago were slowly trickling back into friendship territory, and there was one person to blame for that. Ryken.

As much as I hated to admit it, the assassin had grown on me like some sort of deadly disease. I didn’t know when it happened or how, but I’d developed feelings for the infuriating male and couldn’t deny them.

I had to speak to Aiden, but guilt held me back.

Redmond spoke, seeming to come to the same conclusion. “She will not be going alone, Sir Timothy. I am her guardian and mentor and will be accompanying her. It would be unseemly for a single woman to enter the king’s office alone.”

Thomas rolled his eyes, annoyed at still being called by the wrong name, but I winked at Redmond.

Good one.

“The king requested only Dahlia’s presence. You were not invited, and she is twenty-three, past the age where it would be unseemly.”

I elbowed Redmond while racking my brain for a new T name. “Sir Theodore, Redmond is right. He is my guardian and therefore must be in attendance. What would people say if they witnessed an unwed maiden entering the king’s quarters all alone?” I gasped and threw a hand to my chest. “My reputation would never recover from the damaging rumors.”

“We all know of your reputation, Dahlia, and the nobles would hardly be shocked.”

Ouch.

Redmond angrily defended my honor. “Be careful how you speak to my ward, Toby. I don’t like what you are implying.”

The irritation radiating off Thomas was palpable, and Redmond grinned with pure delight. But I couldn’t find humor in the situation, knowing that there was no way to get out of this meeting with the king.

Resigning myself to my fate, I gave both men a reluctant nod. “It’s settled, then. Redmond will accompany me to this meeting, or we won’t be going.”

It was clear that Thomas wanted to fight, wanted to argue and deny us, but he swallowed his retort and sneered, “Follow me, then.”

Redmond looked weary as he held out his arm for me to take. Thomas strode off without looking back, and we followed. “Don’t worry, Dahlia,” Redmond murmured. “Whatever this is, I will have the final say since you are single and under my care.”

I was technically considered a spinster at my age. The laws of the kingdom determined that women must always have a keeper, and since I was unmarried, Redmond was considered my keeper by law. I hated the archaic stance toward women that ran prevalent in the kingdom, but at this time, that very stance was my best shot against whatever lay ahead.

“Thank you, Master, for protecting my pure, innocent soul,” I effused as we headed to my doom.

CHAPTER19

The garish display of wealth in the king’s sitting room was expected, but seeing it in real life still made my eyes sore. Golden vases, golden wallpaper, elaborate carpeting and rugs, all tinged with gold, and gaudy furniture with rich red and gold accents was an assault to the senses. Nothing could make me feel more unwelcome as Redmond and I waited to be admitted to the king’s office.

Despite the chill of the sitting area, sweat beaded down my spine, my frayed nerves causing me to overheat. My legs bounced as I perched on the edge of the leather camelback sofa, too worried that if I sat fully on it, my body might cause damage to the luxurious material.

I looked around the room, noticing two doors on opposite ends of the room. Either one could lead to the king’s bedroom—disgusting—or to his office, which was less disgusting, but still disturbing. Hopefully, the door Thomas disappeared behind was the office.

Thank the gods Redmond was with me.

Redmond gripped my leg firmly, a signal to stop displaying my nerves.

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