Page 10 of A Tale of Treachery

I didn’t know what would happen next but knew one thing: I should be scared.

CHAPTER5

Ihated that Ryken knew what I was. The possibilities of what he might do with that information were limitless. He might try to hold it over my head or expose me. I couldn’t let him tell anyone what I was. If he did, I could lose everything. My home. My loved ones. My friendships.

My life would be over.

And gods forbid if Malachi were to discover my whereabouts. If word got out that there was a half-human, half-shade creature in Cambriel, he would know it was me. There were only two of us in existence, after all.

My heart raced from the spike of anxiety that washed over me, and I felt the urge to run far away while there was still a chance.

But I couldn’t leave Redmond behind, not after all he’d done for me. I couldn’t leave my friends or Aiden.

The jar of salve was a heavy weight in my hand, and instead of running, I forced myself to walk it off. I paced around the palace and turned over each possible scenario and its resulting outcome.

Plopping down on a bench at the edge of the courtyard, I glanced down at the small jar, studying the layers of cream. Maybe I was overreacting. Maybe it wouldn’t be that bad. Ryken might never mention it again.

Who was I kidding? Ryken would seize the opportunity to torment me further…but he was keeping secrets of his own. Secrets that would spell his doom. A fae creature posing as a trusted companion to the king wouldn’t be taken lightly if ever discovered, regardless of whether or not the king already knew.

He was up to something. No fae in their right mind willingly entered the Kingdom of Cambriel.

I smiled wide, knowing what needed to be done next. I’d figure out what Ryken was doing here, then use the information to keep him in line. It was immoral, but I never claimed to be good.

Besides, he was blackmailing me first. And I would do whatever it took to keep him quiet.

I leaned back against the bench, the wheels of my mind finally slowing enough to take in my surroundings. I hadn’t noticed where I’d wandered off to in my panic, but now that I was present and aware, a brief smile flitted across my face.

The fresh air of the palace courtyard greeted me, soothing my concerns. This was always my favorite place. So many days had been spent out here with my friends and Aiden while we played in the sun. It was a place of beauty, a pristine plaza surrounded by lush gardens that held the largest variety of plants in the kingdom. Tulips, wildflowers, rosebushes, and fruit trees lined the stone courtyard, while marble columns formed a barrier between the gardens and plaza. Benches lay nestled beneath the trees and throughout the gardens, offering concealed places to relax and hide.

I let myself settle in and reached up to pluck an apple from the tree hanging over my bench. The sounds of laughter and banter filled the air, but the noise didn’t concern me because I was safely hidden. Nobody would bother me here.

The laughter grew louder, followed by cheers and taunts. With my peace and quiet penetrated, I peered into the courtyard and cursed beneath my breath.

Today was demonstration day, and I’d completely forgotten that the prince’s company of soldiers would be performing. After what had happened, I’d done everything to avoid my friends, and I would be damned if they spotted me.

I shrank back and watched as my friends Brandon and George faced off against one another. Their wooden swords clashed, and they laughed, moving with the fluidity of years of practice. Next to them, other soldiers in the prince’s party sparred while onlookers cheered and shouted.

My heart fluttered upon spotting Aiden. Shouting commands, he stood to one side. He looked good. His golden hair was brushed back neatly, and gold his armor stretched across his broad figure, glinting in the sunlight. Tall and imposing, he looked every bit the knight in shining armor.

Something caught in my throat as I watched the man I loved, the one who would always hold a special place in my heart, and I gazed at my friends with regret. We’d once been inseparable but hadn’t spoken in a month. Not since Aiden had caught George and me kissing. I sorely regretted the action but couldn’t take it back.

George was convenient, and I’d kissed him to take revenge on Aiden for his inability to see me as anything other than a friend. It was as simple as that. But I would never be able to forget the pain and betrayal in Aiden’s eyes when he’d caught us, nor would I forget the foul words he’d used, words hurled at me in anger.

Luckily, the men hadn’t noticed my presence. So I remained hidden and waited for the crowd to thicken. And when the oohs and aahs of the spectators grew loud enough, I grasped my opportunity to escape and pulled the hood of my cloak over my head.

“Lady Dahlia!” Aiden’s voice cut through the courtyard.

The spectators’ heads whipped around, and I groaned.

This wasn’t the time or place for a reunion. There were too many prying eyes and ears desperate for the juiciest hint of gossip.

Aiden’s angry look from the night things had fallen apart flashed through my mind, and I braced myself, not knowing what to expect. But when our eyes met, he was all dimpled smiles.

I breathed and approached him, the crowd parting as I made my way through.

Aiden met me halfway, seemingly giddy with excitement. His blue eyes twinkled.

I offered a brief curtsy. “Your Highness.”

---