Secrets of the sphere, p.4
Throne of Betrayal, page 4
It resembled vines that peaked upwards at the crest of my head. It made me feel more powerful than the ones covered in sparkling jewels. I would need that power tonight.
“You look just as beautiful. You should be mingling with everyone instead of standing by me. I’m afraid I won’t be much fun this evening.”
Claude simply shrugged and slung her arm through mine. It was a great comfort that relaxed my nerves. Together we made small talk with several dignitaries, lords, dukes and their wives. Many offered condolences for my mother still, while others would casually orchestrate their sons into the conversation. They were all noble efforts, except for one lord’s wife who seemed to turn up her nose at the idea of her son marrying me. Claude had laughed at that.
We found Elliott standing along a pillar, studying all the members of court in their silk and chiffon. His striking purple tunic was so dark it was almost black. The gold trim around the edges of it sparkled against his skin. “Have you seen Lady Clarence? Whoever decided to have her wear that hideous brown, pathetic excuse for a gown should be fired. With her hair on top of her head like that she could very well be a tree with a sparrow’s nest.”
I snorted and Claude snickered behind her hand as we all glanced in her direction. Lady Clarence was from Brigbrooke, a city bordering Zenith, our northern neighbor. She was tall enough to be a small tree with long, twig-like arms and legs. Her straw-colored hair piled atop her head akin to the straw in a bird’s nest. Elliott was not far off base with the comparison.
“Do find us some good gossip while we’re off doing our duty.” I smiled at him.
Elliott smirked back with a nod. “Oh, I will. I already overheard that Lord Barnsley’s son has gotten a tavern girl pregnant.”
I groaned, wishing I could just slip among the masses and hear all the scandals with him. Elliott gave me a sympathetic smile and kissed my cheek before Claude and I melted back into the crowd.
We were in the middle of making rounds with the rest of our guests when my father finally appeared. He was donned in all his regality. The family jewels graced his balding head; the rubies dazzled in the candlelight. Everyone he passed gave a bow as he made his way over to me. I nodded my head slightly as he took in my appearance.
“Father,” I spoke plainly.
He kissed the top of my head and placed a hand on my back, leading me away from the guests I had been speaking to. Claude stayed behind, laughing at something the lady had said.
“I need to speak with you.” The baritone of his voice was hushed.
We walked over to an abandoned wall, and he casually leaned his shoulder against it. His sword at his hip clanked against the stone. We stared at each other for a moment, and he pursed his lips. This was the most time we’d had amongst each other for quite a while.
“I’m going to be leaving for a short while. Our people in the south need to see their king.”
“There’s been more talk of rebels then?” I frowned and he nodded in reply.
Word had been spreading rapidly of our weakened state. My father had not been himself after being accused of murdering Helena just shortly after losing his own wife and son in childbirth. Rightfully so, but nobles had taken notice. Latest reports had said my father had been going mad, and even contemplated marrying me to maintain his grip. Though nothing could be further from the truth, certain rebel factions weaponized these claims against us. Some people were starting to revolt against the crown based on this and the precarious financial situation we were in. Hunger made even the sanest of people rabid.
“I need you here to placate the nobles should anyone come sniffing about while I’m gone. As of this moment I’m making you the regent of Tellus.”
I stood a little straighter at his words. I had finally reached the time to rule in my father’s place, and while it thrilled me, it filled my stomach with lead. The whole kingdom was looking to me.
“I will do you proud.” I swallowed my nerves, my heart quickened. He gave a half smile that didn’t touch his eyes, and once again looked me over.
“You look so much like your mother tonight. She would be proud too.” He pulled me in a short embrace, and I savored it. Tears welled in my eyes. We didn’t have many of these moments, and we rarely talked about my mother. Perhaps this was the turning of a page.
“Did Levian speak with you?” I couldn’t let him leave without addressing it. Though by the pinching of his lips, I knew I’d spoiled the moment.
“He did.”
“And?”
“I have several spies placed throughout our territories as well as Silex. I know there has been movement in Phillip’s court and I am tracking it. I see no need to worry yet. Our walls are fortified, they have no way in. I need to focus on the threat in our own lands first.” His voice was clipped and firm. I could tell there was no pushback allowed from me.
“I trust you,” I sighed, defeated.
“You better rejoin your guests. I noticed the Duke of Elyse has been watching you like a hawk tonight. Be careful with that one.” He managed a small smirk and sauntered off. I turned to walk back where Claude was waiting, when a man emerged in front of me.
He was tall, at least a foot above me, and muscular in stature. His deep brown hair flowed just past his strong jaw line which was covered in a thick beard. The waves were half pinned back in a tight bun to reveal his emerald eyes. Which, to my own irritation, were fixated intensely on me.
“Adelaide.” His voice was gruff and deep, an accent from somewhere I couldn’t place. He gave a low bow, never taking his eyes off mine. They seemed so deep, so endless. It was as if a lush forest lurked behind them.
Despite his unshaven face, I could see the muscles twitch in his jaw as he grinned at me. It made me uneasy, and a knot twisted in my stomach.
“Who are you?” I asked.
“The new King of Mare. I sent a letter to you in hopes we would meet. I’ve been looking for you all night.”
“Cassius.” I remembered, and he gave a sly grin. “You know, it is proper to address me by my title rather than my name. Especially upon first meetings.”
He took a step closer to me, his eyes glittered in a predatory manner. “Usually, yes. But given we are equals I supposed we could skip the formalities."
“Equals?” I scoffed.
“Yes, equals. Though my throne already belongs to me.”
I squared my shoulders at his audacity. “I am the only blood heir to this court. My father’s throne is my own, it has belonged to me since birth. You misunderstand your own place, Your Grace.”
The corner of Cassius’ lips twitched in amusement. "Do you dance?”
“With good, decent men, yes.”
“Oh, I can be good,” he purred and outstretched a large hand to me.
I stared at his palm, leathered by calluses, and then back to him wide eyed. It took everything in me to not slap him for his brazen efforts. I peeked at Claude, her mouth wide in shock. I tried to signal her to rescue me with a look, but she just stood there, frozen. Other guests had also begun to stare at our less than friendly interaction. I swallowed my pride to avoid making a scene, and reluctantly placed my hand in his.
“I’m not a very good dancer I’m afraid,” I huffed as he guided me onto the ballroom floor.
He chuckled and settled a hand low on my waist. “Don’t worry, I am.”
Cassius pulled me a little closer to him, until there was only a short space between us. He looked down at me and seemed to peer right to my core. A lump lodged in my throat as he glided us into one of the more intimate waltzes.
“I’m happy you could come enjoy the festivities with us,” I managed to say between movements. A lie, but given his reputation and that of his father, I wouldn’t dare risk offending him here. It felt as though I was dancing on a bed of needles.
“I’m thankful to be here, Your Majesty.”
“I thought we were skipping formalities.”
He smiled and spun me around, catching me in a close embrace. His face was inches from mine and my breath hitched at his boldness. I tried to shake a heat that twisted low in my stomach from the feel of his hands around me.
“I’ve heard a rumor you were seeking a husband. Though I don’t know if that’s true, considering most men who have come to call have been turned away. They claimed you were a viper, but I don’t see any fangs.” He teased me and I snorted at the remark.
“I keep them hidden at events such as these. Don’t want to frighten my guests. But don’t worry, they’re there.”
The music changed tempo, a quicker pace this time. We linked our arms together and trotted into a new dance.
“I have always loved snakes, they’re vastly misunderstood. Much like my home and myself, in fact.”
“Misunderstood how?” I asked as he swung me to his opposite side.
“Well, the way my father lived his life is no secret. He was…an intense man. Our people can be intense as well, though. It’s our culture. Most of the families are warrior bred, even the women now,” he explained.
“I take it you’re trying to say you’re not your father?” I raised an eyebrow at him.
His smile faded and hardened into stone. “I am more like him than I know. I was merely saying we are misunderstood.”
Cassius held his muscular arm firm behind my back and dipped my body low. So low, I could’ve almost laid upon the floor. He slowly raised me back up, but we stopped dancing. We merely just stood within inches of each other. He sighed and shifted his expression back into a sly smile. A monster working to charm the prey that had been lured into its arms.
“I believe there’s many things we can learn from the other, Adelaide. There are secrets, and forces at work larger than us. Let’s help each other. I can keep your kingdom in your hands, and you can help my trade routes to flourish. With my armies at our disposal, we can accomplish it.” Cassius’ face was now almost nose to nose with my own. We were breathing the same air and I couldn’t get enough oxygen, making my head woozy.
“I do not need protection,” I breathed unsteadily.
“Oh, but I think you do,” he purred. I hated the feeling his voice awakened in my gut. A twist of irritation and attraction.
“And who will protect me from you?” I managed to shoot back, taking a step out of his reach.
He opened his mouth to say something else but was interrupted by a smoother voice. Rich like velvet…
“May I steal her away a moment?” The voice asked.
Cassius turned angrily to take in the intruder. His firm hands balled into fists at his side.
The man wore a mask of leaves, orange and maroon. His blonde curls danced just above it; his blue eyes locked on me. I felt my heart jump into my throat.
James.
Chapter 5
I glanced nervously between the two males as they sized each other up. Cassius was far more muscular and rugged compared to James. James was a hair shorter and leaner; pampered in the palace lifestyle. If they were to come to blows Cassius would surely win. I couldn’t tell if Cassius recognized him despite the mask he wore. He never let on if he did.
“It’s the lady’s choice.” Cassius relaxed his fists and turned his focus to me. His emerald eyes glimmered intriguingly.
A part of me believed I should stay with Cassius. If James was caught here, and with me…I shuddered at the thought. But James was here. He had risked a great deal just to see me. Not to mention how incredibly handsome he looked in his formal wear. His toned and lean body was captured by his sleek suit. My pulse raced.
“I believe I should share my time between all my guests tonight, Your Grace. Perhaps we will meet again later.” I smiled slyly at him, and the corners of his mouth just twitched in reply.
He reached down and pulled my hand up to his mouth. “I look forward to it.”
Cassius’ lips grazed the top of my hand, his beard tickled at the skin. His eyes were locked on James as he did it. It was as if he were challenging him or claiming a part of me that he couldn’t have. Then, he simply turned on his heel and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.
“Do you have any idea who that man is?” James seethed sternly between clenched teeth. “He is a brute; their whole island is. I’m glad I saved you when I did. You don’t need to be entertaining the thoughts in his head Addy. And the way he was running his hands over you…”
I looked up at him and smirked. “Is that jealousy in your voice?”
He rolled his eyes. “It’d be an honor to take Her Majesty out for some fresh air. It’s a bit stuffy in here.”
I nodded in agreement as we strode from the hall. Claude’s cautious stare caught my eye from around the corner. I offered her a reassuring smile, but her own lips thinned in disapproval. She had every right to be uncertain of him given the state of our courts, but I knew his true heart.
The courtyard was empty except for a few guests that milled from their carriages into the great hall. None of them looked twice at James to my relief.
“I took every precaution coming here. No one except Brutus knows I’m here, and he’s stationed at the border should I need him,” James reassured me.
Brutus was his private guard, loyal only to him. James knew he wouldn’t report back to his father and wasn’t naïve enough to think he should come without protection. Just in case.
“I’m happy you’re here. It’s nice to have you in my home again despite the need for disguise.” I gestured at his mask, and he chuckled.
“Is there someplace private we can go?” he asked, his eyes teemed with emotion.
My blood heated at the sight of it. I nodded and pulled him towards cellars across the grounds.
We walked past the stores of winter supplies until we were at the mouth of the secret tunnel. Its pitch-black void gaped at us.
“What is this place?” James removed his mask and peered into the darkness.
I shrugged. “I don’t really know. I found it here years ago and kept it to myself. It leads into a wooded alcove in Windengard. This is how I’m able to meet with you undetected.”
James felt at the walls around us, taking it all in. “It must’ve been some sort of route to get supplies into the castle discreetly.”
“That’s what I assume, but I’ve searched through every map of the grounds, and it hasn’t appeared on any of them.”
“Probably wise. This in the wrong hands would be a catastrophe.” He turned to look at me and smiled through the tension. “I am thankful you’ve been able to use it to see me.”
I blushed at him and placed a hand against his cheek. I felt the blonde stubble that prickled against my palm there.
“You need a shave,” I teased.
“I’ll be sure to tell the barber.” James leaned into my touch and closed his eyes with a sigh. When he opened them again, there was that emotion welling there. It was sadness, I realized.
“What is it?” I asked.
“I wanted to apologize for the way we left things the other night. I didn’t want to argue with you, only to warn you. And in my own stupid way remind you how I felt about you…”
“How do you feel about me?” I breathed; my heartbeat raged in my ears.
He cupped my face in his hands and stroked my cheek with his thumb. “I think I’ve known for a long time, but I’ve never said it out loud. Never told you…” His nose brushed against mine. “I am in love with you, Adelaide. Deeply and truly, I love you...”
“I love you, too,” I confessed. My heart felt as though it would burst at any second, but I didn’t have time to think about it.
James brought his lips to mine. It was soft at first, hesitant as he waited for my reply. I should have pushed him off and rejoined the guests waiting for me, but I didn’t.
I kissed him back and wrapped my arms around him, pulling him into me. His mouth turned from hesitation to a demanding hunger. His hands moved from my face down to my body, sending a shiver up my spine. They slid to my waist where Cassius’ had been, and he held me tightly against him. I wanted more, needed more. I wanted to ingrain this moment and him into my memory.
I worked my fingers to undo the tie in his shirt which revealed a bit of his chest. It was chiseled in the same manner his face was. My hands explored the sensitive skin there and I felt him groan against my mouth.
“Addy, we need to stop…” James breathed, his voice uneven. His grip on me didn’t loosen.
I kissed the crook of his neck and felt a tremble ripple through his body. My lips found purchase on every bit of exposed skin they could find.
“Adelaide, I am begging you.”
His words said one thing while his hands disobeyed entirely. They had already moved to my back and began loosening my corset strings.
I didn’t care if we were in the dark, dirt-floored tunnel. I wanted all of him to have all of me, now. I wanted our bodies and souls to join and never separate again. My shoulders had shrugged out of my dress, ready to bare all of myself for him, when I heard the voice behind us. I almost hadn’t, given my blood pumping loudly in my ears.
“Your Grace I’m sorry to interrupt…” Claude started but quickly averted her eyes as we whirled at her.
James shoved off me and I hurriedly pulled my sleeves back onto my shoulders. We were both breathing heavily. My hair curls had come unpinned, and James’ chest was still exposed. I watched him turn around as he tried to fix his arousal hastily.
“Your father is looking for you,” Claude finally managed to utter. One of her hands still covered her eyes.
James turned back around and plucked the mask from the dirt floor. He shot me an apologetic look as he repositioned it over his face. I managed a grim smile as he disappeared past Claude, and she threw him a disapproving look before he vanished all together out of the cellar.
I sighed, trying to relax my heart back into rhythm. My shaking hands attempted to fix my hair as Claude marched over to me. Anger fueled in her footsteps.
“What the hell are you thinking?” She shook her head as she repinned my hair and adjusted my tiara. “Imagine if your father had caught you, or one of the gossiping maids. Your name would be ruined, and for an enemy’s son no less…”
