Page 14 of A Dagger in the Ivy (Blade Bound #1)

C Hapter

Indira throws back the curtains, and sunlight pierces my eyes like blades. I squint and roll to my side, suppressing a groan.

“Morning, Your Highness. Rise and shine.”

I can’t recall the hour in which I returned to my room from the ball, but I know it was later than I had intended. After my run-in with Dante, there was more dancing with Torbin, and small talk with nobles. But the king and queen never returned from wherever they disappeared to. I know that must have been her crying in that room, but I have no proof. My theory is the king wasn’t pleased with her drinking and reprimanded her in that private room. Perhaps the glass shattering was the queen dropping or throwing a wineglass in her drunken stupor.

It’s really not for me to speculate or judge. It irks me that I’ve come to agree with Dante. But he’s right: it’s not my place.

“Indira, have you no decency?” Nadya yammers as she stumbles into my room, rubbing her eyes. She’s being more or less pushed into my room by Indira.

“No time to dally.” Indira pulls a dress out of my trunk and lays it on the bed. “This will do for your lessons, I think.”

“Lessons?” I ask through a yawn.

“With the magister.” Indira gives me an exasperated look. “To learn about Hedera.”

“Oh, right.” I wrinkle my nose. My uncle said I would need to brush up on my knowledge of the Land of Ivy, but I wasn’t aware these were actual lessons that I would be required to attend.

Nadya giggles, plopping down on a settee. “Sounds boring. Have fun, Celeste.”

Indira clucks her tongue. “I don’t know what you’re laughing at, Lady Nadya. You’re required to attend as well.”

Nadya’s eyes bulge. “You lie.”

“I do not, my lady.”

As Nadya grunts and buries her head in her hands, I stand and stretch. I’m actually used to rising early for my post as commander, but my regiment duties don’t usually follow a ball that continued into all hours of the night.

“Before your lessons, you’re invited to have breakfast with His and Her Majesties in the royal dining hall.” Indira shoves me down in the vanity chair and starts pulling a brush through my hair.

Though I’m not really in the mood to play nice with the king and queen so early in the morning, I am extremely curious about their disappearance last night.

“After you’ve eaten,” Indira continues, “the chamberlain, Master Zimmerman, will escort you to your lessons.”

“Do I really need to be escorted?” I frown at the prospect of someone always being around me, chaperoning me. It’s bad enough Sir Holden accompanies me through all the corridors, which I aim to contest as soon as I see the king.

“Just today, so you can be shown where you need to go.” Indira works a knot out of my hair that makes me grind my teeth. “If you feel comfortable enough finding your way around afterward, you may do as you please.”

Once Nadya and I are dressed and ready, we move toward the door together. Indira shuffles around the room, tidying up. Just as I open the door to step into the hall, I hear a gasp behind me. I turn to find Indira holding my gown from last night, her fingers clinging to the ruined tulle.

“By the gods! What have you done?”

Nadya’s eyes widen, but I can tell she’s holding back a laugh.

“Sorry, Indira. We’re late for breakfast.” I push Nadya through the door and shut it behind us.

We can still hear Indira’s screeching as we hurry down the hall with Sir Holden not far behind us. Nadya’s giggles echo around us. We don’t slow our pace until we round the corner. As I catch my breath, Nadya takes my arm.

“What time did you leave the party?” she asks.

“I don’t know the hour. But it was late.” I shrug. “I barely remember Torbin escorting me to my room.”

Nadya’s eyes widen. “Scandalous!”

I shove her away playfully. “Nothing scandalous took place, especially with my faithful Royal Ward standing at my door. Torbin said goodnight and kissed my hand.”

“While gazing longingly into your eyes, I bet. I’m sure if you had invited him into your room, he would have jumped at the chance.”

I bite my cheek, recalling the dreamy look he’d given me before he left for his room. I think Nadya is right, but I don’t say a word. Nadya doesn’t gossip on purpose, but she slips into conversations easily, and I don’t want to give her any fodder that might travel back to royal ears.

“Speaking of inviting people into rooms.” I check over my shoulder to make sure Sir Holden isn’t close enough to hear me. “Someone certainly jumped at the chance to be in yours last night.”

Nadya’s jaw drops. “How do you—?”

“Apparently, the walls between our rooms are thin.”

A warm glow reddens her cheeks. “Oh, gods. I’m so embarrassed.”

“Don’t be.” I elbow her. “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself and not wallowing in your room. I feel bad enough dragging you here with me, giving you no choice in the matter.”

“I had a choice. I’m happy to be here with you.” She hooks her arm through mine again. “I’d never let you go through this alone. ”

“I’m grateful for you.” I raise my brows. “And I’m grateful for the extra pillows in my room with which I covered my ears last night.”

The dining hall of Ivystone Citadel is a grand and imposing chamber, with high ceilings adorned with intricate carvings. The center of the room features a large, oak table surrounded by highbacked chairs. The table is draped in rich fabrics and set with gleaming silverware and polished goblets. An array of delicious aromas wafts through the air, tantalizing my senses as I take in the sight before me. The walls are adorned with portraits of noble ancestors, capturing the essence of a lineage steeped in tradition. I can’t help but notice from the portraits that King Silas resembles his father, and his father before him, and so on.

My stomach rumbles in anticipation as I take in the sight of freshly baked bread and pastries, their golden crusts glistening under the soft glow of the chandeliers above. Bowls of assorted fruits catch the light, their vibrant colors adding a touch of freshness to the scene. A tantalizing aroma fills the air, a medley of cheeses and cured meats enticing my senses. Fluffy scrambled eggs sit alongside crispy bacon and plump sausage links, while delicate slices of smoked salmon rest beside wedges of honey melon.

“Oh, thank the gods,” Nadya whispers. “I’m starved.”

I expect to find the king and queen at the table, but instead, I find the king and Dante. I bristle before continuing into the room. Refusing to sit next to the man who wouldn’t stop calling me a “pirate,” I move to the opposite side of the table. Before I go to my chair, I quickly take in his appearance.

His black, linen shirt seems crisp and clean, confirming my suspicions that he’s got a servant looking after him in the castle. He may not have been pampered growing up, but he is certainly living a privileged life now. The high collar of the shirt partially hides his neck, and the long sleeves are folded up at the cuffs. His well-fitted trousers are the same shade as his shirt, making me wonder if he owns clothing in anything else but black. His leather boots appear polished, and the silver buckle of his belt gleams in the light.

I curtsey. “Good morning, Your Majesty.” I sit, not acknowledging Dante in the least.

As much as I avoid eye contact, however, I can feel him watching me.

Nadya curtseys as well before taking the seat beside me.

“Where is Her Majesty, the queen?” I ask. “I wanted to thank her for the lovely welcome party.” Her absence seems strange, especially since Indira had mentioned the royals were expecting me.

The king eyes me for a moment, sucking his teeth while he sloshes his wine around in his cup. “The queen is feeling ill. Too much of the drink, I assume. Women never could hold their liquor like a man.”

My brows plunge at his words. I glance at Nadya, and she subtly shakes her head, reminding me of the promise I made to my uncle to be civil. Even though King Silas is far from it.

The king takes a bite of sausage, not bothering to finish chewing before he continues. “Seems my fair wife has outdone herself as usual and needs to catch up on her beauty sleep. I didn’t feel the need to disturb her. I’m sure you’ll see her soon enough during the wedding planning.”

It doesn’t sit right with me that the queen is not here, especially after I suspected it was her crying in that private room last night.

I chance a glance at Dante, and just as I presumed, he’s glaring daggers at me.

I clear my throat and draw my attention to the various platters in the center of the table. After I place some food upon my plate, I look up at Dante again. He scowls as if he wants to continue his insults from last night. I keep my eyes locked with his as I pick up the knife beside my plate, flip it in my palm, and gruffly stab the piece of sausage before me.

The force makes Nadya jump, and she nearly spits the pastry from her mouth.

Dante, however, appears unfazed.

“Pardon me,” I say to the king. “I’m simply so famished that I let my actions get away from me.” I swiftly cut a piece of the meat and shove it in my mouth.

The king actually smiles at me. “Yes, yes. The food is here to be indulged, so I say, indulge yourselves.” He follows my lead and chomps his sausage in half.

“Where is Torbin?” I aim my question at the king, avoiding eye contact with Dante. “I thought he’d be joining us as well.”

“The prince is a grown man who mustn’t fulfill your expectations,” says the king. “If he is not here, it is not for us to question his whereabouts.”

I wipe my mouth with my napkin to hide my sneer. I’m reminded of my uncle’s warning to play nice and decide to change the subject. “Any word from the realms? I saw the nightfeathers fly last night.”

The king’s smile disappears, and he shifts in his chair. “It’s far too soon for any word to reach us. But let’s not let politics and military schemes sour our breakfast. Besides, it’s about time for you to attend your lessons.”

“If I may ask, Your Majesty, are lessons really necessary? I’m quite good at reading. Your magister could simply assign me some books to read.”

“From what I understand, you’ve focused your attention on your skills in the regiment. Your uncle mentioned your inclination of skipping even basic lessons. You never had the discipline to learn the history of Terre Ferique or the proper way of the court. And even if you have, Hedera’s customs are different to those in Delasurvia.” The king scoffs. “I never did like that name. It’s such a mouthful. Don’t you think, Dante?”

Dante has a slight smirk on his face as he glares at me. “Yes, it certainly does make the bile rise.”

I push my plate away, suddenly losing my appetite. “Your Majesty, I do have a request, if I may.”

“Somehow,” he begins, “that doesn’t surprise me.”

“It’s about Sir Holden.” I glance at the closed door, behind which my Royal Ward stands.

The king’s eyes narrow. “You don’t approve? He’s one of our top men.”

“I’m sure he’s very skilled. But I don’t need him to follow me around everywhere.”

The king stabs a poached egg and lifts it to his mouth. “He’s around to protect you.”

“I understand, and I’m grateful for the sentiment. But I think I should be safe within the castle walls.”

He lets out a sigh after he swallows his bite. “I suppose if you don’t require him at your side, he mustn’t accompany you everywhere. But he will escort you if you leave the castle grounds, and his main duty is to guard your room at night.”

“Must he?” I ask. I can’t help but think Sir Holden might have also been assigned to stand guard in case I decide to leave my room at night.

“I insist,” the king responds.

Dante’s eyes bore into me as if I’m being unreasonable.

“Very well, then. Thank you for a lovely breakfast.” I stand, not even caring if I’ve offended the king with my sarcasm. “Ready, Nadya?”

Nadya’s mouth is full as she stands. “Mm-hmm.” She palms another pastry and hides it behind her back.

The king’s white brow rises. “I thought you were waiting for Torbin.”

“I’m sure he knows where to find me. But, you know, he’s a man, so I have no expectations.”

I can feel Dante watching me as I storm out of the dining hall.