Page 25 of A Dagger in the Ivy (Blade Bound #1)

C Hapter

Twenty- Five

“Are you all right?” Nadya asks as I brush my hair for the third time since Indira left the room.

I was a bit blunt with Indira when I insisted I could fix my hair on my own, and she didn’t seem to approve of me wearing my trousers and billowy blouse instead of the dress she’d picked out. But I’ve been too upset to pay her much mind.

Upset at Dante for taunting me last night.

Upset at myself for falling for his tricks.

Upset at my body for reacting to him.

“Yes, I’m fine.” I set down the brush and look at her reflection in the mirror.

“It’s just that you’ve been moping. And we’re not usually this late to breakfast.” Nadya steps closer. “I think I know what’s bothering you.”

My breath hitches, and my mind replays every interaction Dante and I might have had in front of her. Nadya can be rather perceptive, and my fear is that she’s seen something between me and Dante that I may not have even noticed myself.

Something Aila said intrudes into my thoughts. “I saw the look in his eyes.”

Am I the only one who didn’t see it? Or have they all been manipulated by his powers?

I turn and face Nadya, bracing myself for what she’s about to say.

“You’re homesick.” She frowns. “As am I. Don’t get me wrong—I’m having a rather pleasant time. You know how much I love attention. But nothing quite feels as welcoming as home, does it?”

Relief floods me. I let my shoulders relax. “Yes.” I clear my throat. “It’s been a hard adjustment. But don’t worry. I’m sure my blue mood will pass.”

“If there’s anything I can do, just let me know.”

“You’re a true friend.” My own words sting me. If I were a true friend, I would tell her everything I was thinking. I would tell her about my wandering spells. I would ask her for advice about my mixed-up feelings.

“One thing I do know is that moods usually improve when you’ve got a full belly.” She grabs my hand and pulls me to stand. “So let’s get breakfast.”

Nadya and I make our way down the corridor, the echoes of our footfalls mixed with those of Sir Holden trailing behind us. I glance back at him, feeling a pang of guilt for sneaking out of my room without his knowledge, even though I’ve done it while in a trance.

The morning sun spills through the windows, casting long, warm beams across the polished floors. Servants open the heavy, wooden doors to the dining room, and Sir Holden stands sentry in the hall as Nadya and I enter the room.

The servants are already clearing some of the platters, their movements efficient and practiced. I scan the room quickly, relieved to find Dante’s usual seat empty. My tension eases slightly at the sight of his abandoned dish.

The king rises from his seat and spares me a short glance. “Taking to sleeping in?”

“Pardon our tardiness.” I curtsey before sliding into my seat.

Nadya grabs some bacon from one of the platters a servant is about to take away.

“I’m afraid you missed the height of conversation, and now the queen and I have duties to attend to.” King Silas’s tall presence looms over me.

Disappointment presses down on me. Breakfast is usually the only time I get to voice my questions about the king’s progress with the trade treaty with Mersos and the situation at the borders of Dulcamar.

Queen Eleanor has her eyes trained to the floor as she rises and goes to his side. She seems a bit withdrawn, her usual vibrant demeanor dimmed. She offers us a polite nod as she prepares to leave. “Enjoy your breakfast.”

I watch them go, a twinge of concern for the queen flickering in my chest.

Turning back to the table, I decide to seize the moment for some quality time with Torbin. He looks dashing this morning, his blond hair neatly combed and his features bright. It’s as if he hadn’t downed half a bottle of brandy on his own last night.

I shift to give him my attention, but he wipes his mouth with a napkin and rises from his seat.

“Celeste.” He greets me warmly, taking my hand and pressing a kiss to it. “I’m afraid I must be off. My friends and I have decided to hunt in the nearby woods. We’ve had reports of wild boar sightings, and we thought it best to take advantage of the opportunity.”

Disappointment washes over me, but I manage a smile. “Of course. Be careful.”

“Always,” he replies with a wink. “I’ll see you later.”

With that, he strides out of the room, leaving Nadya and me to our late breakfast.

There are no lessons today, thank goodness, so I decide to spend some time with Thora and surround myself with nature. After breakfast, I walk toward the stables, my boots crunching on the gravel in a steady rhythm. Thora whinnies softly as I approach, her warm breath visible in the cool, morning air. I stroke her mane, feeling the silky strands slipping through my fingers, and for a moment, the world seems to slow down .

“Ready for a ride, girl?” I whisper, and she nudges my shoulder in response.

With Jasper’s help, I saddle her up and mount, the familiar motion bringing a sense of calm. I guide her out of the stables and into the open fields beyond the castle. The scent of fresh grass and wildflowers fills the air, and the early sun casts a golden hue over the landscape.

We trot through the fields, the wind playing with my hair and carrying away my worries. The rhythmic sound of Thora’s hooves against the earth is soothing, a steady heartbeat that aligns with my own. I take a deep breath, letting the tranquility of nature seep into my soul.

I allow Thora to pick up the pace, and soon we’re galloping, the wind rushing past us. The exhilaration of the ride clears my mind, pushing away the lingering frustration and uncertainty. My concerns about Torbin and Dante and King Silas and the Shadow Tsar fade away for a while. In this moment, it’s just Thora and me, the vast expanse of nature our only companion.

We take a turn through the fields, and I spot the nearby woods. I’m curious if these are the woods where Torbin went hunting. With the click of my tongue, I guide Thora closer to the forest. In the distance, a wolf howls. I pause for a moment, trying to judge how far away the wolf might be. When only silence follows, I continue on my quest.

My eyes narrow, focusing on shifting shadows among the trees. There, through the foliage, I catch a glimpse of Torbin and his friends.

Curiosity piqued, I draw closer to the woods. Thora’s hooves make little sound on the soft earth. Once I’m close enough, I recognize Osrem among them, the man Torbin introduced as his counsel. What’s he doing there? They’re supposed to be hunting wild boar.

I dismount quietly, tying Thora to a low branch and patting her reassuringly. Moving stealthily, I creep closer to the group, keeping low and using the underbrush for cover. The dense canopy above filters the sunlight into dappled patterns on the forest floor, casting a greenish glow.

A few yards away, Torbin stands with his back to me, speaking in low tones to Osrem. His friends are farther away, their voices muffled as they seek out the wild boar. Osrem and Torbin seem to be engaged in a serious conversation. My heart quickens as I inch closer, straining to hear their words. The forest around me is alive with sounds—the rustling of leaves, the distant call of birds—but I tune them out, focusing solely on the men ahead.

Osrem’s voice carries through the air. “… is getting impatient. We must act with diligence.”

Torbin nods, his expression serious. “I understand, but we can’t afford any mistakes. It could ruin everything.”

I feel a knot of anxiety tightening in my chest. What are they planning? Is this something that’s happening in the realms? Is there some plot unfolding that he is keeping hidden from me? Or are they simply talking about political situations between countries? I move a bit closer, the mossy ground masking my footsteps.

The men continue their conversation, but their voices become more hushed, and I miss a portion of it.

“… will be ready soon.”

Osrem nods, glancing around the clearing. I duck behind a large tree just as his gaze sweeps past me. My heart pounds in my ears, and I hold my breath as the hairs on the back of my neck rise.

What are they up to, and why is Torbin involved in something so secretive?

It grows quiet, and I fear they might have found me out. I wait two minutes. Five. But the voices are gone. I take a deep breath, the scent of hyacinth stinging my nose. With subtle movements, I peek my head around the tree. Everyone is gone.

Shit. Where did they go?

I know I shouldn’t, but curiosity drives me to try to locate Torbin. I move as stealthily as I can manage, slinking between the trees. My eyes, ears, and senses are on high alert. But I don’t see him anywhere, and I can’t understand how the group got away from me so swiftly.

Perhaps they spotted the wild boar and made haste to follow them.

I don’t know why I can’t let it go. I pick up my pace, moving with agility through the underbrush .

Finally, I think I hear something. I move toward the sound.

Two steps into my dash, a whooshing sound pricks my ears. Before I can register what it is, an object shoots across my path, nearly hitting my face. I freeze in place, perplexed. As soon as I can focus, I take in the sight of a bolt from a crossbow imbedded into the tree trunk beside me.

Swallowing hard, I scan my surroundings. When I find a pair of piercing eyes glaring in my direction, my breath hitches.

Dante steps out from behind a tree, a crossbow hanging from his arm.

Anger bubbles up, and I meet his stare with my own. I can’t even wrap my head around how fast my heart is racing.

What the fuck is he playing at? Is he seriously trying to kill me?

“Your aim is off,” I shout at him.

“Is it?” He turns away and saunters away from me through the trees.

I can only stare at him as he leaves. I’m so baffled, and I feel like I’m about to explode.

With a grunt, I take a step. A loud hissing causes me to stop. A few feet in front of me is a copperhead snake, coiled at its base, its tail vibrating a few inches above the forest floor. Its head is aimed in my direction, ready to take action.

I take a step back, not wanting to intrude upon it.

Realization dawns on me. That bolt stopped me in my tracks. It prevented me from stepping near the snake.

Did Dante do that on purpose?

Still, it was a reckless move. He could have just warned me. A lack of skill or timing on his behalf and that bolt would have been lodged in my heart instead of the tree bark.

Just when I think I couldn’t be more confused by Dante, he kicks it up a notch.

I shake my head, trying to regain my focus. I don’t think Torbin can be too far from here. As I continue my search, I keep Dante’s warning—if one can call it that—in mind. My eyes scan the forest floor with every step.

Finally, I hear cheering. I move ahead toward the sound until I find the group. They stand around a fallen boar, clapping Torbin on the back. I draw closer, and one by one, they begin to notice me.

In my head, I’m screaming at myself. What am I doing here? Why couldn’t I wait to confront him? Have I completely lost my mind?

Torbin’s brow scrunches together as he turns to face me. “Celeste?”

“Torbin, I’m so sorry to intrude. I was out for a ride with Thora, and I happened to spot you.” My eyes flit around to his friends. There’s no sign of Osrem, which strikes me as peculiar. “Looks like your hunt was successful.”

“It’s dangerous for you to be here.” His smile is gone and his tone is serious.

I cross my arms. “Oh? Was it dangerous for Osrem?”

“What?”

“I saw him out here speaking with you, and I don’t think he’s got any experience hunting or dealing with anything dangerous.” I hold his gaze, the soldier in me refusing to back down.

“You would find it unwise to spy on me.”

I can only blink at his cold tone.

The shadows in his face change as if he only now sees me. His icy gaze softens, and he presses his lips together firmly before attempting a smile. The smile falters, though, and I am left with a sour taste in my mouth.

“My apologies, Celeste. I am only concerned for your safety.” He stretches his arms out at his sides. “Osrem had some news he found prudent to deliver to me urgently. Nothing for you to be concerned about. It’s a trivial matter, really.”

I hold back from telling him what I heard. The fact is I didn’t hear the entire conversation, and though I have a strange feeling in my stomach, I don’t have all the information, so it wouldn’t be right to accuse him of anything. “I see.”

“What did you say you’re you doing out here?” He laughs and shakes his head, placing a hand on my arm.

“Is it wrong of me to seek you out?” I don’t know if my words are pushing him, but I watch him carefully to see how he reacts .

“You are right. I apologize again for my abruptness.”

I study him. His shoulders lower and his brows draw together slightly. He seems sincere. Perhaps there is something going on that’s got him on edge. Something he doesn’t want to talk about. I can understand that. I haven’t told him anything about my night wanderings or my fear of going mad because my powers haven’t manifested. “Torbin, if there’s something bothering you, you can talk to me.”

He regards me for a few long seconds, and an awkward silence hangs between us.

His gaze drops to the ground for a moment before he looks back at me. “It’s nothing. Let’s forget about this squabble and I promise to make it up to you.”

I glance around at his friends, who are all staring and waiting. “That’s not necessary.”

“I insist.”

I finally offer him a smile. “All right.”

“But it’s going to have to wait until I return.”

“‘Return’?”

“We’re leaving early for the hunt. The midnight buck.” He flashes his charming smile at me. “That’s what Osrem was talking to me about. There’s a wolf moon coming up, and the rumor is that stag sightings are more prominent then. I wouldn’t want to miss my chance.”

“I see.” I glance at his friends, none of whom object to what he’s saying. Not that they would. He’s the prince. “How soon will you go?”

He stands tall, as if he’s suddenly filled with confidence. “My men and I leave this evening.”

“So soon.” It’s not a question; it’s more of a complaint. Except for the night we all drank together, I feel like Torbin and I haven’t had much time alone. We see each other every morning at breakfast, but those moments are brief and never private. Despite it being an arranged marriage, I want to make an effort to get to know him better.

“Yes,” he replies. “It’s an inconvenience, I know. But after my triumphant return, you will be my main priority.”

I force myself to be pleasant. “Then I wish you luck, my prince.”