Page 53

Clarissa

T he cave-in was evidently the final straw.

For my family, at least. I was now treated like porcelain, not allowed to go five feet without someone glued to my side.

They begged me to keep my head down. To stay quiet and not alert the attention of whoever was after me—be that a hired assassin from Veridia or a wronged, bitter citizen of Mysthelm.

I hated it. It went against every instinct in my body.

But between my mother’s pleas and my brother’s glowers, I did what they asked.

I let Galen do the talking and try to woo his people back into agreement.

I let the King’s Guard follow me around like lap dogs.

And I did quite a bit of avoiding a certain lord, who had an annoying habit of making nightly appearances in my dreams.

Word had spread of our series of unfortunate incidents across the kingdom, and gossip ran wild .

Especially the exaggerated stories about the cave-in and how “close to death” their dear king had been by my side three times now.

There were whispers about me and whether or not I was secretly trying to have Galen murdered so I could take his place, and it made me want to scream.

So much for a quick, easy, painless tour. It felt like I was walking on eggshells everywhere I went .

The only thing I could do was keep the peace.

Visit the markets and mountains on Galen’s arm as the dutiful woman these regent families evidently wanted me to be.

Sit back during dinners and nod politely, and absolutely do not make a scene.

Let Galen meet his citizens, show them we were a united front, smile, and look pretty.

Lord Stryker would be pleased with how things were shaping up. My purpose , as he put it.

But I couldn’t stand aside and watch Galen’s curse continue to ravage Mysthelm.

During our days in the South Territory, I kept an eye out for the blight.

Mother, Rose, Leo, and I healed as much of the land as we could.

We found fields and forests covered in the familiar black death, riverbanks and streams full of decaying fish that had risen to the surface like bubbles.

There was no telling how long some of it had been like that.

Just another sign that Galen’s curse had taken on a life of its own.

When we weren’t off touring the territory, our little group made a nightly habit of commandeering the drawing room once Lord and Lady Penworth went to bed. It had become my favorite part of the trip so far, being able to unwind and relax with people I felt comfortable with.

“What I want to know is why he thinks he can just send people across the Avonige Ocean without either of our councils being aware,” Galen said after dinner on the third full day we’d been in the south. A common topic of discussion the last couple nights had been Scarven and his Shifters.

Taryn was sprawled across one of the armchairs with her feet straight in the air, trying to balance a half-empty glass of wine on the soles of her shoes.

Rose lounged with her head in Leo’s lap on the couch, and Mother sat next to him with her nose stuck in a book.

I’d claimed the other armchair while Galen paced in front of the fire.

Thorne was lost in the shadows of the curtain, the moonlight illuminating him every once in a while when the breeze from the open window fluttered the drapes and revealed his form. As far away from me as possible, as had been our unspoken agreement since the cave-in.

When we were forced in the same room together, we stayed on opposite sides. He’d made up excuse after excuse to avoid our daily excursions, and I’d requested to be with my mother instead of joining him and Galen for whatever activities Galen kept inviting us to.

But I always knew he was there. I could feel him. His gaze on my back, his warmth in the night, his low voice that rumbled like thunder over me no matter how far away we stood.

Something had changed in that cave. There had been no one around to see.

No one around to care that I’d had my legs around his waist, his hands on my skin, both of us a single breath away from crossing a line we couldn’t come back from.

I’d told him it didn’t mean anything, that it was stress and panic manifesting itself in some form of comfort, but we both knew that wasn’t true.

I was constantly aware of him and this cord stretched between us, pulling tighter and tighter each day. Its edges frayed and splintered with every passing glance, every accidental touch, every time we caught each other staring from across the room.

I feared the day it would snap entirely and send both of us flying backward.

“Scarven’s powerful. And arrogant. Thinks he’s untouchable. Like most men who lack self-awareness,” Rose said with a yawn. “Present company excluded, of course.”

“The rumors we heard made it sound like he’s been doing it for a while,” Leo said, tapping his fingers on Rose’s shoulder. “I can’t believe we hadn’t heard about this in all our years with the Sentinels. None of the scouts in Drakorum ever breathed a word of it.”

“Yes, well, they didn’t know dragon Shifters existed either, so I wouldn’t put too much confidence in that,” I said.

Galen’s eyes widened. “ Dragons ?”

I waved a hand in the air. “Long story. The point is, who knows what they could be up to? They’re practically invisible.

I’ll have to have Scarven investigated once I get back to the empire.

” Reaching for my glass of wine, I added, “Or better yet, I can draw out his Shifters here and take them out while they don’t have access to their magic. ”

I’d said it offhandedly, but it actually wasn’t a bad idea.

“You can’t be serious,” Thorne said from his corner of the room, breaking his silence for the first time that night.

I kept my gaze away from his. “Nothing I haven’t handled before. And it’s a smart move. They wouldn’t expect it, and without their magic, they’re not nearly as strong. It would take care of all our problems.”

“Clarissa, you’re not going to dangle yourself as bait for a bunch of would-be assassins,” Thorne growled, taking a step out of his hiding place.

I took a sip. “It would be my choice, Lord Reaux.”

“What do you expect the rest of us to do, sit by while you run headfirst into danger unprotected? You don’t have your magic, either.”

“And how would you recommend I be protected ?” I snapped, finally meeting his stare.

His eyes were like the raging sea. “As you can see, I’m not exactly safe anywhere I go, despite all of your best efforts.

If I let them wander free here, what about when I go back home?

Are the two of you going to come all the way to the Veridian Empire to rescue me? ”

I threw a hand out to him and Galen. “I can take care of myself. I’m not saying I’m going to do anything rash, but we need some sort of plan in place.”

Thorne stalked closer, putting a hand on the back of the couch as if that kept him from leaping across the room to me.

“This man has already made two attempts on your life, if not more. If he’s truly as dangerous and powerful as you all say he is, it sounds like he won’t be stopping anytime soon.

Do you think you can go up against that alone? ”

“Do you think I can’t?” I challenged.

He glared back at me but stayed silent. Leo’s eyes flicked between the two of us. If anyone in this room was going to be on Thorne’s side, it was my brother. He was protective to a fault, often recklessly endangering himself if it meant keeping me or those he loved out of trouble.

“I agree with Thorne,” he said. “We still don’t have definitive proof that there even are Shifters here.

Rissa, I get that you want to take action.

I get that you feel sequestered here,” he brandished an arm, “but you’re not a Sentinel anymore.

Don’t go looking for trouble that may not be there.

You have more important things to worry about right now. ”

Thorne tipped his head and pointed to Leo as if to say, See? I told you so.

I pursed my lips and crossed my arms. Tension crackled as I shifted my jaw, knowing Leo was right. I was itching for something to do, and when someone told me I couldn’t, it made me want to prove them wrong.

Galen shook his head with a sigh. “Calm down, you two. Look, it’s been a very quiet three days. Perhaps all of this worrying is for nothing. Let’s just get through the rest of this tour, yes? Starting with the ball the Penworths have planned for tomorrow evening.”

Taryn made a disgruntled noise in the back of her throat. “Ah, yes. Mother can’t resist any chance to throw a ball .”

“Even when she hates us?” I asked.

“She hates everyone,” Taryn shot back. “But she loves pretty things and showing off this ridiculous house more.”

The others rose from their seats and stretched, picking up empty glasses as they made their way to the door to retire for the night.

Galen approached me and said, “Speaking of pretty things, I wanted us to take a break from everything in the morning. Get away for an afternoon, just the two of us. And the guards. The South Territory has these beautiful seaside cliffs I remember from my childhood, and I wondered if you might want to go with me to see them.”

“Sure,” I said with a tired smile. “That sounds great.”

“Wonderful. We’ll leave after breakfast.”

“Does this work for today?” I asked Galen upon greeting him in the breakfast hall the next morning. I swished my sundress around my feet, the muted tones of burgundy brushing against my calves.

He glanced up at me with a piece of toast halfway to his mouth. “I’m sorry?”

“My dress,” I said. “For the cliffs. You didn’t tell me what we’d be doing, so Devora picked something easy to walk in.” He cursed, and I raised an eyebrow. “You forgot, didn’t you?”

“No, no, I didn’t,” he rushed out. “But Lord Penworth pulled me aside and asked if I would meet with him this afternoon. Some South Territory business.”

I sighed. “That’s fine. I’ll take Mia for a long walk around the estate or something.”

“Nonsense. Just because I can’t take you doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get to go.” His eyes snagged on something behind me. “Thorne! Come here,” he said, crooking a finger.

My smile fell.

“Clear your schedule. I’m stuck in a meeting with Rhys, so you’re going to take Clarissa to the Aurelia Cliffs for the day.”

“No,” both Thorne and I said at the same time, exchanging a glance out of the corners of our eyes.

“That won’t be necessary,” I continued.

“I’m busy today, Galen,” Thorne spoke over me.

Galen chuckled. “I know you two aren’t fond of each other, but honestly. This won’t kill you.” He spun between us and put a gloved hand on both of our shoulders. “And besides, you need to get used to working together. Think of this as a bonding experience.”

I ran my tongue along my teeth. Bonding with this man was the last thing I needed. I pictured his hands gripping my waist the way he had in the cave, and my dress felt too tight.

“Really, Galen, it’s not that,” I tried again. “I don’t think?—”

“No arguing, it’s already done. I’ll have a carriage waiting for you in the next ten minutes, along with a couple of guards, just to be safe. You’re going to love the cliffs, Clarissa.”

Thorne opened his mouth, and Galen shoved his half-eaten toast into it. “I’ll see you two this evening for the ball,” he said as he walked toward the hallway doors. “I’m sure you’ll be fast friends.”

I watched the door shut. Behind me, Thorne said, “I’m sorry. I had no idea he was going to do this. I can find someone else to take you.”

Turning to face him, I smoothed my hands along my dress. “It’s fine. Why wouldn’t it be? We’ll go see these cliffs, placate him for a bit, and come back in a couple hours. There’s nothing to worry about.”

His eyes flickered between mine before he slowly nodded. “As you wish, Empress.”