Chapter 26

I wake up for the first time in a long time to no pain in my mark. The potion is helping, and I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face at having bought myself more time. I know that I am not entirely out of the woods, the weaker potion means that I will still be susceptible to Prince Kaine’s presence, but for now I can breathe.

Nara, sensing my happiness, bristles. “You seem pleased.” I feel the tension behind her words, and my temper flares, her anger feeling as real as my own. She wishes that I hadn’t taken the potion.

I couldn’t risk losing everything. I couldn’t risk losing you.

I can practically feel Nara roll her eyes at my words. She doesn’t think that Prince Kaine will reject us. “I agreed when we knew nothing about our mate. Kaine is different.”

It’s not worth the risk. I snap back, not missing that Nara had begun to drop his title when referring to him. If he rejects us the Moon Goddess will take you away from me.

Nara pushes, “He will not and I am not going to wait forever.”

I choose to ignore the threat and move to get ready for my day. I rush to dress, happy to have more energy than I have in weeks. I let that energy carry me out the door and to the training grounds where I am pleased to note that I am not one of the last to arrive.

My lack of energy the past few weeks has nearly made me late more than a few times and I am glad to break that streak. As I train, I feel Robert’s eyes land on me more than once, a curious look on his face. I meet his gaze, and he tears his eyes away looking almost regretful.

I shake it off and focus on training. Regretful or not, Robert is no longer of interest to me. Instead, I place my focus on completing the drills with precision, I won’t let my distraction from the last few weeks make me a lesser guard.

Practice ends and I hold back a groan as Robert approaches me, knowing that this is not going to be about scheduling. He stops in front of me, unspeaking, but I let the silence hang. He approached me so he will be the one to break the silence.

After a few moments of awkward silence, he begins. “You seem to be feeling better.”

I nod, unable to decipher his tone. It falls somewhere between earnest and mocking which is odd. “The last effects from the poison dagger seem to have finally left my system,” I lie, knowing my exhaustion came from the effort of resisting the mate bond.

He flinches at that. It seems that he had forgotten all about my encounter with the assassin. Guilt clouds his features for a moment, but he shakes it off, his expression darkening.

“Ah yes, you took a dagger for the prince,” he challenges.

“Yes, Robert. I am a guard. I did my duty. I suggest you return to yours.”

He scowls, but I walk away before he can say more. Robert is going to have to work out whatever he’s feeling on his own. His emotions are not my responsibility.

I had received a summons earlier stating that I was to meet Prince Kaine in his office directly after training, so I head straight there after my conversation with Robert. I knock on the door and am greeted with a sharp “Come in.”

The moment I set foot in the room Nara is on edge. Potion or not our proximity to Prince Kaine is going to be an issue if I can’t come to an understanding with Nara.

I take a deep breath to ground myself, not allowing Nara to take control or influence my emotions before turning to the prince. “You asked to see me?”

He doesn’t look at me as he nods, his coldness from our earlier conversation remaining. “We are to meet with Lady Chantarelle tomorrow. I have asked for an audience under the pretense of diplomacy. If I am to be Alpha King one day it is be fitting that I have a relationship with all the court nobles, and she is unfamiliar to me. You are to accompany me as my guard as per usual.”

I nod before realizing that he still isn’t looking at me. “Yes, Your Highness.”

He continues, “You are not to speak unless she addresses you directly. Your job is to observe. I need you to catch the things I miss. Understand?”

“Yes, sir.” I mutter, upset that he won’t meet my eye. I am lying to him; I have no right to demand his trust but the coldness in his voice still stings.

He nods again before adding, “You are dismissed.”

I turn to leave, but Nara pushes against my control trying to force my hand. “If you were honest with him, he wouldn’t treat you so coldly.”

I struggle against her influence, thankful that Prince Kaine’s focus is anywhere but me for the moment. I can’t risk it. I breathe deeply, pushing Nara back below the surface before she can gain more control, and quickly exit the prince’s office.

The next morning, I meet Prince Kaine outside of a small sitting room in the palace where we are to meet Lady Chantarelle. He nods at my approach but gives no other greeting as he opens the doors and strides into the room. I follow at an appropriate distance, close enough to listen in, but not so close that it looks like I am anything other than security.

Lady Chantarelle sits on a small sofa in the corner of the room, resting her head on her hand. Her long blond hair is down and cascades over her arm giving her the appearance of a younger woman. As we approach, she lifts her head, her startling blue eyes eyeing us without interest.

Prince Kaine regards Lady Chantarelle, his demeanor changing from cold and gruff, to warm and inviting. The sudden shift gives me whiplash, but I can’t help but be impressed by how well he plays his role.

He smiles, “Lady Chantarelle, it’s a pleasure.”

She nods, “Likewise.” I notice that she does not return his smile, instead she gives a small yawn before sitting up completely.

The prince takes a seat in a chair across from her and I assume my position against the wall, making sure that I can see the lady’s face from my post. Eavesdropping is one thing, but if she is dishonest, I will be able to glean more from her demeanor than I will from her words.

Prince Kaine doesn’t falter. “I must say I’m surprised, Lady Chantarelle, my stepmother never mentioned bringing a friend to court.”

Lady Chantarelle sighs before answering, looking bored, “That’s odd. We had been corresponding for quite some time before my arrival. It must have slipped her mind.”

The prince hums diplomatically, “Of course. No matter if you are of noble blood, your place in the court is welcome. Am I correct that your father and mine used to be close?”

Lady Chantarelle’s eyes narrow almost imperceptibly as she takes in his question. “I’m not sure. My father retired from court many years ago and I was quite young then. When the queen offered me a chance to represent my family in court, I accepted gladly, but I really don’t know much about my father’s legacy here before.”

The pair continue in this manner for some time, Lady Chantarelle uninterested and deflecting even the most innocent of questions, asking none of her own, and offering very little to the conversation. Eventually, Prince Kaine has had enough. “It was a pleasure, my lady,” he says kissing her hand and striding out of the room without warning.

I wait a few seconds and then follow, noting the subtle relief on Lady Chantarelle’s face as I do. We make our way back to the prince’s office and he shuts the door, finally meeting my eyes. “She seemed…bored.”

I nod, “That is one way to describe it.”

“She says she doesn’t remember anything about her father’s previous involvement in court. Do you believe her.”

I shake my head, “No.”

His expression clouds and his eyes snap away from mine, the coldness returning. “Very well, we will investigate her further. You are dismissed.”

I open the door to his office and slip out, only to run face first into Bianca. She looks at me and then through the open door to Prince Kaine’s office meeting his gaze. She smiles at us and it’s too sweet.

A feeling of wrongness twists deep in my gut. I wait for my mark to burn, but the feeling is different than the one I get when I see them together. My instincts are screaming that I am in danger.