“Bye, Kal.” She laughs into the device once more, and then the transmission link shuts down. The blue-green holographic image of her zaps away.
Lilly has always been more outgoing than me when it comes to relationships. She’s tried being my matchmaker more than once. Yet hearing the prince talked about in that manner only succeeds in making my stomach roil. I suspect that was her intention, as she knows just how lame I am when it comes to these matters. But she’ll soon see for herself just how annoying His Highness can be.
I slip the transmitter into my chest harness as Silvia exits the prince’s chamber and stands before me in the corridor. “Nothing to report, mistress,” she whispers. “He ate, bathed, and then slept through the night. He asked to be awoken at the same time as you this morning before he retired.”
“Thank you, Silvia.” I give her a small smile, thinking it sounds more like she’s speaking of a baby rather than a prince. Which, by his behavior yesterday, isn’t too far off. “Just keep me posted if he should do or say anything alarming.”
She bows her head low, then shuffles off to my room. I open my mouth to stop her, but close it as she quickly slips inside and shuts the door. When I asked her to keep after the prince, I didn’t intend for her to continue looking after me, also. Pressing my lips together, I decide I’ll direct another maid to work alongside her so she doesn’t become overburdened.
Staring at my room door, I consider going back in and contacting my mother. It’s only been two days since I last saw her, but that sinking feeling I had as we parted before the ceremony has been a nagging constant ever since. I know that Emily is taking care of her, but this has been the longest we’ve been separated. I need to make sure she’s taking her meds and that she’s all right.
I take a step toward my room, but freeze when the prince’s door opens. He halts mid-stride when he sees me, his eyes scanning my form.
His lips curl into a crooked sneer. “Am I to never be alone, then?” he asks, annoyed.
I raise an eyebrow. “Were you ever alone in your kingdom?”
He releases an audible breath and crosses his arms over his chest. I figure I’ve made my point when he doesn’t deny it.
“Did you have breakfast in your room? Or does His Highness wish to be escorted to the dining hall?”
“I don’t eat breakfast.” He turns on the heel of his boot and heads down the corridor toward the lift.
Of course. Breakfast is for the weak! “Fine,” I mutter, falling into step behind him.
After we reach the bottom level of the palace, the silver doors part and we step into the inner ward. The morning sun shines through the stained glass windows, casting colorful hues across the marble floor and walls. The whirring from sweeper-bots mingles together with the chatter form Court members as they flurry around.
Halfway across the foyer, I realize the prince is heading for the palace doors. I step in front of him. “Hold it, Prince Paynebridge. Where do you intend to go?”
He sidesteps me. “Out.”
I step before him again. “No. You’re not permitted to leave the palace.”
“I want to see Cavan,” he says, dodging me.
Planting my hand firmly on his chest, I hold my stance. “Your memories of our great capital city will have to serve you at this time. We have more pressing issues at the moment, don’t you agree?”
“I was young when my father last brought me here, and I want to see the city—get a feel for the people and customs again.” He maneuvers to his right, knocking my hand aside, and quickly changes direction, evading my block.
Groani
ng, I launch myself in front of his path. “If you want to explore, you’ll need a full guard with you. You can’t simply wander around the city unprotected.”
“Why? Do I have something to fear from your country?” His eyebrows lift. “Is your realm so unruly that your citizens would attack royalty?”
Biting down on my lip, I consider taking him to the Baltique Quarter—to one of the pubs where the thugs and mercenaries hang out. But then I think better of angering my empress and sigh. “No, Your Highness. You have nothing to fear. But Cavan is not unlike any other city. We do have our rogues. You should take a full guard.” I lift my chin, challenging. “This seems like something a wise ruler of a kingdom would know.”
Dipping his head forward, the prince glares at me through a thick fringe of lashes, his deep blue eyes alight with humor . . . or scorn. “Have you never attempted to do anything at all adventurous, Protector Kaliope?” He tilts his head, his eyes squint. “No. I imagine that as head of the empress’s guard, spontaneity would not be a desired quality.” His eyes travel over my form. “But at least I know I’ll be well protected.”
A laugh almost escapes my lips. “I’m vowed to protect my empress.” Turning to lead us back toward the inner ward, I let the knowledge of who I’m not vowed to protect linger in the air.
After a short while, I glance over my shoulder to make sure His Stubbornness is keeping up, and find he’s gone. “Bastard.” Scanning people as they pass, I glimpse the tail of a gray tunic slipping through the palace doors. I sprint across the inner ward, dodging and barely colliding with a protector, then throw the doors open and search the court. A hooded figure races down the steps, his dark gray pants peeking below the cover-up.
“Stubborn, infuriating male—” I bite down on my rant and look to the heavens. Farrah, forgive me if I must end this man.
Ignoring the curious stares, I jog down the steps and hurry across the court to catch up with the prince. When I reach him, I match his brisk pace and unsheathe my sword, then press its tip into his lower back.
“As I said,” I pant out, catching my breath. “I’m not vowed to protect you. Or any man, for that matter.”