Chapter 9

The book was old, the colors in the image somewhat faded. Sketch lines beneath the illustration showed through the flaking gold leaf.

“Could you enlarge it? I want to frame it,” Amily said.

It was a fanciful image of a gold rabbit on a swing, her long ears streaming out behind her. A small donkey stood behind, having butted the rabbit into a high arc over blooming flowers. Vines and flowers flowed up each side of the page and along the curve of the branch.

“I don’t have my inks with me nor the proper paper.” “But if you did, you could recreate it in a larger size?”

“Yes, Amily, I could.” Kambry pulled the book closer. The style was rich with personality but not too challenging. The artist was gifted; still, she thought she could manage it.

“Russal, your scribes would have the proper inks and pens she would need, wouldn’t they? I’ll replace anything she uses.”

“I could ask them to make room for her in the scriptorium.” Prince Russal looked at Kambry. “Or you could take the items you need to your room and work on it at your leisure in privacy.”

She much preferred doing the work in her own room. She didn’t know the scribes in Kavin. They might stare over her shoulder. “I would like that.”

Amily clapped liked a child. “It’s decided then.”

Tomo clasped his hands over hers and gazed at Amily. “Darling, she said she was capable, but you assume that means she would like to do it, and you offer her no compensation.”

“Oh, I… hadn’t thought of that.” Amily pulled her hands from Tomo’s and fumbled for the book. “You must think me

selfish, Kambry.”

She looked as if she were about to cry, and Kambry reached out and stopped her from closing the book. “I would love to work on this project for you. Let me look at it again, so I can determine the colors I will need.” She looked to Prince Russal, who watched her with curiosity. “I’ll need gold leaf to make the rabbit and the accents.” She pointed. “You see here and here?”

He nodded. “You will have all the materials you need, and I will compensate you. It will be my gift to Tomo and Amily.”

“Don’t be silly, Russal,” Amily said. “It will be your and Kambry’s gift to us. She will supply the artistry; you are just supplying the ingredients.” She laughed. “Princes.”

For a moment, Prince Russal looked abashed, and then he grinned. “You won’t mind contributing to my gift to them, will you?”

For a moment, Kambry thought him captivating. His eyes shone with delight, and he seemed like an old friend she would want to please. She stared at him, caught up in observing the interplay of emotions on his face as if she were peeking in from another room. The delay in her response became apparent when his smile faltered.

“If you are uncomfortable with that.” He stopped.

Kambry looked at Amily and Tomo and hurried to fill the lull. “I would very much like to contribute to the gift. You two have made this evening very enjoyable.” That wasn’t what she meant. It sounded like without them, she would have had a horrible time. She looked at the prince. She would have. He quirked an eyebrow, but his smile returned if not somewhat rueful. “I want to do it,” she said.

“Good.” He slapped the table. “It’s decided. Write up a list of what you will need, and I’ll have it delivered to your chamber.”

Amily wiped a tear from her face.

Tomo rubbed her shoulder. “I think we should be leaving. Amily needs her rest.” He bowed slightly to Kambry. “We

enjoyed meeting you. Russal.” He nodded at the prince and then pulled out Amily’s chair.

The facts all fell into place when Amily stood. The bulge of her stomach and the awkwardness of her rising from the chair, aided by Tomo, clarified her desire for a copy of the print and Prince Russal’s wish to give the two of them a gift.

“I am being silly.” She wiped her eyes again. “I just wanted to hang it in the nursery before the birth.”

“Amily,” said Tomo. “I was searching for a gifted scribe to do the work, but this is so much better. You’ll know the artist personally, and Russal doesn’t have to figure out what to give a woman who melts into tears at the drop of a handkerchief.”

She swatted his arm. “Now he tells me he was looking for someone to do it.”

Tomo helped her around the table, but she took Kambry’s arm. The two walked to the apartment entrance with the men following.

“He’s right. This is so much better.” Amily smiled, her tears dried. “You must have lunch with me sometime soon before we leave. Travel is getting a little uncomfortable, so we won’t stay more than a week, but don’t rush on the work. Russal can have it sent to us when it is ready.”

They stopped at the door, and Tomo joined his wife. After he opened the door, he put an arm around her.

“I should probably go, too,” Kambry said.

“No,” Prince Russal said. “I wish to speak to you for a few minutes.” He gave Tomo a fond clap on the shoulder and kissed Amily’s cheek. “We’ll dine again before you leave.”

“The four of us,” said Amily. Prince Russal nodded.

Kambry didn’t think the request displeased him. She returned Amily’s embrace and smiled at Tomo’s nod of farewell. The door shut behind them.

She chewed her lip and faced the prince. “You wished to speak with me.”

“Yes. Come out on the balcony with me.” Again he kept his distance, nodding at the open doors at the end of the room but clasping his hands behind his back. He took a step and waited for her to do the same.

She followed, and when they were outside, he directed her to the balcony wall.

A breeze waffled through the tall trees nearby, filling the air with the sound of the leaves slipping over each other. Her pounding heart almost drowned it out.

More than a foot of space lay between them, and he leaned his hip on the wall and faced her.

“Miss do Brode, I wish to apologize for my behavior yesterday evening.” He confessed, as if inexperienced at apologizing. “I am sorry that I frightened you. I hope having Lord and Lady Condori here this evening made you more comfortable.”

Kambry couldn’t see his expression well with the candlelight behind him, but he sounded sincere, and she appreciated his effort to keep his distance, even keeping his word choice formal. Her heart rate slowed.

He placed his elbow on the wall and wiped his upper lip. “I want you to know I will not manhandle you again. My actions were reprehensible.”

“I can’t see your face,” she said. He was silent.

Her heart raced again when he stood up straight, but then he walked away and returned with a candle burning in a holder with a glass cover. He set it on the wall beside them. “Better?”

He stood as if ready for inspection. “Do I look sincere, contrite?”

She eyed him, trying hard to keep her expression serious. “The curl on your left temple displays a wayward leaning.”

He squashed it flat and grinned. Then his smile drooped. “Miss do Brode, I truly am sorry and will give you respectful space.”

“I believe you, Prince Russal.” She felt her heart flutter. “But I don’t understand why you are apologizing.”

“Princes shouldn’t have to, I suppose.”

She felt the blush rise to her cheeks. “Something like that.”

“Everyone should be held accountable.” He leaned again against the wall. “I spoke with Marshal Burtram last evening after our dinner.”

Kambry couldn’t think of why he needed to mention his meeting, nor how it connected to his behavior or his apology. He had made a point of reminding her they had more important things to discuss than Burty teaching her to shoot a bow.

He continued. “I hoped to learn more about the pike that fell in the hall when you were passing by.”

“I don’t know why it fell.”

“I believe it was intentional. Wouldn’t you agree?”

His tone was ambiguous. Did he think she was responsible?

“Burtram found evidence to support that view.”

Kambry stiffened. Was he accusing her? Was this just another form of allegation, a different tactic?

“I ask that you do not go anywhere alone,” he said. “I’ll have a guard escort you to your room tonight, and tomorrow evening, do not come alone. Wait for the guard to bring you here.”

“You do not trust me alone?”

He was silent, his blue eyes bright in the candle’s light. She could not hold his gaze and stared at the dim garden below.

His hand rose and dropped, the gesture uncompleted. He turned to face the garden and laced his fingers together. “My plans for you are too important.”

It wasn’t an answer to her question. Too confused to question him further, she remained silent, as did he. Only the trees whispering around them gave any voice to the night.

“Have you experienced anything unusual?” he ventured, his voice soft and encouraging.

Kambry shook her head but could not stop the words from exiting her mouth. “I was pulled onto a path and taken to a castle, presented to a suspicious prince, and told I could never go home, no matter if I proved true or false.” Frustration rose in her throat.

“Today, I mean.” Exasperation laced his voice.

Aggravated with his irritation, she said, “That same prince apologized to me and then accused me of causing a pike to come close to maiming one of his guards.”

“Kambry, I’m not accusing you. If it sounded that way, I am sorry. I suppose I’ve given you reason to believe that I’ll blame you for anything that hints of malice.” He turned his face to her, his expression unhappy. “Have you experienced anything unusual other than your interactions with me?”

His use of her name tightened her shoulders, but relief followed hearing he didn’t believe she was behind the falling pike. She let her voice come out emotionless, determined not to give away her satisfaction. “I went to the guard’s mess for breakfast, helped on the archery field, and practiced shooting. I met no one new to me there.”

“And later?”

“In the afternoon, I went to the weavers, and they let me help with the looms.”

His voice softened. “Were they kind to you?”

As much as she didn’t want to react to his voice, her own eased. “It was awkward at first, but I apprenticed with my mother for two years. I am not without skill. They came to

accept me, and the master weaver said I could come back tomorrow.”

“You are making friends. Do you like it here?”

“I would like to go home.” The desire to be home overwhelmed her.

“No one has been rude to you?”

She rolled her eyes. His face grew red, and Kambry almost smiled.

Walked into that one all by yourself, did you?

“Actually, I met someone on the way here,” she said. “A gentleman in red, but he was not unkind.”

“Oh?”

“I shouldn’t say I met him; he sort of joined my walk through the halls to your chamber.”

“And?” He seemed sincerely interested.

“He was friendly and said he was sorry I wasn’t well enough to attend the dinner party you had planned last night. He hoped I was feeling better.”

Prince Russal stared out at the garden and shifted his feet. “Miss do Brode, can you describe him?”

She hadn’t looked at the man long. She hadn’t met many well-placed gentlemen. Was direct eye contact respectful without formal introduction? She tried to recall his appearance. “Taller than you by a few inches and more slender. Dark-brown hair, curly and above his high collar. His jerkin was a deep-red brocade, his trousers brilliant in contrast, but also red. He said he hoped you would plan another party soon so we could get to know each other.”

“Ah, one of the lords I invited,” he said. “Anyone else?” “Lord and Lady Condori.”

“And you liked them.”

She nodded. “Thank you for inviting them.”

He tipped his head, acknowledging her appreciation.

The breeze picked up, and the trees seemed to exhale. “I had more gowns delivered to your room.”

“About that, Your Highness.”

He put up his hand. “I realize you now have six, and I feel I should explain.”

“It’s not about the number.” “Please, Miss do Brode.”

She folded her arms across her chest.

His lips twisted, and he sighed. “We will not meet every day. I think you deserve at least one evening to do as you wish. However, I also have other duties which will interfere with our dinners together some evenings. I will inform you with enough advance notice not to find yourself at my door only to be turned away and nowhere to go for sustenance.” He scooted the candle to a flatter spot on the wall. “I also ask that you not wear the gown of brown and gold. I will let you know when the time is right.”

Negotiating for more evenings of her own seemed inappropriate, and asking him to take the gowns back now seemed insulting, and she didn’t want to insult him. “As you wish,” were the only words she could think to say.

He gestured toward going inside. “Send me a list of all you will need to begin the drawing for Amily. I will have them delivered to you as soon as possible.”

“I am excited to get started on it.”

Prince Russal stopped at the table and handed her the book. “Thank you for a lovely evening,” he said as she took it from his hand. “We will dine again tomorrow.”

He opened his door and addressed the guards. “Miss do Brode will need an escort to her room. Cole, see that she gets there safely.” He turned to the other guard. “Send a messenger to Sybil. I wish to see her at once.”

The guard on the right stepped away from the door. Kambry recognized him. He was a guard who shot at the

range. He was an excellent archer, and she suspected he was the one who had told her to hold her breath before releasing the arrow. He bowed to the prince.

“Good night, Miss do Brode.”

She curtsied and smiled, feeling for the first time comfortable with him.

Prince Russal closed his door, his eyes giving her one last approving look.

The second guard called a page over.

The guard named Cole bowed with a playful flourish. “Kammy, how are you?”

She laughed. “It’s Kambry. I am amazed that a man can shoot so well and have such a poor memory for names.”

“They’ve nothing at all to do with each other.” He glanced at her. “Maybe you just need an easier name.”

“I’ll talk to my parents about it the first chance I get.” The laughter died on her lips. She wasn’t likely to see them for a very long time, if ever.

Cole walked at an even pace beside her and didn’t interrupt her thoughts. What could he say to make the situation any better? The steady beat of his heels on the carpet seemed to have a rhythm her heart could line up with, and it helped ground her and calm her.

After they had walked down one long hall and taken a turn, she said, “Will you be shooting again tomorrow?” she asked.

“Very likely. Will you be gathering arrows again tomorrow?”

“Very likely.”

They chuckled and walked companionably in silence.

A flash of red caught her eye at one corner, but when they came upon it, the corridor was empty. She had half-expected to see the man in red she’d told the prince about. She gave a

mental snort. It was silly to imagine he would loiter in the corridor for her.

A few minutes later, Cole stopped at her door and waited for her to enter.

“No one has left a light on for you. Leave the door open until you can find a match and candle. I’ll wait.”

“I’ll be fine. I know just where it is.” She closed the door and turned, eyeing the dark and getting her bearings. Odd the maids hadn’t left a lamp on. Even the fire that was usually lit at evening time was out. There were several lamps in the room, but the one on the table under the window would be the easiest to get to without knocking into anything. She took two steps, and then the door to her room crashed open.

Four guards burst inside. Cole grabbed her and pulled her back out of the room before she could give a startled cry. Lady Condori’s book fell from her hand and her feet scrambled to keep up with his grip on her shoulders as he steered her down the hall.

The other three guards spread out. That was the last she saw of her room before Cole had her several feet down the hallway and pressed close to the wall, his body shielding her from the activity behind him.

“Sorry, Miss do Brode, there was some concern about your safety,” he said, his baton that normally sat in its cradle mounted on his belt now held tautly at his side. “The prince sent a squad to search your room.”

“I just left the prince. He said nothing.” She tried to peer under his arm.

He blocked her efforts. “He only just learned of it and acted as quickly as he could.”

The prince appeared at his shoulder. “Return Miss do Brode to my chambers, Cole. I’ll be there shortly.”

“Prince Russal, what is the problem?” she asked.

He stood still, his face unreadable. He glanced over his shoulder at the guards staggered by her door. Something about

the tightening around his eyes gave her the impression he’d made a decision. “Perhaps you will enlighten the marshal and me when we speak in a few minutes.” He turned back to Cole, and his voice grew stiffer. “Do not leave her alone nor allow her to speak to anyone. Understood?”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Cole’s eyes shot an uncertain look at her before giving a nodding bow to his prince.

Prince Russal strode away, gesturing for a guard to remain at her door and the others to follow Kambry and Cole.

“If you will, Miss do Brode.” Cole did not take her hand and place it at his elbow as he had done earlier. He turned and marched away, the two guards stepping in behind her. She felt pressed into following him, though they did not order or touch her.

Cole’s pace required she hurry along, and she was almost breathless when they reached the prince’s door, her skirts clutched to keep them from tangling her feet.

Needing to catch her breath added to the apprehension she was feeling. What had happened? It seemed both the prince and the guards considered her dangerous, but Cole had said the prince had thought she was in danger.

The guards ushered her into the prince’s chambers and directed her to take a seat on the sofa in the sitting area. For a moment, the décor that had once given her reason to appreciate the pleasant placement of the seating caught her eye, but the strangeness of the evening’s events drew her attention away. Her hands clasped in her lap, she watched the three guards take positions equidistant from each other, each facing in a direction that appeared to give him or her the best view of her and the room.

A stressful half an hour passed before the prince entered. He acknowledged the guards with a nod. The marshal and Sybil entered behind him, and all three joined the guards to study her silently.

Burty looked unhappy, but he was the first to speak. “Have you searched her for weapons?”

Cole practically choked. “No.” He gazed at Kambry and seemed to consider the details of her apparel, from the necklace at her throat to her simple boots. He stammered, “I had not considered it necessary.”

“Sybil?” said Prince Russal, his eyes narrow, his lips in a tight line.

“I see nothing of concern,” Sybil said after giving Kambry a cursory glance. Her previous approachability was hidden behind an unyielding exterior.

“Cole, Matson,” said Marshal Burtram, “take the balcony.

Sussy, join the guards at the door.”

Prince Russal regarded Kambry with sullen eyes.

Has it been just ten minutes since we parted amicably?

“Could someone explain to me what has happened?”

“Burty, if you would stand at the balcony entryway,” said Prince Russal.

Marshal Burtram stepped back until he stood by the open double doors. He glanced out at the guards that must have taken a position at either end of the balcony, then faced into the room and nodded at the prince.

“I’ll do the questioning for now, Miss do Brode,” Prince Russal said, his voice firm and cold. “How long would you say you’ve known about the door into your room?”

“Since your housekeeper assigned the room to me, Your Highness.”

Consternation showed on Prince Russal’s face, and Sybil lay two fingers on her lips as if to cover a smile. Kambry could not think what other answer she could have made.

“Miss do Brode, I was referring to the hidden door in your suite. When did you use it for your clandestine meetings? Who are you meeting with? How did you originally make contact?”

What preposterous questions! There was a hidden door in her room? Clandestine meetings? “Are you mad? I’ve been here fewer than three days. You have accused me of intended treason and threatened me with never returning home. Now

I’m being told there is a secret door into my room that I didn’t know about!” She stood up and stepped toward the prince, her fists clenched. She wanted to hit him and wipe that haughty grimace off his face. “Someone could have entered without my knowledge! And you stand here asking me how long I’ve been using it to have secret meetings! Who would I meet with? Neal and Teddy?” She paced in front of Sybil and Prince Russal, fuming.

“I was dragged into Kavin by forces I still do not understand. Brought before a prince who thinks I’m here to wreak havoc in his princedom, as if my village of Paddlyrun had any knowledge of such a place as this in what we view as a little forest, or capability or interest in taking it over. We work hard to put food on our tables, spread kindness to others and keep our small hamlet a haven for all. You, this—” she swung her arms about to encompass all of Kavin Wood “—are not within our ken.”

She marched up to Prince Russal, drawing Marshal Burtram from his position by the door. “Don’t think for one minute you can apologize for this absurdity. I’ll not be fooled again by your insincerity.”

A hiccup and tears in her eyes ended her tirade. She spun around turning her back on him and stood breathing deep, her fists jammed under her chin.

Behind her, no one said a word. She heard the slither of Sybil’s dress, presumably from shifting her feet. Kambry hoped it was in embarrassment. She shouldn’t be the only one made to feel uncomfortable.

She heard Burty return to the balcony doorway.

Prince Russal cleared his throat. “Are you finished with your hysterics? I would like an answer to my questions.”

Kambry surveyed each of them. Their expressions remained closed and unfriendly. She sat down and closed her eyelids a moment, feeling the prick of tears returning to them. She raised her chin and looked at Prince Russal. “Repeat them one at a time, please.” Her throat tightened, but she refused to bow to the crushing misery she felt.

“When did you use the hidden door?”

“I didn’t. I didn’t know there was a hidden door.” “Whom did you meet in your chambers?”

“I’ve met with no one in my chambers.”

“How did you originally contact your conspirators?”

“I know no conspirators. I have used no hidden door, allowed no one to use any hidden door, nor have any desire to have anyone use a hidden door to my chambers.” She suddenly inhaled. Oh! “Did you know about that hidden door?”

The prince’s face blanched, but he recovered swiftly. “This is my castle. I go where I please.”

“Everyone—how did you put it earlier?—should be held accountable.”

Prince Russal’s eye twitched, but his gaze stayed pinned to her own. “You move to a room with no hidden access and will go nowhere without a guard in your company.”

“I would like a guard I know present when we dine, and not at the door, but at my elbow. I will not accept your company without someone I trust.” She felt the tears slide down her face, but she did not wipe them or drop her gaze.