Shades of Truth (The Summerlynn Secrets) (27 page)

King Richard considered for a moment. “Is that all you wish to tell me?”

“It is all I know.” Or was willing to say.

“What do you know of your father’s work?” King Richard asked, his left hand impatiently tapping the top of his desk.

“My father and I were not close. As I told your son, if he was spying or doing any of the things you seem to think he was, he did not confide in me.” I folded my
arms across my chest as I watched the king mull over what I‘d said.

It all came back to discovering what the pendant and the map meant and why it affected the royal family of Goran. I also needed to figure out why King Richard was so interested in my father. I would have to wait and see what developed.

I hated waiting.

Having watched me think, the king prompted, “What have you decided?”

“That it is better to reserve judgment until I know more.” The remark was out before I could stop it.

To my surprise, that mouth softened and he smiled. “You are a very astute young lady. Tell me, what are your intentions toward my son?”

Surprised, I parried his questions with one of my own, “Which one?”

“Sorin.”

At his name, I felt a thrill go through my stomach. Though I would never tell him I loved how Sorin sounded as good yelled as it did whispered. “Why not ask him what his intentions toward me are?”

“Those are plain to see. It is you I cannot pin down.”

Sighing, I said, “I don’t have intentions. In the space of a week, I have lost my father, my home, and everything familiar. I am quite unsure of anything except the fact I wish to return to Chester.”

King Richard seemed satisfied with that explanation. “Tread carefully around my son. He is as determined as I at getting what he wants.”

Sounded like I should make haste to leave. “May I go home, Your Majesty?” Surely Colton wouldn’t dare cross his father if King Richard granted me permission to return home to Bolien.

“Even if I were so inclined, I would be unable to guarantee your safety. For now, it pleases my wife for you to stay. You will do whatever she instructs.” And just like that, I was dismissed. King Richard pulled a ledger from the side of his desk to the center and began reading.

With so much to think about, I nearly walked past Colton waiting in the hall for me. At least I thought it was for me. He could be waiting to speak with his father to analyze what I’d just said.

When he fell into step beside me, I nastily asked, “Did your father arrange this walk with me?”

“I do not do everything my father instructs.” His voice was subdued amid our echoing footsteps. The slate tiles marked with the Goran royal crest ran the entire length of the downstairs floor. They gave way to gorgeous maple wood on the front staircase, which we were fast approaching.

“No, of course not. Only the important things.” I quickened my pace. I didn’t trust myself to speak with Colton, my heart still raw from having my illusions ripped away.

“Cadrian, wait. I can explain.” He grabbed my arm. Immediately, I jerked away, turning to face him.

“Don’t touch me!” My voice was shrill in the vast ceilinged entryway. We appeared to be alone, but I knew better. Servants heard everything.

Of course he ignored me, pulling me against the staircase so at least our voices wouldn’t echo as much. I looked at his hand on my arm with so much repugnance he released me. “I don’t want you to explain. In fact, I don’t want to hear another word from you.”

“I hate to disappoint you, but I have a few things you need to hear.” I began to speak, but he talked over me, “I never gave you a reason for bringing you here. I simply brought you. Any disappointments you have are brought on by your own expectations.”

He knew. I felt my face redden. Of course, I had been fooling myself that he wouldn’t notice, would not see I was in love with him. I wondered how long he’d known. Maybe as long as he’d known about my father’s death.

I took refuge in anger. “I never would have had expectations if you refused to take me to Lisbon!” I poked his chest. Hard.

“And leave you in the midst of the fight that claimed your parents? Oh, yes, that sounds like a wonderful idea.” His sarcasm was sharp as a knife as it slid between my ribs. “You’d be dead if I left you!”

“Better that than here with you.”

His arms gripped my shoulders and he shook me. “Death does not need to be chased. It has already been stalking you for some time.” The words were chilling in the warm entryway. I felt suddenly unsure of his strength, of the arms holding me against the staircase.

“What? What are you not telling me?” To keep his eyes on mine, I framed his face with my hands, feeling the coarseness of his beard.

“I was instructed to negotiate with your father and if that failed, to take something of value from him. Unfortunately, he was only too willing to hand you over.” Though his eyes were on me, he was lost in some inner world, seeing things I could not. “In Mantle, I sent instructions back to my father, alerting him that I had you.”

Of course.
Now I understood the soldiers’ dilemma. Obey their king and accuse their prince of lying, or step back and allow Colton’s actions to be on his own head.

“Those men in the forest. My father sent them. He’d received my message.”

No wonder the men recognized Colton. But there was more to this story. “Tell me.”

“They were sent to kill you. The only thing that kept you alive was me.”

The truth was a hard thrust into my stomach. Coming on the heels of so many other shocks, I was surprised my reaction wasn’t worse. During our journey, death had been rather removed. Suddenly it was closer than my next breath.

Having promised to protect the daughter of a man he did not trust, Colton then realized his own father demanded my life. How easy it would have been to step aside, to leave while the men raped and murdered me. But he hadn’t.

Promises meant a lot to the man before me.

Now he was home, however, now he’d met at length with his father, was his promise negated?

“Cadrian?” My hands still around his face, I felt the movement of his jaw.

Carefully, I removed my hands. In as calm a tone as I could manage, I said, “I would like to go home now.”

“It’s not safe.” He still held me, his fingers making separate imprints along my shoulders.

“Safer than here with the Norths! I might not wake tomorrow.”

“Nonsense. You are no longer a threat.” He glanced over my face. “At least not in that way.”

I pushed him away. “Listen carefully. You are not to come near me. My life was simple before you barged in.”

“More like you forced your way into my life.” He folded his arms over his chest, muscles bunching. I was reminded how easily he could murder me. “You are only angry because you’ve decided you quite like it.” He looked deliberately around the foyer.

I remembered his mother’s comment about the shameless way he was pursued because of his title. Taking a step closer, I poked him in the chest. “Do not compare me with those other girls. If I were interested, your title would be a huge detriment.”

“But you are not interested,” he repeated, a mischievous light in his eyes. Since I’d saved him the trouble of coming after me, he lightly grabbed my elbows again.

“That’s what I said.” I refused to allow his eyes to hypnotize me, though they were the bluest blue I’d ever seen.

Lowering his head toward mine, his words floated across my cheekbones. “I don’t believe you.” Already, the warmth from his hands on my elbows had spread throughout my body. I leaned in, arching slightly to bring my mouth closer to his.

Then I remembered this meant nothing. I was only here because King Richard decreed it. Probably because he hadn’t decided whether or not to kill me. In fact, he may have even enlisted his son to do anything to keep me here. What better way than to seduce me?

Although it wouldn’t be seduction.

From some deep reserve, I pulled back. “No.”

He studied my face a moment. “You’re thinking too much.”

“One of us has to.”

He nodded. “You are probably right.” With one last squeeze of my elbows, Colton stepped back. “Will you be here when I return?”

“No.” My plans were not firm, but the need to get away intensified. With this newest threat from the Norths, it was up to me to discover my father’s secrets and how they connected to the map.

“If I had a mark for every time you said that word,” he teased.

“You are wealthy enough without it.” I tilted my head to the side. “Are we through here?”

“No, but I will allow you to go upstairs, if you wish.”

“But not out the front door?” Being so huge, the door was located a good twenty feet from the staircase and I didn’t like my chances of reaching it before Colton grabbed me.

“No.” He trailed me to the stairs, resting a hand on the rail and watching me climb. “There is too much to discuss for you to even think about leaving for at least a year.”

“Try again,” I called down, having reached the landing to the second floor.

“6 months?”

“No.”

“Three months?”

“No.” I wondered how low he’d go. I was nearly to the third landing. My room was just down the hall.

“At least promise you’ll remain until I return.”

I leaned over the banister and he looked so appealing, with one foot on the stairs, head tilted upward to see me, that I asked, “Which will be when?”

“A week. Maybe more.”

“You have two weeks.” I supposed I could grant him that much. That would give me enough time away from his influence to firm up my plans to leave. If I had a solid plan, he’d have to let me go. Besides, it might actually be fun to accompany the queen on her social rounds. He opened his mouth to say something, but I interrupted, “There is nothing more to say. Have a safe journey.” I left the staircase and didn’t stop until I was inside my room leaning against the closed door.

Either I was a complete idiot for staying, or a demented fool with a taste for torture, though the instrument of my torture would not be here. Surely that counted for something.

Starting early the next morning, Queen Cassandra—“Call me Cassie!”—descended on me with three tailors and assorted seamstresses in tow. Even now, I was being measured and fitted for a dizzyingly vast array of clothes. When I protested, she simply hushed me with an upraised hand, saying if she was to be seen with me, I must be presentable.

Feeling as though I’d scream if I tried on one more dress, I slipped out while Cassie and DeMarius were discussing whether ruffles or pleats looked best on a ball gown (neither. I preferred lace). I sprinted toward the back of the hall, nearly crashing into Rob when I turned a corner.

Steadying me, he said, “Good morning, Cadrian. Is something chasing you?”

“Why? Did you see someone?” I flattened myself against the wall.

“No.” For the first time, he noticed I was clothed in a loose yellow gown that was not quite buttoned all the way in the back. Compared to Rob’s neatly pressed navy jacket, white shirt and fitted chocolate trousers, I felt supremely underdressed. “Ah. I should have known my mother would not miss the opportunity to dress you.”

“I said no,” I attempted to explain.

“But she took no notice. She never does.” I watched the sunlight lighten strands of his black hair to blue. The pairing of his blue eyes with his dark hair must drive the ladies wild. “Fashion is her pet project. Luckily, she is now focused on you, meaning I am to be spared my morning appointment with her tailors. Tell me, how many tailors are in your room?”

“Three.”

“All three? I am impressed. Mother is quite serious about you accompanying her on her social rounds.” He ducked his head toward mine. “Run now, before it’s too late.”

“I’m trying!” I couldn’t help but laugh at the irony. One prince told me to stay while the other told me to leave.

Rob laughed with me. “I sense you need a break. May I interest you in a tour?”

“Yes.” When he offered his arm, I smiled. “Anything to avoid a fitting?”

“Of course. Besides, Sorin would have my head if you became lost in a back corridor somewhere.” He noticed I stiffened at the mention of Colton’s name. “Ah, a flinch. Will you explain?”

I sniffed. “I cannot tell you anything you do not already know.”

“Perhaps, but it never hurts to see him through another’s eyes.” He bent his head to look closely into my eyes. “Yours are quite pretty, by the way. Blue is my favorite color.”

There was more than one flirt in Colton’s family. “Thank you.”

“But before we go, would you like help with your gown? The last thing I need is word to reach my brother that I have been escorting you around the palace in an unbuttoned gown.” He made a twirling motion with his hands until I turned around. The buttons were securely fastened, his fingers light against my skin.

We began walking down the hallway together, my hand tucked securely on Rob’s arm. Unlike the excitement and nervousness I felt whenever I touched Colton, I was able to simply admire Rob’s muscles with no desire for further exploration.