The Assassin's Mark (Skeleton Key) (3 page)

Satisfied the situation was under control, I walked into the hall and pulled the fire alarm. Anyone here would get the hint to leave the building until help came.

I pulled my phone out to ring Croft as I walked back inside the terrorists’ flat. The alarm blared and nervous residents filed out of their flats in a hurry. “Job’s done. The residents are fleeing the building now. Send some support to get these guys into custody.”

“Good work. Police will be there shortly since someone called them due to the fire alarm. Stand by.” Croft sounded quite pleased, and all was right with the world again. Maybe I could finish watching the football match soon. I already knew who won, but that didn’t matter.

A polite knock came from the flat’s front door that made me turn around cautiously as I put my phone away. The brief outline of my attacker came into view as a fire extinguisher struck me. My body felt weightless as I collapsed to the ground. Our intel had been wrong. Another bomber lived here too.

“Fucking MI6.” I heard as I blacked out.

Brigit

As we arrived at Lord Flemming’s stronghold, I remained quiet and didn’t pay much attention to the usual pomp and circumstance of court. It was hard enough dealing with the aching loss in my chest and the knowledge that my beloved parents were dead.

My gaze rose to see my cousin standing in the courtyard, apparently waiting for me. His eyes were slightly puffy and bloodshot. Apparently, the news had been hard on him too. If it weren’t for my parents, Lord Flemming wouldn’t be where he was today. They’d treated him almost like a son when his own parents abandoned and betrayed him.

Sir Alan and Tabitha supported me with their presence through the usual court ceremony I was expected to participate in while I held back my tears as best I could. Royalty had no public outlet for these kinds of emotions. Outrage, fury, and hatred were all seen in the royal court at times, but sorrow and loss were private affairs. In its own way, the frivolous façade forced me to focus my mind on the here and now, not on what just happened. My plate would be overflowing with tasks to handle over the next few days. The list of requirements for the Kingdom of Freehaven to remain stable was long.

I needed to make speeches and attend ceremonies…and go through the coronation to be crowned the new queen. The normal expectations for an heir to gain the throne were magnified, specifically now that my family’s direct lineage dangled by my life’s thread. Soon I’d need to marry and provide the kingdom an heir.

Nausea roiled my stomach, and I pushed those thoughts aside. The princess’s headdress was heavy enough. Was I actually ready to become my kingdom’s monarch?

Eventually the greetings and exchanges of pleasantries ended, and my cousin and I were able to escape to a private meeting chamber with a selection of other nobles from the area. As we departed the opulent great hall, I felt like I could take a deep breath for the first time since I’d arrived.

The heavy oak doors closed behind me and separated us from the rest of the court. Without all the pageantry, my thoughts started back toward my parents. The sting of tears burned my eyes, but I held them back. Now wasn’t the time to cry. I’d do that later when I reached my suite of rooms.

Sir Alan nodded toward the end of the long table. He hadn’t left my side since we’d learned of the news. Part of it was the threat to the kingdom’s stability if I died too, but he’d been my teacher as a child and a friend to my parents. His warm nature made me feel like I wasn’t alone.

My cousin sat at the opposite end of the table from me, and I looked at the solemn men gathered in the room. They were locked in debate on what military strategies we should use and when we should march to the capital and secure the throne for me.

Sir Alan had bread and wine fetched for me. We hadn’t eaten for several hours. The journey here had taken precedence, and it would be awkward if my stomach began growling now.

The noblemen argued over the most minute details, everything from how strong the force should be to who we could really trust and when we would leave.

I spoke up where I could, but the majority of their bickering went right over my head. My father had taken me to similar discussions before, but they’d never interested me. There was never a reason to pay attention because I knew he would take care of the kingdom and lead us into victory.

The nobles kept rehashing the same strategies and details over and over again without anyone coming to an agreement. When they talked about the latrine details for the third time, I’d finally had enough. There was more to moving an army than I’d realized. However, if we stood any chance of making this work, we should be unifying and coming together, not fighting amongst ourselves like this.

“I think a smaller force might be optimal. It would allow that force to avoid unwanted attention and scout the capital. Perhaps we wouldn’t need to utilize our armies,” I said. No one appeared to pay me any attention. They kept shouting each other down. Sir Alan slammed his fist on the heavy oak table to my right, nearly making me jump out of my skin, but it drew everyone’s attention. The noblemen all quieted down and stared at him with widened eyes. The moment passed by too quickly. As soon as the silence came, all of the men started up again with vigor.

Objections and outrage rained down from all sides of the room at once. Several of the nobles were adamant about having their colors flown to show those in the kingdom that they supported the crown. Others agreed that secrecy and stealth were paramount.

My head began to ache from all the arguing around me. The only two people in the room whose opinions mattered to me were Sir Alan’s and my cousin’s, both of whom now knew how I felt about the matter.

“Silence, you fools! My cousin is the princess of Freehaven, and soon she’ll be your queen! I demand you show her some respect.” Lord Flemming never was one to mince his words.

I gave him a soft smile. I’d been wrong to not want to visit him. At least I was here now.

“There are benefits to her decision that you lot seem to be missing,” an elder voice said from the far corner of the table. The older man wore the sigil of the tutors who advised the royalty in all manners of old knowledge, warfare, and politics. “We received news that her parents didn’t just die. They were assassinated. They were known by all to have bodyguards wherever they went.” He rose to his feet from where he’d been seated and scratched his chin. “It’d be logical to assume that whoever killed them would not hesitate to go after our lovely princess under similar circumstances. She is wise to want to move around quietly. The people of Freehaven will take the news of their king and queen’s murder harshly as we’ve already seen at this stronghold. The last thing they need is the death of their princess. I’d be inclined to agree with Her Highness. A small company of knights and a few servants will do better than raising all of our banners and making a long march to the capital.”

The elder spoke with an even tone as if he knew his opinion mattered to the men in the room. The tutor exchanged a look with my cousin, and it was evident his loyalties were more for Lord Flemming than me. That mattered little right now. Let them play politics amongst themselves. I just wanted this done and over with so I could return home where I was needed most.

Sir Alan leaned in close to whisper into my ear. “You need to declare your will. The stronger you make yourself look now, the more the men around this table will respect you. The army’s details can be discussed in private since I’m sure you’re overwhelmed, but you need to take the reins on this discussion before it gets more out of control.” His patient voice reminded me of times past when he’d taught me how to wield a sword.

He was right. I needed to step up. I couldn’t let this group of men rule me. This was my destiny and my birthright. I rose to my feet, and the room quieted again.

“I appreciate your guidance through this tough time. Each of you may know what you think is best. However, I believe in my heart that a smaller group will traverse the road quicker and draw less attention from possible assassins. We cannot afford to show fear to whoever has committed the horrible act that ended my parents’ lives. We are not scared nor are we vulnerable. The best use of our soldiers will be using our armies to wipe out the forces of the person who orchestrated their deaths. Sir Alan will discuss the specifics with you and make arrangements for my departure home. The throne needs to be secured.” My knees trembled a little as all of their eyes fixed on me. I held my chin up and tried to portray the strength I didn’t feel right then. My gaze remained on my cousin who gave me the barest hint of a smile to encourage me on. “Thank you for your cooperation and assistance, my lords.”

As silence permeated the room again, I expected the noblemen around the table to begin arguing again. Instead, they bowed their heads to me and murmured their approval to one another.

My heart pounded in my chest, and I walked out of the private meeting chamber. Perhaps I could find something else to eat before I retired for the evening. Sir Alan would likely want us to depart at first light. I glanced back into the room and caught my cousin’s eye. I still hoped to speak with him alone before I left.

I wasn’t sure when we’d be able to see each other again. Traveling wasn’t safe until we caught whoever had killed my parents. Lord Flemming might very well have a target on his back too. He was in the line of succession too. Granted, not close enough to where I was immediately fearful of his life. We had other family floating about that neither of us really talked with.

The servants in my cousin’s stronghold were friendly and wore smiles on their faces, even though I saw the sadness in their eyes. Tabitha, my maidservant, found someone from the kitchen to fix me supper. Bread and wine were great, but I needed more than that.

“Would you like the food brought to your suite room or to the dining hall, Your Highness?” a maid said as she curtsied.

I opened my mouth to reply, but a masculine voice spoke up behind me. “The dining hall would suit us.”

“My lord.” The maid looked between Lord Flemming and me as if not sure what to do.

“Yes, the dining hall please.”

She curtsied again before leaving.

“I’m glad you’re well. That was one of the toughest meetings I’ve seen. I apologize for them. These nobles aren’t used to this level of stress. It’s a lot to plan for with very little warning.” He brushed a strand of hair from my face. “I only wished you could stay longer. I know the importance of you returning home, but I feel uneasy knowing you’ll be in danger. Please have word sent back when you arrive. I would hope to witness your crowning.”

“Yes, I’ll be sure to do that.” I glanced around the hallway, but the crowd had dispersed as the evening stretched on. Many were likely still gathered in the grand hall or retired to their rooms. “Be careful. You’re my family. No one is sure yet what the assassin is after. I’d be devastated to lose you too.”

Lord Flemming wrapped his arm around my shoulder and led me toward the dining hall. “I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.” He smiled at me. “It’s nice to know you care.”

I playfully pushed at his arm. “You should know I do.”

“Why is it I’ve heard that my sweet cousin wasn’t terribly excited to come visit then?” He grinned, and the smile shone through his eyes. I couldn’t help but fall into his piercing green gaze.

“Well, it’s a long journey. Your stronghold isn’t conveniently located in respect to our kingdom’s capital, Darkview.” I leaned into his arm as we walked down the hallway together, feeling the strong warmth of his presence. For the first time today, I was truly able to relax.

“I’ll have to keep that in mind, Your Highness,” he said, laughter in his voice. “Perhaps I’ll have to visit you in Darkview when things settle down instead of holding out hope of seeing you back here.”

“I’ll be queen. Of course, you should!” We laughed together and continued talking for a few hours. I’d be exhausted in the morning, but that didn’t seem to matter much now.

Edward

I blinked my eyes open to see an unexpected landscape in front of me. The gentle rolling hills reminded me of Ireland. Lush deep green grass blanketed the ground as the vibrant hues of the forest beyond stirred my interest. Clean air filled my lungs, and I pushed into a sitting position. None of that prepared me for
her
.

A lovely young woman in a thin shift stood in the midst of the landscape. Her delicate form took my breath away, and her saddened expression made my heart ache. Everything within me wanted to go to her, protect her. Thunder rumbled in the distance bringing with it an edge of danger, but none of that mattered now. The only thing I could focus on was her solemn beauty.

Part of me knew this was just a dream. But I didn’t want to turn away from her and awake up. Rain clouds darkened the sky above us, and the field lit up as flashes of lightning struck the ground near her.

I held up a hand to shield my eyes and stumbled to my feet. If she didn’t get out of there, she’d die.

The young woman lifted her face to the sky and tears streaked her cheeks.

She needs you.
A middle-aged woman’s voice fluttered through my head, urging me toward the younger lady.
Her time has come. He’ll kill her if you don’t act.

I turned in a full circle, but I was alone now with storm clouds overhead. This couldn’t be happening to me. This was beyond surreal. Had I been drugged? It had happened before, but this was nothing like that experience. The sense of urgency I felt drove me to act as opposed to mere hallucinations. What was going on?

As soon as I began questioning the scene around me, a sharp pain jolted me back to the present. I touched the back of my head. Blood dampened my fingers. The fire extinguisher flashed back to mind. I'd been hit. Still, it didn’t exactly explain the odd vision.

One moment I was in a wonderful green paradise with a nearly naked young woman, and the next I was presumably in someone's basement with my face pressed against dirty concrete and a foot jammed into my lower back.
Fucking shite.
At least he didn’t think to bind my arms. I had something going for me.