Chapter Thirty-Four
This was not a garden party. The sheer numbers and the mood of the crowd gave it more of a carnival air… or perhaps a witch-hunt.
The aristos had come in droves to the Palace, scenting drama and scandal were in the offing. Word had gotten around about the Prince’s antics last evening.
Rumours flying that the Prince was cleaning house. Or about to make an engagement announcement. Or both. So many in attendance they were having trouble hearing the whispered speculations of those closest to them, and worse, making themselves be heard.
The crowd surging left, then right, at the first hint that something interesting might be occurring across the other side of the once upon a time perfectly manicured lawn. Then everyone rushing at once to the elaborate fountain in the centre of the large garden. Only to be disappointed. It was nothing more than Lady Tolbeth and Lord Linnate billing and cooing, and a wet Sparkles being too inquisitive, needing to be fished out of the water.
Leaning against the trunk of a large tree that made up the immaculately maintained yet sparse woodland that bordered the garden, Alia observed the crowd with interest. None of the Royal family had yet to make an appearance. Which meant everyone’s attention was fixed upon the remaining four candidates and their families. The crowd agog with curiosity. Did any of the candidates look too smug? Too happy? Had one of them already been approached in private and accepted the Prince’s pledge?
Miss Delish Kikmain, looking lovely in a soft pink flounced day dress was blushing an awful lot. Whilst Lady Parkour Sensch stood amongst her siblings, they in muted colours so their sister would shine in her bold daffodil yellow confection. And then there was Miss Freer Barton, always on the move that one, but never the less looking like an apricot flower had stepped from the garden bed itself in her silk waterfall gown.
Alia had circulated upon arrival. Heads turning. Many a person trying to trail her seemingly aimless movements before she disappeared, ducking under a trailing willow branch and stepping into the shadows to take up her silent sentry position.
Everyone looking for her, no one finding her, but assuring their friends and family that Alia was over by the white roses, or by the terrace steps, or any number of other places.
“You know why she keeps ducking and weaving like that?”
Everything in Alia unclenched, Talac was here, behind her, on the other side of the tree trunk. She blamed the noise of the crowd and nerves, no one else could have snuck up on her like that. “To whom are you referring?”
“Freer. It took me a while to figure out why she is either statue still for long periods, or acting like a rabbit raiding a carrot farm. She’s forever chasing the most flattering light in which to repose in.”
No. Really? Alia’s gaze went to the dark haired beauty, who was looking a little hot and bothered on this overcast cloudy day, chasing elusive sunbeams. “And just whom do you intend to matchmake her with?”
“I haven’t thought very much about it… someone who fancies themselves an artist perhaps.”
“Your lack of research into your subjects makes me shudder.”
“No need to worry, I promise to choose someone considered handsome and with very deep pockets. Don’t sigh like that. Almost no aristos get a choice in whom they marry, and this way she’ll have a lifetime cache of being able to boast the Prince of the Realm blessed her marriage.”
“Do not even think of coming near me with that heavy matchmaking cudgel of yours, or I’ll snatch it away and beat you bloody with it.”
Talac laughed under his breath, things low in Alia’s body tightened, heating in response. “I would never dare. Are you ready to depart? Despite the clouds, the sun is almost at its peak.”
Alia didn’t bother replying, just casually moving, sinking backwards into the darker, deeper, woodland shadows to join Talac. Both of them wearing dark colours she noted, Talac having chosen to don his Captain of the Guard uniform. A sparkle of anticipation lightening his flint coloured eyes. No sign of the haughty arrogant Prince today. Good, she much preferred it that way.
Together they moved off, silent, heading in the direction of the river that edged the far side of this wooded area. Staying off the paths. Ensuring they didn’t startle any game. Or alert any posted guards that anyone was moving about in the woodlands.
They were both armed. Alia silently praying that Perri’s plan would work. Pausing at the tree line some twenty minutes later, looking out at the clearing beside the riverbank where Brandth had proposed the meeting with Regal take place, she bit back a resigned sigh. Cruddy hell. Just once, Gods above, just once, it would be nice if a plan devised by a Gloomenthrall came to fruition.
This was not going to be that day.
Damnation.
Regal was early. He’d brought four men with him. Which was to be expected. What was not expected lay crumpled, tied up and gagged on the ground beside the swiftly running water; Deacon and Levi.
* * *
“Steady.”
Brandth’s muttered warning gave Perri a brief moment. A chance to take a breath. Assess the situation. Push away panic and a host of other unhelpful emotions and reach for calm. Perri was a healer. She was used to things turning to churned manure within a blink of an eye.
Discovering Regal had managed to kidnap Levi and Deacon, hog-tying the duo, a burly man with a sword looming over them acting as their guard – it was beyond ghastly… but things weren’t hopeless. Alia and Talac were in the woods, her sister would be coming up with a clever strategy to rescue the boys right at this moment. All Perri needed to do was buy Alia time to put her plan into action.
Surprisingly, it was Regal’s smug superior dimpled smile that helped to settle Perri’s nerves the most. She remembered that smile all too well. Had spent days… nights, twisting herself inside out trying to coax that smile out of him. Trying to please him. Make him happy. Wearing things that he preferred. Eating his favourite foods although none were to her taste. Keeping a fixed pleasant smile always upon her face, or otherwise people might question the veracity of their perfect blissful union.
When he got his way, Regal had always smiled just like he was doing now.
