Whirling to the prince, I gasp. “It can’t be true.”
“I’m afraid it is, darling.”
I grit my teeth at the unwanted endearment. “What about my family? My parents? My brother?”
“Long dead,” the one called Kill—I’ve changed my mind; his ridiculous nickname is totally appropriate—drawls. Bored. He has the gall to be bored by my predicament. Unfeeling brute. The flutter of interest I felt for him at first sight withers on the vine.
Metal scrapes. He grunts as he pushes the huge iron ring of the chandelier onto its side and rolls it until it’s between two marble columns at the base of the nave, candle spikes facingoutward. He’s clearly very strong to be able to move it. I am unimpressed. Mostly. Or so I tell myself.
“Give me a hand with this, Highness.”
There’s a tinge of disrespect in the way Kill sayshighness.It sets my teeth on edge even more than Prince Alistair’s cloying use ofdarlingas an endearment. It’s the same way he called meprincess, which I suppose I am, technically. But I wasn’t raised as royalty. Milking cows and tilling fields was my lot and I was content with it until the last prince upended my life. The crown prince desired my hand.
If Alistair is his great-grandson, then my original beau must have married another woman. Had children with her while I was locked in this strange castle in an enchanted sleep.
Not sure how I feel about that. On the one hand, I’m glad I didn’t have to go through with the wedding. On the other, I’ve awoken in a time where I have no family left to protect me, and another prince has apparently set his sights upon me.
Same nightmare. Different century.
I mull all of this while the men rope the iron chandelier ring to the columns. It’s not much of a barrier, but I suppose it’s something to hold a larger monster at bay. A shiver works its way down my spine. Prince Alistair drapes a rough wool blanket around my shoulders, mistaking my fear for a chill.
“I’ll take first watch.” Mr. Blood-and-Armor drops onto the floor and swipes a stray strand of hair out of his eyes. Violet smudges darken the hollows beneath his gray eyes. Despite my dislike for him, I feel a twinge of sympathy. He’s exhausted. There’s a deep red slash across his cheekbone that only adds to his feral beauty. It looks painful.
“Sleep. Both of you. I’ll keep watch.” I shiver and rub my arms. “One of you should take the coffin-bed.” A wry smile ghosts over my lips. “It’s quite comfortable.”
“Are you sure, my darling?”
I nod. He kisses my lips, which feels like far too intimate a gesture from a man I just met. I don’t protest.
I know what’s expected of me. I don’t want it any more now than I did back then. Not that I have the slightest idea how to escape, this time.
He climbs into the bed without consulting his friend. Ordinary entitled prince nonsense that he doesn’t so much as ask whether his companion wants a turn. Within seconds, Prince Alistair’s eyes close. I didn’t even note what color they are. I don’t much care.
I edge my way around the nave, examining the frescoes on the wall. “You should get some rest. Aren’t you tired?”
A grunt is Blood-and-Armor’s only response.
“Your name isn’t really Kill, is it?”
“You ask a lot of questions, Briar.”
I smile at his use of my true name. The prince called me Rose, but I prefer Briar. I like that he used it, even if I don’t like anything else about him right now.
“I’m trying to piece together what happened to me.”
I remember drinking from the chalice like throwing myself off a cliff and trusting I’d sprout wings, but why? What was I hoping for?
He begins unbuckling straps. I watch from the periphery of my vision as he divests himself of his armor. Beneath, he wears a plain black shirt that’s visibly filthy despite the color and low lighting. A faint smirk plays at the corners of his mouth as he takes that off, too.
I jerk my gaze back to the frescoes, heart thudding.
Water splashes. He’s cleaning up. I keep my eyes on the story of my life painted on the walls. Neither man answered my question about what this place is. A church? A castle? An absurdly grand mausoleum?
“I meant it when I said I’d keep watch while you rest,” I say over my shoulder.
“No.”
“Why not? If it’s true that I’ve slept for a hundred years, then I won’t be needing rest anytime soon. I don’t fancy trying to fight our way past a creature like that basilisk with only a few candles to light our way. I’ll stay alert.”
