“You don't need any help looking like a fool.”
He backhanded her hard across her face and Cara tasted blood. She would have fallen if he didn't still hold her arm with his other hand. He jerked her arm hard and forced her to look at him.
Whether it was anger or fear that spurred her words, she didn't know, but as she rubbed her cheek with her free hand, and tested her teeth with her tongue, she threatened, “I could have you tried and hung for treason.”
Shoving her against the wall, he grabbed both of her shoulders and squeezed hard.
“I'm warning you. Unhand me now or I will see you tried for both assault and molestation.”
“Don't flatter yourself Crow,” he spat, shoving her hard before releasing her. “You're not my type.”
Cara wiped the spittle off her face with the back of her hand and glared at him.
“No,” she scoffed, laughing bitterly and glaring at him. “You prefer boys, isn't that right? Tell me, what was it about Batch? That he was unwilling? Do you like that? When they put up a fight? Is that what it takes to turn you on?”
Arwel's face turned red, and he raised his hand to strike her again, but left it hanging midair. “Who told you that?”
Seeing the guilt on his face, Cara shuddered. She pointed her finger to his chest and snapped, “You're nothing but a thug. A bully. A murderer. Did you rape him before or after you killed him?”
Arwel paled at her words and took a step backwards. “I didn't kill him.”
Cara eyed him suspiciously. “If it wasn't you, then who did?”
“I don't know,” he said, regaining his composure. “But he had more use to me alive than dead.”
Her stomach twisted in repulsion at his vulgar admission. She took another step forward so that she was eye to eye with him. “If I hear that you have gone near or touched any of my men ever again, I promise you I will run a blade through your heart myself.”
Arwel glared at her, hatred permeating his features.
“There you are,” Edmund said, coming out of the shadows. His blue eyes were like ice as he assessed the situation. Reaching out, he trailed his long fingers over her bruised cheek, and looked pensive, before adding, “I was wondering where our guest of honor went to.”
Cara flinched away from his touch. “I was just heading to my room.” Taking a step backwards, she looked at Arwel and hissed, “I've had enough excitement for one night.”
“Then you best hurry off to bed, since we wouldn't want our little princess to be worn out,” Edmund said, with insincere concern.
She looked between the two men, not trusting either of them. Backing away as if she expected them to attack if she turned her back, she didn't take her eyes off of them until she was a safe distance.
Edmund watched as Cara turned on her heel and fled down the corridor in the direction of her chambers. When he was certain that she was out of earshot he turned on Arwel.
“What the hell do you think you're doing?” Edmund hissed.
“We were just having a little talk,” Arwel said shrugging, pushing past Edmund.
“The bruise on her cheek said you did a little more than talk.”
Arwel turned and glowered at Edmund. “She belittled me in front of my brothers. What was I supposed to do?”
“I don't care if she spat in your face on Annul's altar. You don't go near her or speak to her unless I say so. Do you understand?” Edmund ran his hand through his hair and looked up at the ceiling. “Did she say anything?”
“She thinks I killed that scrawny bastard,” Arwel sniffed, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
Edmund cursed under his breath. It was too close to the truth for his liking. He wouldn't care if Arwel took the blame, except that he still needed him, as well as the alliance with Bere Astern for his father's plan to work.
“Well I hope you were convincing enough in your deception when you said you had nothing to do with it.”
“I didn't have anything to do with it,” Arwel shouted.
Of course you did, Edmund thought. He would never have had to kill Batch, at least not so soon, if Arwel hadn't been beating and raping the poor halfwit.
“Just keep your hands clean from now on,” Edmund warned. “I'll try and fix this mess you've got us into, but I can't keep cleaning up after all your fucking messes.”
“I don't know why we have to keep up this charade,” Arwel complained. “We should just kill them all and get on with it. My brothers can make it look like an accident if that's what worries you.”
Edmund looked around to make sure that no one was near, and when he was certain that they were alone, he grabbed Arwel by the scruff of his neck.
He hissed in Arwel's ear, “Keep your damn mouth shut. Anyone could be listening. Until my father takes the city of Annul, we aren't safe. As long as the council still resides over the court, she can bring a charge against either of us, so don't think you're safe just yet.”
“Fine,” Arwel sneered, prying Edmund's hand from his neck. “I'll be on my best behaviour, as long as when it's over, I get to kill the bitch myself.”
Edmund unsheathed his weapon so quickly that Arwel barely registered the attack until the blade was pressed firmly against his jugular.
“You touch her and you die,” Edmund threatened. “Without her I have no legitimate claim to the throne, and without me on the throne, you're a dead man. Understood?”
Arwel sucked in a shallow breath through his clenched teeth and hissed, “Perfectly.”
“Good.”
Edmund smiled coldly and sheathed the blade. “Go back to the hall and keep Finn occupied while I deal with our princess.”
Arwel rubbed his neck as he walked away.
Her door was shut, and he gave her the courtesy of knocking before he entered. She looked up from the book she was reading when he entered, and he saw the flash of panic cross her expression as he closed the door behind him. It was the first time that he had been in a bedroom alone with her, and the thought stirred something primal within him.
She followed his gaze to the bed, and he watched in delight as all the color drained from her face.
That's right princess, he thought. One day you will be completely at my mercy, and I will take you wherever and whenever I want.
“Get out of my room,” she screeched, standing up and holding the book as if she would throw it at him at any moment.
That's right little mouse. You have every reason to be afraid.
“Now is that any way to treat your future husband,” he said coolly, stalking towards her.
“You're insane,” she whispered.
Her eyes darted to the door and he smirked as he saw resignation settle across her features.
“I've been called worse,” he said, placing his hand under her chin, and stroking the dark red mark on her cheek with the pad of his thumb. He pressed down until she flinched in pain. “It seems we have a little issue that needs to be sorted out.”
“Finn will be back at any moment,” she said calmly, but he could hear the panic in her voice. “He'll kill you if he finds out you laid a hand on me.”
Edmund tightened his grip and smiled. “And that's the problem isn't it. Your little boyfriend lays his hands on me, or on Arwel, and what happens to him? Do you think Arwel's brothers will just let him walk free?” he laughed, and tilted his head closer to her and inhaled deeply. She reeked of fear, and he reveled in the smell. “No princess, it doesn't work that way. You see, if he touches us, then he dies too, and I know you don't want that.”
Cara shoved him away, and he chuckled at the anger that blazed in her dark eyes.
“Get the hell out,” she hollered.
He put his hands up as if in surrender and smirked as he backed away. From the doorway he chuckled and blew her a kiss. “I'm so glad we had this little talk.”
Cara shivered as the door shut behind him, leaving her alone in the room. She clenched her fingers around the book she still held, trying to s
top her hands from trembling.
Edmund was right, and she hated him even more for it. She couldn't tell Finn or the other men about what had happened between her and Arwel, at least not while they were in enemy territory. Their lives were already in danger, and she wouldn't put them in any more risk than they already were. She could handle Arwel and Edmund on her own, at least for the time being.
Sitting back down, she opened her book and tried to focus on the words. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, trying to steady her nerves, but her hands were still shaking when Finn came into the room an hour later.
“I didn't see you leave,” he said, sitting on the edge of the bed and pulling his boots off. “You should have told me. I would have come up with you.”
Cara continued to look down at her book, and tried to keep her bruised cheek hidden in the shadows. She had no mirror in her room, and she didn't know how bad it looked. “I wasn't feeling well.”
“Do you want me to get you anything?” he asked, crouching down beside the chair, and placing his hand on her knee.
She shook her head. “I think I just want to be alone tonight.”
Keeping her eyes downcast, she could feel him watching her.
“Okay,” he said finally, leaning over her and kissing her forehead. When he brushed her hair off of her cheek to tuck it behind her ear, Cara flinched.
She knew the moment he saw the mark, and she squeezed her eyes shut as he cursed out loud and demanded to know what happened.
“I tripped and fell,” she lied.
He took her by her elbows and made her stand and look at him, as he traced the outline of the bruise. His eyes darkened and he swore again. “Why are you lying to me? Someone hit you. Tell me who it was.”
She shook her head and blinked back tears.
“Cara, I promise you, if you don't tell me who hurt you, I will question every single person in this house.”
“I'm trying to protect you. Please don't make me tell you.”
“Protect me? Who could you possibly be protecting me from?” He went still, and his eyes locked on hers. When he said the name, Cara shivered at threat that the single word held. “Arwel.”
“You can't do anything,” she pleaded. “He'll kill you, or have his brothers will do it for him. Promise me you won't go after him. That you won't tell him that you know. Please Finn, I can't lose you.”
Her voice was a sob by the time she finished, and she didn't fight him when he pulled her into his arms.
He breathed out heavily and brushed his hand down her back. When he pulled away, his face was calm, but Cara could see a tick working on the side of his jaw. “If I promise not to go after him for this, will you tell me everything? Any threats that he or Edmund have made. Will you do that?”
Cara nodded, knowing it was her only choice.
She told him everything; from Edmund's first threat in the corridor of the palace, to Arwel's declaration that he didn't kill Batch, and even about Edmund's most recent visit in her chambers.
Finn paced the room as she spoke, and when she was finished, he shook his head at her.
“You should have told me about Edmund a long time ago,” he said, sitting on the bed and putting his boots back on.
Cara panicked as she realized he intended to leave her. “Where are you going? You promised me you wouldn't do anything.”
“I need to speak to Helfrich and Tahdaon,” he muttered, not looking at her. “I'll send Efy up to stay with you tonight.”
“I don't want Efy. I want you. Please don't leave,” she begged, hating herself for the desperation she heard in her voice.
“You can't be alone,” he said, watching her impassively. “Your rules, remember. Efy will be up shortly. Unless you want one of the other men to join you?”
Cara shook her head and looked away. “Efy is fine.”
From the corner of her eye she saw him hesitate briefly before turning to leave.
“Finn,” she said, stopping him. “I was only trying to protect you.”
He nodded once and opened the door. “It's my job to keep you safe, not the other way around.”
The room reverberated as the door slammed shut.
“You're wrong,” she whispered.
Sitting on the edge of her bed, she stared at the dying fire and waited for Efy to join her.
Chapter 25
The days began to lengthen, and the first signs of spring could be seen as the caravan crossed over the border of Bere Alstern and into the province of Ashwater. Their remaining time among Arwel's brothers had passed without incident, and as far as she knew Finn had kept his promise not to confront Arwel, but even so Cara could feel the men's unease grow as they headed north.
Their time in Ashwater was much the same as the time they spent in Bere Astern; tension ran high, and Cara was aware of the resentment that Theo's people felt towards her and the remaining Twelve. There was an undercurrent of hostility, and Cara couldn't help but feel that the citizens of Ashwater begrudged her time among them.
It had been months since Cara had received a message from the council, and despite her inquiry, she was unable to get a clear answer from the Viceroy or his men about the state of the country. There were whispers of civil war, of conflict between Hellstrom and the King, but nothing had been confirmed.
Cara knew very little of the relationship between Balsam and his brother Ballack, but she had heard talk of the resentment that Ballack held for his brother. If rumors were true, Ballack envied his brother's title, believing that it should have been him and not Balsam that was chosen as one of Birkita's Twelve. Whatever the reason, Ballack stood close to treason, and Cara worried about how the king and council would respond.
Cara sat in the great hall of the Viceroy of Ashwater's large estate, speaking with one of Theo's many cousins when Finn walked into the room and nodded for her to join him. Anger flared in his eyes, and she knew immediately that something was wrong. Tahdaon followed behind him, his expression just as fierce as Finn's, as he made his way across the room towards Cush and Efy.
“What's wrong?” Cara asked, as Finn took her by the arm and led her to the back of the room where no one could hear them.
“Soldiers. Hellstrom cavalry. They're meeting with Edmund and the Viceroy of Ashwater as we speak.” Finn looked at her hard. “We need to disappear. Now. If Edmund's father has succeeded in overthrowing the council, then you aren't safe here. We need to go before they notice our absence. Helfrich is waiting for us in the stables, readying our supplies and horses.”
“We can't just leave,” she said, frowning at the urgency in his voice. “You don't know for certain why they are here. I won't abandon the tour unless I have just cause.”
Finn shook his head and started to speak, but he didn't have time to argue with her before their attention was drawn to the opposite side of the room.
There was a stir at the doorway, and she saw Finn's pale as he looked over her head. Cara turned and saw Edmund enter the room, followed by twenty Hellstrom soldiers, their weapons drawn.
Cara went cold as dread washed over her.
Finn cursed under his breath, and his hand went to the hilt of his sword.
Edmund's eyes roamed the hall until he found her. Her stomach shrank as she looked into his cold calculating blue eyes that held the crazed confidence of a man high on power.
Arwel and Theo entered behind Edmund with their weapons drawn. Only Edmund stood unarmed.
“What's the meaning of this?” Finn growled, taking a step forward, positioning himself in front of Cara.
Edmund's eyes lazily left her. He tilted his head, and arrogantly raked Finn with a look of disgust and sneered, “If you value your life, then I suggest you surrender your weapons immediately.”
Rage darkened her gaze as she looked between Edmund, Arwel and Theo. Men who had once sworn by their blood to protect her now stood with their weapons drawn to kill and destroy what she loved most.
Cara squared her shoulders and g
lowered at Edmund. “I could have you sent before the council on charges of mutiny. If you value your life, then I suggest you tell your men to sheath their weapons and withdraw at once.”
Edmund laughed and the sound echoed throughout the great hall and sent a shiver down Cara's spine.
“I don't think the council would have much to say to me or anyone else for that matter,” Edmund scoffed, looking sidelong at Arwel who chuckled, his lips drawn up in a vile smirk. “My father's men have informed me that the members of the council are indisposed at the moment.”
“What Edmund means is that their bodies are crow food, their decapitated heads adornments for the city gates,” Arwel said, turning on her, his features distorting, as he pointed his long sword at her. “Along with the king's. So you better think twice about your next words princess.”
Edmund raised his hand to silence Arwel.
“No.” Cara's voice quavered. She took a ragged breath and tried to control the icy fear that threatened to consume her. “You lie.”
“He tells the truth,” Edmund asserted, his face cold and calculating as he watched her. “My father has taken the city of Annul. He holds the throne. I alone am Elbia's rightful heir, and just as I promised, you will be my queen. So unless you want your little pets to get hurt, I suggest you tell them to stand down.”
“Treason,” Finn spat, drawing his sword. “You think the people of Elbia will just sit by and allow this?”
“And who is going to oppose him? You? Crantock's army? Our men outnumber Crantock's a hundred to one,” Edmund laughed. His gaze turned to Cush and something dark crossed his expression. “Let's hope the other Viceroys won't be as foolish as Cush's father.”
“What are you saying?” Cara hissed.
Edmund's mouth twisted upwards in a malicious smirk as he looked at her. “He found out what my father had intended, and instead of joining forces as any wise man would do, he decided to betray him. Threatened to inform the king of my father's plans. Fortunately, my father was able to silence him before he did any real damage.” His eyes darted back to Cush and his expression changed to false sorrow. “It was a shame your family had to be there when my father's men came for your father. I quite liked your little sister. Such a pretty girl. From what I hear she squealed like a pig in delight as my father's men ravished her. The little ones weren't as willing, but from what I was told, by the end they were all begging for the mercy of the men's swords.”