Chapter 17: Chapter 17

he guards at the prince’s chamber doors stepped aside immediately upon opening them. Before she could step in, Prince Russal appeared. His gaze rested on the sling then slid to her eyes. “How do you feel, Miss do Brode? Well

enough for dinner?”

“Yes. I’m comfortable.” She stepped in, releasing Cole’s arm and nodding at Lessa, who had remained in the hall. Cole exited, and the door closed. Prince Russal hadn’t moved, his gaze shifting from the door to her face to the sling and back again.

Well, this is awkward.

The door swung open again, and they both peered at the door guard and Lessa standing there.

“You probably want this,” she said and held out the illustration.

Kambry smiled and took it from her. “Thank you.” The door closed again, and she faced Prince Russal. “I brought the illustration.”

“I see that.” His feet shifted. “I’m sorry. That was rude.

Thank you for bringing it.”

She gave a quick curtsey, glancing up to grant him a tiny good-humored smile. “Should we see Amily and Tomo?”

Prince Russal swallowed. “You look lovely in green.”

He seemed so uncertain. She floundered for an answer. “It is my favorite color.” Brilliant, like he didn’t know that.

“Excuse me.” Amily’s voice snapped, and they both jerked. “I’m hungry.” She stood on the threshold of the balcony, tapping her foot.

“Then it is fortunate I invited you to dinner,” said Prince Russal, his voice now confident. He reached out his hand to

Kambry then swept it awkwardly toward the balcony before she thought to place her hand in his. “I’ll take that for now.” He pointed to the illustration, and she handed it to him.

Amily greeted her with an exuberant hug, giving no notice to the sling, while careful not to cause her discomfort. Her attention pounced on the pendant instead. “What a lovely necklace, Kambry. Green is truly your color. Let’s eat.”

“Come sit down before Amily dishes out the food herself.” Tomo’s eyes laughed beneath his sleepy lids. He raised Kambry’s hand to his lips and pulled out her chair before doing the same for Amily.

As soon as she sat, the servants served the first course.

Amily chattered between bites of strawberry and vanilla cream. Tomo slid his bowl over to her when she scraped the bottom of her own and the spoon came up empty.

The spoon went down again and came up full, and Amily didn’t seem to notice the oddness in the action. “I’m so glad we could dine together again. We’re leaving a little sooner than planned.” She flashed Tomo a not-quite glare. “Someone thinks events may roll at a greater speed than they are.”

It was a joy to watch the two of them. Tomo slumped in his chair, his eyes trained on Amily, a slight smile playing about his mouth. It was so obvious he adored her, and it both cheered and saddened Kambry. That was what she wanted in a relationship. Someone to see her the way Tomo saw Amily: giving her what she needed just as she needed it and reveling in the opportunity.

Tomo smirked and smoothed a hair away from Amily’s cheek. She leaned into his hand, but didn’t stop eating or talking.

“I found this wonderful little baby’s cap just sitting on a table in our apartment here. Can you believe it? I was just talking about needing one, and there it was.”

Kambry nodded and Prince Russal said, “Hmm,” with appropriate timing.

“An astonishing coincidence,” said Tomo, his lopsided grin evening out when the other side of his lip curled up. “Next thing you know, she’ll want little booties, and the elves will supply.”

Amily slapped his hand. “Eat your soup.” Her hand rose to her breast, and she took a breath.

Tomo leaned in toward her, his eyes focused on her countenance. “Are you well?”

She waved her fingers at him and exhaled noisily. “Now about this incident this afternoon.”

Kambry continued to raise her spoon to her mouth, though she had hesitated halfway up at Amily’s statement.

“Shocking that anyone would think you were to blame.” She turned on the prince. “You of all people should not have let it get so far. I heard they put her in the guards’ prison. Shocking.”

Kambry swallowed and looked at Prince Russal, who twisted his mouth at her.

“I think that was why things went as they did,” said Kambry. “It was shocking, and everyone just reacted. But once the opportunity to think things through occurred, logic prevailed.”

Amily’s eyes narrowed. “Russal, would you say it was shock that caused so many people to think the ridiculous? What would have happened if that boy had not found the actual arrow she shot?”

Kambry snuck a look at her ring as he answered.

“Amily, how is it you can go from frivolous chatter to pointed interrogation with little transition at all?” Prince Russal said.

Scraped by that one. The ring showed purple.

“Don’t think you can change the subject, Russal. I was merely giving Kambry time to relax and feel like she was having some part of her day be ordinary.”

“Really, Russal,” added Tomo, “is kindness something you are only just now noticing about our Amily?”

Prince Russal looked at Kambry, his expressive eyes begging her for help.

“I have to admit, I thought the same thing,” Kambry said, her head turning slowly side to side.

Prince Russal gave her a playful glare.

“I had to be patient and depend on a child to rescue me. He’s my hero. Thank goodness I’ve someone I can depend on.” Had the prince in fact supplied someone to save her, sneak her out of Burty’s office?

“Oh, Tomo would have broken you out of that cell had it gone on much longer.” Amily turned to Tomo, whose eyebrows were getting lost in his side-swept bangs. “Wouldn’t you?”

He looked to Prince Russal, who tipped his head as if he were curious to know the answer.

“Well?” she said

Kambry watched the interplay of emotions on both the Condori faces. She loved how Amily baited Tomo, and he played along.

He slowly enunciated each word of his reply. “I would have contemplated how I might best assist Kambry in… in…”

“In what?” she snapped. “In arguing her defense.”

“Arguing,” she sneered. Amily turned to the prince. “And you, Russal, were you preparing to argue in her defense?”

“I was preparing. Yes, yes, I was.” Still no reaction from the ring.

“Thank goodness we have children who act immediately when immediacy is required.” Amily looked down at the empty table before her. “Where’s the food?”

A servant slid a golden turnover into place and melted into the shadows beyond the flickering candles.

Amily picked up her fork, and Tomo and the prince shared pantomimed relief across the table.

Kambry thanked the servant as she set a similar plate before her and inhaled the aroma of warm cinnamon and apple rising from her dish. She leaned forward to slice her fork through the flaky crust, bumping her arm and letting out a squeak of discomfort. Everybody stilled for a moment, and Kambry completed filling her fork as if she had made no sound at all and put it in her mouth.

The continued silence niggled, and she swallowed. “I’ve started working on the illustration. I brought it with me, though you will see mainly the preliminary chalking. I began inking color today.”

Amily practically wriggled in her seat. “I’m so excited to see it.” She took the last bite of her dessert. Tomo slid his over, removing hers when she gazed at Kambry. She snapped her attention to Tomo. “What are you doing? I’m not eating your food. You’re losing weight, and I can’t be taking care of you and a baby if you plan to starve yourself.”

He slid it meekly back, his lazy eyelids rising enough to show amusement. He dug into the dessert like a man who’d gone without for months.

Kambry held in her giggle.

Prince Russal pushed out his chair. “I’ll go get it. I left it on the table within.”

Amily smothered a yawn, and Tomo touched her arm.

“After you see her work, we will say good night. We’ve a lengthy journey ahead of us tomorrow, and we should start out well-rested.”

Amily frowned. “Kambry and I never had our lunch together. I really had hoped we could get some time alone to get to know each other better.” She stood up, dropping her napkin on the table. “You two stay out here. Kambry will show me the drawing inside, and we can chat for a bit.”

“Not for too long,” said Tomo, his eyes revealing concern Kambry hadn’t seen before.

“You worry too much, Tomo.” She patted his arm and skirted the table awkwardly to take Kambry’s hand.

Prince Russal stood by the door with the illustration, which Amily swept from his grip as she and Kambry strode by.

They sat on the couch, and Kambry removed the parchment from the boards, using items on the nearby side tables to hold down the corners.

“Oh.” Amily’s hands went to her cheeks. Tears filled her eyes, and she laughed. “I’m so silly these days. Look at me. I’m pleased, and I’m crying.”

Kambry patted the sheet of vellum. “I know it’s hard to imagine what it will look like when done, but you’re satisfied so far?”

“It’s perfect and going to be perfect.” She wrapped her hands around Kambry’s forearm, squeezed, and then returned to inspect the chalk lines. “I’d hoped it would be as I envisioned it, but I can see I lacked imagination.” She wiped her eyes as more tears welled. “Thank you, Kambry. Now put it away before I soak it and ruin your hard work.”

Kambry slipped it carefully between the boards and set it aside.

Amily gripped her hand between her own and looked around the room. “Kambry, it’s dangerous here, but there’s nothing for it. Be careful and know that Russal will keep you safe. If there had been any other way…” She trailed off. Her hand patted Kambry’s.

“What is the danger I face, Amily? Can you tell me?”

Amily looked away and bit her lips. “I wish I could say. The trouble is why I must leave. Tomo doesn’t want me here. He fears I might become a pawn in events as they play out.” She gripped Kambry’s hands tightly. “But know Russal will keep you safe.”

Kambry pulled her hands from her tight grip. “Can’t you tell me anything? I don’t know what I’m up against, and if you could give me some hints…. Please, Amily.”

“I shouldn’t have said anything. Normally, I wouldn’t, but I’m not in as much control as before the pregnancy. I’m a cold one and encouraged many of Russal’s efforts to ferret out his enemies.” She clamped her mouth shut. “See. This is why Tomo wants me out of here. My emotions run full tilt in all directions these days, and my mouth follows suit.”

Tomo and Prince Russal peeked into the room. “Can we come in now? It’s getting cold out here.”

Amily tsked and rolled her eyes. “What a pair!”

Tomo was at her side instantly. “Time to go.” He wiped a stray tear from her cheek. “Were you pleased with the drawing?”

She hugged him and blinked her eyes. “It will be lovely in the nursery.”

“Say good night to Kambry,” he said and turned to Russal. “Next time, you come to see us.”

“And bring Kambry with you,” Amily said as Tomo guided her to the door.

Russal nodded unconvincingly. “Of course.”

Kambry held a snort in and stared at her ring, expecting it to flash yellow. He’ll be sure to bring along his favorite prisoner when he travels. But the ring remained purple. She picked up the illustration and stood. “I’ll work on this every day so you’ll received it soon, along with your book.”

“Oh, the book belongs to Russal. We used to read together when we were little.” Amily smirked. “He has his own favorite illustration. I challenge you to figure out which one.”

Tomo conducted Amily to the door.

Prince Russal said, “Come, Kambry, you should go, too.

You need your rest.”

“I’m fine. I thought we could talk.”

“There’s nothing to say,” he said, his tone casual.

The ring blinked yellow, and he scowled. His eyes raised to catch hers, and she pretended to have missed the ring’s reaction.

“I’ve something to ask you,” she said.

He pressed his hand to her back and propelled her to the door. “We can talk in the morning.” He gave Amily a hug and walloped Tomo’s shoulder before ushering Kambry out the door with them.

“Really, Your Highness, it’s important,” Kambry said. “It can wait,” he said. “I’ve other matters to attend to.”

The door closed with her standing inches from its paneled surface.

Amily touched her arm. “Remember what I said.”

Cole and Lessa turned a corner in the hall as the Condoris strolled by, and the two guards were soon at her side.

“Ready?” asked Cole, cupping her elbow.

She took a breath and made a face at the door. “Sure.”

~~~~~~~

She didn’t know which happened first: snatching the coverlet and pulling it to her neck, sitting up, or grabbing the knife blade mounted in the thin wooden handle. Whatever the case, she sat up in her bed, the knife blade shaking out in front of her while the fingers of her other hand dug into the thick counterpane.

Her heart beat time on her ribs, and every part of her focused on the now sharp vision before her.

Prince Russal stood at the end of her bed, one side of his face brightened by the oil lamp on her vanity. He faced his palms at her and winced.

“Kambry, you are perfectly safe. I’m just here to talk.” “What are you doing in my bedroom?” she shrilled.

He stepped around the bed and raised his finger to his lips. “Shh. We don’t want the guard to come running in here.”

“Yes, we do.” Though softer, her voice remained high- pitched. She switched the knife to her other hand and let her right arm drop. Her shoulder was less tight, but still somewhat sore.

He chuckled. “No, we need to talk, and if he comes in here, I must talk to him, and then it will get around that I somehow got into your chamber without entering the door he was guarding.”

“There is a hidden passage. You lied to me.” The point of the knife shook as her hand tightened on the handle.

“Could you put that down?”

Her knuckles whitened. “Where’s the passage?” she grumbled.

He pointed at her wardrobe, which was no longer flush to the wall but canted out, revealing a faintly lit, distant wall.

“Go back,” she said, waving her knife in jerky stops and starts.

Prince Russal took a step closer and paused at the midpoint of the side of her bed. “We need to talk, Kambry, and this is our best opportunity.”

“We could have talked after dinner.”

“Then everyone would have known we talked. This is a nobody-can-know talk.” He sat down on her bed, and she scurried to the other side, tugging on the covers until he rose enough for them to slide beneath him. “As much as it pleases me to see you move about so easily after your injury, I’m worried you might hurt yourself. Could you put the knife down?”

“I’m very good with it. I’ve not cut myself since my initial apprentice days.” She sat up straighter and allowed her right arm to rest in her lap.

“Then you might hurt me, and where would that put you?

Back in that tiny cell.”

“You’re the one entering uninvited,” she said. Her heart had already stopped its mad dash about her ribs, but she would not give him the satisfaction of knowing she was becoming intrigued by his insistence they had something to talk about in the middle of the night. She had to admit a part of her was enjoying pointing a knife, however small, at him.

“But I’m the prince, and I’m here to talk, nothing else.” “You said even princes should be accountable.”

“But I have done nothing.” “You scared me to death.”

He huffed. “You don’t know how long I stood at the foot of your bed trying to decide what the least frightening way to wake you was.”

“You watched me sleep?” Her voice rose and ended in a squeak.

“Lower your voice, Kambry,” he said, lowering his own. “If I planned to do you serious harm, I wouldn’t have stood over there whispering, ‘Miss do Brode,’ eighteen times.”

“What were your other options?”

His mouth tightened, as if her questions annoyed him, but his eyes crinkled with merriment. She suspected beneath the tightness was a grin.

“Well, I considered putting my hand over your mouth, but somehow I thought that would not achieve the desired result.”

“I’d slice you up.”

“Hmm, not the result I was going for,” he said. “I also thought of just sitting on the bed, but that too lacked promise.”

“Just a promise I’d slice you.” It was difficult keeping her mouth set in a stern line.

“I’m worrying about you.” His eyes crinkled up more.

“What did you want to talk about that you couldn’t say to me after dinner or wait until morning?”

“I think I may have placed you in some danger.” A contrite expression took over his face.

“Kidnapping me from my home, frightening my family who must think me lost or hurt somewhere in Kavin Wood, threatening me with exile and putting me in a cell isn’t enough? Now I’m in danger.”

He closed his eyes a moment and sighed as she ran through her list.

“What’s next?” she said.

“My original plan was that by having you here, I could draw out those who’ve been trying to remove me from the throne. It seemed easy enough what with their efforts so far turning anyone I came to view as a friend into a spy or worse.”

“You make it sound like you were in control of my coming here.”

“I was.” He eyed her knife.

She shook it at him just for affect. “What made you select me?”

“You didn’t intend to enter Kavin Wood.” “You chose me specifically!”

“Please, keep your voice down.” “Why?” she whispered.

“I don’t want the guard to come charging in here.”

“No. Why did you choose me? None of us were trying to get in. You could have picked any of them.”

“You showed sensibility.” “My brother is sensible.”

“I’m sure he is, but I needed someone less obviously capable of taking care of himself.”

“I’m capable.” She shook the knife at him.

“Though that knife is lightweight, isn’t it getting hard to hold up?”

It was, and she was feeling silly talking to him and waving it about. She felt less adept with her left hand, anyway. She set it on the table on her side of the bed. “Feel better?”

“Immensely.” He grinned, and she rolled her eyes. “You weren’t scared, were you?” she asked.

“The marshal trained me to defend myself from a variety of weapons. A sliver of a knife was not an armament I practiced evading, but I’m confident I can manage.”

She eyed the wardrobe. “Can you see out here from inside there?”

“It would rather defeat the purpose of having a secret passage if I couldn’t.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Did you watch me?” “I’ve watched over you.”

“Semantics.”

“During the day, we keep a guard or someone with you as much as possible. But at night, you’re alone, and it has worried me I may have painted a target on you.”

At night, he’s watched over me?

He scratched his head. “Come and see.” She tugged the coverlet higher.

“Kambry, you showed more skin in the dress you arrived in than you have any chance of exposing in that nightgown.”

“Did you just insult me?”

His eyes flashed, and then his eyebrows creased. A smile slowly pulled at his face, and he leaned toward her.