ARC: Assassin Queen (15 page)

“
What exactly were you afraid of when you decided you needed to get as far away as possible?
”
Egey Bashi asked.

She swallowed.
“
Of someone reviving me. I thought of your elixir, of how it can heal deadly wounds nearly instantly. I also thought of other Keepers
’
cures you may have, ones you haven
’
t even had a chance to use on any of us. Common folks always whisper that the Keepers can bring back the dead.
”
She paused, trying to compose herself.
“
I cannot be certain, Magister, but if we assume the Kaddim have been driving me at the time, I believe I must have been worried about resurrection.
”

In the stunned silence she saw Raishan
’
s narrowed eyes as he watched her, so still that he seemed inanimate like a statue. She knew how bad it sounded, even if rolling this thought over and over in her head was probably even worse. And if true, this sealed the information she already suspected but never had a chance to confirm until now. The Kaddim were in her thoughts, which meant she couldn
’
t be trusted to make any decisions or learn any information at all.

Every time she used her skill, however briefly, the Kaddim were gaining part of it to benefit their warriors. And, there was no way to break this stalemate, unless they could get to the Kaddim before it was too late.

The enormity of the situation was just beginning to dawn on her. Regardless of his feelings for her, Mai had no choice but to rush to the Kaddim
’
s fortress as fast as he could. But with the amount of time it was likely going to take, there was no possibility for him to arrive there faster than the Kaddim needed to steal her gift.

Mai and his Majat army were headed for slaughter. And there was no power in the world capable to avert it.

15

Girl Talk

“
Any more conversations planned for today?
”
Raishan asked.

Kara shook her head, but before she could speak, a movement between the tents caught her eye. Lady Celana was striding toward her, calm and confident as if this busy camp was part of her father
’
s court. She wore a loose white dress, her flaming red hair tied into a bundle at the back of her head. Ellah hurried in her wake, clearly nervous at the heads turning their way.

The two girls approached Kara and stopped in front of her.

Kara sighed. She normally did not mind Ellah
’
s company, if only because the girl
’
s truthsense tended to simplify all conversations, putting everything into a clear perspective. But Lady Celana was different, a born politician to whom evasions and half-truths were as natural as breathing. Kara knew Celana saw her as a rival. As the royal lady measured her with a calm, unhurried glance, Kara couldn
’
t help wishing she was somewhere else.

She knew Kyth wasn
’
t over her yet, no matter how clear she tried to be about her lack of romantic feelings for him. She couldn
’
t do much about it, but she still felt guilty. Kyth was a sensitive man with a pure heart. He deserved better than someone like Kara, whose warrior upbringing made her so different from a normal girl, even if she could look like one to an untrained eye. Inside, she was not just a ruthless killer, but one of the best at her job. Even when she had believed that she shared his feelings, she also knew she could never give him what he needed. Lady Celana, on the other hand, seemed like a perfect match for Kyth
–
both in her political station, as the heiress of the second oldest royal house in the kingdom, and in the way she obviously cared about the Prince.

The challenge in the royal lady
’
s gaze made Kara feel affronted. She had her own problems to deal with. She couldn
’
t do anything about the past, could she? She was about to say this, when Celana
’
s words caught her by surprise.

“
There
’
s a small lake behind those bushes,
” Celana said. “
Aghat Mai ordered it off limits for half an hour, to give us privacy. Would you like to join us for a swim?
”

Kara slowly let out a sigh. A swim. It did sound good after a day of running and fighting. She was surprised, though, that Lady Celana thought of including Kara, whose fighting skill, the way she trained with the rest of the warriors, always made the ladies treat her like one of the men. A private swim, away from everyone
’
s scrutinizing eyes, would be so nice.

She glanced at Raishan with question.

“I
’
m not sure Aghat Mai would approve of this,
” Raishan said.

Lady Celana folded her arms over her chest, an amused smile playing on her lips.
“
Perhaps, Aghat Raishan, Ellah and I could take over your guarding job, just briefly?
”

Raishan returned her gaze impassively.
“
I can name many reasons, my lady, why this couldn
’
t possibly work. However, perhaps a solution could be found. What if I stay nearby
–
with my back turned
–
to get there instantly if something goes wrong?
”

Kara hesitated. She should refuse, she knew. She shouldn
’
t put both Raishan and the girls into this uncomfortable situation. Yet, the offer sounded so tempting. Was there really any harm in doing it quickly?

“
Thank you, Aghat Raishan,
”
she said.
“
I really appreciate it.
”

Lady Celana threw another amused glance at Raishan as he fell into stride in their wake, staying far enough behind them not to intrude on their privacy, but close enough to catch up at any sign of danger.

Feeling like a nuisance, Kara followed the girls to a secluded spot among the reeds and quickly took off her clothes. She tried to ignore the side glances her companions threw at her as she stepped into the water, quickly submerging and swimming ahead with swift strokes to clear her head.

The water felt warm and soothing, so different from early this morning when she had to spend a long time out in the open lake searching for escape. It felt so good to relax, to flip over on her back and float, taking in the surroundings as the clear, brownish water caressed and supported her tired limbs. Low sunbeams licked her dark skin with long, fiery tongues. She could hear the other two girls splashing near the shore, laughing and talking in discreetly muffled voices. Discussing her? She didn
’
t really care.

It may have been more polite to stay closer to them. They did invite her to share their swim, after all. Yet, she knew it was no use. These girls would never accept her as one of their own. Definitely not now, when the Kaddim
’
s mind link made everyone shun and avoid her.

The sun rolled down toward the horizon, slowly sinking into the distance. Regretfully, Kara flipped over and slowly swam back to shore. Back in the reed thicket, she quickly rubbed herself dry, aware of the other two girls watching her intently.

“
Anything wrong with me?
”
she asked.

Lady Celana let out a short laugh.
“
We were curious,
”
she admitted.
“
You have an amazing muscle tone, but shape-wise you don
’
t look that different from other young girls. How could you possibly be so strong?
”

Kara
’
s eyes widened. Such frankness caught her by surprise.

“
I guess I was born this way,
”
she said.

“
Still.
”
Celana exchanged a quick glance with Ellah, who looked uncomfortable, studying Kara with quiet challenge.
“
We expected that up close you would look more like
…
like a man.
”
Her face darkened with a blush in the gathering dusk.

Kara laughed.
“
Is this why you invited me for a bath? To take a closer look at me?
”

“No,” Celana said. “
We invited you because it was a natural thing to do. There are only three of us
–
I mean, girls
–
on this trip. It
’
s just that I
…
I couldn
’t quite contain my curiosity.
”
She looked down briefly, as if embarrassed, but the way her eyes returned boldly to Kara
’
s face suggested otherwise.

Kara watched her with interest. This royal lady was probably raised with people watching reverently while she followed her every whim. Any hint of embarrassment on her part seemed like a big step.

“
Personally,
” Lady Celana went on, “
I couldn
’
t stop wondering how you could possibly have swept the two most important men in our party so completely off their feet.
”

Here we go.
Kara glanced away to hide her irritation. The last thing she needed was a confrontation with her traveling companions over men. At the same time, if this were to be hanging between them for the rest of the trip, it seemed better to have this conversation sooner rather than later.

“
Did seeing me naked up close answer your question?
”
she asked.

For the first time in her life she saw Celana look genuinely uncomfortable.
“No. Except…”

“
Except what?
”

“You…
You are very beautiful,
”
the royal lady said quietly.

“
So are you.
”
Kara meant it. Even without the dramatic combination of green eyes, flaming red hair, and porcelain white skin, Lady Celana would have been considered a beauty. Her air of royal confidence definitely added to the effect.

“Thank you,”
Lady Celana said.
“
I am used to hearing that, of course
–
but not from someone like you.
”

“
Someone like me?
” Kara felt intrigued.

“
You have nothing to gain by saying that.
”

Kara couldn
’
t help but smile. To hear Celana speak with such open honesty was arresting. Unexpectedly she found this conversation refreshing, like the swim in the lake itself had been.

“
I suppose not,
”
she admitted.
“
So you must know I
’
m speaking the truth, don
’
t you?
”

“
I
do,”
Ellah said.

“
Of course you do,
”
Kara mumbled.
“You
’
re a truthseer.
”
And I’d do well to remember that.
Despite the civil tone, she knew when she was being confronted.

Celana tied her wet hair into a knot at the back of her head and smoothed away the loose fiery-red strands, keeping her eyes on Kara all the time.
“
So, beauty is clearly not the answer.
”

Kara chuckled.
“
Did you expect me to be different from you?
”

“
There is a difference between us, yes
–
one that, as I heard, men tend to find irresistible.
” Lady Celana
’
s blush deepened.
“You…
You are experienced.
”

Kara lowered the knife belt she was about to slip on and looked at the royal lady in disbelief.
“
You think my sexual experience helps me seduce men?
”

“
Doesn
’
t it?
”

Kara sighed.
“
I don’
t seduce anyone on purpose. I never think of it, in fact.
”

“
You seem to enjoy the effect, though.
”

“
What do you mean?
”

Celana held her gaze.
“
Every time you are around, Prince Kythar has eyes only for you. As if the rest of us are not even there.
”

Kara
’
s lips twitched into a smile.
“
I don’
t do this on purpose, if that
’
s what you mean
…
I would much rather he didn
’
t.”

Lady Celana looked into her face searchingly.
“
Really?
”

“Yes.”

“
You have no interest in him?
”

Kara
’
s eyes widened. Could Celana seriously think Kara was interested in Kyth?

“No,”
she said.

The royal lady
’
s shoulders sagged as she exhaled. A quick triumphant smile lit up her face.

Kara hesitated. Perhaps it was the darkness, but she suddenly couldn
’
t read Celana at all. Did the lady think she just handed Kyth to her? Was she genuinely interested? Or did she see him merely as a tool for fulfilling her political ambitions?

“
I have no romantic interest in him,
”
Kara said distinctly.
“
I assume this was what you were asking. However, as a close friend, I want to see him find happiness. I would feel very personal if anyone hurt him for their own gain.
”

Lady Celana lifted her chin.
“
You do care about him then?
”
The words sounded almost like an accusation.

“Yes,” Kara said. “I do. As a friend. Which means, you are free to pursue your feelings for him – but only if you mean well. He is a good man who deserves happiness, not another heartbreak.”

Once again, she felt amazed how the royal lady showed no disconcert at all. She merely nodded, as if receiving a simple piece of information.

“Thank you,”
she said.
“
That
’
s all I wanted to know.
”
She turned and walked away toward camp, her slim, elegant shape melting into the gathering dusk.