Promising Hope (29 page)

* * *

Chapter Nineteen

The sound of a lock clicking stirred Grace from her
sleep. She sat up in the armchair, trying to rub sleep from her
eyes. When William walked in, her entire body woke up. She tensed
and stood. She studied his face, which was tight, serious. He moved
to close the door, then paused. He pocketed his keys and let out a
short breath.

“Get out,” he said shortly. He strode to the door
that led to his study and disappeared through it, slamming it
behind him.

She didn’t lose any time. She fled for the open door
and raced down the corridors back to her room. The torches in the
dark cast strange shadows on the walls, frightening her. Although
she was more afraid of William chasing her. She reached her room,
unlocked the door with shaking hands, and ducked inside. After
closing the door, she sunk to the ground.

Her heart was pounding in her ears. She swallowed and
reached into the bosom of her dress. She’d tucked away stolen
papers from the prince’s study and she now pulled them out. Their
contents were transcribed from papers on his desk: letters with
Gregorio, notes during meetings with Tisha and Kilar. To be honest,
she wasn’t sure any of them would be of any importance to Jeshro,
but she had to do something while waiting and agonizing over Dar’s
life. She searched for a place to hide the papers and finally
settled on a spot behind her desk.

Then she went to the door to leave. She was sure if
William had done anything to Dar or he would have gloated about it,
but she had to be sure. She wanted to see him for herself.

She opened the door to Dar standing in the corridor,
his hand raised to knock. Her eyes widened, and she opened her
mouth to speak.

He darted forward and covered her mouth with his
hand.

After her night with William, she was jumpy, and she
pushed him away, her heart pounding. This might not even be
Dar—would William send a shape change to her in his form? It seemed
low, even for him. “You stay away from me,” she said.

He put his finger on his lips, shaking his head. Then
he began mouthing something, though she had no idea what. She
backed away, towards her dagger.

He went to her desk, holding up his hands. He picked
up a quill and made a writing motion. She glared at him and nodded.
As he was scribbling something down, she searched for her dagger
only to remember it was in her cloak in Sashe’s room. What else
could be a weapon? She saw a letter opener and reached for it just
as Dar held up a piece of parchment.

Hasty handwriting read,
It’s me! Remember the
aphrodisiacs in Belisha? We can’t speak because the Cosa is
listening.

She studied his face, and he pleaded with her
silently. She suddenly realized the door was open and rushed over
to close and lock it. When she turned, she looked at Dar, who still
stood by the desk. She walked back and wrote,
She can’t see
us?

Not right now. I checked. She’s preoccupied with
what happened to you.

Her eyes widened, and the room spun around her. He
reached out and touched the side of her face softly. It was sore
from where William had hit her. Tears stung her eyes, and he
wrapped her arms around her. She began sobbing into his chest, and
he tightened his hold on her. He stroked her hair, and at first,
she tensed, remembering when William had done it to her. But slowly
the motion relaxed her as his scent filled her, and she melted into
him.

He led her to the bed and set her down on the edge.
He started untying the back of her dress, but she took his hands to
stop him. Marisa would be here soon to undress her, and she’d ask
who had already done it. In fact, she could be here any moment.

Grace glanced at the door. Dar sat next to her,
wrapping an arm around her shoulder. She leaned on him, closing her
eyes.

She wanted to talk to him, ask him how he knew about
William, if he’d gotten in trouble at all. But she didn’t want to
tell him what had happened to her, so she was a little relieved
they couldn’t talk. Dar would demand to know everything, and she
couldn’t tell him. Couldn’t relive it. It would only make her fear
the next time it happened. And she knew it would. And she might not
be so lucky the next time.

There was a soft knock on the door, and they were
both on their feet in an instant. Dar hid under the bed, and Grace
went to the door. Sashe came in, holding her cloak. “Hey, I…” she
trailed off, looking at Grace’s red face. “What happened?”’

Grace took the cloak from her. “Um…” She was unsure
whether she should tell Sashe or not.

Sashe suddenly hugged her, taking her by surprise.
One of her arms was trapped between them awkwardly, but she patted
Sashe on the back with her free hand. Sashe pulled away and studied
her face. “I’m so glad you’re back early, though. Did he…” Her brow
furrowed, and she sniffed the air. “You smell like vomit.”

Grace laughed softly. “I threw up because someone put
a Mahri potion in my dish.”

Sashe gasped. “William?”

Grace shook her head. “No. When he found out, he was
furious. I suppose he could be lying…”

“Oh, my gosh. What kind of potion was it?”

Grace shut the door and ushered Sashe inside. “I’m
not sure, really. I just started to feel really strange… I could
barely move… I knew what was happening, but at the same time, it
was like it was happening to someone else. I was dizzy, too, but
that could have been the counter potion.”

“But he… Grace… did he try to force you?”

Grace’s face flushed, and she looked away. Dar was in
here. She didn’t want to talk about it with him in here. “I’d
rather not talk about it,” she said quietly.

Sashe took Grace’s hand. “Listen, I know… it’s not
really fair for me to say this because Seth and I were married for
six years before the prophecy. Before he died. But Grace… it’s
hard, and it’s terrifying at first, but you can use your…” She
winced. “Gosh, I know what I sound like, but you can use your body
to your advantage.”

A shuffling startled them both, and suddenly Dar was
standing on the other side of the bed, glaring at Sashe. Sashe gave
a small cry of surprise, but Grace covered her mouth and shook her
head frantically. Dar went to the desk and wrote something. He
returned with the parchment. His handwriting read,
No! Grace
will never have to do that.

Sashe went to the desk, and Grace and Dar trailed
after her. Dar put an arm around her shoulders, and Grace leaned
into him again.

Sashe wrote,
What if he threatens to kill
you?

Then he can kill me
, Dar wrote back.

Grace shook her head. She didn’t want to talk about
this now. So close to when everything had happened. So close to
tears. “I don’t want to talk about this,” she said, trying to make
her voice strong.

Dar’s jaw tightened, and he wrote something down.

“I just think…” Sashe trailed off. “Oh, Grace, I wish
you weren’t here. I wish you weren’t in this situation. I wish I
could cut his dick off.”

Grace gasped, then laughed in spite of herself. Dar
mouthed, “Me, too!” He handed the parchment to her.
Grace, I
will kill him myself if he does anything to you. I already plan to
hurt him.

She shook her head, looking at him. “You can’t.”

“Well, of course I can’t,” Sashe said flippantly.

Dar grabbed the parchment and wrote,
I will. I
promise.

She closed her eyes, rubbing her forehead. This was
too much for one day. Seeing Gregorio at breakfast, parading around
like an old woman, then nearly getting raped… she wanted to sleep.
As if reading her mood, Dar wrapped his arms around her again. She
hugged him again, leaning into him. She could probably fall asleep
standing up if she tried.

Dar pulled away and gently brushed hair from her
face.

Sashe cleared her throat. “Well, I should go.” She
looked at Dar, motioned to the door. He looked at her blankly for a
moment, then she grabbed the parchment.
Isn’t Jon looking for
you?

Dar shifted his weight, then nodded. He hugged Grace
close again, and she wished he could stay longer. All night. She
could fall asleep next to him, wake up at his side. He pulled away
and touched her chin. He kissed her softly on the lips. Her grip
tightened on his shirt. She nearly said something to him, but she
remembered herself. She bit the inside of her lip, looking into his
eyes, trying to communicate with him silently how much she missed
him and loved him. His fingers stroked the line of her jaw.

“I really have to go,” Sashe said, clearing her
throat again. She ushered for Dar to follow her.

He stepped away, and Grace walked them to the door,
her hand in his. “Thank you for visiting me,” she said, glancing at
both of them.

“Of course,” Sashe said. She hugged her again. “I’ll
see you tomorrow.” She looked at Dar, then back at Grace. “We’ll
talk more then, after you get some rest.”

Dar moved towards the door, and Grace grabbed his
hand. She kissed him again. She didn’t care that Sashe stood right
next to them; she was just so happy to see him, to feel his lips on
hers, his arms around her. He squeezed her tightly before
disappearing into the hallway with Sashe. Then they were both gone,
and Grace was alone.

* * *

Grace stood in front of the mirror, wondering how
long she could delay going to breakfast. Her cheekbone was bruised
from where William had hit her. Marisa had covered it with make-up
earlier without asking where it came from. Grace thought she saw
Marisa’s lower lip trembling as she worked with the powder. She’d
left ten minutes ago, leaving Grace to agonize about seeing
William. She hated his smirk, his condescending air. Thinking about
last night again made her stomach stir.

A knock sounded on her door.

“Come in,” she called.

Marisa stepped inside. “Lady Grace, your family’s
here. They’re waiting in the west wing sitting room for you.”

A small smile came onto Grace’s face. “Thank you,
Marisa.” After being sick for days, after coming back to herself,
after meeting Gregorio and going through yesterday, seeing her
mother and Kyler would be a relief. But would her father be angry
with her? She didn’t want to hear lectures or see that disapproving
expression of his.

A few minutes later, she entered the sitting room on
the west wing. Her parents and Kyler stood when she entered, and
her mother ran to her. She threw her arms around her. “Grace,
you’ve been sick for so long!”

When she pulled away, she held Grace’s face in her
hands, examining her face, her brown eyes wide. “I can’t believe
you took a love potion.”

Grace’s eyes widened, and she looked at her father
with raised eyebrows.

He shrugged. “I had to tell them.”

“It certainly explains everything,” Kyler said.

“Come here,” Father told Grace, his voice gruff. He
pulled her into a hug.

She tensed at first, then unbidden tears sprung to
Grace’s eyes. Her father was rarely affectionate, yet he hugged her
tightly like she was a small child again. She hugged him back,
blinking back her tears. As he pulled away, she had a flashback to
that day in the Nyad, him and Dar fighting, his sword plunging into
Dar’s stomach. She pushed aside the memory.

“I’m glad you’re not sick anymore,” he said
softly.

She half-smiled. “Me, too.”

Kyler hugged her last, only one of his arms going
around her shoulders.

“How’s your shoulder?” she asked. “You know you could
find a Thieran if you wanted it healed quickly.”

Father shook his head. “He doesn’t need one of those,
he’s fine.”

Grace frowned. “Kyler, if it hasn’t healed yet—”

“I’m fine,” Kyler assured her.

“Oh, Grace,” her mother said. She stroked down her
hair. “We came by every day, and you were so ill. Then yesterday,
you weren’t even here!”

Grace half-smiled. “I’m sorry. I went into town with
Lady Sashe.”

“Mmm.” Father pursed his lips, rubbing his chin.
Grace remembered when Sashe first invited her to lunch at the
palace, and Father said she shouldn’t go. “I’m sorry I left you
here alone.”

“No, I’m sorry I forced you to make such a difficult
decision back in Mumbar Jungle.”

He shook his head, his expression darkening. “I can’t
believe you’d put yourself in so much danger for that Avialie.”

She avoided his eyes, shrugging. She wanted to tell
him she loved Dar, but she held it back. Perhaps fear of their
response, perhaps fear of being overhead. Was the Cosa listening to
her even now, telling William what they discussed? She swallowed as
she thought of seeing the prince. “Is the king expecting you at
breakfast?”

“What do you mean?” Father asked.

“I thought we could have a private breakfast in
here,” she said. William hadn’t summoned her for breakfast.

“Oh, Grace, we shouldn’t,” Mother said. “We’re
nguests in the palace.”

Grace took her mother’s hand. “I would really like a
meal alone with you two.”

Mother faltered. “Oh, I suppose…”

Kyler smiled. “I like the idea of a private
breakfast.”

“I do, too,” Father said, nodding.

“I’ll request it from the kitchen staff,” Grace said.
“I’ll be right back.” She left the room, smiling at them over her
shoulder. She hadn’t been expected her father to be so happy to see
her. She’d run away from home, taken a love potion, and had now
made herself a prisoner in the palace. But she was glad for his
response.

She’d never requested to have a private meal before,
so she wasn’t sure where to go at first. She decided to go straight
to the kitchen instead of risk seeing William or Gregorio in the
dining room. She couldn’t avoid them forever, but she could delay
it, at least.