The Fire Prince (The Cursed Kingdoms Trilogy Book 2) (12 page)

“You take me for a fool? I’m not paying for an act of nature.”

Britta glanced at Karel. He seemed to understand the cryptic words. His expression was grim. He hadn’t released her elbow. If anything, his grip had tightened. What was he staring at so intently?

She followed his gaze. Two elongated shadows lay on the ground half a dozen yards ahead. Jaegar’s was easy to identify from the crown on his head.

“You refuse to pay the Brotherhood the contracted sum?” the stranger asked. “That would be unwise, highness.”

“Are you threatening me?” Jaegar’s voice was at its most cool, its most dangerous. Their father had yelled when he gave orders to have bondservants flayed; Jaegar gave such commands coldly, emotionlessly. “Think twice before you do so. I rule this kingdom, and your brotherhood doesn’t frighten
me
.”

“No threat, highness. Merely an observation.”

“Then the answer is yes. I refuse. I will not pay for the All-Mother’s work.”

“If that is your choice, so be it.” The man’s tone was impassive. “And the new contract? Do you wish to proceed? I’ve received word that the ship has left Lundegaard.”

“About time! I could have arranged it faster myself.” There was a crunch of marble chips. Jaegar’s shadow moved slightly. Britta shrank back against the hedge.

“If you don’t wish to continue, you may cancel the contract, highness.”

“I’ll continue,” Jaegar said curtly. “But your competence to date hasn’t impressed me. I expected better results, given your reputation.”

“You will have no cause to question our competence again. You have my hand on it.” There was a short pause. From the shadows lying on the ground, it looked as if Jaegar and the man were clasping hands. “The ship should berth in four days. As soon as I’ve briefed the men, it will be ready to take passengers.”

One shadow bowed. Britta heard the sound of a person walking away. The crunch of footsteps was uneven, as if the walker trod more heavily on one foot than the other.

Karel’s fingers flexed lightly on her elbow. Britta looked at his face, saw the finger held warningly to his lips. They walked soundlessly back the way they’d come, staying close to the hedge. When they’d nearly reached its end, Karel halted. Britta scanned the garden. Jaegar’s armsmen were out of sight, but past the rose bower was the stranger, walking in the direction of the gate. His gait was awkward, limping.

Karel watched until the man was gone. Only then did he release her elbow.

“Who was that?” Britta whispered. And why was Karel’s face so frighteningly stern?

“I’ll tell you later. For now, you saw nothing, you heard nothing.”

Britta nodded.

“Be very,
very
careful, princess. If your brother discovers we witnessed that, we’re both dead.” The sound of a bell ringing drifted across the garden; the day was one hour closer to dusk. “Are you ready?”

No
. The panic and nausea returned.

For a moment Britta’s feet refused to move.
I can’t.
And then she saw Rutgar’s face in her mind’s eye. Lukas’s face.

She turned and retraced her steps over the grass, back to the goldfish pond. The nausea churned in her belly and climbed her throat. Jaegar’s shadow still lay across the ground. A dozen more steps and he’d be in sight. Half a dozen steps.

I’m going to vomit
.

Britta halted.

The armsman halted alongside her. His hand reached out and gripped hers. Warm, strong fingers.

Britta glanced at him, mute with panic.

“You can do it,” he said, his whisper fierce with the same certainty she saw in his dark eyes. “I
know
you can.”

Britta took a shaky breath. She pictured the boys’ faces.

She released the armsman’s hand, gathered up her skirts, and ran across the grass towards her half-brother. “Jaegar! Is it true?”

K
AREL WATCHED FROM
the edge of the lawn. Princess Brigitta was bewildered, distraught, words tumbling from her mouth, begging for her brother’s reassurance.

He watched as she allowed herself to be persuaded that her little half-brothers had betrayed Osgaard. He watched as she timidly proposed exile for them, and allowed herself to be convinced that the boys needed to be executed.

“Oh, dear!” she cried, wringing her hands. “First Harkeld, and then Father, and now this! There’s only you and me left!”

Jaegar’s performance was almost equal to the princess’s. He was benevolent. He was patient. He soothed her fears.

Karel studied the man out of the corner of his eye. He wore an Heir-Ascendant’s robes, black and gold, like the pennants flying at the guard towers. Long ash-blond hair was woven around the crown on his head. A prince’s crown, not a king’s. Not yet. Beneath the gleaming crown, Jaegar’s face bore a smile that was simultaneously sympathetic and satisfied. He wasn’t annoyed his half-sister had come to him. On the contrary, he was pleased.

The princess was correct; Jaegar wanted her for something.
What?

Princess Brigitta touched on the subject of the coronation. Would it not be better, she tentatively suggested, to have the boys’ executions out of the way before that event? Jaegar’s ascension to the throne was the start of a new era in Osgaard’s history. Surely it was best not to start his reign with bloodshed?

Karel held his breath and listened intently. This was the topic they’d spent longest discussing: how far she should go in her attempt to convince Jaegar she supported him. If Jaegar decided to ignore the constitution—

“Osgaard’s constitution forbids it,” Jaegar said. “I’m not able to execute our father’s blood-heirs until after my coronation.”

If he declared the boys illegitimate, he could execute them now, but Princess Brigitta didn’t suggest that.

“If you don’t mind, I won’t be present at the executions.” She dabbed her eyes with a silk handkerchief. “But if there’s
any
other way I can show my support... We must stick together, you and I. We are the last—” Her voice broke.

“I had no idea your feelings for me were so deep, my dear.” Jaegar’s tone was smooth, amused. Disbelieving? “I had thought Harkeld your favorite, and the boys.”

The back of Karel’s neck prickled.
Be careful, princess.

“Oh... well... yes...” Princess Brigitta stammered, twisting the handkerchief between her fingers. “But you are so much older than me! We never spent any time... And now with Harkeld a witch and the boys involved in that dreadful plot! You are the only family I have.”

The tears in her eyes, the distress in her voice, were perfect. If Karel hadn’t known better, he would have believed her.

Jaegar patted her shoulder, his smile growing more satisfied, more wolf-like. “There’s one thing you can do that would greatly help matters.”

“Yes?” the princess said, wiping her eyes and blowing her nose. “Anything.”

“Help me catch Harkeld.”

“What?” Her head jerked up.

“He was always fond of you. He’ll pause his little quest long enough to save you... if you need saving.”

“What?” Princess Brigitta said again, her expression bewildered.

“I need you to go to Roubos with some men, Brigitta. To catch Harkeld. The ship departs in five days.”

Five days?
Karel tensed.

“Harkeld?” Princess Brigitta shrank back. “But he’s a witch! I don’t want to catch him. His head needs to be cut off!”

“These men will do that. They’re Fithian.” Jaegar’s teeth glinted in the sunlight. “You’ll just be the bait.”

“But... but that terrible curse—”

“Will be stopped. With Harkeld’s blood and his hands, it’s easily done.”

Princess Brigitta twisted the handkerchief, fear plain to read on her face. “Must I go with them? Can’t I stay here?”

“If Harkeld believes you’re in danger, he’ll try to save you.” Jaegar smiled benevolently at the princess. “You won’t actually be in danger, my dear. The men will take good care of you. And you may take your maid with you, and your armsmen.”

The princess gazed beseechingly at him. “Must I?”

“You must. For the sake of Osgaard. Be brave, my dear.”

Princess Brigitta twisted the handkerchief more tightly. “Five days?” she said tremulously. “But I will get to see your coronation, won’t I, Jaegar? I must see it!” An edge of hysteria rose in her voice.

“Speed is of the utmost importance—”

“But your coronation!” the princess cried. “I must be there! I must show my support for you! I’m all the family you have left!”

“Harkeld’s capture—”

“What difference can two days make to Harkeld? Whereas here—the coronation—the start of your reign... I must be here! We must show Osgaard the Rutersvards stand together! If you send me away, people will think I don’t support you, and I
do
. I do!”

Karel held his breath while the Heir-Ascendant considered this. Princess Brigitta’s face was pale. Her distress, this time, was unfeigned. “Please, Jaegar,” she begged. “Let me stay for the coronation. I promise I’ll go without fuss. I’ll help catch Harkeld. I’ll do everything you want. Please.”

Was she praying? Karel was.
I implore you, All-Mother, let him give us those two days.

Jaegar pursed his lips thoughtfully, gazing at his half-sister. Then he nodded. “Very well. But I expect your complete obedience in the matter of Harkeld.”

“Yes, yes. I promise! I’ll do everything you ask.”

“And everything the Fithians tell you to do.”

“Yes,” Princess Brigitta said meekly.

Jaegar looked pleased. If Karel read that expression correctly, he’d not expected the princess to agree to travel across the Seven Kingdoms in the company of Fithian assassins. Or help catch Prince Harkeld.

“I think... I shall lie down now,” the princess said, touching her temple. “Today has been most distressing.” She took a step away from Jaegar and paused, turning back. “I’ll have my maid start packing. How long do you think we’ll be away?”

“Two months.”

“And I may take my maid and armsmen?”

“Yes.” Jaegar’s gaze turned to Karel.

Karel stared stolidly across the goldfish pond.

“Armsman...”

Karel allowed himself to meet the man’s eyes. Cold eyes, almost as pale as his ash-blond hair.

“Not a word of this, or I shall have your head.”

“Yes, highness.”

Princess Brigitta took another step away from her brother, halted again, turned back to him. “I think I should see the boys one last time... with your permission, Jaegar. It would be proper. But... not today.” She touched her temple again.

Jaegar shrugged. “There’s no need.”

“It would seem ill-bred of me—don’t you think?—if I didn’t pay them a final visit.”

Jaegar’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t let them deceive you with their lies. I know how fond you are of them.”

“Oh, no! Not now. Not after what you’ve told me. Their own armsmen witnessing—” Her voice faltered. She pressed the handkerchief to her face. “A brief visit. Two minutes. Just to say a formal goodbye.”

“If you must,” the Heir-Ascendant said coldly.

Princess Brigitta lowered the handkerchief. She seemed to hesitate.
No more,
Karel cautioned her inwardly.
Leave it at that
.

The princess seemed to hear the silent words. “Thank you.” She turned away from her brother. “I really must lie down...”

K
AREL ESCORTED THE
princess back to her rooms. Yasma met them, her eyes wide and anxious.

Princess Brigitta sank down on the brocade and gilt settle, pressed her hands to her cheeks. She looked pale enough to faint.

“Fetch her something to drink,” Karel told Yasma. “Wine.”

Yasma hurried to the cabinet in the far corner of the parlor, where the princess kept her goblets and her wine.

Karel crouched alongside Princess Brigitta and touched her shoulder lightly. She was trembling. “Are you all right?”

The princess exhaled a low, shaky breath and rubbed her face. “I can’t believe we actually did it.”

You
did it, princess
.

Yasma returned, holding a goblet of golden wine.

“Drink,” Karel said.

The princess obediently drank.

“What happened?” Yasma asked, distress shining in her eyes. “Did something go wrong?”

“No.” Karel stood. “Nothing went wrong. By the All-Mother’s grace, it worked.”

“Truly?”

“Truly. Jaegar believed every word.”

“Oh.” Yasma uttered a sound like a sob. Tears spilled from her eyes.

Karel put his arms around her. She was trembling as much as Princess Brigitta. Terror. And why should she not be afraid? If anything happened to the princess, her future was a terrible one.
I will keep you safe if I possibly can, little one
.