Caleb crossed the courtyard in front of Castle Caine, frustrated. With the rising sun, the first of the carriages full of prisoners from Clovington had arrived, and he’d been out immediately to greet them. Mostly aristocrats, though a few of their servants had managed to make their way into the cart, none of them had been particularly cooperative. Even those who’d seemed wise enough to understand the situation and want to help had been unable to.
A few confirmed what he already knew—that Matthew had been held in the tower he and David had already searched. Others said they had heard Philip speak of executing the king before the Arterians arrived, though thankfully none of them had witnessed any evidence that Philip had carried through. For the most part, he’d wasted an hour or so of his valuable time talking to uncooperative bastards who wouldn’t help him if they could.
One piece of information had stood out, however. It had been an older couple, the Duke and Duchess of Cambrulette, they had mentioned. They said they were certain they’d seen Matthew in the hall near the passage that led to the underground tunnels just before the Arterians stormed the castle. While they had never seen the King of Zurconia before, they said the man they spotted fit his description and was certainly dressed like a prisoner. If what they described were true, David should be able to find Matthew before he exited the tunnels. In fact, having had the prior day and all night to search, Caleb was hopeful he’d receive word from David soon that Matthew had been located.
With David gone, Caleb had to rely on others to keep him informed. It was an adjustment, as no one was as skilled as his most trusted officers. But the others he surrounded himself were competent. As Caleb headed back toward the castle, thinking of a thousand tasks he needed to do, one of them hurried to his side.
“Your Majesty, another wagon approaches. This one is full of servants and villagers. We thought perhaps you’d like to speak to them.”
Ricard Dale, one of the younger officers, had a thick accent which was sometimes difficult for Caleb to understand, particularly when he was over-tired as he was at the moment. But he understood the message and thanked the other man, stopping in his tracks and turning back toward the castle gates.
His list of tasks to oversee would have to wait. Though he hadn’t lost many men, he’d still need to check in with quartermasters. He’d instructed the soldiers in charge of the nobles to move them to the fortress at Everlilly, far away from Clovington and any thoughts they may have of escaping. There were others he’d need to check in with, and he wanted to check on his special house guest as well. The night before, he’d arrived too late for a visit.
As he walked back toward the gate, Dale strode along beside him, his sword clacking with a sound that grated on Caleb’s nerves. He did his best to ignore it. “Still no word on Katherine?” he asked.
“No, sir. We’d hoped the princess would be with the other nobles, but as you know, she’s not.”
The king nodded. He hoped he’d find the princess among the prisoners, not just because he wanted to question her about the situation with Matthew since the map had been located in her room, but also because returning her safely to her sister in Nadoria could potentially ensure Eleanora did not bring her armies in on the side of Philip and Leopold. While he was confident he could handle all three of them, keeping Eleanora out of the fight—or even having her assistance—would be better than stretching his forces to take on Nadoria as well.
“One of the nobles said she saw Katherine being loaded into a wagon, but she wasn’t a reliable witness,” Caleb said as he approached a group of officers discussing their next move near the gate. “And none of them had any inkling who this Angel might be that my brother mentioned in his letter.”
“Perhaps Angel is a servant, and she will be in the next wagon.” Dale’s tone sounded confident, and Caleb nodded in agreement, but he was beginning to lose hope. It seemed nothing could ever be simple. Nothing could ever go according to plan. With a deep breath, he joined the other officers and did his best to listen as they discussed strategies for securing the ground they’d claimed in Clovington while they awaited the approaching carriage. If this one brought no answers, Caleb might just head back to Blackthorn and take his aggression out on the stone walls of the ancient fortress. Watching it crumble might not help him find his brother, but seeing Philip’s castle on the ground, a pile of rubble, would at least be satisfying.
“Princess!” A stabbing feeling in her ribs had Katherine’s eyes opening again. “Wake up. We’re nearly there.”
Katherine wiped at her eyes and tried to remember where she was. The wagon was alive with anticipation. Rose’s words sank in. They were nearly at Castle Caine. While she’d spent most of the day before trying to decide what to do when she arrived, Katherine was suddenly at a loss. At least she’d gotten a good night’s rest. Despite the rocky terrain, she’d slept well, out of the grasp of Philip or the white fingers that filled the shadows of a bedroom.
The others were standing, holding onto the bars, as they pulled through the gates and maneuvered into what appeared to be a courtyard, though it was difficult to see through the waving skirts of the other ladies. Rose stayed by her side, and Katherine began to feel a bond with the woman. Perhaps she could help her gain an audience with Caleb. Of course, if Matthew had been collected by his brother’s forces, none of her worries would matter anymore. She was certain he would do anything he could to help her.
The other women began to gasp and chatter, a few of them pointing, and for a moment, Katherine wished she was part of the cluster so she’d know what was going on. It wasn’t natural for her to be out of the loop. “Isn’t he handsome?” one of them said, and then she realized they must be talking about the king.
Katherine wanted to see what Caleb looked like. From Matthew’s description, she felt like she already knew him. Caleb would likely not recognize her, though. Arteria was a long way from Nadoria, and the two kingdoms were friendly but not allies. As far as she knew, no paintings of her had ever been sent to Arteria, so there was little chance he would spot her in the crowd, and since she had no way of announcing herself, she’d have to find a way to introduce herself. This would all be so much easier if Joan were with her.
“They’re gawking at the king,” Rose said, her voice low and her eyes narrow. “I’m sure he’s a dream to look at, but clearly they haven’t heard the stories.”
Katherine raised an eyebrow, not understanding what Rose was getting at. What stories?
“Haven’t you heard?” Katherine shook her head, and Rose leaned in closer. “You do know that I am close to King Philip, don’t you?” Reluctantly, Katherine nodded. She had surmised this woman was sharing the bed of her betrothed, not that she wanted Philip for herself, but still, Rose had already taken what was supposed to be hers. “Well, I’m privy to more information than most. Caleb has already sworn he’ll execute anyone close to Philip. I’m sure the nobles that were brought in have already been taken back to Caleb’s infamous gallows.”
The princess stared with her eyes wide. Matthew had never given her any indication that Caleb was vengeful or unfair. He’d even said that his brother wouldn’t harm any of the civilians. Could Matthew’s perspective be slanted because they were related? If Rose was right, what would Caleb do with Philip’s wife-to-be?
“Thank goodness he’ll have no way of knowing that you’re the woman Philip loves.”
Katherine stared at Rose, questioning the wording. Love didn’t quite seem like the right term.
As if reading her mind, Rose assured her, “Oh, I know he has an odd way of showing it. But believe me, Philip does love you. He spoke of you often, how beautiful you are, how intelligent, how he felt it was his duty to guard you and keep you safe. If Caleb had any idea just how precious you are to Philip....” She slowly shook her head, and while Katherine had a hard time believing Philip would say any of those things about her, it was still alarming. Perhaps she shouldn’t request a hearing with Caleb after all.
“Your ring!” Rose’s voice was still soft, despite her shock. “You can’t let him see that.”
The sound of approaching footsteps and the increase in jitteriness in the woman around them told her the soldiers were approaching, and Katherine assumed Caleb would be with them. She looked down at the ring on her finger, an item she hadn’t taken off since she’d grown to fit it over ten years ago. The thought of removing it now made her stomach flipflop. She wasn’t even sure if it would come off.
“Give it to me,” Rose insisted, grasping at her hand. Katherine stared at her. “For safe keeping.”
Even though the princess was shaking her head, Rose was already twisting and turning the ring, and when Katherine pulled her hand away, it was bare.
“I’ll keep it safe,” Rose said, clutching it in her fist as she leapt up off of the wagon floor and moved toward the other women. “You can trust me.”
Katherine saw that gleam in Rose’s eyes, the one she’d noted in the hallway, and that unsettled feeling washed over her again. There wasn’t much she could do at the moment since the soldiers were unlocking the wagon, and they’d all be standing before the king soon. Despite the fact that Rose had been kind enough to lend her the gown she wore, Katherine had the idea that she could not be trusted.
With the gates open and the women moving down the ramp, Katherine pulled herself to her feet. Rose was barely visible now, caught up in the crowd, but Katherine kept an eye on her. If what she said about Caleb were true, Rose wouldn’t make any claims to be associated with Philip. But the princess was beginning to suspect it wasn’t and that Rose had simply made those accusations in order to get her ring.
Katherine was the last one out of the carriage. Her attention was on the ramp and the man whose hand she grasped to keep from falling. “Careful, lass,” he said with an accent she didn’t recognize. It was easier to traverse the ramp with shoes, even though Rose’s slippers were too big, and in a gown instead of a robe.
The soldier showed her to a spot in the rows the other ladies had formed, and Katherine looked up for the first time. Her eyes met King Caleb’s, and her breath caught in her throat. Why he was looking at her, she couldn’t say, but he was just the same. She dropped her gaze, though it was difficult. His eyes were a frosty blue, not at all like his brother’s brown eyes, and even though he was wearing a military uniform and not the clothes of a royal, she instantly knew she was looking at the man in charge. It was obvious why the other women had been so excited. King Caleb was easily the most handsome man she’d ever seen, and while she was tempted to seek him out again, fear of becoming caught in those eyes kept her own transfixed on the ground in front of her.
“Ladies, can I have your attention, please?” one of the officers was saying. Katherine took the risk of raising her eyes and focused on the shorter dark-haired man at the front of the crowd. “Welcome to Arteria. We hope that you will be comfortable here, in your new home. As you may have heard, anyone who swears allegiance to the crown of Arteria and promises to abide by our laws and customs will be accepted as one of our own. There will be work for those of you who seek it. Homes and other necessities will also be provided. Our king is a generous man, our people prosperous. That being said, anyone who fails to show their loyalty or abide by our laws will be detained indefinitely.”
Rose was standing a row in front of her and a bit to her right. She turned and caught Katherine’s eyes, the expression on her face a reminder of what she’d said earlier—not to trust Caleb.
“We do have some questions for you before we begin the assimilation process,” the soldier continued. “Anyone who is willing to cooperate and capable of assisting the king with his inquiries will be rewarded.”
The women seemed to like that. A stir of energy ignited the crowd in whispers. Katherine assumed he would ask them about Matthew. It was evident that the King of Zurconia was not with the men before her, and while the princess had been hopeful he was in transport or elsewhere in the castle, the desperation in the officer’s voice made her think otherwise.
He turned to speak to the men behind him, and Katherine averted her gaze, knowing Caleb was among them, but before the king or anyone else could speak, a familiar voice shouted from within the crowd, and Katherine felt a dagger careening into her back.
“Your Majesty!” Rose was shouting. “King Caleb! I must speak to you!”
Shocked and unsure what to do, the women in front of the redhead moved aside, and Rose slid between them, approaching the front of the lines. Officers there stepped in front of her, barring her way in case she was somehow a threat to the king. Rose continued, “I am Princess Katherine of Nadoria, and I request amnesty and a private audience with the king so that I may relay to you the information I have obtained from the former King of Clovington.”
Katherine balled her hands into fists and folded her arms across her chest. She should’ve never trusted that woman! Now, Rose was wearing her ring and was pretending to be her. Obviously, there was no true threat from the Arterian King or else Rose would’ve never taken the risk. Fuming, Katherine bit into her bottom lip. If ever she could muster the ability to speak, now would be the proper time.
Caleb stepped forward, waving the officers who’d kept the alleged princess at bay away as he studied the woman in front of him. Katherine watched, partially jealous that the king was giving the imposter his attention but also relieved that the focus was on someone else. She saw Caleb glance down at the robe Rose was wearing, noting the embroidered P. If Caleb had no knowledge of Katherine’s inability to speak and had never seen a painting of her, he’d have no reason to think he wasn’t looking at the Princess of Nadoria.
“Princess Katherine?” Caleb’s tone conveyed he was unsure, despite all of the evidence pointing toward the idea that this was the princess. Katherine glanced around at the other women, but none of them seemed to know otherwise. If any of them recognized Rose from the castle, they weren’t speaking up.
Holding out Katherine’s ring for Caleb to see, Rose said, “Yes, Your Majesty, and while you may know I was promised to Philip, I must thank you and your soldiers for interrupting the former king as he intended to claim me before a proper ceremony. It is because of you I stand here today an unsoiled woman, so I can assure you that you have both my gratitude and my allegiance.” Rose bowed her head, and Katherine’s head shook of its own volition. Rose—unsoiled?
Caleb’s face turned a shade of red at the uncomfortable discussion. “We are relieved to find you safe, Princess Katherine. We will provide you with the finest accommodations and anything you may need.”
“Your kindness is most appreciated.” Rose looked up at him in a way that made Katherine realize she had more than just safe passage in mind. The princess narrowed her eyes.
“Of course,” Caleb continued, waving off the gratitude. “Tell me, though, Princess, did you happen to see my brother Matthew while you were at Blackthorn?”
Something in the way he phrased the question caught Katherine’s attention. It was almost as if he somehow knew she had interacted with Matthew. How that might be, she wasn’t sure, but when Rose replied, his face fell. “Oh, no, Your Majesty. I’m afraid not. King Matthew was kept locked in a tower. No one ever saw him, save a few of the servants who brought his gruel. I’m afraid none of these women will be able to assist you with that.” Rose turned so that her eyes were on Katherine, a warning, but the princess held her stare until Caleb’s voice brought her head back around.
“None of them?” Caleb sounded heartbroken, as if Rose had squashed his last hope.
“Not unless you’ve managed to capture some of the servant boys or guards.” Rose sounded sure of herself, and the fire ignited inside of Katherine began to grow.
“Very well then,” Caleb replied, hanging his head for a moment. Katherine watched as he inhaled deeply and then turned his attention to the rest of the women. “Is that the case, gentlewomen of Clovington? Have none of you seen my brother, King Matthew of Zurconia?”
The other women were silent, looking at each other, shaking their heads. A few stroked their chin as if they were in deep thought, wishing they could help. Katherine took a deep breath. Despite Rose’s lies, a worry still niggled in the back of her mind. She could be putting herself at risk by stepping forward, but then, she’s promised Matthew she’d do whatever she could to help him, and now she both wanted to carry through with that promise and find a way to put Rose back where she belonged. Slowly, she raised her hand in the air.
Caleb was turning around and hadn’t seen. Frustrated, Katherine stepped forward, pressing on the arms and shoulders of the women in front of her as she cut through the crowd. One of the officers saw her and said, “Let her through,” which caused other heads to turn her direction, and soon Katherine found herself standing at the front of the crowd, her breath caught in her throat and Rose’s dagger-like eyes sliced into her skull.
Caleb turned back to address her, and Katherine thought she saw a flicker of recognition in his eyes, as if she hadn’t invented the moment that had passed between them earlier. He was about to speak when Rose’s voice cut him off. “Your Majesty, This woman is Rose, a well-known harlot. She doesn’t speak but does steal and is known for making up stories. You can’t trust anything she tells you.”
Katherine didn’t know if she should throw herself at the other woman or attempt to argue, but Caleb only stared at Rose in confusion. “She doesn’t speak? How can she tell me anything if she doesn’t speak?”
Rose considered an explanation for a moment. “She... signals. She finds a way to deceive even without words. I’m afraid she won’t be able to help you find Matthew, Your Majesty. In fact, she’s nothing but trouble.”
Taking advantage of Caleb’s pause to process, Katherine stepped forward, shaking her head adamantly, pointing at herself, her eyes, and making a sign she used for a crown, hoping the king would understand.
“You did see Matthew?” he said, cocking his head to the side as if he was unsure whether or not to trust her. “Where?”
Katherine pointed up and used the signs she’d invented over the years to try to explain herself. High in the castle—at the tallest point, in a room with a locked door and a bookshelf. If Caleb had entered the room, he might understand.
Whether he did or not remained to be seen. He only stared at her for a moment, the confused expression still on his face.
“Sir,” one of the officers said quietly, next to the king’s ear, “perhaps it would be best if we sorted this out inside the castle.” Caleb looked past her at the other women and then began to nod. “We can manage the rest.”
Katherine took that to mean the rest of the women, and while she wasn’t exactly sure why the office seemed to think it best to move on, she was grateful not to be on display anymore.
“Very well,” Caleb nodded. He drew in a deep breath and began giving orders. “Keb, take Princess Katherine inside, find her suitable accommodations, and anything she may need including proper clothing.” He turned back to Rose and said, “I will be by to visit with you shortly.”
The lying wench nodded and curtseyed to him before giving Katherine one last glare and taking the arm the officer offered to her and heading off in the direction of Castle Caine. Katherine stared after her until she realized the king was talking about her now. “Gordon, take Rose in. Make sure she’s comfortable, and we’ll see what information we can gather in a bit.”
Gordon was the short, dark-headed fellow who had addressed them earlier. Quick on his feet, with a kind smile, he offered Katherine his arm, and she was pleasantly surprised by his gentle nature, despite the fact that he was a warrior and thought she was some sort of whore. As he led her back to the castle, he rested his hand reassuringly on hers, and Katherine began to calm. Despite Rose’s betrayal, there was a possibility everything was going to be all right. She just needed to find a way to explain to Caleb how she’d helped Matthew escape. Later, if the opportunity presented itself, she could worry about revealing her true identity. For now, Matthew’s safety was the most important consideration. While she didn’t like the idea that the king thought she was the sort of woman Rose had described, the prospect of having some anonymity for a while, of giving up her status as a pawn to be traded among kingdoms for the less stressful role of informant, and possible serving girl, was appealing. She had a feeling, as they approached Castle Caine, Rose would find a way of sabotaging herself, and eventually, everything that lie in the shadows would come to light.