Cursed Blood
42.Haunting Choices.42

The assassin and I were both frozen, watching each other, trying to predict the other's moves. It was another piece to the puzzle of what was happening around me falling into place, given to me by an assassin in the night.

These circumstances seem to suck, I thought, trying to bury my wish to allow the assassin to continue on. I wanted to talk to them, to hear them out, but I also knew that as someone loyal to the Queen, it was up to me to protect her from assassins.

"Please," the assassin began, "let me continue on my mission, Lady Gray. I will not hurt you."

I exhaled, the breath whistling as I clenched my teeth together. My emotions were a mess, and my thoughts were only making me act indecisively.

"My loyalty is pledged to the Queen," I said apologetically, "I cannot let her die."

The assassin sighed, sheathing their blades. I was surprised by the act, but soon made it even by allowing my wings to morph back into my body.

"If this Queen dies... the last war will begin. Then one side will be able to rule. We will survive this, but the Lightblood royal family must be sacrificed."

Elijah, my mind screamed. A feeling that wasn't just being bound by word, but of protection that came from friendship. Loyalty than ran deep because I actually wanted to protect the Lightblood Prince, even if he could be oblivious and stuck up.

"The Prince is a friend of mine. He will not die," I hissed, my voice going cold as the assassin stared back at me.

Finally, they took a few hesitant steps toward me before kneeling at my feet.

"You have not been given the full story, my lady. Please, once you have found out the truth, seek me out. This will guide you."

The assassin dug into their pocket before pulling out a thin crystal, a single rivet in the side. Other than that, it looked smooth and expensive, holding a light purple colour at its center. I turned it over in my hands, feeling it roll around my fingertips before it flashed twice, and I noticed a choker around the assassin's neck with a twin crystal. When mine flashed, the other reciprocated it.

"Find me, my lady. Then, all will be clear."

With that, the assassin got to their feet, eyes meeting mine. They stared at me with a sad look that rattled my core, before turning on their heel and throwing their blade into the front window. It shattered, allowing them a quick escape. Knowing that someone would've heard the noise, I ran back to my room. Kai was already asleep when I snuck back in and got into bed, holding the crystal to my chest.

One thought replayed in my mind as I drifted back into the world of sleep.

Who screamed?

~○•○~

In the morning, there was no sign of anyone being hurt. No matter who I spoke to, they all said they hadn't heard anything last night. The Queen had found the shattered glass and thrown a fit, forcing the guards to drop everything to not only fix it but also investigate what had happened. She and Elijah had spent the entire morning trying to piece together what had happened, while everyone else was trying to prepare for the ball while ignoring the recent events. My stomach was constantly in knots -- not because I felt guilty about the window, but because I was fighting with myself over the choices presented to me, and I was nervous for the ball happening tomorrow night. Lillian informed me that Janora and the woman's friend would be preparing me for the ball and presenting dresses to me later today, but other than that, I was free to panic in a corner.

Which was what I was doing in the corner of the servants kitchen, sitting in the empty room with my knees up to my chest, absentmindedly chewing on a bite of the bright red apple in my hand. I stared at it, almost seeing past it as I remained deep in thought. No one had come searching for me, yet, and as far as I knew, I had nothing scheduled for the day beside the dress search. Kai was gone, supposedly to do something with Kyra and Elijah. I was alone and drowning in my own madness.

The apple was good, though.

With a sigh, I titled my head back and rested it on the cool wall. Here, I was safe from prying eyes, mysteries and the whispers of afraid Lightbloods. No matter who I was or where I came from, they all saw me as a dangerous freak.

I took a lazy bite of the apple. My hunger had driven me to get out of bed this morning, and nothing else.

My mind flashed to the lesson with Lillian from the day before. As I'd been leaving, the woman had handed me a pouch of coins, waving away my protests. Janora had giggled at me while Lillian explained that it was my pay for technically being a servant to the Queen, but also more like allowance. The pouch was currently sitting in the base of the closet, the coins inside useless to me at the moment.

Useless, unless I decided to take the day off and escape. Someone may try to keep me inside castle grounds, but I would just do my best to avoid everyone.

With a slightly better mood, I finished off the apple and tossed it away before getting to my feet and brushing myself off. Imagining all the things I could buy, I began to walk as casually as possible back to my room. I was nearly in the clear when I heard a pair of heavier footsteps and someone called my name.

"Cloud! There you are," Shade said, jogging toward me. I sighed, leaning my forehead onto the smooth wood for a moment before turning to him. He wasn't in gear, but rather cloth pants and a loose t-shirt.

"Hi Shade," I replied, trying not to sigh again as he grinned at me. If anyone was going to pick up on my scheme to leave, it would be one of the Prince's favourite warriors.

He gave me a once over before glancing at my bedroom door. "What were you planning to do today?"

Shit. I ran my hand through my hair, trying to come up with a response. "I was thinking of studying or getting out a training dummy," I mumbled, meeting his eyes as confidently as possible. Shade lifted an eyebrow, crossing his arms in front of him.

"Really? After all you've had to do, you're still gonna do work?" Shade asked, clearly not buying it. He leaned down so that his face was directly in front of mine, and I tried not to blush as I eyed the distance between us. "I don't think I believe you, Cloud."

Damn. That's too bad, I thought to myself, because I am not changing my answer. I want out of this freaking castle.

A smug smirk crossed his face, and though it was aggravating, I also had to admit that Shade and the rest were all extremely attractive, like many of the fighters in the castle.

I swear there has to be a glamour on these people.

Shade and I eyed each other, trying to figure out which one would give in first. I crossed my arms as well, tilting my chin up in defiance. However, my confidence left as Shade slammed his hand into the wall next to my head, causing me to jump and squeak. He laughed at me, repeating the same thing on my other side and causing me to flinch. I glared at him, jabbing my fingers into his stomach, but he didn't stop chuckling.

As his laughter finally died away, I noticed our faces had gotten closer as he supported himself using the wall behind me. I glared up at him, staring him down as the wide smile on his face melted away, my senses telling me that his cheeks hurt from laughing too hard. The fact that I knew he found me amusing but wasn't taking me seriously hurt my pride even more.

For a second, we just stared each other. I hadn't noticed him focusing on me as I stared at him in blind frustration. Part of my anger melted away as I gaped, seeing him hover above me. He was watching my face, not breaking away even with the little amount of space.

"Gorg--" he began to mumble, but was cut off by a sharp voice coming from down the hallway.

"Shade and Cloud!" Janora snapped, causing the warrior to jump back from me. My cheeks burned bright pink as the right hand of Lillian Garcia approached us, arms crossed. Not only was she close with a very influencial person, but she was also one of my tutors.

"Nice to see you, Janora," Shade coughed, eyes on anything but me. I looked at my feet, praying to be free of the situation.

Janora cleared her throat, crossing her arms. "Shade. If you have a liking for Ms. Rose, you may replace a time to ask her to the ball like a gentleman. Otherwise, do not try wooing her while she's distracted. Now, shoo."

Shade blushed, a light pink appearing dusted across his cheeks before nodding and turning on his heel, rushing away from the two of us. I flinched as Janora turned to face me, her brow raised.

"Sorry...?" I offered.

She rolled her eyes, took me by the wrist and pulled me inside my room. I stood in the center as she searched through my closet, pulling out the pouch of coins and a cloak. She then began searching through my clothes without a word.

"There will always be strong, handsome men in this castle, Cloud," Janora told me as she rifled through many pairs of shoes, "but you cannot fall for them all. It complicates things and makes life harder. And you, my dear, will already have a difficult life."

The woman picked out a pair of boots and threw them next to the other things, followed by one of my favourite pair of pants. I listened to her, giving her my full attention as she went back to flipping through my shirts.

"You are a young, beautiful, powerful, smart girl, Cloud. They will probably all replace you worth a shot, but you must know what you will do. You can't walk around blindly being smitten by every man here," she continued with a sigh, throwing a tight black shirt onto the bed. It had a halter neck instead of sleeves, and was easy to move in. She then added a light scarf that wouldn't make me sweat in the warm weather and a scabbard for a dagger.

Janora paused for a moment before closing the closet and turning to me, gently placing a dagger on the bed. Her eyes found mine, and I could see genuine worry in their depths.

"Will you try to remember this, Cloud?"

I nodded.

"Good. Then let's get you out of here."