Flames of Auriel (A Caeles Adventure Book 1) (25 page)

Zoe tried not to wiggle at the feel of his hand resting on the swell of her hip. “I think I could manage.”

The soldiers surrounding them turned to stare when the prince growled. He gripped her more firmly to his side and glared at the on lookers. His voice became rougher than it was before.

“Minx.”

At the sight of the old knight entering the room, Zoe shushed Asher and tried to remove the impish grin that had taken to residence on her face. A hush filled the room when Sir Walter took his place in the center of their gathering. All eyes were focused on the war-worn man before them.

“Now we all know why we are here.” The old man looked about the room and took in all the well-known faces surrounding him. “But just in case you have forgotten or need a reason to be yellow-bellied coward, I will remind you. We are not going into that palace today for a social gathering. This is a revolt! A repossession of the Aurelius throne!”

He held up his hands at the joyous outcries that filled the room. “King Brom, may he rest in peace, did not build this kingdom up just for his cowardly brother to tear it down again! We are here...”

He approached Zoe and Asher as the soldiers surrounding them moved to the sides. Sir Walter grasped her hand in his own rough hand and gave her a warm smile. The kind of smile that always made her think they were not really seeing her, but rather some part of her parents.

“...to put the rightful heir on the throne.”

Zoe tried not to stumble as he swung her into the middle of the room. He threw an arm around her shoulders and hugged her to him. The old man was still spry, she would give him that.

“Now, here’s the plan…”

Her head filled with white noise as Sir Walter explained the plan to the group. She moved away from his arm, turned about the circle and took in the loyal faces that shone back at her. When she finally settled her gaze back on Asher’s grinning face, her heart filled with warmth. All of these people were here for her, they looked to her for leadership and she was not about to let them down.

The plan was simple and to the point. The soldiers that had gathered at Sir Walter’s house would enter the castle grounds per normal. Some would take their places amongst the guards protecting the palace to distract those already on duty. The others were to take their place around the inside of the castle halls near the throne room. There they would centralize their attack. Getting the soldiers in undetected was the easy part but getting the prince and princess in undetected was a little more complicated.

“Are you sure this is going to work?” Asher adjusted the sword at his side and tucked a dagger into his left boot.

Zoe called out from behind the changing screen, “No, but we have to try.”

She slipped the red gown Sir Walter had provided her over her head. Without the corset and knives she had become accustom to, she felt exposed. Zoe pulled the low bodice up and for once in her life wished for a bigger chest to fill the dress out more. The gown she was wearing was one of the smaller female soldier’s gowns that they used for seduction missions, which meant a lot more skin was showing than Zoe was comfortable with. But since she was to play Asher’s mistress, she could not very well complain.

Asher approached the screen and tried to peek over it. “I’m not a very good actor. I don’t think he will believe that I suddenly want to make an alliance with him. Not after how I treated him at the ball.” He could only stare when Zoe came out from behind the screen hands on her hips and desire filled in his eyes.

“You only have to distract him long enough for our soldiers to get into position. Once I reveal myself, he’ll try and call his guards, which is when ours will come in, securely surrounding him instead of us. We win and he stands trial for his crimes.”

Zoe took a seat on the bed to put on her slippers. “All I can say is he better pray to whatever patron he serves now that I show mercy because right now I can only see his head on a spike.” When Asher did not respond, Zoe looked up at to see his eyes still locked on her.

“What?” Zoe pulled at her gown and stood up. “Does it look silly? I know it isn’t my size and I don’t fill out the top right but I thought it would be alright since I will have a cloak on as well.”

Overwhelmed by his sudden need, Asher drew her into a burning kiss and cut off her insecure ramblings. He slipped his hands into her hair and thanked the Dark One that she had taken it down for the disguise. He had tried to hold back until after they got her throne back but when he saw her in the dress and how flustered she was by it, he could not hold back any longer.

Zoe pulled back from the kiss with a moan, “Well, at least we know the dress works.”

Asher growled low in his chest, his mouth once again covering hers. He pressed her against him as he moved them so that they could lay down onto the bed behind her. He dragged the bottom of the dress up her hips and settled himself between her legs. His pride swelled when the feel of him against her warmth caused Zoe to gasp. Asher needed more skin. He yanked the loose bodice down to cover her breast with his mouth and she arched her back in pleasure.

Zoe tried to speak in between her moans. “We don’t have time for this.”

Asher reached down to release himself from his breeches. He slid his hand in between her legs and groaned when he felt her already ready for him. His voice came out strained as he sheathed himself in side of her warmth.

“Make time.”

This time was nothing like the first time, there was no waiting, no gentleness, only desperation. They both knew there was a chance they could lose the other in the next hour and their knowledge of it seeped into their movements. They moved together, each breath and small cry drove them higher until they finally collapsed in a mass of limbs and clothing.

A knock on the door stirred them from their satisfied heap. Asher pulled back from Zoe and adjusted himself before he headed for the door. He glanced back at his betrothed’s rumbled form and smirked. He opened the door to come face to face with Sir Walter’s unamused eyes.

“If you two are done defiling my bed sheets. It’s time to get moving.”

Asher nodded and turned back to the room. Zoe was back on her feet and had moved toward the door, her embarrassment at being caught clear on her face. He grabbed the cloak next to him and tossed it to her with a grin.

“Let’s go get you a kingdom.”

***

Most men when the entire fate of a kingdom rested on their shoulders would have been nervous. Not Asher. While a lesser man would have given them away with their fidgeting as soon as they stepped onto the castle grounds, his hands had never felt steadier. The whole plan depended on him being able to convince a man he had only met once to form an alliance. Asher had been all smiles back at the house but as they approached the castle doors any traces of laughter left his face.

He glanced at the cloaked woman that walked by his side. Though her form was hidden, her confidence radiated in her movements. He knew that Zoe was planning to win and Asher had every intention of making that happen for her. Asher moved his gaze from her as his eyes grew cautious at the sound of footsteps coming toward them.

One of their male guards walked toward them as they arrived at the entrance. Asher watched him with expectant eyes and searched for any sign of betrayal. It would not do well for their men to turn on them in the midst of the siege. The guard’s eyes were on the princess but his voice was targeted at Asher.

“I will escort you from here, your highness.”

The guard waited for Zoe’s nod of confirmation before he started to walk away. Zoe watched him walk away and moved to see Asher’s face. The determination in her face made her heart swell with pride. She grasped his hand in hers and squeezed. With Asher by her side she could not imagine anything going wrong.

The pair followed after the guard, both of their bodies grew tenser with every step they took. When the guard stopped before the door Zoe turned to Asher and gazed up at him from under her hood, her eyes shown with a fierce determination to take what was hers.

“Are you ready for this?”

Asher held her gaze a moment, adjusting his sword at his side. “More than ready. I just wished you were more armed.” His brows furrowed a second when a thought came to him. “Where is that bodyguard of yours?”

Zoe held back a chuckle. “Don’t you worry about him. He’s in good hands.”

He quirked a brow at her, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Someone has to make sure Rebekah is safe if any of this goes sour.” She held her hands out in front of her and shrugged, “Besides, I think he enjoys being admired.”

The castle doors appeared as Asher grimaced at the image of the young girl lavishing Garrett with her praise and affection. The last thing that lad needed was more of a big head. He needed to be put in his place, not adored. At least the gypsy girl would keep his mind off Zoe for once.

“And I’m not completely unarmed.” Zoe suddenly exposed a leg through one of the slits in her gown and revealed a row of knives strapped down to her thigh. “I’ll protect you if it comes to it.”

Asher rolled his eyes, “I am so relieved.”

The guard held a hand up to them to wait here, then cracked open the door to slip inside; he left it cracked for them to hear. “Your majesty, the Prince of Aldabel is here. He wishes for an audience.”

They craned their necks toward the door and listened for Armanel’s reply. Asher’s hand tightened on Zoe’s at the muffled voices that came from the throne room. He held his breath as he waited to see if they would be allowed in. After several moments of hushed voices the guard opened the door wider and gestured them in. Asher took the lead as Zoe trailed behind him as was tradition for royal mistresses.

They glanced around the expansive throne room, a crowd of nobility lined the sides of the long walk way. Their curious eyes took in the proud prince as he made his way toward the throne. They had suspected there would be an audience for their little takeover but they hoped the present nobility would still have loyalty toward the previous king.

Zoe took in the whispers and hopeful glances thrown their way and felt pride fill her heart. So many of those around them were people she had known her whole life and many of them she knew would never allow Armanel to be king if there was any other choice. She paused behind Asher as he stopped before the throne and bowed in greeting.

“King Armanel, thank you for allowing me a moment of your time.”

Zoe held her breath as her uncle leaned onto one arm and stroked the whiskers on his chin. “I cannot say I am unhappy to see you, Prince Asher. But more curious as to why you have come before me unannounced?”

Asher laced his hand behind his back and looked down feigning embarrassment. “I apologize for the sudden visit, but you see my mother would not be too thrilled by my seeing you.”

Zoe flinched when her uncle burst out laughing and then walked toward Asher with open arms, “I would imagine not. Marie never was my biggest fan.”

She could see Asher’s shoulders tense up when her uncle drew him into an embrace. Her uncle had always been a bit of a loose cannon. One never knew if he was going to be happy or enraged. She watched as the prince let the man hug him for a moment before he pulled back and gave her uncle a cautious smile.

“So you are not upset? I know last time we did not leave on good terms.”

The king waved a hand in the air as if to brush away his words. “Old news my boy. So tell me, what has brought you to my fair kingdom?” His gaze turned to leer as he took in the cloaked figure behind the prince. “I see you have moved on from my niece already, so it can’t be for a woman.”

“No offense to you or yours, but Zoe had never really been to my taste. She was far too independent if you ask me.” Asher did not have to fake a grin. He knew he was going to get it for his words.

“Well that comes with the territory, my boy.” Armanel waved around the room at the members of the court. Even in their finery, they were still armed and ready for anything that came their way. “Aurelius wouldn’t be anything without the strength of its entire people. Not just the men.”  He spoke to the room as if to convince them he was on their side. “Sometimes that means learning to coexist with difficult people.” His eyes landed on a few of the nobles, whose faces stated exactly what they thought of their new king and it was not happy a look.

Armanel walked around the prince to examine the cloaked figure. Asher tensed up when the new king held a hand up to pull back the cloak’s hood, but instead thought better of it and leaned in close to whisper in her ear.

Asher strained to hear what was said, but could not make out anything. Whatever he had said had caused her to go ridged. He watched Armanel as he backed away, an excited gleam in his eyes.

“What say you?” He asked the cloaked figure. “Hmm? Niece?”

The room gasped at the king’s announcement. A roar of commotion filled the room, but Asher did not try to listen to them. His eyes were focused on his soon-to-be bride. How had Armanel known? They had been so careful.

“You might as well show yourself, dear. Everyone is waiting.”

Zoe dropped the hood from her face. The fierce anger in her eyes caused the room to go silent. Everyone watched and waited to see what their princess was going to do. Half of the room was confused. Did Armanel say she was dead? Killed by Camelian soldiers? The other half was as enraged as their princess. They had been lied to. The heat from their combined hatred swarmed the room.

“I would never bow to you. You killed my father. Your own brother.” Zoe accused. The crowd’s anger seemed to build with each word. Then the whispers began.

“What did she say?”

“Killed his own brother?”

“Wasn’t she dead?”

Armanel’s eyes went from triumphant to worry when he realized the court was turning on him. “Why would I do that? I loved my brother.” He turned his eyes back to her. “But you –” He pointed a finger at her. “You hated him, didn’t you? You wanted him to suffer for making you marry Asher. That’s why you killed him and then faked your own death so you could run away with that Faireman boy.”

This time Asher was the one to feel rage. How dare he try to turn this on her? It was like he did not know his niece at all. She would never do something so low for such a petty reason. Asher was not the only one who thought the pretend king was crazy.

“I would stop while you are ahead, Uncle.” Zoe drew her dagger from her leg beneath her cloak.

Just as she took a step toward him the doors behind them were thrown open. All eyes swiveled toward the open door and a rush of commotion came from the nobles surrounding them. Soldiers poured into the throne room. But these were not Aurelian soldiers, these were Camelian soldiers. Their dark skin and hard eyes were not hidden by the Aurelian colors they wore.

They swarmed the room, out numbering the nobles and their party. Zoe tried to focus on the task at hand, while part of her quivered with doubt. Where was Sir Walter?

“That’s more like it.” Her uncle cackled. His men drew their swords, watching for any sudden movement. “Now, like I was saying, my dear niece, what will you decide?”

Zoe narrowed her gaze on the man she had once called family. “I will not be backed into a corner like some whimpering child.”