Promising Hope (44 page)

Dar nodded and jogged up the path to her front door.
It took three knocks for her to answer.

She finally swung the door open, and when she saw
him, she groaned. “What the hell do you want?”

“Helen, Prince William and the Protector Kilar are on
their way to ask you to work in the castle for them. They’re
willing to offer a lot of money.”

She laughed. “Well, they’ll be mighty surprised when
I tell them what they can do with their money!”

“Yes, I think they will be, too,” Dar said with a
small smile. “But I think they might be more angry than
surprised.”

“And what, you’re here to warn an old lady that the
big, bad Protectors are looking for me?” She scoffed. “Weren’t you
convicted for murder or something?”

He held up his pointer finger. “Assisting in a
murder.”

“Well, Gregorio was a beast, anyway.” She spat on the
ground. “Good riddance.”

“Helen, I think they’ll arrive today and I wanted to
let you know. If you refuse them, they may hurt you.”

She studied him. One of her blue eyes was glassy. Dar
didn’t remember it being like that before; perhaps it was a result
of old age. “I’ve been around for a long time, Dar. I can take care
of myself.”

“They have quite a few guards with them,” Dar said
quietly.

She shook her head. “Get out of here, I’ll be
fine.”

“I know you think this war is stupid and pointless,
but we could use someone like you on our side—”

“It’s over! The Avialies can come home, can’t they?
What more do you want?”

“It’s not over, unfortunately. They still want—”

A whistle sounded in the air. “They’re here,” Dar
said, turning to Helen. He tried to change, then realized her Cosa
magic prevented him from doing so. “I have to go, they’re going to
see me—”

“Get in here,” Helen said, grabbing his arm and
pulling him inside. She pushed him into a closet and pointed at
him. “I like you Dar, but I love me. I’m not helping the
Avialies.”

“I didn’t think you would, but I had to try.”

She slammed the door shut, leaving him in the small
room.

A few minutes later, there was pounding at the door.
Helen muttered something, and the door opened. Muted voices carried
back and forth, then footsteps. They were coming in. A door shut,
and the voices were much closer. Dar suspected they were right
outside the closet door, standing in Helen’s living room.

“What do you want?” Helen asked.

“We have an opportunity for a Cosa at the castle,”
Kilar said. “Our last one was taken by Avialies, and we have need
for Cosa magic. Conversations that need to be protected, intruders
that need to be revealed. Perhaps you can help us.”

“I don’t help Protectors.”

“Does that mean you help Avialies?” William
asked.

“No. I don’t help anybody but myself.”

“We’re willing to pay handsomely,” Kilar said. “You
have a very nice house. Perhaps you can buy some—”

“I’m not interested in your money.”

“What are you interested in, Helen?”

“I’m interested in living the rest of my life in
peace. And if you and the Avialies won’t leave me alone—”

“The Avialies?” William cut her off. “Have they asked
for your help, too?”

“Not for a couple years, but they’re always looking
for ways to outsmart you, aren’t they?” She scoffed. “This nonsense
needs to be over. Just let people live their lives, that’s what I
think.”

“The royal edict from my father is an attempt to end
the struggle,” William said, “but we still need to take
precautions, based on the bloody history of the Avialies.” He
paused. “You don’t seem to have much respect for authorities.”

Dar wondered what she’d done—rolled her eyes? Maybe
even made a rude gesture. He smiled at the thought.

“Oh, no, Your Highness, I have much respect for you,”
she said, “when you’re not in my house wasting my time.”

“We’re trying to help you,” William said
indignantly.

“I don’t need your help! And you can’t have
mine.”

“Perhaps you’re reluctant to help us because of your
history with the Avialies,” Kilar said. “Your husband, your
children?”

There was a moment of silence. Dar knew Helen had at
least one child with her Avialie husband, but he’d never met him or
her. He didn’t know if the child was dead or had moved, but the one
time he’d mentioned it, Helen had made him invisible. He couldn’t
get the spell off for three days.

“Your threats are empty,” Helen said. “Get out.”

Dar winced. His hand went to his sword hilt. Would he
risk his life for Helen’s? She certainly wouldn’t risk hers for
his, but he couldn’t stand here and let them hurt her.

“I do believe you’ll regret this, Helen,” Kilar
finally said.

“I’m sure Emile will be happy to sell his soul for
you,” Helen said. A door creaked open. “Good day, sirs.”

Footsteps shuffled out. More mutters. A door shut,
and a moment later, Helen opened the closet door. Dar blinked at
the light.

“See?” Helen said. “I’m fine.”

“Do you think they’ll come back?”

She shrugged. “If they do, I’ll think of
something.”

He stepped out. “I’ll wait a moment, if you don’t
mind.”

“Of course not.” She sat down on her couch, a faraway
look on her face.

He was tempted to look out the window, but knew he
would risk being seen. He sat down at her table, drumming his
fingers on the wood as he waited. He hoped Evan hid himself. “How
many children do you have?”

“One. That’s why I said his threats were empty. He
doesn’t even know my past.” She looked at him. “But still… I
wonder…”

“Is your child alive?”

She glanced away. “For now.”

Dar hadn’t heard of anyone part-Avialie, part-Cosa.
He stood and looked out of the window cautiously. The royal company
was a hundred feet down the road.

“Dammit,” Helen said.

He looked at her in alarm. “What is it?”

“There’s one person left in this world I care for
more than myself. I honestly don’t know if Kilar knows she exists,
but now I have to find that stupid girl and keep her safe.”

“If he doesn’t even know you only had one child, then
maybe he doesn’t know about her.”

“I’ll find out. It won’t be hard, if they don’t even
have a Cosa at the castle.”

Dar took a step towards her. “Does that mean you’re
going there?”

She regarded him warily. “What do you want?”

“I have… a friend there. I want to be sure she’s
safe.”

“Who?”

“Lady Grace Ellengreen. If you could give her a
letter from me.”

Helen sighed and scratched her nose, barely missing
her mole. “Fine.” She moved to the closet and took out a roll of
parchment and some ink. “Write something, then get out of
here.”

He tried to hide his surprise. “Thank you, Helen. Do
you need my help with anything? I can’t offer much, but—”

“No, just write the letter!” she barked.

As he wrote, she moved around the house, packing up a
canvas bag. She muttered to herself as she went back and forth in
the rooms. Dar struggled over what to say, but he finally wrote
something for Grace. “You’ll keep it protected from other eyes?” he
asked.

“Of course.” She held her hand out in front of her.
“That’ll be ten ryrels.”

He paid her without question, just grateful she’d be
willing to do it for him. “Thank you. Don’t hesitate to find me if
you need something, Helen.”

She nodded and waved him towards the door. “Go, go,
before they come back.”

“Be careful.”

“The same to you.”

He walked out of the house slowly, taking in all of
his surroundings. He didn’t see the royal company anywhere, so he
jogged towards the horses. There was one extra, and it changed into
Evan as Dar approached. “What happened in there?” Evan asked.

“I’ll tell you on the way back.”

* * *

Chapter Twenty-Eight

That night, Sashe visited King Thomas once again. He
was no better than earlier and Robert wouldn’t even let her come
into the room since he said Thomas couldn’t have anything
distracting him from rest. She returned an hour later in her
nightgown and robe and asked Robert and the other servants how he
was doing every time they came in and out of his room. No
change.

Robert turned down the lanterns and lamps in the
sitting room until only the small fire was giving off its light. He
brought Sashe her favorite blanket from the royal chambers, and she
pulled it around her. She ran her fingers over the soft velvety
texture of it and brought it up to her cheek. Her eyelids and body
became heavier as the night went on, and she eventually fell
asleep.

Someone shaking her shoulder awoke her from strange
dreams. She stirred, rubbing her eyes. The fire had nearly gone
out, but Ronu was lighting one of the lanterns. Robert drew a
shaking hand from her shoulder.

“What?” she said groggily. She sat up. “What is
it?”

“The… His Majesty… he is dead,” Robert said, his
voice come out quiet and croaky.

Sashe’s mouth went dry. “What?”

“I left for a few hours, and when I returned, he… he
wasn’t breathing.” Robert’s hand wrung in front of him, and he
started pacing back and forth.

“Wait, what? What are you… this can’t be…” Sashe
trailed off. Her feet touched the ground and she leaned forward,
putting her elbows on her knees, her head in her hands. He couldn’t
be dead. He’d just been alive only a week ago, making sure she was
all right after Adrian had ‘kidnapped’ her.

The door flung open, and Prince William and Queen
Kate strode in. They were both in their night clothes. William
pushed past Robert into the bedroom. Sashe could hear his moaning
breath and muffled sounds from the room. She should have gone in
there before his wife and son showed up. Queen Kate took a deep
breath, then followed her son into King Thomas’s room. Robert went
last.

Ronu put a gentle hand on her shoulder.

She looked at him. “I suppose you’re free to do
whatever the prince requires of you.” Her breath caught in her
throat at the thought. She needed him. She wasn’t safe from
William, from Kilar. Her mind raced as she realized she may not be
able to stay here at the castle much longer.

“We will see,” Ronu said shortly, drawing his hand
from her. She gave him a weak but grateful smile.

William stormed out of the king’s sleeping chambers.
His eyes were red, but his face was dry. He glared at Sashe. “Was
she here alone? With the king?”

“Your Highness?” Robert said, glancing at Sashe.

“Did you leave her here alone? Did she have a chance
to kill my father?”

Sashe gasped and she jumped to her feet. “I would
never—”

“Were there any servants here watching after
her?”

“Well, no, Your Highness, of course not,” Robert
said. “She’s been here hundreds of times without supervision. I beg
you to—”

“I want to begin an investigation,” William said, his
voice steely and firm. He took a step closer to her, no doubt
trying to intimidate her.

“Your Highness, I would never hurt your father,”
Sashe said. She fought to keep her voice steady even though inside
she was screaming in outrage.

“Why should I believe you?” William asked. “You’re
spying for the Avialies, aren’t you? You helped them kill Gregorio,
and now you’ve helped them kill the king—”

“Your Highness,” she rose her voice. “Listen to what
you’re saying. The Avialies and I have nothing to gain from your
father’s death—nothing! I told you who was responsible for this,
yet he still walks these corridors freely because you did nothing
to stop—”

William raised his arm. She winced, stepping back.
Ronu pushed the prince aside to stand in front of her.

William’s nostrils flared as he pointed at Ronu. “You
are relieved of your duty, Sir Ronu.”

Ronu inclined his head. “I’m sorry, Your Highness,
but your father’s command was irrevocable. He signed it with his
seal, and only the crowned king can revoke it.”

“I am the crowned king!” WIlliam yelled.

“Not yet,” Ronu said quietly.

“Why, you insolent—”

“William!”

William fell silent. Queen Kate stood in her
husband’s doorway, her jaw tight. “What are you doing accusing Lady
Sashe and the Avialies of this?” She stepped forward. “You know
they’re not responsible. You’re just seeking someone to blame.”

“You should blame Tisha,” Sashe said under her
breath.

“Robert,” Kate said, “please rouse the king’s
advisors, including Tisha and Kilar. Bring them here. I will give
them the news.”

Robert nodded before escaping.

William turned to the fireplace, finally turning from
Ronu and Sashe. Sashe felt her body relax just the slightest, and
she realized how close she was to Ronu, nearly standing against his
back. She took a few steps away from him and pulled her robe
closer.

“William, perhaps you’d like to tell Lady Grace,”
Kate said.

William’s shoulders heaved up and down. He left
without a word.

Kate looked at Sashe. “I’m sorry. He’s upset.”

“I know.” Sashe wondered, though, if he was also
looking for a way to punish Grace by blaming Sashe for the king’s
death. She let out a shaky breath and sat down on the couch, her
hands going to her womb.

Weight pressed down on the cushion next to her, and
Sashe opened her eyes to see Kate next to her. The two of them had
never spoken much. Kate had ignored her presence in the castle, and
Sashe had followed her lead while still showing proper respect.
Grace had told her of the queen’s dislike for her, and Sashe had
been surprised because Kate had never spoken of ill to her. Yet it
made sense, considering Grace’s alliances. Grace was more of a
threat than Sashe had ever been.

Kate touched Sashe’s knee softly. “You made him
happy, you know. I will do my best to protect you and your child. I
know you have many enemies here, but I will be able to do something
for you.”