Kiss of Snow

9

She nodded. “No, of course not.”

“I need to talk to you about something else.”

She answered me with a lift of her chin, the movement oddly imperious. Tension played at the corners of her eyes, and she held herself stiffly. “Yes?”

“I heard Princess Dahlia’s plans yesterday.” I hated admitting to listening. Of course I heard, but I really wasn’t supposed to. I wasn’t supposed to truly know anything unless one of the family addressed me with it directly.

Lily nodded. “What about it?”

“As it’s clear now that you’re the target, I think it best you seek refuge at the summer palace immediately.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Is that so?”

“Gilbrook Castle is smaller and easier to defend both inside and out. We’ll leave discreetly, so only a select group of people will know you’re there. Everyone else will still believe you’re here.”

“I see.” She looked troubled by my words.

“While you’re there,” I continued, “my guards will be scouring the country for Queen Riala. We believe she must be nearby, but we won’t leave anywhere unsearched.”

Lily took a step forward. “Walk with me. I’m expected at breakfast, and I’m never late.” I fell into step behind her and she shook her head. “No, Keane. At my side. I don’t intend to shout this conversation over my shoulder for the whole castle to hear.”

I quickened my pace and fell into step alongside her, keeping my head bowed, one hand on the hilt of my sword as we moved forward. Walking beside her always felt like a mixture of wrong and right.

“I’m not sure I like this plan,” she said. “Won’t leaving my sisters here put them in danger?”

“We’re altering the guard patterns and tightening each princess’s individual guard procedures to prevent that danger. Now we know who’s involved—”

“Now we know who’s involved,” she interrupted, “we have an idea of just how difficult this will be, but no more than that. We can’t beat a foe we can’t predict or see.”

I wanted to take her hand, but I didn’t. “Princess Lily, we must preserve the monarchy at all costs. That is my biggest duty. As your personal guard, and as the Captain of the Guards, I must preserve your life.” I wanted to add also as her friend and the man who loved her, but it wasn’t my place, and my heart ached that she could never know.

She sighed. “It appears I have responsibilities now I’d never considered.”

“Being the monarch was never going to be easy.”

“You’re right. Of course, you’re right. It’s my duty to go. But I won’t unless you come with me, and you must ensure my sisters remain safe. Split them up if you must, squirrel them away, keep them hidden. But keep them safe.” She finished on a quiet note of desperation and I heard all of the things she hadn’t said.

Her life had changed so much recently with inheriting the crown after the death of her father, and Princess Rose becoming Queen Rose in another country. In her mind, she’d probably already lost one sister, and couldn’t bear to lose another.

“I will.” We were nearly at the dining room, and the aromas of breakfast drifted toward us, along with the sounds of her sisters’ chattering. My stomach grumbled at the scent of fresh bacon, and I straightened my jacket, hoping she hadn’t noticed. “But we do have one small problem.”

“Just a small one?” She raised an eyebrow.

“Well, she’s twelve years old. So relatively small.”

“Yes. Iris.” Lily closed her eyes briefly, her face pained. “And what do you propose to do about Iris?”

“I’m still undecided, but we have to recognize she’s also potentially in danger.” I lowered my voice as the princesses’ voices grew louder from their breakfast table.

Lily stopped before she went into the dining room and her eyes were sad when she first looked at me, then her expression changed, becoming steelier—a touch of King Balsam after all, perhaps. “Iris comes with us. She’s about to come into her power. Riala likely wants her daughter back as much as she wants my throne.” Then she hesitated. “Am I doing the right thing? Iris is Riala’s daughter after all. I know what it’s like to be young without a mother. Should I actively be trying to keep them apart?”

I looked at her, a wave of affection claiming my chest. Only Lily would worry about the morals of hiding away the daughter of the woman who’d tried to have her assassinated. “Yes, Your Majesty. I believe it is for the best. Queen Riala is dangerous. We don’t know what she’s capable of. We only know history, and even the recent history of last night doesn’t cast her in a favorable light.”

Lily nodded. “That’s true. Yes. Iris must come with us. Maybe I can help her with her powers.” She caught me looking at her and shrugged. “Well, I have to try.”

I gave a small bow in acknowledgement. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

She reached out and touched my hand where it rested on the hilt of my sword, and a spark darted up my arm. “Thank you, Keane.”

Our eyes locked and something passed between us, something more than our roles necessitated, and as I gazed upon her perfect face it suddenly became hard to breathe. I’d nearly lost her last night. I would never let anything like that happen again.

Then she dropped her hand and turned away, and the moment ended. I followed her into the dining room to take my usual place against the wall, becoming her guard again, and nothing more. As I always would be.

Seven

Lily

I

took my place at the breakfast table and watched my sisters vie for a spoon of scrambled eggs and trade bacon for sausage links. It hurt my heart that this would be our last family breakfast for a while, and now I had to break the news to them. I glanced over my shoulder, reassured by the sight of Keane standing in his usual place, watchful and protective.