Avenged

♔Chapter 7b

Yes. Yes, he would.

He might be playing the charming sweet prince now, but he murdered my brother. I know what he’s capable of.

“Thorndon, if you would lend your skills, we would consider that a favor. Plus, it would give you and the future king a chance to get to know each other again. You were once best friends. The kingdom would benefit from you working together,” the king added to Thorn, indicating he and Adonis. Although he asked, it was an order.

By the kingdom he meant him, not the people he was supposed to protect.

“Of course, My King. I’ll help with whatever, wherever I can,” Thorn replied with a respectful nod of his head.

I knew what the king was doing, and so did Thorn. If he could get Thorn on his side and have him repair his friendship with Adonis, it would increase the chances of Thorn seeing Marissa as an attractive option as well as reduce the rumors that Thorn and Ella’s father would oppose the king or succeed from the kingdom. Assigning this task to them both also meant that Adonis would be distracted from me, and I would have to spend more time with Marissa. I’m sure he’s hoping that would lead us to grow closer too, again pushing Thorn toward Marissa. He’s a diabolical old man. Years of practice, I suppose.

“I’ll see what I can find out from Qualis,” he muttered to his wife, softly but loud enough that we all still heard.

Thorn flicked a quick knowing glance at me. Quails was definitely on my take-down list. I’d have to be careful with him. He was cunning and powerful. I still hadn’t decided if he needed to go first, before he noticed all the conspirators were being targeted, or if I wanted to save him for last.

“Adonis, make sure the guard situation for the rest of the evening is sufficient. Thorndon, please walk the ladies to their rooms. You can work the investigation tomorrow. We can discuss this more in the morning. Come, my dear,” the king held his hand out to his queen, which she accepted with a smile, and they headed away.

Once again, I had the feeling he was trying to get Thorn and Marissa together as much as possible while keeping Adonis far from me in equal measure.

For a moment we all watched silently as the king led his queen away.

“Let me walk you to your room.” Adonis stepped close to me and pinned me with those deep ocean eyes of his, breaking my thoughts.

“You know that’s not really necessary since Thorn is right across the hall from me and already headed that way,” I teased.

“Besides, your father gave you orders.” I pointed out. I couldn’t have him getting into trouble because of me. Not yet anyway.

“Maybe I’d like you to walk me to keep me safe. That was some impressive ice back there. I’d love to hear more about it,” Adonis gifted me his mega-watt smile.

“Thanks,” I smiled shyly, and Thorn shot me a wink. Thorn placed his hand on Marissa’s lower back and led her away, leaving Adonis and I with the illusion of privacy.

“Securing the castle is more important,” I said.

“Well, your brother has left you with me. It’s now my solemn duty to protect you. What kind of prince would I be if I shirked my duties and left you unattended after tonight’s attack? Perhaps, you’ll accompany me to speak with the guards?”

I didn’t expect that. I’d assumed that by instructing Adonis to speak with the guards alone and first, the king was ensuring they maintained control over any problems that he might not want Thorn to know about. Thus, by tasking both Thorn and Adonis to the investigation, the optic would be that they were working closely together. A clever ploy.

Yet, now Adonis was inviting me to trail along by his side.

Smiling, I replied, “If you think I won’t be in the way. I am not tired, but I am curious.” I didn’t want to seem too keen to join him.

We wandered in strangely comfortable silence while Adonis set to work with me at his side. It didn’t take him long to speak with the guards and start the investigation. I was surprised he kept me with him for this. In reality, smitten as he appeared, he didn’t actually know me that well. I could have been behind this for all he knew. My arrival coincides with increased attacks on the castle. Perhaps that was why he asked me to come along. This complicated game of cat and mouse was getting quite convoluted.

During the next three hours, I was able to glean all manner of information, including the full guard schedules. And although we hadn’t found any evidence that any guards were directly involved, this was just Adonis’ initial questioning. I had no doubt the king had more painful question methods if Adonis’ investigation was not fruitful.

Lord Branwell, the head of the king’s elite guard, the red cloaks, seemed equally furious that such an attack occurred under his watch and worried about the consequences. Much to my annoyance, after a brief conversation, Adonis ordered Branwell to ensure his family was safe, then to question his red clocks alone.

Suddenly, a crushing thought occurred to me. One of the duties my father gave my brother not long before his death was the command and coordination of the castle guards. I remembered walking the halls with him once, though I was a giddy, naïve little girl at the time, mesmerized by the respect and power Tiberius effortlessly commanded. I bet Adonis accompanied him occasionally, too. I bet that was information they used to insure my father’s trusted guards were indisposed, or disposed of, that fateful night.

“What’s wrong? You look sad suddenly,” Adonis asked.

“Oh, it’s nothing really. I was just thinking about the people who lost their lives. And the families they left behind.” I wasn’t completely lying.

Adonis stopped suddenly. “The families of the traitors will not be punished if that’s what you are worried about. I know my father’s reputation is ruthless, but I won’t allow innocents to be harmed. We just need to catch the culprits. How are you feeling? You’ve been in the city not even a week and been attacked twice. Both times here in the castle. It should have been safer for you here. You haven’t received any more of those notes, have you?”

I nodded and gave a sweet smile. “No notes. And as weird as it sounds, I do feel safer with you.” His face lit up at that. “Especially now that Thorn is here, too. He would never let anyone hurt me, either.” I touched his arm gently.

“I should assign you guards, send you back to your villa with Thorndon.”

Wavering thoughts wouldn’t work for me. I had work to do. And I certainly did not want to have to dodge assigned guards.

“I meant it when I said I felt safe with you. I can’t quite explain it. I know we haven’t known each other for long, but at the same time, I feel like I’ve known you forever.”

“We’ve known each other all our lives,” he countered.

“That’s not what I meant.” I bit my lip slightly and looked up through my lashes.

His deed blue eyes flicked to my lips as a sigh escaped him.

So predictable.

“If assigning me a guard would ease your mind, that’s fine. But I think those guards would be more useful elsewhere. Maybe protecting your sister or your mother.”

“I’ll think about it. For now, it’s been a long day, My Lady. I’d better get you to your room before your big brother comes looking for you.”