Ari and the shadow knight

The Golden Cage

The Golden Cage

The bread went cold on the wooden tray.

I stood by the narrow glass window. I watched the nobles move across the wide courtyard below. They looked like bright bugs moving in their fine silks.

"He is good," I said softly. My breath made a pale circle on the cold glass. "In the slums a thief pulls a rusted knife on you. Varn just offers a warm smile and a loaf of fresh bread."

Cassian stood near the dark wardrobe in the corner. He pulled his thick leather boots back on.

"A knife is honest," Cassian said. "A knife leaves a clear wound you can see. Warm bread makes you drop your guard until the wire pulls tight around your neck."

He flexed his long fingers. The pale burn scars across his palms stretched tight against his skin. His dark face remained completely still.

"What will he do next?" I asked.

"He will wait," Cassian said as he walked toward me. "He tried to poison you with the chalice yesterday. That failed. Now he will try to act like your only true friend in court. A puppet queen is much easier to control than a dead one."

I set my jaw tight. "I am not going to be his puppet."

"Then you need to learn how to play his game," Cassian said flatly.

A heavy knock suddenly rattled against the oak door.

Cassian put his hand on the hilt of his sword. He stepped quickly between me and the entrance.

"Who is there?" Cassian demanded.

"The Head Servant," a soft voice called from the hall. "I have brought wash water and your new clothes."

Cassian paused for a short second. "Step inside."

The heavy door swung open quietly.

Master Thomas walked into the room. He was a small old man in gray robes with a big ring of brass keys at his side. He bowed deeply to me without uttering a single word. Two young servants placed a brass wash bowl and a dark red velvet dress on the table.

Thomas simply bowed again and bowed his way out of the room. He was quiet and unseen like a shadow.

I turned back to Cassian once the heavy oak door closed.

"Varn sent the dress too," I said, eyeing the rich red velvet.

"Of course he did," Cassian said cold. "Red is the color of House Lowen. He wants the court to see you wearing his gifts."

Cassian walked over to the dark red dress laying on the bed. He checked the thick fabric for hidden needles. He ran his scarred fingers carefully along the inner hem.

"The dress is clear," Cassian said. "Put it on now. Duke Varn called a full court assembly in the Great Hall."

I grabbed the heavy velvet gown. I stepped behind the wooden screen to change out of my street clothes.

"Cassian?" I called out from behind the screen.

"What?"

"Why is Varn playing so nice today?"

Cassian stood completely still on the other side of the wood.

"Because the rest of the Regency Council wants you dead Arianna," Cassian said into the quiet room. "Varn wants to look like your savior so you will sign his decrees when you are crowned."

I pulled the crimson velvet dress over my shoulders. I strapped my short blade flat against my thigh beneath the heavy skirts. The cold steel felt good against my skin.

I stepped out from behind the screen. "I am not signing anything for him."

Cassian looked at me for a long second. His dark amber eyes swept over the red dress.

"You look like a royal," he said quietly.

"I feel like a target," I replied.

Cassian walked closer to me. He reached out and adjusted the stiff collar of my dress. His hand brushed lightly against my neck. His fingers were warm despite the chill in the air.

"A target can hit back if it has a blade," Cassian said softly. His eyes locked onto mine. "Never forget who you are Arianna. You survived the Lower Ward. These lords only know how to fight with lies."

My heart did a quick flip in my chest. I looked at the pale burn scars on his hand.

"I won't forget," I said.

He stepped back and cleared his throat. "Good. Then let us move."

We walked out into the long stone corridor. Cassian kept one step ahead of me at all times. His hand rested lightly on the hilt of his long sword.

The halls were full of guards and noble lords today. As we walked past the high marble pillars people stopped to stare at me. They whispered behind their silk sleeves.

"Look at her," a noble woman hissed to her friend. "She still walks like a street rat."

I held my head high. I kept my eyes fixed straight ahead just like Cassian taught me.

Suddenly two heavy guards stepped out from an archway. They blocked the entrance to the Great Hall. Duke Varn stood right behind them in a coat of gold silk.

"Lady Arianna," Duke Varn said with a warm smile. "You look magnificent in red."

Cassian stopped instantly. He placed himself firmly between me and the duke's guards.

"Stand aside," Cassian said in a cold voice.

Duke Varn chuckled softly and stepped around his guards. He held out his hand to me like an affectionate uncle.

"There is no need for weapons Lord Knight," Varn said smoothly. "I only wish to walk the heir to her seat."

"I can walk on my own Duke Varn," I said. My voice did not shake.

Varn's eyes narrowed for a split second. Then his sweet smile returned.

"Of course child," Varn murmured. "I only want to protect you from the council. They are vicious wolves in there. They think a girl from the slums cannot lead."

He leaned in closer to me. His breath smelled of sweet wine.

"Stick with me Arianna," Varn whispered softly. "And I will make sure you keep your head."

He offered a small bow and walked into the grand room ahead of us.

I let out a long breath I didn't realize I was holding.

"He is trying to buy you," Cassian whispered next to my ear.

"He is trying to make me depend on him," I corrected.

"Good," Cassian said as we stepped into the crowded court. "Then let him think he is winning."