“We need to get you to a secure location,” she said as I drew even with her, Ryker trailing behind—our golems a few paces further.
“The palaceissupposed to be secure,” I muttered, unable to keep my father’s pain-filled face out of my mind. Who would do such a thing. . . and why?
“Well, it’s obviously been compromised,” the empress snapped, and I flinched, breaking out of my reverie.
“The castle will undergo a cleansing by the priestesses, and the golems and the guards will perform a thorough sweep. In the meantime, you and Cassie will be confined to your rooms, and it’s time we awoke your blood golem—you’ve been working on him long enough.”
My breath caught in my throat, but I didn’t argue. As frustrating as the situation was, the confinement would keep us safe, and at least I would get to see my blood golem in all his glory for a couple more weeks—I’d thought I’d have a year.
“It’s good to see you two getting along.” The empress gestured between Ryker and I.
I dropped my chin, letting my hair hide my face—and my blush.
“Once proven innocent, he’ll still be allowed to visit you, of course, and though I’m ceasing your lessons with Master Yuma, the boy can continue your training if you wish.”
I stared at my mother.
A small smile graced her features. “I know how much it means to you, daughter. Master Yuma told me that your intended seems to be quite experienced. Might as well make the most of your time together, no?”
“Thank you, Mother,” I murmured, her words rekindling my hope. If she was still willing to let me train, there was a chance she would let me live longer—unless she was only doing this to give us more time to complete her stipulations.
Ikneltonthefloor beside the low-lying bed, watching my father’s chest rise and fall. The blue-robed healers that shuffled around the room, attending to their other patients, had cleaned and stitched him back up. He almost looked like he was just sleeping without all the dirt and blood covering his face. Actually, he was probably cleaner than I could ever remember seeing him. His normally greasy gold hair was free of grime, falling in soft waves around his shoulders. The hard lines that usually contorted his face were smoothed out, making him look younger and more vulnerable—closer to his true age.
It was hard to believe he’d only been nineteen when I’d been born, only a few years older than I was now. And then he’d lost his bonded and the separation had broken him. Exhaling, I gripped his hands. They were rough, and I turned them over, tracing the lines and calluses along his palm. The mark of a craftsman. Though I’d never seen him at work, I’d heard tales of the beautiful sculptures he’d once made. Did he still sculpt? His hands attested to that, and my shoulders slumped. I knew so little about him. If only he’d given me a chance, I could have learned so much from him.
I shifted my attention back to his wrapped wounds. Why had he been attacked? I didn’t believe he’d just been in the wrong place at the wrong time—he’d been a target. A warning. My hands clenched, and I gritted my teeth. It was no longer just Ryker who wanted me dead. Now there was someone else. . . Had the message been for him? To tell him to hurry up and finish the job? My stomach churned, and Ryker’s gold eyes flashed in my mind.
I shoved the image away and fought down the feathers brushing my insides.He wants you dead, idiot. If I’d been wary of him before, I needed to be even more careful around him now, without letting him see through my facade. I couldn’t ruin all the headway I’d just gained.
“Mmn.” My father groaned, bringing me back to the present.
I leaned forward on my knees, holding my breath as he began to stir. He winced, his face crumpling in pain as his eyes finally opened, clear and alert. I smiled in relief, but it vanished a second later when my father’s blue eyes narrowed, and he ripped his hand out of mine. He didn’t say a word, just rolled over so his back was to me.
I swallowed down the lump in my throat.
“My lady.” A young healer approached. “You should probably go. Only rest and time can help him now.”
I nodded, brushing the tears from my eyes and rising to my feet. “Thank you for letting me stay until he woke up.”
She bowed her head, and I moved to the door where my guards waited for me. Before I left, I glanced back one last time. Cronus didn’t move.
“Good bye, Daddy,” I murmured, finally taking my leave.
It didn’t matter that he shunned me and had never once looked at me with the love or kindness a father should afford. I could never hate him; I only hurt for him.
“Hetriedtokissyou?” Cassie sat across from me on my bed dressed in a light blue silk robe and pants, clutching a pillow as she leaned forward.
“Yeah,” I said distractedly, looking her up and down. “You’re sure you’re okay?” After leaving my father to rest, I’d found Cassie lounging in our room, a forlorn expression on her face. I hadn’t meant to, but my mind was still preoccupied with Ryker’s earlier actions, and I had blurted out my concerns.
Cassie scoffed, waving her hand through the air. “I’m fine, just didn’t feel like dealing with the world today—now spill it, I want every last detail!” Her wide eyes locked onto me, and I smirked, falling backward onto the bed.
“There’s not much to tell. We were just apologizing to each other, and he wouldn’t look away, so I didn’t look away, and then he leaned towards me.” The heat from earlier returned as my mind wandered back in time, and I hid my face in a pillow. “If our father hadn’t been attacked. . .”I’d probably know what it was actually like to kiss someone.
“Well, that was a lot easier than we thought it’d be, eh?” Cassie nudged me. “Mr. Assassin man is already madly in love with you.”
I frowned, removing my face from the pillow. “That’s not it.”
“No?”