The Royal Curse

Twelve - Recollecting Fiery Memories

Senna Aldorban

An envoy arrived not too long ago asking for me. The woman with long, blonde hair that convinced me to have dinner with the Hollands told me so. She had fidgeted awkwardly and slipped out the room faster than she came in.

A part of me wondered why she was so hesitant. I wasn't a bad person; at least, I thought so. Kace would disagree with that statement.

Throwing my hair up with one hand and rifling through more files about Lord Astley with my other, questions only grew. Idrice Astley was in the northern ports exchanging in some kind of illegal trade that King Lius supported. Illegal weaponry was one. The Dark Warrior Program between us was another.

What could possibly be worse than those two?

More importantly...

Who the hell was Lord Idrice Astley? Why was Kace so interested in him?

I supposed it didn't matter. After all, I'd find out one way or another. If I had to pry Kace's head open to find out, then I would. Using me to get Rafe on our side was a terrible move.

Then I was reminded of Kace trying to make the Kandose-Entorre alliance fall. He obviously knew about the Dark Warrior Program, so did that mean he disagreed with it? He had to be smarter than that—without this alliance, the dark warriors would attack Thaeleck. It would kill innocents.

Kace was either incredibly stupid or incredibly evil. My blood burned at the thought of him using me. No matter how many times I glanced at him, my hand itched to throw a punch at his face. I wanted him to tell me what the hell he was doing. Why was he doing this?

My eyes traveled to the umbrella leaning against my dresser. He had it remade for me—why? To use that against me, too? I couldn't believe I forgave him for destroying my father's gift to me.

My head pounded at the recollection of Odaya. That little—

I jumped when the door jeered open. On the other end, Mallor stood, waiting patiently. All my thinking made me forget that I requested his presence.

I might've been stubborn, but I wasn't stupid. I would not walk around unprotected. Mallor was the best option I had.

"An envoy requested for you," he said, stepping into my room.

"I know." I pointed my hairbrush at him. "But thanks for the reminder. You should be my assistant here."

He leaned against the wall and smiled. "I'm afraid I don't have the eloquence for business, but I appreciate the recommendation."

"You're Kace's friend, so if you can handle that, you can handle anything I throw at you." To prove my point, I tossed my hairbrush in his direction and he swiftly caught it. "See?"

"I don't think the two are comparable, Princess Sen—"

"Just call me Senna, please. I'm not like Kace."

"That's highly inappropriate—"

"Are you going against a royal's orders, Mallor?" Narrowing my eyes, I handed a file to him and ignored his denials. "When you get the time, please give this to Kace. And thank him for my umbrella."