Captive: Hopeless

Chapter 66 - Past Imperfect

Kay stared at the imposing, brass-bound gates that locked the outside castle wall, keeping intruders and the curious outside. Her hands tightened around the steering wheel, and although Marcus had only recently taught her to drive, she took to it as easily as she did to most things.

She allowed the wheels to roll a few meters forward, almost giving in to her urge to turn around and go back, but the doors unlocked and smoothly opened inward, triggered by her implant.

Akira's darned efficiency was impressive; she had to give her sister that much.

Thane's words echoed in her mind, and she fought them off like an enemy. Squaring her shoulders, she sighed and guided the fancy dark gray four-wheel-drive sedan through the opening to the parking space a security guard directed her toward.

***

"Good morning, Princess. The Queen awaits you in her audience room if you will follow me," he asked politely, and it took a moment to recognize him.

"Barker," she said, and his gaze avoided hers.

Guilt? What did he have to feel guilty about?

"I never got to thank you for the kindness of leaving your jacket with me during those final days as Akira's guest," she said, and his startled gaze riveted to hers.

"How I wish I could have done more for you, Princess," he admitted, turning his head away, and the truth dawned upon her.

Barker worked for Akira, not Azera. He always had and was the reason why her sister and father knew so much of what befell her at the Dark Queen's hands.

"Your small acts of kindness made my life bearable," she said, but it seemed to heap hot coals on his conscience instead of easing his feelings.

Why did it bother this man more that he could not help her than it did her father? Or did she find him easier to read now that he didn't have to hide every little expression and nervous tick from a woman who saw through people like glass?

Was that why Akira and Thane gave her no part of the truth? Out of fear that some little thing might give her away?

She closed the door and fetched her bag from the back.

"No man could have done more for me under the circumstances than you did, Barker. I forgive you and wish you peace. At least you did not act as Nero did."

Something in his manner, some little twitch, made a frown tug at her brow as she pocketed the keys and checked that she had her phone.

He held out his hand, and she handed him the strap.

"What did you do?" she asked, walking toward the front door where the housekeeper awaited them. The same woman who served Azera, but she was no longer dressed in the severe black uniform that made her look like a witch.

She looked much younger in a soft tan jacket and skirt with a white silk blouse contrasting with her dark, white-streaked hair.

"Nero had a little accident during the turmoil after Azera's demise."

She glanced at him, surprised that he would do such a thing, but his expression told her she did not misunderstand.

"I hope it was not on my account?" she asked.

Despite despising him, she didn't like the idea of being the reason for his unfortunate end.

"He said he would find you and finally get a piece of the action before slowly killing you. I shoved him down the dungeon stairs, and he toppled the suit of armor standing in the corner. That shield with the spike fell over and impaled him through the eye. Fate has an odd sense of humor."