Kingdom of Shadows and Lies

Chapter One

Colette

I love this time of day, when the wind is in my hair and only Beau keeps my company. I sit down in my saddle and urge him forward. The wind whips past and the trees become nothing but a blur at my sides. The stable comes into view as the trail opens up, and I begin to see the first signs of activity. Guards changing posts and stablehands leading horses around the grounds. I pull Beau up to a trot, taking gasps of air.

"Good boy." I lean down to give him a pat as he slows to a stop, huffing through his nostrils. Swinging my leg over and jumping down, I grab his reins as we near the stable. I nod to the guards and push through the big wooden doors, leading my horse to his stall. A stableboy who looks to be about my age with caramel hair that falls into his brown eyes and toned, tan arms comes up to grab my reins.

"I've got it." I order him. He must be new if he doesn't know that I look after Beau myself. I take off his saddle and grab the brush.

The sound of clinking armour fills my ears as the stable doors swing open and swift footsteps approach.

"Your Highness, His Royal Majesty, King Lucas, requests your presence in the throne room." Sebastien, my personal guard, comes to a stop outside the stall.

"Goodness, can't it wait five minutes?" My hand stills as I turn to look at him, sweeping my hair behind my ear. Sebastien is in his usual attire, complete with a sword at his side. His hair is cut short and orderly, dark brown that matches his eyes and contrasts against his fair skin.

"I'm afraid not, Princess."

I sigh, making sure that my annoyance is obvious as I set the brush aside and whisper my goodbyes to Beau. "Well come on then, best not to keep him waiting."

The stableboy, who has taken to sweeping the floor, looks up as we pass.

I clear my throat, "Finish brushing Beau down and make sure to have him fed and watered."

He bows his head, "Of course, Your Highness."

Sebastien nods at the guards as we push through the doors and begin the trek to the palace. I look up at him, taking a moment to appreciate him in the early morning sunlight. He is quite attractive, with a strong, athletic build that comes from the years of gruelling training required to achieve a place in the royal guard; and a charming, slightly awkward smile as if he doesn't know his own good looks. If only he wasn't so formal. He has been my personal guard for over six months now and I still know as little about him as the day he was assigned to me, which pretty much amounts to his first and last name, and his military rank. Lieutenant Sebastien Monreaux.

"How old are you, Sebastien?'' I wonder aloud.

"Twenty one years, Princess."

"Oh, would you look at that, something we have in common!" It truly is like pulling teeth with this man.

"Indeed, Princess."

I sigh, "I will tell you time and again, Sebastien, you are more than welcome to call me Colette."

He gives me a look that I can't quite puzzle out, "Yes, Princess."

I roll my eyes as we continue on our way.

***

By the time we make it to the throne room I'm really wishing that I had time to change into one of my summer dresses. The sun has finished making its way above the horizon and is shining directly in through the wall of windows on the east side of the palace. My already sweaty riding gear is becoming increasingly more stuffy and bothersome. It's a wonder Sebastien manages to remain looking so well put together in his full set of armour.

Sebastien remains two steps behind as the guards on either side of me open the double doors to the throne room. The herald to my left announces my arrival.

The king is looking through some papers with Lord Bennet, one of the older consuls on the council, but looks up from his place on the throne as I sweep in.

"Father, forgive my attire, I would have changed into something more appropriate had I time."

My father brushes me off with a wave of his hand. "Never mind that, Colette. I have been talking with Lord Bennet here about the Games, and there is something we would like to discuss with you."

I roll that around in my mind. I plan on competing in the equestrian events, but otherwise, I have little to do with the Games this year. I wonder what is so important that it garners a personal summons by my father and one of the more influential consuls. "Yes?"

"As you know, it is the twentieth anniversary of the Games this year, and for the first time we have invited foreign competitors and dignitaries." The king and Lord Bennet exchange a glance, "One such dignitary, who will also be competing in a few events, is Prince Laserian of Taragh. We would like that you get to know him."

I frown, "Of course, father." As Princess, I would be expected to acquaint myself with any dignitary arriving for the Games.

My father levels me with a look "Intimately, Colette."

My eyebrows shoot up, "You want me to seduce him?"

"Averlie has had little to do with Taragh in the past, it is in our best interest that we start forming connections."

I open my mouth to object, but my father clenches his jaw and his cold blue eyes give me a stern look. "Of course, father."

Taragh is a small nation separated from Averlie by the Glass Sea–a misleading name given its treacherous waters. The small country has had a boom of wealth over the last decade or so, but little is known as to how or why. I had the absolute pleasure of meeting its Crown Prince, Prince Keelan at a diplomatic meeting a couple of years ago. A reedy middle aged man with thinning, greasy ginger hair and an overinflated ego. I shudder at the thought of what his younger brother might be like.

"I had Lord Bennet compile some information on Laserian," My father hands me a thin document. "I suggest you start studying."