Three Fates Bound By Scars

Bodies buried with Secrets

Lenai was lying in front of Kaya, her head buried in her cousin's lap as it swam with a thousand different thoughts. Kaya was running her hands through Lenai's hair while she spoke about the court intrigue.

"...and anyway who do you think did it? Inside job?"

"What?" Lenai said dazed.

Kaya scowled, "Were you even listening?"

"I listened until you started repeating things." Lenai mused.

Kaya smiled, "Alright brat, your turn."

"Do I have to?" Lenai drawled.

"You don't just just tell me you want a distraction, dramatically lay on me like a useless clam, and NOT EXPLAIN?!"

Lenai wrinkled her nose before laughing, "My turn then."

I can't tell her about the tunnels or that when I asked mother through our letters what one of her assassins is doing here, she wouldn't give me a straight answer. She can't have been intended for the King, she wants me to marry him. And he keeps people in those awful cells and I'm rather sure he still hates me...

All the work her cousin had put into distracting her barely seemed to matter as she dropped her head into her hands, I suppose I can tell her the easiest thing.

"Mother says she's sending Noelle to be with me."

Kaya frowned, "Maybe she'll serve a purpose."

Lenai reached out her hands to hold those of her cousin, "Why can't you two just get along?"

"I don't hate her, I just don't love her or the intentions she so clearly harbors." Kaya replied, crossing her arms defensively.

This old gripe of hers again, I know she thinks Noelle likes me but she only ever kissed me to show me how to kiss the princes I was to be betrothed to. She doesn't actually love me...

And besides she doesn't know what I know about Noelle, that she came from a noble family. Mother would hate the fact I snuck around to listen to that conversation.

Pride blossomed in Lenai's chest, she knew Noelle was born of a prominent noble line even if she had no idea which one.

I know a little of whatever secret history you have, I will keep those secrets for you and you need never ask.

Kaya's arms relaxed, "Tell me something I'll like better."

Lenai thought for a moment, "Elias has invited me to dinner tonight."

Just the two of us...

Kaya's eyes became serving plates, "So what are you wearing to this dinner?"

She placed her hands on Lenai's shoulders and dragged her up with fierce strength, "You are letting me help."

"You don't exactly love sorting through potential outfit choices," Lenai began.

"But I do love gossip and talking to you, I have to know what you plan to talk with him about."

Kaya jumped up from the bed and clapped her hands together, she's latched on now.

Lenai spent the next hour telling Kaya about last night's interaction with the prince, Kaya tried on his general's coat and made a show of flexing her arms. Unlike Lenai, her cousin had been freely allowed to learn fighting techniques even if she hadn't much enjoyed them. Though now her arms weren't those of a toned warrior, they still retained some of that strong look.

I know where the cell is and it's dangerous for mother's assassin to be interrogated, her mother had been almost casual about the confrontation. Did she have another plan for the assassin, was someone else to kill her before she could talk? Or did she have orders to kill herself at the first opportunity, even if she had those orders would she?