Ruthless Beauty

Chapter 1: Iris

"I don't see why I couldn't ride on Crescent. Or wear my own clothes, this dress itches." Iris tugged on her purple dress as Trishelle laughed at her. The top was a purple corset with black lace, the bottom was all black lace that fell to the floor, and her hair was pinned behind her head, the curls cascading around Iris.

"You are a guest at the King's castle. If you had shown up in your normal attire then people will be suspicious. You're to remain hidden until any immediate danger. The King, Queen, and one guard will know who you are. I will be here for introductions but then you will be on your own. Theorin and I will check on you in a month. Repeat your instructions." Iris sighed as they hit a bump and she hit her head on the roof of the carriage.

"Yes, my objective is to identify the threat and terminate it." The carriage came to a stop and she heard voices outside. Iris slipped the knife from out of her boot and out from under the stupid skirts. She hid it beside her just as the door was flung open.

"Out!" A man ordered as they were forced out of the carriage. Four men stood around them, the driver was on the ground, hopefully unconscious but it wasn't likely. "Pretty one, isn't she?" The man said running a hand over Iris' collar bone.

"Please, don't hurt me." Iris whispered, trying to hold back a grin. The men chuckled just as someone cleared their throat. A man in muddy, black riding boots, black trousers, and a white, loose shirt stepped out from the shadows of the trees. He had a sword at his hip, his dirty blonde hair hung past his ears, blue eyes sparkled with mischief, their was a scar on his lips that curled into a smirk, and he had stumble along his strong jaw.

"That's no way to treat a lady, especially a beautiful one like this." He smiled and Iris used the distraction to rip her dress up the side to give her more leg room. She kicked the man's leg out from under him and held a knife to his throat.

"Now, let's everyone calm down." Trishelle rolled her eyes as she flipped a man on his back.

"Stop teasing the poor boys, Iris." Trishelle sighed as the man that stopped the four men from hurting them fought two of the men. They both fell to the ground with a thud and Iris slit the man she was holding's throat. Trish killed the other thug and stood, wiping off her skirts. "You must be, Soren. The Queen has talked about you." Iris stood and the man was starring intently at her.

"Yes, and you must be the assassins." Soren's smile faded as his eyes left Iris'.

"Way to make us sound evil." Iris glared her mouth getting the better of her.

"Iris..." Trishelle warned but she didn't listen as she unhooked a horse and swung her leg over it. She kicked the horse with her heels and it took off towards the castle.

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"Iris? Where's Trishelle and the carriage?" The Queen asked as she finished tying the horse into the stables.

"We ran into robbers, we took care of it but I needed some fresh air." Iris sighed as she turned to the smiling Queen. There was a young woman standing next to her, she looked almost exactly like her except something didn't seem right.

"This is Thalia, my daughter. Come inside, Thalia can get you some clothes." The Queen took Iris' hand and linked their arms as they made their way into the castle.