A Dove's Tale

Chapter 115

"Princess Ivetta?"

The two guards staring wide-eyed at me as I stepped into the hallway were the newest members of my guard detail, which probably explained why I couldn't think of their names when I was still in a panic from the nightmare. Tyler and David. Chevalier, or Julius, or maybe both, added them to my guard detail a week before the coronation ceremony, because for reasons I couldn't understand, ten guards weren't enough for the big day. This was their first time paired with each other instead of a more experienced guard, and for that, I was thankful. Anybody else would have had Chevalier waiting at the door for me when I got out of the bath. These two were too new to question me.

"I'm just getting a cup of tea," I explained with a forced smile.

They fell in step behind me without another word, their armor clanking far too loudly in the still of the dark hallways. I really hoped they wouldn't wake up the entire palace. The last thing I wanted was somebody asking me why I was up this late and what I was doing wandering around in my dressing gown. I didn't plan on being up long. Just long enough to make a cup of tea, maybe wash a few dishes while it was brewing, and then I'd be back in my room, behaving myself for the rest of the night. If I couldn't get back to sleep, I'd just read.

We had almost reached Yves' favorite kitchen when it occurred to me if anybody saw us, Tyler and David would probably get in trouble. The realization made me uncomfortable. I hadn't even thought about that until now. Chevalier's protective measures for me allowed a lot of freedom, but there were some areas where he wouldn't budge, and I felt certain wandering around in the middle of the night was one of them. So, when we arrived and Tyler stepped in front of me to enter the kitchen first, I didn't argue.

"Princess Ivetta," he said. "Please wait here."

I nodded, but the door flew open before he touched it. He jumped back reflexively, reaching for his sword and sandwiching me between him and David.

"Ack! What is this?" Yves sputtered, grabbing his sword, too. Metal grated against sheaths as they drew, cold steel flashed, and I saw the pool of blood again, the slashed throats and sightless eyes.

"Everybody, stop!" I shouted.

Tyler and Yves froze. David had his hand on my arm, and Gilbert stood in the doorway behind Yves, his expression unreadable in the dark. My heart was pounding out of my chest.

"Ivetta? What are you doing up this late?" Yves asked.

I took a deep breath to steady my nerves. "Getting a cup of tea," I said, shaking David's hand off my arm. "I didn't realize that could lead to bloodshed. Tyler, stand down."

He slid his sword back into its sheath a bit reluctantly, I thought. "If I may ask, Prince Yves, what are you doing up this late?" he asked, his words laced with suspicion.

"If you must know, I was trying to feed a bottomless pit," Yves said in a haughty voice, straightening his back as he sheathed his sword. "Not that it's any of your business."

Gilbert was still eating? Just how big was his appetite?

"And discussing our upcoming trip to Obsidian," Gilbert added casually. "Since we're allies now, it seems high time for my dear cousin to visit his homeland, don't you think?"

All I wanted was a cup of tea. Now, my guards were so on edge that they thought Yves, the half-Obsidianite prince, was conspiring with Gilbert against Rhodolite, and Gilbert was making it worse - intentionally. I wanted to curl up in a corner and hide. Instead, I raised my chin and spoke calmly and clearly.

"Yes, I do," I said. "Obsidian has neglected him long enough. If you learn anything about Garnet or my parents while you're there, Yves, I'd love to talk to you about it when you get back. Now, if you'll all step aside, I could really use that cup of tea now."