Deadly

Chapter 21

I walked aimlessly through the garden, my thoughts wandering faster than the clouds overhead. It was cold, but I refused to go back inside. My mother and Pamula were fawning over how lovely Felicity looked in her wedding gown. As much as I wished it didn't bother me, it did. I wanted to be happy for my cousin, but how could I when my own mother treated her like the daughter I'm suppose to be? On top of that, I kept thinking about what Felicity told me, how she was attacked and why.

" I'm a horrible person." I said to myself. Frowning deeply, I kicked at a small rock half lodged into the dirt. How could I have been so quick to judge Dallas? I hadn't even given him the benefit of doubt. Now I felt like a fool.

" Katherine?"

I glared at the ground a moment longer before lifting my head to meet Dallas's gaze. I'd unknowingly walked to one of the exits in the garden, too occupied with my thoughts to notice. Dallas stood between the two hedges marking the exit, his brows furrowed, white shirt smudged with dirt. I gave the dirt smudges a curious look, my stomach somersaulting when I noticed the way his shirt hugged his torso. Pursing my lips tightly, I tried to force my eyes away, but found I couldn't.

Between the slight sweat he'd worked up, the thin fabric and dirt, I could make out the lines of his muscles. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, forearms on display.

" You've been missing all morning." He said. I tried to clear my mind, diverting my gaze to instead stare at a stone statue. "I turned around and you were gone."

My face grew warm from embarrassment, noticing the tinge of hurt in his voice. I'd ditched him without an explanation. Just vanished, Katherine style.

" Did I do something wrong?" He asked.

My head snapped in his direction so fast, I was afraid it would snap. " What? No. Of course not."

He didn't argue, but I knew he didn't believe me either. Why would he? It's not like I gave him any reasons to trust me. I ran from my duties, hid when he looked for me, and refused to hear him out when Felicity was attacked.

" Forgive my intrusion, but I wish to speak with the Princess," Benjamin said as he approached from behind Dallas. I tried not to let my irritation show. Dallas would overthink my disappearance and reasons for it over and over again until I coulf ease his doubt. We needed to talk.

" With all due respect, the Queen wished for her to complete her chores." Dallas said tightly.

Benjamin smiled knowingly. "I'm aware, which is why I asked for the Queen's permission."

Looking between them, I wondered if he really did ask my mother before coming here. What would he even wish to talk about? The contract, the curse? As much as I wanted and needed to settle things with Dallas, I also had to discuss my agreement with Benjamin. He held his arm out to me, waiting for me. Chewing at my lower lip, I walked passed Dallas to take Benjamins arm. I glanced back at my body guard, noticing the fall of his expressions.

" We'll talk later," I said with as much conviction as I could muster when Benjamin was tugging me back into the maze of gardens. He didn't say anything in response, just looked at me for a long moment, then retreated back to the palace. Sighing, I focused on the path ahead. "Please tell me you did in fact speak to my mother before whisking me aside."

Chuckling, he patted my hand before releasing me. " I did. Wouldn't want to get you in any more trouble than you already are."

" Well then, what's this about?" I asked.

" Bennett and Felicity," he said taking a seat on a stone bench.
" How do you plan on bringing them together?"

" I'll hold up my end of the deal." I said with a sharp look. " So long as you do."