Reaching down, Sebastian grasps the woman’s hand, the one shakily cupping his boot, and helps her to stand. His Force stops mid-capture, their V-batons outstretched. My eyes take in the scene as Sebastian smiles at her, then raises a hand, welcoming the cheers of the crowd.
I eye Devlan, my brows raised. His features reflect my shock at seeing the prince help a commoner before we return our gazes to the stage.
Sebastian raises his hands as the applause grows. “Citizens of Karm,” he begins. “Thank you for joining me to welcome in a new season of the tournament.” The crowd hollers, their applause echoing off the buildings. Sebastian’s charisma even makes me want to cheer. He’s a natural at being in front of people and giving them exactly what they want.
As he continues his speech on the tournament, I scan the crowd. How many Rebels are here, if any? Devlan catches my eye. “No need to fear, princess,” he says in a low voice. “I will protect you from the bad men.” His lips twitch on the verge of a smile.
I look back to Sebastian, covering my own knowing smile. I suppose I’m one of the “bad men” now. However, Sebastian truly worries for my safety. This thought sobers me. To him, the Rebels are the enemy, and he endeavors to protect me from them. He has no idea one of them is his most trusted knight, and another his betrothed. I now wonder if the man I saw hung in the square was a Rebel and not a simple thief. Maybe this silent war hasn’t been so silent, only the citizens have been fully kept in the dark.
When Sebastian concludes his speech, the crack of applause jolts me back into the now. I clap as he exits the podium and his Force surrounds him. Devlan and his knights escort me toward the cobbled street in pursuit of the prince.
Behind me, the crowd attempts to push past the line of knights blocking the entrance of Commerce Street. Sebastian waits for me near an artisan’s shop.
“How was I?” A proud smile curves his lips.
“It was perfect.” And it was. He was truly born and raised to be a leader.
“It was only my second speech. The first, of course, being the transmission where I chose my lovely princess.” He winks. “The citizens are not used to having royalty address them, as the king so rarely gives speeches. But I think giving them more of this will be a good thing.”
As he talks, I smile, trying to keep my thoughts centered on my mission. Finally, I say, “I’d actually never seen any of the king’s transmissions before our betrothal. But I imagine the citizens will enjoy having their new king so respondent to them.”
He cranes an eyebrow. I’m sure my action that day in the arcade makes sense to him now. “You’ve never seen any of his transmissions. You amaze me.” He’s rendered speechless for a moment. Then he says, “Zara.” He stops walking and faces me. “After the wedding, and after I become king shortly thereafter, I want to hear your ideas.” A solemn look crosses his face.
“My lord?” I’m confused as to what ideas I’ve ever mentioned until I recall all that I told him in the garden. Optimism fills me, hoping this is his meaning.
“I have theories myself. Things I want to see changed in Karm. And I want us to make this realm a truly fantastic place. Where citizens are happy, not living in fear.” His voice is hushed, Devlan and I the only ones near enough to hear. “I want to bring Karm into a new era—for me to become a legend, for my name to live long past me.”
I’m stunned. It was my wish that day at the meadow that Sebastian would be a kind ruler and would change Karm. That we’d no longer simply abide by the laws for fear of the Force. I look to the ground, unable to form words. He can’t know. No, not speaking like this. Surely he can’t be aware of what Hart has done, is doing.
He lifts my face. “I’ve said something to worry you.” He tilts his head. “I thought this would please you. I’m doing it for the citizens as much as for you.”
I suck in a deep breath. “It does please me, Sebastian.” I smile genuinely. “More than you know.” And it’s true. It’s my proof his heart is not yet hardened like King Hart’s. He won’t agree to rule as his father does. My chest loosens with relief.
He releases my face and takes my hand, guiding me toward a storefront. I peek over my shoulder, a smile stretching my face, and spot Devlan lingering behind. A dark expression shadows his features. His eyes are etched in hard creases. I’m confused as to why he’s not overjoyed that he may not have to betray his former best friend, that there’s a chance for Sebastian to take our side and help us stop the Virus and take down the barrier.
I study Devlan’s rigid features a moment longer as his eyes seek something other than me. What happened between him and Sebastian?
As we approach the artisan’s shop of paintings and crafts, something tugs at my dress. I look sideways, and a man with deep-set wrinkles and hollow eyes grabs my arm.
My heart crashes again my chest.
“Guards!” Sebastian calls.
The man’s dark-rimmed eyes widen, and his mouth trembles open. “They’re coming for you.”
Dread envelopes my core and I shakily yank at my dress, nudging the crazed man off as the Force snatches him up.
“By order of King Hart, unhand the princess,” a knight orders. Larkin, I realize.
I feel a little better knowing at least Larkin, one of the Rebel plants, apprehends the man and not another member of the Force. I don’t think he intended to harm me. His eyes are far away, as if he’s not completely aware, lost. Does he suffer from the effects of the Virus?
The man breaks free of Larkin and bolts forward. Sebastian hauls me backward as Devlan steps in front of me. The man crashes into Devlan’s chest and is knocked to the ground. Larkin is close behind, V-Baton in hand.
A scream lodges in my throat. I prepare to order them not to hurt him, but I’m too late as the man is zapped.
He drops to his knees, and Larkin stuns him again. And then a third time. The man splays out over the cobbled roadway, his body seizing with convulsions. I cover my mouth, horrified, as he writhes and foam leaks over his lips.
I latch onto Devlan’s arm and gape from around his shoulder. My fingers dig into his solid arm. I feel Sebastian’s hand on my shoulder, trying to lead me away, but I cling there—staring at the man, petrified at seeing Larkin repeatedly shock him.
Larkin and another member of the Force lift the man, grabbing him under his arms, and start to drag him away. Before I turn away from the scene, Larkin’s gray-eyed gaze traps mine. A cruel smile drives up the corners of his mouth. I back away as his cold eyes penetrate mine, and his smile widens into a sneer.
If he’s merely playing his role as a Round Table knight, he plays it too well.
TWENTY-THREE
An hour after supper, I walk stealthily through the chill corridor. Devlan follows silently behind. Our day out of Court was cut short by the crazed man. I still have no idea what was wrong with him, or what he was trying to tell me. If it meant anything at all.
They’re coming for you.
His forbidding words echo in my mind. The look in Larkin’s eyes as he dragged the man off haunts me. Larkin seemed to take too much pleasure in executing punishment, and it was as if that punishment had been directed toward me.
Larkin wanted to keep the original Rebel plan, and now it feels like he’s personally targeting me. I recall that day at my farmhouse, when I elbowed him and spoke out against the Force. Surely he doesn’t hold a grudge against me because of that? He’s not even truly part of the Force. No, that cannot be the reason. If anything, he allowed me to get away with my treasonous actions. Now, I understand why.
I shake the pressing thoughts from my head and look straight ahead as I maneuver through the castle. It’s late, and the majority of the servants and courtiers are in their chambers. I peek around the corner of the long hallway leading to the secret room before I round the corner. When I reach the end of the hallway, Devlan surveys it one last time, then presses his hand to the wall and the door swings in.