The Princes Bound [The Princes Book 1] (14 page)

She suppressed a shiver of disgust at the leer in Roarke's eyes as he glanced at her. He did not recognize her, of that she was sure.

She had been completely transformed by Rowena's maids.

Her hair was threaded with strands of jewels and pinned in an elegant chignon. The hairstyle was heavy, and her neck ached from supporting the weight.

A rosy pink gown, with twinkling gems studding the bodice, fit her as if it had been made for her. Who knew? It may have been. Talin had probably expected an assassination attempt all along.

He'd passed her off to Rowena's ladies as a distant cousin, but she doubted they were fooled. Even so, they had been kind as they'd prepared her for the wedding.

Her gaze strayed to Mathis, and she wanted to sigh. He was so handsome in blue.

His eyes met hers, and he smiled tightly. He was worried.

She would be too if their positions were reversed.

Resolutely Nadia turned her head and focused on the task at hand. She stood a little behind Rowena, which also put her within a few feet of Talin as they proceeded to the elegant open carriages that had been brought round to the palace steps.

Her gaze was anxious as it darted around the crowd, searching for someone who meant to harm the prince. Only sincere well-wishers appeared to have turned out for the royal couple.

She and Rowena were handed into the second carriage. Talin and Mathis would ride with them. Nadia wondered if this had always been the arrangement, or had Mathis convinced Talin to let him stay close to her?

Her father, Roarke, and Rowena's other ladies entered the first carriage along with the priest, who was to perform the ceremony.

Nadia said a quick prayer that her father would remain on his guard. He was too far away for her to protect as well.

Thankfully Hugh was safely stowed with a unit patrolling the northern end of the city. As that section was heavily fortified, she knew he would be safely out of harm's way.

Mathis entered the carriage and took the seat beside her. She was close enough to touch him but unable to. It was an unbearable hell.

There was so much she wanted to say to him, but she didn't dare risk it. Talin and Mathis spoke easily in idle chitchat, but Rowena remained silent despite their obvious efforts.

Nadia took a moment to study Talin's bride. She was resplendent in a white satin gown. A coronet of pearls crowned her fair hair. Diamonds dripped from her ears and around her neck. She fiddled with the large ruby Talin had bestowed upon her as a betrothal gift, twisting the ring around and around on her finger.

Crowds lined the entire route to the chapel. The short drive took much longer than normal since Talin had decided they would move at a slow pace, so he could smile and wave at his subjects.

It also served to give Nadia a chance to properly survey the street.

Everything appeared to be in order, but she could not drop her guard.

Mathis brushed her hand once, but she didn't spare him a glance. Talin's life depended on her diligence.

She turned her head toward Mathis to survey the crowd to her right and caught his tight-lipped smile. He was unhappy with her. She knew he would be, but she could not refuse her prince's biding. She was grateful he had not forced her into disobeying.

The first carriage stopped in front of the ancient chapel. It was crafted of stone, and mullioned windows stretched along both sides. It was simple but elegant. The perfect site for a royal wedding.

Roarke descended from the carriage, followed by Collin, who assisted Rowena's ladies.

Then it was their turn.

Nadia and Mathis exited first, followed by Talin. Rowena gracefully climbed to her feet and put her hand in Talin's without hesitation.

Nadia almost sighed.

The pair of them was a sight to behold. Talin, so tall and dark. Rowena, so lovely and fair.

A reflection at a window in the building opposite the chapel caught her attention. She held a hand over her eyes and squinted into the bright sun. She only had a moment to react.

"Talin!” She cried out and lunged forward to knock him out of the way.

An arrow sliced through the air, piercing the space the prince had occupied a mere second earlier. The arrow fell harmlessly to the ground as the crowd erupted in chaos.

Mathis was the first to reach her side. “Nadia, are you unhurt?"

She nodded a bit shakily. “Yes."

He grabbed her arm, but she shook him off. “See to your brother."

Talin was still on the ground with several soldiers protectively surrounding him. He appeared to be more stunned than anything.

Before Mathis could say another word, she set off in pursuit of the would-be assassin. She was familiar with the building he'd chosen to attack from. He would not exit onto the street facing the chapel, which meant his only exit would be out of a window on the first floor.

She shoved her way through the crowd, but the gown she wore hampered her. She grabbed the skirts in both hands and ripped away as much of the delicate fabric as she could. Thankfully she'd been deemed too tall for heeled shoes, so the flat slippers she wore made it easy to run. Still, she wished for her boots.

She rounded the corner of the building and scanned the alley behind it.

There, at the very end.

She caught sight of a figure dressed in black, his head covered by a hooded cape. It had to be the assassin. Nadia gave chase, thankful the crowds grew thinner the farther they ran.

He was fast, much faster than expected of one who should be unfamiliar with the city. The unwelcome thought that the assassin had lived amongst them occurred to her. He navigated the streets of the city with an ease that bespoke of one who had traveled them before.

He continued to run, but Nadia knew he tired. She hoped he could not hold out for much longer. Her own breath came in harsh pants, and her side ached as her lungs struggled to bring in enough air to sustain her.

He had to know he was being pursued. He'd thrown objects in her path, and she'd had to jump across overturned cartons of fruit and even sprawled persons the assassin had knocked over. She glanced over her shoulder and noticed other soldiers were in pursuit, but they had not fared as well dodging the obstacles.

She drew closer, close enough to grab hold of his trailing cape.

He threw it off, and she was momentarily blinded as the fabric wrapped around her face. Cursing, she tossed it aside and continued the chase.

She noted the back of his head. His bright red hair was cropped short. There were not many red-haired people in the kingdom. Fewer still would have his cut, as most men wore their hair longer in imitation of their prince. He would not be hard to identify.

It would be unnecessary to recall his features, however, for she knew she would capture him.

Nadia finally got her chance when he trapped himself in an alley with only one way in or out. She withdrew the dagger she had attached to her thigh and prepared herself.

He turned to face her, and his eyes darted frantically, searching for a way out. He was young, not much older than Hugh, but she forced herself not to feel pity. He had attempted to murder her prince. He must be dealt with as the situation deemed necessary.

"You cannot escape."

His lips spread in a grotesque smile. “And who will stop me? You, my lady? I grant you are a fast runner, but you cannot take me in a fair fight."

It would not be a fair fight, and they both knew it.

Even though he had thirty pounds on her, he would not beat her.

It was true she excelled at archery, but hand-to-hand combat had also always been one of her strong suits. She flexed the hand that held her dagger and motioned for him to approach.

He withdrew a dagger of his own, a lethal-looking curved blade nearly six inches in length. Adrenaline coursed through her veins, and she focused her entire attention on the man in front of her.

He made the first move, lunging at her with an awkward swipe. She easily dodged it and parried with a short jab. Her blade caught him in the side, but it was hardly more than a flesh wound and only served to make him desperate.

He went after her, his blade flashing furiously at her head. She nimbly dodged and retreated. But he managed to slice her arm, and she grunted with pain.

It burned like fire.

A loud bellow distracted the both of them. Nadia glanced over her shoulder in time to see Mathis barrel down the alley. He ran full speed into the assassin, taking the assassin and himself to the ground.

The assassin was taken by surprise, and his blade fell harmlessly to the side. Nadia kicked it out of his reach as Mathis drew back and landed one blow on the man's face. He was immediately knocked unconscious.

She did not know whether to yell at Mathis or kiss him. She chose the latter.

"Mathis!” She launched herself at him, raining kisses across his face. “I'm so glad you are safe.” She quickly recovered and gave him a stern look. “You should not have followed me."

He ignored her rebuke and pulled away to gaze at her arm in horror. “You're bleeding."

She shrugged aside his concern. “It's just a scratch."

He narrowed his eyes at her before inspecting her wound. “It is definitely more than a scratch.” He embraced her again. “Don't ever do that again."

"What about you?” She put her hands on her hips and glared at him. “What were you thinking coming after us? I told you to stay with Talin."

Mathis rolled his eyes. “There are half a dozen soldiers surrounding my brother. There is no way an enemy could get to him."

"Nevertheless, you should not have followed me.” She put a finger against his chest and poked him hard. “I had the situation well at hand."

By this time, several soldiers joined them. Nadia lifted her chin and once again assumed her role as captain. “Take him to the dungeon. No one is to be allowed in to see him without the prince's approval."

The soldiers rushed to do her bidding

Mathis glanced sidelong at her, but she gave a slight shake of her head.

If her suspicions were correct, and the assassin had been in N'ior for a length of time, he could have accomplices within the city. She would err on the side of caution until the information was relayed to Talin.

Mathis took her injured arm and inspected her wound once more. “You need a surgeon."

She glanced at her arm and blanched. The cut was worse than she thought. Nevertheless, she lifted her chin. “It is not serious."

His eyes narrowed, and he forcibly turned her around and prodded her in the direction of the castle. “It very well could be if infection sets in. Now walk, or would you prefer me to carry you?"

Mathis convinced her to return to the castle, where the prince's own surgeon was fetched to tend to her injuries.

After the cut was cleaned, the surgeon opened his kit. “You will need sutures. Fortunately there will only be five."

Nadia refused the laudanum offered to her and instead took a glass of brandy. She hissed as the needle pierced her tender flesh.

Mathis grabbed hold of her free hand and squeezed.

No amount of argument could convince him to leave the room as the doctor tended her. Thankfully, she'd known the surgeon since she was a little girl, and she could count on him for his discretion.

If he thought it odd that the prince stayed with her, he didn't give away his thoughts. Her father came to check on her as well, but he was called away to meet with the prince and the other advisors.

After the surgeon had gone, she took a final sip of brandy and set aside her glass. She would need her wits about her. “I need to speak with my father and Talin."

Mathis frowned. “Later."

She glared back at him. “Now, Mathis."

He sighed and gave in. “I will come with you."

He led her to the hall where Talin and his advisors had gathered. Nadia was allowed immediate entrance.

Talin strode forward to embrace her. “Nadia, I am happy to see you are unharmed.” His eyes dropped to her bandaged arm. “Well, mostly unharmed. I owe you a large debt of gratitude."

She shrugged aside his thanks. “I suspect the assassin has been at N'ior for several weeks. He was too familiar with the streets to be a stranger. He has been taken to the dungeon."

Nadia knew from the absence of any reaction he'd already come to the same conclusion. She went on to give a detailed account of the assassin's capture, which apparently amused Talin when it came to the part where his brother appeared.

"Mathis fled as if the hounds of hell were at his heels. I am surprised it took him that long to catch up to you."

Mathis’ grin was lopsided. “I took a wrong turn once."

Nadia was still upset with him for following her in the first place. “What of Roarke and his daughter?"

Her father and the prince exchanged a brief glance.

She steeled herself for bad news. “What has happened?"

"In the confusion after the attempted assassination, Roarke fled."

This was indeed bad news. “What of Rowena?"

Talin heaved a sigh. “She claims to have no knowledge of her father's whereabouts. I've sent guards to track him, but I doubt they'll be successful. With so many people crowding the streets, there will not be much to go on."

"And the wedding?” Nadia prompted.

Talin's dark blue eyes turned stormy. “It is to be delayed."

They discussed the situation well into the early evening.

It was Mathis who insisted she go to bed as her eyes drooped. The loss of blood, combined with her efforts that afternoon, had sapped her strength.

She'd thought he would escort her home, but he turned her toward the stairs leading to his chamber. She hesitated, but he urged her forward. “I am not letting you out of my sight tonight. You will sleep in my chambers."

She didn't have the energy to argue, so she allowed him to escort her to his room.

Mathis stripped her of her blood-soaked and mud-splattered gown and removed her slippers. He efficiently washed her face of dirt and removed her hair from its tight confines.

Clad in only a shift, she climbed into his overly large bed and let out a contented sigh.