Daria shakes her head. “You’ve done so much already.”
“Please,” I scoff. “I’ve hardly done enough.”
The clock chimes and I note the time. Soon the sun will press against the horizon, until its light bathes the ground, erasing the darkness and with it, my cover.
“I have to go,” I repeat in a hushed tone, reaching out to drag her in for a hug. My stomach flips as her arms wind around me, squeezing tight. “Don’t forget me, Daria.”
“Never.” She laughs, although it’s a hollow sound.
Pulling away, I make my way to the door off the side of the kitchen, my hand wrapping around the cool brass handle.
“Be safe, my queen,” Daria whispers to my back.
My heart stutters. “I’m no one’s queen. I’m just the one who will burn the crown.”
CHAPTER 2
Tristan
“Tristan!” The childlike voice soars across the courtyard, and I glance up from where I’m lounging against the trunk of the weeping willow, charcoal lining my palms and sketchbook splayed open in my lap. I rub my fingertips on my pant leg, flicking my head to move the strands of hair from my face.
The small boy skips over, stopping when he’s in front of me, his clothing loose and dirty, like he’s been running through the secret underground passages all day.
The ones I’ve shown him.
“Hello, little lion,” I say, amusement tiptoeing its way through my insides.
His face splits into a grin, his amber eyes sparkling, a sheen of sweat causing his light-brown skin to glisten. “Hi. What’re you doing?” He peers down into my lap.
I straighten, closing the book. “Drawing.”
“For your arms?” He nods toward my tattoos, hidden beneath my long-sleeve tunic, the dark ink peeking through the cream fabric.
The corner of my lips tilts up. “Perhaps.”
“Mama says those things make you a disgrace.” He lowers his voice and leans in so close his nose almost brushes against my forearm.
Disgust rolls through me at the fact that a scullery maid assumes she has any right to speak my name.
I tilt my head. “And what do you think?”
“Me?” He straightens, his teeth sinking into his lower lip.
“You can tell me.” I lean forward. “I’m very good at keeping secrets.”
His eyes sparkle. “I think I want some too.”
My brow quirks. “Only the bravest little lions can have them.”
“I’m brave.” His chest puffs out.
“Well then.” I nod. “When you get a little older, if you still feel the same, you come see me.”
“Simon!” a woman’s voice hisses as she runs forward, her gaze growing wide as she looks between us. She stops short when she approaches, her black skirt dusting the ground as she drops into a deep curtsy. “Your Highness, I apologize if he’s bothering you.”
My jaw tics, irritation bubbling in the center of my gut. “I wasn’t bothered until just now.”
“See, Mama? Tristan likes me,” Simon says.
She gasps, reaching out while still in a curtsy and gripping her son’s arm tight. “Address him appropriately, Simon.”
“Why? You never do.” His forehead scrunches.
Her shoulders grow taut.
My stomach burns, my hand trailing along my brow bone, feeling the thin line of raised flesh that runs from my hairline to just above my cheek.
She needn’t worry about voicing what we both know she calls me. It’s what everyone calls me, although never to my face. They’re all far too cowardly for that. Instead, they speak it in secret, their whispers soaking into the stone walls until even the silence suffocates me with its judgment.
“Tristan is fine, little lion.” I stand, brushing off my pants as I do. “But only in private. Wouldn’t want the others to get any ideas.”
“Simon,” his mother snaps. “Go back to our quarters. Now.”
He glances at her and then at me. I give a slight nod and he smirks. “Bye, Your Highness.”
Spinning around, he runs off.
His mother stays in her crouched position, head bowed, until a loud commotion at the front gates has her rising and turning toward the noise. I step in close, my hand reaching out to cup her cheek and turn her face back, the small slivers of muted sun peeking through the clouds and glinting off the silver of my rings.
“Kara,” I purr, my fingertips stroking against her silky, dark skin.
She sucks in a breath as our gazes lock.