Ruined (Ruined, #1)(14)

“Spin,” he said, lifting their hands. She did a quick spin. When she placed her hand on his shoulder again, her eyes blazed with a fire that made him want to pull her closer.

He moved faster, quietly giving her some of the steps under his breath. He realized too late she was going the wrong way, and instead of letting her crash right into him, he tightened the arm around her waist and whisked her off the ground. He spun around, placing her on the ground again, and the people around them all clapped like it had been planned.

She gave him a grateful smile, her steps more confident as they continued dancing.

“I noticed you ignored my suggestion yesterday,” he said softly. “For the Union Battle.”

“I thought it might be a trap.”

“A trap?”

“Yes. Like part of the tradition was trying to steer me to the easy choice, to see if I took it.”

He laughed softly. “You’re not terribly trusting, are you?”

“No.”

He moved his hand from her back as he spun her, then returned it. He wasn’t sure what to say to that.

“It wasn’t a trap, then?” she asked.

“Of course not.” He stole a quick glance at his parents. “My father would be furious if he knew I helped you. It’s not allowed.”

“Oh.”

“You clearly didn’t need any help, though.”

“No.” Her fingers curled around his shoulder. “Thank you, though.”

“You’re welcome.” He looked down at her to find her lips slowly curving up. It was the first genuine smile he’d seen from her, and by far his favorite. That smile held secrets he desperately wanted to know.

She nodded at the musicians, and then the crowd as the song ended. They burst into applause, his mother beaming as she stood and clapped.

Cas offered Mary his arm, and she took it. A piece of hair had fallen loose and brushed against her shoulder, and he was struck by the sudden urge to push it behind her ear.

She cocked her head, her gaze on something in front of them. She took in a sharp breath.

Cas turned just in time to see the blade as it sank into his flesh.





SIX


EM’S FIRST THOUGHT was What luck!

This man with a sword was going to kill Prince Casimir, and she didn’t have to do a thing but stand there and watch. She wouldn’t even have to worry about the wedding night.

Her second thought, however, was for her plan. If Cas died, she would be sent back to Vallos, and Jovita would be named as the next heir. She would accomplish nothing if Cas died tonight.

The man pulled his sword out of Cas’s left shoulder as screams ripped through the ballroom. Cas stumbled backward, his arm slipping out of hers. The man aimed his sword straight for Cas’s heart. The prince was unarmed and blinking as if in a daze, blood dripping from his fingertips. He clearly wasn’t used to being attacked.

The situation was this: one man with a sword, at least twenty members of the guard already running toward them, and—most importantly—her. Easy.

Em lunged for the man. She was plenty used to being attacked. This felt like home.

She launched her foot into the man’s knee seconds before his blade could find its mark. He stumbled, his sword lurching to the side and missing Cas entirely. He spun toward her and she slammed her fist into his face, using her other hand to wrench the sword out of his hand.

He dove for her, but three members of the guard were behind him suddenly, pulling him back. Aren was one of them, and he gave Em a wide-eyed look that was either approval or confusion.

“Cas! Cas!” the queen screeched as she flew past Em. Cas was on his knees, his hand to his shoulder. His gray coat hid most of the blood, but a small pool had collected on the floor as it dripped down his arm. He’d gone pale.

Hands wrapped around Em’s arms, holding tighter when she tried to jerk away.

“We need to take you to safety, Your Highness,” a guard said, pulling on her arms. Two others closed in around her.

She glanced over her shoulder at Cas as they dragged her away, but people swarmed around the prince, hiding him from view.

Please don’t die, she prayed. Not yet.

The guards delivered her to her room, closing and locking the door behind them. All three stood stiffly in front of the door, hands clasped behind their backs.

Pain shot through the hand she’d used to punch the man, but she ignored it. “I want to go see if Cas is all right.”

The tallest guard shook his head. “I’m sorry, Your Highness. Procedure dictates that we keep you here until they’ve made sure the castle is safe.”

“Does this happen often?” she asked, surprised. She’d been under the impression that Lera was the safest of the four kingdoms. They’d beaten everyone else down to make sure of it.

“We have procedures outlined for all possible situations,” the guard said.

That wasn’t an answer, which was interesting.

“Do you know who that was?” she asked. “Why did he want to kill Cas?”

“I’m sorry, Your Highness, I wouldn’t know. He’ll be questioned soon.”

Em walked to her bed, hopping onto the mattress as she frowned in thought. She didn’t know who would want to kill the prince. Well, besides her.

Long minutes ticked by, and Em moved from the bed to the window, and back again. It was at least an hour before the door finally opened.