Shattering Dreams Read online

  Alex swallowed. Tearing his attention away from Amelia, he grinned briefly at Kyle before his eyes tracked back to his sister.

  “You were amazing, Amelia. I knew you could fight, but I didn’t realise you were that good. You are comparable to Kyle, and he is one of the best swordsmen in the Realm.” Alex sighed and his smile turned self-depreciating. “If only I could display even half that skill with a sword.”

  Alex cleared his throat, turning his gaze back to Kyle. “Now, I believe we all have a state dinner to get ready for since Joshua has just shown up looking flustered and he never comes here unless I’m late for something. You’ll be attending tonight, Marcus?”

  “That I will be, Your Highness, along with James, so we’ll take our leave to go and get ready, with your permission?”

  Alex nodded his approval and Marcus bowed. He and James dashed off, only waiting long enough to make sure Alex’s security detail was trailing along behind the Prince as he and his companions made their way back to their rooms. Kyle grinned, noticing that Amelia and Jess had turned to each other and were in an animated discussion about fighting styles as they all walked to the exit of the training ground.

  7

  A Separation

  Jessalan sat, her own green eyes gazing back at her calmly as she inspected her appearance in the mirror. Laura, her maid, put the finishing touches on her hair. It always amazed her that Laura and the other girls she commanded, when the occasion warranted it, succeeded in transforming her from a ‘wild hellion’, as some called her, to a ‘Lady’ in such a short space of time.

  In a strange twist, it was the women born to the middle ranks in society who seemed to have more choice in what they did or wore—even their profession, if they chose to have one. There were even women in the King’s Guard; granted, not too many, but they were shown the same respect as their male counterparts. Jessalan grinned. She knew that was, in part, because the guards in question were capable of beating common sense into anyone who thought otherwise.

  As a Lady of the Realm, however, Jessalan knew that while people knew by birth she would have skill with a blade, many expected that she would have guards and a Lord husband to do all the dirty work for her. The fact that she trained in swordsmanship with Alex and Kyle, rather than in needlework with Elizabeth, was well known and frowned upon in the court. One of the ladies of the court had muttered to her current conquest how ‘unseemly’ Jessalan was.

  However, she was given a wide berth by most, due to her association with the Royal Family—in particular Alex and Kyle. Alex may be the youngest of the King’s children, but his word was still treated as law, with only the King or his eldest brother, Crown Prince William, able to countermand his will. That, and the court was becoming aware that Kyle was proficient at combat. While people muttered ‘unseemly’ or ‘hellion’ when she walked past, these days people stepped back to give room when Kyle walked past them. Kyle was a Lord. He could more or less do as he pleased.

  But Jessalan knew that they called him one thing when they were sure he wasn’t close enough to hear it: ‘The Shadow’. The more perceptive or knowledgeable in the court were right: Lord Kyle was death on two feet if he chose to be, a real descendent of the legend, the original Shadow of the Fourth. Kyle was always at his prince’s side, his best friend and likely to be the blade in the darkness that would kill for Alex if necessary.

  Of course, the original Shadow of the Fourth, Lady Leanna Katrina Shaddin, had been a street urchin, thief and assassin in training. That was before she’d taken to following Prince Edward around and became known as his ‘shadow’. A legend grew around the pair, a legend that persisted to this day. Kyle may not have grown up on the streets as his ancestor had, but he was developing the same hard edge coupled with a sense of duty and friendship.

  Jessalan heard a familiar voice in her outer rooms before her door unceremoniously opened, and her Aunt Elena sailed in with a satisfied smile, appraising Jessalan’s dark green dress threaded with silver, hair, makeup and the necklace that Laura was just placing around her neck, which matched her earrings and bracelet. Laura closed the clasp then stepped back and sank into a graceful curtsey.

  “My Lady.” Laura rose at a gesture from Jessalan.

  “Thank you, Laura, you’ve outdone yourself. That will be all until after tonight’s festivities. I’ll ring for you when I’m done.” Jessalan waited until Laura withdrew, then rose gracefully and kissed her Aunt Elena on the cheek.

  “You look so grim, Aunt Elena. I’ve been good the last couple of days, so unless the court is gossiping about my training session today, I cannot think what I’ve done.”

  Jessalan smiled at her aunt, knowing that the other reason she was left alone was that her estimable aunt was a lady in her right, married to Lord Thomas Hopkins’ close friend, and advisor to the King.

  Lady Elena sighed, “I thought I should warn you, dear, your parents have shown up at court intending to join in the progression this year and will be at the dinner tonight. I do not imagine that your father will be any trouble, but your mother … well you know her, dear. The gossips in court have been beating her door down to tell her about you, and I’m afraid she will try to drag you back to your father’s estate.” Elena hugged her for a moment before pulling back again. “I’ve kept her off our table since we are hosting some higher ranking Heights Protectorate Delegation members that couldn’t fit on the High Table, but after the dinner, all bets are off. Please try not to get into a fight with her in the great hall.” She paused. “Not even I could brush away you killing your mother in the grand hall in front of everyone.” The last, Lady Elena delivered with a smile, although she was only half joking. She well knew that Jessalan and her mother did not get on.

  Jessalan groaned. “Ah, powers, aunt. Couldn’t we say I’m sick and have the physicians say no one is allowed near me till after they are gone?” Only long years of training at being a ‘Lady’ stopped Jessalan from slumping with defeat as her aunt shook her head.

  “I’m sorry, dear. You must attend. Your absence will be noticed by the court if you do not. Now, come along. It’s time we all took our places. It wouldn’t do for us to arrive after the Royal Family.” Lady Elena gave Jessalan a quick hug of support.

  “Aunt Elena, does my mother know about the Taint?”

  Jess had always wondered what her mother suspected. She knew her father knew of it and it was one of the many reasons he’d agreed for her to be sent here to court as a small child.

  Aunt Elena smiled a little sadly. “I’m not sure how much your mother is aware of, Jess. Neither your father nor I want to know what she’d do if she found out. That was one reason I persuaded Colin to let you come here, where you would at least have companions of similar ability, access to the best healers and the safety of the Royal Family. Now come, or we’ll be late.”

  Elena turned, walking them both to the outer rooms to meet up with Uncle Thomas to attend the banquet.

  Jessalan smiled, lifting her glass in salute toward Alex, who was a wonder of wonders sitting with his family at the High Table, every inch of him the prince. Alex grinned at her and raised his glass, dipping his head in acknowledgement before taking a sip in time with her own. Kyle, who sat at the next table, caught the exchange, shook his head and, grinning, took a sip.

  This end of the great banquet hall contained the most influential members of the court. Jessalan knew her mother must be simmering, thinking she’d been slighted. Her mother, who sat at one of the last tables toward the rear of the hall, had been glaring at her most of the evening, but protocol dictated that she stay at her assigned table.

  Jessalan’s attention was brought back to the table with a discreet clearing of the throat from her dining companion.

  “So, is it accurate what people say, My Lady Jessalan, you are acquainted with the King’s youngest child, Prince Alexander?”

  Jessalan looked toward Lord Bennett Waterhouse and saw nothing but polite interest in his expression, although she r
ealised he was digging for information, as he had been all night. Abruptly, she felt her smile freeze as she caught a surge she associated with those who bore the Taint or the Sundered, reinforcing her own mental barriers just before the probe cut off. This was more controlled than she’d ever known the Sundered ones to be.

  Jess threw back her drink, pausing as a hovering waiter filled it for her, and she caught an amused glance from her uncle. He had caught the exchange and thought her reaction was due to Lord Waterhouse pestering her. Jess looked across at the lord and smiled. Her gaze scanned the dining room, trying to find the source of the surge, yet as quickly as she’d sensed it, it had cut off again. She turned her attention back to the heights delegate and his probing questions.

  “Lord Waterhouse, of course I know Prince Alexander. I’ve spent most of my life here in the palace staying with my aunt and uncle. How could I fail to have met Alex in all this time?”

  Jessalan caught herself before she could let her manners slip again and drained the contents of her glass. Instead, she sipped it, as she was supposed to. Jess wished the King would finish his last mouthful and signal that they could all retire to the grand ballroom. At least there she could escape the attention of her dining partner.

  She saw Lord Waterhouse muster himself and smile at her deflection but was saved from further conversation as the King and members of the High Table stood, bringing an end to the banquet, and led the way to the ballroom.

  Jessalan’s stomach clenched; she hoped her mother’s common sense would prevail and that she would keep her distance. At least for the evening. Standing as the server pulled her chair clear, Jess swept along with the courtiers to the ballroom in the King’s wake, putting others between her and Lord Waterhouse as she exited the dining room.

  Jess breathed a sigh as the usual throng of courtiers attempted to gain her attention. Looking around, she tried to see where her parents had ended up, having lost sight of them during the exit from the dining hall. Jessalan’s back stiffened as her mother’s unmistakable voice came from behind her.

  “We’re leaving now Jessalan, so get ready. You’re coming with us.”

  Jessalan could see the astounded look on the faces of the courtiers that stood near her as she stumbled when her mother grabbed her arm and hauled her around to face her. Jessalan froze, shocked that her mother had dared to use violence in the grand ballroom. The King may have gone into conference with the leaders of the Heights Delegation, but until he departed, violence against a member of the court could mean a death sentence.

  Her mother shook her. “Did you understand me, girl? You’re coming with us.”

  Jessalan took a breath, taking stock of the approaching guards and worse, both Alex and Kyle making their way across the room in her direction. Jessalan wrenched her arm free of her mother’s grasp and straightened, eyeing her mother coolly.

  “Calm yourself, mother. This is not the place for this discussion. The King has guests and is still present at the ball.” Jessalan winced at her mother’s outraged expression.

  “Do you think I haven’t heard all about your gallivanting around? I sent you to the palace to turn you into a lady, not a common harlot.” The volume of her mother’s voice rose as she spoke.

  Her mother raised her hand to slap her face, but Jessalan blocked reflexively before attempting to turn away, outraged that her mother would dare not only to grab her but to strike her.

  To Jessalan’s dismay, her mother grabbed her arm again, trying to shake her. When that failed, she once more drew her hand back to slap her. But before she could, she let out a gasp. The ballroom fell silent. The rustle of clothing, of people curtseying and bowing gave way to perfect silence, as all stopped to watch the figure who had walked up behind her.

  “Lady Barraclough, assault a lady of this court in my presence, and you will find yourself in the deepest dungeon I can find to throw you in, no matter who your husband is. Even if the lady in question is your daughter.” The King’s voice was cold as he gazed at the now frozen scene in front of him.

  She paled, looking guiltily at her raised hand. She dropped Jessalan’s arm before sinking into a curtsey. Silence held until her mother finally realised that the King was waiting for an answer.

  “Your Majesty. I was just …”

  Jessalan curtsied gracefully and moved to stand with Alex and Kyle at a gesture from the King, who cut her mother off.

  “Enough. I could hear your screeching from the conference room. Lord Barraclough, your lady is overwhelmed by her visit to the court. You have my permission to return her to your estate. I’m not sure it would be prudent for her health for her to visit again without my permission. Ease your mind. Lady Jessalan is under my protection. Any who seek to harm her will be dealt with in the same fashion as they would were they to hurt my own child.”

  The King didn’t wait for the quick thanks before addressing his next comments to the ever-present Karl, hovering in the background.

  “Assist Lady Jessalan to move to one of the suites in the family wing and make sure some elite are assigned to her security details.”

  The King turned then stopped with a sigh. Looking at Kyle, he added, “Move, Lord Kyle. We might as well have all three of them in the same place to make things easier on us all.”

  With that, the King turned, a slight smile lingering on his lips at the stunned looks on the face of his youngest child and his two childhood friends. He walked past them, back toward the conference room

  Jessalan watched as her mother and father were escorted out of the ballroom, recognising the moment that had just passed was a crossroad in her life. She felt a tremble wash through her and realised that the entire court was still frozen, watching. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Lord Waterhouse shake himself free and move forward to offer sympathy. Suppressing a groan, she lay a hand on Alex’s chest, stepping into his arms.

  To her relief, Alex was not only sober but willing to play the game. He pulled her into his arms, his lips brushing against her forehead as he pulled her close, apparently unaware of the surrounding courtiers. Yet she felt the veil surge as he scanned the people around them.

  “It’s all right, My Lady. You are safe. I would lay waste to an entire kingdom to protect you.”

  His whisper, although seemingly just to her, was loud enough to carry across the ballroom. Unerringly, his eyes lifted and held those of the now frozen Lord Waterhouse, who swallowed before allowing some of his companions to pull him back into their midst.

  Jessalan felt another hand on her shoulder and looked up to see William, who looked concerned, although she could see the amusement in his eyes.

  William addressed her, his voice soft, “The Heights Delegate cannot be that boorish?”

  Jessalan suppressed a laugh. “You do not understand, William. He’s been very persistent and trying to pump me for information all night.”

  William’s own expression hardened as he turned and saw the lord, who blanched at the combined death stares in his direction from Alex, Kyle and now William. William’s gaze moved back, flicked to Alex, noting the dark rings under his eyes. Kyle looked like he wanted to skewer someone and Jess was clearly upset about her mother’s actions but trying to hide it.

  “Go, take the night off, I’ll explain to father. Just try not to get into too much trouble.”

  William straightened. Turning to walk back to the conference room, he paused on the way, talking to the guards. His voice was low enough that she couldn’t hear what he said, yet his glance back at them made it obvious that he was giving instructions. Jess laughed despite herself. It was rare for William to give them all a leave pass to head into town and party, particularly since he was the one who was woken first if they got into trouble.

  Jess looked at William as his face closed down to his polite, formal mask. Jess tracked his gaze over toward his brother, Daniel, who was standing talking to an old man wearing a scholar’s robe.

  “What’s wrong, William, who is that man?” Je
ss took the couple of steps to William’s side, placing her hand lightly on his arm.

  Jess frowned; she’d been at court long enough to recognise most who attended the court on sight. Both Alex and Kyle closed the small gap between them and looked past her toward Daniel and the scholar, yet neither showed any recognition.

  William shook his head. “No one. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him and I’m surprised he would show up here at court.” William paused and seemed to choose his words carefully. “He was one of our tutors; he was dismissed from service a long time ago. His beliefs were not in accordance with the crown, yet he still tried to indoctrinate them into us. I doubt you would remember him, Alex. All of you go, get out of here before I change my mind.”

  Daniel caught his brother’s attention just before he entered the conference room. He took William’s arm and they moved a couple of steps away from the group surrounding Daniel. The brothers talked briefly. William looked irritated at the interruption and his chin jerked in their direction as he and Daniel spoke, so Jess gathered they were the subject of the conversation. William broke away from Daniel and, noticing that she was watching, he smiled and gestured at the three of them, a little flicking motion with his hands before William turned and entered the conference room, the door closing behind him.

  Daniel continued to stare in their direction for a moment, lost in thought. Then, suddenly aware that he was being watched, he raised his glass in salute, made a brief comment to the guards and returned his attention to the old scholar. Jess turned, looking from Alex to Kyle.

  “Well, we have permission, which is rare. I need out of here. Join me?”