Westfield:320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMh9mFaZoFl
She looked so small and fragile in my arms. But I had pulled dagger sharp pins from her hair, been pinned down by her legs. She had played with me, strung out my emotions to look at them. I felt like my being had been turned into a harp, allowing her to play me as she wished. Was this another ploy? A way to get under my guard. All in four days.
I looked down at her, those large doe eyes piercing mine with such vulnerability I felt tears prickle behind my eyelids.
“Is this another trick for me to reveal secrets?” I whispered, “a heart to heart that you come out on top?”
She shook her head, her hair coming out around her face as she moved back. Her body language had changed, the controlled edge to it had faded into a thin line.
“No.” She said, “this is no trick. But you will explain some things to me.” Her composure had returned, the edge to her wit slowly sharpening.
“What I tell you now must be kept in the upmost secrecy. This is more for your safety than mine – and I would loath to lose you.” The honest comment seemed to surprise her, turning her head to the side as she considered it. I waited, fearful of interrupting her and losing this moment of honesty. My own secrets rose to the moment, wanting to match her vulnerability. But the lives at stake kept my mouth firmly shut.
“My family is unusual in the sense that they usually marry their daughters to the second born sons of wealthy families.” She said, “however with the current King, my family was not eager to publicly link themselves with families with such fickle loyalties.”
“What are you telling me?” I asked, “that Westfield was chosen because we are a border province?”
“Partly. And because, I am their heir.”
I frowned, knowing she had a brother who had been chosen to be a war chief in the King’s army. Was she saying he was dead? She sighed, rubbing her eyes.
“I’m doing this wrong.” She mumbled, “It is as though when I strip back the characters’ I play I cannot explain things in my words.” She reached behind her head to the pins in her hair. She took out five pins, each razor sharp. She reached into her bodice and pulled out a small throwing knife. She reached under her dress and pulled out two daggers, pulling up the skirts to reveal the garrotte clipped around her thigh. She placed all the weapons gently on the space between us. My eyes widened, knowing with certainly she could kill me if she wished.
She took off her gloves, flipping them over so I could see her hands. The callouses there were healed but raised. They were smooth like sanded wood, but there was no doubt her hands belonged to a warrior. “Since I was a little girl,” she said quietly, “I have been taught how to handle swords, throwing knives and a bow. I can scale buildings, know the art of stealth, potion and poison making. Hamish taught me most of my weapons experience.”
I ignored the flare of jealousy and continued looking at her hands, taking them in my own.
“Your family… the Elwood House. They’re….”
“My family have had many names, each matriarch marrying into powerful families. But my line is known in whispers, murmured as the boogieman in thieves’ guilds and as warnings in bandit camps. We have been a myth and a reality. All lawbreakers know our mark and fear it – the Mother of Darkness welcomes her children into her wings.”
Fear, real fear creeped up my spine, however I refused to let this woman go. She had been given to me, and I would damn hell to keep her. “The Black Swans.” I whispered. They were said to be death’s true servants, winged wraiths that runs under every society of the country. “I would not believe it, and yet, it sings true to me.”
She nodded slowly, “I cannot tell you much more. Only that The Black Swans are not evil – they are portrayed to be. Secrecy made us killers, but it also makes us saviours. My mother was the one who had set plans in place before the coup started. She had made a way for the Princess to escape.”
I could see the pride she held in her family, the unapologetic expression on her face. I reached for her, cupping her face in my hand. “You are saying some very dangerous things.” I whispered, “why tell me? Why not lie to me?”
“Because none would be believable,” she replied wryly, “a disarmed assassin is just a girl.”
“I highly doubt that in your case.” I replied with a smirk.
“I told you who I was before.” She said shyly, “you did not respond how most would.”
“You drugged me.” I stated, folding my arms, “so much for trust.” I smiled so she could see there was no sting in my words. “What did I say? Must have been well spoken seeing as you tell me now with no potion in sight.”
She drew her knees up, leaning against one of the armchairs. “You said…” She looked away.
“Fighting with myself is a novel experience.” I reflected, reaching over to turn her head in my direction.
“You said you would still marry me.” She replied, as though she was uttering a secret.
I leaned back, shocked that this amazed her. What other action could I take? Who would she be for me to see her as a monster? I am no different.
Murderer. Traitor. Imposter.
I shivered as she looked at me, her piercing gaze running through me. She was all I wanted. She was all I asked for. “Madelaine,” I said, meeting her open gaze, “I’m –”
A knock sounded on the door, making us both jump. I turned from the door to the lady, all her weapons once again hidden. The soundproof door sounded again, only this time in a serious of knocks.
“Enter William.” I said, moving to my feet and helping Madelaine to hers. He entered, blinking at us as he studied us. His observant nature saw her crinkled dress, my ruffled clothing. He asked a silent question and I shook my head, knowing how it seemed. Madelaine also seemed to understand, frowning, and crossing her arms at him. William shrugged, ending our silent conversation with, “the Wolf Pack is waving a green flag.”
“Communication flag.” I said, “though not white for surrender.”
“Indeed.” William agreed, again watching Madelaine. He knew she was a threat and feared for my safety. No one else had seen through her clever and beautiful façade, charmed by her presence. But he had been there when the bandits attacked, had said any normal lady would be dead before a thief’s blade. Yet not a scratch was on the lady, nor was there real fear from her captain. A captain who knew his lady could protect herself if needs be. I knew he feared I was blinded, and yet I could not help that her prowess only strengthened my desire.
“Let us see what they want.” I said, glancing at Madelaine. “Send word that we shall meet tomorrow morning, so you have time to prepare.” William bowed, taking his leave.
Madelaine looked at me, rising an eyebrow. “Well, this conversation shall be on hold until after this disturbance.”
“I expect you shall be hidden somewhere, so I look forward to your thoughts.” I replied dryly.
She curtsied, gracefully rising, and looking up at me with a smirk, “as you wish my lord.”
She moved to walk past me, reaching for the handle.
“Madelaine,” I said, forcing her to turn back to look at me, “I want you to know that I’m glad you told me. And whatever it is I said in that jail – that I’m sure it hasn’t changed.”
She smiled a cunning smile, “oh,” she said, “I wouldn’t be so quick to agree to that.”
Hamish:320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJPzlfINBz
“She’s going to tell him.” Sarah said, materialising on the steps below me. I walked past her, wanting to get to get out into the open air. My chest restricted, a dull throbbing building in my ears.
“Are you going to sulk like a little boy, Ham?” she asked me, easily keeping pace.
“What do you want me to say Kitty?” I asked her. Her real codename still sent a shiver down my spine. I remembered when I met her, feeling very much like the rat in the cat situation. Few people made my stomach turn, but Sarah was one of them. There was something feral under the layers of loyalty and piled masks she wore. If Madelaine ever let her loose, I pitied the poor creature that would meet her. Sarah would enjoy the stalking and killing, the toying with her prey.
She shrugged, “last time you sulked you made a spectacle of yourself. I’m just here to make sure you’re not so foolish.”
“A bodyguard for a bodyguard?” I asked, walking out into the courtyard. Before my eyes she seemed to shrink, sinking into the maid’s clothes she wore. Her body language changed, becoming a scatterbrained girl who marvelled up at me with girlish admiration. But the voice that came out of that body was still the intelligent Black Swan, though a note of kindness crept into the tone.
“A friend for a friend.” She promised before slipping away.
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