Chapter 369: The Princess and Her Shadows

Chapter 368: The Princess and Her Shadows

Jacinta sat before the hearth in her private chambers, one hand resting lightly upon the arm of her chair.

A smile played upon her lips.

The fire crackled softly, sending a pleasant warmth through the room and casting long shadows against the walls. Yet the warmth she felt had little to do with the flames.

Everything had gone precisely as she had hoped.

Her mother would see to it that Lyria suffered.

The spawn would be reminded of her place.

And, if matters proceeded as Jacinta intended, the commoners would soon be reminded of theirs.

She leaned back against the chair and allowed herself a small, delighted laugh.

It had been a most satisfying night.

"How very gratifying." She muttered to herself.

At that moment, a faint sound came from the window.

Her smile faded immediately the latch shifted and the window opened.

Jacinta’s wolf senses caught the familiar scent before the intruder had even stepped fully into the chamber. She did not turn at once.

She knew precisely who it was.

She allowed the silence to linger for several seconds before speaking.

"What do you think you are doing?"

The movement stopped.

Corvin blinked.

He had apparently expected a warmer reception.

"I beg your pardon, Your Highness?"

Jacinta turned slowly in her chair.

"What are you doing in my chambers?"

His brow furrowed.

"I... came to see you."

"That much is obvious."

She rose and Corvin straightened immediately.

"I come most nights, Your Highness."

Jacinta stared at him.

The sheer stupidity of the statement almost amused her.

"Yes," she said quietly. "And apparently you have forgotten that you are required to knock before you enter."

Corvin lowered his eyes.

"My apologies, Your Highness."

Though if he was being honest he never knocked.

She crossed the room and before he could say anything further, her hand struck his cheek.

The sound cracked sharply through the chamber.

Corvin staggered half a step.

His hand rose instinctively to the reddening skin.

For a moment, he merely stared at her.

The sting was familiar.

It was the same cheek Duke Valenridge had struck during the competition.

Jacinta’s expression hardened.

"Do you know what you have done?"

Corvin swallowed.

"No, Your Highness."

"Then you are even more foolish than I believed."

He remained silent.

"I praised you to the Queen," Jacinta continued. "I assured her that you were a capable fighter. I told her that you would make short work of Duke Valenridge."

Her lips curled.

"And what did you accomplish?"

Corvin lowered his gaze.

"I regret that I failed to meet Your Highness’s expectations."

"Failed?" She laughed softly shaking her head. "You were humiliated."

Corvin’s jaw tightened.

"Your Highness, if I may—"

"You may not."

He immediately fell silent.

Jacinta stepped closer.

"Everyone saw you."

"I am aware."

"The entire arena watched Duke Valenridge dismantle you as though you were some inexperienced recruit."

Corvin’s hands tightened at his sides.

"Had I been informed of his abilities beforehand, I should have been better prepared."

Jacinta arched an eyebrow.

"Is that your defence?"

"No, Your Highness. Merely an explanation."

"An explanation."

She tasted the word as though it were distasteful.

"The only men whose abilities were brought to my attention," Corvin continued carefully, "were Duke Aurelgrave, Earl Hawthorne, Duke Silverwyn, Duke Thorncrest, Duke Frostmere, and Count Greystone. I was given no indication that Duke Valenridge possessed such proficiency."

Jacinta gave a dismissive wave.

"That hardly absolves you."

"No, Your Highness."

"And even had you known? Would you have won?" She asked him.

He chose his next words carefully.

"I cannot say with certainty."

She smiled coldly.

"At least you have enough sense not to lie."

Corvin’s jaw tightened.

"From what I witnessed today," Jacinta continued, "I rather suspect you would have suffered the same humiliation regardless. Duke Valenridge is not an ordinary swordsman. There was something exceedingly deliberate about the manner in which he fought."

She turned away.

"You simply failed to account for it."

Jacinta waved her hand.

"Fortunately, the matter is concluded. We shall simply await the next competition."

She glanced over her shoulder.

"Perhaps by then, you shall find a way to avoid embarrassing yourself."

"Yes, Your Highness." He said.

A brief silence followed.

Then Corvin spoke again.

"May I inquire after Princess Lyria?"

Jacinta’s expression changed.

"Why?"

"I heard there was an altercation between Your Highness and the princess."

Jacinta laughed at that.

"An altercation? That is a generous description." She said. "The spawn has apparently mistaken the title placed upon her head for genuine standing. She spoke before the entire gathering as though she possessed some authority of her own. But she has been dealt with."

Corvin nodded.

"Then she deserved it."

Jacinta’s eyes gleamed.

"Indeed she did."

She moved toward the mirror, smoothing one hand over the front of her gown.

"Besides, it changes nothing. At the conclusion of this competition, the Goddess will confirm me as the Moon of the kingdom." Her reflection smiled back at her.

"And once that happens, I shall reign over all."

She turned slowly, allowing the skirts of her gown to sweep elegantly around her.

Corvin smiled.

"You sound very certain, Your Highness."

"I am certain."

He approached her then, Jacinta allowed him to come close, but when he leaned down to kiss her, she placed a hand against his face and pushed him away.

"That mark makes you look positively dreadful." She told him.

Corvin’s hand went instinctively to his cheek.

"Your Highness—"

"And after today’s performance, I am hardly inclined to reward you." She said.

He stared at her.

"I did as I was instructed."

Jacinta’s eyes hardened.

"No. You attempted what you were instructed to do." She closed the distance between them. "And you failed."

Corvin lowered his head.

"I apologise."

"Your apology is of little use to me."

Corvin remained standing.

After a moment, he spoke.

"Is there something else Your Highness requires of me?"

Jacinta smiled.

"There is." She told him. "I require you to remove those who may prove troublesome to my family."

Corvin’s expression became more serious.

"May I ask whom Your Highness has in mind?"

"No."

He hesitated.

"Then how am I to know whom I am expected to—"

Jacinta looked at him.

"Find out."

Corvin bowed immediately.

"Of course, Your Highness."

She leaned close enough that her breath brushed his ear.

"Do not disappoint me again."

"I shall endeavour not to."

She smiled.

"See that you do."

Corvin turned toward the window.

He climbed through the window and disappeared into the darkness.

Jacinta watched until he was gone.

Then she adjusted her clothes as she moved to the bed when the window opened once more.

This time, she did not frown.

Her entire expression changed.

The coldness vanished.

A genuine smile illuminated her features as she rose.

The newcomer stepped into the chamber and she crossed the room without hesitation.

She slipped her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately.

When they finally parted, she rested her forehead against his.

"I have been waiting for you," she whispered.

It seemed Corvin was not the only one who had been sharing the princess’s bed.