Fallen Grace (The Death Dealer Book 1) Read Free Page B

others milling about outside her room.
    She crossed the room and unlocked one of her trunks. The black jerkin and hood looked back at her. She pulled out the hood and put it over her left hand, her sword hand. “You have already become a legend,” she whispered to the hood. The empty eye holes stared back at her. “How does that make you feel?”
    A loud rap at the door caused Grace to jump. Footsteps she hadn’t even heard approached her quarters. She quickly stashed the hood back into her trunk and slammed the lid shut. “Come in,” she called to the knocker.
    The plump frame of Cassandra opened the door, much to Grace’s relief. Her maid was a young woman of nineteen, with a noticeable fondness for sweets. Still, Cassandra had a soft face with a perfect nose and stunning hazel eyes. Her auburn locks were pulled into a tasteful and practical bun. “Milady, they are calling for everyone to come down to the feast. The King had it specially prepared for the knights on the eve of the tournament. Calvin sent me to find you and yet here you are, unready to go. You’re going to be late.”
    Grace let out a groan she tried hard to suppress. Cassandra looked at her lady and shook her head. She knew Grace Hilren better than anyone, which meant she knew what Grace wanted to do rather than feast at the King’s table.
    Cassandra softly closed the chamber door and moved closer so Grace would hear her whisper. “There will be plenty of time for that later. Right now you are expected at the feast, and there is no time to change into proper dinner attire. You will just have to go as you are.”
    Cassandra gave Grace a once-over. The girl had not even bothered to put her hair up. Her dark blonde locks fell past her shoulders, and it looked as though Grace hadn’t even taken the time to brush them out since waking up. Her simple dress was forest green with a faded gold trim. The other women of the court would look at young Grace as though she were little more than a servant, but there was no time to change her look. Cassandra blamed herself. If she hadn’t been taking in the castle, she would have seen to it that Grace was getting ready for the feast.
    “Brush your hair, at least.”
    Grace scoffed and grabbed her brush off the dresser. A few brush strokes made a world of difference. She looked less like a vagabond now. Cassandra took out a sash made to match Grace’s dress. “Put your arms up.” Cassandra tied the sash around her lady’s waist and arranged it as best she could. “Say it’s all the fashion in Arganis. Hurry up – your cousin is waiting for you so he may escort you to dinner.”
    ~*~*~
    Calvin looked as though he belonged among the court nobles. His light brown hair was cut short and combed neatly, mirroring the style of most of the other young men at court. He was full of pride for his role as knight and he moved about with ease; making small talk where it was needed. His tunic was a rich blue color, and he displayed the silver hawk of Arganis proudly on his chest as he greeted the other nobles. Grace clung to his arm and allowed him to lead her to dinner. She never thought her cousin was one for such social gatherings, but it appeared now that perhaps he did belong here. On the other hand, she looked nothing like the other ladies. Calvin may have the ability to blend in, but she lacked such a talent. Grace wasn’t interested in any of this anyway. She hoped Calvin would allow her to leave as soon as the feast was over.
    “Young Calvin of Arganis?” An older woman snaked through the crowd and stopped before Grace and Calvin. Grace immediately disliked her. Her eyes were condescending as she looked at Grace. Her smile was fake and her tone of voice made Grace think one word: patronizing. The servants back home, as well as her Uncle Leon, warned Grace that ladies from high noble houses were different from the country ladies in Arganis. She understood those words a little better after one glance at the