Legacy Read Free Page B

muttered.
    â€œSo it would seem.”
    While I was grateful for someone with whom I could sharemy feelings, I was surprised by London’s forwardness in expressing his opinion of Steldor. I had only known him to listen to my complaints and never articulate his own, although having worked closely under Cannan for years, London would know the vagaries of Steldor’s personality where my father did not.
    As my thoughts returned to Steldor and his kiss, I wiped at my mouth in disgust. London took note of what I was doing and raised a sardonic eyebrow.
    â€œI don’t suppose that was the way you envisioned your first kiss.”
    â€œWhy does everyone think that was my first kiss?” I demanded, dismayed that my life was so transparent.
    â€œDon’t forget you’re talking to me,” he replied with a knowing smirk.
    I averted my eyes, willing myself not to blush. “Well, in any case, I’m glad you stepped in. Who knows what else Steldor had in mind.”
    â€œWhat happened to telling him you felt ill if you wanted to make a hasty exit?”
    â€œWhen we were sitting on the bench, I couldn’t think straight. He has this amazing…” I lost the battle to stem the color rushing into my face, and my voice trailed away. “Amazing what?”
    â€œScent, amazing scent,” I finished, cheeks now aflame. “He smells good?” London teased, breaking into a laugh. “As if he needs another way to attract women. On top of everything else, he smells better than the rest of us!”
    Returning to my quarters, I closed the parlor door behind me, murmuring good-night to London. I knew he would be headed for the East Wing, to the first-floor rooms where most of the unmarried guards chose to live. As my primarybodyguard, he was on duty from the time I awoke until the time I retired. At night, Palace Guards patrolled the corridors to provide security.
    I dragged myself through the parlor toward my bedroom, my limbs heavy. Upon entering the room that had been my refuge since I was a little girl, I sank into the chair that stood before my dressing table, removing the pins from my hair and shaking my head so that my thick locks tumbled about my shoulders. I looked into the mirror, letting my eyes wander over the familiar furnishings reflected therein: a generously sized canopy bed, topped by a cream-colored spread and deliciously soft, overstuffed feather pillows; a pair of velvet lounging chairs that beckoned from in front of the fireplace; a dollhouse and a few other toys from my childhood, including a top and a skipping rope; and an overflowing bookcase. These were the things that would never change; the things to which I clung, knowing the events of the coming year could not be predicted.
    I stood and crossed the room to pull open one of the double wooden doors that led onto my balcony, my feet sinking into the thick rug that lay on the floor. Despite a cool breeze that sent a shiver through me, I stepped outside to await the arrival of Sahdienne, my golden-haired, round-faced personal maid. During daylight hours, I had a clear view of the rolling terrain that spread toward the lake marking the western border of our kingdom. At this time of night, I could see only what the moonlight permitted—the looming shapes of the buildings in the city.
    Knowing from the creak of my bedroom door that Sahdienne had entered, I retreated inside. She unlaced the back of my gown and drew the drapes across the window to the right of the balcony while I donned my nightdress. Then Islipped under the covers that topped my bed, nestling my head amongst the pillows, and fell asleep before she had finished tidying the room.
    I was a princess of Hytanica, protected and sheltered from all the world’s horrors, except those of my nightmares. They were rife this night with visions of a future with Steldor: I was a meaningless ornament to an arrogant king, as quickly forgotten as a leaf blown