Family of Lies: Sebastian (12 page)

“I need to be in hostile situations.”

“Sebastian,” James hissed. “He’s still the prince, and you’re surrounded by several witnesses.”

Sebastian gritted his teeth. “The prince has chosen to be too familiar, and I am doing the same. Isn’t that right, Your Highness?”

“Yes,” Turren said. “But I prefer when you overstep boundaries physically versus verbally. Much more satisfying.”

Next time, Sebastian, let the nice assassin skewer the arrogant bastard.
Sebastian tossed the mirror to the lieutenant. “We’ll leave for the castle in the morning.” Sebastian raised his hand in front of Kevin’s mouth when he opened it. “One word and I’ll tell Pratchett where you hide your money.”

“What’s the difference if you spend the night next door instead of in our home?” Ellie asked. “We know the scale of the threat now and can prepare accordingly. Only two of you are wizards. It’s nonsense for me to get left behind.”

Sebastian crossed over to his marriage-sister and placed his hand on the slight swell of her belly. “This makes the difference, Ellie. It’s safer if we move and you stay here.”

Trey appeared by Ellie’s side, sliding his hands together eagerly. “And I’m looking forward to lining my pockets with the king’s gold.” He stopped moving his hands, and he frowned at the soldiers. “They are paying, right? I’m not offering up my services as the descendant of a First Knight for free.”

Ellie rolled her eyes. “Of course they’re paying, but don’t overcharge them.”

Trey straightened and fingered the innkeeper’s badge hanging from his neck. “Just because I don’t serve food as good as yours doesn’t mean that I rob my customers. Besides, word will spread that I’m hosting royalty”—Lieutenant Adams cleared his throat at the exaggeration—“or men held in high regard by royalty by morning, and I can expect the usual gaggle of busybodies looking for tales to bring home. I might even give them a discount.” Trey cheerfully followed Sebastian, who had his belongings clutched in his arms. “I could make your task easier as a favor to a boy I haven’t seen in a long time.” Sebastian’s bags floated out of his reach and down the hall.

“That was unnecessary, Lord Ausher. I have valuable books in those bags,” Sebastian said.

“As if I would forget you and your precious books. They will land gently on the bed in your room on the second floor,” Trey announced proudly. “A large family left this morning, so the second floor is open for all of your bodyguards.”

“I am filled with joy at your thoughtfulness.”
Back to sleeping in this damn cloak another night.

“Don’t be ungrateful for them doing their jobs,” Trey said.

“What happened to the bodies?” Sebastian asked.

“The City Watch is holding on to them,” Sergeant Thimbly said from behind them as they climbed down the steps, her short hair bouncing on her cheeks. “We can’t bring them with us or spend time trying to identify them right now. At first light, we’re gone from this place.”

“I’m sorry,” Sebastian whispered.

Sergeant Hooper grasped his shoulder when they reached the entranceway. “It’s not your fault. You were being stubborn, but none of us expected such an aggressive attack.”

“Tonight does complicate things,” Lieutenant Adams said as he brought up the rear. Sebastian’s family already waited at the door along with the other soldiers.

Ellie hugged Sebastian tightly. “You will listen to everything the nice soldiers say from here on out, Bastian, do you understand me? I will turn you into a chicken and put you in a cage if you do otherwise.” She brushed her hands through Sebastian’s hair under the cloak. “Don’t you dare get yourself killed,” she ordered and hugged him again.

Sebastian kissed the top of Ellie’s head. “I’m sorry for worrying you, and I’ll do what they ask… if it sounds reasonable.” He ducked from her hands and followed Sergeant Vendrix through the open door.

His bags were waiting safely on the bed, but he inspected the contents anyway. Lieutenant Adams, Sergeant Hooper, and Sergeant Bradley entered behind him, and Sebastian sighed.

Lieutenant Adams glared at him. “No ifs, ands, or buts. You’re getting roommates, and you better not snore.” He threw his things in an empty chair and stepped out of the way when servants brought extra bedding. When they left, he surveyed the room and then addressed his soldiers. “Hooper, you sleep near the door. Bradley, you guard the window.”

Sebastian lifted his leg to climb into the bed, but the lieutenant stopped him. “Sorry, but I’m playing decoy tonight, and I need the bed.”

“Where am I sleeping?”

“Under the bed. If another attack occurs, you’ll be out of sight.”

“Fantastic,” Sebastian grumbled as he pulled the blankets under the bed. It was spacious underneath and the skirt hid him from view. “I’ll complain and call you names after I’ve rested,” he promised.

“Good night,” Lieutenant Adams said to everyone as he positioned himself under the covers so his head didn’t stick out.

S
EBASTIAN
WAS
startled awake surrounded by darkness instead of the soothing yellow of his brother’s inn. He blinked a few times before he remembered the shocked assassin staring at his nude state.
There will probably be more after their failure.
That thought brought him fully awake, but not enough to recall where he had slept. Sebastian’s head hit the metal springs of the bed with a wallop, and he cursed as he slid out from his spot, knocking into a snoring Sergeant Hooper, who had rolled over to his side during the night.

“Oph,” she mumbled as they tried to untangle themselves.

Bradley’s head popped out on the window side of the bed, and he yawned at them without covering his mouth. “Wha ti’ is I’?”

“Time to get up and on the road,” Lieutenant Adams declared while stretching his arms above his head. “What a pleasant day,” he said, and the rest of the room’s occupants frowned at him.

Sebastian sat up and stumbled his way to the door. Sergeant Hooper grabbed him before he could open it, and she took Sebastian’s place. She slowly turned the knob and pulled it back as she searched the corridor.

Sergeant Vendrix’s glassy red eyes stared at them from the chair directly outside the door. “Nothing on my end, sir,” he told Lieutenant Adams when the man came into his bleary view.

“Good. Now up and at ’em. We need to eat and then we mount.” Adams waited for Vendrix to put his chair off to the side so they could head for the common room.

“You look horrible,” Trey greeted them. “I’m happy my customers haven’t seen you yet or they’ll think my mattresses are wooden planks. Except for Lieutenant Adams. You, sir, look like you enjoyed my hospitality to its fullest.”

Lieutenant Adams chuckled. “I always look my best.”

“It helps that you slept on the bed while we slept on the floor,” Sebastian growled. “Forgive me, I forgot the name-calling. Insufferable military rat.”

“There are some promises you don’t need to keep,” Adams said. “Now.” He rubbed his hands together as Trey had done the night before. “What food do you have on hand, innkeeper?”

S
EBASTIAN
’
S
MOOD
had improved by the time he filled a second plate with fresh fruit and thick slices of bacon. He broke off another piece of bread and slathered it with butter. “Good choices for a man who knows he can’t outdo my sister’s cooking.” The bacon platter rose in the air and started drifting away. “You’re just as good a cook as Ellie, and your inn is beautiful,” Sebastian complimented Trey as the soldiers grabbed for the platter.

Lieutenant Adams stuck his fork in Sebastian’s direction. “Don’t be rude,” he had the nerve to say with food still in his mouth.

Sonny tied his hair back when his plate cleared. “I’ll go check the horses.”

“I’ll deal with food rations.” Sergeant Thimbly pushed her plate forward and also left.

Two feminine voices entered the inn, and Sebastian winced when he recognized the second one. He pushed his plate away and tried to slink off, but an empty chair fell and tripped him. Lieutenant Adams sprang to his feet, but Trey placed his hand over the soldier’s arm.

“It’s not an assassin, just another grumpy Orwell.” Trey’s smile widened when Ellie, bright as day, walked into the room arm in arm with Diana.

“That was uncalled for, Diana,” Sebastian said as he stood.

“Lord Bast woke me in the middle of the night, asking me to escort my brother in his place. I haven’t had much sleep, and now I have to go to the castle where Mother can harp on me about finding a wife. It was called for.” Diana’s voice almost matched Sebastian’s raspiness.

James embraced their sister. “I don’t mind the extra company.”

“I take back my earlier words about Lord Bast. He is the only reliable friend Sebastian has.” Kevin replaced James, and Diana was almost nose-to-nose with him.

“Diana’s horse is staying here so it won’t drag on the trip, and I’ll supply a fresh one from our stables.” Ellie sighed as she looked at her marriage-siblings. “I hate being left behind. Please be safe, all of you.” She wrapped her arms around every family member, and the soldiers got a turn too.

“A
NY
BATTLE
experience, Miss Orwell?” Lieutenant Adams asked Diana as she swung her leg over her horse.

“None,” Diana said.

“Then why would Lord Bast send you, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Because she’s a skilled apothecary who uses that knowledge to enhance her powers for good… or ill,” Kevin said ominously.

“Sergeant Hooper!” Lieutenant Adams shouted, hoping the sergeant knew more gossip.

“I don’t know about magic, but she’s good with poisons. A group of ruffians ransacked her shop once and held her at knifepoint. All three men were found with blood streaming from every orifice the next morning, and I mean every one of ’em.” Sergeant Hooper shuddered.

“Killing them would have angered the City Watch, so they’re still alive.” Diana flashed her teeth in what Lieutenant Adams assumed was a smile and clicked at her horse to go forward.

“I told you, Ophelia is the only nice one,” Sebastian reminded the king’s guard when he walked his horse up to him.

“Nothing but trouble,” Lieutenant Adams muttered to himself.

S
EBASTIAN
WAS
once again surrounded by castle guards as he and his party reached the gates outside of Trellium. This time it was an honor guard instead of frantic soldiers worried about their prince. Prince Turren rode in front and dismounted when the procession reached them. He walked to Sebastian’s horse and held out his arm in an offer of aid. Sebastian would have ignored it, but he spotted a golden halo of hair piled perfectly on his mother’s head. Knowing he would face her wrath later, Sebastian decided to make things easier for himself and accepted the gesture. Prince Turren circled his other arm around Sebastian’s waist, lifting him into the air. Sebastian tensed but remained silent, wishing he could publicly give the prince a piece of his mind.

“Thank you for being so thoughtful, Your Highness.” Sebastian placed his fingers on Prince Turren’s wrist and thrust his thumb into the soft underside.

The prince’s smile withered at the edges, but he gritted his teeth through the pain. “You seem well.”

“I’ve been better.” Sebastian glanced at his mother, who gestured violently for him to keep the prince’s attention. Sebastian dismissed her and turned to his brothers. “I want to unpack and sleep. You two can deal with Mother.” The woman in question was trying to push her way forward with his father close behind.

“I suddenly have something to do,” James announced and turned his horse into the crowd watching the spectacle.

“Hey, James!” Kevin tried to imitate their brother, but he was blocked in. “Diana?” Kevin looked around, but their sister had already made her escape.

“Sebastian!” The light musical voice sounded concerned, but his mother’s eyes were as hard as the gemstones they resembled.

“Lead me to a room with a bath and a route where I don’t have to pass by her, and I won’t kick you in the royal jewels for what you just did,” Sebastian whispered in the prince’s ear.

Prince Turren nodded. “I’ll make sure you can bathe as quickly as possible.”

Sebastian’s eyebrow rose. “Is that right?”

“My interest isn’t unsavory, and I will help you.” Prince Turren’s face turned red. “Of course I have no interest in you being naked.”

“That statement was convincing, Your Highness.” Sebastian shook his head, wondering what he was going to do about his royal admirer when his matchmaking mother was near.

“I
T
’
S
A
tub.” Lieutenant Adams wanted a bath, but even he wasn’t that enthusiastic about a tub, he thought while watching Sebastian bent over the steaming water, practically drooling over the huge receptacle. His eyes flicked to the prince, who drooled over something else in the room. Whenever Sebastian bent down, Prince Turren’s breath stalled, and Lieutenant Adams pretended not to notice. He hoped Sebastian wouldn’t reveal how blunt he had been in Bruwen because Adams had sorely underestimated his importance.

“Bubbles.” Sebastian’s voice held a rare note of childlike happiness, and he splashed the soapy blanket covering the water. He lifted his hand to his face and blew on the suds gathered there. Sebastian laughed again but stopped when he noticed Prince Turren licking his lips. “Out!” he ordered without thought to whose residence he was staying in. “Both of you, so I can get undressed.”

“Are you sure you don’t need help?” Prince Turren asked while Sebastian manhandled him out of the room.

“More than sure.” Sebastian kept shoving.

Lieutenant Adams winced, feeling sorry for the prince, but allowed both of them to be herded to the door.

“What if you’re still in danger?” Turren asked.