Chapter Twenty-Three

Our remaining two days were uneventful. The Duke threw a small party on behalf of the king. We ate, drank, and were generally merry. I kept my eyes on the Duke the entire time. I watched every one. I trusted nobody. I knew he could not have set up such an intricate plan alone.

The day we departed for Hampton Court was sunny and bright. I paced about the drive awaiting everyone to join me. The carriage pulled around at nine in the morning. I climbed in and sat there, waiting for the rest.

The cramped carriage bumped along the road back toward Hampton Court. Dread filled my stomach at the thought of seeing my mother. Pressing my forehead against the window, I took in slow deep breaths.

"Are you alright?" Cassius asked, leaning forward.

"I'm fine. Thinking about mother and how she will act once we return."

He nodded his head and sat back against the stiff seat.

"How long will we remain at Hampton Court before leaving for Constantinople?"

"We don't want to leave too early," Cassius said, watching the countryside pass us.

"Of course not. The last thing we need to do is make the Duke suspicious."

"No. We don't want to do that." He ran his hand over his chin, his eyes far away.

"Tell me what you're thinking," I said, not taking my eyes away from the window.

He turned his gaze toward me. "Do you like being an assassin?"

"I don't think it's a matter of me liking it. It's what I do."

"Hmmm. I suppose it is." He sighed heavily, his face drawn and sad.

"I know this isn't an ideal situation, Cassius. I'm not very happy about it either. But like you, I didn't get to choose how my life would turn out."

"It doesn't seem fair sometimes. I think what if I hadn't been born to be king and you weren't born to protect me."

"Would you rather be a peasant?" I asked.

"Maybe not quite that low. A lord. Maybe an Earl."

"You're still confined to a lot of the strictness of a King. You would probably end up in a loveless marriage arranged by your parents like mine are trying to do for me."

"At least I wouldn't have to worry about running an entire country and people killing me all the time."

"I guess that is the one bonus," I mumbled.

He pursed his lips and looked out the window. He wasn't satisfied with my answer.

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

"It's okay, Joselyn."

I leaned my head on Angeline and closed my eyes. He was disappointed. He wanted me to stop what I was doing. This wasn't possible. Slowly I drifted off to sleep. My dreams filled with visions of Belle alive, hidden elsewhere in France, and Cassius dead. His beautiful lifeless body lying in a room of his palace while I kneeled beside him crying.

Horses whinnied in the distance, drawing me from the gruesome scene. I opened my eyes and saw Cassius sitting across from me. I breathed a sigh of relief happy to see his breathing body there.

"Are we there?"

"Yes," he said.

I nodded my head looking in the distance waiting for the castle to come into sight. I knew mother would be waiting. She always had to know what I was doing.

"What do I tell my mother?" I asked.

"That we went to visit the Duke. She doesn't need to know anything else."

"I suppose not."

"Angeline, when you get back to Lady Joselyn's chambers please begin packing for Constantinople. We will leave within a fortnight."

"So soon?" I asked.

"Yes. It's short notice, but the more I think about it the more I realize Belle may not have as much time."

"Do you believe she is still alive?'

"I'm not sure, Joselyn."

"What should I do about the one trying to kill you? I can't sit back and allow them to continue the attempts on your life."

"No, but did anyone try to kill me while we were away?" he asked.

"No."

"Okay, then we'll take the exact same people with us to Constantinople."

"If you feel that to be the best move. I would rather go alone. Even though, I would not be able to keep an eye on you. Cassius, I'm so confused."

"I know, Joselyn. I would prefer you to simply stop being an assassin."

"That will never be able to happen. The Guild will make sure I'm ended before they allow me to stop being an assassin. If they need to, I'm sure they will demand I serve another king. I can't do that. I cannot be away from you."

"I know, and I don't want to be far from you. Joselyn, you mean the world to me." He grasped my hands in his. They were warm and clammy, was he nervous?

The team of horses came to a stop suddenly. I glanced out the window and saw the tall, statuesque building in front of us. The doors swung open and mother stomped down the stairs.

Of course, she's out front before we even disembark the carriage.

"Are you ready?" Angeline asked.

"No, but do I have an option?"

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. That's just how she is."

Cassius left first, holding his hand out for me. I grasped his fingers, stepping into the chilled afternoon air. It bit through my fur cloak and chilled me to the bone.

"Are you okay, Joselyn?"

"I don't know, but I don't have much of a choice. When do we leave again? How will you let my mother know?"

"I'm not sure yet."

I nodded and proceeded forward, embracing the abrasive woman in a hug.

"Is there anything I need to know?" she asked.

"No, mother, and it's good to see you as well."

"Joselyn, you know why I worry."

"My honor is intact. Nothing happened while we were at the Duke's estates. Father was there for Pete's sake."

She furrowed her brow and turned from me. I shook my head and followed her in. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Angeline directing orders to the footman. She kept her eye trained on my trunks. What would happen if they did find my secrets within?

Once inside the castle, I saw Mary standing at the foot of the stairs. She glared toward Cassius and me. I curtsied and continued toward my chambers I'd had before leaving. She made me feel uneasy. I didn't like how my stomach churned each time I saw the bitter looking woman.

Cassius grabbed my arm and directed me to his study. "I want to see you before you are swept away by everyone else."

"What do you mean? You're the king."

"Your mother, Joselyn."

"I see. What do you want, Cassius?" I asked.

"I have a very serious question to ask you."

"What?" I questioned.

"If there was some way, would you stop being my assassin?"

"You don't want me to protect you?"

"I want you as more than an assassin."

"What?"

"Joselyn, I want you to be my wife."

My heart skipped a beat. I knew his feelings were strong. I know that mine are as well. However, hearing him actually say that he wanted me to be his wife sent all kinds of butterflies alight into the pit of my stomach.

I wanted to say yes.

"I can't. Not until I find out who is trying to kill you. I still have no idea who sent the other assassin after you. Do you want to risk dying?"

He remained silent and looked away. I knew he didn't want to die. Cassius squeezed my arm, unable to look me in the eyes.

"I can't apologize enough for what you have to go through," he said.

"There is nothing for you to be sorry for. I want to keep you safe. I can't let you die." I bit my bottom lip, trying to keep my composure. "I love you so very much, Cassius."

"I wish you knew how hard it was for me to not shout to the world that I want you as my queen. I can't look at any other woman the way I see you. You are so brave and amazing."

His strong hands held onto my waist as we lingered in the middle of the hall between our chambers. I glanced about looking for anyone who may report to mother.

"I love you," I whispered.

I stood on tiptoe and cupped his face in my hands. His cheeks were so soft and pink. I brought his head down to meet mine, covering his lips with my own. Closing my eyes, I prodded his mouth with my tongue. I didn't care now. Nothing mattered except Cassius and me. If there were a person, who wanted him dead would have to go through me.

I loved the king. I wanted to be his queen.