Once Upon a Castle - Jill Gregory [126]
“A fairy tale for children and peasants, like most legends,” Brand said. “A pity. It would have solved all our problems if Lector had been reduced to a pile of smoldering ash!”
“A pity, indeed,” Cador replied grimly. “We must strike sooner than you had anticipated, Brand.”
“Yes. But this grand reception will supply us with the perfect opportunity.”
Tressalara looked from one to the other. “But…can you not see? Surely this is a trap!”
Cador shrugged. “Of course it is. But we will find a way around it and twist the scorpion’s tail to sting itself.”
She was unconvinced. “Perhaps the best plan is to avoid his trap entirely. Launch the attack later, when his guard is down.”
Brand leaned forward and whispered something in Cador’s ear. Their two glances flicked at Tressalara and away. A dull knot formed in the pit of her stomach. “You must not have secrets from me,” she said with quiet force. “What new outrages has Lector committed?”
A muscle ticked at the corner of Cador’s jaw. “He plans an entertainment for the people, to take place at dawn following the feast: the execution of your loyal servants. Beginning with the Lady Grette and the Lady Elani.”
He’d expected an outcry of anguish from Tressalara. She went icy pale, her eyes huge pools of fear and rage and grief; yet she managed to hold her emotions in. In her quiet dignity she had never looked more royal. She was not Trev, or even merely the Princess Tressalara. She was truly Amelonia’s queen.
As Cador acknowledged for the first time the great gap that lay between them, he had never loved her more, nor realized how hopeless that love was.
“Then we cannot delay. We shall go with your plan,” she said firmly, “and commence our attack during the grand reception.” She shifted the tankards and bread rolls on the tabletop to indicate the castle. “While you and Brand mass the troops here along outside the wall, I will take a party of soldiers and…”
Cador was appalled. “You will do nothing of the kind! Do you think I would let you risk your life? No, you will be safe in our hidden camp until Lector and his men are vanquished.”
“I will not!” She rose and placed her hands on the table, facing him. “If I were a prince rather than a princess, you would let me ride to battle at your side. Indeed, you would think me a coward if I did not insist on leading my subjects.” Her eyes flashed magnificently. “Well, I am no coward, Cador! As Amelonia’s future queen, I claim my right to lead my people!”
Cador rose, too, towering over her with the width of the scrubbed planks between them. He was caught in the white heat of fury. Princess she might be, but she was still his love, and under his protection. And she was not trained to combat as he had been. “Do not pull rank with me, highness, or I will tie you to a tree until this is over! As it is, too many will die trying to breach the castle walls! There is not one good reason for you to risk yourself in this venture, and I forbid it!”
Tressalara was every bit as outraged. “You have no authority over me, Cador. And I have every right!” She struggled with her anger. “You refuse to listen to reason, and my presence is vital to the plan. There will be no reason to breach the gates, with all the loss of life that entails. I can get them opened for you—from inside.”
“You are naive. Those loyal to you are either dead or Lector’s captives.”
“I see how little you think of my intelligence.” Her frustration burst out in blistering fury. “By the saints, when I am crowned queen of Amelonia, no man will tell me what I may do or not do!”
Cador’s face went hard and cold, as if a door had shut. “Yes—when you are queen. For now you are merely another rebel in hiding.”
The ice in his voice tempered her anger. She struggled for control. “I am also the key that will unlock the puzzle for you. I know a secret way into the castle and I know every