An Attack on a New Front

Rhana stepped out of the stables with a smirk. He'd just returned after makings some arrangements with a few unsavory people. Now, with any luck, those murderous princes were understand what it meant to lost something they wanted too. They wouldn't be so cocky with their slut of a mother out of the picture.

Rhana's fist clenched and he glared at the ground.

"Lord Rhana!" A high pitched female voice squealed. Rhana heard racing steps and then found his left arm latched onto by Miss Goldleaf, the cousin of his pet.

"Where have you been Lord Rhana?" She pouted as she flirtatiously leaned into him. "I've been looking everywhere for you for days. Mama and Papa have just arrived and I want you to meet-"

"Why are they here?" Rhana coldly interrupted her.

Miss Goldleaf's face became annoyed, "They're here to do something about the Cow. Do you know, she's missed 6 mating events so far? Luckily, I was here to fill in for her. Everyone liked me so much better. Prince Pharon even said, 'it's a shame that I wasn't a participant.'" Papa and Mama are going to convince the High Lord to replace the Cow with me." Miss Goldleaf's expression became coquettish. "Wouldn't you like that, Lord Rhana? We could be partners every day!"

Rhana stared at her as Miss Goldleaf batted her eyelashes. She said something else but Rhana was busy focused on the implications of her first statement. His kitten wasn't dead.

He heard horses approaching and turned to see Kane and a hooded figure riding to the stables. Kane talked animatedly the hooded figure.

"-Kane, I'm serious. Don't do anything. I haven't forgiven you." Kylara's voice struck Rhana like a lightning bolt.

"Lord Rhana!" Miss Goldleaf almost yelled.

Rhana turned to smile radiantly at her. His Kitten wasn't dead! He wanted to go talk to her but allowed himself to be dragged away to meet the Goldleafs instead. After all, once his Kitten was in his possession, he could talk to her whenever he wanted.

The introductions were made and Rhana made sure to find out where the Goldleafs were staying. That wasn't actually hard since Mrs. Goldleaf voluntarily told him with a significant look at Miss Goldleaf. Rhana then excused himself.

As he walked away, he worried that he'd done the wrong thing by involving those people, but then he let it go. His Kitten's rooms had been burned. Those dumb princes failed to protect her. They needed to pay.

***

As I approached my rooms with Kane, I saw Lord Glade pounding on my door. His hand was curled into a fist and his short hair waved with every slam of his fist. Down the hall someone opened a door and glared out.

Over Lord Glade's hammering, my ears caught him growl, "Lazy Sow! If I have to be up now, so do you!"

If frowned. He was supposed to be wooing me. It appeared that he'd forgotten that.

"Can I help you with something, Lord Glade?" I asked calmly.

Lord Glade's shoulders hunched as he slowly turned to face me.

"Don't worry," I said with a smile, "I didn't hear you call me a lazy sow." I heard Kane snort beside me. Lord Glade's jaw clenched as he glared at Kane.

"Mr. Essenvir, you are with my dear Kylara again. I must thank you for-"

"No thanks are required." Kane said slowly. His brows had drown together and he glanced sidelong at me.

I smiled at him, "The same time tomorrow, Kane?" I knew calling him by such an informal name would make him feel better. I was right. He brightened at once.

"Yeah. That sounds good." Kane replied with a small smile, "I'll see you later then."

Kane bowed to Lord Glade before walking off. Lord Glade's expression was sour.

"I'm sure my father will be happy to hear that the two of you are such good friends." He snapped, "Now, come on. We've been waiting for you."

Lord Glade didn't give me time to respond as he headed away down the corridor.

With a heavy sigh, I followed him.

***

He took me out into the gardens where High Lord Volanti and Lady Brook were waiting. They were already seated a small white painted, wrought metal table set for tea. All around them, at the sides of the courtyard were five foot high rose bushes in bloom. The subtle fragrance of the flowers floated on the air. In the center of the small circle was a beautifully carved sculpture of a dragon breathing fire. It was a not so subtle reminder of who owned this palace.

"So," Lady Brook said, her eyes full of hostility, "you finally decided to grace us with your presence."

High Lord Volanti glanced at her with consternation, "Did you just now get back?" He asked me.

I smiled and nodded as I took the seat Lord Glade pulled out for me. Then Lord Glade took the seat opposite mine and Lady Brook poured us all tea.

High Lord Volanti relaxed back in his chair with a pleased smile as Lord Glade coughed.

"You are also fairly close with Prince Blaize, are you not?" Lord Glade began, speaking to me. I frowned and High Lord Volanti shot him a warning look. Lord Glade hurriedly continued, "I had thought the four of us could go into town tomorrow to look at dresses. My father is willing to chaperone. What do you say, Miss Adamare?" Lord Glade leaned towards me slightly.

Lady Brook leaned forward too. Her eyes shone brightly.

I smiled politely, "I am sorry, Lord Glade, but no."

Lady Brook gasped, "Why not?" One look at her face told me she was bitterly disappointed.

"It's because she's fond of Kane Essenvir." Lord Glade sneered. Then he turned a triumphant look on his father, who's expression had become severe.

"No, it is because I do not see the need to subject myself to such tediousness." I replied as I calmly sipped my tea, "If you would like me to ask Prince Blaize to escort Lady Brook in dress shopping tomorrow, I will. However, if your intention was to spend time with me, then you should have invited me to do something that appealed to me." My teacup clinked on its saucer as I set it back down. Lady Brook appeared delighted but Lord Glade glowered.

High Lord Volanti smiled politely, "What would your rather do, Miss Adamare?" He asked.

"Well, I'm planning to train with Mr. Essenvir-"

"So, he's Mr. Essenvir now?" Lord Glade muttered.

Giving him a flat look, I said, "Yes. I only called him Kane for your benefit." Turning back to High Lord Volanti, I continued, "I plan to train until noon tomorrow-" The High Lord also did not let me finish.

"Excellent, Glade can join you and if you'd like to be informal with him, I know he wouldn't mind." High Lord Volanti cut in with a smile.

I frowned, "We're going to meet in the breakfast parlor at 6." I glanced briefly at Lord Glade. His mouth had gone slack.

"That's no problem. Glade will be there." High Lord Volanti answered for him. Lord Glade rounded on him angrily. The High Lord silenced him with a look and Lord Glade subsided into a pout over his teacup.

Inwardly, I smiled at his 'misfortune.'

We fell into a stiff silence.

After a minute of no one talking, I began to excuse myself when High Lord Volanti started asking me questions.

I smiled politely and answered them. Every time the conversation began to lag, he'd ask another question, starting it back up again.

I was finally allowed to go shower an hour later, when it had become clear that Lord Glade would not speak again.

Out of the corner of my eye as I left, I saw High Lord Volanti turn to his son with a cold expression.

***

When I got back into my bedroom, I saw that my enchanted letter box was glowing, meaning I had received a letter from Thomas. Opening the box, I withdrew a folded sheet of paper.

The message was short. It read,

'Kylara,

I hope you are well. I just received troubling news from our lawyers that the Minister of the Coffers of Nolanar has lost all records of your taxes for the past two years and is alleging that you haven't paid them. Additionally, he is saying that the previous Landlord did not pay them for the past ten years and your estate will be forfeited if they aren't received in a month. I have put Mr. Brickman on this and he has sent them your records, which should stall them for a while. How would you like to handle this?

Thomas'

I grimaced. Grabbing a fresh sheet of paper, I hastily scrawled, 'I will take care of this.'

The Night King of Nolanar's cousin was a participant and in my opinion he owed me a favor or two. I would make that clear to him and he'd would take care of this for me.

But this begged another question: who was after me this time?