“You're Kalo.”
It was a statement rather than a question, but Alex felt the man waiting for an answer, none-the-less. He gave him a clipped nod, waiting for the derision that tended to follow that observation.
“I am, although I was raised by servants at the castle from the age of two.”
“May I ask why?”
“My family's caravan was attacked by Antoski soldiers. I was the only survivor.”
The man's eyes widened, and he sat back on the ground.
“Alex Grey... you were Diedri and Brandon's boy, weren't you? Everyone thought you died along with the others. Such a tragedy.”
Alex felt his mouth drop open in shock as he struggled to make sense of what the man was saying. “You knew my parents?”
The man gave him a sad smile, his voice husky with emotion. “Aye, I knew them well enough, but not as well as my wife, Adelaide, did. She was Kalo, as well. They belonged to the same caravan, and Diedri was Adelaide's closest friend growing up. Adelaide had to leave the caravan and her family behind when she chose to marry me, an outsider to the Kalo. They were all killed in the massacre, same as your parents.”
The man stood, his eyes still trained on Alex.
“Pack up, girls, we need to leave as soon as possible." He held a hand out to Alex, helping him to his feet. “Name's Hiram Delaney. It'll be slow going in the wagon, but I'm a decent fighter when needed. With a little rest and some food in your belly, I suspect you're not too bad yourself. Let's see if we can't get these ladies to Tallis.”
Alex stood, staring at him in disbelief. “You'll take us?”
Hiram let out a long sigh as he turned toward the large,covered wagon on the other side of the clearing. “Adelaide would never forgive me if I didn't, rest her soul. Now, let's get moving before I change my mind.”
The four daughters worked quickly, gathering together any scattered belongings and dousing the fire. Hiram carried Josselyn to the wagon and settled her onto a pallet in the back, covered with a soft, if worn, quilt. Alex climbed in and took a place beside her, his sword placed by his side should he have need of it. The girls piled in the back, as well, making things rather cramped as they rumbled down the Eastern Road, with Hiram sitting up front driving the horses.
Josselyn stirred as they began moving, her head jostling with every bump. Alex angled himself into the corner, placing her head on his lap like a pillow. He swallowed against the emotion that thickened his throat and smoothed back a hair that fell over her face.
“She your girl?”
His head shot up in surprise, a bright, red flush covering his face as he gaped at Lily, whose innocent question had thrown him into a panicked fluster. “I...no...what? Of course not. That would be highly inappropriate. I'm just her guard, that's all,” he stuttered, even as the truth of his words stung him with their honesty. Nothing more than a guard, that's all he'd ever be to her.
“Deliciously inappropriate,” murmured Rosemary, biting her lip suggestively.
Dahlia groaned. “This is hardly the time, Rose. Keep it in your pants, at least until we're not under threat of death.”
“Oh, but that just makes it all the more exciting, don't you think?” Rosemary grinned, giving Alex a quick wink. “So, tell me Alex, are you a fan of The Four Flowers?”
He returned her look with a blank one. “Um... I'm not sure... what exactly are The Four Flowers?”
He looked around at the others for help. Dahlia, who was busy pulling rolls out of a large sack, answered without looking up.
“We are.”
“We're a performing group called The Four Flowers, you know, because of our names?” Rosemary added. “We travel from city to city playing and singing, often times for people of very high standing. I play the lute.” She leaned in closer. “I have very talented hands.”
Alex was saved from responding, as Dahlia leaned forward to hand him a roll, glaring at her sister as she did so. “We can all play and sing quite well, but Lily is the true master. People travel from miles around to hear her sing.”
Lily ducked her head. “Dahlia exaggerates.”
“Not so. She has the voice of an angel, makes the rest of us sound like howling mutts,” Violet contributed, never looking up from the book she was reading.
Dahlia passed him a skin of water, her expression grave. “We were headed to the castle by the request of King Frederic, himself, to perform in the capital as part of the princess' birthday celebration. Our patron, the Earl of Agen, was on excellent terms with His Majesty. He'll be grieved to hear of the king's passing.”
“We're sorry for your loss, too”, Lily added, her big eyes brimming with sympathy. “I imagine you knew His Majesty well, given how close you are to his daughter.”
“He was a good man and a wise king.” Alex let his fingers graze the ends of Josselyn's hair as he watched her, her face peaceful in its rest. “He loved Josselyn and only ever wanted the very best for her.” He let his hand drop to the floor, turning his eyes to the rough, canvas wall.
“As she deserves.”
Chapter Sixteen
Josselyn leaned back against a cherry tree in the castle gardens, watching as a small, black kitten rolled around in the grass beside her feet. She dangled a pink ribbon in front of its face, laughing as it pounced, wrestling the ribbon with its paws. Letting the ribbon slip through her fingers, she reached out to scratch behind the kitten's ears. It purred in response, leaving the ribbon and climbing into her lap.
It looked up at Josselyn with solemn, yellow eyes that seemed to see right
