“Roskva! Get down!” Starkon grabbed Roskva and pushed her away and under the cover of the sofa. The window shattered and the room was breached. Bellaire got up to her feet and drew her blade. The assassin held up their crossbow quickly loading another bolt. Bellaire rushed them, shouldering the crossbow out of their hands. In response, the assassin whipped out a dagger and jabbed at Bellaire. Shoving her away.

“Someone get the guards!” Aneira yelled. Starkon got to his feet, pulling Roskva up with him. Both running out of the suite for help. The air grew chilly as the assassin turned to Aneira, knelt by an end table. Bellaire picked herself up, holding the superficial wound in her side. She took her sword and sliced the assassin’s knees, dropping them down.

“Aneira, run!” Bellaire commanded, but Aneira didn’t move. The assassin held the wound in their leg and turned on Bellaire. Aneira felt their chest still, Bellaire locked the assassin in combat with her sword and their dagger. The heavier sword made large powerful swings but the small dagger parried the swings and made swift cuts that Bellaire batted away. Her dodges and deflections were getting slower and slower as she felt the exhaustion.

The assassin slapped Bellaire’s wrists hard enough her grip failed and her sword fell. The assassin lunged but a bolt of ethereal ice smacked his hand, the dagger dropped and the assassin turned to look at Aneira. Still sitting behind their cover, holding their hand outstretched with icy wisps intertwining between their fingers. Bellaire jumped up and smashed the nearest object over the assassin’s head. Dropping them to the ground just as the guards burst in.

“Secure the heir!” The captain commanded and a line of guards surrounded Aneira. “Spread out!” More guards filled the room. Yelling clear as they made sure there was only one assassin. The assassin was piled on and cuffed by a team of the Wolves.

“Are you hurt?” The captain asked, the team protecting Aneira parting like curtains for him.

“I’m fine, but Lady Callafon’s been injured. She needs to be seen.” Aneira got up to their feet and smoothed out their clothes. “Has anyone seen Roskva? Is she okay?”

“The princess is secured and safe.” the captain nodded. “It’s in your best interest to move suites, this one is compromised.”

“If I must,” Aneira agreed. “I’ll take over the suite closest to the Queen’s study. If available.”

“That would be the royal suite, but there is a suite made for suitors before marriage.” The captain said. “That’s not been used in years.”

“Perfect, if it’s close to the study then I will take it.” Aneira said. Pushing through the guard and to where Bellaire was being seen by the palace physician.

“Is she okay?” Aneira asked.

“It’s a deep wound but not too serious.” The physician said, wrapping up the wound. “A bit of rest and they will be right as rain.”

“Thank goodness.” Aneira sighed, “I was worried.”

“Aneira!” Roskva yelled as she ran back into the suite. Aneira dodged out of the way as Roskva tried to grab her. Starkon paused at the doorway glaring at the assassin.

“What’s going on in here?” Roskva asked as she walked in.

“What? Roskva, you don’t remember being attacked by the assassin?” Bellaire asked. Aneira shushed her.

“Roskva’s memory has gaps sometimes.” They whispered. “Be gentle.”

“Gentle!?” Roskva’s jaw dropped. “After an attack? No, don’t be gentle! Tell me everything!”

“There’s nothing to tell,” Aneira said. “Lady Callafon protected us as she had sworn to do. It’s nothing.”

“It’s everything!” Roskva said defensively. “What if Bellaire wasn’t here?!”

“Roskva, it’s all okay. There’s no reason to panic,” Aneira said, backing away from the panic stricken woman. Worried she might try to grab them. “Everything is okay and it serves no purpose to worry about things that could have happened.”

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“I.” Roskva shook her head and sighed. “I don’t know what happened! All I can do is worry! AND I WAS THERE!”

“Relax, Roskva. Everything is going to be okay.” Starkon stepped up and took her into his arms. Holding her comfortingly in a way Aneira felt almost envy of. Jealous he could be so close to her. Hugging her. Even able to hold her hand to help comfort her nerves.

“Thank you Lord Starkon, for your cooperation and assistance.” Aneira said, they felt second thoughts adding to the mess of feelings they had toward him. “You’ve been indispensable.”

“Thank you, that means quite a lot coming from you.” Lord Starkon said, bowing. Aneira turned back to Bellaire who was staring at them incredulously. Aneira half-shrugged, their attention turned to the assassin who suddenly became covered in ethereal mist.

“What’s going on?” Aneira asked, “What are you doing to them?”

“Nothing, your majesty.” The guard said shocked, crouched next to the assassin, holding the bindings.

“There’s something very wrong, check their pulse!” Aneira said but they could see the ghostly visage standing up. Leaving the body entirely.

“Wh-” The guard said confused but yanked off the leather glove and felt the assassin’s neck and looked up fearfully. “They’re gone.”

“Gone?!” The captain snapped but whatever he was going to say was cut off by the corpse suddenly jerking up. “Hold him!” The guard dog piled onto the corpse who started convulsing. Thrashing around violently. Bellaire stood up and pushed Aneira away from the body. Lord Starkon pulled Roskva back as well. Aneira could still see the ghost. Now able to see the person behind the mask, a teenage boy, small and gaunt. Watching his thrashing body with a mixture of sadness and bewilderment. He looked up and noticed Aneira looking at him.

“You can see me?” He asked, his voice only barely audible. Trembling, with ghostly tears welling up. “I. I don’t know anything and there’s nothing more you can do to me!”

“Let’s go. We need to leave.” Bellaire said and pulled Aneira out of the room.

“Right, to my new quarters.” Aneira said, looking pointedly at the ghostly boy.

“New quarters?” Lord Starkon asked as the four left the suite.

“Yes, I’m moving. Since an assassin now knows which room is mine it was advised I move.” Aneira said as they walked. “Unfortunately, it’s also advised that where I’m moving too is also kept quiet. Even from you, it’s for your own safety.”

“That’s not fair!” Roskva said. “How am I supposed to see you?”

“I’ll be spending a bit more time in the Queen’s study. Or. I mean. My study.” Aneira said, still finding it awkward to refer to the room as theirs. “Plus the party is only a few more nights away. So we’ll all be busy with the preparations. It’s likely you won’t have time to see anyone.”

“Promise if I want to see you I can.” Roskva said. Aneira hesitated but nodded.

“I promise if you want to see me, then you can. Just speak with Lady Bellaire here or the guards.” Aneira said, Bellaire smiled triumphantly at the use of her title and first name. “Well, I have had an eventful few hours, I’d love to join you both for dinner but first I need a few minutes to calm down.”

“Yeah, I guess,” Roskva said, still disappointed but conceding. “But you are joining us for dinner, promise?”

“Promise.” Aneira agreed. They started off to their new suite, watching to make sure they weren’t being followed by anyone but Lady Bellaire who strode down the hall proudly. She stopped at the consort’s suite and held Aneira back.

“Wait, I have to make sure it’s safe.” She said.

“Do what you must.” Aneira said, and waited for Lady Bellaire to finish her inspection. They spotted the young would-be assassin’s ghost still lingering after them. They gave a little wave and he vanished through a wall. Aneira turned back to the door, Lady Bellaire appeared proudly.

“All right, it’s clear.” She beamed, with a bow; “your majesty.” Aneira shook their head and entered their new quarters, with their bodyguard right behind her.

“Feel free to make yourself comfortable,” Aneira said, heading straight for the bedroom. “Knock if you need me.”

“Yes, your majesty!” Lady Bellaire said, still grinning. Seemingly not noticing Aneira’s displeasure. They entered the spacious bedroom. Slightly taken aback by the extravagance of it. Three different styles of dresser, two full length mirrors, the bed was big enough for five with silken curtains around it. Rugs on top of rugs, it all made Aneira shake their head.

“Are you still here?” They asked, and the ghost girl who’d warned them appeared sheepishly. “Thank you for the warning. May I ask if the previous Queen has been seen around?”

“No your majesty.” The ghost said, “But the assassin’s ghost is still here.”

“Yes I know.” Aneira said. “If you see him, let him know I will listen without prejudice and I mean him no ill will.”

“You don’t?” The girl said surprised. But then nodded and curtsied.”I mean. Yes your majesty.” The girl floated away and Aneira took the brief minute to lay out on the bed and relax.