okay. Casey won’t tell.”
The confidence of the child actually pleased Casey. “Don’t worry, Your Royal Highness, I’ll keep you safe from the ravagers of virtue.”
He grimaced. “Does that go for their hopeful mothers, too?”
Casey knew enough about power to guess. “Everyone wants to be promised to a king.”
The wrong words, because Charlie took offense. “Papa will never marry anyone else.”
“Once was quite enough,” he muttered, and before Casey could wonder why, he announced, “We’re here.”
“Here where?” she asked.
“Breakfast!” squealed Charlotte, running off.
Before Casey could follow, he grabbed her arm. “If you want to know about my past, then ask me. Don’t trick my daughter.”
She pulled free. “I’ll speak to whomever I please to ensure I get the truth.”
“The truth isn’t always simple.”
“Then it’s a good thing I’m intelligent enough to figure that out. If you’ll excuse me, I have a princess to guard.”
Chapter 5
If Casey had expected a dining room for just the three of them, she was mistaken. They entered the busiest, noisiest room yet. Just about everyone in there nodded, waved, or shouted a good morning to the king and his daughter.
Casey did her best to remain unnoticed, which didn’t do much good given she followed the man drawing all the eyes. With so much focus on them, it would be difficult to spot someone paying undue attention. Damn that Titan. There were half as many people in this room than in Haven itself.
Roark moved to a sideboard set up buffet style. The princess went first, picking at the food, grimacing when her father pointed to something, grinning as she took two round pieces of fruit and then a few crispy pieces of something that might be meat. Whatever it was, when it was her turn, Casey put some on her plate, including the eggs she recognized and a few items she didn’t. At least it seemed as if she’d eat well. No slop for her.
The king might encourage a bit of a casual dining experience, but he sat at the head of the table in a chair more ornate than the others. A subtle reminder of his power. Charlotte ditched his company to join some children at a smaller table set by a window.
Casey chose to stand by a drape and eat off her plate, her gaze roving, listening to the many tidbits.
“…harvest will be a week early meaning we need to clean out…”
“…heard there was a golem in the castle last night. Korly says he saw it climbing the wall.”
“What happened?”
“The king killed it.”
The king did not, but they assumed him capable. Perhaps he was. Or perhaps not. He had a lot of scars, suggesting he didn’t know how to get out of the way of sharp objects.
The crispy strip of meat she ate brought an unexpected moan of pleasure to her lips. Her second bite, she closed her eyes and savored the salty crunch. By the time she finished the unexpected treat and opened her eyes, it was to see the king staring right at her. Intently.
Enough that her cheeks heated, and it made no sense. Embarrassment over what? Enjoying a piece of—
“—bacon?”
Casey blinked and turned her gaze down. Charlotte held out a strip of the yummy stuff.
“What did you say?”
“I’m not hungry for my bacon. Want it?”
Snatching it, Casey did her best not to moan, and instead kept her eye on the king. He’d gone back to his conversation with Titan, who’d arrived and sat by his side. Behind the king’s chair, stood a woman with dark skin and dark hair pulled back taut, quite beautiful, wearing the uniform of the guards.
“That’s Anita,” Charlotte said, handing up another piece of bacon.
Casey crunched into it and decided Haven really needed to trade for some of it. “She’s your father’s personal guard?”
“I guess. She’s around a lot.”
Casey surmised the rest. Anita must be the king’s lover. Being a guard would make it easy for them. “Do you like her?”
“She won’t let me play with her sword.”
For some reason, Casey found herself offering. “I’ll let you practice with my knives later. On a real target.”
“Can we give it a face?”
“No.” Casey couldn’t help but laugh at the word.
“Pity.” The princess then began to talk to the girl across from her, while Casey found herself once more watching the king.
Even more annoying, he appeared to be keeping an eye on her. Did he still doubt who she was?
Given the window overlooked a courtyard that was several stories high, she moved from the children’s table and took the seat