with the daughter of your worst enemy.”
She gave him a softer look. “I know what it is to love someone and be denied its power. But we have waited our whole lives to gain back the throne. You trained so hard, Caleb, day after day with Jonas since you were a child. Contrary to what you think, you are just as good with the sword as he is, if not better, and now you’re willing to throw it all away for Baltrasard’s daughter. I cannot let you.”
“Stop acting like you can do something about it, Shauna. I can marry who I wish.”
“I should have gone with you to the castle. They would both be dead right now.”
Caleb opened his eyes and gave her a dark glare. “Do you think the Lord would not care if you killed someone who was innocent? Do you think I would have let you kill her?”
“She has weakened you, Caleb.”
“Think whatever you want.” He stood up and bent his body until his face was close to hers. “But if you tell her who I am, you’ll never see your precious Silvergarden again. And if you try to harm her, you’ll regret it, I vow it.” He started to leave the room but stopped at the doorway and turned to her. “What would Ermile think if he knew that you used to wield a sword at Jonas’ side? Don’t forget what you are, Warrior,” he warned her.
“You’re the one who has forgotten, Your Majesty.” Shauna met his glare straight on and then flinched when he left the house, slamming the door almost off the hinges behind him.
Chapter 14
There was a knock at the door and Willow looked up from the small vanity table where she sat. Shauna poked her head inside the room.
“I was afraid you might be asleep,” Caleb’s sister said and stepped inside. She ran her emerald eyes over Willow’s filthy garments. “You haven’t changed clothes yet.”
Willow only shrugged, wondering why Caleb’s sister was here. She knew Shauna didn’t like her, and she understood why. If someone had killed her father, as Caleb said Baltrasard had done, Willow would never be anything but hostile toward them. But then, didn’t Shauna want Willow’s father dead?
“It seems silly to put a clean gown on a dirty body,” she said.
“Well, tomorrow is bathing day,” Shauna informed her, coming up close behind her and looking at her in the small vanity mirror. “I’m afraid you’ll have to stay dirty until then. It’s one of the many pleasures of living in Predaria.” She gave Willow a hard smile. “But at least we get a bath every two weeks. And you will receive a gallon of water every two days to sponge bathe…if you’re here that long.”
Willow watched her through the mirror. “Thank you for your generosity.”
Shauna nodded and picked up a small brush. “Your hair is lovely. May I? How often do you bathe at Silvergard?” she asked, loosening the thick, dark strands of Willow’s hair, after Willow allowed it.
“At least three times a week,” Willow told her, closing her eyes at the gentle feel of Shauna’s fingers on her scalp. Her mother use to brush her hair. She’d almost forgotten how wonderful it felt to have someone do it. Perhaps when she returned to Beldar, she could bring Shauna as one of her new handmaidens. “But I never realized how short the water supply was. I don’t even know where the water came from.”
“You knew about Predaria and how little water there was left here, yes?” Shauna asked. “I know you come here once a year.”
“Yes,” Willow admitted, lowering her chin. “I knew of it.”
“Why do you look away?”
Willow set her gaze on her again. My, but she was so unlike her brother. There wasn’t a trace of compassion in her eyes. Caleb’s gaze had been softened by what he fought. Shauna’s had been hardened. A few days ago, Willow wouldn’t have been able to understand some of the hardships and horrors of living in Predaria. Now she did.
“I look away because I am ashamed of the things I care about. I am the king’s daughter. I should have given the plight of Predaria more concern.”
“And what could you have done?” Shauna asked her and tilted her head a bit to look at Willow from a different angle.
“I don’t know,” Willow said thoughtfully. “Cry. Beg him to listen to me. He wouldn’t care about the people if I told him of them. He doesn’t care that people are