Heat flooded Luciana’s cheeks. “Well, I can’t let anyone insult one of my sisters.”
“I’m your only … oh.” Tatiana sighed. “I guess you miss your sisters at the convent.”
“I do. But I’m very happy to have my sister here.”
Tatiana’s eyes filled with tears. “I haven’t been that nice to you. I was a little jealous, I guess. You grew up with such close friends, and I didn’t. I had Christopher for a while, then…”
“You could still be friends with him. And you have Mother. And me. Father, too. I’d be happy to relay your messages to him.”
Tatiana nodded and wiped a tear from her cheek. “I’m going to be the best spy in the world now. I’ll keep you and Papa safe. You’ll see.”
Luciana blinked back tears of her own. “Thank you.”
With a sniff, Tatiana’s form wavered and disappeared.
* * *
Feeling emotionally drained, Luciana stretched out on her bed. The day was only half over, but so much had occurred. She’d hardly slept the night before, too worried that if she did doze off, she’d miss the seals at dawn and her chance to send a message to her sisters.
Other shocking things had happened, like the assassination attempt, but of all the memories of the day, it was the look on Leo’s face when she’d defended him that had struck her the most. If he were able to touch her, would he act like the dead captain had with Tatiana? Would Leo tear off her clothes and suckle her breasts?
Images flitted through her mind, making her heart race, then with a frustrated groan she shoved the thoughts aside. Why bother to even imagine such things? Things like Leo’s mouth nibbling down her neck, his hands roaming her body. It couldn’t happen. Not unless there was a serious drought. Was she supposed to wish failed crops and starvation for the Eberoni just so she could be kissed?
She punched a pillow. She shouldn’t allow herself to become lovesick over a man she hardly knew. Could he truly be trusted? What if he’d had Captain Booger killed? What if he knew she was an imposter? Would he turn her in to the king? Thoughts swirled in her mind till she finally fell into an exhausted sleep.
When she woke, she slowly became aware that she’d curled into a ball, for the room was chilly. And she was being watched.
With a jerk, she sat up, and her mother’s ghost retreated across the room with a smooth glide.
“Don’t go!” Luciana jumped out of bed.
Her mother, Ariana, hovered by a window, gazing at her sadly.
Tears welled in Luciana’s eyes. “Please don’t leave. I’m so happy to see you.”
A tear rolled down Ariana’s face. “My baby girl. You’ve grown up to be so brave and beautiful.”
Luciana’s heart squeezed and her tears overflowed. When her mother’s form wavered, she reached out her hand. “Please stay.”
Ariana grew solid again. “Forgive me. This is difficult. When I think about all the years that you must have thought you were abandoned…” She wiped tears from her face. “If only I could have let you know how much you were loved.”
“I do know now.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t able to be with—”
“Don’t say that!” More tears poured down Luciana’s cheeks. “I’m the one who’s sorry. You died giving birth—”
“Hush now.” Ariana whooshed toward her and framed Luciana’s face with her hands.
Luciana reached up to touch her mother’s hands, but her fingers passed through to her wet cheeks.
Ariana sighed. “I wish I could hold you. I held you when you were a baby, and I thought my heart would burst with joy.” Her gaze grew more stern. “Don’t you ever for a moment blame yourself. You were an innocent child, born from love. And I am so proud of you.”
Luciana pressed a hand to her mouth as a sob escaped.
“Shh.” Her mother passed a hand over Luciana’s head as if she were stroking her hair. “You must be strong now. You’re in grave danger.”
Luciana sniffed and nodded.
With a sigh, Ariana glided back a few steps. “My poor Tatiana was killed, and now they’re trying to kill you. How could Lucas bring you here? I’m so upset with him now. You were supposed to always be safe.”
“He begged me to stay on the Isle of Moon. But I couldn’t once I learned the truth. If Father fails to do as he was ordered, he’ll be executed.”
Ariana frowned. “I fear you and Lucas will never be safe. I saw what happened today in the courtyard and the dungeons.”
“The dungeons? What happened there?”
“I only saw the aftermath, and I was so shocked, I didn’t stay long.” Ariana grimaced. “While the second assassin was being chased down, the third one slipped into the dungeon to murder the first one. And he killed the two jailers who were there.”
Three murders? Luciana made the sign of the moons, then fisted her hands. No wonder Leo had insisted she be brought back to the tower immediately.
“The Lord Protector is trying very hard to keep you safe,” Ariana continued. “I like him.”
“You do?”
Ariana nodded, her eyes softening. “I believe you like him, too.”
Luciana’s cheeks flared with heat.
Ariana chuckled. “You remind me of your father. He loved me, even though there were terrible rumors about me and my family.”