by J. G. Maltos
Nathaniel barks a hard laugh. “Not going to happen, Princess. We are here to protect you and protecting you is what we are going to do.”
Bash shrugs. “Sorry. Orders are orders.”
I clamp my teeth shut and turn on my heels. I wander around the halls with the soldiers trailing behind. They are deep in conversation that they don’t even notice how far I am. I pick up my pace and they trail farther behind.
Serves them right. I think to myself and quickly turn the corner and sprint down the hall. I slam my back against the cold wall, waiting for them both to realize I am gone. I cover my mouth to minimize the noise once I hear them shout for me. They pass down the hall in a blur and as soon as I know I’m in the clear, I walk the opposite way down the hall.
A part of me remembers what it was like having visited with my parents for countless summers, but a part of it all feels unfamiliar now. It is like walking up a flight of stairs when, suddenly, a step where I expect to disappear and I trip over my own two feet.
Without realizing it, I stop in front of a painting that makes me feel just that. It is a simple painting compared to the rest that decorates the wall. Encased in a silver frame was a familiar ocean. Soft blue and gray hues make out the foam that sits on the shore. In the corner, I can make out the grays that are meant to be the Frost Kingdom’s castle. Memories slam into me like waves.
As a child, I would often sneak away to a special place in the castle. It would overlook the marvelous view the artist so perfectly captured. It was a place where land and sea met, and it was a place that would often calm me when I felt overwhelmed by the duties of a princess. I remember exactly where it was.
Anxious to feel that relief now, I spin around, blindly head toward my salvation, and slam into something hard. The clattering sound of metal bounces off the walls, while I tumble to the ground. I bite back a curse as I find that it isn't something, but someone that I crash into.
A petite girl looks back at me with terror in her green eyes. Her white apron twists awkwardly around her thin body and her thick, black shoes barely hold on by the heels of her foot. She must be a kitchen maid. Her green eyes hold my gaze for a moment longer before she scurries to pick up whatever it is that she had dropped.
I move an inch closer, offering a helping hand, but she shoves everything behind her tiny body. “I am so sorry,” I begin, careful not to startle her anymore than she already is. “I should have seen where I was going. Please, let me help you.” Again, my hand reaches toward a metal piece that peeks out from behind her, but she quickly grabs it and holds it tightly against her chest.
“I—I am fine, Princess,” she says in a voice just as small as her body. “Thank you.” The girl stands and as she gives me a short bow, I notice it is a small cylinder container that she gripped so tightly. “I must hurry. I’ve kept the head cook waiting for a while already.”
“I can go with you!” I offer, guilt breeding in my chest. “I can explain everything, so you won’t be scolded—”
“That is quite alright, Princess.” She stutters. “I must go.” And just like that, she gives one last bow before speeding off down the hall.
“Great.” I get back on my feet, dusting off the hems of my dress. “I keep ruining things, it seems.”
Urgent voices sound down the hall cause an uneasy feeling in my stomach. I remember why I was in such a hurry myself a moment ago. I rush down the hall when I hear a pair of hushed voices whispering aggressively to each other. Not wanting to interrupt, I tilt my head away but hushed voices catch my ear.
“Phoenix Rising will find her whether you like it or not,” a voice pushes through.
“That is the least of my worries right now.”
I inch toward the corner of the hall, barely putting any weight on my feet to not make a sound.
“What do you mean?” The same voice sounds irritated. “You know what? Don’t tell me. I’ve helped you long enough and look where that has gotten me.”
“We will find them,” the second voice answers. “You just need to keep that little mouth of yours shut long enough for that to happen.”
“I sure hope you’re faster than Phoenix Rising. You don’t want to be the one facing them at the end.”
“I’ll get it done. Now, go!” the stern voice urges. I try to think if I have heard her voice but no one comes to mind.
I push myself against the wall, hoping that they won't come around the corner I stand by. After several moments of silence, I peek down the hall and find it empty. Anxiety sits heavy on my chest.
My feet act on their own. They spring through the glass doors with child-like anticipation. The smell of grass, mud, and earth hit me in a welcoming wave. There is nothing more that I want at this moment than to feel connected with the very Earth I was denied all these years. Suddenly, I forgot exactly what it was I was doing. I rip off my boots, flinging them carelessly to the side, and plant the pads of my feet firmly on the ground. The bristles of grass tickle my toes and I can’t control the giggle that erupts from my throat.
Then I run. I run for as long as my body lets me, straight into the vast green that expands before me. I don’t know where I am going, but quite frankly I don’t care. All I see is miles of the sky that opens overhead for the first time in forever. Despite the burning in my lungs, I feel as though I could keep going if I wanted to and never look back.
A cliff forces me to slow to a stop. I welcome the waves and take in the air in large gulps. It seems I was wrong. The painting does not do this view justice. The ocean extends way past the edge of the world, connecting with the sky and expanding into a beautiful array of grays and blues.
I lay down on the grass and feel with a pleasant surprise the waves below crashing against the bottom of the cliff. It throws the smell of the salty ocean up toward me. My blue dress sprays out around me and I am thankful for the extra layers that allow me to stay in this comfortable position.
A feeling of serenity sparks in my chest, floating like a rose petal in a sea of anxiety. My enemy sits in the corner of my mind, sitting in the darkest corner, waiting for me to fall asleep so it can wreak havoc even in my dreams. Fear constantly hovers at the base of the neck like the tip of a knife.
As I lift my arm to block out the blinding sun, I remember yet again of my harsh reality. Small scars dot a trail on the inside of my arm from the guards’ attempt at muting my powers. In the middle of it is a fresh one, barely scabbing over from my last encounter with One Ear. I must have missed two doses already. I wonder—
Eagerly, I turn over and place my two hands on the ground. The ghost of a smile sits on my lips as I remember how it felt in the interrogation room. Or at least, how it felt before One Ear injected me. Now, I can feel the tickle of energy brushing against my palm.
I had just been at the beginning of my Elemental Training with my mother before my kingdom was attacked. I took a deep breath and summoned the buried memories of her teachings, hoping that the serum didn’t do away with those as well.
Heat burns at the center of my chest and I imagine myself reaching toward it. As I’m about to wrap myself around it, I feel the heat recoil away from me. It has been so long, it must not recognize its host.
I take a deep breath again and make a second attempt, reaching toward it even more carefully than before. The heat inches toward me then, but only barely like a dog sniffing a warm hand. I manage to turn over a small pebble that sits at my feet. I sigh. That’ll have to do for now.
I settled again with my back against the ground and tried to enjoy this moment of peace. My mind has a different idea.
“Phoenix Rising,” I find myself saying. “Who are you and what are you after?” I’ve always dreamed of escaping the cells but, in my head, it was always foolishly simple. I’d leave and the people that wronged my family would pay the price. I know it is naïve, but a girl can dream. It seems like even outside the cell, I can’t escape the secrets.
I make one last attempt at using this rare time to f
inally relax. The castle is far behind me now, and I am alone. That somehow gives me more peace than I've had since waking up. I welcome the blinding sun now, absorbing its warmth like a blanket. The salty ocean crashes beneath me and the sound lulls my eyes closed.
I don’t know how long I am like this, but the sound of footsteps echoing through the ground startles me awake. I turn and catch sight of three maids huddled together speaking in hushed tones. The light from the sun blurs the girls' faces.
They stop in their tracks once they notice me laying on the grass, no doubt surprised at seeing someone so far from the castle. The edge of the field is bright green, for now. The Frost Kingdom is not known for this type of weather but I try to enjoy it while I can. I guess I am not the only one with the same idea.
I force a smile, trying my best for it to come off as warmly as I can, but I have a feeling it came out more like a grimace. I had Nathaniel and Bash running around to find me just to be alone and now I am facing three maids. I would call it karma but I believe I just have bad luck.
One of the maids’ eyes widens as they take a good look at me and all three immediately offer a low curtsy. It still feels weird seeing people bow or curtsy in my presence after being treated like the dirt on the bottom of a shoe.
“Princess,” They greet in unison, raising from their curtsy.
They stare at me in amazement and I fidget with the hem of my sleeve beneath their gaze. After a second, I offer a curtsy of my own. “Hello, Ladies. I was just…” I look behind me toward the cliff, unsure of how to explain a Princess laying on the ground in full royal clothing.
“Enjoying what little sun we have left, Princess?” the brunette offers with excitement in her voice. “Us, too! Would you like some company?” She doesn’t wait for a response before grabbing the other two girls’ hands and pulling them towards me.
“Of course.” I look between them, a mixture of surprise and awkwardness filling the silence. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t quite catch your names.”
“Oh!” Her blush flushes her face. “How rude of me! My apologies, Princess. My name is Evangeline DeLaGivre. Others call me Evie.” She signals to the shorter brunette to her right and the last girl with long jet black hair. “She’s Odette Rowe. That’s Zemirah.”
They each bow their heads toward me, and I awkwardly return the gesture. Evie turns to me in excitement while Zemirah gives me a warm smile. I stare at her longer than I intended to. Her smile makes me think of someone I once knew, back in my childhood.
“How have you been adjusting, Princess?” The girl with jet black hair, Zemirah, offers a warm smile before taking a seat on the grass.
“Yes,” Evie comments, following Zemirah’s sitting on the grass along with Odette. “Everything must feel like a drastic change from how things used to be. I mean, being back in a castle instead of a cell. I heard stories about you fighting on the ship. Nathaniel mentioned you assisted him in bringing down a guard with air abilities.” She Zemirah nudges her on the shoulder, her eyes holding a message. I catch the silent messages between the girls and raise an eyebrow. Blood rushes to Evie's cheeks as she looks back at me in worry.
Evie’s eyes widened. “Oh! I simply meant that—” She lowered her gaze. “My apologies for overstepping, Princess.” Zemirah looks at Evie with sad eyes. I give them a small smile, letting them know I am not offended.
I take a hesitant seat near the girls. “Anything is better than my previous living arrangements.” I cut it. Zemirah gives me a reassuring smile, welcoming me to the group.
“The Frost Kingdom is always calm around this time.” Zemirah rests back onto the palms of her hand, absorbing the sun into her tan skin. “Except for when all the Elites arrive and start barking orders like we live in their kingdoms. ‘Bring me this, wash that, and I need ice with no cracks.” Zemirah chuckles at my puzzled expression. “I just like them better when they’re in their kingdoms. Frost isn’t exactly their favorable element, after all.” Something about the way she runs her hands down her face felt oddly familiar. “If I have to make perfectly square ice cubes for Elite Rose one more time, I’ll show her where she can shove it.”
“I’m sorry,” I say in between chuckles. “You just remind me of someone, but I can’t quite place who.”
Her smile falters for a moment and I instantly regret my comment. “My mother was part of Queen Rosalynda’s court. Lady Haniya.” A gasp escapes my lips. Lady Haniya was one of my mother's closest friends. I wipe my sweaty palms against my dress.
“My father was Grand General Aesir Cendrez, second in command of the Earth Kingdom’s fleet, after King Tellus Thierah II.” She lowers her gaze, “I wasn’t sure you’d remember me, and I didn’t wish to overwhelm you with the past.” Her cheeks redden as she fiddles her fingers. Aesir was my closest friend and helped delegate tiffs between kingdoms. He was a skilled fighter and a great war general.
“How could I forget!” I pull her into a bone-crushing embrace. Images flash across my mind of a dark-haired little girl playing in her mother’s wardrobe. “I can’t believe it’s you!” As we pull apart, I see unshed tears brim in her eyes.
“It’s been so long, Princess.” She smiles. “We’ve both changed so much since then.”
“That is an understatement,” I say dryly. “And your parents?” I am hesitant to say exactly what I mean, but Zemirah catches on quickly and shakes her head. So many lives were lost that night, but knowing two people who saw me grow up were also taken that night breaks open a wound I tried to seal. I look at Zemirah and see part of myself in her.
She sits back into her hands, staring out at the cliff as if it is the most interesting thing in the world. “I had left that night without them knowing. To meet a boy, actually.” She chuckles at that, twirling a loose strand of hair around a delicate finger. “Of course, it all seems childish now. I knew they wouldn’t approve of him and that angered me. I hate the idea of that being my last memory.” A sound hitches in her throat and I wait patiently for her to continue.
Odette and Evie remain silent next to Zemirah, with sadness in their eyes. “Anyways, I knew the Frost Kingdom was a safe place since your family visited quite often. The boy helped me escape undetected that night. I set off to find Koura.” Her eyes meet mine, and for a second I recognize a pain I often see in myself. “I was in a horrible condition, all bloody and bruised. The castle wouldn’t have let me in if it wasn’t for him.”
“I am so sorry you had to go through that,” I say.
She shrugs it off as if it were no big deal, but I knew better. “Days after arriving,” she continues. “The Lightning Kingdom’s guards had occupied what was left of the Earth Kingdom. After a few weeks, a letter came with the names of the Fallen and the Missing. The King and Queen were on the list, as were my parents.”
I take a moment to process what she said. I know this already from the meeting, but it feels different coming from someone who was there. We both lost so much.
“Having you here-” I grab her hand lightly, hoping she would feel the sincerity I felt. “You have no idea how happy it makes me to know you were able to escape. Given the alternatives.” My heart breaks again thinking about those killed and those forced into working like dogs for the bare minimum. “At least you’re here with me, Zee.”
Her eyes flash to me. I fear I must have done something wrong, but when I meet her gaze once again, I see nothing but surprise and joy. “‘Zee?” She smiles. “It feels good hearing that again, Princess.”
“Enough with this ‘princess’ business.” I wipe away a tear that threatens to spill, relieved at the chance of a lightened atmosphere. “I wish to be called simply by my name. It’s been so long. This whole ‘princess’ thing feels so foreign to me now.”
Zee lightly bumps her shoulder against mine. “You can cover a diamond in dirt, but that would still make it a buried treasure.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Evie signing to Odette who had been watching between us intensely. When Ev
ie is done, Odette gives me a sad smile.
I wave at her before sliding my palms together to say “Nice to meet you.”
Her smile brightens up at this and her hands move excitedly in front of her. She looks at Evie and starts signing quickly from the excitement. Evie gives a heartfelt laugh and quickly grips her moving hands. My heart warms at their closeness.
I recognize the basic gestures for “know”, “sign” and a few more but the rest just passed by me. I chuckle in between one of her pauses and pinch my fingers together to say “a little.” Part of being in the royal family, we are taught different languages. Sign language is one of my favorites to learn, but I have not practiced it in a long time.
“My sign isn’t very extensive,” I explain to both Evie and Odette. “Would you like to teach me? I would certainly love to learn more.”
Evie signs to Odette, presumably relaying a little more clearly what I had said. As if her eyes couldn’t get any brighter, Odette nods frantically.
“We would love to!” Laughs Evie. “Everyone normally waits for me to translate as if it’s too much of a hassle to put in some extra effort.” She looks over to Odette, who signs excitedly again. “I read lips well enough,” Evie relays for her. “I’ve had to learn since most everyone calls me for their designs. So long as you look at me while you speak, I’ll understand, but I am more than happy to help either way!” Odette lowers her hands, and Evie turns to me. “Her hands are a god’s send!” Innocent pride rolls off her tongue. “She makes the most beautiful gowns. Everyone loves them!”
Something about this feels oddly refreshing. It is such a mundane conversation, but it is so uncommon for me. “You three are lucky to have each other.” I try to hide the envy in my voice.
“Of course!” Boasts Evie, wrapping her tight arms around Odette and Zemirah’s shoulders. “And there is always room for more, Princess.” She smiles before puckering her lips toward the girls at her side. A laugh escapes my lips as I see Odette and Zee's surprised faces.