by Lisa Dawn
“The mages could still protect us if you would return their runes.”
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”
“Why not?”
I stood over her. She might be regent, but I was about to become queen. Nothing she could do would interfere with my plans to restore magic back to the people it belonged to, or so I thought.
“To seal the alliance, we will be casting all the runes in our possession out to sea so they can do no more harm.”
For a moment, time stood still. My heart stopped in my chest. Did she know my secret? The runes we had collected from the fallen mages were not wasting away untouched in the tunnels below the castle for all these years. Ever since I was a child, I knew their location and snuck down regularly to study them. I knew how they worked. My notebook contained detailed notes on each symbol and what it meant. I couldn’t let her take them away. Not now. I was so close to taking my place on the throne and returning the precious jewels to their owners.
“You can’t! You mustn’t!” I pleaded.
My words fell hollow, on deaf ears. I knew she would never forgive me if I told her the true reason I was opposed to her plan. In her mind, magic only caused chaos and pain. It took away her ability to walk and stand on her own two feet. She saw it only as evil, and there was no way to convince her otherwise.
“A good ruler must do everything within her power to protect her people. When you are queen, you will understand,” she said
“I understand now!”
“I will not be seen as a weak and feeble regent who did nothing to ensure Klingland’s safety in their hour of need.”
“No one sees you that way.”
In truth, I knew there were many who did, but that wasn’t what she needed to hear. Her insecurities ran too deep.
“There is no need to try to protect me from the truth. Do you wish to take away my one last opportunity to prove my worth before you are crowned?”
So that’s what this was about. My aunt needed this not for me, but for herself. It was a matter of pride. Over the past ten years, she had done everything she could to keep Klingland from crumbling. She wanted to be remembered for something great even if she could never be a great queen. I owed her that. As hard as she was on me when I was growing up, she taught me what it truly meant to be a great leader and take responsibility for my people first. It would be wrong to break her spirit right before I ascended the throne. I hung my head low and accepted my fate.
“Of course not,” I said. “Please forgive my impropriety.”
“Very good,” she nodded. “Your engagement ball is tomorrow night. See that you are prepared.”
“Yes, Aunt Denise.”
I curtsied and turned to leave. My hand was on the sculpted doorknob, and I nearly to freedom when her soft voice snapped me back to the bleak reality of the situation once more.
“And Charlotte?”
“Yes?”
“Promise that you will do nothing to compromise this alliance.”
“Very well,” I mumbled.
But I didn’t mean it.
Chapter 3
The second the door shut behind me, I lost my last ounce of dignity. I hunched my shoulders, stomped across the marble floor, and sobbed uncontrollably down the hallway. As I tried to reach my chambers before anyone saw me, my sobs were broken by the distinct sound of Lily’s high-pitched giggling. I looked ahead to see her sharing a private joke with Henry. The two of them looked elated without a care in the world. If only my marriage prospects could be so perfect. They filled with concern when they noticed me.
“Charlotte?” asked Lily.
I continued marching past them.
“What happened?” asked Henry.
“Ask your mother,” I wailed.
As the only nobleman in the castle, Henry was fiercely protective of all of us. It wasn’t my place to put a rift between him and his mother. Plus, if I told Henry and Lily about her proposal, it would inevitably get back to Krystal, whether it was through Lily’s loyalty to her as her friend or Henry’s loyalty as her brother. I was in no mood to talk about what had happened. I needed a plan. I thought about going to my room, but my feet carried me past my chambers before my mind could catch up.
The next thing I knew, I was standing next to an ornate wall that led to the castle’s underground tunnels. Very few people knew about this secret door. Before my parents died, they showed me all of the hidden passageways in the castle in case of an emergency. My aunt thought that the tunnels were the perfect place to hide the runes for safekeeping, and she was right. It was impossible to find without some sort of magical aid.
I pressed my fingers down on three of the flowers painted into the detailed pattern on the wall until I heard the latch click open. Then I stuck my fingernails into one the narrow stripes in the design that was actually the opening of the secret door. After a quick glance back to make sure no one else was watching, I slipped into the passageway and returned the door to its camouflaged state.
I descended the long staircase that led to the dusty tunnels and held up my gown to ensure the maids wouldn’t have to do extra cleaning work or ask invasive questions about where I’d been. These tunnels were familiar and yet mysterious at the same time. I had spent countless hours learning their secrets while the rest of the castle slept. It was hard to believe that my sanctuary was about to be desecrated.
As I made my way through the twists and turns of the labyrinthine corridors, all I could think about was that I needed to find a way to save the runes. King Mercer’s greed must not take away Klingland’s most precious resource. I ducked under a dusty curtain and made my way over to a dark corner containing a nondescript box where my aunt hid them. She had it sealed by mages so only someone with the ability to control magic could open it. That someone turned out to be me.
I don’t know how or why, but the runes responded to my touch, even when I was a child. Their magical energy coursed through my veins whenever I was near them. I would never forget the day I discovered the runes. I got lost playing in the underground tunnels. A warm bright light guided me to the room where they were hidden. As I approached the box, it lit up with an otherworldly glow and opened as if by an invisible hand, inviting me closer. The first rune I wielded was the water rune. It formed droplets that floated in the air all around me. The glow from the other runes refracted through them, filling the room with prismatic rainbow light. No one knew about my secret excursions. If my aunt ever found out, she would be furious.
I sat beside the box of Klingland’s greatest treasures for what felt like hours. It was as if I had to say good-bye to an old friend but didn’t know how. The warmth and energy the runes emitted comforted me in my frustration. I brushed my hand over each jewel as it lit up in response. There was the cool refreshing energy of the blue water rune, the warm soothing energy of the red fire rune, the gentle relaxing energy of the green healing rune, and so many more that I had yet to discover. The one that had frustrated me the most was a yellow rune whose powers had always eluded me. I thought I had plenty of time to study it, but it seemed that my time had run out faster than I’d anticipated.
I wrapped my fingers around the mystery rune and closed my eyes, trying to sense its energy waves. It was cool and smooth in my hand like any other jewel, but I knew that nothing contained in this box was a regular jewel. Yet when I held it, I felt nothing. I tried to think about all of the possible things that a magical relic could do—levitation, illusion, divination—but nothing seemed to generate a response in the rune. Finally, I spoke to it out loud.
“What in the world is your power?”
If anyone had been watching me, they probably would have thought I’d gone mad for talking to a jewel. Yet, my persistence was rewarded. The rune lit up with a yellow glow that coursed through my fingers and up my arm as it took control of my psyche. The next thing I knew, I was speaking not through my own volition, but through the power of the rune.
“I must find a way to
return the magic to my people and stop this alliance.”
My hand flew to my mouth. It had been exactly what I was thinking at the time, but I had no intention of saying it aloud. The rune caused me to answer my own question. I squinted at the symbols etched on it in the dim glow of the other runes and thought back to my notes about the language of magic.
True Mind
This rune had the power to make people speak the truth. If I could use it on King Mercer and Prince Braydon, perhaps my aunt would learn their nefarious motives and call it off. It was a dangerous plan. If I got caught with a rune, I’d risk exile or worse. But what choice did I have? To become queen in an alliance with Dorraine would mean giving up magic forever. I needed to act, and I needed to act now.
I stuffed the rune into the fitted part of my long sleeve. The bell-shaped fabric that draped out over my wrist would hide the bulge. I raced through the tunnels and back up the stairs, hoping to make it back to my chambers without being seen. If I wanted this plan to work, I would need to become an expert on wielding the truth rune by tomorrow night. I pushed open the secret door in the wall and checked to make sure no one was coming. I heard nothing, so I stepped out and closed it carefully behind me until the door became virtually invisible.
“Who goes there?” shouted a commanding voice.
As I jumped in surprise, the rune slid out of my sleeve and hit the floor with a loud clink.
Chapter 4
“Frederick?”
“My apologies, Princess. I didn’t mean to frighten you. I thought I heard an intruder.”
My favorite palace guard managed to sneak up on me as I exited the corridor. Frederick grew up with my father and remained every bit as loyal to me as he did to him. He once expertly wielded a lightning rune with the other palace knights, but after the war, he studied the art of swordsmanship. Unfortunately for me, his mage background meant he also had the ability to use the truth rune. I tried to bend down to pick it up, but my large skirt acted as a barricade. Ever the gentleman, Frederick kneeled to pick it up for me without realizing what it was.
“What were you doing in the tunnels in the middle of the day?” he asked.
He must have known about my nightly excursions, but he was discreet about them. As he handed me the rune, it glowed yellow. I felt the energy from his question fill the air and make its way to my mouth as I voiced my answer.
“My aunt intends to destroy the runes. I can’t let that happen. I was looking for a way to stop her and prevent the alliance she agreed to between me and Prince Braydon of Dorraine.”
I snatched back the rune, but the damage was already done. I hung my head in shame. He pretended not to notice. Bless him, feigning ignorance for my sake. Of all the people in the castle staff, I trusted him the most.
“That is most unfortunate. I know you will find the best solution for all of us. You have your father’s spirit. Just be careful, Your Highness.”
He was every bit as aware of the danger as I was. I nodded as my cheeks burned red from my embarrassing blunder.
“Of course, Frederick. Good day.”
He bowed. As I turned away from him, I stuffed the rune under my corset. I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of that earlier. With how tightly Elsie laced me in, it was far more secure than my sleeve. I’d have to remember that trick next time I needed to hide something. I made it back to my chambers without another incident.
I spent the rest of the afternoon studying my notebook and writing down everything I had learned about the truth rune. Decoding the symbols for “true mind” helped me understand a few symbols I had sketched from other runes. It was fascinating work, which is why I practically fell from my chair when I was interrupted by an angry bang on my door. Elsie had a gentle knock. The only person I could think of who had reason to be angry right now was—
“How could you do this to me? Mother told me everything.”
Krystal let herself in. She was nothing if not predictable. I closed my notebook.
“Then she must have also told you that I was adamantly opposed to it,” I said calmly.
Krystal wasn’t buying it.
“You still agreed,” she huffed.
“She didn’t give me a choice! I know you have designs on Prince Braydon, and I would never do anything to—”
“Designs? You say that as though I’m involved in some sort of tawdry affair! He’s been writing to me for months. You’re already a princess. You don’t need this opportunity like I do.”
“I’ve done everything I can.”
She didn’t even know the half of it.
“If that were true, you would not be going through with it.”
“The only way to stop this alliance is to prove King Mercer’s true intentions, and that would require indecent measures.”
I felt the smooth stone press against my skin under my corset, reminding me of the indecent measures I had already taken.
“You’re smart. There must be something you can do.”
It takes a lot for Krystal to resort to flattery. She must have really wanted this alliance to be called off.
“There might be, but it’s risky,” I admitted.
“If you value our relationship at all, you will find a way. Family is supposed to be there for each other. Remember when I convinced Mother that you were tardy for your diplomacy lesson because you misplaced your scroll?”
That was the day I had discovered a sleeping rune in the catacombs. By the time I woke up, I knew I’d never make it to the lesson on time. Krystal and Lily always made excuses for me in my absence because they knew how hard I worked even though they had no idea what I was really up to. They trusted me, so it was only fair that I did the same for both of them. I took her hands in mine.
“Of course. Krystal, you know that I value you as my lady, my cousin, and my friend. I promise you that I have a plan, but I cannot discuss it at this time. I just need you to trust me. Can you do that?”
I felt a warm energy pour from the rune under my corset through my hands and into Krystal’s. Oops. I hadn’t meant to activate it. As Krystal answered my question, her blue eyes shifted for just a moment to a yellow hue that matched the rune.
“I only trust you when it comes to doing what is righteous, but you are too naïve to do what is necessary.”
I let go of her hands. We stared at each other for a moment. I knew she was not expecting to voice her innermost thoughts, but neither was I expecting her to respond in such a way. Was that how Krystal saw me? As a simple do-gooder who was afraid to get her hands dirty?
“I should go,” she said softly.
I nodded. She looked as confused and disoriented as I felt. The magic from the rune was taking a toll on me. After she left, I removed it from my corset and shoved it in a drawer under my desk. Then I returned to my studies and tried not to think about the fact that I may have misjudged how my cousin thought of me all these years.
Chapter 5
I tossed and turned all night in anticipation of my engagement ball. In the time I spent fantasizing about the day I would become queen, I had never once pictured myself getting married. Now, I was about to become a bride overnight if my plan was unsuccessful. I sat up as the first crack of dawn peeked in through my window. I had too much on my mind that morning to wait for Elsie’s familiar knock to lull me out of a peaceful sleep.
I opened my desk drawer where I hid the rune. It was indeed lovely in the dim light of dawn. The symbols carved into it swirled through the transparent yellow surface like delicate embroidery. I was so distracted and tired from my lack of sleep that I barely even heard the knock on the door.
“Come in, Elsie,” I called.
Elsie always took her time entering my room. I slid the rune back into the drawer. I was about to close it when Lily was stood right over my shoulder. She was fast! I slammed the drawer shut.
“What have you got there?” she asked playfully.
I jumped up so fast I banged my knee on my desk. I sat back dow
n and rubbed it to dull the pain.
“Lily! What are you doing here?”
“I brought you a little engagement present.”
“I don’t want a present. I want it called off.”
“You can come in!” shouted Lily, ignoring me.
Krystal stumbled reluctantly into the room, still in her lace nightgown. I attempted to smooth out my own silk chartreuse nightgown to make myself more presentable. I probably looked like a wreck.
“Krystal has something she wants to tell you. Don’t you, Krystal?”
When Krystal refused to go further than the threshold, Lily grabbed her by the arm and pulled her over. Krystal crossed her arms and pouted.
“I have nothing to say to her.”
Meanwhile, Lily couldn’t take her eyes of the drawer where she caught me stashing away the rune. I knew she meant well, but she never was able to stay focused on one thing for very long. To my horror, she reached over and pulled the drawer open before I had the chance to stop her.
“What are you hiding?” she asked mischievously.
“Stop!” I yelled.
“Is this a rune?”
She held the brilliant yellow jewel up to the light. I braced myself to succumb to the rune’s power and answer her question, but no such instinct overcame me. In her hands, it looked no different than any other precious gem. Perhaps Lily did not have the gift. Krystal uncrossed her arms. All of a sudden, she seemed very interested in my business.
“That’s weird,” I said. “When Frederick was touching it and asked me a question, I was forced to tell the truth.”
“So it is a rune?” asked Lily.
“I’m just borrowing it for the ball tonight. You mustn’t tell anyone, especially not Denise!”
I snatched it back up. I could have lied, but there was no point. My two ladies-in-waiting had already discovered my secret. Counting Frederick, there were now three people who knew my shame. Fortunately, all of them were people I trusted with my life. I just needed to make sure no one else found out about it.