She had been out of sight for a couple of minutes when the same chime sounded again. Before I could ask Sophie what she thought it meant, Celine flew out onto the path and landed hard, as if shot at speed from the other end of the race track.
I gasped and raced over to her. She had pulled herself up into a sitting position, and tears leaked out of her eyes as she clutched at her injured ankle. I kneeled down next to her, but she merely shrugged at me and grimaced. I reached for her leg, to check it, but she shook her head and pushed me away, gesturing for me to return to the beginning of the track. I hoped that meant she hadn’t reinjured it despite the evident pain.
The others had watched our silent interaction with wide eyes, no one stepping up to run next. After a moment, Emmeline looked around at the rest of the group and then moved forward. She was taller than either Sophie or me, but my previous concerns about beating her time had faded, replaced by new ones as to what exactly this ‘race’ entailed.
She disappeared from sight much more quickly than Celine had, leaving the rest of us with no option but to wait and see what happened.
Did Celine seem badly hurt? Sophie asked.
I think she’ll be all right. I hope so anyway. But there’s nothing we can do to help her down here. And I’m worried about you getting thrown around like that. You’re still weak from the fever.
You’ll have to go first, projected Sophie. You can tell me what to expect. Maybe I can avoid triggering whatever happened to Celine.
I had originally planned to send her first, to give myself that advantage of foresight, but in the light of this unknown danger I agreed to her suggestion. Even with the extra help, she would still be slow so was likely to have one of the lower scores.
When the chime sounded again, we all flinched, our eyes racing to the end of the track. Sure enough, Emmeline came flying out, just as Celine had done. She landed hard, winced and pushed herself slowly upright. Thankfully Celine had managed to push herself out of the way before Emmeline’s abrupt arrival, or the other girl would have landed on top of her.
Millie moved forward to take her place at the start of the race, a look of determination on her face. I was grateful to her for leading the way since strategy suggested I should wait until the end, in the hope I might be able to gain some clue to what was happening.
When her chime sounded, she followed the previous two, shooting out onto the main path and landing awkwardly. I frowned and met Sophie’s eyes.
It’s hard to tell time down here, but… Sophie started chewing on a strand of hair. Do you think the chime is sounding after the same amount of time?
I nodded. It did seem like it. But the instructions didn’t tell us there was a time limit for completing the track.
She sent back a laugh that lacked humor. They didn’t tell us the ceiling would fall in either. Or to watch out for waves.
She had a point. Let’s count this time.
We counted steadily through the next three contestants and, sure enough, the chime sounded after five minutes each time. So we need to finish the track in that time to avoid a painful exit, projected Sophie.
I nodded but without much hope. If neither Emmeline nor Millie had managed it, I didn’t see how Sophie would in a weakened state. Which meant it was up to me to give her enough of an advantage with my description of the track.
The group at the end of the track grew as the group at the beginning shrunk, until eventually only Sophie and I remained. No one had succeeded in outrunning the chime, and Pearl and Marigold were both crying from their falls.
Finally I took my place, springing away before the chime had faded from the air. The golden glow of the track made it easy to follow, and the path behind me was soon swallowed by the trees. It twisted and turned, and I soon came upon an obstacle—a downed tree across the track. I leaped over it, but had to slow my pace or risk serious injury if I came upon another obstruction too fast. I wondered uneasily if a few bruises from being flung from the path was the only thing making Pearl and Marigold cry.
I pushed them from my mind. I could do nothing to help them, and I needed all my attention to try to beat the race and leave Sophie forewarned. If she knew when to expect the obstacles, maybe she really could run faster than the rest of us and escape the fall. I kept up a constant projection to her, warning her of each obstruction and twist of the track.
My lungs and legs burned by the time the track turned back in the direction of the path. I continued to push myself, though, thinking of Sophie every time I felt my steps slow.
I’ve circled all the way back, I said to her, keeping up my account of the track. I can actually see a stretch from the beginning of the track. I didn’t notice it passed so close when I was running the other section.
Thank goodness I didn’t need my breath to project since I had none left. Now I’ve made another turn and I still can’t see the end of the track.
It had been too much to keep count while also talking to Sophie, but I had a sinking feeling that five minutes must nearly be up. How could anyone complete the track in the allocated time?
I had no sooner finished the thought, than the chime sounded, and my feet slid out from under me. The golden dirt of the track solidified into a surface as slippery as ice, and the ground immediately behind me seemed to rise, the raised portion moving forward like a wave and propelling me down the slide that was thus created.
By the time it dumped me onto the main path, I had gained enough speed that it hurt. A lot. I lay there, not even attempting to sit up as I tried to regain my breath. I had five minutes to get out of the way, and I didn’t see how Sophie could possibly finish in that time, even with my warnings. I had slid a long way.
Anger and frustration at the impossible task welled within me, buoyed by the pain from where I had landed. I took several deep breaths and made myself sit up.
Millie and Lilac appeared and held out their hands to help me up. I had just grasped the proffered assistance when they both looked over my shoulder, their eyes widening. I tried to twist around to look as well, but they dragged me quickly forward, not waiting for me to get my feet under me.
I finally managed to regain my balance and turn around just in time to see Sophie jog across the end of the track onto the path. As she stepped over to join us, everyone’s voice was freed.
“That was so fast!”
“How did you do it?”
The other girls crowded around her, calling out questions, but my shock was too great to be put in to words. She laughed and shrugged. “I knew I didn’t have the energy for a full run, and I would never have made it before that chime. So, when I saw another section of the track so close, I took a chance and jumped across. I ended up cutting out most of it, I think.”
“Jumped it?” Marigold sounded half-shocked, half-delighted. “Are you allowed to do that?”
“It just said our body couldn’t touch the ground outside of the track, it didn’t say you had to actually run the whole thing. And once I’d done that, I found I was almost here.”
“I’m impressed,” said Emmeline. “I didn’t even notice the track doubled back so close until I was on the second section.”
“Me neither,” said Snow.
“I didn’t notice it either,” said Celine. “But then I was already sliding by the time I must have come back past it.”
Sophie met my eyes and grinned before shrugging again. “I was watching really closely.”
I had to force myself to smile back. I had only wanted to protect her from injury, not to allow her to leap ahead in the scores as she would surely do now.
When we collected the scores, I was relieved to see that I had been the third fastest after Sophie and Emmeline. Emmeline now trailed Hazel closely, but Sophie and I still considerably outstripped them. I had lost most of the lead I had previously gained on my sister, though.
The usual small crowd awaited us when we emerged from the small room, but Helena’s efforts focused on Sophie given her current frail stat
e. I trailed behind them, still too tired after my intense run to offer any assistance.
“You’re planning to win, aren’t you?” The words, that I had already heard once that night, emerged from the shadows. I jumped. I tried to move away without responding, but his hand shot out and gripped my arm, pulling me into the shadows with him.
It’s Jon, I sent to Sophie. He wants to talk to me about something. I’ll try to catch up in a minute, but give some excuse to Helena if you have to.
Very well. I could hear her curiosity, but she refrained from asking me questions. Another area in which her virtues exceeded mine.
“Look at me.” His voice was so anguished, I couldn’t help but comply. “And don’t try to hide it from me. I know you too well. You would never let someone else take on the responsibility. I can’t let you do it.”
I sighed. There was clearly no point denying it. “You can’t do anything to stop me.”
“Can’t I?”
His intensity scared me. “No, Jon, you can’t! The law is clear, remember? You can’t get around the magic, your life would be forfeit. It doesn’t matter who you are. Think of your kingdom. Think of your parents and your sisters. They need you. Especially now.” I clutched the front of his jacket with both hands. “You can’t do anything foolish. You’ll only get yourself killed.”
He pulled me closer. “I’m always responsible. For nineteen years I’ve been nothing but responsible. And I love my people. I just love you more. I’ve already told you—in this one thing I can’t be responsible. I would do anything to save you.”
“Don’t say that,” I said, my voice small. I looked up into his eyes and felt like I was suffocating. “I don’t want you to save me at the expense of yourself. It would break my heart.”
He leaned down so our faces nearly touched. “You’re already breaking mine.” His lips pressed down hard against mine, and his arms swept around me, locking me against his chest.
I embraced him back, I couldn’t help myself, but silent tears poured from my eyes, and the salt water mingled with the taste of our kiss. Could you die from love and sorrow and pain?
Lily? Sophie’s voice in my head made me stagger backwards from the kiss. Helena’s coming back for you.
I mopped at my face, desperately trying to scrub away the tears before the baroness found me. Gentle hands reached out and gripped mine, stopping me, but I wrenched myself free and fled down the corridor.
“Lily,” he called after me, his voice hoarse. But I didn’t stop.
I could barely sleep, haunted by Jon’s words. Sophie had instantly seen my distress, and this time had pressed me to explain. The encounter with Jon had broken down some of my carefully constructed defenses, so I had told her my most pressing fear—that Jon would attempt to interfere with the Tourney.
I could tell, though, that she didn’t think it likely. “All of them get heated up, sometimes,” she said. “But Jon is always the most sensible. If anyone was going to try, it would be Gabe.”
Except that you succeeded, I wanted to tell her. We broke through his responsibility and restraint, just like you told me to do in that ballroom so many days ago. Only, we did it more than the little bit you were aiming for. And now I’m terrified he’s going to end up destroying his life, and it will be all my fault.
But I remained silent, even in my mind.
The next morning, I refused to leave our room. “I’m staying in here until I come up with an idea,” I told Sophie. “We have to think of a way to save Marin.” If I could give Jon some hope for his duchy, perhaps he would give up whatever desperate plan he had hatched.
But no brilliant revelations came to me. Eventually, in desperation, I convinced Sophie to come with me to talk to the head of the Lanoverian delegation. “The Duchess of Sessily is shrewd, but she has compassion. Perhaps she will agree to help Marin.” I lowered my voice. “Perhaps she would consider a marriage alliance between Celine and Jon, without requiring Marin to hand themselves over to Lanover.”
“Lily! How can you even think of such a thing!”
But Sophie’s horror didn’t sway me. My desperation had grown as I spent the day cooped up in my room, and I knew that nothing would be so terrible as seeing Jon struck down by the magic that had destroyed Palinar and Prince Dominic.
Reluctantly Sophie accompanied me and listened in silence to my halting explanation to the duchess. I told her of Marin’s troubles and their need, but I didn’t mention the coup. I thought she might be more likely to offer Lanover’s help to the duchy now if she didn’t know a better offer might be coming. Although, given the noblewoman’s reputation, I considered it more than possible she already knew, anyway.
“I’m sorry, Lily,” she said when I had finished. “The duke and duchess seem like good rulers, fallen on hard times through no fault of their own. But I serve Lanover’s interests, not theirs. Marin is smaller than all the kingdoms of this land and only a duchy. I could not, in all good faith, recommend a marriage alliance with them over Talinos or Trione.”
Her face softened slightly and she gave a small sigh. “If love were involved, that would be a different thing. We still serve under the High King’s laws, of course. But I have seen no sign of that between the Marinese prince and Celine…” Her voice trailed off, her eyes gentle but all too knowing.
I fought to hold back tears. I had never meant to doom Marin’s only chance by attracting Jon’s attention. I had always imagined that when I fell in love it would be something beautiful, a pathway to peace and prosperity for many. This reality was nothing like I had pictured it.
I excused us both then, Sophie still not having said a word, too dejected to attempt conversation. But at the door I paused, looking back at the older woman. I tried to make my voice light, keeping my face clear of emotion.
“Oh, I’ve been meaning to ask you. Has Sir Oswald approached you at all? I’m afraid I may have encouraged him in your direction in my efforts to avoid the younger members of his family.” I wrinkled my nose as if it was no more than a matter of my less-than-deft dealings with an unwanted suitor.
A veil seemed to descend over the duchess’ expression, reminding me that while she had something of a soft spot for me and Sophie, she was also a master diplomat. “He has, as a matter of fact. He is a man full of passion for his business. I was forced to remind him that the king and queen of Lanover have made their position clear. Like Arcadia, they wish only to make treaties through the rulers of this land. While Duke Philip rules, all alliances with Marin must go through him.”
“Apologies, Your Grace, for putting you to that trouble.” I gave her a respectful nod, as seemed appropriate toward someone below me in rank, but well above me in age, experience and wisdom, and shut the door behind me.
Well, that was clear enough, said Sophie.
Yes, she definitely knows about the plans for a coup. And her position is exactly as we suspected. She won’t aid it but, if they succeed, she’ll profit from it.
Perhaps we should have told her about Sir Oswald being behind the fire? Sophie twisted her hands together. About what sort of ruler he would be. If she expects it to be a bloodless coup, with the support of all the nobles and merchants, she may even think it’s a good thing.
I shook my head. How likely is she to believe us, when we have the information from Prince Jonathan? If Duke Philip had any evidence, he would have arrested Sir Oswald for conspiracy to commit arson by now. It would have been a nice solution to his problem, in fact.
Sophie slammed her hand against the stone wall. This is infuriating!
I haven’t given up hope. There’s still time. But maintaining any optimism was getting harder and harder.
Chapter 28
After my reaction last time, and my weakness in the corridor, I didn’t trust myself to dance with Jon at the next ball. I caught Teddy as we were walking in and had agreed to dance with him before he knew he had asked.
Despite the lack of any real danger in the race challenge, we still
passed through the groves with a far more somber air than three nights before. The events had returned to more physical challenges, and we all remembered the dangers we had faced before. And something about Sophie’s surprise win had unsettled everyone. A reminder, perhaps, that the unexpected could still happen with the scores.
And, sure enough, the instructions for the challenge were far more detailed than usual. We had to race to the tallest tower of the mirror palace, a different structure from the high keep we had visited in the first challenge and, once again, take a piece of jewelry. Only this time, the winner would be the one to bring back the superior piece.
When Opal timidly asked what that was supposed to mean, no one had any answers. And, to complicate it further, we were only to be allowed to leave the table one at a time, with the princess with the lowest rank leaving first. A list of our current ranks had been provided, and a series of bells would indicate each princess’ release.
“It looks like the Tourney is giving us an opportunity to even the scores,” said Celine. “It won’t make much of a difference for me, though, given it’s another race.”
I ground my teeth together. After all the hard work I had put in to gain my lead, it seemed I would have to continue to struggle to keep it. But the scared faces around the table reminded me why the effort was worth it. Hazel, in particular, looked terrified at being given the chance to catch up.
“Opal, it looks like you’re to leave first,” said Celine, just before a chime sounded through the room.
Opal froze, panic taking over her face, but her twin gave her a shove and she leaped from her chair and rushed from the room. Pearl, only a few points in front of her, almost immediately received the chime signaling her own release.
One by one, princesses fled the room, the table emptying until only a handful of us remained. My leg jiggled beneath the wood, the tension rising in my middle. I kept picturing them all gaining ground, and the images made it hard to sit still. Celine had long gone, and soon only Sophie, Emmeline, Hazel and I remained. Sophie kept sending me reassuring projections, in an effort to calm my tension, but the other girls wouldn’t meet our eyes. Despite this challenge, we were the four most likely to win the Tourney, and I could only assume they were both hoping it would be anyone but them. As usual, our voices had been silenced.
Beyond the Four Kingdoms Box Set 1: Three Fairytale Retellings (Four Kingdoms and Beyond Box Sets Book 3) Page 24