Serpent: Book II of the Asterian Trilogy

by Sarah Olson

  "Give that to me," I snapped, trying to hide my sudden fear.

  Ethelyn cocked her head and gave me a sly smile. "Did you really think you could get away with it?"

  I stood and brushed off my chemise. "I am ordering you to give me that bag."

  Ethelyn walked over and dropped it by my feet.

  "Lydia told me you had gone to bed," I hissed. I was never one to be rude to any of my servants, but Ethelyn’s presence was bound to foil my plans. "She said you had a headache."

  "I lied," Ethelyn said simply. "I knew you were up to something."

  "So you hid in my chambers?"

  "My job is to protect you, Milady. Because of that, I do not answer to you—despite what you may think. I answer to the king and queen."

  The thought of being able to escape Asteria was strangled by her words. "You are going to tell them," I whispered.

  Her gray eyes watched me curiously. "Where are you trying to go?"

  I felt tears in my eyes, and I turned away. "I—I just wanted to get away. I’m tired of all of this. Every day is a reminder of Thomas and what he’s done. I can’t leave the castle without whispers of gossip following me at every turn." I turned back to her. "Do you have any idea what it’s like? I just wanted to travel, go someplace new and not be a princess. Not be Aria—even if it is just for a day. Please, Ethelyn, don’t tell them. If they ask you where I went, tell them you don’t know—tell them I slipped away at night, and you don’t know where I’ve gone."

  "Why not just tell them that? If you asked for a chance to leave for a while, I am confident they would understand."

  I shook my head. "It wouldn’t be the same. I will still have guards watching me, and people would still know who I am. If I want to be able to put this all behind me, I need to leave Asteria."

  "Where will you go?"

  I walked over to the window and looked out into the night. "I cannot tell you."

  Ethelyn took a step closer and placed a hand on my shoulder. "What about your family?"

  A tear slid down my cheek. "They’ll understand," I whispered. "At least my mother will."

  It was not until the words left my tongue that I realized I was doing the same thing my mother was forced to do when her fiancé betrayed her. While the circumstances were entirely different, the need to leave was the same.

  "Please do not tell them," I said.

  "I won’t," she said after a moment.

  I wiped the tear from my cheek. "Truly?"

  She nodded. "I won’t because I am coming with you."

  "No, please. I just—"

  "It’s not a request. I have sworn my life to protect you, and if I cannot fulfill that oath here, I will wherever you go."

  While the thought of her coming was not part of my plans, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. Her company would allow me to travel with someone I knew well, and that had given her life in service to the crown—to me.

  I nodded. "Very well, then."

  We slipped out of the castle unseen. I pulled the dark cloak tightly over my traveling dress as we made our way to the meeting place in the forest. The moon was bright and lit our path. After about half an hour, I spotted the vardo wagon through the trees, ringed with firelight.

  "Over there," I said to Ethelyn.

  She nodded, and we continued our way through the trees.

  "There you are," Catherine said when we broke through the tree line. She looked at Ethelyn. "You brought your lady-in-waiting?"

  "She insisted," I said.

  "Well, we can make room for another," Wesley said, stepping from behind the wagon. His face flickered with the light from the lantern in his hand.

  "Thank you," I said, with a smile.

  "What’s your name?" Wesley asked, looking at Ethelyn.

  "Ethelyn," she replied. "I am only here to keep an eye on Princess Aria."

  "You mean Norah—at least that is the name Wesley said the princess would be going by," a woman’s voice said from the shadows. She stepped into the light and flipped her short brown hair away from her face. She wore tight trousers and a loose-fitting dark blouse.

  "Princess, Ethelyn, meet Kara."

  "It is a pleasure," I said.

  She smirked. "I’m surprised you showed."

  I narrowed my eyes.

  A man with shaggy blond hair stepped out from inside the wagon and laughed. "We made a bet when Wesley said you would be joining us. Kara bet you wouldn’t."

  I smiled at Kara. "I suppose you lost then."

  She shoved her hands into her pockets. "Guess so."

  The man gave Kara a playful shove and walked over to me. "Your Highness, it is a pleasure," he said with a bow.

  "Norah, remember? Norah Dalton," I said.

  He grinned. "Of course, Lady Dalton. My name is Stephen, and I am at your service."

  "Oh please, Stephen," Kara said, rolling her eyes.

  I noticed that a sword gleamed at her side. I averted my eyes quickly before she caught me staring. Usually, I was the one that put people on edge since I was royalty, but somehow Kara made me uneasy.

  "Well, I am!" Stephen laughed. "She’s a princess. Show some respect."

  Kara waved her hand as if she were brushing me aside. "I’m going to find John."

  "Forgive my sister," Stephen said, shaking his head. "She doesn’t really like . . . people."

  "Except for John, of course," Catherine said.

  "Let me take your bags," Wesley said.

  I handed him mine and Ethelyn gave him hers. The size difference was more than noticeable. I could already tell I must have over-packed.

  Wesley set them inside the large vardo wagon. It was not fancy the way the Malanese ones were, but comfortable enough to accommodate us and the goods Wesley and his companions were taking to Malan.

  Catherine placed her hands on my shoulders. "Are you ready, Norah?"

  I took a breath and nodded. "I think so."

  She pulled me into an embrace. "Just be careful and come home soon."

  I tightened my arms around her. "I will. Who knows, this journey could change my life for the better," I said, letting her go.

  "You never know what life has in store."

  "Well, Norah," Wesley said, gesturing toward the back of the wagon. "This way."

  I gave Catherine a reassuring smile and walked over to the wagon. Wesley gave me his hand and pulled me up into it. Inside there was a cot with my bag on top of it and shelves full of goods.

  "Make yourself comfortable," he said as Ethelyn stepped into the wagon behind us. "We are going to travel all night and most of the day. We need to put as much distance between us and the castle as possible if you want to escape.

  I placed my hand on his arm. "Thank you, Wesley."

  He gave me a tight grin, the unease evident in his eyes.

  "We ready to go?" I heard Kara call. "John’s back!"

  "Yeah, we’re ready!" Wesley called back. He jumped out of the wagon. "If you need anything, just give a shout," he said to us.

  "Take care of yourselves!" Catherine called to us.

  "We will!" I said. I was finally feeling the excitement for the coming journey. This was it—my moment to escape everything. "Goodbye, Catherine!"

  She waved back just as Wesley closed the wagon door.

  I pulled the curtain aside from the window on the door and peeked out as Catherine mounted her horse to return home. I looked over at Ethelyn. "Here we go."

  Chapter 9

  James

  W HEN I WOKE the next morning, I stayed in bed and listened to Layla’s steady breathing. It was the first night since I had returned from Malan that she slept soundly. Aria’s ordeal with Thomas had brought on nightmares from her past. I would wake in the middle of the night to her shuddering with tears streaming down her cheeks. While she wouldn’t admit it, I knew the nightmares were taking her back to her life before me—to the time Richard abandoned her and her uncle was murdered.

  I stroked her hair and placed a kis
s on her forehead before quietly sliding out of bed. I changed into fresh clothes and left the room as silently as I could. The hall was quiet as I headed to my study.

  Since last night, it felt as if a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Seeing Aria smile again and out of her room brought light back into the castle. I was relieved to see her ready to move on and put Thomas behind her. That, however, didn’t mean I could ignore the situation. Rumors were still spreading through the kingdom, despite the letters sent to the Council leaders and lords of Asteria explaining the situation. Aria’s engagement had been too publicly known since the announcement, and every aspect of its dissolution screamed scandal. Layla and I had to make sure that these rumors were done away with and that they would not ruin Aria—especially when none of it was her fault.

  I sat heavily behind my desk. This was truly one of the costs of royalty. I would have been lying if I said I never thought of what it would be like to not be king. What it would've been like if Layla and I had met at a different time where we could just spend our lives together, and our only worry would've been how to raise our children. It was not that I didn’t love Asteria—because I did—it was just sometimes the stress of ruling the kingdom was too much. I had dedicated my life to the kingdom and its people.

  I glanced at the stack of papers on my desk Haddon had put there. The top one was a letter from one of the lords requesting that his son be allowed to meet Aria now that she was no longer to be wed. I ran a hand down my face in frustration. Only a fortnight and some wanted to court my daughter.

  "Guard!" I called, leaning back in the chair.

  The door to my study opened. "Yes, Your Majesty," the guard said.

  "Send for Haddon."

  The guard bowed and left the room.

  I stood and went to the window. The trees were yellow in the rising sun’s light. If I were in a better mood, I would have been able to enjoy the sunrise. It was my favorite time of the day, as I usually rose early for the beauty and silence, even during my rebel days.

  The door opened again, and Haddon entered. "Good morning, Your Majesty, did you sleep well?"

  "How many of those papers are requests to court Aria?" I asked without turning.

  "There are a few. Most from the same men who tried several years ago."

  I turned and picked the stack up from my desk. "Go through them again and take them out. Then I want you to send a letter to each of them saying that this is not the appropriate time to be asking. The princess will make her decision when she is ready."

  Haddon hastily took the stack and nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty."

  "Bring the rest back, and I will go through them."

  He nodded again and left the room.

  This had been the one thing Layla and I feared as our children grew older. I opened the window and welcomed the spring breeze. When Layla had learned that she was a princess, she was afraid that she could only ever be loved for her title. Now we had to make sure that did not happen to any of our children.

  When Haddon returned, he set the stack of papers on my desk and left without a word.

  I picked the first report up and scanned it. A bridge in the hill country was on the verge of collapsing and the governor was requesting funds to fix it.

  Footsteps ran down the hall toward my study. "James!" Layla’s voice cried.

  I threw down the report and ran to the door just as she flung it open. She was still in her chemise, and there were tears in her eyes. A look of desperation flashed across her face. Lydia was right on her heels.

  "What’s wrong?" I asked, suddenly fearful.

  "She’s gone, James! Gone!" Layla almost screamed.

  I took her shoulders. "Who’s gone?"

  She took a breath. "Aria." Her body shook as the name left her lips.

  I looked at Lydia, reading the horrified expression on her face. "What is she talking about?"

  "I went into her chambers to wake her, and her bed had not been slept in. I cannot find Ethelyn either," Lydia said, her words coming out in a rush.

  Gone? No, that was impossible—Aria would never be that reckless.

  I pulled Layla into my arms. "Lydia, send for Lord and Lady Bateson immediately." She bowed and hurried down the hall as I looked over at the guard. "Send for Captain Livingston."

  "Yes, Your Majesty," he replied.

  I led Layla into the study and closed the door behind us. Her cheeks were streaked with tears now, and her eyes were frantic.

  "Does anyone know what happened?" I asked Layla as I sat her on the canapé sofa.

  "She left this on her bed," Layla whispered, holding up a letter with trembling fingers.

  I took it from her and opened it.

  Dear Mother and Father,

  I am going on a journey for a few weeks. Please understand that I need to get away for a while. I do not feel that I can truly get past everything that happened with Thomas at home. Wherever I go, there will be whispers reminding me of the pain. Sometimes, we just need to leave our life behind for a while to find our way. I hope that you will forgive me when I return. Please do not send anyone looking for me. Ethelyn is accompanying me and will keep me safe. Do not worry; I will come back. I love you both very much, and I am truly sorry.

  Aria

  I stood and clenched my jaw to fight the sudden tears that threatened my eyes. I had to be strong for Layla and my family. I turned away from Layla and let the one feeling that always guided my way course through me. Anger. It fought the fear of Aria’s safety and the failure that I could not help her.

  There was a knock on the door.

  "Come in," I said.

  Tristan entered the room quickly. "You sent for me?" His eyes landed on Layla. "What’s happened?"

  "Aria is gone," I said, making sure my tone did not resonate with fear. "She has run away."

  "Does anyone know where she’s gone?" Tristan asked, his eyes alert.

  "No. I want you to send out soldiers in every direction. Have them create roadblocks. Then gather the servants and make sure they are all questioned. I need to know if anyone has any idea where she may have gone. I want her found."

  Layla let out a strangled cry. "James, she doesn’t want anyone to look for her."

  "Do you think I care?" I snapped. "She is not safe out there."

  "She has Ethelyn." I could see the hope in her green eyes. The hope that Aria would be all right and would return—that she would be safe.

  "How can we trust her handmaiden when she does not report Aria’s plans to run away?"

  Layla buried her face in her hands. I wanted to comfort her, but nothing I said could fix this. Aria was out there somewhere unprotected. If she came across the wrong people, they could harm her, and I would be powerless.

  I looked over at Tristan. "Why are you still standing there? Go!"

  Tristan averted his eyes and bowed.

  "How could she do this?" Layla cried when Tristan exited the room. "I—I don’t understand. I thought she was better."

  I paced the room. "I should have killed him," I said under my breath. "I should have never let him court her. I never liked him. How many times did I say that?"

  "James, we didn’t know things would be like that," Layla whispered. "We thought Thomas was honorable."

  "You thought Thomas was honorable! I told you from the beginning that I didn’t trust him."

  The hurt left her eyes. "You didn’t trust anyone!" she yelled. "From the beginning when Aria turned sixteen, you were against everyone who tried to see her!"

  "She was sixteen! She was not old enough to be thinking of marriage. Do you forget when you were that age and made decisions you thought you were old enough to make?"

  She blinked back in surprise. "You blame me?"

  I kept her gaze. "If you would have listened to me and not encouraged Aria to be with Thomas, none of this would have ever happened."

  Layla stood and wiped the tears from her cheeks. "I am sorry you feel that way, James. I guess you are the onl
y one who knows what is right for my daughter."

  It was like a slap in the face. I felt the regret of hurting her, but the cloud of anger and fear hung over the feeling, making it impossible to apologize. "All that matters now is that we find Aria."

  There was a knock at the door, and Layla looked away.

  "Come in," I said.

  Haddon led in Davorin and Charlotte.

  "What’s wrong?" Davorin asked, taking us in with one sweep of his eyes.

  "Layla!" Charlotte exclaimed. "Why are you crying?"

  Layla kept her gaze away from mine. "Aria ran away."

  "What?" Davorin asked.

  "She left a letter saying she needed to get away so she can put Thomas behind her," I said.

  "Do you know to where?"

  Layla shook her head, and Charlotte pulled her into a hug.

  "She left with one of the handmaidens you trained, Ethelyn," I said.

  "Ethelyn?" Davorin asked in surprise. "Ethelyn left with her instead of reporting to you?"

  I nodded grimly.

  "Have you asked Gabriel or Juliette if they know where she’s gone?" Charlotte asked when she let Layla go. "She must have told at least one of them."

  "No," Layla replied.

  "Then let’s go ask them."

  Together we made our way to Juliette’s chambers as Haddon went to fetch Gabriel. Juliette had just finished her breakfast when we entered the room. Charlotte and Davorin stayed in the hall.

  "Is something wrong?" Juliette asked, her bright green eyes worried.

  Layla knelt in front of her, taking her hands. Her demeanor had changed since our argument. She was no longer crying or angry. The look in her eyes was soft again. "Darling, Aria left."

  Juliette gasped.

  "What do you mean she left?" Gabriel asked from the doorway as he joined us.

  "She’s hurting," Layla said. "And she thinks that leaving the castle for a while will help her get over Thomas."

  Juliette looked down into their linked hands.

  "Have you sent soldiers to find her?" Gabriel asked.

  "Yes," I replied. "Tristan is sending them out now."

  "Juliette," Layla whispered. "I need to ask if you knew anything about this."