by Sarah Olson
"Can I see her?" the prince asked, his chains clinking as he approached me.
I straightened my shoulders. "Absolutely not," I scoffed. "You have caused my daughter enough pain—I will be damned if I ever let her near you again."
I yanked the torch from the wall and closed the cell door behind me with a resounding thud, leaving the man who claimed to love my daughter in the dark.
☐☐☐☐
Aria stood by the window of her bedroom. She looked like herself again, beautiful gown and not a hair out of place. But when she met my gaze, the cheerful daughter I knew was gone. There was no light in her brown eyes when she smiled, and the music in her laughter had vanished. There was a new seriousness in the way she talked and carried herself that made her appear older than her almost twenty years.
"I saw him today," I said.
She turned back to the window. "I don’t want to know what he had to say."
"I know," I said, stepping further into the room. "I told him I’m declaring your marriage over."
"Anything else?" she asked when I didn’t continue.
"I’m sending him back to Surmania."
She turned and met my gaze.
"I have dispatched a message to Redvale requesting that King Azad send his soldiers to pick the prince up at the border as my men will not be crossing into Surmania."
Aria averted her eyes for a moment and then met mine again, an unnervingly cold light in them. "Will they kill him?"
I hesitated a moment, uncertain of what she wanted to hear, then answered, "Most likely, yes."
She gave a gentle nod. "Good."
Chapter 42
Aria
I HELD THE RING Rostam had given me up to the window, the sunlight catching on the gold band. I had wanted to destroy it since returning to the castle, but I couldn’t. Instead, I found myself looking at it each night before I went to bed, unable to part with it. I sighed and stuck the ring back into the leather pouch that I kept hidden in the bottom of my drawer. I preferred that no one knew I had it until I decided what to do with it.
The moment my father told me Rostam was to be sent to Surmania, I knew what I had to do. I loathed Rostam, but I couldn’t—wouldn’t believe he was a murderer. Even though he’d wormed his way into my heart only to shatter it into a thousand pieces, I felt a sickening sense that I owed him. When Rostam was Roy, he’d done his best to protect me even before he knew who I was. For that reason alone, I couldn’t let him die . . . not if there was a way I could save him.
The other reason was far more complicated—I loved him and loathed him at the same time. There was no denying our connection, lie or not. Something grew between us, pulling us together in a way words couldn’t explain. The love I had for him haunted my every moment. Every kiss, every touch we shared, felt like a curse, as if each memory stabbed me with a poisoned blade, leaving only a numbing pain in its wake. I feared that allowing Rostam to be sent to his death would only make it worse—if it could get worse. Nothing compared to the pain that slowly pulled me apart. The thought of healing felt more like a cruel joke than actual hope.
I walked down the hall and stopped in front of Davorin’s study. There was a good chance he would think I was mad but at the same time, I knew I could trust him. I rapped quietly on the door, hoping he was indeed there since usually, it was quite the task to track him down.
"Come in," Davorin called.
I opened the door and stepped in.
"Aria," he said, rising from his desk. "It’s good to see you out and about the castle."
I gave him a small smile.
"Is there something you need?" he asked, rounding the desk.
I cast my eyes around the quaint study. "I have a favor to ask of you—a favor no one can know about, not even my parents."
Davorin became very still as he considered my words. He was incredibly loyal to my father, and I knew asking him to keep it from him wouldn’t be taken lightly.
"What is it, and I'll see what I can do?" he said after a moment.
I stepped up to the desk and ran a finger across the smooth dark wood. "I don’t believe Rostam killed his father," I said, the name feeling foreign on my tongue. "I don’t believe he’s capable."
Davorin narrowed his eyes. "But he’s a liar, Aria, don’t forget that."
I straightened. "I know—trust me, no one knows that better than I."
"Very well then, what do you need from me?"
"Rostam has supporters in Surmania, Gabriel told me, though I know that you would already know this."
Davorin nodded.
"Rostam is set to be escorted to the border as soon as King Azad agrees to send soldiers to collect him there." I met Davorin’s inquisitive gaze. "There are many spies throughout the kingdoms, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to anyone if Rostam’s supporters learned of this arrangement."
Davorin shook his head with a sly smile. "You are your mother’s child," he said. "So you want me to let the Surman rebels learn about Rostam’s transfer so they can save him."
"I’m not asking you to do anything," I said casually. "I am merely sharing a concern with you."
"Why?" he asked.
I knew what he was asking. Why would I go through the trouble of trying to save the man who had just about destroyed me?
"Because, sometimes, no matter how much you loathe a person, you still manage to owe them," I replied, surprised my voice was still steady.
"You love him," Davorin said.
I ran a hand down the front of my skirt, flattening out imagined wrinkles. "They can’t know," I said, referring to my parents.
"Are you certain he didn’t do it?" he asked.
I nodded. "He’s not a murderer, and I couldn’t live with myself if I let him die—but Asteria cannot get involved."
"I know," Davorin said. "I’ll see what I can do."
I had known my parents would have done the same for me, grudgingly, but to involve them was a risk. If Rostam did escape when he arrived at Surmania and even the smallest amount of evidence pointed to the Asterian monarchy, they would have risked a war in helping him. Davorin ran the network of spies, and I trusted him when it came to not leaving a trace of evidence.
When a sealed, unsigned note was delivered to my rooms the following day saying everything would be taken care of, I got dressed and made my way to my mother’s study where I knew she and my father were. One of the guards posted outside the room opened the door for me, and I stepped inside.
"Aria," my mother said with a smile. "How are you this morning, my dear?"
"Fine," I replied. I looked over at my father who was sitting in one of the overstuffed chairs in front of my mother’s desk. "I want to see him."
He shook his head. "No."
"I want to see him," I repeated, harsher this time.
"I forbid it," my father said, his face impassive.
I gave an annoyed laugh. "Why?"
"I don’t need to give you a reason, Aria," he said, his voice rising.
"You don’t understand," I said, turning my gaze towards my mother. "I need to see him."
"Darling, I don’t think that’s the best idea," my mother said, her voice level and kind. Her brow was creased with concern.
"Within a matter of days, you are sending him to Surmania where he will undoubtedly be executed," I said. "This is my last chance to see him."
"Why do you want to see him?" my mother asked.
"Because I need to know why—why he lied to me. I’ve had days to think about all of it, and now I need that closure, and I know that I’m not allowed near the dungeons unless I have permission from one of you." The words came out in a desperate rush I’d been hoping to avoid. But while I could hide my emotions from those at court, my family could always break through the walls.
My mother nodded and looked over at my father, her gaze demanding they let me have my way.
"Fine," he growled. "Guard!"
The door opened, and one of the two guards stepped in an
d bowed quickly.
My father sighed and looked at him. "Hunter, take the princess to the dungeons so she can see Prince Rostam. She gets five minutes, and I want you by the door at all times."
"Father, I don’t need a babysitter—have him wait down the hall," I interrupted.
A muscle twitched in his jaw. "Leave the cell door open, make sure his chains are secure and wait three cells down."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the guard replied.
"Does that work?" my father asked me, his tone implying that he cared little for my opinion.
"Yes, thank you," I answered.
"This way, Milady," the guard said. I followed him out of the study and down the hall.
"You have nothing to worry about, Milady," the guard said as we reached an empty stairwell. "Anything I hear will not be repeated, your privacy is safe with me."
"Thank you," I said, surprised by his kindness. Guards typically didn’t bother speaking to me. "I haven’t seen you around the castle before."
"That’s because I haven’t been a castle guard for long, Milady," he replied.
"Your name is Hunter?" I asked.
"Yes, Milady."
"What did you do before?"
Hunter continued walking. "I worked for Lord Bateson for a few years and have only recently joined the Royal Guard."
"The life of a spy was not exciting enough?" I teased, grateful for the distraction from what I was about to do.
Hunter turned and gave me a tight-lipped smile as if he were uncertain how to answer since a spy’s anonymity was what kept them alive.
I laughed. "I’m the princess, remember? I know what it means to have worked for Lord Bateson."
"It was time for a change," Hunter replied. "That is all."
"Forgive me for prying," I said.
Hunter shook his head. "It’s all right, Milady."
We reached the entrance to the dungeons, and the guard posted outside opened the door for us. I breathed through my mouth, to avoid the stench of mold and unwashed bodies that permeated the dungeons.
The guard inside stood at attention and bowed to me.
"The king has sent me to escort the princess down to see the Surman prisoner," Hunter said to the guard.
The guard nodded and pulled the ring of keys out from his trousers. "This way."
☐☐☐☐
My heart quickened the further we entered into the dungeons. This would be the first time I had seen Rostam since that horrible morning at the inn.
The guard stopped and unlocked the door.
"Wait here," Hunter said to me as the other guard opened the door.
I heard the movement of chains as Hunter checked them. The other guard set a lit torch on the wall inside the cell.
Hunter came out and dismissed the guard to the end of the hall. "Five minutes," he said to me. "If you need anything, I’m a couple of cells down."
I nodded and watched him walk away from Rostam’s dank cell. Taking a deep breath, I lifted my skirts and stepped over the threshold.
Rostam stood by his cot, his eyes wide and unbelieving as he watched me walk in.
"This is no place for a princess," he said, quietly.
The stubble on his cheeks was on the verge of becoming a beard. His clothes were disheveled, and I could tell he hadn’t bathed since being brought here.
"Nor is it a place for a prince," I said, trying to hide how sickened I felt over his appearance. A rogue part of me wanted to rush to him, hold him in my arms and tell him how much I loved him.
Rostam winced at my words. "I’m sorry, Aria," he said. "I never meant to hurt you."
"Well, you did," I said, working hard to keep my voice emotionless. "I know my father told you that you are to be sent to Surmania where you will be tried for murder and treason."
He nodded.
"So this will be the last time you see me," I continued.
"I didn’t kill my father," Rostam said, his eyes full of sorrow.
I shoved aside the desire to comfort him—to take the pain away.
"Why should I believe you?" I asked. "You’ve lied to me from the moment I met you. I thought you loved me."
"I do love you," Rostam returned quickly. "My love for you has always been true."
I rolled my eyes. "Then why lie? I fell in love with you—I told you who I was because I couldn’t bear the thought of you falling for someone you didn’t truly know!"
Rostam took a step forward, the chains clinking on the ground. "I wanted to and was going to, but when you told me you were the Asterian princess, I was afraid. I had thrown that part of me away for years and thought it would be better for us if it stayed in the past. You were already an Asterian princess in love with a Surman! How would the kingdoms have reacted if they knew who I was?"
"You don’t get it, do you," I said, clenching my hands to my sides. "Someone was going to find out, and the repercussions of that discovery would have been catastrophic for my family—for my people! Your selfishness put us in this predicament."
"I know," Rostam admitted, defeat crossing those eyes that only weeks ago melted my heart with each fleeting glance. "I thought that the only way to keep you was to lie. I thought that if we lived away from the castle and built our own life away from court, no one would’ve ever known."
"Including your wife," I snapped. "I don’t know which betrayal is bigger, you lying to me about who you are or marrying me under the same pretense!" Anger thrummed through me and tears burned in my eyes. "I gave you everything, Rostam—my trust, my love, and you destroyed it the same way Thomas did. You are no better than him." I had to gain control of myself somehow. I wouldn’t let him see me cry.
"My love was always real."
"I don’t care about your love!" I nearly screamed. "It means nothing to me! I hate you!"
Rostam’s stare had the essence of someone punched in the gut.
"Aria—"
"It’s Princess Aria," I snapped. I had to get out of the cell, out of the dungeons—the air and my anger were leaving me lightheaded.
Rostam blinked in surprise.
"This is the last time you will ever see me, Rostam," I said. "If by some miracle your people don’t have you executed, I will kill you myself if we ever cross paths again."
With those final words, I turned away from the man that had destroyed me in a way I knew I could never come back from—the man that I could never stop loving.
Chapter 43
James
I RE-READ THE MESSAGE in my hand, confident that I had misread it.
To the King and Queen of Asteria,
While I appreciate your attempt to return my nephew to Surmania so we can put his father’s murder to rest, I must inform you that Prince Rostam never made it to Redvale. The envoy was attacked by rebels sometime after he crossed into Surmania. Your emissary has assured me Asteria had no involvement in his escape, which I hope is true. However, I will admit that it's hard to believe when Princess Aria is said to have had an unsanctioned marriage to my nephew. If these rumors are true, which I hope they are not, such a marriage will be the end of our relations. I suggest you gain control of your children before they cause more trouble between our kingdoms.
His Royal Majesty,
King Azad of Surmania
There was a knock at the door, and Aria walked in without waiting for an invitation.
"You sent for me," she said.
I handed her the message.
When she finished reading it, she looked up at me. "The marriage has been voided. I’m sure that if you send a message to our emissary with the truth, the king will believe that Rostam’s lies were a ploy to push Asteria into siding with him."
"Yes, I know," I said, watching her carefully. "That’s not why I sent for you."
She returned the message to me and met my gaze expectantly.
"Prince Rostam’s escape," I said simply, knowing she would catch my meaning.
"It’s a pity," Aria said, her face emotionless. "You don
’t think I had anything to do with it, do you?" she asked when I said nothing.
"Did you?"
Aria laughed. "How would I have orchestrated an attack on the envoy by Surman rebels?"
I folded the message and placed it on my desk. "I had to ask."
"Of course, Father," she said, shaking her head. "But I’m curious what you would’ve done if I said I had been."
I eyed her carefully, wondering if there was an admission in her words or if she was testing me. "I don’t know," I admitted. "But for the sake of this kingdom, I hope you didn’t."
She gave a small smile. "It wasn’t me," she said. "Is that all? I am needed elsewhere."
"Yes," I replied. "I apologize. I didn’t mean to accuse you."
"I know," she replied. I waved her out and watched as she left the room, closing the door behind her.
I walked over to the window and stared out into the expanse of Maplewood Forest. Aria had her act down. She laughed when she was supposed to, smiled when she received a compliment, and even flirted with any young men in the castle that vied for her attention. But none of it was real. The light in her eyes had vanished, and I wondered if we would ever see it again. I never saw her cry since the day she had returned, but I could almost see the wall she was steadily building around herself. Was she involved in Prince Rostam’s escape? I didn’t know and probably never would. But despite all her masks, there was one thing I did know—the prince had been the love of her life, and I wasn't sure she would ever truly recover from losing him.
Acknowledgements
I’d like to start by thanking God, since I know I could not have done any of this without Him. A special thank you to my family for all their love and support. Thank you to my parents for always helping me make my dreams possible. I could not have done any of this without you. To my wonderful brother and sister, Anna and Erik, thank you for always believing in me.
To all of those that read Serpent in its early drafts and put up with all my questions afterwards—Victoria, Tiffany, Shelby S., Ruthie, Sarah, Maria Elena—I appreciate your patience with me! Thank you to those friends that have supported me throughout this long process—Ireney, Brittney, Helena, Shelby F. and Aubrey—you all are awesome! Thank you to Lynn MacKinnon and Alexandra Tamburro for all your editing and feedback.