Princess of Fire and Smoke (Forbidden Court Book 1)

by Stephanie Bell

  I roll my eyes at him and focus my attention back on Orion. “ I know from experience how big of a bully he can be, and I promise you, he deserved it. Would you like to hear the real story about what happened to my parents?”

  At Orion’s anxious nod, I start talking. Every time I tell the story, it feels a little more real. When I am finished, Orion has to dab the tears away from his eyes. “I’m so sorry, Adeline. I can only imagine what you're going through. How can I help?”

  This is exactly what I am hoping for. “I want to compete in the trails.” I hear a few murmurs from the guards. “I’m going to ask for a vote from all of the elects. I need you to vote yes.”

  “You will always have my vote, Adeline.” He says earnestly. “And if any of you have a problem with that.” He stands up and glares at his guards. “You are welcome to go serve the man who murdered your High King and Queen.”

  All the guards avoid his gaze. “No? I didn’t think so.”

  I want to cheer for him. He’s no longer the little kid I have to protect, he’s growing up and he’ll make a great leader.

  After we finish dinner, we have to say goodbye to Orion. It's time to go to the next territory.

  “Adeline, if you need anything else. Please send word to me.” Orion says as he walks us back to the cliff. “I owe you a debt and I intend to honor it.”

  I lean down and give him a friendly kiss on the cheek. “You don’t owe me anything, Orion. But I still appreciate the vote.”

  As we walk down the stairs to go back to the ship, I glance up to see the young Prince Elect watching me. A smile lights my face as I wave at him. In a time like this, it's great to know I have another friend to count on.

  ∞∞∞

  Yelling surrounds me as explosions shake through the ship. Everywhere I look, men are fighting. Some with cutlasses, some with their bare hands.

  Grizzly men are jumping from a neighboring ship and swarming us, killing everyone in sight.

  I catch a glimpse of dark hair out of the corner of my eye and a familiar sense of dread washes over me. I watch helplessly as a man rushes up to him and the boy pulls a small dagger from his belt.

  “No!” I scream as I run towards the boy, knowing I won't make it in time.

  The man throws his head back in laughter as he knocks the dagger out of the boy’s hand and slams his sword through his chest.

  "Caspian!" His name is a scream on my lips as I jump out of the bed.

  My skin is damp from sweat and my heart is pounding. Fear turns my blood to ice as I take in the wooden room and porthole.

  I'm on a ship...

  Lighting flashes through the window and nightmare and reality twist throughout me.

  I am not on that ship. I am not on that ship… I repeat to myself as I slowly back away from the window.

  My breathing comes out faster and faster until I start seeing spots. When my back touches a wall, I sink into it.

  Tears spring to my eyes as I think of the boy dying in such a horrible way.

  I pull out my worn locket and open it up, looking at the two pictures inside. Sobs wrack my body as I rub my fingers over the picture of him.

  “Caspian, what I wouldn't give to see you again,” I whisper softly through my tears.

  I'm not sure how long I sit there, staring at the picture. It could be minutes or hours, but eventually, reality crashes back into me.

  From the yelling above deck, I know I need to see if I can offer help.

  It turns out, there's not a whole lot a reluctant fire wielder can do in the middle of a storm.

  It slows us down tremendously, on our way to Ballina though. Even with the Captain’s air wielding, what would normally take us a day’s journey, takes us two and a half.

  Finally, we pass through the storm and are able to make landfall shortly before dawn. Being this close to Murra is nerve-wracking, but thankfully the night sky hides our entrance into Ballina from anyone who might alert Maximus.

  We purchase a few horses in the market, thanks to the gold coins Charis’ Captain forced us to take before we left the ship.

  We stop in the city to gather information and eat together before entering the castle. A deep feeling of dread settles over me, and I can barely manage to force my food down. I know this meeting won’t go well like the last two did.

  Against the other’s disapproval, I walk up to the castle gates by myself this time. We agree that Aileen and Emerson will keep our horses and meet me at the main road heading out of the city towards Elphine.

  Aria’s castle is one of the smaller ones in Chadonia. It sits on a hilltop slightly outside of its capital city and is surrounded by a stone wall rising higher than most of the buildings in the town. I can barely see the main tower jutting up into the sky.

  The castle fit’s Aria’s personality perfectly. Cold and uninviting.

  As I near the gates, I am once again, met by a group of guards. There are a dozen of them, all wearing the dark red and black colors that belonged to Ballina.

  I pull the hood of my cloak down a little more to better cover my face. “I wish to speak to Princess Elect Aria.”

  “And who do you think you are, demanding an audience with our princess?” One of the guards asks. His hand is on the hilt of his sword and it appears he’s anxious to use it.

  Princess Elect, I think as a moment of annoyance crept in. It's just like Aria to go for the crown before the trials have even begun.

  Here’s where I see if I can bluff my way into a castle without making anyone suspicious.

  “I was sent here with an urgent message from Princess Elect Charis.” I hold up a paper with Aith’s official seal stamped onto it and try to hide my smirk as they open the gates. That was too easy

  I am met inside the gates by an older man in black pants and a white collared shirt. “I will take the message.”

  I keep my eyes focused on the ground and put a slight tremor in my voice, “With all due respect sir, my lady has asked me to put this letter directing into the hands of Princess Elect Aria.”

  I can feel his critical gaze studying me, so I say the one thing that would get me inside the palace.

  “She says it’s of utmost importance. It has something to do with her Royal Highness, Princess Adeline.”

  The older gentleman clears his throat. “Well, alright. Come along, girl. She’ll want to read this. But, don’t say I didn’t warn you. She’s asked that she’s not interrupted.”

  I roll my eyes under my hood. Aria is always so dramatic.

  The man, whom I assess as the head of the household staff, leads me through a few short hallways, taking me to her. I count every step and turn along the way.

  If this turns out how I expect it will, I’m going to need to remember my way out.

  We stop just outside a set of double doors and the servant tells me to wait as he goes inside, closing the door behind him.

  I survey my surroundings while I wait. I have no idea what waits behind those doors, but from the dust coating the stones in the hallway, I get the impression the room isn’t used often.

  The door opens and the older man waves me inside. “You may deliver the message, then you must leave, immediately.”

  I look around the room as I enter. It's small with wall to wall bookshelves. Surprise hits me as I realize it's a library. Aria is laying on a lounge positioned in the middle of the room. She has a book opened on her lap and she clearly finds it way more interesting than she finds me.

  “Well, what is it?” She snaps, never taking her eyes off the book.

  “Aria, I need you to hear me out,” I say quietly as I pull back my hood.

  She drops her book as she jumps off the lounge. Disbelief flashes across her face, but it quickly transforms into a devious smirk. “Give me one good reason I shouldn’t hand you straight over to Maximus?”

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Aria, I know we've had our differences, but you know I would never kill my parents,” I say begging her to see t
he truth.

  "Hmm... Do I? I really don't know much about you, Adeline. Well, besides the fact that you think you're better than everyone else in this kingdom."

  She picks up a drink and tries to act casual, but I can see the uncertainty in her eyes as she looks at me over its rim.

  "Aria, I've never thought I was better than anyone," I argue with her.

  She raises an eyebrow at me with a knowing smile.

  "Okay,” I relent, rubbing my temple to ward off a headache. “So there were times I acted like I was better than you. And I said things I shouldn't have. But you've hated me since we were children and you've bullied me nonstop over the years. I couldn't help myself, the one time I had something you wanted, I acted horribly to you."

  Aria's jaw drops and she looks at me incredulously. "The one time you had something I wanted?" She repeats in frustration. "Adeline, first of all, it wasn't something, it was someone. Dante deserved so much better than to be trapped in a loveless marriage with you. And you've always had something I wanted. Do you know how much Ballina needs to win the trials?"

  I shake my head, speechless. I'm used to cold-hearted, threatening Aria, not this passionate version of the girl I see in front of me.

  "Have you been through the market? Did you see my people? I'm trying to save them, but there isn't any money left. My parents tried asking the crown for help, but they refused. Something about getting ourselves out of the hole we dug. My entire life, I've been told that I have to beat you to save my people. So yes, I hated you. Then you got engaged to the man I loved, and he didn't do a thing about it. He just went along with it because everyone knows you're going to be the High Queen. Spineless good for nothing..." She finishes her rant muttering under her breath as she sinks back down into her lounge resting her face in her hands.

  Silence fills the room as I stare at her. My mouth opens, then closes again. There are so many emotions swirling around in my head, but no words form.

  I walk across the room and sit down next to her. "Aria, I can't explain why my parents wouldn't help your family. But our parents aren't ruling anymore. We are. We get to make the best choices for our people and it's not going to be easy.

  “I've lost my kingdom, my people think I'm a murderer, and I've been chased across Chadonia by a man who was hired to torture me. All while my uncle, the man who really murdered my parents, has taken over my throne."

  Aria's gasp interrupts my speech. Realization flashes across her face. "Maximus did it?"

  I nod my head as I rub my fingers against my head again.

  I hate telling this story.

  "Yes, and I was just as shocked as you are. But, I'm still here, asking the one person who hates me more than anyone else for help. Why? Because it's what we do. We will sacrifice anything for our people. That is what’s going to make us great leaders."

  "What do you need from me?" She asks hesitantly.

  "I'm going to call for a vote at the opening ceremonies. I need you to allow me to compete in the trials." I turn to let her see my face fully.

  "Please, Aria." I'm desperate enough to beg her, she has to vote yes.

  "Adeline, If I vote yes for you, you'll win. Everyone knows it. Then my people will starve."

  "No, they won't. Whether I end up High Queen, or not, I will never let that happen. I vow to help you in any way I can."

  "How can I trust you? We've been enemies for our entire lives."

  "Well, you didn't murder my parents, so your pretty low on my enemy list right now." I say with a chuckle. "Plus, until I'm overthrown by the people, which might happen soon enough. Every person in Chadonia is my subject. That includes the people in Ballina, and I won't fail them, or you."

  "I can't promise anything, Adeline. It's a huge decision. But I'll think about it."

  "That's all I ask. Thank you." I stand up and walk back towards the door, hesitating for a moment. Slowly, I turn around and look back at her. "Aria?"

  "What now?" She asks annoyed, but I can see the humor flickering in her eyes.

  "You should talk to Dante. He's not spineless, there's a whole lot more to that engagement then we told anyone. You should give him a chance to explain."

  Her eyes widen in surprise. I guess she hadn't expected me to say that. Waving, I turn around and head back out the door, allowing the grumpy servant to once again, escort me through the castle.

  As soon as I pass through the gate, I make my way to the woods. Just in case anyone is following me. Once I'm positive no one is tracking me, I meet Aileen and Emerson and we continue our journey east towards Elphine.

  A few hours into our trip, we're forced to stop for the night. The forest in Elphine is so thick, the trees block nearly all the light making it nearly impossible to travel at night.

  What I wouldn’t give for my magic to adjust my eyesight again. But, no matter how much I try, it refuses to do anything and I’m not near desperate enough to take my ring off yet.

  We lead the horses deeper into the woods where our fire can't be seen from the trail and Emerson gets to work on the fire, while Aileen wanders off to hunt for some food.

  I watch Emerson work for a few minutes, as I fiddle with a blanket and realize I have way too much energy to sit still for the night. My mind can't stop thinking about the people of Ballina.

  Had my parents seen what it was like? Why wouldn't they help Aria's parents? I understand teaching the rulers to deal with their own messes, but this is ridiculous. It wasn't the people's fault that their territory ran out of money.

  "I'm going to go for a walk, Emerson. Burn off some energy before I try to sleep." I tell him as I grab my cloak and pull it on.

  He looks up from the fire and grins at me. "Do you want company?"

  An unwilling smile tugs at my mouth. "Maybe later."

  I turn and walk at a brisk pace through the woods.

  I have to come up with a way to help Aria. Queen or not, I can't let those people starve. A marriage between Ballina and Elphine would help...

  I chuckle as I imagine the looks on Aria and Dante's faces when I try playing matchmaker with them. At least it wouldn't be as bad as my disaster of an engagement. They already have strong feelings for each other, it’s just a matter of breaking through their stubbornness and making them realize it.

  I feel the darkness reach out for me right before I hear the words, “Hello, Princess.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  I turn around and find the General glaring down at me. The moon’s light cast shadows across his face, making him appear even more menacing than he had at the tavern.

  “You don’t want to do this, General.” I take one small step backward. If I can get just a little distance between us, maybe I can outrun him.

  “Why not?” He steps closer and leans down until his breath is warm on my face.

  My magic flairs to life as vibrant as a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. It joins with his dark magic and swirls around us. “Because I didn’t kill my parents and I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

  “Your own servants testified against you,” His steel-gray eyes narrow as he studies my face. “Do you have any proof you didn’t do it?”

  I open my mouth to tell him everything that happened when I realize how truly difficult this will be. I only have my word against the King's supposedly loyal brother. I don't think it's going to be enough for this man.

  Panic digs its long claws into me, and I freeze.

  He can’t capture me. I am so close to the trials.

  As much as I hate to do it, I know there is only one way out of this. My magic. I can feel it swirling through me and fighting to get out. But will it be enough?

  His magic seems to feed mine, making it grow stronger. It has to be enough.

  He tilts his chin down so we are almost nose to nose.

  “I’m not good at waiting, Princess.” His voice comes out as a deep growl that makes my heart flutter.

  “Please, just walk away. I don’t want to hurt you.” I whisper as I
feel our magic swirling around us, faster and faster. I know if I don’t get out of here fast, it's going to explode out of me.

  “Wrong answer,” I see him reach for me as I slip my hands behind my back, pulling at my ring.

  It is almost off my finger when I hear yelling.

  “Adeline!” Emerson burst through the tree line.

  Joy fills me at the sight of him until I see the soldier with his dagger pressed to Emerson's side.

  I shove the ring back on my finger and it feels like my blood is pure fire running through my veins. It burns as it courses through my body, fighting me. Fighting the ring. Wanting freedom. I bite my lip as I force it back down.

  I look back up at the General and when the connection between our magic brakes, it feels like it's ripping me to pieces. I see confusion and pain flash through his eyes and blackness starts swirling at the corners of my vision, but I refuse to faint. Not here. Not in front of HIM.

  “I'll do whatever you say. Just don’t hurt him,” I mumble as I fight off the darkness.

  “Princess, are you okay?” The General grabs my arm, steadying me when I wobble to the side.

  “I'm fine,” I stubbornly yank my arm away from him. “Don’t touch me.”

  Something flashes in his eyes, but it’s quickly replaced with a look of loathing.

  He stares into my eyes and raises his voice “It's okay, Jameson. No need to spear him.” With a smirk at me, he adds “The princess will do as we say, so her pet won’t get hurt.”

  The other solder chuckles as I cast a worried glance at Emerson.

  “Come on then,” The General says as he turns to lead me away from our camp.

  I walk behind him with Emerson and the soldier following us.

  “Where’s your sister?” He asks casually.

  I study the back of his shoulders.

  “What sister?” I ask right back, trying to put as much innocence into my response as possible.

  I swear I see his shoulders shaking in laughter, but when he speaks, there is no humor in his voice. “We'll find her you know. We’ve got the best tracker in the kingdom.” He turns to nod his head at the soldier who is guarding Emerson. “Plus, he’s highly motivated. Apparently, he didn’t like getting his horse stolen either.”