Princess of Fire and Smoke (Forbidden Court Book 1)

by Stephanie Bell

  “I’m not stupid enough to take a girl’s word on it.”

  “And what’s stopping me from killing you right now?” A shiver of magic runs down my back as I think of it, but I quickly push it away.

  “You could, you certainly have enough power. You might even be able to save Emerson too. But what about Aileen and all the Elects? Or even Caspian here? I have a failsafe, my dear. If you kill me, my men will kill them.” He shrugs delightedly like he isn’t talking about mass murder. The thought crosses my mind that he's bluffing, but when I see the gleam in his eye, I quickly dismiss it. It's the same one he had before he killed my father. I have no doubt he would kill them all.

  “If I agree to leave you unscathed, you’ll make sure no harm comes to them?” I ask.

  “Absolutely, dear. I’m a man of my word.”

  I roll my eyes at that. I’m sure my mother and father would argue that point.

  “Deal. But, know if any harm comes to any of them. Death will be something you beg for by the time I’m finished with you. You’ve seen my power. There is nowhere on the earth you can hide from me. I will hunt you down like the dog you are.”

  His grin spreads cruelly, “I’m looking forward to it.”

  Strong arms wrap around me and I scream as a pair of shackles clamp down on my wrists. My magic withers under the iron cuffs far worse than it ever did with my ring. I bite down hard on the inside of my mouth, to stop myself from crying as bursts of light flash in my vision.

  “Sorry,” A deep voice whispers from behind me.

  Damn you, Caspian! You bastard. I should have never saved you. I hate you.

  I shove the mental shield back up so hard I can feel him flinch behind me.

  “Guards take her away. Caspian, you stay here. We need to talk.” Maximus orders.

  My muscles are cramping as the magic shoves itself back into me, and I fight to try and keep a blank look on my face. Underneath my stony exterior, my body feels like every single one of my bones are being snapped at the same time. A heartbreaking agony swirls through me, mixing with the pain and making it hard to breathe.

  The Guards take me from Caspian and pull me towards the doorway. One of them sticks his foot out and trips me. I hit the ground hard and I can hear the guards laughing above me. I try to stand up when the guard kicks me in the stomach so hard, I nearly faint. I bite back a scream when he grabs me by my hair and yanks me up. Bitterly, I glance back at Maximus, already regretting that I missed my chance to kill him, again.

  “What niece? I promised no harm would come to them… I said nothing about no harm coming to you.” He laughs at his play on words. No doubt thinking himself an evil mastermind.

  I glance at Caspian who is standing beside him. Something flashes in his eyes right before his lips tip up in a cruel smirk. He gives me a mocking bow, then he throws his head back and laughs with Maximus.

  I try to walk with the guards, but the pain makes my body seize, and I can't move. They half carry, half drag me down the hallway to a stairwell. My head throbs as they drag me down the stone steps, but compared to the pain inside me, it barely compares. When we eventually reach the bottom of the seemingly endless stairs, I have no doubt where they’re taking me.

  There is a special chamber hidden underneath the Capital Building, designed to hold enemies of the Kingdom. Very few people know of its existence, just the High Royals and a small handful of advisers. Everyone on that list besides Maximus and myself are dead.

  There goes any chance of being rescued.

  But I know even if I can escape, I won’t. Not when Maximus has every opportunity to hurt the few people I have left.

  The guards unlocked the door that leads to the dungeon, then drag me down a walkway separating a dozen cells. I try looking into the cells to see if I can see any other prisoners, but shadows line every wall and it's impossible to see through the inky darkness that seems to seep out of the cells.

  That’s not creepy at all.

  The guards stop in front of a cell near the back and after opening the gate they toss me in. I land hard on my left arm and hear a crack.

  The guards stand laughing as they watch me lay on the cell floor. I will not show them any weakness.

  I slowly use my right hand to push myself up into a standing position. I fight back the scream threatening to break through as my broken arm spasms. Tilting my chin up, I raise an eyebrow at the guards. Even without my magic, I am still the High Princess of Chadonia and I will not be beaten so easily.

  The guard’s laughter fades away as they lock my cell door and leave. I carefully try moving my arm and the room starts spinning. The pain mingles with the rest of my body and I sit down hard, fighting the urge to throw up.

  Not once in my life did I ever think I might end up here.

  I try to summon a little of my magic to heal my arm. Instead of the bright light that appeared when I healed Caspian, an excruciating pain wraps around my arm. Slowly it begins to envelop me, bit by bit. My skin begins to burn, and my bones feel as if they are breaking.

  The pain washes over me like a wave on the shore. Repeatedly it crashes into me until it engulfs me entirely and I’m drowning in it. I cry out when the pain dives so deep I can feel it radiating throughout my back. Tears pour down my face as I curl into myself on the floor, desperate to make it end.

  I wonder… During my short time living in the darkness, I was able to shut out all feelings. What if I could shut off all magic instead?

  A part of myself cringes at the idea. It took me so long to access my magic, sending it away sounds like a horrible plan. I have no idea why it’s happening, but I know it’s the magic that’s causing the pain.

  What other choice do I have? I can't survive this torcher much longer; it will kill me.

  I focus on my magic and imagine putting all of it behind a door. I mentally reach out and slam that door closed. All of my magic instantly drains from my body, leaving only my physical aches in its place. I curl up around my broken arm and let my heart take over.

  Here in the dungeon, where I’m all alone, I don’t need to be strong for anyone.

  I feel an emotional turmoil bubbling up in me, and no matter how hard I fight it, I can't shove it back down. It bursts from me and I let myself cry for my parents, for my sister, for Emerson, for my kingdom, my people. And I let myself mourn over the loss of the boy I'd loved. Whose lies and betrayal hurt most of all. As I lay there wearing his clothing, still smelling of his earthy scent, I can feel myself breaking.

  I’m not sure how long I lay there. The dungeon is as black as night and there are no windows or any other sources of light. Just darkness. Lots and lots of darkness. Eventually, my eyes grow as accustomed to it as they're going to get, and I can make out the bars of my cell on one wall. The other three walls are made of rough stones.

  I can hear sounds coming from the cell across from mine, but I'm not sure if it's from an animal scurrying or a person. Either way, I'm not in the mood to deal with it. I just want to lay here and wallow in my misery.

  My eyes flutter closed on occasion, only for the searing pain to radiate through me anytime I move, making slumber impossible. I glare at the cell doors, thinking up every curse I can, and yelling them at the door. I'm mad at everyone and everything. But, most of all I’m mad at myself because I could have handled this all so much better.

  “Well now, Your Highness. That’s one impressive mouth you’ve got on you. Your father would be proud. Your mother on the other hand, not so much. Didn’t she teach you a proper vocabulary in your studies?” A familiar voice speaks from the cell across from mine.

  “Who are you?” I ask wearily.

  “Ouch, you don’t remember me? I guess I have been gone for some time, but I am the one who started training you, against your parent's will, if I remember correctly.” The deep voice chuckles and it feels like a punch in the gut.

  “Captain Dorian? Is that you?” My voice comes out in a squeak. I crawl over to the bars and stare into
the darkness, searching for my former personal guard. I am barely able to see his outline in the darkness but, I’d know that voice anywhere. It was almost as familiar as my own father’s.

  “Hello, Your Highness. I’m happy to see you, but I wish it was under better circumstances.” The deep voice rumbled through my cell doors and brought tears to my eyes.

  “But you were banished,” I whisper, afraid that if I say it too loud, someone might decide to banish him again.

  “Yes, I was. But it turns out there were a few people who didn’t want me gone quite so soon.”

  “What happened to you?”

  “Maximus had soldiers waiting for me when I left Chadonia. They captured me and killed all of my crew. Then they sunk our ship so no one would ever know and I have been here ever since.” His voice was full of sorrow.

  “But that was a year ago! You’ve been down here for a whole year?” It’s unthinkable. I’ve only been here a short time, and I feel like I’m already losing my mind.

  “I figured that’s about how long it had been. Tell me, Your Highness, why are you here? What’s happened to your parents? To Chadonia?” The desperation in his voice has me clearing my throat, afraid I'll burst into tears all over again.

  I try to keep the emotion out of my voice as I tell him everything that's happened in the last few weeks. I do an alright job until I tell him about finding out who the General was. My voice waivers and I hate myself for it.

  “Did you know, Captain Dorian? Did you know who he was?” I ask desperately.

  “I knew of a Captain Caspian, he was the youngest Captain in Chadonia's history, but I didn't realize he was your Caspian. I don't know if you remember, but I met you shortly after his ship was taken hostage. You were devastated and no one knew if you’d ever survive it, but I knew you would. You were the most determined and fierce little thing I'd ever met, that's why I volunteered to be your personal guard.”

  My heart warms for this wonderful man. “Thank you, Captain Dorian. I wonder why my father made Caspian leave in the first place, and then told me Caspian was dead? And how did he end up a General for Maximus?”

  “This probably isn't what you want to hear, but I don't think your father made Caspian do anything. I think Caspian chose to leave. From what I've heard, he is one of the fiercest fighters in Chadonia history. He's broken every record he could get his hands on and rose in the ranks faster than anyone thought was possible. He's a bit of a military genius. But I can't see someone that dedicated and intelligent willing to serve Maximus. There must be more to it.”

  “Well, you didn’t see him as he clamped these irons on me and laughed as I was beaten. As far as I’m concerned, the boy I knew died in a shipping accident a long time ago.”

  Captain Dorian and I speak for a while. I try telling him everything that has happened while he was imprisoned here. Especially anything that would amuse him. I tell him about my disastrous engagement, the arguments my mother and I had over my princess lessons, the ridiculous dresses she used to make me wear, and everything else I can think of. I even tell him about how my training has been going since I last saw him.

  Eventually, I must have fallen asleep, because the next thing I know, I'm waking up to two men talking.

  “Leave her alone, she didn't do anything wrong. This is all a power play by Maximus.” Captain Dorian is saying.

  “Of course, it is Dorian.” A second voice hisses. “But you and I both know I can’t leave her out of it. Besides, I brought you both some food.”

  A dish is slid under the bars of my cell. I open my eyes and spot Nathaniel standing above me, watching me.

  “You!” I growl at him.

  “Good morning to you too, Your Highness.” He gives a slight bow, never taking his eyes off me.

  “What do you want?” I ask coldly. My stomach growls as my gaze flickers to the stew and bread in front of me.

  It looks delicious, but I'm too stubborn to show him how hungry I am.

  “Dorian, would you like to put in a good word for me?” He asks the Captain.

  “Sure. Princess, this is the man who's been helping me stay alive this long. Maximus has someone he cares about, so he’s being forced to do your uncle’s dirty work. He's not so bad.”

  I look from the Captain to Nathaniel incredulously. “His dirty work? Oh, you mean taking the High Queen's magic to use as his own. Or being a key part of the High Queen and King's assassination? What about trying to take my magic and frame me?”

  The Captain stares at me in shock. “Nathaniel, please tell me you didn’t do those things.”

  “Technically, yes I did. But I never took your magic and Maximus had other ways of killing your parents before he met me. Much worse ways.”

  “You didn’t steal my powers because they were blocked.” I insist stubbornly, although now that I think about it, I'm not sure exactly how true that is.

  “If you say so, Your Highness.” He smiles arrogantly and I start doubting everything I remember that night.

  “Okay, but can explain why you killed me?”

  “You what?” The Captain roars at him. I smile as Nathaniel jumps back at the sudden outburst.

  He holds up his hands, palms out towards the Captain. “I knew her magic was strong and that it would heal her. The stabbing itself wouldn’t have been that bad either if she hadn’t tried to block it. Besides, I didn’t actually kill you considering you’re alive.”

  “Oh, you did kill me. But unfortunately for you and my uncle, something brought me back to life.”

  Well, if he’s been feeding the Captain this whole time, I suppose the food isn’t poisoned. I sit down in front of my plate and start eating. The stew is still warm, and I barely stifle my groan of happiness. It tastes delicious. Nathaniel passes me a canteen of water and I drink from it thirstily.

  “Next time you try to kill me, it’ll end a whole lot differently,” I smile up at him sweetly.

  “For someone so young, you're downright terrifying,” He stares down at me grimacing.

  “I did learn from the best,” I nod at the Captain.

  The next few days go about the same way. Nathaniel shows up and tells us what's been happening in the Kingdom and sneaks us whatever food he can. My condition worsens every day, but I hide it from the Captain. The pain in my arm gets worse by the hour and even though I’ve attempted to clean the wound, I can tell an infection is setting in.

  By his fifth visit, I’ve decided Nathaniel isn’t so bad, prior stabbing excluded. It is obvious that Maximus is holding someone he loves dearly so Nathaniel will do what he says. I often wonder where the prisoner is, but Nathaniel doesn’t pry into my personal life, so I don’t pry into his. He simply keeps me updated on my friends and lets me know that Maximus is keeping up his end of the bargain, for now.

  On the sixth day, Nathaniel briefs us on the plans for the trial. The guards are going to arrive to collect me in the morning, take me upstairs to the Centralia Suite, and “prepare” me for the trials.

  Because it wouldn't be due to see the Crown Princess dirty, dressed in men’s clothing, with a broken arm. The people would probably riot, which isn’t an altogether horrible thought if you ask me.

  Nathaniel doesn't know much about what we'll experience in the trials. Just that it’s going to be tough and Maximus is keeping a close eye on it.

  “Your Highness, when you get out of here, you can’t let anyone know we’ve talked. It must remain a secret,” He says at the end of the visit.

  “I won’t tell a soul, Nathaniel. As long as you keep the Captain safe until I come back for him. Because I will come back for him.” I give him a hard look, daring him to doubt me.

  “I wouldn’t expect anything else, Your Highness.” He bows and leaves the dungeon.

  Between the hard floor, the pain, and excitement of tomorrow. Sleep is hard to find. Captain Dorian is kind enough to tell me stories about my parents until I finally fall asleep.

  “Adeline, they’re coming.” The Cap
tain wakes me up with a hurried whisper.

  I stand up as quickly as I can, in my condition, and stumble to the bars.

  “We don’t have much time, but know this, Your Highness. Your parents would have been so proud of what you're doing. They knew how hard it would be for you to face these trials, and win or lose, knowing that we are all with you. You will forever and always be our High Queen.”

  “I will free you, Captain. I promise.” I whisper as tears stream down my face.

  He gives a deep bow as the dungeon door swings open. He slowly backs away and is engulfed in the darkness of his cell.

  It’s smart that I don’t draw attention to him. Maybe he’s been forgotten down here. If so, maybe he can stay hidden until I can get him out of here.

  “Good morning, Your Highness,” The guard says with a mocking bow.

  Delightful, it’s the same guards that dragged me down here into this God-forsaken hole.

  “You’re in a fine mood today, could you not find anyone else to torture during my time out here in the dungeon?” I ask with a laugh.

  “It looks like seven days in the dungeon hasn’t been enough for you. Maybe we should keep you in there longer?” The guard steps forward and towers threateningly over me.

  “Good luck with that, but I’m pretty sure Maximus wants me to participate in the trials today. That was our agreement, you know. Unless you're insinuating that your commander is a liar?” I ask him with a raised eyebrow.

  The guard growls at me, but thankfully his friend has more sense.

  “Let’s go. The sooner we get her upstairs, the sooner we can get back to the parties.”

  They lead me out the door and back up the stairs.

  It’s just like Maximus to throw his niece in a dungeon and make it back in time to party.

  The guards keep their hands to themselves and don’t speak a word the entire way to the Centralia Suite.

  Apparently, they are on their best behavior. I chuckle as they deposit me into my chamber and immediately leave, closing the door behind them.

  A servant walks out of the bathing chamber and quickly covers the shock spreading across her face by glancing down, refusing to meet my eye. “Your Royal Highness, your bath has been drawn and a healer is on their way here. I’ve been instructed to get you cleaned up before they arrive.”