Shadow Dancer

by Macie Cage

  Shadow Dancer

  Macie Cage

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Shadow Dancer

  Copyright © 2019, Macie Cage.

  All Rights Reserved.

  Cover design by germancreative on fiverr.com

  Edited by Ashley Elliott

  Visit the author’s website at www.maciecage.com

  Paperback (ISBN-13): 978-1-7336539-0-9

  Paperback (ISBN-10): 1-7336539-0-2

  First Edition

  Shadow Dancer

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Blood is thicker than water.

  Prologue

  Boasting fertile lands and a thriving warm-water harbor, the Kingdom of Kallenport was once a place ravaged by war and by those who were desperate to claim it. From amongst the warlords rose a pair of brothers, twins, standing atop a mountain of corpses, champions in their conquest of the land: Kailyn and Vladimir.

  They were inseparable, loyal, and complete opposites. Vladimir, dark and introverted, was the strategist. His cunning secured them victories that would have otherwise been unachievable. Kailyn, eager, outgoing, and charismatic, charmed the people who followed him as well as the neighboring warlords-turned-rulers. They struck deals and treaties, establishing their borders and bringing peace to what was once a war-torn land. Vladimir, for fear of civil war, swore never to have an heir and gave Kailyn the crown, standing beside his brother as he always had. As an advisor, a tactician, and a confidant.

  They laid the foundations of the new Kingdom and every descendant of Kailyn thereafter was paired with a servant who would protect and console them. Who would stand as an equal and who would be able to say ‘no’ without repercussions. Though these servants held no blood relations to each other, they shared a bond of dedication and duty to the throne and were known collectively as the Vladimir Clan.

  For a hundred years, the Kingdom prospered and its population grew, as did its problems. There came a dark time of disease and famine, of civil unrest and rebellion. Magic users, though few in number, ran rampant using their power to take what they otherwise could not attain. Magic users with powerful gifts became leaders, rallying others behind them to overthrow the king.

  The rebels were crushed. In the wake of such violence, the ruler of the time banished all magics, large or small. The punishment was death. In light of these new laws, the kingdom settled once again into years of peace, but peace never lasts. Humans will never idle for long when there is power to be had.

  One

  Month of the Rat 26, 407 HE

  “Caiden, I have a surprise for you.”

  The child turned towards the newcomer, instantly brightening and scrambling to his feet to greet his father. The man grinned, patting the mess of red curls as the boy hugged him around the waist.

  “Is it a present?” the boy asked, blue eyes wide and sparkling with excitement.

  His father chuckled. “I suppose you could say that. It is your sixth birthday after all.” He gestured to someone out of view, and Caiden leaned around the man’s legs to see his father’s best friend and personal servant standing outside the door.

  Ansom smiled, strands of black hair falling over his whiskey colored eyes before they were quickly corrected. “Good evening, Your Highness. I hope we aren’t interrupting.”

  “Um, good evening.” Caiden tried to enunciate his words with the same refined articulation but failed.

  A shuffle of movement drew the child's attention to another boy who stood behind his father’s advisor. They examined each other for a long moment.

  “Caiden, this is Evander. He will be your servant from this day forward. Just like Ansom is for me.”

  Ansom stepped aside as Caiden wandered closer, leaving the servant completely exposed. Evander glanced around in a panic before straightening up and waiting while Caiden circled him.

  “Hey, do you know how to play Knights and Dragons?” the Prince asked curiously, peering up at the older boy.

  “Um, no?” Evander responded hesitantly.

  Caiden grinned and grabbed his hand. “That’s okay! It’s real easy. I’ll teach you!”

  The King chuckled as his son dragged his new servant over to his toys. He turned to leave, beckoning for Ansom to follow him into the hall. The pair would do nicely.

  Fourteen Years Later

  Month of the Griffin 10, 421 HE

  “Evander.” The man in question looked up at the Royal Tutor as he trudged across the courtyard. “Where is Prince Caiden?” The scholar was sweating in his robes, graying hair falling out of its tie and into his reddening face.

  “I don’t know.” Badgering old fool. Evander shifted, making his seat on the ground a bit more comfortable in preparation for the ear blistering lecture.

  “Lying now, are we?” The tutor glared, leaning down so his face was mere inches from the servant’s. “Tell me where he is. If you don’t, you’ll be cleaning my study for the next week in addition to your usual—” There was a pause in his threat as his eyes narrowed. “Why would a lowly servant possess jewelry such as that?”

  Evander raised a hand to the earring that dangled from his earlobe. A tiny golden hoop with a small ruby. Damn it all. “Prince Caiden—”

  “Of course. That is something he would do.” The tutor sneered. “Give it here.”

  Why should I do anything for you? “He told me not to give it away to anyone. I’ll be in trouble if he finds out I gave it to you.” Not to mention I can’t. The pieces sealed themselves once they were put in. They couldn’t be removed until the wearer died or they were torn out.

  Hence why Ansom was furious when Caiden put one on him when they were young. The King had only laughed, seeing that the young Prince had chosen to keep one for himself and give the other to his servant. He usually tried not to draw attention to it, having grown out his hair to keep it covered, but with the man currently leaning over him, it was proving a futile effort.

  “And I’m telling you to give it here. That is a piece of the royal treasury; it does not belong on a servant.” The man glared. “You may be one of the Vladimir Clan, but do not expect me to bow to your every whim. You are still a child. That, and as someone hired by Ansom, you have no grounds to refuse my orders.”

  Pathetic. Evander caught himself short of snarling at the Tutor. That’s not how this works. A messenger ran across the courtyard. “Ah! Prince Caiden!” he yelled.

  The tutor whirled around, catching sight of the messenger’s cloak as the boy entered a building. “Your Highness!” the man screeched, sprinting after the poor, poor messenger who was about to get an earful.

  As soon as the tutor was through the door, the branches above Evander rustled and a figure jumped down from the tree he’d been leaning against.

  “Nice job, Eva!” the Prince laughed as he pulled Evander to his feet and started running with a firm grip around his wrist.

  “Your Highness, you really need to stop skipping your lessons.” At least understand that it makes my life difficult. Even so, he ran alongside the Prince, allowing the man to lead the way in their escape.

  “Oh, don’t be a spo
il sport! Good morning, Sir Michael!” The pair dodged through the training yard and the knight was too slow to grab them on their way by.

  “Your Highness, get back here—Braden!” the knight roared.

  Caiden let go of Evander’s hand, darting to the right of the burly man that stepped in their way while Evander spun to his left. They met on the other side of the soldier and Caiden once again grabbed him as they continued running.

  “Sorry, Sir Michael!” Evander yelled over his shoulder as he was dragged into the castle.

  They ran through the halls, scattering maids and servants as they went, until finally the Prince stopped, collapsing against the kitchen counter in laughter.

  Evander doubled over, waiting patiently until it would seem acceptable for his breath to be back before straightening up again.

  “Heh… we… we gave him a good run,” Caiden panted, still chuckling.

  Idiot. “You really need to stop skipping your lessons.”

  “Oh, hush. It’s not like they’re all that important anyways.”

  “Really?” Evander raised an eyebrow at the man and pulled a small, leather bound book from his inner pocket. He flipped it open and made a show of looking over the page. “Because today you have a tea party with Her Highness, Princess Marie, and she expects you to dance with her.”

  Caiden visibly paled. “When was that decided?”

  “During your last dance lesson. Which you skipped.”

  Caiden slouched and grumbled. “I hate dancing. I’m awful at it.”

  Evander sighed and snapped his book closed, tucking it away. “Your Highness, dancing is an integral part of any and all social outings which, may I remind you, will be increasing after your coronation.”

  He could see the cook grinning out of the corner of his eye and a few of her helpers were biting their cheeks to keep from chuckling.

  Caiden slouched further and grumbled, a light blush gracing his fair skin. “Y’know, you sure can lecture. You might give Luten a run.”

  Evander took a breath but forced himself not to sigh again as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “My apologies,” you irresponsible, selfish, moronic, pathetic excuse for a Prince, “Your Highness. However, Princess Marie will be very disappointed if she isn’t able to show you her newfound skill at dancing. Personally, I’d rather not see the young Princess cry.”

  Caiden flinched and groaned. “Fine. When’s the tea party?”

  Evander glanced out the window. “We still have three hours. Enough time to teach you a simple waltz and have you bathed and ready.”

  “And who’s gonna teach me? Hmm?” Caiden smirked at him and Evander caught himself just short of glaring. Instead, he schooled his features into an expression of confusion.

  “Governess Liza—”

  “Will probably tan both of our hides before sending us to Father. Or Ansom.”

  Evander bit the inside of his cheek. “You can’t skip the party.”

  “No, no, I was just thinking, even if I skip my lessons, you usually don’t,” the Prince grinned.

  “You want me to teach you?” Evander questioned irritably.

  “You can, can’t you?”

  “Well, yes, but—”

  “Then it’s decided.” Caiden nodded to himself, grabbing his arm again as he began walking.

  Evander seethed, shooting a glare at the cook who was now openly snickering at him. Karen simply shook her head and went back to breading a portion of chicken. He glowered at the Prince’s back for a moment before he sighed and rearranged his demeanor into a pliable one.

  Better to just get it over with.

  --†--

  “Oh!” the little girl gasped in joyous wonder, and Evander smiled at how she restrained herself from running up to the table that had been set up in the garden. He walked behind Caiden, alongside Marie’s servant, as the Prince led his sister down the path.

  “Eva, you really outdid yourself. Katie, you’ll be just as good as Eva someday!” the Princess chattered excitedly, trying to sound older than she was.

  The Princess had turned ten the past spring, beginning her court training in earnest. Evander watched as Kaitlyn meekly ducked her head, though he could see her hands curl into fists. He wondered if he had been so obvious in his hatred of Caiden at her age. She’d learn though. After all, she’d been assigned to the Princess at the age of seven.

  Kaitlyn was considered a prodigy in their group, entrusted with the task a year earlier than most. The girl that had been assigned to the Princess originally had been deemed ill-suited and while the second choice was more than capable, Kaitlyn had challenged her for the position. That challenge came in the form of single combat, and Kaitlyn was introduced as Marie’s servant the next month.

  “You really outdid yourself,” Kaitlyn pitched her voice in a mocking whine. “I’d think you were more suited to being a butler,” she muttered sullenly.

  Evander glanced at her from the corner of his eye as the royal siblings reached the table. He’d only arranged for it to happen. He’d called for the Princess’ favorite cakes and candies to be served with her preferred tea; he’d organized the servants to set up the table in the garden clothed in a pale yellow to complement the Princess’ favorite dress which, sure enough, she’d worn. The pink flowers that accented the table and the three musicians had been easy enough to gather and the gardener had been overjoyed to find that the Princess wanted to hold her little tea party amongst his handiwork.

  “It was simple enough. You’ll learn too, eventually.”

  “We’ll see,” she huffed.

  Evander frowned at the way that she’d said that. He didn’t reply, taking his place off to the side and glancing around, gesturing for the musicians to start a soft background melody. Something didn’t feel right. He turned to look around while Caiden pulled out his sister’s chair and waited for her to settle before taking his own seat.

  The only people in the garden were the royal siblings, the musicians, Kaitlyn, and himself.

  “I’m so glad you could meet with me. I feel like I never get to see you anymore,” Marie said as Caiden relaxed. She glanced around, and Evander realized that there was no servant to pour the tea.

  He stepped forward with a bow. “I beg your pardon, Your Highness.” He didn’t wait for permission as he plucked a petal from one of the flowers and gently removed the teapot’s lid. He dipped the petal into the tea and waited for a moment before removing it again. The pink had turned blue where it had touched the liquid. Even as he watched, spots began to appear on the petal, turning green then gray as the poison ate at it.

  “I apologize, Your Highness, but would you mind if I remade the tea? I think you would find it unsuitable.” He looked to Caiden without any outward sign of stress though he tilted his hand so while Marie couldn't see the decaying petal, the Prince could.

  The Princess looked up at him, confused, but Caiden understood. “Ah, why don’t you show me how well you’ve learned to dance? I don’t think I can imagine it without you stepping on my toes,” the Prince teased.

  Marie took the bait, standing with a huff and demanding that he take her to the clear area in front of the musicians. With the Princess distracted, Evander took the entire tea set and prepared to walk back to the kitchens.

  He turned to Kaitlyn, about to ask her to keep an eye on them, but he fell silent at the look of frustration on her face. It was gone in a moment, but he was sure that he’d seen it. He decided against asking her to do anything, starting down the path. As soon as he was within sight of a guard, he waved the man over.

  “What can I do for you, Evander?” the soldier asked.

  “The tea for the Princess’ party was poisoned. Go watch them while I remake it.”

  “Poisoned? Has the King been informed?” The guard was already glancing over to where the royal siblings were dancing.

  “No. I will give Ansom a report once I see the Prince to his afternoon studies. For now, just make sure nothing else happens.”


  “Yes, Sir.” The man saluted but hesitated. “Isn’t Miss Kaitlyn already informed and on guard?”

  Evander gave him a narrowed eyed look and the man shifted uncomfortably.

  “Er… I’ll just make sure nothing happens, right?”

  “That will be all.”

  The soldier saluted again and headed off towards the venue while Evander continued on his way at a brisk pace. A servant saw him coming and met him on the path, accepting the tray that Evander handed him.

  “Poisoned. Take care to use a new bucket and dump the water in the barrel to be sent to a purifier.”

  “Yes, Sir.” The servant was quick to scuttle back into the castle, and the cook met him at the door.

  “Another one?” she asked, already handing him another tray.

  “Yeah. This will be the third attempt this month that has gotten so close.”

  The cook snorted her amusement. “Close. You always catch it as soon as it gets anywhere near Caiden.” She picked the kettle up off the stove and filled the teapot, setting it on his tray as soon as she was finished. “Have you caught the one responsible?” she asked as he turned to leave.

  “I’m sure I will in the next few minutes. They would have stayed close to watch.”

  “Good luck.”

  Evander gave her a nod and headed back down the path.

  The only reason he noticed the body was the bird that was circling. He set the tray down to the side and wandered closer, finding the serving girl that should have been attending to the royal siblings. She’d been strangled.

  The scuff of feet on stone, rustle of branches, thud of footfalls on the grass. Evander shifted to the side in time to avoid being grabbed. He easily danced out of the way and stood facing the would-be assassin.

  The man was too thin, filthy, a crazed light shining in his eyes as he grinned a gap-toothed smile. “So close. If not for you, theys be dead. All would be well. Theys be dead ‘nd I’d be paid and all’d be well,” he muttered mostly to himself, curled and fidgeting as he eyed Evander.