Kingdom's Darkness (Gemstone Royals Book 2)

by Kelly A. Purcell

  Deswald frowned and narrowed his eyes at her, “no but seriously. Eastern Striders are very loyal to their master. It takes time to earn a Strider’s trust enough to get so close to him and to have his affection.”

  Ruby shrugged, “what can I say, I guess I have a way with horses.”

  Deswald smiled and took a step towards her, “I am so happy I get to see you once more,” he said, reaching up to touch her honey toned cheek.

  Ruby blushed, “me too. I am glad to see you up and about, not so happy about you going off for the weekend though.”

  Deswald took her hand and smiled down at her warmly, he could see a longing in her eyes. Longing intermingled with worry. He knew it was a cruel thing he was doing by choosing not to pick up where he had left their discussion about their affections. But he knew that something was not right within him and he could not risk making things between them official with her father and brother watching him like a cracked egg.

  “It was either Ben’s parents’ home in Stone Vale or my mother’s place outside the city.”

  Ruby sighed, “I could have asked father to let you stay here, we have many rooms.”

  He shook his head, “It would probably be best if I distanced myself from your father and brother right now, besides Ben is very excited about having me.”

  “You have lovely friends, I am happy. I have not seen Nyla around though.”

  “I think they are putting some space between each other.”

  “Oh, what happened?”

  “There you are?”

  Deswald smiled at Ruby, he was glad Ben interrupted him from gossiping with the woman he adored. He doubted he would have been able to resist telling her everything when it was really Ben and Nyla’s story to share.

  He turned to his friend, “are you ready?”

  “Have you had your fill of this lovely lady’s presence?” he asked in that boisterously cheerful way he had.

  He reached for Ruby’s hand and bowed his head, kissing the air just above the back of her hand. “Your majesty, you look stunning as usual.”

  Ruby chuckled, “no need to be so formal Ben.”

  “It is my pleasure your highness, a man knows how he must act in the presence of a lady.”

  “Alright alright,” Deswald warned with a grin, “I will be with you in a bit. Let me just saddle Ryder…”

  “Oh no why?” Ben interjected, “I called a carriage and we can even walk; I did not think it wise for either of us to ride in our conditions. Besides I do not have any stable hands that can tend to Ryder’s very peculiar taste.”

  Deswald sighed, it was a tough decision leaving Ryder behind. They were hardly ever apart. He watched Ruby with him and he felt a little better about leaving him at the army stables.

  “Oh alright,” he said, “He has Ruby anyway, I doubt he would miss me.”

  Ruby chuckled, “I will make sure of it. Now you two go on and have fun.”

  Deswald nodded and made an awkward attempt to hug her, but ended up grabbing her hand and planting a too wet kiss on the back of it. He did not understand why he was suddenly so awkward around her. He wondered if she noticed too. He tried to read her now, but she wore a mask of politeness as she stepped back.

  “See you soon,” he said, before turning away.

  Ben was standing by the stable entrance shaking his head, “what was that?”

  Deswald waved him off, “I do not want to talk about it.”

  ✽✽✽

  “As we know Ma’jions are a special species here in Saharia, they are rare to us because they avoid humans at all costs. Despite being powerful beasts, capable of relinquishing us to fear they choose to distance themselves from us. Maybe in an effort to maintain peace…” Princess Pearl turned to look at Jahreed.

  Jahreed, was too preoccupied with openly gaping at the lifelike paintings, dressed in ornate gold frames, lining the walls of the large gallery.

  “Mister Aron?”

  He snapped his mouth shut and turned towards her, “yes your majesty. I was just… I was just taken with all the beauty surrounding me. I never knew there was such a thing here.”

  The princess shrugged, “it is not open to the public. These are my personal collections. While others store up their history in old dusty books piled atop each other on even dustier shelves. I prefer to display them in vivid lifelike colours. A constant reminder that history is still very much alive, flowing through the lifeblood of a culture like blood through the veins of the living.”

  Jahreed was awestruck by the passionate twinkle in the princess’ piercing gaze. He nodded, “I think I prefer it your way. I’ve never been a lover of books myself.”

  The princess smiled, resuming her walk through the halls of her gallery, when he stepped up beside her. “Oh well I do love books dearly still. For me, history is best displayed on walls than in faded words on brittle parchment. But I am always inclined to turn the pages of a good story. Ahh here we are.”

  She led them through another hallway, the white washed walls were littered with paintings here as well. But these were of a different nature, Jahreed immediately knew that they told a different story. No longer were the characters dark skinned and dark haired but they were of a lighter complexion, ranging from olive to honey, to bronze, but their most distinguishing feature of all was their fiery red hair and odd sense of style. A few more steps in and Jahreed understood why the princess had taken him on this tour. As they proceeded through the hallways, he noticed a recurring theme among the paintings, most of them showed a strange sight of men communing with beast.

  “Who are these people?”

  “I am sure you have heard of Princess Ruby and the recent revelations about her true origin.”

  “I have heard talk of it. But to be honest, you and the king are the only two members of the royal familiar I am visually acquainted with.”

  The princess turned to look at him with a hint of mischief in her smirk, “are you sure about that?”

  Jahreed frowned, “positive.”

  “Well alright. My sister, princess Ruby does not quite look like the rest of us, rather she looks more like these people you see depicted here.”

  “No way!”

  She nodded, “my father rescued her on the day her people went extinct. But before that, Nerubians were a coveted ally of Saharian kings. Not only were they the first inhabitants of the forest of Neru, the mountains of Krev and the land given to the Aldorians by El. But they were also friends with these fierce creatures. Legend says they could communicate with them, giving them a great advantage as a people, for it is said that lions serve as El’s servants, guardians of his people. Our ancestors knew that this was the land El had directed them to, because it was a place inhabited by these creatures.”

  She stopped before a wide painting and Jahreed froze at the lifelike recreation of what he had witnessed only recently in the back woods of the pasture lands.

  “The Ma’jion,” he breathed, eyes wide in awe.

  “A majestic creature, the most powerful of it’s species. Some said it was so strong men could ride upon it… well if it would let them. But most of all, Ma’jions dwell only in the safety of the light of El.”

  Jahreed frowned, “I do not understand.”

  “When our people came to this land, they were in search of a place not quite like the other places. See the world is covered in an invisible, sometimes visible force, it is a darkness that comes from a dark power. A power that those of us who stand with El oppose. El wanted a people set apart for him, he wanted to establish a kingdom in Saharia that stood apart from the rest. A place where light would shine so bright, that the darkness would never be able to penetrate it.

  The lands that make up Aldor now beyond the border, were the only lands that had not yet been infested by the darkness. Scholars of old were torn, some said it was the precious light stones of the Neru rainforest, some said it was El who was keeping the darkness at bay himself, others said it was El using the light stone
s as a sort of conduit for his light. Whatever it was, it kept the darkness at bay. El led us here, and chose us as a people to be his people and establish the kingdom of Aldor. Once a city of light, set apart from the rest of the world and now a city of refuge.”

  Jahreed was still staring at the captivating painting of the beast, trying to internalize all that the princess was saying to him.

  “So why did the Ma’jion leave?”

  The princess shrugged, “people have their theories.”

  “What is your theory?” he asked, turning to look at the beautiful woman standing next to him.

  Princess Pearl sighed, “when the Nerubians were… attacked and murdered, I believe it was the beginning of something very few will admit to. Darkness is finding it’s way in, it’s pushing against the light and committing such an act as spilling the blood of the Nerubians, has started a chain of events leading to the fulfillment of prophecy. Long before the Nerubians were wiped out, the Ma’jions started getting scarce and before long they had become a thing of myths.”

  “Where could they have gone? If they avoid this… darkness, then wherever they are must be a place not much different to where we are.”

  The princess smiled and started walking again.

  “I like how you are thinking,” she said, “I have been thinking this as well. There are some scholars who believe that if we can find the Ma’jions we may find the source of light.”

  “The source of light, as spoken of in the prophecy?”

  “Yes.”

  Jahreed nodded, his mind returning to his meeting with Ajorel and his teachings on the source of light. Like many Aldorians the princess was ignorant of the truth about the source.

  “What is it?” the princess asked, narrowing her eyes at him.

  Jahreed shook his head, avoiding her piercing, knowing gaze. He had always been poor at hiding his emotions.

  “It is nothing.”

  “I dare say Jahreed, do not lie to your governor,” she said calmly, her gaze stern.

  Jahreed sighed, “you will think me crazy, blasphemous even.”

  “Try me.”

  Jahreed groaned, there it was, that annoying prodding; he had to tell her.

  “What if… the source of light has already come?”

  The princess’ eyes widened.

  “Wait, wait,” he said, throwing up both hands, “before you throw me into prison. Just consider this. There are a group of people who are of the belief that the source of light came, but not in the form we anticipated. The rulers of old would have been looking for another light stone, maybe one of greater power that would strengthen our defences even more and give us an advantage over our enemies. Something that they could manipulate, steal, fight over, much like they do the light stones. But what if El sent us something quite unexpected? What if he sent us someone? What if he himself came and walked among us? What if, we were blind to him and they killed him and silenced his prophets?”

  Princess Pearl’s eyes widened at what Jahreed knew sounded like the rantings of a mad man. He would understand her outrage, he recalled Tawnee’s outrage at what Ajorel had said. But deep inside, he knew that Ajorel had spoken the truth.

  “Alright I have heard enough,” she said calmly.

  She turned and started marching back in the direction they had come. Jahreed hurried after her, a feeling of dread crawling up his limbs. Of course, the mind-feeling was silent, it had tossed him into this mess and had left him to deal with the consequences.

  “Your majesty,” he pleaded, “I did not mean to offend.”

  “Gaurds!” the princess called as they neared the doorways of the gallery.

  The waiting guards stepped forward, “take this young man away from here quickly. Put him in confinement.”

  Jahreed’s eyes widened as the men moved towards him, “no no, please Princess, listen to me.”

  The princess turned to him with preoccupation in her eyes, “I will be with you shortly,” she said firmly and left him struggling against the firm holds of his captors. As he gave in to their strong arms restraining him, he sighed, at least tonight he would have a place to sleep.

  Chapter 22

  Ruby noted that is was very warm tonight, strange for the season of seeds, strange for Aldor. It did not have the enduring chill like cities beyond the border, but nights were generally cool and crisp.

  She stepped out onto the platform from the main hall into the garden and tilted her head up as though looking at the sky. Not a strange practice for her, but tonight she was particularly careful to do all the things she would be expected to do. She carefully scanned the area around her, knowing that her knight was not very far away.

  She turned her head, “might I take a stroll through the garden alone?” she asked.

  Stafford grunted, “It’s not wise for you to be out of my sight.”

  “I’m safe here at the castle. I just need to think about some things... alone.”

  And that was true, she had a lot on her mind these days. Now that Deswald was back, she felt even more guilt-ridden by her upcoming fate. She had not mustered the courage to tell him, mostly because she wanted to enjoy him looking at her the way he did a little while longer. Knowing Deswald, he would distance himself from her if he found out that she was pledged to someone else. She was not sure her heart could bear it.

  He still looked at her as though constantly in awe, with a gentle longing that in no way made her uncomfortable. She didn’t want to give that up just yet. Despite the troubled look in his eyes, or the sense that he was hiding something from her, he always looked at her with that love she knew they both had for each other.

  Stafford grunted again, “Stay on the path. I’ll be right here.”

  “Thank you,” she said softly, and took another step onto the grass.

  She walked carefully until she sure she was out of Stafford’s sight, that the shadows had enveloped her frame and the sounds of night could mask the sound of her footsteps. Then she slipped off the path and into the Grandelias nearby. To someone who didn’t know her mother’s garden, the Grandelias would seem like a stifling trap. They grew in what looked like clumps of green with dustings of purple flowers and in their midst grew Eastern pear trees. But Ruby knew the garden well and, in the darkness her feet found its way through a path she had mapped out since childhood. The floral barricade opened out into a clearing with a low stone bench, in a perfect spot to catch the full moon light. But tonight, it was shrouded in darkness, just what Ruby would need.

  “You are late.”

  The low grumble could not be mistaken. She turned in its direction and a shadow she had mistaken for another tree moved towards her.

  “Odi?”

  “Is there someone else you expect?”

  “No, but I can never be too careful.”

  “This isn’t being careful. Why did you summon me? Have you made a decision?”

  “No… um… not yet. If I do, it will be a very uninformed one.”

  He grunted with displeasure.

  “However,” she continued, “no matter what decision I make, I will want to learn more about my people. You claim that they are alive…”

  “A remnant survived,” he interjected.

  “Right? But how can I be sure that you are telling the truth.”

  “Why would I lie?”

  “Other’s have tried to lure me into traps with false promises.”

  He did not speak right away and did not move either, he stood like a rock near her.

  “So I have heard,” he finally said, “but I assure you, I have no intention to trap you. I am simply here on orders from my superiors, bound to my oath to the rulership you seem hesitant to claim.”

  Ruby sighed, “I have a life here Odi. Surely you do not expect me to just give it up without a clear picture of what I am giving it up for. Yes, I long for my people but… I have never known them.”

  “You are right. Maybe this will convince you.”

  She heard shuf
fling and then her eyes caught the glimmer of jewels that shone even in the darkness. She could feel her eyes widen with a longing she had felt before, when she had visited Neru for the first time.

  “Light stones,” she whispered. They were resting in the palm of his large hand.

  When she looked up, her eyes found Odi’s easily for she could see the light of the stones reflected in his eyes, that were so much like her own. Then he folded his fingers over them and they were gone.

  “Do… my eyes light up like that?”

  “Only in the absence of light.”

  “Then why haven’t I noticed that before. We have light stones within the walls of the castle, the temple and the outer gates…”

  Odi didn’t respond, “Why did you call me here?”

  “I’m not sure… I do want to get to know you.”

  Odi shifted now, so that he was close enough for her to feel the warmth of him. The man was almost feverish. She resisted the urge to ask after his health.

  “You are playing a dangerous game princess. These people want only to use you… your people have been searching for you for many years.”

  “Searching?”

  “Our old Oracle was convinced that you were alive. But we did not know where you had gone.”

  “Why not look in the next possible place?”

  “Aldor allowed us to be destroyed, they betrayed us. No matter how much we longed to find you… we could not risk being found ourselves.”

  “And now?”

  “Now… you are old enough to decide for yourself who you want to be. Now we are stronger than we were after they almost wiped us out. Now… we need you.”

  Ruby narrowed her eyes, that seemed to be a recurring theme in her life these days.

  “For what do you need me?”

  “To take up your place,” he must have reached out to her in the darkness, when she felt his fingers lightly touch her chest.

  When she looked down, he was holding the pendant of her necklace between them. The red gem gave off a gentle light between them, bright enough to cast shadows on their faces.