“How could he have done that?”
“I do not know. He seems to have many new maga around him. I’m sure it has something to do with using our energy to make him more powerful, especially me. All I know is Mother was right; I should have been subtler.”
Tyson sat and watched as Renella slept. Tabitha had long since left, but her words stuck with him. If only they could leave, they would never have to look back. As he sat, he stared blankly between his sleeping princess and the sun rising in the east, and he thought of the argument between him and his father. Renella was attacked in the square while picking out flowers to set as a grave marker for her sister. The gravesite was empty, but it was something close by for her to visit, as naturally, her father had taken her sister home to be laid to rest.
The man had followed Renella through the square for much of the afternoon, and at a point when he felt he was sure to succeed, he placed a cloth over her mouth, hooked his arm around her waist from behind, and dragged her backwards with him towards a broken-down building nearby.
Tyson had been only a few tables behind her and saw the entire ordeal; however, the crowd did not allow for him to get to her before the man hit her on the back of the head and flung her over his shoulder.
* * *
“She can’t stay here any longer!” Ourobus shouted at his son. He and Tyson were in the throne room.
“I’m sorry, Father, but she is staying, and as you decreed, I will marry her on the next full moon.”
“Do you hear yourself? Do you hear how disrespectful you are to your lord father? It’s that girl’s influence, I tell you.” Ourobus stood over his son just three steps high, which put them at eye level.
“Father, I will marry her, regardless of your feelings for it. If we have to, we will leave your realm and join her family. They have agreed to welcome us on the eve we wed,” Tyson stated loudly.
“You would leave your own family?”
“No sir, she is my family. You would have her dead. So, I will leave to keep her safe.” Tyson felt as if he argued with a child having a tantrum.
“I would do no such thing.” The king turned to pace his landing.
“I saw what you did. Only a man spelled by buio could have stark white eyes. You had that man attack her!” Tyson yelled at his father once more.
“I did no such thing. Do you dare stand here and blame your king of attempting murder? You know that’s treason.” He pointed a finger at Tyson.
“No, I blame a father for attempting to take the life of a daughter, because that is what she is to be to you. Although, now that I think about it, it’s no better than the way you treat Tabitha.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I will have no more of you and your buio magia. I told you that. I don’t condone what you do, and I will not follow in your footsteps.” Tyson turned to walk away.
“Oh, very well then, wed your bride…if you can.” Ourobus gave a quick laugh as he sat on his giant chair.
“That better not be a threat on her, Father. I swear, if anything happens to her, I will use my last breath to make you pay.” Tyson tuned on his heel and left the room.
* * *
Tyson looked at Renella, and she stirred. It had been the first night she had slept all the way through, and one among many nights that Tyson did not sleep at all.
“Good morning, my princess. How did you sleep?” he asked her as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes and sat up.
“I guess I slept okay. I didn’t have any bad dreams, if that’s what you’re asking.” She looked weary as she gazed about the room. “I slept all night in here?”
“Yes, darling. You were so tired, you fell asleep as I read to you. I didn’t want to disturb you, so I let you sleep. I sat here by your side all night.” He knelt up and kissed the tip of her nose.
“Well, thank you, but you need to sleep too. How will it look with me well rested on the day of our engagement party, and my prince looks like the walking dead?”
“It’ll look like you got your beauty sleep, and I’m just an ugly duckling.” He chuckled a bit as he stretched the muscles in his back.
“I guess that’s how it will have to be.” Her shoulders slumped for the slightest minute and then she adjusted her posture to that of a princess. “I cannot believe your mother wants to throw us an engagement party.”
“I know, but she thinks the realm needs a reason to come together, and what better reason than a wedding?”
Renella was apprehensive about the celebration, he knew. Her parents were not welcome, nor would they come if invited. Given the unlikely events of the last few months, Tyson had not thought their wedding was going to be a big production.
“How many in attendance might I have to worry about?”
“You mean how many are avid followers of my father?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I’m just wondering about the buio. I wouldn’t want to show my hand.” She gave him a smug expression.
“Don’t worry. He hasn’t brought any of the new followers around. Those invited here are the people of Ormshire. Most of them do not support my father’s change. I’m not sure even my mother supports him.”
She gave him a nod, and he could see the tension release from her shoulders.
The day went on effortlessly. Most of the castle staff was busy preparing for the festivities to come. Although surprised by the spectacle it had become, Tyson could not hold his amusement as he looked at Renella’s eyes and she soaked in all the adornments. Sheree had chosen white roses for the event, with light wisps of greenery here and there. There were crystal orbs hanging from the middle of each main room—the ballroom, where the majority of the party would be held; the drawing room, where the men would, no doubt, take their leave to rid themselves of the women’s hackles; and the dining hall, where the feast would be served and toasts would be given to the couple, wishing them all the happiness in the world.
Tyson found it amazing that any of the clan would be happy to celebrate such a union after the battle between the two families. He then concluded that everyone would enjoy an evening full of free food, drink, and the ability to gossip about the new royal family as well. This was the first time the clan members of the realm would be invited into Ormshire Castle in as many years as Tyson could remember.
They learned recently that most of the clan was still up in arms as to whether they wanted to move forward as buio, or if they were against their newly-proclaimed king. There did not seem to be a clear answer from any of them. Mother hoped, regardless of their views, that they would all stand behind the Buio King, if only not to anger him. The new darkness he had embraced had made him harder and more volatile. She did not wish harm to anyone. Some, Tyson discovered, had already packed up and left the realm. Tyson was glad for that.
As Renella still beamed over the arrangements in each room they passed, Tyson smiled. He had not thought to see that look on her face ever again. He was happy she would be able to forget her troubles, if only for a short while.
Chapter Seventeen
Pylira Past
During the first week after the battle, Sheree had taken a page from her husband’s book and left the castle. She journeyed to Hearthstone to see her dearest friend, Queen Karen. She knew, in the wake of her youngest daughter’s death, the queen would beseech her king to retaliate in their daughter’s honor. Sheree was afraid of what that might mean; not so much for herself, but for her children.
Sheree wasn’t a naive woman. She knew what her husband was doing, and what he had done needed to be answered for. However, as much as she disagreed with his opposition of luce, she loved him still.
The roads were quiet as she traveled. She passed a family and farm workers here and there, but save for the horse she rode, no one else accompanied her. None she passed had reason to notice her. As she arrived at Hearthstone Palace, however, she was very much noticed. The guard halted her at the gate.
“Are the king and queen expecting you, Lady Sheree?” He emphasized the
word “lady,” to let her know she would not be received as a queen.
“No, but the queen will more than likely receive me, if you’ll just let her know I am here. Thank you,” Sheree addressed the guard politely, not wanting to make a scene.
The guard leaned over to speak to his partner, who then disappeared into the palace. After what felt like all day, the guard returned with word from Queen Karen, that Sheree was to be received in her private sunroom. The guards escorted her there, and Sheree noticed they led her to the sunroom in a manner that avoided the king’s throne room and study.
Sheree had the pleasure of living at Hearthstone Palace, as did all the lords and their wives, at the inception of the realms. Hearthstone Palace was the first to be built. She knew the inside and outside of the palace as well as her own home, and at the conclusion of the detoured march to the sunroom, Sheree arrived to find her friend waiting for her.
“Sheree, it was so nice of you to come”—Queen Karen stood to greet her old friend—“but if he sees you here…” She let her thought trail off.
“Trust me, Karen, I know he would not want to see me right now.” She walked to Karen and took her outstretched hands. Karen pulled her into a hug and began to sob.
Sheree took inventory of her friend. Her long auburn hair, which was usually pinned neatly on her head, was left down to billow around her waist. Her eyes looked puffy but were expertly hidden with powder.
“I half expected to see you a complete mess!” Sheree exclaimed. “I thought you could use a friendly face.”
“I am so glad you’re here.” She silenced her sobs until none were left. “I just meant, well… Rowan is in a foul mood over your husband. I am so sorry, but it looks like they will be rid of him.” She sobered herself to speak candidly.
“I’m truly not surprised.”
“You mustn’t say anything. What am I saying? He is your husband.” Her hands flew up to her mouth to cover it.
“It’s okay, Karen. He is my husband and I love him, but he has got to be stopped.” She took Karen’s hands in hers and pulled her to the settee by the far windows. “I keep thinking of our children and what all of this is doing to them.” She saw the tears well up inside her friend’s eyes once more. “We cannot lose another. Tell me Rowan has a plan.” She hoped her friend would confide in her.
“Yes, they have a plan,” Karen said. She blotted the tears with a handkerchief she had concealed in the sleeve of her dress.
“Who is “they?” Sheree wanted to know.
“Rowan brought in the lords of the three realms, and...” Karen stopped for a minute. She knew she spoke to her friend, but she was also the wife of the man who was their enemy.
“Yes?” Sheree begged her to continue.
“Farlow was here as well,” Karen said, reluctant.
“Farlow? Why not Renal?”
“You don’t know?”
“Know what? Karen, what is it?”
“Ourobus killed Renal,” Karen said quietly, as if she were revealing a secret.
“No.” Sheree couldn’t believe her ears. She knew her husband was on a dangerous path, but he’d crossed a line he could never come back from.
“Yes, he meant to strike at Rowan, but Tyson pushed him out of the way. The blow struck Renal.”
Sheree couldn’t think straight. Why would nobody tell her? Ourobus had left the castle right away for the old lands, but Tyson and Renella could have told her.
“I don’t understand. How do you not know?” Karen asked her solemnly.
“I guess with everything else that went on, and my hasty departure.” She did leave without telling anyone, she thought. “That’s why.” She thought quickly of her journey.
“Why what?”
“The lands on the way here. I didn’t take much notice to it before now, but everything is fading.” Sheree remembered the browning grass and fallen leaves.
“Karen, he has got to be stopped. What of the plan?” Sheree begged her.
“Farlow’s idea is to curse Ourobus to Ormshire. He won’t be able to use magia or leave his castle,” Karen spoke quickly.
“That won’t work.” Sheree contemplated what her friend told her.
“What? Why won’t it work? If he’s cursed and cannot use magia and cannot leave Ormshire, then we are safer from him; from all of them. No one will be able to leave there.” She realized what she said for the first time. Sheree would be stuck there with her husband for who knows how long.
“Why will he not just do away with him? Making him and the rest of us prisoners within our realm will not hold him. He has buio maga at his disposal.” Sheree was concerned. She knew her husband would use his advisors to do his bidding.
“He has bound all those in the realm to him. The entire clan of Ormshire will perish if he were to die.” Karen looked at her.
Sheree contemplated this for a moment. Had he known she had left? No, he could not have, for he had left right after the battle. If he had known, he would have been able to use magia and bring her home. Sheree looked down at her hands as she wrung them inside themselves.
Karen stood and paced the room. “Farlow said that Renal found out that a great power, strong enough to break his bond and defeat him, would be coming to the four realms.”
“Okay, so how do we find this great power?”
“I don’t know that we can.” She looked around the room as if she studied every artifact within. It was not a very big space. The windows faced east and filled an entire wall from ceiling to floor. As the sun rose each day, it filled the room with vibrant light. There were four chairs, one small oval table, and two small settees in the room; pale blue and light oak. Karen had a few paintings on the other walls, but her favorite part of the room had been added many years after she had Renella, and again after Rosella was born; the large window seats in opposite corners of the windowed wall. One seat was for each of her daughters. There was also a large oak bookshelf that had been filled over the years as each of her daughters contributed to it. They would add a new book to it almost every month.
“You called for me.” An old lady, who looked well into her nineties, walked into the sunroom. Sheree turned on the settee and Karen froze in front of the woman. Then, as if a light bulb had been turned on in her head, she sprang back to life.
“Yes, Oma, thank you for coming. We are in need of your wisdom,” she said to the old lady and motioned for her to have a seat.
“Sheree, you remember Oma, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do. Hello again.” Sheree regarded the old woman.
“I am the audience of two queens this day. How fun.” Oma gave a little hop to her step.
“No, Oma, I’m Lady Sheree. Do you not remember me?” Sheree looked bewildered.
“Oh no, dear, I remember you. You are queen to King Ourobus,” she said as fact and turned to Karen.
“Sheree, it’s okay,” Karen told her friend. “Oma, that was not a title she gave herself. As a matter of fact, Lady Sheree and I were hoping you might have some information that might help in purging the realms of the so-called Buio King.”
“Is that so?” Oma directed her questioning look to Sheree.
“Yes, Oma, we would like your help. The power Farlow spoke of—the one that will be able to get rid of the bond Ourobus has on his people and destroy him—what do you know of it?” Sheree asked her.
“I know it will take many years to flourish. It will come at a hard price, and it will be stubborn,” she said her riddle, as the women expected nothing less of Oma.
“Will it be luce magia or buio?” Karen asked her.
“My child, do you know nothing of light and dark? It must be an equal amount of both to destroy either.” She pulled stones from her pocket and laid them on top of the table. She studied them for a moment before putting them back into her pocket.
“The ruins say that neither power can be greater than the other. They are equally powerful. One will have both to overcome that which you seek to destroy.�
�� The old woman stood, clear she would leave the room.
“Wait, Oma, what would you suggest we do to keep him subdued until this power can destroy him?” Sheree asked the old woman.
“I suggest ridding him of all magia. Once he is gone, it can return,” she said with a smile.
“That doesn’t make sense. I don’t think the fairies even have enough power to strip him and every maga in his realm,” Karen thought aloud.
“No, not strip. You cannot strip magia from a maga. He was not born of magia; he was gifted magia. That gift can be taken back.” Oma laughed and spun on her heel.
“I think you’re mistaken, Oma, Rowan and Ourobus were the only two men in the realms born with magia,” Karen told the old woman.
Oma walked to Karen and took her hand. “There is much you do not know. Renal gifted Ourobus and Rowan magia because their hearts were pure. Ourobus was tested and has hence failed. His gift must be returned, and you must make sure all buio and luce maga within his realm are removed from him. If not, I’m afraid all I see is death and despair for that realm,” she said as the irises in her eyes turned stark white.
The old woman turned and left the room. The other two women sat in contemplation. They both concluded the same thing. The women of the Ormshire clan were not safe to stay in Ormshire once the curse was enacted. The buio maga would not leave, and the others could not leave.
Sheree was the first to speak and break the long silence. “The women; all the maga must be sacrificed.”
“Sheree, that means you as well, and all that he has bound to him. You wish to be sacrificed for his banishment?” Karen asked her friend.
“Of course not, but it has to be done. You must tell Rowan,” Sheree said with urgency.
“No, I won’t have you and countless other women die. There must be another way.” Karen stood and paced the room.
“No, don’t you see? If we remain, he will use our magia once he realizes he has none. He would allow his men to force the women with beatings, rape, and countless other atrocities to get them to use their magia to do his bidding. Old and young would suffer for him. I cannot allow that. It must be done.” She stood on her conviction. “Besides, Oma said magia should go and come back once he’s destroyed. There must be a way to bring them back once this is done.” The thoughts swirled inside her head. She needed to make sense of what they talked about, but she couldn’t think clearly.
The Curse of Ormshire (The Beast Within Book 2) Page 15