There were too many questions, and not enough answers, but Renella figured if she wouldn’t remember, then it made no sense to get answers for them. She knew what she had to do, and she would do it. She would be the queen Pylira deserved; she would do this for her people, and for Tyson. She knew whatever happened, she must return to him. Renella thought about that for a moment. He would bring her back, of that she had no doubt. That is what made her decision an easy one.
Renella reached into her pocket once more and retrieved the locket.
“I want to give this to you,” she said to her friend. She stopped and stepped in front of her, so she could see the locket. “I want you to wear this from this moment until the last.” She undid the clasp and placed it around Tabitha’s neck, securing it there. “Don’t take it off, and don’t let anyone see it.” Renella opened the locket and showed Tabitha the pictures inside. Then she closed it and tucked it under the neckline of her dress. The two friends walked arm in arm in silence back to the palace. Tyson was with the stable hands getting the horses ready.
“We have six days left. We should get back,” he said to the girls.
Rowan and Karen exited the palace as Tyson finished with the bridle on the last horse. Karen kissed Renella on the cheek, tears welling in her eyes, and headed back inside.
“She doesn’t want you to go through with this,” her father stated.
“I am aware of that, Father, but this entire plan goes nowhere without me there.” She leaned into her father and hugged him. “I forgave you for sending me away. I realized your decision was not just about what was best for me, or you, or even mother.” She looked at him. “It was what was best for our people. I will be back, as Farlow stated, and I will be Queen of Pylira. I want our people to remember that I didn’t run away and hide, but that I stood against he who would oppose us; who has done everything in his power to destroy what you have built. Pylira needs to be whole again, and I won’t be the reason it does not,” she stated.
“You’ve grown into a fine woman, and your mother and I are very proud of you. Don’t worry about her. She will come around.” He pinched her cheek and kissed the top of her head, said his farewell to Tyson and Tabitha, and followed his wife. Tyson helped Renella and Tabitha mount their horses and together, they left for Ormshire Castle.
The journey back was not as bad as the journey to Hearthstone. The rain had given up for the time being and the cold had let up as well, but it was still colder than usual. Renella was not thinking of the weather. She was more focused on the task she had to help complete. Who could she trust, other than Tyson and Tabitha, to carry on with it? Whoever she chose needed to be a non-maga; one or two men, and they should be close to Ourobus.
"So, do you have an idea who would help us?" Renella asked the other two.
"No, I have no idea." Tyson looked at her. He saw how frail and tired she looked. They had hardly gotten any sleep on the way to Hearthstone, because of the cold and rain, but he vowed to make sure she was able to sleep well when they stopped next. If they had more than six days together, he may have insisted they stay the night and depart in the morning, but such was not the case.
"I have an idea of someone," Tabitha said, interrupting Tyson's thoughts.
"Who would that be?" Tyson asked her.
"How about… Uncle Hogarth and Uncle Gareth," Tabitha said to her brother as if it were a no brainer to ask them.
Tyson gave her a concerned look, but then stopped to consider it. "Why them?” Tyson asked.
“Isn't it obvious? There is no one closer to father than his own brothers. Besides, they don't like him using buio magia any more than the rest of us,” Tabitha pointed out.
“What reason do they have to object?” Renella asked curiously.
“Because my father likes to use his brothers as practicing targets for all his new spells. One-time, Uncle Gareth grew three feet,” Tabitha said with a smirk on her face.
“I take it he didn’t enjoy being taller?” Renella asked.
“No, he would love to be taller, but this was not feet in height. I mean he grew a third foot.” Tabitha could not contain herself. She started laughing so hard it looked as if she were going to fall off her horse.
Renella laughed as well; so hard, in fact, that she frightened her horse, who took off like a bolt of lightning.
“Whoa,” she calmed the mare.
“Okay, that’s enough playing, ladies. We have got to get back. There is much to be done.” Tyson started to get aggravated. He had less than a week with Renella and his sister, but so much to do that he did not think he would get time with them both.
“Aye.” Tabitha gave a quick bow of her head and kick-started her horse to a gallop.
On the way back to Ormshire, the sky stayed clear. The usual three-day journey was cut into one and a half. At nightfall, they picked a nice spot by the water to rest and make a fire to warm them. By morning, the coals in the fire had lost all heat, and they even had a coating of dew on them from the cold air during the night. Much to Tabitha’s dismay, they had woken before the sun had risen, but they managed to arrive at Ormshire castle by noon.
Nobody was awaiting them when they arrived, and they hadn’t suspected anyone would be. Ourobus was gone, and Sheree had known they left the castle three days since. She had, however, received them in the dining hall for lunch.
“So, what did you discover?” Sheree spoke to Tyson first.
“Just what you said. It’s all true, although, there is more to be done in preparation. We have until the new moon,” he said as he shoved a biscuit in the gravy bowl, then into his mouth.
“Try to use some decorum,” she scolded him. “What is there to do?” Sheree turned to Tabitha and Renella for the answer since Tyson was busy filling his plate as full as his mouth had become.
“How well do you know Gareth and Hogarth; enough to trust them with the lives of your children?” Renella asked her.
“Yes, of course. I’ve known them all of my life. Why, what is this?” She looked back and forth amongst the three of them.
Renella sat in the first chair she came close to. “We need someone who will remain here with Tyson to help him. Do you think we could trust them?”
“Well, yes I do.”
“With magia?”
Sheree looked confused so Renella continued, “We will need to gift them some magia to use in our absence,” Renella finished.
“I believe they will do what is right.” Sheree gave her final word.
“They won’t be able to use it here,” Tyson spoke up from behind them. He dropped his plate on the table and took off running.
“What in the world?” Sheree asked after him.
“I’ve had a fantastic idea!” he yelled back without slowing down.
The women stood there in wonder, but none followed. Instead, they took their seats at one end of the table and discussed the journey, what needed to be done to prepare for the curse, and—to keep appearances—the wedding as well.
“I will not let this happen until everything is in place as discussed!” Rowan slammed his fist on top of the massive oak table. “My daughter put her life on the line, and you’d better make damn sure you’re doing your part.”
King Rowan was in attendance of his lords, Prince Farlow, and the four women who were to travel to Ormshire for Renella’s wedding. They would be there to represent the king and queen, since the ongoing feud between the families would not permit them to attend in person. This, of course, was a good enough reason to allow four fairies into Ormshire without suspect.
“I assure you, Majesty, Calipee is on her way. She will enact the curse. She has agreed to it.” Farlow ran a frustrated hand through his hair.
“What about her power? Will she be able to do it properly?” the king barked.
“She believes she can.” Farlow continued to look down at the table.
“This is upsetting indeed. I only agreed to this plan of yours because you said your sister would—”<
br />
“She will be able to do it,” Farlow cut Rowan off.
“You’re sure?” Rowan resolved.
“Yes, Calipee will use the heart stone. She will be here soon.” Farlow stood, nodded to the rest amongst the table, and exited the room.
“Majesty, if Calipee is unable to enact the curse, what then?”
“Then we will have to deal with an incessant amount of time fending off Ourobus’ attacks.” Rowan slammed his fist against the table again and the flames in the pillars rose violently. “First moment we realize she is unable to enact the curse, my daughter and her friends are to be brought to Hearthstone.” Rowan swore under his breath. “For the time being, we remain on task. Ladies, you know what you need to do?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” A small girl rose to speak to the king. “I will find the princess and stick to her until the curse activates. Once all is done, I will remove her body from Ormshire and return her to Hearthstone.” She then looked at the girl beside her.
“While Melita is looking after Princess Renella, I will see to Hogarth and Gareth as Tyson suggested. I will see to it that they are given all they require to complete their assigned tasks,” the girl said, reciting her mission verbatim like a soldier.
Melita nodded and added, “While Giana is attending to Ourobus’ brothers, Aria and Trista will attend to the ladies, Sheree and Tabitha.” She motioned to the last two remaining girls at the table with them.
“Very good. All seems to be in order then. We can meet again once Queen Calipee arrives.” Rowan rolled his eyes, stood, and put his back to his guests. As they prepared to leave, Rowan told Melita to stay behind.
“The queen has an idea as to what will happen after the curse is enacted. She would like for you to bring this to your new queen.” He held for her a folded piece of paper sealed with the wax sigil of luce.
“I will deliver it to her as soon as she arrives.” Melita nodded.
“No one else is to see that.” Rowan pointed at her.
“I understand.” She curtsied and left the room, all the while putting the folded paper in her pocket.
Rowan stared out the massive windows and watched as the lights moving in the distance moved in closer. It looked like Calipee was a few hours from Hearthstone. He rubbed at the coarse hair covering his face and sighed. Nobody could have foreseen Calipee not receiving all her mother’s power when she was crowned. Not only did she not receive all the power she was due as queen, but she was also unable to restore the land to its usual brilliance. The grass had all but withered away to resemble nothing more than hay. The ground was brown, the sky was grey, and the trees were bare. The animals had disappeared, and the birds that remained no longer chirped. Their beautiful land that Renal had created for them—the last thing of her, save for her children that remained—was dying.
“So, is it settled?” Rowan heard a quiet voice speak from behind the curtains beside his throne.
“Yes, my wife. All will be done as you asked.” He continued to gaze out the window.
“Why so glum, husband?” Karen stepped beside him.
“Why must you leave as well? This is not your curse.” He took her hand in his and ran his thumb along her palm.
“I know, but I won’t be of any use to you here. She needs me, Rowan. This is what must happen.”
“You will return?” He cupped her face in his mighty hands.
“Yes, my love, I will return. I will not have to stay away if Calipee can do what I’ve asked.” She tried to assure him.
The frustration returned. Rowan turned away from his wife and looked back to the lights in the distance. “I have no idea what she will be able to do. She has not even been able to restore Pylira.” He motioned to the windows.
“I know, but once she is here amid the heart stone, it will give her the power she will need.”
“How do we know that will not die as well?” Rowan turned away from the window. Karen reached her arms around his neck as far as she could. She was not short by any means; it was her husband who stood taller than any other man she had ever known.
“The heart stone cannot die, for Renal made it from your heart; the truest of hearts and infused it with the magia of the fairies. It cannot die so long as a Pyliro sits on that throne,” she said, pointing to the large wooden chair that sat in the center of a small platform at the very end of the long room.
Rowan held her around the waist and rested his head on hers. “You will be sorely missed, my dear.” He then brought her face to his and placed a soft kiss upon her lips.
They stood together in the throne room amid the empty table, watching the lights in the distance close its gap. Through the window, Karen pointed out that Calipee had arrived at the gate, which was just a drawbridge away from the palace walls. They continued to watch as Calipee was carried in a small throne by four men. The throne itself was not embellished, but Calipee had taken to dress as the queen of the fairies. She wore dark purple, the color of royalty. Her hair was pulled straight back into a long braid and was dressed in a gold copricapo, which held a single diamond that dangled between hairline and brow.
“Finally, she is here.” Rowan let out a sigh. He was anxious to see for himself what she could accomplish. He still had doubts about her ability to enact the curse. Since Calipee had reached the palace entrance, Rowan had again sent for his lords. Farlow and his younger sisters would meet Calipee as she entered the palace.
“Please take your seats. She has arrived. Now we can see what this queen has to say about the state of our lands,” Rowan muttered.
Chapter Twenty-six
Ormshire – Present
“I told you not to let them reach Corinthia.” The dragon’s tale swung around the room, throwing bits of wood out into his audience.
“We are sorry, Brother. We tried to keep the girl near us, but Sheree led them elsewhere.” Hogarth ducked as another large piece of wood flew over his head.
“You were supposed to arrive here with them, kill the girl, and bring me my son,” he hissed, and the fire within him threatened to break free.
“We did not know the curse had broken, Brother, until it was too late. With the passage down, we assumed the children would be with us in the house when the passage opened back up,” Gareth spoke from behind Hogarth, using him as a shield from the debris.
“You should have stayed with them,” Ourobus hissed.
“My king…we had thought of everything. We cast the spell on the house to bring us here in the event the curse was broken. When the passage did not open, things changed. The young princess was eager. Had we known…” Hogarth stuttered.
“Enough!” The dragon grew hot with anger. “No more excuses. Send more mietitore after them. I want her lifeless body laid before me. Now go!”
Ourobus turned from them, wishing them out of his sight. He paced what little room he had to move about, dragging his massive spiked tail back and forth. Broken wood scattered about the room. He looked down at the crown that was fashioned for him by the maga of old and wished for his human form.
Ourobus contemplated the destruction of his castle to free himself from the room. He wondered if the wings he owned would carry him to fetch the girl. When he saw his own people were unable to leave the confines of the castle walls, he thought better of it. What would the use be? Other than being able to walk the grounds, he would still be stuck within walls.
He looked to the post outside the windows. He saw the princess walk right into the confines of his castle, untouched by his guards—on his order He wanted her to remove her mother’s lifeless body. Karen would have made it to Hearthstone, but his plan was for his mietitore to make certain the princess would be lying beside her when she had. He would wait till the girl’s guard was down, and then strike. He wanted to make Rowan pay dearly for the curse he ordered be placed on his head.
As the sun rose and set with the passing days, none had been able to get to the princess. Ourobus had received word that she and his children had ma
de it to Corinthia and passed through the Forest of the Fae to Hearthstone. The fae granted them passage, so he knew sending the mietitore would not stop them in time. No, he would have to wait for her to leave the confines of Hearthstone Hill to rid the world of her and reclaim his son; his prince.
No, he thought to himself. Sending mietitore after her wouldn’t do at all. He called for his advisor, Ankor, who had been with his brothers on their arrival to Ormshire. Ourobus’ spies had also informed him of two traveling companions who had stayed behind at Corinthia. He would send Ankor and the mietitore to Corinthia to fetch and bring them to him.
Chapter Twenty-seven
Present
Sheree waved goodbye to her son and wished him and the others farewell on their journey. She had seen the trouble he and Renella had faced, not just because of all things curse, but between them as a couple. Having faced those same trials herself, she felt it more important that they finish the journey without her, as she had a biased opinion.
When the announcement of her son’s engagement had been made, Sheree couldn’t have been happier, but after all that had happened, she could see the strain and stress that had been put on the betrothed. They no longer seemed happy to be together. More than that, Sheree had seen Renella refuse Tyson’s company on more than one occasion during their travels.
She wished so badly that she could help them through whatever had come between them. She had given her son a little bit of advice before they left.
“Just remember, she is suffering. She will come around, but if she doesn’t, I’m sure the king will allow the betrothal called off, under the circumstances,” she said to him before they left for the palace.
“Mother, I love her. We will fix what’s between us and get back to that. I have to believe it,” was his only answer on the subject.
The Curse of Ormshire (The Beast Within Book 2) Page 22