“No,” she said, quietly.
“What?”
Abandoning all pride, she bowed her head. She needed him to hear her. He had to.
“Deepest respect, my king,” she said. “But I cannot do as you command. You ask me to abandon my people to their fate. I cannot do this. If you wish the felling to stop, you must order it apart from me. But think first how mother would have reacted to such a command.”
Her father’s face became as red as a tomato and twisted with rage. But he didn’t speak until he had somewhat calmed.
“Go to your chambers and remain there.”
Beverly walked out of his chambers without a word.
***
She addressed Cryos as she approached her door.
“Come inside.”
“Someone may notice I am gone.”
This gave her pause, but she replied somewhat distantly, “I don’t know if I even care anymore.”
Once Cryos had entered, Beverly shut the door and locked it. She walked to the window at the back of the room. Cryos watched her without speaking, apprehension building in him for her well-being.
“My father is unhappy with my felling of the forest. He still clings to his stubborn belief that it’s cursed.”
“You have not told him?”
“No. I haven’t. Perhaps I should. Perhaps I should lay it all before him. Ixtus, the keep, you. I think…I think it hardly matters anymore. He’s going to sequester me, I can tell. He’ll order me back to my duties inside the castle. I’m a woman and he still treats me like a child.”
She was silent as she stared out over the forest. Cryos worried that she was becoming enchanted again. The jade dagger lay inert beneath her belt. They had not gone out to retrieve any other artifacts. He had followed her out the few times she had gone out of the castle, so he knew not from what she would be enchanted.
“You’re wondering what I’m thinking,” she said. “I’m thinking…of running away.”
Her voice was not frantic, not scared or angry. It was calm. That bothered Cryos more than if it had been any of the former.
“I could disguise myself,” she continued, “live among the commoners, hide among them when the guard came looking for me. I could be a shadow. I could dress in green, play off the legend of the jade woman, helping the villagers where the king refused to—”
She froze, realizing what she was saying.
“No,” she said. “No, that’s foolish. How would I help my people?”
Her stance straightened as if coming to a resolution.
“Well, that’s it then. There’s only one way out of this. I have to bring you before him.”
“Is that wise?”
“I think it’s the only option I have. To be honest, it’s a relief. I…I’ve been a fool. I should never have kept you or my escapades a secret from him. I should have told him everything from the start. It’s been such torture not to tell him. I probably should never have defied him in the first place. He is my father and my king, after all. I should have gone to him with my grievances long ago.”
Beverly rested her elbows on the windowsill and placed her head in her hands. Cryos could see her body convulse slightly, the weight of her mis-actions weighing upon her.
“How could I have been so selfish?” she said through a voice choked with crying. “I almost died so many times. He never would have known. I’m such a foolish girl!”
She laid her head down on her arms, weeping into them. Cryos stood frozen, not knowing what to do to help his master. A strange feeling coursed through him. Was this, sadness? Was he merely feeling what she was or were these feelings from some deep, long-forgotten part of himself? He placed a hand on her back, causing her to look up at him with a face riddled with sorrow. She moved from the sill and embraced him, silently weeping into his shoulder. After a time, she gained control of herself. She straightened and wiped her face.
“Thank you,” she said, her voice subdued.
“You are my master. I gladly serve. Though...it is strange serving you. With Ixtus, I always knew what he wanted and when he wanted it. With you I sometimes do not know what to do.”
“You’re doing wonderfully, Cryos. I couldn’t have asked for a better friend.”
Cryos contemplated the words as Beverly moved to her screen and changed into a gown of green velvet. She went to her vanity, cleaning her face and brushing her hair. Once she was ready, she called for Cryos and the two ventured out into the hall. She took two steps and stopped before directing Cryos to his pedestal.
“You do not wish me to go with you?” he asked, adjusting his position.
“If I walk through the castle with you, you’ll be slain on sight before I can even say a word. Frankly, I’m surprised it hasn’t already happened and no one’s noticed the times when you weren’t there. Best to bring my father here and—”
“Your majesty?”
Beverly whirled to see a guard standing there, a confused look on his face. Why hadn’t Cryos warned her this man was coming?
“Who were you addressing?” he asked.
Beverly resisted the urge to glance at Cryos and confirm he was in the correct position.
“I was about to go speak to the king,” she said, controlling her reaction.
“But, I thought I heard another voice.”
Beverly knitted her brow.
“Another voice?”
“Yes. It sounded deep and gravely.”
She spread her hands to the side.
“Well, there is no one here but me,” she said. “Are you feeling all right? Perhaps you have a fever—”
She moved to touch his forehead, but he dodged the touch.
“No, your majesty, I am well.”
“Very well. But if you hear more voices, I want to hear of it. What can I do for you?”
“There is a girl from among the refugees that wishes an audience.”
The man was just doing his duty. But with everything that was happening, Beverly found herself with little patience. She controlled her voice, letting only a little annoyance slip out.
“Why tell me this? Are there not many so? Why did you not tell her of the hours in which we do such things?”
“I did so, your majesty. But she refused to turn away, insisting she must speak with you. I placed her in one of the waiting chambers.”
Beverly huffed. She did not want to further neglect her duties, but she was eager to get the meeting with her father over with.
“Thank you. Please inform her I will...I will see to her as soon as I am able.”
“Yes, your majesty.”
He bowed and walked back down the passage. Beverly tapped her foot on the stone floor. The girl, whoever she was, was insistent on seeing her. But that was hardly unusual. Every citizen that wished an audience insisted it was most urgent. Besides, she had held this secret from her father long enough. She decided that she would see her father and then see to the girl. She needed to go to him first anyway, seeing as how he ordered her not to leave her chambers. Beverly walked towards her father’s council chambers. It was likely he would be conferring with Sir Merrik about Beverly’s proper punishment and what to do about the felling. Therefore, it was most likely he was there. She would enter and wait quietly until he called her to speak. Simple.
She wiped her hands on her gown as she approached. Her shaking hands went to her hair, straightening imaginary loose locks. She breathed, grabbed the handle, and pulled the door open.
***
Torina sat in the waiting chamber just off the throne room of the castle. Her hands fidgeted. A man walked by the room, then walked backwards to stand in the doorway. Torina tensed at the man’s searching look.
“Come to see the King, have you?” he said.
Torina shook her head slightly.
“N-No, I...I came to see the princess.”
“That so?” he said, scratching the stubble on his chin.
“I...It’s very important.”
; “Oh, I’ll bet it is. But the princess, well, she’s a little fickle. Too busy for the likes of us common folk, y’know.”
“She…she didn’t seem that way...in the village.”
“Oh that. Aye, she’ll put on a show here and there just to keep people from gettin’ too riled up. But when it counts, she can’t be bothered. Might careless if you ask me. Oh, but I forget myself. I shouldn’t be talkin’ about her majesty so, I guess.”
Torina didn’t know how to answer this man who was leaning in the doorway.
“But I wouldn’t count on her coming to see you anytime soon,” he added.
“The guard said he would speak to her for me.”
“Oh, and I’m sure he did go to do just that. And she probably told him she’d be with you presently. But the truth of the matter, she’s probably already forgotten.”
Torina deflated at that. She stood to go. It was foolish to come. Who was she compared to a princess?
“Thank you,” she mumbled as she moved to the door.
“Whoa, wait a minute,” said the man, laying a gentle, if large hand on her shoulder. “Now just because she don’t care doesn’t mean I don’t. I happen to be close to her ear and can get you a private meeting with her. Just you and her.”
Torina looked up at the man’s warm smile.
“You...would you...?”
“Of course. We common folk need to look out for one another. But even with someone like me she trusts, it’ll take me time to convince her. Come back at midnight and ask for the stables. Ask for Gar, that’s me, and I’ll take you to your private meeting.”
“Thank you, Sir,” Torina said.
“Think nothin’ of it, Lass. Nothin’ at all.”
***
Beverly stormed into her room, slamming the door behind her. She tossed her circlet onto her vanity, and it clattered loudly. She marched over to her bed and collapsed onto it, growling her frustration into a pillow. Not only had her father ordered her back to her room without so much as hearing what she had to say, when she got to the waiting chamber, there was no one there. It took her an hour to find the guard that had handled the girl, and he had no idea where she’d gone.
Beverly rubbed her face in her pillow. This day was turning into an exercise in futility. Her eyes were raw. She needed to get back onto a regular sleep schedule, which meant she needed to stay awake as long as she could, at least until late afternoon. Sitting up, she looked around her room for something to occupy her. Her rapier hung on one wall. She could practice her swordplay, but that would only tire her out even more. She could practice her calligraphy. Perhaps she could write letters to the refugees. Yes, that would be an option, especially since she was forbidden to leave the castle. Gathering some paper, a quill, and inkwell, she sat at her vanity.
The feeling of entrapment tapped at the back of her mind. She looked around the large, empty chamber until her eyes fell on the spot where Cryos used to sit. Funny how she’d grown accustomed to having him around. Perhaps that’s why she had trouble sleeping as of late. She felt safe around him.
Gathering up her things, she pulled on the cord to call for a servant and then stepped out into the hall. While she waited, she surveyed Cryos. The way his back hunched, and how he sat against the wall, it made for what looked like a cozy sitting nook between his wings. Instead of Cryos, Beverly clambered up onto the statue opposite him and tested her theory. The statue was stone, not flesh like Cryos and was very hard. But if she had a cushion and a board to write on, it would work nicely.
“M’lady?”
Beverly looked over the statue’s wing to see Katrice standing there, a look of bewilderment on her face.
“Ah, Katrice,” she said, sliding off the statue. “Would you be so kind as to bring me a cushion and a small board please?”
“Yes, M’lady,” Katrice answered. “What...what were you—”
“My father said I was to go to my chambers and remain there. He did not say I had to remain inside them.”
Katrice seemed about to object, but then bowed her head.
“As M’lady wishes,” she said before turning and walking back down the hall. Beverly watched her go, guilt stinging at her.
“I haven’t treated her well,” she said absently. She could feel Cryos watching her. She held her arms and sat down on the base of the statue. She remained that way until Katrice returned with her requested items.
“Will there be anything else, M’lady?” she asked.
Beverly’s mouth worked.
“Katrice…” She didn’t even know what to apologize for. “I haven’t…I haven’t meant to…”
She stared at the floor.
“What do you remember of my mother?” she asked.
The question surprised Beverly. She chanced a look up at Katrice, who was holding a dignified posture.
“What does M’lady wish to know?” Katrice asked.
Beverly sighed. If she wanted to get through this, she had to toss out all semblance of self-respect.
“I haven’t treated you well,” she said. “I never knew my mother and always wanted her to be there. I think…I think that’s why I’ve been going out at night, why I’ve felt so trapped here. I’ve been searching for her, but didn’t realize it until this moment. There have been times, more than a few, that I’ve wanted so desperately for her to be here to correct me, to teach me. Teach me how to be a lady. Teach me how to appreciate what I have.
“Katrice, I’m so sorry. You’ve been trying to fill that role for me all these years and the only thing I’ve been is an ungrateful brat.”
She put her head in her hands, unable to even look her nursemaid in the eye. Katrice was silent. Then Beverly heard the rustling of her dress as the older woman sat down next to her. A warm arm pulled her close and Katrice’s voice full of age and warmth filled her ears.
“Your mother was a strong-willed, obstinate, risk-taker.”
Beverly looked up through her tears to see Katrice smiling.
“She was?”
Katrice nodded. “She could not sit still for the life of her. She was always riding, exploring, mingling with the common folk. She would neglect her duties and only attend to them when they piled up so much, circumstances forced her to deal with them. Your father was often frazzled at her wild behavior. But he loved her so. Oh, she was a strong woman. When she set her mind to something, she did not rest until she accomplished it. The Godking help the person who tried to deter her from it. Your father often sent me to retrieve her. That in itself was quite a task.
You know it was your father’s persistence in courting her that swayed her to accept his proposal. He loved her tenacity, her brashness. He saw it as a challenge to tame her. You know how your father loves a challenge. But instead, he was the one who changed. He let go of some of his strictly held to codes. He became more lax, learning to roll with matters and treat them differently. He even joined your mother on some of her escapades.”
“Father did that?”
Katrice stifled a giggle.
“Oh, he did indeed. I know it’s hard to believe with how he is now. But I think that all came as a result of your mother’s death. He saw Ixtus’s curse as her reckless behavior finally catching up to her. So he made the forest off limits, that none other might suffer your mother’s fate. And he locked himself away in his castle, only going out when necessary. He doesn’t want you to follow in your mother’s footsteps.”
“But…” Beverly bit her lip, wondering if she should say.
“But you’ve already been to Ixtus’s keep and came back alive.”
Beverly’s eyes went wide.
“It was merely a guess, M’lady. But not a difficult one. Being your mother’s daughter, I expected you would one day go in search to find out exactly what happened to your mother. When I saw that horrid statue in your room, I guessed it would have come from no other place. And you seemed so alive the next day, as if you had finally drawn breath after choking for so long.”
&
nbsp; “You know me better than I know myself.”
“Well, I should hope so. I’ve spent enough time raising you.”
Beverly couldn’t help but smirk at her nursemaid’s boldness. Katrice waved her off.
“Don’t think your father was the only one influenced by your mother’s brashness. Her enthusiasm and recklessness was infectious. I only discourage it out of devotion to your father. But I suppose it is a moot point now.”
She slid off the statue and straightened her dress.
“Katrice,” Beverly asked. “What did happen to my mother exactly?”
“You should ask your father that question.”
“He won’t speak to me about it. Every time I’ve ever asked him, he gives the same brief statement, then lectures about how we must never enter the forest.”
“Then you’ll just have to tell him you already have,” Katrice smiled. “Use that brashness you’ve inherited from your mother. Sometimes, that’s the only way to get through to him.”
Beverly smiled, hopped from the statue, and threw her arms around her nursemaid.
“Thank you, Katrice.”
“You are welcome, M’lady.”
Katrice departed and Beverly wrote, her spirit renewed by the revelation of who her mother truly was. The first matter of business, she thought, was to see that the felling continued. Then, she would write to the girl, Torina, and have her summoned here. She needed to know what the girl knew. She whiled the hours away, writing letter after letter to those situations of which she knew. Her eyes were drooping by the time she finished the final letter, a writ of order to bring the newcomers to meet her in groups by day that she might hear their petitions.
She scrawled a sloppy signature, slid off the statue, and stretched her back. Her father had not been to see her. She called for a servant and handed the letters, instructing their delivery be with all haste at first light. She entered her chambers to find the sun already set and the dark of night pouring in through the windows. Beverly changed into her shift and crawled into bed. She was asleep almost immediately.
***
Cryos & Jade- Secrets Page 3