A Castle of Ashes (The Fifth Kingdom Book 2)

by M. James, Lisa

  “Commander,” Zekiel started. “I swear to you, we have not sent any men to the shores after your life. I knew very little about you until now, to be honest. These men acted on their own accord.” He looked uncertainly at Geenessa. “Or perhaps they had no choice.”

  “How did you subdue the first two men?” Geenessa asked curiously.

  “Truly, it was Thomas who saved me. I heard his voice in my head, warning me to wake up before the men could murder me in my sleep.” He closed his eyes a moment before continuing. “I stabbed both men with my dagger at first and then knocked one unconscious. The other, John stabbed through the stomach with a sword. The one left alive said they were meant to check on my whereabouts. He gave no mention of who commanded him to do so, even at the threat of death. He was loyal, which I am afraid cost him his life. My brother surely did not leave him alive if he refused to speak after this much time. Stephen, he said his name was.”

  Lucinda’s heart sank. “I sent Stephen and Marcus from my guard to check if you returned safely to the West many weeks ago. I never thought—” Lucinda tried to suppress her feelings of anger at the thought of these attacks on Matthew’s life. She had simply asked the two knights to check on the whereabouts of the Prince of the West Kingdom, not revealing why it was important for her to know. Yet, she had sent them to their death.

  Unknowingly, her actions almost had Matthew slain. She was so focused on how seeing him again impacted her, she did not think of how it would affect him. He was a catalyst to the restoration of her kingdom. He had served his purpose and now the ancient spirits saw him as a threat.

  A surge of anger came upon her at the thought of him fighting for his life from these shadows. Then a feeling of sadness overcame her at the thought of his lips upon her. He was bidding her farewell, she convinced herself. Now he planned to leave her, but was it too late? Would he be safe or would the spirits still come for him?

  “Lucinda!” Geenessa’s voice interrupted her thoughts. A rush of wind was encircling the throne room around them. The torches and candles unlit and black ash was falling from the ceiling. Her hands were aching and she realized her grip on her throne had caused indents in the arms and pierced her palms. “Calm yourself, my Queen!” Geenessa cried.

  Matthew knelt in front of her and rested his palms tightly on the top of her hands as a swirl of ash encircled them. “There is no way you could have known what they would do!” He said to her over the sound of the wind. “It is not your fault! No one blames you! I know you never would want harm to come upon me or anyone! Enough Lucinda! You must stay calm!”

  She breathed deeply and focused on the sound of his voice as the wind around them and the rain of ash ceased. “Why didn’t you tell me about the attacks before?” Lucinda whispered.

  “Because there is nothing that can be done. It seems that Nycilla’s followers do not want what happened to her to happen again. They fear that Thomas has returned and that your care for him,” He hesitated and looked away from her. “Your care for me will lead to your end.” He shook his head. “It is best if my uncle and I not stay any longer, my lady. Forgive me, but we should take our leave.”

  She wanted to say more to him, but had no words. How many times could she say that she was sorry before the words lost all meaning? She simply nodded at him and he departed toward where his uncle slept. Four assassins, she thought, and they were spread throughout the kingdoms. She had brought this upon him, yet she did not know how to remedy it. She did not know how to protect him.

  Lucinda looked down at the young woman with the thigh wound. “Are you alright?”

  “I am so sorry, my Queen. You must believe me! I was out of my mind!”

  “I do believe you.” Lucinda said gently. “You are dismissed, but you will be under watch.”

  “I will do it myself, my lady.” Zekiel said looking curiously up the staircase to where Matthew disappeared, and then back to Lucinda before departing.

  Genessa picked up Matthew’s dagger and studied it. She set her eyes upon Lucinda. “Have you heard of the double edged sword, my lady?” Lucinda shook her head at her governess in confusion. “It is a sword with two sharp ends. It can be a powerful defender but it can also be dangerous to the beholder if not handled properly. It can be a gift or a curse, bring forth both good and bad. Be an ally or an enemy. It is really up to you to learn to wield the sword to your advantage.”

  “I know my powers have been erratic—“

  “I am not referring to your powers, your Grace. He calms you yet he also makes you lose control. You thrive in his presence and yet it is painful to you as well. He brings forth both light and darkness within you.” She handed his dagger to her. “Perhaps you invoke that in each other. Nevertheless, you both have much to offer each other, though there will always be a chance of danger. You must decide if the risk is worth it.” She bowed and left Lucinda’s presence.

  It was still dark when Matthew and Jonathan made their way toward the sea. “Just enter deeper and deeper into the water until you are submerged.” Lucinda instructed them. “Do not be afraid. I will tell the sea where to take you.”

  Commander Jonathan hugged her. “It is a miracle to be here and to witness your kingdom. To witness the woman you have become. Your mother would be proud.” He said with tears in his eyes. “Have courage, my lady. You have a tough journey ahead, but the best is yet to be seen.”

  “Pray for me, Commander.”

  He kissed her forehead and entered into the water. Lucinda turned to Matthew. She handed him his dagger as he looked down at her with stern eyes. “Do not let this be it Lucinda. Pursue the kingdoms. Legitimize all that you have worked for. Do not hide anymore.” He looked at her in silence for a moment before he continued. “I do not fear you Lucinda, but I do fear for you. You have built a castle of ashes and an army of shadows. The kingdom needs a solid foundation to stand on. Show your strength.” He turned away from her and stepped deeper into the water.

  She grasped his arm impulsively, and he turned again toward her. A sudden desire for him to stay filled her, yet she knew she could not ask that of him. She had no right to ask anything of him, but a wave of emotion grasped her. “I missed you.” She managed to say. If he knew nothing else of what she felt these past seven years apart, he needed to know that much. “With my own heart and spirit.” She added as he looked at her with a pained expression. He seemed as if he wanted to say something, but he only nodded before turning away from her again.

  Lucinda knelt into the sea and softly whispered The West Kingdom. The waters gathered submerging them, and then they were gone.

  I am alright Nycilla. No one was truly hurt. We will make the kings understand it was an accident.

  I lost control, Thomas. They made me so angry. They will never accept me.

  My kingdom will have to accept you when you are a part of my family. Be my wife, Nycilla. I love you. I do not want to depart from you again.

  Lucinda sat up in her bed. She looked down at the ring on her finger. It was a betrothal ring. Thomas had given it to Nycilla. They were to be married. Betrothal rings were replaced with marriage rings on the day of the wedding. Lucinda remembered in her dream all those years ago, that Nycilla was still wearing this ring when she found out that Thomas was dead. They never married. Nycilla was also wearing the ring when she told Thomas she had to leave him. She said she would return to him, but she was too late. Why had she delayed to return to him? Lucinda wondered.

  She ascended the staircase to her tower, and looked out the window facing west. The sapphires sparkled at night against the white stone of the West Kingdom. Matthew was right. It was time to show her strength. She had taken the first step in making her kingdom legitimate. The letters were sent to each kingdom informing them of her return. Now, she would go to them. She would not plead. She would explain herself and state her case and let the kings decide on their own. If they refused, she would not hide. She would never hide again. She would fight for what was hers.


  Chapter 9

  Vain. That was all Matthew thought as she talked to him. Her blond hair swayed at her hips and her light brown eyes were captivating, but her talk was senseless. She desired to be a princess. She wanted to live in a castle and she found it honorable to be wife of a commander. She came from an opportunistic family of wealth. “This is an atrocity.” Matthew complained to his brother and Gwendolyn after in the council room. “You have not found me one suitable match since I returned. This is what you really think of me?”

  Gwendolyn and John exchanged innocent looks. “She is lovely to look at, is she not?” John stated

  “Lovely is all she is. She cares nothing for anything of importance.” Matthew had promised his brother that he would choose a bride upon his return. It had been over three months’ time and his brother had hesitated to find a maiden for him. Finally he presented a few, but each were harder to deal with then the last. “What happened to the maidens who were proposed to me before? Surely any of them would be a better match?”

  “They have moved on. Perhaps they thought you had an aversion to women from your evident lack of affection toward them.”

  Gwendolyn laughed lightly at her husband’s words. Matthew sighed. “I told you to pick my bride, and if you feel that this maiden is a suitable match for me then I accept it. She is not ill willed, just spoiled it seems. Make the arrangements then.”

  “No!” John and Gwendolyn said in unison.

  “What?” Matthew asked incredulously.

  “I just remembered that her mother was rude to me.” Gwendolyn said, linking her arm with John’s. “She said my dresses were too tight fitting for a respectable woman.”

  “And her father can be a bit aggravating in the council meetings. He speaks out of turn quite often. I would not want you to suffer with a family such as this. I will continue to search.”

  “Perhaps we can have a ball and invite all the eligible maidens.” Gwendolyn cooed.

  “No.” Matthew said sternly. He knew that his brother and Gwendolyn hesitated finding him a bride. They desired for him to fall in love with a maiden and ask for her hand, but Matthew had no interest in courting. “Just pick someone.” He said to them. He turned to leave, but John stopped him.

  “Wait. We have news for you.” He said with a smile. Gwendolyn averted her eyes as a deep blush came over her. “It seems you will be an uncle soon. Gwendolyn is expecting.”

  “Truly? That is wonderful. I am happy for you both.” He went to embrace his brother, ignoring the feelings of envy that emerged from within him. Their prayers were answered. Their marriage had some times of trials, but they found love and happiness with each other. Now they will have a child to extend that joy too.

  “Your Majesty, I am sorry to intrude, but a letter has arrived.” A castle guard entered before them. He handed John a parchment with a green seal. John opened it and scanned the contents.

  “It seems that the Queen has decided to finally pay us a visit.” John handed the letter to Matthew. The letter was written in green ink. It was neat with small calligraphy written in the Queen’s hand. It made mention to return a reply by dropping the letter into the sea.

  “Lucinda is returning?” Gwendolyn asked.

  Since Matthew had left Lucinda’s castle three months prior, rumors of her return and the Fifth Kingdom spread throughout the lands. Travelers from the North and South had reported that Lucinda had visited King Joseph and King Adelphi within the last months. He knew that she would have to return to the West soon. John was the only king left and all four kings needed to be personally addressed before a decision could be made to legitimize her kingdom.

  “Have the scribe respond to her that we have been preparing for her visit for several months and that she should come soon. We will be waiting.” John said to his guardsman.

  Matthew handed the letter back to the guard. “We will have to tighten our guards,” John said to him. “She will be received with mixed welcomes and it is still an oddity how those assassins were able to get as far as your bedchamber without being detected.” John still feared for Matthew’s safety. Ever since the attacks on his life, Matthew had noticed that some of his men hardly left his side. When asked why they were crowding him, they said they were given special duty by the King and were commanded not to speak of it. “We will keep the welcome small. Until she is made legitimate we cannot trust many near her. She will meet with my council and answer our questions. Then perhaps Gwendolyn can host a small banquet for her with some of the other women of the kingdom.”

  Gwendolyn nodded. “It will be lovely to see her again. Many of the women loved her dearly in her short time with us. They took her disappearance quite hard.”

  “We all did.” Matthew said softly staring toward the floor. He looked up to notice both John and Gwendolyn’s eyes upon him. “I will gather my men,” he said quickly before departing.

  Word reached the kingdom that the Queen’s ship had reached the shore, eight days after her letter arrived. Matthew had his men create a barricade, separating the townspeople from her path. He stood at the beginning of the path, right by the Green Sea. She walked off her ship with Geenessa in tail and a few of her guardsmen. She looked lovelier than he had ever seen her. Her hair was tied loosely behind her head and she wore a green and black gown, reflecting her kingdom.

  “Princess! Princess!” Shouts had started immediately. Lucinda looked at the faces attached to the voices and smiled. She raised a hand at them, but his guards kept the people back as they tried to run toward her. She looked straight ahead catching sight of him, in the deep, blue armor of the West Kingdom. She extended her hand out to him and he received it.

  “Welcome back, Princess.” He said softly. She held his hand tightly and kept her eyes on the sapphire adorned kingdom ahead of her. They walked to the shouts of “Princess!” and “Sorceress!” and many “Green Eyed Witch.” A few shouted “Murderer,” to her and Matthew flinched. The body of Lucinda’s governess, Nigina was found on the shore where Lucinda disappeared into the water. There was a stampede of guards and villagers who chased after her, so the body was found trampled and his father ruled that as the cause of death. He did not focus on the purple bruises around her neck that suggested strangling and murder. Lucinda’s face remained calm, though her expression serious. She held her head high and focused on each step she took.

  The people for the most part were subdued, but one amongst them tried to jump out of the crowd at her. One of Matthew’s men planted his elbow in the man’s face. Her grip tightened as they approached the castle gate. It opened wide for her. She looked back at Geenessa and Geenessa nodded as if giving encouragement for her to proceed. She let go of Matthew’s hand and lifted the hem of her dress slightly to make the ascension up the castle steps. His brother and Gwendolyn stood by the entrance.

  “Your Majesty,” Lucinda said to John. “It is an honor for me to return here after the kindness your kingdom had shown me over seven years ago. I know I have returned this kindness with pain and I will spend all of my days asking for your pardon. Don’t think that I have chosen to visit your kingdom last because I think of you lesser in anyway. I knew it would be hardest for me to come here. Yet, I desired it the most.” She went to bow before him, and John caught her by the arms.

  “You will bow to no one in this kingdom, my lady. It is with great joy we welcome you home. He turned her back to the people who had gathered by the gate. Matthew turned as well as they all knelt before Lucinda. When John had commanded this he did not know, but Matthew was in awe of his brother and the devotion he brought out of his people.

  “Lucinda, I have missed you dearly and regretted the last words we spoke every day.” Gwendolyn grabbed Lucinda’s hands and looked at her with teary eyes. Matthew wondered what those last words were that Gwendolyn regretted, as Lucinda responded with a teary smile.

  “I regretted my words as well. You are a beautiful Queen, and I would be honored by your friendship.”

  “You ha
ve it,” Gwendolyn whispered tearfully as the ladies embraced.

  Lucinda was led into the throne room where his brother’s council was waiting for her. To his surprise, she extended her hand to his again as she was being brought in. He noticed she no longer wore the ring he gave her and wondered if he had offended her by drawing attention to it.

  The council men bowed before Lucinda. John and Gwendolyn took their seats. Upon John’s command, Lucinda went to tell the story she had repeated often. The castle scribe wrote feverishly every word she spoke. At the end of it John spoke again.

  “We have listened to each of your words carefully and taken account of them. We will come to a decision and all four kings will meet to decide in one voice. We will want to inspect your kingdom before we make a decision.”

  “Yes, your majesty. Each King has requested such and I will make the arrangements.”

  “For now we will dine and celebrate your return, my lady.”

  It was a small celebration with only the highest ranking members of the kingdom, and John’s council present. Matthew hardly spoke to Lucinda, yet he frequently caught her eyes on him from the distance as she conversed with others. Lucinda had disappeared before the celebrations ended, wanting to address some of the villagers. Uncle Jonathan went with her as well as Geenessa and several knights to keep watch. It was midway through the night before Matthew retired, not wanting to sleep until he knew she was safe within the castle walls.

  She returned to you, but Nycilla’s presence is still strong amongst her. You may be the key to freeing her.