Kingdom of Sea and Stone

by Mara Rutherford

  Finally, we reached the top of the mountain. It was even more heavily defended than when I’d lived here. As we stepped through the massive doors into the main hall, my entire body went cold, despite the blazing fires. The ironstone throne that had sat empty for my entire time at New Castle somehow looked more lived in.

  Everywhere we passed, guards, servants, and nobles bowed to Ceren. Murmurs of “Your Highness” and “Sire” followed in his wake. I had forgotten that to these people, he was King Ceren now. Almost everyone I saw wore a bloodstone, and I couldn’t help noticing how they came alive as he passed, before quickly slipping back into their coma-like trances. Ceren had shown me a hundred times how much evil he was capable of, but it still shook me to my core to witness it.

  “I hope you’ve enjoyed your time playing warrior,” Ceren said, nodding at my armor. “I’m afraid it’s back to corsets and gowns for you.”

  I wrinkled my nose in disgust. “Why bother when I’m going to be spending my time in a dungeon?”

  “Do you really think so little of my hospitality? You’ll be staying in your old room, of course.”

  I stopped, and Father bumped into my back. “No, I’m not.”

  “I can prepare a different chamber, if you prefer.”

  “I’ll stay in the dungeon with my father.”

  Ceren shook his head. The bloodstones in his crown pulsed faintly, still in time to my own heartbeat. “That’s completely unnecessary. I know you won’t go anywhere while your father is in a cell, and I need you to be healthy.”

  I swallowed back the bile burning in my throat. “I’d prefer to be with him.” I took my father’s hand and squeezed it, but it was disturbingly limp and lifeless in my grasp. “Please, just take off the bloodstone. I only want to talk to him, to let him know I’m here.”

  “The stone will be removed soon enough.” One of the guards stepped away from the wall and took my father’s arm, who went in the direction of the dungeon without a fight. I had to hold myself back from going after him.

  Ceren led me toward my chambers, though I knew the way all too well. “How is my brother?” he asked, staring at his fingernails as if he didn’t really care one way or the other. “He can’t be happy that you made a deal with me. I imagine this is exactly what he feared would happen.”

  “Talin is fine.”

  “I must say, I’m a bit surprised you aren’t married yet. Tell me, is that because of you or him?”

  “My relationship with Talin is none of your business,” I said flatly.

  “So it’s you, then. Why are you keeping him waiting? He gave up the crown for you, Nor. If that doesn’t prove his love, nothing will.”

  I wanted to tell him he was completely wrong. Talin had proven his love for me in a hundred other ways that had nothing to do with the crown. But though I had agreed to let Ceren bleed me, he had no right to my inner thoughts or feelings.

  “Why haven’t you chosen your queen yet?” I asked instead. “I believe you once told me you could have any woman you wanted. I hear Lady Hyacinth is up to the task.”

  He grunted. “Where did you hear that bit of nonsense?”

  “I have my sources,” I replied, sensing I had touched a nerve. “She heads your war council, doesn’t she?”

  He turned toward me. “She does. And any attachment she may feel to me is purely based on her desire for power. Her ruthlessness is exceeded only by my own.”

  What was I detecting in his voice? I didn’t believe Ceren had ever had real feelings for me, though he had tried to woo me in his own sick way. He had even offered me his mother’s crown, made from the blood coral and pearls that came from Princess Ilara’s body. If I had sacrificed myself then, I may have prevented everything that had come since, though I couldn’t possibly have anticipated this.

  We resumed walking and finally reached my old chambers. I didn’t even have Ebb for companionship. As if sensing my thoughts, he turned toward a young woman standing so silently in the shadows I hadn’t even noticed her. The bloodstone at her throat lit up as she stepped forward.

  “Your lady’s maid. She’s under my command, which means anything you say or do will be relayed back to me.”

  Ah, so he didn’t really trust me. “You mean she’ll be spying on me.”

  He ignored the remark. “Is there anything else I can get you?”

  “I just want to go to sleep.” I entered the chamber without saying goodbye and closed the door behind me. The room looked exactly the same as I’d left it. I walked to the carved wooden wardrobe and opened the door.

  “It’s like I never left,” I murmured as I ran my fingers over the familiar fabrics. Why hadn’t he destroyed all of these?

  I reminded myself that it felt like ages had passed, given everything I’d been through since leaving. But for Ceren, it had only been a few weeks, and almost every one of them had been spent in this castle.

  There was a soft knock at the door, and the maid entered a moment later. She was smiling, but it was so unnatural I would have preferred it if she had no expression.

  “King Ceren has requested that you join him for dinner in an hour,” she stated. “Can I get you anything in the meantime?”

  “Requested?”

  She stared at me, still smiling that awful smile.

  “Never mind. I’d like a bath, if possible.” If I had to be at New Castle, I was at least going to take advantage of the one thing I had enjoyed here.

  The maid nodded and departed, leaving me alone with my thoughts. At least the Varenians were free. If Talia decided to attack New Castle, they would not be caught in the cross fire. Unless, of course, she decided to use them as soldiers. But I told myself Talin would never allow it, not after what I’d risked to get them free.

  I was also in the closest proximity to Ceren I’d been since I learned about the blood bond. If I could get into his study, I could take some of his blood. Then, once I’d found a way to escape New Castle with Father, Adriel could finally perform the spell. I just had to be one step ahead of Ceren at all times. And so far, I’d proven terrible at that.

  After my bath, the maid tied me into my corset and helped me dress in a dark purple gown. I smoothed my hands over the fabric, marveling at the fine embroidery and lacework. So much trouble for a gown I would wear once.

  I left my hair down and refused the jewelry the maid offered, wondering how I was ever going to get through this meal. The nobles didn’t like me before; surely, they would despise me even more now that they thought I’d tried to kill their king. The only allies I’d had were Ebb and Lady Melina. While Ebb was safe, Lady Melina had died to help me get free of this place. I felt tears pricking the backs of my eyes and pressed my hands against them to staunch the flow.

  I couldn’t waste time on self-pity. Ceren had a war campaign to run, which meant that no matter how much of my blood he drank, he couldn’t focus all his attention on me. I already knew where his study was and where Father was being held. Ebb had managed to escape via a cart full of linens. Perhaps the same plan could work for us.

  When I reached the dining hall, I was surprised to find it deserted apart from Ceren and a few silent servants.

  “Where are the others?” I asked as I took my old seat, to his left. He wore his imposing uniform of black doublet and trousers, but I noticed his posture wasn’t quite as straight as it had been. Was there any chance I could kill him before he drank my blood, while he was still weak?

  “I thought it would be best to dine alone tonight to ease you back into life at New Castle.”

  A servant filled my goblet with wine, which I knew better than to drink. I needed my wits about me at all times.

  Ceren twisted his goblet in his long fingers and studied me. “You’ve changed. You’re not as nervous as you once were.”

  “Did you prefer me before, when I found everything new and confusing a
nd you could frighten me with a single glance?”

  In lieu of a response, he waved a man forward to serve us dinner. I was relieved there was no liver tonight, just some kind of poultry and vegetables. Perhaps he had finally scaled back on his lavish meals, in preparation for the impending war.

  “You’ve changed, too,” I said. “My blood has made you healthy and strong, just like you wanted.” I took a delicate bite of food and smiled. “It’s a shame that the bloodstones make you so weak.”

  “Do I seem weak to you, Nor? I controlled every Varenian on that field with my mind. I could have ordered them all to kill themselves, had I wanted to. I am the most powerful man in the kingdom. In the world.”

  “Power seized by force isn’t true power.” I thought of Yana, whose power came from respect. Of Roan, whose soldiers were loyal because he led by example. Of the elders, who we relied on for their wisdom and experience. “What happens when you no longer have control over all of those people? What happens when they realize what you’ve taken from them? One night you’re going to wake up with a blade at your throat and no one around to protect you.”

  He remained impassive. “Has seeing my memories not changed your opinion of me at all?”

  “I always felt sorry for the way Talia treated you as a child, Ceren. Even before I saw those memories. But it doesn’t excuse the things you have done as an adult. A lot of children are treated horribly, and they all don’t grow up to be murderers.”

  His expression hardened. “If you’re finished, perhaps we can go to my study.”

  Every muscle in my body tightened at the idea of him bleeding me again. The last time, he had done it by force, cutting into my flesh over and over until I passed out from blood loss.

  “I’m not going to cut you. Not yet. I want to discuss this blood bond, as you call it. And I’d prefer to do that somewhere private.”

  I glanced at the servants still milling about in the shadows. Didn’t he trust the people he’d surrounded himself with? If most of them were wearing bloodstones, as he’d said before, he should have no reason not to.

  I rose stiffly from my chair and followed him down one of the long corridors. We passed a noblewoman who seemed to recognize me from before. She gasped and elbowed the lady next to her, but I didn’t spare them a glance. None of these people had done anything to help me or Lady Melina. They had all stood by and watched as she was murdered and I was imprisoned, silent and judging. Then they had stayed at New Castle, knowing what their king was capable of.

  Ceren’s study looked different from the last time I’d seen it. Gone was the massive breathing apparatus he had created so Varenians could dive for pearls more efficiently. The long table in the middle was covered in small vials of dark red liquid. He must have been bleeding himself daily for weeks. All I had to do was sneak one of those vials into my sleeve. He couldn’t possibly miss it.

  “That’s not all mine,” he said, and I wondered if my intentions were that obvious.

  “Whose is it, then? I can’t imagine you have much of my blood left.”

  “I’ve taken it from different sources. I’d like to understand why your blood has the power to heal, while mine needs...replenishment.” He bent over one of the vials. From what I could see, there was no obvious system of organization or labeling. Hopefully I’d be able to decipher which was his and not end up taking some random sample with me. “But the truth is, I can’t see any difference between my blood and bat blood.”

  “Not everything in this world can be explained.”

  His eyes flicked to mine. “I disagree. There is always an explanation. We just have to be wise enough to see it.”

  “How do you explain the influence the mountain has on Ilarean royals?”

  A shadow passed over his eyes as he straightened. “I can’t solve every mystery. Running a kingdom at war is fairly time consuming.”

  “If you find it so tedious, perhaps you should give the throne to the rightful heir. You could spend the rest of your days tinkering in solitude.”

  “Rightful heir...” He looked down at me with his crystalline eyes. “The founding rules of Ilara have not applied for quite some time. It may have been a queendom once, but for generations it has been the eldest son who inherits the throne. Why should that be any different now?”

  “Because the kings of Ilara were killing off their infant daughters,” I said, my voice growing louder than I intended. “Why do you want to be king so badly, anyway? It won’t make people love you.”

  He flinched as if struck, and I instantly wished I could take it back. Before, I would have been locked in my room—or worse—for speaking to him like that. I could see the bloodstones in his crown pulsating faster, in time with my own racing heart.

  He stepped forward, catching me by surprise, and took my hand. “Do you feel that?” he asked, placing my fingertips at his throat. “How our hearts beat in time? How can that be?”

  I pulled my hand free of his grasp. “You’re the one who insists there must be a scientific explanation. There are many who would simply call it magic.” I stepped away from him. “Take my blood. I’d rather get it over with than wait around, wondering when you’re going to do it.”

  Ceren reached for a slim silver blade on a tray. “Do it yourself, then.”

  I eyed him skeptically. “What?”

  “I don’t get the sense it’s the pain you fear. It’s the loss of control.” He placed a silver bowl beneath my arm. “Now you’re the one with control.”

  Hesitantly, I took the blade from him, sensing some kind of trap. He was being uncharacteristically patient, ignoring my insults and rudeness. If I cooperated and helped him study the blood bond, it would make it far easier to collect some of his blood later on.

  I ran the blade along my forearm, deep enough to open a vein, and winced at the pain. I squeezed my fist, the blood dripping into the bowl below. I stopped when my head began to swim.

  Ceren wiped away the excess blood with a soft cloth, revealing a wound already knitting together. “Thank you. I suppose I should have let you do it yourself in the first place. It involved far less struggling.”

  I glared at him in response.

  “What will you do with your day tomorrow?” he asked as he poured my blood into a glass vial. “Perhaps a visit to the library?”

  It was true the library was the most pleasant room in New Castle, but that wasn’t saying much. “I was hoping you might let me see my father.”

  Without hesitation, he put the vial of blood to his lips and drank. Something about seeing him do it, the way the blood stained the inside of his lips, so stark against his pale skin, made my head spin. I reached for a table to brace myself.

  “Nor? Are you all right?” Ceren had always said my name with a Varenian accent, rolling the r on his tongue, and I hated how perfect the pronunciation was.

  “Don’t pretend you care,” I spat, forcing myself to straighten. “If you want me to remain compliant, to give you my blood freely and without struggle, then let me see my father. I need to know he’s all right. Talia could attack New Castle at any moment, and if anything happens to me, this could be my last chance.”

  “My brother would never allow that. Not when I have you as a hostage. Knowing him, he would surrender the entire kingdom for your safe return.”

  That was probably true, but Talin wasn’t the one in charge. “I wouldn’t be so sure of that.”

  “Very well. I’ll take you to see him tomorrow. I just want you to be aware, it may be...difficult for you.”

  “Difficult?” I asked, incredulous. “Do you think any of this is easy for me? Do you think imagining my father’s suffering is any worse than seeing it?”

  He turned away from me. “He isn’t suffering. No more than you were when you first came to New Castle.”

  “You think I didn’t suffer when you brought me here?”
I scoffed and headed for the door, then whirled back around. “This is why you’ll never be loved, Ceren. You don’t care about anyone but yourself.”

  He towered above me, as fierce and pale as a windwhale. “And why should I? What has anyone ever done for me?”

  “If that’s the way you approach every relationship in your life, always questioning what the other person can do for you, you will always be alone.”

  His gray eyes bore into mine the way they did in my visions, and I watched as his expression shuttered. He reached behind me, unlatching the door. “I will take you to see your father tomorrow, after dinner. And, as a warning, it won’t just be the two of us. All the nobles are thrilled at the prospect of humiliating an infamous traitor.”

  I folded my arms across my chest. “Then imagine how excited they’ll be when you finally fall.”

  I heard his low chuckle follow me into the hallway, as if he’d just won something.

  28

  I spent much of the next day pacing over the scattered carpets, still fuming from my conversation with Ceren. I had briefly considered visiting the library, but the watchful eyes of servants and nobles were everywhere, and I couldn’t stand their sneers and whispers. Eventually I collapsed onto the large bed, wishing the day would pass quickly so I could see Father.

  When I heard a knock at the door, I realized I had fallen asleep. I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. I’d just seen another painful memory from Ceren’s childhood, this time of him sick in bed with a fever. Talin had come in to check on him, glowing from a day spent riding with his mother, who couldn’t be bothered to look in on her stepson herself.

  “It’s time to get ready for dinner,” the maid said. She held a large box in her arms, tied with a satin ribbon.

  “What’s that?” I asked, eyeing the package with growing suspicion.