A Kingdom of Shadow

by Clara Johnson

  He considered for a moment. “I understand, but I’d like you to be comfortable here. Are you feeling better?”

  “Yes, thank you.” I forced a smile as I added sipped my wine. The taste was surprisingly sweet compared to others I had before. We were quiet for what felt like an hour.

  The king continued reading the book in his hands. I couldn’t read its title.

  “Um, Jared.” The name on my tongue didn’t sound right to me. It felt too personal.

  He raised his eyes to mine. It was then when I noticed his bright green eyes. His dirty blonde hair slicked back, making them stand out more. An eyebrow shot up, I prayed he didn’t notice I was staring.

  “I wanted to thank you for all you have done for myself and my mother. I also ask you what happened to my brother’s body. Mia said she didn’t know where it was but said it was being taken proper care of.”

  “Ah yes, I wanted to tell you that we plan to proceed with his burial tonight after dark. We’re giving him the most honorable burial for his sacrifice: by fire, so he may rise into the arms of whatever God he worshipped.”

  I blinked. “He isn’t buried yet?”

  “No, I assumed you wanted to say your last goodbyes to him. He’s been cleaned up and put into proper clothes.”

  “I see. Thank you.” I turned my head away from him. I didn’t expect he would go through such lengths for my brother. He didn’t even know him.

  “Ellyn, may I ask you something?” He placed the book on the table.

  I had a bad feeling about this, but I faced him.

  “Where is your father?” A touchy subject, but I supposed I should’ve guessed that it would’ve be brought up eventually, considering the only male in my cottage was my brother.

  “He’s dead. He died a few years ago.”

  Jared said nothing, waiting.

  I took a sip of my wine and rested my hand on the table. “He and Mother were celebrating their wedding anniversary. He . . .” I paused, taking another breath.

  “He bought my mother a necklace she’d wanted for years. They were robbed and one of the men tried to rip the necklace off my mother’s neck. Father attempted to stop them but one of them stabbed him in the gut. The men ran off after taking the necklace and all our coin. Mother was left with nothing and my father dead in her arms.”

  I remembered that day too well. When they didn’t come home, I ran to the edge of town to find Mother sobbing. A crowd of people surrounded them. The men took off their hats and women were crying. Father was a respected man, but no one attempted to catch his murderers. It was the worst day of my life. Now, I’d lost my brother as well.

  “After that day, we lost everything. We didn’t have much, to begin with, but Father worked for two years, saving, to give my mother that necklace. Just to have it ripped from her neck.”

  “I’m sorry. Perhaps I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

  I shook my head. “No, it’s all right.”

  I hadn’t spoken of my father in years. No one seemed to care. The men never returned, and it became a distant memory to everyone—everyone but my family. I didn’t believe any of us would move on. Life simply . . . continued.

  Jared remained silent and moved his hand onto my own.

  The air seemed too thin as he and I sat there in silence, making me wish he never asked me to begin with. Did he have any idea what it was like to lose a father? Or any family? That kind of heartbreak is something you never get over—no matter how many years may pass.

  “Thank you.” It was all I could manage to say without my voice cracking.

  I stood, removing his gentle touch from my hand. I immediately wanted it back.

  “Thank you,” I repeated and gave a small bow. “For everything. I’ll see you later tonight.”

  And I left, never once looking back.

  CHAPTER 9

  Night fell.

  The stars filled the sky in an endless blanket. The moon was larger here and it glowed as bright as the setting sun. There was beauty in this world—this kingdom. A beauty most humans would never be able to experience. I suppose, in a way, I was lucky. I couldn’t have asked for a better night for the burial.

  The lake before me mirrored the night sky with rippling grace. A single boat traveled down its path.

  My brother lay upon a large pile of wood a few feet above the base of the boat. Four archers on either side of me readied arrows with a flaming tip. A man dressed in a red robe with golden trim stood beside the king. A priest, no doubt. The handful of guards took off their helmets and bowed their heads in prayer.

  The priest spoke in a tongue I didn’t understand—most likely the language of the kingdom. Or perhaps an old tongue. I would have to ask the king to tell me about it another time.

  I stood beside my mother. She held her fingers close to her mouth, muttering a prayer for Albert, though, I couldn’t hear what she was saying. Her tears fell, her body shook with sobs. I touched her back to offer comfort.

  Her sobbing lessened but didn’t look at me. I didn’t know what I could say. She’d lost her only son, making me all she had left. No matter what happens, I must protect her. She was all I had left now as well.

  The archers released their arrows and, their aim true, they ignited the wooden stand. The flame engulfed my brother’s body until I could see nothing but a silhouette.

  I couldn’t thank the king, Jared, enough. This was far more than I would’ve expected from anyone. I left my mother’s side and walked the edge to the gangplank.

  The blessings of the priest behind me slowed to a final prayer. The rest of the crowd followed in perfect sync to the words.

  “Enrithe, sones mie herman.”

  I repeated the words despite not knowing what they meant. My body shook as the tears fell. A soft whine escaped my lips as I tried to say my last goodbye to my brother. The words never came out but I mentally prayed to the Goddess that he would be given a place by her side—that he would finally have peace.

  I sat with my legs hanging over the edge. My brother was dead, but he’d no longer feel any pain or sorrow—he was free.

  I wondered what should happen now? I felt as though I owed Jared for all of this, but I figured it was his payment for me saving his life. It had been over a week now since we left our cottage, I questioned if we could ever return there. But, if for some reason I couldn’t that would mean I would need to stay here to provide my mother the safety she needed. I couldn’t help but feel like I had not seen the last of the inferniwulves.

  Footsteps come up the gangplank. I knew who it was

  He said nothing as he sat down beside me. The fire was nothing more than an ember now, making me wonder just how long I sat here alone. I hugged my legs to my chest.

  “Why?” I said.

  “Why what?”

  I turned to him. “Why have you done all of this for us? I mean, I’m beyond grateful for all you’ve done for my family, but I have nothing to offer you as payment.”

  He was quiet for several moments. He looked out at the lake as if expecting it to have all the answers. “I suppose it’s like this,” he said, “I was being hunted and badly injured. You were there and didn’t know who I was. Despite that, you came and saved my life.

  “You carried me back to your home with no incentive of a reward. You just . . . did it.” Our eyes met. He must have seen the confusion on my face, so he continued.

  “You risked your life and your family’s to save mine. I see how much you care for them. Many people in your position would have left me there to die, but you didn’t. I’m . . . entranced by you, Ellyn.”

  I wasn’t sure how to respond. It had occurred to me that I could’ve left him there to die—that he could’ve been someone dangerous to my family—but some force within me acted otherwise. Perhaps it was just the thought of someone dying cold and alone made me think of my own mortality. I knew I wouldn’t have wanted to die like that.

  “
I couldn’t just let you die,” I muttered.

  His eyebrows lowered. “I think many others would have given the circumstances. I doubt many people would’ve been willing to fight off an inferniwulf to save me. I owe you my life and you lost your brother because of your kindness to me. No matter what I may give you, it will never bring your brother back to you or your mother. It will never be enough.” He stood and turned his back.

  “You, Ellyn, have done something neither of us were prepared for.” He walked away.

  I couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe there was something he wasn’t telling me. As a matter of fact, we saved each other and any potential debt should have been paid, but he acted like it wasn’t enough.

  But no matter what he thought, I knew that I would hold myself accountable for Albert’s death. I wasn’t fast or strong enough to save him. Perhaps if I was, he’d still be alive. If I had left Jared—

  No, I shouldn’t even think about that. I know I did the right thing and there was no guarantee that the inferniwulves wouldn’t have attacked my home eventually. Where ever they came from, however they arrived so close to my home, I doubt my actions changed their course much. It was safe to assume that they would’ve found us . . . and they would’ve killed myself and my family. I’ll never understand why all of this had to happen, but I had to believe there was a reason for it—even if that reason cost me my brother.

  ~ * ~

  The next morning, I was out of bed early. Jared’s words still played in my head. You, Ellyn, have done something neither of us were prepared for.

  He was right. I hadn’t been prepared to lose Albert or save someone who turned out to be a king. I examined the scars on my leg and shoulder. They’d be a reminder of what I had gone through and what I’d lost in the years to come.

  I can’t change the past, but maybe I could prepare myself for the future.

  Making my way back to the dining room, I hoped Jared would be there. I wasn’t sure of the meaning of his words, but I wondered if I’d somehow done something he didn’t want me to do. If that was the case, I would need to apologize to him and try to make amends. I’d need to learn the ways of this world and the consequences that came with them.

  When I passed a halfway to my left, I stopped when something caught my eye. The walls were adorned with tapestries, and two in particular, caught my attention. The one showed a symbol of a large animal that looked like a lion, but there was a third eye on its forehead, its teeth and paws were larger than any drawling I had seen before. If this was based on a real animal, I wouldn’t want to meet it. The background and trim was red and gold, so perhaps this creature was the symbol of the kingdom.

  The other tapestry was different. Its animal was a blue flame in the shape of a bird with its wings spread. Its eyes were pure white with a purple halo. The color scheme was midnight blue with stars above. Was this the symbol of another kingdom? It was hard for me to imagine another vast palace somewhere in this world—where ever this world was.

  Jared had opened some type of doorway, a portal to his world. He hadn’t told me where it was. In fact, the only thing I knew was the name: The Kingdom of Elra. I would need to locate a map to learn more. As I carried on to the dining room, my stomach grumbled. It was strange for me to get used to the idea that I could eat whenever I was hungry. This world—this palace—was foreign to me which made me feel like an outcast. While the idea of eating when they want is normal for the people here, it was odd for me.

  As I approached the dining room, I overheard arguing, tense voices. I could make out Jared’s voice, but I didn’t recognize the other. My head told me to turn back to my room but I felt as though a voice told my feet to continue.

  Jared was sitting at the end of the dining table, brows furrowed, agitated—the man beside him looked the same age as him, but he had raven hair. They lowered their voices as if they knew they were being too loud, trying to calm down.

  I entered the room with a polite smile.

  “Good morning,” I said and frowned when they silenced. “I’m sorry, am I interrupting? I can come back another time.”

  Jared stood.

  “No, it’s all right. Please join us.” He gestured to the seat closest to him.

  I nodded. The other man was staring at me as if I had two heads. Was I that bad to look at? I shook off the thought. There was an awkward silence between the three of us as I waited to be introduced to the stranger. Before I sat down, the man stood.

  “Is this the girl I have heard so much about?” He said to Jared, who simply nodded.

  Unsure of how to address him, I told him my name and held out a hand. He reached for it and instead of shaking it, he turned my hand and kissed it. His moist, smooth lips sent a fire through my body. Heat rushed to my cheeks. When his eyes met mine, they were bright, almost glowing, blue. Memorizing. He was undeniably handsome with a dimpled chin and a powerful jawline. As if he read my mind, he smirked, releasing my hand.

  Jared coughed. “Ellyn, this is King Fendrel of Isilda.”

  “A pleasure to meet you,” I forced out.

  “Pleasure is all mine, Ellyn.”

  We sat down. In the corner of my eye, I saw that Jared was uncomfortable which confirmed my suspicions that something ill was spoken between the two kings. His shoulders were tense and his smile had faded into a frown. My presence didn’t seem welcome, but I didn’t see a way of escaping unless I made a complaint of illness. For several minutes, no one said a word, but I often caught King Fendrel looking at me with hunger in his eyes. As handsome as he was, I hoped he didn’t think I was a new challenge for him. I wasn’t here to bed with anyone—not even a king.

  “Where are you from Ellyn?” King Fendrel asked, breaking the silence.

  “My village was very small, so it had no name. While I don’t know exactly where I am, I believe it’s far away from here,” I said feeling the weight of my low status.

  “I see,” he said as if it wasn’t the answer he’d wanted to hear. “Well, welcome to Elra. I hope you find it comfortable here.”

  “I do. This place is beautiful. My home wasn’t nearly as full of life. I’m still getting used to the warm air.” I tangled and untangled my fingers in my lap.

  “You should come to my palace. I think you’d find it even more beautiful,” he mused looking at Jared.

  There was a lot of tension between these two kings. In the history books my father kept, whenever kings fought, it always resulted in war. Whether they would admit it or not, there was something brewing. I tried not to think about it.

  If they were, we wouldn’t be having a pleasant breakfast.

  Jared glared at Fendrel but his expression quickly faded into a smile. “Well, perhaps we’ll leave that for her to decide.” He turned to me.

  “Ellyn, I’ll be going out today to a local town called Mightrun to speak to my people about the upcoming Armistice Day.”

  “Armistice Day?”

  “It is a day the two kingdoms celebrate our peace treaty,” Fendrel explained. “And before you ask, the war ended thirty years ago. King Jared and I have managed peace between our kingdoms since then.”

  Only thirty years ago. Both these kings were young—maybe only a few years my senior—so why did they seem to remember that day? I would’ve assumed they grew up listening to the stories, but never that they were actually there.

  “In any case, I must take my leave, Jared.” He stood. “I have important matters to tend to. It was a pleasure to meet you, Ellyn. I hope you find life here pleasant. I’ll see you soon.” He bowed and left the room.

  I’ll see you soon.

  That gave me mixed feelings. Perhaps it was judgmental to assume I was just another woman—a conquest—but there was something off about how he’d said it. As if he intended to see me much sooner than I would’ve preferred. My stomach knotted. Yes, something was off about him. I would have to be careful around him until I learn of his motives.

 
“I wish you well on your travels,” I said to Jared, breaking the silence.

  “Actually, I wanted to ask if you would join me.”

  My brows rose. “Really?”

  “Yes. I’d like to show you my kingdom. You’ve been cooped up in this castle for too long. Unless you feel you need more time. In which case, I understand.”

  I shook my head. “No, it’s all right. I would love to join you.”

  Jared’s mouth curved upward. “Then it’s settled. We’ll leave in an hour. I’ll have Mia provide you with a proper dress.”

  A dress. I suppose a peasant couldn’t be seen with a king looking the way I did. It would only be proper for such a young woman to dress in the finest silk. I must please the crowd with my grace and beauty. Part of me wanted slap myself for not expecting this, but it was too late now. I didn’t want to insult Jared for refusing.

  I was a young woman, yes, but I worked and hunted just like a man. A dress would’ve gotten in the way of my daily duties. This was not a task I was suited for.

  CHAPTER 10

  The dress was tight. My breasts were about to burst through the thin, golden lace that covered my chest. The fabric was bright red overlaying a suffocating corset bringing emphasis to my small waist. Mia had pulled my hair up into a bun with loose curls. She’d told me I looked beautiful, but I felt foolish. All of this: a painted face, pretty hair and lavish dresses, wasn’t who I was. I cared nothing for it.

  Jared and I traveled southeast of the palace to Mightrun where he would give a speech for the upcoming Armistic Day. He said it was the capital of his kingdom, but was still under a lot of construction due to the war. Resources were becoming hard to come by and many of the residents were making demands to have the best there was. The result of this cause a large part of the city to be closed off to meet the noble demands which left many in the shelters. I wouldn’t say it to him, but I was annoyed by the fact the nobles wouldn’t even consider the well-being of those less fortunate—who probably lost the most due to the war.