A Kingdom of Shadow

by Clara Johnson

  “Jonas?”

  “Yes?” He turned to me.

  “I need you to take me to Mightrun,” I said.

  One of his brows rose. “Why do you need to go there? There’s really nothing there now that Armistic Day is over with.”

  Oh, I just need to go there and find that crazy man who told me to warn his majesty about the Darkness returning. Soiling the lands, eating children or something. I just want to hear the full story.

  “I just figured I would do some shopping is all. And I’d like to spend some time with you. Would you take me tomorrow?” I lied, pouting my lips a little. I didn’t like having to lie to him, but he’d probably think I’d lost my mind for wanting to hunt down the man who claimed to have seen the darkness. I needed to get him there first before I told him.

  “Fine, I’ll go,” he groaned. “But shouldn’t you stay in bed? Aren’t you still sick?”

  “I’ve been in bed for too long. If I don’t move around soon, I’ll go crazy. Plus, you will be there with me, I know you wouldn’t let anything happen to me,” I said, hoping to convince him.

  “No, no I wouldn’t.”

  “Then it’s settled,” I said, sniffing the flowers.

  Jonas straightened himself. “Well, meet me at the stables tomorrow morning around seven. We will leave early and get you home before too many notice you’re gone.”

  “I’ll send a note to Mia.”

  CHAPTER 20

  The next morning, Jonas was at the stable setting up the carriage for our journey. I’d barely slept the previous night after discussing my leave with Mia. Needless to say, she was unhappy about it and insisted I come back as soon as possible. Luckily, she trusted Jonas to take care of me and let me go.

  The stables were on the other side of the palace from my room. A huge black barn contained the horses while a smaller building held the different carriages. There was the simple one that the servants used to travel when they delivered or picked up supplies. The other was for guests of the king to use at their disposal. It was a little more embellished in design than the servant’s, but not nearly as extravagant as the king’s carriage. This was the one that would be my ride today. The king’s carriage I had been in before was in its own separate building to be polished and frequently clean. I suppose keeping it too close to the others could have caused potential issues of unauthorized use.

  The stables smelled of manure but were fairly clean. Jonas was brushing down a large black horse with a white star and strip mark on his nose. He wore light leather armor compared to the metal breastplate of his usual attire. It looked more comfortable and he seemed more relaxed.

  He was talking to the horse, though I couldn’t make out what he was saying. The horse reacted to his affection and licked him on the face. Jonas had a way with animals it seems. He gave the horse what looked to be a sugar cube. In an instant, it disappeared into the horse’s mouth. Jonas patted the horse’s neck then brushed his other side.

  “His name is Henry,” he said, noticing my stare. “I named him that when I was just a kid. His previous owner was a farmer whose fields got destroyed in a storm, so he had to sell just about everything he had to move to another town. I got him real cheap.” He winked.

  The horse nickered and bumped Jonas’s head in response.

  “Hey!” he exclaimed.

  I giggled. “I wouldn’t refer to Henry as cheap if I were you.”

  Jonas wiped the spit off his face and tried to fix his hair. I walked over and petted Henry’s nose. He responded by pushing his large nose against me for more attention. His beautiful brown eyes seemed to glisten in the light.

  I liked animals, more than I liked people. Animals told you in their own way how they felt about you. They didn’t lie or judge you based on your life. They judged you for who you are as a person and how you treated them. If you were kind to them, they were to you. It was simple and straightforward. No manipulation or prejudice.

  Jonas cleared his throat.

  “The carriage should be ready—”

  “Your carriage awaits you, sir,” a voice said from behind me.

  It was a boy, no older than ten. His black hair was covered in dust. He was wearing a white shirt with a brown vest and pants. His dirty shoes told me he worked here in the stables. I didn’t think Jared would hire someone so young to work here.

  Jonas thanked him and walked with me to the carriage, where he opened the door for me, then he handed me support while I stepped in. Thankfully, I didn’t have uncomfortable shoes that would cause me to fall again and had opted for something more practical—boots, black pants, and a simple golden shirt. I kept my daggers sheathed on my hips. If I was going to hunt inferniwulves, I was taking some protection, even though it was probably unnecessary this time. It never hurt to be prepared and I wasn’t about to let my life get cut any shorter.

  Jonas eyed the daggers. “Can I see those?”

  I showed them to him gladly. “They were a gift from His Majesty.”

  I thought there was a flicker of anger in his eyes, but I could’ve been wrong. After all, he had no reason to be angry, unless he was upset he hadn’t gotten a new shiny blade himself. Or perhaps there was something he wanted to say, but decided against it. He often masked his feelings with humor and made me concerned for his well-being. I wished he would tell me what was on his mind.

  In any case, if he wasn’t upset, he probably would be now.

  “I wanted to tell you something, Jonas,” I said, looking out the window.

  “Yeah? What is it?”

  “The true reason we’re heading to Mightrun,” I said. “I ‘m going to see if I can hunt down the mad-man you scared off when we first met. He said something about the Darkness destroying his home, his life. I want to know what he saw. I want to know everything he knows.”

  His eyebrows shot up.

  “If you remember, my lady, I told you he was mad and that the whole thing about the Darkness was nothing but a myth. It’s just a story to scare children and make them behave. My own parents told me the horrors of it. I assure you, you’re wasting your time and mine for that matter.” He scoffed.

  I’d had a feeling it would be like this. That he would immediately declare the whole trip unnecessary and pointless. It reminded me that I never actually told him how my brother died. He knew the spread rumor of how Jared and I met, but he never knew the truth of what happened those few days.

  “Jonas, I’ve seen the inferniwulves myself. They are real,” I argued.

  He waved a hand, diminishing my claim.

  I placed my hand on his. “You know I’ve lost people, Jonas. Let me tell you how I lost my brother.”

  I wasn’t entirely ready to tell him, but it didn’t matter much now. I needed his help and he deserved to know the truth. If there was to be anything between him and I, there had to be trust and I trusted him enough now to tell him what happened. As his friend, it’s the right thing to do, so I told him everything.

  That the day my brother died, we’d fought. How I’d found Jared alone and injured in the woods. About the inferniwulf that had attacked and bitten me. That I’s carried Jared all the way back to my home over my shoulders. I told him how Mother and I treated his wounds. And then, I told him about the final attack. When my world was flipped upside down and my brother ripped away from me.

  “I . . . I was too late to save him,” I muttered.

  I told him how I came to the palace with my brother’s lifeless body in my arms. I ended with what Jared had told me about the inferniwulves and what Elliot knew about the Darkness.

  Jonas held my hand in a tight grip, sorrow in his eyes. It seemed he believed me, and it comforted me to know he wasn’t going to decide I’d been driven mad by grief. For once, I didn’t feel alone.

  “I’m so sorry Ellyn, I wish you’d me sooner,” he whispered softly.

  “I didn’t want to tell anyone. Jared doesn’t seem to want anyone to know what trul
y happened. I think it’s to prevent a panic, but I trust you won’t tell anyone what I told you here Jonas. You’re my friend, I need to know I can trust you with this.” I squeezed his hand.

  “Of course. You have my word,” he promised.

  A friend. A true friend is what I had in Jonas. I moved to sit next to him, laying my head on his chest. He wrapped his strong arm around me, pulling me closer, then he rested his cheek on top of my head. In this moment, he reminded me of Jared. The king made me feel safe, protected, but not quite like this. Jonas still had his secrets, but he’d opened up to me in his own way. He’d welcomed me here and taught me to fight with a sword because he believed in my abilities. He believed in me. It made it all the harder not to tell him about my life sentence. I couldn’t. Not right now.

  “I want to find that man and see if he has any answers, Jonas. If there are more of these inferniwulves and if they’re connected to the Darkness, I need to find them and avenge my brother. His life never should’ve been ripped away from him so early, so young.”

  He sighed into my hair. “I understand how you feel, but killing monsters isn’t going to bring your brother back.”

  I took a deep breath. “I know.”

  ~ * ~

  Just as Jonas had said, Mightrun wasn’t nearly as colorful or full of life as it had been last time I was here. Today, that was a good thing—there weren’t any as many people on the streets. Most of the same merchants were scattered around, and a few children chased each other. Guards doing their rounds; nodding at Jonas.

  “Why aren’t there more guards?” I asked him.

  “The last time you were here, you were with His Majesty. When he arrives, guards are posted everywhere to protect the king. Only a third of the city is being currently used, so with most of the city cut off from the rest, there is little point to have more than a smaller group here due to the construction. And even then, they are here to handle discrepancies more than anything.”

  Only a third. How big was this city? What was it like before the war? I shook my head, I had to stay focused. I needed to find that man.

  He wasn’t in his usual place, according to Jonas, which was by a fountain that held a statue of the Goddess. Jonas explained that the king placed the fountain there to give the homeless available water, while also giving them something to pray to if they were unable to reach any other shrines.

  It was probably a simple kindness in Jared’s mind, but if only he knew how many people wouldn’t even think of doing something like that—especially where I’m from. Once again, I was in awe of Jared’s empathy.

  When we questioned a local merchant and blacksmith, he said that he’d seen him this morning, but the man had been keeping to himself rather than spitting his lies. I wasn’t sure if this was a good thing or not. For someone who always seemed to be around, suddenly disappearing wasn’t normal behavior. Did something happen to him?

  “Where do you think he is?” I asked Jonas.

  “I have a few ideas, but I think he may be near his old farm just outside of town.”

  Just as I took a step forward Jonas stopped me. “Ellyn, I haven’t seen you eat anything all day. Maybe we should get you something before we go.”

  “I’m fine Jonas.” I waved my hand.

  “No, you need something and rest for a bit. You’re still sick, remember? Plus, I’m starving.” He rubbed his stomach.

  I decided not to argue with him and we walked to another merchant selling her freshly grown fruit and homemade loaves of bread. He bought us each of an apple and a cup of ale. The ale was warm and tasted watered down. My throat was irritated, which meant I would start coughing at any moment. I gulped half of my drink down to push it back.

  “Thirsty?” Jonas laughed.

  We sat on a bench near the statue and ate the apples in silence. I pulled out my handkerchief to cover my mouth, then I coughed harshly several times. Luckily, I was able to hide the traces of blood from Jonas.

  “Don’t forget to swallow,” he said, trying to hide his smirk.

  I punched him in the arm playfully. We finished our light lunch and I stared at the statue, silently praying to the Goddess that I would find the answers I seek.

  “Ellyn,” he said. “Do you think you’re prepared for whatever you might hear? What is he doesn’t tell you everything? What if all this is what you were told before? That maybe the inferniwulves you dealt with were just remnants of what it was before?”

  “I have considered that Jonas,” I said.

  “And?”

  “It doesn’t matter. I know there’s something going on. Something brewing whether it’s the Darkness or not. Those inferniwulves attacked for a reason. They came into those woods for a reason. The alpha that killed my brother, he was the leader of that pack. Who’s to say there aren’t more of them out there? If there are, His Majesty will want to know so he can make arrangements.”

  “You have to remember something. We were raised to believe that the Darkness was a legend, a myth. Even if what you believe is true, not too many people will believe you. Most, I think, will just laugh in your face,” He tossed his core to a small flock of birds looking for food.

  I thought for a moment. He had a point that even if I found out the truth of what was going on, that no one would believe me anyway. It didn’t matter though. If the people—or even Jared—didn’t believe me, then I’d still find a way to stop them and avenge my brother. It was all I had left now.

  “I know, but this is more than just warning a bunch of nonbelievers, Jonas.”

  He raised an eyebrow.

  “This is personal.”

  CHAPTER 21

  We headed towards the man’s old farm as Jonas had suggested. If he wasn’t in town, then there was a good chance he was stalking the old ruins of his home, so we walked up a trail going out of town. The grass almost reached my ankles, and flowers randomly dotted the fields that surrounded us as we climbed the hill. It was a beautiful sight, but I couldn’t enjoy it with my chest hurting with step. It was harder for me to breath, causing me to cough several times and almost falling to my knees. Jonas insisted we take a break. It was aggravating me by the second that my illness was slowing us down. We had to keep moving.

  It had to be a hill. Why did his farm have to be over a hill?

  I downed my canteen of water in hopes that it would lessen the pain and steady my breath. This feeling—this weakness—I hated it. My strength will wane as the next couple weeks pass. My goal may be the only thing that pushed me forward. I had to do this—needed to do this. For Albert.

  Jonas offered me his canteen with a worried look. I waved my hand to dismiss the drink, trying to ignore the look on his face. It wasn’t water I needed, it was more of the medicine Dr. Manley had given me. I’d taken some of it this morning before we left, hoping it would last a couple of hours. It probably would have if I hadn’t been forcing my body to do more than it was willing to do. I’d left the bottle in my room, tucked under a pile of clothes. I had to keep it out of sight. It would raise too many questions if anyone found it.

  This will only get worse, I reminded myself. And that was what terrified me the most.

  “Ellyn, why don’t we try this another day? You don’t look well and I’m sure Mia will hunt me down, strangle me and dangle my body on a post for my father to see if you get worse,” Jonas said.

  “You’re . . . you’re terrified . . . of that woman aren’t you?” I asked in between breaths.

  “Have you seen her angry?” he squawked.

  “Have you seen me angry?” I argued breathlessly.

  Jonas was silent for a moment, looking up to the sky as if it held the answer. “You know what? No, I don’t think I have.”

  “Well, if we don’t move our asses up to that old farm today, you will find out,” I laughed halfheartedly.

  Jonas cleared his throat and sat down with me. It took about twenty minutes before I managed control over my breathin
g. I never used to feel this way. I used to be able to run for a mile or two a day without this much of a struggle, it felt as though I ran ten miles. The skin on my arms was bright red as if it had been burned or was settling itself aflame. Sweat trickled down my temples.

  Jonas pulled out a cloth and poured water over it, then pressed the cool fabric to the side of my face. I turned to him with my eyes closed, enjoying the touch. He patted the cloth all around my face, and my strength returned as the water lowered my temperature, making me exhale in relief. I’d been grateful for Jonas’s company and I was even more thankful now.

  I opened my eyes to find him staring back at me. The worry in his eyes was still there, but there was something else. He looked at me in a way I’d never seen before. There was no judgement, no hidden agenda. This was . . . genuine.

  Before I knew it, he was mere inches from my face. He caressed my cheek with his thumb, the cloth gone from his hand.

  My stomach flipped as my throat threatened to close. My heart raced in my chest, pounding as if it tried to reach out to him. In a single moment, my reason for coming here vanished from my thoughts. All I could see was Jonas. All I knew was Jonas. It made me happy in a way I’d never felt before. I wanted him. I wanted his lips on mine. I wanted his arms holding me close to his chest, never letting me go. His eyes told me he felt the same and that my feelings were welcomed. He’d given me the smallest of smiles like a shy child.

  It’s in times like these that we’re reminded of regrets. Some things don’t seem to matter so much anymore, and yet, others become of the greatest importance.

  Jonas had become important to me. I was comfortable with him. Even though we hadn’t known each other for very long, we’d connected instantly. I’d told him things I’d never expected to tell another.

  But not everything. Is that why I felt so hesitant to get this close to him?

  Before I knew what was happening, he pressed his lips against mine. His lips were soft and warm and I responded by deepening the kiss. My desire for him grew as he wrapped his arms around me in a sweet embrace. He somehow felt too far away from me. I snuggled my body against his.