After our morning shower, Lorie, Bridget and I were given new clothes to wear. The cotton dress was soft but thin. Its short sleeves felt like they cut into my arms, and the waist was higher than I liked. I preferred the comfort and familiarity of my normal skirt and tunic.
Apparently, Hyde didn’t share the same thought. His eyes lit with appreciation as he drank in the sight of me.
“You look lovely.” It seemed an odd time to compliment my appearance, but I had more pressing things to discuss than how inappropriate his words were.
“What happened with Lorie?” I watched his face carefully, looking for any sign of deception.
I was stunned to see nothing but sincere regret and sadness fill his gaze.
“I don’t know, Lissa. I swear. I tried to ask my father, but I had to be careful. If he doesn’t know I was involved in concealing her, I cannot risk him finding out.”
Of course, he couldn’t. I understood that, but it still frustrated me. “You have no idea whatsoever? None at all?”
Hyde sighed and moved to sit on a stately chair in the middle of the room. I had been surprised when an agent escorted me to the well-lit and finely furnished parlor. I’d never been in one of Lord Stanley’s personal rooms. Once Hyde appeared, I realized he was the one responsible for my unexpected escort.
“I suspect Agent Stone is behind Lorie’s recruitment,” he admitted. “But I don’t know how she found out about her.”
My shoulders slumped. Feeling like I no longer had the strength to stand, I stepped forward and sat on the chair facing Hyde. “I think so, too. You should have seen her face at the Choosing. She practically preened with pleasure after announcing Lorie’s name.” I could still see Agent Stone’s treacherous smile and the gleam in her eye.
Hyde leaned forward, forcing me to meet his stare. “I am so sorry, Lissa.”
His sincerity touched me. I regretted every bad thought I’d ever had for the half-draekon. His soul was genuine, and he had tried to help my family despite the risk to himself.
“Thank you,” I replied. “And thank you for doing all you have for us.” I didn’t dare put his actions to words. Just in case we were monitored.
Hyde inhaled sharply. “I’d do anything for you, Amelissa Allaway.”
The intensity of his stare increased tenfold. A myriad of emotions flickered across his dark brown eyes. I remembered our conversation in my family’s kitchen. Hyde cared for me, and it was written all over his face.
“What if I told you…” He paused to clear his throat. “There was a way for you to stay? To remain in Caldiri?”
My entire body stilled. Not even a breath escaped my lungs as I replayed his words in my head. I’d been wracking my brain for a such solution for nearly twenty-four hours.
“What are you talking about?”
His hands twitched. “I know a way you can stay in Caldiri. I know how you can avoid your recruitment.”
A faint flicker of hope ignited in my chest. “How?” I held my breath, afraid and hopeful that Hyde would offer a viable solution to my predicament. It seemed too good to be true.
Surprise filled me when avoided my eyes. “Have you ever wondered why you were not recruited during the past two census years?”
“Sometimes.” I didn’t know where the question led.
Still looking away, Hyde said, “A few years ago, my father asked me if I would like to move to Draek. Most half-draekon reside there. Many take up work in the capital, trying to work for the crown.”
The information was news to me, but that wasn’t surprising. I wasn’t exactly instructed in the ways of the draekon.
“I told him no,” Hyde continued. “I wanted to stay in Caldiri. He was surprised, as you might imagine.”
I bobbed my head, feeling surprised as well. Why would Hyde want to stay in the poor region when he could go to the capital? Being half-draekon, he would have every resource at his disposal, including humans recruited by the Census.
I voiced the question, leaving out the second part of my thought.
I watched Hyde slowly turn his gaze back to me. He looked nervous. The observation made me uneasy. “I told him I wanted to stay… because you were here.”
I would have been less shocked if he slapped me across the face.
“What?” I shook my head, unable to believe what I just heard. “Why?” I knew he was fond of me, but why would he give up a comfortable future?
Hyde cringed, running a hand through his dark hair. “I…” He stopped and had to clear his throat. “I told him I loved you, and I wanted to marry you one day.”
I was wrong. That was the most surprising thing he said.
I leaned back in the chair.
“You barely know me, Hyde. You cannot possibly be in love with me.”
Red covered his cheeks. “I know that but I was young. You were the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen. Though I’d rarely spoken to you, I imagined myself in love.”
I stared.
I was relieved to hear him acknowledge his initial feelings had been those of a whimsical youth, but I couldn’t help but see the young man who would go out of his way to watch me in town. He’d been doing it for years. I figured Hyde found me attractive, but I never would have guessed he fancied himself in love.
“So, you told your father you wanted to marry me.” I was proud of myself for saying the words without hesitation. “What does that have to do with my recruitment?”
The moment I asked the question, the answer hit me square in the face.
I knew what Hyde was going to say before he even opened his mouth.
“My father made deals with the census agents. They agreed to not select you for the Census.”
“Oh, my gods.”
Hyde’s infatuation was the reason I’d never been recruited? His father had arranged my freedom, so his son might one day marry me? I could hardly believe it.
Looking at Hyde’s open expression, however, forced me to realize it was true.
He continued to observe me, warily waiting for an outburst or some other disapproving reaction. I placed my shaking hands on my legs, willing myself to calm down.
“I’m… shocked.” That was putting it lightly.
“I know. I’m sorry.”
Why did it feel like Hyde was constantly apologizing to me?
“It’s fine.”
Besides, if I were being honest, I appreciated the fact I had not been recruited. I realized the reason didn’t matter; I was grateful for the two extra years of freedom. Even if they were over.
I straightened. “So what happened this year? Do you think Agent Stone is also responsible for my recruitment?”
Hyde frowned. “I can’t be sure. I’ve asked my father about it, but he refused to offer an explanation. To be honest, I think he was just as surprised by your recruitment as I was.”
The whole thing sounded strange. I knew census agents acted under the king’s authority, but Lord Stanley had managed to arrange my safety from the Census before. What changed?
“But not all hope is lost.” Hyde leaned forward. “My father has agreed to release you from recruitment… if you agree to marry me.”
Many thoughts exploded in my mind, each one vying for my attention. But one stuck out among the others.
“He can do that?” I didn’t know Lord Stanley had such power. I thought census agents carried the full authority of the crown.
“Yes. He and the king are close. He would write and request your release. He has no doubt it will be approved.”
Again, the weight of the conversation pushed me back in the chair. “I… I don’t know what to say.” I could be free if I accepted Hyde as my husband?
It wasn’t ideal, but the rational person inside knew it wasn’t something I could pass up. I didn’t need to be in love with my husband; my imagined future with Jem proved that. Hyde wasn’t the villain I painted him to be, and I told myself marrying him wouldn’t be the worst fate. Hyde turned out to be an honorable and
kind man.
“You want to marry me?” It might have seemed like a silly question given everything Hyde revealed, but his answer mattered to me. Our acquaintance was turning into friendship, and I realized I would be okay marrying him under the circumstances.
But could Hyde?
Something inside made me doubt it.
His answer was written plain as day across his face. “Yes,” he breathed. Admiration and attraction filled his gaze. “I want to marry you.”
I glanced away, unable to absorb the enormity of the emotions he displayed. I felt myself blush.
I readied myself to accept his offer when it hit me: Lorie.
“What about Lorie?” I returned my eyes to him. “Would she be freed from recruitment as well?”
Hyde’s expression had lightened as he observed me. He could see I wasn’t completely opposed to the idea of being his wife.
But my latest question caused the light to dim. The change revealed the answer.
I closed my eyes. “Your father will not help her.”
“No.”
My hopes fell like rocks from the top of a coastal cliff.
A clock ticked the time in the corner of the room. My mind was a jumbled mess; my body felt like it had aged a hundred years. To be so close to freedom only to realize it was impossible was exhausting.
Hyde’s voice was gentle. “You cannot accept my offer.”
I looked up and saw understanding in his gaze. Sorrow flitted in and out of his expression but understanding dominated.
“I can’t,” I whispered. “I can’t leave her to face it alone.” There was no way I could save myself while leaving my sister to an unknown fate. If she was to be recruited, we would go together.
“I know.” Hyde moved to his feet. He walked towards me and picked up my cold hand. “But I had to try.” He pressed a light kiss against my knuckles, pressing a folded piece of paper against my fingers. I tried to hide my surprise. Hyde dropped my hand and left the room.
I lowered my arm but clenched my hand tightly, fearful to lose whatever Hyde had given me.
Moments after his departure, an agent arrived to escort me back to my room. I went quietly.
Once safely locked inside the room with Lorie, I uncurled my fingers and unfolded the small scrap of paper. I recognized Lin’s handwriting immediately.
“Lissa and Lorie, I love you. Stay strong. With the gods as my witness, I will get you two out if it is the last thing I do.”
II
Recruit
12
The path through the Royal Forest was dark, shaded by large oaks covering the sky. We’d been traveling for more than two hours, and the bumpy motion of the carriage was beginning to make me nauseous. I had always thought carriages looked like an elegant and graceful way to travel, but I was wrong. The next five days were going to be miserable.
Lorie, Bridget, and I were isolated to one carriage while the seven men were split between two. One male and one female agent sat on the bench opposite of us, and I could hear the other two charged to our carriage as they rode alongside it. Again, I wondered at the number of agents accompanying us on the journey. I’d never seen so many draekon in one place. I felt uneasy being so outnumbered.
We were the last in the caravan of three, and the drivers allowed a significant distance to separate us. The male agent explained it was to permit each carriage to stop at will for short breaks and to change drivers without disturbing the progress of the other carriages.
I didn’t believe him.
It seemed dangerous to not travel as a group. My guess was they didn’t want to risk us uniting and trying to run away. I doubted any of us were brave enough to venture out of the carriage and risk encountering the criminals living in the forest, but it was the only explanation that made sense. After all, we didn’t stand a chance against the physically superior creatures.
Pushing aside the curtain covering the door’s window, I peered out and searched for a way to make time pass more quickly. My eyes landed on the majestic stallion three feet away. The creature was marvelous. His pristine white coat shined like a beacon in the dark, damp forest. I wanted to continue admiring his beauty, but the draekon astride him ruined the moment when he looked at me with a raised brow. I dropped the curtain and sat back.
“I thought horses were scared of draekon,” Lorie whispered near my shoulder, no longer willing to sit in silence.
I shrugged. I thought so, too. I assumed any animal would be able to detect the threat of the brutal species.
Then again, I rarely interacted with the majestic creatures. The only time I saw horses was when travelers passed through town, or when Lord Stanley and his family rode around Caldiri.
Perhaps horses were unafraid of the fire-breathing beasts?
“A rumor,” the male draekon stated from across the carriage, “started by humans.”
I met his gaze, noting his response held a hint of amusement. It was at that moment I recognized him; he was the agent who’d allowed Lorie to stay in the room with me at Lord Stanley’s manor. His almond shaped eyes were unique and strangely kind.
For a draekon.
“Why would draekon learn to ride horses?” Lorie asked. “Why not just fly?”
I nearly coughed at the bold and thoughtless question, but I forced myself to remain still as I watched and waited for the agent’s reaction.
It was the female who laughed and said, “It isn’t always convenient to fly everywhere. In fact, flying can be difficult in many situations.”
I thought back to the scout I saw surveying the region those weeks ago. The beast had nearly blocked out the entire sun with its body. I could understand how turning into such an immense creature might not be ideal at all times.
The male had turned his attention to me. I schooled my expression, but his observation didn’t end.
He pursed his lips. “What have you been taught about draekon?”
Was he trying to trick me?
I wouldn’t fall for it.
“Nothing.” The word came out flat.
My answer surprised him. The reaction made me remember Agent Leith’s behavior at the banquet. He, too, conveyed genuine disbelief when I told him of our region’s reluctance to be recruited. They were two different topics but fundamentally related.
“Nothing?” the female parroted back. “Surely, Lord Stanley provides his citizens with an education.” She shared a meaningful look with her companion; I’m sure both of them were silently wondering if they somehow became in charge of illiterate morons.
“We receive an education,” I replied tightly, “but it includes nothing about your kind.”
Lorie bumped her shoulder against me, subtly chastising me.
The agents continued to have their own conversation, but most of it was communicated silently. I looked away, reaching out to peek through the edge of the curtain again. I focused on the passing scenery rather than the nearby draekon, but their next statements caught my attention.
“That is unfortunate to hear,” he said.
“Yes,” the female seconded. “If any of you wish to learn more about draekon or your future home, you only need to ask.”
The offer was tempting. I’m certain all three of us thought so. But there was little chance I would believe anything the agents told me. I would figure things out on my own.
So I said, “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Bridget, however, lost her shyness and asked, “Do we really get a choice in the manner in which we serve?”
I stilled.
Again, the agents turned to each other. Both of their foreheads furrowed.
“Serve?” The male’s gaze returned to Bridget. “Do you mean the right to choose to be a companion or not?”
She swallowed, nervous. “I-I guess so?”
He sat back, looking like someone just hit him. “Of course, you get to choose. No draekon would force that on you. Every recruit must contribute to our society, but you have the right to deci
de how.”
None of us moved. I wanted to accuse him of lying, but my desire to survive silenced me.
Besides even if he told the truth, we were still being forced to abandon our homes and work in the unfamiliar capital. We were still little better than slaves.
“I don’t believe Lord Stanley has been sharing the truth of the capital with his citizens.” The female agent shared a knowing look with her companion. They did that a lot.
“I think you’re right.”
Before another word could be said, an angry shout sounded outside the carriage. Both agents retrieved the sheathed daggers from their hips. The carriage jolted to a stop, and the shouting increased in frequency and volume. I tried to make out the words, but the agents were speaking in draekonian. I didn’t know a single word of the beasts’ native tongue. Their tense posture and angry tone worried me.
“Stay here,” the female commanded her fellow agent and us. Her tone brooked no argument. I heard the clang of metal on metal as she opened the carriage door and quickly shut it behind her.
Lorie grabbed my hand in fear. I turned wide eyes to the agent guarding us. “What’s happening?”
“Thieves,” he gritted, listening to the shouts of his comrades. “And they’ve hired goblins to do their dirty work.”
Goblins?
My mouth fell open, but I snapped it shut as a large force collided with the carriage, causing it to rock back and forth. Lorie and Bridget screamed.
“What do you mean goblins?” I snapped. “There’s no such things as goblins.” The scary creatures were nothing more than fictional characters in children’s stories. Papa Gil used them to keep us from breaking into our cabinets for midnight snacks. The only real monsters were the draekon.
Right?
The agent’s eyes narrowed. “We’ve already established there is much you don’t know about the world,” he returned. “How about we worry about your education after we are out of this mess?”
My retort morphed into a shriek as a hairy hand reached through the open window, pushing aside the expensive fabric. I leaned away as it tried to grip onto something, noting the sickly green skin and knobby bones.
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