The guard released the man, and he shook out his arms, his black eyes trained on the guards.
“I could have you arrested,” Zwaantie said. “But I won’t. We are nearly out of medicine. Please return to your kingdom and let the traders know we will pay handsomely for any they bring.”
The man narrowed his eyes at her. “What’s in it for me?”
Zwaantie bristled. Stellans never did anything unless they got something in return. Everything about them was barbaric and uncultured. That was what happened when there was no Voice. If this man had been a Solite, he’d have jumped to help Zwaantie.
“One month of merchant food.” Stellans never took anything for payment except food.
“Two.”
Zwaantie rolled her eyes. “Fine, two. Hurry, please.”
She addressed the guards in full princess mode. “Would you please make sure this man is given two months’ worth of merchant food and is escorted to the border?”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
Zwaantie waited until the man was out of sight before they continued on their walk. She let out a breath and replaced her hood. She’d think twice before she showed her face next time. Crime was rare in Sol, and Zwaantie had never had to use guards before.
Pieter held tightly to Luna’s hand. The words the man spoke bothered Zwaantie. Luna had been with her for so long that she often forgot Luna didn’t belong in Sol. She was from Stella.
“You don’t want to go back, do you?” Zwaantie asked, scared that maybe her best friend and slave was unhappy here.
Luna gave her a smile. “No, of course not. I barely remember Stella.”
“How could he have gotten you through the wall anyway? The Voice wouldn’t let you go,” Pieter said.
Solites were forbidden to cross the border, and once Luna’s mother signed the slave contract, Luna became a Solite, at the age of four.
“I don’t know. It doesn’t matter. This is my home. I have no desire to return to the dark.” She clung to Pieter and looped her other arm through Zwaantie’s. “Besides, I wouldn’t have you two there.”
As they exited the tiny village, the castle came into view, winking in the sunlight. Its spires reached high into the sky. It was the grandest building in Sol. A smaller castle sat off to the side for the lower king and queen of Zonnes. A handful of fields with an occasional farmhouse separated the slave village from the castle. Merchant homes were on the other side of the castle.
They strolled along the road in the middle of the fields, watching the animals graze. Zwaantie loved the farms, in spite of the smell. They were the lifeblood of their kingdom. Maybe in another life, she could’ve been a farmer’s wife. She’d like that. It was simple and rewarding.
Just before Zwaantie entered the door of the castle, she closed her eyes and turned her face to the sun, letting it warm her face. Thank Sol she’d been born here, where it never got dark, instead of Stella, where the sun never shone.
Chapter 2
The Unexpected Return
They hiked up the long winding stairs to the king’s chambers. Pieter pushed the door open, but there was no one there. Luna’s mother, Ariel, came running down the hall, her shoes clattering on the floor.
Ariel stopped short in front of them, breathing hard, and she put her hand on the hard stone surface of the wall to balance herself. “What took you so long? Everyone has already gone outside.”
“Why?” Zwaantie asked, confused.
Ariel clapped her hands together. “Your brother is returning. Come, they should be here soon.”
Luna’s face broke out into a wide smile, but Zwaantie’s stomach fell. Her brother was coming home. His training was over, and that could only mean one thing for Zwaantie. Marriage.
They followed Ariel down the long hall. Zwaantie dawdled on purpose. She wasn’t ready for this. She paid close attention to the portraits that hung on the walls. Normally she raced by them, but today she noticed how the children always smiled but the kings and queens did not. They bore the weight of the kingdom on their shoulders. The last portrait was of her grandparents and her father as a child. Zwaantie had never seen him smile like that. She barely knew him. Mother spent time with her and Raaf, but Father always was too busy. She didn’t want to do that to her own children. Ariel held the door open and waved to Zwaantie.
“Quickly, child, they’ll be here soon.”
Luna and Pieter stood directly behind Ariel, waiting for Zwaantie. She sighed, gathered her skirt so as not to catch it on the door, and stepped out into the sunlight.
She blinked against the bright light. Her eyes adjusted, and she stared out over fields and villages in the distance. Soon this would all be hers.
Zwaantie’s mother and father stood near the top of the outer stairs, holding hands. Zwaantie was a spitting image of her mother, with the same blue-green eyes, long blonde hair, and heart-shaped face. Father was tall and broad, with graying hair and a perpetual scowl. Zwaantie took her place next to her mother. Their slaves stood a few steps behind them. Mother nodded to Zwaantie, a small smile playing on her lips. Zwaantie supposed she was excited as her only son was coming home. A son she hadn’t seen in four years.
Zwaantie bounced on her toes, the nerves finally getting to her. She hadn’t seen her brother in so long. Would they still be friends? His letters had gotten sparse in the last year or so.
“Would you be still? You’re acting like a child.” Mother gave Zwaantie a disapproving glare. Zwaantie stilled. Otherwise, the Voice would tell her off, but she was having trouble not fidgeting.
Zwaantie didn’t understand how Mother could be so calm. They hadn’t seen Raaf in four years. He’d sent letters of course, but beyond that, she’d had no contact with him. She missed him like crazy. He was her best friend. Had he changed much, or was he still her Raaf?
Her dread at his return dissipated a bit. Raaf was coming home. She couldn’t wait to hear about his training, and she could tell him about her work with Wilma. Plus, she had to fill him in on all the princesses. If she had to get married, then so did he. She wanted him to marry Princess Cornelia from Haul. She was loads better than Princess Luus here in Zonnes.
The sound of horses clip-clopping on the drive came just before the carriage rounded the corner. Four white horses pulled the bright yellow carriage, and Zwaantie squealed.
Hush. Behave like a princess.
Zwaantie sobered. Stupid Voice. She had to listen to it. She had no choice, but it was a real killjoy sometimes.
Okay, all the time.
Zwaantie folded her hands in front of her like she was trained and stood with her head tall and an impassive expression on her face. But the Voice couldn’t stop the racing of her heart. Luna brushed at something on Zwaantie’s shoulder and smoothed her hair. Zwaantie figured she was having trouble staying still as well.
The carriage came to a stop, and Zwaantie had to restrain herself from running down and ripping the door open. She waited impatiently for the footslave to open the door.
Raaf came out first. He’d grown about a foot, and he’d cut his hair. He used to wear it long, because Mother loved the rich red color. But now it sat just below his ears. His face was stony, which was unusual. When they were kids, the smile never left his face.
“Mother, may I go greet him?”
Mother nodded. Zwaantie took slow steps so not to appear too eager, but she was sure the huge grin on her face would give her away. Luna kept herself so close that if Zwaantie were to misstep, Luna would bump into her.
Raaf moved away from the carriage.
Zwaantie beamed at him. “Welcome back.”
“Thank you. Have you been well?” His voice had dropped at least three octaves. He no longer sounded like her Raaf. She bounced in front of him, itching to give him a hug, but knowing that would be inappropriate.
“I’ve missed you. We need to catch up tonight. I want to hear about your training.” She spoke louder than normal and way too fast. But she couldn’t hel
p herself. Raaf was home.
He frowned. “I can’t tell you anything. I’m sorry.”
Another figure emerged from the carriage, and Luna lost her composure.
“Phoenix,” she squealed and threw herself at him, nearly knocking her brother over. They were from Stella and much more affectionate. Zwaantie didn’t even hug her own mother and was sure the Voice was chastising them, but they didn’t seem all that bothered. Phoenix held her tight, and Zwaantie studied him.
When they were children, the four of them were inseparable. They played in the woods on the castle grounds together as if they were all siblings. The only difference was the bright gold bands Phoenix and Luna had on their wrists and ankles that marked them as slaves. That and their deep caramel-colored skin.
Zwaantie never realized what that meant until she was older. There were hundreds of slaves in the castle. Almost all of them were pale Solites. Stellans were rare in Sol, and most were traders who hurried back to Stella the first chance they got. As far as Zwaantie knew, Luna and her family were the only Stellan slaves in Sol.
The year Zwaantie turned twelve, Raaf went off to train in some secret location in the middle of the mountains, and Phoenix went as his personal slave. It was natural for Luna to become Zwaantie’s slave. She and Luna were like sisters, and she was sure Raaf and Phoenix had a similar relationship even though Phoenix was a few years older. Zwaantie didn’t see how they couldn’t, being trapped in the middle of nowhere with no company except stuffy old chancellors and a few guards.
Unlike Raaf, Phoenix had a huge grin on his face that would charm the stockings off most girls.
He’d changed as well. His black hair had grown and fell in loose curls to his shoulders. His face was no longer pointy and sharp, but had matured into a strong jaw.
He let go of Luna and bowed to Zwaantie, and she couldn’t help but notice his wide shoulders and the muscles that moved under his gray linen shirt.
His dark eyes sparkled. “Princess, it is good to see you.”
Zwaantie’s chest tingled as she appraised him. She was expecting children to return, but instead they became men. Extremely good looking, in Phoenix’s case.
Phoenix had always been exotic, but she’d never thought of him much different from her brother. She had no business thinking of him now. He was Luna’s brother and a slave.
But with his deep piercing eyes, full lips, and caramel colored skin, he was stunning.
Luna beamed at him. “I can’t believe you came back. Just in time too.”
His eyes danced as he looked down at her. “Just in time for what?”
She pouted and swatted him. “You got my letters. Don’t play dumb.”
“Well, my baby sister isn’t getting married until I approve, and I have less than twenty-four hours to give you my blessing. Where is this Pieter you’ve been going on about?”
“Standing behind the king. You’ll have to wait until tonight to talk to him, but I’m sure you’ll love him.”
Phoenix glanced at Mother and Father. “He’s awfully tall.”
“So?” Luna asked with a frown.
“Nothing. Just an observation.”
Raaf still hadn’t said much. Zwaantie looked at him cautiously. She was jealous of the easiness of Luna and Phoenix. Even if she and Raaf had never been affectionate, they had been extremely close, but now Raaf seemed uncomfortable. Slaves bustled about hauling trunks off the carriage. The horses snorted and stomped their feet.
“Would you like to have tea in my rooms and catch up?” Zwaantie asked him.
He shook his head. “No, we have work to do. Tomorrow I become grand chancellor. Come, Phoenix.”
Phoenix gave Luna a sad smile and followed Raaf up the stairs. Raaf stopped for just moment and greeted Mother and Father, but then he swept into the castle.
Luna looped her arm through Zwaantie’s and laid her head on Zwaantie’s shoulder. “I can’t believe they’re back. I’m so happy.”
Zwaantie kept her eyes on Mother and Father. They had their faces close together and appeared to be discussing something in earnest, but were smiling.
A sinking feeling fell in Zwaantie’s stomach. She wasn’t happy. Not at all. Raaf was no longer himself. This was what happened when people grew up. Mother would start asking when Zwaantie was ready to take her crown. One that she could only take on in marriage.
Mother glanced up and glared at them, and Luna moved away from Zwaantie.
“Sorry,” Luna whispered. She shouldn’t have had her head on Zwaantie’s shoulder.
Mother spun around and clomped into the castle. Zwaantie waited until she was out of sight. There was nothing wrong with Luna having her head on Zwaantie’s shoulder, but Mother thought it was inappropriate. She wondered how long it would be before the Voice would start yelling at them for that too. It seemed like anytime Mother thought something was wrong, the Voice suddenly did as well.
“It’s okay. Let’s go inside and see what we can find to do with ourselves,” Zwaantie said.
Chapter 3
The Grand Chancellor
Zwaantie was having trouble mustering up excitement. Two of her favorite people were hitting huge milestones, and she should be thrilled for them. In some ways she was. But in other ways, she felt like they were moving on without her. Plus, they were both getting what they wanted. Zwaantie never would. Because what she wanted was to not be royal.
She woke up late, which was normal. Her curtains were still shut, blocking out the bright light. She’d given Luna the morning off. Usually by the time she got out of bed, Luna had her room tidied and a bath drawn.
She sat up and stretched. Zwaantie liked her room, decorated like the summer sky. Her quilt was bright yellow, and her bed had sky blue hangings. Soft green rugs adorned her floor.
She slipped on her morning shoes and padded her way across to her closet where she fingered the dresses, trying to find one she could put on herself. They were all styled the same. Solid colors with long, flowing sleeves. Sometimes they were shaped to fit the body, but they mostly felt like giant tents. The loose dresses were easier to put on than the fitted ones, especially with the slip and petticoat underneath. The fitted dresses had far too many strings for Zwaantie to do them on her own. She wasn’t used to doing this by herself, but she wasn’t about to let Luna work on her wedding day. The door flung open, and Luna burst in, breathing heavily.
“I’m so sorry, Your Highness. I know what a big day this is for you.”
Zwaantie put her hands on her hips and frowned. “I told you not to come. It’s your wedding day.”
That is not your place to tell her.
Luna gave her a sad smile and closed the door. “Sit down. I’ll find your dress. I know you told me not to come in, but the Voice forbids it. We don’t get days off.”
“But you’re getting married. The Voice needs to get a life.”
Watch your words.
Zwaantie rolled her eyes.
And your actions.
The Voice was obnoxious. Always bossing her around. And everyone else too, but she was only annoyed when it bossed her. And her slave. It wasn’t fair to Luna. She should be able to relax and prepare for her own wedding.
Zwaantie sat and watched Luna flip through the rainbow of dresses. “Find one that will match your colors at your wedding.”
“You’re still coming?” Luna furrowed her brow.
“I wouldn’t miss it. You’re my best friend.” Plus, this was the one opportunity she had to grant her best friend a gift. If it were up to her, Luna would live in the castle with Zwaantie, like a princess, but like she was so rudely reminded, the Voice wouldn’t allow slaves to live like that. But anytime a member of the royal family attended a wedding, a gift was given. The bride and groom could ask for anything under the royal member’s jurisdiction. Kings and queens rarely attended weddings because the risk of the couple asking for something too big was there. But princes and princesses didn’t have as much to lose.
; “What about Raaf?” Luna asked.
“His ceremony should be long over by this afternoon. I’ll make sure Phoenix can come too. I’d try for Ariel, but you know how my mother is. She’ll never let her go. Now what color will best match your wedding?”
“You mean, the gray I’m wearing?”
Zwaantie scowled. She’d told Luna to pick out one of her old dresses weeks ago.
“You’re not getting married in gray.” Luna was pretty good at following Zwaantie’s instructions. She had to be. If not, the Voice would give her a thorough telling off.
Luna lowered her eyes. “I tried, Your Highness. I did. But every time I went to put on one to see how it would look, the Voice intervened.”
“What did it say? Don’t steal the princess’s dresses? It must have heard me tell you to take it.”
“No, it didn’t say anything about stealing. It told me that I was not allowed to wear anything but gray. Colors are above me.”
Zwaantie clenched her fists. When she was queen, she’d have words with Raaf about what was and what wasn’t allowed. Especially with the slaves. A day off now and then and the ability to choose their own clothes should be allowed. After Raaf became grand chancellor, he would be the only one who could influence the Voice. Though Zwaantie had no idea if the Voice would listen to him or not.
“Fine. But you will take my ribbons for your hair and pick a few flowers out of the queen’s garden. That’s an order. You tell the Voice you’ll be disobeying me if you don’t.”
You cannot tell her to disobey the Voice. Ribbons and flowers are fine, though.
Luna gave a small smile and nodded. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Luna pulled out a purple dress. “This will look striking at the ceremony this morning.”
“I think you’re right. Purple is very royal, isn’t it?”
Luna helped Zwaantie into the dress, did up the laces in the back, and then brushed out Zwaantie’s long blonde hair.
“Are you nervous?” Zwaantie asked. She couldn’t imagine what it was like to be getting married, though soon she’d be marrying too. There was absolutely no one she wanted to marry. Her mind strayed to the way Phoenix’s face lit up when he saw Luna. She could handle waking up to a smile like that. He was a slave though, and marriage to him would be forbidden.
Stella and Sol Box Set Page 2