Vivi inches closer to our side, squinting her eyes as she takes us in. “I’m confused. Does this mean the marriage is on again?”
Ian is the first to break away, ignoring my little sister’s musings better than anyone I’ve seen. A true feat, if there ever was one. “Come on,” he says, making his way to the wall. “I think Aras may have arrived.”
Following Ian’s orders, we rush after him, crowding around his shoulders to peer through the small gap. Hammel stands with his arms crossed, dark smoke spiraling from his palms. At the end of the alley, another figure awaits. A dark hood is pulled over his head, the edges of his cloak lifting with the light breeze. He steps forward, and a gleam flashes at his waist. A dagger, and from the looks of it, mine.
Vivi and Ian both start, glancing down at my boots in silent question. My only answer is a panicked fumble for my boot, which, much to our dismay, comes up empty. Aras, it seems, has stolen more than my heart.
“Having to carry around toys now?” Hammel chuckles, the sound deep and lodged, like it wasn’t sure it should come out. “I don’t claim to know much, Aras, but I do know fire always trumps steel.”
Aras pulls back his hood, raven-curled with a deadly stare. He waits for a moment, gauging Hammel’s expression for any knowledge of the broken promise, anything that would put him in danger and make him drive my dagger right through his heart. When he finds none, he finally speaks. “And risk the prince finding out about our little secret? No, I think not. As long as I appear to need the dagger, that’s all that matters. I wouldn’t be a very good guard to the princess if I didn’t carry one, don’t you think?”
Hammel grunts, motioning him forward as he settles his back against the opposite wall. Aras obliges, striding toward him without a fear in the world. But I know better. It’s why he took my dagger. “And what news might you have today? Does the princess have her dress all picked out? A lady of white who will soon be covered in red?”
My chest tightens at his words, so full of malice I can practically feel the hate chiseling through the wall. Aras, so familiar with this attitude that he once called his own, only shrugs. “Of course. Everything is lining up as we planned. However, the prince does seem to be growing suspicious of my whereabouts. Just this evening, he stopped me in the hall, asking if I was well.” My eyes dart to Ian, but he shakes his head, dismissing Aras’ fib. “I wouldn’t put it above him to start having me followed. If we meet again, it should only be out of absolute necessity. I would hate for our plans to fumble when we’ve already come this far.”
Hammel’s eyes narrow as he considers Aras’ claims. Heat begins to build within my palms, raging against my skin to protect him in the only way I know how. If Hammel tries to hurt Aras, I’ll have to strike first.
“Are you sure about that?” he prods, looking for any cracks along Aras’ stony façade. “I know how much you enjoy our meetings.”
Aras grins, but it’s not the smooth, dimpled cheek one that I love so much. It’s wide and fearsome, as if his hatred for Hammel were painted across his face. “Am I sure I don’t want to endanger our king’s plans? Because if we continue to meet, there is a huge chance you could ruin it for him before our battle even begins. And I know I don’t need to remind you what happens if we fail.”
Hammel’s back snaps straight, and he jerks from the wall, circling Aras as close as he dares. “You know I only live to serve the king. We’re bound to protect him. If you’re worried, then there must be good reason. I’ll send word to Orien. Tonight will be our last meeting. Until we arrive on the eve of her wedding, you are to continue your watch. The king expects you to be with his daughter at all times, especially during the siege. It’s his only way to keep her true to her word.”
“Because he won’t hesitate to kill me.”
Hammel smirks, clapping Aras hard on the shoulder. “You’ve always known your role well, young Aras. Though it still amazes me that you’ve been chosen to inherit the king’s gift. I’ve often wondered what he would do if he had to kill you. Give it to me, perhaps?”
Aras grabs his hand, flinging it from his shoulder and shoving Hammel hard on the chest. The two stare at each other for a moment, the disdain pooling in the space between them, clogging the air and making it hard to breathe. “Careful what you wish for, friend. Dark magic always comes at a dark price.”
“Wouldn’t you know,” Hammel sneers, banging into Aras’ side as he pushes past him and toward the empty street. “By the way, Knox wanted me to let you know he’ll be bringing reinforcements, just in case the townsfolk get any funny ideas.”
His words drop like a heavy stone to my feet. My hand reaches for Ian’s, knowing the anguish that must run through his heart. It’s not enough for Knox to stop at the royal family. He has to make sure the whole kingdom is in line, and to do that, he will have to fight them, too.
“Reinforcements?”
“Yes, reinforcements. The Orien army, you dimwit. They may be mere mortals, but sometimes there isn’t anything old-fashioned swords can’t fix.”
Aras bristles, agitation building with his tone. “You’re mortal, too, Hammel. It’s best you don’t forget.”
Hammel turns onto the street, a red flame lighting his palm. “Yes, but I do have this.”
Then, like a demon called to his home, he disappears into the night.
Eight
“This is not good. This is very, very not good.”
My fingers squeeze Vivi’s once more, losing count of how many times she has whispered those words since we huddled down in the dark corner of the shop, waiting until we know it’s safe to leave. The knowledge that Knox plans to bring his army sent a shock through us all. We had prepared for his destruction within the palace; we hadn’t planned on him turning on the whole kingdom. Doesn’t he know the people of Theron are smarter than that? That they won’t risk their lives with a foolish fight?
Finally, Queen Rosaline’s reasoning begins to make sense. Theron needs me now more than ever.
“Come on,” Ian says, stretching to his feet and holding out his hands. “I think we’re clear to leave, but you have to promise you’ll follow my lead. Hammel could still be lurking, and we can’t afford to get caught.”
Vivi gives him a sideways glance, as if he’s just spoken the obvious and she can’t believe he’d have the audacity to tell her to behave. “I know, Ian. Where do you think I grew up? Some lovely village by the sea? Believe me; I’ve had to be careful my entire life.”
Her words leave a blistering heat in their wake, a flaming signal of her rising distress. “It will all be fine, Vivi. You’ll see. At least we know Hammel and Knox haven’t learned about Aras’ promise, or else we’d have them banging on our door at any minute.”
She bites her lip, wrapping her arm around my own. “You’re right, sister. The most important thing is that Aras is still safe.”
“No thanks to you.” A hooded figure steps out before us, rising like a specter in the dark. We jump back, nearly knocking Ian over in our retreat. My heart only stops its race when he pulls back his hood, letting the wild curls loose into the air. His blue eyes lower at our surprise, and he has the good sense to appear somewhat sorry for our fright. “Although you did save me that one time. I’ll give you that.”
“And we won’t be saving you again, if you’re going to act like this.” Vivi lurches forward, taking my arm with her as she stomps toward the door. “Skies above, Aras! You about had to save me, the way you had my heart hammering so. Sometimes I don’t know why I ever considered you to be like a brother. You’re so wily and sneaky and annoying.”
I don’t correct her, but I think that may be the definition of a brother.
Aras follows along in our steps, glancing back at Ian to make sure he keeps up. His long stride catches our short, angry one with ease, and he halts our trek with a gentle hand on my shoulder. “I’m disappointed to see you here, Bravest.” His words are so smooth and full of warmth I know he doesn’t mean them. Not really.
>
I have a feeling we’d love to see each other anywhere.
“But not surprised,” I allow, watching his lips as they tip up at the edges.
“Surprised with the Orien sisters?” Ian steps forward, stealing Aras’ gaze. “I can’t imagine that.” He winks, edging around us to open the door. “I’ll lead the way. It seems we have much to discuss with my parents.”
Vivi groans, the sound loud against the silent streets. “This meeting better come with some desserts or else I’m liable to fall asleep at the table.”
“You’re liable to do that anyway,” Aras mumbles, tugging her hand into his own. “Besides, you’re likely to turn into a giant berry pie if you eat any more sweets.”
“Then at least I’d die happy,” she says.
ↄ
To my little sister’s delight, the queen’s kitchens were alive and well, even though it was late into the night. Apparently impromptu meetings are regular happenings around here, considering their uneasy truce with Orien. Thankfully, neither of us were called on to speak much, as Ian was able to explain Hammel’s threats just as easily as we could. I suppose that’s a good thing, because Vivi did end up falling asleep. And she drooled.
I won’t tell her that last part, though.
By the time we bid our goodnights—almost good days—I feel as if I could collapse onto the floor, both from elation that Aras is still safe and from fear of what Knox’s army might do to the village. Now, if I didn’t have Vivi’s snores to keep me company, I would probably do just that.
“What are you thinking?” Ian asks, adjusting my sister’s deadweight in his arms as he hauls her up the stairs. The three of us left before anyone else, determined to get Vivi to bed before she woke up like a snarling beast, while Aras stayed behind to help finalize our plans of defense. Plans that, for now, include relocating the people of Theron to a safe place the day before Knox is expected to arrive. But where this safe place is, I haven’t a clue. I’m beginning to worry no one else does either.
“Right now, I’m not sure I’m thinking at all.” The admission is a true one, made heavy and weak by the tiny strings of sleep pulling at my vision. I’m also worried about Aras and the plans he is making in our absence. He seemed all too keen to get us out of the room and into our beds, only pausing his discussions to lean down and whisper a sweet goodnight into my ear. It was only the feel of his breath against my skin that finally made me give up and listen.
He probably knows it, too.
Ian grunts, whether from the weight of my sister or the weight of my words, I’m not sure. “The wall will hold, and if it doesn’t, we will have all of our people hidden away in the woods. Surely the people of Orien wouldn’t attack innocents who have no intention of rising against them.”
I hold my tongue, knowing the people of Orien might not have a choice. Not when a crazed king has a sword hanging over their heads.
“Besides, we’ll put a stop to Knox and his men before the trouble even begins. Without their master, the army won’t follow a dangerous command.”
Arriving at our room, I push open the heavy door, leading Ian to the bed. He gently lays Vivi on the covers, and she curls into the pillows as if she’d never left them. Ian stands in silence, pretending to look everywhere but at me. I think he’s wanting a confirmation—acknowledgement I heard his words and believe them to be true. But I know the heart of Ian’s thoughts, the ones he thinks but does not say. When he said we’ll put a stop to Knox, he really meant me. And right now, I’m not sure that’s a promise I can keep.
Realizing I’m not going to agree, he starts for the door, clasping my shoulder as he walks by. “Don’t worry, Penelope. You have always been stronger than you think. The people of Theron will see your heart. Maybe then, they will have the strength to let you go.”
A sharp pain dives into my chest, hope and regret twisting against my muscles. Ian still thinks he can convince his people to let me go, and that can only mean he is starting to let me go as well. If I have one wish for him, it would be the very same one he whispered when his firelight exploded blue into the sky.
Happiness.
“Thank you, Ian. You’ll make a great ruler one day. If I ever make it back to Orien, we’ll be good allies, you and me.”
Ian smiles, a look as true and genuine as his soul. “I think I’d like that.” Then he turns, the door but a whisper as it closes against the frame.
I sag onto the bed, kicking off my boots before I lie back on the covers beside my sister. When I tuck my hands under my pillow, my fingers scrape against something coarse. I sit up, nearly tossing the pillow to the floor. It’s only when I notice the tan hues, wrapped up in a tight square, that I begin to breathe again.
A letter.
Warmth floods my cheeks, and a spark of longing sends nervous tingles up my arms. Aras said he’d write me a letter for every day he walked the earth. And so far, he hasn’t forgotten.
Rising from the bed, I grab my candle and head to the washroom, careful not to wake Vivi in my haste. I place the candle on the counter, lighting the wick with an easy flick of my magic. Then I slide to the floor, crossing my legs as I fold the thick paper out across my lap.
My Bravest Penelope,
I write this letter from my balcony as I watch two dark cloaks race across the grounds, headed for the front gates. I’m a little relieved, to be on honest. I was about to sneak into your chambers to slip this under your pillow, and I was deathly afraid Vivi might light me afire out of fear. Now I only have to worry about her lighting some poor stranger on the street.
I want you to know how disappointed I am. Not in your wild idea to chase after me in the night—I expected no less. I’m upset because now I won’t have the chance to see you when you are at your calmest state, the only one when your fears let go and you float away on an endless sea of peace. I know I used to tease you about watching me while I slept, but that was only because I always did the same to you.
Sometimes when I was locked away in Knox’s hold, images would sneak their way past his defenses, flooding my mind with the memories of my heart. They were always of you, lying on a blanket in the grass. A starlit sky tracing a crescent moon from your cheeks to your lips. Long lashes and dark brows. Hair as wild as a serpent, coming loose from your braid like it truly had a mind of its own. Pale skin that only colored when a rush of magic filled your veins. And sometimes, when you’d lay on your back, soft snores would fill the air before you’d roll onto your side and the world would become quiet once again. I didn’t understand these memories. Every time they came to me, I’d shake my head, willing them from my mind in the only way I knew how.
Except they wouldn’t leave, and thank the stars they didn’t.
But while I couldn’t feel the emotions behind those images then, now I feel them every second of the day. The way my own skin would heat at the sight of your blush. Joy that the stars brought about a girl with snarled hair to outshine my own. The sharp glares that could rival any dagger—a welcome pierce to my heart. The thrill of seeing your perfect, slightly crooked nose crinkle.
Sweet Bravest, I live to see that nose crinkle.
You can see why I’m disappointed, my fiery princess. You robbed me of my secret—the one reason I’ve always woken red-eyed and determined to turn my embarrassment on you. It only seems fair that you should grant me this one last request… When it’s time to go out on your next foolish conquest, please have the decency to let me catch a glimpse of you asleep. It’s the least you could do.
Good morning,
Your Handsome Prince
Carefully folding the letter, I rise to my feet. Turning to blow out the candle, I hesitate at the reflection I see staring back. The girl with the flushed cheeks and watery eyes. The one with a raging fire burning free in her heart.
But perhaps most notably, the girl in front of me looks at peace. In fact, she doesn’t seem disappointed at all.
Nine
“And you truly think it’s enough?�
�
I stand beside my mother, leaning on her balcony as we take in the late afternoon sky. Papa paces the chambers behind us, his mind a whirlwind of muted chatter, only meant for the likes of Vivi as she sprawls out across Mother’s bed. I’ve tried to listen in, but just as before, I can only hear the whispers that he directs toward me.
So far, he hasn’t said a word.
Mother’s hand finds my own, clenched tightly along the rail. Her cool touch sends a welcome reprieve to my heated skin, and I find myself wondering how I ever survived without her. “I think it’s the most reasonable solution. If the villagers are relocated, it lessens the chance they’ll be harmed if the gate is breached.”
My stomach clenches at the thought of the gate and our new plan to keep Knox’s carnage to a minimum. It was decided that Ian, Vivi, and myself will serve as the greeting party, welcoming my father into our new home with loving arms. Except these arms throw fire, ice, and a whole lot of fury in-between. It is our hope that we can stop Knox and his circle of promised men before they have a chance to make it into the city, although it still doesn’t account for the Orien army he will have brimming at his fingertips.
“But what if they overwhelm us? I know the plan is for Vivi to surprise his men by taking them on while Ian and I deal with Knox, but that still doesn’t account for the soldiers he’ll have with him. I’d like to think that Ian and I would have the upper hand, but fire and ice can do little against an old-fashioned arrow to the heart.”
Her lips lift in response, the edges of her burned skin pulling tight across her right cheek. A light nudge rubs against my leg, and I look down to find Papa’s piercing blue eyes staring into my own. Mother’s hand reaches out, cupping my chin and pulling my attention back to her. “Perhaps it’s best if Emory explains the rest of our plans.”
For a moment, anger boils in my chest, striking a match that promises to catch. “The rest of our plans?”
Her answer is just as I have come to expect. Tender and calm, a soothing relief to my building heat. “Yes, my Brave. There has always been more to the plan, though it was thought best to keep you and your sister out of the loop until it was closer to time.”
The Reigning Star (The Orien Trilogy, Book 3) Page 5