His body sank into the dent.
“I could bury you alive. Do you understand? I told you not to mess with me and I’m not sure you’ve learned your lesson.” I smirked. “No one would ever find you. No one would ever hear your cries as you choked on dirt. It’d be a slow death too, but I’m not a mean person. I don’t like to threaten people. I don’t even like to hurt people.”
Moss crept nearer his nose until only his eyes were visible, doubled in size and full of fear.
“But I don’t know if I can trust you not to bother me again.”
He struggled to nod.
The earth trembled and his gaze darted side to side. Red rimmed his eyes and they grew glassy.
I’d tortured him enough. “I’m going to let you go, but next time you won’t be so lucky. Do you understand?”
He pleaded with his eyes to be released from his lichen grave.
The moss inched off his nose and mouth, and the roots loosened from his wrists and ankles. I urged the soil back together, lessening the gap under him. I studied him one last time.
“I think you can manage your way out now.” As I walked away, I paused and tossed a glance over my shoulder. “Oh, and Orin, don’t ever come near me again, and if I were you, I wouldn’t tell anyone about what happened here.”
I’d be back inside before he even got up. With a smug smile, I rounded the corner.
Alastar stood before me and slowly clapped.
I stopped dead in my tracks.
“Why, Kyla, what an amazing display of magic.”
Chapter 18
“When I heard you were taking a walk in the garden, I thought it would be an excellent opportunity to speak with you, but this, oh, this is a much better treat.”
So much for laying low. I had no words to offer. No explanation to give. If I opened my mouth, it’d be self-incriminating.
“I don’t know what Orin did to upset you, but I think he learned his lesson. Don’t you?” He raised an eyebrow. “You’re very quiet today. I thought you loved expressing yourself. In fact, I would love to know what it is you’re thinking right now.”
“I don’t know.”
“That’s it? I expected so much more from you.” He wandered over to a rose bush and observed a radiant blossom, which had benefited from my earlier magic. “You don’t like me much, do you Kyla?”
“I hardly know you.” I hoped a thorn stabbed him.
“Oh, but I think you do.” He jerked his hand back. A red pinprick spotted his finger. He stared at the flower as the petals darkened and wilted around the edges.
My magic sparked and the withering halted. I froze. A single petal fell to the ground.
He spun to me. “You think you have me all figured out. Who I am. What I want. Don’t you?”
“No.” I met his gaze, though a part of me wanted to look down, away, anywhere but at this man I despised.
“Hmm, are you sure? You didn’t come across a bit of information? Something which may have enlightened you, to say the least.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He narrowed his eyes, but I kept my expression neutral refusing to let anger or fear show.
“Interesting. So would you like to tell me what happened back there?” He gestured toward where I’d left Orin. “Does that kind of magic happen often for you?”
“No. I was scared and angry. My emotions amplify my ability.”
“Emotions, you say? How intriguing.” His shoes tapped on the stone walkway as he paced, his hands clasped behind his back. “The more powerful, the stronger, I assume?”
Chin high and shoulders back, I fought the urge to look away.
“I wonder what the most powerful of emotions would trigger in you.” He spun on his heels as he reached me. “I can only think of one emotion capable of consuming someone. Do you know what that emotion is, Kyla?”
I hated the way he spoke my name. “Rage,” I offered dryly.
“Not quite.” He smirked. “I’m thinking more along the lines of love. Young, starry-eyed love.” He held my gaze. “Don’t you agree? Love can be all consuming?”
“I wouldn’t know.”
He’d raised his eyebrow and opened his mouth to speak when, for once, my mother’s arrival thrilled me.
“Alastar. Kylie. Nice to find you two out here. Nice night for a walk, isn’t it?” Her sweet smile lit her beautiful face. “I didn’t interrupt anything, did I?”
“I’m headed inside,” I said to my mother in a calm level tone, though my insides quaked. I doubted her arrival was coincidental.
Alastar tilted his head to the side, eyeing me.
I prayed he would drop it, give up on his line of questioning and let me return inside. I willed him to let me go, though I had no idea if it would work.
Mom turned to me as if she sensed my actions.
I wondered if it had something to do with her connection to spirit.
He smiled. “We can speak later. I have learned so much about you this evening. I must know more, everything. We will finish this conversation another time.”
I wanted to scream. I bit back a smart-ass remark and took the window offered.
My mother took my arm. “Do you mind if I walk with you? I’m headed in myself.”
“No, you’re welcome to join me.” I brushed past Alastar.
Aislinn said a few quick words to him and followed me.
She whispered, “What happened back there?”
“Do you know about the oracle? No games. Yes or no, do you know?”
“Like a specific oracle?”
“A very specific one.”
“I know of several oracles, but don’t imagine I know the exact one of which you speak.”
We walked through the castle doors and I tugged her to my room. As soon as the door closed, I repeated the oracle, now burned into memory.
Her hand went to her throat. “How do you know this?”
“I went to the source.”
She paced and wrung her hands. “I never imagined it was something like this. This is big. Not good. I knew he wanted you around and believed it had something to do with your magic, but because it’s quite advanced for a girl in your situation. But no, this is huge, and if he thinks you know, this isn’t good.”
“Well, I don’t plan to make this oracle true. But, how do I convince him?”
Fine lines framed her frown. “You can’t always avoid fate, Kylie.”
“Do you want this to happen?”
“No, of course not, but I want to be sure you understand.”
“I still have no desire to see this oracle through. It’s not going to happen.” I crossed my arms over my chest.
She studied me for a second but I couldn’t read her expression. “Okay. Let’s convince Alastar.”
“How?”
“I can’t use my spirit magic at full strength with Alastar. He’ll detect it right away and if he ever caught me using magic on him, well, I’m sure you can imagine. I can use it in small spurts, little doses here and there. It won’t work right away and it won’t solve your problem but it may help your case. It might be the little nudge he needs to see your side.”
“You’d do that?”
“Do you need to ask?”
I guess it shouldn’t surprise me, considering she had come to my aid several times now, but going against Alastar was a biggie.
“I will always do what I can to help you.” She caressed my cheek. “And, I know you don’t like him, but you need to stop butting heads with him. You’re proving one day you might have reason to revolt against him.”
“What can I do?”
“Build the case in your favor then offer him a negotiation. Tell him if he releases you from the marriage, you will leave the castle and never offer him any resistance. No harm will ever come to him on account of you.”
“I would be happy to offer that, if it would work.”
“It’s worth a shot. He may be happy to see you go and w
ith my added encouragement, who knows?”
“I’ll try anything.”
“Good. Please be careful. Tread lightly around him. You don’t need him as your enemy.”
I didn’t bother telling her he already hated me, or that it was mutual.
My mother opened the door to leave and almost ran into Ida who stood with her hand raised to knock.
“Excuse me.” Ida allowed my mother to pass. She stepped into my room, closed the door, walked to my wardrobe and pulled out a nightgown.
In my current mood, I lacked any patience for her.
With my back to her, I lifted my hair. “Can you get my zipper?”
She unzipped my dress.
Though I didn’t want her negativity, I expected something. Her unusual silence and willingness to help me bordered on downright weird. I pulled on my nightgown.
“You sure are quiet tonight. No commentary for me? Nothing you’re dying to criticize?”
She shook her head then smiled. “You did it. You really stuck around.”
I rolled my eyes. “I told you I would.”
“You looked beautiful tonight. You and Liam make a good couple. It’s clear you make him happy.”
“Were you there tonight?’
“For a bit. Liam arranged it.” She wore a dreamy expression. “Such a perfect night. You’re very lucky.”
Was that Liam’s exchange for her help in our escape? I found it odd. She could have asked for almost anything. Why would she choose to attend a dinner here? Was she that intrigued by the lifestyle?
“Everything is not what it seems, you know.”
Her enchanted expression faded and she scowled. “Why are you so ungrateful?”
“Ungrateful? You don’t know the half of it, Ida. You’ve never bothered to look around and see what’s going on right in front of you. Come on. You see and hear enough to put things together.”
“Why? Why would you choose anything but this? Look around. At what you have, what you are given. Why would you choose anything else?”
“Ida, you see me in beautiful gowns, living in a castle with a handsome prince and you think life’s perfect. A real faerytale.” I shook my head. “But me, I look around and see nothing more than a gilded castle. This life isn’t magical. It’s not wonderful. It’s suffocating. I can’t love whom I want. I can’t live as I want. I can’t be who I want. That unhappiness you see in Liam, that’s not all brought on by me. Maybe he’s sad about our relationship, but the real source of his unhappiness is this.” I made a wide gesture with my hands.
“This life. The one you think is so perfect is making the people actually living it miserable. I’m not the enemy here, Ida. As much as you would love to believe that, I’m not the source of these problems. And, if you opened your eyes for five seconds and pulled back that veil of hate you have for me, you would see that.”
I stepped past her, stomped into the bathroom and slammed the door. My body trembled. Everything I’d kept bottled up had been released and the truth left me shaken.
I splashed cold water on my face, brushed my teeth and tried to calm down before exiting the bathroom. Ida might have left after my rant, but either way my emotions needed to be under control.
After several long deep breaths, I opened the door and stepped out.
Ida slumped in a chair with her head down and hands folded in her lap. “I’m sorry if I have misjudged you.” Then she darted from the room.
I stood a moment longer, staring at the closed door. A small smile crept onto my face. Ida had apologized. To me. It didn’t mean she liked me. It didn’t even mean she agreed with me, but it meant she was willing to accept the possibility of a bigger picture.
I crawled into bed and pulled the blankets to my chin. It had been a long, exhausting day. Sleep came quickly.
* * * *
“I don’t know, Kylie.” Conor scratched his head and leaned back in his chair.
“Please? You’re the only one who could do it. You could shift into a bird or something and find him.”
He rubbed the back of his neck, while contemplating taking my message to Grant.
“Maybe you could try,” Lexie offered. “If you can’t find him you could come back.”
“I don’t feel comfortable leaving you girls alone here.”
“We aren’t alone. We have Liam,” I said.
“I guess.” He ran his hand through his hair. “It’s really important?”
“Yes. He needs to know about the conversation I had with Alastar. I’m worried about him. I hoped the king would let him go since he had me, but now I’m scared he may increase his efforts to find him. Grant shouldn’t trust anyone, not even his guard friends. You and I both know if they find him, it’s not to bring him back.” The thought of someone hurting Grant while I was stuck inside this stupid castle gnawed at me.
“You’re right. Okay. I’ll do it. I have a few ideas where he might be hiding out.”
“Thank you, thank you.” I bounced in my seat.
“Yeah, yeah. We need to be careful about this. No one can know where I’m going. I’d hate to be the one to lead them right to him. I’ll shift a lot and hope no one picks up my trail.”
“I know you can do it,” I said.
“Me too,” Lexie added.
Even though I wouldn’t see Grant, Conor giving him my message and hopefully bringing me one back, thrilled me. “And tell him I miss him.”
He shook his head. “I’m so not passing love notes between you two.”
“Ooh, and tell him I love him.”
Conor sighed. “I tell him what he needs to know.”
“Thanks.”
The day, so far, had gone well. Maybe I’d find Liam, and get a Cara update. Then I’d have lunch with my friends and wait for Conor to get back.
As soon as I walked out to the foyer, a huge commotion surrounded me. A young guard rushed past and I stopped him.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
He looked around then whispered, “A guard has been killed.”
“What? Where?”
“In the garden.”
A chill crept over me. “Who?”
“His name’s Orin. I’m sorry I can’t say more. I shouldn’t be saying anything. Excuse me.”
He rushed away, leaving me standing in the middle of chaos, as my mind swirled.
Had I killed Orin?
Chapter 19
No. It couldn’t be. He was alive when I left him, still bound and trapped, but I had released his hands. A big guy like him would have been able to free himself. My heartbeat raced. Through my fear, I heard the commotion but couldn’t move as I tried to recall if he’d freed his hands. I’d loosened the bindings, and he’d been wiggling. But did he get free? Did I suffocate him?
“Why, dear Kyla, you look absolutely pallid. Something wrong?” Alastar stood in front of me with a wicked grin.
I wanted to smack it off his face, but didn’t have the energy for him.
“I’m sure you heard about Orin. Tragic really. Funny how you were the last person to see him. Alive.”
No. I didn’t kill him. Not bothering to play his games, I rushed past Alastar, needing to find Liam. Now. I pounded on his bedroom door. The minute it opened, I practically fell into his room.
“Kylie? What’s going on?”
“I-I couldn’t, didn’t–”
“Okay, slow down.” He ushered me to a chair. “Tell me what’s going on.”
“Orin’s dead.”
“The guard?”
My tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth as I nodded.
“I’m sorry to hear that. Were you two friends?”
“No, quite the opposite. I couldn’t stand the guy.”
Liam shifted his weight. “Wh–”
“But I didn’t mean to kill him.”
His eyes doubled in size. “Wait, what?”
“In the garden. He cornered me and wouldn’t let me pass. I was mad. I wanted to teach him a lesson, but not
this. No, not this.” My stomach heaved and bile rose in my throat. I’d left him to die. It was inhumane and even he didn’t deserve that. “Oh God, what have I done?”
“You killed him? Like, murder?”
“It was an accident, sort of, but I didn’t mean for him to die.”
“Kylie, you aren’t a murderer. I think you need to start from the beginning.”
I stared at him for a moment and repeated the events in my mind. I didn’t want to talk about it, relive it. Especially now that I knew how it had ended.
Liam waited.
“Remember a while back when I told you a guard gave me a hard time in the hallway? It was Orin. That night with Grant, I forced Orin to drink half a bottle of ambrosia wine, charmed him into thinking he’d freed Grant and left him. Well, I ran into him last night. He wouldn’t let me pass. Oh God. I’m gonna be sick.” I buried my head in my palms.
Liam grabbed a glass of water and urged me to drink some. “What happened in the garden?”
“He stood there, blocking me, threatening me. He said he knew I was involved in Grant’s escape and he couldn’t stop thinking about me. I told him to leave me alone, but he refused. So I used magic.”
Liam urged me to continue.
“I shook the ground until he fell, bound him with roots and entrapped him with moss. I threatened to bury him alive, but I didn’t. I wouldn’t do that. You know I wouldn’t, right? I wanted to scare him. I loosened his bindings and then left him to free himself.”
“Okay, so why do you think you murdered him?”
“He never came out. I don’t know what happened. I wanted to give myself time to get into the castle. So, I didn’t free him completely, but then I ran into your father and we talked. He had enough time then. He should have come out.” I bit my lip too hard and winced. A coppery taste filled my mouth.
“Wait? My father?”
“Yeah, he saw me use my power. Which was bad, but this…”
“What did my father say to you?”
“He hinted about the oracle. Asked me about magic. I didn’t say much. Aislinn came out and the conversation ended.”
“So when you left Orin, he was alive, correct?”
I nodded.
“But he never came out from where you’d left him while you talked to my father?”
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