Coralina (The Nine Princesses Novellas Book 2)

by Anita Valle

  The sound returned to startle her again: a heavy, scraping groan from somewhere over her head. Coralina looked at the ceiling. Maelyn? Though each princess had her own chamber, they couldn’t fit all on one level. Seven princesses slept on the third floor, minus the eldest and youngest. Maelyn slept on the fourth floor, in a vast chamber near their parents’ former rooms. And Arialain had chosen a tiny tower far above the others.

  Another groan. Coralina kicked off the covers. She’d have no further sleep until she knew why Maelyn was moving her furniture around. In the middle of the night.

  Chapter 12

  Coralina lit a candle and carried it upstairs. Maelyn answered the knock, her face scrunched with apology. She knew she had woken Coralina.

  “I can’t find Father’s journal,” said Maelyn, her voice stretched thin with anxiety. Coralina followed her into the chamber, wincing at the blazing light. Maelyn had every torch and candle burning strong.

  The chamber looked as if a dragon had crashed through it. Cabinets hung open, trunks were toppled, garments and shoes littered the floor. Large pieces of furniture had been shifted and carpets curled back. The mattresses on Maelyn’s bed lay stripped and askew.

  “Holy Shoulders,” said Coralina. “Did you look in the library?”

  “Yes.” Maelyn stared at the mess with one hand pressed to her forehead. “It’s not there. I’ll check the other chambers in the morning. Maybe one of our sisters borrowed it and forgot to tell me.”

  Coralina didn’t think so. They all knew the journal’s contents. Father had used it sparingly, usually to record a special event. He wrote his entries like stories and later read them to his children. The story of when he met Runa, their mother. The story of the terrible plague that massacred most of the known world. The story of finding his nine daughters as he travelled in search of a cure. Coralina knew her own story by heart.

  The king came to Bella Reino, an island realm of blazing skies and dazzling plants. On the sizzling beach, a haggard old woman watched a cluster of children play in the seawater and the king learned these were her grandchildren, all of whose parents had perished in the plague. Eleven boys, and one small girl merely two years of age, nearly hidden beneath a tangle of curls. When the king proposed raising the girl as his own, the weary woman said ‘Take her! Though I warn you, she’s much to manage. Terrorizes the boys until they do her bidding and I expect she’ll do the same to you.’ The king beckoned to the girl, who pointed at his gold crown and refused to come forward until he offered it to her. She planted the crown in her dark hair and laughed, allowing the king to lift her in his arms. Her eyes were of the deepest violet, like sunset over the sea, and the king knew he had found a jewel.

  Coralina loved her story. And the old woman was wrong. She’d never been much to manage.

  “When did you read it last?” said Coralina. Maelyn’s brow furrowed. “Maybe two months ago. Just before Uncle Jarrod came....” She sat very still, as though struck by a thought.

  “The trunks.”

  Only weeks beforehand, Maelyn had been taken away by Uncle Jarrod, King of Grunwold, seemingly to arrange her marriage. When his plans turned out to be much more devious, Maelyn had thwarted him and escaped, but she’d left three trunks of belongings behind in his carriage.

  “Willow fetched the trunks from Grunwold,” said Maelyn. “And I put everything away. But I don’t remember putting away the journal. I think it never came back and I just didn’t notice.”

  Coralina sat on the bed beside her. “But that means Uncle Jarrod dug through your trunks and kept the journal. Why should he want it? He cares nothing for our birth stories.”

  “Oh, he cares,” said Maelyn. “He hates our birth stories. He thinks we don’t deserve to be princesses because we weren’t born royal. He even hinted at replacing me with some kind of ‘new king’. I don’t see how the journal would aid him in this, but....”

  Coralina shrugged. She couldn’t see Uncle Jarrod as an enemy, not when she’d always been his favorite niece. “Get the journal back, then. Send Willow to Grunwold, or go yourself.” She gave a sly smile. “Or go together. Somehow I think you’d enjoy that.”

  Maelyn looked like a deer caught in the garden, stiff and startled. “How... how....”

  “Oh, no, no, no. My questions first.” Coralina grinned. “When did it start?”

  Maelyn, who never fidgeted, was fidgeting. “Just after I escaped from Uncle Jarrod. Did you tell anyone?”

  Coralina hesitated. “Well, only Jaedis.”

  “Only Jaedis!” Maelyn nearly shouted. “Coco! You know telling Jaedis means telling the whole kingdom!”

  “Holy Shoulders, Mae! It’s nothing!” Coralina laughed and gripped Maelyn’s arms. “You shouldn’t be ashamed.”

  “I – I’m not.” Maelyn twisted the lacey hem of her nightdress. “I’m just... not ready... for everyone to know.”

  Coralina was wondering how Maelyn had snared Willow. She wasn’t attractive – at least, not remarkably so. If only she’d do more with her wavy brown hair rather than pinning it up. Nothing about her would stop a man in his tracks. Yet Willow had fallen for her.

  Coralina cocked her head; her voice dropped to a murmur. “He’s a rare gem, Maelyn. Tall and blonde. Heart-stopping smile. If I had such a man, I’d wear him like a brooch. I’d parade him through the kingdom. Let everyone see what a prize I’ve caught.”

  Maelyn was leaning away as if she thought Coralina would strike her.

  “In fact, I’m hoping he’ll join the play,” Coralina went on. “I need three knights. Though his story ends sadly, I’m afraid.” She stopped for a large yawn. “Ugh! I’m wilting, Mae.” She slid off the bed and goose-stepped over the disheveled floor. “We’ll find the journal tomorrow.”

  “Oh. The journal.” Maelyn sounded as if she’d forgotten. Coralina tugged the door open.

  “Coco?” said Maelyn.

  “Hmm?” Coralina turned around, one hand on the latch.

  Maelyn’s eyes flickered as though considering her words. “Coco....” She took a deep breath and spoke quickly. “Coco, please don’t try to take him from me.”

  Chapter 13

  “Noble knight, do you love me?” Coralina called from the top of the tower.

  “Truly, I do,” said Willow. “I love you as the stars love the night, as the grasses love the meadow, and as the waves love the sea.”

  “Oh hogs,” Heidel moaned at the other end of the stage.

  Coralina ignored her. “Prove your love,” she challenged the knight. “Brave the beasts which dwell within this tower and fetch me to safety.”

  Willow jabbed the air with a wooden sword. “Neither pain nor peril shall sway my course!” He climbed the first step toward her. “To be honest, I’m more afraid of these barrels,” he muttered.

  Coralina dropped the arm that held the script. “Willow!” she rebuked, laughing.

  “They wobble!” said Willow. The tower prop had not yet been delivered by Gord. Coralina had stacked small barrels to form a makeshift staircase leading to her “tower”, a single large barrel. It did feel precarious up there.

  They stood on a small stage at one end of the ballroom, which twice a year served as their theater. Holding out his arms for balance, Willow moved up another step. “What do I say next? Something about-”

  “Blaaarg!” Jaedis leapt up from behind the stack of barrels, her fingers curled like claws. Startled, Willow tripped on the barrels and they toppled beneath his feet. He pitched against Jaedis and the two crashed to the floor, barrels rolling off the stage.

  Willow and Jaedis burst with loud laughter.

  “Ugh.” Coralina hopped off her barrel. “The Noble Knight has to reach the third step. Then the goblin – Jaedis – lunges out the window and drags him into the tower. Once he’s inside, I want you both to make loud chomping noises, so the audience can hear him being chewed up.”

  Jaedis shook with squeaky giggles. “It’s too funny! I won’t be able to do it
!”

  “Pick up the barrels and try again,” said Coralina, scooping one up.

  “Oh, not again, Coco.” Heidel peaked out of her gypsy tent. “I have to start supper.”

  “Yes.” Maelyn spoke up. “I think you’ve rehearsed long enough.”

  A small group stood before the stage, watching the scene between Willow and Coralina. Maelyn, looking none too pleased, Kerrick, looking none too pleased, and Arialain. Though the youngest princess shied from performing on stage, she enjoyed watching the others.

  Coralina sat on the edge of the stage, letting her feet dangle. She waved a careless hand while hovering over her script. “Go, then. We’ll do more tomorrow.”

  They all headed for the door but Kerrick hung behind. He hopped up to sit beside Coralina. “Are you sure we need that Willow fellow?” he muttered. “I don’t like the way he looks at you.”

  “You always say that.” Coralina didn’t look up from her script.

  “You... are true to me, aren’t you, Coco?” Kerrick asked. “I sometimes hear rumors. About a prince called Luxley-”

  “Oh Kerrick!” Coralina laughed and nudged him with her elbow. “How can you listen to gossip? You know it’s always false!”

  “No. Not always,” said Kerrick. “I’ve also heard-”

  “Here.” Coralina plopped the script on his lap. “Help me with the play. The ending still isn’t working.” She flipped to the last page and leant her cheek on his shoulder. His red tunic felt uncommonly smooth and she drew back to look at it. “Is that... satin?”

  Kerrick smiled as he read. “I thought you wouldn’t notice. The boots are new too.” He raised one foot to show her the polished leather, much like a nobleman would wear.

  Coralina’s eyebrows lifted. “Your shop is prospering.” She’d never seen a baker dressed so well. Not a fleck of flour on him.

  Kerrick looked up from the script. “I see nothing wrong here. It ends much the same as your other plays.”

  “That’s what’s wrong,” said Coralina. “It’s what everyone will expect. The hero to save me, declare his love, and we live happily ever after.”

  “Well, if that’s what’s expected – do the opposite.”

  Coralina hadn’t thought of that. The opposite? How? As she pondered this, her eyes fell to Kerrick’s hand, to a garnet ring glistening on his finger. “Your shop is thriving!”

  Kerrick grinned and flicked the script aside. “Yes, I met some wealthy patrons. Perhaps I can buy a castle, just selling bread.”

  Coralina laughed. When she and Kerrick were younger than twelve, they had tried to run away together. They reached the abbey in Merridell and asked for a friar to marry them. The abbot, smiling, took them to the chapel, saying he would return shortly. He disappeared for an hour.

  And returned with the queen.

  The queen silenced Coralina’s arguments by telling her she couldn’t marry without a proper wedding dress. To Kerrick she was less patient. He was the son of a baker. He could not marry a princess unless he owned a castle. He would never buy a castle, selling bread. Coralina remembered the rebellious burn in Kerrick’s eyes.

  “You swore you’d be richer than the king one day,” said Coralina.

  “Rich enough to marry a princess, at least,” Kerrick pushed back her hair to kiss her ear. “By summer, Coco. I won’t wait any longer.”

  Coralina tensed but Kerrick didn’t seem to notice. His kisses made a path across her cheek. “Kerrick,” said Coralina, but he sank onto her lips, stopping her words. His arms slid around her, clutching her possessively. Coralina slumped in submission.

  “Pardon me, Coco.”

  Coralina snapped away from Kerrick. Arialain stood in the doorway, her gaze glued to the floor.

  “What?” Coralina asked sharply.

  “The tower is here,” said Arialain.

  Chapter 14

  The tower was perfect. Fifteen feet tall, sturdy and square, a plank staircase hugging the outer walls, and two tall windows for the monsters. Gord had even built a small parapet on top to prevent Coralina from falling off.

  “I love it!” Coralina clasped her hands. “Splendid work, Gord! Masterfully done.”

  “Thank you, Princess.” Gord had delivered the tower in a wide cart drawn by two mules. Kerrick helped haul the tower into the castle and onto the stage. He seemed disgruntled by Gord’s arrival and left soon after.

  “I want to be Queen!” said Pipsy who’d come with her father. Gord laughed. “Go on, climb up.” Pipsy thumped up the stairs and sat on top of the tower. She still carried the golden doll.

  “She’s been queen of this tower all week.” Gord smiled. “She’ll miss it now.” He opened the coin purse that hung on his belt and drew something out. “Here. I think you wanted this.”

  “The owl!” Coralina took the small carving in her hands. Though unpainted and unpolished, it amazed her how natural the owl looked. “You said it was for Pipsy.”

  “It was,” said Gord. “She had it two days, then cast it aside. Pipsy likes watching me carve the animals more than playing with them afterward.”

  “We once had a cook that made animals for me. Out of candy.” Coralina smiled. Between the tower and the owl, she found it difficult to be mad at Gord. She summoned a few memories to coax her feelings back to hostility. Battered Luxley beneath the swing. Frigid water that ruined her silk gown. Dangling upside down as Gord carried her to the castle. The look in his eyes....

  She sat on the tower steps and let the owl hang limp in her hand. “I suppose you want your money,” she said coldly.

  “When you can spare it, my lady.” He stared at the floor, which irked Coralina. She was accustomed to men looking at her. Even if he saw a smudge, she had to be an attractive smudge!

  “How could you build the tower if you can’t see?” she asked.

  “I work very close to it,” said Gord. “But it can’t last. Don’t think I’ll be a carpenter much longer.” His expression was calm, composed of tired resignation. “Come, Pipsy. Time to go.”

  “Not yet!” Coralina waved at the barrels. “Sit, Gord. I have something to ask you.”

  “Yes, my lady.” Gord straightened a small barrel and sat heavily. He wore a massive tunic, dark green, over brown trousers. His hair was wind-rumpled and he clutched a worn cap in his fingers. Coralina found herself noticing his hands. Course and calloused, naturally, but terribly strong-looking. The kind of hands that could squeeze water from a stone.

  She told him about the play and the part she hoped he’d take. Gord looked surprised at first, then bewildered. “Don’t see how I could, my lady. I can’t see.”

  “If you can judge where the tower is, and where I am, that will be enough.”

  “Why me?” Gord asked.

  This was a stumbling block. Because I’m using this play to get revenge on you for clobbering my favorite lover and dumping me into the lake. No, that wouldn’t do.

  “You have a heroic stature,” said Coralina. “The audience will appreciate your size and strength. Only a powerful man could defeat the monsters.” Her eyes dropped with pretended shyness “And... and I want you to be my hero. No one else.”

  When she lifted her eyes, she found Gord staring at her with the expression that turned her insides to icicles. And she knew, unmistakably, what she had struggled to read in his eyes.

  “When I get you off the tower, will I be expected to kiss you?” Gord asked.

  Pipsy giggled above their heads.

  Coralina fumbled with the owl in her fingers. “W-well, just a little.... I mean if you don’t-”

  “No kiss.” said Gord. “I’ll do the play for Pipsy’s enjoyment. But I won’t kiss you. Under no circumstances.”

  Anger roiled through Coralina but she couldn’t grip her words. She gave a short nod, moving aside as Pipsy bounced down the stairs. Once Gord had departed, Coralina ripped the last page from her script, crumpled it, flung it behind her, and tromped off the stage in search of a pen.

/>   Now she knew how to end her play.

  Chapter 15

  “Contempt,” said Coralina.

  Maelyn looked up from her supper. “What, Coco?”

  “When Gord looks at me,” said Coralina. “Utter, absolute contempt.” The last word came through her teeth.

  “He hates you?” Arialain asked. She sat with the younger princesses at the far end of the table.

  “Contempt is more than hate.” Heidel sliced her veal chops into strips on a silver plate. “It’s also disrespect. He hates her and he has no respect for her.”

  “Thank you.” Coralina glowered at Heidel. It didn’t help that none of her sisters seemed outraged or even surprised.

  “What do you expect, Coco?” Maelyn asked, her tone annoyingly maternal. “You must know you have a reputation.”

  Coralina shrugged. “Not a bad one.”

  Jaedis giggled. “Well, not a good one either! Half the men in the kingdom say they’ve kissed you at one time or other!”

  “And you believe them?” Coralina snapped.

  “Not all of them!” Jaedis laughed. “Certainly not the haymaker! He said he shirked his labor one day and the two of you hid inside a haystack, kissing until sundown.”

  Coralina kept her eyes on her plate. At sundown she had spent an hour extracting bits of straw from her hair.

  Heidel smirked. “And don’t forget the knights of Lumen Fortress.”

  Coralina groaned. Last year, the nine princesses had journeyed to Grunwold to visit their uncle. For safety they’d been accompanied by six knights from Lumen Fortress, a stronghold near the kingdom’s border. Coralina hadn’t meant to flirt… at least not with all six. But by the time they reached Grunwold, the knights were nearly killing each other for her. After Coralina rejected six offers of marriage, the knights were heartbroken, Maelyn was furious, and the journey home had been fiercely uncomfortable.