I assessed myself in the large mirror and felt satisfied. I turned to meet Alder’s gaze. He looked so light again this morning. The happiest I had ever seen him.
I grabbed the letter from the desk and we walked out to meet the rescue party.
Jakken was standing in the sun outside the palace, adjusting his belt that held a long sword. Noah and the others were strapping things in various places as well. I realized they had numerous weapons on them. They looked more suited for war than for a rescue mission. I frowned as I approached them.
“I hope you don’t plan to use those weapons on Leo,” I scowled.
“Of course not, my Lady, but the Labyrinth is a dangerous place. We have to be prepared,” Jakken replied.
I huffed. “I made it just fine with only a dagger.”
“Well, we can’t all be as talented as you,” he said with a smirk. I raised an eyebrow at his comment, his attempt at flattery. I walked closer to him, letting my power reach out. It covered him in an instant, and I saw a flush cross his face.
“Bring him back to me, unharmed,” I ordered. He nodded, his eyes glazing over with my power. I pulled back the power.
He knelt before me and swore. “Yes, my lady.”
I knew then that this man would forever serve me. I smiled and reached my power out to the other three. It slid over them, each of their faces becoming fixed on me as it hit them. They were unsuspecting, not realizing what I was doing. Maybe it was wrong, but I really didn’t give a fuck. I needed their loyalty. This was too important of a mission to leave to chance.
“Don’t keep me waiting,” I commanded. My power surged over them as I gave the order. I pulled it back, and they joined Jakken on their knees, swearing their fealty. I wasn’t entirely sure what my power had just done, but I knew they would obey me now without question. The thought sent a thrill down my spine. I handed Jakken the letter. He took it while keeping his eyes down at my feet.
I turned to Alder, a wicked smile on my face. He glowed golden, a crooked smile on his face and fire in his eyes.
I kept my head held high as I walked past him and back to the palace.
Chapter 36
Minka and Benci were standing in the doorframe of the palace as I approached. I was still feeling immensely powerful, my eyes rising to meet Benci’s without a hint of insecurity.
His face was hard. His dark eyes glinted in the morning sun. He held my gaze as I came closer to them.
“I brought you coffee.” Minka said, holding out a ceramic mug with a smile. I evaluated the dark liquid in the cup.
“Coffee? I’ve never had coffee.” I said to her, taking the mug from her hands and letting my eyes drop from his gaze. I raised the cup to my nose, inhaling the sweet bitterness steaming up. My mouth watered.
Alder came up behind me, his hand grazing my lower back.
“Be careful with that stuff, it’s addicting,” he said with a laugh.
I huffed and took a first sip. Its warmth filled my mouth, creamy roasted deliciousness.
“Fuck, this is good.” I said to Minka. Benci scowled at me.
“What, I can’t say fuck?” I said to him, rolling my eyes. His face didn’t move.
“If you’re done, we are on a tight schedule,” he said.
I gave Minka a look. She just shrugged her shoulders. I was regretting saying yes to this tour.
“I have some boring city budget things to deal with today. Come find me after you’re done.” Alder said, kissing me on my temple before walking around us and through the open doors.
My eyes followed him as he left, wishing we could have spent the day holed up together in his room. The memories of last night came to me, flooding my cheeks with a redness.
Then Benci cleared his throat impatiently.
This motherfucker. I narrowed my eyes at him. His piss poor personality certainly had taken away from his impeccable physique. I wondered how an ass like him ended up second in command here. It was such a contrast to Alder’s warm demeanor.
He turned and walked away. Minka wrapped an arm around my shoulder and pulled me along. I took another sip of the coffee.
“We have six stationed guards at the two main entrances of the palace.” Benci started, Minka listening intently. She unwrapped her arm from me and strode forward to stand next to Benci as we walked. Of course I was already familiar with the main entrance, the large arch with a throne at the end. Jinx seemed to get the most use of that throne as a comfy spot to nap. I’d never even seen Alder glance at it.
We took a left, the opposite way from Alder’s wing of the palace where his bedroom lay. The hall had the same stained glass on one side and open windows on the other side, except the open windows overlooked the city below instead of the sea.
“Then each wing has four guards that make rounds every hour…” he continued. I was bored already.
The tour took hours and was significantly less exciting than I had expected. Basically, the palace was well guarded. Minka was pleased with her review. I learned she was head of all things security and safety for the palace, but because of her traversing to get me, Benci had been running it for a few weeks.
The palace was massive, the tour did not help. It would take weeks of exploring to remember everything.
The left wing had branched off into several other wings with numerous floors. They contained many incredible things. I found a massive three story library, an indoor swimming pool, a kitchen that could easily cook for hundreds, even a large playroom for children. Though, I hadn’t seen any children here yet.
Then there were halls and halls of bedrooms. Minka and Jubilee had their own floor which held a large open apartment. Benci also had his own floor, though we did not enter his rooms. Then there appeared to be three more floors with bedrooms for other important court members and staff.
I noticed Benci was kind to Minka. He didn’t give her those hard looks or smush his mouth into a flat line whenever she talked. Apparently, he reserved that behavior only for me. Several times throughout the tour he narrowed his eyes at a comment I had, a dark line forming in his brow as he did. The enchantress was enraged.
I tried my powers on him three more times, but he didn’t even flinch, didn’t even notice. Zero changes. Frustration built up inside of me, my insides twisting with rage. She saw him as a challenge. And I realized she, no I—, was playing a dangerous game.
“Are you ok?” Minka asked, as we were finishing and walking back towards Alder’s wing.
“I’m fine,” I said tersely.
“You don’t look fine. You look like you need some tension released. I would assume Alder had been doing a good job at that but…”
I gave her a look. She grinned back at me. I realized she was trying to make me laugh. A small smile broke on my face.
“There we go,” she said with a chuckle.
“He’s just… he’s immune to my powers,” I whispered. He was several steps ahead of us, not paying any attention.
“It’s not just you, he’s immune to all magic.”
“What? How can that be? What is he?”
“He’s… he has an internal shield of sorts. A gift from his mother,” she said softly, her steps slowing to keep us out of earshot.
“Who was his mother?”
“A very powerful mage. Perhaps the most powerful who ever lived.”
“What happened to her?”
“She died in the Great War.” Her eyes shifted back and forward, her face turned down.
“That— That’s impossible. That would make him at least a thousand years old,” I said, trying to keep my voice down, but the astonishment was clear. How could a human live that long?
She nodded.
“I thought he wasn’t a warlock? Jubilee said he wasn’t?”
“He’s not. He is human, but when his mother cast the shield on him, it also gave him eternal life. Actually, he’s at least three thousand years old.”
Three thousand years old?
“Eternal
life? That’s not possible.”
“Well it seems like it is so far,” she shrugged.
“Why would someone that old, that eternal, choose to serve under Alder? He might as well be a child compared to him.” I asked.
She shrugged. “He thinks he’s a good ruler. He doesn’t want the crown for himself.”
I straightened, watching him as he walked ahead of us. His back was ram-rod straight, his walk slow as if he had all the time in the world. As if he had already seen everything that this world could ever offer him. I felt sad for him.
“That must be a lonely existence. To live that long.” I said.
Her eyes turned to mine quizzically.
“You could live that long, longer even. There’re no limits to your life either Val.”
Panic rushed through me, and I stopped dead in my tracks. I couldn’t even imagine a life that went on that long. The pain it must have cost him. My palms turned sweaty, a sheen forming on my forehead.
“What? I could live three thousand years? That’s not possible that’s—” I stuttered. My heart pounded, my hand going to my chest.
“I’m sorry. That was too much to put on you today. Let’s take you back. You look like you need a nap,” she said concerned, her hands going to my now sticky arm.
I nodded, feeling nauseous. Three thousand years? I couldn’t comprehend it.
She led me back to Alder’s room as I tried to settle the rising anxiety. I plopped down on a lounge chair as Minka placed a cool wet rag on my forehead to help me calm down.
“Take a nap and just relax, everything will be ok,” Minka said. She squeezed my hand with reassurance before leaving. “When you feel better we can get some lunch.”
“Thank you, Minka,” I said as she walked away.
I’d never had anyone take care of me like that before, to help me through my anxiety. It felt good to know I was not alone.
But if I lived three thousand years, that meant I would live to see her die. To see Jubilee die. To see Leo die.
I felt nauseous again as the anxiety and fear crawled back up my throat. I closed my eyes and tried to breathe.
Chapter 37
I didn’t nap, I couldn’t get my mind to stop racing. I went out on the terrace instead, plopping myself down on the cozy lounger from last night. The salty sea breeze washed over me as I looked out over the blue waters.
I was supposed to find Alder after we had finished, but I couldn’t bring myself to get up. The stretch of a long life weighed heavily on my shoulders. When Alder had told me before that I would have an extended life, I hadn’t quite realized what that meant.
A bit over a thousand years maybe, and that was torturous enough. I could barely take twenty-one years of this world. But three thousand?
I stood up and looked down at the city sprawling before me. I felt the urge to explore it. To walk its streets not next to Alder, but as myself. To pretend I was the Valeria from last week, just regular mortal Val. I needed to clear my head.
I walked into the bedroom and peeled off the long dress. There was a stack of regular pants and shirts laid on a vanity nearby. Alder must have had them made for our trip, dresses not being very practical for trekking through the Labyrinth.
I pulled on a navy shirt and a pair of tan pants. They fit perfectly. I strapped my dagger sheath to my thigh, slipped a few coins in my pocket, and left.
I padded down the hallway quietly, surprised that there were no staff or court members hanging about. I considered telling Alder where I was going, but he might take it as an invitation, and with my head still swimming, I needed to be alone for this.
When I reached the palace doors, two staff stood by and opened it for me. I gave them a nod and a smile, hoping they would remember me and let me back in when I returned.
I walked out and stared down the long staircase. The wind whipped my hair back, the smell of the salt filled my nose. I took in a large breath and started down the thousand stairs. I was feeling better already.
When I finally reached the bottom, I debated which way to go. Left was the way we came when we had arrived, right was all new territory. I went right.
The houses were smaller on this street. The shutters on their windows were open to the breeze. I could look into each one as I passed. They were simple, but still much richer than most in Villam. Their walls were made of stone and their roofs were made of granite slabs slanting downward. Despite the cold exterior, the insides look warm and inviting. I saw hearths open with glinting flames. Mothers washed clothes in sinks with running water. Children ran in and out of the open doors, giggling as they sprinted past me. It was full of life and love.
I imagined how my life would have been if I had been raised here instead. Why didn’t Alder leave me here in Labyrinth City? Where had he found me in the first place? He could have raised me himself if he wanted to, though I was very glad he did not choose that option now. The questions piled up inside. I would ask him when I returned.
I came to a turn and saw one direction held more houses while the other held vendors. I turned to the vendors. Their little shops were wooden with various colored cloth serving as a roof as they sold and traded to passerbyers.
The first booth was selling silk scarves. They were golden and lavender, pastel pink and cream orange, baby blue and sage green. I ran my hands over them in awe.
“Would the lovely lady like one?” the woman said. She was middle-aged. Her skin was pruned from the sun and sea, her beige hair was tied back with a red scarf.
“How much are they?”
“15 silvers a piece.”
I picked up the lavender one, wrapping it around me as I handed her the coin. She took the coins and dropped them loudly in a metal container below her stand.
“It looks heavenly on you. Be sure to tell people where you got it when they ask.” She winked.
“Of course, thank you,” I said with a smile.
I kept walking and came across a booth that had no goods set out. The cloth roof was a deep purple with golden stars sewn on it. An old lady sat there, waiting for someone to approach. I was intrigued, so I stepped up to her.
“Now what is the Queen doing at my booth?” she said. Her eyes white as stone. Blind, I realized.
“I am no Queen.” I said warily, assessing how she could possibly see me, let alone know me.
She chuckled. “But you will be. The greatest Queen to ever walk this earth.”
I swallowed hard. “How would you know that?”
“Give me your palm.”
I stretched my hand out to her slowly, debating. She took it in hers, her fingers tracing lines on my palm. Her white eyes stared straight ahead, like she was looking straight through me.
“Your past, humble beginnings. A Queen raised on the streets. Men who love her. Men who fear her.”
“Yes, I raised myself. It’s not been the easiest years,” I said defensively.
“You have a gift, a temptress of men. They will do anything for you, won’t they?” My breath caught in my throat as she laughed.
“Your future… my my…”
“What is it? Tell me,” I demanded.
“You will be Queen, for many years.” She ran a wrinkled finger down one long line.
“You will have many loves,” she said as she felt along another long line, tracing each branch that flowed out of it.
“And you will mourn them all.”
Her face scrunched up into a wicked laugh. A guttural cackle radiated out of her throat. I pulled my hand back quickly, wrenching my body away from her.
I ran, no sprinted, away from her. The cackling echoing after me. Tears filled my eyes, blurring my vision as I went.
I finally stopped, catching my breath and leaning against the side of a stone house. Tears dripped down my face, landing on my shirt in heavy drops. My chest shook with my exhales. My heart twisted in my chest, pain shooting through me. Anxiety filled me. It was cracking through every crevice. My hard exterior was nothing but a s
hell, a facade to hide my fear. The truth shone through, threatening to leave me a sobbing mess in these streets.
It was just an old croon, it’s not real. She was trying to scare me. You won’t be alone, you won’t be alone.
I heaved against the cold stone, trying to calm myself. Her words had hit me right where I was most vulnerable. The fear of loss, the fear of my long life, the fear of love, the fear of being alone. And more than anything, a part of me that was terrified to face itself. Leo. Alder. Daemion. Benci.
How many more men would I be drawn to? How many more would I have to face my feelings for, or lack thereof. My enchantress wanted them all, craved them as if they were snacks to her. But my heart, my mind, wanted only Alder. I would have to break Leo’s heart. I needed to push away the thoughts of Daemion and his blue eyes. I had to stop caring that Benci was immune to me. All of it was just a game to her, to me. But not Alder. I couldn’t let it be just a game of lust with him. He had so quickly become everything to me. My savior. My escape. My friend. My love.
Could I love only him? With this man-eating enchantress inside of me? It hadn’t been enough for Leo, I couldn’t love him like he wanted me to. With Alder, I desperately wanted, no, needed it to be enough.
But if she was right…
A loud crash broke me from my thoughts, pulling me back to reality. Screams erupted around me, people running down the street and away from something. I looked to see what was causing the commotion. I squinted, trying to see past the crowd. Adrenaline raced through my veins, my enchantress on high alert.
Then another explosion happened. I saw a house several yards away from me burst into flames. Men in black hoods walked solemnly down the street behind the crowd. They held long blades, their faces shrouded in darkness. Dragons glinted on their chest.
The Brotherhood.
I debated, should I run or face them? It would be easy to turn and get lost in the crowd. But how many more homes would they burn? How many people would get hurt if I didn’t?
The Labyrinth King (The Labyrinth Series Book 1) Page 20