by Blue Saffire
“A fire rose? The roses in the garden. Yes, I remember those.” He rubs his forehead. “Vaguely, but I remember them.”
I move closer and place a hand on his shoulder. “Rest. We will get to the bottom of this.”
Blaise
I toss the sphere across the room and smash it. I had only wanted to make sure Argon made it to his father and healed him. I did not expect to find him with the arms of another around him.
Sinking to my knees, I cover my face and start to sob. I’ve fallen in love like a fool. I never thought about his betrothed back home. I’d forgotten about her.
Why wouldn’t he go back to her? I allowed those dreams to fool me into thinking I had something with him. It doesn’t matter now.
“Oh, honey. Please stop crying,” Ms. Posh says, causing me to lift my head to look at her.
“What are we going to do?”
She flies closer and palms my face with her tiny hand. With the flick of her wrist a cup of tea appears. I hold the warm cup in my hands.
“We’re going to do what we always do. We’re going to survive. It’s all going to work out, it always does.”
“Have you seen the rose? The petals are almost gone. We’ll remain like this forever,” I cry.
“You, my dear, haven’t seen the way that man looked at you. He will return. I don’t believe you’re the only one that fell in love.”
I turn away from her so she can’t look into my eyes. I’m ashamed of myself for falling for him. I’m even embarrassed by the dreams.
“He has someone. He didn’t fall in love with me and I can’t be sure if I fell in love with him or a dream,” I murmur.
“Dream?”
I blush. “I’ve been dreaming of him. He comes to me and… things happen.”
Ms. Posh chortles. “Blaise, let me show you something.”
I lift to my feet and follow her into my closet. She leads me to the full-length mirror. I look at her in confusion.
“Remove your cloak, princess.” I do as she says. “I didn’t want to point it out when I helped you bathe. You’re a grown woman.”
She flies closer and points to my neck, then flies down to my breast. I gasp when I see the marks she points out for me. Moving closer to the mirror, I finger the blemish on my neck.
I release a gasp. “No.”
“Yes, my dear. Those are marks of passion. You haven’t been dreaming of Argon. You’ve been with him.”
I stumble toward the chaise in my closet. Palming my forehead, I think of all the times I’ve been with him. They were all real?
“But in the dreams everything was so different. My body—” I shake my head. “I had normal legs and feet.”
“Princess. I don’t know if you have been in denial or if the castle hid his power from you, but he was special. I think something in your venom or something about his magic or a mix of it all caused you two to come together.
“Call it an answering of your heart’s desire. You both got what you wanted,” she says with a smile.
“Did we really?”
“Yes, dear, you did. He will return. Give it a little time.”
“But he can never come through again on his own. You know this.”
“I also know a fairy with a gift of time. You didn’t think we were going to let him leave here without a way back, did you?”
I give a small smile. “No, I guess not.”
Chapter 14
A New Plan
Coralo
“What are we going to do?”
Mother paces before me in our home with a scowl on her face. The king was on his deathbed this morning. Her plan was almost complete.
I don’t know what Argon did, but he restored the king seemingly effortlessly. He shouldn’t have been able to undo mother’s spell so easily, or so we thought.
“How did he do it?” She mumbles to herself still pacing.
“Argon is very powerful.”
“Yes, but he did it so quickly. He didn’t have time to figure out that spell to create a counter. His power has barriers,” she says waving me off.
“But the power of a Kunglig is still more powerful than any dark sorcery.”
I jump as she causes a wooden chair to fly across the room and shatter against the wall into a million spatters. Her anger is palatable. She’s been growing angrier each day as the king has resisted her magic.
Just like mother to underestimate those around her because she’s so overconfident in her own power. My father wasn’t nearly as useless as she made him seem. His greatest weakness was loving her.
“He’s back and that old fart looks healthier than ever. This changes everything,” mother seethes.
“He sealed the portal and from the sound of it, he didn’t slay the beast like you thought he would. You were so sure he would kill her for harming his father.”
Mother spins on me. Gold and black sparks of light begin to circle her hands. I take a step back. Her power has become unstable with the black magic she’s been using to try to poison the king.
I bite my tongue. I always say too much. It’s clear in her eyes that I’ve gained her ire.
“Thank you for stating the obvious, genius. She will be a beast forever soon. She’s the least of my worries. I need the king to drink another dose of the poison.”
“Mother, respectfully that ship has sailed. Did you not see the king? He looks way too strong for the poison to work. Didn’t you say that you needed him to go to that castle to weaken so the poison could take root?”
I hold my breath as her nostrils flare and she narrows her gaze on me. The magic circling her hands fades. She runs a hand over her hair.
“You’re right,” she mutters. I release a breath and sag my shoulders in relief. “I need to deal with them and that beast.”
“Argon doesn’t seem like he plans to go back to destroy her. Besides, he can’t return on his own.”
Mother scoffs and flips her long braids. Her brown eyes light up as she thinks her plan through. I note the moment her plan begins to take hold.
“Her time is coming. Once she has become a full beast, her powers will weaken once and for all and I’ll take care of her myself.
“That curse has always been problematic. The castle was meant to bond her not her visitors. Yet, she’s gotten stronger within those walls,” she murmurs more to herself.
“I know I altered the original curse properly. It had to be that silly enchantress. Perhaps I should’ve disposed of her after I fiddled with it.”
I shake my head at mother. Of course she didn’t do anything wrong. I roll my eyes. We have to fix this mess before we get caught.
“How do we unseal the portal? Argon has no reason to unseal it. Again, he doesn’t seem to want revenge,” I say.
The bitterness in my voice is clear even to my own ears. His anger when I mentioned that beast is still unsettling, as if he meant to protect her. It’s no secret that the prince has never wanted me as his soul match. He thinks I’m weak, just like mother does.
“He wears the answer to that. The pendant watch around his neck. I’ve seen one like it before. Once I get it in my hands, we can open the portal and he won’t be able to follow,” she says with renewed joy.
“I can get it.”
“No, it’s our only chance. I’ll handle this myself. Go do something with yourself. You look pale and frumpy. Bring some color to your cheeks and change your clothes. You’re still his fiancée.”
“Yes, mother.”
Chapter 15
Forbidden Pages
Argon
I’ve tossed and turned all night. My spirit link has pulsed greater for my soul match with every passing hour. Something is wrong, I just haven’t put my finger on it yet.
Agitated and restless, I toss the covers and get out of bed. It’s as if the soul link guides my steps as I grab a robe and exit my room. I find myself in the royal library.
When I stop before the hologram machine, my spirit roars. I knit my b
rows. Without thinking I type in the coding that comes to me.
I stare intently as an image begins to appear. A grand party appears before me. People dance around happily. As I look close, I realize I know the room. However, I can’t think for the life of me from where.
The hologram zeros in on a group of laughing women. The ones facing me have their faces painted. Some gold, others silver. The one with wild reddish brown curls catches my attention. My spirit roars loud and deep, I have to grit my teeth to keep from separating.
“Princess,” a woman calls.
As if in slow motion the one with the full springy curls turns. I inhale sharply as Blaise’s face comes into view. However, where the scars would be is bronze and gold paint.
No scars. She’s breathtaking as she smiles. The paint on her face causes me to long to see her the way I know her with her lava-like scars.
I pause the player and print the data file on this reel and all related files. I collect the pages and search for the reference numbers in the bound books section.
I get lost in the information until the sun rises. When the light starts to creep into the library, I’m fuming and determined to destroy the web of lies and magic that has been spun. I don’t know how, but we have all forgotten Blaise.
The daughter of King Basil of the kingdom of Puissance. A kingdom that has all but vanished from our history. It’s time I bring the princess home.
Chapter 16
True Match
Blaise
“Princess… Blaise.”
Peeking out from under my pillow, I groan when I find Hiasha, Soila, Ms. Posh, Dinesh and Bach floating above me. I roll onto my stomach and cover my head.
“We only want to check on you, dear,” Ms. Posh says.
I know that’s why they’re here. I haven’t moved from this bed in days. I can’t. It feels like my heart is truly broken in pieces. I also feel like I’m going to split in two or something.
That’s the biggest reason I refuse to move. It’s as if my soul is searching for something outside my body and I’m afraid if I move I will lose myself forever. I’m going out of my mind with this ache in my chest.
“Princess, princess, princess,” Dinesh says as he lands on my shoulder. He sits swing his feet until I turn my head to face him.
“What?”
“First, you reek,” he mumbles and falls on to his back as if he has fainted. I think hard about plucking him right off my shoulder. “Like really. This is unhealthy. Do you guys smell this room?”
“Dinesh, if you don’t shut your mouth,” Bach growls.
“I’m staying in bed. You all can go find something to do.”
“You’re not the only one about to lose everything,” Dinesh says.
“Ugh, we all know you will miss sex.” I huff.
“Yeah right,” Hiasha coughs into her hand.
Dinesh sits up and turns to look at her. I roll my eyes and hide my head under the pillow. I’m not in the mood for this.
“What’s that supposed to mean, you little brat?”
I swear I can hear Hiasha roll her eyes. “You think we never hear you and Soila when you two hide in the closet.”
“Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god,” Soila says. “I told you.”
“What? We’re grown and this isn’t about me. It’s about the princess. Thank you very much. I still think he’s coming back,” Dinesh says.
“Please tell me we’ll forget this day if he doesn’t return,” Soila groans.
“If I bathe will you all go away?” I grumble as I turn over and sit up.
“Hey,” Dinesh complains as he lands on the bed, falling off my shoulder with my quick motion.
“Maybe you’re getting slow in your old age,” Bach teases.
“Screw you and that little tight ass suit you’re wearing,” Dinesh tosses back.
“Everyone out.”
“But Princess. Your hair is a tangled mess. You will need us,” Ms. Posh says.
I reach to touch my hair and pout. It is a mess. I could use my magic to fix it, but I don’t want to be alone. The look in Ms. Posh’s eyes says she knows as much.
“Goodbye, Dinesh. Thanks for checking on me Bach,” I say.
“Soila,” Dinesh purrs. “Since our secret is out. How about a trip to our favorite closet?”
“Get out,” Soila hisses.
“It was worth the try.” I shake my head as Bach pushes Dinesh from the room.
Without the distraction, the ache in my chest returns. I look down into my lap and wonder what Argon is up to. I miss him and his voice. I wish he were here to make me laugh.
“This place was happier with him here,” Hiasha says.
“Yes, it was, but he will be back,” Ms. Posh says. “Come child. Let’s get you cleaned up. You don’t want to be a mess when he comes for you.”
I look over to the rose on the table and another petal falls. There are only three left. I close my eyes against the sight of the petal turning to ash.
“I don’t know if he shouldn’t bother at all.”
“He’ll be here. Don’t give up. It’s not like you,” Hiasha says.
“I agree,” Soila adds.
I blow out a breath and fall back on the bed. I don’t know who I am anymore. All I know is I ache for someone I don’t think I’ll ever see again.
“I want bubbles,” I say like a spoiled brat.
“You got it, Princess.”
Argon
I find it odd that no one remembers anything about the princess or the information I found about her and her kingdom. No one. Not even my father.
It’s as if she never existed at all. If I didn’t find the information for myself, I wouldn’t believe it either. I refuse to forget it now that I do know.
All I need is the thread that links Helenier to Blaise’s disappearance and the mismatch for my soul match. However, I’ve yet to find that link and I have this feeling like I’m running out of time.
“King Arkyn you’re in favor of this request?” Noble Samson asks with furrowed brows.
He’s the oldest noble and an old friend of my father’s. He’s one my father trusts most. I hope that trust will lead us to answers.
“Yes, I support it,” my father replies. “I believe my son is on to something.”
“You want to challenge the oracles. This is… I don’t know what to say. I trust that you have good reason. It’s just… it’s never been done before.”
“It must be done and it has to be without warning. We can’t give time for more treachery,” I say firmly.
Samson looks between us. “My king, is it safe to say you believe Helenier has made a play for the throne?”
“Yes, it is. We all heard the murmurs at the ceremony. Everyone was shocked to hear Coralo’s name called. She isn’t my son’s match. I want to know what foul play is here.”
“I see. And yes, I was very surprised to hear Coralo’s name called. I figured her mother’s strength may be within her after all, but foul play seems more likely.
“That would take a great use of black magic, but Helenier would be the one to have enough power to wield such a thing and hide it. This is quite the development. Noel and Sefira were the only oracles that weren’t at the ceremony,” he muses.
“Exactly, Helenier pushed to have the ceremony in their absence. Why have it with the two most powerful oracles not in attendance,” I say.
“I questioned this as well. However, the others were in agreement with her.” Samson shakes his head. “I will call for Noel and Sefira. We will perform a new ceremony. It will be private, only a few we can trust as we need others as witnesses. We shall see what comes of this.”
“We shall do this immediately,” I say.
“It will be more difficult without the young ladies present, but if anyone can do it without them it’s Sefira. Go, prepare, I will take care of everything else.”
“I will find you in a moment. I have more to speak with Samson about,” my father says.
I go to leave the room as my thoughts turn to her. I need to get back. I feel it in my bones that I need to return soon.
“Oh, your highness. I’m so sorry, my Prince,” Helenier says as we collide. I was so deep in thought I didn’t see her.
“No, it was I that should have been more focused. I’ve become clumsy in my old age,” she chortles.
I narrow my eyes at her. I’ve been wary of any interaction with Helenier. She smiles at me sweetly.
“Is there a reason you are here?”
This hall leads to my father’s office. She has no business here as far as I know. I tighten my fist as I think of the deceit she could be here to cause.
“I was told I could find you with your father. I wanted to talk to you. Coralo has been dying to spend time with you.
“If it should please you, I can let her know to come to your chambers for a little alone time,” she says.
“No, I have things to tend to. I will let her know when I want to see her. I’ve been catching up on my duties, I haven’t had time for much else.”
“Ah yes, well. I won’t take any more of your time.”
She begins to back away with her hands behind her back. I narrow my gaze further. This woman is up to something.
I get ready to stop her and demand to see her hands, but she pulls them from behind her back and waves to me with both. I grind my teeth. I still don’t trust her.
A smile comes to my lips. We’ll know for a fact that my soul match was tampered with. Soon enough I’ll make her pay for her crimes.
“Soon, my love. I’m coming to you soon.”
Chapter 17
Out of Time
Coralo
The door to my bedroom bursts open and my mother storms in. The crazed look on her face has me lifting from my seat. I hastily try to push my artwork under the other papers on the desk behind me.