“It’s nearly dark,” the queen groaned. Her eyes blinked open, and she moved to stretch her tired body.
“I know.”
“Why didn’t you wake me sooner?”
“You needed to sleep. Whatever you did before—it wrecked you.” Cam pushed herself to her feet, shaking the feeling back into her calves. Rya tried to do the same, steadying herself against the wall with her one good arm while she rose to her feet. The movement was too much for her, and she swayed on weak legs. Cam jumped towards her, throwing her arms around her and pulling her into a tight hug, keeping her upright.
“Thanks,” Rya whispered.
Cam shivered as the queen’s word tickled her neck. Her bare skin was a breath away, and the heat from her flesh warmed the princess’ lips. Cam broke free from the embrace, stepping away and allowing her hands to fall to her sides. “We need to get moving if we want to make it back before nightfall.”
“Right,” Rya nodded. “Lead the way.”
The horses were tied just outside the cave opening. Rya slid her foot into the stirrup but with her arm still aching she was unable to pull her body up. Cam was at her side once more, helping push her towards the saddle so Rya could swing her other leg over. Cam’s hand lingered a moment on Rya’s thigh before she turned abruptly and checked the straps on Zara.
Once settled in their saddles, she gave a click of the tongue and began the long walk towards the castle. The narrow pathway made it so they had to ride single file, and Cam was grateful. She needed to keep the space between them, at least until she had the answers to the questions that filled her mind. She also knew as soon as Rya looked at her with those big brown eyes, she would be in trouble. The queen’s gaze had a way of making her heart jump, and she couldn’t help but soften like butter. Cam was successful until the halfway mark, but as they came over the top of one of the hills, Eclipse rode up on her left.
“Are you alright?” Rya asked. “You aren’t hurt, are you?”
“No, I’m not hurt.”
“If you are, I could help.”
“I’m not hurt, I just—what were you doing? I’ve never seen anything like it. It looked like you were trying to kill him.”
“I was,” Rya shrugged. “It’s a shame I couldn’t do more.”
“That’s the second time you’ve lied to me. You told me you didn’t have the strength to do powerful magic and yet I just watched you try to stab a man without touching him. How am I supposed to trust you when you keep showing me I shouldn’t?”
“I didn’t lie. I’ve never been in this situation. I don’t know what my body can and can’t do right now. I took a chance and trust me, if I was fully healed, he wouldn’t still be alive.”
“How can you be so calm? You almost killed someone and you’re acting like it doesn’t faze you—like you don’t even care.”
“I don’t,” she replied. The answer was void of any emotion, but as she continued to speak Rya’s eyes shimmered with worry. “He was going to hurt you, or me, or both. He deserves to die.”
Cam’s heart was pounding against her ribs as the next question came out of her mouth. “What about the others he mentioned, did they deserve to die too?”
Rya paused before shaking her head. “The man he talked about was an unfortunate casualty of my pride and my youth. He shouldn’t have lost his life, but there was nothing I could do to fix it. There was no way to bring him back.”
“Tell me about it; tell me what happened.”
“You don’t want to hear that story.”
“You’re right,” Cam nodded. “I don’t want to, I need to.”
Rya sighed as she gave in. “It was near the beginning of my reign, and I had been in one of the outlying villages walking through their marketplace when I came across a man and his son selling apples. He promised they were the best in all of Kelda. Imagine my surprise when he was correct; it was the most amazing apple I’d ever tasted. I decided right then I was going to be the only one in all the kingdoms who had access to these apples. We made a deal that he would only sell to me and no one else, and in exchange I’d pay handsomely for it. Unfortunately, he told me how another villager had bought from him shortly before I’d arrived.”
“And you had the vendor killed for it?”
“No,” Rya sighed. “The farmer and his son went home untouched. I did, however, order my guards to find the man who had made the purchase. I told them to bring me what he had, no matter what.”
“Oh,” Cam whispered.
“I had been crowned only two weeks before, and I didn’t know my soldiers well, so I didn’t know the kind of men I had sent to complete the task. They could have just demanded what he’d bought, but these few men were vicious and decided killing him would be quicker. When they returned to the village square with a blood smeared sack, I knew what had happened. I was angry for a moment, because I caused an innocent man to lose his life, and I almost berated my men right in front of the whole town.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“The villagers were all standing around, everyone’s eyes on me. As I looked at each of their faces I saw the fear that filled them. They were scared, but they were compliant. They already knew of my magic, I never tried to keep it secret, but now they’d seen firsthand what kind of person I could be if crossed. I knew no one in the village would ever step out of line, because if they believed I was willing to kill over a bit of fruit, who knows what else I’d do. Soon the word started to spread throughout my kingdom, and the more the people feared me, the more they respected my crown.”
Cam shook her head, unable to form a response.
“Look, it’s not something I’m proud of,” Rya explained. “If I had known they would be so loose with my orders, I would have been more specific, but I couldn’t go back on my decision. How would it look if I stood in the middle of the village begging the people for their forgiveness? I needed them to see I wasn’t weak.”
“So, you paid that price with a man’s life?”
“I paid that price in many ways,” she shot back.
Rya tried to keep her face emotionless, but the sadness she’d buried deep inside was showing itself in little ways, from the look in her eyes to the way her lips tightened. After hearing the story of Gerrod’s punishment, Cam suspected she had many dark secrets from her life that Rya kept locked away.
The thought softened Cam’s heart, but she couldn’t help but ask, “And the woman he mentioned, what about her?”
“That’s a story for a different day,” Rya answered as they approached the castle’s gate.
Eleven
With night settling over the castle it was no surprise to see Thane pacing outside the stables. His hands were clasped together behind his head, and a cloud of dust rose around his feet as he walked back and forth. When the sound of hooves on the packed dirt hit his ears, he stopped and snapped his head around. Cam locked eyes with him and his body unraveled as the relief washed over his shoulders.
“Sorry we’re late.” Cam apologized. She jumped down and handed off the reins to the boy standing by. She watched him with caution as he walked away, waiting until he was fully inside the stable to begin speaking. “We were cornered by the assassin from before; he hasn’t left the forest.”
Thane’s mouth hung open as another boy ran out to fetch Eclipse. Rya was still seated on the horse, holding her arm to her chest as she tried to figure out how to dismount without falling. Cam wanted to run to her aid, but Thane was already there, holding her until her feet were steady on the ground.
“Are you hurt?” Thane asked, scanning the two of them for signs of blood or torn clothing. “What’s wrong with your arm?”
“It’s broken, remember?” Rya joked. “I’ll be fine, I promise. Cam was the lucky one, she walked away without a scratch on her.”
“What happened?”
“First, we need to find my father,” Cam huffed. Without explanation, she started towards the inner ward at a brisk pace. She knew the other
two would be close behind her, and she also knew exactly where to find the king at this hour. No one spoke as the three of them navigated their way to the castle’s entry and then the door of the royal library. Cam pushed it open without knocking and, thankful to find him alone, ushered Thane and Rya inside, closing it behind them.
“You’ve returned,” Mikkel smiled from behind his desk. “You missed dinner, but I’m sure the kitchen can throw a plate together for you.” As the glow of the fire lit Cam’s sullen face, he knew this wasn’t a casual visit. He stood up abruptly, knocking back his chair. “What’s wrong?”
“The assassin, Nix,” Cam began, “he is still in the woods. He found us out on our ride and confronted us. We were able to fight him off, but I have no doubt he’ll be back again.”
“Are you alright?” He rushed towards her, grabbing her arms and checking for any sign of trauma. “I don’t see blood, that’s a good sign.”
“I’m perfectly fine,” she nodded.
“I don’t understand,” Mikkel said, shaking his head. “How could he know you’d left the castle?”
“He must be keeping watch somewhere near the gates,” Thane suggested. “Maybe he’s waiting in the trees, biding his time until the right moment? He could have seen them leave, then followed them until they were far enough out that it was safe to attack.”
“No, that can’t be,” he replied. “I know the Kael are not easily deterred, so I figured he might try to get close. I’ve ordered guards to do double rounds on the top of the wall, watching for any movement. I even have them doing a sweep of the woods surrounding us at the start of each hour. They haven’t found a thing; no broken branches, no footprints, no campfire. We haven’t seen a single sign of anyone coming close to the castle.”
“What are you saying?” Cam asked.
“If he knew you had left it’s because someone inside the grounds tipped him off.” Mikkel frowned. “Which means we have a traitor within our walls.”
“Guthry,” Cam spat, slamming her hand on the desk. “I know it was him. He’s been angry ever since you allowed Rya to stay.”
“That’s a serious accusation,” Mikkel cut in. “He’s the royal adviser and has loyalty to the king. Not to mention he’s not the only one to voice his concern. I don’t want to upset you Rya, but many people have been cautious about you staying here, and some were downright angry.”
“I’m used to it,” she replied.
“Is there anyone you are wary of?” He asked the queen. “Anyone you avoid or stay away from since you came here? Anyone make any threats to you?”
Cam held her breath. She knew Rya had suffered through the dirty looks and pouted stares from Norell for the past week. If Rya was going to point the finger at anyone, Cam was certain it’d be her. It was no secret she wasn’t the queen’s biggest fan, but she couldn’t imagine her being capable of such a betrayal.
“No,” Rya answered, shaking her head. “I can’t say anyone stands out.”
The king nodded. “Let’s keep this between us for now. If someone is passing information outside the castle, I don’t want them to know we’re onto them.”
They all nodded in agreement.
“Despite the horror of what’s happened,” Mikkel continued. “I am impressed you fought off a member of the Kael. They are trained since childhood to know nothing but pain and death. How did you manage it without being injured yourself?”
“It was Rya,” Cam answered, glancing at the queen. “He wasn’t expecting her to fight back, and the element of surprise is a powerful tool. He fled when he figured out he’d have to take us both on. Next time, I don’t think he’ll take her for granted.”
With a long sigh, Mikkel pulled the princess into hug, smashing her face against his chest. She inhaled the familiar scent of him, thankful to be home.
“I’m happy everyone is safe,” he said, “but from here on out I want both of you kept inside the grounds.”
“What?” Cam tried to argue, but her words were muffled by his shirt. “You can’t be serious.”
“If Nix is still hiding in the forest, we can’t risk sending Rya outside the walls, not until she’s healed. He won’t stop until he’s successful. Not to mention you’ve defended her twice now, and I can’t help but think you’ve painted a large target on yourself for it.”
Cam pushed herself away. “Nix isn’t the only one who has been training since childhood. I can wield a sword better than half the men and women here, and I’m an expert archer. I shouldn’t be locked away when I can fight.”
“You are the princess of the Ashen Forest and the heir to my throne; you need to learn some fights you walk away from, and some you allow others to fight for you. It’s why we have an army. I don’t rush off to lock swords with every single person who threatens me, because if I did I wouldn’t be here now. Do me this favor, and stay within the safety of the castle, at least until I can figure out our next move. Please?”
“Yes Papa,” Cam mumbled.
“Now, like I said before, you’re probably starving. Head to your rooms and I’ll have someone bring up a plate. You’ll need food and rest after the day you’ve had. And remember, tell no one about any of this.”
“Yes Papa,” Cam repeated a second time.
The trio turned back and exited the library. The door between themselves and Mikkel had barely clicked shut when Thane caught Cam by the arm.
“Something else happened,” he whispered. “I know you Cam, and you were holding something back in there. It’s not like you to lie to your father.”
“It’s my fault,” Rya said, eying the hold he had on her.
“It’s okay,” she replied, removing her arm from Thane’s loose grip. She checked the queen’s face, looking for any similarities from earlier, fearing she might try and crush his hands in response to the touch. “I trust Thane with my life, he’d never do anything to hurt me. And he would never betray me.”
“What’s going on?” He asked, looking back and forth between them.
Cam sighed. “I didn’t tell my father the details of how Rya fought off Nix, because I was worried about his reaction. People are already afraid of her, and knowing she used her magic won’t make it any easier, even if it was to save my life.”
“You got a Kael assassin to run away from you using just your magic?” He was staring at Rya now, but instead of the anger or worry Cam expected, he looked impressed. “From what I know about them, they train their people with torture, inflicting pain on them until they can tolerate any pain without flinching. The final test to become a full member is to be cut from earlobe to shoulder while standing silent and still. You make a move and you die. You must be more powerful than I thought.”
“Not quite,” Rya answered. “It took a lot out of me.”
“She was wonderful,” Cam smiled. Thane looked back at her, raising his eyebrows, and she stammered. “I just mean—she could have sacrificed me and killed him once and for all, but she didn’t.”
“Sure, that’s what you meant,” Thane teased with a smirk. “I’m sorry I questioned you, and you can be sure your secret is safe with me. It’s been a weird night, and I think your father was right, we could all use some sleep.”
“I won’t argue with that,” Cam replied. She could feel the weight of the day pushing down on her shoulders. Her head was pounding, and she ached for the softness of her bed. The sight of the staircase gave her the smallest boost of energy until she spotted the girl waiting on the second-floor landing.
Norell stood with her arms crossed over her chest, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders. People who didn’t know her would think she was always angry. Her mouth naturally turned down at the corners, giving her a permanent scowl, and her eyes were always burning with intensity. Only those who really knew her could decipher her actual emotions, and looking up at her now, Cam knew she was in serious trouble.
“I can’t do this tonight,” the princess whined.
Thane looked up the steps just in
time to see Norell turn around and storm off into the darkness. “Unfortunately, I don’t think you have a choice.”
Cam trudged up the steps to the third floor, where she knew Norell would be waiting. Her feet were like rocks as she shuffled from the landing towards her bedroom, the sight of her fluffed up bed cover teasing her from behind the body standing in the doorway.
“What were you thinking,” Norell snapped. “Running off into the woods with her, without anyone to watch you.”
Cam pushed past her and threw herself on the mattress, rubbing her temple with her fingertip. “We made it back safe and sound, didn’t we?”
“That’s not the point. You should have taken Thane with you, or one of the other guards.”
“I’ve never needed a chaperon on a ride before.”
“You’ve never been alone with someone so dangerous.”
“I can take care of myself,” Cam groaned. The throbbing in her head was growing worse, and she knew Norell was far from finished. “I’m not a child.”
“Then stop acting like one,” Norell scoffed. “You’re forgetting she’s the Black Queen. In Rya’s world people die, and she’s the one to make it happen. You’re acting like it doesn’t matter to you.”
“Because it doesn’t,” she shouted in return. She threw herself back onto the bed and covered her face with her arm. She knew the reasons anyone might be afraid of Rya, she’d seen it first-hand, but there was some part of her that didn’t want Norell attacking the queen. “If you have so much against her, why did you volunteer to care for her? It’s not your job, you didn’t have to do it, and yet you insisted it be you.”
“I did it for you; I thought it would be obvious. You were consumed with her when you came back that day. You were at her door hour after hour, checking on her. You were so concerned about who was taking care of her, but I was concerned for you. I needed to keep an eye on things. I could see what was happening from the very beginning and the longer she’s here the more right I become.”
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