“What are you talking about?” Cam asked, sitting back up.
Norell’s hands were balled at the sides of her dress, her foot tapping in anger. “You know exactly what I’m talking about. This is going to be just like last time. I don’t want to see you get hurt again. I can’t handle it.”
“This is nothing like that,” she growled, “and Rya is nothing like Hannah.”
“No? How can you be so sure? You barely know her.”
“I just know. Besides, you’re worrying about nothing. There isn’t anything going on between us.”
“For your sake I hope not. She’s already got someone special, remember? Whoever Sora is, he means something to her. You can’t pretend he doesn’t exist.”
“Stop it,” Cam exclaimed. “Just stop. Whatever you think is going to happen, won’t. And if it did, it’s not for you to control. It’s not your job to take care of me.”
“Yes, it is,” Norell sighed, her tears swelling. “It’s always been my job, and I’m not going to stop now. It doesn’t matter that you’ll be queen one day, I’m still going worry. A crown doesn’t make you invincible. You of all people should know that.”
Twelve
Rya’s arm ached as the mender squeezed it between his thumb and finger. The pain shot into her hand, and she flinched, pulling against his grip. The gesture peaked his interest, and the old man raised his eyebrows, squeezing again. This time she kept still.
He’d been to see the queen several times before, helping Norell in caring for her wounds and tending to the break in her wrist. He was the most experienced mender in the Ashen Forest, but even he had never dealt with such magic before, leaving him curious about Rya’s progress.
“I don’t understand,” he sighed, laying her arm back on her lap. “You were healing faster than anyone I’ve seen before. Usually it takes weeks for a break like this to fix itself, but you were looking at half the time. I assumed the magic you have flowing inside your body was helping speed the process along, but now your muscle is swollen and tender. It’s like you’ve regressed somehow.”
Rya glanced to the princess standing in the open doorway. Cam’s face was still and calm, but she knew the fear she was hiding inside. If anyone found out what happened in the woods, it would put Rya’s life in even more danger than it already was.
“I hurt it again,” the queen lied. “While riding yesterday, I was careless and smacked in on the horse.”
“You shouldn’t be engaging in such activities until you’re fully healed,” he scolded.
Rya rolled her eyes. “I know that now.”
The man packed away his tools and excess bandages. “Make sure you take it easy, Your Majesty, even if you’re feeling better. You’re too special to risk more injury.”
“Thank you,” she nodded, watching him bow as he passed by Cam and exited the room. She looked at the princess and frowned. “I’m special alright. He only wants to study me and my magic. He doesn’t care about my well-being, he just wants to use me like everyone else does.”
“Not everyone in your life is trying to use you,” Cam scoffed, sitting on the edge of the bed. She was flicking the tail of her braid between her fingers. “You had friends and family growing up, did they all try and use you?”
“Yes,” Rya answered in a matter-of-fact tone.
Cam dropped her hair. “Okay, what about me? Do you believe I’m trying to use you for a secret purpose?”
“No,” Rya replied, shaking her head. “You’re the first person in a very long time that I don’t suspect, but that doesn’t mean I won’t find out later I was wrong. It’s happened before.”
“Always waiting to be hurt is a horrible way to live your life.”
“It’s the only way I know.”
The queen hadn’t noticed the heat in her palm until a sound broke her focus, and she shook her hand in the air, trying to relieve it. The whimper had come from the doorway where a frail girl stood trembling. She had the signature blond hair of the Ashen, with beady eyes and oversized front teeth. She was small in stature and if she had to guess, Rya would put her at about nine or ten years old.
“And who are you?” Rya asked, standing from the bed and smoothing her dress.
“Your Majesty,” the girl stammered. “I’m Elin, I’ve been sent to tend to your needs.”
“I already have someone for that,” the queen answered. “Though I haven’t seen that girl at all today. I had to dress myself this morning.”
“I’m so very sorry.” Elin’s voice trembled as much as her hands. “Lady Norell sent me in her place—she didn’t tell me until just now. I came as fast as I could Your Majesty—I didn’t know.”
Cam stood to comfort the girl but Rya was already taking Elin’s hand in hers and leading her into the room.
“It’s alright,” Rya soothed. “You can’t be blamed for something which wasn’t in your control. Tell me, have you been a chambermaid for long?”
“A year now,” the girl sniffled. “My sister taught me.”
“I have no doubt you’re wonderful at it. Like I said, I’ve taken care of myself for today, but I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow.”
“There’s still more to do,” Elin answered, perking up. “I have to make your bed and prepare the fireplace for the evening’s log. You go about your day Your Majesty, and when you return it will all be in place.”
“See, you’re better than Norell already,” Rya winked. The girl giggled and began to dash around the room. The queen took Cam by the elbow and dragged her into the hall, leaving Elin to complete her work.
“Lady Norell?” Rya gasped. “You didn’t tell me she was a member of high society. How could I not know?”
“I’m sorry,” Cam said as they stepped down the staircase. “I didn’t think it mattered.”
“It certainly paints a different picture of her behavior. Why would a lady be slumming around as a chambermaid? Am I right to assume it was as a favor to you?”
“Something like that,” Cam said sheepishly.
Rya scoffed. “Of course. Her disappearance this morning is connected to you as well, isn’t it?”
“I’m afraid it might be my fault. We had a bit of a fight last night. It seems like too much of a coincidence for her to quit the next day.”
“She definitely looked mad the last time I saw her, but then again she always does. What were you fighting about?” Rya asked. Cam blushed, looking down at her feet as they exited the castle’s doors, and the queen understood. “Right—about me. It’s fine, I’m used to being the target of people’s anger. You have to have a thick skin if you’re going to rule a kingdom. So, what was it this time? My reputation? My magic abilities? My fashion sense?”
“No, nothing like that.”
“There has to be some reason behind her anger.”
“I’m sure you’re right it’s just—I don’t know what’s gotten into her,” Cam replied. “She’s always been stubborn and protective, but this time it seems magnified. It’s like she can’t control herself. Every time she sees us together, she has a fit.”
Rya shrugged. “It’s because she’s in love with you.”
“What?” Cam laughed.
“It’s why she’s acting the way she is, there’s no other reason for it. She’s in love with you, and whatever uh—friendship you and I have growing is threatening to her.”
“No, she’s not in love with me.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because,” Cam smiled, “she’s my cousin. Her father and my mother were siblings. We grew up together, and we’re as close as sisters ourselves.”
“Oh,” Rya replied. She could feel the heat in her cheeks as she blushed, but another feeling had taken hold as well. It was a different kind of warmth filling her body. “That does change my assumptions a bit.”
“Like I said, she’s always been protective. I’m hoping whatever has her riled up this time fades quickly. I’m tired of the lectures.”
Rya looked up as the sounds of the inner ward filled her ears. The chatter and movement always made the area feel alive, as though it was breathing on its own beat. The life they walked into provided a moment of relief, and Rya continued the conversation with curiosity.
“I didn’t realize you were related,” she added. “You don’t look much alike, especially since she’s from the northern tribes.”
“How do you know that?” Cam asked, surprised by the statement.
“All the stories tell of the first Ashen being fair of hair and skin. Their traits are passed on for generations, and Norell doesn’t exactly fit that mold. Her dark features give her away.”
“But how could you know about her heritage? That’s a pretty specific guess.”
“I knew someone else from the northern tribes. They have the same round face and flat nose. It wasn’t hard to make the connection.”
“Not that it matters, but Norell was born here in the forest,” Cam nodded. “Her mother was from the north but her father, my Uncle Harris, was one of the Ashen’s ambassadors and would travel all over Kelda and beyond. During one of his trade missions beyond the mountains he met Yukie and fell in love instantly. Thankfully for him, she felt the same and they were married weeks later in her village. After Uncle Harris was done with his duties, him and Yukie both returned to the Ashen Forest.”
“And your aunt being different was never an issue? Norell has never faced any backlash for looking like a northerner?”
“Not at all. We take in people from all the kingdoms of Kelda and have for hundreds of years. While a good majority of us look like the ancient Ashen who settled here, we’ve had enough outsiders come in to mix things up. If you met more of the woodsmen, or the people living in the sea port, you’d see the Ashen aren’t as plain as you imagined.”
“Plain is not a word I’d ever use to describe you,” Rya smiled.
She thought about how Yukie married a man from a strange land, and moved away from her home for him, not unlike her own story. The difference was Norell’s mother was in love, which must have made the change easier to bare. She couldn’t help but envy the woman. During her first days in the Obsidian Isles the people treated Rya like a caged animal, like she only existed for their amusement, and for them to stare at. She spent years living in the castle, some before she was crowned queen, and not once did it feel like home. She was always reminded she was an outsider, and she would never truly belong. Little did they know that keeping themselves separate from her, would make it easier to punish them when she finally ruled.
It wasn’t long before the girls had made their way to the outer ward. They stopped along the fenced off ring near the stables, hanging their arms over the wood.
“There he is,” Cam said, waving to Thane who stood inside the ring. Rya had been to the circle a dozen times to watch people practice, but today a smaller challenger stood inside. Eirik was wearing leather pads on his chest and legs, a matching helmet wobbled on his small head. With both hands he swung his long wooden sword from side to side, grazing the belly of the large boy standing in front of him. Each strike was dodged, and even with Thane offering tips from the side, he couldn’t land his blows. The prince charged his target at full speed before being knocked to the dirt by the other boy’s sword. Eirik stood up, tipped his helmet back and smiled, charging him again. Once more the boy swatted him on the back and knocked him to the ground. This continued three more times, and each time Eirik would get up again, smiling and ready for the next one.
“He’s got a lot of spirit,” Rya laughed.
Eirik brushed himself off, and with a loud yell charged the boy again. The boy once more swung his sword, but Eirik was ready for it, dropping to his knees as the wooden blade passed over his head. The prince thrust his sword out and jabbed his opponent in the ribs with the dull tip. The older boy screamed out, and Eirik jumped up, cheering his victory.
“That’s one thing about my brother—he never gives up,” Cam smiled. “He’s always been stubborn.”
“He’s smart,” Rya added. “You could see him learning and thinking as he fought. He knows he’s small, and he knows the enemy will doubt his abilities because of it. The key is to lure them into a false confidence, then when they are no longer alert, you strike.” She smiled. “He reminds me of myself.”
She could feel Cam staring at her from the corner of her vision. She’d done it before, glaring at her with confusion or doubt, but this time it was different. Her gaze was warm and soft, and it made Rya’s heart beat faster in her chest.
For a moment she thought the princess might step towards her. She imagined Cam’s hand on her waist, her breath closing in on her own, but the thought was pushed aside as the young prince came bounding up to them.
“Did you see me?” Eirik asked, out of breath and wheezing.
“Yes, I did,” Cam smiled.
“What about you Rya? Did you see me hit him?”
“I did, how many was that today?”
“Four,” the boy puffed with pride, “and Winston only hit me eight times.”
“A new record,” Cam cheered. “Look, I have to talk to Thane, do you think you could be a gentleman and keep Rya company for a bit?”
“Of course,” he replied, bowing towards the two girls. “It would be an honor.”
Cam placed a gentle hand on Rya’s shoulder, then hopped over the fence into the ring. As she waited for Eirik to remove his armor she passed the time by staring at the princess in the distance.
The boy trotted over to a small bench nearby, taking a seat on the edge and allowing space for Rya to join him. He was drenched in sweat, and his pale hair clung to his face. With each breath he wheezed a little, but his smile never faded.
“You did a great job today.”
“I’m getting better each time,” he replied.
“Do you always get winded when you fight? Maybe I should tell someone you don’t feel well”
“I’m fine,” he puffed. “I’m used to it. I’ve have breathing problems ever since I was a baby. They say I won’t be a great fighter like Cam. I don’t have the stamina, whatever that is.”
“It means you can’t fight for a long time, but only in short bursts.”
Eirik nodded, accepting the explanation as if he already knew.
“Fighting is overrated,” Rya continued. “You’re not bad at it, but that’s not where your strength lies. You have charisma.”
“What’s charisma?”
“It’s a great power. It means you read people, you know how to speak to them, and how to reach them. You’re good with words; they are both your sword and you’re your shield. You may use them to cut someone deep, even ruin a person if you wanted, but you can also do great things with your charm. Your kindness can heal old wounds. Your spirit can lift someone up and give them strength and courage. I’ve seen people like you rally an army of farmers to their aid with a well-spoken speech alone.”
“Whoa,” the boy whispered.
Rya smiled. “I’ve found words hold more magic than I could ever create with my hands. It’s a skill I have yet to master.”
He smiled up at her, flashing the gap in his teeth. “Don’t worry,” he beamed, “there’s still time.”
Thirteen
Over the next few days Elin proved to a blessing to Rya. Her mornings started with a pleasant smile instead of Norell’s sour pout. She was gently coaxed from her sleep instead of the blinding light that had normally burned through the backs of her eyelids. The girl even insisted on brushing out the queen’s hair, which Rya was pleased to see had grown out enough to graze the top of her shoulders, and the ends were starting to curl like they had before.
She shook her head, watching the brown locks sweep across her bare skin. The choice to cut it off had been a practical one, hoping if she looked less like the Black Queen the assassin might not be able to track her. It was a moment of desperation, and it had been the first time since she’d fled the castle grounds that she’d grown l
ost and hopeless. Unfortunately for her, Nix wasn’t as easy to trick as the villagers she’d passed along the way, and he found her again a few days later.
“Your Majesty,” Elin said in a soft voice, “what kind of chambermaid did you have in your castle?”
“Oh—I didn’t really. A number of girls came and went, but none seemed to get it right. I couldn’t find one to keep around too long.”
She could sense the unease coming from the girl as she continued pinning the queen’s hair to the back of her head.
“Of course,” Rya continued, “I didn’t have you with me. If I had, I wouldn’t have had to look for anyone else.”
Elin grinned and stepped back, tilting her head to admire her work. Rya checked the mirror and a smile stretched across her face. Elin had taken a small strand of pearls and wove them through Rya’s hair before twisting the whole mass and pinning it up. The result was beautiful. Rya smiled at the reflection, finally able to see herself and not some stranger in the face staring back at her.
With her confidence renewed, Rya glided through the castle, watching heads turn ever so slightly as she passed, no doubt taking in the beauty she was known for.
“Simply stunning,” Thane remarked, watching her descend the front steps. He was laid out across one of the stone benches which lined the courtyard, his hair flowing over one end and his legs draped over the other.
“You look comfortable,” she smiled, pushing his legs off the side so she could sit next to him. “I take it Cam doesn’t have much need of you today?”
“She’s busy doing royal stuff with King Mikkel.” He sat up straight, collecting his hair in a low ponytail. “I didn’t realize when he said Cam couldn’t leave the castle grounds, it would make my life boring also.”
The Poison Within Page 8