The Poison Within

by Rachel Marie Pearcy

  “This scar is from when I was five. I was whining about the dinner we were having, and my father grew angry and threw his knife at me. I cried and bled all over the table, but he never batted an eye. You helped me clean the wound after he’d left. Surely you remember that.”

  He took a few steps up the stairs.

  “That’s not proof,” Kasen stammered. “He could have learned that story from anyone in the room at the time.”

  “How about when I was seven and I climbed onto the roof of the aviary with paper wings I’d made myself. I had watched my mother launch herself off the tallest tower in the castle, and I thought if I tried hard enough, I could fly like her, and follow her wherever she’d gone. You grabbed me at the last second, pulling me from the edge. You scolded me, but you never told my father because you knew his punishment would be worse than what I had attempted.”

  Gavin climbed a few more steps. Normand’s sword inched down to his side, and Kasen’s face turned beat red.

  “He’s lying!” Kasen screamed. He knew he was losing. “He’s not the prince. I swear it.”

  “Or we can talk about my tenth birthday. Father had given me a sword, but not the light ones the other boys trained with. This was a full-length broadsword, and it was as thick as I’d ever seen. He made me lift it, even though it took both hands and hurt my arms. When I complained he forced me to stand in my room, holding my arms in front of me for hours on end. If they fell even a little you were supposed to whip me, but you looked away a few times, allowing me a brief moment of relief.”

  It was over. Kasen had no defense left. Gavin was at the top of the steps, inches away from the Father’s face and no one fought to stop him.

  “Seize this man,” Gavin ordered.

  Rya rushed up the steps, stopping at Gavin’s side. The guards had stepped forward once more, their swords all pointed in Kasen’s direction. Norman grabbed his arms, yanking them behind him.

  “Let me go!” he shrieked. His eyes darted back and forth between her and Gavin, resting on the prince. “This is her doing,” he whimpered. “She’s tricked you. She killed your father.”

  She shook her head. “No, Gerrod was killed by you. It was part of your plan all along. Admit it.”

  “I admit nothing,” he spat. “I’m a man of the church, you can’t do this to me.”

  “The church won’t erase your crimes,” Gavin replied. “Nothing can do that.”

  He struggled against Normand’s grip while he screamed. “I did what I had to. You know all about that don’t you, Rya? Gerrod was going to ruin this kingdom, he had to be stopped. Then you came along, with all your ideas of ruling and control, taking away all I’d worked for. It wasn’t fair. I put in decades here—it’s mine. The Obsidian Isles are mine!”

  “Take him to the dungeon,” Gavin commanded. “He can wait in the dark while I decide what to do with him. However long that takes.”

  “And what about her?” One of the guards asked, pointing to Rya. “What do we do about the Black Queen?”

  Gavin looked around at the hundreds of eyes on him and swallowed. “Take her to her tower, and lock her inside. Her judgment will come later.”

  The soldier stepped in front of her, watching as she put her hands out in front of her. He had expected her magic, he had never thought he’d offer her wrists to him to be chained.

  Forty-Three

  The throne room had always been a cold place, stripped of all warmth and comfort, and chilling to those who stood before the queen. Rya had spent years on the platform, looking over the subjects who summoned enough bravery to ask her for a favor. Now it was her turn to look up at the throne, and it was her turn to wait with a pounding heart to hear her fate.

  Fourteen days had passed since they’d taken back the castle. Fourteen nights had tormented her with unsettling sleep, her dreams taunting her with the faces of those she loved. It was already punishment to be unaware of their outcome. She had no idea if Cam and the others had reached the Ashen Forest. No one would tell her what Sora was doing, where he was, or if Gavin had stood by his word to keep the boy safe. She had been locked away in the room she was so desperate to return to, only to be dying to escape the Isles’ once more.

  The men that guarded her door had talked of Kasen’s death sentence. He’d been charged with the Gerrod’s murder after suggesting the late king was poisoned. It was also punishment for attacking the Ashen Forest. In Gavin’s opinion, it was a horrible act to wage a war against a neighboring kingdom unprovoked. Kasen had lived three days in his cell before he was hanged. His body was thrown into the sea without the ceremony and celebration given to the rest of the Isles’ people. She was about to find out if her end would be the same, or if Gavin would leave her to waste away in the dungeons.

  The doors to the throne room swung open, and the faces all turned her direction. People were packed inside, filling any empty space they could, from the center aisle to all four walls. She stood in the open doorway, the toes of her shoes brushing the black carpet that created the path to the throne. They craned their necks to see her, to look upon her sullen face with joy and happiness. She would not give them what they wanted, she refused to show any emotion, but kept her eyes on the new king sitting before her, and walked down the aisle.

  Words were spoken as she passed, some too fowl to ever repeat in good company. Others hissed at her. They would never know the truth behind her reign. They would never learn how many children she had saved from the slaver, or how she’d freed a once beaten wife to live on her own without fear. They could never understand the horror she had suffered of being used and abused her whole life, and how she vowed to save others from that same fate. They knew her as evil, as the Black Queen who did everything for her own gain, who loved no one and who no one loved in return. That didn’t matter now because she knew they were wrong. She knew she had a heart, that she did some good in this world, and that somehow she’d managed to find the love she’d always dreamed of.

  Gavin rose from the chair that once was her seat, and stood before her and all his people. He held up a hand, silencing the last of the hushed curses and quieting the room. The air churned with energy as each person awaited his verdict.

  “Queen Rya, you stand before me charged with many injustices against the people of the Obsidian Isles. You have claimed before that everything you’ve done was within your right as ruler, and that you’ve committed no crimes. While that is technically true, I would agree that the actions you’ve taken against the people you reigned over were harsh and unnecessary, and therefore it is my right as the new king to decide a punishment for those actions.

  “I have listened to many stories, from most of the different villages within the Isles borders, all telling me of the horrible Black Queen. I would be a fool to ignore these tales, and to do so would be unfair to those who lived them. However, I myself have seen your true nature. I have watched you care for the ones close to you, and I’ve seen the good that lies deep within. It’s true that your heart was once wicked and poisoned, but with each day that passes it’s healing itself a little more. Because of this, I would be equally foolish to sentence you to death, as I did for Father Kasen. I refuse to throw away someone who stands a chance at being saved.”

  Rya’s heart stopped in her chest, and she couldn’t breathe. This couldn’t be true. He couldn’t be pardoning her. Gasps and chatter broke out among the crowd, and King Gavin held up his hand again, silencing the people.

  He continued, “Your sentence will not be death, but you will not leave here unpunished. I am stripping you of your title as queen and all the honors that come with it. From today on you are no greater than a commoner, with nothing to your name. I understand the danger your magic poses to the people around you, and that without being able to control it, I can never guarantee their safety. Because of that, you are hereby banished from the Obsidian Isles forever. You will be led from this castle to the kingdom’s border, and if you’re ever seen within our boundaries again you
will be killed on sight. For your sake, I hope you can find some kingdom that will be kind enough to take you in.”

  He winked at her with last of his words. Her mouth hung open, and her stomach turned. A man grabbed her by the arm and led her back down the aisle. She could never to thank him for what he’d just done, she would be forced out of the Isles and they would part ways forever. She could only hope he realized the enormity of his decision.

  The man kept hold of her until they reached the front doors of the castle. He pushed them open and nodded to the next solider, a small framed young man in a plain uniform.

  “Sora,” she gasped, nearly crying.

  “Come,” he smiled, offering his arm to her. “It’s time to go.”

  Rya held him as they walked down the stairs and to the edge of the courtyard. It was the same spot where, only days before, they had faced Kasen and exposed his lies. The scene had been witnessed by hundreds, but now it was only her, Sora, and one more surprise.

  Two horses stood on the other side of the archway, one smaller and spotted, and one she’d grown to know all too well.

  “Eclipse” she smiled. She ran her hands over his coat before resting her cheek against him. “He really is a good horse.”

  “He’s your good horse,” Sora replied. He climbed onto the other, grinning down at her. “King Gavin has given me the task of taking you to the border, from there I’m to return Eclipse to the Ashen Forest as he promised.”

  “I can’t believe he made you an official guard.” He beamed at him in the crisp, clean uniform. He’d come from so little, and now he would always have a status among the people.

  “Well, almost.” He ran a hand over his slicked back hair. “The king also said that if I didn’t return from this assignment, he would not come looking for me as I haven’t been officially sworn into his service. I would just be another young man who disappeared to live his life somewhere else.”

  Rya was crying now, unable to fathom how Gavin had given her so much. He had broken the last remaining bars of her cage, and freed her to live the life she’d always dreamed of. She wasn’t the Black Queen any longer, she was just Rya.

  “Where to?” Sora asked, already knowing the answer.

  Rya laughed. “I heard the Ashen Forest takes in people like us.”

  Forty-Four

  Cam sat on the edge of the ditch, her legs dangling over the lip. The first snowfall had left the ground wet and icy, chilling her through her pants, but she didn’t care. This is where it all started, where she’d saved Rya the first time. She knew Thane and Norell were close by, resting on a fallen tree a few feet behind her, watching her carefully. They were always within arm’s reach these days, not wanting to leave her alone. The first nights after Rya left were broken apart by Cam’s screams in the night. She couldn’t sleep more than an hour without a terrifying nightmare jarring her awake. It wasn’t long before Norell took to sleeping next to her. Even after they’d returned to the castle, Norell would crawl into Cam’s bed after dark, making sure she was never alone when the terrors came.

  “Does my father know we’re out here?” She asked, staring into the dirt below.

  “Yes,” Norell nodded. “He said he’s certain any threat from the Isles or the Kael is over. You’re free to do whatever you wish, just like before.”

  Norell’s words echoed in Cam’s head. Like before. She could go hunting whenever she’d like. Like before. She could roam the entire kingdom without worry. Like before. It didn’t matter what she did, nothing would ever be as it was before.

  Her mind drifted away, replacing the cold words with an even colder face. It was Gavin in front of her. His mouth was angry and twisted like the first day they’d met. He was furious Rya had left him in the Ivory Cape. He would never forgive her. The image made her stomach sick.

  “Do you—think she’s still alive?” Cam asked, interrupting whatever Thane had been rambling about. “Do you think he went easy on her, giving her a sentence in the cells instead of—the other option? I can’t imagine her down there in a dark hole. What if he decided to do worse? What if he’s torturing her? I just wish someone would send us word of what’s happened.”

  Norell was at her side now, her arm around Cam’s shoulder, her eyes shifting to Thane.

  “No one is sending us a hawk,” Thane answered. “They’re never going to tell us what happened.”

  “Why not?” Cam asked, her neck snapping around to glare at him.

  “Because I asked Gavin and Sora not to.”

  Cam could hear the blood pumping in her ears, she could feel it in her temple. Her eyes swelled with tears, and she could do nothing to stop them.

  Norell kissed the side of her head. “I know you’re angry with Thane, but he did what was right.” Her tone was too soft, the same voice she’d used when Cam’s mother had died, and it broke Cam even more. Norell continued, “you can’t allow yourself to be consumed with what’s happened to her. You should be focusing on the time you spent together. Forget the Black Queen, and focus on Rya, the girl you knew and loved. Remember the way you two laughed together, the way her sass and sarcasm kept Guthry on his toes, and the gentle nature she had with the children here. Don’t think about the Isles; think about the love you two shared, and how her heart was forever changed by you, and yours by her. Allow that to be the Rya you keep in your memories.”

  Cam wiped the tears from her cheek with the sleeve of her coat. Her lower half was numb now, and soon it would be dark. It was time to go home, time to leave this place, and Rya behind. She stood on wobbly legs, holding onto Norell’s arm for support.

  They had turned their backs on the edging, ignoring the rustle of the autumn’s last few leaves. When the sound of feet crunching the frozen forest floor reached her, Cam turned and saw the most beautiful sight she could have imagined. Rya was running at them up through the trees, smiling from ear to ear.

  “It’s you,” Cam gasped. She rushed forward, and the girls collided like two stars in the sky, exploding in a hail of light and sparks. Rya kissed her, her hand on the back of Cam’s head, fingers in her hair. The heat from her magic warmed her scalp, and melted Cam’s insides. Cam’s arms wrapped around Rya’s waist, determined to never let go. It seemed like an eternity that they stood entangled, but when Rya pulled back it was still too soon.

  “What are you doing here?” Cam asked, laughing through the stream of tears that flowed down her face.

  “Well,” Rya smirked. “I’ve been banished from my homeland, and I’ve come to the Ashen Forest seeking safety.”

  “In that case,” Cam replied, unable to contain her happiness. “You have my word as the Ashen princess, I will always protect you.”

  Acknowledgments

  The Poison Within wasn’t my first book, but it took more out of me than anything I’ve done previously. There’s no way I could have reached my dream of publishing this story without the help of the people around me.

  First, I need to thank Bonnie, my love and my life. If I didn’t have your support, I would have never become the writer I am. Thank you for dealing with the late-night typing sessions, the hours I spend erasing and rewriting a single sentence, and the tons of money we spend on Diet Coke to keep me powered. Your love and enthusiasm for my writing gives me the courage to keep coming up with stories.

  A whole-hearted, massive thank you goes to Cece Ewing. You’re the best friend I could have asked for, and my number one person to bounce ideas off of. You’ve never let me down, and I won’t trust anyone else to take my words into their hands from now on. When I sat down to write Rya’s story it was always with you in mind. Her redemption was yours from the beginning, and I’m so glad you came to love her as much as I did.

  Thank you to my parents and my family for their ongoing support. I know the fantasy genre isn’t your thing, but you’ve always had my back and I love you.

  I need to thank my mix-matched team that helped me along the way. Jen Lew, Mike Ries, and Erin Ford who read parts f
or me along the way. Kristine Slipson, and Ashleigh Davis, who were always there to answer my horse questions. To Vanessa Martinez, thanks for being my archery expert.

  A special thanks goes to YouTube and hundreds of channels that provide someone like me with the skills to do Photoshop and create the covers and maps I’m able to design. The people who post tutorials and free photos, the ones who create and share their artwork with the world, they are the reason I’m able to do what I do. Without you I’d be lost.

  Last but not least thank you to anyone reading this. Whether you’re a fan of my work from the beginning (Chantal and Jessica I’m talking about you) or you’ve just recently picked it up, I’m grateful to you for taking the time to read my writing.