The Traitor

by A D Lombardo

  “Dresnor, please do this one last thing for me,” Kai commanded.

  Dresnor left with a nod.

  Yulia’s fierce expression said volumes. She wanted results. “I want to know what you are doing to find my daughter. Have you any news? Has Riome returned somehow in secret?”

  Kai cringed at the memory of Riome suffering after her fight on the ship. His vision was brutally realistic. “Yulia, I know you are worried. I spoke with Cazier earlier this evening, and there is no news.”

  Sadness washed over Yulia’s face. “Sabastian and I searched for Riome without success. Even with the gift of sight, it took us days before we found the little cabin this morning, cut in half by a tree. It was not near Diu at all. It was a few miles outside of Port Anahita. Signs of my daughter were few; we found dried blood inside, and the empty wooden chest. It appeared she spent some time there, but . . .” A look of disappointment burdened her eyes.

  “This is good news,” Kai insisted, his heart lifting. “You and Sabastian are both excellent trackers. Were you able to pick up her trail? Anything outside the cabin? She must be coming to Diu, but she would know to be cautious. Trust no one is her motto.”

  “Marks in the woods indicated she was still traveling toward Diu, but we lost her tail once she neared the road. A caravan of horses, people, and wagons concealed her path.”

  Kai felt the disappointment in Yulia’s tone. “Riome is a fighter. If anyone could survive, it would be her. I will search for her myself—I promise. By now, she could be somewhere within the city walls.” He touched Yulia’s shoulder, offering comfort.

  The deep contemplation in Yulia’s eyes implied she had a plan. “I will search the southern half of the city if you could take the northern part? Dead or alive, I must find my daughter.”

  “I know of a few places I could search first,” Kai acknowledged, “and then there are the tunnels and towers. My access from the palace will make it easier for me to search. Focus on the south end of the city near the warehouse district, then move west to cover the inns and taverns and circle back northeast toward the Central City Gardens. There are some high-end gambling establishments that stay open late. Riome knows the owners; the private rooms upstairs would be an excellent place to recover and allow her to send for help.”

  “Thank you, Kai.” Yulia offered a shallow smile and walked away.

  Chapter 6

  Wicked Intentions

  Abustling fire heated the King’s chambers, and three oil lamps gave the room a warm glow. Queen Nola wiped the sweat from her husband’s brow, eyeing the maid collecting the bed linens. The round woman spoke no words and made no eye contact. Nola hated the pleasantries with those who were unnecessary—and to her, everyone was unnecessary. Pretending to care was not her favorite activity, but she knew it served a purpose, and she was rather skilled at pretending.

  Knock. Knock. Knock.

  “I am done with the city’s problems. Send whoever it is away.” Nola ordered the maid, turning her nose away from the soiled linens and a waste pan in the woman’s arms.

  The door swung open. Golden light poured around Regent Maxwell as he stood in the frame. “Your Majesty, Queen Nola. May I have a word?” He bowed in the asking, cutting his eyes to the guards at the door while moving to hasten the maid’s exit.

  Nola motioned him inside and grabbed a glass of wine that lay in wait on a nearby table. “Enter, Regent Maxwell, but leave the door open.”

  She did not care what the maid or guards thought of her, allowing this man into her chambers, but she needed to control the rumors and lies whispered about the palace. All necessary gossip needed to circle focus on Kai, not her exploits.

  “Why do you bother me, Maxwell?” She strolled to the balcony and pushed the doors wide. A cool breeze blew fresh air into the stale room. “Could this not wait till tomorrow?” she said with disregard, loud enough for the guards leaning into the doorway.

  “Your Majesty, I humbly beg your forgiveness for the intrusion,” Maxwell responded, staying near the door, “but you wanted to be informed when the Dragaron returned from collecting taxes. They are unloading now; my men are escorting the payment to the vault as we speak.”

  Nola turned away, using her back to conceal her actions, and poured a few drops of liquid from a vial she kept hidden in her gown pocket. She watched the orange substance blend with the wine as she gently swirled the cup.

  I must keep him pliable, she reminded herself.

  Every step she took was necessary, and the Regent was a pawn to ensure her future. To keep him under her influence, she needed to refresh her hypnotism over the man. Wine and sinder root made everyone pliable. Even those with a strong will, of which Maxwell was not.

  Taking in a deep breath, she steeled herself for the Regent’s grubby fingers and aggressive behavior. With a turn and a nod, she motioned Maxwell to join her on the balcony. She hated this man as much as every other man she had ever met. To her, men only cared for or respected wealth and power. For now, Diu concealed Maxwell’s debts and bad habits, which gave her the upper hand. There was no benefit to her in relinquishing her position.

  She watched Maxwell eye the sleeping king. Hatred narrowed the man’s gaze, and his hand unconsciously clenched his sword. The click of his boots as he left the carpeted chamber and crossed the stone balcony brought a sly smile to her face. “What brings you to my door, Maxwell?” She pretended to sip the wine. “The ship arrived hours ago; we watched the guards from my council chambers. Don’t tell me you could not spend another moment apart.” She batted her eyelashes and tossed him a look.

  Maxwell eased in close. The man’s breath smelled of ale and his beard of tobacco. His eyes shifted to parts of her where they did not belong. She knew what he wanted, and she hated him for it. There was no love between them, but his desires allowed her to get close. Up close, her skills could manipulate any man, given the right incentive—and a potion if necessary.

  “My dear,” Maxwell whispered, getting closer, “you are divine in that gown. Why do you deny me the privacy to take advantage of you?”

  No, there was no love left in her heart. The only man she ever loved was her father, and Iver killed him. Maxwell was only a pawn in a grander scheme to restore her family to the throne of Milnos and exact revenge on the Galloway family line. “Oh, Maxwell.” She fiddled with his decorative medals. “You know you cannot come to the King’s chambers. What would the lords and ladies of the land say?”

  “You know I don’t care about your reputation, my dear.” Maxwell grabbed her neck with his thick fingers. He spoke quietly so no one would hear. “I grow weary, waiting for that man to die. I am a patient man, but why don't you kill him already?”

  His touch made her skin crawl, but she kept her eyes delightfully locked on his. Hidden in her bosom, she felt the dark crystal against her skin. Her mother’s stone ebbed with power; she had used it too much today. Still, she pulled at the magic, begging it to control this man. His eyes fell blank, and she offered him her cup. “Drink, Maxwell.”

  Maxwell downed the entire cup. Nola chuckled at the weak-minded man in front of her. The remnants of her influence mixed with new suggestions that forced him to comply. Thankful that the stone did her bidding, she whispered to the man under her spell. The sinder root allowed her to squelch the passionate nature bubbling inside the man for a time, leaving him feeling satisfied and remembering whatever she told him to believe. But the root was only a momentary solution, for she knew a buildup of the herb would cause an immunity to its influence, forcing her to resort to mixing potent herbs, which always lead to sickness, as it had with Iver.

  Over Maxwell’s shoulders, Nola heard men talking near the chamber door. Their loud noises drew her inside, and she pulled the Regent along, ordering him to retire for the night.

  “Your Majesty, Queen Nola,” one guard stepped to the side to let the Regent exit. “As you requested, we wish to inform you that Prince Kai is returning from his stroll in the palace gardens
. The maid informed me his evening meal would be delivered to his room per your instructions.”

  Nola felt drained, but exhaustion was not an option. The time was now. Tonight, she needed to activate her plan. She was tired of waiting. “Thank you,” she nodded and closed her door.

  When Nola reemerged, she wore a different gown, shapely yet conservative. A dress she knew accentuated her youthful beauty and represented Diu style, perfect for the occasion with the unsuspecting Kai. In the pocket of her dress, the refreshed vial pressed against her hip. The long walk to the opposite end of the palace took longer than she wanted. She needed this done, one last move to finish the game.

  Ahead of her, she watched the guard change outside Kai’s room. Then Kendra entered, carrying a large tray of food and wine. Taking advantage of the open door, Nola strolled in behind the maid.

  “Thank you, Kendra.” Nola waved her hand in dismissal. “Leave us.”

  Kendra set the tray on the table and departed. Nola watched Kai eye the tray and the open wine bottle. She knew he did not trust her, but she needed him to play his part. His attitude around her verged on the side of arrogance, and that made her angry. But she kept her composure, took a seat, and offered a pleasant smile.

  Kai crossed the room to join her at the table. “You said you wanted to talk, but I have a few questions first. Must I remain confined to my chamber? Why am I a prisoner in my own home?”

  Nola poured two glasses of wine. She offered Kai a cup and took a sip from her own. She noticed Kai did not drink. She added food to a plate and offered it to him. He accepted but did not eat. Filling her plate, she continued to ignore his question. “The council believes you are not to be trusted; there are those who speculate about your return. Captain Beekman informs me he had to force you to return.”

  A grumble emanated from Kai’s stomach, revealing his hunger, but he refused to eat anything. “It did not happen that way,” he insisted.

  The fireplace cast angry shadows across the room, matching Nola’s mood. As she watched the flames dance and the embers disappear up the chimney, she continued to manipulate the truth. She had Kai trapped in more ways than one. Beekman had painted a picture, and Nola simply altered it to suit her needs. There was little he could do, and they both knew it.

  “The way I heard it, your Kempery-man, Dresnor, I believe, had to insist you travel with Captain Beekman.” She wiped her mouth and dropped her napkin back into her lap. “Speaking of your men, I have it on good authority that all have requested reassignment. Well, all but one—Captain Drew Henley, resigned his position. Everyone seems to be distancing themselves from you. There are even rumors that the baker’s daughter was in tears upon her reunion with her parents. I hear she feared she would never see them again. Has she also abandoned you? She has not come to the palace asking to see you even once.”

  The queen delivered each comment like a punch to the gut, hoping to incite Kai, but he held his tongue. Nola leaned back in her seat and continued to let her words swirl around the room. “My dear, we all make mistakes in our youth, but you are a prince; you cannot afford mistakes. The kingdom no longer trusts you. You fought against Diu men to protect Katori outsiders.”

  “They are not outsiders!” Kai snapped back. “And I did not fight any Diu soldiers, only Milnosian men.”

  She could see the anger build in his eyes; this made her happy. “Dear Kai,” Nola leaned forward, “they are the same. The Milnos men traveled under my authority to save a Diu Prince, and in turn, you attacked them, killed some of them. It was all I could do to calm Regent Maxwell after the treatment General Zhao received at your hand.”

  Kai pounded his fist. Her plan to flush him out had worked better than she could have hoped.

  “The man ordered the slaughter of men, women, and children if they refused to be taken prisoner!” Kai shouted. “I could not stand by while this happened in my kingdom.”

  Guards stormed the room; swords drawn, they approached Kai.

  “Your Majesty, we heard yelling and banging,” one man insisted.

  Nola patted the air. “I am fine. The prince is passionate, that is all. Leave us.” She motioned to the door, and the men complied. Even without applying any effort, Kai was playing the part she hoped—aggressive and unpredictable. This outburst would add to her plan.

  Her mischievous grin bounced between them, and Kai let out a shallow sigh. “My apologies, Queen Nola.” She could tell he said the words but did not mean them.

  She relaxed back into her seat. “Accepted.”

  A long pause lingered until Kai spoke. “You are correct; I am passionate about my people, all the citizens within Diu borders. The Katori people have lived there in the foothills for generations.”

  “With Iver unwell, the Diu citizens look to me to protect them.” Nola refilled her glass. “If Iver—well, when Iver dies—they need to know the country will be in good hands. I cannot in good faith suggest you become our next king. The heir apparent or not, without the council or the city behind you, I am afraid you have no power.”

  She let the words circle his head, and she watched the doubt bubble in his expression. When he pushed back from his uneaten plate, she feared he would open the door and order her out. Instead, he offered a polite bow and gestured to the balcony. “Forgive me, Nola, I need some air.”

  Alone in the room, Nola emptied the entire contents of the sinder root vial into her cup; she needed to be sure Kai’s mind would bend to her will. With her cup replenished, she stepped outside into the winter air. He stood hunched over with his hands grasping the stone railing. Her first thought was to push him over the rail and let him plummet to his death. But she had to remember that patience was a virtue, and killing two birds with one stone took control.

  Joining him in silence, they looked over the sprawling city. Nola could almost hear his aggravation thunder in his chest, and it tempted her to touch his back. To her surprise, heat emanated through his shirt and vest. He turned, and she could see the challenge of her unwanted affections bubble on his lips, but he swallowed his words.

  It had been nearly a year since Nola had hypnotized him; she doubted there would be any lingering effects. Still, she gazed at him with her green eyes and searched for their bond in the fading sunlight. “We do not need to be enemies, Kai.” She stared with profound kindness, focusing on the crystal tucked within her bosom. The stone had very little energy left to give; she was too tired to offer it power, and it pulsed in refusal.

  “The thought of my father dying . . .” Kai let his words fall away, and he leaned against the stone railing with his hip.

  The sheer depth of his sadness should have melted Nola’s heart, but then she wasn’t sure she had one. She ran her hand over his crossed arms. His skin was warm; her touch was soothing. “You will be alright, Kai.” She whispered, leaning close to his face. “Trust me—I am here for you.”

  “How did it all come to this?” Kai begged with a lost expression.

  She almost felt bad for him. Almost. But she could see Mariana in his eyes, and it restored her hatred. Keeping her true feelings hidden, she tilted her head. “I understand, Kai.” She tapped his arm and pulled once more on the magic within the dark stone. Then she felt a snap as she was drawn deeper into his eyes. The crystal complied.

  “You fear Iver is all you have left.” Her rhythmic touch electrified her fingertips as power flowed through her. She felt his will bend, but not enough.

  His breathing slowed, but she felt his mind push against hers. The crystal gave her keen insights on the power of the mind, and Kai was strong—stronger than any man she had manipulated before. The smell of wine from her cup gave her an idea. If he did not drink on his own, she would introduce the substance another way. Over the years, she had drunk enough of the sinder root potion so it no longer affected her, and she knew how to use its mind-numbing properties.

  Yes, this was the only way, Nola thought. Holding a gulp of wine in her mouth, she kissed Kai square on the mouth
. The taste of dark cherry, earthy oak, and the bitter potion danced on her tongue. She let some of the liquid slip into Kai’s mouth, then pulled back and watched him swallow. Nola stared into his eyes and pulled on the magic within her crystal. It gave just a little, but with the wine, it was enough.

  Kai went slack, and his eyes looked a thousand miles away. “You see me, Kai, as I see you. Hear me as you once did. We cement our bond tonight—you will be mine.” She continued to tap his arm. “Look into my eyes and hear only my voice. I am your queen. Drink, drink the wine, I insist.” She handed him her cup.

  Lost in her eyes and mesmerized by her words, Kai drank. He drank every drop. She had him; she could taste it, just as she could taste the wine on her lips. “Say it,” she commanded him. “I am your queen.”

  “You are my queen,” he responded, hypnotized by her words and the sinder root.

  One question burned in her mind. “Why did you come back here, Kai?” Nola held his gaze and tapped on his hand.

  He spoke without hesitation. “I came to save my father. Save him from you.”

  Well, honesty. Nola did not expect Kai to be so forthright. “We both know you are no prince of Diu,” she prodded, hoping to confirm the rumors that he was not Iver’s biological son. “But you will serve me. You love me, say it is so.” She kissed him again to test her influence. Kai pulled her close, and she let the space between them collapse.

  Even the strongest of men cannot resist the stone; I will rule the world someday.

  Keeping her wits, Nola took a breath and stared into his eyes. She watched Kai lick his lips and felt his hands pull at her waist. “I do love you, my queen. I am yours to command.”

  “I need you, Kai,” she teased. “You will free us from Iver’s evil grasp, by killing the king. The moment is upon us, and you will need to be ready. Remember the commitment you made to me. Keep it buried deep until I pluck it out. Come.” She took him by the hand and led him inside.