The sailor leaned on the crates and looked at Alaric with sympathy.
“Lost your sweetheart, have you? Lads! You seen a girl around? Anyone come by ship?”
All the sailors stopped working and turned to Alaric.
“She met misfortune on her travels,” Alaric said. “I think her escort was lost.”
One of the younger men scratched his beard.
“Did you say she had a purple dress? I might have seen someone like that. She was hiding behind a stack of crates this morning.”
The oldest sailor guffawed.
“Don’t listen to Timon. He thinks he sees mermaids when we sail.”
“I don’t think anything, Gruff! There are mermaids! They probably hide from you because you’re so ugly.”
Alaric cleared his throat.
“She would have traveled with a large party. At least, I think so. Something dreadful must have happened to them.”
Gruff ran his hands through his wild gray hair.
“That’s what they always say, lad. There’s always a misfortune. Always a need for more money before they can come to you.”
“No, she really was in trouble! You haven’t heard anything about a ship sinking or a party running into trouble crossing the mountains?”
“The travel conditions have never been better,” Gruff said. “Nobody’s run into trouble. Gossip about travel spreads through the docks like wildfire. We’d know if something had happened.”
“Oh. Well, thank you.”
The old sailor nodded in sympathy.
“It’s happened to us all, lad. You get sweet on a girl in a foreign port. You send her money to come to you. She says the ship sank. We’ve all fallen for the story.”
The sailors nodded one by one.
“She ain’t coming, lad,” Timon said. “You’d have better luck courting a mermaid.”
Stefan clapped his brother on the back.
“You’d best forget about Gladiola,” he said. “I told you not to send her your life savings.”
Alaric glared at him from beneath his hood. The sailors murmured in sympathy.
“He saved for three years to bring her here,” Stefan said.
He waved his hands from side to side, working the crowd. The sailors watched in rapt attention.
“He worked as a goat herder. As a harvester. Any work he could get to bring her back to his side.”
Alaric stomped on Stefan’s foot. Stefan patted him on the shoulder. The comforting gesture felt more like a punch.
“That’s too bad, lad,” Gruff said. “But don’t you let that get you down. There’s other lasses out there. If you ever need work, you come see me. Men down on their luck have to stick together.”
The sailors nodded their agreement. Alaric thanked them and walked away, careful to keep his hood pulled down over his face.
“Don’t worry,” Stefan said. “You’ll get over Gladiola.”
Alaric glanced behind him to make sure they were far enough away from the sailors.
“You’re despicable, Stefan.”
Stefan grinned.
“What? I thought it was funny.”
“It wasn’t. And we still don’t know where she came from.”
Stefan shrugged. Alaric was in no mood to talk, so they walked back to the castle in silence.
Alaric thought of Lina the whole time.
18
Lina lifted the mattress and reached under it. Her heart swelled with relief. The pea was still there. She tucked it back into its hiding place.
Hilda helped Lina out of the pink dress and into a white nightgown. Lina examined the room. There was no window. No secret passageways to unlock with her ring in this part of the castle. No way to get out except the door.
She waited a few moments, giving Hilda time to make it out of the hallway. Then she stuck her head out.
“Can I help you, Princess?”
A guard walked towards her. Lina glanced down the hall. Guards stood by each princess’s door.
“No, thank you. I thought I heard something.”
She ducked back into her room and leaned against the door. She listened to the guard walk back to his post.
Of course there were guards. The Council of Kings wouldn’t risk the safety of the princesses.
And they certainly wouldn’t allow any chance for cheating. The guards kept the princesses in and visitors out.
Lina hoped Prince Alaric wouldn’t tell anyone they had spoken at the archive. She couldn’t afford to be disqualified now.
She sank onto the bed and pulled the covers around her. The mattress was soft and inviting, but she fought sleep.
Did Prince Alaric suspect her? He had seen her at the archive and the gate. Lina couldn’t imagine what he thought about it. The rest of the castle accepted her without question, but Alaric had seen her doing things normal princesses wouldn’t. He would have to be an idiot not to suspect something.
And he wasn’t an idiot. He had been trying to question her at dinner. Searching for answers. Thank goodness Carina was a master at awkward conversations.
And thank goodness for the guards. Depending on what he suspected, Prince Alaric might have tried to gain a private audience with her. He knew she was up to something, but he couldn’t question her in front of everyone. Admitting he had seen her multiple times outside the test would lead to scandal.
She needed to stay away from him. Speak with him as little as possible. The ball was tomorrow night. She would check in with the Council and complete her mission. The King of Gaveron could take care of the rest with whatever special forces the Council commanded in this century.
Lina’s eyes closed. She breathed in the clean scent of the linens. The fire crackled. Shadows pulled at her until she fell into a trance.
Lina woke in the realm of shadows. Her white nightgown had disappeared. She wore her black gown and cape. She searched the sky. Three stars twinkled on the horizon. She considered reaching out to them, but they were too faint to do much good. And if they were searching for her, she wasn’t sure she wanted to be found.
Lina studied the emptiness. In her time, Aeonia had been a center of magical education. The shadow realm had been filled with shadow warriors and the stars of light wielders.
Now it was empty. Lina closed her eyes and inhaled. It was more than the emptiness. Something had shifted. Her ankle throbbed as she walked. The ground was too solid. The world was more gray than black. Vast emptiness stretched as far as she could see in all directions. It felt more like a barren wasteland than the shadow world rich with magic she remembered.
Lina pulled the pea emerald from her headband and held it flat in her palm.
“Dagger.”
The jewel stretched into a solid beam of green light. Lina imagined the shape of her favorite dagger until the light became it. A sleek blade decorated with swirling etches. The pea settled into the hilt, and green light swirled around her hand and up her arm. The magic strengthened Lina’s senses.
She smelled it before she saw it. Decay, rot, fear, chaos. Whatever you wanted to call it, it was a stench she recognized all too well.
Lina tightened her grip on the dagger and jumped. She landed halfway across the realm of shadows. Right in front of a shimmering scar that floated in the air. The seal.
“Show yourself, Nog.”
The goblin’s hulking form materialized behind the shimmer. Lina reached her senses out. Yes, he was alone.
That was something, at least.
“Welcome back, goat girl.”
Lina clenched her teeth.
“What did you say?”
“You’re a pathetic goat. Too stubborn to know when you’re beaten.”
“No one calls me a goat and lives.”
“Your brother did. Well, I guess not.”
Lina stepped closer.
“What do you know about Luca?”
Nog grinned. The stench of his breath made Lina gag.
“Nothing I’m telling you. Not
hing you don’t already know. He’s gone. You’re alone.”
“There are still stars.”
Nog’s laugh echoed through the vast landscape. The bruise on Lina’s ankle pulsed.
“Stars? Those pricks of light? Stars indeed. All the true stars died years ago.”
“It doesn’t matter. You’re trapped.”
Nog’s eyes flashed red.
“Am I?”
Dark magic curled around Lina’s dagger. She reached her hand out to strengthen the seal, but it wasn’t coming from Nog. It didn’t feel like goblin magic. It wasn’t strong enough.
But it had been enough to distract her.
A gnarled hand shot through the shimmering shield. Nog wrapped his claws around Lina’s arm. Pain shot through her wrist as he scraped down her skin. Her hand went numb. She almost dropped the pea.
“Shadow bolt!” she screamed.
The pea emerald crackled with green lightning. Nog roared with pain as the light crawled across his skin, but he didn’t let go of Lina’s arm. He pulled her towards him.
Towards the shield. Lina gulped. If Nog escaped, he might be able to pull her in. Trap her behind the shield. She could only guess the consequences of that. She likely would die. The shield would probably collapse.
An image flashed through Lina’s mind. Aeonia overrun with goblins and other creatures of darkness. Houses on fire. People screaming and fleeing for their lives.
No.
It couldn’t happen again.
Lina twisted her wrist and stabbed Nog with the dagger. He squeezed her arm until it felt like the bone would shatter. She bit her lip to distract from the pain and pressed the dagger into his skin.
Nog roared and kept squeezing.
Lina studied the shield. There was a tiny crack. Easily closed.
If she could concentrate. Pain roared through her arm. She inhaled and concentrated her energy on a single burst.
“Seal!” she screamed.
The pea’s green light intensified. It transformed from a dagger to a single lightning bolt. The magic energy crawled over the seal. It found the crack and wove it shut.
“No!”
Nog pulled on Lina’s arm with all his strength. She jerked backwards. Her shoulder wrenched, but the goblin lost his grip. Both fell backwards. Lina landed on her cape. It hovered in the air and held her upright.
Nog landed on the other side of the seal. He pounded against it and roared, but the seal contained the sound and stench. Lina hugged her injured arm to her side and smiled.
That should hold him.
She tucked the pea back into her headband and held her diamond ring to her lips.
“Heal,” she whispered.
White light bathed her right arm. The pain eased some, but it didn’t disappear. Lina massaged the bruises. Her healing magic had never been as good as Luca’s.
It had never needed to be.
She closed her eyes and slipped into a restless sleep.
She awoke back in the castle. The fire hadn’t died yet. She hadn’t been gone long. Lina sighed and tried to get comfortable. Her arm hurt no matter how she positioned it. It would be bruised. Her shoulder throbbed, but she could wiggle her fingers.
Nothing broken, thank goodness. She wouldn’t be climbing castle walls for a while, but hopefully she wouldn’t need to. She just needed to make it through the Princess Tests tomorrow. To stay in the castle until the ball. The Council of Kings would take care of everything once they knew about Nog. They probably even had healers to mend her arm.
Lina focused on breathing. In and out. It distracted her from the pain. She doubted she could sleep, but she’d need rest to get through whatever ridiculous tests the princesses were doing tomorrow.
19
Alaric watched Lina during breakfast. She didn’t eat much and yawned a lot. She tucked her right arm into her skirt. What was she hiding? A weapon? A secret message?
Her yawning made everyone else yawn. Fiora in particular seemed to be fighting it.
“Didn’t you sleep well, Princess?” she asked.
Lina raised her dark rimmed eyes and smiled at Fiora.
“I’m afraid not. The mattress is much harder than I’m used to.”
“Hmmph.”
“That is a shame,” Queen Marta said. “Perhaps I can take you to select a different mattress later today. I want all our guests to be comfortable.”
“Absolutely not,” Fiora said. “We stay together as a group. We get the same treatment. If you or anyone else talks to her separately, she might reveal her identity.”
Some of the princesses rolled their eyes. Some nodded in agreement. Lina yawned.
“I wouldn’t dream of demanding an unfair advantage. Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness, but I will make do with the mattress I have.”
“Delicacy is the mark of a true princess,” Queen Marta said with approval.
Alaric stared at her. The Princess Tests were going to his stepmother’s head. This was a woman whose idea of fun was chasing goats around a mountain. Delicacy? It was probably the quality she valued least in a person.
“Our first princess test this morning is music,” Queen Marta said.
Alaric looked up.
“Music?”
“A queen is often called upon to entertain guests. She should possess talents necessary to do so. All the princesses have prepared a song for you. Your favorite will perform it at the ball tonight.”
Yes, the Princess Tests had definitely gone to Marta’s head. Alaric had heard her sing. She sounded worse than her goats. She usually entertained dignitaries by stuffing them with food and taking them on mountain hikes.
The princesses around the table chatted about the next test while they finished eating. Alaric downed his glass of goat milk in a single gulp and leaned back into his chair. At least he wouldn’t have to talk to them. This should be less painful than the other tests.
The princesses needed time to get ready. Alaric watched them as they left. Yes, Lina definitely had something hidden in her sleeve. It was a perfect dress for hiding something. Long and flowing. She kept her right arm glued to her side.
Was she limping? Yes, her steps were uneven. Alaric frowned. Had she injured herself climbing the tower? He had tried to check on her last night, but the stationed guards had shooed him away.
“Looking forward to music?” Stefan asked.
Alaric shrugged.
“Still worried about the mystery girl?”
“Of course I am. I think she’s a spy.”
“A spy for what? All the countries are here.”
“Maybe she is here to assassinate someone. Or to influence my choice.”
Stefan laughed.
“I think she’s definitely influencing your choice.”
“What do you mean?”
“You like her.”
Alaric recoiled.
“That’s ridiculous. I don’t know anything about her.”
“You know she likes history. You know she’s clever. You know she’s bold enough to climb a castle tower.”
“I know she’s accused me of being a bloodthirsty impostor. I know she’s devious. I know she’s sneaking around my castle.”
“Sure.”
“Stefan, this is serious. She could be dangerous.”
“Dangerous to your heart.”
“Shut up! The Council of Kings is questioning our right to rule. I can’t let anything interfere with the Princess Test. And I certainly can’t fall for someone with an unknown lineage.”
Stefan’s face paled.
“The Council is doing what?”
Alaric sighed.
“Some have questioned our right to rule. They say we have no right to this land since we aren’t from a noble family.”
“Alaric, I had no idea. Our ancestors conquered this land a century ago. That has nothing to do with us. The Council must see that.”
Alaric shrugged.
“They’ll see it more once a princes
s with noble blood sits on the throne.”
“Oh. Oh, I see. This Princess Test is about more than trade agreements then. Alaric, why didn’t you tell me? I could have helped you. I could have-”
“Not prepared my terrible play to be performed as entertainment?”
“It isn’t terrible. The guests will be entertained.”
Alaric shook his head.
“Evangelina Shadow-Storm. Why can’t the princesses be like that, Stefan? I’d marry a girl like that in a heartbeat.”
“You know she isn’t real, right? No one is that brave.”
“Maybe not in that way, but there must be people willing to fight for what they believe in.”
“Odette was.”
Alaric glared at his brother.
“Why do you keep talking about her?”
“Because I want you to be happy! And she made you happy!”
“She didn’t! She was all wrong for me. We were wrong for each other.”
“But you ended your relationship with her so recently. I want to make sure your rebound isn’t an arranged marriage to a princess who collects butterflies.”
“Things between us ended years ago. We were just both too stubborn to admit it.”
Stefan stared at his brother. Studied the lines in his face. He had always carried too much responsibility. Tried too hard to be the perfect ruler. Stefan half wished Evangelina Shadow-Storm was real. Someone that strong could share the load his brother carried. Help him find himself under all the responsibilities.
He shook his head and smiled at Alaric.
“What can I do to help?”
“Keep an eye on Lina. Keep listening for princess names. Watch for signs of trouble. We can’t afford for anything to go wrong.”
“The princesses should be ready now. You can watch them yourself for a bit. I wonder what song Lina the mystery princess has prepared?”
Alaric smacked his brother’s shoulder, but a spark lit his eyes. He was curious in spite of himself.
20
“Carina, I don’t know this song.”
Carina smiled at her.
“Of course you do. Everyone knows The Snowbell Song. They sent us the sheet music last year!”
The Princess and the Pea (Fairy Tale Adventures Book 1) Page 11