Damari perked up when the Draedinian girl stood from her place in the corner, gliding to where the innkeeper, Rufus, stood near the door with a cloth draped over his arm. She whispered a few words, coins exchanged hands and then she disappeared up the narrow staircase. Rufus weighed the coins in his hand, bouncing them on his palm before he walked away, shaking his head. The people of Sunkai were often confused by Draedinians, simply because of their appearance at times. The girl was better than most—at least her dress was only skin tight, instead of the revealing gowns they often wore. Their dress was the reason some didn’t believe the Eventide Sisters were Draedinian. Often their modest clothes and humble attitudes confused the people contrasted to the normal traveler from Draedin.
Adlae didn’t remember much about Draedin. She had gone there only once with her father when she was little before Mirae was born. Her mother hadn’t wanted her to go, but as the future Queen of Nfaros, her father said the trip was necessary. That the journey would be good for her. Yet, despite all his determination, she didn’t remember anything he had tried to teach her while there. All she remembered was the men walked around without their shirts, and the women’s skirts had so many slits, you could see every inch of their long, sun-bronzed legs even when they stood still. Their attire had been so scandalous, even in the mind of a child like her, that she learned nothing about her father’s negotiations or his trading skills.
Damari shifted in her chair again, clenching her fingers around each other as her eyes began to dart nervously. Her shoulders stiffened as another ray of sunset cast a beam on the tavern floor.
“She’s not coming.” She decided suddenly, rising. Her chair trembled behind her, nearly toppling over. “We should go, before the first bell.”
“Calm yourself,” Adlae cooed. “She may yet come.”
“We cannot stay here to find out!” Damari grunted as if someone punched her in the gut. “The guards have already begun the patrol. You stand out with that staff and cloak; we must not be stopped on our way back to the Blood Keep. My brother will not like our lateness!”
“We said we would wait for Brae Jandry until the fifth bell. So, we shall.” Adlae gestured to the chair. “Sit down, Damari, and we will have Mistress Analli bring you more tea.”
“I have had enough tea!” Damari snapped. “I’ve had enough Quintarian tea to last me ten more years, and I am through waiting for Brae. She was detained, or her husband wouldn’t let her come. Either way, we have stayed long enough! Past the point of danger. We must return to the Blood Keep now!”
Adlae took a deep breath, trying to keep calm as she slowly rose from her own seat. “Sit down, Damari Kael. We will wait as long as we promised. Not a trice less and not a trice more.”
Damari stared defiantly into her eyes for a moment before she plunked back down in her seat, grumbling under her breath like a spoiled child. Adlae resisted the smile tempting her as she took her seat again, folding her hands on the tabletop.
“Then we should pray that my brother—”
“He won’t.” Adlae waved a hand at Analli, and she came quickly, clearing the table in between curtsies before she scurried away once more. “He will never know we left the Blood Keep.”
“I hope you’re right.” Damari rolled her neck from side to side. “I really don’t think—”
The door behind her creaked. Adlae froze, feeling warm eyes on her back, the familiar scent of the lavender she always used in her hair floating on the breeze coming through the door after her. Damari was on her feet in an instant, hurrying around the table to go to her. Adlae rose slowly, her palms pressed down on the table as she stared blankly across the room. Now that she was so close, close enough Adlae could sense her, smell her, everything seemed different. Now, she longed for those many minutes when she and Damari sat alone in the tavern, sipping their strong tea and worrying about their secrecy.
Give me strength. Adlae took in a deep breath and then turned.
Brae’s green eyes widened when she saw her face, her full lips parting before she dropped in a deep curtsy to the floor. Pain stabbed Adlae’s heart when she saw the simple gray dress her sister wore and the torn brown cloak about her shoulders. Never had she dreamed her sister would be reduced to these circumstances. She knew Brecken Jandry was not paid well by his king, but surely this poverty was part of Brae’s punishment for being the supposed last living Sundragon. Yet the sparkle in her emerald eyes remained, and her hair still glittered rose-red in the light of the sinking sun. Adlae had thought never to see her face again; had thought never to see her smile again when she left her those five years ago.
One of the last memories Adlae had of her was in the stable yard, with soldiers approaching rapidly from behind to seize her while she offered Adlae and Mirae the chance to escape with their lives. There had been no time to find a second horse—no chance for thought. Brae had known the escapee had to be Adlae, the true heir to the throne, and Mirae was only fifteen, too young to be left to the mercy of such a tyrant. As much as Adlae wanted to deny the facts, she and Brae both knew Brae had to be the one who would make the sacrifice. And Adlae swore never to forget that moment. She swore to repay her sister for the sacrifice she’d made.
But how can I when she now looks at my face and doesn’t know me? Adlae rubbed the center of her chest where the pressure was building before she lifted her staff from where it leaned against the wall.
Placing her hand upon Brae’s red head, she forced a smile. “Rise, my child.”
Brae lifted herself hesitantly from the floor, gripping her skirts in both fists.
“You came,” she gasped. “Damari told me only there was a lady who wished to meet me. She did not say the woman was you, Your Highness.”
“Damari Kael keeps secrets well.” Adlae did smile now, the shards that were her heart slowly beginning to piece themselves together once again. “We thought you would not come.”
“I am sorry. But my husband has grown suspicious in these ... difficult ... times.” Brae shuddered, rubbing her arms as though she were chilled.
“Shall we sit?” Adlae waved to the table behind them, and Brae nodded vigorously, hurrying to one of the chairs as Analli came waddling in with a fresh tray of tea and cakes.
Brae smiled her thanks as she hungrily took the refreshment the woman offered. Adlae watched her sister relish the treats, her eyes fluttering closed when she sank her teeth into the soft golden cake. She swallowed the cake down with a long gulp of the same mint tea Adlae herself had enjoyed moments ago. Brae looked up at them both and smiled, giggling behind her hand.
“Forgive me, I had only time to feed my daughter before I left to meet with you.” She placed the last of the cake down on the table before folding her hands primly against the edge. “Now, why did you want to meet with me?”
Damari looked at Adlae. Dipping her head, she gave the young princess her permission.
“You won’t like the reason, Brae.” Damari bit her bottom lip.
“What do you mean?” Brae turned to the princess. “Damari, what have you done?”
“She knows, Brae.” Damari took the woman’s hand. “The Winter Queen knows ... everything. She knows I support you. She knows everything we have been talking about, everything we have been planning.”
Brae looked up hesitantly at Adlae. “And why are you here, Your Majesty? Have you come here to dissuade us?”
“No.” Adlae tilted her head up. “On the contrary, Brae Jandry.”
“The Winter Queen supports the Sundragon,” Damari announced in a hushed voice, her eyes darting.
“She ... you ... really?” Brae rasped, her eyes rounding.
“Yes, Brae.” Adlae nodded, rapping her fingernails against the rough tabletop. She looked directly into her sister’s eyes, her heart thundering so loudly in her chest she could barely hear her own voice. “I have come here to meet you because I intend to p
ut the rightful heir, a true Sundragon, back on the throne of Nfaros.”
The wind whipped at her hair, chilling her skin as she paced impatiently at the border of the woods. Adlae rubbed her hands together, knowing what she’d done was risky. Damari thought she’d delivered Adlae safely to her bedchambers in the Blood Keep—just as Adlae wanted. Sneaking back out after the last bell was difficult, with all the gates locked tightly and the patrols marching the streets. But in the dark cloak Damari had given her, Adlae was able to move about the streets unseen.
Still, you insist on danger, Winter grumbled in her ear. You did not need to come here. These woods hold only bloody memories for us.
“But these woods are supposed to protect us.” Adlae paused in her pacing, staring into the darkness that consumed the trees in front of her.
Did they protect me? Winter’s voice raged, echoing on the wind. You saw what those Black Ones did to me! You saw them!
“Wraith Spawn,” Adlae hissed, baring her teeth. “Then I was right. Those foul creatures took your life that night.”
The Abyss brought them into a once pure wood, and they tainted it! I could not fight them; I was not strong enough. You will not be either, not without an army at your back. You should have brought the staff.
“I would have been known in Sunkai if I had.” Adlae drew in a trembling breath, closing her eyes. “Are they eternal? The Wraith Spawn?”
They are not. But they are many. They will unite enemies in times of darkness, and there will be many of those. The Abyss fights the Creator even now as the world weakens under Roderick Kael’s rule.
“I cannot fight two enemies,” Adlae groaned, tangling her hands in her hair. “I cannot go on without answers!”
To enter the woods is to tempt death, Winter warned.
Adlae dropped her hands to her sides, her shoulders slouching as the heaviness came upon her. But it would not last. The Abyss would not have her. Raising her eyes to the sky, she looked at the stars glimmering above her, shining a light upon her face that would never go out. Then she was reminded the Creator was with her. He would always be with her, no matter how thick the darkness.
“Then let me tempt death. I am not afraid.”
Adlae plunged into the darkness.
A thundering knock woke Brecken. He frowned, rising slowly from his bed. Brae stirred beside him, reaching out a hand to press her palm against his back.
“Brecken?” she whimpered softly, her eyes fluttering open as the knock persisted.
“Go back to sleep, love. I’m sure it’s nothing.” Brecken bent over, kissing her forehead before he stood, tugging on his trousers as he went.
Despite his attempt to calm her, Brae rose with him, pulling her nightdress down over her knees before she snatched up her robe. Brecken knew attempting to argue with her to get her back into bed was pointless; she wouldn’t sleep again until they knew who was at the door and why. He was troubled at how very little Brae slept. More than anything, he regretted his choice to sleep in the guardhouse the past two nights. He knew with certainty by the puffiness of her eyes and her face drawn with exhaustion she hadn’t slept at all. Brecken raked his hand through his messy hair, striding from their room.
Noelle slept peacefully on her cot, undisturbed by the unusual noise as Brecken moved quietly to the door. Looking over his shoulder, he saw Brae scuttle out behind him, going to sit on the edge of their daughter’s cot. She hovered over her, as though Noelle needed protection from whoever was on the other side, and Brecken wondered what secrets his wife was keeping.
Shaking his head, he opened the door. His brother stood there, fist still midair in preparation for another knock. Lathan Jandry matched Brecken’s height exactly, his sun-bronzed skin and black hair mirrored Brecken’s own, only his unusual blue eyes marked him as different. He was dressed in his uniform of the king’s colors, black and red, which meant whatever he had come for was formal. Round his temples he wore a cord of the Jandry colors, blue and yellow, marking him as the second son of their family.
“The king wants to see you.” Lathan held up a rolled parchment. “He even sent a summons.”
Brecken frowned, taking the scroll. “Is there something wrong?”
“A new development with ...” Lathan hesitated, glancing over Brecken’s shoulder at Brae before lowering his voice. “With the Sundragon issue.”
“Wait there.” Brecken closed the door. He could feel his wife’s eyes boring into his back, the heat of her stare burning his skin. “It’s a summons from the king.”
“Why does he send for you in the dead of night? He never has before.” Brae’s soft voice reached him.
“He is the king. He may do as he likes.” Without looking at her, he turned, marching back to the bedroom.
He dressed quickly in his uniform of red and black, matching Lathan’s down to the steel-heeled boots. Brae had followed him, watching as he dressed from where she stood in the doorway.
“Do you think he means to ask about Mirae?” Brae asked the question he’d been dreading. “Brecken, is this about my sister?”
“The reason I’m summoned is not your concern,” Brecken hissed, turning to her as he buckled his sword to his belt.
“Yes,” Brae sighed, falling heavily against the doorframe. “Just as Lathan and Maxx wouldn’t be your concern? Or Clea and Afra?”
“This isn’t the same, Brae, you know that.”
“No, I don’t know that. She’s still my sister, no matter what she has or hasn’t done. She’s still a part of me.”
“I cannot discuss the king’s business with you.” Brecken took her hand and kissed her knuckles. “Go back to sleep, Brae.”
“Not until you come back.” Brae tugged her hand away, walking back to sit with Noelle again.
“I don’t know how long I’ll be,” Brecken murmured, following her.
“Time doesn’t matter,” Brae replied, stroking their daughter’s hair. “I’ll wait for you.”
Brecken sighed, knowing there was no use arguing with her. He bent over, kissing the top of her head before he left her, closing the door quietly behind him. Lathan was right where Brecken left him, his hands clasped behind his back as he waited patiently.
“Has the king told you anything?” Brecken asked as they went side by side down the steps.
“Only that Mirae Sundragon was spotted in the woods bordering Quintaria,” Lathan answered, keeping stride with him. “He’s planning something, Brecken. We just don’t know what. He’s summoned his sisters to his council chambers.”
“Both?” Brecken’s brow rose.
“I know. I don’t know why he would want Damari there, but he sent for her all the same. Thankfully, he’s kept the Winter Queen out of it.” Lathan rolled his eyes. “Bad enough she hasn’t brought winter yet; we don’t need her interfering in the uprising.”
Brecken nodded, falling silent. Walking the streets after the sunset was strange. How quiet the city became after the last bell! How still everything went as if anticipating something terrible to come out of the darkness. Rumors of dark creatures roaming the Gracian Woods abounded on the streets of Sunkai, but none could prove their truth. Brecken shuddered when he saw shadows moving in the alleys the closer they came to the Blood Keep. The guards that patrolled the city streets at night were like apparitions, silent and invisible so to catch those who stepped foot outside their homes this late. Brecken and Lathan moved quickly through the streets, hands on their swords, prepared for anything.
The Blood Keep loomed above them as they stepped through the gate, taking the short route through the armory and up the back stairs that would lead them directly to the king’s council chambers. Brecken’s gut twisted the closer they came, fearing the worst from his king this night. If this was about Mirae Sundragon, then Brecken knew he had to prepare himself to break his wife’s heart ... again.
L
athan seemed to sense his tension as they stopped in front of the council chamber doors. He gripped Brecken’s shoulder tightly before he opened the doors. The situation was just as his brother had said. Raphaela and Damari both were there, their robes wrapped tightly around their trim bodies. Damari was pacing angrily, her brow lowered in a constant frown as she wrung her hands. Raphaela was all cool calm, her eyes roaming over him with appreciation as they always did when he came into her presence.
Brecken’s skin crawled, and he turned slightly away from her to bow to his king. His youngest brother, Maxx, was standing in a dark corner. The only difference in his appearance from his brothers’ was the blue and yellow trimmed kerchief around his neck, marking him the third and last son of the Jandry household.
“You’re here,” Roderick said without looking up from his maps. “Excellent. I have orders for you.”
“I am at your command, Your Grace,” Brecken answered solemnly.
“I don’t know why you woke me, Roderick,” Damari complained as she continued her pacing. “This has nothing to do with me.”
“Perhaps not,” Roderick mumbled his answer. “But you are a Princess of Nfaros, and you should be aware when your brother’s throne is being threatened.”
“By a slip of a girl who is miles away!” Damari pumped her arms in the air angrily. “Why is that reason to disturb my sleep?”
“It is about time you became interested in running this kingdom,” Raphaela said calmly, smoothing her hands down her robe. “You will have many duties in the coming years when our brother gives you Kaldon.”
“What did you say?” Damari’s neck snapped when she looked at her sister. “He cannot give me Kaldon. They have their own ruler.”
“I am King of Nfaros. I can do what I like!” Roderick slammed his fist on the table, and both of his sisters jumped to attention. “But that is not why we have gathered here. Captain Jandry, step forward.”
Winter Queen Page 10