As they made their way to the castle, Adara murmured in her ear, “Perhaps we can practice every afternoon if you’d like, my lady?”
Her warm breath tickled Iliana’s ear, making her shiver.
“I would like that very much,” Iliana whispered back.
IT BECAME ROUTINE to wake up and join Adara in the great hall. They would practice, Iliana moving clumsily at first, then, more assuredly. If anyone saw them, they would see two figures: one petite, frail girl with long black hair and a tall, lithe golden one who was swift and graceful.
“You improved quite fast,” Adara observed, a little surprised. “You are stronger than you think, my lady.”
Iliana blushed. She did feel better, her muscles felt loose and her blood seemed to sing. But maybe that was just Adara’s presence.
“You dirty your dresses so easily since they are white,” Adara continued. “Do you not have any dresses of different colors or any other clothes?”
“No, Alexios likes me in white dresses,” Iliana said.
“Of course he does. He must enjoy the sight of an untouched bride.”
Iliana shrugged uneasily. It caused less trouble to wear what he wanted.
“Let us continue to practice.”
Afterward, Iliana washed up and sat in front of her mirror, waiting for Alexios to come escort her to dinner as usual. He entered the room, carrying the customary white roses.
“You seem different somehow,” Alexios said, staring at her reflection. It was true: her eyes sparkled, bright and alert. Her formerly limp hair sprung in wild curls down her shoulders as she moved quickly, nimbly like a bird.
“I’ve heard you’ve been spending a lot of time with my sister.”
“Yes, she has been teaching me swordplay,” she burbled eagerly. “Oh Alexios, it is such great fun! And it’s much more amusing than sitting in my room all day, and you’re always busy—”
“I want you to stop.”
Iliana froze, her words drying on her tongue. “Why?”
“Adara is no fit companion for you. She has run wild ever since father fell ill, dressing like a man and taking up sports not suitable for ladies. I do not want you tainted by her fancies and strange notions.”
“She is not at all like that, Alexios,” she said hotly. “She is good and kind. She is patient with me although I am clumsy—”
“You do not know her true character and you will not waste your time with her again.”
“But she makes me happy! She is such a good friend. She makes me happy unlike—” Iliana stopped, shocked. She had almost said, unlike you.
Alexios did not notice. “I forbid you to see her!”
“But—” she protested.
“I said, I forbid you,” he growled. “You shall do as I say with no question. Do not forget you would be nothing without me.” By the last word, he was screaming and spraying her with his spittle. He shook her, his fingers biting into her upper arms. Iliana cringed as she leaned back from him.
“Yes, Alexios,” Iliana whispered.
He left the room, his footsteps heavy and clanking, and slammed the door.
Shaken, Iliana took deep, calming breaths, reminding herself that she owed him.
THE NEXT DAY, to show his contrition, Alexios took Iliana to a market square. The goods ranged from dried fruits to bolts of lovely fabrics to potions that supposedly created good luck or found true love. Crowds of chattering people milled about, brandishing trays of breads, sweets, jewelry. The scent of dirt and trees mingled with the aroma of cooking food. Too many bodies pressed against her, and Iliana stumbled, almost toppling over. They stopped to rest, leaning against a table that carried amulets, flasks of bright liquids, and small leather pouches of crushed flowers. Alexios wandered to the next table, which displayed rows of shining knives, but Iliana lingered, skimming a finger over a polished violet stone and sniffing a dried flower.
“Do you want to buy a charm, dear?” the owner asked.
“Oh, no, but thank you.” Iliana smiled, glancing up.
The woman gasped, throwing up one hand. There were symbols etched into her palm. Iliana flinched, staring at her in wide-eyed surprise.
“Child of the nightwalkers, have you no fear wandering around in the day?”
Iliana gaped, then shook her head. “I am aware I carry the marks of magic. A faerie cursed me. But I am well enough now—”
“Well enough!” the woman snorted. “As if it’s a trifling ailment. Child, I am one of the blessed, allowed to learn the magic and secrets of the Fae. Your ailment has naught to do with the Folk.”
Iliana shrugged off the pinpricks of unease and stubbornly said, “I do not know what you speak of.”
The woman shook her head, her eyes shining wetly. With her severe, blunt features and her brown hair swept into a bun, she resembled a governess more than a witch.
“Take heed, my child,” the witch intoned. “Your curse will come in a fortnight. You’d best be prepared.”
Iliana shuddered and turned away to find Alexios. When she glanced over her shoulder, she saw that the witch was still staring at Iliana, her face contorted into an expression of pity and revulsion, her dark eyes glittering like shards of broken glass.
THAT NIGHT, ILIANA could not fall asleep. Ensconced in her sheets, Iliana thought of the witch and her ominous premonition. With a thrill of unease, she wondered if the witch’s prediction had anything to do with the attack in the woods. Sitting up straight, she picked at the sheets in agitation. Then, she remembered her old nurse, one of the blessed allowed to study healing under the Fae. She had told her that magic handled by humans, particularly fortune-telling and soothsaying, was notoriously unreliable. Comforted, she sank back into the sheets just as the floor creaked.
“Alexios?” she whispered. But there was no reply. Instead, there was the skittering of little clawed feet. A small dark shadow darted across the room.
When Iliana gasped, a strange sound greeted her, like tinny, high-pitched laughter. Several more creatures scampered across the room. One stopped and crawled closer to her bed. It was a lumpy goblin-like creature with torn pointed ears and clawed hands. Grinning, it flashed sharp little teeth that were more like a jagged row of needles. Its bulbous red eyes reflected Iliana’s horrified face.
Iliana gave a strangled scream. Cackling, the creatures leapt onto the bed, scurrying toward her, but Iliana launched herself off the bed and yanked open her chamber door. As she ran down the hallway, she glanced behind, which caused her to knock into someone with an oof. Iliana was still trying to catch her breath when she recognized Adara. Even with adrenaline and fear pumping through her, Iliana could not help but notice Adara’s body was firm and warm.
“Iliana, what is the matter?” Adara wheezed.
“I thought…I saw…I saw some creatures in my chamber. Awful things with sharp teeth,” Iliana gasped.
“Ah.” Adara yanked down her tunic and straightened Iliana’s gown. “How awful. There must be rats. I’ll have some tomcats set loose tomorrow.”
“No,” Iliana insisted. “They are not rats. They don’t appear to be anything I’ve ever seen.”
“Are you certain? Oftentimes, we can mistake things in the dark.”
“No, I am sure.” Iliana grabbed Adara’s hand. “Please believe me.”
Adara held Iliana’s hand to her chest. “I believe you,” she said gently. “These woods are said to be a home of many magical happenings. There is a menagerie of creatures that live in the woods. However, nothing here will harm you. My family lived in these woods for generations, and I can promise you nothing sinister happened to any one of them.”
Iliana shuddered.
“Shall I walk you back to your chambers? It is quite late.”
“Why were you up?” Iliana inquired. Adara was dressed in her tunic and pants.
She paused. “I was sitting with my father.” She tugged on Iliana’s hand. “Let me take you back to your chamber.”
“No, I’m af
raid to go back tonight.” Iliana shook her head. “Could I… Is Alexios awake?”
“He is,” Adara said slowly. “He is down at the tavern tonight. But I will sleep in your sitting room if that would ease your mind.”
“You couldn’t,” Iliana protested, both thrilled and uneasy.
“Do not fret, my lady. I’ve slept in far worse quarters. Let me gather my things.” Adara kissed Iliana’s hand and strode off.
Iliana stood in the hallway for a moment before rushing off to Alexios’s room to make sure he wasn’t there. She knocked on his door. “Alexios?”
There was no answer. She tried the knob. It was unlocked.
She hesitated for a moment before pushing it slightly. The door swung open soundlessly. “Alexios? Are you here?”
It was cold enough that her breath billowed out in clouds. There was an odd unpleasant scent that was reminiscent of rotting flowers. She surveyed the room, trying to find the source of the smell. On his desk, she thought she saw something red glimmer. She took a step inside and squinted. It was some sort of red stone, glittering unnaturally bright in the dark.
“Iliana?” Adara called. Hastily, Iliana shut the door and scurried down the hall.
That night, Adara slept in Iliana’s sitting room, one room away. A whirlwind of thoughts—the witch, the horrifying creatures, Alexios’s room—spun through Iliana’s head. She was also keenly aware only a door separated her from Adara. Iliana imagined Adara sleeping, unguarded and vulnerable, until sleep came.
The next morning, the blankets were neatly folded and there was no sign that Adara had been there, save for a wrapped pastry and a note:
I notice you rarely eat. Please make sure to sustain yourself today as I imagine you must be exhausted from yesterday’s scare.
Foolishly as a love-struck schoolgirl, Iliana carried the note around, only tucking it away regretfully in her drawer when Alexios stopped by to remind her to stop sparring with Adara.
AT FIRST, IT was not so difficult—Adara was away for several weeks. But when she came back, Adara practiced outside again. Longing and guilt rose up within Iliana until she turned away from the window that overlooked Adara’s practice grounds, resolutely drawing the curtains.
After a few days, Adara sought her out. Iliana was sitting alone in her room when Adara knocked on her door.
“Why have you not joined me, my lady? Have I displeased you in some way? Were you displeased I left abruptly? There was an emergency, a flood in the Marshlands.”
“No! No, Adara. It is just that…” Iliana faltered.
“What? What is it?” Adara took her hand, and Iliana felt a dangerous pleasure spread through her body.
Snatching her hand away, she blurted, “Alexios does not wish for me to be your companion. He thinks you will lead me to wild ways.”
To her surprise, Adara appeared thoroughly unimpressed, even snorting exasperatedly. “My brother is always the self-important one. And what exactly is he doing with his days? Not away doing business as he claims, I wager.”
“Well, he thinks you are no fit companion for me,” she repeated dully. For some reason, she felt the burn of unshed tears at the back of her eyes.
“My lady, do not be upset. My brother is a pompous fool, but if you wish to obey him, then so be it. After all, I do not wish to be the cause of strife.” She drew Iliana’s hands into her own again and smiled gently.
Iliana burst into tears. How could she be forbidden from seeing Adara? She was the only source of comfort and happiness in the drafty, lonely castle. And she was so hungry and weary all the time…
“It is all right,” Adara said as she patted Iliana’s back reassuringly.
Iliana only sobbed harder, her tears soaking into Adara’s tunic.
Finally, she wiped her eyes and managed a watery, embarrassed smile. “I apologize, Adara. You must think me a child.”
“Not at all. It’s difficult enough to be Alexios’s sister. I cannot imagine the horrors of being his betrothed.” Adara smiled to take the sting out of her words.
“Oh, that’s not precisely accurate. He is kind…” She hesitated. “Kind enough. But not kind as you.”
“That is lovely of you to say, Iliana.”
“It is true.”
Suddenly, Iliana was keenly aware of how close they were standing; she could feel the length of Adara’s body pressed against hers, the heat of Adara’s hands against her back. Adara’s golden-green eyes seemed nearer than ever.
“Iliana…” Adara whispered.
Iliana tilted her head back and closed her eyes in response.
Adara leaned down and kissed Iliana. Adara’s lips were soft and firm, making Iliana open her mouth on a sigh. Adara gripped the back of Iliana’s neck, drawing her closer until their bodies melded. Iliana felt her heart start to flutter as a strange kind of recognition sang through her veins.
She broke away from Adara with a gasp. She felt dizzy with adrenaline.
“It was you,” Iliana said simply.
“No—” Adara started, shaking her head.
“Tell me the truth,” Iliana ordered. “I know it was not Alexios who kissed me and broke my curse. It was you.”
“You are upset and confused, my lady.” Adara backed away, holding up her hands.
“Please,” Iliana begged. “Is this not my life as well? Do I not deserve the truth?”
She laid her hand tenderly against Adara’s cheek. Adara’s eyes were soft. There was a long moment of silence where the only sounds were their breathing. Adara sighed deeply, wearily, as if she was unburdening herself.
“Yes, it was me,” she murmured.
“How? How did this happen?” Iliana demanded.
Adara looked at her. “Let me tell you a story.
“Alexios and I were always at odds ever since we were children; however, we had to set our grudges aside as our father fell ill and would never recover. Alexios is a fool, more taken with sport and drink and women, but he will be lord since he is the firstborn. We were traveling through our lands to ensure our people’s comfort. One day at a tavern, we heard of a lady cursed by a faerie who was supposedly jealous of her legendary beauty. The faerie had attacked the lady’s carriage and cursed her into an eternal sleep, supposedly one that could only be broken by a true love’s kiss. That lady, of course, was you.
“Alexios was eager to go to you. Of course, you were protected very fiercely by your old nurse. She had no way to break the spell, but she did not want strange men to traipse in and kiss you at their whim. She was suspicious since we were bloodied and battered from a fight Alexios started in the tavern—as he always does with his blustering pride. But, he was to be the Lord of Sagehill and he was convinced you were his true love. She let me through and, with some skepticism, my brother as well.
“Alexios kissed you several times, but you did not stir. He left angrily. I lingered to look at you one last time. You were beautiful; it was true. But there were shadows under your eyes as if you knew great sadness and several lines wrinkled your forehead as if you were troubled by burdensome thoughts. I smoothed away your curls and longed for your peace of mind because even in deep sleep, you seemed in distress. I kissed you just once, a slight brush of the lips.
“But your lips parted, your eyelashes quivered, and you gasped deeply as if you had not breathed in a long while. When I cried out, my brother dashed in. He saw you awake and shoved me aside. He knew it was my kiss that awoke you, but he argued that it would be more strategic for him to marry you and join your lands since he would be lord. He persuaded me and sent me ahead to survey the lands while keeping you sequestered here. He was afraid I would tell you the truth.”
After Adara’s story, Iliana threw herself into Adara’s arms, her eyes shining.
“I am yours,” she wept. “I do not care about fated love or who broke the curse. I just know I will love no other as I love you.”
They kissed again and again, Adara caressing Iliana’s face, neck, hair fiercely, ro
ughly, as if she was finally staking her claim. She stripped off Iliana’s white dress, letting it fall onto the floor.
Iliana unbuttoned Adara’s tunic, unstrapped her swords. Adara’s body was strong, beautiful as Iliana always imagined it would be, her brown skin smooth and soft against the taut pull of her muscles. Adara kissed down Iliana’s shoulders, stomach, thighs, wet kisses that made Iliana tremble.
“Iliana,” Adara murmured, her words lost against Iliana’s stomach. She gripped Iliana’s thighs. Iliana caressed Adara’s hair as Adara kissed farther down until she found Iliana’s core, wet and ready.
Iliana cried out, arching her back and tightening her fingers on Adara’s hair. Iliana finally felt awake.
A FEW DAYS later, they met in the woods, hidden beneath the cover of a towering tree. The leaves drooped into draping curtains that Iliana had to lift to duck underneath. Iliana felt like they were in their own hideaway, the air filled with scents of damp soil and dewy foliage. She imagined other lovers meeting here to steal kisses or make plans to elope.
Adara looked grim and strained as she paced across the dirt. “Iliana, my father died this morning.”
“Oh no, I am sorry, my love,” Iliana whispered, reaching out to stroke Adara’s back.
“I knew it was going to happen.” Adara sighed. “I am glad I was there to hold his hand and perhaps offer some comfort as he passed. But, do you know what this means, Iliana? Alexios will be the Lord of Sagehill. Soon, he will take you as his bride.”
Iliana shuddered. “We will tell him soon. I shall call a carriage so we can depart for my manor immediately.”
“Yes, let us meet here tomorrow again to plan. Come at midnight when Alexios sleeps. But for now, I must leave to arrange the funeral.”
“I’m sorry about Lord Detros.”
“Thank you.”
As Adara lifted the curtain of leaves to depart, she turned back to Iliana, her eyes flicking over Iliana’s face. The yellow flecks in her eyes were brighter than molten gold.
“You will always have my heart, Iliana,” Adara whispered.
Once Upon a Rainbow, Volume One Page 38