First Light (Forever After Series)

by Michele Paige Holmes

  And still the screams continued.

  I began humming to try and cover the noise. I told myself it wasn’t Hale being murdered, as surely his wails would have ceased by now. I prayed silently and aloud for the victim. Oh, how I wanted to be back on our farm, safe in my gentle father’s arms. What a simple, wonderful life I’d had, and I had never appreciated it.

  I had no notion of how much time passed, but at last the terrible noises ceased, and only the faint cries of someone sobbing reached my cold, dark cell. My heart swelled with pity and then fear as footsteps sounded on the stairs. Someone was coming for me. Terror held me in its clutches, so that I was unable to move until the door swung open and a guard reached down and hauled me to my feet.

  As before there were two of them— massive, hulking, vile-looking men. This time they carried chains attached to two metal bands, which they clamped roughly around my wrists, tightening them to the point of pain, the edges biting into my skin. I winced with each step as the guards marched me down the stairs. Only when we’d reached the bottom did I remember the lone pearl I still wore.

  This brought a little peace, and as we exited the tower and entered the main castle, I sorted through wishes, wondering which was the best to see me safely away from here. I knew I must wish fast, before whatever plans Queen Nadamaris had rendered me incapable of coherent thought. But again I hesitated. Should I not first discover Hale’s fate and see if I could help him? And should I use the last pearl on myself when it was so vital to the whole of Canelia that the princess survive and marry Cristian?

  Cristian. Since my crying spell after the ball, I had not let myself think of him. But I did now, with an ache even greater than my fear. I had believed it would be unbearable to see him wed to another. But the thought of seeing him harmed became even more excruciating. I finally understood my destiny and knew I would do whatever required to keep him safe.

  I must endure whatever the queen planned for me. If nothing else, I could occupy her time, keeping both Cecilia and Cristian safe. The pearl must remain hidden beneath my gown.

  We came to the end of a particularly long hall and stood before an enormous, jewel-encrusted portal. The guards paused, waiting as the doors slowly swung open of their own accord. The men released my arms but indicated I was to enter the chamber. I walked ahead of them.

  The room appeared to be a chapel, though I found it difficult to believe that my hostess encouraged the worship of anything other than herself. Rows of rigid pews lined either side of a long, narrow aisle. As I’d both imagined and dreaded, the queen waited for me, behind a pulpit of some sort at the head of the chamber.

  “Welcome, Adrielle,” she said when I was close enough to hear her. “I trust you found your accommodations satisfactory.”

  “Delightful,” I purred, my voice dripping with sarcasm, refusing to let her see how frightened I felt. I raised my face to meet her gaze. It hurt my eyes to look at her— there was something about the beauty of her skin and the shine of her half-bald head that was nearly blinding— but I kept my chin up. “Sleeping on stones was most comfortable. And these chains are an especially nice touch.” I held out my fettered hands.

  “Ah, yes.” Her face broke into a dazzling smile. “You have a reputation for being rather quick on your feet, and I couldn’t risk you running off this morning.” Her eyes narrowed briefly, and the bands fell from my wrists, clattering loudly on the floor.

  I pulled my hands to my chest, rubbing the chafed skin.

  “Shall I tell you what I’ve planned for today?” Queen Nadamaris asked.

  “Please.” I’d already imagined several possibilities. Feeding me to some dragon kept in a hillside cave beyond the castle? Locking me in the nethermost tower and keeping me there without food or water while I suffered a slow, agonizing death? Sending me out into the forest just ahead of a pack of her favorite archers?

  “Today, you’re going to be married.”

  “What?” My hands ceased their movement, and I knew the shock was as evident on my face as it had been in my voice.

  “To Hale, my son.”

  He’s alive. Immense relief washed over me, but I felt it important the queen not see it. “I’m not interested in finding a husband,” I said. “But I appreciate the offer.”

  She laughed, a high-pitched squealing that made my ears hurt. “You are amusing.”

  She didn’t look amused, though, once the laughter stopped.

  “Nevertheless, you will be married. Of course, you need something more suitable than those rags.” Her eyes narrowed again.

  This time mine attempted a match. I glanced down at my dress— the one Florence had created for me, the nicest garment I’d ever owned. Before I could disparage the queen’s opinion, a loud crack sounded behind me, as if lightning had struck and thunder followed not a foot away. I turned and watched, horrified, as a shimmering ball of silver rolled up the aisle. As it came, it uncurled, almost like the carpet beneath it, leaving a jagged, sparkling trail behind.

  I jumped to the side to avoid its path; it altered course, following me. I climbed up on the nearest pew, and it adjusted again, bounding over the pews between us.

  Queen Nadamaris laughed, clapping her hands this time. “Amusing, amusing. I haven’t had this much fun since you were a baby.”

  What? She knew me as a baby? Before I could voice my question, I felt some invisible pull, towing me back to the aisle to face her. Without looking, I knew the silver ball was still coming. I closed my eyes and grabbed the nearest pew, bracing for the impact. A second later the ball surged into my legs, nearly knocking me over. I gasped as it jumped onto my back, then rolled up my shoulders and divided, spreading along each of my arms. It felt as if a terrible, heavy weight was pushing me through the floor. I opened my eyes and tried to lift my arms, fighting back.

  Except that I couldn’t— couldn’t move, except to take the barest breath, and the thing nearly squeezed even that out of me as it rolled down my front. And then it was no more.

  My eyes widened as I looked down at my arms and my dress— or where my dress used to be. Now I was very literally encompassed in armor in the form of the most hideous gown I’d ever seen. It fitted down tightly to my very wrists. The waist cinched with every breath I took. The front flared out into a perfect arc around my feet. I craned my neck and saw a weighty train trailing behind me.

  “Hmm.” The queen brought a finger to her chin as she studied me carefully. “You’re missing something… ah yes.” Her smile was triumphant. She opened her palm and tossed a small, silver ball at me. It struck my forehead and shattered, splitting into a hundred shards of metal that circled my head as a veil, with chain mail like links hanging down my back.

  I stood there, trying to stay upright as I struggled for each breath, too shocked to say anything, unable to move.

  “And now for the groom.” Nadamaris shifted her gaze from me to the back of the chapel and the sudden noises therein.

  With the heavy veil weighing me down, I could not turn and look, but I strained to listen, recognizing my guards from earlier as well as several other voices I did not know. Hale’s voice rose above them all, cursing and shouting— threatening his mother. Apparently he wanted to get married even less than I. With every breath I took, the metal bodice grew tighter. My ribs felt as if they were going to crack from the pressure, and black spots were forming in front of my eyes. Loath though I was to marry, if it came down to saying, “I do,” in order to acquire more air, I feared I might be persuaded fairly easily.

  Cristian, my true love, was lost to me forever and, I prayed, would soon be safely married to Cecilia. At least Hale and I were friends now. A lifetime with him could be bearable— whereas this armor wedding dress would not be much longer.

  From the corner of my eye, I watched Hale come into view. Six burly guards dragged him up the aisle, shoving him roughly the last foot or so, until we were nearly shoulder to shoulder.

  He wasn’t dressed in metal-wear as I was, but hi
s leg and foot were perfectly straight and wrapped in bandages from thigh to toe. I gasped, giving up some of my precious air.

  “Your leg— your foot! What have they done?”

  “Not they— she.” He looked at his mother with such hatred that I felt myself recoil inside the metal frame.

  “Yes,” Nadamaris said. “I did do it. For his sake— for yours.” Her eyes focused on me once more. “I knew you wouldn’t marry him with that deformity. It’s been terrible enough being his mother… but to be married to such grotesqueness…” She shuddered. “I couldn’t ask it of you, dear.” Her wicked smile was back. “But magic has no power on things given us from birth— whether they be lovely…” she looked at me “— or hideous.” Her gaze wandered back to her son. “I did the only thing I could. We broke every bone in his leg and foot, and we cut off the excess flesh. Now, at least, he’ll be able to wear a shoe like a normal man.”

  My mouth was open, appalled and trying to suck in more air, while I tried to keep from retching at the same time. I managed to turn enough to look in Hale’s eyes. His pain was naked and blazing, barely contained. It had been his screams of agony I’d heard throughout the long night. It had been he, being tortured beyond belief.

  My heart burst with pity, and my chest burned with fury toward his mother.

  “You stupid woman,” I screamed, somehow pushing the metal away from my ribs. “How could you do this to your son? And don’t tell me it was for my benefit. I liked him fine the way he was. You didn’t have to—” My voice broke on a sob. “I would have married him."

  “There, there. Don’t cry,” Nadamaris said with false sincerity. “Don’t blame yourself. Hale needed some persuasion. It was he who refused to marry you.”

  “And I still refuse,” Hale said vehemently.

  I looked at him through tear-stained eyes, knowing in that moment I’d judged his character so very right in that forest glen when I’d proclaimed his heart good. “Why?” I whispered. Why would he endure so much to spare me this marriage when I was little more than a stranger to him?

  “It’s nothing against you, Adrielle.”

  I winced at the kindness in his voice and the concern in his eyes. He’d misunderstood my question.

  “We can’t marry. We mustn’t,” Hale said. “Let her kill us both first. She’s only after the gifts the fairies are required to bestow upon Canelian royalty. If she gains access to them, her powers will multiply. If we wed, she’d use you— and our children— and entire kingdoms would suffer.”

  “They’ll suffer more if she’s dead,” Nadamaris snapped.

  Hale shook his head. “She’s lying. Don’t listen to her, Adrielle. You have the power to defeat her, you and Cristian together, as foretold.”

  My head spun, whether more from lack of air or from Hale’s words, I could not tell. Perhaps the pain had gotten to him and he was delirious, for what he said made no sense.

  From the back of the hall came the sounds of clashing metal. I could not see what was causing the ruckus and feared what other torture Nadamaris had invented. She stepped down from her platform and began walking toward us.

  “Adrielle,” Hale pled. “Listen to me. You—”

  “— are a princess.” Cristian’s voice overtook Hale’s, carrying through the hall.

  Fresh tears sprang to my eyes, and my heart seemed to skip a beat before I came to my senses, realizing it could only be my imagination speaking and not Cristian truly come to my rescue.

  Shouting and sounds of a struggle came from the back of the chamber.

  “Adrielle, you are a princess.” Cristian’s voice again, louder this time in my memory.

  Hale collapsed against the guard behind him. His mother narrowed her eyes toward the back of the chapel.

  “Adrielle, you are the princess of Canelia!” Cristian’s voice echoed through the chapel, reverberating off the walls, penetrating the metal gown to reach inside and touch my heart. There was no mistaking his voice as real this time. Hope burst inside me. Cristian, here. Come to save me.

  Exuding every ounce of strength I had, I willed my body into a quarter turn. I strained to look toward the back of the chapel. Two guards lay on the floor before the doors which had been closed and barred. Cristian stood over them, sword drawn, ready to fight… for me. Our eyes met. He spoke once more, this time quietly.

  “You are the princess I am to marry. The one with the power to end the curse.” The one I love, his expression added.

  “He speaks the truth.” Hale’s voice was strained, and beads of sweat dotted his brow.

  My mouth opened on a sob as sudden knowledge settled on my shoulders more heavily than the armor already weighing me down.

  “You were switched at birth,” Cristian took a step closer to us, and one of Nadamaris’s men left Hale’s side, turned toward Cristian, and drew his sword.

  “Sent far away,” Cristian continued. “With the king’s friend who had just lost his own infant daughter.”

  The last of my breath was stolen as a dozen memories— clues to my existence and purpose— fitted into place like the pieces of a long-abandoned puzzle.

  My mother’s vain hopes for me, her ceaseless attempts at teaching me frivolous skills I’d never thought I’d need. My father’s wisdom so carefully and solemnly imparted. Cecilia, not my sister, but sister to the eleven siblings I’d grown up with.

  “And in exchange,” Nadamaris picked up the story, as Cristian and the guard drew closer to one another. “Cecilia was brought to the castle and proclaimed to be the princess. Rumor said she’d been rushed through time by the fastest of the fairies, her age advanced to eighteen to avoid the curse.”

  From the back of the chapel, shouts sounded outside the barred doors, and they shook and rattled from the efforts of those on the other side.

  More help, I prayed. Surely Cristian had not come alone.

  “It really was quite clever.” Nadamaris grabbed my chin and wrenched my head around to face her. “You almost pulled it off but for the magical sparks I saw rising from the forest the night of the ball. I summoned my powers so I could see which fairy was about and what she was up to. It was then I saw you in that clearing with Hale, saw that you had a pearl… and I knew.” She smiled, satisfied, like a cat who’d eaten a baby bird.

  “Guards, please dispose of the prince so we can finish up here.” Nadamaris pointed a long, dagger-like fingernail at the doors, and they flung open, letting in a rush of her henchmen.

  “Cristian,” I cried, but he’d already turned and was caught up in the fray.

  Nadamaris pointed her finger her at Hale, and I watched, horrified, as his body jerked from the floor to a standing position. “Time for your vows.”

  “Run, Adrielle!” he shouted.

  “I can’t,” I said, feeling faint both from Cristian’s revelation and the metal squeezing the life out of me.

  “You can,” Hale said. “Use your gifts.”

  “He’s right,” Cristian called above the clatter of swords. From the corner of my eye I watched as he cut a guard down. Another jumped in to take his place.

  I could see no way to run with the metal weighing me down, but I had to do something. Near the back of the chapel, Cristian was surrounded by guards and fighting for his life. Beside me, Hale started to speak, the words forced from him by the magic flowing from his mother’s outstretched hand.

  “I, Hale, Prince of Baldwinidad do—” His voice was hoarse, his face beet red, the veins in his forehead popping out as he strained against her power. “Not take Princess Adrielle of Canelia to be my wife.”

  Nadamaris’s face mottled with fury, and her hand clenched in a circle as if choking Hale around the neck. He gagged, his good leg kicking the air as her force lifted him from the ground.

  “No,” I cried, finding the strength to lunge toward him and wrap my arms around his waist. “Let him go.”

  The queen’s sickly cackle echoed through the chamber. “Look how your bride clings to you.”
>
  “Go.” Hale pushed me away with his hand.

  “Use the pearls,” Cristian called as he fought with a man twice his size.

  “She already has,” Nadamaris said, her shrieking laughter following the announcement. “Adrielle wasted them escaping the gypsies, feeding the hungry, and changing my poor Hale into the handsome youth he used to be. Pity she was so generous, isn’t it?”

  I turned to Cristian just as one of Nadamaris’s soldiers slashed his arm. Bright red blood seeped through his sleeve. Another guard, his sword raised, left Hale’s side and advanced on Cristian from behind. With strength I hadn’t before known, I tore the heavy veil from my hair and threw it as hard as I could. With a clatter of sparks it hit the guard’s sword, barely knocking its path from Cristian.

  I had no time to feel relieved as the fighting continued, Cristian woefully outnumbered.

  “Adrielle,” he called again, sounding desperate. I wanted to answer, to tell him that though I had one pearl left, I couldn’t use it. I didn’t know its limitations. Could I wish the three of us— Cristian, Hale, and me— to safety, or was the magic only strong enough for one? Would it choose of its own accord— protecting only the princess in such a case? It was a chance I would not take. I would not leave them.

  My eyes locked with Hale’s, and in that fraction of a second it was apparent he believed the three of us could not win this battle here.

  “Leave me,” he said.

  “No. Think of Cecilia. Fight for Cecilia.” I reached for his hand.

  “Yes!” Nadamaris cried, raising her fist in the air. “Wed my son, and I will allow Prince Cristian to go free.”

  “She lies,” Hale said. “She spares no one. Go,” he begged, giving my hand a quick squeeze. “Save the kingdom, else all is lost.” He looked down at his leg, a splint rendering it immobile, blood seeping through the bandages. Our eyes met again, his imploring me to leave him, to get away, to break the curse. As long as Cristian and I both lived, there was still a chance… a chance for all of Canelia.