Steel Maiden

by Kim Richardson

  “You weren’t supposed to get the crown,” he whispered.

  I broke out with goose bumps.

  “You were supposed to fail like everyone else before you.”

  He leaned back just slightly. I looked at him. We were so close, too close. My pulsed raced. I inhaled his musty smell, and something warm came alive inside my body. I couldn’t trust myself to speak, and I was tempted to kiss him. I hated that he had that effect on me. I shouldn’t be thinking about kissing him. I should be bludgeoning him.

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “When I first told you about the crown, it had been a joke,” he said. “I never thought you’d go through with it.”

  I crossed my arms. “Well I did.”

  “Someone close to the priests must have overheard our conversation because the next thing I know a priest showed up with a bag full of gold and told me that I’d get five times that much if I could arrange to have a thief try to steal the crown.”

  He shrugged.

  “Well, I’ve been in the vault, and I know about the sorcerer’s fire. I knew it was impossible, and I never thought you’d go through with it. It would be the easiest money I’d ever made, so I played along. I thought they were damn fools until you showed up with the bloody crown.”

  He raked his hand over his dark hair and shook his head.

  “I couldn’t believe that you’d done it,” he said with a low incredulous laugh.

  “How did you, Elena? How’d you do it?”

  “I’m not telling you anything,” I said tightly. I wasn’t about to reveal my secret to the man who had ruined my life.

  But it did strike me as odd that the priests should have offered to pay someone to steal their own treasure. It was almost like they suspected that someone like me existed. It was as if they’d been waiting for me.

  “What’s that in your hand?” Mad Jack had spotted the gold cage that I carried.

  “Nothing,” I said. I slipped the cage inside the pouch tied to my belt and pulled the string tight with a knot. I didn’t feel like sharing anything with him at the moment.

  When I looked back at Mad Jack, his eyes were lingering on my lips. He looked up casually, and our eyes met. I strained to keep my face expressionless. But he didn’t look bothered at all that I had seen him staring at my lips. He smiled slightly before he became more serious.

  “I came here to tell you not to worry about Rose,” he said.

  I whirled on him with tears in my eyes.

  “Don’t you hurt her! I swear, if you hurt her I’ll kill you,” I snarled.

  I threw myself at him in a wild rage. I wanted to gouge out his eyes, but his loyal bodyguards held me back while I kicked and thrashed.

  “Let her go.” Mad Jack snapped his fingers, and Will and Leo let me go.

  He looked up and met my eyes. “I’m sorry you have such a low opinion of me. I would never, ever hurt Rose.”

  There was pain in his eyes, but I didn’t care. It was his fault I was in this mess.

  “Ha! Are you kidding me? You betrayed me. Remember? How do I know you won’t hurt her? How can I believe you? You broke my trust. I’ll never trust you again.”

  Mad Jack’s eyes narrowed slightly. “I suppose you have every reason to say that.”

  “I do.”

  The muscles in his shoulders tensed.

  He examined my clothes and my weapons.

  “So it’s true. You’re the priests’ champion.”

  “That’s right.” My voice was bitter, and I clenched my teeth and forced the bile back down my throat.

  Mad Jack’s face went cold and his eyes hard.

  “Shit, Elena. Do you know how dangerous this race is? Do you know what you’ll face? What’s out there?”

  I stared at him blankly. The truth was I had no idea what obstacles I’d face. It was the card the Creator dealt me, and I would see it through, for Rose’s sake and for everyone in the Pit.

  “Is this what they’re making you do?” his voice was hard. “For the stealing? They’re forcing you to race, aren’t they?”

  It stunned me that he hadn’t figured it out before. I thought he had made this deal with priests. In any case, they owned me now. I’d be free after the race.

  I couldn’t confirm his suspicions, especially with so many people around. The high priest had warned me of the consequences if I told anyone that I was being blackmailed. I was pretty sure the high priest had ears and eyes everywhere in the city.

  “I’ll take your silence as a yes,” he said, his voice a near whisper.

  “They’re going to get you killed. You’re not experienced enough for this. Look around you, Elena. All these people are warriors. They’ve been trained to wield a sword and to fight since they were children. They’re the best their countries have. You’re just a…”

  “A what?” I growled. “A woman?”

  Mad Jack clenched his jaw and gave me a long look.

  “This is madness. You won’t know what to do—”

  “I can manage. I always have.”

  I was getting tired of him telling me how useless I would be in a fight, but I knew he was right. I couldn’t entirely shake off the terror I felt at what I was about to do, and for whom I was doing it.

  I might not be a warrior, but I did have a secret healing ability. And that at least gave me the comfort not to bolt.

  I can do this.

  “Elena…”

  “Stop being such a prick!”

  I didn’t care anymore. I really wanted to scream again that it was his fault. My face and ears burned, and I knew he could see I was flushed with anger and frustration.

  “Why don’t you go back to your Dirty Habit and leave me alone.”

  I didn’t want him to see me break down. I wouldn’t lose it.

  He looked at me sympathetically.

  “I came here to tell you that Rose will be looked after. She’ll have food, plenty of it, and I have my men watching out for her. So you needn’t worry.”

  I raised my hands. “Why do you even care what happens to Rose?”

  He stared at me in silence. The color faded from his sun-kissed skin. He looked beautiful.

  He dragged a hand through his hair again.

  “I’m sorry, Elena. I never meant for any of this to happen. I hope one day you’ll find it in your heart to forgive me.”

  With that, he turned on his heel, and he and his cronies left.

  I bit my tongue. I hated that he had just left me here. I wanted to scream at him again.

  I watched him move around, speaking with the others from the Pit. The hammering of my heart and the flush on my cheeks betrayed me. I didn’t know why I cared so much, but I did. Or at least my body did.

  It was then that I noticed he was wearing riding clothes and had more weapons strapped on him than I’d ever seen him with before. There was a confidence in his stride that I hadn’t noticed before either. I watched him mount a beautiful white mare. Will and Leo pulled themselves up onto tawny-colored horses beside him.

  The blood left my face. Mad Jack had entered the race.

  CHAPTER 11

  MY PULSE RACED. Why would Mad Jack join the race? I felt foolish. Of course he would enter. He was a street thug. If there was a prize to win, he’d want dibs on it. That’s all he was. A thug. Just a really, really good looking one.

  A loud neighing caught my attention, and I whirled around.

  The guard that had escorted me through the city held the reins of a giant black warhorse and led him up behind me. The majestic creature towered above all the other horses. Its gleaming black body shone in the sunlight, and it wore a black saddle blanket embroidered with temple sun symbols. With breechings on its haunches, a chest piece, and rein covers, the horse was equipped for battle. The guard brought the horse next to me, and I jumped back.

  The horse raised its head at the sudden movement. It stared at me with round brown eyes, and I wondered who was more frightened, the horse or me. P
robably a little of both.

  “What’s the matter, Miss. Don’t you ride?” the guard looked puzzled.

  I tore my eyes from the horse and shook my head.

  “Of course I don’t ride. You need coin to keep horses, and I’d barely had enough coin to eat. So no, I don’t ride. Never have, actually.”

  My heart dropped. Most of the horses in the Pit were the large strapping work kind, with legs and hooves as big as my head. Horses were too expensive for Rose and me.

  My competition all sat skillfully on their mounts. They all looked as if they had had years of experience. My heart sank even lower. I don’t know why I was so shocked. It wasn’t like we’d walk to Goth. It would probably take two months. Of course we’d be riding horses. I just wished I had practiced a little beforehand. Clearly this was a disadvantage. Already I had one strike against me, and we hadn’t even started…

  The guard threw me the reins. “See if I care, witch.”

  He turned and left.

  I stood staring at the giant beast.

  I felt eyes on me again and scanned the crowd.

  The high priest from Anglia was staring at me, and I could see that he was angry. Obviously he’d seen what had transpired between the guard and me. Anyone standing nearby would have recognized the fear in my eyes, too. I knew he had anticipated that I would know how to ride. It was stupid on his part. He should have known I couldn’t keep a horse. Even from a distance, I could see the high priest’s face turn from red to an ugly shade of purple. Blood of Arcania. I was not getting off to a good start.

  “Excuse me.”

  I jumped at the sound of a voice behind me. I turned to see the handsome young man I spotted before.

  “You look like you might need a little help with the horse.”

  He moved towards the black beast and took the reins in his hands. I noticed that he casually glanced over my shoulder to the podium. He looked troubled for an instant, but then his concern was gone by the time his eyes met mine again. He smiled at me again, and it sparked something hot in my chest.

  He looked about my age, maybe a few years older, with a goatee. He held himself gracefully, like the noble man he probably was, and wore the red and gold colors of Anglia proudly. He patted the horse’s neck gently.

  “He’s a magnificent animal. Strong, but calm, with an even temperament and quiet nature. Perfect for someone who’s never ridden. He’ll take good care of you.”

  “Is it that obvious I’ve never ridden?” I said.

  It was hard not to stare at the skin that peered through the neck of his tunic.

  He laughed softly, and my heart did a somersault. “It is.”

  I could listen to that laugh all day.

  “So you know about horses?” I mumbled stupidly.

  My stomach was full of butterflies, and I felt like an adolescent girl. What was wrong with me?

  “I do,” he said, and I wished he’d stop smiling like that. “You could say I’m a seasoned rider. I’ve been riding since I was five.”

  I sighed. “Of course you have.”

  I stared at the soft curls that brushed against his jaw. He hadn’t shaved for a few days, and that was just fine with me.

  “I’m probably the only one here who’s never actually been on a horse.” The words came out more desperately than I had wanted. I didn’t want him to think I was scared, even though I was terrified.

  He gave me a lazy smile, and his eyes met mine. “Well, you’re going to have to learn quick,” he said and steadied the horse.

  “Can you climb onto this fellow’s back on your own?”

  I don’t know why, but I looked over to the podium. The high priest was watching me with a frown, clearly aggravated that I hadn’t climbed up on the giant beast yet. We were the only two not saddled up.

  I might be poor, but I had my pride. I was going to do this. I had to do it.

  “Of course I can.”

  I moved beside the great beast. I’d seen riders mount their horses before. I knew I had to put my left foot in first. I grabbed hold of the saddle, stuck my left foot in the stirrup, hauled myself up, and swung my right leg over the beast’s back.

  I felt a mixture of fear and excitement as I sat on my new companion. I smiled as I felt the enormous beast stir beneath me. It was gentle, even though I could tell that it sensed my fear. The smell of horse filled my nose, and I reached out and patted the great creature on the neck. I think I was soothing myself as much as the horse.

  “You steer the horse with the reins.” The handsome stranger handed me the reins.

  “Hold them just above the pommel of the saddle. Keep your hands steady at all times, too much movement, and you’ll jab your horse in the mouth with the bit. Urge the horse forward by gently squeezing your calves into the horse’s sides. His name is Torak.”

  He gently stroked the horse’s neck. “He’ll take good care of you.”

  I raised my brows. “You know this horse?”

  He nodded and continued to stroke the horse’s neck. “I do. He used to belong to my family.”

  Something sad appeared in his eyes. “We sold him to the temple, along with many other great black beauties.”

  I wanted to ask him why his family had sold their horses. Clearly he cared about them, but it wasn’t my place to ask. And it felt too personal.

  He moved towards the back of the horse. “You’ve got provisions here.”

  He motioned to the large leather saddlebag and peered inside.

  I opened my mouth to stop him, but thought better of it. I didn’t think he was trying to sabotage me; it was more like he wanted to help me. But I just couldn’t understand why. It wasn’t because he thought I had a pretty face, or was a damsel in distress…it was something else.

  “There’s not much in here,” he continued and closed the flap. “But it’ll keep you for at least two weeks. Then you’ll need to find food on your own.”

  He watched me, and when I said nothing he added, “Do you know where you’re going at least?”

  I nodded. “I’m heading west to Goth. The stone is somewhere in that realm. I’m guessing that’s not a secret.”

  I didn’t add that the high priest had told me about the stone being inside the Hollowmere. I had a feeling that information was only for my ears. I felt guilty about not saying anything since he had helped me, but I couldn’t risk it.

  The stranger nodded.

  “There’s a map tucked in the side pocket and a compass. But for now, follow the main road till you get to the end of Anglia that borders the West Sea. That’ll take you about two days. Keep to the road till you hit the long narrow passage called Death’s Arm. Goth is a three day ride from there.”

  “Thank you,” I nodded.

  Our eyes met, and I blushed from my neck to the top of my head. “Why are you helping me?”

  He looked at the priests behind me.

  “Don’t thank me just yet. You might regret it when you see what we’ll be facing.”

  He was quiet for long enough that I thought he wouldn’t add anything else. But then he added, “You looked like you needed it more than the others. I just didn’t feel right having you go off on this race without a little assistance. It wouldn’t be fair. I don’t want to offend you…but you’re the least experienced here.”

  We stared at each other in an awkward silence. I opened my mouth but closed it again. He started to turn away.

  “I’m Elena,” I blurted as I held out my hand. “Elena Milegard.”

  It was the least I could do, but I also wanted to know his name.

  He took my hand and smiled. His perfect teeth and perfect smile made me weak. His callused hand, strong and sturdy, was gentle. He lifted my hand to his mouth and kissed it. His lips were smooth, his breath hot, and it tickled my skin. I almost fell out of the saddle. Thank the Creator I was sitting.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Elena. Landon Battenberg, at your service.”

  His blue eyes pierced mine, and I c
ould see by his smug smile that he knew the effect he had on women, on me. The name Battenberg seemed familiar to me, but I couldn’t think past the way his lips had brushed my hand. I wondered how soft they would feel against my own lips.

  “Well, thank you again, Landon.”

  I straightened, and it took all of my self-control not to show how much I’d enjoyed his gentle kiss.

  “Good luck, Elena.” Landon’s face turned serious. “You’re going to need it.”

  He walked away. His broad shoulders swayed back and forth, and I could still feel the warmth on my skin where he had kissed it.

  I bit my lip and said softly, “I’m sure I will.”

  Despite myself, I smiled as I watched him mount his own warhorse. It was a great bronze-colored steed, powerful yet graceful, just like Landon. I couldn’t tear my eyes from him. But I couldn’t let his good looks and his five minutes of kindness distract me. This was a race after all. And I was in it to win it.

  As Landon turned my way, I pretended to look elsewhere. That’s when I met Mad Jack’s glare.

  I was shocked to see fierce anger in his eyes. It was like a silent accusation. And although I wasn’t sure what was going on, I couldn’t help but feel the guilt that spread through me. But why? What hold did he have on me?

  Shrugging, I opened my mouth and mouthed what? But he just steered his horse to the opposite side of the line from the Pit folk, like he was trying to put as much distance as he could between us.

  I hadn’t realized that I’d been holding my breath. I was stunned and a little hurt by his gesture. He didn’t own me. I could speak to whomever I chose.

  Suddenly, bells chimed.

  The crowd hushed and an uncomfortable silence spread across the grounds. As the crowd drew in a collective breath, I suddenly felt nauseated. I tried not to think about Mad Jack and why he made me feel so miserable inside. I focused on the race. If I wanted to win this thing, I’d have to keep my feelings in check. I sat still on my mount, my eyes on the platform, and I waited like everyone else.

  I wasn’t surprised when I saw the high priest of Anglia stand up. He raised his arms and with a superior smile on his face, he began to speak.