Prisoner of the Crown

by Cheryl Oblon

  A voice in my mind said, Don’t hesitate! Just fight…

  The vision stalled, and I panicked at the view. I couldn’t seem to look anywhere but straight down, and vertigo set in. I pinched the candle flame until it was out. I had to practice with visions more, but the fight part made no sense. My mother had always taught me to control my powers. Not use to them in anger or fear because it was so easy to go too far.

  Then again, I wasn’t in school with teasing and bratty royals, anymore. Real life might feel like school, but the stakes were so much higher than suspension or a bad grade. I needed to stand up for my family and myself. That much resonated in me clearly.

  Dressed and ready, I wandered into the main area and programmed myself breakfast, even though it was nearly lunch. Marel and Ballan might have a day off; they’d earned it, but with a guest, I’d be called into explaining things soon. Even scrambling security, some sensor would detect Simma, or someone would see her eventually. The sooner we addressed this with the queen, the better.

  Marel emerged, her face bright red. “I kept the healers away. Said you were fine, just exhausted from having visions. I’m glad you made it back safely. Nemal was determined to see you.”

  “My cousins were okay, though?” I asked.

  Marel nodded. “They’ll be better once they know you’re safe. I’ll tell them, but I’m sure Julianne has already sensed you’re back. Don’t tell my mother about…”

  “Ballan. I won’t, but you’re certainly allowed. Both of you are of age. How was it?” I had too many people and droids around me to get away with anything yet. One day, maybe I’d have these trials behind me and could spend more time with Nemal. Too many people watched us to rush into something and have it not work. Would he still be interested when the drama and danger were gone?

  “I never imagined I’d reconnect with him. I’m not sure if it’ll work, but definitely glad I waited for the right one.” She beamed. “But I was worried about you when you were gone. You’re sure it’s okay to have her here?”

  “The biggest risk was the Queen’s Guard finding out. Simma lives out in the middle of nowhere. We did a lot of talking. I feel like I barely knew my mother.” I lost my appetite and stared at the door to Simma’s room.

  “I’m sure that’s not true. You’re just learning more about her. Nemal will be here by noon to see you. I won’t be able to put him off.” Marel filled her plate.

  “That’s fine. We need to see the queen, anyway.” I knocked on Simma’s door. I knew she was awake. “We’ll need to speak to the queen, Simma. Do you need anything?”

  The door opened, and a tense Simma stepped out.

  “I’m not sure I can see Gurol,” Simma said.

  “It’ll be fine. She’ll be mad at me, if anyone.” I patted her shoulder. “If you don’t want to see my great aunt, you don’t have to, either. I’m going to insist that I get to see her.”

  “Your great aunt? You have another one?” Marel asked.

  Ballan exited the bedroom. “Don’t ask. I’ll tell you later.” He kissed Marel’s cheek, then headed for the door.

  “Don’t you want breakfast? No need to rush off.” I steered Simma to the table.

  “Sure. I can stay.” He sat next to Marel.

  Simma began to eat and seemed to relax.

  “So this must be a secret, for now. No, I don’t have another great aunt. My grandmother who was the seer had one older sister. Everyone thinks she was killed for being crazy.”

  “But she wasn’t?” Marel shook her head.

  “Long story,” Simma said.

  “Royals have plenty of secrets.” Marel couldn’t keep her eyes off Ballan.

  “Too many,” Simma muttered.

  “If you’re going to see the queen, what will you wear?” Marel asked Simma.

  The older woman looked down. “This is the best dress I have. I’m a hermit; the rabbits in my garden don’t complain.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you,” Marel said.

  “Don’t worry about it, Marel. Simma is on edge. If you can find her some new dresses, that’d be very helpful.” I smiled at Marel.

  “I am sorry. I swore I’d never come back here. I don’t need the approval of the court or to explain myself to anyone.” Simma’s hand shook as she lifted her teacup to her lips.

  “Why don’t I do your hair?” Marel offered.

  After breakfast, Simma let Marel do her hair, and I watched the time. Nemal had a habit of turning up when I didn’t expect him and being late when I did.

  “I should go.” Ballan kissed Marel on the cheek and headed for the door.

  Nemal’s flawless timing meant he almost collided with Ballan in the doorway.

  “About time. I thought you’d never get here.” I ignored the fluttering feeling inside at seeing Nemal again. His sharper features and serious expression had been missed.

  “What was he doing here so casually?” Nemal demanded.

  “He was here to see Marel. She’s a grown woman. She can have gentlemen callers or overnight guests.” I smiled.

  “Is that really a good example for Ember? I thought you wanted to protect and look after your family,” Nemal shot at me.

  Marel rushed over. “I don’t normally have guests, I promise, Your Highness.”

  I frowned at Marel. “Don’t apologize to him. He put you here so you’d have a better social life and get out more. You did, but now he’s being judgmental. No. I won’t allow it.”

  “Do you want LeFawn and Minnette to behave like this? You’re a leader in this court, like it or not.” He moved into my personal space.

  “Stop it! I have a father. Why don’t you go tell him, so he can scold me? Oh wait, he’s in the dungeon. If you don’t like how I run my rooms, I don’t care. I didn’t ask for any of this.” I sighed.

  “I like you in the castle,” Simma said.

  “Who is she?” Nemal asked.

  “None of your business,” I replied curtly.

  “You have gotten very superior since my mother gave you that tiara.” Nemal folded his arms.

  “Prince Remmy speaks to the Royal Seer in such a way. Must be love.” Simma laughed.

  “That’s Nemal,” Marel said.

  “Better. Younger.” Simma nodded approvingly at me. “Let’s go see the queen.”

  “Who are you?” Nemal asked.

  “My guest,” I said. I’d been explaining myself for weeks. Hoping I’d live, hoping I’d gain approval. I was done hoping or begging. If I was so high ranking, I had to act like it.

  “How did she get here? You had visions, but no one authorized a guest. What sort of magic is this?” he asked.

  “I will answer any question the queen has for me.” I touched my necklace for strength as Marel rested the tiara on my head. “I don’t really need it.”

  “You’re going to see the queen; you need it,” Marel said.

  “Let’s go,” Nemal said.

  I went but turned the wrong way. Simma followed me.

  “Where are you going?” Nemal demanded.

  “The high tower above the mausoleum,” Simma said.

  I liked her. We walked with purpose, and he was torn.

  “Tell the queen she’s welcome to join us. If she doesn’t want to, we’ll see her later.” I loaded Simma into the lift with me and hit the highest button.

  Nemal was left angry. He’d fetch his mother, I had no doubt.

  “He’s good-looking. You’re tough on him,” Simma said.

  “He’s a prince. The crowned princess wouldn’t let me have him if I wanted to. This is easier than being nice.” I had to do something to put distance between us, or I’d really screw things up.

  She patted my hand. “Castle politics. Marry for love, not position.”

  “I’m sorry you couldn’t. That my mother…” I sighed. “I don’t know how you went through all of that.”

  “I don’t know how
you’re doing so well with your mother dead and your father in the dungeon. Even if he is a traitor, he’s still your father. And you have to bow to the woman who’s putting you in this position of waiting. Serve her,” she said.

  “I know. Basically, I’ve been trying to stay alive and prove my mother isn’t crazy. I don’t believe my father killed her, so I can’t worry about him. That sounds awful, but he’s a grown up; he can defend himself. Whatever he did to be held there, it wasn’t murder. He has family to reach out to. I didn’t even know where to find him until the Queen’s Guard tracked him down and dragged him here. He heard my mother was dead, and they wanted to ask him questions. He ran.” I hoped, someday, the betrayal would subside. Divorce was one thing, but I’d lost a parent, and my other ran from me, not to me.

  “You’re playing in the adult world now. There are more variables.” Simma nodded.

  The lift stopped at the highest level of the tombs. I looked around for another access point since we had to go up again. “This place is a maze.”

  “We take a stairwell.” Simma led the way.

  I followed and found myself on a floor with nothing but a few doors. I thought it was only roof access above the tombs.

  Two guards blocked Simma’s way. I nodded toward them and both fell unconscious.

  “I love your powers. But I could have cast a spell,” Simma said.

  “Sorry, habit,” I said.

  She smiled, waved her hand before my face, and knocked on the door. “The spell is off you, now. I don’t want you to see her as others would.”

  Someone opened the door. An attendant who was shocked to see us.

  “Lady Simma,” an older woman called out.

  My great aunt was a frail-looking woman in her sixties. She was more petite, really, like me. Her hair had gone white as snow, but she was clean and looked healthy enough. At least they weren’t mistreating her.

  “My little Kimess. I’ve seen you.” She hugged me tight.

  For an older woman, she was very strong. I returned the hug and willed myself not to cry. I’d lost my grandmother and my mother. I had few experienced seers to rely on. She was it.

  “Aunt Gurol. I’m so glad you’re not crazy or dead.” I stepped back. “I found Simma to find out more about Mother, but I never imagined this. People know you’re here. You have attendants.”

  “She’s more of a nurse. Droids are good for some things, but the queen trusts a few nurses from the healer family to attend me. I know it’s a lot to take in. It’s been so long, but this was a hard decision to make. I get to watch life go on.” She pointed to a wall of view screens. “I can watch the throne room. And the gardens. I watched you get hurt. I was so worried. But seeing you get that tiara. I was very proud. I know you’ll help us win.” She led me to a table, and we sat.

  “Are you going to let them kill her, Gurol?” Simma asked.

  “They’d never kill her. My vision was clear. The seer who will make sure we win the war is from her line. Her mother, her, or a daughter. The queen knows it. She won’t kill you.” My aunt touched the tiara.

  “We’re trying to avoid war,” I said.

  “Of course. But it can’t be done forever. Maybe things will change to avoid a war, but I’ll leave that to your visions. I hope you get a chance to be more secure in your role before war comes. At this point, it will come.” She nodded. “I still have visions. I’ve seen it.”

  I asked. “Who killed Mother?”

  “My dear, she’s my niece. I’m too close to see it. But she wasn’t crazy. You’re not mentally ill.” She suddenly stood and curtsied.

  I’d been so involved with my great aunt that I hadn’t noticed the queen. I stood and bowed.

  “Kimess, you have been up to things. I told you to rest, and you played detective. Leaving the castle?” The queen took a seat.

  I sat and shrugged. “I did. I needed to meet Simma and get some answers. She knew my mother much better than I did.”

  “And now, you know the truth about your great aunt.” The queen sighed.

  “Yes, I do. I also know why my parents married each other. I know a lot. I won’t be kept from my aunt. I’ll keep the secret, if she wants me to, but I could use her guidance. And she could use some company.” I didn’t let my voice shake as I informed the queen of my terms.

  “I have no problem with visits as long as you don’t bring all your friends along. No one else must know she’s alive.” The queen glared at me. “Not your cousins or anyone else.”

  “It’s all right, my dear. I chose this,” my aunt said to me.

  “I didn’t choose any of it. One more request. Simma won’t be punished for telling me the truth,” I informed the queen.

  “Why would I punish her? You disobeyed me. You expect to get away with it?” the queen asked.

  It was time to blame my gift, and there wasn’t much the monarch could do. “I had a vision of Simma. She seemed to possess the information I needed. I had to go find her. Asking to leave would only lead to more security and a lockdown. I couldn’t let that happen. This is my family. How can it be fair if I can’t even defend myself?” I asked.

  She studied me carefully. “I didn’t think you needed to, but the waiting isn’t easy. I understand.”

  “Where is Nemal?” I could use a friendly face.

  “He went back to his duties. He doesn’t need to know about this. No one needs to know.” The queen’s nostrils flared.

  “Fine. When Simma wants to go home, she’ll be taken there without harm. Until she wants to leave, she stays in my quarters with no restrictions. She can visit here, too.” I pushed for as much as I could get.

  The queen nodded. “Very well. So, were there any other great visions?”

  “My mother didn’t kill herself. I couldn’t see who did it, but it was done to her slowly. I’m still working on it. But we need to deal with the Bachal first. Visions don’t always follow what you want to see. They led me to this family situation,” I said. I was very tempted to tell her about the healer, but there had been two who I suspected were traitors. I had no real proof other than they were friends of my father. Had they done anything? I wouldn’t be a joke, and I certainly wouldn’t watch men be beheaded without true proof.

  “Clearly. Well, I’ll let you talk. Don’t spend too much time here. If it’s obvious and people follow you, it’ll be hard to conceal. And do try to focus on the Bachal problem. No one wants war,” she said.

  “You’ll have it one day. You or your daughter,” Aunt Gurol said to the queen.

  I now had real allies who had and would stand up to the queen with me and for me. Simma might not have money or rank, but she had secrets and powers.

  The queen stood. “Lady Kimess, your mother’s death is still open. Your father’s fate undetermined. Your own situation is not as safe as you want to believe.”

  I rose from my chair. “I hope you render your judgments soon, so we can all get on with our lives. Plus, I believe Simma would like to attend my mother’s funeral before she returns home.”

  “Please, Your Majesty,” Simma said as she left her chair.

  “Fine. You can stay until then, but don’t upset the court, Simma. Don’t put crazy ideas in Kimess’ head.” The queen stalked from the room.

  “You’re much bolder than your mother,” Aunt Gurol said.

  “Only recently. I tried to play along, but there have been too many lies and secrets. If they want to give me a title and a job, they must give me the power and reach to do it. They won’t defame my mother’s good name or my mental health.” I sat slowly.

  “Your father might pay for this,” Simma said.

  “I said it was a vision. Why would he pay for anything?” I asked.

  “They need you alive. They can get at you through him,” Aunt Gurol said.

  I shook my head. “I can’t control that. I’ll do the best I can and see how it ends up.” They both thought I’d break to protect
my father. I wasn’t entirely sure I wouldn’t, but so far, he hadn’t compromised to get to me. He chose his rebel friends over his daughter when my parents divorced. Even with Mother around, I’d needed him. “Nothing makes you grow up faster than no parents.”

  My great aunt hugged me. “I’m so glad to have some family back.”

  “Me, too.” I had a mentor, finally.

  Simma paced around the room, and I dipped into her mind. She felt out of place, but I didn’t want her to leave the castle in a panic. I owed it to my mother to help her as much as I could. There was one incentive to hold her here. “Mother’s body is one floor down, awaiting her funeral. In an alcove on the west side. If you want a private visit, I can stay here.”

  “Thank you.” Simma nodded and left immediately.

  When she was gone, I turned to my great aunt. “How much has our family sacrificed for the good of the country?”

  “Too much, but that is what leadership means.” She touched the purple amber stone in my tiara. “You may have the strength and brains to survive it. Just get the Queen’s Guard to prepare for war, now.”

  Chapter 26

  Simma had locked herself up in her room all day. After visiting my mother, she’d been silent and shaky. The shock of seeing the reality hit much harder than simply knowing she was gone. Marel had used override codes to take in food to Simma.

  “She promised to come out for breakfast tomorrow,” Marel said.

  “You don’t need to baby her. She’s grieving. In a day or two, she’ll have made her peace. They lived apart for years.” I’d somehow learned to compartmentalize my emotions. What could I do something about and what I couldn’t. Still, Simma grieved the way my father should have if their marriage hadn’t been a sham.

  “Why doesn’t the queen just let you go home? You’ve got a lot of proof that you’re not crazy. You can get in and out of the castle when you want. She’s not punishing you or anyone else.” Marel sat and indulged in dessert.