Water Blessed

by Stone, Leia

  He leaned in and whispered to me, as if he thought we were being overheard. "Maggie took wine with the king late the night before she died and I smelled poison on her breath the morning I found her body. She left this note for you." He gestured to my hand.

  My hands shook. What was he suggesting? Why would the king kill a Water Blessed? He needed her. I whispered back, “She said things to me the first day I came, crazy things.”

  Sebastian smiled sadly. “I was Maggie’s guard for over thirty years. She was anything but crazy. She talked to the Fates, she knew things.”

  He backed away to leave, placed his finger to his lips in a gesture of quiet. “I wasn’t here. Destroy that note after you read it.”

  I stood there in stunned silence, my hands shaking, before finally sinking onto the bed and peeling the wax to open the hand-written parchment.

  Ocean,

  I fear that the king has intercepted my last letter to Seraphina. You must go to the Wheat Valley Kingdom and find her. I do not think I will live long enough to make the journey with you. The king is a good man deep down inside and he cares for the people of Jewel Mountain. But instead of seeing suffering and desperation in the eyes of the ones without water, he sees coins. The Fates have sent you to end the drought, to unite the realm once again, water for all. I believe in you.

  Blessings on your path,

  Maggie

  I sat there in shock for a moment and then quickly folded the note. There was a candlelight lamp on the desk. I put the corner of the note to the flame and tossed it in a bowl, letting it burn. I placed the bowl on the open window ledge, letting the smoke carry outside, then I paced the small bedroom.

  Should I run away? Should I bring Lake with me? That would implicate her, and she liked her new life in the palace. She would be safer in the kingdom. Would Seth still go with me like he promised me in his cousin’s room in Mule? Of course not, and I didn’t want him to after his rejecting me. I didn't know the prince well enough to trust him either, but maybe if I stayed, and we courted for a while, I would see if he could be trusted. Kyler was different from his father. If after a few dates I thought Kyler couldn’t be trusted, then I guess I would have to get to Wheat Valley alone. I couldn’t leave right away; it was something that had to be planned. I didn't even have a map. ...

  I knocked on Seth’s door. Sebastian had just left and I wanted to find a way to get a map without rousing suspicion. Hard footsteps could be heard just inside his room and then the door opened. It was Kyler. Oh.

  He smiled. “Speak of the goddess,” he teased.

  I smiled back. “I wanted to go to the library, and since I’m not allowed to go alone …”

  I saw Seth standing just behind the prince. He looked sad but as soon as he saw me looking, his face cleared of all emotion.

  “Well, I will accompany you then. I love the library,” Kyler told me.

  Seth grabbed his sword, and sighed. “Great, party of three.”

  Kyler looked back at him. “I can protect her.” Kyler’s hand went to the sword on his hip.

  Seth bowed. “No doubt, my prince, but I have orders from the king, and now that you’re courting, you wouldn’t want improper rumors to spread if you were seen alone.”

  Kyler sighed. “Right you are, Seth. Thank you.”

  I cleared my throat. I wanted to tell Seth that I hadn’t planned to move on so quickly. That I hadn’t planned anything. That his father had just given me a secret note and the king was a Water Blessed killer. Instead, I followed Kyler down the hallway and for once in my life kept my mouth shut. The entire time, I felt Seth’s gaze on the back of my head. I wanted to tell him everything, but he wouldn’t care. He made that clear.

  Kyler sat across from me at the table in the library and showed me books with maps of the realm.

  “Why do you need a map?” Seth asked suspiciously.

  I glared at him. “I’m from a small village with barely any books. I’ve never traveled. I’m just trying to learn.”

  Kyler beamed at me with pride and then scowled at Seth.

  Seth looked hurt. “Sorry,” he muttered, making his way across the room to sit against the far wall, leaving us alone.

  The library held more books than I had ever seen in my life, but Kyler said it was small compared to the kingdom’s library in town.

  Kyler indicated the Salt Flats. “This here used to be filled with water as far as the eye could see!”

  “The ocean,” I said, looking to Seth who smiled and looked away.

  “Yes, the ocean,” he stated.

  “Has anyone traveled out that way?” I asked.

  Kyler’s face became sullen. He shook his head. “No one who has tried to cross the Salt Flats has returned alive. There’s no water.”

  I nodded.

  I scanned the map, noticing that there were two ways into Wheat Valley, through the front gates or through Jewel Mountain.

  “Tell me about Jewel Mountain,” I prodded him.

  Kyler puffed his chest with pride and gave me a grin. “The biggest mountain you ever saw with the richest minerals. Rubies, diamonds, gold.”

  I had no use for those things, but I smiled to be kind.

  “Teeming with thugs and no food or water,” Seth said from across the room.

  Before I could retort, a window pane right behind me shattered, spraying glass all over my back. Kyler leapt across the table and tucked my head under his body, pinning me to the table underneath his belly. I heard Seth shout for the royal guard before running to the window. Then he stated it was all clear and Kyler stood, helping me up.

  I felt a pain at my elbow and was shocked when I saw a large piece of glass sticking out of it.

  “You’re hurt!” Kyler’s face went white.

  My eyes were frozen on the brick that lay on the carpet. It was surrounded by broken glass. A note wrapped to it read, ‘Water Blessed Killer’ in black coal. My blood ran cold. Maggie. Someone in Coal Mountain knew that Maggie was killed. How, why?

  I looked up at Kyler who looked sick. “Are you okay?” I asked him.

  Seth gently pushed Kyler aside and grabbed my good arm. “Come, I will escort you back to your room.”

  The Royal guard had arrived. “Prince Kyler, your father demands your presence.”

  Kyler winced. “Sorry, I’ll check on you later.”

  I nodded and pulled my good hand out of Seth’s grip.

  “Is Prince Kyler okay? He looked ill,” I asked Seth.

  “He gets queasy at the sight of blood. Always has,” Seth said through gritted teeth.

  I laughed, but my smile fell when I gave Seth a side glance. His nostrils were flaring, chest heaving.

  “What’s wrong with you?” We had reached my room.

  Seth pulled his sword free, ignoring me, and kicked the door open hard, charging in like a blood-thirsty maniac. After searching the rooms, he ushered me inside.

  Seth returned from the bathroom with a basin and a bottle of liquor.

  “This is no time for revelry,” I told him.

  He glared at me. “It’s for your arm.”

  What the hell was his problem? “Get the palace doctor.” I didn’t want him touching me. It was becoming more and more clear that Kyler was the type of man I wanted to be around.

  He looked hurt. “It’s a simple cut. I can do it.” His puppy dog eyes bore into mine. I swallowed. Why was he so good looking?

  “Fine.” I held up my elbow.

  He set down the basin. “Can you fill it, please?” he asked in a kind voice.

  I did.

  “Pumpkin relish!” he shouted.

  “What? OW!” I shouted as he pulled the glass out.

  He snickered. “Old battleground tactic. Say something distracting when you pull out the arrow and it takes the mind off the pain.”

  My elbow was throbbing. “Well, it still hurts,” I whimpered.

  His face was angry again and I could hear his teeth grinding. I could smell him. God, why d
id he have to be such a good kisser and smell so good? My eyes rested on his lips. He wet them and looked at me. I looked down at my lap.

  “This might sting.” He dabbed the cut with an alcohol-soaked cloth, at the same time pinching my upper thigh.

  I sucked in my breath. “Another battleground tactic?”

  He shrugged. “I just wanted an excuse to touch you,” he joked, but then his smile faded. “I mean, yes.”

  My heart was hammering in my chest. “Seth.”

  He quickly wrapped my elbow. “I should have protected you better. I’m sorry. Maybe I’m not good enough to be your personal guard.”

  I could feel tears spring up in my eyes. Thunder crackled outside, shaking the windows.

  “You don’t want to protect me anymore?” A tear fell. Dammit. Why couldn’t I be stronger? Not care? He didn’t want a relationship with me and he didn’t even want to be around me.

  “Kyler’s my best friend. He might as well be my brother.”

  My head snapped back in shock. “What does that have to do with being my guard?” This guy was all over the place. I wished he would just tell me what he wanted.

  He moved close to my face and looked into my eyes. His hand snaked out and caressed my bottom lip. “Protecting you is all I want to do. Kissing you is all I think about. Being with me is nothing compared to what you will have with Kyler. His father will be abdicating the throne soon. You could be queen! You would never want for anything. Your children’s children will never want for anything. Water, gold, food, land; you will have it all.”

  Rain pelted the windows and lightning streaked the sky.

  “What are you saying?” I inched closer so his breath could be felt on my face. I reached out and tenderly stroked his cheek.

  His eyes closed briefly. When he opened them, his stony-faced expression was back. He pulled my hand down and stood clearing his throat. “I’m saying that I’m very physically attracted to you. One night to bed with you and I would be over it, onto the next conquest. You’re just a village girl.”

  The sound that left my throat was only half human. With that, he stormed out of the room.

  I fell onto the couch sobbing as rain fell from the sky.

  A few moments later, there was a knock at the door. I stood quickly and wiped my face.

  There was no way I was going to let Seth apologize. I threw the door open. “What do you want?” I shouted.

  The king stood there with four royal guards. He scowled at me.

  “Oh. Your Highness. I’m sorry.” I curtsied.

  “I want you to stop making it rain,” he commanded.

  The Rain! Oh Fates, I forgot. I shook my head and cleared my throat. “Yes, sir. I’m sorry, I got scared about the attack in the library and my elbow was bleeding.” I showed him the bandage.

  “So it rains when you’re hurt?” he queried.

  I shrugged. “I’m not exactly sure yet. It’s tied to my emotions.” The rain ceased its pattering on the window pane.

  The king nodded. “Well, do try to control it, will you?”

  “Yes, sir.” I pulled at a loose string in my dress.

  “I think you and my son would be a wise pairing. You could do no better,” he stated. His eyes were hardened, after years of giving orders, no doubt. What was I supposed to say?

  “Prince Kyler is a lovely man.” It was honest.

  His father nodded and turned to leave. I spoke loudly to make sure that Seth heard every word if he was in his room. “I no longer want Seth as my personal guard. He failed to protect me today. I could have been gravely injured. I want a replacement.”

  The king turned and I saw genuine surprise on his face. “Seth is my finest guard. Fastest, smartest, and the most loyal.”

  My chest heaved. “I want a replacement immediately.” I held firm.

  The king thought about it. “Very well.”

  He turned and left. I heard footsteps walking away from Seth’s door. Good. Let him hear. Shame on him for making me feel like a play thing! Thunder crackled the sky and I took a deep breath to calm myself.

  I needed to find Lake! I needed a distraction.

  I went into my room and changed my dress to one without blood on it. Then I opened the door to go try to find Lake.

  Standing there was Sebastian. He was standing erect with full armor on.

  “Hello,” I said, confused.

  “Hello, I will be your new guard. I’m sorry you were injured in the attack,” he told me genuinely.

  “Oh, yes, it’s okay. I’m fine.” Great, Seth’s father who reminded me of Seth, with the dark unruly hair and piercing green eyes.

  I began to walk. “Can you take me to the kitchens?”

  He nodded and led the way. Seeing Sebastian was so awkward. We had to pretend that we hadn’t met, that I hadn’t read that letter. Then a thought struck me, maybe Sebastian would take me to Wheat Valley. He had snuck me the note. He clearly wasn’t one-hundred percent loyal to the king. We turned the corner into the kitchens and Lake was stirring something in a bowl. A handsome kitchen boy had his hand over hers and was showing her how to stir.

  I cleared my throat. She looked up and jerked her hand back.

  “Ocean!” She turned bright red. The guy backed up and busied himself in the kitchen.

  “There was an attack. I couldn’t find you,” I told her.

  Her gaze fell on my bandaged elbow.

  “Oh my Fates, you were hurt! Goodbye, Bennet, I’ll see you later,” she told the kitchen boy and crossed the room quickly to me.

  Her hair was braided back and she wore the smile of a woman falling in love.

  I hugged her. “He’s cute,” I whispered.

  She turned red and laughed as we walked down the hall and back in the direction of our rooms. As I turned the corner, I saw that Seth was carrying his personal items in cartons down the hall. He stopped and set them down to let me pass. He didn’t meet my eyes.

  “So you’re moving rooms?” I questioned him.

  “My father should be closest to you now,” he stated without emotion.

  “Yeah, that’s probably best,” I said loudly. I leaned close to him as we passed. “It was nice knowing you, Seth.” I heard his breath hitch as the words left my mouth.

  Any man who kissed you in secret and told you that you were a physical obsession and nothing more, didn’t deserve your time. Seth was dead to me.

  Love

  “So what the Fates was that all about?” Lake asked me as she brushed my hair.

  I sighed. “Seth confessed his attraction for me and said it was purely physical, said one night in bed with me and he would be over it. Called me nothing more than a village girl!”

  Lake’s mouth went slack. “That doesn’t sound like him.”

  I scowled at her. “What do you know about him?”

  She shrugged. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you. I saw his heart leap out of his chest when you danced with Prince Kyler. I’m just saying he doesn’t seem like a mean guy that would say that.”

  I didn’t like what she was saying. “Either way, it’s over. I’m courting Kyler.”

  I took the brush from her hand and stood, indicating it was her turn to sit.

  Lake rolled her eyes. “I’m your maiden, you shouldn’t brush my hair. It isn’t proper.”

  I pushed her into my chair. “You’re my best friend, not my employee.”

  She smiled as I undid her braids. “Tell me about this kitchen boy,” I pressed her.

  She giggled. “Bennet has been teaching me to cook.”

  “Ooh … and?”

  She smiled. “… and he wants to take me on a picnic tomorrow if you don’t need me.”

  I squealed. “I don’t need you. Have fun.”

  Lake looked up at me. “It’s nice to be here, but it’s different.”

  I stopped brushing her hair. “I know. They’re so lazy here.”

  We both laughed. My strong water-carrying muscles were getting soft.


  “This is how life should be. You shouldn’t spend all day carrying water. You should marry for love. Cook if you want to be a cook! Paint if you want to paint.” Lake jumped up from the chair and spun around the room joyously.

  “You love it here,” I said with a touch of sadness.

  “Of course I do,” she retorted.

  I knew then, with one-hundred percent certainty that when I left for Wheat Valley, Lake would not be coming with me. She deserved her happiness.

  Later that night, I was painting by candle light. I hated to use the paints Seth had bought me, but I also couldn’t bring myself to throw them out. I moved my hand across the canvas in short strokes, painting a bright pink rose when a small rock hit my window. I threw a robe on and went to see who was there.

  When I peeked out, a big smile crossed my face. Prince Kyler. The moon was high in the sky and the stars were a righteous thing to behold.

  “Do you want to go for a walk with me?” he whispered.

  “I’ll be right down,” I told him.

  I ran across the room to Lake’s bedroom and burst through her door. She was hanging clothes.

  “What’s wrong?” She turned in fear.

  I smiled. “Prince Kyler wants to go for a walk.”

  Lake grinned. “This late? Without a chaperone? Naughty, naughty.”

  I laughed and took off my robe. “Quick, make me pretty.”

  Five minutes later, I descended a stone staircase off of my balcony. Prince Kyler put both hands on my waist to help ease me down. My hair was down and wavy with just two braids made into a crown atop my head. I wore a pink silk wrap with gold trim.

  Kyler looked my body up and down and kissed my hand. “You look beautiful,” he said as he inspected the bandage on my elbow. “Are you okay? We didn’t have a chance to have our rose garden date in all of the commotion,” he told me.

  I nodded. “I’m fine.”

  He took my hand and began to lead me away.

  Movement out of the corner of my eye drew my attention. I turned and saw a palace guard. Kyler leaned into me. “Couldn’t come completely alone after the attack, but he will keep his distance.”

  I nodded. “I understand.”

  As we walked, I took a deep breath. The air smelled nice after the fresh rain that had fallen earlier. We walked hand in hand in companionable silence until we reached an old stone water fountain. Vines were wound around the base, and it was completely dry. He sat at the edge and I joined him as the guard stayed out of sight. I smiled.