Veiled Shadows (The Age of Alandria: Book Two)

by Wylie, Morgan

  The horses came to a stop and all her nerves shot up from her gut into her throat. Kaeleigh fought back the feelings of nausea, distracting herself by counting the number of guards in front of the gates as they stood immobile, and then noticing there were several more in high towers on either side of the gates with bows and arrows. The guards stepped aside and allowed entrance when they saw Hal give a lazy salute. They inclined their heads to the Paladin’s son as the horses passed. Hal sat up straighter and gave a slight nod in their direction, but didn’t seem to fully embrace the royalty act as Kaeleigh had expected him to. She wasn’t yet sure if that was a good thing or not, but at least he wasn’t anyone other than himself and she respected that even if no one else did.

  They passed through the gates with hardly any effort as the guards nodded at both Halister and Daegan. There was a lot to take in as they moved through the village on their way to the seat of power—Elnye. All the effect left Kaeleigh with, however, was a gut ache and a revulsion of what she thought should have been a very beautiful area. Instead, what she saw was desolation, hopelessness, and poverty evident in the very life force of the earth. What should have been, and perhaps was at one time, as lush and green as the long entrance from the gates, was lined with trees now stripped of their glory. There was heaviness in the air threatening to choke of any single threat of hope that lived within. Kaeleigh had to take deep, steadying breaths to keep at bay the anxiety she felt within her waiting to take dominion. She had felt Daegan’s hand upon her shoulder instilling her with whatever peace he could spare for her. That alone gave life to hope within her. She had to remain strong. Her friends were in danger because of her and she wouldn’t let anything hurt them.

  Kaeleigh looked over at Chel and gave her a smile of reassurance and tried to will her hope through her eyes that everything would be all right. Chel seemed to understand and returned her smile with a slight nod. Catching Finn’s eyes, Kaeleigh tried to convey her gratefulness that he was with her and that she would do whatever was within her to honor the sacrifice he had offered her in returning, for her safety, to a place he had been thrown out of. She hoped to whatever Fates—or Orchids—were out there supposedly watching over them, that she wouldn’t let him down.

  Finn pierced her eyes with his own intense gaze, seemingly trying to convey his own message. She felt little flutters in her chest. A hidden life stirred within her. Her breath hitched. Why did he have to look at me like THAT? Confused and uncomfortable, not knowing what that was all about, she focused on the city growing larger in front of her.

  Finn had never looked at her that intently. The memory of his eyes, and the raw passion he allowed to be exposed there, unnerved her. What unnerved her even more was her reaction, or the fact that she had one. Kaeleigh hung her head in thought, then glanced back at Finn under the cover of her hair and out of the corner of her eye, only to be shocked that Finn was still focusing on her. He gave her the slightest twitch of a smirk and a quick wink before looking forward.

  Of all the times, he picks when we are about to go into a possibly dangerous situation AND when we are surrounded closely! Kaeleigh vented her frustration at herself until she realized that they had already made the long journey up to the gates. Was that his intent, to distract me? Get my mind off my anxiety? The emotion in his eyes was too real for that, she continued to think with sudden dread. She didn’t have feelings like that for her friend—or did she?

  Kaeleigh needed to focus as they entered the city, but all she could think of at the moment was whether Daegan had seen what had just taken place between her and Finn. Did he care? Did she care? She didn’t belong to anyone, let alone either of them. She thought of the kiss she shared with Daegan and a flutter of electricity sparked deep down inside her. What is wrong with me? Focus, Kaeleigh! Come on! she reprimanded herself, getting her emotions in control. It frustrated her to no end that Daegan could feel her emotions; to what extent she still wasn’t clear on, but he had probably gotten all of that. She couldn’t win.

  A few minutes into the city and out of hearing range of the guards and even the other riders traveling with them, Kaeleigh spoke quietly, “Hal?” He half turned his head to acknowledge her so she continued, “How is it you can be so relaxed when the guards and I imagine others treat you with royal admiration? Is it not looked upon as irreverent?” She heard Daegan snort behind her, but she ignored him.

  “Hmm, well, Kaeleigh, I could tell you that I don’t care and act the part of the rebellious lost son, but that I am not. I like to have my fun and cause a ruckus when I can—that truth’s known,” he said with a smile and a wink when he turned back to get her reaction along with a forced “HA!” from behind her. “I am confident, perhaps some would even say cocky, but truth be told we are not truly royal and it is not in me to behave as something I am not. My parents were set as guardians, which we call the Paladin, in place of the fallen king and queen. A position to be respected for sure, but I do not feel to be anything but the me you see before you. There are times when tradition and protocol are required, but I try to avoid those as much as allowable.” He smiled and led the horses down a cobblestone street toward the hill not much further ahead of them.

  Kaeleigh was intrigued by Halister and his open honesty. “Thank you for answering my question. I hope it wasn’t offensive,” Kaeleigh added as an afterthought.

  Hal shook his head. “Not in the slightest,” he replied. “I will tell you this before we get much closer and the crowds of people come sweeping in to see what is about: my mother does not have the same attitude as I. She is very much about the role that she plays and acts the part even unto believing she is the queen in these parts. I admonish you, be very careful in her presence.” He had intended his little speech to be more insight than warning, but in fact he felt the truth of it being a warning as he spoke the words.

  Kaeleigh grew somber, not knowing what to make of Halister’s words. Uneasiness grew in her spirit and her palms began to sweat. She looked back at Daegan for response, but all he gave her was a stern nod before gazing up at the castle ruins growing taller before them.

  They approached what appeared to be front entrance of the castle. Young men still practically boys raced out to take the reins of the horses as the riders all began to dismount, and then led the horses away and toward what Kaeleigh could only assume were the stables.

  The castle wasn’t quite what she had expected. It wasn’t as big as she would have imagined a castle to be. It was big, in fact the biggest of the buildings within the city that she had seen, but it didn’t have a “castle” look to it. She wouldn’t call it quaint, as it seemed to be formed from partial ruins, some still intact but some definitely in need of repair and overgrown with various climbing greenery—which only added to the otherworldly air about it. The grounds were well manicured with a lawn and trees and flowers; in fact, they had the only grass that she had observed passing through the small township. Looking about, she couldn’t quite figure out how that was possible.

  Kaeleigh looked to Chel, who was also scanning the area. Chel shrugged her shoulders with a bewildered look in her eyes. Kaeleigh questioned her look with furrowed brows, trying to silently figure out what her friend was thinking. Chel subtly pointed to her ear, signaling she was listening to something. Kaeleigh stilled also, trying to hear something that perhaps she missed, but... nothing. Then she realized perhaps Chel was listening to something that only she could hear. Kaeleigh moved closer to her friend and stood by her as Finn gazed out beyond the castle at the city below with a deep frown on his face.

  “What do you hear?” Kaeleigh whispered to Chel without looking at her, trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible.

  Chel shook her head slowly, frowning. “Nothing. Nothing at all, that’s what’s strange. There is usually always something, but I tune it out. But here it’s like a dead zone. Nothing.”

  Nothing? Something isn’t right here. Suddenly a butterfly, camouflaged as a flower in a nearby bush, fluttered in
front of Chel’s face while Kaeleigh looked on with awe. Chel gasped and whispered, reciting what the butterfly had spoken to her. “Danger. Danger... shouldn’t be here.” Chel’s look mirrored Kaeleigh’s with an expression of horror and fear. Panic began crawling up Kaeleigh’s spine as she grabbed her friend’s hand and turned away from the castle, walking swiftly toward Finn, who approached as he saw the fear in the girls’ eyes. He didn’t question, just took up position next to them.

  Kaeleigh searched Daegan’s eyes, but she was suddenly hit with an icy revelation: she wasn’t sure what his motivation was in bringing her to this place. Now that they had arrived was he freed of his vow to protect her? His job was fulfilled and she didn’t know where his loyalties lay, if he in fact even knew himself. Without waiting for his response she turned with her two friends and began to head toward the path they had just ridden up. Kaeleigh didn’t care how they got out of there; she was gripped with an overwhelming need to escape and she would get her friends out.

  “Welcome!” a powerful feminine voice called out from behind them.

  Iciness shot up Kaeleigh’s spine at the mere sound of it, like nails screeching down a chalkboard. The woman’s voice was friendly enough but there was an intimidating edge that informed you who was in charge.

  Kaeleigh turned and donned a pleasant smile, not willing to be intimidated by this woman, yet not wanting to piss her off right away. The woman before her was dangerously beautiful. She had long red curly hair laid perfectly around her shoulders and stretching down past her backside, drawing attention to the voluptuous curves that she was obviously not hiding as her gown hugged all the right places before it fanned out in multiple pleats, reminding Kaeleigh of a mermaid. The ribbed bodice of the piece was exquisitely beaded and the entire gown shimmered a lovely emerald green with the reflection of the daylight, even though the sky seemed to be perpetually overcast. She was beautiful but Kaeleigh couldn’t shake the goose bumps tingling her skin or the feeling of darkness that rolled off the woman.

  “Going somewhere, young ones?” the woman said in a forced light tone, apparently trying for welcoming. “I must have the pleasure of meeting my guests. Come, Daegan, do make the introductions.” She said “guests” like she was trying to cover a bad taste in her mouth. She looked sharply at Daegan, expecting something from him.

  Daegan gave a slight bow, which must have been what she wanted because she smiled and handed him her hand with a flourish to be kissed, which made Kaeleigh want to gag. That he took her hand and kissed it made her want to gag even more. Something rose from deep within her seeing him bowed, submitting before this woman; she suddenly felt a flare of anger that she quickly tried to get in check when she saw the subtle yet visible narrowing of Daegan’s eyes. Not to be missed by the lady as she also subtly detected something with an inhumanly fast flicker of her gaze between Kaeleigh and Daegan. Although she didn’t acknowledge it, Kaeleigh knew she must have seen it.

  “Should we not wait for Master Wren, my lady?” Daegan asked, subtly pronouncing that she should not be the only Guardian privy to the news of their arrival.

  Maleina shot him a penetrating gaze and Daegan’s arm twitched, the only part of him giving away that there was any distress, and possibly only Kaeleigh noticed. “No. Master Wren,” she said a bit drawn out as if to attempt sarcasm, “is in chambers and not to be disturbed.” Taking a deep breath, she seemed to get a grip and soften but only slightly. “Daegan, be on with it, or I presume I can call upon my son to comply.”

  Daegan nodded tightly then stood rigid and formal with legs shoulder-width apart and hands forward in false casualness as he began the introductions. “My lady, this is Kaeleigh and her friends Chel and Finn,” he said as he gestured to each person. He continued, but only focusing on Kaeleigh, “Kaeleigh, this is Lady Maleina Endíl, Paladin of the territory of Feraánmar.” There was a subtle pleading in his eyes and Kaeleigh assumed he was asking her not to make trouble.

  Fine. Kaeleigh gave just a slight bow of her head. Her friends did a bit more with their acknowledgments, Finn giving a formal bow and Chel a slight curtsy.

  This woman, this Maleina, there is something about her, something very... wrong, Kaeleigh thought, feeling more agitated by the minute. She wore the false mantle of royalty well, but not well enough to be believed. Kaeleigh wouldn’t trust anything coming from this woman and she wondered how Daegan could possibly associate with her. Then again, she didn’t really know Daegan, but she just knew there was more to him. Kaeleigh couldn’t quite put her fingers on what it was but he didn’t belong here and she was pretty sure he knew it too. I wonder what his angle is.

  “Very well, Daegan and Halister, show our guests in and get them into some appropriate attire for our meal,” was all she said, and then she turned, dramatically walking inside with the train of her dress swishing across the floor as she sashayed through the foyer.

  “Guests! More like prisoners,” Kaeleigh mumbled under her breath, but everyone was close enough to hear except Daegan, and she knew he heard her as he gave a slight frown and rubbed his forehead as subtly as he could.

  Halister entered the extravagant entrance, using an arm gesture to beckon the rest to follow him. As they followed each took note of their surroundings, unable to do anything but gawk as they took in the white marble floors that jutted up against rose-colored walls that also looked hard and smooth like marble veined with an even deeper red that spread wild throughout. It almost had a homey look to it. Almost. Except for the creepy, itchy sensation Kaeleigh was getting all over her skin like tiny bugs in a sci-fi movie searching for entrance.

  An enormous white wood chandelier with candles hung high above the center of the foyer. Large gold ornate frames hung on the walls but oddly held no pictures or mirrors, leaving the room with a flat, empty feeling. Kaeleigh couldn’t take her eyes off the chandelier and finally asked to no one in particular, “I’ve never seen white wood like this before, what kind is it?”

  She felt Daegan put his hand lightly at her back giving her a slight nudge forward, and in a deeper, more disturbed voice than she had heard him use before, he answered, “It’s not.”

  Kaeleigh questioned him with her frown, but he stared sternly ahead, obviously not going to give her more than that. Frustrated, she pushed her shoulders back, shook him off, and walked faster to catch up with the others who were only slightly ahead of them. Her feelings of unease rose, but she continued to take deep breaths willing it under control, and she swore she heard Daegan barely even whisper, “That’s it, keep it under control.” Part of her felt a small swell of pride at his praise and the other was completely annoyed how easily he noticed.

  Halister led them through an archway and down a long corridor with tall windows placed every ten feet or so that looked out onto a large open grass area with gardens and trees; it was a beautiful view. It looked like what she would imagine the Garden of Eden would have looked like. How can something so beautiful have such a hollow feeling to it? “Deception” was the word that kept whispering into her mind. She could see how the effect was intended to endear guests to this place, or more subtly to its leaders. Surprised, she could even see how it was affecting her friends, with the look of awe on their faces—even Finn’s—as they looked around at everything completely under its spell. Kaeleigh needed her friends to be sharp if they were all going to get out of this place.

  Stepping up in between them, she grabbed their arms. As soon as she touched them, she willed them to feel what she was feeling. Both stiffened instantly and looked around again at everything they had just been in awe of. They scowled and looked up at her, understanding dawning on their faces.

  “Stay alert,” Kaeleigh whispered and nodded for them to keep going but hoping they would continue to feel the underlying truth of where they were. This was not somewhere for them to remain for long. Hopefully we CAN leave, Kaeleigh thought with a chill running down her spine.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Halister suddenly st
opped in front of a large antique-looking oak door that was rounded at the top. “This is a guest suite so there is a common room and two bedrooms for your comfort. I assume you would all want to remain together,” he said as he pushed open the large door and stepped inside, sweeping his arms in a grand gesture.

  It was a lovely room with all white decorations and bed linens, but still held that same hollow feeling that left the hairs on Kaeleigh’s arms standing at attention. Placing her hand on Hal’s arm as she walked by him, she spoke sincerely, knowing he was truly trying to make them comfortable, “Thank you, Hal.”

  Hal smiled at Kaeleigh and briefly caught Daegan’s eye as Daegan stayed back leaning against the door, not fully in the room. Hal stiffened subtly at something he saw in Daegan’s eyes. Then in typical Halister fashion, he continued his tour, holding on to Kaeleigh’s hand still on his arm as he escorted her around the room showing them where everything was at. Finally, he added, “There will be proper”—he gave air quotes mocking his own mother at the word “proper”—“clothing sent up for each of you as I believe you will be expected to attend the evening meal in the ballroom set usually just for the family—which of course means this is where Maleina and Wren will probably interrogate you,” he said with a wink at Chel. He then headed toward the door, giving Daegan a pat on the chest as he walked by.

  Daegan was watching Kaeleigh with a careful, neutral expression on his face as she walked around the room with her hand outstretched, lightly touching the furniture and looking about the room as if she was seeing something else altogether. He couldn’t help wonder what she was seeing. Daegan knew there were things here that he wished he didn’t know about or feel himself, let alone wish for her to feel. There were evils here, but unfortunately he had grown familiar with and accustomed to the way his skin crawled, because of course he had the feeling every day of his life, as if some evil was alive lurking just under the surface of his skin. Sometimes he even succumbed to the pressures and control it took from him. He was only so strong and he didn’t want Kaeleigh to experience that. Knowing that Kaeleigh was only just beginning to experience her gifts, he hoped that Maleina wouldn’t see a threat and they could leave sooner than later, but that was only a hope. Unfortunately, hope didn’t go far in this part of Alandria.