Nilene nodded. “That’s a good idea. We’ll want something to compare with any symbols we find. Beyond what’s carved on your chest, I mean.”
Autumn smiled and took the amulet from the wall. Tucking it into a pocket of her dress, she turned and went back to her room to pack.
Late that night, Autumn sat at her mirror, braiding her hair tightly around her head. A knock on the door startled her. She stood up and opened the door. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Lyall smiling back at her. “Hi.” His voice was friendly but cautious. “Can I come in?”
Autumn nodded and motioned for him to come in. She closed the door behind him. What does he want at this hour?
Lyall sat down on the edge of her bed. “I think this is the first time I’ve actually been in your room. A little small, isn’t it?”
Autumn shrugged. “Not everyone can sleep like royalty,” she signed.
Lyall laughed. “I didn’t mean it was a bad thing. I actually like it better than mine. It’s cozier.” He stood and leaned in to get a better look at the half-finished painting on the easel. “Is that the portrait you’re doing for Harriet? It’s very good.”
Autumn rolled her eyes. “Lyall, what are you doing here?” she signed.
The prince dropped his cheerful demeanor. He was fidgeting, she noticed, his brow wrinkled and his cheeks flushed. “I was worried about you. I saw Esren follow you out of the ballroom earlier and I thought maybe . . . Well, I guess I’m not sure what I thought. I just wanted to make sure you were alright.”
Autumn shrugged and signed “I’m fine.” She tried to seem calm, but she couldn’t quite meet Lyall’s eyes. The concern on his face deepened.
“Come on, Autumn. We know each other too well to lie. What happened?” She hesitated. Lyall sat down on her bed again and crossed his arms. “I’m not leaving until you tell me. Did he hurt you?”
After another moment’s hesitation, Autumn told him the whole story. Her fingers trembled as she formed the words. The prince looked equal parts concerned and angry.
When she finished, Lyall stood, his fists clenched. “I’ll kill him.”
Autumn quickly reached out and grabbed his arm. He flinched slightly at the touch of her cold fingers, but he stopped to look at her. She shook her head. “You can’t,” she signed, pulling her hand back from his arm. “If you confront him, who knows what he’ll do?”
“I don’t care. He hurt you, and that’s all that matters.” Lyall started walking again.
“No, it isn’t,” Autumn signed, stepping to block the door. “He’s the Chosen of Katrell, and you’re the Crown Prince of Nor. You can’t go killing him over some servant girl.”
Lyall blinked. He opened his mouth, then shut it again. After a moment standing in silence, he sat back down. “Is that all you think you are to me? Just some servant girl?”
Autumn swallowed hard. This wasn’t what she had expected. Slowly, she signed “Lyall, you’re a prince, and I work in the castle kitchen. You know it can’t go any further than friendship.”
“Why not?”
“Well, for one thing, your father would kill us,” she signed, and Lyall laughed. She sat down at the edge of her bed next to him. “I’m serious. In case you forgot, princes tend to marry noble girls.”
Lyall’s brow furrowed. “Autumn, can you stop being so grown-up about this for a moment? Are you honestly telling me that you don’t feel the same way that I do?” He shifted closer to her. Autumn was sure he could feel her heart beating. “Because if you don’t, just tell me. I’ll never bring it up again.”
Autumn lifted her hands to sign to him but found herself fidgeting. Instead, she leaned in to kiss him gently on the lips. Lyall wrapped his arms around her as they kissed. They stayed that way for a few moments until Lyall reluctantly pulled away.
“Well,” he said, smiling. “I guess that answers my question.” He finally spotted the old canvas backpack sitting on the bed. “What’s this? Going somewhere?”
Autumn nodded. “The Stone Shields are taking me with them to look for the cultists’ temple,” she signed. “I’ll probably be gone for a few weeks.”
“Really? Wow. I guess it’s wrong of me to be jealous. I know how much finding that place means to you.” His brow furrowed again. He reached out to take her hands in his. “Promise me you’ll come back safely, okay? I can’t bear the thought of anything happening to you, especially now.”
Autumn nodded, smiling softly. Lyall leaned in to give her another kiss before he left her to her packing.
Sighing in satisfaction, Autumn sat back down at the vanity. Her heart was soaring, all thoughts of Esren’s unwanted advances forgotten for the moment. She stretched her fingers, still feeling the warmth of his hands on hers. Smiling, she reached up and continued braiding her hair.
The next morning, Autumn met the Stone Shields by the stables. When she arrived, she was surprised to see Commander Kasrian and Prince Lyall chatting with the Captain. Nilene gave a short nod as Autumn approached. Autumn nodded back, then gave a curious look to Lyall. Without a word, Lyall handed Autumn the reins to his favorite horse.
She took the reins with a gentle nod to acknowledge her promise. Lyall smiled as he stepped back to stand next to his uncle. Kasrian turned to Nilene. “Good luck with your search, Captain. Bring our girl back safely, and take care of yourself. We’ll see you all on your return.”
Nilene grinned and snapped a salute, followed quickly by the rest of her squad. Autumn bowed gracefully, then swiftly mounted the horse. After a last look back to the castle, she followed Nilene off into the morning mist.
Chapter 16
Autumn had learned to ride from Nilene, who was always reminding her that there was a place for her in the Stone Shields if she wanted it. She was an excellent rider, and the prince’s horse was a perfect steed. Still, she had never been on the road for this long. The long days of riding were beginning to take their toll.
Nearly a week had passed since they’d left the castle, and the Shadow Mountains loomed closer each day. Autumn looked up at them with a feeling of lurking dread. The last time I was there, I almost died. It’s been so long. Will I even remember the place if I see it?
She shuddered, not entirely due to the chill wind rolling off the mountains. Yes, I’ll remember. I’m not likely to ever forget.
She stretched out her aching back and watched as Lyall’s horse grazed nearby. She smiled. It was sweet of him to lend me his horse. The ride has definitely been more comfortable for it. The Stone Shields hadn’t slowed their pace for her sake. She was glad for that. Nilene was only gentle with people she didn’t think capable of handling themselves. The more she liked and respected someone, the harder she was on them.
Well, she must like me an awful lot, Autumn thought as she massaged her aching legs. I’d hate to see the bruises she must leave on Kasrian.
“Holding up okay there, Autumn?” Nilene’s voice was as cheerful as ever, and Autumn nodded. Nilene smiled. “Good to hear. The scouts managed to catch us some dinner while they were out. You any good with duck?”
Autumn rolled her eyes, then grinned. “I’ll do my best,” she signed. “But you have to clean it.”
“Deal!” Nilene clapped her on the back. “You know, if you decide to join us, we’ll probably make you do all the cooking. They’re always joking about how useless I am at it, but they’re no better.”
I don’t doubt it, Autumn thought. Cooking isn’t exactly the focus of a soldier’s training. She followed Nilene back to the fire, where two soldiers were already busy preparing the ducks to cook.
A few hours later, the ducks had been picked clean of every last scrap of meat. The fire was burning low. As the sun set, the soldiers were arguing over who had the first watch.
Autumn watched the argument, the ghost of a smile playing about her lips. The Stone Shields consisted of twenty men and women, each hand-picked by Kasrian and Nilene. Individually, they were fea
rsome warriors. Together, they were a force that would make whole armies second-guess their resolve. Autumn knew that she couldn’t possibly be safer. Still, the sense of foreboding wouldn’t leave her.
Finally, Nilene stepped in to end the argument. Autumn turned away as the soldiers took up their positions. She stoked the fire, knowing she wouldn’t be able to sleep. Glancing around to be sure she was alone, he pulled out the book she had found in the library and the amulet she had borrowed. Okay. Time to give this a try.
She focused on the amulet, calling up all the terrifying memories it represented. Her heart raced, and she felt her body growing warmer. Turning her eyes from the symbol, she focused her gaze on the embers, willing them to burn higher. There was a sudden burst of white light.
As the light flashed, Autumn blinked in surprise. When she opened her eyes again, the fire danced merrily in front of her, far higher than the smoldering embers a moment before. She gazed into the fire, stunned by her success.
“Well, that was pretty impressive.”
Autumn jumped, and Nilene laughed. “Hey, no need to be so jumpy! I’m genuinely impressed. Where did you learn to do that?”
Autumn blushed and handed the book to Nilene, who looked it over approvingly. “Nice. I guess you must have gotten curious when the Katrellans came to visit. How long have you known you had magic?”
Autumn shrugged. “I didn’t really know for sure until just now,” she signed, still bewildered by what had happened.
Nilene nodded. “I see. Well, I have to admit, it does explain a few things. And in case you’re worried, it makes no difference to me. Well, except to make me even more impressed that you figured this out all on your own.”
Autumn smiled again. “I don’t think I’m ready for anyone else to know,” she signed. “Can we keep this just between us?”
Nilene looked puzzled. She seemed about to ask something, but she merely shrugged. “Whatever you say. I won’t tell a soul, not even Kasrian. But you keep practicing. I’m still not entirely sure what we’ll be walking into on this trip, and I’ve been a soldier long enough to know that every little advantage helps.”
Autumn nodded as she took the book back from Nilene. She flipped it open to the page she’d been studying and continued reading until the fire had burned back down to embers. Despite the chill of dread lurking in her chest, she finally fell asleep. In her dreams, black-robed cultists waited on the horizon.
The ride through the mountain trails was far more difficult than the trip over the plains. Everything was eerily silent. The horses seemed nervous, and the soldiers had their work cut out for them trying to keep their mounts calm. Even the Stone Shields themselves were unnerved. They jumped or reached for their weapons at the slightest sound.
Only Nilene seemed calm, her attentive gaze on the road ahead. Her relaxed manner soothed Autumn’s frayed nerves. Still, there was a sour taste in her mouth. She wished the trip was over and she was safely back in Nor.
After half a day of riding through the mountain, Nilene motioned to the soldiers to stop. “According to the map, there’s another trail that branches off about here. Anyone see it?”
The rest of the Stone Shields looked around. Autumn looked, too. There were no other trails that she could see. Something isn’t right here. Why is it so quiet?
She looked upward at the high sides of the pass. Something caught her eye. It was a moment before Autumn recognized the glint of sunlight on steel. Her stomach lurched as she realized what was happening. No. No! This is a trap! She waved her hands wildly, trying to attract Nilene’s attention, but the Captain’s gaze was focused entirely on the crude cloth map.
Autumn looked desperately at the other soldiers. They were all distracted, looking for the non-existent trail. Finally, one of them looked in her direction. She pointed up to where she had seen the glimmer of light. His gaze followed her arm as he drew his sword. “Captain! There’s something up there!”
Nilene looked up just in time to see the first of the mercenaries leap down on her soldiers. “It’s an ambush!” Without another word she drew her own sword and charged into the fray.
Autumn looked around helplessly. The soldiers were being overrun by the massive force of mercenaries which had attacked from above. Nilene was right. I can save them. I just have to focus.
Autumn was at the very edge of the battle. Forcing her mind to focus on the fear edging its way into her heart, she closed her eyes. She breathed slowly and steadily. I can do this. I have to do this. Nilene is counting on me.
Her focus was broken when a rough hand grabbed her ankle. Her eyes opened to see a huge armored man pulling her from the back of the horse. She landed hard, the wind knocked out of her by the fall. Her attacker’s scarred face grinned down at her. “Now what’s a lady like you doing riding with the Stone Shields? Well, good news. You just traded up. I know how to take care of a pretty girl.” He leaned down and began tearing at her dress.
Autumn felt oddly calm as she reached up and grabbed his wrist. She glared at him angrily, drinking in his look of surprise and dawning horror. Her anger overcame her fear and welled up inside her. The light at the edge of her vision focused on his terrified face.
No. Never again.
The mercenary screamed as he burst into flames. Within moments, his smoldering corpse lay in the middle of the trail next to the body of one of the Stone Shields.
Autumn sat up and looked around. The few remaining mercenaries were fleeing. Dazed, she looked at the bodies around her. Her heart dropped as she realized how many were dead. Only one of the Stone Shields was still standing, clutching his leg in pain.
Autumn looked around, hoping desperately that this was just another nightmare. Her hopes dissolved when she spotted the Captain. Nilene hadn’t made it through the assault. She lay dead next to the fallen body of her horse, surrounded by the corpses of half a dozen mercenary soldiers. Her limbs felt heavy, and tears filled her eyes. More death. Why couldn’t I stop it?
The injured soldier was at her side. “Autumn, are you hurt?”
She shook her head, and the soldier nodded. He helped her to her feet, then looked around with a look halfway between hopelessness and rage. “Damn it. It was a trap, and we walked right into it.” He tore off one of the mercenary’s shirts to hastily bandage the gash in his leg. “We need to get out of here before they come back with reinforcements. My name is Arik, by the way. Are you hurt? Can you ride?”
Autumn nodded. Aric stumbled as he tried to nod back. “Damn. I might need a little help.”
Autumn supported him under one arm. She led him to Lyall’s horse and helped him up, then climbed into the saddle in front of him. Once they were both mounted, they rode out of the mountains and back towards Nor.
When Autumn and Arik arrived back at the castle, Kasrian rushed out to meet them. The soldier explained to him what had happened while Autumn looked on. Kasrian looked devastated. Autumn felt numb. She had been crying over the loss of Nilene and her soldiers for most of the journey. There were just no more tears left. Overwhelmed by the shock, she stumbled slowly back to her room and laid down on the bed. As soon as her head touched the pillow, she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
She woke a few hours later to Lyall shaking her shoulder gently. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, his face barely visible in the soft moonlight coming through her window. He looked like he had been crying. “I’m sorry, I know I shouldn’t have woken you. You’ve had a horrible time. I just . . . Are you alright? You’re not hurt at all?”
“I’m okay,” she signed, then realized it was too dark for him to see her hands. She shook her head, then leaned forward and hugged him.
Lyall held her close. “I’m so sorry, Autumn. I heard about Nilene.” His voice was breaking. “I should never have let you go. I should have gone with you” He pushed her away, holding her shoulders firmly and looking into her eyes as he spoke. “I know I can’t be there to protect you every second, but when I
think about how you could have died, I can’t stand it. I promise, from now on, I’m going to train every spare minute and get stronger. Next time you have to go into danger, I’ll be there with you.”
And I’ll get stronger, too, Lyall. Next time, I’ll be able to save everyone. Autumn closed her eyes and rested her head on the prince’s shoulder as he cried. Next time, I’ll make sure that no one dies.
Chapter 17
“Sister! Welcome home!” Zara gracefully descended the stairs in front of the Royal Tower to greet Miraphina. The Queen stepped out of the carriage with an easy smile and embraced her sister. Zara smiled back, but her expression faltered when Esren appeared behind his mother.
Zara forced a smile back to her face. “Esren. Welcome home, Nephew. How was your first trip to Nor?”
Esren scowled and pushed past his aunt without a word. He angrily stalked up the stairs to the tower and disappeared through the door. Zara turned to Miraphina, concerned.
Miraphina’s gaze followed Esren up the stairs. “He’s been like this the whole trip. Zara, I’m not sure what’s happening to him. Some of the things he’s said and done . . .” Her voice trailed off, leaving Zara looking at her thoughtfully.
“Sister, I love you, and your Braeden was a wonderful man. But your son . . . Miraphina, something about him is not right.” She lowered her voice. “There have been rumors. Servants have gone missing, animals have disappeared, people are afraid to be around him. It’s getting very unnerving.” Zara stopped as she realized that Miraphina looked angry.
“Zara, why are you telling me this? Since when is palace gossip a reliable source of information?” She gave Zara an angry glare. “Look, I know you don’t trust Esren. You’ve barely been able to look at him since Catrine died in the Choosing. I can understand your grief, and I was willing to look past it. But to make him out to be some kind of monster? That’s low, Sister. I’m disappointed in you.” She swept up the stairs and into the tower, leaving Zara standing dumbstruck by the carriage.
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