by Sarah Olson
I nodded glad to hear James had sent her word.
“The question is,” Betsy said, “why do you have two guards on your tail?”
“Just to make sure nothing happens,” I said, attempting to spare her the details.
“An attempt was made on her life last week,” Mrs. Hopkins said.
“What?” Betsy gasped.
“Everything is all right now,” Mrs. Hopkins continued. “Turns out it was a bounty hunter. Apparently the young princess has quite a reward on her head.”
“They caught him?” Betsy asked.
“Yes,” Mrs. Hopkins replied. “He was sent to King Darius’s prison.”
King Darius. I had not realized there was such a deep alliance between the Malan king and the rebels—one deep enough that he would accept a bounty hunter as a prisoner.
“Good,” Betsy said, taking a bite out of a slice of bread.
With the help of another man, the guard returned with a bed frame. It was small but fit perfectly in the room where I slept.
With Betsy’s presence, I was no longer haunted by the nightmares but with thoughts of Richard and my future.
Chapter 21
HAVING GUARDS FOLLOW me around every hour of the day was dreadful. When I complained to Betsy, she simply told me it was time to get used to it because I could not expect to be queen if I wanted privacy. But that was all I wanted. I desperately needed a moment alone so I decided to try get away for a little while.
Summer had finally settled over the land and the nights were warm enough to turn out the fire and open the windows. I lay in bed wide-awake feeling the warm breeze as it gently shifted the curtains. Around midnight, I listened carefully to Betsy’s breathing. It was steady and deep—she was asleep. I sat up slowly feeling my child shift and slid my feet into slippers. Rising quietly, I donned my robe and crept out of the room wincing at a stray creak from the floorboards. One glimpse from a crack in the closed curtain showed me that both guards were sitting on the porch. One looked to be half asleep and the other was gazing up at the stars.
I went to the back of the house and passed Mrs. Hopkins’s room to the window. I unlatched it and gently swung the wooden frame opened trying to keep it from squeaking. It was difficult to climb out the window in my state of pregnancy, but I managed fairly well.
I let my feet lead, not paying attention to where they took me until I found myself at a small lake. The still water reflected the full moon and stars. As I stared out into the calm un-rippled water I felt my mind slowing the spin and the weight of all that had passed, fall unforgivingly onto my shoulders. I staggered backwards and hit my back against a tree. That is where I lost control. I slid to the ground and let my emotions overtake me like a sudden thunderstorm. I had thought I had gotten over much of this now that Betsy was with me, but I had fooled myself.
When I was a child and had fallen and scraped my knee, she would tell me to cry as much as I wanted. She said it was good to let everything I was feeling out. That is exactly what I did. I cried for Robert. I cried over the heartbreak Richard had given me. I cried for my unborn child who would never know a father. My sobs grew in volume with only the speechless trees to hear. I do not know how long I sat there and let the never-ending tears cascade down my face, but it felt like a lifetime.
When my eyes ran dry and my vision cleared, I noticed a strange growth on a tree a few feet away. I squinted my eyes in the dim light and realized it was not a growth, but a person. I caught my breath as a man stepped away from it.
How long had he been there?
He took a step forward and my heart sped up as panic filled me.
Of course, I would manage to get myself into trouble. This man was going to kill me. He was one of the bounty hunters sent by King Luther like the one Raphael had saved me from.
He stepped forward again and the moonlight caught the side of his face where a jagged scar ran from his eyebrow to his cheek, reflected off those blue eyes that cut through my chest like shards of glass.
James.
I tried to stand so I could get away but I was trembling too much and he was suddenly there grabbing my arm to keep me from falling.
“You shouldn’t be alone,” he said in a low voice as he steadied me.
His words burned away my fear and sorrow leaving boiling anger in their wake.
“Why do you even care about what happens to me?” I snapped, looking him straight in the eyes as I snatched my arm away. It was the first time I had ever dared to return his stare.
In the moon’s soft rays, I could see the traces of an amused smile playing on his lips. Exasperated, I spun on my heel and stomped off. He cleared his throat and I turned back to him.
“The village is that way,” he said smugly, pointing in the opposite direction.
Now I am making a complete fool of myself. I walked quickly in the right direction avoiding his gaze hoping I could escape.
“Since you asked, I really do not care,” he said, catching up easily. “The problem is you’re the princess of Asteria and my people care. If we lost you, they’d give up all hope of ever overthrowing King Luther—that is, if they truly have any at all.”
“Or I could be a martyr,” I scoffed defiantly, keeping my eyes low so I would not meet his again.
“Personally,” James continued, “I’d like to send you back into the mountains and hope you never return. That would definitely make things simpler for me.”
I gritted my teeth. It was as if he was purposely trying to anger me. I clenched my fists in an attempt to not strike at him even though I probably would not make a dent in his jaw.
“Then why don’t you?” I hissed through my teeth. “You’re the general,”
“In order to remain the general, I must do what the people want,” he said.
“What have I done to make you hate me so much?” I almost screamed, spinning around so his face was inches from mine. “I’ve done what you asked! I got to know the people! I will train after the baby is born if it will just get you to leave me alone!”
“You are an inconvenience,” he responded, moving an inch closer than what felt comfortable.
“An inconvenience?” I exclaimed. “Why? Because now that I’m here, you can’t be king?”
“Who said I wanted to be king?”
“Then what?” I was infuriated now.
“Soon, I’ll actually have to listen to decisions and ideas you have because of your bloodline!” he said, his voice rising.
“And what’s wrong with that?” I asked viciously.
“You are an impossible, self-centered little girl that got herself pregnant with the enemy’s child. What decisions could you possibly make that will actually help people?”
I slapped him hard across the face. He barely flinched but my hand stung like hell.
“I hate you,” I said. I turned from him quickly not wanting to hear his response and walked away rubbing my now injured hand. I felt flushed as I trembled with anger.
Suddenly, pain seized my stomach and I stumbled forward holding it. A scream escaped my lips. What just happened? Did James do something to me? My head spun. The pain came again. It was not James—it was the baby.
In seconds, James was by my side. “What’s wrong?” he demanded.
“I don’t know!” I gasped, clenching my teeth in pain. “I think it’s the baby!”
“I didn’t know it was already due!” he said, suddenly seeming concerned.
“It’s too early!” I exclaimed. “I still have two months! Something’s wrong!”
In one swift motion, I was in James’ arms and he was carrying me back to the village. The world around me blurred as the pain struck again.
“Open the door!” he yelled at the startled guards.
They jumped up and opened the door as the pain became dizzying and I lost consciousness.
Chapter 22
“LAYLA,” A VOICE called to me gently. “Layla, dear.”
My eyes opened wearily. As my vision
cleared, Betsy leaned over me. A cold wet cloth was wiped across my forehead. For a moment, I was completely disoriented and then everything came rushing at me at once. The running away. The yelling. The pain—my child.
My arms came up fast to my stomach that to my surprise was still just as large. “The baby,” I gasped, frantically taking in all the faces of those in the room.
Mrs. Hopkins sat on the bed and Charlotte stood by the door watching.
“The child is fine,” Mrs. Hopkins said, taking my hand
“What happened?” I asked.
“We don’t really know,” Betsy said, running the cloth across my forehead again. “All James was able to tell us was that you collapsed. Do you feel pain now?”
I shook my head.
“It’s a good sign,” Mrs. Hopkins said, “However, until the child is born, you must remain in bed.”
“What?” I gasped. “I can’t lie here forever!”
“That’s enough Layla,” Betsy said. “You’ve been too uptight and that is not good for the child. If you want the baby to survive, you must do what is asked of you.”
“Don’t worry, Layla,” Charlotte said, coming forward. For once, she had on plain wheat colored dress with a dark brown bodice and not her usual men’s attire. “I’ll keep you company as much as I can. The next two months will be over before you know it.”
James suddenly loomed in the doorway behind Charlotte. “She’s awake.”
The room sat in an awkward silence for a moment.
“Can I speak to the general alone?” I asked despite my own liking.
Betsy nodded and followed Mrs. Hopkins out of the room. Charlotte lingered by the door.
“It’s all right, Charlotte,” I said.
She nodded and walked out, closing the door gently behind her.
“Are you feeling better?” he asked.
“You came here to ask me that?” I snapped.
His brow furrowed. “I came to apologize,” he said, matching my tone.
“So all of a sudden you care?”
“You really are something, Layla,” he said, shaking his head.
“Whatever you say,” I said. “I’m just sorry my slap didn’t leave a mark.”
“Look,” James said, stepping forward, “I am sorry. I shouldn’t have spoken to you in that way, especially after you had already been so upset tonight.”
He seemed sincere but I did not want to believe him.
“I was told you need to be on bed rest, and I think I know where would be best,” he continued.
“What are you trying to say?” I asked suspiciously.
“King Darius has been sending messengers because he is anxious to meet you. For your own protection and health, I want you to stay in his castle until the child is born.”
“You’re joking,” I said.
“No, I’m not,” James said, crossing his arms.
“Is this your way of getting rid of me?”
“It’s my way of helping. It could be very beneficial for you to live in a castle for a while. It’s time you get a chance to see how a king runs his kingdom.”
“Do I have a choice?” I asked.
“No.”
“Fine,” I agreed.
While travelling was a little risky, it really did feel like a good idea. By living in the castle, I would give birth to my child under the care of the king’s special physicians. Betsy and Mrs. Hopkins were not particularly fond of the idea but agreed.
It was decided Mrs. Hopkins would stay and Betsy would accompany me. However, she was not the only one coming. James sent word to us that Raphael would also be accompanying me as protection. Charlotte said it was James’ way of getting rid of Raphael for a while since the two of them did not get along well.
James sent for the king’s best carriage to make the journey comfortable and it arrived about week later escorted by ten of King Darius’ soldiers.
When it was time to get ready to leave, Betsy dressed me in new traveling clothes she had made now that she had begun working as a seamstress in the village. She draped me in pale blue waist-less dress with sleeves hanging loosely at my forearms and a modest neckline. The outfit was finished with a dark blue velvet cape.
“Your mother had one just like this for traveling,” Betsy said with a smile.
“I love it!” I exclaimed, twirling around in front of the mirror.
“I thought you might,” Betsy said as she clipped the sapphire around my neck. “The beauty of this stone never ceases to amaze me.”
As soon as the stone touched my skin, it lit up brightly. It seemed more brilliant than before.
“You really think I should wear it?” I asked, running my hand over the sapphire’s cool hard surface.
“Yes, when you close the cape the stone is hidden,” she replied. “But there is no need to fear wearing it in King Darius’ castle.” She handed me a pair of gloves that matched my dress.
“You trust him?” I asked, slipping them on.
“Yes. After all, he is the one that is allowing the rebels to live here. Had he been able at the time, he would have fought for your parents.”
“They’re ready for you!” Mrs. Hopkins’s called from the kitchen.
I turned to the mirror once more and fixed my hair. I pulled up the hood and went out to the carriage and waiting soldiers.
They were very different from King Luther’s and the rebels. Their skin was dark and those that had beards kept them trimmed. They wore golden armor and sat on ornate saddles. The horses stood tall with their hide glistening in the sunlight. Each was a different shade of brown and black. They were soldiers and horses fit for a king’s army.
I spotted one speaking to James.
When he saw me, he bowed respectively. “I am Captain Makin,” he said, in a strange accent much stronger than the few native Malanese that lived in this village. “I have been placed in charge of escorting you to my king’s castle.”
“Layla,” I said, curtsying.
“No need to curtsy, milady,” he said. “Come.”
He led me to the carriage and opened the door.
I spotted Mitchell walking down the street with Dusk on a lead rope. He handed her to a Malanese soldier who tied the lead to his saddle. It warmed my heart to know Dusk would also be making this journey.
I turned to Captain Makin and took his hand gingerly as he helped me up into the carriage. Betsy followed in suit and the door closed behind us. Within minutes, we were rolling down the dirt road.
The carriage was much larger and grander than the one I had taken to King Luther’s palace. Four horses were needed to pull it. There was much legroom and it was wide enough for me to lie down to sleep. The red velvet interior was lined with thick gold ropes and tassels. Even though the journey would take a few days, it was going to be a comfortable ride.
Around the afternoon on the fourth day, a soldier rode up next to the carriage and announced the castle was in sight. I stuck my head out the window to see large stone walls that rose high up but not enough that it hid the castle.
“It’s enormous!” I exclaimed.
“It’s Kings City,” the soldier said. “It is not just the castle you’re seeing.”
I pulled my head back in and looked at Betsy in astonishment. “I didn’t know it was a city!”
“Why, yes,” she said, smiling. “The city and the castle have been built into the mountains. It’s the largest city in all the land.”
When we rolled in through two gigantic doors, my eyes widened—Kings City was like nothing I had ever seen. The houses were tall and completely made of stone. They were painted in a variety of cream colors as well as pale blues and greens with flower boxes hanging from the open windows.
Everywhere I looked, people roamed the streets. Shop owners decorated the window displays with their goods. There were all sorts of gold jewelry covered in gems along with brightly colored scarves and clothing. Merchants lined the streets with fruits and vegetables in large crates ba
rgaining loudly with customers. The one thing that really caught my attention, however, was the clothing the people wore. The women did not dress in the same way Asterian women did. They wore brightly colored skirts and blouses of reds, yellows, blues and so many other colors. Some wore bodices over their loose blouses bringing out their curves and bosom. The older women wore their hair under floral patterned scarves while the younger ones wore their pitch-black hair long and braided with ribbons. Long necklaces draped their necks and their wrists were loaded with thin gold bracelets. Large earrings dangled from their ears glinting in the sunlight. The men wore pants tucked into knee-high leather boots and a solid colored shirt with an opened vest. The majority had at least two large gold rings decorating their hands.
It was safe to say this was not a poor city.
The streets were filled with so much life I felt the weariness of the long travel lift from my shoulders. The Malanese were like no other people I had ever encountered. Some stopped to watch my carriage roll by excitedly. With the amount of soldiers around us, we drew much attention.
Farther into the city, we entered a square where a man had taken out his flute and another, a fiddle. Men and women joined them in a fast paced dance as another man appeared with a tambourine. People gathered around them forming a circle and clapped with the beat. The women spun and spun jumping in the air while the men danced around them in a circle. They switched partners repeatedly in perfect timing. The only real dancing I had ever done was at the ball, and those were waltzes, nothing like what I was witnessing here.
“Are you seeing this?” I exclaimed.
“Yes,” Betsy said, peeking around me through the window. “I couldn’t believe my eyes the first time I accompanied your mother here. There were moments she threw off her own shoes and joined in their dancing circles.”
“Really?” I asked.
“She wasn’t exactly known for being well-behaved,” she laughed. “Queen Aria was free-spirited and always full of energy. It was infuriating at times, but at others, simply refreshing.”
I continued to watch the city roll by me as I pictured the woman in the painting I had seen in the old castle dancing and laughing through the streets of Kings City. “Malan is like nothing I ever expected,” I said. “It’s incredible how two kingdoms can be so different from each other and be neighbors.”