I glanced at the crowd. A woman toward the front clung to one of the freed prisoners. She mouthed, “Thank you,” tears streaming down her cheeks.
“No,” I said. “I haven’t changed my mind. I will marry you. I just didn’t expect it to be so soon.”
The marriage binder stood before the king. “Ready?” he asked.
“Do it quickly,” Morlet ordered.
“Join hands,” the binder instructed.
The king roughly grabbed my hands, holding them tightly. The binder said a string of words, but I didn’t hear a single one of them. My mind was screaming at the absurdity of the situation. I was marrying Morlet. Right now. I would have fallen to my knees if he wasn’t holding me up.
The king’s hands started glowing a magnificent blue as his magic swelled to the surface. My own power responded, tingling inside of me, begging to join with his. I forced it down, not wanting to share anything with this evil man.
“Kaia,” Morlet whispered in my mind. “Let your power flow into me.”
I shook my head.
“This will only work if we mix our powers together.”
I kept a firm grip on my power, refusing to give in. Everyone in the courtyard watched, a look of shock on most of their faces. Vidar and Anders remained in front of the crowd, staring at me. This was too much. Sweat beaded on my forehead.
“Repeat after me,” the binder said. “We promise to love and protect one another.”
Morlet and I both said, “We promise to love and protect one another.” I almost choked on the words.
My power involuntarily flowed out of my hands, singing with joy. I was unable to control it as it wrapped around Morlet’s hands and our arms began to glow a brilliant blue. People in the crowd gasped, and I heard the word Kriger whispered.
“I hereby pronounce you husband and wife. Kiss and seal your love.”
That was it? I was married? I swayed on my feet. This couldn’t be happening.
Morlet stepped closer to me. He leaned down, his hood concealing my face from the crowd, and he gently brushed his lips over mine. My power filled every inch of me, inundating my senses with fire and ice. And then I felt a slither of Morlet’s magic going through my body before returning to him. He abruptly pulled away.
The crowd remained silent—staring at the two of us. My hands and arms had returned to normal. I looked at my palms, wondering what had just happened between the two of us.
“Crown her,” the king demanded, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Oh,” the binder stammered. “Of course.”
I shook my head. Agreeing to marry Morlet to save the prisoners was one thing, but being crowned was an entirely different matter. “I don’t want to be queen.”
“Perhaps you should have thought of that before you agreed to marry me.”
I couldn’t breathe. My head pounded. “What happens when you die?” I asked. I didn’t expect him to live much longer. As soon as I was pregnant, the Krigers would kill him. If I was crowned queen, would that continue after his death? How would that work since Vidar was the true heir? Was this Morlet’s way of making sure his brother didn’t take the throne? But Morlet had told me he planned to destroy the Krigers—which included me. So why marry me? Why crown me queen? None of this made any sense.
Morlet grabbed the binder. “Do it now or I’ll chop off your head,” he barked.
The binder nodded. “Kneel,” he instructed me.
I was about to argue when a tingling sensation spread throughout my body. My legs bent and I knelt without meaning to. How dare Morlet control my body with his magic? I tried to protest but couldn’t speak.
“Repeat after me,” the binder said. “I, Kaia of Nelebek, do hereby swear to protect the people of my kingdom.”
My lips started moving of their own accord and the words came out of my mouth, repeating what the binder said. I felt as if I had been shoved inside a coffin and the lid was closing on me. Panic filled my chest, sweat trickled down my forehead, and my stomach rolled with nausea.
“I will work with the Heks to ensure peace and prosperity throughout the land.”
I involuntarily repeated the words, each one a nail hammered into the lid of my coffin.
“I will uphold the treaty, remain honorable, and guide my people.”
Again, the words tumbled out of my mouth. Tears slid down my face. I didn’t want this. The lid had been nailed shut, the hammer tossed aside. Where was my choice in the matter?
The binder placed his hands on my head, mumbling words I didn’t recognize. “I need a crown for the next part,” he said.
Morlet snapped his fingers, and a soldat handed the binder a gold crown encrusted with diamonds. It was delicate, beautiful; the opposite of me in every way. I wanted to scream at the binder to stop, but Morlet still had control of my body. I knelt there, powerless to stop him.
The binder placed the crown on my head, and a jolt shot through my body. Somehow, I knew the magic of the world had grabbed onto me through this ancient ceremony. What had been done here today could not be undone. I was locked into a powerful magical oath. The coffin had been lowered into the ground, dirt thrown on top. I was buried.
“Stand,” the binder said.
Morlet released his magical hold on me, and I stood.
“People of Nelebek, I present to you Queen Kaia!”
The citizens in the Town Square burst into applause, chanting my name as hope filled their eyes. They looked at me as if I could wipe out the evil in the world. As if I could save them from Morlet and give them a better life. But I was only a sixteen-year-old Kriger. A warrior. Not a queen. Not someone who could lead these people. I had nothing to give them.
“No!” a voice shrieked, startling me.
Silence descended over the Town Square. Everyone turned and looked at the main entrance. A woman stood there staring at me. People darted out of her way as she came forward, stopping before the platform. Unveiled hatred gleamed in Norill’s eyes. The Skog Heks of Nelebek was not pleased with what had just transpired.
Well, that made two of us.
6
As Norill stood before the platform glaring at me, the crowd backed away, giving her a wide berth. Her unnaturally white skin shone like snow as the dark gray veins under her pasty skin pulsed. Even though it was chilly out, she wore a tight dress that had been cut just above her knees and her feet were bare. Norill’s black, glossy hair flowed around her shoulders emphasizing her curvy figure.
“What have you done?” she asked, her black eyes making me shiver.
Morlet’s fingers curled around my arm. “Now is not the time for theatrics,” he said to her. “I am taking my bride home. If you have business to discuss, we will do it at the castle.” He turned and pulled me from the platform to his waiting carriage.
I looked back, trying to find Vidar and Anders, but they were surrounded by soldats. I climbed into the carriage and sat on the bench, Morlet sitting next to me. A soldat closed the door and the driver took off, whisking us out of the packed courtyard. I prayed Vidar and Anders would escape the soldats and make it safely out of the capital.
“Why did you marry me and make me queen?” I demanded, ripping the crown from my head and shoving it at him. I didn’t want it.
“It was the only way,” he mumbled, gazing out of the window. “I wasn’t strong enough once before. I swore never to be weak again.”
The carriage pulled to a stop before the castle’s main entrance. The door and archway had been rebuilt from when I had blasted through it with my power so I could escape with Vidar and Anders. That felt like a lifetime ago.
Soldats escorted us inside. I stood numbly in the great hall. Dark blood stained the rug—blood that had flowed from me when Anders had stabbed me in the stomach.
“It never ends,” Morlet sneered. “The manipulation, the lies, the hoops. I’m so sick of it.” He stood in the middle of the great hall, his shoulders heaving up and down.
I moved closer to him, wanting to get
a glimpse of his face beneath his hood. “What’s going on?” I asked, trying to understand his reason for marrying me. What did he know that I didn’t?
He shoved my crown at me. “Put it on.”
I decided to cooperate, hoping that would entice him to talk to me.
The door flew open, banging against the wall. Norill stepped inside. “You.” She pointed at me. “What bargain have you made with him? What did he promise you?”
Morlet faced her. “Watch it,” he warned. “Just because you’re wearing the medallion and my magic doesn’t work on you, doesn’t mean the treaty isn’t in effect.”
Since I didn’t have my bo staff, I went over to the hearth and picked up the fire poker, taking comfort in the added protection since my power was no match for hers.
Norill laughed. “Look at you. Standing there dressed like a commoner, holding a fire poker for a weapon, a crown atop your head. Like that will be enough to protect you.”
“What do you want?” Morlet asked, a hard edge to his voice. He stood at my side.
“I thought we had a deal,” she hissed.
“We do. Kaia doesn’t affect it.”
“She changes everything.”
“We’ll discuss this matter in more detail later.”
“If the two of you have an agreement, I think it’s only fair you let me in on it,” I said, my heart thundering. “After all, I’m queen now.”
The corners of Morlet’s lips rose as he fought a smile.
Norill took a step toward me. “I will not bow to you.”
“You have no choice,” Morlet replied. “We’re all bound by the treaty. Even you.”
The veins below her eyes darkened, extending down her cheeks. Her fingers curled into fists. “You’ve made a very stupid mistake. You’ll pay for this.” She abruptly turned and strode away.
Morlet growled. “Take Kaia to the queen’s room,” he ordered the soldats standing guard before he stalked down the hallway and disappeared into the darkness.
One of the soldats cleared his throat. “This way, Your Highness.”
Sighing, I followed him up the stairs. He stopped next to a door. “This was…is…the queen’s bedchamber.” He opened the door. “I’ll remain posted outside if you need anything.”
“Thank you.” I stepped into the room. It wasn’t at all what I expected. Directly ahead of me was a large bed with gold and ivory blankets. Off to the right stood a desk, while to my left was a fireplace and a large armoire. Several windows allowed the afternoon light to shine through. The room felt warm and cared for.
While I’d never been in here before, I knew Morlet’s bedchamber was directly across the hall. I went over to the bed, running my hand over the soft fabric. My hand was shaking. The events of the past couple of hours crashed into me. Before, my life was dictated by the curse. And now? The words bound by the treaty kept repeating in my mind. Because not only were the Grei Heks and Skog Heks of Nelebek bound by it, but now I was, too. Invisible shackles had been locked around my wrists, tying me to this world.
Enough. I forced my self-pity into a box. Whining about what had happened would do me no good. I needed to find Vidar and Anders so I could make sure they were safe, and then I needed to figure out my next move. Should I attempt to run away? Or stay here and complete the tasks necessary to end the curse?
Given that Vidar and Anders had soldats around them in the Town Square, it was safe to assume that they had been escorted to the dungeon located below the castle. Morlet probably wanted them there for some twisted plan. Or maybe he wanted to keep them away from the Krigers. Or he intended to use them to lure the Krigers here. I rubbed my temples. I was the queen and I had power inside of me. Taking a deep breath, I squared my shoulders and opened the door. Two soldats stood guard. Both straightened and looked expectantly at me.
“I wish to be taken to the dungeon,” I said, trying to sound authoritative.
They glanced at each other. One said, “I’m not sure we’re allowed to take you down there.”
“I am the queen, and you must do as I command. I wish to be taken to the dungeon. Now.” Not that I wanted to return to that place. But I’d navigated my way through there before. I was certain I could do so again. Especially to save Vidar and Anders.
“I will check with the king,” one of the men said.
The only way I’d be able to save Vidar and Anders was if Morlet didn’t know anything about what I was going to do. “You will not consult the king. Obey me or be executed for treason.” My voice wobbled on the word treason.
“If we do something that displeases the king, our deaths will not be swift,” the soldat on the right said.
The other one added, “The king is not kind to those who go behind his back.”
A little more persuasion was needed. I called on my power, praying Morlet was too preoccupied to notice. I sent the power out to both soldats, sliding into their heads. I didn’t want to hurt them, but time was of the essence. I needed to free Vidar and Anders before Morlet tortured or killed them.
“You will take me to the dungeon,” I said in their minds. “And you will not tell the king.”
Both men nodded, and I withdrew my power.
I threw a shield up and quietly followed them through the castle until we came to a solid black iron door—one I recognized. The dungeon was on the other side. I took a deep breath, remembering all the times I’d been in there.
“I don’t have all day,” I said, trying to get the soldats to hurry.
The prison guard granted us entrance.
“I seek an audience with two men who were recently brought in,” I said, hoping he knew who I was referring to.
“There are two new prisoners,” the guard replied. “They’re down and to the left.”
“Wait here,” I instructed the two men who had escorted me there. I didn’t want them to be a part of what I was about to do. Once Morlet found out, he’d be furious. I didn’t want him to hurt these men unnecessarily—especially since I’d used my power on them.
“You can’t go down there on your own,” the prison guard said.
“I am the queen and can do as I please,” I answered, my voice wavering.
The guard looked at my escorts, who nodded confirmation. He frowned and shrugged. “Fine. But know that it’s not very nice down there.”
“The three of you will wait here,” I said as I stepped inside the dungeon. Descending the stairs, I made sure to maintain my shield. When I reached the bottom, I headed to the left, searching the cells for Vidar and Anders. Torches hung on the walls making it hard to see inside the cells. It would be so much easier if I could use my power to locate them. However, to use my power I had to drop my shield. If I did that, Morlet would sense me and figure out what I was up to.
Voices came from up ahead and to the right. I hurried that way. Rounding a corner, I caught a glimpse of someone walking away at the other end of the long hallway. It almost looked like Norill, but in the dim lighting I couldn’t be sure. She turned the corner and was out of sight.
I crept along, knowing there wasn’t much time left. Maybe I should just call out their names and hope they heard me.
“Kaia?” Vidar asked. A hand waved between two bars in the cell ahead of me and to the right.
I ran to it. Vidar wrapped me in a hug. “Are you all right?” he asked. Releasing me, his hands curled around the bars separating us.
“Yes.” I glanced around him and saw Anders sitting on the ground, his head hanging low. “I need to get the two of you out of here.”
Anders chuckled, but he didn’t look at me.
Vidar pushed the door to the cell open.
“It’s unlocked?” I asked.
“It is now,” Vidar replied. He came into the hallway. “Roy told me about what happened to you in the mines.”
“I already explained how the soldats dug up Heks magic.” I glanced at either end of the hallway, making sure we were still alone.
“But you didn�
�t tell me how you reacted to it.”
“Does it matter?” I asked.
Vidar took my hands, pulling me closer so his lips were near my left ear. “It means the third sapphire has been found. It’s the only way to unearth magic. Morlet must have discovered it in the mines.”
“The sapphire that creates new Heks?” I whispered, not wanting any of the soldats on guard down here to overhear me.
“Yes.”
“What does this mean?” I asked.
“I don’t know,” Vidar answered. “I need to think and figure out our next move.”
We were wasting time standing here. “Let’s get out of this wretched place,” I said, moving to leave.
“No,” Vidar said, clutching my arm and pulling me to a stop.
I glanced up into his eyes. “Do you want me to remain here and look for the third piece? When I find it, I can join you at the treehouse.”
He cleared his throat. “I want you to stay here. Permanently.” He released me.
He wanted me here so I could do my part in the curse. I folded my arms across my chest. “I understand,” I murmured.
“There’s more to it than that,” Anders said, speaking for the first time. “You need to be protected.” He finally stood and looked at me.
A laugh escaped my mouth. “Protected? From Morlet and Norill? That makes no sense. How can I be protected from them when I’m living under the same roof?” Anger and frustration boiled inside of me. “How can I be protected from the king when I’m married to him?” And then it dawned on me, and everything made sense. “You let me marry him.”
“Kaia,” Anders said, his face contorting in pain. “You have no idea who and what you’re dealing with.” He exited the cell.
I thought I had a pretty good understanding. He’d wanted me to marry Vidar so I’d be protected under the treaty. When that didn’t happen, Morlet was the next best thing.
“We don’t have much time,” Vidar said, standing between Anders and me.
“I’ll stay here,” I said. “I’ll take care of my end of the curse.”
Anders looked away.
“I need you to find that third sapphire,” Vidar said. “If Morlet has it, steal it. Once we have the third piece and you’re with child, I’ll bring the Krigers here and we’ll end this. I promise.”
Conquering Fate Page 6