The Rejected Princess

by Clark, Katie;

  “I’m so glad that horrid storm has passed.” Duchess Mayne arranged her dress around her legs. “I am ready to return home.”

  The duke sighed. “We might have made more of an effort to get into Lady Gretchen’s good graces.”

  Duchess Mayne huffed. “What for? She can’t help our cause.”

  Ben glanced at Lady Britta. She raised an eyebrow as if they were proving her point from the night before—the Maynes weren’t in the Dawsons’ pocket.

  Perhaps Britta had been right after all. Even if Ben couldn’t promise to help the Maynes’ cause, the knowledge of their relationship with the king could play in his favor. It meant he could gain an ally in Dawson’s Edge. A seemingly powerful ally.

  “So,” he started, “your family has lived in the southern province since the beginning?”

  Duke Mayne nodded and launched into a lengthy explanation of how his ancestors had followed the original Dawsons south. Half the time, he spoke in riddles, and he didn’t seem to want to wind down anytime soon.

  He spoke of the Maynes’ long held loyalty to the royal family, and Ben frowned.

  What had changed in the relationship between the Maynes and Dawsons of today? Lady Britta had said the Maynes wanted to purge the Dawsons of their use of magic.

  True, the Dawsons had a reputation for being dark and untrusting. He had witnessed their behaviors on the Loxian border when he’d viewed the dead soldiers’ bodies at the military base. But magic?

  Could it be they spoke of anomalies? The same condition Roanna worried about for herself?

  A dark foreboding worked its way through him.

  “What about the current King Dawson? Do you believe he is called to rule?” A bold question to ask. Perhaps too bold.

  Duke Mayne’s eyebrows rose. He took his time in answering. “I believe the calling lies with the Dawsonian line, yes.”

  “I’ve heard of distaste for the royal conjurers. Is this a widely held sentiment?” He kept his tone light, but much hinged on the duke’s reply. If the Dawsons felt their reign was being threatened, it might explain their intense and sudden desire to fulfill a peace treaty with their neighboring kingdoms. It might also explain Roanna’s belief that King Dawson faced a rebellion—he was losing his kingdom, so he sought help from another.

  “There are those in the south who believe the country should be as advanced as our neighbors, yourself included,” Duke Mayne answered. “Dawson’s Edge has been left behind technologically, because other kingdoms fear what they view as our lack of learning. It is time to end the anomalies in our country. The Dawsons refuse to release their hold to their dark magic, so it is time to alleviate them from their rule.”

  Lady Britta’s mention of a purging made more sense now. Duke Mayne didn’t necessarily wish to dethrone King Bartholomew Dawson, but he would if the king didn’t stop his use of these magical powers.

  Ben frowned. What were these powers the Maynes spoke of? Ben hadn’t seen any magic since he’d arrived.

  The duke continued his spill, but Ben’s mind drifted to Roanna. How did her hair—and her thought-hearing abilities—play into this?

  The hours passed quickly as the duke spoke, and Ben considered his words and what they could mean. Soon they had arrived along the southern border of Dawson’s Edge. Blue sky met the ocean in the distance, and the shoreline held a grand and sprawling white manor.

  Ben was ushered inside and shown to his room. Dinner would be served that evening. After the meal, Ben would ask after Dr. Presnell. His investigation had already begun.

  39

  Three days passed while Ben enjoyed the hospitality of the southern province. He rode horseback with Lady Britta, met local nobles, and asked after Dr. Presnell. The old man was alive, but unavailable, so far. The Maynes seemed to know him well and had given Ben a few pieces of information over the days they’d spent together. Dr. Presnell was adjoined to their cause and had been for years. Ben had pretended to be at least slightly interested in helping them achieve their goals in order for them to open up to him so easily, but the trade in information had been worth it.

  The Maynes claimed the Dawsons could bewitch their subjects, forcing people to do things against their wills. He now knew they planned to demand the Dawsons give up use of their powers, and if the Dawsons refused there might be civil war. The rebel cause was seeking commitments from other countries to fight on the side of what they called the advancement of humanity. Duke Mayne hinted at help from Princess Isabella de Paul’s family across the ocean, but it appeared the ties were weak and unreliable at best.

  Now Ben sat for supper with the Maynes, who still believed him interested in marriage to Lady Britta. The Maynes’ dining room was as grand as any of the others he’d dined at while in Dawson’s Edge. Large windows faced the ocean, a grand table seated dozens of guests, and servers bustled through, dishing out the evening meal.

  Ben would take a sandwich in his bedroom at Lox any day. It had been two weeks since he’d left home. Two weeks of touring Dawson’s Edge and mingling with the Dawsonians.

  He sat beside Lady Britta, who smiled when he spoke to her but had stopped making hopeful doe eyes.

  “We’ve arranged another outing for you and Britta.” Duchess Mayne smiled and took a drink from her glass. “A picnic along the beach.”

  It only made sense that the Maynes thought Britta was why he had come. He smiled and thanked the duchess, but worry churned inside him. What if his plan to expose a Dawsonian lie failed? What if Roanna’s marriage to Roland moved forward, and he was still expected to choose a Dawsonian bride?

  “Which beach, Grandmother?” Lady Britta’s question pulled him back to the present.

  Duchess Mayne leaned forward, a smile on her face. “The Keys. The most beautiful location in the south!”

  Lady Britta’s face lit with excitement.

  Ben smiled and thanked her for setting it up, but the quicker this trip ended the better.

  They finished supper, and Ben joined the family in Duke Mayne’s study. Ben sat between Duchess Mayne and Lady Britta on a large sofa. He watched the clock, debating how long he had to stay before it would be appropriate to excuse himself.

  “Maybe we should host a party while you’re here,” Duke Mayne said. He sat in a straight back chair, staring out the window into the dark night. “You’re quite the prominent guest.”

  Ben’s heart picked up speed. This could be his chance to learn more of Dr. Presnell. “Are there many more nobles in the area?” He had met a few but the more the better.

  Mayne nodded. “Nobles and friends. It needn’t be a large party, but something close and cozy.”

  “What of the doctor I mentioned a few days ago. Dr. Presnell? I would like to meet him.”

  “He doesn’t go out much,” Duke Mayne admitted. “But I can invite him. Leave it to us.”

  Ben smiled, keeping his face neutral. The Maynes might find it odd if he looked too relieved. “I look forward to it.”

  Lady Britta let out a huge yawn.

  At last. An excuse to get away. “I’m afraid it’s been a long day. I’m quite tired myself.”

  Duke Mayne nodded. “Agreed. Let’s get you off to bed. It sounds like you and Britta have an exciting day tomorrow.”

  Ben smiled and stood, nodding to the duke and duchess. “I’ll see you at breakfast, Lady Britta.”

  Britta smiled shyly. Her face lit up.

  Something told him she wasn’t giving up on him so easily. It wasn’t an inviting thought. “Good night, everyone.”

  He retreated to his own room, looking forward to the solitude. He’d brought along his Messenger for keeping in touch with Mother since he’d been gone. He checked for a message from Gregory, but there was nothing. No surprise, since he’d seen Roanna just this week. Still, she should be home in Chester’s Wake. He’d hoped she would contact him.

  Trying to keep in touch with her was foolish. He would only cause himself more frustration, not to mention what he coul
d do to Roanna and her future. His heart told him he should let her go. Allow her to marry Roland Dawson and work to fall in love with the peacock.

  Ben ground his teeth. The thought of Roland holding Roanna’s hand, kissing her, calling her beautiful—it turned his stomach.

  He turned off the Messenger and readied for bed. By the end of this trip, he should have more answers. He should know by then whether a future with Roanna was possible. And if not, he would have to get serious about securing peace with Dawson’s Edge. Maybe the right woman could help him forget about Roanna.

  He closed his eyes and sighed. If Dawson’s Edge did want peace, his mission was hopeless. No one would ever make him forget Roanna.

  40

  Ben awoke the next morning to Hansen’s gentle shaking. “Your Highness, your mother needs to speak to you.”

  Ben groaned and rolled over. “Is she here?”

  “No, sir. She is live on the Messenger.”

  Mother hadn’t conferenced him once while he was gone, sticking to written messages instead. If she was live on the Messenger, it must be important.

  Ben pulled himself from sleep and took the Messenger from Hansen. Mother’s face peered at him from the small screen. She wasn’t smiling.

  A knot formed in the pit of Ben’s stomach. “What is it, Mother?”

  “There’s been another attack, Ben.”

  Ben frowned. “An attack? What are you talking about?”

  “Your father took you to see the base when a few of our soldiers died in an attack. There’s been another.”

  Pieces clicked together in Ben’s tired mind. “Dawson’s Edge attacked us while I was here? After I’d already started meeting their women?”

  Mother nodded solemnly, tears in her eyes.

  “Mother, what aren’t you telling me?” She was too upset for that to be her only news.

  “Your father was visiting the base when the attack happened, and he was hurt.”

  Panic washed over him. “They attacked the base itself?”

  “No, your father was out visiting the soldiers in the field. There was some type of remote controlled war bot. It attacked, and he was injured.”

  “It is serious?”

  Mother gave him a wobbly smile. “No, not too serious. But we would like you to come home immediately. Your safety is in question.”

  His safety? What of Father’s, the King of Lox? Why had he been foolish enough to leave the safety of Lox’s borders and military base?

  “Of course. I’ll leave immediately.”

  His mind raced. He needed to leave quickly, but the only air travel came out of Dawson’s capital. He would have to find a driver to return him to the main palace at once. Then what? If Dawson’s Edge was behind this attack, and Ben ran into King Dawson during his departure, he would be faced with the choice of diplomacy or threats.

  “Mother, was King Dawson behind the attack?”

  “I don’t know. We don’t know yet. It’s not clear.”

  Not clear?

  “Thank you, Mother. I will be home as quickly as I can.”

  She nodded and gave him another teary smile. “I love you, son. Be safe.”

  “I love you too, Mother.”

  Hansen took the Messenger, and Ben hurried to dress. Leaving meant he wouldn’t get to meet Dr. Presnell, but that would have to wait. For now, Mother needed him. Lox needed him.

  Once he was ready, he hurried downstairs. Duke Mayne met him at the base of the staircase. His face was grave—pale as a ghost. “Your Highness, a message has arrived from King Dawson. He has sent for you immediately. I have an auto ready for you.”

  So, King Dawson knew of the attack. Now Ben needed to figure out whether the king had orchestrated it. “Thank you, Duke Mayne. Your kindness has been more than I could hope for. I’m sorry we have to cut our visit short. You will give my farewells to the ladies?”

  The duke bowed slightly, and Ben hurried out the door without saying good-bye to Lady Britta or Duchess Mayne. A sleek black auto waited outside the Maynes’ home. What he wouldn’t give for his Black Widow bike right now.

  A moment later, the driver finished putting his luggage into the auto’s small trunk. Hansen sat in the front with the driver, and they sped away. The countryside flew past, and within minutes the ocean was no longer visible from the road.

  Ben kept silent as they raced over the southern hills. At this speed, they would be in the capital in no time.

  Guide me, he prayed. Guide us all.

  Secrets were being kept within Dawson’s Edge, and those secrets had bled north into Chester’s Wake, at least where Roanna was concerned. How did Lox play into it all? He’d like to believe Mother and Father knew nothing of these troubles—the troubles with the Dawson’s magic, a possible rebellion, and now Roanna’s strange powers—but Father’s intelligence agencies kept abreast of the movements between kingdoms. They had to be knowledgeable about some of it.

  In spite of Father’s injured state, it might be time to bring the questions to his attention. Mother would likely react badly, accusing Ben of trying to get out of the marriage agreement. She would be partly right, but it went deeper than that. There were too many mysteries, and Ben wanted answers. If they were ever to live in peace, the darkness needed to be brought to light.

  41

  Roanna

  Roanna sat in the orphanage near the palace in Chester’s Wake. The large orphanage had several floors of rooms. A girls’ home, and now girls swarmed her as she passed out donations.

  All these girls, Rejected. Failed by the system. Some of them exhibited anomalies already—a girl with a misshaped eye dropped a new bath set Roanna had brought. She retrieved it before Roanna had time to register it, so fast were her movements. The keepers of the orphanage told Roanna the child had mere months to live—her speed was too uncontrollable. It might turn out to be dangerous, they’d said. Her Termination was imminent.

  Other girls were unhealthy, physically. While the Termination process was used to weed out anomalies, it had also been tweaked over the years to detect and eliminate those whose quality of life was in question—those with genetic mutations indicating future cancers, or those with extra chromosomes, or even those with major heart defects.

  Roanna smiled at a child, no older than four or five, whose face lit up when she opened a package containing a doll. The child laughed with delight but then went into a coughing fit.

  Roanna’s stomach flipped as she considered herself and her own situation. Did it matter whether Mother had been tested while pregnant? These children were proof that the testing was wrong on occasion.

  “Would you like me to hand out a few?” a young woman interrupted Roanna’s thoughts. Gwendolyn was the same age as Roanna and had lived at the orphanage as long as Roanna had been visiting. She looked perfectly healthy, but she’d confided that it took much medication to keep her that way. Roanna wondered why Gwen hadn’t yet been Terminated.

  Roanna smiled and nodded in answer to Gwen’s question, and Gwen took an armful of supplies to hand out. Roanna’s mind continued to wander.

  What about her? Her anomaly wasn’t as loud and noticeable as any of these children’s. Yet, if detected, she would have been Terminated.

  Ben didn’t always see her point when it came to Termination. He had come with her to visit the Rejected a few times in the past, and his heart always softened after the visits. But would he change his mind now that she herself might be considered Rejected? Failed by the system?

  Or would he be repulsed by her? Convinced humanity had failed by not weeding her out and saving her from herself? Her stomach twisted at the thought.

  Roanna finished her visit and prepared to return to the palace. Mother had commissioned three mock wedding gowns for Roanna to try. She had gone on and on about their beauty, but the idea of modeling wedding dresses for a marriage to Roland didn’t fill her with excitement.

  The palace was as busy as ever as Roanna made her way through it and to Mot
her’s office. She pushed through the door, and her gaze fell to the mannequins holding the gowns. The first dress was billowing and white, with sleeves slightly off the shoulder and black flowers embroidered around the waistline and skirt. The second dress was a cream-colored gown, fitted and covered in lace, with strands of glittering diamonds sewn throughout. The final gown was red silk and sleeveless. The skirt billowed out in a full ball gown style, but the red silk was bunched at the hem to reveal thick, black lace.

  “Roanna,” Mother gushed. “They are even lovelier than I imagined.”

  Roanna managed a smile. “They are, indeed.”

  The seamstress was there to help her try them on, and Roanna allowed herself to be herded further into the room. Mother started in on topics of materials and dress styles, but Roanna couldn’t stop thinking about the Rejected.

  Mainly, her role among them.

  Roland Dawson didn’t believe in Termination. Would he hold her powers against her? It didn’t appear so, but sometimes people believed in things because they’d never actually been faced with the issue personally. He might change his mind if he knew the truth.

  She needed this marriage with Roland because she might not receive a better match. She might not find another husband willing to overlook her having an anomaly.

  Mother gasped, and Roanna jumped.

  “Roanna,” Mother said. “This is the one.”

  Roanna turned toward a mirror the seamstress had set up. She wore the red silk gown with the black lace.

  The seamstress stepped forward with a black top hat with a short black veil. “Here, my lady, try this on.”

  Roanna’s hands shook slightly as she placed the hat on her head. Her image was beautiful. Certainly not what she would have chosen, but beautiful. She gave Mother a wobbly smile. Mother turned quickly to the seamstress.