Was this where Ben studied?
Roanna sank into the red chair. Was this where he sat, reading, studying, thinking of her?
She pushed the thought aside. There was no more time for daydreams like that.
Standing from the seat, she looked at the shelves lining the smaller room. Each shelf was labeled, and she quickly found a collection of histories. She browsed for the history of Dawson’s Edge and found it easily.
She wanted to start at the beginning. Find out why the original Dawson had left, when the Termination process had begun, and why the Dawsons didn’t engage in it. She needed to know how a Dawsonian doctor might predict her anomaly at her birth and then warn Mother.
Roanna snatched the book from the shelf and sank into the red chair once again. Reading wasn’t her favorite past time, but for now it was a necessary performance.
This is a documentation of the founding of Dawson’s Edge, the third kingdom on the western isle. The original isle was a single kingdom but fell after the wars. Its inhabitants rebuilt in sections, founding a western kingdom and an eastern kingdom: Lox and Chester’s Wake.
Dawson’s Edge was formed after the rebellion in Chester’s Wake. Dawson’s Edge took the south, and Chester’s Wake remained in the north. This is a history of those happenings.
Roanna read with interest. She’d learned history in her studies as a child, but she’d never studied the story out of her own interests. It took on its own life as she read it now. She could almost picture the former continent. It was hard to imagine as a single kingdom.
And then the rebellion. If she remembered, it had been a mostly peaceful one. How and why?
Chester’s Wake lived in peace for nearly one hundred fifty years. The rebellion started in 163 P.W. (post wars). King Nathan Hamilton died, passing the kingdom to his sons, whom he’d left to rule in his stead. King Nathan had fathered non-identical twins, and he intended them to rule together—a feat that had never been attempted.
The brothers ruled peaceably at first. Soon enough tensions rose. One night, the elder—Dawson Hamilton—was caught with a badly mutilated girl. Dawson claimed the girl had attempted suicide, but he had stopped her.
The girl told a different story. She said the joint king had invaded her mind and forced her to hurt herself.
The younger king, Louis Hamilton, did not know whom to believe. It wasn’t the first report he’d heard of his brother’s strange abilities—though it was the first time a charge had been so severe.
Throughout this turmoil, the kings’ supporters gathered behind the king of their choice. After months of hearings, arguments, and physical skirmishes, the brothers agreed to split the kingdom. Others who possessed strange gifts followed Dawson eagerly. Whether it was true that King Dawson held special powers was of no consequence to them, for they felt they would find greater freedom under his care.
Roanna re-read the words. Tiny chills broke out across her arms, but she didn’t put the book down. King Dawson Hamilton might have possessed powers that allowed him into other peoples’ minds?
She kept reading.
As more and more citizens fled to the south, King Louis Hamilton called the rebellion a tragedy. He assured his people that Dawson Hamilton possessed no special power, and that his subjects were safe under his care. Over time he was able to staunch the slow desertion of his people to Dawson’s Edge, but much damage had already been done to the country’s economy.
Under pressure from his council and nobles, King Louis Hamilton was forced to search for assurance that such a rebellion would never happen again. Louis worked closely with scientists and alchemists who discovered a test which would identify those with powers—later called anomalies—before birth.
After several years of testing, the Termination process was birthed.
King Dawson Hamilton was disgusted by his brother’s choice to wipe out those who were different. Tensions grew between Dawson’s Edge and Chester’s Wake, and those in Dawson’s Edge withdrew from the outside world, earning the country its reputation for secrecy and mistrust.
Over the centuries many of the special powers within the kingdom faded. Only the most powerful survived, and it grew to be known that those with more powerful anomalies were of the royal bloodline. The Dawson bloodline.
Roanna gasped and dropped the history book. Shivers washed over her, and this time she did not try to fight them. The Dawson bloodline?
With shaking hands, she retrieved the book and read on about the rumors that the Dawsons could read thoughts but also control the minds of others. There were even claims that the Dawsons possessed other strange gifts such as healing or the ability to hurt others with a simple touch.
The book broke into chapters. Many, many chapters. But Roanna’s desire to read them had disappeared. Her shivers lessened, though she still shook slightly.
Only Dawsonian royalty had the power. Only descendants of Dawson Hamilton could read minds.
Roanna pressed her eyes closed and shook her head. Father could trace his line directly back to Louis Hamilton. Mother came from Lox.
This history had to be wrong. False.
She could hear thoughts, but that meant nothing. She was not Dawsonian by birth. It was impossible.
Roanna’s stomach rolled, and she dashed to a trash bin and vomited.
48
Bette laid out a conservative and modest evening gown for supper. Nothing too fancy or attention-grabbing. The palace was in mourning for their lost soldiers and injured king.
Roanna dressed quietly, her mind numb. She wanted—needed—to speak to Ben about what she’d read in the library, but how could she? He might be shocked over what she’d found. Unbelieving or even disgusted. Besides, he had promised his mother to stay away, and Roanna could not cause them more heartache than they were already going through.
Tonight, she would be forced to see Roland. The thought made her grow cold. If these Dawsonian powers were real—and she knew they were—it meant she was correct in her theory that Roland and King Dawson possessed her same anomaly. Could he hear her thoughts the way she had heard his and the king’s?
“You’re very quiet tonight,” Bette commented. She laid out Roanna’s shoes. “Is it what happened earlier with Prince Benjamin? You’ve had a long day.”
Bette had no idea.
Roanna gave a small smile. “It has been a long day. I’ll be glad to go to bed tonight.”
“Will you go with the royal family tomorrow to see the king?”
Roanna hadn’t given it much more thought, and she hadn’t spoken to Roland.
Her stomach clenched again, but she managed to take a deep breath. If she was Dawsonian royalty—somehow—could she marry Roland? She certainly didn’t want to, nor had she ever, but it seemed obvious now that the wedding would need to be called off. That, at least, brought some relief. Of course, that meant she’d need to admit what was happening to her.
“I don’t know,” she answered. “I’ll need to speak with Ambassador Dawson as well as Gregory.”
Gregory would likely be going. Roanna could confide in him, but she wouldn’t. He would think her crazy, the way Louis Hamilton had thought Dawson Hamilton irrational.
What’s happening to me?
She swallowed hard. The silent prayer was more a plea of desperation.
Tears formed at the corners of her eyes. Blasted tears, she would need more makeup.
How would her family react to this news?
I don’t want to be Rejected. I just want to live and be happy.
She wiped her tears with minimal damage to her makeup. She wasn’t even sure what she was asking.
What she needed most was to understand her heritage. One man could, perhaps, help with that. The man who had warned Mother.
Dr. Presnell.
Ben had intended to speak with the man. Had he accomplished his goal? In spite of Queen Frieda’s warnings, Roanna had to speak to Ben. She had to have answers.
She left her room and made
her way to the dining room. Others were arriving, and she sat beside Roland with a tentative smile. His return smile was tight. “Good evening, Princess.”
She’d seen him only a few days ago, but he’d grown colder toward her. She squirmed in her seat. If she could read his thoughts, could he read hers? Was he reading them now?
Servers placed baskets of rolls and breads on the table, but Roanna didn’t reach for them. Her stomach was too queasy to eat. She might never eat again.
“How was your trip here?” Roanna asked. She needed to gain some semblance of normalcy and control, at least for now.
“Pleasant. And yours?”
“It was well.”
“Roanna, I…” Roland paused, as if he were struggling with what to say. “We need to speak in private. Soon.”
Her stomach clenched even tighter. “Of course. Tonight? I’ve been wanting to see the gardens.”
His eyes narrowed. “You enjoy flowers very much, don’t you?”
She nodded, confused at the change in subject. “I do.”
His eyes grew distant for a moment, but then he nodded. “The gardens will do well. We can speak then.”
Roanna forced a smile, but her mind raced. Roland could want to speak to her about anything—he might tell her he had heard of her relationship with Ben. He might tell her their peace treaty was over. Or he might say he could read her mind.
With a shaking hand, she reached for her water glass and took a sip. The room had slowly filled, and only a few places at the table remained empty. It seemed nobility and royalty from the entire isle had come to offer support to the Loxian royals.
Ben entered the dining room then. He scanned the room, but his gaze didn’t slow as he passed her. He took his seat and made niceties with those around him.
Roland called out a greeting, and Ben replied in kind. Still he did not look at her. He was keeping his end of the bargain with Queen Frieda.
Roanna gripped her hands in her lap and willed the tears away. She could still remember the look in his eyes as he’d begged her to agree that she wanted him at any cost.
But she hadn’t spoken. Hadn’t given the word.
Was that why he’d given in to Queen Frieda’s demand?
It didn’t matter. Their relationship woes were small compared to the crisis she faced now. He sat across the table and three seats down. She watched him, trying to be inconspicuous. He never glanced her way.
Roanna finally gave up and turned to Roland. “Will you go to see the king tomorrow?”
Roland frowned slightly. “I’m not entirely sure that would be wise. I’m here to offer support, but Dawson’s Edge is under suspicion, as you know. The attack happened at our border.”
Roanna’s heart picked up speed. In all the turmoil, she had almost forgotten they did not yet know from where the attack had come. “But Dawson’s Edge is innocent. Prince Benjamin believes it vehemently.”
Roland’s frown grew, and his eyes narrowed. “You’ve spoken privately with him about it?”
Heavens, what a fool she was. She refrained from sighing at her own stupidity. “He spoke openly. I saw him when I arrived with my brother, Gregory, and in the presence of the queen.”
His features cleared, and he nodded. “That gives me relief.” But she didn’t know if he meant Ben’s confidence in Dawson’s Edge or the fact that she hadn’t spoken to Ben alone gave him relief.
She decided she didn’t want to know.
49
Roland became caught up in a discussion going on at the table, and Roanna made small talk with the diners around her. After the meal, the crowd moved to a larger sitting room. Roanna had assumed she and Roland would retreat to the gardens immediately, but he continued his conversation from dinner with some duke or another.
Roanna spoke briefly with Gregory, but he was occupied with others in the room. Ben spoke intermittently with dignitaries who had come, but now he stood alone near a back window. Roanna threw a glance at Roland, but he was fully engaged. Queen Frieda was nowhere to be seen.
She slipped quietly through the crowd and made her way toward Ben. Sidling up to him would be foolish. so she stood at a short distance and looked out the window. “I need to speak with you,” she said quietly. She chanced a glance at him, but he didn’t look her way. His jaw tightened. “No. If you’ll excuse me, Roanna.” He stepped away.
Roanna stood frozen, a confused statue staring into the darkness.
No? He would not speak with her?
Tears burned her eyes and did not stop. She needed to leave the room quickly. Someone would surely see her and ask what was wrong. She couldn’t very well tell them the truth.
She spun toward the door and hurried toward it. She managed to bypass anyone who might stop her, but as she reached the hall Roland gripped her elbow. “Roanna?”
She turned to him and gave a terrible impression of a smile. “Roland,” she said it too cheerfully.
He frowned. “What’s upset you?”
She shook her head. “I’m just so tired. It’s been a long day.”
“Did you want to put off our talk?”
She met his gaze, and her confusion grew. This was not the ambassador who had followed her like a puppy around the palace at Chester’s Wake. Nor was he the aloof prince she’d danced with in Dawson’s Edge, or the demanding fiancé she’d spent time with at Santa Rio.
This Roland seemed attentive. Caring.
“No, I’m fine. We can go now if you’re finished speaking.”
He nodded and offered his arm. “You know the way?”
“I do.” She watched his face, gauging if that news would upset him. But it didn’t.
She led him through the palace and to the back where the gardens were located. The night air was warm and dry, and the moon was bright overhead.
“It’s beautiful here,” she said.
He nodded. “Is there a private spot?”
“This way.” She’d played in the gardens enough to know the best hiding places. She led him to the right, to a bench near the palace. “Here?”
He nodded and sat. He took her hand and tugged her to sit beside him. “Roanna, this may seem strange to you. I am fairly certain of what’s going to transpire, but if I’m wrong I do hope you’ll forgive the oddity.”
She frowned. “I will.” She swallowed hard, anticipation building. Her heart thundered, and she waited.
Roland reached for her face. He placed both hands on her cheeks.
A shiver raced across her shoulders, but it was light.
Can you hear me?
Roanna gasped. She tried to hide her shock, but a small smile spread across Roland’s face.
Say something back to me. In your mind.
Roanna shook, terror filling her. She watched his eyes, searching for malice or anger, but all she found was sympathy. He waited.
What could she say?
Then, it was like a door opened in her mind. She could feel his mind inside hers, and he had opened the door to his own as well.
I hear you.
His smile grew, and his hands slid from her face to her hands. “I suspected it when we were at Santa Rio, but I wasn’t sure. Has this been happening your whole life?”
She shook her head but couldn’t speak. How could this be real? Suspecting it and having it actually confirmed were two entirely different things.
“When did it start, Roanna?” His gentle speech was disconcerting; he was so different from who he’d been before.
“A few weeks ago,” she choked out. “After we first met.”
He considered her words. “Interesting.” He released her hands, and she wrapped her arms around her waist.
“How is this possible?” She knew the answer in part—the Dawsons had powers. She amended her question. “How is it possible that I can do this?”
He looked back to her. This time his eyes were sad. “Only those of the Dawsonian line have this power, Roanna.”
The shivers grew stronger, and then
everything went black.
50
Ben
Ben turned from his bedroom window the moment Roland put his hands on Roanna’s face. It was foolish to watch them in the gardens, he knew, but when he’d spotted them he didn’t turn away. Now, however? He might have enough self-control to keep from interacting with her, but he definitely didn’t have enough to watch her be romanced by another man.
He paced his room, his shoulders aching with tension and his head throbbing. He and Gregory had listened long into the afternoon as officials and aides discussed strategy with Father, and later Mother, over the Messenger screen. Intelligence suggested the attackers had definitely come from within Dawson’s Edge, but because the war bot had been controlled remotely they were still working to trace the signal back to those responsible.
It meant someone within Dawson’s Edge was acting on his own. Rogue. Someone wanted to start a war, but who? And why?
He thought he knew, yet he had no proof. He would wait to see to whom the war bot’s signal traced back. Then he would know whether the rebels in Dawson’s Edge truly meant to move forward with their plan to stomp out the Dawson line.
A moment of longing washed over him, and he moved to the window. All he needed was one last glimpse of her. He needed to know she was safe in Roland’s hands.
The bench was empty, and Ben sighed. Better this way. She had wanted to talk to him, but he couldn’t. She hadn’t spoken up when he’d defended seeing her, so he’d promised Mother to stay away. For now, he needed to focus. Roland was here to occupy her, and that would have to do. He needed to find the responsible party for Father’s injuries, and whomever it was would have to pay.
The guests still mingled downstairs, but Ben couldn’t stomach being around them. He needed to get to Father’s side. See the damage for himself. He and Mother would leave first thing in the morning. Gregory was coming along but Ben hadn’t heard if Roanna planned to join them. For both their sakes, he hoped not. He couldn’t stay away from her if she was thrown in his face again and again. He barely had the willpower to stay away right now. He just wanted to see her. See her smile.
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