Blood Moon: Book Three of the Everealm Series

by J. D. Wright

  The innkeeper was serving goose pie, which Dahlia wasn’t particularly fond of, so she left and wandered down the street to another one of the three inns. The second inn had rabbit stew, which she disliked even more. But she knew she didn’t have much time left. She had to sing soon. So she walked back to the first inn. She gave the man a coin and took a slice of pie over to an empty table near the front window. Looking out, she watched two small boys playing “swords” with sticks as the sun was setting behind them. It made her smile to see how simple life could be for some children. It hadn’t been for her.

  She took a bite and shrugged. It wasn’t nearly as bad as she had feared it would be. The meat was a little strong for her taste, but the crust was delicious. Deep in thought over her supper, she didn’t notice that a group of men had taken the table beside her until she heard one of them say “Labara.” Curious, she ate slowly and listened to their conversation.

  “I’m telling you! The wizard just waltzed into the wedding and declared Princess Rianne to be dirty!” one man said. “They arrested him, of course.”

  “Dirty? He said she was dirty?” another man asked, laughing.

  “Unclean, Norman. He said she was unclean,” a third man replied.

  “What’s the difference?”

  “It means she isn’t a virgin anymore.”

  “Oh. Well…”

  “Where did you say that wizard was from, again, Norman?”

  “Vale. He said he was from Vale. The son of someone or another…”

  “Leitis?” Dahlia asked, looking over. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop on your conversation. I just enjoy a bit of gossip now and again. Did you say the wizard was from Vale?”

  The men eyed her from the top of her head to her blue slippers. She was used to men ogling her. It wasn’t new. But it still irritated her from time to time, especially when she was trying to hold a conversation with them.

  “Yup,” Norman said. “He was from Vale. I remember because I’ve been there. It’s in the mountains. I’ve been to Taten, too. All over.”

  Dahlia could tell that he was trying to impress her, but she was more interested in what he was saying than the filthy way he was eyeing her.

  “Have you, really? You’ve been to Vale? That’s fascinating,” she said, propping her chin on her hand. She knew that faking interest would keep him talking. “I’ve always wanted to go there. But, do you know why the wizard wanted to stop Princess Rianne’s wedding?”

  “No, that I don’t know. No one does. No one is even sure how he knew the princess, but he swore that he took her virginity. Said he made her do it. Most people think she paid the poor boy to say that so she didn’t have to marry King Carneath.”

  Dahlia almost laughed at the way the man said “virginity” like it was a forbidden word. She had heard a lot about Vale’s Royal Mage and doubted he would have any reason to bother with a Labaran Princess. But his son might. And if he really claimed to have taken the princess’ virginity by force, she knew what his punishment would be. Bree, Dagan, and Sidonie had all spoken very highly of his father and she knew that Leitis’ family had served Vale for many generations. She had never met him or his son, but she felt an urge to help him. Somehow.

  She started to respond, but the innkeeper waved her over. The sun was almost set in the sky and it was time for her to sing. She excused herself but when she walked past the men’s table, one of them reached out and grabbed her rear. She remained calm and continued walking.

  She would just poison his ale later when he wasn’t looking.

  ~*~

  “Go away!” Rianne shouted, lifting her head from her pillow as she heard her door open.

  She didn’t want to talk to anyone. Ever again, if possible. After spending several days begging her father to allow her to speak at Zander’s sentencing, Nolan had refused.

  And Zander had been sentenced to death.

  Thankfully, her father had been so busy trying to make peace with Carneath that he had been forced to stay the execution until those matters were settled. A contract was agreed upon today, however. And she had just learned at supper that Zander was going to be executed in the morning.

  “I don’t want to talk to you! Whoever you are!” Rianne screamed, then stopped when she noticed Seraphina closing the door behind her. “You? What do you want?”

  “I don’t have time to explain,” she said. “I am under strict orders to get your bag and take it to the stables.”

  “My bag?” Rianne asked, standing. “What bag?”

  “I don’t know. He just said to get your bag.”

  “Who said?”

  “Oh, and I need to give you this,” Seraphina said, shoving a piece of parchment into Rianne’s hand. Slowly, she opened it and read it.

  Rianne,

  Give your traveling bag to Seraphina. Then meet me in the armory.

  Tristan

  “What is happening?” she asked, folding the message.

  “Don’t ask me. I’m just following instructions,” Seraphina said, pulling a gown from Rianne’s armoire.

  “No! I can’t take those!” Rianne said, taking the gown and tossing it back. “I can’t dress like a princess. It draws too much attention. I need common clothing. Plain clothing.”

  “Common clothing? Like Xavier wears?” Seraphina said, scrunching her nose. “Where are you going to find that?”

  “I stole it from the servants’ quarters last time.”

  “I am not going into the servants’ quarters!” Seraphina scoffed at the idea.

  “Fine. I’ll just take something from Xavier’s chambers, instead. I can buy something else to wear later.”

  Rianne reached behind her armoire and grabbed her sack. She was glad to have kept it. She quickly ran across the room and dumped several pieces of jewelry into the bag. There wasn’t time to sort through and choose the most expensive pieces, but she knew that she could trade or sell all of them.

  “Here, give it to me,” Seraphina said, taking the bag. “I will find clothes for you. No one is supposed to see us together.” She turned and hurried across the room.

  “Wait!” Rianne said, forcing a smile. “Thank you.”

  Seraphina paused by the door and nodded, then she disappeared. Rianne waited until she was sure Seraphina was gone before sneaking out of her chambers and tiptoeing down the stairs. She was no longer locked inside of her room, but she had been forbidden from approaching the prison cells. Her father had never mentioned the armory, however. When she reached the armory, Tristan was waiting outside of the door.

  “Go in and get what you need. You know where the knives are,” he whispered.

  Rianne didn’t waste any time. She slipped inside and grabbed several knives and a belt. On her way out, she stopped by the door and took one more item.

  “A bow?” Tristan asked when she stepped outside. “You never learned to shoot a bow.”

  “I’ll learn,” she said. “Now what?”

  “Xavier is waiting by the stables. Hide your knives. If anyone asks, say I am taking you to learn to shoot the bow.”

  “But it’s dark outside,” Rianne replied. “No one will believe it.”

  “Then we should probably avoid talking to anyone.”

  They walked quickly and quietly toward the stables. Rianne wanted to talk to him. She wanted to thank him for helping her. But wasting even a moment’s time could foil whatever plan he had devised. She had made an escape from Labara once already. She knew how easily she could be caught.

  When they reached the side of the stables, Xavier waved them over. He was holding the reins of a brown horse.

  “I wasn’t sure which horse you wanted,” Xavier said. “You’ve never really taken to riding the same way Tristan and I have.”

  “Wait. Why is there only one horse?” Rianne asked, planting her feet and refusing to go any further.

  “You didn’t tell her, I see,” Xavier said, glaring at his brother.

  “I’m not leaving
without him.” Rianne crossed her arms.

  “I overheard our father’s discussion,” Tristan said. “Carneath wants to see you punished as restitution for the embarrassment you’ve caused him.”

  “Father would never allow it,” Rianne said, in disbelief.

  “We didn’t think he would agree to your marriage to Carneath, either. I am not taking any chances. You have to leave here. At once.”

  “Not without Zander!”

  “Rianne!” Tristan said, shaking her shoulders. “You have to go! I can pardon you once I become king. Until then, you have to stay as far away from here as possible.”

  “No, Tristan!” she said, pulling away from him. “I am not running away and leaving him here to die! He risked his life to save me. And I wouldn’t have survived out in the realm on my own, either. He can protect me in ways I can’t protect myself.”

  Tristan shook his head. He didn’t know what to do. He considered picking her up and tying her to the horse, but that seemed a bit too extreme.

  Seraphina ran through the stables and out of the side, to where they were standing. She handed Xavier the sack and he tied it to the saddle while she doubled over, trying to catch her breath.

  “I hate running,” she heaved. “I’m never running again.” Her hair had fallen down as she ran and there were beads of sweat forming on her forehead. She didn’t care for the feeling and wanted a bath.

  “You may have run all of this way for nothing,” Tristan mumbled. “She won’t go without the wizard.”

  “Then go get him!” Seraphina said, tossing a ring of keys to him.

  “Where did you get these?” Tristan asked, stunned.

  “I stole them from the guard sleeping outside of the prison gate,” Seraphina replied, smiling.

  “I thought you said she was a prude!” Rianne said, grinning at Tristan.

  Before he could reply, Rianne snatched the keys out of his hand and kissed him on the cheek. Then she left with Xavier.

  “I’m beginning to like this kingdom,” Seraphina said, turning to follow Tristan back into the stables to ready a second horse.

  Rianne followed closely behind Xavier as they snuck alongside the tall stone walls. The guard was still asleep when Xavier gently slid the list of prisoners out from under his hand. He read the list and saw that Zander’s cell was connected to the second walkway. Quietly, they tiptoed down the dirt stairs. The walkway was lined with torches, but it was still mostly dark inside.

  The cells were enclosed and the doors were solid, except for a small barred window at the top. She couldn’t tell who was inside them. She was glad. She didn’t care to see the other prisoners, most of whom were murderers and thieves awaiting their punishments and executions. Unlike Zander, the other prisoners deserved to be there.

  When they turned the corner, Xavier could see the figure of someone ahead of them. He stopped and grabbed Rianne, pulling her behind him.

  “Who’s there?” he called out.

  The figure turned.

  “Dahlia?”

  “Xavier?” Dahlia exclaimed.

  “What are you doing here?” he asked, walking toward her.

  “I’m setting the wizard free.”

  “You do realize he is our prisoner. My kingdom’s prisoner. You should have lied to me.”

  “You have keys in your hand, Xavier. Why are you here?”

  “I’m… setting our prisoner free.”

  Dahlia raised her eyebrows. It was hard to tell in the barely lit space, but he was pretty sure she was mocking him. It didn’t matter just now. They were pressed for time.

  “Which cell is he in?” Xavier asked.

  “This one, behind me.”

  “Zander!” Rianne cried. “Zander!”

  It took Xavier three tries to find the right key. He put it into the lock, turned it, and swung the door open. Zander was standing on the other side, smiling.

  “Hello, Princess.”

  With tear filled eyes, she ran inside the cell and straight into his arms. He swung her around, kissing her. After he sat her down, he laughed and wiped her tears.

  Rianne pulled back and lifted her hand, slapping him across the face.

  “I deserved that,” Zander mumbled, stretching his jaw.

  “I’m not sure you did,” Xavier said.

  “Oh, I really like her,” Dahlia said, with a big smile. “But this reunion needs to wait until we’re clear of the kingdom and its guards.

  Rianne stepped in front of her brother and paused for a moment, looking up into his eyes. He understood. He pulled her into a tight hug, rubbing her head.

  “Tristan probably has your horses ready… Let us know where you are, from time to time. Send your messages to Seraphina so Father won’t know they’re from you.” Peeking over her hair, he looked at Zander. “Protect my sister, mage. I will find you if you don’t.”

  Zander smirked but nodded. It was just like a royal to call him a mage.

  “We need to go,” Dahlia said. “Now.”

  Zander took Rianne’s hand and started down the walkway.

  “Wait,” Xavier said, taking Dahlia’s arm. “Who are you? Really?”

  “I’m a traveling bard, of course,” she said, smiling.

  He tugged her arm, pulling her closer. “You’re more than that. We both know it.”

  “I am.”

  “Where did you come from?”

  “From the center of the southeast, Prince,” she replied, then kissed him and quickly took off running to catch up to Zander and Rianne.

  Xavier thought for a moment. Center of the southeast… Junacave.

  “Junacave?” he called out, but she was already gone.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  “It’s too quiet,” Sidonie said. “The past several months have been too quiet. When is he planning to attack me?”

  “I doubt he plans to attack you in the wardrobe,” Bree replied, chuckling. “Now stop moving or the seamstress may be the one who gets your blood!”

  Sidonie glanced down at the woman who was pinning the fabric against her waist. Bree was right. The seamstress had very sharp needles and she would be wise not to move.

  “I really like that color on you, Sidonie. You should wear pink more often. It suits you,” Rhea said.

  “I’m not so sure,” Gabby snickered, earning a playful slap on the arm from Rhea. “I just think that Sidonie looks better in red. I like her wizard robes. Are they called wizard robes if you’re a woman?”

  “I don’t know, really,” Sidonie replied. “I just call them my robes.”

  When the seamstress was finished with Sidonie, Rhea stood and took her place.

  “This really was genius of you, Your Majesty,” Rhea said. “Planning the wedding and winter ball for the same evening. One gown for two events.”

  “Rhea, if you call me that one more time…” Bree said, shaking her finger. “We will be family in three short months. Speaking of family, I’m sad that Aunt Celeste can’t be here for the Harvest Festival this evening.”

  “She wanted to be here, dear,” Cicilly said. “But Cyrus went to visit Carneath, for the second time. He’s still upset over some dispute with Labara. I didn’t really pay attention to the message. Either way, she has to stay in Vale until he returns, again. She will be here in time for the wedding, I’m sure.”

  “I hope so,” Bree said. “Tonight won’t be the same without her. And it won’t be the same without Adelphie, either.”

  “I tried to convince her to come. I really did, Bree.” Sidonie stopped braiding Gabrielle’s hair and looked up. “I will try to convince her to come to the wedding. Maybe she will change her mind.”

  “Maybe it’s for the best that she doesn’t,” Bree said, rubbing her hand over the soft fabric sitting beside her. “Finn is finally able to say her name without getting depressed or angry. He’s doing better but if he sees her… I don’t know what that will do to him.”

  “It’s too bad even a fairy’s magic cannot mend a
broken heart,” Rhea said. “Or I would.”

  “You could mend all of the hearts that were broken when your sisters chose their husbands, too,” Sidonie said, laughing. “How are Ruby and Sherriff Murphy getting along?”

  “Oh, Ruby loves living in the village. She spends most of her days in the square with the children. I’ve warned her to dress appropriately as not to draw attention to herself, but I can’t say whether she’s listened or not. Twila, however, hasn’t said one word to me.”

  “I don’t blame her,” Bree laughed. “She’s terrified of you now. But she will probably attend the festival tonight. Knights are usually accompanied by their wives and Sir Evan certainly loves to show off his new bride.”

  “I can’t believe she actually chose to marry him,” Rhea said. “He’s so… silly.”

  “I can appreciate someone who makes me laugh,” Sidonie said. “And Twila could use a little humor in her life.”

  “I’m just glad she’s decided to leave my husband alone.” Rhea felt a bit of satisfaction in calling Reeve her husband.

  “I don’t think anyone would dare to approach Reeve now,” Sidonie said, smiling. “Besides, he only has eyes for you.”

  Rhea’s cheeks began to turn as pink as the fabric draped around her. When the seamstress was finished, Cicilly had her turn. She was followed by Gabby, who sauntered off to the hall shortly after. Next, Bree stepped into the back to put on her gown. This would be her final fitting as the embroidery on her corset would require at least two months’ time to finish.

  “Oh, Bree!” Cicilly gasped when her daughter stepped out. “It’s perfect.”

  “It really is,” Rhea said, wiping a tear. “Just perfect.”

  “It isn’t too much… pink? I can add more gold. Just here,” Bree said, rubbing a hand over her gloves.

  “It is a lovely shade of pink,” Cicilly said, admiring the gown. “From afar, it almost looks white. You really didn’t have to let Sarita choose your colors, dear. But you still look beautiful.”