Unleashing the Shadows (Nine Kingdoms Book 1)

by Ann Bakshis

“What sins could you have possibly committed?” I ask as Henry tucks the blankets under him.

  “The one where the father will do anything to protect his son,” he replies.

  My heart falls. “What did you do?” I ask, chiding him as I move to his side, nudging Henry out of the way.

  “Something I now believe to be foolish.”

  “Out with it.”

  “Honora will not marry you, Evander, as I’ve promised her hand to another.”

  Henry places himself between me and the dying man. “How could you do this!” I holler as Henry pushes me back to keep me from attacking the man who sired me.

  “I did it to protect you, son. To save you from another attempt on your life.”

  I stop fighting Henry. “How do you know about that?” I ask, my insides growing cold.

  “Lycus told me last night during the ball,” my father says. “He sent those men to kill you, but I can only assume it was Honora who stopped them.”

  “And last night? Did he threaten you? Is that why you sent Honora off with him?”

  “He had men stationed outside the castle perimeter ready to finish what was started in Nysa. I couldn’t let my only child die. I’d do anything to protect you, which is what I thought I was doing.”

  “What made you change your mind?”

  “I did,” Kerron says, stepping into the room.

  “Henry, get Argus.”

  For a man in his late sixties, Henry is quick on his feet as he brushes past Kerron and disappears from view.

  “I saw you leave,” I say as he lingers a few feet inside the door.

  “No, what you saw was me tending to my horse. You never actually saw me mount it.”

  “Where’s Lycus?”

  “Doing a little shopping in town before we officially depart,” Kerron says, taking another step closer and setting a Pelheim medallion on the side table next to the door. “He believes I’m meeting up with a lady friend from the ball last night.”

  “I take it you do that quite often,” I say with disdain.

  “Not as often as he does.”

  “Where’s Honora?” I ask, growing impatient.

  “With Caster,” he answers. “They should’ve left Nysa by now.”

  Argus and several Vagter rush the room, their swords pointed at Kerron while Henry lingers behind them. I order the men to stand down and leave, with the exception of Argus. They do what I order without question. I then tell Henry to close the door behind him after he’s entered the room.

  “You sent her away?” I ask, confused.

  “I was there when Lycus made the threat to your father, but I can’t in good conscience allow my niece to become a pawn in Lycus’ sick game.”

  “Niece?” Argus asks.

  “Her mother, Elizabeth, is my sister, though neither of them knows that,” he says, placing his hands in his pants pockets. “Caster does, but he’s the only one.”

  “That still doesn’t explain why you forced Honora to leave Pelheim,” I state.

  “Then perhaps this will,” he begins. “King Gregor has been dead for over a month. Lycus has been masquerading as his grandfather in all his correspondences with you.”

  “How did the king die?” Henry asks, standing stoically off to the side.

  “From a poker being rammed through his heart,” Kerron replies.

  “A proper death for such an intolerable man,” my father chimes in.

  “Lycus had just turned seventeen that very morning. He felt for his birth celebration that he should have the throne, but there’s only two ways he can obtain it.”

  “If the current king willfully steps down,” Argus says.

  “Or death,” I add.

  “And if you really knew Gregor, you knew he was going to hold onto that power until the end of time itself,” Kerron says.

  “That still doesn’t really answer my question.”

  “Gregor had two living children: David and me. With David being older, and of proper royal birth since his mother was the queen and mine… wasn’t, he was the next in line to ascend the throne. As a young child David fell in love with a sweet girl from the country—my sister. She was raised on a farm with other children the family had. She was loved, cared for, and taught to hunt and fish. David would sneak out of the castle often to go and see her. When Elizabeth was slightly older than Honora is now, David called for her one night and she escaped into the village of Longemere where David hid her in a clump of abandoned huts until time could be made for them to elope.”

  Kerron begins to pace the room before continuing. “In just under a year, Elizabeth discovered she was pregnant with David’s child. Unfortunately, the king and queen had already made arrangements for David to marry another woman by the name of Moyra. She was a horrid creature who belittled David every chance she got and made his life miserable. There were occasions where I wanted to murder her myself. A month or so later, Gregor learned of Elizabeth’s existence and that she was carrying David’s child. How, I still don’t know. He ordered me to find and kill her. At this point I didn’t know who Elizabeth was to me. David staged her death and had Caster remove her from the kingdom to hide until David could properly flee and be reunited with them.”

  Kerron removes his hands from his pockets but continues pacing. None of us want to interrupt his train of thought, so we allow him as much room and time as he needs.

  “The day after Caster took Elizabeth was David’s wedding to Moyra. The bitch was also pregnant with his child by that time: a son they would name Lycus. A few days after Moyra gave birth, David was murdered by an intruder who managed to enter through one of the secret passageways into the castle. Moyra’s death soon followed, and from then Lycus was raised by Gregor.”

  “That means Honora and Lycus are siblings,” Argus says.

  “Half-siblings,” Henry says, correcting him. “But it sounds like Honora is the rightful heir to the Geron throne.”

  “She is,” Kerron says.

  “Does Caster know this?” I ask, finding it all hard to swallow.

  “Some, yes, but not about the existence of Lycus until last night,” Kerron replies. “When I heard Lycus’ threat to your father and the solution he wanted, I informed Caster and they left soon after.”

  “Does Lycus know any of this?” Argus asks.

  “None of it,” Kerron answers. “He’s only aware of who his mother and father were, none of the rest. He doesn’t even know I’m his uncle.”

  “Why are you telling us this only now?” I ask, folding my arms over my chest.

  “To make sure you understand why Honora wasn’t at the coronation,” he replies. “I saw how the two of you looked at each other during the ball. You had to know the truth so you wouldn’t hold her running away against her.”

  “Does she know any of this?” Henry asks.

  “I’m not sure what she’s been made aware of but knowing Caster, she’s as much in the dark about it as Lycus.”

  “Even more so, actually,” I say.

  “How do you mean?” my father asks.

  “Ore wears a Geron medallion around her neck, just like the Pelheim one I keep pinned inside my boot,” I reply. “Only, she has no idea what it stands for. But Lycus would if he saw her wearing it.”

  “I thought her name was Honora?” Henry asks, puzzled.

  “She likes to be called Ore,” I say, chuckling at how she wouldn’t disclose her proper name to me until Elizabeth scolded her.

  “Did you notice it on her last night?” Kerron asks.

  “No,” I reply. “She wasn’t wearing it.”

  “Thank God for that,” my father says, his voice sounding a little stronger. Perhaps he just needed to lie down in order to feel better.

  “But Lycus is adamant about having her as his own,” Kerron says, his voice rising in alarm. “He plans on marrying her as soon as he can, which is why I told Caster to leave the kingdom entirely.”

  “Would it change his mind knowing they’re rela
ted?” Argus asks.

  “I’m not sure,” Kerron replies and I hear the doubt and worry in his voice.

  “You don’t think it matters to him, do you?” I ask, calling him out on what I believe he’s hiding.

  “No, I don’t,” he answers. “Lycus is a sick young man. I don’t put anything past him.”

  “But wouldn’t he see Ore as a rival to the throne knowing she’s his sister?” Argus asks.

  “In his twisted mind, he’d see it as purifying the line,” Henry answers, which shocks all of us. “That might draw him more to her even more, not less.”

  “How could you possibly come up with that idea?” Argus asks, scrunching up his large face.

  “It’s how Drouviel collapsed centuries ago,” Henry replies. “Did any of you read the books we have in the library down the hall? I know at least three of you know how to read since I’m the one who taught you. Kerron has to as well as it’s a requirement to be the leader of the Vagter. There’s one book in particular that has the entire history of the land of Reynes perfectly detailed from its inception.”

  “Lycus would know that since he’s read that book,” Kerron says. “I’m seen him with it and I’m sure all kingdoms have it as a way to keep the true nature of the realm alive.”

  “You need to leave, Evander,” my father says, which causes all of us to turn and look at him. “If Lycus is anything like his grandfather, he’ll stop at nothing to have Honora. Hopefully he hasn’t realized she’s left, only that she’s been absent.”

  “I’ll get the horses ready,” Argus says.

  “Wait, there’s one more thing,” Kerron says, stopping us just before we reach the door. “It wasn’t by coincidence that Lycus knew it was the proper time to make contact with your father.”

  “What do you mean?” Henry asks, but Argus and I already know.

  “Who told him to send the men after me in Nysa?” I ask, grabbing Kerron by the lapel of his uniform coat.

  “A spy who’s lived in this very castle for over two decades,” Kerron replies.

  “His name, God damn it. Give me his name.”

  “I don’t know his name. I only know that he’s a member of your Vagter.”

  “Who’s been here the longest?” I ask Argus since he should know.

  “I…I’m not sure,” he stammers.

  “That would be the guard standing just down the hall,” Henry answers. “He’s been in our employment for twenty-three years and is the only guard here with that tenure.”

  “We have to approach this carefully,” Argus says as I release Kerron and ball up my hands. “If you scare him, or even let on that you know who he is, he may run, then we’ll never get the truth.”

  “Henry, escort Kerron to his horse,” I order. “Take him down the back way while Argus and I deal with this traitor.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” Henry says, then gestures for Kerron to follow him through an adjoining door through the lavatory that leads to a hallway behind the bedroom.

  “We’ll walk casually towards your room, then take him,” Argus says.

  I nod, but we don’t leave right away as I need to settle myself down first. After a few minutes, Argus opens the door and we step out, closing it quietly behind us. We discuss my father’s failing health as a way to distract from our true intentions. The guard is standing across from the stairway that leads down to the foyer as he’s supposed to. As we pass him, Argus grabs the man and throws him to the floor. I relieve him of his longsword and call for assistance. Three guards race up the stairs, their weapons drawn.

  “Arrest him,” Argus says, pulling the dazed man to his feet. “Strip him of his uniform and place him in the dungeon.”

  “What’s the charge?” the guard he accosted asks, his voice thick with anger.

  “Treason,” I reply, getting as close as possible. “You’re the reason that snake of a king slithered his way into my castle. Tell me, was it worth your life?”

  “I’ve always been loyal to the throne,” he insists.

  “Which throne? This one, or Geron’s?” I ask.

  He grows drastically pale. “I’ll make a bargain with you,” he whines. “A life for a life.”

  “Whose life are you trying to save besides your own?” Argus asks.

  “Honora’s,” he replies. “King Lycus is on his way now to take her back to Geron with him.”

  “And how would he know where to find her?” I ask, clenching my teeth.

  “Because I told him where the cottage is, Your Majesty. He’s sent men ahead to secure her for him.”

  “How do you know about the cottage?” Argus asks.

  “I’m the one who delivered the coronation invitation to her.”

  “Hang him,” I order.

  He screams as he’s dragged down the stairs. Argus bolts down to his room while I go into mine where I quickly change, pack a small bag, and grab my weapons… all of them this time including my bow and arrows. Normally all weapons are kept in the armory, but I don’t like being unarmed, which is why I have them in my room. Argus meets me at the stairs with his sword and a bag as well, then we head down and out to the stables to collect our horses.

  Normally it would take us eight hours to reach Nysa, but that’s at a leisurely pace. If we go full speed non-stop it cuts the time in half. The sun is three-quarters of the way across the sky, so we should get there with plenty of light to spare. I just hope we’re not too late.

  We’ve barely entered the lane that runs in front of the cottage when the smell of burning wood catches our attention. When we reach the cottage my face falls, my heart stops, and I can’t breathe at what lies before me.

  Heavily charred walls that have partially collapsed are all that remain of the quaint home. Trees that surround it are also burned, while a few still give off hints of smoke. I dismount, trembling as I hesitantly approach the home. Tears fall from my eyes as I survey the damage, settling on a figure curled up in the fetal position on the floor of what was once the front room.

  “Ore!” I scream, startling the horses.

  Argus has to wrap his arms around me to hold me back as I want nothing more than to run to her and hold her until I die.

  “No!” I holler, collapsing to my knees.

  Argus kneels beside me, places an arm around my shoulder, and pulls me against his side. I bawl uncontrollably for what feels like hours, only ceasing when the sounds of approaching feet catch my attention. I quickly nock an arrow as Argus stands with his sword.

  “It’s not her,” Caster says, limping in our direction with a quiver and longbow clutched in his hand. “It’s not Ore’s body you see, but her mother’s.”

  “What?’ I ask, stunned and still heartbroken.

  Argus sheathes his sword and helps Caster sit against a tree along the side of the house, but away from the carnage. He’s covered in scratches, his clothes heavily torn, and blood has dried on his sleeve from a wound in his shoulder. I can see bruises forming on his knuckles as well as one under his eye. He resembles a defeated and broken man.

  “She was trying to give me cover while I escaped with Ore on my horse,” he says, sorrow filling every word. “I didn’t want to leave without her… I should’ve insisted she get on the fucking horse.” He bawls as his memory is probably playing back the entire ordeal. “When we looked back, all we saw was heavy smoke.”

  “What was used?” I ask, kneeling in front of him after having put my weapon away.

  “They shot flaming arrows into the house,” he answers. “They didn’t even bother to see if anyone was inside. I knew immediately who was attacking.”

  “Why weren’t you already gone from here?” I ask, trying not to sound accusatory.

  “Ore bolted when we returned. She was furious with me for making her leave Latrest, though I had to get her out of there. Lycus was…” his voice trails off as he breaks down again.

  “Where’s Ore now?” I ask.

  “With the Geron Vagter,” he replies. “They were the
ones shooting at us. I tried to get her to leave sooner, but she’s just so damn stubborn like her mother. It took both of us to convince her to get down out of that fucking tree, but by then it was too late.”

  “Lycus must have had more guards that we didn’t know about,” Argus says.

  “Which Kerron didn’t disclose to us,” I add.

  “I thought we were getting away, but the horse went down after it took an arrow in its chest,” Caster rambles. “It threw her off as it was falling. The animal landed on me, pinning me to the ground. I don’t remember what happened next, only that when I woke up, she was gone.”

  “Where’s her medallion?” I ask.

  He tosses me the quiver. “She pinned it at the bottom before we left for Latrest. I insisted she not wear it and Elizabeth was adamant that she not take her weapons with her.” Caster leans forward and grabs a hold of my shirt. “You have to get her back, Evan. She doesn’t know… but I do… I know who Lycus is.”

  “As do we,” Argus says, placing a hand gently on Caster’s as he clings desperately to me. “We’ll get her back.”

  “I can’t lose her like I lost Elizabeth,” he rambles. “Marry her as soon as you can, Evan. Don’t wait until it’s too late like I did. Elizabeth became my world and I never got to tell her.”

  Caster leans into my chest and mourns for the loss of his love. I hold him so we can grieve together.

  Thirteen

  Kerron

  I find Lycus’ carriage sitting in front of a bakery on the edge of town. He steps outside just as I dismount my horse.

  “That was quick,” he says. “Not much of a lover, are you?”

  “It doesn’t need to last hours if you find the right woman.”

  “Where did you take this fine maiden?” he asks as he steps into the carriage, then closes the door but leans slightly out of the window to continue our conversation.

  “A gentleman never gossips about his lovers,” I reply. “Some women are more discreet about it than others. They don’t all run around naked in bathhouses pining for attention.”

  “Is that how my grandfather met your sister? Was she running around the bathhouse begging for affection?”