Out of the Mountain

by Violet Chastain

  “What?” I growled in disbelief as Briony glowered and dropped to the ground without any hesitation.

  “You see, Princess, real novices follow the rules or else they get dropped from the training program. These people all have something to lose, unlike you.” Adelaide sneered.

  I was seething. “I think your point is proven. Can we just get into training?”

  “This is training for the day. You will learn to follow orders. It is a necessity in battle. If one person doesn’t follow orders, they leave the rest vulnerable. You were late, the rest have stood at attention in silence, and now they will run laps as you stand at attention and watch them.”

  “I will run laps like the rest of them.”

  “You will stand and watch,” Adelaide growled as she signaled the others to run. This was idiotic, and I was pissed. Who would leave these two mean girls in charge of anything?

  I wanted to call out to Farran, but that would only prove their point further. I didn’t want special treatment. Anger was coiling in me, and I felt my tigress bristle. She wanted in on this fight, but I couldn’t allow that to happen. I needed to follow orders so that the others wouldn’t face punishment. I stood stock-still as I watched them run miles. Sweat was pouring down my back; my body was tense and ready to spring. The day was hot, sun rising high in the sky. They had to be miserable.

  Guilt washed over me, and when I saw Briony whispering to Luca, eyes on me, I wanted to cry out. When he turned to the others, they seemed to pass along the same message. Glares began shooting my way and pain filled my chest. They were blaming me, and rightfully so. If I had been on time, this wouldn’t have happened.

  After a few minutes of this, I noticed the smiles that were on our trainers’ faces and realized this must have been what they were going for. What I didn’t understand was why. Why would they want to turn my friends and teammates against me? After they were all fully glaring and gasping for air in the hot sun, Adelaide called them to halt in front of me.

  “Would you like some water, Princess?” Tasmin offered, and I frowned shaking my head.

  “Not unless they get water too.”

  “Drink it or they will do push-ups.”

  “No,” I growled.

  “Fifty push-ups, now,” Adelaide shouted, and the others fell to the ground and began the task.

  “Give me the damn water!” I complained, and Tasmin shook her head.

  “Too late now. Should have followed orders.”

  “You are nothing but glorified bullies. This is ridiculous.” I seethed.

  “Should have just drank the water, Vivi!” Griffin complained, and I winced at the admonishment.

  “Do I sense tension among the ranks? Has your opinion of our princess changed so easily?” Tasmin jested, and I scowled at her.

  “You would like that, wouldn’t you?” Luca groaned as he and the others stood finished with their punishment.

  “Just trying to prove a point.” She shrugged, and Briony hopped up and stepped forward.

  “I thought that might be what you were going for. Trying to get to us turn on our princess, our friend. You have us out here playing petty games when we need to be focusing on more important issues. Honestly, the truth of it is that she is special, she gets special treatment, and she has special privileges. She is a princess! What else would you expect? The power she has unwittingly inherited gives her a purpose to fulfill, and she is making sacrifices to keep us all safe that no other person could. I can’t speak for the rest of them, but it doesn’t make me jealous; it makes me even prouder to call her my friend!” The others grunted and nodded in agreement, and Briony walked to stand beside me. My chest expanded with emotion.

  “Whatever issues you have with her, you need to let them drop. She was born into what she is and has no more control over that than the fact that you were born into what you are. She doesn’t put herself up above you; you do that for her. If she had wanted to use her status or power over you today, she would have . . . but she didn’t to prove a point to you that she doesn’t have to,” Luca said. I smiled at him.

  “Wouldn’t it be nice if she was all you thought of her?” Adelaide groaned.

  “You’re just mad that she snatched Rowan out from under your upturned nose,” Briony hissed getting right to the root of the problem, and Adelaide’s eyes widened with fury. I felt her rush forward before I saw her going for Briony. I knocked her aside and blocked her attempt at a sucker punch.

  “Adelaide, Tasmin!” Tamora barked loudly, calling everyone’s attention to her. Adelaide shook off my arm and narrowed her eyes at us in turn before she visibly shook herself.

  “I think the lesson is fully taught and understood. Stand by your teammates, no matter what. No further instruction is needed.”

  We all looked at one another in confusion. This was a part of an actual lesson? They had meant to see if we would turn on one another. I watched as Tasmin and Adelaide stormed off the field and almost felt bad for them. Tamora and Malachi gave us a snack and water break before splitting us off into pairs to finish the rest of the day sparring.

  Upset by the morning’s lesson, we were all more than happy to go our separate ways before dinner. Tensions were already high with the threat of battle so near, and I wasn’t sure trying to spur animosity between us was the best idea. Taylin was waiting for me in the entrance room of the palace when I arrived. I had forgotten about the dress-fitting, and I tried not to groan. I glanced to be sure that Rowan was behind me. Of course he was. My ever-present shadow.

  “Come along, dear. I’ve set everything up already,” she said as she pulled me along behind her, up the stairs, and into a room that I had never seen before. The thick door swung open revealing a wall lined with windows, bright light cascaded through them and lit the space. It appeared to be a sort of mixture of a museum and storage unit. Glass cases lined the opposite wall filled with beautiful gowns woven with golden thread. Ornate robes and even a full set of armor were tucked into the corner.

  “Some of the royal wardrobe,” Taylin said as she entered an arched doorway and a room that was lined with mirrors. Each was encased in elaborate wooden frames that matched the white crown molding that flowed through the entire palace. I took in my appearance and almost flinched as I hurried to fix myself up a little. Dirt was smeared across the bottom of my left cheek, and my hair was sticking up at an odd angle in my ponytail. My clothes at least were dry and pristine. The training gear was made of a material that was thin and stout. Sweat made no difference in its appearance, unlike my hair. It was matted to the top of my head. I gave up.

  “Undress,” Taylin barked, and my eyes met Rowan’s in the mirror.

  “I’ll just wait right outside the room.”

  “Suit yourself.” Taylin winked, and my mouth dropped open with a laugh as I watched Rowan’s form retreating through the mirror.

  “Love to watch him leave,” I joked, and she chuckled before ordering me to undress again. I stood in a strapless bra and panties she supplied and waited for her to slip the dress over my head. It was hanging in a bag. She made me close my eyes before she unwrapped it.

  I felt the silky material slip easily over my head. I opened my eyes as she stepped back to look. The dress was beautiful. The top was structured in panels of light-blue silk under a black lace overlay. A closer inspection revealed that the light-blue silk actually faded into deeper darker shades until matching the black underlayer. The lace fell in an asymmetrical line to my left hip, and a long slit up the right side allowed the dress to easily flow around my legs.

  “Taylin! It’s perfect.” I squealed excitedly, but she was frowning.

  “No. Something is off.” She pursed her lips as she began walking around me. I looked the dress over and couldn’t find a problem.

  “Are you sure?”

  “You! Rowan! Come, I need assistance,” she barked, and he walked slowly into the room. His eyes fell on me and made a slow trip up and down before looking to Taylin.

>   “What assistance do you require?” he asked as she walked behind me, and I felt her tug the dress down and pull the fabric together at my lower back.

  “Here, hold this while I retrieve my pins. My assistant had a bit of an emergency with one of her children and couldn’t come,” she complained, as if children were the bane of her existence. After a moment of hesitation, I felt his much larger hands replace hers at the small of my back. I tried to fight the urge to lean farther into his hand. She was back in a flash.

  “Do not move,” she warned as she began cinching and pinning here and there, fitting the dress more snugly to my body. The top was pulling forward, and my cleavage was all but hanging out. I tried to ignore it, but when it began shifting my bra as well, I decided I should probably mention it.

  “You need to adjust the top, Taylin, before I spill out of it,” I grumbled, still afraid to move and be stuck by a pin.

  “Help the girl keep her modesty, then. This is the reason I hired an assistant in the first place,” Taylin hissed and I blushed.

  “I can do it myself. I just wanted to warn you before I moved.”

  “No, you move your arms forward, and it is going to stretch the fabric and pop the pins out.”

  Rowan stepped in front of me and quickly adjusted the front of the dress, his fingers deftly pulling the fabric into place. He didn’t linger, and I had to fight disappointment. I swore I saw a grin quirk on his mouth as he stepped back.

  “No! Go back and hold it there! That made it a lot simpler to fix the problem,” Taylin griped, and Rowan appeared back in front of me. This time he pulled the dress up and placed his hands on each of my sides to hold in place.

  “Perfect!” Taylin complimented as I felt her much smaller hands go to work with the pins once more. I grinned at our awkward position. His eyes were firmly planted on mine, and the grin slowly fell from my lips as the warmth from his hands began to seep through the dress. He held his hands perfectly still, but I couldn’t help but remember the way it had felt when they were on my skin, exploring. His eyes flashed, and I gulped, trying to control myself. He knew what I was feeling, and right now I was feeling pretty hot.

  He blinked, trying to clear the shine from his eyes, while I tried to fight the urge to move into him and kiss those full lips. I licked mine at the thought, and his eyes caught the movement. His hands tightened at my sides, and I flinched as a pin stuck me.

  “Ow!” I yelped, and Taylin hissed that she had told me to stay still. She moved to the front to finish placing a few pins at my sides. The spell was broken, and Rowan didn’t look happy about what had just transpired.

  “There, all done. Now lift your arms up,” she said, and I did. She immediately pulled the dress over my head and hung it back the rack. I squeaked, trying to conjure my clothes quickly.

  “You could have warned me!”

  “Oh, don’t be so modest, dear. I suspect he has seen more of you than this . . . or, judging from the tension in the air, he will soon enough.” She snickered, and I huffed out an embarrassed sigh.

  “Are we finished then?”

  “Yes, I’ll alter it, and it will be perfect by the coronation,” she said, waving us away.

  We walked in a strained silence to the dining hall, where I took my seat quickly beside Mauve. I was starving. I filled my plate with pork, beans, potatoes, and rice. Mauve watched me intently.

  “Sorry, I’m famished. All this work is taking a lot out of me.” I took a gulp of water and then vowed to pace myself.

  “Oh, it’s just another thing on a long list we will have to work on, I’m sure.” She laughed, but I didn’t think she was joking. I sat up straighter.

  “My dress is perfect, wait until you see how well it matches the necklace you gave to me,” I commented, and her eyes shone. I noticed the look, felt a little surge of magic and took a chance, reaching out to touch her.

  “Thank you so much for such a kind gift.”

  “When do you leave?” Narissa asked bitterly.

  “Tomorrow night. I have gathered a few to make the journey with me if she will allow it.”

  “Yes, well. The sooner the better.” Narissa paced beneath the trees in the moonlight.

  “You needn’t worry about the raid on the palace. Tomorrow you will have the meeting and secure a member of the girls’ group with a mark. From there you will be able to closely watch her while still getting everything else in order. There is no way any of them could see this coming. It will be easy to dispatch of the council and take the palace.”

  “While you go gallivanting through the forest . . .”

  “Do not mention my journey again. I would much rather be here to ensure that you do not fail to fulfill the plan. Do not fail, Narissa.”

  “You had best return with your end of the deal fulfilled as well.”

  “Are you all right, Princess?” Mauve was frowning, and I blinked away the vision.

  “No, actually, I think I need to rest. I’m not feeling very well.” I only half lied, head spinning.

  “Yes, you do appear ill.” She grimaced, sitting back from me.

  Farran helped me to my feet, and Rowan joined us as we left the room. I walked slowly, trying to think of some sort of strategy. Had what I saw been recent or could Narissa have already have had this meeting and have someone marked? I was going to have to be discreet.

  “Farran, I need to speak with you in the bathroom,” I said as I pulled him in the room and closed the door behind me.

  “Bend down here.” He quirked an eyebrow but didn’t object. I checked behind both his ears, even rubbing to be sure there wasn’t any mark. I already knew there wouldn’t be. I couldn’t feel any of the dark magic on him. I left my hand on his arm and spoke to his mind. I told him what I had seen.

  “You need to discreetly check the others, all of them.”

  “Yes, I’ll gather them, and if they are all clear I will warn them. You’ll need to stay in your room so that Mauve doesn’t get suspicious of your lie about being ill, I suppose.”

  “We need some sort of signal, something only we would know if we are truly still in control of our bodies. That way no one accidently spills the plan to a spy. She can’t know we are on to her. She will be watching; that’s what he said.”

  “Yes, I will come up with something. You check Rowan, although I am sure he is clear and then I will convene with the others and come up with a plan. Neither of you leave this room in the morning until I come for you to share the plan . . . OK?” I nodded my consent, and he was gone.

  I quickly washed and donned my pj’s before exiting the room. Rowan was sitting in his chair scribbling into his sketchbook. He closed it and began gazing suspiciously at me. What if he was already marked and just really good at hiding it?

  “Are you afraid of me?” he asked, and I shook my head.

  “I feel your apprehension, fear, worry. What is going on?” I walked over to him, and while he was sitting in the chair it left us eye to eye. His eyes were so beautiful. I reached a hand toward his face, and he stopped it with his own.

  “What are you doing?” he asked, and I used the contact to push my power into him and feel. There was no darkness inside of Rowan, only bright, bright light. It filled me quickly, and I sighed with relief.

  “Narissa plans to plant a spy,” I admitted, and then filled him in on what I had seen.

  “We will have to tread carefully,” he said, still holding my hand in his. I laced my fingers through his, and his eyes softened.

  “Did you hear what happened today at training?” I asked, needing to get it off my chest.

  “Bits and pieces,” he said, and a grin quirked his lips.

  “Briony did bait her, but I wasn’t going to let her land a punch on my best friend.” I defended her, and he nodded smiling.

  “I would expect nothing less from you.”

  “Adelaide and Tasmin aren’t very nice,” I complained, leaning into him. He allowed it.

  “They aren’t so bad r
eally. There is just a lot going on right now. Tensions are high.” I harrumphed at his defense of them, and he chuckled.

  “I guess you would have had to like something about Adelaide. I saw evidence of that more than once,” I grumbled at the memory of them plastered against a wall on my birthday. Hurt filled me at the memory.

  “Do not give it another thought,” he said, tilting my chin up to meet his eyes.

  “So I was a little jealous.” I tried to joke, but it fell flat with the truth.

  “I can sympathize,” he carped, and I frowned.

  “What could you possibly have to feel jealous of?” I puzzled, and he rolled his eyes.

  “If you recall, I nearly ripped Malachi’s head from his body when I thought he had slept with you.”

  “But he did sleep with me, multiple times,” I quipped, and his scowl deepened.

  “I do not need a reminder of the fact. I was referring to the time I found you in nothing but his shirt, pressed firmly against him,” he growled, and I blushed.

  “He was only trying to protect me when you all busted into the room.” I complained at the memory.

  “Yes, well, the noise that was coming from the room sounded like a lovers’ quarrel. I lost myself in the moment. It was my mistake,” he admitted, and I accepted his sort-of apology.

  “I’ve never . . . nothing like that happened . . . with anyone,” I mumbled, flustered and embarrassed.

  “Yes, I had figured as much,” he said as he slid a finger across the blush deepening on my cheeks.

  “You have though, right?” I spat out, unable to help myself. Why was I so curious to know everything I could about this man? His eyes narrowed.

  “Vivienne!”

  “What? It’s obvious that you have. I’m just trying to confirm,” I said, and he frowned.

  “I am not remotely as innocent as you.” His eyes held mine firmly. He wanted me to know the truth. I’ll be damned if that didn’t just turn me on. His eyes glowed.

  “You are trouble.” He chuckled and my insides began to heat. He pulled me into his lap, and I sat happily across his legs as I folded my arms around his neck. My fingers slipped into the line of his hair, and his eyes slid closed. I smiled.