“Ah yes, the ride into town. I did say that didn’t I? I think that can be arranged. Are you wanting to go today?”
“If it’s possible. I would like to change first. This is hardly riding attire.”
Dain stared at her, wearing another gown that accentuated her ample womanly attributes. His staff did an extraordinary job at bringing in suitable clothes for her. They seemed like they were made just for her. He thought about the discussion that he’d just had with Alek. Could it be that this lovely but feisty woman could be the one the prophecy spoke about, the one to bring order and destroy evil? She certainly had the tenacity and the spit fire to start a fight, but could she actually win one?
She stared at him, and he smiled.
“Very well. I’ll have the staff prepare your horse and have an armed guard waiting in the bailey for you. Is there anything you require to take?”
“No. I just need a change of scenery. I get restless easy.”
“Yes, I would imagine so. Give us a few minutes to finish up here, and we’ll get that arranged.”
She curtsied to him and left the room. Dain watched her go, that feeling of desire passing through him again. He wondered why he fancied her so much. It was true that beautiful women generally turned his head, and it doesn’t take much more than a bat of the eyelashes normally to get his attention, but with her, he could feel something stirring down deep. The thought of her being the Chosen One just heightened his intrigue and desire. Not only would that make her a desirable woman, but also a powerful one.
He shook the thoughts away. He made a promise to Alek, and in doing so, to Kevaan as well, that he would not do anything to make her distrustful of him. He also made a promise to himself that Annika was the last of his flings, that the next one would be the only one.
He never thought he could make a promise like that to himself, and now that it was done, it felt good to be moving forward. He did not, however, think that Melenthia could be the girl to set his heart on fire for eternity, but there was definitely something there that he couldn’t explain.
He heard a voice and shook away the thoughts that were running away from him and turned back to his friend.
“Did you hear me, Dain?”
“I’m sorry, I was a bit distracted.”
Alek stared hard at him. “I told you not to go there. Leave it be.”
He put his hand up in defense, “Rest assured that I was in no way thinking that, Alek. I am intrigued only, especially with the preposterous notion of her being the “one”. I was not walking down the forbidden road I promise.”
“Good. I asked, who are you going to send into town? Taran?”
“Good Lord no. He’s too young and inexperienced; she’d eat him for breakfast.”
“Malak then?”
“Actually, if we’re done here, I was thinking about going myself.”
“Why?”
“Who better to show her around the king’s province than the king?”
“Do you think that’s wise, Your Majesty?”
“I expect her to be protected, and although I don’t doubt the abilities of my guard, I would feel even more secure if I took the responsibility myself. I made you and Kevaan a promise, and I will fulfill that promise. Besides, it would be a good time to get to know her a bit better.”
Alek stared again.
“Alek, you are going to give yourself an embolism if you continue to scowl like that. Relax. I made a promise and I meant it. I really don’t want to upset her. I would like to get to know her as a person, not necessarily as a woman. I find her intriguing. I have never been in the presence of a woman like her before. One who is secure in who she is, one who is not afraid to say what she feels. It’s purely plutonic, I swear.”
“Keep it that way.”
He placed a hand on Alek’s shoulder. “I will take Malak and Taran with me if that makes you feel better. God knows I don’t want to make you worry.”
“I don’t mean to have so little faith in you, Dain, but I’ve been with you for a long time. I know you better than anyone.”
“Yes, and for that I’m eternally grateful. You’re truly my only real friend. I’m sorry I have made things so difficult for you. I’m surprised you’re still by my side after all the punishment I’ve put you through.”
“I still have faith in you, Dain, faith that you’ll finally start down the right path and be the king I know you can be.”
“I know. Let me use this opportunity to restore that faith.”
Alek nodded. “Very well. Keep an eye on her, Dain. I don’t want to have to explain to her brother how she managed to slip from your sight. King or no king, he’d have your head, and mine.”
“We’ll be fine.” He turned to the doorway and called out. A servant scurried forward. “Please inform the stable hands to prepare the horses for Princess Melenthia and myself. We’re going out for the afternoon.”
He bowed. “Yes, Sire.”
The servant left to do what was asked. Dain turned back to Alekzand’r. “I wonder if anyone is loose lipped today. It’s such a lovely afternoon, I would imagine the streets of Eston are bustling today.”
“So, you do have an agenda for going yourself. Just not the one I thought.”
Dain smiled. “While we’re gone, send word to Kevaan and see what other developments he has to report. I’m sure he’ll have something more to say about Fallon.”
“Okay. If you give me a couple of weeks, I think can find out more. I’ll ride the countryside and see if there is anything to report. If Fallon is still looking for Melenthia then I think it’s safe to assume he’s going to start his crusade soon. If he’s hitting any of the cities just inside his border, you can bet he’ll be hitting some on this side as well. His anger at being scorned will definitely light his flame I would think.”
“Okay, just be careful. And try to avoid that God forsaken wood this time.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” He bowed to Dain and left the room.
***
Kevaan stood in his father’s throne room, gazing out the window, lost in deep thought. Melenthia was safe. He’d gotten word a few weeks ago that she was holed away in Drydon Keep with the king, just as Alek promised. His questionings in towns almost all the way to the southern border had resulted in the same answers. Fallon and his armies were riding through, enlisting men into his troops, and those that chose not to go were treated to beatings and fire.
Kevaan had hired more men to keep watch on the borders and to patrol through the towns to keep an eye on visiting strangers. All accounts claimed the same reports: hoarders that made their way through and created havoc as they passed.
He was concerned, not only about his people, but about the power that Fallon seemed to possess. He wondered if he was really the one making the rules, or if Jaron was pulling his strings.
Jaron was no one, or nothing, to be trifled with. Every time Kevaan was near him, the blood in his veins turned to ice, and he had to fight to form a thought in his head. He was evil, in all sense of the definition, but Kevaan, although cautious, was not yet too afraid to allow him inside his soul. He knew he probably should be, but his love for his realm, his father, and his sister’s safety kept him from allowing the being to rule him. He would not cross him, but he would steel himself against his constant push for as long as he was sane.
He allowed his mind to wander now to his sister on the other side of the kingdom. Safe for the time being under King Dainard’s watch, but he wondered if he had something to worry about in Dainard himself.
He knew the reputation of the southern king, his way with the ladies and his lack of self control when it came to them. Alek had assured him that although he was restless and tended to enjoy himself way too much, he would do his duty to protect Melenthia with honor. Alek assured him that he would do nothing to cause her to become upset. He assured Kevaan that he would be a gentleman.
Kevaan knew his sister, and poetic words and rugged good looks did not sway her opi
nion of men and their predatory nature. She felt that talk meant nothing but a brief interlude to lure you into false security, then by the time you realized it was all nothing but a peacocks strut, it was too late. She did not fall easily for a handsome face, and less so for flattering words. But this king was not like any other man. He was smooth, and good looking, and he had never lost a conquest. Melenthia’s lack of naivety would only spur the king on, making her his biggest challenge. Men were men, and a challenge could never be brushed off. Competition was in their blood.
He sighed. Perhaps he had been too hasty to ask this favor. Maybe he put her in too much of an awkward position. He knew she could take care of herself but also knew that she needed to remain calm or she might do something rash.
He wanted to believe what Alek said was true, but something inside him caused him to doubt. He could do nothing about it on this side of the province however, so until he got news otherwise, he’d try to forget about it. He had bigger problems. He was supposed to meet with Alek and share what he knew. He hoped he could slip out of here without Fallon’s spies watching. He didn’t want to leave his father, but he had to get information from wherever he could get it.
His father seemed to be less and less himself as the days wore on. He seemed distant and lost, and every decision he’d made up to this point was not in the interest of anything he cared about: his people, his kingdom or even his family.
The pact he made with Fallon was unforgivable, but he wondered if he even knew what it meant. He wondered if the fear Fallon or his counselor was putting into his heart was overwhelming him, pushing him into doing things he would have otherwise fought against.
He knew that Melenthia was strong willed and obstinate, but his father loved her with all his being. Kevaan was the son, and most would say that the son is the most important one in a royal line, but he knew his father did not see it that way. Melenthia was his joy, his muse, and he loved her like no other. She reminded him of their mother, and that was what allowed Melenthia to get away with what she had. Their mother was alive in her, and the king wanted nothing more than to embrace her and dote on her as if his wife was still alive. Her memory was alive in Melenthia.
He wondered when Fallon had first put the idea into his father’s head. Had it been the night of her twenty-first birthday? Had Fallon, after being refused by Melenthia and thwarted by himself, begun the negotiations that night, right under Kevaan’s nose? He shuddered to think what would have happened if he had not noticed her obvious panic. She may have appeared calm in Fallon’s eyes, but Kevaan knew his sister well and had seen the fear on what seemed like a calm countenance.
Fallon would have taken what he wanted, with no regard for her or their father. Then she would’ve been spoiled and ruined for any other man. He would’ve then offered marriage anyway, pretending to be the hero who would save her from a life of spinsterhood.
He clenched his jaw and his fists. He wanted Melenthia no matter the cost, no matter the obstacle, and they had better find a way to stop him or he would prevail eventually.
He heard footsteps approaching from behind him and turned to see Fallon standing just inside the doorway, sneering at him.He returned his stare, but Fallon said nothing.
Kevaan spoke. “Is there something you require or are you simply using up the air that was a moment before fresh?”
Fallon’s sneer turned to a glare. “It amazes me how outwardly insulting you are to me. With all the power I hold over your father’s head, I would think you’d be careful on what you say.”
“You don’t scare me, Fallon, and neither does your puppet. This is my father’s realm, and in retrospect, mine as well, and I won’t let him just hand it over to you on a platter. I live my life to serve the people of this realm, not you.”
“Brave and worthy sentiments, but soon there won’t be a realm to rule over. I’ve already enlisted more men into my army than you and your father could ever hope to have, and I will crush your walls with forces you couldn’t possibly fathom.”
“Everything you own you have obtained by my father’s generosity, but you’ll eventually lose it all.”
He changed the subject, switching to one that he knew would rile him. “Have you heard from your dear sister yet?”
“Wherever she might be, she’s safe from you.”
“For now, but in time Jaron will flush her out, and I will have her.”
“If you touch a hair on her head you’ll have me to deal with, puppet or no puppet.”
“It doesn’t matter. Half of this kingdom already belongs to me. You’ll be hard pressed to win allegiance back from your own people.”
“Don’t think for a moment that we won’t stand against you. You may have the commoners wrapped around your finger out of fear, but we’ll eventually destroy everything that you have worked to obtain.”
“Your faith in your alliances will be your weakness.”
“And your overconfidence in your powers will be yours.”
Kevaan walked away from Fallon, leaving him to fume. Getting Kevaan to turn away from his duty to his province was proving most difficult. His strength was considerable, and he was not easily swayed by threats. He wondered how much he could resist if he chose to use his real powers against him, like he had already used on his father.
The old man was weak and wanted nothing more than to turn over his rule to his son, to allow himself rest in his final years. The toll of years ruling the realm, having had to take over at an extremely young age after his father died in battle, was making him weak in body and more so in soul. He saw Fallon as a shrewd businessman who could manage the daily holdings of a profitable duchy and be able to take on other endeavors as well. Handing over the account for the river tolls was just one weight off his shoulders. The burdens should be passed on to Kevaan, but Fallon’s influence on his mind kept him from seeing the truth.
He never expected it to be this easy, even trusting the guidance from the Dark One, and he smiled to himself at just how far he’d come in such a short time.
Melenthia was an obstacle that he hadn’t planned on. He knew that she was strong willed and often expressed her opinion against things, but he underestimated her resiliency and ability to take care of herself.
He wanted her, not only because she was the Chosen One, the one brought into the world to destroy him. That in itself amused him. A woman, chosen to be the savior of the kingdom. How preposterous. Women were for one use only and that was to bring pleasure to a man. Of course, a child from her and him would make his power unstoppable. A son from her would seal the pact with the Dark One.
The thought of taking her by force excited him. Her fiery red hair and smooth creamy skin would bring him immense pleasure, and having her for himself before she was spoiled by another excited him even more. She would never let him, he knew, but that would hardly tamper down his urges, in fact it made them stronger.
He looked back on the night of her birthday, when he revealed his wanting of her. He should’ve had her then, then all of this could’ve been avoided. He knew that she was ripe for the taking, and he should’ve never allowed Kevaan to step into his affairs. That was a mistake, and now they would all suffer for it. Melenthia running from him angered him at first, but he knew she could not evade him forever. Jaron was out there searching, using his mind probing power to seek the answer to his question. Soon, Fallon himself would have that power too, then he would be able to answer the question that was evading him, where was she? Kevaan was clever, he’d give him that, putting her somewhere he could not easily find, but with patience, he would figure it out.
He turned from the window now. He hated waiting. His rising urge to lay with her had been building up for some time now, and he didn’t know how long he could resist. Maybe a ride into town and a visit with a common harlot would at least satisfy him for a while longer, until he could take Melenthia for his own.
He decided that he would go for a ride and cool off. It all of a sudden seemed hot and sticky
in the room. He knew it was only the thoughts of her that were whetting his appetite, but losing control within the walls of the castle with all of Randor’s staff watching was dangerous to his cause. He wanted trust and loyalty, not suspicion. Taking a chambermaid for the night would only arouse questions that he didn’t want. A ride into town for a quick, rough tumble in bed would let him get by for a while longer. If he didn’t find Melenthia soon, his urges would turn into frustration, and he couldn’t be sure of what he would do. He had to play this how his master bade him to or it would not play out in his favor. He had to trust the Dark One. Soon, there would be time to celebrate victory.
CHAPTER 17
Brogan and his group of men traveled the main road out of Tarun toward the Danstrom Mountains. The guide he hired said the ride would be about two days to the base of the mountains, then another three up to the dwarf city of Yarden. It was not that far up, but the going was tough, steep and rugged, and getting to it wasn’t easy. Brogan had made sure that the group he hired were used to the rough terrain of the outdoors and who were in good enough shape to make the climb. There would still be some snow lingering in patches where there was no light, and it was a difficult and dangerous climb. Once getting to the city, they’d have to gain entrance inside, and that would prove just as tough. He hoped that the message Dain had given him would convince them to open the gates. The dwarves were a suspicious lot and always assumed everyone was after the treasures that were hidden deep inside the mountain.
The men packed light, just enough food and water to make the trip. They would eat only cold rations and make a fire only at night to keep them warm in the still cold nights in the high altitude. The horses would be able to make the trek up the mountain, but there were places too dangerous, and they would have to dismount and lead them up.
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