The open window shuddered.
“It’s cold, can’t you shut that thing?” the seamstress asked.
At Ilythra’s nod, Cassia moved to shut the offending window.
“I think the gown’s beautiful,” Ilythra offered. “Like the living ocean.”
The woman looked up at her, as though just realizing there was a person beneath the folds of fabric and delicate glass beads. “Of course it is. I made it.” She walked once more around Ilythra, a finger tapping her lower lip in rhythm with her step. She stopped. “Yes. Yes, I think that’s it.”
There had been so many fittings, she’d lost count. Ilythra let out a breath. The dress was a simple sheath but with a gauzy over-dress that fastened only at the bodice. The overdress sparkled with tiny blue glass beads.
The seamstress unlaced the dress’s bodice. “Now, don’t go eating up a storm. This dress still has to fit a in a few days.”
“I won’t, don’t worry.” A few days? Ilythra stared at the light from the window. Sometimes it felt she was in dream and none of this was real. Was she really getting married that soon? Panic loomed under the surface, and her heart sped.
“Don’t lose any more weight either. I’ve already had to take the waist in twice.”
“Excuse me?”
“Dreaming? Like any bride, I suppose. Dream while you can.” She muttered the last under her breath but Ilythra still heard. “I said, don’t lose any more weight.”
Ilythra glanced down at her body. Had she lost weight? She hadn’t been hungry lately.
The seamstress peered at Ilythra’s face then spun toward Cassia. “Is she ill?”
“No.” Cassia shook her head vehemently.
She turned back to Ilythra. “You’re not taking something you shouldn’t, are you?”
Ilythra opened her mouth then closed it in confusion. “Like what?”
The seamstress packed her things. “It’s no business of mine, it’s just...I had a brother-in-law who took to chewing this plant. Eventually made him crazy. Left me his wife and six kids to support. He had the same dark circles and dazed look that you get from time to time.”
“How dare you?” Cassia stood, her voice outraged. “She is to be your queen. You are far too familiar.”
The seamstress shrugged. “As I see it, queens are people too, especially this one.”
“It’s okay, Cassia.” Ilythra held up her hand. It was shaking. She faced the seamstress. “This time and this time alone will I interpret your comments as concern. After this, I’ll call it slander.”
The woman retreated a step.
“I am a healer.” Indignation mixed with unease. When she’d examined her symptoms, she’d never considered one of the many mind-altering herbs. But she hadn’t eaten anything that tasted odd. “I would never misuse my craft.”
“I meant no offense. You’re just looking a little ill, is all.”
A wave of nausea hit Ilythra. “Thank you for your observation.”
The seamstress curtsied and left the room.
“You could have her flogged,” Cassia said as soon as the door shut. Her eyes gleamed in anticipation.
“No. That wouldn’t do any good.” Ilythra leaned against the bedpost. Her heart beat too fast. She couldn’t get enough air. Could it be something she ate? Her mind raced. “Open the window back up. It’s stuffy in here.”
Cassia unlatched the window and swung it open, then moved toward Ilythra to help her take off the dress. “Are you cold?”
Ilythra glanced down to see bumps peppering her arms. “A little, I guess.”
“Then I’ll close the window.”
“No. No, I’ll be okay once I’m dressed again.”
“As you wish.” Cassia undid the buttons and laces then helped her step out of the dress. Handing Ilythra a dressing gown, she paused. “Those little blue beads are rather...” Cassia pointed to the necklace of three small beads Ilythra wore around her neck. “Rustic,” she finished. “I don’t suppose you could remove it for the ceremony.”
“What?” She focused on Cassia.
“Your little necklace. It might be better if you take it off.”
Ilythra’s hand flew to the offending adornment. “I-I can’t.”
“Why?”
Ilythra shook her head. She couldn’t remember why. Still she hesitated.
“I know the other has some kind of religious significance and it won’t be seen, but that one will show. And the ring—Erhard will gift you with a new one.”
Ilythra stared at the ring. It was large on her hand, but she didn’t want to remove it. It was important somehow.
“I can keep all your jewelry safe for you. The old queen had a vault—”
“No. Not the ring.” Ilythra fingered the small beads. “But the beads... Of course. You’re right.”
“Do you want to get dressed or lie down for a while? You do look a little tired.”
“I am.” Ilythra tied the dressing gown in place and stepped over to the fireplace, still fingering the necklace. She removed it and placed it in her medicine bag with her herbs.
“I’ll bring up a cup of tea for you.” Cassia closed the window and then disappeared out the door.
Silence, save for the fire crackling in the grate, descended with weight as the door closed. She reached for Ilydearta. Cassia hadn’t suggested she take it off. Religious significance? Was that what it was? It felt more like a trap, a burden she’d been forced to carry.
Her hands shook as she dropped them to her lap. Why had the seamstress’s words affected her so strongly? Pre-wedding nerves? Guilt? Although she was fond of Erhard, she felt no passion for him.
She reached for the stone. Something was wrong. It was only a pinprick of awareness, but enough to send ripples of fear through her body. She was falling, falling without anyone to catch her. Closing her eyes, she sent out a prayer. A way to escape a prison of her own making, to unravel the cords that bound her tight to this place. Because she knew with an aching certitude that she’d forget again. It’s already over. And this time, she’d be lost.
* * *
It wasn’t that hard to get lost in a castle, but remaining inconspicuous while one did so was another thing. Mohan moved the broom over the stone floor in a steady rhythm. He hated sweeping and swore, after today, he never would again. He didn’t know how many corridors he’d swept, but somewhere a household servant should be blessing him.
After leaving Ilythra’s room, he’d pondered why Cassia would take glass beads out of Ilythra’s room and what those beads could be. He didn’t have an answer but thought the woman was a good place to begin in his attempt to rescue Ilythra. If she had any affection for her lady, surely she’d help him, so he’d spent the better part of the day keeping track of her without appearing to do so.
Not long before, he’d watched Ilythra and Cassia walk into her chamber. Cassia left but returned before Mohan could make his move. Now they both were in the room. The castle had grown quiet and shadows deepened, and still no one emerged through the door. Mohan settled on the stairs to wait. Most likely, they were in for the night and he’d try again tomorrow, but if he could have a moment alone with the woman, he was sure he could talk her into helping him.
Mohan had begun to doze when he heard the faint creak of a door. He peered around the wall to see Cassia step quietly into the corridor. Now was the time to speak with her. He jumped to his feet and strode forward, but something about her demeanor spoke of stealth and he hesitated, slinking back into the stairwell. When she disappeared around a corner, he decided to follow her. She walked quickly now, and Mohan rushed before she lost him. He turned a corner just as she disappeared into a room. He paused at the doorway. It was probably her chamber. He smiled. That’s all I need, to be accused of accosting Ilythra’s lady-in-waiting.
But a sense of urgency, of danger, prickled at the back of his neck and he ducked into the room, prepared for a quick explanation, only to find it empty. A bed sat against one wall, a wardrobe along another next to a chair and small table. A tapestry along one wall fluttered in a slight breeze but there were no other doors, and from the sterile look of things, this wasn’t anyone’s room. Mohan walked the length of the space. Where had she gone?
His gaze fell on the tapestry. He lifted one corner and cool hair brushed his skin. He raised it further. It seemed like an ordinary wall. He ran his fingers over its surface until he encountered a slightly raised stone. He pushed it, and a section of the wall slid back and over without sound.
Mohan stood for a moment, looking into the gloom. A tunnel. He had no way of knowing what waited for him in the dark. Yet if a young woman could face it... He squared his shoulders and walked into the darkness.
Arms spread before him to save him from running into anything, he continued with small steps. But the floor was surprisingly smooth, and his stride lengthened. In the gloom ahead, he thought he saw a faint glow and walked a little faster than was safe. Soon the glow grew until he could make out the light of a torch and the slight form of a woman. One hand on the rough earthen wall, he followed the light, pausing when it paused and speeding ahead when it did. Twice, his hand lost contact with the wall and he could sense more than see another passage opening on to the one he followed. How many tunnels are under this mountain? He shuddered. He really didn’t want to know.
Suddenly the light went out, and Mohan froze. He took a few cautious steps and saw that Cassia had taken a side passage. Cautiously he stepped forward to peer around the corner. She was about four wheels ahead, standing in front of a dead end. She pressed a stone and doused her light almost in one motion. Mohan jumped back as a door in the wall swung open, spilling light into the corridor. He crouched down and peeked around the corner. Cassia patted down her dress and squared her shoulders. Then he heard a rough voice say something. Cassia must have responded because the voice laughed before the door shut and blocked out all sound.
* * *
The girl approached. A slight frown creased her brow when he did not rise from his chair. He couldn’t have her getting too cocky.
“Yes?”
Cassia handed him the earrings.
“Any problems?”
“Do you expect any?” She grinned.
Bredych smiled. “I love a woman with confidence. He rolled the stem of his wineglass between his finger and thumb. “Arrogance, on the other hand, is quite annoying.” He glared into Cassia’s pale eyes. “I don’t like to be annoyed.”
Cassia swallowed, her smile gone.
“So how is our future queen?”
“She does what I tell her to do. You were right. She doesn’t need to wear the earrings all of the time now.”
“Don’t let her go too long without them.”
“I won’t. She gets a headache when she stops wearing them for too long and seems, well, kind of confused. But as soon as she puts them back on, she’s very docile.”
“It’s almost a pity. Oh well, can’t be helped. Her sword?”
“She hasn’t touched it.”
“Good. Very good.” He leaned forward. “Did you get the ring?”
Cassia paled slightly. “No. She wouldn’t take it off. But she did remove the little necklace.”
Bredych ground his teeth together. There was still time. The next time he increased the concentration of dacrite in the fragrance, she would no longer know anything, save what someone else told her she knew. Her mind would be an empty canvas.
He’d told her the truth, if wrapped in a lie. He couldn’t kill her for the stone; it had to be freely given. But he could make her want to give it away. And perhaps he could kill her and give the necklace to someone else. He would choose a person entirely under his sway and that fogged the issue a bit. It was too big a risk until he knew for sure. He glanced to the extensive library of books that held every tome Ilythra had been searching for but failed to find.
“She’s made me her lady-in-waiting. I sleep in the room next to hers and take my meals at the table with her.”
Bredych turned back to the girl. He didn’t like the new loyalty in her tone. “She’s throwing you scraps when the meal is rightfully yours.”
“She’s different.” Her hesitant defense of Ilythra grated on his nerves.
“My poor child. You’re fond of her. It’s commendable, if unwise.” He rose from the chair and lifted Cassia’s chin with a finger so her gaze met his. “Ilythra is not as charitable as she appears.” He smiled. “She knows everything about you. Erhard informed me that she was curious about you and he told her the entire story.”
“What?” Her eyes widened as her face paled.
“Yes. She knows.”
“You’re sure?”
“It isn’t wise to question me. My patience is wearing thin.”
Cassia’s pale eyes filled with tears and then darkened as she blinked them away. “Thank you, my lord.”
Bredych nodded. It wouldn’t do for his next appointment to see the girl. “Go now, watch with diligence. We are very near our goal.”
* * *
Mohan hid in a side passage as Cassia’s light approached. She hadn’t stayed in the room long, but long enough for Mohan to decide he wouldn’t trust her with Ilythra’s life. Damn it! What is behind that wall? There was only one way to find out. When Cassia’s light faded in the distance, he moved down the short corridor she’d just left. He ran his hand over the wall until he found a protruding stone. He’d heard at least one male voice. If it was a guard, there could be two, perhaps three, or more. He thought he could kill them without letting them raise the alarm. Maybe.
He took a breath, drew his sword and pushed the stone. Nothing happened. Even in the cool, damp tunnel, sweat beaded on his forehead. He pushed it again. The wall didn’t move.
Mohan ran his hands over the rough stone. Obviously, Cassia had been familiar with the procedure; he wasn’t. He found another raised stone, not quite as predominant as the first, and pushed. This time, the wall swung away. Mohan jumped into the light, half blind, prepared for battle. Nothing happened.
He blinked and looked around. The room was small and almost empty. A few trunks and an impressive rack of weapons took up most of the space. It was possible Cassia had come across someone gathering supplies or replacing a broken spear and not a guard. Mohan helped himself to a dagger and strapped it to his waist then moved toward the door.
The portal opened into a dimly lit corridor. Mohan stepped out and looked both ways, then moved to the right. The corridor met another better-lit corridor perpendicular to the one he followed; again, he chose the right. Doors flanked the passage on both sides, most of them closed, but a few opened to darkness beyond. When he heard voices, Mohan slipped into a room and stood behind the door.
As they neared, he could make out two distinct voices, but the language was one he’d never heard. When the voices again began to fade, he risked a look. Two men, dressed in fur, walked down the hall, their hands punctuating whatever they said. Mohan blinked; he’d heard stories, but could it be? Rugians? Why would the Rugians be in hidden tunnels beneath the castle? Of course, they traveled so long maybe they weren’t under the castle anymore.
Mohan waited for a moment then stepped into the corridor, only to jump back into the room when voices again carried down the corridor. This time, they spoke the common speech of Anatarian. Mohan pressed against the door and strained his ears to catch every word.
“But I don’t understand.” The voice had a hint of a whine about it.
“Ah, Your Majesty, that is why you employ me to counsel you.” He’d listened to tricksters with the same smooth, honeyed voice.
Your Majesty? The king? Ilythra’
s betrothed? Mohan placed a hand against the door.
“But it’s only one man and it will make her happy.”
“Exactly. One man, a slave who knows what’s going on beyond the mountains. We cannot afford to let any of them leave that valley alive. You would risk your future for a very small reward.”
“Her happiness is no small reward.”
“Of course, Your Majesty, but you are risking her future happiness as well. And for one slave?”
Mohan risked a glance through a crack in the door. A man dressed in black walked next to a taller man with silver hair.
“She liked him.” The voice had lost any force it had possessed.
“Then give her another.”
The voices faded.
“No...no, it’s not that easy.”
“Then what is it?”
“I...I don’t know.” The king sounded confused.
“Then the matter is finished. Now let me show you—”
Mohan stood still in the darkness. Spineless... He didn’t finish the thought. It was clear who had the power in this kingdom—and Ilythra was going to marry that king?
Slaves? The practice wasn’t unheard of, but the Benai detested any kind of slavery. He wasn’t sure if it was the talk of slavery or the idea of Ilythra and that man that sent shivers down his spine.
He shook himself. Now he had to get out of the room before its occupant decided to come back. He closed his eyes, muttered a prayer and stepped into the corridor.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Mohan neared the room with trepidation. Ilythra was alone, but from observation, he knew it wouldn’t be for long. The sun had set, and long shadows graced the halls. Cassia had just left the room, disappearing down the hall.
He’d spent the better part of the day in the underground corridors until he found one that opened outside the castle walls on the village side. Twice he’d seen Cassia use the tunnels, but he hadn’t risked following her again. He didn’t want to press his luck. The tunnels leading away from those Cassia took were not as smooth, and the air was dank and old with many twists and turns. He’d stolen a torch and marked each turning with a symbol that would pass anyone except a Benai’s notice. Now, he only needed to find a way to convince Ilythra to go with him.
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