Unlocked

by Casey L. Bond

  “When is she due?”

  “You think it’s a girl? I was thinking it may be a boy. I wish there was a way to tell.”

  “Your intuition is probably right,” I advised.

  She snorted. “I was absolutely wrong on both of my other children, so you’re probably the one who’s right.”

  We walked through the village to the edge of the road where the blacksmith’s shop was. “Asher can’t seem to stay away,” Ella said ruefully. “He’s helping shoe the horses. That’s why he was in the stable.”

  “Do you help him? When you aren’t expecting, I mean?”

  “No,” she cited, waving off a fly. “I garden. I like to have my hands in the soil. That might be why I keep finding myself behind the castle. It feels more like home than anywhere else. Where do you find yourself?”

  “Along the shore.” Or at the new tower. Or in the sill of my window.

  “Makes sense.”

  Winter clopped steadily along beside us, seemingly happy to be out for a stroll, and if I was reading her right, happy to be out with me. The thought made me smile.

  “You realize that Mina plans to have her father speak with Yurak on her behalf, don’t you?” Ella blurted. “She wants to be with Trevor.”

  I tightened my hand on the reins until the leather bit into my palm. “She only wants the crown and all the luxuries that come with it,” I scoffed.

  “I know,” Ella acknowledged, slowing her pace. I slowed mine to match, and then stopped when she did. “You don’t have to worry about her, you know. Trevor loves you.”

  “He told you that?”

  “We didn’t get to talk for very long, but I can see it. He lights up when he talks about you, and I understand that you are very close.” Ella paused a moment, and then rushed ahead. “I know you’ve heard about our history, but there’s never been anything more than friendship, from my point of view. And from his? He thought he loved me once, but Raya, I believe he loved the idea his father gave him about marrying me. That we were somehow fated to be together, just because Yurak once loved my mother. But seeing the way Trevor talks about you… I know now that whatever he felt for me was nothing. He would find a way to walk across the ocean for you.”

  I couldn’t help but smile. “Do you think he’ll marry Mina?” I asked. Ella turned back the way we came, and I walked Winter around in a circle. “This way, girl.” She snorted in response.

  “I don’t, but even if you refused him, he wouldn’t give his heart to someone that wretched. Mina doesn’t love him, and from what I can tell, she seems fairly infatuated with herself.”

  We walked in silence. I couldn’t help but wonder if what she was saying was true. Did he want me? If he did, what was stopping him? And then I remembered Noam. Noam… who had no idea I wasn’t in my room at that very moment.

  That morning I’d asked Evelyn for help sneaking away, and the woman had come to know me well enough to know I would only ask once before taking matters into my own hands. Come what may, I’d decided I would leave that room by myself today.

  So, she smuggled an onion into the room and held it to my eyes. When the tears flowed, she led me right past Noam, telling him she would guard me herself, and I needed to see the priest right away. Poor Noam didn’t know what to do.

  “I need to accompany you,” he’d protested.

  Evelyn wheeled around and pointed her knobby finger in his face. “I am perfectly capable of seeing to her needs and keeping her safe. The King appointed me as her lady’s maid, and I will do my job. She needs privacy, not some guard who pretends to be her shadow!” she barked indignantly. “What she needs right now is the good Lord above. Now, we’re off to the church. Make yourself useful and guard her room.”

  Despite feeling like I could finally breathe when we entered the church and she told me to come back when I was ready, that she’d still be there, now I could barely breathe at all.

  Coming back to the present, I realized it felt good to be walking with Ella.

  “Tomorrow is the Ball,” she smiled conspiratorially, stopping at the edge of the stable as Asher rushed to take Winter’s reins. I said my goodbyes to them both, promising to be back to visit soon, and suggesting we try to go for a ride then. “You know the difference between you and Mina?” she asked.

  “Only one difference?” I quipped.

  “There are many, but the main distinguishing factor is that she wants to hold Trevor’s heart, while you already do. You need to walk into that room with your head held high, in a fine gown, wearing a crown if you have one.”

  “I do.”

  She grinned. “Good, because Mina’s going to be playing the part of Princess. Trevor and the entire Kingdom of Galder need to know you are a Queen.”

  Chapter thirty-five

  RAYA

  I never imagined that Ella Carina Smith would give me such perfect advice, but she was completely right. Rushing back to the church, I found Evelyn waiting in a back pew with her head flopped backward, softly snoring. I gently touched her shoulder, waking her. She took a second to wake and looked around the large room, then at me.

  “Feel better?” she inquired sympathetically.

  “I do. And I’ll need your help tomorrow.”

  Evelyn nodded sagely, squinting her eyes. “I know just what you need.”

  I glanced around. “Absolution?”

  Her laughter ricocheted across the arched ceiling before she covered her mouth with her hand. “You make me laugh, Princess, but if we don’t watch out, we’re going to get tossed out of here.”

  On the day of the Ball, the castle came to life. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as people bustled about, hurrying to get ready for an event that wouldn’t even take place for hours. I stayed in my room that day. Half of it, I spent looking for the gray pearl I’d bought at market, but it was nowhere to be found. I looked under the bed, beneath the table, and in the desk where my latest sketches of Trevor were tucked into the drawer. I even looked in the wardrobe.

  When I checked over the room again to no avail, it was clear I’d lost it. I sat on the sill and watched from my perch as servants scurried in and out of the entrances with large flower arrangements and platters of food—both of which smelled delicious. Tross let out a squawk as he approached my window. I moved to give him plenty of room.

  “Hey, you,” I greeted. “You’ve been gone too long.”

  I always missed him now. When I was on the island and he flew off, I always knew he would return; but things were different here, and there was an unsettled feeling in the pit of my stomach that one day, my friend would fly away and not return.

  A few feathers fluttered to the floor as he stretched his wings and then rushed to get a kiss. I gave him a peck and set out to collecting the cast-off feathers. Each time Evelyn found some, she grumbled and insisted on keeping the window closed. I didn’t want her to shut him out, but if she knew an enormous albatross was staying here half the time, she wouldn’t be happy.

  “Tonight’s the big night,” I confided.

  His feet slapped the stone floor happily. He almost looked as if he was dancing.

  “That’s right. We’re going to dance and have a huge feast.”

  At the word ‘feast’, Tross looked a little sad. “Nothing as good as your favorite fish snack from Cap and Gill, though.”

  Noam knocked his knuckles on the door lightly. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yes, just talking to myself. Thanks.”

  I shot Tross a conspiratorial grin and kissed his beak again. “You’ll have to stay on Cap’s ship tonight, okay? You can’t be in here.”

  As I considered his big-eyed pout, I heard Evelyn’s voice. I hurried Tross toward the window and managed to pick up two more feathers, tucking them behind my back just as she entered the room. Behind her were enough men to make a small army, each carrying two buckets of steaming water. While they filed in and poured out the water, I used the distraction to toss the feathers out the window.

>   “Let’s get you ready, Princess,” Evelyn remarked as the last man left the room.

  TREVOR

  I was looking up at Raya’s window when feathers began falling from the sky. White and black feathers. Tross’s feathers. Scanning over the sky, I found him flying toward the port. The canopy of the trees blocked my view of him a moment later.

  I’d just come from the stables, where I had an interesting conversation with Asher. Raya was there yesterday, visiting Winter, and she was alone. I wondered how she managed to give Noam the slip and grinned, wondering if he even knew she had.

  Rushing to my room, I quickly dressed and ran down to meet with my father in his study, as he’d requested. Father’s chair was facing the window when I walked in, but he turned to face me.

  “Please sit down.”

  I sat across from him and waited.

  “I need to inform you that Prince Vincent and Lady Emily have expressed their desire and approval of your union with their daughter, Mina. They say the girl is besotted with you, and asked if a proposal was in store.”

  The thought brought bile to the back of my throat. “What did you tell them?”

  “I told them you’ve made a decision regarding your future, and all would come to light at the Ball tonight.”

  I let loose a harsh laugh and scrubbed my hand down my face.

  “Trevor, if you love Raya, you have to make it clear to her tonight,” he insisted.

  “I’ve been trying to tell her all week.”

  He smiled. “The wait will be worth it. You’ll see.”

  I hated when he knew things I didn’t. But maybe he was right.

  “I’m glad you didn’t like Mina,” Father commented bluntly.

  I couldn’t help but chuckle.

  “What? She’s terrible,” he drawled. “I can’t imagine her being queen of anything. She’s not what you need. Raya, on the other hand, is exactly what you need. She loves you so much, it radiates from her. And I see the same pouring out of you. I know you’ve been miserable this past week, but I promise she’s fine. You’ll see her tonight.”

  I had been miserable, but maybe her putting distance between us was what I needed to see how dear she was to me, and see how willing I was to fight for her. For us. I was willing to wage wars for her, just to keep her safe and by my side. I would do anything for her.

  For the first time I can remember since I was a boy, Father and I sat in his study and talked. We talked about Mother and about everything that happened in Aelawyn. He told me how frightened he’d been that something would happen to me during the battle against Tierney, including the dread he felt that Stefan would find a way to cut me down while I stayed behind to take care of the kingdom.

  I told him how amazing Raya was, and how she sketched. His eyes lit up at that, and I knew he was thinking about Mother’s love of painting.

  For a few hours, we simply enjoyed each other’s company, laughing and reminiscing. It was exactly what we needed all along, but for some reason didn’t realize it. When the sun began to sink and shadows covered the window behind him, Father thrummed his fingers on the table. “We need to make more time for each another, Trevor.”

  “I agree.”

  He pursed his lips and nodded. “I’m proud of the man you’ve become.”

  “Thank you,” I admitted, emotion clogging my throat.

  “Now, we should make our way downstairs to greet our guests.” I stood to go with him and he handed me my crown before placing his own on his brow. “This is going to be a memorable night,” he announced with certainty, clapping me on the shoulder.

  The great hall was filled with people, yet more mingled in the foyer at the bottom of the staircase. Father and I made our way around the room to greet our guests, stopping for a quick word or a handshake. Aric and Marian were across the room with golden goblets in their hands, slowly dancing to the music pouring from the ballroom and pretending there was no one else in the castle but them.

  King Sivik and Queen Iliana of Roane approached. Their crowns were exact matches, silver scallops that showed a united front. Bows and curtsies were exchanged and small talk was made about the castle’s rich beauty, the history that took place within these walls, and how lovely our kingdom was in the summer. Father and I thanked them and made sure to compliment their kingdom as well. As far apart as our kingdoms were, we inhabited the same continent and peace, though fragile, was of the utmost importance.

  Father broke away to speak with Prince Enik and his wife. I did not follow, for fear I’d do or say something to the bastard. Father kept his vow and had guards watching Enik at all times, and the Prince knew it. So far, he’d been on his best behavior. I balled my fists thinking of what would happen to her when they left our borders, but all I could do was protect her while she was within them.

  I was glad Enik’s sister, Princess Tenna, had taken a groom, because it meant there was no pressure to marry into that family or align with their kingdom. Enik was next in line for the throne, unfortunately, and I had a feeling that his reign would be as harsh and unforgiving as he was. That was a bridge we would eventually have to cross, but hopefully not for many years. However, making sure he knew our values and beliefs was important. We were making it clear to him what we did and did not find acceptable.

  I made my way over to Ella and Asher. We exchanged bows and curtseys for tradition’s sake. “I can’t wait until this is over,” I told them honestly.

  “Likewise,” Asher responded, glancing around the room at all the pretention and finery. All the fake smiles and cunning grins. It was preening and positioning and this was my least favorite part about being prince. The charade.

  Prince Vincent and his wife, Emily, sauntered over. “Mina has been hoping to speak with you, Prince Trevor.”

  “I’ve been very busy greeting our guests,” I replied dutifully. “Perhaps we could speak later?”

  Vincent didn’t look pleased, and I could tell by the gleam in his eye that he wouldn’t be easily dissuaded. He waved his hand, catching Mina’s eye, and she pranced her way across the room. Her gown was stark white and enormous. If I didn’t know better, I’d say it was a wedding gown. The silk was embroidered with icicles that fell from her bust and waist, accentuating both. Her hair was arranged in a hive on top of her head with two artfully-placed ringlets bouncing at her ears. Mina was pretty, but Mina was not Raya.

  I’d scanned the room more times than I could count, looking for her, but she wasn’t here.

  Cap, Gill, and the rest of the crew of men who’d rescued us stood in a cluster across the room, tugging at the starched shirts Cap made them all wear. Their hair was dutifully slickened back, and they stood awkwardly to the side. I hated that they were so obviously uncomfortable.

  “Did you hear what I said?” Mina giggled, putting her hand on my bicep.

  I took a step back, glancing at Asher and Ella, as if they could help me. Ella laughed into her fist and Asher looked away. Luckily, just then, Father called for Prince Vincent and Emily to join his discussion.

  “I asked you to introduce me to your friends,” she gloated haughtily, tilting her head to the side. And then she proceeded to introduce herself to Ella and Asher.

  An awkward silence descended among our group, despite the din of conversation all around us. That was when I noticed Cap grinning up toward the top of the grand staircase. Carden stood there, dressed in a fine, dark ensemble. He hesitated, talking to someone out of sight. Then he jogged down the steps with his usual devil-may-care swagger.

  Cap pointed beyond him, and as I followed his finger, my heart skipped a beat. Raya stood at the top of the steps.

  “Close your mouth, Trevor,” Ella snickered from beside me. But I couldn’t. I literally could not close it.

  She wore a crown. My Raya wore a crown.

  She never saw herself as a princess; never realized her worth, even though she was worth more than all the riches Galder could boast. And she didn’t know she was queen of my heart.
But I was about to make certain she did.

  Her gown wasn’t revealing like Mina’s, and it wasn’t white and filled with a desperate longing for something she thought she wanted but would never have. No, Raya’s gown was completely her. She wore it in honor of her people and mine, and I’d never been prouder of anything or anyone in my entire life.

  Chapter thirty-six

  RAYA

  Carden, ever the sly gentleman, was waiting for me when I emerged from my room. He let out a sharp whistle. “Now, that’s the way to show him what he’s been missing!” He pushed off the wall he’d been leaning against and grinned, shaking his head. “Trevor’s in trouble.”

  “Thank you. You look handsome, too,” I answered, blushing.

  “Not as handsome as Trevor, I’ll bet,” he hinted.

  “No one’s as handsome as Trevor.”

  Letting out a sigh, he offered me his elbow. “I would absolutely love to escort you down those stairs.”

  “Not happening.”

  “Are you sure? It would be so fun to toy with him a little,” he joked.

  Instead, I let him escort me toward the landing, where I let his forearm go. “This is where you descend alone. I’ll be along in a few moments,” I instructed.

  “It’s going to be fine, you know. He’d be enraptured by you if you wore a feed sack.” Carden motioned to my gown. “This is going to make him want to tear that gown right off, and—”

  “Carden, enough!” I scolded playfully. “Go down the steps.” I couldn’t help but smile as he took his time leisurely jogging down them.

  My crown felt perfectly, neither too heavy nor too light. And it fit me as if it were made for me, too. Just like this gown. The seamstress had delivered on her promise. I asked for the impossible, but she proved me wrong. Buttoning high on my neck, the obsidian fabric seemed to swallow all the color in the room. The soft fabric was thick, but not stifling. This was a mourning dress. I wore it to honor my people and the death of my kingdom, but also to honor those who’d rescued me. At my waist, the black began to give way to the same deep purple hue that saturated the Galderian flag. The dress was a literal expression of my life and the way Trevor and his people carried me away from certain death, and gave the promise of a bright tomorrow.