by J. E. Taylor
The crowd swarmed closer, and the king glanced at Zach with a wary eye.
“I gave you his memories. Are you still so blinded by your faith in your eldest son not to believe what I allowed to be shared?” I asked.
The king looked at me and then out into the crowd. “After Zacharia left, the killings stopped,” he said, still denying the truth I’d shared with him.
I gritted my teeth and squeezed Zach’s hand tighter. The lightning surrounding us flared with my agitation. “In all the years since he left, had there ever been rumors of the same mutilations occurring wherever he had been seen?”
His father’s gaze slowly lifted to mine, and the color bled from his cheeks. He slowly shook his head.
“As a matter of fact, all the rumors that made their way back to you proved the exact opposite. Didn’t they?” I couldn’t help the contempt in my voice.
His gaze dropped to the ground.
Before he could answer, the squire ran onto the platform with a large frame in his hand and turned it towards the king. There in a full-color painting was a woman who could have been my twin holding a swaddled infant as a stately man stood behind them with his hand on her shoulder.
I stared at my likeness, and a cold shiver gripped me. These were my parents. I glanced at Zach who unthreaded his fingers from mine and wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me close.
His father turned back to us and cleared his throat. His hands wrestled together in a nervous manner, and he looked out over the people of his kingdom. He cleared his throat. “It seems I have made a grave mistake,” he started and glanced down at Zach. “It seems that I have blamed the wrong son for the horrors that befell our land, and that my youngest son was not the monster I painted him out to be.” He rubbed his face. “It seems he may have saved the kingdom from a darkness far greater than I could ever perceive, and I hope someday he will find it in his heart to forgive me.”
Zach pulled me tighter to his side and planted a kiss on my forehead.
“Oh, and it seems that Princess Danae of Antaries did not pass in that fire after all.” He waved towards me. “I give you the last light bringer.”
We turned towards the crowd, and the murmurs fell silent. Slowly the entire population dropped to their knee, bowing.
I glanced at Zach and back at his father, who had adopted the same pose. The king was bowing to me. I blinked.
Zach chuckled. “Welcome to the real world, Princess Danae.”
Chapter 10
The king sat at the feast table, and Zach and I took the seats opposite him. A bounty of food graced the table top, but I wasn’t hungry. I had more pressing issues now that it seemed we were accepted into the fold.
“Your Highness, I need to try to save the enchantress.” I picked at the food Zach put in front of me. “I cannot let her languish in that tower.”
“But you would have her waste away in a dungeon?” he asked around a chicken leg.
I sighed and glanced at Zach.
“We can’t just let her go. She murdered your parents, and hid you away for twenty years,” he said.
“I do not want her blood on my hands.”
“What would you have us do with such a criminal?” the king asked.
I leaned back in the chair and shrugged. “I don’t know. What she did was horrible and unforgiving. But she did not treat me harshly. She taught me to read, to cook, to sing. She made me laugh and feel safe whenever she was present. It wasn’t a bad life, just limited. And yes, I realize she used me for her own gain, but...” I shook my head. “I suppose if I remembered anything about my parents, I might feel very differently.”
They both ate in silence, weighing my words.
“You need to eat,” Zach said, pointing to the plate in front of me.
“I need to keep my word,” I said. “I told her I would try to find a way, and sitting here eating this feast while she starves to death is not... palatable to me.” I pushed the chair back and walked out of the room. Frustration itched at my skin. I stepped outside on the balcony, breathing in the cool air.
Zach’s hands landed on my shoulders. “Are you sure about this?” he asked. “She is a powerful enchantress, and while you and I are now immune from her spells, none of these people are.” He waved his hand over the town below. “People could get hurt.” He wrapped his arms around me and held me to his chest. “She is dangerous, Danae.”
“So, we let her die in the tower? That doesn’t feel right.”
He sighed in my ear. “No, it doesn’t. But neither does unleashing her wrath on our kingdom.”
“Perhaps we can save more than just her physical being,” I said. “Maybe the simple act of trying to save her after all she put us through would break through her evil core.”
“You are an optimist, Princess.” He kissed my temple. “I will gather some men and head out in the morning.”
“I’m coming with you.” I turned in his arms.
He shook his head.
“I am the light.”
He rolled his eyes. “Yes, you are. And I would prefer...”
“To keep me safe? To keep me locked up in this castle?” I challenged him, raising my eyebrow to punctuate my words. “I don’t think so.”
His lips thinned, and his brow furrowed. “Damn it, Danae,” he muttered. “That’s not fair. I’m in love with you, so yes, I want to keep you safe from harm. I don’t want to keep you locked up just for myself.” He cocked his head. “Well, maybe I do, but not for the reasons that witch did.” He smiled at me, and the warmth radiating from him seeped into my skin, heating my soul.
“But you can’t keep me buffered from the world. I need to experience it, and I want to be by your side while I do. We are more powerful together than we are apart.”
He sighed and glanced out over the kingdom. “Fine. You can ride with us.”
I hugged him tight and then peeled away from his arms. My stomach growled. It was time to eat in preparation for our journey in the morning. Back inside, Zach held my chair for me and pushed it to the table when I sat.
“She is going with us tomorrow,” Zach said and took the seat next to me.
His father wiped his mouth and leaned back in his chair, studying me. “Light bringer, you are truly an enigma.”
I smiled.
“You remind me of your mother,” he said. “She was full of spirit, and there was no other heart so full of love for her people than Queen Evelyn.”
“And what of my father?”
“King James was a fine man. He did not need to rule with a heavy hand. His people would have laid down their lives for him like that.” He snapped his fingers. “As much as I’d like to think I am a fitting king, I could never measure up to him as either a ruler or a father.” Red bloomed in his cheeks. “I obviously lack the skills to ferret out where a problem truly lies.” He waved towards Zach, and his gaze dropped to the table.
“I forgive you,” Zach said.
His father rose from his seat. “But I don’t forgive myself. I have a lot of making up to do.” He traded glances with Zach and gave a nod before he left us alone in the dining hall.
“Thank you,” Zach said after his father left the room.
“Huh?” I mumbled around a bite of warm chicken pie.
“For making him see the truth,” he said, still looking at the empty doorway.
“Considering you somehow saved my life and I almost took yours in the process, I think we are even.” I dabbed the corners of my mouth with a cloth.
He caressed my cheek with the back of his knuckles.
“You’re really in love with me?” I cocked one eyebrow at him.
“I have been since the moment I first kissed you.”
I smiled and focused on my food. I had yet to declare my feelings. Being near him was like being forever bathed in sunlight. Warmth flooded every cell, making my skin tingle. When I thought I’d lost him, my heart felt like it exploded in my chest and all that was left was an empty husk. W
hen he touched me, my soul burned for him.
He shifted in the seat next to me. “You don’t feel the same?” he asked, his voice timid and almost shy.
I put down my food and turned towards him. “Words aren’t enough to describe how I feel.” I took his hands in mine and opened the gates to the sensations he brought forth inside me. I let him see what was in my soul. The slow smile that spread on his lips made my heart skip a beat.
I pulled my hands away from his. I had not had my fill of food yet and focused on quieting the beast growling in my abdomen.
When I finally finished, Zach led me to my bedchambers. He opened the door on a room that rivaled the size of my tower and a bed that was double what I’d had for the last twenty years. “You can stay here tonight. I’ll send a servant to wake you in the morning.”
I turned. “Can you drum up some clean clothing?” I asked, waving at my soiled and torn dress. “This dress has seen better days and I would appreciate something clean to wear that didn’t have my dried blood on it.”
He glanced at my dress and then down at his equally soiled clothing. Neither one of us had had a chance to change from our trials out by the hanging posts.
“I’ll make sure you have clean clothes for the ride.” He turned to leave.
“You’re not staying?”
He paused in the doorway and glanced over his shoulder at me. “Your virtue would be in danger if I slept in the same room with you.” He closed the door on any further conversation.
I sighed, peeled off the bloody dress, and crawled under the crisp sheets, shifting until I found a comfortable position. Exhaustion weighed my muscles and my eyes closed. Sleep dragged me away to a land of laughter and love.
Chapter 11
The knock on my door startled me from sleep. I sat up, disoriented in the darkened room. The door creaked open, and a spry little girl came inside, carrying clothing for me.
“The prince asked me to bring you some proper riding attire,” she said and put them on the chair by the dressing table. “He said to be ready within the hour.” She bowed and left the room.
I climbed out of bed, found the chamber pot, and did my business before dressing in the leather riding pants and button-down shirt. I pulled the straps over my shoulders, tucking in the tail of the shirt. Thick socks and boots that came to my knees were next. I crossed to the curtains and threw them open to a still dark sky. The sun hadn’t even come up.
I grabbed the riding coat and put it on as I headed out of the room. The girl that delivered my clothes waited to escort me to the dining hall. I stepped inside, looking identical to everyone in the room.
Zach looked up from his seat and smiled, then stood and crossed to me. “You even look lovely in a guard’s uniform.”
“I was thinking you would find me a proper riding dress,” I whispered and looked around him at the twenty men stuffing their faces with sweetbreads.
“I have asked that the staff find you some proper dresses for when we get back,” he said. “But I think you’ll find you are warmer and end up with less saddle sores with this than with a dress.” He reached back and patted my butt. “Now go grab some food. There’s no telling when we will have another decent meal.”
I did as he asked, and he followed me into the heart of the room. No one paid me any notice, but Zach stayed close. When I looked across the table, the man on the other side was staring at me through a black eye. His jaw hung open.
He was one of the thugs who had grabbed me in the clearing when Zach and I were ambushed. Fear bloomed, creating a hot flush through my form. I reached back and yanked on Zach’s arm.
He turned, and I pointed a shaky finger at the man.
“I’m aware,” Zach said. “They missed yesterday’s festivities, but my father has brought them up to speed. And we have already had a little chat.” He rubbed his knuckles. “Haven’t we, Timothy.”
His mouth popped closed and his gaze dropped to the table. “Please accept my apology, my lady,” he muttered and got up from the table, leaving Zach and I staring after him.
I turned back to Zach. “Can you trust these men?” I whispered.
“They are loyal to the king,” he said and nodded. “To a fault, as we found out.”
“Yes, but are they loyal to you?”
“Now they are, considering I am the rightful heir to the throne.”
“What did your father tell them,” I asked, scanning the room.
“That we are going after the enchantress that killed your parents and she should be brought back alive to stand trial for her misdeeds.” He glanced at me. “When we get there, I will be the one that goes up the ladder to retrieve her.”
I bit my lip.
“No. Don’t even ask,” he said, reading into whatever facial expression I had been conveying. “You are not going up there. Period. And I’m not having any one of these men go either. She could cast one of her spells.”
I studied my hands and nodded. While I didn’t like the idea of him risking his life, at least I knew she could do him no harm.
When we got outside, the horses were lined up, and Zach took me to Midnight. “You’re taking my girl, so you behave. We have a good day’s ride ahead of us before we get to the tower,” he said to the horse.
Midnight whinnied like he understood, and Zach helped me into the saddle, handing me the reins before he mounted the grey speckled stallion in front of us.
We cantered out of the kingdom with Zach leading the way. As soon as we hit the open fields, he sped to a gallop. I held on to the reins as well as the edge of the saddle until I got the cadence of movement so every hoof beat didn’t result in a jarring of my spine. Once I got the motion, the gallop exhilarated me.
Midnight moved alongside Zach and he smiled over at me. Both of them had been the only creatures to successfully find the tower on multiple occasions, and while I was sure Zach knew the way, I was skeptical of Midnight as he pulled into the lead. Zach coaxed his horse parallel to us.
“Let me lead,” he said. “Otherwise you’ll make these other horses drop.”
Midnight slowed a fraction, letting Zach take the lead.
“I swear this horse understands you,” I said.
Zach just grinned and shrugged. “He does,” he said and slowed as we approached the woods.
Midnight relinquished control and let Zach take the lead as we rode single file on the slim path.
We stopped at a stream to let the horses rest and drink. Zach pulled out a couple of wrapped sweetbreads and handed them to me before dipping in his bag for more. The rest of the crew were doing the same.
It didn’t take long before Zach gave the order to remount the horses. By the time we crested the last hill, twilight had descended. In the distance, I thought I could make out a shape, but my eyes deceived me, showing me nothing. Zach halted, and Midnight did the same next to him. The crew followed suit.
He squinted at the dark valley below. “We should make camp here and finish the journey in the morning.”
I scanned the horizon again and saw nothing but mountains. No tall tower. No beacon of light shining high above the trees. Nothing. Unease filled me, and I shifted, torn between getting off this horse for a few hours and bolting ahead and letting Midnight lead the way. My sore bottom made the call, though, and I slid off the saddle, right into Zach’s waiting arms.
The rest of the soldiers tied the horses up. They cleared off the grass and set up a rock perimeter where those who had disappeared into the woods came back and dumped wood into the center. Before long, they had a roaring fire and their bed mats laid out around the warmth.
I stood, scanning the valley.
“Can you see anything?” Zach asked from behind me.
“No.” I shook my head, but something pulled at my center. It was like I knew we were close enough to see the structure, but my eyes just wouldn’t quite make it out.
He stepped to my side and met my gaze, his brow creased. “I swear this is the valley.”
I scanned the landscape. “I believe the tower is here. I can feel the familiar vibrations of it, but I just can’t see it.”
He took my hand in his. “Let’s get some sleep. Maybe the daylight will illuminate the lost tower.”
He led me back to the campfire, laid out a mat, and waved at it. “For you.”
“What about you?”
Silence fell over the group as all eyes locked on us.
“I’m used to the dirt,” he said and took a seat near me.
Talk picked up again, and Zach undid his saddle bag and handed me another wrapped morsel to eat along with his canteen. He tossed logs into the fire throughout the night as the crew slept.
I couldn’t sleep. I just stared at the fire, gaining comfort from its warmth as well as having Zach nearby. He finally scooted even closer, and I laid my head on his thigh as he leaned on the saddlebag for support. His soft snore made me turn my head. Zach’s chin rested on his chest and his arms crossed over his stomach. He looked just as angelic asleep as he did when he was staring into my eyes.
I smiled and turned my attention back on the dying fire. I tossed the nearest log onto the embers, and flames licked hungrily at the wood. One of the close soldiers stirred and glanced over at me.
“I can keep watch for the rest of the night,” he said with a voice filled with sleep.
I smiled and gave him a nod of thanks.
“Zach,” I whispered, and his eyes popped open. “Why don’t you lie down with me to keep warm.”
He received a nod from the soldier who offered to take watch, and then he stretched out behind me, wrapping me in his arms. “Night, princess,” he whispered and then he started snoring again.
I tried to suppress a grin and met the now awake soldier’s gaze. He gave me a smile and focused back on the fire. He hadn’t been among the ones in the clearing. He had been in the courtyard when Zach and I nearly died. He’d witnessed the miracle we created with our powers, and that was the only reason I closed my eyes and allowed myself to drift off to sleep in Zach’s arms.