The girl smiled, “it’s a secret,” she gestured to Shadaya’s hood, “as I’m sure you understand. Don’t worry your secret is safe with me.”
Shadaya’s jaw tightened, “you saw me… and you know me?”
She shrugged, “I don’t know you, but it doesn’t matter I would never tell, after what you did tonight, I owe you.”
The sincerity in her eyes gave Shadaya some relief, “you saw nothing.”
The girl beamed up at her with a youthfulness and wide-eyed wonder that you didn’t often see on Ribonians, much less servants. She couldn’t have been older than sixteen, she wore her kinky hair short, in a finger combed style and despite her youth, looked right at Shadaya.
“No, I didn’t,” she replied.
Shadaya heard a shout and running feet in the distance. The men might have alerted the guards, “you should go.”
The girl nodded, “this was fun,” she said, “let’s do it again some time. I’m Dorcy. I guess asking for yours is out of the question.”
Shadaya sheathed her sword and nodded at her extended hand.
“Don’t get into any more trouble Dorcy,” she said as she turned away. She knew the girl would probably not leave until she did, the way her golden eyes shone with excitement. Just like that Shadaya met her first fan, who also happened to know what she looked like.
✽ ✽ ✽
“Unnerving isn’t it?” Shadaya said from behind him.
The Ilk turned away from the sculpture of her family god and nodded, “unnerving isn’t the word I would use.”
Shadaya smiled sadly, “Rad has been our family god for generations.”
“And of course, we know what Dravian legend says about descendants of Rad,” he smiled at her, looking directly into her sky eyes.
She nodded, “and yes, there is that. But we both know that you do not believe in that. My family is the second pillar family in line for the throne.”
Markus arched his brow in intrigue, “I did not know that. Who is the first then?”
“The Arnell’s but they are pretty much disgraced. They were stripped of their lands many years ago.”
“So, you’re not really the second in line.”
Shadaya chuckled dryly, “I am the only heir and a woman, daughter of a traitor. I would say that puts me to the bottom of the list.”
They sat together on the table as one of Shadaya’s servants placed the tea cups and pot in place on the center of the table. She was about to pour it for them when Markus stopped her politely.
“Please let me.”
Shadaya watched the brown steaming liquid be poured into her cup, the puff of steam rising with the soothing smell of Corin bark. She lifted her gaze and found Markus’ eyes, he smiled politely as he withdrew the tea pot.
“Thank you,” she said.
“You are welcome,” he replied as he poured himself a cup.
He had insisted on pouring her tea and his own, despite knowing that she had servants available for that. She wondered if it was an Ilk thing.
“I am pleased to find that you favor Corin bark tea, not many people appreciate it’s unique flavor.”
“I do not just drink it for the flavor,” Shadaya replied, “it helps me focus.”
“Ahh I see. That is the very reason we Ilks use it. Do you know that it was the Ilks who first discovered the benefits of the bark of the Corin tree?”
“No, I did not.”
True to his word Markus did call on her and following suit she had accepted. So far, his presence here at Quadin manor was a refreshing change to her mother’s theatre colleagues.
Markus nodded, “yes, it was us. We also cultivated it and for some time, were the sole supplier of it in all Saharia.”
“I am not surprised. If it were not for the work of your people, we would not know a lot of what we do today. Dravia especially has made significant advancements because of your research.”
“Yes, it has one of the more advanced cities I have seen.”
“Have you ever seen Aldor’s?” she asked with intrigue.
Markus lifted curious eyes to her, searching her face, “yes, once. It is quite a sight. Its streets are clean and the stone work exquisite. I always wanted to see those famed light stones embedded into their main structures. But I was only there for a short while and Aldorians are very strict with outsiders.”
Shadaya shrugged, “I never really cared to see.”
Markus smirked, “your eyes betray your words,” he said.
The Ilk was right, up until a week ago she would have fully meant what she said. But since meeting Jasper and Geoff… and Stiller, she was starting to wonder about the people beyond the border.
“I know you have been cultured here to hate Aldor, but I have learned a long time ago, that internalizing the values of a kingdom without fully understanding it yourself, only benefits the kings and court, but never the people who serve them.”
“Hmm, people who talk like that often turn out to be rebels,” she said taking a sip of her tea.
Markus shrugged, “well they will have to call us something won’t they.”
“What values of your people have you rebelled against?”
Markus hesitated, he was carefully contemplating her question. She could see it all over his face, a face she had up until now, been struggling to read.
He sighed and replaced his tea cup on its plate, “If I tell you, you would not believe me. Besides, I am afraid our tea time will quickly be over.”
With narrowed eyes, Shadaya leaned forward, “try me. I am… more open minded than many know.”
“With intriguing secrets, I am sure,” he said with an arched brow.
Shadaya straightened up, was he implying that he knew something about her that she did not want him to know. Did he truly make the connection? If she remembered correctly, he had taken up residence at Arduway, word got around. Could he suspect her? Had Dorcy talked of what she had seen? She was still on edge after her hood had fallen off the other night. But somehow, she managed to calm herself and give a response that did not expose her.
They held each other’s gazes, “we all do what we must to preserve our light in this kingdom.”
Instantly Markus’ eyes flashed with something like excitement, “what light do you speak of? It is unlike your people to speak like this.”
Shadaya shrugged, “just because we live outside the border and wrestle with the darkness that surrounds us doesn’t mean we have to let it consume us.”
She placed a hand over her heart, “I believe that we all have some light inside of us, the part of us that chooses to stand up for what is right, the part of us that looks out for the advantaged. That light must be preserved or… Dravia would cave in on itself, we would have no humanity left.”
“That is interesting.”
“What is?”
“That you should come up with this by yourself. Unless… are you… a believer?”
Shadaya’s eyes widened, “no,” she replied quickly.
He did not need to explain what he meant, he was referring to the Community way.
“I have no interest in the way of the rebels. But I respect what it does for the people who need it. It was my father however, who taught me about the light, he went to great lengths to preserve what he said was the light in me.”
“Your father taught you, but you chose to believe. This is no simple feat. Was your father religious?”
She shrugged, “there are many things my father was, that I am only now discovering.”
“Well Lady Shadaya, I will say this. What you believe about yourself has not been birthed in the recesses of your mind, but I believe they are seeds of light, planted in your heart by El himself.”
Shadaya leaned her head to the side as understanding hit.
“So, you are a believer… you’re one of those rebels. That is what makes you different from your people.”
Markus did not answer, instead he reached for his cup again.
; “I have never been ashamed of what I believe in,” he said finally.
“And I do not judge you Lord Cort. What a person believes is his right. But I reject your notion of some… unseen being placing things in my head without my knowledge.”
Markus chuckled.
“I know it sounds crazy. But think about it, we live in a world divided. A world riddled with all kinds of evil, creatures, beings, magic. Heartless people who care nothing for others and people who would lay down their very lives for a stranger. How can we not consider that there is something… someone greater behind it all? Someone powerful enough to divide the darkness from the light. Since the great divide mankind has been growing colder, darker. But the light of El continues to burn in those of us who believe in and serve Him. Even until the dawn of the great war.”
By now Shadaya had stopped drinking her tea, this man unnerved her. When she had found out that Stacia and her husband were rebels, she had marked it off as a soothing balm for people in dire need of hope. But now she was sitting face to face with a man who clearly had it all, knowledge, power, a name, resources, yet he was risking it all to believe in something that in a place like Dravia could cost him all of it.
“Dravians believe that Rad and his minor gods are the ones who maintain the balance. The Demeris line are his chosen vessels here in this world.” “You have seen your gods, I am sure you have even brought them offerings. You have interacted first hand with the sons of Demeris. Do you really believe that?”
Shadaya waved away his question, “You speak of the God of Aldor as though you are claiming him as your own. But you forget, you are not of Aldor, how can you claim their God. And you are not Dravian, yet you speak against our kind.”
Markus smiled, “your questions are good, and they are questions of a seeker. El reveals himself to those who seek him, even when they do not know it is him, they seek.”
“Now you sound mad.”
“Madness Lady Shadaya, is staring freedom right in the face and rejecting it because it does not look like the bondage you know. How can you know it if you never had it before?”
“I call that caution, I call that wisdom.”
Markus smiled, “yes, I agree. You are cautious and you are wise.”
Shadaya narrowed her eyes at him, “are you saying that I have not quite rejected it?”
“Like I said you are wise.”
With that Markus pushed his chair backward and stood. Shadaya was looking up at him quizzically.
“Are you leaving?”
“This is often the part where I am asked to. I am saving you the trouble.”
Shadaya looked thoughtful, then gestured to his chair, “please stay a while. Dravia can be a lonely place for people like us.”
Markus smiled, “you mean rebels like us.”
Shadaya chuckled, “well they have to call us something.”
Chapter 17
She had to admit, she had not expected to connect with the half-blood Ilk the way she had. But it turned out that they had more in common than she could imagine. Both felt like outsiders among their own people and for him, it was because of his bloodline and his beliefs. She had always felt alone in the way that she saw the world. She did not share Markus’ exact beliefs, she still felt uncomfortable with the idea of serving the Aldorian God or serving anyone for that matter. But she did understand his struggles and his drive to sacrifice everything for what he thought was right.
By the end of their meeting they had agreed to see each other again. It also helped that Markus showed no interest in her romantically. She felt like she might be able to let her guard down in that regard, but only a little, she still had much to protect.
Over the past two days since the ball she had thought about that night at the pass. How Jasper had risked everything to come to her rescue, twice. She still had his dagger and cursed the impact his kindness had on her mind. Now she could not stop thinking about the Aldorian prince, he was slowly changing the way she saw the aloof kingdom. She had always considered Aldorians a haughty and cold people. Hiding behind their stones and borders, looking down at the rest of them shrouded in darkness. But knowing Jasper and even Stiller, she was beginning to wonder if all she had been taught about their enemies had been wrong. Maybe Markus was right, maybe she was just a slave to the ploy of her own kingdom to keep her bound without reason.
She turned Jasper’s dagger over in her hand, it was a strong blade, expertly crafted, and embellished with three precious stones on the hilt. What kind of man in possession of a blade crafted like this could so casually leave it behind? The same kind of man who would risk his life for her and willingly want to give himself up for the well-being of his friend.
It made Shadaya think about her own activities, each day she went out there with sword and baton waving, she was at risk of being killed or worse, discovered. And for what? A vendetta against the Pillars, against the crown for what they had done to her father? It seemed petty now. After the incident the other night, she could no longer take chances with her identity or her family name, as tainted as it already was. It was a blessing that Dorcy did not know who she was, but she might not be so lucky next time. Yet she could not stop, not now. Not while Reeva was still out there, alone and afraid.
She returned the dagger to the secret compartment over the fireplace where her father’s journals were stored. And went in search of Bertrand, she was due a visit with a certain mask maker.
“What the matter? Was the front door locked?” Henry said as he looked up from his table, calmly stirring his aluminum cup.
Shadaya smirked as she stepped down from his window sill and made her way toward him; her booted feet sounding heavy against the wooden flooring.
“What’s the fun in that?” she teased, taking a seat on the opposite end of the table before removing her hood.
Henry looked up at her and then returned his attention to the piece of beef he was cutting into.
“You’re not wearing the mask?”
She shook her head, “I was just coming to see you. It wasn’t necessary to put myself through that.”
“It’s a channeler, you would be able to summon the magic that is within you. That I know you are capable of creating.”
Shadaya nodded, “that’s what I’m here about.”
Henry perked up, “you’ve changed your mind… about quitting?”
She shrugged, “Let’s just say I’ve changed my perspective. I don’t want to be a thief and a menace Henry. I want to honor my father right. I want to help the needy, instead of tormenting the rich and powerful.”
“You were helping the needy, by taking from the rich and giving it to them.”
“That’s not the same. My intentions were not pure.”
Henry looked thoughtful, “what is motivating this change of heart?”
“I don’t know Henry. I just…” she sighed, “do you ever wonder what it must be like beyond the border?”
Henry arched a brow, “you mean in Aldor?”
She shrugged, “They must be such kind people, warm and good. Imagine children and women can be safe there. Not used as pawns or sacrifices. Their nobles must be of such great character. Not like ours, greedy and cruel…”
“Shadaya,” Henry looked upset, “that’s enough of that.”
“But…”
He waved a hand at her, “You are Dravian, get those foolish thoughts out of your mind. Do you think for a moment those Aldorians would accept someone like you? A descendent of Rad, a Pillar name, a wielder of magic. They despise people like us Shadaya. They think we are the scum of Saharia. Who filled your mind with such foolishness?”
Shadaya looked away, shaking her head, “I’m sorry, you’re right. I can’t imagine how I must sound.”
She thought of Jasper, she could imagine those kind rain cloud eyes, looking upon her with disgust and hate once he found out who she really was, what she was capable of.
She shook her head and with it, any hope of one day going beyo
nd the border.
Henry visibly relaxed, “focus on doing good for your own people. That’s what we do here.”
She nodded, “you’re right.”
There was silence for a moment between them, while Henry finished his meal. Until Shadaya summoned the courage to speak up again.
“So, about that mask? You said I could use it as my own channeler?”
Henry looked up, his face an unreadable mask again, “yes, you could wield magic yourself, bend it to your will… like I do.”
He stretched his hand forward and squeezed it into a fist and a metal cup on the table beside Shadaya crumpled before her eyes.
“Wouldn’t you like to have such power?”
Shadaya swallowed hard, “I think I already do.”
Henry turned his full attention to her now, his expression cautious, “what do you mean Shadaya?”
She sighed, “the other night I was wearing the mask and well… I think I think I created a power ball…”
“You mean an energy ball.”
She shrugged, “I like power ball better.”
Henry smiled, “and what happened?”
“Then it died out before I could do anything with it. The first time I managed to grab hold of it as you said I could… it felt like… like it imploded in me. Almost wiped me out, could’ve cost me my life.”
Henry’s eyes were bright with excitement, “that only means that you are stronger than I thought. Maybe if I adjust your mask some more it can handle what you are truly capable of.”
“I didn’t believe you before Henry… but I think you’re right. I do have the power in me.”
Henry was beaming with pride, “you do, you only need to learn to properly harness it.”
Shadaya took a deep breath, “show me.”
✽ ✽ ✽
2 Days before the king’s death
Drayton was waiting patiently in the glass room. It was Shadaya’s mother’s favorite room for seeing guests, which she had designed herself. With its large floor to ceiling length windows on one side and large wooden framed mirrors on the wall facing them, it brought a consistent flood of natural light into the room, that would jolt anyone awake upon entry. Throughout the room, glass ornaments were strategically placed to bring an elegant air to the space. Drayton stood amidst it, away from the glass table Eunice had set up for them, as though he was afraid to accidentally break something.
Shadaya: Out of Darkness (Gemstone Royals) Page 17