With a smirk, he relaxed in his saddle. “I’m afraid I am a lazy king. If Kierelia does not thrive and the land becomes obtainable, I will be forced to enter into war with another nation over it. I simply prefer not to go to war.” With a shrug, he added, “I know. I am a discredit to my dynasty.”
She worked to with-hold the smirk that so desired to creep onto her face. “Crowned King Fredrick of Bashtii, I earnestly invite you to witness the coronation of your allied king this day.”
He shook his head. “I have brought my men all this way and will remain here to perform my duty alongside them until the ceremony is complete.”
Her eyes drifted to the soldiers’ faces behind him as they dutifully sat upon their steeds, bringing utmost honor to their leader. “I do not believe a word of your laziness,” she said. “I have a feeling in the short time you’ve been king, you have proved a judicious one.”
16
To Hazel’s right and left sat the crowned kings of Kierelia and Bashtii. This was a moment she’d never thought to dream of let alone desire. As it was, she found she did not like it. It drew the eyes of the room to her, making it difficult to enjoy the feast at her ease. Even so, she took pride in the moment. Her king was now officially the crowned and rightful king of Kierelia, and the leader of their greatest allied kingdom was in attendance.
The rest of the nobility consisted only of the friar turned royal priest, a few lords who’d been discovered to have survived the attacks on their lands as well as a handful of former peasants who, through the loss of kin, had inherited wealth, land and titles. Lastly, there were Stacia and Rebecca. Hazel wasn’t certain where Dianna was.
“King Fredrick,” Stacia began, “I heard a tale about a ‘golden king’ who rules a kingdom across the Bashtiian sea. Could that by any chance be you?”
Hazel glanced at the king beside her, easily reconciling why Stacia believed he may be. Not only had he arrived in a golden suit of armor, but his hair, eyes and skin were various hues of gold as well.
To the surprise of both ladies, he nearly blushed. “I am afraid it is.”
“But that must bode well of your people’s adoration,” Stacia said. “It is said the golden king is considered a godsend.”
He shook his head. “It is clear the people and I are on good terms, but I have only been in rule but a year.” Then, he shook his head and leaned in with. “Now, you must point out this Lady Fortune we’ve been hearing so much about.”
Stacia raised an amused brow. “I am afraid, King Fredrick, you’ve been sitting beside her the last three courses.”
His brows rose. “You mean to tell me that you are she? I had not realized! Why, it is a great honor to have made your acquaintance.”
Stacia chuckled. “Nay, you dear man. It is Lady Hazel.”
Slowly, he turned to Hazel with new eyes. “We have been hearing stories of the Lady Fortune and her king and how they conquered all… I had not dreamed you were her.”
“How flattering,” Hazel said with a curt nod.
Not catching her drift, he continued, “As I said before, you have the admiration of Bashtii. You, Lady Fortune, are a hero to our young women... to all, really.”
She blushed, once again grateful for her bronze complexion. To think her name, or her nickname, was known to people of a kingdom she'd never even been to. “I’m sure my part in the story must have been exaggerated,” she said. “I am no hero.”
“Did you not help King Armond orchestrate the restoration in but a year?”
“Well, yes, but there are still homes to be built, particularly in the newly acquired southern region.”
“That is another item of interest. It is said the tribes were assimilated because of, well, their love of the honorable Lady Fortune, whom they consider to be as close as kin.”
Hazel blinked as she realized he was actually looking at her as if he admired her as his people did. His marveling eyes on her were nearly unsettling. “Well… that is because we are kin. A portion of their blood runs within mine.”
He raised his brows. “You possess the wild, tenacious blood of the tribes? No wonder you've got cheek.”
“She is bold because she is Kierelian,” Armond said with an irritation Hazel found difficult to comprehend. He looked to her with bright eyes. “And because she is Hazel, a most capable and brilliant lady.”
“Couldn't agree more.” Fredrick raised his glass. “To Lady Fortune, who raised her kingdom from embers.”
Armond raised his glass as well. “And who has been my closest and most trusted confidant these last six seasons. May we be worthy of her.”
“Here, here,” Fredrick added.
They drank then, eyeing one another over her head. Hazel glanced between them. There was something entirely male happening in the subtext of the exchange that she could not quite grasp. It was unhappily clear to her that they did not much care for one another, which was a pity if they wished to remain close allies.
“So, Lady Hazel,” Fredrick said. “What are your plans now the work is finished? A woman so capable as yourself must have impressive ambitions.”
“I have never been ambitious,” she replied easily. “And the work here isn't close to complete.” She caught herself and turned to Armond. “That is, I feel certain the king has arrangements to continue piecing our kingdom back together. We're working our way out of a deceased economy, there are inquiries on whether taxes ought to be collected any time soon… and much more. We must see the kingdom flourishes swiftly in both trade and population.”
With raised brows, Fredrick looked to Armond. “You must greatly appreciate possessing such an asset, King Armond. Having been crowned but a year ago, I easily confess I wish my kingdom boasted a Lady Fortune. It has been a difficult journey finding those whom one may trust.”
“I am certain she is appreciated by all, but by none more so than myself,” Armond returned. “She is a boon… and a charming one at that.”
Hazel passed him a bewildered glance. “I may be called many things, but I think none would necessarily call me charming.”
“And that,” Fredrick said, “is a charming response.”
Hazel very nearly rolled her eyes. It was time for a change of subject. “So, King Fredrick, I have heard Bashtii experiences fine weather this time of year.”
Light entered his eyes as he described his kingdom. It was clear he loved his as she did hers. But as the evening progressed, she worried Armond would grow irritable from being ignored. But contrary to her last meeting with Fredrick, he was interested only in conversing with her—Lady Fortune.
“Where is Dorian, I wonder?” Armond said suddenly.
Hazel tore herself from Fredrick to search the room. “Gunther,” she called to where he stood guard. “I don’t suppose you know anything of Dorian’s whereabouts?
“That’s something I meant to discuss with you after the festivities. I’m afraid he is in the dungeon.”
Her brows furrowed. “Whatever for? Surely, you did not require him to return to his cell after all he has done to aid us?”
Gunther shook his head. “He is of another mind. He had himself re-imprisoned just after the coronation.”
“What on Kaern is going on in that man’s head?” she cried. “And who saw fit to yield to his appeal?”
“It was me, my lady, “Gunther admitted, “but only after I could withstand his relentless petitions no more. By the end of his speech… I’m afraid he had me convinced he was correct.”
“And you did not think it your duty to seek my opinion?” Armond asked from beside her.
Hazel turned to discover unexpected annoyance on his face. For the first time, he was responding like a king without her urging.
Gunther bowed. “He was insistent it be done with haste and I did not wish to disturb your celebration. However, I had every intention of relaying the situation to both of you later tonight.”
Hazel’s hands tightened into fists at her sides. “I’m going to see him, t
he fool.”
“You’ll have to excuse us, King Fredrick,” Armond called, placing a hand on Hazel’s back as if to escort her.
She nearly froze as she realized that the passive rivalry between them might just be over her. Irritated over Armond’s juvenile conduct, she shrugged his hand away and marched from the room.
As she made her way through the new castle’s passages, she was filled with unexpected sorrow that it no longer shifted each day, as the old one had. Even so, she had to admit it was handy to know precisely where one was going. She had just reached the bottom of the dungeon stairwell when a sudden warm gust swept her off her feet.
“Tell him,” an adamant voice whispered.
“What?” she called from the floor, hoping Armond had spoken from behind her.
“Are you all right?” he asked, rushing down the stairs to where she lay.
“Who’s there?” she shouted as she was aided to her feet.
A deep laugh echoed through the corridor, bouncing off walls, echoing over and again through her mind. “Tell him… of my benevolence.”
“We will have to put some kind of handrail on these stairs,” Armond muttered unhappily as he surveyed her.
The laugh continued to echo through her mind. It was a knowing sound. Somehow, it both discomfited and delighted her.
“Who was that?” she asked.
“What do you mean…? Did someone push you?”
She shook her head. “There was a gust from below and... a voice.”
Armond took hold of her shoulders, examining her face. “What is your name?”
“…Hazel?”
“Do you know where you are?”
“I'm standing in the Castlehaven Keep with a king who thinks I’m batty.”
He released her. “You’re well enough. But you ought to be seen by the physician.”
“I didn’t fall, Armond. I… floated.”
He raised a dubious brow.
She shook her head. “Let’s just find Dorian.”
Her mind raced over what had transpired, who the voice could possibly have been. In the end, it came down to but one possibility. Could it have been the voice of the Great Entity, the god of their land and the spirit of the mirror room? Had he deigned to speak to her? But what might his meaning have been?
Tell him of my benevolence. Could it… have been meant for Dorian? But why should she have been selected as the Entity’s mouthpiece unless she was correct about one thing: She had encountered him in The Mirror. She might even have… met him.
“Give me your keys, please,” she demanded of the prison guardsman.
“I… can’t do that…? Oh.” His eyes fell to the king behind her. He handed her the ring.
“Where is he?” she asked.
“Who, my lady?”
“Dorian,” Armond supplied.
“Oh, he’s at the end. Said he wanted his old one.”
Hazel rolled her eyes, hiked up her skirts and marched.
“What in the world are you thinking, you foolish boy?” she demanded as she reached his cell.
He twirled to face her. “Now, Hazel, I knew you wouldn’t understand. It’s why I did it while—”
She punched the key into the lock.
“Hazel, really, I have my reasons.”
She turned the key and threw open the door. “And they are?”
His shoulders fell. “I’m a traitor and a killer. I understand you think the last year earned me my freedom, but I only did it for your sake.”
“And for the kingdom,” she said defiantly. “I saw you fall in love with it, watching it work together to build itself back up.”
“Precisely why I will fulfill my sentence.”
“A lifetime in prison, never seeing the sky over Kierelia again?”
“I deserve no less… I helped steal half the coffers and killed a royal guard. I-I met his wife—a lovely woman. She told me she forgave me. But if she, of all people, won’t hold me accountable, someone has to. I have to. Now, close the door… please.”
Hazel was breathing hard. She was angry. It was true she was not so desperate for his friendship as in past, but she wanted it just the same. And she wanted what was best for him. With the folding of her arms, she walked away, the door left wide.
“Hazel!” he shouted.
She stopped, remembering what the voice in the breeze had said. “The Great Entity grants his pardon.”
Silence. Then, “How would you ever know that?”
She turned around. “It is difficult to explain, but I think I know him. He told me he forgives you. He, the god of all the land, grants you emancipation from your wrongdoings.” She walked into the cell and took his hand. “Please, come out of here with me.”
“I don’t understand why a god should be concerned with me...”
“Neither do I,” she admitted. “But he is… enough to knock me flat on my back. I think he must be something of a conundrum… and a god of pronounced benevolence.” She was uncertain why she felt so free to speak this way about an entity she did not rightly know. But the words were planted in her heart and from her mouth they flew.
“As is your king,” Armond said, stepping forward. He drew his sword and for a moment Hazel panicked. Then, he laid it upon Dorian’s shoulder. “I dub you Sir Dorian, knight of my guard and a member of my personal watch. During our most difficult time, you proved yourself worthy of my esteem, even inspiring me to step up a time or two. There are few in this world I have left to trust. You are one of them.”
Dorian fell back a step, appearing as if he might weep. He turned to Hazel, his face searching hers. “Does… the Great Entity know all?”
She raised a brow. It was a peculiar question, but she nodded. “Of course he does.” Or so she assumed.
Shaking his head, he released a charged chuckle, then let them escort him away.
Taking his arm as they walked down the hall, Hazel said, “Run to your room and see yourself into something more presentable. I want a turn with you when the dancing begins.”
“You do realize I haven’t a clue how to dance.”
“Neither have half the people up there. Trust me, it’ll be fun.”
When they parted ways, she turned to Armond. “Thank you.”
“Of course. He deserved it. He isn’t the same man who went into the dungeons to begin with.”
“I know. Sometimes, I feel I scarcely know him… until he does something stupid like this. That is very him. But what can I say? I love him.”
Armond jerked away from her and proceeded to march out the nearest door into the garden. Incredulously, she followed after.
“Armond?”
“You’re in love with him? I thought you were merely friends?”
She couldn’t help laughing. “I’m not in love with him. He is more like a brother than anything—a very rascally little brother, even if he is a few years older.”
The cloud over his head appeared to disperse as a small smile stole its way in.
“Well, I don’t see what you have to be so pleased about,” she said dubiously. “It isn’t as if I’d have abandoned you to run away with him. Moreover, don’t go about thinking you have some sort of ownership of me.”
“W-what do you mean?”
“Don’t think I didn’t notice the way you acted around King Fredrick, as if him speaking to me was somehow treading on your toes. I cannot begin to fathom what got into you.”
“I’m in love with you.”
Hazel stepped back. In love with her? But then… she paused. “Why?”
“Why?”
“What makes you think you’re in love with me?”
“How could I not love you? You’ve been remarkable. I always knew you were special, that you had a dignity about you. But until… everything, I had no idea who you were.”
She glanced at their surroundings as he spoke, shaking her head as she realized they were in the very garden in which she had confessed her own feelings. The pain of that
day returned. She had poured her soul out to him. And he had dealt his rejection in the most mortifying terms. It still made her face burn to think of it. “Well, I’m very disappointed in you, Armond,” she bit back. “I had no idea you were ‘just like all the other boys…’” She turned from him, ready for escape.
“Wait,” he implored, stealing her wrist. “Please don’t hold that stupid day against me. I was blind and childish and… Marry me, Hazel. Be queen of Kierelia. I can’t imagine doing this without you.”
So, that was it. “Of course you can’t imagine doing it without me! And of course you suddenly want to marry me. You’re terrified of doing this on your own because you know we’d never be here without me. And you’re so right. But you’re not in love with me. And whether or not we marry—we won’t, by the way—I’ll be here to help you in any way I can.”
Armond swallowed, folded his arms and cast his gaze to the floor. He looked pitifully exposed. “You don’t know that…”
She took a step toward him and gently patted his hand. “Neither do you.”
Feeling more burdened than she liked to admit to herself, she returned to the coronation celebration. But it was to her dismay that she heard him call after her. It couldn’t be that he hadn’t given up, could it? Well, she could not face him again. Not tonight and not when she was not even completely aware of her own heart.
Seeing Fredrick, she took hold of him like a lifeline. “Do you care to dance, King Fredrick?”
Flinching, his gaze fell to her hand on his. “I forgot my gloves.”
Armond had nearly arrived.
“Come, Fredrick, you do not require gloves to dance.”
He wrenched his hand away. “I don’t dance.”
She peered up at him. “The golden king of Bashtii does not know how to dance?” she asked lightly. But suddenly, she caught the consternation on his face. It brought to mind the first time they’d met. He’d been insulted by all the eager guardians attempting to cast their daughters upon him. She’d thought everything that had happened that night had been part of their misunderstanding. Apparently, that was not the case.
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