by J. M. Kearl
“Do you have permission?” the woman asked, folding her arms.
“Yes, I’m the niece of our King and Queen. I’m Legacy Dendar Exavior.”
The woman nodded and stepped to the side. “Welcome.”
The red-headed guard gestured to a shiny black square in the archway. “I presume you know how to use the portal?”
“I do, thank you.” I slipped a dagger from my boot, anxiety welling in my chest. I pressed my thumb against the tip until a bead of blood appeared. I didn’t know if the magic binding access to the portal would accept Legacy’s blood or if it would know it was truly mine. Only those with royal blood or those with permission could pass through.
When I smeared the scarlet on the onyx square, the portal activated with a swirling blurry motion. I loosed a relieved breath. When the blurring cleared, it revealed a room that looked very much like this one on the other side. I took a deep breath and we stepped through.
Chapter 3
With but two steps we traveled hundreds of miles and stood in Hesstia. It only took a moment for the portal to close and when it did, two men, Hesstian guards stood with spears crossed, blocking our path. Both had short coffee-colored hair and light brown skin. Their blue capes and white and gold uniforms pristine. “What brings you to Hesstia?”
With a smile, I said, “Personal business. Don’t worry we won’t be too long.”
The one on the right, a little shorter than the other said, “I’m going to need a little more information.”
I cleared my throat. “I don’t think so,” I said, striding forward. “My blood granted me access to the portal, therefore you have no authority to ask more of me. You already know we have permission to be here or we wouldn’t have been able to cross over.”
Both guards stood silent as if unsure that was true. “Very well,” one finally said. They parted and let us pass without another word.
Taz grinned at me, impressed but neither of us would risk talking until we got outside. We hurried through their library, not taking time to look at the details.
“I like this side of you, Vis.” He stuck out his chest. “Very commanding.”
“I’ve learned over the years if I don’t then people question me. Act like you’re in charge and people fall in line. It’s that way with anyone. Take notes, Taz.”
“Sure thing, oh great one.”
“Oh hush up with the ridiculous names.”
“Admit it, you think I’m funny.”
We stepped out of the front doors, and a heat wave rocked me. With the cooler, even if warm temperature back home, I hadn’t expected it. “You are right. You are funny sometimes. I can’t remember how many times I laughed when you tried to impress a girl.”
Taz’s mouth dropped but he recovered quickly. “Vis, the ladies love me. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I don’t know about ladies, maybe lady. Somehow you got Freya to fall for you.”
Taz tossed his head back and laughed.
The library sat on a small hill making it easy to overlook the city of Kezington. It resembled my own in size and building structure but it lacked the magical charm. Though some now practiced magic here it wasn’t the same. No merfolk, no magical creatures, and I would stick out with my lighter hair. Most here had varying shades of brown or black. I reached for my hair and pulled a lock in front of me. Honey blonde, I was back to me now. I turned my hands over and knew those were mine also.
Looking at me, Taz said, “Oh, good, you’re—you now. It was unsettling me a little to keep seeing you as Legacy.” We walked down the path from the library that led to the main street below. “Also, apparently Legacy has been keeping secrets from us. Taron?”
“Maybe she thought we’d judge her because of what happened to Aric.”
Taz nodded slowly. “I don’t think I could ever be with someone who became one of those things. Nothing personal against Aric.”
My stomach twisted. I’d had the same reaction when I found out what Kyan was. Aric has secrecy and his title as a prince of Collweya on his side. But if more people knew I don’t think even that would help him.
Once we stepped onto the main street the castle came into view. “It’s only a few miles from here,” I said, pointing.
Taz stared at it for a few long moments. “I’ve never been to Hesstia. The castle is impressive but not as much as ours.” He turned to me with a half smile.
The Delhoon castle was a single white spiral that rose toward the clouds with balconies at each level. With a thousand rooms that housed students, it acted as an academy as well as the home of the Queen and King.
The Hesstian castle, if I remembered correctly, had six hundred rooms, though most of them sat empty. The gray stone rose in several turrets, and archways made it unique. The length of the castle ran nearly a mile and half that wide.
“Of course I’m partial to ours as well.” I’d forgotten Taz had never been here. I’d been inside the main halls of the castle a few times but I hadn’t ever been outside the high-walled grounds. With the crowded street, I lost count of how many times someone bumped into me.
“Watch it, woman,” an older man growled at me when he slammed into my shoulder. He hit me hard enough that I almost fell. It particularly set my anger ablaze the way he spit the word “woman” like it was a curse.
“Watch yourself,” I snapped, hands shaking with rage.
The man with dark hair, slightly graying on the sides stopped and looked me up and down. Then he lifted his chin toward Taz. “Get your woman straight before she gets hurt.”
Cheeks turning a light shade of red, Taz marched for the man but I snatched the front of his shirt. The last thing we needed when we were trying to avoid attention was a brawl in the streets. Taz halted at my grasp but I could feel him tensing up.
“You better learn how to properly speak to a lady with respect,” Taz said, hand resting on his sword. “Or she won’t be the one getting hurt.”
“Is there something you think you can do about it, boy?”
The gruff man wore expensive clothes but not a uniform, and had some size to him. By the look of his arms he was strong. The worn sword at his hip had gotten a lot of use. Perhaps a former soldier.
“We’re not looking for a fight,” I said, not letting my anger show.
“I wasn’t speaking to you,” he said, stepping closer. His eyes traveled down my body and back to my face. “Why don’t you wear a dress?” His top lip curled. “And your light hair—you’re Delhoon, aren’t you?”
People nearby began to stop to watch us. Some whispering behind their hands, others gathered closer. Some of the men looked like they might intervene. We hadn’t been in Hesstia but five minutes and already drew a crowd. I set my jaw. My magic burned beneath my skin. “I am. And as you know Delhoon women don’t take orders from men, so back off, dog.”
His hand darted forward going for my throat. I knocked it aside and pressed my dagger against the underside of his chin in a flash. “All it will take is a quick flick of my wrist and you’ll bleed out on this street.” My heart hammered but my arm and voice were surprisingly steady.
Throat bobbing, he held up his hands.
“Do we have a problem here?”
I looked over at a uniformed man on a horse. The patrolmen had spoken.
Slowly, I lowered my dagger and took a step back but said nothing.
“No problem, sir,” my would-be attacker said, red-faced. He should be embarrassed.
“Good,” the patrolmen said. He looked to the gathering crowd. “Move along. Nothing to see here.”
Taz and I slipped away before the city patrolmen could question us. At this rate I’d be found out before I even made it to the castle. When we finally got close my heart began to thunder. “We need a plan.”
Taz looked at me, eyes widening. “I thought you had one.”
I couldn’t very well walk up to the front gates and demand an entrance. Unless I told them who I was they wouldn’t
allow us in and I didn’t want them to know. “I do. Kind of. There is a servant’s door to the left side of the castle’s wall. I brought a dress so we can say we work inside. But beyond that I figured we’d play it by ear.”
“Won’t the guards know all the servants?”
We started on the dirt path that led to the door. “How could they possibly know all of them? There are so many.” I looked around for a place to change and spotted a large bush. I could stash my bag there too. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.”
I slipped out of my pants and shirt and pulled the light blue dress over my head. It was simple but likely too nice for a typical servant. Unless I was one of Queen Saveena’s ladies. I forgot one thing though, dress shoes. I had my black boots on and hoped no one would notice. I stuffed my bag in the bush and then looked longingly at my sword. I’d have to leave it. Women servants in Hesstia did not carry swords. I carefully set it down and pushed leaves over the top of it.
When I stepped out Taz gave me a once over. “That should do.”
When we arrived at the wooden door in the wall, a guard at the top peeked down. “Hello. What can I help you two with?”
“We work here,” I shouted back. “I’m Queen Saveena’s newest lady in waiting. This is my escort.”
“I don’t recognize either of you and I wasn’t made aware of any new Queen’s servants.”
Taz slowly turned toward me with a pointed gaze. “I told you,” he whispered.
“It’s my first day, and I’d hate to be late and make a bad impression with her. Please let us pass.”
The ten seconds of silence seemed so much longer. “Open the door,” the guard called down. It was pulled open from the inside.
I grinned at Taz. “Easy.”
He rolled his eyes as we passed through.
When the door shut, one of the guards on the ground, a burly young man walked beside us. “I’ll escort you to the door.” His dark brown eyes fell to mine then to Taz. “What are your names? You’re new here?”
“I’m—Brinna,” I said and then looked to Taz who used his actual name. It’s not as if anyone would know who he was other than Zyacus.
The guard brushed dark red hair off his tanned face. “I like the name Brinna. I hope to be seeing you around often.”
I forced a smile at his flattery. “Have you seen Prince Zyacus today?” I had no idea which room was his or if he’d even be in it. He could be anywhere and given the size of the castle it could take me all day to find him.
“I did about an hour ago. He was sparring at the training grounds.” The guard’s deep brown eyes lingered on me. “Why do you ask?”
“Just curious,” I said, with a shoulder shrug.
He laughed. “If you’re looking for a tumble or something more than he’s not the type to take servants to bed. I, on the other hand, am open to the idea.”
After that comment, I knew Taz would say something to likely start a fight so I quickly interjected. “Excuse me but I am a lady. That’s enough of your improper talk.” I kept my voice calm but with an underlying edge. “I won’t be going to anyone’s bed.” Normally I’d have a snarky remark but I had to play the part of a proper lady-in-waiting, not a sarcastic Delhoon Princess.
“Oh, I didn’t mean to presume anything, miss.” He cleared his throat. “I just thought—er, never mind. There’s the servants’ entrance.” He pointed at the door on the side of the massive stone castle wall. “Good fortune to you on your first day.” I heard him mumbling something about him being stupid as he walked away.
We paused outside the door. I looked to a fruit orchard then in the other direction, where in the distance appeared to be a horse stable. No sparring grounds in sight.
Taz glared at the back of the red-headed guard. “Bastard. You mention the prince and suddenly he thinks you’re going to sleep with him? Do women servants often get treated this way?”
As a princess I had no idea how servants were treated. In my own castle we had workers but they didn’t get treated badly to my knowledge. But I’d never thought to ask. “Since women in Hesstia are often thought of as lower than men it wouldn’t surprise me if that was typical for a woman servant to endure. Look how I was treated in the streets by that man.”
“If he’d known who you were it would have gone much differently,” Taz said. I could hear the anger in his voice still.
“Only because he’d be afraid of the repercussions not because he’d have any more respect.”
“You taught him a good lesson though.” Taz chuckled. Mockingly, he put his hands up like the man had. “I’m surprised he didn’t piss his pants when he surrendered.”
I laughed. “Maybe he’ll think twice next time.”
“Alright so what’s the plan? If Zyacus is practicing at the sparring grounds it will be difficult to approach him without revealing yourself,” Taz said. “Someone is bound to recognize you.”
“You’re right, I can’t approach him in public. We need to find his room.” I tugged open the door and we made our way down the damp cold passageway. Torches lined the walls giving off plenty of light. We talked softly since our voices echoed off the walls. When we came to the end, the passage opened up into a kitchen. The women cooking looked up but otherwise paid us no mind, except one.
A heavyset woman with graying and white hair pulled into a bun, stopped kneading the dough in front of her and brushed her hands on her apron. “Hello. Never seen you two beauties before. You lost?”
“I’m the Queen’s newest lady-in-waiting.” I waved a hand at Taz. “This is my escort. Perhaps we are lost.”
She made a slight grunting noise as if to disapprove. “I figured you wouldn’t be working in the kitchens. Too pretty. Clothes too fine. With me.” She moved quickly toward a heavy wooden door. “The royal chambers are on the fourth floor.”
“Which is the Queen’s?” I asked.
She shook her head, curls bobbing around her face. “Don’t know. I don’t go up there. Perhaps one of the room servants can direct you on your way.”
“Thank you very much,” Taz said with a smile.
She put a hand on her hip. “It was my pleasure, handsome boy.”
Taz and I stepped into the stairway. We went up and up, passing several rooms. Voices penetrated through the walls sometimes. Laughter or low rumbles of men talking too. When we’d climbed four flights of stairs, I stopped at the top.
Taz put his ear to the first door we came to. “I hope we find a hallway. I don’t want to barge into someone’s room.” He leaned away. “I don’t hear anything.”
“That’s a good sign.”
He pushed through and to my relief it opened into a navy blue carpeted hall. Paintings lined on the right side of what I assumed were royal portraits. Women and men all wearing crowns or dressed in a fashion of Hesstian royalty. To the left, tall windows overlooked the back of the castle grounds. Below was a garden of sorts, shrubs and well-manicured paths. One stone walkway led to a circle of men and in the center of them two dark-haired males fought with swords. The sparring grounds. I tried to find Zyacus among them but it was too far to make out faces.
Giggling girls tore my attention from outside, back to the hall. My insides stirred and I looked around frantically.
Taz pushed open the nearest door, “Quick! In here.” Peering into a darkened room he turned back to me and waved. “It’s empty.”
I darted inside and closed the door quietly. “Whose room do you think this is?” Taz picked up a dirty pair of socks. “Definitely a man’s. Could be Zyacus’s or one of his brothers. Could be anyone’s really.”
I shook my head. I recognized the pleasant smell that belonged to Zyacus. I couldn’t even describe it but this room had to be his. Unless his brothers smelled just like him. A large four-poster, unmade bed dominating the center of the room. Several swords hung on either side on the wall. A green leafy plant in a huge white vase sat in the corner. A dresser with clothes half hanging out of the drawers made me smile
. A dark blue oval rug covered a portion of the white and gray marbled glossy floor. On his bedside table sat three pieces of paper folded in half. I hurried over and snatched one up. My letters. “It must be his.”
Taz peeked over my shoulder. “We must have luck on our side today. To find his room first—”
A female voice drifted from the hall. “Zyacus has no idea what he’s in for tonight.” The door handle jiggled.
“Yes, so lucky,” I grumbled. It had to be one of those girls we’d heard laughing, now standing outside the room.
“Closet,” Taz said and we ran to hide in the shadows.
My blood went cold when I heard a click.
Chapter 4
These girls would come in here? If they were comfortable enough to do so they had to be servants or—
The bedroom door opened and in strolled dark-haired and big boobed wench Jennika with her stupid friend. “Why Jennika, you naughty girl, whatever do you have planned for the prince?” her friend, Jade laughed and gave her a light shove.
Oh, I wanted to crash through this closet door and slap her right across the face. Then break her nose and pull out her hair.
As if sensing my thoughts, Taz took hold of my arm. “Stay,” he murmured. “This isn’t the academy.”
“I know,” I hissed.
“A lady doesn’t kiss and tell,” Jennika said. Laughing, she set an envelope on Zyacus’s pillow. “Oh, what do we have here?”
My heart hammered and felt wrecked all at once. Kiss and tell? Naughty girl? Had they been together? Was she the reason he suddenly stopped responding to me?
“Love letters from that pathetic swine Visteal,” Jennika said, picking up one of the notes I’d left on the bed. “Let’s have a look shall we?” She opened one and held it out to read. “Written in Delian of course,” she said, sounding disgusted.
Jade peered down at the paper and pointed at something. Her voice took on a whiny sound. “Oh Zyacus, why aren’t you writing me back? Did something happen? Please tell me.” Her voice changed back to her usual tone, “Gods she is pathetic.”