by Jen L. Grey
The sound of movement from the guards making their nightly rounds echoes.
Nick pulls me up from the ground and folds my blanket for me. He grabs my hand as we walk back toward the palace doors, blanketed by darkness. The closer we get to the door, the more I don’t want to leave him.
Nick leans down for one last kiss. “See you tomorrow?”
“I'm sorry. I can't make it tomorrow. But how about the day after?” I try to remain casual, but my heart soars when his eyes flash with disappointment.
I don’t want to miss any time with him, but training with Lydia is key to gaining control over my strengthening power. I bite my lip and kiss him lightly, not wanting this moment to end.
He brushes his fingers across my cheek. “Of course, I'll be here. Until then, goodnight.”
I take my blanket from him and make myself walk away, trying to ignore the impulse to run back to him. The next two days are going to be the longest ever.
Chapter Eight
The next morning, I wake to the sounds of my brother banging around in the kitchen. What is he doing? He should be resting instead of chancing his stitches coming out. I rush out of my room to check on him. However, he’s moving around the kitchen freely, making breakfast.
I grin as I walk over to him and peck him on the cheek. “Hey, you. Good to see you up and at it.”
He talks around a mouthful of pancakes. “Yeah, yeah. I know you must be getting lonely and felt you were going through withdrawals. Don’t worry, I’m ready to keep up with you today.” He then smirks at me.
I roll my eyes and find something to eat. With Mother gone, no one has gone down to the kitchen for food, so there aren’t too many options. I grab some bread and make a large cup of coffee. I grin, smacking his leg as I walk by.
While we eat, I keep thinking about my first lesson with Lydia tonight. I need to go to the village and figure out the best route to the house before it gets dark. I wonder if the old house is even still standing in the woods. I am dreading it because I’m going to have to walk there instead of riding a horse. I don't want to make too much noise while I'm sneaking out.
I get up from the table and head toward my room to get dressed for the day. This would be the perfect time to return Claire’s shirt, so I grab it off the table, along with a blue silk one as a thank you for helping me the other day.
When I head out, Logan looks up. “Where are you heading? I thought we’d spend some time together today.”
“Sorry, I have some errands to run, and I need to give Claire her shirt back that I borrowed. I feel bad for keeping it as long as I have. Also, tonight is my first lesson with Lydia, and I need to get a route established instead of trying to find the house when it’s dark.”
He glares in my direction. “Yeah, you’re right. I’m going with you tonight, by the way. I’m not going to have you out that late by yourself.” He stiffly crosses his arms as if he’s preparing for battle.
I take a deep breath and force my voice to stay calm. “Logan, you’re still hurt. Although, I’m glad you are finally starting to feel better, I don’t want you to push it and wind up getting reinjured.”
“Oh, no. No, you don’t. I’ve been out of it the past couple of days, but I can read you just fine. I am going and that’s final.” He stands up and walks into his room, leaving no room for additional argument from me. He should have just laid on the ground kicking, since he’s already acting like a toddler.
I walk out the door and head down the hallway. Now that Logan is more like himself, I need to get a grasp on handling my emotions. I hate that there are times when he knows what I’m feeling before I can even figure it out myself.
I make it to the stables and saddle up my horse. Before long, I’m on my way to the village. The day is gorgeous. The sun is warming me up from the inside out, and my power buzzes to life inside me. My horse seems to feel my mood and takes off in a gallop. I chuckle. It’s so nice to be away from the palace and not feel constantly judged.
While I ride, the wind blows against my face, and I close my eyes, succumbing to the wonderful pulsing filtering into my very soul.
For some reason, the story that Mrs. Holcomb – Lydia – had once told us springs into my mind. She explained how our ancestors were able to connect with the elements, long ago, before corruption and selfish intent took over. I can imagine that it would feel something similar to this. All of a sudden, my horse switches from a gallop to a walk, causing my eyes to pop open. Ugh, we are already to the village borders. There goes my relaxation.
I dismount and tie the horse up, then walk slowly through the village. Everyone is bustling around and doing their chores for the day. The market is full of people selling and buying things. I decide to take a detour and find myself browsing through all the vendors on the street. There is a lady with a booth that is selling jewelry, and making it, all at the same time. The pieces are very pretty, and I’m amazed at how steady her hands are for such an elderly person.
There are some people selling fish that you can smell miles away. Yeah, that vendor is totally getting bypassed. I don’t want to smell like fish all day. As I continue on, there are all sorts of people at the market, selling a variety of things. However, something catches my eye. There is a key, not fifty feet away, that looks exactly like the one my mother has told Logan and me about countless times. It is a family relic that was lost decades ago.
The key is very intricate and unusual. It has a dark yellow shield in the center, with what look like thorns moving out of the shield and up toward a black bird on top, with its wings ready for flight. I look up at the vendor, who appears to be a very young woman with an appearance similar to mine. She has very dark red hair, almost black, and her booth is located in a deserted corner where no one is paying attention to her. It’s almost like she’s invisible.
My body walks toward her on its own accord. “How much do you want for this?”
She smiles at me. “I will give you this for some of your sandwich and water in your satchel.”
How in Knova does she know I have a sandwich and water? Her request is strange, but I really need that key. I reach into my satchel, pulling the items out, and hand them to her, giving her some of my coins as well. I don’t want to take advantage of anyone. This key is worth more than she’s letting on or realizes.
Her mouth drops open at my gesture. Her face is a mixture of confusion and what seems like awe. She glances at the food, her tone soft. “I only asked for part of your sandwich and a little of your water.”
I place the food in her hand. “I had a large breakfast and worry that I won’t be able to eat it anyway. So, it will likely go to waste. Please, take it, and here is money for the key. I love it and really appreciate you selling it to me.”
She looks at me with tears in her eyes. “It’s been an honor and pleasure doing business with you.” She turns and begins packing up.
I take that as my cue to leave and am eager to go. The whole encounter is giving me weird vibes. I grab the key, and when my fingers touch it, I am strangely comforted, like I had been on edge before. I put the key in my back pocket and decide it’s time to find the old Pearson house. I spent way too much time dawdling around.
I’m surprised at how easy it is to find a path that appears to be leading into the forest. I follow the trail and realize that Claire’s house is right on the way. Within the next mile, her house comes into view. The other day, I hadn’t realized how close her house is to the woods, but it’s right on the cusp of where the village ends and the woods begin.
As I walk closer, Claire appears. She is outside cleaning the windows, which is perfect.
I clear my throat, alerting her of my presence. “Hey, Claire, um… I brought your shirt back, like I promised.”
She yelps and turns around quickly. “You scared me, Ariah.” However, a big grin spreads across her face. “I never thought I’d see the day when Ariah from the palace would come looking for me. This is just a friendly visit, right? Y
ou aren’t going to use some power on me or anything?”
I can’t help but laugh. “No, a visit from me is not anything to brag about, and I wanted to return your shirt. Also, thank you for all your help the other day.” I look down at the ground.
“Come on. Let’s go in and get something to eat and drink. It’s past lunchtime, and I’m starving.” She grabs my hand and drags me inside.
I stop short. I need to get going, even though I would like to visit with her for a little while.
She turns around, crossing her arms. “Look, let’s be real. We both could use a friend. The other folks in the village aren’t interested in talking to a farmer girl, and, to be honest, you come off like you’ve never had a friend before. So, I’ve determined we are going to be each other’s best friends. Best friends eat together, so let’s go. We have some fresh fruit and veggies from the garden.”
She turns and walks in the house, not looking back, almost like she knew I would follow her right in.
And for some reason, I do.
Chapter Nine
After eating a delicious lunch of chicken and vegetables with Claire, we head up to her room so she can put her shirt away.
Every time I walk into her room, I love it even more. “Hey, I think you forgot something.”
When she turns around, I pull out the sky-blue silk shirt. It matches her eyes perfectly, much to my delight. She is going to look beautiful in it.
Her eyes open wider, and she squeals when she sees what is in my hand. Her greedy hands grab for the blouse, and she jumps up and down. “Don’t even try to say this isn’t mine. This was obviously made for me.” She caresses the material like it’s the most precious item she owns.
It is refreshing to be around her. She isn't afraid to be herself. Claire seems to be genuine, and I unexpectedly find myself warming toward her.
A huge smile spreads across my face. I giggle. “Yes, it would appear so.”
“Well, look at what we have here. I was wondering if you were capable of truly smiling, and it appears that you are,” she teases, dramatically widening her eyes.
I roll my eyes. “Go try it on! Let’s see what this shirt looks like on you.”
Needing no additional encouragement, she strips off her shirt and slips the new one on. She is stunning, and seeing the happiness in her eyes is worth the sacrifice of something I don’t wear.
She twirls around in front of the window, her face lit up. “I’m going to wear this every day.”
Watching her makes me realize that the sun is high. Crap, I need to be getting on my way. “Hey, Claire, I’ve enjoyed this, but I’ve got to be going.”
She looks up, disappointment clear in her eyes. “Well, all right, but another visit like this better occur in the near future. You don’t even have to bring a present, just yourself.” She comes over and gives me a big hug.
I flinch, and concern flashes across her face. She doesn't say anything and continues on, like nothing even happened.
I want to leave before she changes her mind, so I pull away and head for the front door. I turn around to wave goodbye as I walk back down the path to continue on my way. How much farther away it is from Claire’s?
My visit with Claire lasted longer than I anticipated, and I’ll need to be getting home soon. A well-worn path appears, and against my better judgement, I follow it. After just a short way, the trees become denser, almost as if it’s hiding something.
I step through a line of trees and find the worn, weathered porch of the Pearson house. What in Knova? How is that even possible? Why would there be a traveled path leading here? I thought this place was abandoned.
As I walk closer to the house, I note that the house is still in great condition, despite the fact that no one has lived here in decades. It is quaint but built sturdy. Even still, the house has faded and chipping white paint from years of neglect.
How is this place still intact? And who has been taking care of it? Someone must be, because it’s still in good shape. There is no way it’s Father. He isn't worried about this place. I bet he’s never set foot here. He tries to forget where we came from, but how can any of us when the prophecy is always the forefront of everyone's mind. Whatever they all saw as a blessing was my curse.
I walk along the edges, inspecting the house and surroundings. The grass is cut short and windows are clean.
The closer I get to the house, the more connected I feel with it. My power vibrates in the very core of me. It feels like it's reaching out to the house and pushes me to get closer.
Even though I’m a little scared, I walk to the back of the house, wondering what I'll find there. Despite the dense trees surrounding the front, the back has a large clearing between the trees and the house. This is probably where Lydia and I will practice tonight. The sun is going to set soon. Ugh, I stayed out later than I intended. I turn around and head back in the direction I came, trying to ignore the throbbing, and hurry to get out of the woods.
On my way back to the palace, the villagers are finishing their chores for the day. They are walking in various directions, smiling and acknowledging me as I pass. Why are they being nice to me? Am I somehow the butt of a joke? I look toward the ground the rest of the way, hoping I don't run into anyone.
I make it to my horse and coax her into running the entire way back. We make it back to the palace before dusk. I drop the horse off at the stables and head back to my room. When I walk into the den, I pause, realizing that Logan has a visitor. He and Dave are sitting on the couch playing cards.
They both look up at me when I enter the room, and it takes me a minute to realize that we are all staring at each other.
“Hey, did you have fun in the village?” Logan comes to the rescue, being the first to snap out of the weirdness that’s coursing through the room.
“Oh, yes, I got everything accomplished that I had set out to do.”
Dave looks at me with interest. “I could have gone with you. We didn’t have training today, and I would have enjoyed accompanying you into the village.”
Both Logan and I look at each other, and his lips are quivering since he’s trying not to burst out laughing.
This time, I recover quicker. “That would have been great, but I’ve gone to the village alone by myself for a while and enjoy the solitude.”
Trying to emphasize the point, I leave the den and walk into my room. Once I get there, I pull the key out of my back pocket and look at it for a second. It is beautiful and unique.
Hearing the guys move around in the other room prompts me to get up and put the key in a secret hiding spot. After feeling like the key is in the safest place, I head to the kitchen to find a drink.
When I walk in, I can’t believe that our kitchen has been restocked with vegetables, various meats, bread, and eggs. How was Logan able to do that with all his injuries?
Dave walks into the kitchen behind me and smiles. “I hope you don’t mind that I brought some things up for you and Logan. When I got here earlier, we couldn’t find many choices for lunch, and your brother still didn’t want to venture far from his room, so I went down and got some stuff for you all. I hope you like at least some of what I brought up.”
“No, of course, I don’t mind. Thank you so much. I’ve been needing to go down there but kept forgetting because it’s something that Mother usually does.” I turn around to grab a glass and fill it with water. Every conversation I’ve had with Dave has felt forced and awkward.
“Where is your mother? Now that you mention it, I haven’t seen her in a few days.”
Why did I bring her up? I have to come up with a plausible explanation fast, or trouble could get stirred up. I take a sip of water, stalling for a minute, and then set the cup down on the table, biting my lip. “Well, with all the changes going on, she just needed a break to get away from it all. She’s been wanting to go visit the southern portion of our kingdom, and we all agreed that it was the perfect time.”
Dave nods, his hazel eyes fi
lled with concern, and reaches out, touching my arm. “Please, let me know if I can help in any way.”
He takes a step closer to me, catching me off guard.
My reflexes are just fine, and I take a step back at the same time.
Logan clears his throat, and I could hug him right now, so glad he came to the rescue. Dave did nothing wrong, but I’m just not a touchy-feely kind of girl.
It’s quiet for a moment, but then Dave laughs awkwardly. “Well, I think I best be heading out. I don’t want to overstay my welcome. Logan, I’ll see you at training, and Ariah, I hope to see you soon. Remember what I said about ever needing company into the village.”
Logan and I watch him walk out the door, and then Logan bursts out laughing.
I look at him, confused.
He laughs even harder. “Well, sis, you officially have your first admirer. Well, I think Prince Nicholas might be, but he doesn't count.”
Logan’s comment feels like a punch to the gut. He is right about Nick. What have I gotten myself into? It’s not like our relationship could ever work out long-term. I attempted to just enjoy the moment, but I allowed my heart to get invested. All I have to look forward to is heartbreak.
“Relax, I was just kidding. Well, not about him being an admirer. I think he is, but it’s best if we just stick together. That way, neither one of us gets hurt more than we already have.” Logan pulls me into a hug.
Not wanting to think more about it, I pull away and look through the food in the kitchen. “As touching as this conversation is, what would you like for supper, dear brother?”
* * *
It is almost time to go, and I’m getting nervous.
Logan took a nap after dinner, which resulted in me having far too much time by myself to think.
It is getting close to eleven, and we need to make our move soon.
A few seconds later, Logan walks out of his room, ready to go. “You ready?”