Changeling Rose grimaced and touched her side. “Yesclever.”
They reached Culain’s rooms, but the Rhulonese guards forbade her to enter.
“The Ambassador has been summoned away,” one of the guards informed her. “It’s best to return to your chamber.”
“But where has he gone?” Changeling Rose asked innocently. “I was summoned to play for him.”
The guard shook his head, but remained stoic. “He did not say, Miss Rose.”
“Of course,” Rose replied, eyes downcast but bitter with disappointment.
As she walked back to Rose’s room, she knew she had to get rid of these annoying women so she could move freely. Of course, she could just kill them now and flee this place. Be done with this spying. She could finally feed on the real Lilias, captive in her webbed cocoon. It made her salivate just to think about it. Maybe she could restore herself if she feasted on these maids?
“Are you all right?” Sally asked.
“I’m just so hungry,” Changeling Rose replied, just to explain away her agitation.
“Of course we will,” Agatha said sweetly. “You’re such a brave girl. You need not fret. We will not leave you. We’ll send for a grand meal.”
“I’m so grateful to you both,” Changeling Rose grinned.
They entered Rose’s room. Changeling Rose glanced in the wall mirror and her eyes shifted from blue to black.
* * *
Fallon watched Crimson from his hollow of mirrors, frowning. She was becoming too erratic. He thought if he gave her an objective like killing Culain, it would deflect her vengeful eye from Rose Greenleaf.
He turned to another mirror, where he watched Rose since he suspected her magic. Now he was sure. Rose was just becoming aware of her terrible gift. The witch helped make her aware. She was sick from the changeling blood, but that would soon pass. The gift of the rhapsodé would be more difficult. So many bards who carried this magic were cursed. Would Rose fall to the victim of enchantment or rise above it?
* * *
“I’ll be fine. Please don’t fight me on this, Meg. I’m going and that’s final,” Rose argued.
“You really vex me at times,” Meg snapped.
“Then you and my mother will have a lot to talk about if you ever meet.”
“Let’s hope it’s not at your funeral,” Meg shot back and then relented out of frustration. “You can come with us, but if you die on me, I’ll never forgive you.”
“Let me come too,” Zula asked. “I know about these demons. I can help keep an eye on Rose. I can help her with the magic too. It could be the reason her body is not responding to the potion the way it should.”
“I’m coming too,” Skullcap chimed in.
Meg strapped on her sword. “Good. Skullcap, you take Zula to the palace. Ride fast. I’ll meet you there. Rose, you ride with me.”
Meg threw on her green cloak, imparting a sharp look at Skullcap and Zula. “Can you two work together without resorting to violence or curses?”
“I can stand the witch’s company if she keeps her jinxes in line,” Skullcap replied, grinning.
Zula took his arm, rolling her eyes. “Ah, you suffer so much. “Let’s go, Robert.”
They rushed down the stairs. Becky and Digby were stunned they were leaving already.
“But you’re still sick, dear,” Becky protested. “You can’t go out like this. Meg, talk to her.”
“I can’t stay Becky, but we’ll be careful,” Rose promised. She hoped the potion would take effect. Still fevered and weak, even walking was a struggle.
Digby jerked his head toward the back of the room. “Hey Meg, before you go, that fool has come back for another beating.”
Meg cursed so vehemently a sailor would have blushed. Mathias stoically sat at a table, his wide brimmed hat at his side, jaw visibly bruised and swollen from the last time Meg punched him. When he heard Meg swear, he stood up. Though he looked unhappy, Rose resisted any sympathy for him, knowing what he did to Meg.
“Tell him that having a stuffy vicar hanging around is bad for business,” Digby frowned, wiping his hands on his apron. “And if he’s going to take up drinking space, he needs to order ale or leave.”
Meg marched over to the table. “Do you enjoy being beaten up?”
“Not really,” he replied calmly. “But I still must speak with you.”
“Damn it Mathias, I don’t have time for this. I don’t want to see you. I thought I made that clear.”
Digby fetched the big wooden club he kept stowed under the bar for the more unruly customers. He casually held it in his hands, polishing it with a cloth. “Want me to take care of him, Meg? I’m happy to do oblige.”
“No Digby. I’ll take care of this,” Meg replied evenly. She walked toward the door, casting a harsh glance at Mathias. “Outside,” she ordered.
Rose was unsure what would happen, but Mathias obeyed and followed her out the front door. Rose, however, was not prepared for him to fall to his knees before Meg and bow his head when they reached the road. Skullcap and Zula watched from a distance, so silent Rose wondered if Zula had cast a spell.
“We are passed words or gestures, Mathias,” Meg warned him, taking Fayre’s reins. “My fist should have resolved any questions you had for me the last time.”
“I know you’re angry, Meghan.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“I’m sorry,” Mathias apologized quickly. “I went to the Ranger Station, but was told you weren’t there, but they refused to tell me anything else. I only know that this is a place you visit often, so I decided to wait here.”
“Just leave it alone. Leave me alone. I’m on an assignment.”
“I know words mean nothing. I know I’m a wretch. For years I searched for you. I only recently learned you resided here in White Thorn and had become a ranger. I just came to say how sorry I am. I failed you. I will not ask for your forgiveness, because I don’t deserve it. Know only, that since that day I have lived to save others living under the same persecution as you. I took the vows of a cleric. I’m a Vicar now, though it has made me an outlaw too in my own country. Our land is controlled by brutal religious insanity, but many people now have banded together to restore freedom and make things right again. That’s why I’m here. We are gathering support and arms for the cause. I did not fight for you. I regret that. But I am fighting now.”
“It can never be right again. Our country is dead. A mad king killed it.”
“And it destroyed us,” Mathias replied. “But there’s a rebellion now”
“That’s not my problem. I serve this country now. I serve its Emperor. I have a new life now and I’m happy here. You need to do the same, Mathias. Fight to free Juraca. You want forgiveness? Very well thenI forgive you. But you cannot change the past. Make a better future for what we once hoped to be. My life is here now. If you mean to save Juraca, then go with my blessing. Fight. Save the innocents. Do the right thing. The past cannot change. Let it go,” Meg shouted, lifting Rose up onto the saddle.
He nodded mutely, face a mask of regret.
Skullcap marched past Mathias and deliberately spit on the ground where he kneeled. Skullcap mounted his horse and pulled up Zula behind him. She wrapped her arms around Skullcap. “I would curse him, knowing what he did to our Meg, but I think he lives in his own hell.” Skullcap spurred his horse, Zula clinging to him. Owena took to the air, following the pair down the road, cawing loudly.
Meg rode away without another word or looking back at the man she once loved. Rose gripped the pommel, fearing she would be thrown. She glanced back to see Mathias kneeling in the dirt, watching Meg ride away. Fayre’s hooves beat the earth hard and fast for the palace. Despite the wild race, Rose could hear Meg crying.
Chapter Twenty-One
Crimson’s shapeshift was dissolving. She dreaded this in a crowded room. She shut her eyes, desperately fingering Rose’s hair tucked in her bodice. It was fading too soon. Not now!
Too many people watched her. Guards were everywhere with sharp swords. Crimson forced herself to calm down and opened her eyes. They were blue again. She sighed with relief.
She must finish her killing for her master so she could leave before they found her out. Her head ached when she thought about taking Rose for her master. Her magic did not work on the dwarf. At least she could feast on Lilias before she left this terrible place. She licked her lips, hungry. Lilias was in a crypt, safe and sound. Well, safe and sound for Crimson. Death was Lilias’ companion now in that old cemetery. The dying amulet that bound them was just a pretty trinket now. No matter. She had other pressing issues for her masterkill Culain. Crimson’s ability to remain Rose would not last. A few strands of her hair were not enough to maintain her image for long, so she must get to Culain soon.
They brought a platter of food and laid it before her. Not what she hungered for. Typical human fair she had tolerated these past weeksroasted fowl, bread, cheese, fruit, and little iced cakes. It was revolting. Cooked flesh was so unnatural. She had endured eating during her interlude as Princess Lilias, but it had become a struggle. At least Lilias had delicate eating habits. Lilias would never need to worry about her slim figure again. Crimson Rose snickered, feeling clever. She feigned an appetite for her captors, because the dwarf was reputed to enjoy eating. How the dwarf could eat so much and not get fat amazed her. Changeling Rose chewed and forced herself to swallow as they heaped more on her plate. This was torture!
All these soldiers were making her jumpy. She forced herself to remain calm and asked for more water with the extravagance of ice, which was easily granted. She finished eating and excused herself from the table. She must find a way to shake the guards. She wandered over to the far side of the room when the maids began clearing away the dishes.
Crimson glanced in the mirror again on the wall and her eyes shifted to black again. No! That was always the first thing she lost when the shapeshift lost powerthe eyes. She must get away before Rose’s image diminished. She closed her eyes and focused on the image of the homely short dwarf. Just a little longer. Thankfully, the maids were occupied with cleaning up and the guards at the door were not watching her. She concentrated, touching the strand of hairs; when she opened them her eyes were blue again. Crimson was resolved. She must act now or leave.
Changeling Rose moved to the opposite end of the chamber. Desperate, she picked up a marble paper weight and hurled it through the window and screamed!
“Help! Help me! The changeling! Guards!”
They swarmed around her instantly. She dropped to her knees and hunched over, sobbing.
“What happened?” Sally cried, rushing to her side.
“The changeling was at the window!”
She lifted her head and pointed to the broken window. “It was staring at me through the window. It was the changeling! It was horrible. I threw the nearest thing at hand. Oh, it was hideous!” Changeling Rose crumbled into a ball and wept. There was chaos. Crimson loved chaos, as long as she wielded it. More soldiers were summoned for the protection of the helpless bard.
When they sent word to Culain, she was finally gratified. She quivered with tears and allowed them to help her to the bed. Her hands may have covered her face as she sobbed, but Crimson grinned behind them. Agnes and Sally comforted her as she wept.
Crimson looked up at the guard with teary eyes. “Oh, please, when will Culain be here? He vowed to protect me. I think I have important information about the creature.”
“Ambassador Culain sent word that we are to escort you to him, Miss Rose.”
“Are you truly taking me to my master, Prince Ironheart?” she asked hopefully.
“Yes Miss, he’s there waiting for you now,” Sally replied. “Fear not, we will catch that depraved thing. We won’t let it hurt you, Rose.”
“Thank you!’ Crimson Rose cried, wiping away false tears.
Several guards escorted her through the halls. Changeling Rose plotted to kill Ironheart as she walked. It must be quick. Then she would run. She was glad she did not have to cry anymore. Blubbering was so tiring. She wiped her face and blew her nose. Why did humans cry? It’s so silly. Plus, she did not know if Rose was a crier and she was afraid they would note a discrepancy in her character. But human females were so weak and emotional.
They finally approached a set of double doors protected by Imperial soldiers.
Changeling Rose would soon be rewarded with a prize kill. Then she would flee; flee for Mordok and the glorious thanks of her lord and king! Morziel, the Goblin King of all Mordok, would welcome her with open arms. Praise would cover Crimson at last. She would glory in it and sit at the feet of her beloved king in the throne room, his favorite pet.
“Prince Culain awaits you within,” the guard promised her.
Two Rhulonese attendants opened the doors and stepped inside the very large room, elegantly furnished.
Culain briskly strode toward her. He was happy to see her, judging by his broad smile. Maybe Culain and Rose were lovers?
“Rose, thank heavens you are all right,” Culain exclaimed.
She summoned a fresh batch of tears as she relayed her joy. “Oh, Your Highness, I’m so relieved to see you at last! I was so frightened.”
Too many guards remained in the room to act hastily, both imperials and Culain’s personal Rhulonese attendants. They suspected a demon in their midst, but like frightened children, they did not know what waited for them in the dark. If only they knew!
Culain was so full of trust. He would be so easy to butcher, but for the force of men around them! Patient! Be patient! She swayed, dizzy with bloodlust. She centered herself. Soon, soon she would slay him.
“Oh, Prince Culain, I’ve been so afraid of this evil around us,” Changeling Rose whispered, so close now, almost close enough to bite. Her bite had a strong chance of being fatal. If she did it quickly, maybe he would die?
“There’s no need to fear anymore,” Culain replied solemnly, stopping a few from her. “I will defeat the eviland you.”
Changeling Rose was too stunned to react when a barbed net dropped over her from above. Panic slowed her response. She tried to throw it off the heavy net, but an angry, tall redheaded woman struck her in the face with the flat end of a sword. Changeling Rose wailed in pain, crashing to the floor. Several guards surrounded her and brutally beat her down with the butt of their spears. Crimson coiled into a ball and shrieked with agony. “NO! Stop! This is a mistake. I am the true Rose Greenleaf. Please don’t hurt me!”
“Hold it down,” Darius ordered, removing his helmet.
Panting and shaking, she glared at the young prince. What was Darius doing here? She snapped her head around. It was a nasty trap. All planned to torment Crimson. Foolish Crimson. Stupid Crimson. Guards with sharp spears encircled her. Crimson thrashed in its bitter grasp, howling.
Shifting her focus from attack to survival, her frantic mind scanned the room searching for an escape that did not exist.
The redhead grinned and stepped back. “I thoroughly enjoyed that.”
“I found it inspiring, Commander Sparrow,” Culain complimented her.
Prince Darius observed Crimson coldly. “It’s safe now, Father. We captured the changeling.”
Aristide entered the chamber and joined the gathering, his stony expression edged with cruel intent.
Panic gnawed the changeling. “You tricked me!” Crimson screeched.
“You tricked yourself, changeling,” Culain declared. “I will not be on your death list today.” He turned to the maids and bowed, “Thank you ladies for being so brave.”
She bitterly squinted at the servants, Agnes and Sally. They actually smirked at her! Then they were led away from the room.
“They knew you weren’t Rose, by the way.” Culain bluntly told Crimson. “There are many reasons for this. You were clumsy. Greedy. Injudicious. A changeling usually takes better care to know their enemy, but you were quite reckless. The servan
ts knew Rose was sent elsewhere for her safety out of the palace. They alerted me of your presence when they discovered you in Rose’s room. Rose is also modest, does not whine or cry, and she never forgets anything. She has flawless memory recall. This is a necessary talent for any bard as they must memorize ridiculously long poems and even whole books. It’s a talent one is born with, I believe. You couldn’t even remember the names of two chambermaids who knew her, Changeling.”
The strain of the dark magic cloaking her true shape was a hindrance now. Crimson sighed, shedding the human image and resumed her natural form. The tiny dress she wore as Rose now ripped and ruined. She noted the shocked expressions on their faces. It was gratifying in her moment of despair that she frightened them. “Never seen a changeling before? Well, feast your eyes on me. Few see us and survive.”
Culain’s flinty stare was unmoved. “You’re hideous, but hardly frightening.”
“Heartless humans,” she whimpered, “you struck without thought or positive proof. What if I had been your treasured Rose Greenleaf?”
One of the Rhulonese guards removed their helmet and stepped forward. It was Rose Greenleaf! Deceitful bitch! The dwarf Rose had been among his escort the whole time! She did not even notice the sly bitch! Crimson realized how careless she was. Now she would perish. She should have run when she had the chance! Foolish and shamed, she would die a failure.
Rose stared down at Crimson. “That would be impossible, since I’m the only true Rose Greenleaf. And my blood is rednot demon grey. Since I stabbed you that night and your grotesque blood soiled on my hands, I not only developed a terrible rash, but somehow the infection of your blood bound me to your thoughts. It awoke something within me too. I am aware of your violent sins. You are evil.”
“Thank you, dwarf,” Crimson grinned.
“It wasn’t a compliment,’ Rose remarked sharply. “I was forced to watch you murder that poor stable boy when you tore him apart and sucked the life out of him! Those poor maids died at your hands too. You will never kill again.”
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