Of Blood and Deceit

by Rachel A. Collett

  It was a good speech, if that was what my uncle wanted, but something deep within told me it wasn’t.

  “I do not think the princess holds your sentiments. Do you, Ilianna?” the seer said, finally speaking. She had been all but forgotten.

  “What do you mean?” Castiel asked.

  Everyone watched me. I stepped out from the protection of the prince. “Your Majesty, you know that I’ve never been sure about my uncle’s intention for peace.”

  “And you still think that way?”

  “I don’t know. For our sakes, the sake of your kingdom as well as my own, I hope he intends to keep it, but I would be watchful of his arrival. Be careful of what information you share with him.”

  “Your caution is noted. That still doesn’t help us with what to do about this murderer who kills in the name of the Demon Daughter.”

  “I will go myself and capture this deceiver,” Castiel said, reclaiming his protective stance in front of me.

  “No.” It slipped out, sharp and almost crazed. I clutched at his arm, but he ignored me.

  “I’ll go as well,” the seer said, her voice light and almost playful. “Something tells me I’ll be able to stir up the true identity of this murderer.”

  “Very well,” Riaan said. “You will leave with a party of soldiers at dawn. No later.”

  Castiel nodded.

  “And my daughter?” Melora asked, pinning the king with her interesting eyes.

  He froze. “What of her?”

  The blood drained from Melia’s face.

  The seer smiled. “I would like her to be my escort.”

  “You’ll have the prince.”

  “But I feel my daughter is necessary in this journey. Are you going to deny the blessing of my own blood, Your Majesty?” She lowered her head, her hands clasped together as if in prayer. “That would be very unwise.”

  Riaan made a visual effort to remain calm. “Very well, Melora Seraphine. You may take your daughter, but you have one week—until the celebration to announce the arrival of the princess. You will all return before that evening.” He rose from his seat, his hands clenched in tight fists. He glared at the council members. “The princess is not to be harmed. She is a guest and is under my protection. If she is harmed, those involved will be put to death. You’re dismissed.”

  The members of the council stood and bowed to their king. They were the first to leave, but before I could follow, the seer halted me with a hand at my chest. Her delicate fingertips were ice cold. I barely managed to stay beneath her touch.

  She spoke low, shooting tremors up my spine. “I hope, for your sake, you will never disappoint me again, Your Majesty.”

  The king spoke. “Excuse me?”

  “We are not done here. Not yet.” The seer faced him. “Why did you not call for me the moment she arrived?”

  All eyes turned to me. My cheeks grew hot.

  “Don’t push it, old lady.” The warning in the king’s voice was clear, but the seer overlooked it easily.

  “You apparently underestimate her significance in the events of the future.”

  “Significance?” I asked, annoyed. Since when did I ever hold such a calling? I was a nobody, lower than my uncle’s boot.

  “What significance would a runaway princess be to you?” Melia asked, but Melora ignored her daughter.

  “And stop dressing her as if she is some soft, pampered princess. She is anything but, and she needs to play the part.”

  “And what part is that?” I asked.

  She surveyed the length of my lilac gown in disgust. “She’s a princess from Eira. A snow-driven, war-loving country. She is the daughter of Prince Toma and niece to King Johan, both powerful enemies. You make her appear positively normal.”

  A stab of reality jolted through me. She was right. I wasn’t normal. I didn’t belong, now or ever.

  “But do we want our people to fear her?” Castiel asked. He too examined me as if I was on display—which I was.

  “Your people are not stupid. If you try to make her look like everyone else, you will incite controversy. Show her for what they know her to be. Acceptance will come sooner than not.”

  “Your people?” I asked.

  One brow ticked high upon her porcelain forehead. “Eirian blood runs in my veins, girl, and that of my daughter.”

  Of course it did. I practically rolled my eyes as the likeness to my country’s people dawned.

  She continued. “But I belong to no king or country.” She smiled, glancing from her daughter to Riaan. “There must be a union between our two kingdoms if we are to survive.”

  While she didn’t come out and say it, I internally cringed at the underlying meaning to her statement.

  Castiel avoided my gaze and red flushed in the king’s cheek, but he dodged the statement smoothly. “There’s an ambassador coming from overseas. Will he bring news of the Wraith Queen?”

  The seer closed her eyes. “Yes. You must build a strong alliance now.”

  “Peace with Anolyn is being negotiated. Even now—”

  “A union is not negotiable.” Her eyes flashed open and she looked to me. “You must come to accept this.”

  I ground my teeth to keep from replying and glanced to Castiel.

  “If you choose to ignore my words, you’ll pay the price. We all will.”

  “You’ve seen this?” Castiel asked. “And what is the price if we do not succeed?”

  She shrugged. “I do not see everything. As you witnessed by the few who attended this evening, the arrival of this little princess will upset many.”

  The king looked at only the seer, avoiding all other gazes. “Precautions are being set in place as we speak.

  “I will personally see to her protection,” Castiel added.

  “How?” I asked, shooting him a glare. Despite my efforts, hurt infused my words. “You’ll be gone searching for a murderer.”

  “And will it be enough?” Melora asked. She traced one finger up her delicate arms, enjoying the touch of her younger skin. “It’s interesting you didn’t think it wise to council with me on the union of two great kingdoms. Have I grown so old and useless as to not merit consideration?”

  Tension rang through the colossal room.

  “Beware, young king. Don’t let your pride, your fear, be your downfall.”

  Riaan raked his fingers through his hair, then plastered a smile to his face. The effort seemed almost painful.

  “Will you council with me now?” He moved toward her to offer his arm. The seer took it with a dark twinkle in her young eyes.

  Replacements

  The morning was a beautiful palette of dusty rose, gold, and lilac splashed against a cloud-speckled sky. Already fifty soldiers in full armor lined up on their horses behind Castiel, Captain Melia, Lieutenant Reese, and the seer.

  There must be a union between our two kingdoms if we are to survive.

  I tried to ignore the warning from the seer time and time again but failed miserably. While she didn’t come out and say it, the implication was there.

  This was why I had run away from my uncle in the first place, what I tried to escape: marriage to someone I did not nor could not love. I prayed Melia didn’t read into her mother’s words.

  I rested my head gently against the cool glass of the window. Now that I had met the king of Anolyn, the thought was not so abhorrent as it had been only months ago, but it was not the king that drew my attention.

  Castiel was an impressive sight atop his spirited steed. He was flanked by Melora, who now appeared to be about thirty and could pass as her daughter’s sister instead of mother. How strange that must have been for a child to grow up with a being that could change her age to whatever she wanted. It was unnatural. Even creepy.

  Melora matched Melia’s severe mohawk braid and black officer’s dress of leather and breeches, but while Melia was draped with all manner of weaponry, the seer sported only a single knife. Did she even need it? But the two looked te
rrifying seated next to each other.

  And my heart longed to go with them instead of being trapped in the confines of my room. I imagined how I would look in my full combat gear, riding the front lines with Castiel at my side. Anyone who beheld us would quake and tremble in fear.

  I smiled at the thought, but my mind quickly slipped back into reality and my shoulders sank.

  After dinner we had been sent back to our rooms. Castiel left to see to Melora’s needs. He didn’t return to speak to me, and he didn’t say goodbye. The neglect stung, but I knew it was foolish to be upset by such a small thing. I gripped the skirt of my morning gown, wrinkling the once smooth fabric.

  I couldn’t hide from my uncle, I couldn’t outrun the brothers of Anolyn, and no one could escape the Wraith Queen. I pushed away from the windows to pace my room. She was the ultimate problem that had to be obliterated before I could be free.

  But could I do what needed to be done? If I married the king, I would be forever away from my uncle. Riaan, while arrogant and scheming, was a good leader and good to his people. Could I unite with him to save my kingdom? To save his? Could I live as his wife, and sister-in-law to Castiel? Could I see the prince married to someone else in the near future?

  Even as I thought it, my heart protested.

  I spun on my heel and raced from my room. On the other side of the door, Mikael stepped in front of me. I barely managed not to collide into him. A second guard flanked him “Where do you think—?”

  My words came almost too fast. “Either take me yourself or let me go on my own, but please, allow me see them off. I will return. You know I will.”

  He gave me a strange look, then motioned to the other guard. “Go with her.”

  I didn’t wait to see if the guard followed but half-ran through the hallways of the castle. By the time I made it outside, Castiel had done his final inspection of his troops. I sprinted out into the open, not caring what spectacle I would create. The prince was not looking my direction, but Melia was. She cocked her head and nodded, saying something I couldn’t hear over the rush of wind in my ears. Castiel twisted in his seat, surprise on his face. He guided his horse around, then leapt from his saddle.

  Melora watched me from afar, her expression unreadable, but I didn’t care. She could watch me all she wanted.

  I slowed, suddenly self-conscious, my breathing heavy.

  Castiel met me halfway. “What’s the matter?” he asked, concern etched upon his handsome face. “What’s wr—”

  “Are we such enemies that you would leave without saying goodbye?” I asked, shocked by my own breathless words.

  He flinched, then ran his fingers through his dark mane. “Of course we’re not enemies.”

  “Then why not say goodbye?” I asked again.

  The corner of his mouth flickered. He spoke low so as not to be overheard. “Ilianna, in my kingdom, if you plan on seeing the person again, if you want to see them again, you do not say goodbye. It’s bad luck.”

  And for some odd reason, my heart felt as if it would break in two. “I didn’t think you believed in bad luck.”

  One brow tipped high. “There are many things I believe now that I never did before.”

  My body froze as his thumb gently grazed the line of my jaw. I braced for my usual reaction, but his touch soothed instead of disturbed. “Practice your magic while I’m gone. There’s a vial of Melora’s potion on my desk in my room.”

  He glanced over my shoulder to the guard I had all but forgotten about. “Make sure she gets it.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “I’ll be back soon. Less than a week.”

  “You have three days,” I said, my words clipped.

  “Oh?”

  “That should be more than enough for the renowned Prince of Anolyn.”

  He nodded. “Alright. Three days.”

  He dropped his hand and backed toward his horse. In one fluid movement he had regained his seat to turn his steed back toward his troops. He didn’t say goodbye and he didn’t look back. I watched as the band of soldiers rode through the courtyard gates until they disappeared into the surrounding countryside.

  Someday, I would disappear too. As I thought it, a plan solidified in my mind, deadly but firm. I mechanically retraced my steps to my room, unseeing, uncaring.

  Johan didn’t want peace. That truth screamed from my soul. There was something else he wanted, but what that was, I didn’t know. No matter the cost, I had to stop him.

  I would not marry Riaan, and I would never go back to my uncle. I would kill Johan before ever returning to Eira.

  I was unprepared the last time I had tried. The burn on my neck was proof. But I had acted rashly at the time. Now, I would train. I would train like I had never done before, and with the enemy of my uncle. With Riaan’s men. Melia had already taught me so much. Castiel could teach me even more.

  I would kill the king of Eira, and when the kingdom fell to me, I would hand it over to the king of Anolyn and his brother, Prince Castiel. They were good men, capable of uniting and leading two kingdoms into battle against an evil Queen and her demon horde. Perhaps I would stay to ensure victory, but when it was all over and the blood of battle leeched from the fields, I would finally flee this plagued continent.

  This righteous awareness took hold upon me and solidified in my mind.

  I barely heard the commotion until I was nearly at my door. Several guards moved about my room. My escort ran ahead and was immediately redirected by Mikael, who stood with three other guards I had never seen at the entrance. My steps faltered. “What’s this?”

  Mikael ignored me, scanning a parchment he held. “The furniture will obviously stay, but take whatever personal items our gracious king has gifted and bring it.”

  Sameen was at my armoire, helping guards to gather its contents.

  “Wait.” I hesitantly stepped inside. Fear laced my heart. “What’s going on?” I asked. My uncle’s face flashed into my mind. Had he arrived? Where was Reese and his comfort now?

  “Forgive the intrusion,” Mikael said with a partial bow, finally looking to me, “but there was a mistake with your room. Would you come with me, Princess Ilianna?”

  I flinched upon him using my real name. Despite the king’s earlier assertion, Princess Ilianna was an enemy in this kingdom. A suitable room would be in a cell with Cy the wraith. “But—” My voice scratched against a suddenly dry throat and I swallowed, trying to relocate my composure. “But I like it here. I’m fine with staying—”

  “Your highness is very kind with pardoning such a horrific mistake, but I assure you, the king will not rest until you are comfortably situated in our guest quarters, nearer to him.”

  With a dramatic wave, he gestured for me to leave. The other guards were busy gathering my small collection of things, but they were paying close attention to everything I said. What other choice did I have?

  I followed him as he guided me down the hallways to a part of the castle I had never been. “The celebration came early, I see. Is that why we’re using my name so freely?”

  “The king will announce you to the kingdom, but the guards and those that work closely with us have all been notified of the situation.”

  Again, I was a situation. “I see.”

  Two guards stood at attention outside a large door, watching as we neared. Their gaze slid to me. Coldness seeped from their expressions and I tipped my chin even higher. Mikael ignored them completely and produced a small keychain from his pocket. He unlatched the door and I followed him in.

  Flowing, lilac-colored drapes had been pushed away from two large, open windows at the opposite side of the space. Dust masked as silver flecks of fairy light danced on a cool morning breeze. It smelled of freshly cut roses and soap, the evidence of such on a table in the corner of the room. A four-poster bed of ornately carved wood and wrought-iron dwarfed the rest of the space. Yards of cream-colored linens hung from the centermost part of the mast and swathed over each pedestal al
l the way to the ground. Blankets of white and creams, lace and silks, folded over the mattress with more pillows than one could ever need.

  A decorative vanity table waited between the two grand windows, the top coated with an oversupply of feminine paraphernalia. A bathtub twice the size of the one I had previously been using sat behind a tufted, cream and yellow privacy screen, with even more roses on a private table with soaps, lotions, and brushes.

  It was one of the biggest, most beautiful rooms I had ever been in… and yet it only filled me with a sense of loneliness.

  Mikael cleared his throat. “Sameen has been relieved of all other duties and will be your round-the-clock lady’s maid until further notice. There will be a guard at your door at all times of the day.” He smiled, though it was not friendly. “I have been given the honor of seeing over your security detail until the prince returns.”

  “That should be fun for you,” I said, although I assumed he felt the sting of the task even more than I did.

  “You will find every comfort you could possibly desire in this room. It’s yours, but as of right now, the king requests your presence.”

  “Now?”

  “As soon as you can be ready. Today, you will meet his guard.” He moved to the armoire and opened it. On the inside panel waited a leather ensemble of black boots, breeches, and jerkin. It matched the uniforms worn by Castiel and Melia, but no weapons.

  My shoulders drooped as again the desire to join them hit me. “But I’ve already met so many of them.”

  “As Lady Anna.”

  I sighed. “There’s no difference.”

  “But there is. You’re Princess Ilianna. The Scourge of Men. The dreaded daughter to the feared Prince Toma and the niece to the powerful King Johan. They must be allowed to see you as you truly are.” He folded the parchment and left without further instructions.