“You’re promised to my brother.”
Our eyes were locked. We were so close I could see his chest heaving and feel his breath lightly on my face. I slowly reached my hand to his cheek. “I know you love him, Lare. But think about it. If you decide you’d finally like to claim something you want, you know where to find me.”
I turned to leave. Fingertips encircled my wrist, catching me mid step. Larylis gently pulled me toward him until we were again face to face. He placed a finger beneath my chin and slowly brought our lips to meet.
26
Apology
Cora
“Teryn,” I whispered. “Are you awake?”
I heard rustling down the hall followed by Teryn’s hushed voice. “Yes.”
I pressed my face to the bars of my door, making sure the guard was still nowhere to be seen. The guard had stopped his pacing some time ago, and although I couldn’t see him, it was safe to assume he had fallen asleep.
“We have to get out of here,” I said. “Valorre is out there. I think he’s waiting for me.”
“How do you know?”
“I saw the Beast—the Roizan—tonight. Or…last night. He ran off, chasing something. Morkai said it must be Valorre, and I know he’s right. I can feel Valorre’s presence.”
“The two of you really have a special bond, don’t you?” Teryn said.
“Yes.”
Teryn was silent a moment. “Can I ask you something, Cora?”
I felt a little uneasy at the hesitance in his voice. “Of course.”
“Remember that time you disappeared when we saw the—what did you call it?”
“The Roizan. That’s what Morkai calls it.”
“Roizan,” Teryn echoed. “Lex called you a witch, and you told us you can protect yourself. Was he right? Can you really do magic?”
I couldn’t help but laugh, despite the pit in my stomach. “I wouldn’t call myself a witch or say I do magic, but I am practiced in the Arts. Most of the Forest People are. I’m sorry I never told you. It took me some time to trust you. I didn’t know how you would react.”
“But now that I’ve seen what I have…”
“Yes, now I think you can handle it.”
“You also never told me you were Princess of Kero. That you’re Princess Coralaine.”
I felt my stomach sink even further than it already was. Through the chaos of the past few days, I hadn’t realized I’d left Teryn to discover the truth on his own, never explaining myself or what had happened. “I’m so sorry Teryn. I didn’t realize…”
“I’m not upset, Cora. I was surprised and confused, but it didn’t take long for me to put the pieces together. With everything this sorcerer has done here, it’s easy to see why you’ve been hiding your identity. If you still don’t feel comfortable talking about it, I’ll respect that. I just wanted you to know I understand.”
“I’ll tell you everything,” I said in a rush. As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt relief. I was filled with an urgency to free myself of the truths I’d held inside for so long. And I did. I told him everything, from the deaths of my family, to my exile, and to meeting the Forest People. I told him about my power, about the Arts.
Teryn listened quietly, asking a few questions here and there, but never judging, never admonishing. “So, you’re basically saying you can do magic.” The laughter in his voice made me smile. “Is this the part where you use your powers to break us out of here?”
“I wish I could. Morkai has been blocking my power somehow, but—” I paused, remembering the internal fire that had surged through me when I unknowingly attacked Morkai. Perhaps I was somehow regaining access to the Arts. “It wouldn’t hurt to try again.”
I took a deep breath and cleared my mind. Closing my eyes, I focused on the feeling of the cold bars beneath my palms. I thought of the energy flowing through them, until their composition unraveled in my mind’s eye into something malleable. I gently pulled the bars toward me.
The door swung open.
I stared at the open gap, mouth hanging wide. “It…opened.”
“What? You used your power?”
“I…I don’t even know if it was me. It was almost too easy.” My heart pounded in my chest as I faced the unbelievable prospect of freedom.
“What are you waiting for, Cora? If the door is open, get out!”
His voice propelled me forward, and I ran to his cell, looking left and right for any sign of the guard. “I have to get you out of here too.”
“No.”
“Teryn, I’m not leaving you.” My hands shook as I fumbled with the lock, trying to calm my mind. Yet I was overcome with the prickling fear that, at any moment, the guard would wake and come strolling down the hall.
“You need to go. Now.” Teryn reached through the bars and put his hand gently on my own, halting my fruitless efforts. “I’m the only reason Morkai is waiting to wage war. He needs me alive. If I go missing, what’s to stop his wrath from exploding in some unpredictable way?”
“I can’t do this.” My voice cracked, panic flooding my body.
“You have to.” Teryn’s voice was firm. “This is your chance. This is our chance. Go gather allies. Find the Forest People! You can make a difference if you take your chance to escape. Go.”
I inhaled deeply, and exhaled slowly through my mouth. The anxiety drained from me until my mind became clear. “You’re right. I must go.”
“Don’t worry about me,” Teryn said.
“I will worry whether you like it or not. But I will see you again, you hear me?”
“Go. Stay safe.”
I gave his hand a final squeeze and took off down the hall. My heart sank with every step I took away from him, yet I continued forward. At the end of the row of cells, I pressed myself against the wall, looking for signs of movement. Still, no guard was to be seen. I crept quietly forward, up the stairs, and came to the dungeon door. It was slightly ajar.
With bated breath, I pressed it open.
The hall was dark and empty. I followed the only route from the dungeon I was familiar with—the one that would take me to the charred field.
I felt an anxious chill, as every door along the way was left slightly open. No guard was in sight. I could no longer attribute my luck to my own powers; I was not responsible for the open doors and lack of guards. All I could do was press on without fear, hoping I wasn’t running into a trap.
A rush of cool air met my skin as I came outside and stood at the edge of the field. Under the light of the breaking dawn, I ran toward the line of trees in the distance. A silhouette appeared at the end of my vision, galloping toward me. Valorre!
I felt a rumbling in the ground. With a quick turn of my head, I saw the unmistakable form of the Roizan rounding the corner of the castle. I doubled my speed as the rumbling surged behind me.
As the distance closed between me and the racing silhouette, I realized it was not Valorre, but Hara, still adorned with saddle and bags. My heart sank for a moment, wondering if Valorre was alive after all, but shook the question from my mind as I ran to meet Hara and hefted myself upon her back.
The Roizan continued its gain on us as Hara dug her hooves into the ground and abruptly turned us around, speeding toward the tree line. I held tight to the reins with one hand while searching for my bow with the other.
It felt like I was returning to my own skin as I gripped the familiar weapon in my hands, the smooth wood like an extension of my own arm. Releasing the reins, I reached into my quiver, withdrew an arrow, and nocked it into place. I swiveled and aimed at the Roizan racing behind us.
Before I could release it, a flash of white sped between me and the Roizan. The Roizan skidded to a halt and stared after Valorre. Valorre raced away from us and the Roizan followed. Again, I raised my bow, training my arrow on the Roizan’s fleshy face.
I released the arrow, puncturing the Roizan’s snout. My next arrow found the corner of its eye. The creature bellowed and rolle
d to the ground, rubbing its face into the dirt below. Hara continued racing forward into the forest and soon Valorre was at our side.
Thank you, I said to him. Now take me home.
27
Interlude
Teryn
“How did she escape her cell?” Morkai’s voice was low and calm, yet his face was twisted with fury.
I stood tall with my hands clasped behind my back. “She used her magic.”
“Impossible! I was blocking her powers.” Morkai seemed to say the last part more to himself than to me.
“Yes, she could tell, but her powers returned after you last summoned her. She opened the door like it was nothing.”
Morkai grumbled, striking the bars of my cell door with his staff. He turned toward the line of guards behind him. “Who was on guard?”
After a moment of silence, Dimetreus stepped forward. “I was, master.”
Morkai stormed over to him. “How did she escape on your watch?”
“I don’t know, my king.”
“You were last to lock her in her cell. Did you?”
“Yes.”
“Did you lock the door?”
Dimetreus swallowed hard. His eyes flashed away from Morkai and met mine for a moment. “Yes.”
“Did you remain here to stand guard as you should have? Did you leave your post? Did you let her escape?” Morkai reached out and grabbed Dimetreus by the throat.
Dimetreus gasped but did not put up a fight. Again, his eyes met mine. I was suddenly struck by the color of them, a subtle green that I’d previously seen as a dull black.
“It’s obvious how she got by him, considering she was invisible.” I tried to keep my voice level.
Morkai turned his head to the side. “What do you mean she was invisible?”
“One moment she was in front of my cell, and the next, she was simply gone. I’ve seen her do it before. She can disappear without effort.”
Morkai released his grasp from Dimetreus’ neck and walked back toward my cell. He paced, and his brow furrowed as he stroked his beard. “Perhaps it is a blessing. I don’t need that kind of magic around here, interfering with my plans. I never should have spared her life. The next time I see her, I will kill her.”
With that, Morkai strode from the dungeon, his guards falling in line behind him.
Once alone, I slumped to the ground and closed my eyes. The effort I’d made to remain calm in front of Morkai now unraveled in ragged breaths and tears that stung my eyelids. I thought of my family, my friends. Wherever Cora was, I hoped she was safe. I hoped Lex had safely delivered his message. I hoped my father was formulating a plan to protect our kingdom. As for myself, all I had to do was wait and hope Morkai kept me alive long enough to see the people I loved one last time.
* * *
Cora
I closed my eyes and thought of Salinda.
Her face filled my mind, every feature clear as if she were truly standing in front of me. I breathed in deeply and could smell the cook fires, the familiar aromas of steeping herbs. I could hear birdsong and the rumble of busy voices.
Where are you?
Salinda paused as she hung a piece of cloth on a line. Her eyebrows knit together, and she closed her eyes, placing a hand over her heart. Her thin mouth twitched into a smile.
I opened my eyes, and returned to the present. I was mounted on Hara’s back, reins warm beneath my hands. I could still hear the birds chirping amongst the trees, but they were different birds. The smells of cook fire and pungent herb were no more.
“Did you get it?” I looked at Valorre trotting next to me.
Yes. I can feel them. We are close.
My chest felt light, flooded with a joyful fluttering. I was almost home. Despite everything I’d experienced since parting ways with the Forest People, the pain of missing them was still fresh. My time at Ridine Castle renewed the loss of my first family, but nothing could compare to the family that had rescued me, cared for me, loved me. The family that had taught me the Arts and helped me understand my power.
“Valorre, do you have a family?” I was struck by the realization that Valorre had never communicated about his own home or family.
All unicorn is family.
“But what about a mother and father? The unicorns that made you? The unicorns you were born to?”
Valorre seemed to ponder for a moment. I was born. It was long ago. I don’t feel them anymore.
“Are they still alive?”
Perhaps. Home.
“Where is home?” I knew Valorre and the other unicorns weren’t native to Kero, but I hadn’t thought much about where they had come from. Even Morkai seemed surprised by their sudden introduction to the land.
Home is a place very close…but very far away. Like here, but not here.
“How did you get here? Why are so many unicorns coming to Kero?”
It was not on purpose. I was home. In forest. Then I felt the pull. I had to go forward. There was something…calling. A goodness. A magic. Sorrow. I was needed. Then I stepped onto land that was not my land. The call was like memory and so was home. I was lost.
His words made my heart sink. “Are you able to go back?”
I don’t know where home went. It is far away now.
“How many of your family are here in Kero? Can you feel them the way I can feel mine?”
There are many, but less than before. I can feel them. They understand Roizan now. And hunters. They understand hiding.
It was a small comfort that, perhaps, their numbers would remain if they were aware of the dangers around them. Still, I had no idea how many hunting parties continued their hunts. Had Morkai gotten enough of what he was after?
Thoughts of Morkai made me think of Teryn. Not even the joy of returning to the Forest People could make up for the thought of Teryn alone in his cell. I knew he wanted me to save myself and leave him, but had that really been the right decision? Would Morkai keep him alive to take him to Centerpointe Rock as promised? Or had I destroyed everything with my escape? Be strong, Teryn. I’m so sorry.
I let out a deep breath, releasing with it my dark thoughts. I focused on the memory of cook fires, dirt, and laundry lines, and filled my mind with home.
* * *
Larylis
I saddled my horse in the empty stable, moving as slowly and quietly as possible. I cocked my head at every noise that even remotely resembled approaching footsteps. My heart beat high in my chest, increasing tempo with every passing moment. What if she didn’t get my note? What if she did and decided not to come? I looked to the open door. Still no one. Maybe it was for the best.
Just as I finished loading my saddlebags, I heard the stable door shut softly behind me. I turned and saw a cloaked figure in a peasant-style dress walking toward me. Her clothing could fool anyone, but her proud walk and sultry, swaying hips betrayed her.
“You came.” I resisted the urge to run to her like an excited child.
Mareleau shook her golden hair from her hood and looked at me, her mouth twisting into a mischievous smirk. Her pace quickened and a moment later she was in my arms, our mouths hungrily meeting.
She filled my senses—the smell of her hair, the smoothness of her skin, the sound of her eager breaths as my arms pressed her closer. I would remember every second of this. It was likely the last I would ever get.
Mareleau gently pulled her lips from mine and began unhooking the clasp of her cloak. As it fell to the ground, it revealed a plain dress beneath with a very hastily-laced bodice. The smirk returned to her mouth as she grabbed my hands and led me to a corner of the stable.
Together we slid down on dirt and straw, our lips again entangled as my hands slid over the loosened laces of her dress. For just one moment I paused. The woman in my arms may one day be the wife of my brother. My brother.
Mareleau reached her hand to my cheek. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I smiled and brushed my lips against hers.
&nb
sp; “You can’t fool me, Lare. Don’t think about Teryn. We don’t have to go too far. What we do won’t hurt him.”
“If he knew about any of this, it would kill him.”
“I promise you, I will do whatever I can to avoid marrying him.”
I sighed. There was no use thinking about it. I’d already made my choice, regardless of the circumstances. I knew what I’d gotten myself into, and I knew where I wanted to be; with her.
I swallowed my guilt, shoved thoughts of Teryn to the farthest reaches of my mind, and immersed myself in the moment. In that time and place, encircled in my arms, she was nobody’s wife. She was the woman I loved, and she loved me.
Mareleau pulled me back down to her until we were again lost only in each other. An eternity wouldn’t have been long enough to enjoy our time together. But the moment came when we knew we must return to breathing our own air.
I reclined on my back, catching my breath as Mareleau rested her head on my chest.
“Did you really have a poem for me, the day of the contest?” Mareleau asked.
“You mean the day you sent me away?”
Mareleau playfully nudged me in the shoulder. “Come on, I’m serious.”
I laughed. It seemed so pathetic now, how I argued with King Verdian in front of everyone, how furious I was as the guards pulled me from the crowd. And how cold Mareleau had seemed to me. Now she was a warmth I would never forget. “No. I didn’t write you a poem.”
Mareleau wrinkled her nose at me. “I don’t believe you.”
“But I did write you a song.”
Mareleau rolled her eyes and smiled, but when my face failed to mirror hers, her eyes grew wide. “You’re not joking.”
“Would you like to hear it?”
After a moment’s hesitation, she nodded.
“Just don’t laugh.” I searched my mind for the words I had struggled so hard to write. Words I thought I’d never get to say to a tune that had never ceased playing.
Shadows of Lela Page 19