Shadowed

by Tara Jadestone

  “Oh, well–” I glanced down, shifting my foot. Selenah is right, but I do not want the Prince think I was being rude after extending kindness to me! “The Shadow Reaper is still a threat,”

  I stammered, having nothing else to say.

  Selenah shook her head.

  “No need to worry about the Shadow Reaper just yet, Mel. I was able to have the Palace grounds protected. I can guarantee our safety so long as we stay here within these gates.” She then curtsied in my direction, took the Prince’s arm, and the two walked away.

  I exhaled lightly and gazed back at the beautiful and lively courtyard. I really did want to enjoy my glorious moments without her and Prince Gareth. Because, starting now, the respect I would receive was not because I was simply the shadow that followed Selenah’s every move but because I was a Duchess, worthy of respect, from my own actions.

  “Congratulations, Duchess Melanie,” I heard someone say. I turned to see Owen stopping to stand before me. “You saved the kingdom!”

  I shrugged at the playfulness in his voice. “I do not understand what the whole fuss is about. I asked for Selenah to wake up and she did. And now I am Duchess of the Solstice Palace!”

  “A great reward indeed,” Owen said, grinning. “And I would go so far as to say this is something you might have wanted for a while now.”

  I looked away, blushing a little at his words. When did he find time to notice that?

  Then something caught my eye, something in the sky.

  “Look at that,” I said, turning my head up. “What is it?”

  Owen looked up as well. “It is an eagle, I believe. We do not see large birds like that very often in towns, even when near forests. It must have made home nearby since the Palace has been closed for some time now.”

  I stared at it and realized it was the same bird I had seen when Selenah had first become ill. It circled the sky in a loop and cried out a shrill, defiant call.

  “That is the same bird I saw the other night,” I said. Owen looked at me. “I wonder why it returned.”

  The eagle circled once more before taking a dive downward. The two of us stepped back, expecting it to drop close to us, but it did not. It hit something invisible –like a wall– before it began circling the sky once more.

  “Odd,” I murmured.

  Owen turned to face me. “I heard there is a banquet for Gareth’s arrival at the Palace. Shall we attend, Duchess?” he asked, extending an arm. I nodded and took his arm, but the eagle’s inability to descend lingered in my mind. What caused it to do that?

  The banquet was set up outside for the good weather and the few nobles that were here were invited to attend. They sat upon the chairs surrounding the center stage where the performers were while Prince Gareth, Owen, Selenah and I were to sit in front of them. During most of the ceremony, my eyes continuously drifted above us, where I watched the eagle fly in endless circles.

  At one point, I felt Selenah kick me under the banquet table. Luckily, I was on her left and no one noticed. I glared at her and she glared back at me.

  “What?” I whispered, annoyed.

  “You know perfectly well why I kicked you,” she hissed. “The performers are in front of us, not in the sky!”

  I huffed but looked to the dancers that performed in front of us. Everyone –but me– watched, absorbed by the dancers’ mesmerizing performance as they jumped and twirled like flying lights. Entertainers came by every so often to Brassion so I was not very impressed by what was being performed, but I also did not want anyone to see my disapproval and be offended. I was sure Selenah was watching out of respect as well.

  I turned away, pretending to watch them as Selenah observed me with narrowed eyes. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Prince Gareth take her hand and speak. At once, she turned away.

  Now, free of her intense gaze, my eyes once more followed the eagle. I then noticed one of the dancers had walked up to the table, asking for Her Ladyship to join them. Selenah smiled and stood up, taking Prince Gareth along with her as she made her way where the other dancers stood waiting.

  I sat up in my seat, momentarily forgetting the eagle flying overhead. I stared enviously as Selenah’s feet easily found the steps to the dance she was being taught. Prince Gareth, however, did not have such luck; he flustered about, trying to keep up.

  From the corner of my eye, I saw Owen stand and take Selenah’s seat beside mine. He leaned casually onto the armrest toward me. I turned to face him, eyebrows raised.

  “You do realize that you are sitting in a lady’s seat?”

  I asked. The wooden cathedra he was sitting now on –like mine– was considerably smaller in size, but they far more designed in gold and silver than the one Prince Gareth and Owen had originally been sitting in, which were tiny replicas of the grey thrones at the King’s Castle.

  He shrugged. “Does it matter,” he replied in a low voice, forcing me to lean closer to hear, “if all I wanted was to sit beside you?”

  I laughed at his smile, seeing that he was merely playing with me. He must have been rather bored with the performance and was simply looking for someone to talk to again.

  “Are you always so talkative when given the chance to acquaint with a girl?” I asked with a wry smile. “Or are you just jealous Selenah chose Prince Gareth over you as her dancing partner?”

  Before he could respond, something caught my eye and I turned my head away. I clapped a hand over my mouth to see Prince Gareth on the ground and several dancers toppled over him. The sight looked surreal– never would I imagined a prince so awkward!

  Despite formalities, I could not stifle my laughter. The Prince’s face only deepened in color, and I tried to stop, but only managed to snort louder. At this, Owen began to laugh aloud, throwing his head back.

  I hastily excused myself, bowing my head, before I could insult Prince Gareth any further. My laughter ebbed away as reality set in. How could I have been so thoughtless? Prince Gareth recognized me and elevated my status. What would he do now after I had embarrassed him? Banish me from the Palace? Denounce my title as Duchess? I shook my head. Surely, Selenah –or maybe even Owen– would vouch for me.

  When I had the courage to go back to the banquet, Selenah and Prince Gareth had taken the two empty seats. Owen smiled at my arrival.

  “Is Prince Gareth still–?” I asked in a low voice, letting the question hang. Owen’s smile vanished, and he leaned closer. I swallowed hard.

  “Aye. He is livid for you laughing at him before a court of guests!” Owen whispered.

  I dared to not look the Prince’s way.

  “Should I apologize to him?” I whispered back. “Or maybe I should leave? Or should I set up a personal meeting with him and–?” Owen began to laugh again. I frowned. This was not a laughing matter. Unless– “Owen!” I pushed his arm away, angered that he had tricked me. “How could you?”

  “It was the least I could do for Gareth,” Owen said with a laugh, his hand touching where I had hit him.

  For a moment, I held my breath, thinking I had gone too far with him once again. There were probably rules against commoners touching nobility outside formalities. But Owen did not say anything against my behavior.

  “Oh, you should have seen the look on your face,” he added with a grin. “It was much too good a moment to pass up.”

  Turning away from Owen, I slouched in my seat.

  I was not being punished, so a prank seemed to be a fair payback for Prince Gareth’s humiliation.

  I looked over at Owen, who had turned to face the next set of performers with a sigh. Perhaps he is truly a friend and not one who sought me to gain Selenah’s attention. I found myself smiling at the thought.

  My gaze slowly lifted back to the sky. The eagle I had seen was still there. It circled a final time before it flew off in the distance. I glanced at the performers. With an urge to follow after the eagle, I quietly stood up and walked after it. From the corner of my eye, I thought Owen turned to face me w
hen I got up, but I thought nothing of it.

  I walked briskly after the eagle when I came to a sudden halt. The Palace’s cobblestone path ended a yard or two away. My instincts told me to refrain from leaving the palace’s protected grounds.

  The eagle was perched on a low tree branch just outside the Palace gates. Its misty green eyes bore into mine and turned its head to show off what appeared to be a smile, a sickening grin that made my heart stiffen in horror.

  I felt powerless under its cold, icy glare and its twisted look sent shivers down my spine. Its beak curved upwards, a smirk that seemed to show that it was enjoying my terror. It unfurled its wings and–

  “Melanie?”

  I spun around, seeing Owen stand behind me with a puzzled look on his face. I was immensely relieved to see him. I imagined that I would have died of fright had I been alone with that bird another moment.

  “Are you all right? You look a bit pale.”

  “I am fine,” I said quickly. “I just wanted to…get away from the crowd.” I took a quick glance back at the tree. The eagle was gone. “Why are you out here?” I asked Owen.

  “Oh, I uh, saw you run off. I thought you...perhaps my teasing was taken a bit too far.” He looked uneasy as I was. Did he see the eagle there, too?

  “Oh, no,” I reassured him. “I am fine, I assure you.” Owen gave me a small smile. “Well, the performance should be over by now and Selenah will be wondering where I am. Will you escort me back?” His shoulders relaxed, and nodded, offering an arm.

  I heard the eagle’s cry before swooping low into the horizon that had begun to color orange.

  We arrived back to the banquet where Selenah was indeed wondering where I had gone.

  “Where were you?” Selenah exclaimed, exasperated.

  “I was about to send a search party!”

  “My whereabouts are none of your concern,” I said, irritated. She was acting as if I had been gone for long. “I was not gone very long, and I do not need you knowing my every move.”

  She glared at me and then turned to Owen. He stiffened. “Do not let her stray. She tends to get into trouble when she does.”

  “I am no menace,” I said to her with my teeth clenched. Is this why he followed me? “And I do not need someone to watch me, either.” Did Selenah employ the Archduke to be my friend –when in truth– he was just a pair of eyes for her?

  Selenah gave me a tight-lipped smile and turned to address Owen.

  “I believe a few nobles requested your presence regarding the banquet. See to it that you resolve any issue they may have.” With that, she turned around and left.

  Seeing her retreating back, I could not have felt any angrier then. Why did I not realize this before?

  “Melanie,” Owen began, but I sent him a glare and he stopped, mouth slightly agape. I pulled my arm away from his. Does he think me a fool to still see him as a friend after what Selenah said?

  I turned and walked back into the Palace, ready to skip supper if it meant not seeing Owen and Selenah.

  I then remembered that I had not finished searching for who the Shadow Reaper might be and decided to spend some time in the Grand Library.

  When I entered, I was surprised that the two books I had found earlier were still upon the table, seemingly untouched. Walking over to look at the open books, I gasped. Black ink completely stained the pages, its words no longer visible. I brushed my fingers against the page, testing to see if the ink was wet. It was dry.

  Awed, I flipped through the inked pages until I came across a page that had not been completely blacked out. There was only one word left uncovered: Niro.

  I furrowed my eyebrows. Niro? Is that a name? And why does it sound so familiar, as if I had heard of it before?

  I walked over the library keeper and asked if anyone had come here since I had left. He shook his head, no.

  “Why, is there something wrong, Duchess?” he asked, squinting his eyes at me.

  I hesitated and then nodded anyway. “Look here,” I said, motioning for him to follow. “The pages have been–”

  I stopped, realizing the pages were normal; there was no indication of it ever having been inked. The library keeper cocked his head, his narrowed eyes remained.

  My cheeks burned with humiliation. Did I imagine it? Quickly, I shook my head, turning to face the library keeper.

  “I would like these books placed back in their original locations,” I said. He nodded and did as requested.

  Rubbing my forehead, I returned to my chamber, not realizing how exhausted I was. I needed a rest from all of this madness.

  ****

  One of the new maids pleaded in front of my chamber, begging for me to open the door so I could have supper with their Royal Highnesses.

  For some time, I was able to simply ignore her or repeat that I was not hungry. But then she started to cry about how her superiors would never believe her when she told them that I refused to eat and would have her punished for leaving the Duchess without a proper meal.

  I decided to have supper after all, but only for the sake of the maid, who was overjoyed at my change of heart.

  The dinner was quite delicious. I suspected the food was a part of a celebratory feast for Prince Gareth. After all, this would be one of his only visits to his late mother’s residence. Every so often I had to catch myself, comparing it to the meals I had in my time with the Shadow Reaper.

  It would be a lie had I said everything else was just as good as the meal was.

  Owen sat across from me and continuously gave me remorseful looks, blinking and gazing my way. It only aggravated me. Why is he so apologetic now? Why had he not been honest to me from the beginning? It upset me further when Selenah continuously tried to insert me into her conversation about who-knows-what to keep me from enjoying my meal in peace.

  However, I noticed that her dessert was different than the rest of ours. While we enjoyed small, iced puffs made from vanilla cream, she had a slice of a tri-layered lemon, strawberry, and hazelnut cake. I shrugged it off as nothing more than her receiving her usual extra attention.

  After supper was over, I left knowing that with Owen’s love for words, he would follow me and try to explain himself. I waited outside my chamber and, sure enough, he came. He was fairly surprised to see me waiting for him but spoke first.

  “Melanie, please let me explain.”

  “There is nothing to explain,” I stated, tapping my foot in agitation.

  “There is,” Owen insisted. I scoffed, folding my arms across my chest. “I want to be honest now– with you.”

  “Alright, so, answer this one question Owen: did Selenah tell you to watch where I go and what I do?”

  He was silent. The longer he stood there, the surer I was that the answer was a yes. Several times I saw his jaws tense, like he wanted to say something, but held back.

  “I was…” He stopped himself. “Melanie, I did not…” He shook his head. Owen was a chatterbox, and yet now he is here, fumbling for mere words. I could not take it anymore.

  “I trusted you! I…I truly thought you were a friend!”

  I shouted, feeling the corner of my eyes water. Owen met my fierce gaze with wide eyes.

  “I would like to think I am–”

  “No, you are not!” I cried, slamming my fists against my side. He winced. “How insulting,” I continued, laughing at his audacity. “Owen– stay away from me. You can tell my sister that her little ruse went awry and that I will not tolerate being watched like some criminal!”

  I opened my chamber door and slammed it shut behind me before sliding the latch across it. How could Selenah do this? Especially after I saved her from her deathly nightmare? I stood there, leaning against the door, feeling miserable until I heard Owen walk away. For a while, everything was still.

  Then I heard it.

  CHAPTER NINE

  CALL OF THE WILD

  Loud cawing pierced the silence of the night. I raced over to the window and gasped. Th
ere was a large group of crows surrounded the palace gates, as well as the skies above it. Several were the large crows that the Dark Mages rode, while the others were ordinary-sized.

  I saw Selenah walk across the courtyard slowly. But she was not alone. Several Royal Guards were at her side, and so was Prince Gareth. I frowned. There had to be more to the crows than what we saw. What could the Shadow Reaper possibly do by sending only crows?

  Selenah waved her hands, shooing the birds away. White sparks formed on her fingertips before they shot straight for the intruders like bolts of lightning. And as quickly as they had come, the birds vanished into thin air.

  I was stunned at the display of quick, effective magic when I saw Selenah fall to her knees, holding her head in her hands. Prince Gareth rushed to her side, taking her into his arms and carrying her back inside.

  What caused to her to weaken so suddenly? I thought it was odd that Selenah would collapse after the use of one spell. Her magic was much greater than that. I rushed out of my chamber. Something was wrong, and I did not like it at all.

  The Palace was no more abuzz with Selenah’s sudden collapse with night falling in. Everyone was already in bed or preparing for their nightly slumber. The day had been a boisterous one, and it seemed that nothing was amiss to their eyes. As for me, I did not need to check up on Selenah. It would be a waste of time to check on her personally when Prince Gareth and the Royal Guards would see to her.

  I was determined to figure out what was the source of Selenah’s weakened state. I wracked my mind for what could have caused her sudden instability. My thoughts to her dessert during supper came to mind. Did someone tamper with her food? I thought it was unlikely, but decided it was a better start than none.

  On my way to the kitchens, I nearly collided into someone, for half the candles had already been put out.

  I muttered apologies and was on my way when the person caught me by the arm.

  “Melanie.” The voice was unmistakable: Owen.

  I frowned. “Why are you up so late? If you are worried about Selenah, I assure you she is–”