Shadowed

by Tara Jadestone

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  AN ODD TURN

  I awoke when I felt a draft of air prickle my neck. I found myself laying on the ground, curled up beside Owen. One of his arms was draped across my waist. He was absently gazing out over my shoulder and retracted his arm when he noticed I had woken up. I shook my head, blinking up in surprise to see that Owen had been untied. He smiled, too, but I could not smile back; half his face had swollen up from last night.

  “How are you feeling?” I whispered, pushing myself up. As I did so, I could feel the warmth of the sun shimmering from the cracks in the canopy of leaves above us. Had this been a different situation, I was sure I would have enjoyed spending time here.

  “As best as one can,” he answered.

  I looked about the deserted camp– not a single bandit in sight. The only proof they had been here was a spot of black earth, ashen remnants of the fire they had made.

  “What happened? Where are the bandits?” I asked Owen as I helped him to stand up. The forest was quiet and empty, save for us.

  “Rojer, I believe, untied me. The rest of his men left along with him some time ago.”

  “Did any of them tell you where we are?” He shook his head. I frowned. “Then how are we to get to the King’s Castle? Or back to the Solstice Palace?”

  “Perhaps if we follow their tracks, we may find the road again and wait for help there,” he suggested. I nodded. It was a better start than none.

  It was quiet as Owen scoured the forest ground for their tracks. We paused occasionally to give his sore chest a bit of rest. During one of these rests, I stared at Owen’s heaving form, still in disbelief that last night had actually happened. Did we really endure all that together?

  To our dismay, Owen was unable to find any trace of the bandits. But in our search, we came across two horses tied to a single tree. Both were rider-less and they were not Palace horses either, so they did not belong to the bandits who had stolen ours.

  Owen calmed them down before they could alert their riders of our presence, should they be nearby. The tracks to where their riders might be led us down to a pebbly path near a stream. We hid behind one of the trees and peeked out to see who they were. I could not believe my eyes.

  I looked at Owen just as he turned to me. He was equally surprised. What are they doing here?

  “…You agree with your father’s proposal?” I heard Selenah ask. She tossed something into the stream in agitation, her body stiff. They must have been talking about King Randin’s decision to marry Prince Gareth to one of the Porticor princesses. But out here? The King did say Selenah was not to interfere with the dragon attacks.

  “Selenah, my father is not well. He wakes up every morning crying and goes to bed the same way, afraid he will die before I am married.” Prince Gareth turned to look at her. “He worries I will not secure the throne soon enough with children of my own. Do you think, then, if we were to ever marry, that we…?”

  Selenah hesitated. “I do not know…if I were to have a child, I know the Shadow Reaper will stop at nothing to have him dead.” She turned away from Prince Gareth. “How could we bring a child into such a perilous life? Is there no one else that can produce this heir to ease your father’s worries?”

  “My cousin’s children will be considered as heirs,” Gareth said slowly. “And I have brought up the idea to my father before. He was not unwilling to hear me out.”

  From of the corner of my eye, I saw Owen nearly trip over his own footing. It made me want to roll my eyes. But despite the awkwardness of the situation we had found ourselves in, we had found our way back home.

  “Follow my lead,” I whispered to Owen. He frowned, confused, but nodded anyway. I inched away silently until I was several yards away from the two. Taking a deep breath, I shouted, “Help! Someone, please help us!”

  I was shocked by how fast they came for us. Prince Gareth’s sword was unsheathed and Selenah’s hands glowed. The two halted mid-run at the sight of us.

  “Your Highness!” I exclaimed, feigning surprise.

  Selenah rushed towards me and nearly knocked me down in her tight embrace. Owen and the Prince exchanged words and clasped each other’s hands firmly.

  “What happened to you two?” Selenah asked frantically, her eyes searching my face. “What are you doing here?”

  “We were on our way to the King’s Castle,” I told her. “We were ambushed.”

  She looked at me with pained eyes, perhaps seeing the bare skin that should have been covered in jewelry. She embraced me once more, muttering an apology. I stood rigid, frowning at her show of care.

  “Do you know why we were called?” Owen asked. “It may prove to be the reason why we were taken captive.”

  Selenah drew away from me and exchanged a glance with Prince Gareth.

  “Owen, allow us to take you to the King’s Castle safely.

  I will deal with those bandits later,” Prince Gareth replied.

  Owen narrowed his eyes slightly at how his cousin evaded the question entirely but nodded anyway.

  Selenah and the Prince both mounted the same horse, allowing Owen and I to mount the other. I was careful not to press my weight on him, seeing how his face flushed with pain as he forced himself onto the horse.

  As we rode, I became anxious about why we were asked to the King’s Castle. It was evident that Selenah and the Prince knew but had kept it to themselves. Was it about producing the heir the King wanted? I shook my head. Why did King Randin want a new heir when he had both his son as Crown Prince and Owen as Heir Successor?

  When we arrived, Owen and I were given a change of clothes and brought a quick meal. Selenah began treating Owen’s wounds from the bandit attack after we had settled in. I looked away when he removed his shirt, revealing the dark bruises on his chest. But I found myself inclining my head to watch them through my peripheral gaze. I saw Selenah touch his bare skin, whispering a spell. I clenched my hands, feeling a sudden rush of anger at the sight. At that moment, I desperately wished I had magic of my own.

  Prince Gareth was also present, first asking of the bandits’ descriptions, and later speaking of some festivity that had occurred just recently. But I was too busy trying to ignore how Selenah looked so homely at Owen’s side to pay attention to what exactly was being said.

  I huffed and turned away, upset that my eyes had wandered back to them.

  “Oh, you should have seen Melanie, Gareth!” I heard Owen exclaim, catching my attention. I turned my head to look at them again, seeing the Prince and Selenah face me, too. I cocked my head, meeting Owen’s gaze. “Our situation was hopeless– but Melanie still had fight in her. The number she did to that scoundrel Gyor; I cannot help but feel proud to know her as my friend.”

  Hearing him, I wanted to laugh and smile and cry all at once. Selenah’s face broke into a grin and she clapped her hands together, looking at Prince Gareth. He nodded in my direction, but his eyes were still wide with shock of what Owen had said.

  But after the moment of recognition passed, I dropped my gaze and gripped my left arm, where Gyor had first grabbed me. I would rather not think about him at all, even if it were about the tale of my heroism. And it only reminded me of the memory-like scenes I had witnessed that night. Perhaps there was something in the food the bandits gave me, and all I had seen was some sort of hallucination.

  Selenah offered to use her magic to heal the cut in my cheek from Gyor’s assault, but I declined. After saying farewell, she and Prince Gareth departed in search for the bandits. Selenah had also ignored my asking of what they had been doing in the middle of the forest in the first place.

  As soon as they had gone, the King requested that Owen speak with him.

  “Melanie, would you please wait for me by the garden?” Owen told me as we stopped some yards away from where His Majesty stood.

  I nodded and began walking back when I stopped myself. I could not hold back my curiosity. I wanted to know what was the King would speak to Owen
about.

  Once Owen turned his back, I fell in step with him and hid by the stone archway where the two had met up. I looked over my shoulder, making sure there were no passing maids or Guards who could call me out.

  “I have summoned you today to speak of important matters. Perhaps you know, my only son, Gareth, is smitten with her Ladyship Selenah and refuses any other hand other than hers.” I gawked at his bluntness as he continued. “But I need an heir, and soon.” He paused. “As of now, I do not approve of my son’s decision as Lady Selenah is keen on not having children. However, you have the ability to help your cousin. I shall agree to Gareth’s terms of forestalling marriage so long as you can assure this throne with an heir of your own, whether with a prince or princess. Perhaps this year would suffice, yes?”

  “I…Uncle,” Owen said, fumbling for words. “This year? How…How am I to–?”

  “You are twenty-three, Owen, you know this talk. And you have seen so many women in this past year alone. In truth, your father and I have been expecting to hear a betrothal offer from you for quite some time already.” My breath left me hearing those words. I turned away slightly, a hand over my chest. Why does it even bother me to hear it? “So, I am sure that there is no problem with you choosing one of these women to be your Archduchess and grant us a child from her.” Owen said nothing to this. But his hands were clenched to fists behind his back. “Is there a problem I am not aware of?” the King demanded.

  Owen bowed his head. “No, Uncle.”

  “Very well. I imagine that you will choose your bride within the fortnight. I will be looking forward to your betrothal, Owen. Your father and mother will be, too. You are dismissed.”

  I jumped at the King’s last words, knowing I had to make my exit quickly to not be seen eavesdropping.

  I made a dash for the courtyard and asked the nearest servant for directions to the garden. There, I pretended as if I had been there the entire time by sitting myself down on one of the wooden benches and gazing absently at the sight before me.

  When Owen arrived, he looked at me with a blank expression that scared me. Is there someone he has in mind? Is that why his attitude changed in my presence? The thought of it made my heart sink, but I waved it away. Of course, if anyone he would marry, it would be a noblewoman and not one like me. I almost gasped aloud. Did I really think I was an option for him?

  “Would you accompany me on a walk, Melanie?”

  I stood up, nodding. “Of course.”

  We strolled about, quiet and withdrawn. I did not know what to say to him; I had to pretend I did not know that the King expected so much from him so soon, or that I was bitterly against it. And I was sure he was forming the right words to tell me.

  “Melanie,” Owen said. He stopped walking. I turned to face him.

  “Yes?”

  “You have become seventeen just the past day.”

  For a moment I just stared, but then I could not help but laugh. What a thing to say at this moment!

  “Gareth told me the Castle celebrated the start of summer in honor of Lady Selenah’s birth. I thought it was only fair to wish the same to you.”

  I smiled, glancing up at the sunlit, summer’s sky.

  “It seems so trivial to celebrate the season when so many things have happened and changed.” My gaze dropped down, and I feared he would catch my allusion to what the King had just said to him.

  Owen shook his head. “I would say that is a valid reason to celebrate life, for all its changes are ours alone to live by.”

  I sighed and turned my head to look at him.

  “But thank you, Owen.” I closed my eyes to the breeze that blew by. I reopened them and walked with Owen at my side. After a moment I mustered the courage to ask, “What did the King say?”

  Owen’s initial happiness faded away. He played with the cufflink of his sleeve.

  “It is nothing too important to worry about.”

  “We were ambushed for no reason at all, then?” I could not stop myself from saying it. Owen’s shoulders fell, and he gave in.

  “My cousin wants to marry your sister.” His words were sharp. “And the King wishes for me to secure an heir, so they may have some time for themselves.”

  “Is that a problem,” I said in a low voice, “that my sister and the Prince want to be together?” I wanted to know. Was it possible that he, like Connor and Prince Gareth, was also in love with Selenah? Is that why it hurt him to hear the King say it?

  “No, of course not,” he said quickly, raising an eyebrow at my asking. “I am glad they are happy together.” I held back a sigh of relief. “It is just that…I am not brave enough to tell the one girl I honestly care for to be…my wife.”

  “And have a child with her.”

  He nodded, looking away. His face had gone red. “Yes, and that…though I think we are both too young.”

  “I am sure both she and you would understand this is doing for Prince Gareth and Selenah’s sake.” He nodded and exhaled loudly. I did not want him to give up on the subject so soon, so I quickly added, “Do you think the King has anyone in mind for you?”

  “No.” It was my turn to exhale, now realizing that I held my breath awaiting his answer. “But he expects me to wed soon,” he added, his shoulders hunching.

  “Perhaps I could help assist you,” I heard myself saying. Owen looked at me, an eyebrow raised in question. “Assist you in telling the girl you care for to be your wife,” I clarified. “Your situation is unusual for a girl –or anyone for that matter– to understand.”

  He watched me for a moment before his face broke out into a grin.

  “If only you could,” he said with a laugh. I did not understand what was so amusing, but it was better to hear Owen laugh than to see him worry.

  As we continued to walk the Castle grounds, Owen appeared to be more content. He pointed at the different monuments and towers and explained their reason for being there. He glanced my way every so often with a small smile on his face. But I listened with only half my usual enthusiasm. What if someone notices us acting so friendly and tells her? Would it not ruin his chance of marrying that girl of his choosing? I did not want to spoil Owen’s, or her, possible chance of having a good life together.

  We had finished our tour of the Castle’s exterior halls and now approached the doors that would lead us back inside.

  I closed my eyes briefly before turning to face Owen.

  “Perhaps I should go home, back to the Solstice Palace,” I suggested. “I am sure you will be busy preparing for your wedding and I do not wish to in your way.”

  “Oh,” was all he replied with.

  “Send my regards to Prince Gareth and my sister when they return.” I hesitated but then turned and walked away. Owen remained speechless.

  A carriage was set for my departure. The King, tending to other businesses, did not bid me farewell. Owen, on the other hand, insisted he come with me.

  “I cannot –without guilt– leave you on your own. Not after what happened on the road.”

  My eyes widened. Why am I realizing now how much he cares about my safety? But then I remembered that he was going to be married and have a child with another woman. One from the many the King had referenced. His worry for me must be out of kindness…out of friendship.

  “I will be fine, Owen,” I said gently, although I wished more than anything for him to accompany me. It would be a lonely ride back. “There are many Guards with me this time.” I gave a halfhearted smile. “You have more important things to worry about, anyway.” Owen relented and stepped back.

  The carriage door slammed shut. Flanked with six Guards on horseback, I made my way back home. As time passed, I began to regret leaving Owen. I could have easily stayed at the King’s Castle. But I brushed my thoughts aside. I have to stay away from him if he will not restrain himself.

  When I arrived that night, my maids were glad to see me and were excited to hear of my tale after a late supper. They all seemed besotted b
y Rojer, romancing him to be their roguish prince to protect them from any danger.

  “So strong,” Ayah said, dreamily.

  “So brave,” Blaire cooed.

  “He is perfect for me!” Yana declared.

  Rather than roll my eyes at their comments, I found myself smiling. I hoped Rojer gave up on banditry and found solace elsewhere.

  “But,” Yana went on, in a more hushed tone. “How did the Archduke respond to that bandit wanting you to…?” she trailed off, not wanting to say anymore.

  The other two nodded, awaiting my answer.

  “Must I?” I replied, warily. I did not want to even think about Owen in any relation to me. Not after what I knew.

  “What is a good tale without the danger?” Blaire countered.

  “And its heroes?” Ayah added.

  “Do not forget the romance!” Yana finished.

  I shook my head in defeat. The three grinned at their win. It would not be so bad to relay a simple event….

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  THE FIEND IN DREAMS

  With a sigh, I recalled what had happened afterwards: Owen was hurt and apologized to me for letting harm come my way and that he kissed me goodnight. The moments those last words escaped my lips I looked away, seeing their eyes light up in amusement.

  “I was right,” Blaire said, smiling. “Am I not always?”

  “Oh hush, Blaire. The accuracy of your judgment calls does not matter here,” Yana scolded before turning her words to me. “What is more important is that Mistress Melanie enjoyed it!”

  I gaped at her, my face heating. “I did not! I mean– not like that!” My maids laughed at my outburst and I shook my head. “Come, I wish to spend some time in the Grand Library,” I said, in hopes to end their gossip. Neither Yana nor Ayah was interested in books; and as for Blaire, reading was a way to quiet her down, too.

  But it was not any better. I was lucky to have concentrated on a single page, for the three had been teasing me the entire time. However, I could not admit to them that I enjoyed their gaiety. It made me acknowledge what I was afraid of admitting: I had a slight chance of winning Owen.