Shadow's Voice

by Natalie Johanson

  Rose chuckled to herself as she watched the B’leakons break up and the guests swarm them. She turned away with a snort and a grin and found herself staring up into the round eyes of a B’leakon. She couldn’t stop the small gasp of surprise as she took a step back from the tall man.

  “I apologize, Lady. I did not intend to . . . what is the word . . . .” He hesitated, his wide, strange eyes swirling colors in his confusion. “Startle? Is that the word?”

  Rose forced her mouth close. “Yes, you startled me.”

  He smiled and the glow of his eyes seemed to change. “It was not my intent.”

  Rose blinked and watched him as he bowed to her. His hair wasn’t as long as the others, just to his shoulder. It was pulled back with a dark brown ribbon that went well with the light auburn of his hair. When he straightened, his large golden eyes stared back at her.

  They actually glow, Rose thought with amazement. It was as though the sun was behind his eyes.

  “I am Rorik, third in line to the Alven Estate.”

  “Rose Trewin. We met earlier.”

  Rose dipped her head, having decided curtsies were not her talent.

  “Ah!” He gasped. “You look so different. I did not recognize you.”

  “Alven . . . I know the name, but I cannot place it.”

  “Do you dabble in trade, Lady?”

  She gestured toward a quiet alcove. “I do more than dabble.”

  “Ah, very good, Lady.” Rorik pulled out a chair at a small table. Rose paused to stare at his long fingers on the back of the chair before seating herself. Rorik sat across from her. “My family exports teas.”

  “Ah, I know now. I am quite the admirer of your teas.”

  Rorik nodded his head at the compliment. Rose stared at his eyes and Rorik tilted his head, watching her watch him.

  “I apologize.” Rose felt the blush return. “I do not mean to stare but,” Rose paused trying to think of a proper way to continue. “Your eyes are amazing.”

  Rorik laughed, a very masculine sound which surprised Rose, and the glow behind his eyes changed just like a setting sun would. Rose sucked in a breath and leaned forward. She barely managed not to ‘ooh’ as she watched the soft glow go from bright yellow to dark gold.

  “I have not known human women to be so . . . so . . . I do not have the words.”

  Rose grinned and leaned back, realizing how stupid she was being. “Foolish?”

  Rorik thought for a minute. “I do not think that is the word I want, but it will do for now.” He took an offered drink but Rose waved hers away without taking her eyes off Rorik. He was a very handsome man. He was more masculine than the other B’leakons, with a squarer jaw and a straight hawk nose. Over Rorik’s shoulder she caught a glimpse of the king, standing and talking with more nobles. The king’s face was not as harsh but equally as handsome. Her blush started to come back. What am I thinking? Rose shook herself out of her thoughts just as Rorik set his drink down.

  “You trade, you said?”

  Rose nodded and brought her eyes back to him, away from the king. His voice really was pleasant to listen to, with the lilt in his words. The disturbing hissing sound was not nearly as harsh as it was with Master D’ray. Perhaps this Rorik had a better mastery over her tongue than D’ray did. “My family trades in dyes and wool and the like.”

  “Is that how you came by such a gorgeous gown?”

  “No, no this was a gift.” Rose grinned at the thought of Meredith hearing her loaned dress called a gift.

  “Well it is a fine gift.” Rorik stood and Rose stood as well. “May I request a dance?”

  “That would be lovely.”

  With bright eyes, Rorik guided Rose onto the dance floor; his extra-long fingers feeling strange in her hand.

  “I do not know this dance!” She whispered at him as he led her to a vacant space on the dance floor.

  “Don’t worry, just go where I go. Place your other hand on my shoulder.”

  Rose did as she was told and he twirled her around the floor. Their clasped hands pulled her in one direction, then another, with the gentle pressure at her back moving her along. Her footing stumbled more than once.

  “Don’t fight it so hard. Just move where I move. Step first with your right, just follow with your left.”

  Rose took a deep breath and tried not to step on her dress or his feet. He led her around the dance floor and Rose let him. She didn’t focus of her footing, she just stepped when he stepped.

  “There you go,” Rorik smiled at her and Rose giggled. His eyes swirled an amber gold.

  “So, tell me,” Rose asked as they moved along the floor, “do you know everyone in your party?”

  Around the dance floor they went.

  “Yes.”

  “Are they all traders? Merchants?”

  Rorik smiled down at her. “Yesss. Many work in deals together.”

  “Do you know a tradesman by the name of D’ray? I met him briefly when he first arrived.”

  Rorik frowned, and the color of his eyes shaded toward red. “He is on the council. I am familiar with him. We are not friends, however.”

  “Oh?” Rose’s skirts swirled around their legs as he spun her around the dancers. “I am sorry for bringing him up.”

  “No matter,” Rorik blinked and his eyes shimmered. “He keeps strange company. Fine trader.”

  “And what of the Lady Sephrita? She is an elegant one.”

  Rorik’s eyes shifted over her shoulder for a moment before turning back to her face, his eyes darker than before. “She is a good trader. Fine leader. Dislikes leaving the island.”

  “You’re not fond of her?”

  Rorik looked down at her and his eyes swirled. “Our families do not get along.”

  Rose wanted to ask more but the music ended and Rorik was releasing her hands.

  “Thank you, so much for the dance, my lady.” Rorik bowed and turned away, looking for his next partner.

  Rose wondered off to a quiet corner to gather her thoughts. The assassin was B’leakon. Her gut told her it wasn’t Rorik. He seemed kind and curious at heart. The Lady Sephrita seemed to be the leader of the delegation group, leaving her in a powerful position. Rose searched the dancers’ faces. Perhaps Lady Sephrita could give her more information and insight on her party, and on D’ray.

  Chapter 29

  Rose let her eyes wonder through the dancers, watching, waiting, resting from her corner near the wall, searching for the tall B’leakon leader. Sweat trickled down her back, making her skin hot and itchy. Movement to her right made her turn her head and the tall Lady Sephrita approached Rose. The B’leakon’s auburn hair had streaks of red through it. Combined with a high-collar red dress, embroidered with gems along the bodice, she looked striking and enchanting.

  “Hello,” Lady Sephrita spoke, her voice thick with the lilting accent. “May I share your quiet corner?”

  Rose dipped in a small curtsy. “Of course, my Lady.”

  She stood next to Rose, her head coming to Lady Sephrita’s shoulder. “I saw you dancing with Rorik earlier.”

  Rose nodded and sipped her spiced wine. “He was polite company. Are you enjoying the Ball?” Rose asked.

  Lady Sephrita hissed softly, her eyes glowing a gently amber. “No. I do not venture outside our lands often; mostly when required.”

  Her accent was thicker than D’ray’s or Rorik’s. The sounds more clipped, the hiss longer.

  “I am sorry you are not enjoying yourself.”

  Lady Sephrita clucked her tongue and glanced down at Rose. “Humans are strange to me. Rorik enjoys them. Finds them quaint.”

  Rose eyes went wide, and she buried her expression in her wineglass. “And what of Master D’ray?” Rose asked when she had r
egained her composure. “Does he venture out among humans often?”

  Lady Sephrita hissed low, so low Rose felt it more than heard it, and didn’t speak.

  Rose took another sip of wine, let her eyes move over the people, to D’ray standing in a corner with nobles. “Rorik seemed to have the same response to him.”

  “Rorik is child running too fast for his feet but D’ray is a shlyshk,” Lady Sephrita hissed the insult in her native tongue. She looked down at Rose, her eyes red, and rolled her eyes. “He is . . . not trustable, not . . . . He is like a cat. Always with his own plan but never speaking it.”

  Rose tapped her finger against her glass. “If you so dislike him, why include him in your party, Lady?”

  “The politics of my people are complicated, child,” Lady Sephrita muttered before gliding away.

  Rose let her breath out in a huff. She let her eyes follow the tall B’leakon across the ballroom. She shook her head and turned. King Micah caught her eye as he passed her, heading toward a balcony. Rose waited a breath before turning and following.

  The guards posted at either side of the double doors nodded to her as Rose slipped past them and outside. She sighed a breath of relief at the cool air and dropped her head back.

  “It is warm inside.”

  Rose straightened and looked at the king standing at the balcony, watching her. “Yes.”

  She walked up to the balcony, leaned her arms on the stone banister and slouched. Her back ached from the shoes, standing for so long. Rose straightened with a groan and turned to her king. “Have the guards found anything?”

  “No,” he shook his head. “Everything is quiet and as it should be.”

  Rose hummed a response.

  “And you? Has your night been productive?”

  Rose shrugged. “No one in the B’leakon party seems to like D’ray. Lady Sephrita especially. Rorik is afraid of Lady Sephrita. It seems everyone in the B’leakon party dislikes another.”

  “Nothing more?”

  “No one’s tried to kill me yet, so no. Nothing more,” Rose snipped, then regretted it. “I apologize.”

  “No need.” He sighed and stuffed his hands in his pockets. “This is frustrating for all of us. There are so many pieces of something. So many things that may add up to be one big thing, but we don’t have enough to tie them together. I feel I am looking at a chess board with no idea what the pieces mean.”

  His voice was worn and tired. Rose thought she heard anger simmering beneath his words. “Has something happened?” she asked.

  He was silent, staring at the stars, for so long Rose thought he wouldn’t answer. Finally, he said, “The tribes in the south are pillaging Rosemund Province, along the border, in numbers we haven’t seen since before the Dark Times.”

  “That is strange, isn’t it? They don’t usually cross the border.”

  “No.” King Micah rubbed his face. “I sent a large number of troops to aid Lord Mott, and will likely be sending more.”

  Rose’s eyes widened. “Do you think it’s related? Do you think the Penish Lord is connected enough to . . .” she gestured, “smart enough to try to divide your forces? If he kept part of his army in the southern swamps, do you think he went over the border?”

  King Micah looked at her, an odd scrutiny on his face. “I had wondered so, yes.”

  Rose tuned back to the stars. “I’m sorry,” she said finally.

  “For what?”

  She shrugged as the door behind them opened and a servant slipped outside and stood near the closed door. “For the situation.”

  “Sire,” the young servant, dressed in fine livery, said. “Lady Daniella is requesting you.”

  Rose was standing close enough to the king that she heard his heavy sigh. “Yes, thank you.”

  Rose turned to the king once the servant was gone. “Why are you dreading her so?”

  King Micah glared at her half-heartedly. “She is a daughter of a lord.”

  Rose grinned to herself. “Yes, I guessed.” Rose chuckled softly “Is there a possible contract between yourself and this lord’s daughter?”

  King Micah glared at her more.

  She chuckled. “There is. I thought so.”

  “And why do you say that?”

  Rose wasn’t sure if she’d overstepped herself. “I saw her with you earlier. She is nearly the most beautiful and well-dressed woman here, and she was making it clear she was here with you.”

  King Micah grumbled. “She is not!”

  Rose turned to him with wide eyes. “Oh? Does she know that?”

  The king sighed and glared at her. “She does. She is—” He sighed again. “She presumes much.”

  Rose pressed her lips and nodded.

  “I apologize. I shouldn’t be burdening you with this.”

  Rose shrugged. “I am no one. What am I going to do with the information other than listen?”

  “I do not think you are no one.” King Micah tilted his head and watched her. “Many people would do many things with the information.”

  Rose pulled her lips back from her teeth in a feral grin. “I can hold information.”

  The king watched her, gave his own tight-lipped smile but did not shy away from her. “I’m beginning to see that.”

  “Has Aaron had any luck finding the spy?”

  “No, but there are many people who live at the castle,” he said. “I must return to the guests.”

  She dipped in a small curtsy. He was nearly to the doors when Rose turned and asked him, “Are there many dead?”

  “Hmm?” The king paused with his hand on the door handle.

  “In the south, from the attacks. Are many dead?”

  King Micah stared at her, his face drawn. “Yes,” he said and opened the door.

  Rose watched him leave, and with one last glance at the stars, returned to the ballroom.

  Chapter 30

  Rose stepped back inside and worked her way to the table covered in pastries and cakes. She swiped a small cake off the table and wandered around the edge of the ballroom. The cake was sweet, with almonds mixed in. Rose was licking icing from her fingers when she felt it. She was being watched again. Rose stilled.

  She moved in a small circle, glancing around the room. She slipped farther away from the center of the room and into the shadows in the edges, where the numerous candles’ light didn’t reach. She listened through the shadows but heard nothing outside the normal. But she felt it: the assassin was here, and he was watching her again. Rose backed against the wall, further into the shadows and, praying no one noticed, stepped into the shadows.

  The ballroom looked completely different in shadows. The brightly lit dance floor was nothing more than a glare but the nooks and alcoves were sharp and distinct, alive in the darkness. The dancing guests in their colored dresses were nothing more than blurry shapes in the light. Rose looked around the room and she felt his eyes on her. Her hair stood on end and Rose turned again, hoping to see the assassin. Nothing, she found nothing. But I know you are here.

  Rose stepped out of the shadows back into the bright ballroom. Squinting against the light, Rose found the king speaking with a pair of B’leakons, Lady Daniella back on his arm. Quickly, Rose moved through the crowds toward her king. As she got closer she recognized Rorik standing with another B’leakon female. The king laughed at something the tall woman said and the woman turned to Rorik with a genteel smile, her eyes a bright golden glow.

  Rose came even with the group. “Excuse my interruption, Sire.”

  “Ah, Lady Trewin, we meet again.” Rorik turned gleaming eyes on her.

  His female companion turned her eyes to Rose and the glow of her eyes changed from bright yellow to a dark gold, almost orange color. Rose glanced at the tall, slim
woman and hesitated before answering Rorik. “Yes. I apologize, but I need to speak with my king.”

  King Micah turned to her and Rorik and his partner excused themselves. King Micah glanced at Lady Daniella who finally slipped off his arm and joined a nearby group of women.

  “Yes, Lady?”

  Rose stepped a little closer so she wouldn’t have to raise her voice. “He is here.”

  The laughter left his eyes instantly but that was the only noticeable change. His smile stayed. “Do you know who?”

  Rose tried to slow her pulse. She could feel the weight of his gaze on her still and it was making her skin itch. “No. Nor do I know where, but he is here. It is like before. I can feel him watching me.”

  King Micah nodded and waved over his guard, Aaron, who listened as he spoke quickly in the guard’s ear. Turning back to Rose, his face tenser than before, he spoke quietly. “Continue your observations. Try to find him, but do not expose yourself. Do not put yourself in danger.”

  Rose nodded and slipped away. She began working back to the edges of the room for a better vantage point. She cast her eyes across the crowded room searching for something she didn’t know. Rose turned back around and walked into the tall back of a B’leakon.

  “Excuse me.”

  Rose looked up into face of Master D’ray. “My apologies,” Rose managed to say.

  “It is so crowded. It is a dance just to walk around.”

  Rose nodded her head and continued to look through the crowd, trying to find the feeling again.

  “These gatherings,” he gestured absently around them, “are so strange and confusing, no?”

  Rose frowned and pulled her attention back to D’ray who had managed to block her path. “I suppose they are.”