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Katrina sat at the little corner table, looking through the small stack of books that once belonged to her friend, Alyra. The Princess of Racah. The name inscribed inside an instructional book on etiquette read, “To my Precious Princess. Yours, Poppy.”
A shiver ran down Katrina’s back. Poor Alyra. All those years not knowing her name. Or her history. Katrina understood what it felt like to be raised away from your family, your people. After seeing firsthand what her friend had been subjected to, she had a deeper empathy for her. And a deeper sense of admiration, as well.
“This I do not understand, no.” She flipped through a blank journal. There was an inscription on the front. Racan language. “Despite our differences, you remain close to my heart. May this book offer you a means to pour out your most secret thoughts.”
What did that mean? If it was a diary, why hadn’t she written in it? As the pages flipped to the last, a folded sheet of paper tumbled out, landing in Katrina’s lap. Familiar handwriting ran along one side of the fold. “Don’t burn this one.”
Burn?
Katrina carefully unfolded the note, the crisp edges crumbled away, and part of the note ripped at the seam. Her breath caught. She recognized this penmanship, as well, along with the sketch he’d included at the bottom of a pretty girl sitting beside a river at night. She was in shadow, but he’d captured her side-view and long hair that fell in loose curls down her back as she gazed up at a full moon. So, beautiful.
The note above the sketch read:
My dearest love-
I can’t wait until tonight to see you again. I’ve missed you terribly while we were away on our hunt. Pop is driving me nuts, and the sooner we return, the sooner I can go back to avoiding him as much as possible. I hope Ma and Ves fared well during our absence. I worry about my sister’s big mouth while I’m away. She can be stupidly fearless at times.
I also hope you’ve been well, and that Ben hasn’t been harsh with you. I promised to bring him back some meat, and maybe a bottle of mead if I make enough off the pelts I’ve collected. If you tell me otherwise, I’ll withhold my bribes.
Katrina held the note closer to her face, wondering what the little stains were that blurred his words. Tears?
This time away has only increased the love I have for you, sweetheart. I know we’d hoped a break would temper our feelings. Perhaps my time away has quenched yours. Unfortunately, mine has only intensified. You’ve become my everything. Breathing is harder when I’m away from you. My mind is clouded with thoughts of you to the point I missed two easy kills. Much to Pop’s fury. Good thing I can run faster than him.
Don’t fret. Whatever I suffer because of you is worth it. Even if we do find a way to escape, I’ll not go unless you go with me. I can’t imagine my life without you in it. You are like a brilliant light force that draws me as if I were a moth. No matter how far away I go, the pull toward you remains. Sometimes I wonder if you weren’t an enchantress in your former life. The one you don’t remember.
Are you smiling now? I love your smile and what it does to your golden eyes. I love you. Completely. Without regret. And without fear of what might happen to me. The worst that can happen is living my life without you.
I’ll return by morning’s first light. I’ll be waiting at our secret spot for you when the sun sinks behind the mountains, hopeful and eager to see your beautiful face again.
Much devotion, T
Katrina blinked back tears. No wonder Alyra kept this one. Had they burned their other correspondence? They’d risked so much to be together. Tarek had shared with her how close he’d come to death at Darnel’s hand because of Alyra. He really did love her. Completely.
Would she ever find such a love? Would she ever return to her people? Her home? Another tear slid down her cheek. Her life was only beginning. She wasn’t ready for it to end. Would Darnel kill her as he’d done so many of her kind? Certainly, she’d already be dead by now if that were the case.
A knock on her cell door. “Miss? Miss, are you awake, dear?” Brie peered through the small opening used to pass food trays through. “Master wishes a word with you. I’m going to unlock your door.”
Katrina quickly shoved the letter into the pocket of her skirt and set the book back on the desk. Then she stood to greet her guest.
Brie bustled in, carrying a golden bundle of fabric in her arms. “You must put this on. His Highness insists you be presentable. I’ll bring a bucket of water for you to wash up. You can use the brush there—”
“I don’t understand. Who wishes to see me?”
“King Darnel. We must hurry. He’s not a patient man.”
Katrina sat back on the stool. “Tell him I decline his invitation. I have no interest in speaking with him. None, whatsoever.”
“But,” Brie gasped. “He insisted, Miss.”
She knew this might cause the kind woman a problem, but Katrina refused to enter that cursed castle. “I’m sorry, Brie. I’ll not budge on this.” She folded her arms. “Tell that traitor that I have nothing to say to him.”
Brie blinked and chewed her nail, obviously unsure of how to handle this situation.
“Just tell him. I’ll not go willingly. And I’ll not be dressed as some kind of doll in that outlandish attire.” She turned away from the woman and picked up the etiquette book again, not reading the words as she flipped through the yellowed pages.
“Very well, Miss. I fear the guards if sent, will not show you the same kindness I will. Or Ben, for that matter, despite his gruffness.”
“I understand, Brie. I’m willing to take whatever consequences come my way. But I’ll not be led into that horrible place like a simple lamb.”
The woman left her. Katrina slumped on the stool, breathing deep and trying to calm her racing heart. Before she could settle her nerves the sound of the lock turning alerted her to another visitor. Had Ben ordered Brie to return and make her put on the dress? Nobody would make her do anything, far as she was concerned.
“What’s this?” Ben shuffled into the small space. His dark eyes took in the surroundings with a slight shake of his head. “Girlies. Why am I the one that gets stuck tending to their ruthless stubbornness?” He shook a finger in her face. “Listen up, you little waif. Listen well. I ain’t tolerable of anyone telling us what they will or won’t do. You slip into that dress like a good girlie and let’s be on our way.”
Katrina didn’t move from her spot, nor did she take her eyes off the tall man. His dark skin had a bit of a sheen that accentuated the freckles covering his cheeks. Gray speckled his black brows and beard. He seemed to put most of his weight on the staff his weathered hands gripped tightly.
She hated the trouble she was causing them, but then reminded herself to not feel sorry for anyone here. Weren’t they in this place because of the choices they’d made? A niggling thought nipped at her subconscious that this wasn’t the case. She pushed it aside for the moment. Right then, she needed to remain strong and unmoving. If she felt for them, she would cave to their demands.
“Please?” He tried, offering a weak smile. “I don’t want them, guards, down here roughing up the place. They won’t care that you’re a whiff of a girl. Not at all.”
A shudder ran through Katrina, but she remained unmoving. She’d not go willingly to see the Dark One. She’d not.
Ben’s head gave one nod. “Very well.” He took the dress from Brie and laid it over her tiny bed. “His highness wishes to invite you to his dinner table. I’ll not give you any food or drink until you agree to accept his generous invitation.” He motioned for Brie to move away. “Don’t you bring her anything! Hear me? When she’s ready to be agreeable, she’ll give a holler to let us know.”
He closed the door behind him. The lock grated as he turned the key.
Three days passed without a visitor.
Katrina lay on her cot, wondering if the Dark One would let her waste away. At least his hands wouldn’t be stained with her blood, not that she felt that mattered to him. Her throat burned from lack of drink. Her stomach had stopped rumbling. Why hadn’t he sent his guards to collect her? At least she would have been able to maintain some sense of pride in standing firm. But this wasting away was becoming unbearable.
She ran her tongue over her cracked lips. They’d not even brought her water to wash her face and hands with. Her waking moments were plagued with dismal thoughts, wishing this would end, and hoping her passing would be painless. Maybe she’d go in her sleep. But even her dreams were disturbing and filled with dark shadows with red-tinted eyes. Were these the effects of drinking the tainted water from this land?
She had nobody to ask. Even Brie no longer bothered to check on her through the small opening in the door. No more whispered pleas for her to just go see the Master and be done with it. Nothing but endless hours of nothingness.
Katrina had read through every boring book on her first day of solitude, trying to keep her mind occupied and alert. Now it was free to roam, and she didn’t care for the paths it was taking.
As she dozed into another fitful sleep, the sound of voices saved her from more tormented dreams. She rubbed at her scratchy eyes but didn’t attempt to sit up. Sudden movements made her head swim.
“Open it, I say.” A new voice. Perhaps the guards had finally been sent to fetch her. She had no fight left in her now. They wouldn’t have a hard time overpowering her. Perhaps that had been his plan? Still, even when healthy and fit, she wasn’t a formidable fighter. Not like Carah, or Alyra.
The lock grated as the key turned. Katrina braced herself, as the door swung open, for the rough hands that were sure to grab her and drag her to the castle.
“Where is she?” Asked a gentle voice. For a moment, the tone reminded her of Issah’s quiet talks with her when they visited during her months in Aloblase. What splendid times they’d had, sitting beside the hearth in her little home she shared with dear Alyra. What lively talks about the Kingdom. How she missed those times.
“Oh, there, poor dear.”
This voice was like a cool breeze, whereas Issah’s was like a warm cup of tea. That was the best way she could describe the difference. Where the Prince reminded her of the solid earth, the man who stood beside her bed reminded her of granite mountains with his dark wavy hair and piercing icy blue eyes. His features were flawless, like a Logorian.
She forced her weak arms to push her body up into a sitting position. Her black hair, hanging loose, fell around her shoulder and into her face. The man reached out and brushed a strand away from her temple.
“They’re fading. I feared as much. Poor little Curian child. You are still a young girl, are you not? Though you’ve probably walked this land for what... eighty, ninety years now? I can tell by your swirls you are in your prime. Am I correct?”
How did he know so much about her kind? She scooted backward until she hit the stone wall.
The man looked familiar. She’d seen him before, but not like this. Not dressed in a rumpled white shirt and black trousers. No adornments. No furious scowl or harsh words hissing in her subconscious, as when their looking scopes connected.
She swallowed her fear but had nothing in her mouth to soothe her burning throat.
“Poor dear. I don’t understand why you’re putting yourself through this torment, silly girl. I only wished to share my dinner with you. To have a chance to finally sit and talk for a while. I’d have called for you sooner, but I’ve been so busy of late. Your little prank with my Portal globe set me back a bit. But no hard feelings.” He motioned to whoever stood in the door.
When Katrina dared a peek, she didn’t find either Ben or Brie, much to her dismay, but rather a finely dressed man in silks, carrying a silver tray.
Darnel took a silver goblet off the tray and offered her the drink. Katrina shook her head. Alyra had described the awful potions her former master liked to give people.
With a roll of his eyes, he took another goblet, poured a bit of the liquid into it, and drank it all down. “See? I’m not going to poison you. I know you’ve refused food and drink for the past few days. You need sustenance.” He offered the cup to her again.
Her empty stomach burned along with her parched throat, both begging her to take just a sip. “I didn’t refuse.” The words from her mouth didn’t sound like her own.
“But of course you did. When you refused to come to see me, you chose to starve yourself. All you needed to do was come to my table to dine, and you wouldn’t have suffered any of this.” He smiled with a soft chuckle.
“But—”
“Please drink. There’s so much I wish to ask you, my Curian friend.” He placed the cup in her trembling hands. “I’d so hoped to get my daughter back, I’ve missed her so much. But I’m pleased you agreed to come with me in her stead. That was gracious of you.”
“But I—” This man made no sense. She’d not agreed to come. She’d smashed the portal maker to save Alyra from being captured. Yet, he’d seen that act as a voluntary agreement to come?
Katrina studied him for a long moment before she sensed it. A book. The startled expression on her face must have given away her inner thoughts, unless, like Issah, he was able to read her mind. Alyra had said he always knew what she was thinking, or seemed to know. How was that possible, though? Only Logorians, Elderads, or Issah himself could read people.
“Yes, my dear, I brought a book. Two, actually. I can see you sensed them. Can you tell me what they might be about?”
She gave a nod. “One belongs—” Her voice was so raw, she coughed.
“Please, take a sip. It will do you a world of good.” He gently pushed the cup closer to her lips, and this time she took a cautious sip. Energy surged through her, and before she could stop herself, she gulped down the rest.
“Ah, easy now. Not too much.” He pulled the cup away. “Let that settle. I brought some broth, as well. A hearty venison broth that will bring the color back to your cheeks. It’s a beautiful day outside. Wouldn’t you like to step out of this dank cell and feel the sun on your face again?”
She shook her head, determined not to go anywhere with him.
“Very well. Your choice. Finish telling me about the book I brought you. I’ve been rather curious about it. Can you guess why?”
“Because it belongs to my people and is written in our tongue. I suspect you’ve been unable to read it.”
“Yes, that’s true. Except for one word.” His servant removed a small leather-bound book from a satchel. Darnel opened it to the title page and pointed to one word. “I can read my name. Darsiderus. At least, that’s what they once called me. I’d like to know what this book says. Which was why I desired to meet you. Since it’s in your language, I wondered if you might translate it for me.”
Was he serious? The book gave an account of Darnel’s history. Though she didn’t know everything it said, for she would need to read the book, her Curian abilities allowed her to know a general overview of what a subject was about. It made searching for information so much easier. The second book, written in the common language, was another sort of history book. She wondered whose point of view that history was recorded from.
While she pondered his request, he motioned for the bowl of broth. When he removed the lid, the savory scent hit her nostrils, causing her mouth to water and her stomach to grumble in anticipation. “See? I know you are starving, and there’s no sense in this, dear. Perhaps we can help each other. I brought the second book for your reading pleasure. I see by your expression that you’ve already detected it, as well.” He motioned toward the few books stacked on the desk. “These simple instructional manuals that belonged to my daughter must be drab reading for someone as enlightened as yourself.”
“Alyra is not your daughter, sir. She was born to—”
He held up his hand to silence her. “I raised her. Whoever her family was, they didn’t care properly for her. Why, to allow a headhunter to snatch her up so easily, showed their carelessness. I took her under my wing. I set her in the highest place of authority in my kingdom. She was given everything she ever desired. But alas, she made some foolish choices and lost many of her most important memories, I fear. Forgetfulness is often the fruition of ingratitude.”
Darnel placed the bowl in her hands. “You take in some of this wonderful broth. I have a few things I’d like to say, then I’ll leave you to ponder my offer.” He took the second book from his servant. “First, I’ll leave these here for you to take a look at later. I’m quite serious about wishing to know what this book has to say about me. I’ve forgotten a few things myself, over the past century. Things that might be important.
“Like my dear daughter, I’m unsure of my roots. Where I came from. For many years, I’ve told myself that it mattered not. But deep down, and you’ll have to agree with me, this is a lie we tell ourselves to avoid the pain. Aren’t we drawn to finding out the truth about our pasts? And what events got us to where we are now? Which is why I brought you the second book.”
He stood and began to pace, motioning his servant to leave them. “I’m sure you’ve read many volumes concerning the history of Alburnium. But you’ve only been given a part of the whole. It’s like looking through a dark glass. You’re unable to see what’s on the other side. How the other, um, folks saw things.” He stopped pacing and turned back to face her.
She’d downed the whole bowl. The hearty soup had been so flavorful and delicious that she’d been unable to stop herself once she’d taken the first sip.
“I’ll return soon. With a feast deserving of someone of your mighty stature, my dear. You do not belong in this dingy cell, any more than my precious daughter did. Please do not make the same foolish choices she did. I do not wish to harm you, Katerina.”
“Katrina.” She corrected.
“Ah, so you’ve been told. The fact of the matter is, the name you go by, is a shortened version of the one that your parents gave you. Next time we meet, I’ll show you how I know this. If, you’ll agree to meet with me. Your choice, dear. I’ve picked a safe place since you seem reluctant to step into my fortress. We’ll meet in the garden. You’ll enjoy the fresh air.” Darnel bowed before taking the empty bowl from her hands. “Until next time.”
Then he was gone. Katrina could only stare at the two books sitting on the small desk, her curiosity building. Now that her strength had returned with the simple, yet filling meal, her fingers itched to run over the parchment pages and examine the words contained inside.
Lighting the lantern on the table, Katrina moved to the stool and opened the first book the Dark One had shown her. The Life and Ruin of Darsiderus the Noble Halfling.
Halfling?
Maybe understanding what had happened to him would help her to know who and what she was dealing with. Katrina flipped to the first page.
