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“Let’s go, Missy.” Ben held open the door of Katrina’s cell. “Master is waiting. I must say, for a prisoner, you mus’ be someone special considerin’ the spread he’s prepared for you in the garden.” His dark brows rose amongst the wrinkles crossing his forehead.
Brie checked over Katrina’s blue silk dress one more time, then pulled a bit of her black hair around the front to cover the fading marks on her neck. Why were they fading? Katrina wasn’t sure she wanted to know.
She blew out a long, calming breath. She could do this. She would not let Darsiderus intimidate her. Lifting her chin in an attempt to show confidence, she strolled past Ben. Thankfully the chains had been removed from her ankles, per king Darnel’s orders. Yet two hulking guards, larger than even Jerin, waited to escort her.
Hugging the books to her chest, she walked between them, keeping her gaze focused ahead. She’d not even dared to look at dear Brie, fearing the woman’s nervousness would penetrate her flimsy bravado. The guards led her beside a tall slate-gray brick wall that eventually ended in an arched gateway. Through the bars, Katrina found a plush green garden, unusual for this stark, brown land. The guard to the right produced a silver key which he used to unlock the gate. Metal grated against metal as the other guard pushed it open and motioned for her to enter.
Katrina had to remind herself to close her mouth and stop gaping at the beautiful oasis. Fruit and nut trees in autumn colors adorned the cobblestone walkway. Emerald-colored patches of grass were littered with red, yellow, and orange leaves. They passed over trickling streams filled with colorful fish and eventually came to an open place surrounded by lacy red-leafed maples. A round table had been set with silver-covered trays. Lanterns hung from the branches illuminating the crystal goblets and plates.
She bit her bottom lip, forcing herself to show no emotion. She needed to keep her thoughts and feelings protected. He’d attempt to take advantage of any weakness he might find.
“Katerina, you look simply stunning my dear girl. Please, come sit.” Darnel held out a chair for her. “Blue is a becoming color on you.”
She sat in the chair he offered with a mumbled thank you. His charm is an act. Don’t be fooled. Don’t be fooled.
He took the seat beside hers. “I see you’ve brought my books back to me. Did you have a sufficient amount of time to read them both?”
“Yes. Twice.”
His brows rose in what she thought might be surprise. Tonight he was dressed in a dark blue silk jacket, trimmed in silver thread with glass buttons. A band of silver, inlaid with jewels, rested on top of his head. She found it more complementary than the gaudy headdresses she’d seen him wearing those few times she’d spied on him through the Imagi-scope.
“Well,” He unfurled the crisp white napkin and set it over his leg. “I’m eager to hear your assessment of both books. But first, let us enjoy the fine meal my staff has prepared for us.”
Katrina followed his lead and did the same. Her nerves were on high alert, despite her attempts to appear placid.
They were served a bowl of soup, which Katrina avoided. What if he tainted her food to get her to talk more freely? She had to keep her guard up. She’d not eat anything he didn’t directly partake of first. To appear as if she might be eating, she stirred the broth but never brought the spoon to her mouth.
He watched her from the corner of his icy blue eyes, frown deepening. After a short while, he ordered the main course to be served. As the bowls were removed, Katrina sat back in her chair with relief that he’d not tried to cajole or even force her into eating.
One of the servants removed the cover of the second tray to reveal a steaming roast. The man cut into the meat, spilling juices from each slice as he set a strip first on Katrina’s plate, then Darnel’s. Accompanying the roast was a bowl of herb potatoes in butter, and mixed vegetables cooked in a savory sauce. The delectable aromas filled Katrina’s senses, but she waited for her host to take the first bite.
His lips pulled up into a lopsided smile as he cut off a piece of meat, added a small chunk of potato then took the first bite. Eyes closing, he sighed. “Delicious Roderick. Please be sure to pass on my compliments to Cook. He’s outdone himself once again.”
Roderick bowed. “Yes, your highness. My pleasure. Should I remain in case you wish for more?”
“No. Leave us. I’ll ring when I need you.”
“Of course, Sire.” He bowed and left them, though she was sure he wouldn’t be too far away.
Darnel dabbed his napkin to his lips. “Katerina, my staff has gone to great effort to prepare this fine meal for us this evening. I understand your trepidation, dear. I’m sure my daughter has reveled in spreading all manner of stories about my cruelty and trickery. I’ll not deny that a few of those stories may hold truth. However, I assure you, I only use such tactics on those who are intent on usurping my authority.” His face darkened as he cut a potato into small slices. “Such as that... conniving hunter.” He stopped himself with a wave of his knife.
“I almost allowed myself to get off track. My point is, dear Katerina, I do not wish to harm you. I need your help.” He took another bite. Once he swallowed, he added, “There, I said it. I do have a purpose for keeping you alive. I’m sure you have no interest in helping me with anything. I only ask that you hear my proposal.”
He bobbed his head toward her plate. “Enjoy the meal I’ve had prepared for you. Enjoy this lovely evening under the stars in my bountiful garden. You, dear girl, are unhindered by anything tonight. Probably for the first time in your life. So simply relax and allow yourself to be waited on. And condescend to hear my request. Then you’re free to return to your miserable little cell if you choose that option.”
“You are telling me that I truly have options? Here?” What was he playing at? Katrina studied the food, her stomach begging her to give it a try.
“Indeed. Your first option is to willingly listen to my offer.”
“If I choose to not ‘listen’ to your offer, then what?”
“Then you choose to return to your cell and remain there. For now. I’m a patient man. I know how to wait for what I want. Though I usually choose to not wait long. Not when there are other options besides having to wait.” He winked and took another bite. “The roast tastes better when it’s warm.”
He was eating from the same portions and had no ill effects. She cut a small slice of the meat and tasted it. Oh, the flavor! This meal rivaled even Granny Fila’s best cooking, and that was saying something.
“See?” Darnel smiled in satisfaction. “I don’t wish to harm you. I’m intrigued about meeting a Curian who wasn’t raised in that cult.”
Katrina almost choked on a slice of carrot. “Sir, we are not a cult and never have been.”
“And you would know this, how? My dear Katerina, you were a mere infant when I disbanded that group of rigid, impertinent, egotists.” The knife scraped the plate in his anger. “Elitist. That’s what they were. Thought they were high above everyone else. Superior and arrogant. I did this land a favor when I did away with that lot of demented sorcerers. You have no idea the extent of their so-call inventions. Which, I might add, they’d never share with anyone outside their little enclave.”
He was serious! How could he be? Katrina studied him intently. Thankfully the food wasn’t tainted. Her mind was clear and sharp, even more so than usual now that she was out of that dingy cell that seemed to cloud her senses. The good food helped offer her a bit of added energy as well. She almost felt her normal self.
For the life of her, she couldn’t understand how twisted Darnel’s thinking was.
He set down his knife and fork on the edges of his plate. “I see it on your lovely face, my young Curian friend. You don’t believe a word I’m saying. But I was there, mind you. You’ve been duped into believing the rumors and heresy from local peasants who looked upon that faction favorably. Most of those people never had any real dealings with your kind, because Curians would never lower themselves to associate with commoners. Ever.” He grabbed the bell and gave it a quick flick. The jingling noise brought three servants to Darnel’s side.
“I would like another slice of roast and three potatoes. Thank you, Roderick.” Darnel folded his arms over his chest and waited for his order to be carried out.
Rodrick asked if she wished for more, but Katrina declined. Her twisting stomach rebelled against anymore, despite how delicious it tasted. Darnel’s words seemed ludicrous until she thought harder about his claim. She’d known all along that her people’s arrogance had blinded them to Darnel’s attack. But she had no idea of his dealings with the elders.
But then, the book had said he had links to her people. Blood bonds.
Alyra and Stitch had complained in their letters during the trip from Wanton to Many Rivers about how demanding her people were. They’d practically drained poor Alyra who had to light the way so they could walk at night instead of the day. The remnant Curians had been so secluded, they couldn’t even tolerate the glare of the sun.
“You, my dear, have been spared the ugly truth. You were raised by a sheep farmer, far from the tainted halls of your so-called people. You would be considered an outsider, too.”
Too?
Was that what happened? The book he’d given her detailed his birth parents. His father was a Logorian warrior, his mother...? She was rumored to be a Curian. Like her, he was brought up in a small valley community outside of Aloblase by a foster family. Curians were forbidden to mix with outsiders. She’d read that in one of the law books she’d found in the Halls of Knowledge library.
Which had her wondering, if her people were never found, would she have been subjected to a life of loneliness and solitude?
Evidently, mixed unions were not unheard of, though they seemed to be frowned upon. At least by her people. Were the Logorians the same?
Darnel set his utensils on the empty plate, then sat back in his seat with arms folded over his chest. “What, exactly, did the book about me have to say? As I mentioned earlier, I’ve forgotten much of my past over the many years of my existence.”
She set her fork and knife down, as well, having no appetite left. “Your birth parents’ names were unknown.” She recapped what the book revealed about his early years. “Being part Logorian, I’m sure you’ve found you possess heightened abilities. I’m surprised you could not read the text since you are also half Curian.”
His brows furrowed over his icy blue eyes. The servants had come to collect their plates. He’d told them to wait on the final dish, then dismissed them before he’d allow Katrina to continue. Tapping the cleared table with his finger, he stared up absently at the lanterns swaying from the overhead branches. “I can penetrate a person’s defenses, know their thoughts.” His gaze flicked toward her, then quickly away. “Most people, that is.”
Picking up the book about him, he flipped through the yellowed parchment pages. “But, no, I cannot read this language. I did sense it was about me. I have some other texts that drew my interest. I hoped you would read and decipher them for me, as well. I do not feel they contain any secrets that will betray your people. The books I took had something to do with me. I regret that I didn’t take more, but my entrance into that labyrinth was short, and I needed to collect what was most important to my endeavors at the time.”
He had more stolen books? She would definitely need to see those. “I’ll not guarantee to share the contents with you if they do contain harmful information. But I’m interested in reading them.”
“Well, well, the little Curian is a brave one. Willing to bargain with so much at stake. But I’m sure you are aware of the precariousness of your situation. As most who serve that other ruler, I’m sure you do not fear your impending death, though you would prefer to delay it for as long as possible. Am I correct?”
“Yes, sir. I am equally as eager to see what waits for me in the Land of Everlasting as I am to complete my purpose here. What I’m saying, sir, is I suppose I have nothing to lose by standing my ground.”
His smile widened. “I like you, Katerina. More so than I first thought I might. Despite your reservations to agree with me, I believe we are of a similar fiber. Perhaps you are not a halfling as I am, which is beneficial to you, but being raised outside of the Curian and Alburnium influence, has provided you with a more open mind. I respect that. And you, my dear.” He rang the bell again. When Roderick reappeared, he asked for their final dish to be served. “And bring the books I gave you for safe keeping.”
He squeezed the leather binding on the text about him. “I do so wish I could read this one myself.” He sighed. “I’m sure there is much... well? Much I simply don’t understand. Maybe...” He shook his head and set it down with the history book. “Never mind. I’m sure you’d never condescend to share your people’s words with the likes of me. I am considered a traitor, am I not? You see me as a thief? A dark shadow of the king you serve?”
There were so many things he seemed disillusioned about. Perhaps if he could read the truth....
She’d only explained a part of what the book said. She’d feared his anger if she told about how he’d turned away from Shaydon, whose name he seemed reluctant to say, and sought power at all costs.
“Why did you turn away from Shaydon?” Katrina had to ask.
For a moment, his continence darkened before he managed to recover and smooth his expression once more. “I know not what you mean, Katerina. I was the one shunned. The one turned away. My parents denied my existence. Why would the king they served be willing to take me in?”
“But you’ve met him, at one point. It said so in the book. And A—” She gasped, snapping her mouth closed. Under no circumstances could she share anything about Alyra or where she was. She’d told herself to not even mention her name here in this land. “And although I’m sure you won’t believe anything my people wrote—”
“I’ll never have the chance, will I? I cannot read your language. Unless you transcribe this text for me, I’ll never know any truth except for how I’ve seen the events in my life. Perhaps another perspective might clarify the holes in my memory.”
Katrina was about to respond when the servants returned with their dessert and the books Darnel had requested. Could she somehow redeem the horrid fact of being stuck in this land? Perhaps Shaydon had a hand in this. Perhaps it wasn’t such a tragedy after all.
The two of them were of the same people, yet both were raised outside of their clan. Maybe she was the one person who could reach Darsiderus, and turn him back to the true king. Maybe then Issah wouldn’t need to attack. Lives wouldn’t have to be destroyed.
These thoughts swirled through her mind, inflating her heart with the hope that even here, she might make a difference. I can still do something important for the kingdom. I might be able to turn all this around, after all.
“I’ll do it. Provide a bit of paper, and I’ll copy the text for you.”
Darnel’s fork hovered over the bowl of glazed fruit. His eyes finally met hers, and the look in his gaze nearly stopped her heart. He seemed like any other person, instead of the evil dictator he was. For a moment, she saw the eager hopefulness that replaced his normally aloof composure. “You will do this? For me?”
She nodded.
“My dear.” His hand went to his chest. “How will I ever be able to thank you for this kindness? I... I’m not sure how to respond. Never dared I even dream you would agree to...” His fork hit the bowl with a loud clatter as he sat back and swiped a finger under his eyes. “So few ever agree to help me of their own free will. You have a kind heart, Katerina. A very kind heart, my dear.”
A smile wrinkled his cheeks. He so reminded her of the fair Logorians she’d spent time with in Aloblase. Katrina dug into her dessert, her heart lighter than it had been for some time. Yes, maybe she could make a difference, after all. She would certainly try.
