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Adrika
I was allowed freedom to move about the castle, but was told my father’s life was at stake if I alerted anyone to my uncle’s presence. That night, I moved back into my old bedchamber. I said it was to be closer to Father, but in truth, just looking around the suite I shared with Rian was painful. My throat clogged with fear every time I allowed my mind to dwell on what he could be facing at any given moment.
Early the next morning, I dressed in a pair of slacks and a blousy, pale-blue top, along with my boots. I braided my hair into one thick plait and took up my staff. I wanted to view the castle from the outside to see for myself how far my uncle’s reach went. Why would he tell me to speak to no one concerning his presence? Surely it must be widely known that he had taken over the castle.
The dry heat was already oppressive when I stepped out on the veranda. I rubbed my fingers lightly over the jasmine vine growing just outside my door. Tiny yellow leaves showered the ground at my feet. Because of the drought, it was necessary to carry water to these plants. The job had obviously been neglected in my absence.
General Cormac met me as I entered the path leading up the mountain. “Princess Adrika, it is good to see you back in Dermot. I did not expect Session to be over so soon. Did the prince decide to return as well?” There was no missing his veiled barb.
“He left days before I did, headed to the Cordelian border.” Why was our general not leading troops into this war?
One side of his lip curled up. “So, he decided to chase after that bit of a rumor, eh? Well, let’s hope he finds his way back home this time.”
It was no rumor. My uncle had confirmed that troops had crossed our border with the intent to kill Rian and take over the kingdom, and our general stood here with this stupid smirk on his face . . . clearly, he did not know what was going on.
“Have you spoken with Father lately?”
He made a sucking sound through his teeth. “Over a week ago. He ordered me from his presence. Said he’d send for me if he should need my advice again. I don’t know what he was so riled . . .” He stopped mid-sentence and nodded his head at me. “Forgive me, Princess. I did not mean to ramble. If I can be of any assistance, please let me know. I’ll allow you to continue on your way now.”
I walked on past him with my mind spinning. I could not reveal to him that not only was our kingdom at war, but the enemy camped within the walls of our castle. The last time the general saw my father must have been before his fall. I had taken a chance by asking Brasil what caused the tumble, certain that Galik was at fault. Brasil had taken the blame, saying that Father had tripped over the servant’s bedding.
Uncle Galik had brought a deviant with him, known only as Carlos, who had taken over the small chamber attached to Father’s room where Brasil usually slept. They took turns guarding Father, with Galik keeping watch during the day and Carlos at night. I had seen Carlos only once and did not like the way he looked at me. Neither had Galik. He had slapped the man soundly across the face. If he had seen the evil look Carlos gave as soon as his back was turned, my uncle may not be as free with his abuse in the future.
Instead of taking the trail up the mountain, I turned and made a trip around the perimeter of the castle. Father had thought us safe from any threat, so our troops were scarce. Perhaps if he had not held the purse strings so tightly, my uncle would have never made it through so easily. I chided myself for my disrespectful thoughts. My father was in a precarious state. Considering his age and frailties, there was a chance he may not pull through. Now was the time to put away such criticisms.
As I circled back around to the kitchen, Donal opened the door for me to enter, almost as if I was expected. He glanced nervously at me before looking back down at the floor, and then he slipped outside.
The room was empty again but for Renny, who was busy stirring a pot. “Good morning, Princess. I suppose you are in need of breakfast. Would you like for me to bring a tray up to your room?”
That was what I usually did, but nothing seemed normal anymore. “Has Father eaten yet?”
“No, but I will be taking a tray for him as soon as this oatmeal is done. He is only eating soft foods right now, but I have breakfast casserole and pancakes in the warmer, or I can bring you something else if you’d like.”
“Is it all right if I just eat in here?”
She turned to look at me for a moment with a blank expression upon her face. I suppose it was an unusual request, since I had never eaten in the kitchen before yesterday. She gestured to the table in the middle. “Have a seat, and I will get you started with some coffee.”
I sat down and leaned my staff against the chair next to me. Renny filled a mug with the dark fluid and then stirred in plenty of cream and sugar just as I liked it. The steam drifted over the now pale brown liquid that reminded me so much of the color of Rian’s eyes. Would he ever come back to me? If he did, would he be able to forgive me for the way things were when we parted?
Renny sat a plate of food in front of me. I was hesitant to pick up my fork and take a bite. In Aisling, we said prayer before every meal. I felt the desire to do so now, but had no idea how to go about it. I had never felt righteous enough to speak to God in that manner. That was reserved for people like Rian and his family, or maybe even my mother, though I had never heard her say one aloud.
Looking around the room as I ate, I remembered tagging behind Mother through here on occasion and was always offered a treat from one of the kitchen helpers. I felt a certain amount of comfort in being here, probably because of that experience. Several work stations were set up around the perimeter of the room, now empty of kitchen workers. Renny was the only one I had seen since my return.
“I know we have more workers besides yourself and Donal. Where is everyone?” I had asked the same question the day before and had been given a vague answer, but that was before I knew what was going on.
She wrapped her hands in her apron and gave me a weary look. “Most of the workers have been sent away.”
“By my uncle?”
She stepped closer to where I was sitting and lowered her voice. “Not too many people even know he is here. Commands are given by handwritten notes from your father. Well, with the shape he is in, I suspect Brasil is doing the writing now.”
“I have not seen another Cordelian besides Galik and Carlos. How is it that no one has tried to overtake them? Two people cannot possibly keep watch at all times.”
Renny looked over her shoulder as if she expected someone to appear suddenly. “There is a woman with them, but I have only seen her once when they first arrived and she was covered in a cloak then. She shares a room with Carlos. Perhaps she is his wife. As far as I know, it is just the three of them.” She looked directly into my eyes. “You might be surprised at the power behind a threat to a loved one.”
“I understand more than you think. He threatened to harm Father if I alerted the castle guards.”
She nodded her head.
I was trying to come up with a plan, but what could be done with this constant threat hanging over my father’s life? “How many people know they are here?”
“Only me, Donal, and of course, Brasil. The poor man refuses to leave the king’s chambers. Speaking of which, I must hurry and prepare a tray. I would not want to keep them waiting.”
I nibbled at a little more of my breakfast while she bustled around the room, preparing two trays. As if on cue, Donal stepped in through the back door and grabbed one of the trays just as Renny placed the last item. I took one last swallow of my coffee before falling in line behind them. Our soft footfalls accompanied by the thump of my staff were the only sounds in the deserted hallway.
I leaned my staff against the wall, opened the door, and motioned for the other two to precede me. Brasil met us halfway across the bedchamber to take Father’s bowl of oatmeal along with his preferred cup of tea. Renny and Donal moved on to place the trays on the desk on the other side of the bed where Galik sat waiting.
When I tried to take the bowl from Brasil’s hand, he looked startled, as if he just realized I was in the room. His eyes were sunken with dark circles beneath. It was early morning and he already looked exhausted. “Let me do this while you eat your own breakfast. I insist.”
I had thought for a moment that he would refuse, but he surrendered the bowl and hurried to his own meal. He lowered himself to his pallet and began shoveling the food into his mouth as if he had not eaten in days.
Father was propped up against the head of the bed. I tried not to look at the bruised side of his face as I sat down beside him and stirred his oatmeal. I loaded the spoon with his first bite and moved it toward his mouth. His hand shook as he reached for my arm. I thought he was about to protest me feeding him, but when his cool fingers wrapped around my arm, he did not push me away.
“Thank you.” He guided my hand to his mouth and took the bite.
Emotion clogged my throat. Things had not been right between the two of us since Mother died—even before that—but in this vulnerable state, he was once again my poppa. It was no hardship to care for this man who had doted on me during my childhood. I did not want to lose him.
He reached his shaky hand toward my face but came just short of touching me before allowing it to drop. “I am sorry.”
I almost missed his whispered words for the commotion behind me.
My uncle’s voice boomed through the room. “Leave us now.”
I kept my eyes focused on Father but could hear Renny and Donal scampering across the room. The door shut behind them with a thud as I fed him another bite. I felt a sudden tug on my braid. When I tried to look behind me, the force of the tugging increased. It was not necessary to look for me to know it was my uncle. I should have expected something like this would happen. Though Galik had never treated me in such a severe manner before, Cordelian women were at the mercy of the men. He had promised to train me in their ways. It was no idle threat.
His deep voice sounded just above my ear, his harsh breath in my hair sent a chill through me. “What is the meaning of this? Why are you dressed this way? Do you know what we do to women who dress as trollops?”
There was no choice but to stand as he jerked my braid upward. He shoved me to the side. I floundered, trying to keep my footing. Brasil stood but did not move from his spot next to the wall. As soon as Galik released me, I turned to face him.
He motioned to the door. “Leave, and do not come back into my presence looking like that again. You dishonor your mother, your family, and your future husband. Get out of my sight before I do something we will both regret.”
I was helpless against him, so I left without a word of defense. It was good that he could not read my mind. I wanted to tell him that I had a husband, and if he were here, he would protect me—even if it meant losing his life. It was true. Rian had never said it, but I knew he loved me. Realization dawned, revealing that I felt the same way about him.
I was halfway down the hall, deep in my angry thoughts, before remembering my staff. I turned back to retrieve it, thinking the whole time how things could have gone differently if only I had taken it into that room with me. Each step back to my chambers felt weighted. The truth was, nothing would have been different if the weapon had been in my hand. If Brianna was in this situation, Galik would be begging for mercy, and if it were Gwen, well, he would be dead. Unfortunately, I was not like either of them.
Pacing my room, I tried pulling all the pieces together. There must be some way to get word to the general without Father’s life being at risk. Just then my chamber door flew open. Galik stepped in dragging a woman in a hooded cloak with him. He shoved her, and she fell across my bed. Her hood fell back, revealing dark hair that had been chopped in short uneven layers, some places revealing her scalp. The side of her face was discolored with layers of bruising in different stages of healing. I was shaken by the eerie thought that her wounds no doubt went deeper than I could see.
I gasped when she turned her dark, sorrowful eyes my way. “Damini.” I reached out a hand to the woman who had been so close to me.
“Do not touch her.” Galik’s hate-filled voice rang out. “She can help dress you until your future ruler arrives, and then he can find you another handmaiden—one who has not been defiled.”
My blood turned to ice in my veins. “What do you mean my future ruler? What of my father?”
He stepped closer until he was mere inches from my face. “I mean your husband, of course. After he eliminates the heathen you are currently attached to, he will take your hand in marriage, as it should have been from the start. Your father will not live forever and once he is gone, your husband will become the next ruler.”
The muscles of my forearms tightened as I gripped my staff with both hands and gritted my teeth together. I felt powerless against the plans of this man I now loathed with all my being. The threat over my father’s life, the attack to my kingdom, his determination to murder my husband and then replace him with my worst nightmare, and Damini . . . all of it rolled together in my mind. Hatred churned in my gut and flowed through my limbs.
He looked down at the staff gripped within my hands. “What? What are you going to do? You are going to be the sweet little lamb your mother raised you to be. Look at you. I am sure you will grow to love your new husband once you learn obedience. After all, you are one of us.” He gave a condescending pat to my cheek, and then turned to leave.
“No.” That one word exited my mouth like a roar. My uncle turned back toward me with a smirk still on his face. I took a step toward him as I shoved the end of my staff toward his face with the force of my anger behind it.
“I am a Barnali now.” The words left my lips in a deep growl. Like a tree after the last chop that would stand no more, he made his descent backward. His body began to jerk and a horrid sound came from his throat. I felt my whole body go weak in an instant. What had I done? I turned away in shame, and Damini’s eyes met mine.
She looked past me to stare at my uncle with almost a look of glee on her face. “It is done. He is dead now.”
“Dead?” I slowly turned back to look at the man lying near the door. His head was tilted back at an odd angle. An indented circle from the end of my staff was visible on his neck. My entire body trembled, and I dropped the staff. It bounced on the floor and then rolled under my bed.
Suddenly, Damini was standing in front of me, her hands covering my cheeks. “Do not fall apart on me now, Little One. There is more to be done. We must hurry. The other one was asleep when I left. Let us hope that is still so. Go find a guard. Tell him what has happened. I will make sure that the other one never finds out. Go.”
I stumbled as I headed to the outside door. Once out on the veranda, I allowed myself one deep breath of fresh air before setting out in a run, pushing thoughts of what I had done from my head, along with the image of my uncle’s form lying on my bedchamber floor. One thing was for certain. I would never sleep in that room again.