I smiled, conjuring the image in my head. Oli's father, Azriel, had been a loyal guardian to the castle for many years before he died. Oli would follow his father around the castle as a child, which was how we met. It was only natural for Oli to take his father's place when he passed—becoming my guardian at the young age of fifteen. He was only four years older than me, and we had become friends very quickly.
“Who knew you were so soft?” I teased, earning one of his classic eye rolls.
“I am not soft,” he said defensively. This caused me to burst into another round of fitful giggles, attributed to the Lush Fire. But I was silenced moments later when I noticed Oli's gaze turned suddenly somber. “Are you OK, Little Bear, with all of this?”
I hadn’t expected the conversation to change so abruptly.
“Yes, I think so,” I said, not so convincingly.
He stopped our dancing and took my hands, holding them tightly in his calloused palms. He was dressed very handsomely that night, in a white tunic with his wild blond curls slicked back against his neck. If I hadn’t already exhausted the crush I’d had on him as a child, I almost would’ve felt something at the sight of him.
“What are you afraid of, Little Bear?” It was impressive how he could see right through me.
“What if she’s not the same anymore?” I asked, and Oli seemed to think about my words for a moment.
“She won’t be, not on the outside. But on the inside, she’ll be the same Jasper you’ve always known.”
“Is it all right if I cut in?”
Waking up from the trance I seemed to be in, I turned and was met face to face with Illyria Nephele, daughter to one of the councilmen of Asmede. She wore a beautiful pink gown that night; it looked much like a bouquet of daisies. Her bright sapphire heart shone beneath a thin sheen of lace over her left breast, and her stunning blonde hair trickled into her face, making her alluring brown eyes somehow keenly seductive. She’d come with her father to the castle when council meetings were held and I knew the flirtation that she and Oli had been kindling over the last several months.
I smiled and backed away from Oli. I could tell he was nearly drooling, and took it upon myself to help him out.
“Of course, he’s all yours.” Oli gave me a thankful look, and I returned it with a wink.
Partnerless now, I made friends with the dessert table, trying all of the pretty desserts they’d laid out. I sampled each one, reveling in their sugary delight, soon becoming so full. I couldn’t eat another piece without risk of exploding.
It wasn’t long before the music subsided, in the middle of one particular romantic piece, silencing everyone on the dance floor. The dancers looked around to see why the celebration had ceased.
The stage where the musicians played was suddenly vacated. Putting their instruments in their cases, the musicians stepped quickly away from the stage. My father came onto the platform, two of his guards trailing close behind.
“Thank you all for joining us this fine evening!” His loud voice washed over the party as he started the night's speech. “My daughter’s Granting seemed a perfect time for a celebration!”
The crowd cheered, and a round of applause was given.
“I know our kingdom has been through some hardships and I want to apologize for my absence.” My father took in a deep breath. “I’ve kept from you one of the kingdom's most prized possessions, and for that, I hope you can forgive me. Now I’d like to introduce you to my daughter: Jasper Aigoviel, princess of Aveladon.”
No one applauded, and I assumed it was due to the suspense of the moment. The entire courtyard waited and listened as a light pair of footsteps were heard climbing up the stage.
Everyone gasped as she came into sight.
She looked like my sister, but she also didn’t. Her once honey colored hair had turned several shades lighter, becoming a golden blonde. Her long curly locks that once reached her waist, were now cut to her shoulders. Her purple eyes were now more lurid, sparkling like amethyst orbs. The glow coming from her heart was a radiant silver that burst through the fabric of her gown. She was beautiful, and the red cloak now wrapped around her, signifying her powers, caused a new stab of jealousy to hit me.
The crowd took a moment, but once the awe faded, everyone began to cheer. Jasper smiled shyly where she stood as everyone applauded for her.
“Thank you all for being here tonight.” Her voice was different now too. Enticing, sliding off of her tongue like silk. “I had the privilege today of becoming Stone-Hearted and receiving my power.”
Stone-Hearted powers weren’t always known instantly when given. Only with a Reminant could powers be granted and discovered. Understanding the power took time to learn and to control.
“Today I was granted an extraordinary gift. It is beyond anything I could've ever imagined.”
I held in an anxious breath and watched amazed as suddenly a slight breeze filled the courtyard. The trees rattled, and loose particles of clothing fluttered. Astonished gasps were heard from all the guests as they watched with wide eyes her display of power. As quickly as the uncanny source of wind came, it was gone.
More applauding reverberated, and I found myself feeling more envious. I looked over to Oli, but when I turned my shocked expression on him, he wasn’t paying attention to Jasper's wind display. In fact, he wasn’t even looking at the stage. Rather he was in a completely different world, talking with Illyria. They were on the side of the dance floor, standing very close to one another, tucked safely into the shadows.
“I want to thank everyone for coming tonight and please continue to enjoy the party!”
Upon hearing Jasper finish her speech, I looked back up to the stage and found her eyes scanning the crowd. I was torn between wanting to be alone and talking with Jasper about her new power. Quickly, without thinking, I walked through the maze of dancing couples, away from the dance floor and into the safety of the tree line.
As the shadows enveloped me, I instantly became calmer. With a sigh, I leaned back against a tree trunk, letting the bark dig into my innocent flesh. Now in the protection of the trees, I took a moment to breathe and let the jealousy subside.
I couldn’t believe Jasper was granted power over one of the elements. Whatever wind manipulating gift she had been granted, it was truly magnificent, and I had no doubt that with time, it would only become stronger.
When I looked out at the party again, I found Oli still with Illyria and Jasper talking with other guests that were congratulating her. As I scanned the crowd trying to calm my rapid heart rate, I suddenly became confused. The rather eerie green-eyed guest I’d met earlier at my father’s table, was approaching Oli and Illyria. The man tapped Oli on the shoulder. They turned to speak to each other, and at first, I thought it was a harmless encounter. Then Oli turned on him seconds later; his expression filled with fury.
Oli stepped into the man's face, his lips moving fast, speaking something that appeared to be threatening. The green-eyed man smirked at Oli, holding his hands up in mock surrender, and backed up slightly. I tensed as Oli’s hands clenched at his sides and he gave the man a look so menacing I was even afraid.
The encounter didn’t last long. The green-eyed man seemed to understand Oli wasn’t someone to provoke, and he took his leave. Oli’s hands unclenched from his sides, and he turned back to Illyria, their conversation resuming.
“You really should learn to keep that guard dog of yours from letting his temper get away from him,” a voice said from deep within the shadows.
Turning around, my heart quickened in my chest as a man with fiery red hair dressed in an ebony black cloak ascended from the darkness.
“Tassadar?” Due to my shock, I could only wield my voice to whisper. I recalled seeing him at the meeting in Asmede only days before. He was the man who had begun the city conclave, the one that could read minds.
He towered over me by about a foot, his silver heart glowing even beneath the shadow of his black cloak. I�
�d never seen the dark cloak before. I'd only ever read about it signifying Obscurum in books my tutors had given me.
“Hello, Sabeara.”
My head began to spin. Why was he dressed like that? Fear laced my veins as I suddenly realized something wasn’t right. I backed up slowly, like an animal attempting to evade a predator, trying not to make any sudden movements. Questions swirled in my head, but I could barely think. I was confused as to why an Obscurum cloak was wrapped around the shoulders of an Aveladon councilman.
In an attempt to walk away, I tripped on a tree root, and the floor gave out from beneath me. Tassadar’s arms caught me before I could hit the floor, and swiftly pulled me up beside him.
“Wha. . .what are you doing here? What do you want?” I stuttered, unable to ask the millions of questions I had all at once in the face of my sudden fear.
Helping me stand upright, he released me from his hold and tucked back several strands of hair that had fallen into my face.
“I couldn’t very well miss the princess’s Granting, could I?” Tassadar asked, a mischievous glint in his eye.
“Why are you wearing an Obscurum cloak?”
“Sabeara, calm down.” He brought my attention back to him, and I suddenly realized I was panting, my hands gripping fistfuls of his cloak in apprehension. Quickly I released him and took a step back.
“What’s going on, Tassadar?” I tried to sound demanding, like I was somehow stronger because of the tone of voice I wielded.
Tassadar smiled, and tugged me close to him again. His arms wound around my waist, and he grabbed my hands and put them around his neck. A slow song had begun playing and the melody could faintly be heard in the darkness of the trees. He began to sway, dancing with me.
“Let’s save the questions for later. Right now let’s dance.”
I wanted to argue, but because I knew I was powerless, I felt I had no choice but to comply. I looked up, not taking my eyes off him. There was only one reason a man in a black cloak would be at the Granting. Something was going to happen. Tassadar wasn’t here for the gala. He was here for me. He knew I was the only one without powers, and I was the easy target. I tried to remember the protocol I’d been taught for a situation like this, but the information wouldn’t seem to come. Was I dreaming?
“You’re not in a dream you know,” he said abruptly, breaking the silence.
“You can read my mind.”
“Indeed I can.” He twirled me under his arm, and I caught a small glimpse of the party lights before returning to his arms.
“My guardian is going to be worried if I don’t return to him soon. I should probably head back to the party.” I began thinking about Oli and the quarrel he had moments before with the green-eyed guest. Could it have been a distraction? My thoughts began to spin with terrifying suspicions.
“You’re safe with me, and the conflict your guardian had with that man wasn’t anything to be concerned about.” He read my mind again, and I curiously waited for him to tell me what they were talking about. “Your guardian was dancing with his pretty friend when the man interrupted, telling him how beautiful you were and wondering if he’d ever had a taste of the reckless, wild princess, he so possessively protects. Of course your guard dog instantly defended you.” As he relayed the story, a mischievous smile grew on his lips, almost like he knew more than he was letting on.
I stopped our gentle swaying, not liking the secret smirk on his face.
“I know why you are here.”
“Why am I here, Princess Sabeara?” He leaned down, his lips almost touching my ear, causing
chills to erupt down my spine.
“For me,” I said, my voice but a whisper.
“Now, what makes you think it’s you I want?”
“If it's someone else, I can help you find them.” Carefully, I began trying to pull myself from his arms. “Why don’t we go to the party, and I'll help you find whoever it is you are looking for.”
At first, he let me step away, and I was just about to pass out of the tree line when his hand snapped out, gripping my wrist. He pulled me back into the shadows, his hold no longer gentle.
“I have a better idea, how about you stay here with me.”
“Let go of me.” I instinctively tried to pull back, but his hold wouldn’t budge.
“Oh no, we can’t have any of that, Little Bear,” he growled mockingly.
What happened next unfolded before I could even blink. Tassadar spun me around and tugged me to his chest violently. A silver blade was brought up to the edge of my neck, and the sharp tip pierced my fragile skin. I didn’t even have time to scream. Chaos erupted around me as black-cloaked figures flooded the party.
I watched helplessly from the shadows of the trees as the guests began screaming, and the invaders began pushing them roughly to the ground. The raid began in a mad flurry, guards coming to the defense. The black cloaks and the red cloaks clashed together, creating a violent battle.
The adrenaline sparked in my body as I felt the knife at my neck, cold and sharp.
“Easy now, don’t struggle. It would be such a shame to ruin your dress if I was forced to kill you,” Tassadar sneered odiously.
“Please,” I whimpered.
“Begging will not save you now, princess.”
“Tassadar, please, don’t do this. . .” It was all I could manage to say in the midst of my fear. It was the kind of fear that paralyzes and constricts every muscle. Fear with the ability to leave burning, searing memories on the mind. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so scared. And the fear only deepened when I felt the knife suddenly leave my throat and the weight of a heavy sack cloth cover my head.
FOUR
My heart pounded like a drum in my ears, awakening me. As if I were drowning, I jolted from the darkness I’d been swallowed up in—gasping for air. I instantly breathed in the smell of leather and copse musk.
The sun made a bright green glare in what appeared to be a tent ceiling, revealing it was noonday. As I blinked open my heavy eyelids, squinting against the sun, I was surprised to find myself free of the sack cloth that had darkened my vision.
I noticed my gala dress was ripped and torn, goosebumps trailing my pale skin. I shivered, feeling slightly frozen with panic as I eyed the rope that held my feet and wrists captive.
The events of the gala played back in my head, and I relayed the black cloaks raiding the gala, Tassadar pulling a knife to my neck, and the sack cloth going over my head. Everything was dark after that, but I remember the sound of voices and struggling to get free. I remember trying to scream and then something hard hitting my head. I know we traveled some place far because the horse’s hoof beats didn’t stop for a long time.
I struggled to free the rope from my hands. When nothing budged, and the only response from my struggle was the burn from the rope against my fragile skin, I stilled in defeat.
I knew what to do. I’d been told several times in tutoring classes. I could almost see my tutor telling me what to do as if I were sitting in that boring room, where I learned boring royal regulations.
“Scream for help. Someone may be able to hear you. Don’t struggle, save your strength and look for any points of escape. If there's none, be patient. Guards will be on their way to find you. And above all things, whatever you do, don’t tell them anything.”
Voices could be heard outside of the tent. They were male voices, and I listened to them banter for a moment. When their conversation proved to be too muddled to make out any particular words, I edged closer to the tent flap. There was a small sliver I could see through when I closed one eye and squinted.
I looked to be in the enemy camp. There were four men in black cloaks. They lazily sat around the dead ashes of a previous fire—like house cats fiddling with their pointed weapons. I noticed Tassadar sitting amongst them and shivered in fear.
Beautiful yellow aspen trees surrounded the camp indicating I was still in Aveladon. The bright yellow tree was a commonality on
Aveladon soil. I felt a small sense of relief knowing I couldn’t be too far from home. I tried to look for areas of escape, but with the ropes around my wrists and feet, I knew it would be impossible to run.
I watched a little longer in curiosity, eyeing the creatures that accompanied the men. They were horses, much different than any steed I had encountered. They were shimmering like colorful ocean pebbles. Blue and green scales lined their hindquarters, while several fins graced their manes and tails. They were Crykon, water horses.
I backed away from the slit in the tent flap, my breathing slightly uneven. I felt a hum of pain on my left cheek and knew there was a bruise from the blow I’d received the night before. I wished I could reach up to cradle my cheek, but now was not the time to be feeling sorry for myself.
The only items in the tent with me were a dirty bowl of water, a thin torn sheet that barely met the standards of a blanket, and the remains of my gala dress. I was looking for something–anything– to aid in escape, but the longer I searched the tent, the more I realized I was helpless. With that knowledge, I finally gathered my breath, conjured the will to be courageous, and screamed.
It didn’t take long before the flap was torn open and I was met face to face with Tassadar. I immediately stopped my screaming and fumbled toward the back of the tent in fear.
“Well hello, princess.” His voice sounded just as malicious as I remembered.
“Don’t touch me,” I spat.
Tassadar laughed and grabbed me by the rope around my feet. The dirt and rocks scraped against my bare skin as he pulled me from the tent and into the middle of the tree ring. I screamed again, my ears ringing with the effort as I wiggled like a piglet going to the slaughter. I could hear his malevolent laugh as I struggled.
“What do we have here?” I heard another man say—his voice was equally terrifying.
My legs flopped carelessly to the ground when Tassadar let go. I sat up quickly, glaring at the men that began to circle me like a pack of hungry wolves.
Granted (Granted Series Book 1) Page 3
