45
Alaric raised the mirror above his head. The goblin was weakening. He could tell. A few more blows would destroy the creature.
The faint silhouette of Lina grabbed his arm. She was trying to tell him something. Alaric didn’t have time to listen. His strength was fading fast. His body ached and swayed. He knew he wouldn’t be conscious for much longer. He had to finish this now.
Alaric shook his arm out of Lina’s grip and brought the glass dagger down for a final blow.
Nog’s body shivered and disappeared. The mirror plunged into a bed of crushed snowbells.
Alaric tried to pull it out of the ground, but his arms were too weak. He gasped for air and looked around.
He sat alone on the mountain. The air had cleared. The wrongness that surrounded Nog had disappeared. A gentle rain washed the smell away.
Alaric pushed himself up. Pain shot through his side, and he collapsed. Standing wasn’t an option.
He left the mirror shard stuck in the dirt and crawled down the mountain. He had to get back to the cave. Had to make sure that Lina was safe. He followed the goblin’s muddy footprints as he crawled so he wouldn’t get lost.
“Alaric?”
Alaric glanced towards the voice. He had to be dreaming. A lantern bobbed towards him in the darkness. Queen Marta and Henry rushed to his side.
“He’s hurt,” Marta said.
She placed her hand on Alaric’s forehead.
“Heal.”
Something cool tingled over Alaric’s skin. His breathing eased. He sat up.
“Lina! She was in the realm of shadows! The goblin-”
“Save your strength,” Marta said. “We know. Nog is back behind the seal. You’re safe.”
“What about Lina?”
Marta frowned. Alaric tried to stand but collapsed to the ground.
“What happened to her?”
“You’re safe. She’s safe. We need to get you all home.”
Henry helped him stand. Alaric wrapped his arms around them. Together they hobbled down the mountain. Clouds parted, revealing patches of a starry sky.
The door to the cave was open. Alaric’s heart plummeted.
“Did Nog-”
“No,” Marta said. “We found her sleeping on the stone. Cael carried her to the carriage. Just a little further now.”
Alaric kept walking. The healing magic eased his pain, and he refused to be carried away from the battlefield.
When he saw the carriage, he doubled his pace. Henry lifted him inside. Alaric froze.
Lina lay motionless across the seat. Her eyes were closed. Her face was swollen with cuts and bruises. Alaric sank into the seat across from her. He watched for her to breathe. Please, she couldn’t be dead. Not now.
A shallow breath escaped her lips. Alaric leaned back against the cushion. Marta joined him.
“She healed the seal,” Queen Marta said. “She put Nog behind it so she could question him, but he evaded her. It is possible that her injuries weakened her enough to put her back in the enchanted sleep.”
“No,” Alaric said. “No, I won’t accept that. She saved us!”
Marta patted his shoulder.
“Yes. She is a true hero.”
Alaric took a shuddering breath.
“I won’t lose her,” he said. “I love her.”
Marta smiled sadly at him.
“I know. We’ll take her back to the castle. There may be something in the vault that can heal her.”
The carriage jolted to a start. Alaric reached his hand out to keep Lina from falling off the seat.
He watched her the whole ride back. There had to be a way to wake her. He was sure of it.
Luca had thought that too, he realized. Alaric wasn’t the first to love Lina. He wasn’t first to try to save her.
Alaric leaned across the carriage and took Lina’s hand.
“Wake up,” he whispered. “Please wake up, Lina.”
He pulled the emerald ring from his hand and slipped it onto her finger.
46
Lina lay on the ground. She felt heavy. That wasn’t right. She shouldn’t feel heavy. You didn’t feel heavy in the realm of shadows. She opened her eyes and stared into the empty sky. Why couldn’t she move?
“You’re close to death. That was foolish, trying to save Nog for questioning.”
Lina took a deep breath. She knew that voice. She would know it anywhere.
“Luca?”
Her voice was raspy. Lina tried to sit up, but she lacked the strength. She turned her head and caught a flash of gold in the corner of her eye. The hazy outline of a star. She collapsed back to the ground.
“This is a dream.”
Luca laughed.
“What else did you expect in the realm of shadows? So tell me, goat, why did you try to save the goblin?”
“It’s good to see you, donkey breath. Or at least, it’s good to hear you.”
“Don’t avoid the question. Why did you save Nog?”
“He has answers. He couldn’t have escaped the seal alone. Someone helped him.”
“He also had a century to figure out how to escape. Maybe he was working alone. Or maybe someone helped him decades ago. You can’t know for sure.”
Lina sighed. Luca was right. She had no proof. She had endangered everyone on a hunch. She should have let Alaric finish the goblin when she had the chance.
“He knew light magic,” she said. “That’s never happened before. Something has changed. Luca, there’s more to this.”
“Maybe. If someone helped him, it may be possible to find them and discover how they did it. It won’t be easy though. It may take a long time. Will you be around for the quest?”
“What do you mean?”
Lina tried to turn her head. Tried to see him. He stayed just out of reach. A blur of light on the horizon.
“You’re close to death. You slept a century, but did you rest? You could do so now. No one would blame you for it.”
Lina swallowed.
“Or?”
“Or you can fight. You can search for answers. No guarantees, but it may still be possible to wake up.”
“I always fight. You know that. But I can’t this time. Luca, I don’t have the strength.”
“Then I’ll see you soon. But don’t give up too hastily. You have another chance at life, Lina. At least consider taking it. You’ve been alone long enough.”
The light on the horizon disappeared. Lina stared at the sky above her. She saw nothing but endless darkness.
She closed her eyes. Even that small motion took a long time. Everything moved slowly.
Had Luca really been there? Or was she seeing things from her injuries? Projecting wishful thinking? Anything was possible in the realm of shadows.
Lina struggled for breath, but her lungs wouldn’t work. It would be easy to sink back into sleep. So easy to slip into unconsciousness for another century.
Or permanently.
No. She couldn’t. Aeonia needed her. Lina gasped and managed to inhale a bit of air. Her ribs ached, but it helped her focus her strength. She had little left. Lina tried to drag herself out of the trance, but it was like pulling an anchor up a mountain.
She couldn’t do it. This was a fight she couldn’t win.
A weight appeared on her hand. It tingled. Green light sparked over her skin. Lina turned her head and stared at her finger.
The pea emerald ring rested next to the diamond. She smiled. Alaric. He had given the ring back to her.
The pea’s magic swirled across Lina’s skin. She breathed again. And then again. The pain eased.
Lina closed her eyes. It would take time, but the pea would heal her. She would have the strength to fight after all.
Aeonia needed her.
Lina gathered a tiny bolt of shadow magic in her palm. She wrapped herself in it to intensify the effects of the pea’s magic. Light from the gem swept over her body.
Lina tapped her finger impatient
ly. The motion was a triumph considering her condition a few moments ago, but she wasn’t satisfied. She wanted to be healed! She was ready to wake up. Ready to live.
Evangelina Shadow-Storm had slept long enough.
47
Marta placed her hand on Alaric’s shoulder.
“You should rest. You’re injured.”
Alaric shook his head. They had carried Lina through the secret passageway to her bedroom. She lay on her bed barely breathing. None of the potions or charms had helped her.
“I want to be here when she wakes up.”
“Alaric-”
“No. I’m not leaving her.”
Marta turned to Hilda.
“Bring in two mattresses. There should be plenty left from the mattress towers. And send someone to tell the king I’m back in the castle and taking care of the Princess Test.”
Hilda nodded and left the room. Alaric raised an eyebrow.
“Two mattresses?”
“I’ll stay with you. Lina means a great deal to me as well.”
“Will you tell father about the goblin? About who you really are?”
“In time, after the kings have gone. I don’t think it would be wise to mention a goblin to the Council. Revealing my true identity could cause problems. They might decide to trace the royal family’s lineage and find another king. We don’t need that sort of unrest right now. I had hoped Lina could be the one to tell everyone. It is her story more than anyone else’s.”
“What if the Council asks questions?”
“I issued an official report blaming our tardiness on the storm. The princesses are safe. Other than a hasty carriage ride down the mountain, they suffered no harm.”
Alaric groaned.
“The princesses. Blast. I was supposed to announce my choice to the council tonight.”
“It is too late for that now. Surely they’ve finished their meetings for the evening.”
Alaric brushed a strand of hair off Lina’s forehead.
“Tomorrow morning then.”
“And if she isn’t awake?”
Alaric didn’t answer. He didn’t want to think about that.
Hilda ran through the secret entrance. Bastien followed close behind her.
Hilda curtsied.
“Queen Marta, my husband is raving about something. I told him you were not to be bothered, but he insisted.”
Bastien glared at his wife.
“Their Majesties need to know what is going on! The Council is in an uproar!”
Hilda guided her panting husband to a chair.
“Catch your breath, Bastien. What is this about?”
“The Council is still in session. Prince Stefan has sent messengers to every corner of the city searching for you! The King of Gaveron has demanded control of Aeonia if Prince Alaric does not choose a bride tonight as he promised!”
Queen Marta bristled.
“That’s nonsense. He has several days to declare a winner.”
“But he said he would do it tonight. Prince Stefan is stalling, but he is losing ground. The kings have voted to end the Princess Test if Alaric does not choose his bride tonight! They have all the girls waiting in the Council room.”
Alaric stood and brushed his damp, tangled hair away from his face.
“I must go there immediately!”
Marta jogged after him and grabbed his arm.
“Alaric, what about Lina?”
Alaric glanced back at Lina’s sleeping form.
“She would want me to protect our country. I cannot allow the King of Gaveron to make a formal motion for the rule of Aeonia.”
“We could defend ourselves.”
“It would mean war, Marta. You know that as well as I do.”
Alaric ran out of the secret passage. His body ached from Nog’s blows. He suspected he was almost as bruised as Lina.
Lina. She had kissed him. She had trusted him to fight by her side. He couldn’t betray that trust now. He would save Aeonia, even if it meant marrying someone else.
Alaric’s heart twisted. Blast it all! He didn’t want someone else. He wanted her.
He didn’t wait for the guards or trumpeters to announce him. Alaric pushed the doors open and stormed into the throne room.
The princesses stood in a line. Their hair was mussed from the mountain wind. Their clothes were wrinkled from the carriage ride. They whispered to each other as the Council debated.
No one noticed Alaric. He slipped into a corner to catch his breath. He was far too winded to speak at the moment.
“And that’s the history of the three greatest storms in Aeonian history,” Stefan said. “As the historical record shows, they blow in without warning. As we saw tonight, they can disappear just as suddenly. We had no way of knowing there would be bad weather tonight. But as you can see, the princesses were not harmed.”
“I thought the carriage ride was rather thrilling,” Marian of Fletcher said.
“That storm smelled like death,” Fiora said. “That wasn’t natural.”
“Do the storms affect seagulls, Prince Stefan?” Carina said.
Everyone turned to stare at her. She gave them a bland smile. In spite of everything, Alaric chuckled to himself. She was devious, that one.
The King of Gaveron cleared his throat.
“We are satisfied with your account of the afternoon’s events, Prince Stefan. The true cause for concern is Prince Alaric’s disappearance. He said he would choose a bride tonight. If he does not, I must insist the Council consider my motion for Gaveron to-”
“Seagulls eat fish, you know,” Carina said. “I thought all birds ate seeds, but seagulls eat fish.”
The King of Gaveron glared at her.
“Shut your mouth, princess. No one cares about those blasted birds.”
Carina’s father stood.
“There is no need to speak to the princesses so disrespectfully.”
The King of Gaveron nodded.
“Forgive me, King of Santelle. You are right, of course. I am not angry at these charming ladies. It is Prince Alaric who deserves our wrath. It is unforgivable that he disappeared in the middle of the Princess Test. Especially with such magnificent ladies to choose from. It shows a weakness of character I would expect from someone without noble blood. Now for my motion. I believe Aeonia would benefit from a ruler with a noble lineage. I propose-”
Alaric had heard enough. He stepped from the corner, working hard to hide his limp, and walked to the center of the throne room.
“Be careful of your words, King of Gaveron. The only weakness I have shown tonight is putting your daughter’s safety above my own.”
The words had an electrifying effect. Every king in the room turned to him. They didn’t look happy. In other circumstances, Alaric would have found it intimidating, but these men were nowhere near as fierce as Nog.
“Explain yourself, son,” King Noam said. “You look like you tripped and rolled down the mountain.”
Alaric glanced down at his tunic. It was coated in mud and grass stains. And blood. Probably his. How had he not noticed? Even Bastien had been too flustered to insist that he change.
He brushed a clump of the mud off his tunic and nodded to the kings.
“One of the princesses had wandered away from the picnic to explore. I stayed behind to search for her so the other princesses could get back to the castle ahead of the storm.”
“You spent time alone with her,” Fiora said. “That means she’ll have to be-”
“Disqualified,” the King of Kell said in unison with her. “Exactly so.”
Alaric bit his tongue. When he had time, he would reconsider Aeonia’s trade agreements with Kell. They were insufferable! But that was not the battle he was here to fight. Lina would want him to protect Aeonia, not her place in the Princess Test.
“Is the girl alright?” King Noam asked.
Alaric nodded.
“She sprained her ankle on the journey down and cannot get out of bed.�
�
Stefan raised his eyebrows at him. They both knew a sprained ankle wouldn’t keep Lina in bed. Alaric shook his head at Stefan. His brother caught the message. Don’t argue. Let them accept the lie.
The kings did just that. They nodded and whispered to each other.
“Are you ready to select a winner of the Princess Test?” King Noam asked. “The King of Gaveron has proposed several measures regarding your right to rule, but your choice of bride may render them null and void.”
The King of Gaveron glowered at Alaric. So did several other members of the Council. Clearly they were not happy to see him.
Alaric ignored his aching heart and nodded.
“I am ready. I have made my choice.”
“Then come forward, princesses,” King Noam said. “You have had three days to prove your charms and win my son’s heart. Let us see who has been successful.”
The princesses stepped forward. They were a bedraggled group. Alaric’s heart beat faster. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
He stepped towards Carina. She met his gaze and looked away. Emotion shone through her bland mask. Regret. Resignation.
Alaric hesitated. He understood those feelings all too well. Carina wanted this marriage even less than he did.
But she would do it for the people. For peace.
That wasn’t fair. This wasn’t her problem. It wasn’t her fight. He thought of the Carina he had seen on the mountain. The one willing to charge at a goblin to save Lina.
She was brave. She was noble.
Carina deserved better than an arranged marriage to save another country.
But what other choice did he have?
Alaric’s eyes swept the line of princesses. Fiora’s bright red hair caught his eye. His mouth went dry. She noticed him watching her and smiled slightly.
Alaric’s heart skipped a beat. Kell had the oldest royal family in Myora. The noblest lineage. He could choose Fiora. It would satisfy the King of Gaveron’s claim.
His gaze darted from Carina to Fiora. He swallowed a few times and took another step forward.
48
“Lina! Evangelina, please wake up!”
Princess of Shadows: The Princess and the Pea Retold (Fairy Tale Adventures Book 1) Page 23
