Princess of Fire and Smoke (Forbidden Court Book 1)

by Stephanie Bell

  “Aileen?” I ask her.

  She squares her shoulders and looks me straight in the eye. “I was wrong. I shouldn’t have doubted you and I shouldn’t have pushed so hard to go straight to Perth. Maybe if we’d stopped in Elphine, we would have been better prepared for…” Her hand gestures to where I’m leaning heavily against Emerson.

  “Sister, if we’d stopped in Elphine, I would have still been unconscious and the General definitely would have caught us. We made the right choice, traveling straight to Perth. I’m only sorry I put so much strain on you two.”

  They both dismiss that comment quickly with a shrug of their shoulders and as much as I enjoy riding with Emerson, I decide he could use a break and switch back to my own mare.

  We are silent during the last leg of the journey. Even though I’m brimming with questions, I bite my lip and hold them all in. One look at them tells me they are both too tired to answer questions right now.

  I’m riding at the front of our group when I spot a giant gray wall rising into the sky.

  The castle!

  I resist the urge to spur my horse closer. To avoid spooking Xander or his men, we slowly make our way up to the ancient gate. Perth is the original capital of Chadonia, and it oozes with history and knowledge. It’s also one of my favorite places in the whole kingdom.

  I’m expecting the guards lining the top of the walls that border the castle. I’m even expecting the guards that are lined up behind the closed gates. But, what I’m not expecting is to see Xander himself standing amongst them.

  He’s a foot taller than his men and his fur-lined robe billows around him making him look every bit the High King his people hope he will become.

  “I was wondering when you’d show up, Adeline. It seems you’ve been very busy lately.” His deep voice booms out through the gate. “Aileen, nice to see you again.”

  I clench my jaw together to prevent it from dropping open. Apparently, my sister is a bit friendlier with the Prince Elect than she let on.

  “Your Highness,” She rides up next to me and nods her respects to him.

  “I can assume you didn’t travel all this way to assassinate me, right?” Although his voice is serious, I can see the twinkle in his blue eyes.

  “Xander! Let those poor girls inside and quit tormenting them.” A female voice rings out from behind him. The voice is soft but authoritative and instantly has me relaxing. Xander’s wife, Lady Rosabel, walks out to his side. “You three look downright awful. Open these gates.” She orders the guards.

  The guards hesitate only a moment as Xander turns an angry glare on them. “You heard the woman, open the gates.”

  As soon as my feet touch the ground, I’m pulled down in a firm hug. “Oh, honey! I am so sorry to hear about your parents. Even with our territory’s rivalry, we loved your parents very much.”

  Rosabel is petit and only comes up to my shoulders, but she is easily one of the fiercest women I know. Her words bring tears to my eyes that I desperately try to wipe away. Eventually, she loosens her grip on me to envelop Aileen in a hug too.

  Xander's dark hair is cut short in a popular military-style and his blue eyes narrow as he watches me. I straighten my shoulders stubbornly and meet his gaze straight on. He’s ten years my senior and always so serious, but I refuse to be intimidated under his scrutinizing gaze.

  He wasn't always this serious. I remember when I would visit Perth as a child, Xander would carry me around on his shoulders, showing me all the interesting places in the castle. But as we got older, Kingdom politics got in the way of our friendship and it was deemed ‘inappropriate’ for him to be friends with his territory's rival.

  “Xander, I would like to speak with you please,” I say, trying to sound confident and not like the little kid who thought of him as a brother.

  He scowls at me. “I’m sure you would, Your Highness. But first, don’t you think you should see about lodging for your companions? They look rather weary from the trip.”

  “Of course,” I fight the urge to look down at the ground. I won’t let him make me feel like a child.

  “Would you be willing to give my companions a place to rest? We’ve been traveling for quite some time and they’re rather weary.” I say through gritted teeth.

  “Well, of course, Your Royal Highness. Rosabel, darling. Would you please see to our guests? I’ll speak with you once you’ve had a chance to rest.” He says as Rosabel begins ushering us inside the castle. Then he turns and walks back towards a group of his soldiers.

  “Come on, dear.” Rosabel gently takes my hand and guides us into the ancient castle.

  She nods as I glance back towards Xander. “Don’t you worry about him, Addy. He’s got a lot on his mind right now, but he knows you’d never do anything to hurt anyone.” She tries to give me a reassuring smile, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

  She leads me to my old room from past visits and assigns my friends to nearby rooms. She stays with me for a while, showering me in attention.

  Rosabel and Xander have been married for seven years, but unfortunately, they hadn’t been able to conceive a child yet. So, she’s taken to mothering us younger elects anytime there is an opportunity. It's just one of the many things I adore about Rosabel.

  “Adeline, you must tell me what happened. We’ve heard all sorts of rumors. Xander has been in a horrible mood, lately. He’s been locking himself away with his advisers most days. He tells me only what he thinks I can handle.”

  My furrow together at her admission.

  Xander loves Rosabel dearly. I’ve never heard of him denying her anything she asked for.

  She must have seen my surprise because she leans in and adds in a secretive whisper, “He thinks too much stress will be bad for the baby.”

  I stare blankly at her for a moment until she gently removes her cloak and shows me her rounded belly.

  She smiles gently at me. “I know it’s not the best timing, with the trials, and what’s happened to your parents and all, but I wanted to tell you more than anything Adeline.”

  Joy floods through me and I’m thrilled for Rosabel. And Xander too, even with his grumpy and standoffish ways towards me lately. I know without a doubt he will be a fantastic father.

  “Rosa, I am thrilled for you!” I move beside her and carefully throw my arms around her neck, giving her a gentle hug.

  “Are you, Addy? I know you’re going through a hard time and I didn’t want…” She begins before I cut her off.

  “Rosa, you have been hoping and praying for a baby for seven years. This is glorious news. No matter what’s happening with the kingdom, or the trials. You deserve to be happy. You and Xander are going to make amazing parents.”

  Tears flood down Rosabel’s face as she hugs me, thanking me again and again for my blessing.

  We sit there for a while hugging, laughing, and talking until there is a knock at the door and a messenger calls Rosabel away on some important task.

  After my days of sleeping, my body is apparently sick of resting. I feel the urge to get up and do something. Anything, really.

  So, I do the one thing I know will bring me some peace. I go to the library. The Old City is known for having the most extensive library in the whole kingdom.

  I make my way there, stopping only when I’m at the entrance. The heavy oak doors loom over me and I study the delicate carvings that cover it. The Perthians claim they were a gift from the Ancient to his book-loving wife around one thousand years ago, before the great war that ended all other kingdoms.

  I push open the doors and enter the room, welcoming the smell of books pulls that puts a smile onto my face. A thrill races through me as I wander around my happy place.

  The main room of this library has always taken my breath away, even when I was a child. It’s two stories high and every wall is lined with books of every color and size. I give one long lingering glance at the main area and make my way back to my favorite corner, a slight alcove tucked away in a c
orner of the room. I’m so excited to get there, it takes me a moment to notice the large form sitting on the settee reading a book.

  Of course, they don’t designate this as my spot anymore. I haven’t been allowed to visit Perth in many years.

  I turn around and begrudgingly begin to find a new spot to read when a deep voice interrupts me.

  “You’re going to give your favorite spot up that easily? I really thought you were more of a fighter than that.” Xander chuckles as he sets the book he’s reading on the table.

  “I was trying to be polite...” My words fade as Xander turns the light brighter so I can take in the scene in front of me.

  The table is covered with sweet treats of all different shapes and colors. My mouth waters at the delicate scent that wafts towards me. But it’s the teapot sitting on the table that almost does me in.

  “Well, come on now. You can’t stand there drooling all day.” He pats the spot next to him and that’s all the invitation I need.

  Dropping down next to him, I kick my shoes off and tuck my feet underneath me. I watch as Xander pours tea into two cups and adds a dash of honey to one. My heart warms because he remembers how I like my tea.

  “I thought you were too busy to talk to me?” I ask him, trying and failing to keep the petty childish wine out of my voice.

  Xander quirks an eyebrow at me as he takes a sip of his tea. “I didn’t want to have this conversation in public. I figured you’d make your way here as soon as you got a chance. We need to talk.”

  My stomach swirls with unease. I sit up straight and tilt my chin up at him, trying to give him my best queenly look. “I didn’t kill my parents.”

  “I know.” His eyes meet mine with a fierceness I don’t expect. “You would never do something like that.”

  I breathe a sigh of relief and feel some of the weight lifts off my shoulders.

  “I’m sorry you’re going through all of this. But there are a few things I need to tell you and I’m afraid we don’t have much time. Maximus has a group of soldiers following you. They’ll be here in about two days’ time.” Concern flashes in his eyes as he looks at me. “There is so much you don’t know yet. I’ll help you understand what I can.”

  He stares at the cup in his hands for a moment, lost in thought. When he finally looks up at me, I notice the dark circles under his eyes and the beard that desperately needs a trim. He looks like he hasn’t slept well either.

  “Xander, whatever it is, just tell me. It can’t be much worse than my parents dying.”

  “Did your parents ever tell you the prophecy about the true ruler?”

  I nod and try not to sound too sarcastic when I quote my parent’s favorite bedtime story for me. “When a corrupt ruler sits on the throne, the darkness in your land will make itself known. But why does this even matter? Everyone knows it’s just a legion.”

  “Is that what your parents thought? That it was just some story?” He asks me gently.

  “Yes,” I answer quickly, but then my mind goes back to all those lessons my mother insisted on teaching me. She was rather adamant for someone who thought it was just a ‘story’.

  Xander’s knowing look has me muttering a quiet, “Maybe”.

  “Trust me when I say your parents believed it very much. They were positive that it was going to come to pass soon, very soon. I know your uncle Maximus killed your parents because he wants his son on the throne. He must be the corrupt ruler from the prophecy, Adeline. We can’t let him take the throne.”

  “Isn’t that the whole purpose for the trials? To make sure only the True Ruler can ascend to the throne?” I take a sip of my tea and sigh as it's minty flavors envelope my tongue.

  Xander's eyes narrow in concentration. “Well, yes and it’s worked for hundreds of years. But, this time it’s different. Maximus will do anything and everything in his power to make sure his son is crowned High King. If that happens our kingdom will be overrun with darkness.”

  “My cousin Nereus isn’t evil. He would make a great High King. Sure he’s a little immature sometimes, but he’s a good person. Besides what does ‘overrun with darkness’ even mean? I’m going to compete in the trials because my Mother made me promise to. But I don’t know if I believe in fate or prophecies.” I blow a hair out of my face as I lean forward to grab a particularly delicious looking cream puff of the table and take a large bite.

  Xander lets out a grunt of frustration. “The prophecies are real, and we all have a fate, whether we like it or not. But even if you don’t believe in it yet. You have to fight, with everything you have in you, Addy. You have to win the trials.” He runs a hand through his hair and stares at me intently. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so flustered.

  “Okay, Xander. I’ll try my hardest to win.” I reach out and pat his arm, pondering his excessive paranoia as I take another bite of my cream puff.

  “Don’t brush me off, Adeline!” He jumps to his feet and spins around to stand in front of me. “He has been amassing an inner circle filled with the most powerful and wicked people you can imagine. Your parents knew there was a traitor in their court, but they didn’t know who it was.

  “That’s why they tried to hide your powers from the kingdom and I’m not sure how, but Maximus figured it out. He knows you’re the only one that’s powerful enough to stand against him. That’s why he killed your parents and framed you. You can’t prove he murdered them, so you can’t rightfully challenge him. But as High Queen, you’ll have every right to challenge him and with your power, you’d win.

  "He’s been preparing for this for years. He’s set you up to fail, and if you do, everything your parents and I have been fighting for will have been for nothing. Our kingdom will be destroyed!”

  The creampuff feels like a lump in my throat that I can’t swallow. My mind tries to process all this new information while panic floods my body.

  Maximus has been planning this for years…

  He killed my parents so I wouldn’t become High Queen…

  It really is my fault they're dead.

  Chapter Nineteen

  My world freezes around me as I flashback to that horrible night. The way my father looked when Maximus stabbed him. My mother, lying in a pool of her own blood.

  My emotions push violently at the barrier I have tried so hard to build up. I can feel the sparks tingling just underneath my skin as my magic flares.

  Dropping to my knees on the floor, I take long deep breaths as my emotions swirl through me like a hurricane. I try to focus every bit of my attention on keeping my magic at bay. I won’t destroy this ancient library and I can’t hurt Xander.

  Breathe. In and out. Think about anything else. Anything at all. Flowers in the springtime. The sunrise of the cliffs in Centralia…

  The one thing I don’t realize is when I focus all my attention on my powers, I have no energy left to hold up a very important barrier I’ve been fighting with the past few days. Dread hits me when I hear his voice.

  Princess? What’s happened? Where are you?

  No, not him. Not now.

  Get out of my head, General. I don’t have the time to deal with you right now.

  Wait! Don’t you...

  I shove the mental wall that separates us back up, cutting him off mid-sentence. My lips curve up in a small smirk at the flash of outrage I feel before the wall locks into place.

  Serves him right.

  Cold magic presses gently against my forehead. It's soothing against my feverish skin and slowly my swirl of emotions subsides. I look up at Xander, and as he stands over me I can see his air magic ruffling his clothes as it swirls around us.

  “Adeline, are you alright?” He asks as he looks down at me with a tenderness I haven’t seen since I was a child.

  I stand up and throw my arms around him, breathing in his snow and wintergreen scent. I may have lost my parents and my home, but there is a little piece of home here too. With the brotherly figure, I thought I had lost a long time ago.r />
  I pull back so I can look up at his face. “I’m sorry. My magic is closely tied to my emotions. The higher my emotions, the more my magic threatens to escape.”

  Amazement shines in his eyes, “And your magic is fire?”

  “Fire, yes definitely. But I think there’s something else there too. I haven’t had much of a chance to experiment with it the past few days.”

  “Of course, what with you being chased around the Kingdom and whatnot,” He chuckles wryly.

  “Speaking of being chased around the kingdom, Maximus’ soldiers are closer than your guards estimated. They’re about a day's journey and they're moving fast. We need to leave immediately.”

  “You can’t leave in the middle of the night. Please, wait until dawn at least. I can slow them down and give you enough time to escape." He flexes his fingers and I feel a chill sliding through the air. "Wait, how do you know they’re closer?”

  I hesitate, not quite ready to tell him that I can communicate with the enemy in my head. “It’s just another weird thing about my magic, it’s hard to explain.”

  That isn't technically a lie.

  “Well, no wonder you haven’t been captured yet. That must come in handy. My men are restocking your gear and getting you fresh horses. They’ll be ready first thing in the morning.

  "Please, Adeline. Get a good night's sleep and you can head out in the morning. There’s another path you can take back to Elphine that will take you around them, once you get out of the mountains, you must go straight to Centralia and figure out how to get into the opening ceremonies. It won’t do you much good to get all of our votes if you don’t give us a chance to vote in your favor.” He smiles knowingly down at me.

  “I haven’t even had a chance to tell you about my plan yet. How did you figure it out?” My eyebrow raises at him as I ask the question.

  “Well, you’ve been to every territory, staying for short bits of time and rushing off to the next one. It wasn’t too hard to figure it out. It’s just the plan Adora would have had.” His arms tighten around me in an encouraging hug.