Sheree thought if she stayed the course, she would push him from her instead. She saw the red fire in Renella’s eyes and knew what that meant for her. She also saw the color changing on her ring. She had seen the same things happen to her husband. Fear that Renella would bring her son down a dark path had her longing to ask him to give up on her and walk away.
But Sheree knew better, deciding to stay behind at Corinthia to help with the preparations for the extra visitors Cantothos expected.
“Why do you think more will come?” she had asked him while they saw to the provisions being divided amongst the various rooms in the castle.
“The curse has ended. Those taken from us will be coming back. They cannot return to their homes in Ormshire…not until Ourobus is defeated. This is the closest place for them to travel to. Isn’t that why you all ended up here?” He looked at her a moment as he directed the newest piles of bedding and clothing to the rooms in the west wing of the castle.
“I suppose you’re right.” She picked up a basket full of clothes and started to carry them up the flight of stairs to the guest rooms.
Lady Irene waved at her as she rounded the corner to the front entrance of the castle. She was not at all what Sheree had thought she would be. Her small frame was extended two feet by the round mid-section she carried. Her strawberry-blonde hair hung down to her waist in waves, and she didn’t seem to mind it at all.
As she walked to them, Sheree noted how the baby had caused no real difficulties to her posture or movement around the castle. She glided to them and looked horrified.
“What’s the matter, my dear?” Cantothos asked her.
“A message has come from the king. He wishes you to meet him at the palace.” She handed him a small white paper, which he took and slipped in his pocket.
“I know.” He bent over to pick up more blankets, handing them to another group of men coming to move them.
“Why didn’t you tell me? More importantly, why haven’t you gone?” Lady Irene placed both of her hands on her hips and scowled at him.
“I will not be so far away when the baby is born.” He turned back to the piles placed in front of him; that time more clothes. “I’m sure if Rowan knew your condition, he would not want for me to leave.”
Irene punched him on the shoulder. Even if her strength were more than it was, the blow did not intend to hurt him, rather his ego.
“You will leave this rubbish to the people and go at once. This is not some silly visit. These are the times it is okay to leave with me in my condition. Nothing bad is going to happen.” She stomped her foot, turned on her heel, and glided away.
“Cantothos, she’s right, you know. You should be there for this. I will look after her.” Sheree stopped what she was doing and scowled at him.
“Okay, okay. What is this? Beat on poor Cantothos day?” he said with a sly smile, and then laughed. “Fine, I will go at once and try to meet the princess there.” He spoke with the guards at the front gate and left to get his horse ready. Sheree thought he’d better speak to his wife.
Once Irene had seen for herself that Cantothos would leave for the castle, she forgave him. She would have done anything to be able to help with the fight against the Buio King. Sheree watched as the couple embraced and said goodbye. Cantothos begged his wife not to have the baby until he returned, but she just smiled and sent him on his way.
Sheree thought of a simpler time, when her husband would have thought of her in that way; touched her with love and devotion, for her and only her. His greed for power had corrupted the man she had grown to love and admire. For just a small moment in time, she allowed herself to feel hurt and betrayed by him. She had promised he and their children would always come first, and he made a similar promise, which he had broken time and time again. Ourobus chose power, magia, and his new status as the Buio King, before his wife and his children.
Once she expressed it, the moment passed. She went on with the belief that her husband had died long ago, and she had mourned him; not once or twice, but several times, and she mourned him still.
The sunlight danced and whistled through the trees as the morning dew dropped from leaf to leaf, until it finally reached the ground.
Sheree had woken to find she was still in Pylira, still in Corinthia, and still alone. Sure, Chase had found her a few times to check up on her, but for the most part, she was alone with no family to help her through. She had chosen that, and she would get out of bed and see to the lady of the realm, as promised.
As she headed to Irene’s room, she stumbled over a man lying on the floor directly in her path, where she turned the corner. She regained herself before she hit the floor, turning to check and see who he was and if he was okay.
The man hadn’t moved in the slightest. His body lay folded in a heap on the floor, and his traveling cloak covered him, hood to foot. All Sheree could see of his features was the ruffled up brown hair and the tattered cloak.
Sheree bent over him to move the cloak aside and make sure he was alright. His hand flew up with something in them. Sheree couldn’t tell what it was. The item was thrust over her head and seemed to cover her entire body.
The man’s arms wrapped around her midsection and hoisted her over his shoulder as she kicked and tried to scream. She wondered when he was able to get a gag over her mouth. She tried using magia to release her, but it was no use. It still hadn’t returned to her. She kicked her feet, which were the only things she could move. Her arms were pinned to her waist by the man’s arms.
He picked up speed, and the smell around them told her they were in the stables, or close by. She could only hear one horse, and she suspected that was where she would be next. Sure enough, the man hoisted her over the saddle, on her mid-section and climbed behind her. He pulled at her waist and sat her upright.
“Don’t try jumping off,” he whispered into her ear almost seductively. “I’m supposed to get you home in one piece. She wanted so badly to scream or to put him in his place. She didn’t really know. Instead, she sat still as he warned and let him steer the horse.
When the sun had finally set, the man pulled the sack off her head. She wished he had thought to do that earlier, since the heat was overwhelming. She felt the cool air on the perspiration that had collected across her forehead. Her hair was matted to her face, and even though her captor was nice enough to ask every few minutes if she was okay, she doubted very much that it was for her benefit. She suspected he wouldn’t be willing to allow her the ability to push the hair from her face, or even clean herself.
Sheree had known that Ourobus had been the one to order this fool to collect her and bring her back to him, unharmed. That would attest for his interest in her wellbeing. He was probably afraid for his life, the poor thing.
The man stopped the horse just inside Corinthia. She guessed they had about another half a day’s journey, based on the speed he was going. He jumped from the horse and put his hands up to help her down. She held her bound hands in front of him. He had wrapped the rope around her waist as they left the castle, and then used it on her wrists when he removed the hood.
“Don’t run,” he said, pointing the tip of a dagger in her face.
She knew he couldn’t give her an ‘or else’ threat. She also knew she had no intention of running. Her rear hurt in strange ways it never had before. The man kept the horse at a steady run for most of the afternoon, and without her hand to hold herself steady, she had slid around and bounced on the saddle.
Sheree stepped haphazardly to a small clearing where the man had placed two packs. He was at least prepared to give her bedding to use, and by the looks of it, he had two skins of water. She pointed to the gag and he nodded, but he made no effort in helping her take it off.
She made quick effort with the knot and realized he had simply slipped it on with the hood and pulled the tale of it tight. All she had to do was pull it and the one side of rope slipped out of the knot, making the circle wrapped around her head bigge
r. She threw it on the ground and sat next to the small fire pit he was making.
“My husband wants me home?” she asked the man.
“Yup.” He poked the sticks with a small twig he lit with flame.
“He’s upset?”
“Yup.” The man sat back on his heels and wrapped his arms around his legs.
“So, why not just ask me to go with you? Why the theatrics?” she asked him as he studied the flame.
“I’m not taking you to Ourobus.” He looked at her.
Panic struck, and she looked around and tried to see where they were headed.
“But are we not close to Ormshire?” She studied the trees and the rocks and started to wonder if she remembered home as much as she thought she did.
“Nope.” He looked around too, as if he thought she expected someone.
“Then why kidnap me at all? There is nowhere else you can go.” She glared at him.
“I’m not kidnapping you. I’m saving your life.” The young man rocked back and forth on his bottom and rubbed his hands together.
“I don’t understand.” Sheree scooted closer to the fire.
“I had to save you from the mietitore. I saw them coming for you.”
“He sent them after me?”
“Yes, to bring you home so he could lure back Tyson and the princess, then he would have killed you and Renella.”
“So, taking me from Corinthia… In a way, you’re saving the princess.” She understood.
“No, I’m not saving her. I’m saving you…Mother.”
Chapter Twenty-eight
Ormshire – Past
The days dragged, which Renella liked. She had so much to do and very little time to do it. Four days remained, and she had not been given a moment of peace since her return from Hearthstone. She wanted dearly to spend time with Tyson and Tabitha without thinking about false weddings or curses.
The wedding not taking place had been a hard thing to deal with. Tyson had promised her the wedding of her dreams when this was all over. Whether or not that would happen was yet to be seen, so she spent the time that was needed, going over wedding details and being happy for it.
The rest of her time was spent trying not to think of the hard questions she had not asked. Also, there were Tyson’s uncles to deal with.
“Are you ready?” Tabitha interrupted her thoughts.
“Um… yes, I suppose I am.” Renella stood from the settee and retreated behind an ornately decorated screen in her room. She removed the pale cream dress she had been wearing and replaced it with her wedding gown. For a moment, a tear threatened to escape her eye, and she pushed it away.
“Well, what do you think?” She emerged from behind the screen and twirled around for Tabitha’s benefit.
“I think when the day truly comes, you’re going to be the most beautiful bride.” Tabitha allowed her tears to flow. Renella handed her a tissue and withdrew behind the screen to swap the wedding dress for her earlier attire.
“Really, there is no point in this.” Renella hung the dress in her armoire and closed the door. “I don’t know that I can keep pretenses up like this. I think we should only have to do it out in the open.”
“I know. I just wanted to see it on you.” Tabitha gave a chuckle.
“Tabitha,” Renella scolded.
As the girls laughed at themselves, they heard a commotion from the hall. Tabitha jumped up to open the door, but when she did, a large painting was thrown from the wall and aimed right for her. Renella reacted, and the painting flew back at the assailant. Tabitha tried to push the door shut, but everything not nailed down to the hallway tables flew in her direction. Again, Renella reacted and the items flew back in the opposite direction. With a wave of her hand, the door closed and bolted.
“What in the world was that?” Tabitha asked, alarmed.
Renella ran to the balcony and looked at the grounds below. As far as she could see, nobody was in sight.
“Do you trust me?” she asked a weary Tabitha.
“I think so,” she replied.
Renella motioned upward with her hands, and as she did, Tabitha floated up and over the railing of the balcony. Renella’s hands moved downward, and Tabitha was placed gently on the ground below.
“Now do you?” Renella yelled to her friend, who was a floor below her.
“Yes.” She laughed. “That was wild.” She slumped in a pile to the ground as three guards came around a corner and tackled her.
“What are you doing? That is Tabitha, you morons. Get off of her this instant!” Renella yelled to the guards even as she sent them flying in different directions. Before she knew it, she was on the ground next to her friend.
“Tabitha, are you okay?” She tried to revive her. “Help! Somebody help her.” Renella felt desperation fill her. She lost control of herself and began to sob.
“I’m okay,” Tabitha said in a weak voice. As she rolled to get up, Renella noticed the blood pooling around her on the ground.
The rest of the day was a blur for Renella. The guards had regained themselves and went for help. They had seen Tabitha land inside the castle grounds and thought she was the intruder who had been inside. She was taken to Ourobus’ healer and then lay in bed, motionless.
Renella felt the weight of the world resting on her shoulders, but she sat vigilant by her friend’s bedside, as she had for her own sister. The day turned to night, and the candle reflected light from the locket that lay around Tabitha’s neck.
“In order for that to work, you have to live,” she whispered to her friend.
“She will live,” Sheree said. “I see you have chosen.” Sheree walked to her daughter and tucked the locket inside Tabitha’s nightgown.
“Yes, it only seemed fair. She has no magia; she should not be victim to this,” Renella told her.
“Shush, child, we should not speak of it.” Sheree laid a hand on her daughter’s hair to smooth it. “He has returned to the castle,” she told Renella in a whisper.
“When?” Alarm struck within Renella.
“Just now. He heard of the intruder to the castle. So as far as I know, the intruder was not his doing.” Sheree sat next to Renella. “You should get more sleep. The healers have said she will be fine.”
“Thank goodness.” Renella sighed with relief. “When will she wake?”
“They say it could be hours or days. Her body is healed; her mind must now as well.”
“I see.” Renella gave Tabitha’s hand a squeeze. “Come back before I must leave you.” She bent and kissed her forehead.
“Now go. You have much to complete,” Sheree told her.
Renella rushed to her room to change for bed. The last few days had been exhausting, and she still had a few things to go over before she slept. Ourobus returning to the castle could only mean he would not attempt to leave again before the wedding, which meant they would have to work under his nose. With his most trusted advisors in the castle, there was no telling what they would be able to accomplish.
“Princess.” A dark-haired woman with a child on her hip called to her as she rounded the stairs to her room.
“Yes?”
“I just wanted to give you this,” the woman said, and Renella noticed a girl her age walking behind her and holding something.
“What is it?” Renella was curious.
“It’s a painting commissioned by the king for your wedding announcement,” the woman said. “Christina, give it to her,” the woman said to the girl standing behind her.
The girl handed her the painting. She looked shy, Renella thought, or maybe scared. She was about the same age as Renella, with short brown hair, and she looked as though she had been rolling around in the stables with the hunting dogs.
“Are you okay?” Renella asked Christina.
“Yes, Highness,” she said with a short curtsy. Once Renella had removed the painting from her, she hurried behind the older woman.
“I’m sorry for my daughter, Your Highnes
s,” she said as Renella studied the girl’s appearance. “Christina enjoys outdoor hobbies, like boys do.” She gave a little chuckle.
“I Annabel!” the little one on her hip yelled loudly, jumping on her mother.
“Well, hello, Annabel.” Renella curtsied for the little one. “It’s very nice to meet you.”
The little, brown-eyed Annabel clutched a little doll in one hand and held on to her mother with the other, but she managed a bow of her head.
“I hope you like it.” The woman nodded to the painting Renella held in her hand.
As she lifted it, she noticed it was a portrait of Tyson and herself from the evening of their engagement party. The woman had captured them as if they were standing in the frame themselves. The ivory of her dress and Tyson’s bowtie jumped away from the backdrop of white linens. There upon her neck was the locket. It shone as much in the portrait as it had in real life.
“The detail is amazing. I love it. Thank you,” Renella told her. Before the woman could leave, she asked. “Which king commissioned this?”
“Your father did, Your Highness.” The woman gave her a wink, and with that, she was gone.
She took the painting back to her room and propped it on the floor in front of her armoire. She had many things on her mind to do, and she did not do any of them. She only sat at the edge of her bed and stared at the portrait. Even within the strokes of paint, Renella could feel the buio magia off the locket. She just hoped it was enough for what it was meant.
Hours passed as Renella lay in bed, staring at the portrait. She drifted to sleep as rain fell outside her window. The morning hours crept up so quickly, Renella felt as if she hadn’t slept at all. As she sat up in bed, she looked upon the portrait, where she had left it the night before. As an idea sprang to life, she dressed, grabbed the painting, and headed to Tyson’s room.
The knock on the door proved fruitless, as he had left already. With his father returned to the castle, he would have been expected to report to him first thing. Renella checked the door, and finding it was unlocked, she helped herself to Tyson’s room. It was dark and quiet. The drapes had been left drawn, keeping the sunlight from entering. She tiptoed inward to look at her surroundings. The four-poster bed was of dark wood, as were the rest of his furnishings. The rugs, drapes, and comforter all matched in colors of red, gold, green and orange, which gave the entire room a red glow.
The Curse of Ormshire (The Beast Within Book 2) Page 23
