A Castle of Ashes (The Fifth Kingdom Book 2)

by M. James, Lisa

  Restless, Lucinda got out of bed and went to the balcony of her throne room, overlooking her kingdom. Her thoughts continued to trouble her. She had her castle, her loyal subjects, her powers in control, yet she knew something was missing to make her kingdom truly feel like her home. I promise I will return to you. Nycilla had said to Thomas, but why did she delay?

  “My lady,” Zekiel appeared behind her. “Something’s been troubling you. Tell me.” He placed her hand into his.

  He looked down at her with thin, dark eyes. His gaze made her uncomfortable. She pulled her hand away from his. “It is nothing more than the usual burdens of a queen. I have so many dependent on me, Zekiel. I do not want to disappoint them. The way for the Ancient Queen was paved for her by many queens before her. She had every reason to succeed as queen, yet she failed. How many lives were lost under her rule? How many lives will be lost under mine if I don’t succeed?”

  “Nycilla was the first Queen born a sorceress. Her journey was troubled from the beginning. Yet, her kingdom prospered under her for years. She made the kingdom greater than it ever was before her.” Zekiel leaned forward closer to her. “But, she gave it all up by loving the wrong man. She put her own desires above the needs of her people and her kingdom paid the price.” Zekiel put his fingers through his hair. “It is a shame what happened to her, but you have no need to fear becoming her. You are quite the opposite of her. You always put your people’s needs above your own. To a fault some may say.”

  She stepped away from him slightly. “What do you mean?”

  “You don’t allow yourself any joys. So few smiles have left your face since you rose as queen. It’s a pity. Your people rejoice in your happiness. How much I would love to be the cause of a smile on your lips.” Zekiel lifted her chin toward him and to her surprise, pressed his lips against hers. She allowed few people close to her, fearing who she could truly trust. Yet, she could not fight the feelings of loneliness that crept up on her as the years went on. The kingdom wanted her married. She knew it. They desired a king, second in command next to her. She had many eligible men brought before her through the years, but she refused them all.

  She raised her palms to his face and pushed Zekiel away from her. “Enough.” She said gently as she turned away from him. A feeling of guilt started to wash over her.

  “My lady,” He grabbed her hand and pulled her toward him again. “Please forgive me for my boldness, but I have loved you for so long. Ever since I saw you upon the rubble of what is now our kingdom, I was yours. I have been waiting for years for the confidence to come to you and tell you how I truly feel. Words fail me when I am near you.”

  She retracted her hand from his. “Zekiel, please—“

  He grabbed her shoulders. “I desire to be your husband. If you stopped and considered, you would know that I am the right match for you. I am the most loyal to you.”

  “Zekiel, enough—” She tried to gently move away from him but his grip was strong.

  “I believe you are the true Queen. I am loyal to the new regime that you have put in place. Please consider me. Be my wife.” He pulled her closer to him. “I love you Lucinda!”

  “Enough!” Lucinda commanded. Placing a hand upon his chest, she sent the man flying backwards cowering to the floor. The waters started to crash against the shore. The winds picked up around them.

  “Do you consider me some maiden for you to court?”

  “Lucinda—“ Zekiel started with a hand upon his chest where she had brought pain to him.

  “I am your Queen. Never address me without courtesy.” She said sternly as the ground started to rumble around them. “You will not place your lips or your hands upon me again. You will not so much as look at me in a way that displeases me. You will approach me with the caution and respect that is befitting for my presence.”

  “Your Grace, please understand—“

  “Any proclamation of love and loyalty you feel to express to me should be appropriate for your position in comparison to mine. Do you understand my words?” A line of fire appeared before them separating Zekiel from Lucinda. The man backed away in panic, and Lucinda could see the familiar look of fear spread across his face. The same look that those in the West Kingdom wore when the flames ignited the castle courtyard, seven years ago.

  Two of her guards had approached the balcony with caution. “Your Majesty, is everything alright?”

  She raised her hand to put out the flame she had caused and tried to breathe deeply. “Please escort the Commander out of the castle. He has surpassed his welcome.” The man looked up at her with wide, remorseful eyes still clutching his chest as the guards pulled him to his feet. She turned away from him, not wanting to see his pain any longer.

  She stormed to her bedchamber and collapsed to the floor. She dug her fingers into the hard stone, trying to calm herself. Geenessa appeared beside her.

  “What happened?”

  “He kissed me! He told me he loved me! He asked me to be his wife!” She felt angry tears rolling down her face and cursed herself for crying. A feeling of shame and betrayal swept over her. How could I let him kiss me? She wondered. She thought of the last kiss she had so many years ago. She breathed deeply as the rumbling ceased around her. “If I am to choose a husband, I will be the one to ask. How dare he be so bold?”

  “Zekiel?”

  “Yes, Zekiel. Who else would dare?”

  To Lucinda’s surprise, Geenessa wore a slight smile across her face. “Yes, how dare he fall in love with a young, beautiful and powerful Queen.”

  “Geenessa, be serious.”

  “If I may be so bold my lady, perhaps you treated the man unfairly?”

  “Geenessa—“

  “Zekiel is a fair match for you, as I have told you so many times. The people love him and respect him, and he has done everything to ease you into power. He would do anything for you. Yet, you were never honest with him or to anyone.”

  “Tell your meaning straight, Geenessa.”

  “Why did you let the Prince go? Why did you not even bring him one night in our kingdom to recover after Narka?”

  Lucinda looked at the governess in confusion. “Because he does not belong here with me. You know that.”

  “Perhaps, you should have allowed him to make that decision.”

  “Don’t you understand? I could lose everything we have built these years.”

  “Why? Because Nycilla did?”

  “Yes!” She said exasperated. “She let Thomas’ death break her and bring down everything the queens before her worked for! Her selfishness brought destruction on her entire kingdom,” She fought the tears that continued to roll down her face, “and ruined the life of an innocent man.”

  “Some would disagree that it was selfishness. She worked for the good of her kingdom and she took a chance on happiness for herself. Thomas knew the risk he took in loving her, but the choice was his. Although, I do not understand how this is pertinent to you. My lady, you are not Nycilla and Matthew is not Thomas.”

  “Nycilla has had no power over me since I separated from him. I have the advantage. Yet, I fear she will gain it if I allow him in my life again. He ignites her spirit in me! Her memories have already returned!”

  “How are you to be the one true Queen if you continue to fear shadows? You need to face her if you want to truly come to power. You are giving her the advantage by allowing her to take away your happiness!”

  “My happiness is tied to the prosperity of my kingdom.”

  “Yes,” Geenessa said bitterly. “Your kingdom…which after all these years is hidden from all the rest. No, it’s no true kingdom at all. You cower in the darkness with your kingdom, and all your people with you. You think you have gained control over your powers these past years, but you have never been challenged. The true test of your abilities is yet to come. Perhaps, it is already starting.” She looked to the ground, where Lucinda’s fingers were bloodied from clawing into the hard stone floor.

&nbs
p; She looked at Geenessa in disbelief. “What do you suggest I do then?”

  “It is time to return to the land, my lady. No more hiding. Face your fears outside of this kingdom and rise as Queen of the Fifth kingdom of the Green Sea.” She extended her hand to Lucinda and looked her directly in the eyes. “Return to your prince. The time has come.”

  Chapter 5

  After the attack in Matthew’s bedchamber, his brother sent him to the East with little confidence. His uncle insisted in joining him, and though Matthew did not desire someone watching over him, John would not allow him to go without an escort. When the other assassin, Stephen, woke from unconsciousness he swore he did not know how he got into the kingdom. “I was meant to check of his return. I do not know how I came to his bedchamber.” He babbled, pointing at Matthew. When asked on whose command, the man stammered. John had him imprisoned, giving him three days to admit who sent him.

  Matthew and his uncle traveled nearly two weeks, never sleeping through the night to make time. When they reached the outskirts of the South Kingdom on the eleventh day, they decided to make camp for a night. Matthew had debated with his uncle on whether to go by sea or land. The passage by sea would have cut the month long journey by road in half if the tides were favorable. “It’s safer to go by land.” Jonathan insisted. Matthew knew the truth of it. Since he had gone missing in sea, neither his uncle nor John desired Matthew to travel by ship too soon. The journey by road was less treacherous going through the droughts of the South than the storms of the North, but the heat made it impossible to travel a full day without rest.

  Matthew felt like a coward. In truth, he slept little and insisted they make few stops not because of eagerness to reach the East, but because of fear. He feared of attacks at night and night terrors of shadows ripping out of bodies. As he laid down to rest, he tried to make sense of his assassins’ words. You are her weakness. As long as you are alive, she is in danger. They had told him. You will bring her downfall. How could he bring her downfall? He thought about the woman who saved him when he was beaten half to death in Narka. She was stronger than him.

  Look at you! Look what she has done. How many did she endanger?

  And how was she to respond to the cruel words against her? You purposely provoked her! She did not wish to hurt anyone!

  She has no control! She is an unfit Queen and she will be the death of you! I told you to end this. I swear to you, I will take your life with my own hands before I see her take it! Open your eyes Thomas!

  Matthew opened his eyes just as a sword was coming down upon him. He rolled to his left as the man holding the sword nicked the side of his arm before stabbing the ground beneath where Matthew camped. Before he could retract the blade, Matthew grabbed for the hilt and attempted to unarm the man.

  “Who are you? Why are you trying to kill me?”

  “She is at peace without you! We will not let the same fate befall her again!”

  “Who?”

  The man looked at him with disgust. “You know who. Learn from your mistakes.” Suddenly, the man was thrown back from him. Uncle Jonathan placed a sword at the man’s neck.

  “The man asked you, ‘Who’?”

  The assassin gave them an ominous look. “The one true Queen.”

  Uncle Jonathan flipped the sword and struck the man hard on the head. He looked to Matthew. “Are you alright—“ He started as a scream penetrated the woods. They ran a few leagues from where they camped until the trees opened up onto the shore.

  A crowd was surrounding the waters where a dozen bodies had washed up. “What is this?” Matthew whispered to his uncle.

  “The gods of the elements are angry with us!” Someone cried. “It is because we allowed this forsaken castle in the midst of the sea!” There were shouts of agreements.

  “No!” Someone else shouted. “This is the Queen’s work. She is warning us to stop pursuing her, or more of our own will end up dead!”

  “If the Queen has truly come to power, why won’t she show herself? She is no true Queen! She is a witch!”

  “This is not the Queen’s work you fools! Look at them! Why would she kill her own kind?”

  Matthew could not take his eyes off the bodies on the shore. They were women’s bodies he realized in horror. He was too far to make out their faces, but he feared if any of their own were amongst them.

  “This is a gruesome sight.” His uncle started. “We should go from here before we awake suspicion. Surely they will question travelers.” He looked at Matthew. “You’re injured.” He extended his hand to Matthew’s right arm where drops of blood were evident.

  “You are right. We should keep moving.” Matthew walked back toward where they camped. He gathered their belongings and started to untie the horses. “The sooner we get to the East, the sooner we can return home and I can put all this in the past.”

  “Matthew,” His uncle sighed as he kicked the man lying unconscious on the floor. “It is not going to be that easy.”

  “She has taken enough years of my life. I need to move on.”

  “Just be certain that you truly are able to leave the Princess in the past. It’s not fair to wed someone if you long for someone else in your heart. It can lead to much pain and unthinkable consequences.”

  He looked at his uncle curiously and wondered if he was thinking of Gwendolyn and John. “I don’t long for her in my heart. Please Uncle, let’s keep going.”

  Matthew slept little as they continued their journey, thinking of the dream he had. Thomas had blackened bruises around him as he spoke to his father. He was in pain. Nycilla had caused that pain, his father implied. She had no control of her powers and she hurt the one she supposedly loved.

  On the thirty-second day of travel they finally reached the East Kingdom. Matthew hesitated as the reflections of purple amethyst against white stone came into view. He had not visited the kingdom since the first year of Lucinda’s disappearance. He consorted with Commander Ronaldan of the Eastern guard, the late Queen Lucille’s brother, frequently that first year to map out the search for the Princess. As the years went on the two kingdoms separated their search and Matthew had not returned to the East. Ever since her disappearance there was tension between the kingdoms. King Hamlyn would never say it, but Matthew and John knew that he held resentment toward the West. It was evident when their father had passed two years back, and King Hamlyn had not come to visit as the other kings did. He had sent a representative from his council with his condolences.

  The gates were blocked with several guards. As they walked up to it, Matthew noticed the abundance of white roses littering their path. It was always an oddity that white roses bloomed in the autumn weather of the East Kingdom. One amongst the guards recognized Matthew and Jonathan as they approached. “Commanders,” he bowed slightly. “The King has been expecting you.”

  “Is Commander Ronaldan here?” His uncle asked the man.

  “No, my lord. There has been an incident that he needed to attend to toward the South.”

  Matthew and Jonathan exchanged looks, thinking about the bodies that they passed. The gates opened, and they walked the path to the castle steps where more white roses littered their way.

  “Commander!” A young girl, dressed in pants and a short tunic came running up to them. She wrapped her arms around Uncle Jonathan and he held her in a tight embrace.

  His uncle pulled her back and studied her. “Erica,” He said breathlessly. “My God, how you have grown? What are you wearing?” Erica, Matthew thought. Lucinda’s youngest sister. If he remembered correctly she was approaching her thirteenth year. The girl, had lighter hair and skin than was common in the East, but she had the deep brown eyes, that Lucinda lacked.

  “I am training with the Eastern Guardsmen! Uncle Ronaldan is mentoring me.” She grabbed both of Jonathan’s hands with hers. “I am going to be the next Commander.” She looked at Matthew then and beamed. She had a familiar smile that he could not place. Matthew couldn’t remember if h
e had ever formally met Erica. When he traveled to the East all those years ago he hardly remembered talking to anyone but Commander Ronaldan. Though it seemed that his uncle had spent some time with the girl. In the West and the North it was not common for a woman to join the defenses. He knew that the Eastern Guard had many women amongst them. In the South, it was even more common. The head commander of the Southern Guard was King Adelphi’s sister, Commander Genevieve.

  “Your father has given you permission?” Uncle Jonathan asked still gripping the girl’s hands.

  “He suggested it. I scolded the knights fiercely for their handling of my sister’s disappearance. My father said if I disapproved so much, I should train to be next commander and lead the guard myself. He said my mother was in the guard before she became Queen!” The girl said excitedly. Matthew stared in silence watching the interaction between his uncle and Lucinda’s sister.

  “My lords,” a soft voice spoke. Matthew looked to where the voice came from and saw the beautiful tanned face of King Hamlyn’s wife, Queen Denalyn. She was only a few years older than Matthew. She had large brown eyes and wore her dark hair loosely. She wore a small gold crown jeweled with amethysts, which represented an Eastern Queen. They bowed before her.

  She approached them and kissed their cheeks as they rose to their feet. She had the wide, friendly smile befitting of a young child. “My husband is waiting for you. Shall I take you to him?” She led them to the throne room where King Hamlyn sat. She went to take her seat next to him, while their young sons sat by their feet. The King wore a stern expression on his face. The black of his hair and beard had mostly turned gray. Matthew and Jonathan knelt before him.

  “Your Majesty,” They began as King Hamlyn motioned for them to stand. He exhaled deeply.

  “I owe an apology to your kingdom.” The King began. Matthew and Jonathan stood surprised but did not dare interrupt him. “Your Father,” He stared at Matthew, “Was a good man. We mourned for him. Yet, I was still too overcome by my own grief to offer condolences.” He turned his face away from them for a moment. “Yet, I shamed my kingdom by not properly addressing your father’s death. Your brother is also a good man. I know he will bring your kingdom great honor.”