Rinald exhaled and shook his head. He could not answer. Even if he had demanded that the elders not agree to the terms, they would have overstepped their boundaries and led their troops without him. They had said as much before he agreed to meet with King Estrod. And if they took their troops, then they would give Jerrick free rein to do what he wanted. King Rinald had lost control of his Elders, which meant he had lost control of his kingdom.
“I see,” said King Estrod. “Then you must forgive me for what must be done.” Estrod leapt off his horse with his guards flanking him on all sides, pulled out his sword in the air and pointed it strait at Jerrick’s jugular.
Jerrick’s hand shot out and King Estrod froze midair, his guards falling to the ground.
“No!” Rinald yelled. “Jerrick think, before you do anything else!”
The guards scrambled to their feet and ran straight at Jerrick who threw them to the side with his magic.
“Jerrick…” Rinald cautiously stepped closer.
Jerrick looked at King Rinald through the corner of his eye. “Him or your soldiers trapped within his walls? He’s not going to agree to our terms, Your Majesty. If we don’t eliminate him, many lives will be lost.”
“Don’t force my hand, Jerrick!” Rinald roared. “Reed!”
Reed drew his sword and ran toward Jerrick but ran into an invisible barrier.
Jerrick looked straight at Rinald. “You forced mine,” he said, pushing both hands toward King Estrod. Estrod flew backward and landed on a branch protruding from the ground.
Rinald ran to the King of Thornhold but it was too late. The branch had run him through upon his landing. King Estrod was dead.
Chapter 35
Briahnna sat in the private library playing the piano. Everyone else had gone to eat but she wasn’t ready to eat yet. She was trying to relax. She was determined that after they all ate she would tell Prince Desmond who she was. According to her deal with Liam, today was day two and she wanted to show him that she could be trusted. Briahnna stopped playing and took a deep breath. She stood, squared her shoulders and went to the dining room to eat with everyone else.
. . .
“Where is your lady’s maid, Atira?” Desmond asked as their food was being served.
“Ugh!” Atira growled. “Every free minute she gets she escapes to mother’s library.”
“Not every free minute,” Briahnna said, walking into the formal dining room and sitting beside Atira. “I spend plenty of my free minutes doing as my princess bids.”
“I didn’t bid you to drag me in there to read while you played away,” Atira said.
“Your teacher said that you need to spend more time reading and less time running wild,” Briahnna took a bite of food and gave Atira a knowing look then swallowed. “If you want to keep running wild I suggest you take the time to read so that she’s at least somewhat deceived. I played while you read because music helps the mind to focus.”
Atira rolled her eyes. “You don’t seem very focused when you’re playing.”
Briahnna indulged her. “How so?”
“I asked you about five questions while you were playing, and you didn’t have a clue. You weren’t even there!” Atira exclaimed.
“Exactly,” Briahnna said. “I was completely focused on my music.”
“Maybe we should double our running time this evening,” Atira said nonchalantly.
“As you wish princess,” Briahnna said, not letting Atira bait her.
Briahnna looked up to find Desmond staring at her in amusement. She blushed and looked away. “Besides practicing helps one to improve. I haven’t played in so long that I feel I should practice as often as I can. It would probably benefit others if they practiced as well,” she said, grinning slightly.
“I don’t know how to play the piano!” Atira said. “What good would it do me?”
“She wasn’t speaking of you, Atira,” Desmond said, shaking his head at Briahnna.
“Prince Desmond! Prince Desmond!”
Everybody turned around when the door was thrown open and a war messenger came running in. Desmond and Liam both stood rigid with jaws clenched. Briahnna looked at the two and panic started to settle in her stomach.
“What’s happened?” Desmond demanded.
“The–,” the messenger couldn’t form the words so he handed Desmond a scroll. “Demands from Mageia,” he said. “There is also a messenger from Mageia that has come with me. Shall I have Rowan send him in Your Highness?”
Desmond nodded and sat down opening the scroll as he did so and read.
Briahnna turned around immediately and sat stone still wondering how to excuse herself when everyone was under such obvious duress. She heard the door open once more but refused to turn around, afraid of who might be standing there.
“Desmond what happened? Do they have father?” Atira leaned across the table practically shouting at Desmond. “Why won’t you say anything? What happened?”
Briahnna looked up to see Desmond crumpling the scroll in his fist. He looked ready to pounce and attack anyone who came near him. “Atira go to your room,” he demanded.
“No! Tell me what’s happened!” she fired back. “The only other time this has happened was when you came home broken!” Desmond’s eyes shot to her face but Atira stood her ground. “I won’t wait again!”
Desmond exhaled and gently answered her, “Father has been killed.”
Briahnna’s hand shot to her mouth in shock then she stood and tried to take Atira into her arms, but Atira pushed her away. “No!” she shouted at Desmond. “He’s not! He’s not even supposed to be fighting! How could he have gotten killed? It has to be a mistake.”
Briahnna finally turned when Desmond looked at both the messenger and the magik. Both shook their heads at Desmond, and he turned to his sister. The magik then looked at Briahnna expectantly, and she shook her head slightly. Thankfully, he turned his attention again to Desmond and his sister.
“I’m afraid it’s true, Atira,” Desmond said. “The sooner you accept it the better.”
Atira jumped onto the table lightning fast and threw herself onto the magik that stood near the door. “You killed him!” she screamed, tackling him to the floor. Liam jumped over the table and hauled her off of the magik. She stomped on Liam’s foot and ran out of the room.
“Rowan!” Desmond commanded. “Follow her and make sure she doesn’t do anything stupid.” He then turned to the magik not apologizing for his sister’s behavior. “What’s your name?”
“Daniel,” the magik answered standing up and straightening himself out. He looked sorrowfully out the door where the princess ran.
“Aren’t you King Rinald’s personal guard?” Desmond asked him.
“I am one of them, yes,” Daniel answered. “But I am one of a few only that he trusted enough to deliver his message.”
“I think the message is clear,” Desmond said menacingly. “Why would you need to deliver it?”
Daniel stepped forward and handed him another message from within his cloak. “Because he didn’t trust anyone else with a personal message from the King himself.”
Desmond’s eyebrows rose. “This is not from the King?” he asked, holding up the other scroll.
“The King did not make those demands of you. The Elders did. They have taken control of the outcome of this war. King Rinald has no choice but to comply,” Daniel answered simply.
Desmond read Rinald’s message and ground his teeth together. “So he would have me turn tail and run?” He shoved the message back to Daniel.
“Is that all you read, Your Highness?” Daniel asked. “He is going to do all he can to have your kingdom returned to you. If you turn yourself in, you could be executed by decree of the Elders. If you hide and wait it out, King Rinald could set things straight.”
“Desmond what is in the first scroll?” Liam asked.
“It is a peace treaty!” Desmond laughed furiously. “Telling me that my father has been k
illed and I am to turn myself and my sister in. After which, they will send a delegation to Thornhold to reunite and free our people! To free our slaves!” he spat, looking straight at Briahnna.
She flinched and looked down ashamed.
“This is not a peace treaty!” Desmond roared. “It is a complete and utter take over! Who is the delegation?” he demanded of Daniel who didn’t answer him.
“Little does Mageia know,” Desmond continued before Daniel could answer, “is that I have Hyperborea ready to fight alongside me!”
Briahnna gasped, but Daniel just looked at Desmond calmly. “Is that what you want, Your Highness? You want to expose your people to the north instead? Is that really a choice you’re willing to make?”
Desmond collapsed into his chair and put his head in his hands. “My father is dead. If I am to understand correctly, King Rinald no longer has control over his army, which means that boy is on the loose. My men don’t stand a chance. I’ve seen what he can do. What choice do I have?”
“You do as King Rinald suggested, and you take your sister and go,” Daniel answered. “He will set things straight, Prince Desmond. King Rinald doesn’t want this take over and he will make sure Thornhold is given back to its rightful ruler.”
Desmond sat in thought, looking down at the crumpled scroll in his hands. Then he stood and yelled throwing the scroll unsatisfyingly across the table. He sat back down and looked at Briahnna, defeated. “I want you to go and help my sister pack as little as possible. She and I need to leave as soon as we’re ready.”
“Desmond, we will fight!” Liam said, leaning over him. “If you so choose it, we will fight with you no matter the outcome.”
“I know,” Desmond said. “And then what will we have? Nothing. We won’t even have a Kingdom when all is said and done, Liam. Is that what we’re willing to sacrifice? All of those lives?” Desmond shook his head. “I cannot in good conscience send my people to their graves just for the sake of keeping what I feel is mine. It isn’t. Thornhold belongs to its people. I have to believe that Rinald will hold true to his word.” He looked up at Briahhna expectantly.
She nodded and exited only to stop right outside the door. She took a deep breath and tried to calm her racing heart. What could be done? As if someone had just whispered it into her mind, she knew exactly what needed to be done. After closing her eyes and taking one more deep breath for courage, she turned around and went back into the dining room.
“You do have a choice,” she said as Desmond looked up at her. “I have a proposition for you.” Desmond’s eyebrow shot up. Briahnna opened her mouth but couldn’t make a sound come out. She looked at Liam who gave her a subtle nod then she looked at Daniel. His face told her nothing, astute and calm as always. She turned once again to Desmond. “Do I want to know?” Desmond asked.
Briahnna took a deep breath and nodded, “We unite both kingdoms through marriage.”
Desmond looked down and nodded slightly. “Who are you?” he asked through a barely perceptible clenched jaw.
“I am Briahnna of Maldon. Princess of Mageia. Last child of King Rinald and Queen Adriahnna.”
Desmond looked at Daniel who nodded in confirmation.
Desmond stood and glared at Briahnna. “You are a princess of Mageia?”
“Yes,” Briahnna said, holding her head high, trying to keep from cowering under his scrutiny.
“Are you a spy?” he asked.
“No,” Briahnna stepped forward earnestly. “I promise that I am not. I was at the home of my lady’s maid Gabriela when we were taken by black-market-traders. I was afraid you would use me as leverage against my father if you knew who I was.”
“You believe I would do that?” Desmond growled.
“I don’t believe it now. I was going to tell you!” Briahnna insisted. “I became afraid of what you would think of me once I told you. I’m sorry! I truly am! But I can’t change it! However, I can help you now. A marriage between the two kingdoms would ensure your rule and order. No one could change that.”
“And how do I know that once you have my crown, you won’t cower under the demands of your Elders?” he demanded.
“Because I will be your queen consort. I will have no power over your kingdom, but I will stand by your side and support your rule,” she said. “If anything were to happen to you, your heir or Atira would inherit the throne, and I would step down.”
He raised his eyebrows at her and sneered. “Our heir.”
Briahnna clenched her jaw and tried not to react. He was understandably angry with her and everyone else right now. “Take it or leave it,” she said.
Desmond growled. “If I remember correctly, Princess, my father had already tried to unite our kingdoms through marriage, but you were to be betrothed to another.” He walked toward her. “Have you not been united in marriage to Jerrick of Tristeil?” His eyes were lightning bolts striking to her very core.
“You are angry, and I understand that,” she said calmly. “But I am giving you another option. You can try and make me cower to the ground but I will not. I am betrothed to Jerrick, however, if you will have me then I would consider my betrothal annulled.”
“No!” Desmond roared. “You do not understand!” He grabbed the tops of her arms and shook her slightly. “I bore my soul to you, Ahnna! You knew how I felt! My father is dead now! And I find out that you are the princess engaged to the monster responsible! I will not calmly sit down and thank you for your generosity!”
Tears ran down Briahnna’s cheeks. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
Desmond let her go and shook his head. Then he looked at his most trusted friend and associate. “What say you, Liam?” Liam nodded his response. “That’s what I thought.” Desmond shook his head with fury then he began pacing. He wanted to tear the entire room apart. “Fine,” he said finally calming down. He took a seat at the head of the table and gestured for Briahnna to sit as well. “Liam, have Marta fetch my father’s councilor. He needs to know of my father’s death, and I need him to write an agreement of marriage between the Princess Briahnna and myself. We will be wed at dawn after which I will be crowned King and she my Queen. I need him to put together the necessary documents.”
Liam left and Desmond looked at Briahnna. “Obviously I am agreeing to this. I don’t feel I have any other option. But remember, Princess, this is an agreement of marriage for peace. Do not think for one moment that because I have accepted your proposal, that I trust you.”
“I understand,” Briahnna said, looking away. She looked up at Daniel who automatically knelt in front of her and took her hand. “You do not have to do this Princess,” he said.
“I know.”
. . .
After the councilor had come and written up the signed agreements between Briahnna and Desmond, Briahnna stood. “May I go down to the infirmary and fetch my lady’s maid?”
Desmond nodded and pointed to Liam. “Find her a permanent guard. Someone you would trust with your life, and assign him to her. She is a member of the royal family and is to be accompanied from now on. And have Marta find Daniel a room. He is to be a witness at the ceremony in the morning and needs a place to stay.” Desmond looked at Briahnna again. “You will need to pack. After we are wed we will go straight to the warfront. I’m having messengers deliver a decree to all our cities and villages to have any Magiks that may actually be here meet us at a designated place to be returned back to Mageia… If they wish it, that is. We at least need their names.” He then waved at Liam to take her away.
Liam nodded and bade Briahnna to follow him to the training room. “Radal!” Liam yelled into the room. Radal made his way down poles to them while everything collapsed in on Briahnna; her decision, the King’s death, the role that Jerrick played in all of this, the role her father played… she started hyperventilating.
“Not now, Princess,” Liam ordered her gently. “You are going to be our queen. You need to keep your head held high and your emotions in check. You can brea
k down in the privacy of your own room.”
Briahnna nodded and gulped down a sob.
“Captain,” Radal said, saluting when he came to a stop in front of Liam.
“Radal,” Liam pounded his chest in return and gestured to Briahnna. “I am giving you charge of our future queen. Princess Briahnna is to be married to Prince Desmond in the morning. King Estrod is dead. Prince Desmond and Princess Briahnna are to be crowned King and Queen after the wedding ceremony at dawn. You are to protect her with your life.”
If Radal was surprised he kept it to himself and pounded his chest. “By the Southern Mountains, I will do as you command! My life for my Queen’s.”
. . .
Gabriela finished bandaging a foot that had just been stitched back together. It was a miracle that this man hadn’t lost it completely. The hazards of field-work. She shook her head and turned to find Briahnna standing in the entranceway looking distraught, a guard standing rigid and alert behind her. Gabriela rushed to her. “What’s happened?” she demanded.
“They know,” Briahnna answered. “I had to tell Prince Desmond everything.” Briahnna looked up at her guard. “Will you please tell the healer that Gabriela will no longer be in his service? I’ll explain everything on the way to the palace,” she said to Gabriela.
. . .
Briahnna was true to her word. She told Gabriela everything that had happened and about her impending nuptials. Obviously Radal, being her guard, heard the entire story. No need to explain twice. Marta stood at the entranceway of the castle awaiting them.
“Marta.” Briahnna nodded to the head housekeeper. Marta bowed low and Briahnna cringed in response. “Your highness,” Marta said, “I am to take you to your new quarters. You will no longer be in the service of Princess Atira. You are to stay in the queen’s quarters across from Prince Desmond. Your lady’s maid,” Marta added, nodding to Gabriela as they followed, “has a room off of yours, as you did with the Princess.
Spirit (Legend of the Dragons Book 1) Page 23
