by Dawn Brower
“I don’t understand,” she said.
What did he mean by that? They could have a future together outside of this castle. Why did he have to be so bloody obstinate? He was the best person she knew. If she couldn’t trust him, who could she? Tears that she’d been holding back were forming in the corner of her eyes. Wetness spread across her cheek before she even realized she’d given in to them. Cale brought his hand up and wiped them away.
“You’re meant for greater things,” he whispered. “I can’t be your rock anymore.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “You’re a warrior in your own right, and there isn’t anything you can’t handle. There isn’t anyone I’d trust more to handle your kingdom and Queen Fiona. Don’t run from your responsibilities—face them. Defend your castle, your throne, and your family name with everything you have.”
“How am I supposed to do that without you here?”
All she could focus on was the fact that he was leaving her. That she would probably never see him again. What would she have left once he was gone? Who would she spar with? The rest of the knights were too afraid of her stepmother to dare defy her commands.
“With all the fire brewing inside of you,” he answered. “You don’t need me. I would only stand in your way.”
Elodie glanced up and met his gaze. “You promised me you’d always be here. I counted on you to be by my side as I was coronated queen, and every day thereafter.”
“Some promises are meant to be broken,” he said quietly. “You can’t fly until you’re set free. I’m holding you back.”
How could he believe that? If not for him, she’d still be a fumbling idiot playing with swords. She’d probably have cut a finger off or something if he hadn’t taught her how to properly hold a blade. His principles were what drew her to him in the first place. There wasn’t a knight in the guard she’d turn to other than him.
“Nonsense,” she retorted. “You’re honorable to the core. You wouldn’t stand in my way for anything.”
“Precisely,” he said solemnly. “It’s my duty to protect you, even from yourself.”
The more he spoke, the more she wanted to hit him again. He was toying with her emotions in the worst way. Hurt and anger spiraled through her, battling for the right to rule. She wasn’t sure which would win, but she did know, either way, she was the loser.
“I don’t need your protection,” she said defiantly. “I’m not going to fight with you anymore. It’s clear you’re determined to leave, and nothing I say is going to convince you to stay. So go and let me find a way to forget you.”
As if that would ever be possible. She’d always remember her honorable knight, even when she didn’t want to.
“I am sorry,” he said sorrowfully. “This is for the best. I’m not leaving until morning. If you want to talk before…”
There was no appropriate response to that. Begging him wouldn’t work, reason was beyond him, and unloading her feelings on him would be greeted with a rigid veneer. Cale wouldn’t thank her for telling him how she felt about him. He’d deflect again, and say leaving was for the best. She couldn’t go through those emotions again.
He was being difficult for no good reason. Even if he believed he was right. Going away could never be honorable. He was the one thing in her life that made waking up each day worthwhile. Without him, what would she be left with? Sometimes she wondered why she bothered to fight for her right to rule. It would be so much easier if she gave up and let Fiona have the kingdom. If not for her father and what she thought he would want, she might have given in to that desire. Fighting with Cale now wouldn’t help her anymore than giving up her rightful place as Zelnon’s ruler would. She couldn’t make him be something he didn’t want to be. As much as she wanted to run away, it didn’t solve anything. She had to face her problems head on and find the courage to do it alone.
“I won’t,” she interrupted. “I’ve said all I need to.”
She turned her back to him. The sound of the door clicking shut was the only indication he’d left. The deafening silence turned out to be her undoing. She hugged her arms around her middle and dropped to the floor, giving in to the sorrow. The battle for supremacy had been won, and pain greeted her in victory.
A Prince by Any Other Name
Drowning herself in sorrows wouldn’t aid her in her ultimate quest. The time for planning and action arose far quicker than she’d anticipated, but Elodie could and would work with it. Cale was right. Her people were more important than a broken heart and secret wishes. Fiona would not win in the end, and nothing would make her willingly marry Prince Daire. She hadn’t seen him in several years, but the boy she’d known was a selfish jerk. He’d pushed her in mud and laughed when she’d cried. The older version of him couldn’t be any better.
Hopping to her feet, she walked over to the trunk she stored her gear in and flung it open. Her problems wouldn’t be solved inside the castle walls. There was one person who might be able to give her a clear picture of her future and which direction she should take. If there were any clues to be had, the White Witch would have them. Elodie prayed she’d had a vision recently that could give her some insight. Unfortunately, her visions were often images that had to be unraveled for a deeper meaning. More often than not, the connotation wasn’t understood until well after the prophecy came to pass. Still, it was something for her to go on, and she needed something to hold on to.
After she was changed into her training garb, she attached her scabbard to her back and secured her swords inside. As an afterthought, she grabbed her bow and quiver full of arrows. The quiver fit nicely in-between her short swords in the middle of her back and didn’t impede access to either one. She kept the bow in her hand for convenience. There was no telling who she would run into on her way to Paige’s cottage. The White Witch lived on an unbeaten path on the other side of the woods. It was best to err on the side of caution and be prepared for anything. Including treachery both seen and unseen.
She pulled her necklace out from underneath her tunic, caressing the ruby embedded in the locket and clicking the latch open. On opposite sides of each other were miniatures of her parents. Her mother’s likeness had been crafted inside soon after her death, and Elodie had worn the locket for more years than she could remember. After her father died, she had his picture added to it. The locket was all she had to remember her parents. She closed it, kissed the red stone, and appealed to whatever higher being was listening for bravery, strength, and the conviction to continue fighting.
“I will prevail,” she vowed and slid her hood over her head.
She opened the door and stopped short when she found Susanna waiting on the other side.
“I didn’t wish to disturb you,” her maid said. “You must be hurting something fierce.”
Elodie didn’t acknowledge her maid’s statement. Bringing a voice to her pain would give it life. It was best to leave it behind and not look back. “I’m off to see Paige Innis. Cover for me while I’m gone.”
“You can’t go there alone,” her maid said on a gasp. “You know what she is.”
“Aye,” Elodie agreed. “And I intend to use every weapon in my arsenal to fight my stepmother. Either you’re with me or against me. Which is it, Susanna?”
The maid lifted her chin and met Elodie’s gaze, her honey eyes warm and comforting. Her raven hair tumbled over her shoulder in waves as she nodded. “You have my loyalty, always and forever.”
That was how it should be, but Elodie couldn’t help but have doubts. Her stepmother ruled with an iron fist and no one was to disobey her. Susanna had proved to be loyal though. She would have to take her maid’s word, but trusting didn’t come easy to her. “Very well,” she said and moved past Susanna. “I will be back before the fair this afternoon. The archery contest appeals to me.”
“Be safe, milady,” Susanna said. “The witch is eerie.”
Elodie rolled her eyes. “I’m not afraid of her.”
Susanna crossed he
rself. “Don’t mock her magic. If you had a healthy appreciation for it, you wouldn’t take the risk you’re about to.”
“It’s ridiculous superstition,” Elodie said. “Her visions though, that’s entirely different. The gods must speak through her. It’s not her fault us mere mortals have trouble interpreting their messages.”
“You believe in gods but not magic?” Susanna asked appalled. “How can one exist and not the other? How do you think they use their divine power?”
Elodie frowned. She’d never contemplated the inner workings of the gods. She’d always taken them at face value. They were all-powerful and could dispense their wrath or benevolence, depending on their moods. Was it really her job to question how or why they did anything? She’d rather they didn’t take notice of her or her small kingdom.
“I’m not going to debate magic with you,” Elodie said haughtily. “I have more important matters at hand. Like keeping my stepmother from gaining total control over the kingdom. I need Paige to do that.”
“Very well, milady,” Susanna said. “Do you know what gown you intend to wear this evening? I can pull it out and brush it so it’s ready.”
Elodie waved her hand. “I really don’t care. You choose.”
Where had her maid missed her point about other things being far more important? Once she was queen, she’d quit wearing dresses altogether. She’d go through the formalities while Fiona ruled in her stead, but afterward she’d be the warrior queen Cale had helped her to become.
“I will pull out the new turquoise one,” Susanna said. “It brings out the blue in your eyes.”
“Fine,” Elodie said absentmindedly and strolled past her maid. “Whatever. It doesn’t matter. I’ll return later.”
She sneaked out of the castle and crossed the drawbridge. No one paid her any mind. There were so many people in the courtyard that she became another nameless, faceless person. When she was dressed as the princess, people paid her attention. Elodie preferred being unnoticeable. It helped her to disappear and find time for herself. This might be the last chance she had for a long time. There would be no more meetings with her knight, and her training was at an end.
The path to the witch’s house turned out to be unencumbered. Dark clouds were forming in the sky, promising a storm the likes they hadn’t seen in a while. Maybe this hadn’t been as good an idea as she’d thought. Hopefully the storm would end well before the tournaments were scheduled to begin. Today was the beginning of the weeklong celebration. Each day would bring a different event. The villagers would be sad if any of it had to be cancelled.
Elodie was so lost in her own thoughts that she stopped paying attention where she was walking and slammed into something solid. She flailed her arms out, attempting to retain her balance, her bow slipping out of her hands, but it did no good as she started to descend toward the hard ground. Her hood slid off her head, uncovering her hair. Fear filled her as she realized she could be discovered, and all might be lost in the process.
“Easy now,” a male said as he wrapped his hands firmly around her arms, preventing her from hitting the hard surface. “No need to fall at my feet to gain my attention.”
Elodie glanced up and met the stranger’s gaze. His eyes were a stunning mixture of blue and green, each competing for dominance as the most impressive shade. Golden hair kissed by the sun fell over his shoulder in waves. She had an urge to run her fingers through it to see if the locks were as silky as they appeared. He was too beautiful to be real, and far too arrogant for his own good.
“Thank you,” Elodie pulled her arms from his grasp. “I apologize for slamming into you. I was lost in my own head.”
“Thinking can be hazardous for your health,” he declared picking up her bow and handing it to her. “As evidenced by our collision, a pretty girl like you should find something less dangerous to entertain yourself with.”
Elodie’s mouth fell open as she contemplated her response while she took her bow from him. Men like him were the reason for the dictates on her at the castle. Some believed her incapable of defending herself, and she wasn’t allowed outside the castle walls sans escort. If the guard knew she slipped out regularly, they’d have a fit, and then Fiona would lock her in the tower. Once was enough for her to realize she’d do whatever was necessary to prevent that from happening again. She hated being locked up for any reason, but in the tower especially. Escaping was impossible.
“I’m sure you believe what you’re saying, but you don’t know a thing about me.” She lifted her chin in defiance. “Thank you once again for preventing my fall, but I must bid you farewell.”
Elodie brushed past him and slipped deeper into the woods to close the distance between her and Paige’s cottage. The male had been handsome as sin and equally as opinionated. Their conversation had been brief, but it was enough for her to realize she didn’t need to further their acquaintance. Soon, the male was gone from her thoughts and where he belonged—a distant memory. If it could be said he was even that. The witch’s cottage was beyond the hill, and Elodie would be there shortly.
A tree branch cracked, the sound echoing through the woods. Elodie paused, listened and dropped her bow to the ground preparing for anything. Footsteps pounding on the forest floor caught her attention. She drew her short swords out in one smooth move and turned to meet her foe. Her swords came flat against the blond male’s throat. He swallowed hard and held up his hands in surrender.
“Easy, sweetheart,” he said. “I mean you no harm, promise.”
“Then why are you following me?” she demanded. Elodie narrowed her gaze and studied him. His clothes weren’t the finest and indicated he was a common villager. He wore leather pants, similar to hers, and a dark tunic. A quiver rested in the middle of his back, a long bow attached to in an efficient manner. It was an inventive design, and if she allowed him to live she’d inquire on its construction. It would be useful to carry a bow in a similar manner. She hadn’t noticed that previously. Was he a hunter?
He kept his hands upward. “What kind of male would I be if I let you continue unescorted? I was making sure you made it to your destination unharmed.”
“Why should I believe you?” She kept her swords against his neck. “Before today, I’ve never laid eyes on you.”
Distrust was as comfortable as a warm cloak. It kept her alert and alive. This guy could have an ulterior motive she was unable to decipher. Until she felt safe enough, she’d keep him exactly as he was—completely at her mercy.
“And what a shame that is.” His lips tilted upward into a cocky smile. “It would’ve been a tragedy for us to remain unacquainted. Admit it, you like me.” He winked at her playfully.
The male had absolutely no shame. She had him in an untenable position, and he was flirting with her. How was she supposed to fight against that? “You’re an idiot.”
“Maybe,” he replied with charm oozing off of him in waves. “Or maybe I know a gem when I see one.”
Elodie wasn’t as unaffected as she’d like to be. What female wasn’t susceptible to a handsome guy’s open interest? He might want to have a dalliance of some sort, but Elodie couldn’t let herself fall under his spell. She had a kingdom depending on her. Gorgeous blond males weren’t on her agenda. Even if he was the most tempting one she’d come across in her life. Her heart belonged to Cale even if he didn’t want it. She wasn’t ready to dally with anyone else.
An image of Cale filled her mind. His handsome stoic features emphasized by his dark locks. He was beautiful in his own way, even if it was different than the blond male. They were like night and day in comparison. She glowed before both of them but in contrasting ways. The blond made her want to feel womanly and present herself at her best. With Cale, she wanted to conquer the world. He amped up her courage and strengthened her from the inside out. That is what she needed—not to make herself feel pretty and desired. None of it mattered though. Until she found a way to let her heartache go she’d rather focus on something else—
like removing Fiona from her kingdom.
“I don’t have time for you,” she said and sheathed her blades. “My destination is over that hill.” Elodie gestured toward a green mass of grass filling their line of sight. “Rest easy, that I’ll arrive safe and sound. Now, leave me in peace.”
She bent over and picked up her bow, then headed toward the hill she’d pointed at. The witch probably already had a vision and expected her. It was almost eerie how she often sat outside waiting for company. Elodie wasn’t sure if she’d like to have visions bestowed on her in a similar manner. What must it be like to always have a glimpse of the future and never having the choice of living in the moment?
“All right, before you pull out the blades and threaten to cut my head off again,” the male said as he fell in step beside her. “I find myself incapable of leaving you alone yet. My instincts tell me you need me, and I’m going to listen to them even though it is clear you have a murderous streak that is a breath away from being unleashed.”
Elodie closed her eyes and prayed for the second time that day for patience. Please save her from well-meaning people and the need to save her from herself. What would it take for them to leave her the hell alone? Perhaps it would be best to humor him for the time being. Once he met the White Witch, he’d run for cover. Not many people could handle being in her presence.
“Fine,” she said, acquiescingly. “It’s your funeral.”
Let him take that however he liked. She didn’t have time or the inclination to pull her punches. The guy was pretty to look at, and it wouldn’t hurt to have him along. She could take care of herself, as he’d already figured out. No male would stand in her way.
“You’re hilarious,” he said with amusement dripping from his voice. “I think we will be the best of friends.”
