“And that pleases you?”
“You have no idea. Of course, if you were any other person I would have to rob you of your ability to speak.”
Her stomach sunk. That familiar bitter taste filled her mouth again.
“I will endeavor to always please you with my honesty, in that case.”
He smiled at her. “I didn’t answer your question though, I think I will hold a short tribunal before we ride, to weigh his punishment. Shall he be beheaded, hanged or blown up?”
She swallowed. “As I have a less than bloodthirsty appetite, I think I’ll retreat to my rooms until you are ready to set off. I’ll leave all decisions concerning that man’s way of execution to you. In all honesty, I’d rather be with Malachi right now.”
His eyes turned stormy, then they cleared like the early morning sky. “There you go again. You are always so entertaining.” He nodded his head to her. “Of course, I will have to insist that you sit by my side, it is high time that you become a focal point for my men. They need to know that you are my heir…and that as such, you will be given the respect due to your royal position.”
“Actually, I do really need to return to my rooms.”
“Are you feeling tired?” She exchanged a frantic look with Ardal at Roland’s inquiry.
“Not more than I usually am. I’m the walking dead, remember?”
His eyes hardened, with an underlying edge of sadness to them. “I would never forget that. We will, however discover a way to rectify that. You have my word.”
“If no cure is found, I am at peace. I just want you to know that. Now, would you allow me to go to my chambers?”
“I shall be calling the tribunal in ten minutes. Do what you can in that time. Do not disappoint me, my daughter.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” She hurriedly backed away from, headed in the direction of the castle. “Ardal,” she turned back to him. “Are you coming with me?”
Ardal looked once more at Roland, nodded his head, and followed her back inside. Annabelle sped through the castle up the steps, toward her bedchamber.
“I just think I’ve figured everything out, and then bang, something hits me right out of the blue,” she whispered.
“You shouldn’t concern yourself with my relationship to Roland.”
“Oh, I shouldn’t, should I? You are so bloody vexing!”
“I can say the same thing about you.”
“If you knew Roland why did you find the need to disguise yourself? Huh? Why didn’t you just go to him in your own guise and demand for him to release Shaylah? I take it she is the love of your life.”
“You are correct. I love her with all of my heart. I would do anything for her.”
“And yet, you didn’t fight for her. Instead, you expected me to save the bloody day!”
“Calm yourself. You are expending unnecessary energy. A woman in your condition should be taking it easy.”
“I won’t be able to take it easy until the danger looming in front of us is taken care of!”
“I see no imminent danger.”
“I do! It’s all around us! He expects us to watch him hand out a death sentence.”
“The man was plotting against Roland. And do you know what the first strike in the plot was going to be?”
“I have no idea.” She quickened her steps, bolted toward her bedchamber door and opened it. Ardal closed it behind them with his magic. Suddenly, she didn’t know if she liked being locked in a room with Ardal.
“He was going to murder you! One of his men already tried throwing you to your death. And, if Roland doesn’t succeed in finding out who all of the men in the plot were, you just might die sooner than you expect!”
“I want to know whose side you are on!” She looked him dead in the eye.
“I told you, I am on Malachi’s side. The Hawthornes will have my loyalty until the day I die!”
“Fine. Just don’t do anything to make me think differently!” Annabelle warned.
“Hypocrite.”
She ignored his snide remark. “Now, where did you say that handheld mirror was?”
“In the jewel case.” She walked toward it, opened the lid and started searching inside. It was a gold mirror, with multi-coloured jewels encrusted around the edge. She picked it up, and stared at herself in it.
“Your beauty is enchanting.” She nearly dropped the mirror when it started to talk.
“Ardal, is this another Gabriel mirror?”
“No. It isn’t housing a spirit of cursed wizard. It’s enchanted to tell the truth about the person looking into the glass,” Ardal explained patiently.
“Nice. All it can come up with for me is to tell me that I’m beautiful?”
“Most people would be delighted with that judgment.”
“I know…and I’m not complaining, but still…” Her voice trailed off. She looked over at the time. “Do you think I could call Gabriel with this?”
“You could try.”
Clearing her throat, she looked back down at the mirror. “Gabriel Hawthorne…can you hear me?”
“Come back later. I am resting.”
“Resting or not, it makes no different to me. I must speak to Malachi now. I will be otherwise occupied in a few scant moments.”
The mirror started to cloud with the usual thick white mists. They gradually cleared to reveal Gabriel giving her an impatient look. “I’ve summoned Malachi.”
“Good.” Annabelle smiled. Darting another look at the clock, she sighed. “How long do you think he’ll take to answer your call?”
“He’s here. Now. Magic does come in handy.” Gabriel grinned at her. “I’ll be talking to you soon, Princess.”
Malachi stood in front of the mirror. He looked like he’d had a night of hell.
“How is Daniel?” she asked quickly. Ardal stood keeping a silent vigil at the door.
“He’s better. He’s still not as strong as I’d hope—but he’ll be recovered enough for the final battle.”
“Roland rides later today. Our destination is your lands. I think he plans to engage what is left of the Queen’s forces, and then, he plans to fight you.”
“I welcome it,” Malachi said enthusiastically.
“I don’t think you should.”
Malachi raised his eyebrows. “I think you’ve let yourself be consumed by your feelings for Roland.”
“No…he’s given me reason to believe that he wants to broker a peace treaty between Thaliana and his country. I think we should try to make peace before more lives are lost. He nearly decimated the queen’s forces—think of what he’s going to do to her already battle weary troops. They must be tired of fighting.”
“They will fight to the bitter end if they must. We will not be conquered.”
“Conquered? I don’t think Roland will keep his troops inside of our country. He wishes for me to rule Thaliana. He’s also declared me to be his heir.”
Malachi narrowed his eyes. “I don’t trust him.”
“And yet, you would trust my mother? Why? Now, do not misunderstand me. Before all of this happened, I was loyal to the crown. I believed in Queen Zara…I believed she was acting in the best interest of her country. But now, even Larissa is questioning her abilities as a ruler.”
“Larissa? I don’t believe it,” Malachi whispered.
“Well, do believe it, because it’s true.”
“I will say, though, that she isn’t the sort of mother I wished you had. You deserve so much more. It’s as if you mean nothing to her.”
Perhaps, to her I am just a pawn.”
“Well, I won’t have you treated so foully. I will take your concerns into consideration.”
“Blackburn is dead,” she said softly.
He turned rigid. “Dead?” He sounded like he couldn’t quite believe it.
“Yes. He’s quite dead. My father—that is, Roland killed him. Ardal witnessed it with his own eyes.”
“Ardal? Is he there?”
“I am here.”
“Is that true, Ardal?” Malachi demanded.
“He killed him in a most gruesome way. He did suffer, and he is dead. Do not fear, he will never return to haunt you, my friend.”
“Then it’s over.” Malachi looked relieved.
“Katrina is dead as well. Father killed her after he found out she was trying to poison me.”
“Poison?” Malachi looked like he was going to hit the roof.
“Malachi, don’t worry, I wasn’t hurt. Mavis, one of the serving maids, drank the tea, and she nearly died. Roland saved her.”
“You had to beg him to save her,” Ardal reminded her. “But he is still trying to become a better man.”
“I don’t believe that,” Malachi said.
“I think he is trying, Malachi,” Annabelle mused.
“You are being bewitched. Do not lose sight of what Roland has done in the past.”
“I won’t. I will keep it all close to my heart. Do not fear for me, Malachi. I love you, I will always believe in you.”
“You haven’t known me much longer than you’ve known Roland. I wouldn’t blame you if you did decide to side with him—but come what may, I have Queen Zara to support.”
“I think as husband and wife our first loyalty should be each other. We must stand united.”
“I like the way you think, Annabelle.”
Ardal waved his hand to get her attention. He pointed to the clock. “I have to go, Malachi. I’m due at the execution of a man that plotted to rebel against Roland.”
“Execution? Have you lost your wits? Do you honestly think that Roland is a dream monarch?” Malachi asked.
“Oh, who are you kidding, Malachi?” She started at the sound of Ardal’s voice. “You know full well that Queen Zara has been known to sentence several of her dissenters to death. It is the only way to keep the kind of power she covets.”
“Go, then. Stay in touch, Annabelle. And whatever you do, keep an eye out for anyone standing with a knife in their hands.”
“I will—just in case you wondered, your siblings have been given clemency.”
“Gabriel told me. He also told me that Roland not only seeks peace with Thaliana but that he wants my fealty. He’ll get both when hell freezes over.”
“Peace isn’t something to scoff at, Malachi.”
“I know. And, if I think that Zara is leading us astray, I will certainly consider it.”
Ardal’s voice interrupted her train of concentration. “We are stretched for time. Take my hand, my way is far quicker.” She walked over to him, and waited while he magically transported them down to the Great Hall.
Wizards, witches and warlocks were assembled in the Hall. Annabelle looked over at the accused and found that he had several friends with him standing in chains.
She realized she was still holding the mirror when Roland noticed the two of them.
“Come, come! We must start the trial. I want this to be quick. If we don’t set out soon, there will be no point in setting out until tomorrow.”
Roland took her hand and led her up to the thrones. “I don’t like the feeling of heightened tension in the room. Who is on our side?” she asked.
“More than who is against. But still, the dissenters deeply disturb me. They must learn that Blackburn is dead, as is Katrina. The old way of doing things is no longer tolerated.”
“Kill the little bitch!” She stiffened at the sound of one of the rebels. They were so weighed down by chains that they could barely move. Their mouths worked just fine though.
“I don’t think I should be here.” Annabelle made to pull away from Roland. He caught her hand, and led her to the chair beside him.
“Your place is by my side.” He reached for her hand again, when she tried to stand up. “Sit, please.”
She nodded her head. The only two people she recognized in the hall were Mavis and Delbert.
“You should all be on your knees giving your loyalty to my daughter. Instead, some of my so-called loyal followers have planned her murder. Fortunately, their murder plot was foiled. However, I will not pardon any of the accused. They were willing to kill, and now they shall be killed.”
“I understand.” Her heart thundered against her ribcage. Roland gave her a perplexed glance. Did he expect her to fight on their behalf? It wouldn’t get her anywhere…and she had to save her strength for what awaited her.
Besides, she could tell from the vile looks on their faces that they had cast their misery far and wide making many Thales suffer needlessly. Her stomach still twisted though…she felt sick thinking about their fate.
A foul smell filled the hall. She looked around for the source. He suddenly gripped her hand. “You need to leave, now!”
She couldn’t understand why he sounded so alarmed. His cool detached manner vanished in the blink of an eye. Ardal looked over at her, locking his gaze with her own.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“Get her out of here right now, Ardal.” Roland instructed. Ardal walked toward her pulling her to her feet.
“You have to come with me, now … they’re building up their collective energy within the hall, they are going to attack your father.”
“Then, he should come with us.”
“No. He has to face this revolt and smother it or else he will never be seen as their true leader.”
“Delbert and Mavis…”
“I’ll transport them with us. Now, come. We need to get to the stables. Most of your father’s most loyal men have already started their march to Malachi’s lands. We shall rendezvous with them, and if your father’s luck continues to hold out, he will be joining us as well.”
“The Hawthornes?” she asked.
“They are riding ahead of us with the rest of Roland’s loyalists.”
“Then, we have no choice. We ride.”
Ardal nodded his head. Keeping a firm grip on her, he blinked them out of the Hall just as all hell broke loose.
“The castle will be destroyed.”
“At least you are still alive. If the damage can be kept to a minimum, only the Great Hall will fall.” She shook her head, amazed at the absurdity of her situation.
“We can’t just leave him there.”
“Don’t fret. I don’t think we’ll be seeing the last of him.” He led her toward a saddled horse. She licked her lips.
“I don’t think this is a good idea …is there a carriage that we can ride in?”
“Not one that is ready for us. And, by the smoke furling from the hall, we don’t have time to wait. Your father might have suffered a hit, and if we have attackers on our tail…”
Delbert helped Mavis to mount her horse.
“Come on, Annabelle. You know how to ride a horse,” Delbert said, looking at her impatiently.
“No, I don’t. You never found the time to teach me.”
“I didn’t?” He looked surprised. “That doesn’t sound like me…I…”
“Trust me, you never taught me.”
“I know you’ve been on a horse before…”
“On one, aye, but I’m not accomplished enough to ride for a great deal of time.”
“You’ll have to improvise, or you can ride with me.” Ardal looked at her.
“Give me a boost, and we’ll say a hope and a prayer I stay on the horse.”
“I can lead the horse with my magic.”
“That’s probably a good idea.” She looked back at the smoke billowing freely from the castle. Screams and shouts were coming from the Great Hall. People were dying. Ardal gave her a boost and she let out a shaky breath when she felt the hard saddle beneath her. The horse whinnied and started to move. She looked back over at Ardal. “If I break my neck … it’s on your head.”
A loud, ground-shaking explosion went off behind them.
“I think we need to get out of here!” Delbert started off ahead of them, with Mavis’s horse following close behind.
“Excellent idea.�
�� Ardal looked over at her, and the horse started to move, it followed his, and before she knew it, they were speeding away from the castle.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Malachi looked around the castle. Daniel stood to his side. “What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking we need to start preparing for a battle of monumental proportions to come to our doorstep.”
Daniel nodded his head. “What do we do?”
“I want to start protecting some of the rooms. Just in case it does come down to a battle inside of the castle.”
“Have you seen mother or father recently?”
“No.” Malachi stiffened. “Why do you ask? I thought she’d gone to you to give you, Connor and the girls some comfort.”
“She did. And that was the last we saw of her. You don’t think she and father are trapped somewhere?”
“There is precious little even in the magic kind world that can trap a spirit.”
“Aye. But there are ways…and Roland isn’t adverse to some of those ways.”
“You said that Roland wasn’t evil. You thought he was just greatly misled.”
“Right. He didn’t seem as sick in the head or as volatile as Blackburn. But you never know do you? He could be just a remarkably savvy psychopath.”
Malachi shook his head. “I still don’t like the fact that Annabelle is in his company.”
“If it gives you comfort, he does hold a great deal of affection for her. You can see it in his eyes. When she wasn’t in his life, his eyes looked dull and listless, almost fathomless, and at that point I would have said that he had no mercy. Once he met Annabelle, something snapped inside of him, and seemingly changed him for the better.”
“I don’t even know if I want Queen Zara here,” Malachi remarked.
“Perhaps that is where mother and father got off to.”
Malachi walked to a nearby window and stood gazing out at the outwardly serene landscape. He knew that far off, two armies marched toward them. And, he didn’t know if either one of them were friend…or if they were both foe.
“How will we stand up against both Zara and Roland if it comes to it? She won’t take kindly to you turning against her. If it had not been for her bad leadership, I don’t think we would have lost the last battle. She was too impulsive.”
Enchanted Beauty Page 22
