“Aren’t the clothes here amazing?” Luna spun around.
“Yeah, I guess.” She didn’t want to love Stella. Not right now.
“The dress they picked out for you is the same, except yours has an orange flower. I’m told all the princesses are wearing them today. I feel honored to be among them.”
She held up a dress for Zwaantie.
“There is something else you should know.” Luna sat tentatively on the edge of the bed.
Zwaantie rolled her eyes. “More bad news?” She was being a brat, but everything was weighing on her shoulders, and right now, the whole world seemed lost.
Luna giggled. Zwaantie hadn’t seen her this happy since her wedding day.
“No. I’m pregnant. I wasn’t going to tell anyone for a while, but somehow everyone here seems to know. It must be something in their magic. They said it’s a girl, which is why I got a pink flower. Honestly, it’s why I still came, even though Pieter could not. Our child will be born free, not a slave. If I go home, she will be born with bands because Pieter is still a slave.”
She beamed. Zwaantie was happy for her, but still so miserable. Why did Phoenix have to leave? She wanted to have babies too. His babies. Not Leo’s. Sure, Leo was nice, but she’d never love him the way she did Phoenix.
Zwaantie slid out of bed, and Luna helped her put on the dress even though she didn’t really need to.
Luna pointed at the necklace. “You should take that off. It doesn’t match.”
Zwaantie fingered the necklace. It was a simple band with a disc embedded with an amethyst. Leo had given it to her the day he came to Sol. Zwaantie hadn’t wanted it at first, but the second she had it on, the Voice disappeared. She hadn’t taken it off since, foolishly believing it protected her. She didn’t need protecting here—the Voice didn’t exist—so she slid it off and placed it on her nightstand.
A knock sounded on the door, and Zwaantie let Luna answer it. Zwaantie went into her bathroom and splashed water on her face. She didn’t like the look of her skin in the mirror. The unnatural light made it appear washed out.
Your dress shows too much skin.
Zwaantie jumped. This was impossible. She was in Stella.
“How are you here? I’m no longer in Sol,” she whispered. She didn’t want to draw any attention to herself.
I am everywhere. You chose to block me. Time to go home, Princess, and confess your sins.
A small pain settled behind her eyes. This couldn’t be happening. How did the Voice follow her to Stella? She had to put the necklace back on. She jerked the bathroom door open and gripped the necklace.
Oh, come on now, you know you missed me. I won’t punish you. The pain behind her eyes disappeared. Please don’t shut me out.
She set the necklace down. It was true. She had missed the constant chatter. Her head had felt so empty. Besides, it was nice to have someone tell her when she screwed up so she could fix it. She placed the necklace on her nightstand.
Luna stood beside a small table with a spread of small sandwiches and fruit. The colors were brighter than in Sol, the bread fluffier, and it smelled better. Zwaantie picked up a grape and popped it into her mouth. It was mushy and old. She made a face. Luna laughed. “No more fresh fruits here.”
“How do they get by?” Zwaantie asked.
Luna shrugged. “I’m sure we’ll get used it. Sit, let’s talk.”
The Voice continued to chatter in Zwaantie’s head, like it had in Sol. She tuned it out and concentrated on her conversation with Luna. “Thanks for bringing me lunch. I’m still not quite sure about everything here.”
Luna nibbled on a sandwich. “So what are you going to do?”
Zwaantie frowned. “I don’t know. What do you think?”
“I’m not going home until after this baby is born. But you have to make your own decision. What do you want to do?”
“I want Phoenix, but I don’t know if that’s even a possibility anymore.”
“I think you’re overreacting. He got caught up with the other slaves. I’m sure we can find him.”
“No, you don’t understand. I have to marry the prince. If I don’t, his sister’s baby is going to die.”
Luna cocked her head. “What do you mean?”
“There is a prophecy that says if Stella and Sol aren’t joined by his first birthday, little Raaf will die.”
“Raaf?”
“Candace let me name him.”
Luna didn’t say anything. Maybe she was absorbing the news as well. Zwaantie took a bite of one of the sandwiches. The bread was stale and the meat spongy. She’d go home for the food alone. At least now, she knew the Voice wouldn’t kill her if she went home. “The right thing to do is marry Leo and save little Raaf.”
Is it the right thing though? Maybe joining Stella and Sol would be good for Stella, but it isn’t the best thing for Sol. Have you even considered your own kingdom? Is one baby’s life worth all of your people? However did you survive without me, dear? You need me to help you become the best queen Sol has ever seen. Time to go home.
The Voice was right. It was time to forget this whole business and go home. Stella could never be her home. It was dark, the food was bad, and there was no way she could spend another day here. The Voice just reaffirmed what she was already feeling, and it was never wrong.
“Maybe I should go home.”
That’s right. Go home and let Leo figure things out on his own.
“What about the baby?” Luna asked.
That is none of your concern. Your concern is for your kingdom alone.
“He’s going to have to find another way to save his sister’s baby. He’s not going to use me. He doesn’t even know if it will work.” Even as she said it, a sick feeling settled in her stomach. The Voice told her this was the right thing to do, but something felt wrong.
A knock sounded at the door. Leo poked his head in without waiting for Luna to open it.
“You’re up. I was worried.” He looked so concerned, and Zwaantie gave him a forced smile. “How was your lunch?” he asked, taking the chair next to her.
“Okay.” She wouldn’t tell him how awful she really thought it was. She’d give anything for fresh food.
He bounced his knee. “Would you like to go for a walk with me? We can go up to the tower and see the stars.”
She did want to see the stars again before she left and gave a curt nod. “Sure. Luna do you want to come?”
Luna shook her head. “I’ll give you two some alone time.”
Leo held out his arm, and Zwaantie put her hand in the crook of his elbow. The Voice chattered in the background judging everything Zwaantie saw.
“You look beautiful.” His looked at her like she was his whole world. She hated that she couldn’t give him the same. It wasn’t fair to him.
“Thank you,” she replied, just as the Voice said. No, you don’t. You look like a slut.
They walked to the elevator again. Zwaantie shrunk away. Leo chuckled and pulled her inside. He pressed a button that said Tower.
“This won’t take us all the way up, but it will get us close. We’ll have to climb a few stairs.”
The elevator opened to a tiny, nearly empty, circular room. Soft pink light glowed from the walls, and a spiral staircase sat in the middle. Zwaantie followed Leo up the stairs. Up they wound, and Zwaantie got dizzy.
After what seemed like ages, Leo pushed open a door in the ceiling and climbed out. He helped her up. Zwaantie gasped. They were at the top point of the castle. Outside. The floor was about eight feet in diameter. If she moved just a few feet, she’d fall right off. They were a thousand feet in the air.
She clutched onto Leo. “Take me inside.”
“Are you afraid of heights?”
“We’re a thousand feet in the air. If we fall, we die.”
“We won’t get close to the edge. Though Ari and I let our legs dangle sometimes. Sit. We’ll stay in the middle.”
She sank down and stared up, so she didn�
�t have to look down.
The Stellan sky spread out before her. She hated it today. Those stars were supposed to be her freedom. Now she was trapped in a marriage she didn’t want, longing for a man she couldn’t have, and then the Voice followed her here.
Leo pointed to the sky. “See the star there, the bright one.”
“Yes.”
“That’s the God Sarin. When the tower was built, we used him to place a magical shield around it. Even if you tried, you can’t fall off.”
There is only one God, Sol. This is blasphemous. Tell the prince you want to go home.
That is what she wanted, right? To go home. She let out a breath. “Leo, I want to go home.”
He placed his hand over hers. “I know it’s different here, but if you’d just give it a few days, I bet you’ll love it.”
Don’t let him influence you. Remember, he is only thinking of his kingdom. You should be thinking of yours.
“No. I want to go home. Now. This was a mistake. I’m sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“You’re just overwhelmed. I promise it will get better. You know, I was a little overwhelmed when I got to Sol. Remember the cow?”
She almost grinned.
Stand your ground.
“You’re not listening to me. I want to go home. Either you’re going to help me get there, or I’ll do it myself.”
He sat up and looked her right in the eye. “Zwaantie, I love you. I’m not going to let you get away.” His face was so sincere, so genuine.
“Then let me go.”
He shut his eyes for a minute. “What about Candace?”
“You’re resourceful. You said yourself it was only one interpretation. Find another one that doesn’t involve invading Sol.”
He gripped Zwaantie’s hand. “What if there isn’t any other way? Are you just going to let little Raaf die?”
No. She didn’t want that. Not at all, but she had to go home. She had to leave Leo. She couldn’t allow the prophecy to influence her decision.
“Yes. I am. Take me home.”
His face hardened. She expected him to argue, to tell her she had to stay, but he didn’t. His voice was low and soft. “If that’s what you really want.”
“It is. I’m sorry. I’m not sure what possessed me to think this was a good idea.”
Leo looked away from her. “Fine. Can you at least do dinner with my family civilly tonight? Pretend like everything is okay. We can figure out how to get you home tomorrow.”
Zwaantie squeezed his hand. “Thank you.”
Good girl.
Leo gave a curt nod, but didn’t respond. The Voice told her it was the right decision, so why did it feel wrong?
Chapter 10
The Missing Princess
Just before dinner, Candace popped her head in Zwaantie’s room.
“You ready to meet the whole family?” she asked, settling on the couch. Zwaantie could barely look her in the eye.
“Where is little Raaf?”
“With a nanny. This dinner isn’t really the place for babies. Can I do your hair?”
“It’s okay. Luna has already done it.”
“It’s nice, but I’d like to add a streak of orange. See how mine has blue to match my flower? It will look better in the pictures if we match. Luna, I can put pink in yours if you want.”
Luna nodded eagerly. Zwaantie was still uncomfortable with everything. Stellans put way too much emphasis on appearances.
Candace was just finishing the orange streak when Leo came and fetched them. She didn’t know why he thought he had to. Candace would’ve shown them the way. But Zwaantie put on a smile and rested her hand in the crook of his elbow. She only had to keep up this charade for the evening, and she’d be back in Sol by tomorrow night. Safe and sound with the sun. The Voice was still present in her mind, but he hadn’t given her a direct command since she’d chosen to go home.
As they moved through doors and descended a few floors, Zwaantie quickly realized they would’ve never found the main dining room on their own. They wove in out of hallways so they were in the fourth layer, the innermost part of the castle. It was one big circular room.
They were escorted to an enormous round table. There must’ve been a hundred people sitting around it. The center was cut out, and in the middle of the table waiters came up a stairway with goblets filled with exotic colored drinks.
Luna sat on Zwaantie’s left and Leo on the right. About a third of the way around the table sat the king and queen. Beyond them were Candace and Hunter. She smiled at Zwaantie.
“Is this all your family?” Zwaantie asked, glancing at his siblings.
“Most of them. There are spouses, obviously, and a few friends. But mostly family.”
“Are all of your brothers and sisters here? You said there were twelve of them.”
“They should be.”
“Show me.”
He pointed first to a young man, who appeared a year or two older than Leo. “Ari is the oldest and heir to the throne. He’s not married yet and can’t take over until he is married or father dies. He spends most of his time chasing silly girls.” Leo rolled his eyes.
Ari was very handsome with thick brown hair, deep-set gray eyes, and thick eyebrows. Zwaantie could see why silly girls would chase after him.
“The next two, Tauro and Jem have already claimed their kingdoms. They are now lower kings.”
“I’m confused. They are princes of your city. Why would they be lower kings in other kingdoms?”
“I forgot your succession is different. In Stella, the high king’s children become lower kings and queens. We only have four kingdoms. So only Ari, Tauro, Jem, and Candace claim kingdoms. The rest of us stay princes and princesses.”
“How is Hunter a king and your guard?” Zwaantie supposed she shouldn’t be so surprised. She was a midwife, after all, but a guard seemed a risky position for a king.
“Yeah, I was a peeved when she took him from me. I have a new guard, but I trust Hunter more. That’s why he came with me. He’s still flabbergasted Candace fell in love with him, and he still acts more like a guard than a king, but he’ll get the hang of it.”
Waiters brought around tiny bowls with hook-shaped food in them and an orange sauce.
“What’s this?”
“Shrimp, try it. You’ll love it.”
It was good. Salty and fishy. Better than the spongy meat she had earlier.
“Who are the rest of them?”
He pointed around the table.
“You’ve met Viggo. There’s Libby, Scorpion, and...” He paused. “Where’s Sage?”
He looked all around the table, but he couldn’t find who he was looking for.
“Sage is usually with Ari, but I don’t see her. She must’ve gone to some party or something and forgot to come home. If you ever go out with her, be careful what you drink or who you let magic you. Otherwise you could end up in a magical hallucination with unicorns and rainbows that won’t end for a week. Don’t let her tell you any stories about me either. Sage is wild, but fun.”
Zwaantie almost reminded him she would be going home the next day, but decided not to bring it up. It didn’t change anything.
He searched the table then continued pointing. “Next to Viggo is Patrice, and there’s Aquiles and finally Pius, who more than lives up to his name. We keep telling him to go live in Sol. He’d fit in better.”
Poor Pius, he didn’t seem to be enjoying his dinner, and he wasn’t talking to anyone.
Something was bothering Zwaantie as she looked at all the people, but she couldn’t figure out what. She studied his brothers and sisters. None of them looked alike. Some were tall and thin. Others were broad shouldered. Hair color ranged from blonde to purple, but that could’ve been the magic they used. The other thing, they were all around the same age. Pius looked young, around fourteen or fifteen, and Ari couldn’t have been more than twenty.
“How old is Ari?” Zwaantie asked
.
“Nineteen.”
“And Pius?”
“Sixteen.”
“Ari is the oldest, and Pius is the youngest?”
“Yes,” he said and took a large bite of his potato “You look cute when you’re thinking,” he said.
“I’m confused.”
“I know. I was hoping we didn’t have to talk about this.”
“Why?”
“Because life in Sol is so different from here. I’m afraid you’ll be upset by this practice. I don’t want you to think badly of us. It’s really not a big deal.”
If he was going through that much trouble to avoid answering a question, which Zwaantie hadn’t even asked yet, then it was a big deal. Zwaantie opened her mouth to ask.
“Please don’t ask the question. I don’t want to have to answer it.” His face flushed.
He hadn’t learned yet that Zwaantie got she wanted, regardless of the consequences. “How is it possible that twelve siblings are all born within three years of each other?” Zwaantie wanted to think the best of things. Three sets of quadruplets or something. But she had a feeling the answer would be far different.
“It’s because we have different mothers. My father’s wife is Ari’s mother. But she only had one child.”
Disgusting. You shouldn’t even be in the same room with such immorality. Zwaantie ignored the Voice, now wanting to understand how this was possible.
“So where is your mother?”
“She lives here in the castle, but that’s unusual. The rest of the mothers live on estates in the country or in the city somewhere. Most of them are married with other children, and they’re happy.”
Zwaantie didn’t want to say it, but she had to. “Why would your father do something like that?”
Because he’s a horrible, immoral man.
“Because it is expected. High kings traditionally have huge families. Most have forty or fifty kids, but Astrid quickly got sick of sharing her husband, so she asked him to stop after Pius. He is madly in love with her, so he did. I’m not entirely sure he stopped sleeping with other women, but he made sure he never got another one pregnant.”
“We don’t do things like that in Sol,” Zwaantie said.
Good girl.
Stella and Sol Box Set Page 22
