The Prince of Machines (The Last Mechanics)

by Holly Law

  Minutes passed slowly. As she lay there, unable to move or run, the Prince stroked her hair. It was a gentle, soothing gesture, but Elisha did not feel reassured. She watched him, terrified. But slowly she began to feel sleepy, and her body became something disconnected from her thoughts. Her pain was nothing more than a distant memory.

  Then he reached out and stroked her nose. Elisha could feel the bones shift back into place and solidify where they once had been. But there was no pain. She felt the uncomfortable swelling vanish. The Prince wiped the blood away with a damp cloth.

  “There,” the Prince said with a pleased smile. “Your face is beautiful again. Now let’s see what I can do about the rest of your injuries.”

  Eldwin could only watch the scene unfurl from where he stood, chained to a tree. The chains were uncomfortably tight, but he barely noticed. He watched the guards carry Elisha into the Prince’s tent, and he fought those horrible chains, wanting to get to her. The Prince was going to kill his sister. Then the screaming started, and Eldwin called for her, desperate to get free. He glared at Lenora, who entered the tent once the screaming had stopped. He could barely breathe in rage. The Prince had killed her, he knew it. His sister was dead. He wanted nothing more than to lash out at those who had hurt her, but the chains prevented him.

  Then Lenora came out again. Her face was pale and full of anger. She walked straight to Trinsin who was warming herself by the fire. Trinsin looked at the Havalla, her face pale.

  “I know it was you,” Lenora snapped harshly. Her normally serene face was full of unrestrained anger and fury. “I know it was you who broke Elisha’s nose. How dare you! I assumed your previous actions necessary, but seeing her as I did…there was nothing but spite and jealousy in how you pinned her to that rock. You enjoyed every moment of it. I promise you, Trinsin, if you ever hurt Elisha like that I again I will kill you myself, and you will wish it was the Prince who had gotten to you first.” Lenora slapped Trinsin, her nails tearing across Trinsin’s cheek, leaving bloody trails in their wake. “You should feel fortunate I did not tell the Prince. Your life would be done now if he knew. He is very, very angry.”

  Then Lenora left the whimpering Trinsin. Eldwin took some pleasure in seeing Trinsin clutch her face and weep in pain. But then Lenora walked towards him. Eldwin watched the Havalla warily. Lenora stopped before him and surveyed him briefly.

  “The Prince intends to heal Elisha,” Lenora told him gently. “He wishes to give her one more chance. As for you, I don’t know. I suspect the Prince will kill you, he has never cared for you. But he can be unpredictable. I want you to know that I hold no ill will towards you, and I wish things could have been different. I know you have only ever cared for your sister, and you are a hard, honorable worker.”

  Eldwin glared at Lenora, not giving her the courtesy of an answer. Lenora sighed and shook her head. “I’m sorry, Eldwin. You are guilty of no crimes, save your birth. I truly wish things could have been different,” Lenora told him. Her tone was sincere and full of regret. She turned and walked back towards the fire. She stood there staring into the fire, her face set and full of anger.

  Time passed and Eldwin watched as soldiers ate and congregated near the fire. He watched as they left to join other tents. And still he was left alone. He was still awake at midnight when Amalia approached him. She was dressed in a pale green dress. Its fineness was out of place in the wilderness, and its color made her look sickly and pale.

  “I will free you if I can,” Amalia told him softly, her expression sad, but resolute. “You must be patient and wait. I will need to get to Elisha at the same time. If I can’t, one of you will certainly die.”

  “Why are you helping us?” Eldwin asked softly, scarcely able to believe what he had heard.

  “I was once a princess of a country that had defied the Prince,” Amalia explained, her eyes distant and sad. “He defeated us in war with his machines and power. He killed most of my people. He spared me because he thought I was pretty, and he had use for me. I have served him, reluctantly, ever since. I truly have had little choice in the matter. I do not wish that fate on Elisha. I would see you both free from that.”

  “Where should we go?”

  “There are mountains to the east of the camp. The terrain there is too rugged for the Crusher. There are more caves and the like for you to hide in there.”

  “Will you come with us?”

  “I cannot. The Prince has ways to track me. I can’t get away. I would only endanger you. I will be back when I can set you free.”

  More hours passed, and Eldwin could not make himself sleep. He focused on the tent, hoping for any word of his sister. The tent flap opened, and Eldwin could not see beyond the Prince who stepped from its privacy. The Prince walked to the soldiers and spoke with them briefly. The soldiers bowed compliantly. Then the Prince walked to him.

  The Prince’s face was full of arrogance and anger as he approached Eldwin. The mask of calm was completely gone and the emotion in its place made Eldwin wish he could flee. “You took Elisha from me,” the Prince spat at him. “You stole her from me.”

  Eldwin felt confused by the accusation. He had rescued his sister. The Prince had intended to kill her, but somehow he was reacting as though he had stolen something of great value from him. “Elisha wanted to get away from you,” Eldwin told him. “You were going to kill her.”

  “Elisha had been considering staying. She had tried to bargain with me for her life and what conditions she might have served me under.”

  “I know very well what my sister tried to do,” Eldwin replied coldly. “My sister was terrified of you. She wanted nothing to do with you.”

  The Prince snarled, and his hand closed around Eldwin’s throat. Eldwin gasped and struggled. He couldn’t breathe and couldn’t free a hand to pry those inhuman hands from his throat. The fury on the Prince’s face was complete.

  “You always spoke against me to her,” the Prince snarled in his face as Eldwin struggled against his grip. He needed air. The Prince was going to kill him. “You tried to turn her against me from the start. If Elisha does not choose to serve me, I will kill you when I am done with her. And I will take out all my anger at having to do so on you. And I will enjoy every moment of your torment.”

  The Prince released his throat and walked away. Eldwin gasped, lights dancing in front of his eyes as he could only hang from his chains.

  Chapter 26

  Elisha watched the blue material over her head. It was fine material to be sure, and it rippled against an unfelt breeze. She watched it, bemused, as the candlelight played off the fabric. The material didn’t make sense to her. She didn’t remember going anywhere with that material. She remembered trees and rocks. She remembered dirt and running. She remembered the Crusher bearing down on her.

  “Do you require anything?” the Prince asked her softly.

  Elisha turned her head at his voice. The Prince was lying beside her on his side. He was watching her calmly, like a cat watches a mouse before it pounces. Elisha bolted up at the sight of him and bolted towards the tent flap. Elisha did not make it more than a couple steps. She was pulled into the air and landed back where she had started.

  “You are not going anywhere, Elisha,” the Prince told her calmly. “You require further rest.” Elisha looked at him terrified.

  The Prince smiled at her reassuringly. It was a dazzling smile she had seen him use with devastating effect on many women in Sumvale. He reached out and brushed strands of her hair back into place. “You will note, Elisha, that you are still alive,” he told her conversationally. “You should view that as a positive turn of events.”

  “Why am I still alive?” Elisha asked, trying to make sense of things.

  “You did not finish out the time I intended to give you,” the Prince told her. “That you were so badly injured was unfortunate. That was unintended and counter to my orders. I would like to deal with the one who injured you. Who was it?”

  Eli
sha looked at him blankly for a moment. She didn’t know what he was talking about. “I…I don’t remember,” Elisha told him, her brain frantically trying to make sense of his words. She didn’t feel like she had been injured. She felt drowsy and out of sorts. The latter could easily be caused by how he was looking at her. His hand stroked her cheek, an intimate gesture that sent a shock through her. “I don’t remember being injured.”

  His eyes were skeptical as he ran his fingers down her cheek to her chin. “You were pinned against a rock by the Crusher. The lower half of your body had been crushed. Your injuries had been fatal.”

  “I don’t understand,” Elisha said, frowning. She glanced down at herself. Her dress was badly torn and blood stained it. But her legs felt fine. She felt completely fine. She knew the power at his command and knew that must have been his doing. “Why would you save my life if you’re just going to kill me?”

  “I would like to spare your life if you will let me,” the Prince told her softly. His eyes were intent on her, and there was something very determined in his tone. “I would like to give you the life of luxury you deserve. The forest has not been kind to you. I would like to see you in my palace dressed in a new dress every day. If you serve me, you needn’t run or worry again. You,” the Prince said, reaching a hand behind her neck and scooting closer. He was pressed against her, uncomfortably close. His head was turned slightly as he spoke, and his lips nearly brushed hers. Elisha found her heart beating uncomfortably fast as she met his blue eyes, “are my dearest companion and I would like to keep you.”

  Elisha could sense the desire coming off of him and could scarcely breathe from the intensity. His hand slid down her back, urging her closer. He tried to urge her to come the smallest fraction closer and welcome the affection he so clearly offered. She felt overwhelmed. He had flirted with her countless times before, but he had never been so intense. He had never offered her affection so overtly. But she knew such attention from him was dangerous and untrue. She had heard every rumor him at school and knew he had used many poorly.

  “I am not one of your girls,” Elisha told him, not moving from her spot. She remained very still, not wanting any motion to be construed as willingness. And the Prince did not move away, and she could still feel his warm breath on her lips.

  “You are not,” the Prince agreed softly. His tone was reasonable and smooth. He was trying every trick he knew on her, and Elisha would not be swayed by it. “I would treat you well. You could be my lady in Melink as you were in Sumvale. It would be a very happy existence.”

  “And what of the machines I don’t like that I will not fix?” Elisha asked him, forcing the conversation to business. She knew if it remained on the privileges he would give her that he would remain in his current state. He would not be able to turn the discussion of machines into a means to seduce her.

  The Prince leaned back, irritation flickered over his features as she deflected his attempted seduction. “I haven’t made up my mind on that matter as of yet,” he informed her.

  “And I cannot give you an answer until you do,” Elisha told him. “But I can tell you that I will never be your lady again. Do not play your games with me, your highness, I am most definitely uninterested.”

  The Prince stood then and paced the room. His whole manner became one of agitation and frustration. “I will have the answer you require from me by noon,” he told her, his tone crisp. “You may have until the following sunset to consider your reply. You will remain in this tent.” He briskly walked to the tent flap and left her.

  Elisha sighed in relief. She sat up and found herself shaking slightly. She had never contended so overtly with his flirtatious nature. She could see easily how so many girls in the city had fallen to him. If he had pursued her like that when she had been ignorant of his true nature, she doubted she would have been any better.

  It was some time later when Amalia entered the tent. She carried a tray covered in food. All of it smelled delicious. Elisha watched her from where she sat on the bed. Amalia smiled at her as she placed the food on the table. “Come eat, Elisha,” Amalia told her. “You must be very hungry after running for so long.”

  Elisha stood hesitantly. She didn’t fully trust her legs, but they proved to be steady. She walked to the table. Amalia was watching her speculatively. Her eyes were shrewd and perhaps a bit amused. “Is something the matter?” Elisha asked.

  “It would seem you have escaped the Prince’s bed with your virtue still intact,” Amalia said slowly, choosing her words with great care.

  Elisha flushed in embarrassment. “Yes,” she agreed as she sat down. The food smelled and looked heavenly. It was not an extreme amount of food, but it was much better quality than the few berries they had scrounged up over the past few days.

  Amalia bent down and whispered in her ear, her voice barely more than a warm breath, “In two hours, you are going to leave out of the back of the tent. I will undo a stake there to make it easier. You must run and quickly. Go straight to the east and into the mountains. There is a path you can follow, go right at the ancient skeletal tree. Then the path will split again and you will go left. I will free Eldwin, he should be right behind you.”

  Elisha looked at Amalia startled. Amalia nodded, her expression grim. Elisha mouthed her thanks and Amalia gave her a tight smile. The dancer turned and left; Elisha let out a sigh. She hoped Amalia’s plan would work. She could only imagine what she was risking. The Prince would not be happy, Elisha escaped again.

  Elisha paced in the room anxiously. No one came in to disturb her, and she was glad. She felt like she was at her wits end. If Amalia couldn’t get her free, then she would be left with the horrible choice. She could only imagine what would happen to her brother. She hoped the Prince had not hurt him or allowed others to do so. Outside the tent, she could hear the voices of those in the camp. She stopped near the tent when she heard the Prince and Lenora talking softly nearby.

  “Have you checked on her?” Lenora asked.

  “No, she wanted privacy,” the Prince replied calmly. “I could tell. My presence would only cause her stress.”

  “Perhaps you should put effort into seeming less a hostile force to her,” Lenora suggested. “Trinsin’s actions have made you appear crueler than you wish to appear.”

  “I am well aware of that. I have put effort into that matter, but she is distrustful. And I do not blame her.”

  “This has become quite a mess.”

  “It has. I should have simply shipped her off to Melink before I made an example of Sumvale. I acted thoughtlessly. If I had merely done that, she would be securely in my service and I would have my lady in Melink.”

  “What will you do with Eldwin?” Lenora asked after a moment. “I am surprised you left him alive.”

  Elisha sighed in relief. Her brother was still alive. It was more than she could have hoped for. “He may prove useful,” the Prince said calmly. “He may be a useful piece to play against his sister. She would do anything for him. But if she will not serve me, I will take some pleasure in taking my frustration out on him.”

  “Eldwin isn’t a bad man,” Lenora said cautiously. “He…”

  “I find no reason to like him or desire his services,” the Prince said, cutting her off.

  Elisha turned at a sound and saw the tent was loose on the far end. Elisha silently rushed to it. She lifted it up and slid out in a heartbeat. Outside it was well after dark and a thick forest surrounded the tent. Elisha looked for Amalia and saw her already disappearing around the side of the tent. Amalia didn’t even turn to look at her, and Elisha knew that time had to be in short supply. She bolted into the forest, running as fast and as silently as her feet could carry her. She ran and heard no pursuit.

  When she was well out of earshot of the camp, she ran faster. Her feet found the path that Amalia had mentioned. She could run even faster there without the bushes and tree branches hitting her. She began to grow tired, but she didn’t dare stop. Behind her
she heard another set of feet crunch in the dirt. She looked behind her frightened.

  Relief washed over her as she saw Eldwin running along the path. Tears of joy came to her eyes. Amalia had done it. They were both free thanks to her efforts. Eldwin saw her and smiled. His eyes were focused and determined. He caught up with her a few moments later.

  “I thought I wouldn’t see you again,” Elisha gasped as they ran.

  “I thought he was killing you in that tent the way you screamed. Glad you’re alive.”

  “Let’s get out of here. I don’t want to be anywhere near the Prince when he discovers we’re gone.”

  “Agreed.”

  Amalia was dragged into the tent by a pair of soldiers. The Prince paced the length of the tent. He was filled with an irritation that bordered on anger. He did not speak to Amalia at first and just let her stand there. Her face was pale, but her expression showed no concern. He would deal with the snake and be glad to be rid of her. She was nothing but a traitorous bit of fluff.

  “What do you see, Amalia?” the Prince demanded, stopping in front of her.

  Amalia looked confused, and she glanced around. “Nothing,” Amalia said, her voice quivering slightly. She felt her guilt and knew she had been discovered. The Prince would enjoy her death. He was tired of others taking Elisha from him.

  “That is the problem,” the Prince snapped, letting his irritation show. “Elisha was in here and now she is gone. You were seen leaving the back of the tent earlier and near Eldwin before that. You helped them escape.”

  “My Prince!” Amalia gasped, her expression horrified. “I would never…” Her mouth shut at one murderous look from him. He had to resist the urge to end her life with the snap of his fingers. She deserved something much more lingering than that.