The Archer Queen

by Blake, Nova

  “I…” I stepped forward and touched his Mark, expecting it to give me some kind of shock, but it was warm, smooth to the touch, like it had always been there. “I think it means I made the right call when I said you could come.”

  There was a lump in my throat when I swallowed. This was my best friend, and now my lover. My arrow. I wasn't alone anymore and I'd had no idea how good that would feel. With a sigh I pushed away from him and started to gather my clothes. "Go and pack a bag," I said, "and I'll find Valko. The sooner we leave the better."

  5

  Jaelyn

  It was after lunch by the time Valko got back. I'd been lurking near the stables, trying to keep my mind busy. I couldn't just walk away though and miss my opportunity, so as soon as I heard the clatter of hooves and tack, I rounded the building and spotted him.

  He caught my gaze, clearly surprised to find me here. "Jaelyn, you're meant to be having the day off."

  "Something has come up, sir. Could I speak with you in private?" I tried not to look desperate, but I knew he'd pick up on the way I was feeling. He was good like that; it made him excellent with his trainees and hunters. He knew when to push and when to back off. How to get people to play to their strengths and shore up their weaknesses.

  "My office, go and wait for me there." With a nod, he dismissed me and finished taking his horse to the stable.

  I didn't wait, just walked ahead, making my way to his room. I paced the floor, ignoring the pieces of paper and maps on the desk, or the books on the shelves. Even the beautiful glint of his prized bow couldn't draw my attention. When he entered and closed the door I sagged in relief, finally able to drop my attempt at hiding my nerves.

  "I need to take some leave," I said, the words rushing out of me.

  "Has there been word from your mother?"

  "No, I…"

  "Out with it, Jae," he said as he sank into his seat on the other side of the desk. "I've got a long day ahead."

  I cut him off by pushing my sleeve up and revealing the Mark to him. His mouth opened and closed, then opened again. He leaned back in his chair and then jumped to his feet and rounded the desk, gripping my arm so tight it hurt.

  "What is this?" His voice was coarse, dark.

  "You know what is it," I hissed back. "I tried to get the Herald to take it back but he can't. Or won't. He says I have to go and reclaim the queen’s relics and then I'll be safe. If I don't get them to Anya in time then our whole queendom will fall. I have to go. Today. And you have to find a reason for me to be gone."

  "I…" He dropped my arm, and then his shoulders sagged and he shook his head. "Yes. Of course. I just…"

  "I don't think I've ever seen you speechless, sir." I used the title to keep a semblance of distance. So I didn't have to admit I was going to be leaving the man who had watched over me since my father’s death.

  "Jae, I'm sorry. I wish there was something I could do."

  "You're doing it. You're going to let me leave. And Thomas."

  His head snapped up, surprise and something else flashing in his eyes. Pleasure? "He finally won you over then," he said with a chuckle. "I knew it was only a matter of time." He shook his head with a sad smile. "It will be harder to cover for both of you, but I'll find a way. At least the princess doesn't know about this."

  "Can we take horses?"

  One of his eyes twitched. I could tell he was trying to decide what was safer. For me, and for him.

  "Best not to, but once you get to the forest, you can trade for some." He crossed the room to the bookshelf and pulled out a thick volume with a red spine. He flipped it open and pulled out a pouch. When he handed it to me, I could feel that it was heavy with money, more than I'd ever seen in my life.

  "I can't take this."

  "You have to. Things cost in the world, and if what you say is true, we all need you to succeed." He pressed the pouch further into my hand and let go. "Try to be safe, will you? Don't go throwing yourself into trouble, because I have a feeling you're going to have enough of it heading your way without attracting more. Can you do that for me?"

  I gave a half-hearted shrug. "I can try."

  "That's all I ask." He pressed his lips into a thin line, like he was trying to stop himself from saying more, and then he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me, pressing a kiss against my head. "Come home when you're done. Because this is your home."

  My heart clenched and I leaned into his embrace. He was physically different from my father, but since that loss, Valko had kept an eye on me, tried to make sure that I felt like I belonged here as much as any of his other hunters. Because I did. I knew that.

  My thoughts sometimes tried to convince me otherwise though.

  "Thank you, for everything," I whispered.

  "It has been my pleasure. Now, get out of here." He let go and stepped back, pressing his lips into a thin, firm line. "Safe hunting."

  "And to you," I said with a nod. I wanted to hug him again, to say something more, but knew that if either of us breached this small barrier there would be tears. His, mine, maybe both of us. And I couldn't afford that right now. With a deep breath I turned and left his office, forcing myself not to look back.

  I would return. I'd come bearing the queen's relics and I'd rid myself of this Mark.

  * * *

  It was several hours later by the time I'd managed to steal away some food from the kitchen and retrieved my weapons from the armory. Thomas had already left, and I would join him as soon as my feet could get me through the rest of the grounds and out the gate. The same one the Herald had left through just this morning.

  Perhaps we would find him somewhere along the way, and if so, I'd pin the infuriating man down and make him give me more of an explanation than he had.

  It wasn't a fair thought, because he was likely just some pawn in the same way I was. Destined to fulfil his role.

  At least I had a way to escape mine, to make my role smaller than queen.

  It took only a few minutes before I heard a rustle in the trees and then Thomas stepped out from behind a bush and jogged to catch up to me on the road.

  "Everything go okay?" he asked. His legs were longer, but he matched his stride to mine.

  "Yeah," I said. "It just… It feels weird, leaving like this."

  "We can sneak out under the cover of darkness if you prefer? We're still close enough to turn back."

  His light tone made me smile, but I shook my head. "No, this is better. At least we can see where we're going, and I can get a decent night’s sleep."

  "Under the stars, just you and me…" His fingers reached for mine and the touch sent a shiver through my body.

  In all my preparations today, I hadn't even stopped to think about what it would mean. Him and I, out in the world, alone together. I interlocked my fingers with his, holding his hand in a way I hadn't done with anyone since childhood. It felt strange, but nice, like it anchored me to the here and now. Kept me safe even when I knew that the road ahead would be rough.

  "That could be fun," I said, trying not to let my grin infect the words. "I guess at least if I get cold you can keep me warm."

  "Even if you're not cold. It would be my pleasure." He gripped my fingers a little tighter and I thought of the way they'd felt this morning, all over my body, inside me.

  "Or mine…"

  He drew me to a stop, coming around so that we were face to face. "Any time you want. This morning…" He licked his lips, looked as though he was trying to figure out the right thing to say. Instead, I kissed him, swallowing his thoughts and words and emotions, returning them with my lips and the passion within them.

  When we finally pulled apart, I pressed a hand to his chest.

  "We are in this together, even if I am the one who is Marked. No matter what."

  "No matter what."

  It was all the promise I ever needed. He was my friend, my lover. My liberator. And no matter what happened, he'd stay with me through this.

  "Come
on," I said. "We better put some distance between us and the castle. We've got a long journey ahead. Maybe once we get to the main road, we can find someone to give us a ride."

  6

  Jaelyn

  It took us until the middle of the next day to make it to the main road between the Court of Stone and Court of Leaves. After finding a safe place to sleep, we'd spent too long exploring each other’s bodies, and then there hadn't really been a lot of time for sleep…

  The freedom that came with being outside of the norms of our life was enticing, exciting. For so long I had abided by every rule that was put in place, had enjoyed the structure and simplicity of my life. But now… Well, I could see that there were other ways to live. Without the princess' shadow over us – over me – I felt freer than I had in a long time.

  Anything was possible.

  Well, after I had managed to secure the relics Anya needed to become the True Queen. Now and then the Mark burned on my arm like it was reminding me of what lay ahead. I'd been trying to ignore it, but it was very hard, like fire was ripping through my flesh. Like the longer I had it on me, the more it would somehow mark my soul.

  The thud of hooves vibrated through the dirt road, slow and steady which suggested there was a wagon approaching. We moved off to the side and looked back to see a man and woman sitting on the front seat of a four-horse wagon. He eyed us warily as Thomas put out a hand in an attempt to flag him down. The wagon slowed, but didn't come to a complete halt, so we had to walk alongside it to be heard.

  "Any chance we could catch a ride with you, friend?" Thomas asked. "We're heading to the Court of Leaves and it's a long way on foot."

  "I'm not a saint, lad. What have you got to offer?" The man looked over us, as if sizing us up, trying to decide whether we were trustworthy. Or whether between us we could overpower him and his wife.

  I glanced to the back of the wagon and spotted a child peering out through the slats on the side, their eyes were wide and fearful. I glanced back to the adults, noting the dark circles under the woman's eyes and the bandage on the arm of the man.

  "Protection," I said, hoping I'd assessed the situation right. "We don't need your food or money, we just need a ride. In return, we'll make sure you get to your destination safely."

  He pulled the wagon to a stop. "Your smart enough to see that we might need it, which means you might actually be able to make a difference." He looked Thomas up and down and then moved his eyes back to me. "And we don't need to feed you?"

  "No, sir. We wouldn't trouble you for a thing, aside from a toilet break now and then." I gave him a wink and a smile, hoping to soften his demeanor a little. His lips twitched as though he might actually smile, but then he pulled his expression back under control.

  "Okay. Sam, come forward and let our guests take the back."

  A little boy climbed over to the front, keeping his eyes low as though he was afraid to look at us. I smiled at him all the same, trying to allay his fears. We might be on the road together for a few days and I didn't want him feeling scared the whole time. When he didn't glance at me though, I made my way to the rear of the wagon and climbed up. Thomas gave me a boost, though I thought that was probably just an excuse to touch my ass more than anything else.

  As soon as we sat down the driver got the horses moving again and we settled into the slow sway of the wagon, which gave us a surprisingly smooth ride, aside from the bumps and dips of the road.

  In the rear of the wagon were a few hay bales, but they seemed to have no purpose other than for sitting on. I guess it kept the horses fed when there wasn't anything else. I'd not had much need to think about long distance travel, or all the things that went into it. I'd done a few overnight hunting trips, but mostly it was just on foot, in the mountains nearby or out on the plains. Keeping the rabbit population down and making sure the boar and deer population were under control.

  This was different. It wouldn't be too long before we left the stretches of vineyard behind, before the plains fell away and we entered a different kind of forest. One not born of mountain air but of valleys and rivers and trees so ancient they probably pre-dated the very first Royal Ascension of the Queens.

  Thomas and I rode in silence, though it wasn't uncomfortable. I wondered if he was thinking about the things we'd left behind as well, if he had any idea what lay ahead of us. Because now that we were moving faster towards my destiny, I couldn't help but ponder it.

  I was going to take some of the most well-loved, honored relics of our queendom. Right out from under the noses of the royal families who inhabited each of the courts. And somehow get them all back to the princess in time for the ceremony which would anoint her as the True Queen.

  The thought made my stomach ache. I was a good hunter, I could be stealthy, I was fit and strong. Technically, I could probably do this, but I had no idea what might be waiting for me. Who would I have to double cross? Would I have to kill? Fight? Maim?

  I swallowed hard and reached over to grip Thomas's hand in mine.

  "Okay?" he asked.

  I nodded but didn't speak, so he squeezed my hand in reassurance and moved closer to me so that our thighs pressed together.

  "It will be," he murmured, pressing a kiss into my hair. I smiled up at him, grateful for his steady presence.

  * * *

  We were on the road again early the next morning. The sun rose over the last of the vineyards and I could see some hills in the distance. Ahead the trees were already thickening and they drew together over the road, making it darker. A shiver ran up my arm and I unslung my bow, nocking an arrow.

  "See something?" Thomas asked in a low whisper.

  "Not yet. Just keep your eyes peeled." He picked his bow up as well, nocking one of his own arrows and moving to the other side of the wagon. The man, whose name was Erralt, glanced back at us, and then hurried the horses on a little.

  They picked up the pace and I knelt on a bale of hay to keep myself steady. My eyes scanned the darkness, the bushes, ears listening for the rustle of leaves or some other giveaway sign. It was the perfect place for an ambush, and that frisson of tension threaded across my skin, like when you know someone is watching you.

  When the movement came, it wasn't from the bushes below, but from the trees. One man swung down and I caught the movement with my eyes, training my arrow on him and letting loose before he'd had a chance to land on the wagon. He cried out in pain and let go of the rope, falling to the ground with a loud thump. Another cry was raised, and then more joined it, the sound echoing weirdly in this place so that I couldn't tell how many men were attacking.

  Thomas made a low groan and I spun to see that one of the men had made it onto the wagon, even with an arrow in his side. He was on top of Thomas, hands gripped around my lover’s throat. My gut clenched and without thinking I moved, pulling the knife from my thigh strap and stepped towards him, stabbing into the artery of his throat and yanking hard. It was a swift kill, if a messy one. But I was a hunter and there was no need to make your prey suffer. It just wasn't a thing I could do.

  Even if that prey was trying to kill someone I cared for.

  The body dropped directly onto Thomas, showering him in blood. I shoved my knife back into its sheath and kicked the corpse off. It rolled with the motion of the wagon, and a little help from Thomas, and when I thrust my hand out for him, he gripped it hard. Together, we got him back upright.

  "You okay?" I asked, grabbing for my bow and scanning around again. Another person was flying towards us and I nocked and shot an arrow, hitting him in his right eye. He fell screaming, but I didn't have time to think about him, I was too worried about Thomas.

  "Yeah, fine. Just. Let's finish this." He reached for his own bow and another arrow. More attackers were coming now, but only two or three, and all on the ground. I guessed we'd finished off the aerial ones.

  I leaned over the side of the wagon and pinged off another few arrows, these ones not quite as accurate as the wagon was moving errat
ically. The horses were spooked and the driver was trying his best to keep them under control. There was a thud and lurch as the animals went right over the top of one of the brigands. The movement knocked me forward and I dropped my bow, trying not to damage it as I fell out of the wagon.

  "Jae!" Thomas' voice was panicked, but I couldn't focus on him now, instead trying to twist my body so that I didn't smash head first into the ground. My body relaxed so as to take the least damage and when I hit the ground I rolled away from the wagon and into the grass at the side of the road.

  I got back to my feet as soon as I could, head feeling slightly groggy from the fall. My vision blurred and then came back into focus as another man approached. He had a sword out and a wicked grin on his face, as if he was going to enjoy skewering me.

  Not today, I thought. Not any day. Though dying at his hands was probably preferable to whatever Anya might do to me.

  That thought sent a flare of anger through me and before I could think too hard about the outcome, I leaped at the man, pushing him to the ground with my body. I whipped my knife out of its sheath again and stabbed him in the face. The blade went through his cheek and he cried out, dropping the sword and his grip on me, to tug at the knife. I sat back, unlocking my thighs from around his body as he writhed on the ground.

  The blood seeped out between his fingers and he was groaning, yelling, but it was all a blur in my ears as I watched him pull himself together and sit up.

  No. No I was not going to die. I fell to my knees and scrabbled for his sword, then took it to his leg, cutting the artery there in order to stay as far away as I could. He flailed, hands moving from his cheek to his leg but there was nothing he could do to stop the flow of blood. My heart pounded in my chest and my dawning horror at what I'd done threatened to consume me, but I moved behind him and yanked my knife from his cheek before dragging it across his throat and putting him out of his misery.