She shouldn’t want him. This was fleeting and impulsive. Even if it wasn’t for Darren, she was Caliana Brahmvir, Princess of Zara. He was a pirate. For all she knew, he would forget her the minute he got his prize.
“You can ask another question, if you’d like,” she said. “That much I can give you.”
He studied her as though he could see everything hiding within her heart. She singed under the heat of his gaze, suddenly dreading whatever he might say.
He folded his arms. “Why did you want to find these gardens?”
“To see the beautiful flowers,” she hedged.
“Flowers you seem to have never seen before.”
Her pulse picked up speed. “Of course I’ve seen these before.”
“You’re mesmerized by them, as you were by the birds. You exclaimed you’d never seen birds like that. And I’m betting you’ve never seen these flowers before either. What would this one be called?” He fingered the petals of a large, fuchsia bud, half-closed as if the bloom were suddenly bashful. It lit the palm of his hand with a pink glow.
“Now you’re quizzing me?”
“You told me you were sick growing up. But I’ve had to learn quite a bit about you before our arrival, and from what I’ve heard, you had no such illness. I think there’s more to you than you’re telling me, Princess Soraya. Are you only now being allowed freedom because you’ll be turning eighteen soon? You asked if I grew up on the sea. But I’m very curious about where—and how—you grew up.”
Cali was affronted. She lifted her chin—how dare he question her like this? No matter what he thought, she was still a princess. “We’ll have to play a lot more games for me to answer all those questions. And I’m tired. You found the garden, but who’s to say I didn’t already know where it was?”
A crevice bent his forehead. “So you were toying with me, then? I don’t believe it. Your admiration of the aviary and naiveté about its location were all too genuine.”
“I said it was a game, didn’t I?” She hated this whole situation. These lies made her seem flighty and untrustworthy, two traits she loathed in a person. She wasn’t the kind of girl who would deceive anyone, and she couldn’t figure out this sick sensation in her stomach. It was almost like disgust, not with herself, but that he would think something so small and slippery of her.
He was meant to be the bad guy, not her. And what did she even care what he thought of her?
“You walk around this place like you’re the guest here,” he said. “Not me.”
“You have no right to question me.” She straightened her shoulders, turning her princess charisma on full force.
He laughed at this. “I have every right. It was part of the rules you established! You even told me I could have a question tonight in place of a kiss.”
Her cheeks heated. She felt such the fool—she was tempted to tell him everything. Who she really was, what she was doing here. But she still needed to return to the garden in the morning, to get the rest of the plants she needed, and then she was leaving. She would never return to Lunae Lumen. What did it matter what this rogue of a pirate prince thought of her?
Cali worked to keep her voice steady. She couldn’t bear to tell more lies than she already had, and she had no clue what to say in response to his questions. Of course she’d never seen the gardens or the birds here. She should have done a better acting job, she supposed, but it was too late now.
“Your father barged in, making threats against the king and this kingdom,” she said. “You are being forced on me, and I’m doing my best to accommodate your wishes as well as the king’s, but have you ever considered my feelings about any of it? What do you care whether I know my way around the palace, or if I know every inch of it? You mean to take everything anyway, so you’ll forgive me if I don’t open up to you about every aspect of my past at this particular point.”
The smirk wiped clean from his face, replaced by calculation. Mouth turning down, he remained solemn and silent.
“Thank you for finding the gardens. Now if you’ll excuse me.”
She whirled and marched away from him with as much dignity as she could muster.
Chapter 12
Cali couldn’t manage a smile the next morning. She allowed the maids to bathe and dress her, requesting they pull her raven hair away from touching her face and neck. She couldn’t bear to have it hanging down today. They dressed her in a stunning azure day dress with layers of fabric that gave just enough swish when she moved. The blue silk was embroidered with metallic shades of orange that were somewhere between sunlight and nectarines, and it made her feel as though she were wearing the sky at dusk.
It was so much livelier than what she wore back home. Everything here bespoke of life and light, the startling crystal zing of an orange bursting on her tongue and the wafting hazy fragrance of jasmine and sandalwood. She wasn’t sure if it was the reflection of the ocean or the vibrant vegetation, but something about Lunae Lumen was just brighter.
Right now, she didn’t want brighter. She wanted home—her own bed, servants she knew, the monotony of daily palace life, sneaking notes to Darren and waiting eagerly for his replies. No lies. No confusion. And no pirates asking pesky questions.
“You look lovely,” Princess Soraya said from behind her. Cali faced her, startled again at just how similar they were, with their black tresses glistening like obsidian against their pale complexions.
“Thank you, Princess. I wonder if I might make a request?”
Soraya’s brow twitched. “Certainly.”
“I’d love to learn more about the plants and vegetation that grows here. Does the glitz foil plant you gave me actually contain magic?”
“Many of our plants do,” she said. “Glitz foil is also a sedative that can bring on relaxation.”
“And it’s the magic of the plant that causes it to glow the way it does when I rub it between my fingers?”
“Yes. If you’d like, I can have a book of plants brought to your room. I’ll even show you the gardens—or rather, I’ll have someone show them to you, as I can’t very well be seen beside you. We have a beautiful garden that I love to explore. There is even a maze on the palace grounds planted many years ago. At its center is a lovely statue of the Goddess Undine herself.”
A statue of Undine? There’d been a picture in the book Ayat had given her to read, but Cali was curious just the same. She still wasn’t sure how one person could be so heralded here, yet so hated at home. “I admit I’m confused. In Zara, we reference Undine Daray, but not like you do.” She decided it was best not to call her a sea witch.
“She’s not a goddess to you?”
“I—er—no, she isn’t.”
“Undine is our very source of magic. We owe her everything.” Soraya said this with complete reverence.
“How is that possible?” Cali asked.
“Does the royal family not have magic in Zara? Your queen? Your princess?”
Cali felt the sting of the question, hating the way it made her feel like she lacked something vital. “No, the princess doesn’t have magic.”
Soraya pursed her lips into a thin line. “Did the king and queen marry by tournament laws?”
Only princesses had magic. That much Cali already knew. But Soraya’s question literally wiped Cali’s mind blank. “What are tournament laws?”
Soraya glanced at her reflection in the mirror, swiping a finger to the corner of her eye as if touching up the black liner feathering at the corners. “All the magic we have access to is because of Undine’s goodness. She initiated tournament marriage ceremonies as a means for us to access that magic, because the thing she values most is love and new beginnings—new life. A child born of a tournament marriage is granted the gift. She is always female.”
“Always a princess,” Cali muttered, remembering this part of things at least. Why hadn’t her parents had this tournament marriage? Was it not granted to them in Zara? In any case, it explained why Cali had no magi
c. Her parents married for love, as far as she knew, not as the result of one of these tournaments.
“What happens during the tournaments?”
“Men display their worthiness to wed the princess of the land,” Soraya said, speaking with sparkle-dusted hope. “They display feats of bravery and loyalty. Trying to outshine any others, they race to win her. Love is often found there, too. My parents met when my father competed for my mother’s hand. And the goddess Undine blessed the match.”
It all sounded so romantic, at least hearing Soraya’s description. To have a gaggle of men fighting for a princess’s hand. Cali pitied Soraya for a moment. Thanks to the Kelseys, she wouldn’t get her tournament now.
“That’s why you didn’t want to meet Bae.” It wasn’t only this guard she’d kissed the other day, or a mutual dislike for pirates. Soraya wanted her own tournament.
“I want the goddess’s blessing on my marriage. It’s the only way my future daughter can access the same power I have, the same power my mother had.”
“Why is it only princesses who have magic?” Cali had wondered the same thing many times, but her parents never had adequate answers.
The question seemed to stump Soraya. “This is just so strange you don’t know this! I’m not sure, maybe for the same reason other privileges are granted to princesses? The privilege and responsibility of ruling a country should be granted some extra help.”
“And Undine? You said she’s the goddess of life?” Cali still couldn’t fathom it. Undine choreographed ruination and despair. She led a symphony of sorrow in her wake. Every soul that passed through life went into her torturous keeping.
Perhaps that was how Undine could be a goddess here. She had to create life from the death in her path.
“She instilled magic in plants as well—especially in the moonlight. Anything with new life, anything deserving, you can be sure to find Undine watching over it. Not everyone can wield magic, but everyone can access it just the same…which is her way of making it right. Medicines are also made from these herbs. They all help with life.”
“Interesting,” Cali said.
“What about you? You said your people speak of her. How do you view Undine?”
Cali didn’t want to expound, not after the glowing praise Soraya had just shared. How could Cali tell her of the grudges Undine held over those who didn’t offer homage at the boundary every year, of the necrosis sweeping her homeland that was Undine’s way of punishing them for a crime they didn’t know they’d committed?
A trickle of doubt cracked through her certainty, though. Was Undine really as awful as everyone claimed? Cali hadn’t ever seen the sea witch do any of the awful things people claimed she did. The more she thought about it, the more it seemed Undine was used as a scapegoat, a bogeyman, someone to blame when there was no one else.
If that was true, when did that start? And why?
“It must not be the same person,” Cali said, hoping it was enough to sway Soraya.
“It may take me a few hours to send for the book,” Soraya said. “I’m still not sure which guards I can trust, and new maids keep getting sent to my room. I don’t know if Ayat hired them, or if something else is going on.”
“You think Captain Kelsey is still trying to supplant your staff?”
“Is that crazy of me?” Soraya chewed her lip.
“Not at all,” Cali said. “It makes sense, actually, to throw you both off base so you don’t know who you can trust.”
Soraya walked toward the door separating their rooms, unease weighing on her shoulders.
“You should know—” Cali said hesitantly. Should she tell Soraya what happened the previous evening? “Bae came to my room last night. He escorted me down to the gardens with him.”
Soraya’s eyes widened. “When?”
“Just before midnight. I—nothing happened. I’ve made him no promises on your behalf. In fact, the more we talk, the more distant we’re growing.”
Relief was visible on Soraya’s face. “Perfect. As it should be.”
Cali didn’t tell her of his request, of the prize he desired, or how Cali secretly wondered what kissing the pirate prince would be like. She hadn’t been able to get it off her mind as she’d drifted off to sleep when she’d returned to her room. His gaze had just the right amount of invitation and intrigue.
“You know you’re expected to accompany him today as well, don’t you?” Soraya said.
The comment held too much command in it for Cali’s comfort. It’s okay, she told herself. Soraya still thinks I’m a servant.
“Where will you be? With your guard?”
Soraya dipped her chin, but it didn’t hide the becoming flush of rose-petal pink. “I haven’t seen him in a few days. I hope he hasn’t been replaced.”
“Can you contact him?” Cali asked, a small plan brewing.
“I’ll try,” the other princess said. “But I’m also going to try to find where my father and Captain Kelsey are meeting and see what I can glean from it.”
“Eavesdrop, you mean.”
Soraya nodded, looking shaken. “I shouldn’t even be telling you this.”
Cali squeezed her arm. “You need someone on your side. And I am, Princess. I’m on your side.”
Soraya nodded again, gratitude in her gaze.
“You should be in those meetings,” Cali said. “You’ll soon be the crowned princess. This is your kingdom—you need to be aware of what’s happening. Your father really should consider your voice and opinion.”
“I can’t be present when they think you’re me.”
“You could dress as a guard! Borrow a uniform from—”
“Roland.”
“Roland! Or use it to sneak away, to find the missing guards or contact the general of your army.”
Anger flickered, adding renewed color to Soraya’s cheeks. “I suggested contacting our general, but my father wouldn’t hear of it. Not until he finishes his discussion. It’s almost—”
She rolled her eyes, clamping her lips shut.
“What?” Cali prodded.
“It’s almost as though my father wants to lose his kingdom. I know that sounds ridiculous, but I can’t think of any other reason he would allow Captain Kelsey to behave this way. He doesn’t tolerate insubordination in other circumstances. I can’t help but wonder if this has been somehow staged.”
“Strange,” Cali said, thinking it over. “I’ll see what I can get Bae to tell me today. And please, if you can get me that book on plants, I would greatly appreciate it.” More than Soraya knew. Two more days. The clock was ticking. Hold on, Darren.
Cali made her way downstairs, eager to sneak a peek at the gardens in the daylight. She slipped past the aviary and out the door Bae had guided her through.
The air was as muggy as steam. Squared-off hedges lined a row of curved arches dripping with foliage and closed blossoms. Bushes with bell-shaped buds that had held jewel tones beneath the moonlight were now muted, dimmer somehow, less vibrant. They no longer dipped down to check their reflections in the pond but tucked their heads as if sleeping. A pathway led past the concrete jungle covered with crawling vines to where a pair of men in white uniforms knelt to cultivate earth around a section of smaller pea-green plants with long sprouts spearing upward.
Cali wasn’t sure where to start. Last night, she hadn’t realized how expansive the gardens were.
“I thought I’d find you here.”
Her pulse drummed out a faster rhythm.
Bae rose from his place on the stone bench just inside the arborvitae wall. He was in a loose shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows, and slim breeches tucked into scuffed black boots. His dark hair was slicked back to one side, adding to his impression of utter and complete rascality.
“Good morning,” she said stiffly. Their argument was all too fresh on her mind—as was his request for a kiss and the way he’d nearly spellbound her into agreeing. She waited for him to mention her abrupt departure or to
voice some other disappointment.
He can be disappointed all he wants, she thought, trying far too hard not to look at his mouth.
A fountain trickled somewhere nearby. It was the only source of sound between them.
He stooped and plucked the stem of a purple flower with a generous, wilting blossom, as if the plant was somehow saddened. “I hope you have no other games in mind today,” he said, twirling the flower between his fingers. “Because I have something else planned for us.”
She glanced at the luscious garden, duller now in the daylight, remembering its electrifying colors and secluded pathways begging to be explored. This was where she needed to be. But she still didn’t know the plant names, so until Soraya got her that book, it wouldn’t do Cali much good to wander around greenery she couldn’t identify.
The king’s voice rang through her mind. She was to distract the pirate prince until they could finish their business. If she didn’t, her opportunity to search would be gone as well.
Hopefully, Soraya was wrong about what that business entailed. No king Cali knew of would deliberately plot with pirates to give away his kingdom.
“What is that?” she asked resignedly.
Bae offered her a hand, but she crossed her arms over her chest.
A maddening smirk stole across his lips. “Come now, I thought we were friends.”
“That remains to be seen after our conversation last night.”
“One quarrel doesn’t make us enemies.”
“But the fact you’re here to steal my kingdom does.” There. Soraya would be proud of her for that one.
He drew nearer. “I told you…I’m not stealing anything here.”
What did he mean? Did he not want to rule Lunae Lumen? “That doesn’t change anything, considering the fact you’re here.”
Princess of Death Page 10
