I’m sure at least one of them must have seen something; the castle’s filled with many mysteries, but the staff’s always aware of what’s going on. Rosanna died because of me, leading me to believe the killer’s most likely still lurking within the castle walls. I doubt very much it was the duke, his reaction this morning was confusing to say the least. He was overjoyed to see I was all right, alive and breathing – almost too happy. What was that about?
Lenin’s still offended Cassandra panicked when he and Jetli got near her. Luckily for me he stops talking when we get to the dining room. The atmosphere’s tense and people are glancing around at each other with suspicion. I eat quickly, noticing everyone’s speaking in hushed voices about Rosanna’s murder. Even the guards seem tense, and I spot there’s a few more scattered around than usual.
No one pays any attention to me, so I leave as soon as soon as my stomach’s full. One of the maids who normally works during the night shift is outside, hanging clean linens on the line to dry. I need to be careful what I say, because she might still be in distress after the events of this morning.
“Listen Astri, me and Jetli decided to fly around the place to see if we can find anything out,” Lenin says and I nod, telling them to be careful.
I grip my bow and enter the gate behind the courtyard when someone startles me from behind.
It’s Jorgen and it looks like he’s been out on the grounds for a while.
“My lord, you scared me,” I say, hearing my heart pound loudly inside my chest.
“I apologise. I’ve been looking for you in the castle, but no one could tell me where you were,” he says as we begin walking together.
I can’t get distracted by my feelings. Nothing has changed–I still believe in my visions, but I don’t feel any anger towards him anymore. Maybe I’m past it all now and need to learn how to accept him.
“Late last night, Thayer told me he had to move me to a different chamber. It’s actually the one next to yours, my lord,” I say, trying to ignore the constant tingling moving through my body when he’s near me. I’ve had weeks to deal with it, but nothing’s changed.
“I need to ask him about this when he returns. You have to stop addressing me in such a manner, Astri. Just call me Jorgen, I hate formalities,” he says and I nod silently. We walk towards a tall, green fence, and I unexpectedly want to shift. My inner dragon hasn’t been unleashed since the end of the contest and I’m so fed up just sitting around, doing nothing at all. “This morning, I was convinced you were dead.”
“Rosanna was in my chamber and no one knew I had been moved. Last night Thayer seemed worried about you. He thought it would be easier if I was closer to you,” I explain, wanting to tell him he has to fulfil his promise, and we need to sit down together to discuss my duties.
Jorgen tenses his jaw and sighs loudly.
“My friend, Thayer has been looking after me for years. I should’ve known it was his doing. You have no idea how much of a relief it was to see you alive and well… Cassandra just lost her cousin. For a split second, I thought you were dead,” he says, grabbing my elbow and turning me to face him. I tell myself I don’t feel any gut wrenching heat in the pit of my stomach–it’s a lie of course. His azure eyes are looking through me again, seeing the girl without a scar.
“I want to help with the investigation my … I mean, I can’t be sitting around anymore doing nothing,” I say and Jorgen narrows his eyes, then moves his gaze down my deformed cheek.
“Yes, I understand. I owe you an apology. Ever since we retuned I haven’t been a very good mentor to you Astri, but you must understand I lost everything in the mountains. All because of my own arrogance,” Jorgen says. His bare fingers on my arms feel like fiery flames. It’s unvarying, yet satisfying.
We haven’t really had a chance to talk privately ever since the night we were caught by the storm. I rescued him and we were alone in the mountains, but he was grieving after his dragon then, and his mind was poisoned by wild shifters.
“I need to have something to do, and I understand what you’re going through. I’ve been working since I was fifteen years old. Maybe I should go back to Emilia’s shop in town. If I’m not to be trained or allowed to do anything useful, a life in the castle just isn’t for me,” I tell him, knowing I have nowhere to live, and the cash I managed to save won’t last too long.
Jorgen shakes his head, and his eyes are missing the usual spark. Mages are like shifters, but their magic is much more developed. If anyone were to ever find out the duke isn’t able to shift, he could be banished from Rivenna. His family might turn away from him. The man is suffering, grieving over his inner dragon. I keep telling myself I shouldn’t care, but I can’t help feeling guilty. How can I not care? I was there when the deed was done and I alone share in this constant misery.
“I’m hiring a detective from the city, a mage will investigate the murder. You need to assist him, keep an eye on what’s happening and report to me as often as you can. Cassandra’s devastated and it shouldn’t have happened. I’ve been neglecting you and my duties for too long now, Astri. For that, I apologise. Before the contest began, I had so many plans and aspirations,” he explains. “You’re the only person who knows about what happened in the mountains. The wild shifters haven’t got enough power to act against me or the city of Rivenna and Bratlav won’t dare reveal my secret. Sebastian’s memories were damaged and Elijah was unconscious. I have to find a way to become a shifter again, no matter what–no matter what kind of price I have to pay. There are witches and warlocks blessed with incredible white magic who can help me. I’ve been studying old mage books and a few scrolls of times past while secluding myself.”
I’m relieved when he stops touching me and we carry on walking. Jorgen must realise the “cutting of the mage” ritual is final. The spell can’t be reversed, like my own fire spell which caused the scarring on my face... However, if he can find a witch willing to work with him, I can’t blame him for trying.
“Whatever you need. I want to find out what happened and why this girl was killed. I have a feeling the killer made a mistake and I was the one who was meant to die last night,” I say.
Jorgen doesn’t remember me before the contest and there’s no point hiding the truth from him any longer–he’s most likely not the mage from my past anyway. Something in my gut always told me he wasn’t the one, but I never listened. Maybe now, I should and stop worrying about my vision–focus on my duties and finding out about the mage from the Asian World.
“I’ve sent Thayer on some other business. Earlier on, after we found Rossana’s body, one of my other advisors told me he had directed her to your chamber. Things were hectic last night when they arrived. Cassandra and her shifters showed up unexpectedly,” he explains, but there’s more to it. There’s a foe in the castle or in the city–someone who’s close to the duke and wasn’t afraid to act.
“Lady Cassandra seems nice, I’m sorry about Lenin. He didn’t mean to scare her today,” I lie.
“My father’s been feeling much better in the past two weeks. Two days ago, he woke up from his lethargic state and became lucid again,” Jorgen explains and I’m glad to hear Hans is recovering.
A few weeks ago, he was almost gone from this world. Many shifters in the city believed he was never going to get better. It seems the potion from the magic dragon’s cup worked better than anyone expected. “He reminded me that many years ago, he made an agreement with Cassandra’s father. I should’ve been married years ago, but I never found the right person. Now Cassandra’s here and she’s expecting me to propose to her,” he says, looking down at his feet.
I open my mouth to congratulate him but no sound passes through my lips. Suddenly my throat feels tight. A marriage?
Of course, Jorgen’s in his mid-thirties, and the general perception is he should be married and settled by now. Her unexpected visit makes perfect sense. Jorgen’s father has been searching for allies; he built many successful relationships over
the years. Jorgen must follow down the path of his father. Hans’ wife died during childbirth, and he never remarried.
There have been rumours that other countries were after Rivenna’s natural resources. The city is unique, the Black Forest, mountains and Shadow Cave are well known throughout the entire Eastern World.
I don’t know what to say or how to react, but my heart’s sinking and beating way too fast. I need to forget about my feelings–about the overwhelming sensations I have when I’m with him–the overpowering attraction–all of it. The duke’s expected to propose to Cassandra, a mage from another clan–a mage who has royal blood running through her veins–a perfect match for him as far as bloodlines go. I hate her.
“Yes, it’s the right thing to do my lord,” I mumble, as heat envelops my cheeks when Jorgen’s eyes follow down toward my lips. I know he finds my scar repulsive. I remember what he said and the way he looked at me the evening when we stood outside the castle hiding from the storm–the way I would never fit into his perfect world.
“Is that what you think? Do you really believe she’s the right person for me, Astri?” he asks, and the intensity in his eyes is causing all kinds of havoc inside my body.
I want to shut down my inner voices, and just stick to hating him, but I can’t.
“It’s not my place to tell you what to do, Jorgen,” I admit, begrudgingly. He seriously doesn’t want my honest opinion. Besides, it wouldn’t be appropriate. I’d most likely come across as a jealous school girl anyway.
Then he does something completely out of character. He lifts his hand and caresses my cheek. Blossoming warmth invades my veins and I feel like we’re both suspended in that one perfect moment.
“I trust you, but my dragon’s gone and I’m not a mage anymore. I can’t propose to Cassandra just yet. First, I need to find a way to reverse “the cutting of the mage” ritual, and bring back my beast,” he says, locking his eyes with mine.
My head’s filled with too much fluff and my hormones are preventing me from thinking straight. I’m not a little girl anymore and my experiences with men are pathetic. Maybe it’s time to change that–time to find myself a boyfriend who can help me deal with my emotions. “Later on, I’ll introduce you to the mage who’ll be leading the investigation and please try keeping Lenin and Jetli away from Cassandra. She’s in pieces, and she needs to avoid stress.”
“Yes, no problem,” I say, Jorgen smiles and removes his hand from my face. Slowly, my body temperature goes back to normal. I finally remember I’m supposed to keep on breathing.
I watch him walking away, wondering if he has any real feelings for Cassandra. I can’t imagine marrying someone I don’t love or care for. In the past, I never worried about this, but now I’m older, and sooner or later I might have to think about finding a suitable mate.
Soon I start walking, thinking about what he said, about the agreement his father made with Cassandra’s father. The duke is thirty-two, and he needs an heir. That marriage is suitable and it’ll benefit the city, I suppose.
Jorgen isn’t my problem anymore–he’s no one and I can’t keep worrying about his future. I need to start thinking about me and my own future for a change.
“Marry her Jorgen, marry Cassandra and then you’ll see. She’ll be your greatest downfall,” I say, pushing my own deep emotions away. Jorgen’s never going to see a real woman within me. A loveless marriage is miserable, especially to someone like her. If he wants to suffer even more–it’s on him now. And his marriage to Cassandra will do just that.
Chapter 4
Lucas.
After my conversation with Jorgen, I go for a run around the Black Forest to clear my head. I’m angry with myself that I let him touch me, especially after his confession about Cassandra.
Fiery tendrils travel down my spine, spreading further to every nook and cranny of my body. Jorgen’s news shakes me to the core. Now I know he’s never going to see me as anyone other than, Astri–his assistant. Cassandra is perfect for him, and she’s a mage. Just perfect.
An hour later, I get back to the castle, hoping my Pixies didn’t get into any trouble. The silence in the corridor sends waves of nausea in my stomach. I don’t know if the girl’s parents have been informed or not, but Rosanna deserves a proper burial. The news about her death must have already reached the city, and I need to visit Emilia. It’s been a few days since I helped her with the shop. She’s been swamped with work lately and I feel like I’m intruding every time I show up unannounced.
I grab a towel and wipe my face. I still feel odd staying so close to Jorgen, knowing he’s just behind the far wall. What if Cassandra pays him a visit late at night and I have to listen to the two of them making out? The thought disgusts and rattles me even further.
I shake my head, reminding myself the duke’s love life is none of my business and I shouldn’t be bothering myself thinking about the two of them. Moments later, I spot a flask filled with blue liquid on the table with the note that says:
“Just a boost of energy. You need it after last night.”
I smile to myself, knowing Emilia must have sent it over; one of the maids left it on the table. My old boss is so thoughtful and it seems the news about Rosanna’s death has gotten to her already. I unscrew the top, knowing it’s exactly what I need right now. A boost of pure magic will inject me with thriving energy.
“Bottoms up,” I mutter, lifting the flask to my lips, when a sudden force knocks the flask out of my hand. I drop to my knees and it smashes to pieces, then blue liquid spreads everywhere.
Lenin and Jetli fly through the window.
“It’s a poison, Astri! Someone spiked it with dark magic,” Lenin screams, flying in front of my face and Jetli keeps cocking her head to the side, her eyes widen with concern.
I look to the floor, seeing for myself the blue liquid’s burning a hole in the rug, releasing acrid smoke. My heart nearly stops, and I glance at the message again.
“How did you two know? For Hommis, I thought the flask was from Emilia. I went for a run earlier after I met with Jorgen on the grounds,” I say, sensing dark magic drifting around the room. The burning smell drifts around the chamber, irritating my eyes. This potion must have been really strong, and Jetli’s already spreading her pixie dust around, while my heart beats loudly in my chest.
“We sensed you were in danger, so we flew over here as fast as we could, like during the contest. Our magic only reaches so far,” Lenin shouts flying around, examining bits of the flask.
I flop down on the chair, and wipe the sweat off my head, feeling exhausted all of a sudden. Now I know for sure someone’s trying to kill me and it’s not Jorgen. He was with me only a moment ago.
“Thank you guys. If wasn’t for you two, I’d be dead already,” I say, thinking about poor Rossana. She was innocent, and she shouldn’t have died. I really need to get to the bottom of what’s going on around here. “Someone in the castle wants me dead. Now we have a proof.”
“You’re one of the last shifters in the Wyvern’s clan. Maybe someone found out. The lupus station broadcasted the competition to the entire Eastern World,” Lenin says, scratching his chin. And Jetli nods enthusiastically agreeing with him.
“Someone must have slipped into my chamber and left it for me. I thought it was another present from Emilia,” I repeat more to myself, and when I look closely I see it’s not her hand writing. I’ve worked with her for years, and her letters are curly with funny shapes.
“Don’t worry, Astri. From now on me and Jetli won’t leave your side. Whoever’s after you has to go through us first!” Lenin shouts, and starts showing me his tiny muscles. Jetli doesn’t look too amused, still staring down at the potion and the holes in the carpet. I need to be more vigilant and figure out who’s behind Rosanna’s killing, otherwise my problems are far from over.
A few days later, Rossana’s body’s transported back to Laehori. I pray to Hommis for her soul, hoping she’ll rest in peace. Cassandra doesn’t ch
ange her plans. She’s staying in Rivenna and sooner or later I won’t be able to avoid her. I see her mainly during meal times, and even then she doesn’t stop flirting with Jorgen.
The gossip and rumours about the recent murder in the palace are already out on the streets of Rivenna. Yesterday, Lenin overheard how one of the mages was hanging around the staff quarters interviewing the maids who was working during the night when Rossana was stabbed. I have a feeling it’s the detective Jorgen talked to me about when we met outside the castle. We haven’t had a chance to be introduced yet and I want to find out who he is.
The duke looks a little better, and now he has no other choice but to carry on with his usual duties. He can no longer hide in his chamber, besides Cassandra’s always all over him and we haven’t had a chance to speak again since our meeting on the grounds. He needs to know about the poison left in my chamber.
I stuff my face with toast and eggs when Cassandra passes by my table. Falcon, her mysterious guard, glances at me, and his dark eyes study me for a long moment while I sit here, minding my own business. I try to ignore them both, and consider going to see Jorgen later on. It’s a shame Thayer’s still out of the country. At least he can find something for me to do. Occasionally my magic starts getting out of control, and a few times in the past, he gave me a few tips, showing me how to deal with my overwhelming power.
In a way, I don’t need to worry about improving my skills right now, because that’s not exactly a priority at the moment. The potion in my chamber only confirmed Rosanna wasn’t supposed to die that night. The Pixies are stealing eggs from my plate, distracting me from serious thoughts. I need to pay a visit to one of the maids or speak to Jorgen directly about working closely with the detective who hasn’t made his appearance yet. Yesterday, I overheard a maid’s conversation, apparently Anna didn’t show up for her shift the next day. I suspect she must have been working the night Rosanna died. No one in the castle’s pursuing this lead. Susan, one of the other maids gave me her address because she hadn’t heard from her. She mentioned Anna really needs this job, and the money; her sudden disappearance seems suspicious.
Wyvern's Secret Page 3
