Crimson Bird 3

by L B Keen

  She shook her head. This wasn’t real, she told herself, closing her eyes against it. It was a dream. She turned her back to it, trying to block out the screaming. When she heard nothing, she hesitantly dropped her hands and turned and glanced over, only to find herself staring at a little boy.

  As she turned, her eyes looking around the sky color of the bedchamber, something about it was familiar. She couldn’t help but move closer to the little boy who sat near a bed. The curtain hanging from the canopy blocked her view of the person in the bed. All she could see was the pale hand the little boy held onto tightly.

  She moved close enough to hear his words.

  “Mother… please don’t leave me,” he begged between sniffles, as he rubbed his hand against hers. “I-I’ll be a better son. I promise I won’t hit anyone else ever again.”

  His words somehow tugged at her heart strings. Stopping behind him, Bird reached out, pulling the canopy back to view the supposed “mother”, but she regretted her choice immediately when she felt her mouth and eyes widen in horror.

  The “mother” was a rotting corpse. Eyes and mouth wide open, stuck in the morbid moment of death. The flesh was covered with white maggots, who seemed to grow fat before her eyes. Dropping the curtain, she turned to run, only to find the red-eyed boy staring at her blankly.

  A pounding at the door jerked her attention from him.

  “They’re coming.”

  She jerked her eyes back to him. He repeated his words again, this time, yelling, “They’re coming, wake up! WAKE UP!”

  The door slammed open and a darkness rushed at her. Bird jerked her arms up as she was wrapped up by it.

  “Princess! Princess! Kahlia!”

  Light suddenly flooded her sight and Bird jerked up, sucking in air. Her eyes frantically searched the dimly lit bedroom as the candles flickered. She could still hear the child’s screaming in her ears. She rubbed a hand against her chest; it hurt.

  “Princess?”

  She glanced over at Fi before dropping her gaze back to her lap. “You woke me?” she asked dully.

  Fi nodded, her voice filled with trembling worry. “You were sweating, but when I checked on you, your eyes were open and you were crying.”

  Hearing this, Bird jerked a hand up to her face and felt the wet residue of her past tears. She’d been crying? “Was there anything I said?”

  Fi shook her head. “No, nothing.”

  Nodding at her answer, Bird dropped her arm, only to pause when she saw something odd on her arm. Making sure Fi hadn’t seen it, she asked the girl to fetch her some water. Making sure Fi had moved far enough away, she slipped her legs from the bed. Tossing her covers aside, she moved her arms closer to the light.

  A dark line appeared from the palm of her hand to her inner elbow. It was slightly jagged. Reaching out, she gently pressed it, only to hiss out at the knife-like pain it brought. Unsure of what it meant, she lowered her arm quickly when Fi brought her water.

  She would inquire about it to Essa tomorrow.

  Chapter Five

  The minute Bird was able to lose Fi in the garden, she approached Essa, who was leisurely watching Faiza toss gold cones into the fountain.

  “Kahlia!”

  Faiza spotted her first, and with no thought to her training, she ran at her. Bird couldn’t keep her stoic expression around the younger girl, and with a smile, she eagerly welcomed the girl’s hug. She held the little girl close and inhaled her scent of chocolate and rust incense. Faiza pulled back and looked up at her bright purples sparkling. “Have you come to play with me?”

  Giving Faiza a mock sad expression, Bird shook her head. “Unfortunately, I’ve come to speak with Essa.”

  “Aw,” Faiza whined. She pulled away from Bird fully and crossed her arms, giving Bird an annoyed look. “You never play with me anymore!”

  Kneeling and meeting Faiza’s annoyed gaze, she reached out and rested her hand against Faiza’s cheek, and gave her a soft smile. “You are right. I’ve erred in my attendance to your majesty.” She lowered her hands, taking Faiza’s. “What if… we all go play Octin and wolf after I’ve finished speaking with Essa, huh?”

  Octin and wolf was likened to a game of hide and seek in Britain. Faiza loved the game fiercely and she especially enjoyed doing the hunting. Bird knew this, and as she expected, Faiza’s face brightened at her words. She dropped her arms and exclaimed excitedly, “Really!?”

  Bird smiled. “Yes, really.”

  Quickly thinking, Faiza lifted her pinky. “Promise?”

  “Ah, our majesty is a shrewd deal maker.”

  Glancing up, Bird found Essa looking at them with amusement.

  Rolling her eyes, Bird grasped Faiza’s pinky with her own. “I promise.”

  “Yay!” Faiza shouted before she ran back to her fountain, yelling over her shoulder, “Don’t forget!”

  Bird stood, waving at her. “I won’t!”

  They both watched her till she’d run around the fountain and out of sight. “Where are her servants?” Bird asked, lowering her arm.

  “Well… I’m sure they have been frantically searching for her in the nursery,” Essa said thoughtfully, but it was clear she found it amusing. “I believe you’ve negatively affected the princess’ daughter.”

  She scoffed as she gave Essa a mock annoyed look. “I believe that I’ve done nothing more than simply played with her. She was born a hellion. I’ve no influence over her behavior.”

  Essa gave her a doubtful look. “Hmm, if that is what you believe.” Turning, she faced Bird fully. “You wished to see me?”

  Bird nodded. Dropping her smile, she gave a quick glance to their surroundings. Though she’d commanded her retinue of servants to stay within the hallway, she couldn’t be sure they were alone. Moving in closer, she reached out and took Essa’s hand. Keeping her voice low, she spoke softly, “You were trained in the healing arts, were you not?”

  Essa, unsure of why Bird was acting suspicious, gave a nod. “Yes, but why? Are you feeling ill?”

  Bird shook her head. Now taking a step closer, she glanced over her shoulder before she lifted the wide opening of the sleeve of her gown. Luckily, she’d been dressed in the morning in a single slip and over gown for the lunch she was required to attend later in the afternoon.

  Essa, in curiosity, glanced down before a small crease appeared on her forehead. “What is that?”

  “That is why I sought you,” Bird said eagerly, lifting her arm so that she could have a clearer view of the mark. “I awoke from a dream, only to find this here.”

  “Here.” Essa reached out with both hands and let her thumbs rest along the sides of Bird’s forearm. Her hands were warm and comforting. Bird wondered if this was the reason Essa was lauded for her skills, though many hadn’t bothered to argue for her to stay when she’d been offered to the night court. “Does it hurt?”

  Bird shook her head. “Not anymore, but when I’d awoken, it stung as if freshly cut.”

  “Really?!” Essa exclaimed, meeting her gaze, worry leaking into her own. “Do you remember what you dreamed of?”

  At this question, Bird felt a lump form in her throat. How could she begin to explain what she’d seen, heard? It was as if a door had been ripped open, and she’d felt everything and anything all in one fell swoop. Talon. She’d dreamed of Talon, but had her hate been so deep that she wished him to experience such torture.

  Her mouth grew dry as she stared into space. Goosebumps grew from nowhere, and as if an instinctive knowledge hid among the twisted roots and thick layers of leaves of the garden that surrounded them, her stomach twisted. She winced, her heart stilling for only a second.

  “Kahlia?”

  Blinking rapidly, Bird refocused on Essa and shook her head. “I-I can’t remember…”

  “Oh,” Essa said, as she returned her gaze to the wound before giving a short nod, muttering a few Katarian words under her breath, and blowing gently on the wound.

  Feeling heat
against her chilled skin caused Bird to flinch, but she quickly stilled when Essa clicked her tongue at her.

  Essa hadn’t thought much of Bird’s wound, though it wasn’t a wound, truly more of a faded scar. She wasn’t used to being sought for help from the rebellious princess, and she was glad it happened to her before being shipped off to marry.

  As she felt the familiar sting in her eyes, she allowed the ancient blood in her heart to awaken and tilted her head closer to it, only to stiffen at the sight of black energy fluttering around the wound.

  Her heart froze. Someone was cursing Princess Kahlia and… Her eyes narrowed as she watched the black flash red and brilliant blue. It was triggering Kahlia as of yet tapped magic.

  “Is something wrong?”

  Hearing the clear worry in Kahlia’s voice, Essa quickly dropped her arm and smiled, not allowing her worry to show. “I-it’s nothing. I simply drifted off.”

  “Drifted off?” Bird repeated. “How could you possibly drift off when you’re supposed to be making sure this isn’t a problem?” she said incredulously.

  Laughing, Essa patted her forearm. “Ah, don’t sound so worried. It’s nothing serious.”

  Suspicious, Bird glanced from her arm to Essa, her eyes reflecting her disbelief. “Are you sure it’s nothing? It really did hurt this morning.”

  “I don’t believe it’s anything serious,” Essa repeated, but she added, “it could be something that should be inspected. I’ll ask my mother about it.”

  “No one else can know!” Bird sharply said, drawing her arm in close. “Don’t wish to cause any issue just yet.”

  “I won’t tell her for who I’m asking,” Essa said quickly. “I will simply inform her it was a question from one of the maids.”

  Relaxing at this, Bird nodded, her mind drifting to what it could be that would cause her body to react in such a way.

  Essa, who was deep in thought about who would be daring enough to curse the princess, asked once more, “Are you sure you do not remember what you dreamed about previous to gaining this scar?”

  “No,” Bird said once again, her voice adamant. “I can’t seem to recall what it was about.”

  “Hm,” was all Essa said, as she half-turned when she heard someone coming.

  Both women found themselves looking at Fi, who gave them both a short curtsy in greeting. “Princess Kahlia and Lady Essa, both of you have been called to the main parlor.”

  Sharing a glance, both women gave a short nod and quickly followed Fi from the garden, Bird swiftly covering her mark.

  Chapter Six

  Entering the main solar which was often used for family meetings, both Essa and Bird were unsure why they’d both been called. If it had only been Bird, she would have known that it was to do with her behavior at the formal greeting the day before.

  She wasn’t ashamed of her actions and would gladly say so. She’d come to realize she truly wished to tear herself away from her obligations. Marrying a stranger wasn’t what she wished to do, and in doing so, she would only be condemning herself to the same hell she’d been consigned to prior to her coming to Katari.

  As she and Essa passed the guards who stood near the entrance, they were both greeted by the sight of King Alma, Bird’s father, and the queen, followed by First Consort Osis.

  Fadi stood aside, her lips pursed near Vasir. Bird recognized the men who stood behind them; it was her mother’s closest servants, Abdullah and Wedad.

  They continued walking deeper into the room, stopping just short from where the three people stood.

  Bird could feel Essa’s anxious aura, while she forced herself to remain calm. She met her father’s stare boldly. She would not cower here.

  Her father spoke first. “Your behavior, your insolence the day prior… What do you have to say for yourself?” Her father’s tone held no emotion, but though he stood with legs braced apart, and hands held behind his back, Bird could see the tension in his body as he held himself ramrod straight. His eyes reflected hers currently in their dark coloring.

  Thinking quickly, Bird released a soft sigh. “I’ve no excuse for it,” she said simply. She glanced at her mother. “I wished to go along with your wishes, as well as mother’s that I marry, but…”

  “But?” her father repeated, urging her to continue.

  Steeling herself, Bird continued, “I couldn’t. I couldn’t bring myself to feel at ease with the idea of being sold once more.”

  “Sold?!” Her father’s expression turned incredulous. “You accuse me, your father, of selling you?!” He moved then, bringing his feet together. His eyes bled dark purple, becoming plum colored. “I am king. I’ve no need to sell my daughter!”

  He ended with his voice raised. Those within the room stiffened, but no one dared to cringe or show any visible emotion. With teeth gritted, King Alma continued, “You have been given the honor of carrying the title of Princess. It is your honor to be given such a boon of marriage.”

  “A boon?” Bird scoffed. “Tis no boon when I’m being bid to make the choice you are unwilling to.”

  “Kahlia!”

  Bird ignored her mother’s caution and stepping forward, raised her voice with eyes narrowed. “I did not know I would be brought home to my own people and live out three months of freedom, only to have to pay for such pleasure with my body and very soul!”

  Her father’s eyes widened at her accusation.

  “I did not know that the only difference between a slave and a princess would be the master they served. Am I to never have control of my destiny, my life?!”

  “You dare to compare me, your father, to those barbaric slavers of the north?!” Alma roared. Turning his angry eyes towards Osis, he spat, “This is the result of your training?”

  “Do not blame my mother!” Bird shouted, recapturing his attention. She glared at him just as fiercely as he glared at her. “She is not the reason behind my words; it is mine and mine alone. You would have me be the rode by which you choose the country who will gain rights to your mines. You would sell me in an effort to reduce your own responsibility just as you are doing with Essa! Do you believe us too ignorant to know—”

  “SILENCE!”

  Her voice caught in her throat and Bird fought the instinctive urge to kneel as everyone else did at her father’s show of power. It was proven, as every single occupant aside from her immediately fell to their knees as her father’s eyes glowed brightly.

  The room seemed to drain of color, and silence, aside from his own voice, reverberated throughout the room.

  “I was lax in my treatment of you.” He finally spoke after regaining his composure, though his eyes still glowed darkly. “I will no longer spoil you, Kahlia.”

  He raised his hand, finger pointed at her and decreed, “Princess Kahlia of Katari, daughter of Priestess of Osis, order of Octin, blood line of Breshari, you will hear my command, given to me by the bloodline of R’or. You will marry a man of my choosing, and you will bring peace to Katari by doing so. Till such time, you are to be confined to your chambers. So it shall be, and so it will be.”

  “No…”

  Bird felt the blood drain from her face and she slowly shook her head. Unbelieving of what was happening, the doors slammed open behind her. She whipped around. Her voice that had been locked away at her father’s angry spoken words returned when the first soldier grabbed her arm.

  “No, let go!”

  Another came, grabbing her right arm. She jerked on it, but he wouldn’t release her. “Let me go!” She jerked her wide and furious gaze to her father. “You can’t do this!”

  “I can,” her father said simply. “I am your father, and I am your king.”

  Frustrated, Bird turned her pleading gaze to her mother, who knelt next to her father, but her mother turned her head away. Seeing she’d been abandoned, Bird felt an odd sort of nothingness settle over her before a rage she hadn’t known swiftly took its place.

  “Mother?! Will you not look at me?!” she de
manded, pulling at the soldiers desperately. “Will you not look and see what you’ve damned me to?!” she angrily demanded, her voice becoming slightly screechy. “Is this why you dragged my corpse from England? I would rather have stayed a corpse!” she snapped, her ugly words uncaring of those who heard. “I sorely wish you’d left me dead!”

  “Enough!” her father snapped, stepping forward, blocking Bird’s sight of her mother. “Take the princess to her chambers.”

  As they forcibly removed Bird, she yelled out, “I will not marry! I will die before I do!” She fought against their hold as they drew her closer to the door. “Do you hear me?! I won’t do it! You will see me dead first! Do you hear me, King? Do you hear me, mother! I will kill—”

  Her words were cut short by the solar doors shutting behind her.

  Osis weakly collapsed to the floor. The chill left after her daughter’s ravings was haunting. She glanced up and watched as Lady Essa arose gracefully, though her hands trembled.

  “Lady Essa, do you wish to lodge any complaints about your own chosen suitor?” her king asked, his voice soft and silky. She shook her head, avoiding his eyes. “Good, then you are dismissed.” With that, King Alma turned sharply on his heel, walking passed her without a glance and exited the solar.

  Osis brought a shaking hand to her chest before she stood slowly, regaining her feet. She continued to tell herself this was for the good of her daughter. Bird was fighting the charms. Her magic was strong, and as she hadn’t been fully trained, it was wild and eagerly attacked anything. Her magic could only hide the truth for so long.

  With this in mind, Osis quickly left the solar, Wedad and Abdullah following close behind. She would have to tell Fi to raise the dosage of charm and herbs. It would be easier as her daughter would now remain in one place.

  On her forced return to her chambers, she released a scream as they threw her into her room. Slamming the door shut behind her, catching herself, she angrily glared at the closed door. Moving quickly, she ran at it, slamming her body and hands against it. She tried to open it, but it would not budge.