by Berry, Janet
“My name is Frederick,” he replied, a coughing fit wracking his body.
Owyn waited until Frederick stopped coughing and asked him, “Do you remember seeing a man hand you a note before the rocks collapsed?”
Frederick told him that he hadn’t seen anyone at all before the entrance to the mine had fallen down on top of him. The rocks had been loosened by the work they had been doing and had fallen, collapsing the entrance to the mine. There hadn’t been anyone else in the mine at the time as Frederick had been the last to leave. He had forgotten his gear.
Owyn sighed.
Another man spoke up, remembering seeing a man coming from the direction of the mine after the entrance had collapsed, shouting about the rocks falling down on top of poor Freddy. The man had been lost in the shuffle as miners had scrambled to get to the mine and get Frederick out of the rubble. That was when the note had been found.
Owyn nodded and assured the men around them that they would find the man.
“May I see the note?” he asked, holding out his hand to Frederick.
“I have the note, sir,” another man said, Owyn recognizing him as the superintendent who had directed them over to the boy.
He handed the note over to him and Owyn opened it, the same foreign writing from before staring up at him. There were no symbols on this note though, as the first note.
“Get poor Frederick to Elfyre Hollow. He has been through enough for one day. Poor boy needs a rest,” Owyn said, standing as he spoke.
The men murmured their agreement and helped Frederick to a small stretcher, laying him down and beginning the trek down the mountainside to the harbor.
“Leave this entrance be for now; we wouldn’t want anyone trying to get back in there until we know all the collapsing has been done. Make sure to keep away. We want to give it another day or so before we go back in there,” Owyn said as he headed towards Blizzard.
The superintendent agreed with Owyn and said after he mounted Blizzard, “Sir, do you think that man started the collapse so the note would be found?”
Owyn stopped and thought about it.
“I don’t think so. I think that the collapse was an opportunity to get the note to me. If he had started it, I would dare say poor Freddy wouldn’t have made it out alive.”
The man nodded and took a step back from Owyn’s prancing stallion.
“Remember… stay away from that mine entrance.”
Owyn arrived back at the castle just in time to see his younger brother Oryn get off his horse Tornado.
He had to laugh at the propensity he and his brother had for naming their horses after natural disasters. He and Oryn had both at one point in their lives had an animal named Earthquake. He had never known why.
“Welcome to Greenlyre, younger brother,” he said, grasping Oryn’s hand.
“Only by one minute and don’t you forget it,” Oryn replied, shaking his brother’s hand.
Owyn and Oryn were twins, and Owyn was older, but only by one minute. It was something that Owyn could never let Oryn forget. Even though they were born a minute apart, they looked the same, as if they were one person. Owyn had always felt oddly comforted by the fact that he could look at his brother and see himself there.
Being twins and brothers, they had used their identical identities not only for good, but more often than not, for evil. They would constantly trick people claiming to be the other. The only person who had ever been able to see through their charade was their mother, and she had never been apt to let them keep their disguises. She had thwarted them at every chance she got.
Owyn chuckled at the memory of a particularly cruel prank they had played and winced as the memory of the punishment came up as well.
Oryn chuckled when he saw Owyn’s face, his voice light when he asked, “Remembering a particularly awful punishment?”
Owyn nodded and bear-hugged his brother.
He had never been long without his brother, even when Oryn had been in the Keepers of the White, and that had been how he preferred it. Even though Owyn was prince, Oryn still came to Greenlyre, often helping Owyn out and taking care of daily tasks. Owyn always wondered if he hated it as much as he claimed.
“What are you doing here? I thought you were checking out that new mine they found out near the base of the Verdegris Cliffs?”
Oryn shrugged. “I had to come see you first. My mind won’t stop thinking about the queen’s disappearance and I’m pretty sure that has something to do with you.”
Owyn sighed with understanding.
Ever since they were younger they had been almost connected telepathically as it was rumored twins were. The Breams boys had proven it on more than one occasion. If either man was stressed about something, the other twin would feel it and it would bother both of them.
“Am I right, brother? Is that what’s bothering you?” he asked, looking at Owyn with utmost sincerity.
Owyn nodded and smiled. “You know me well, brother.”
“Do you want to tell me about it?” Oryn said, slapping his brother on the shoulder as they headed into Greenlyre.
Owyn was so distracted by the issue at hand that he hadn’t noticed how clean Greenlyre was. He stopped for a moment to appreciate the beauty of the entrance hall. The hallway was long and narrow, but it was almost comforting to see his family portraits hanging there instead of strangers.
Owyn had a few different pieces of art but he kept those mostly in his study, preferring to display the family he was so proud of. The hall was covered in wood paneling and flooring as well, instead of the stone that matched the exterior. To his left was the parlor that he had never used since he never entertained at his home. If he did have visitors, they were usually escorted directly to his study.
To his right were the stairs and when he had walked through the door for the first time, he was sure he had been in the wrong place. The stairs to the upper level were grand, hand carved by the finest wood carvers on Malachite Expanse. There were seventeen steps and each step had a piece of the history of the island on them.
Owyn was honored to live in this building. This island was his home and had been since the day he was born, and he knew he would die there as well. His love for Malachite Expanse was the reason he was there to begin with.
He had saved many lives when the Great Tide happened and since the last prince died without heirs, it was decreed by the former King Art Balfe that he and the house of Breams be named prince and ruler of Malachite Expanse.
Owyn was proud to rule the island he loved so well.
The twins made their way down the hall to Owyn’s study and entered, the room dark and warm. Owyn adjusted some papers and read the note Ian, his butler, had left and then abandoned the work to sit down in the nearest chair. He picked his favorite that he usually sat in when he took a break from work.
Oryn sat down across from him and looked at him expectantly.
Owyn shifted and then said, “We received a note about a week ago from a man in the ancient language Foyeile and then this morning, there was an accident at one of the west mines and the boy we found had another note in the same language. We have not told anyone about the notes because I am honestly not sure who we can trust right now. Someone kidnapped the queen and whoever this man is knows something about it. I intend to find out who he is and what he knows,” he sighed and took both of the notes out of his pocket. “First, I need someone to figure out what those say, someone I can trust.”
He tossed both notes across the small table between them and Oryn picked them up, searching for any clues that might reveal who the man was. Finding none, he put them back down on the table.
“You know the only person to talk to is King Ethan and his son Everett. They both could tell you what these say.”
Owyn nodded his agreement.
“You know Everett is a true patriot. Ethan would never do anything to jeopardize his alliance with the bigger islands. The man is much too smart for kidnapping and leaving a man to go r
ogue.”
Owyn cracked a smile; he was pretty sure that if Ethan was behind this and needed any loose ends tied up, he would have Everett take care of it.
Everett Dormhnall was not a man to be messed with. He had been trained in an elite group of men who specialized in killing, and maiming and tying up loose ends. His father and Everett himself would be perfect for decoding the notes.
“I need to get ready to leave as soon as possible. I already let Ethan know I would need assistance with this issue,” Owyn said, already thinking of what he would need to take with him. “Can you handle things around here in my stead while I’m gone? You are always here and have dealt with things many times before. Almost better than me, so Mr. Williams said last time.”
Oryn laughed at the memory.
“I’d be happy to be of assistance and am at your disposal,” he replied.
Owyn smiled and stood, going to the door and calling for Ian to get his things prepared and ready to leave.
Oryn stood as well and shook his brother’s hand. As he went to leave, he said, “I’ll have some things brought up from the house and I’ll get settled in. Have a safe trip, brother.”
Chapter Two
Twenty-four hours later, Owyn watched as the boat docked on Dewberdeen’s pier. He stepped off the boat and onto the dock and sighed, his heart missing the beat of the waves on the side of the boat and the gentle lulling as the vessel sailed through the water.
He had always loved sailing on the ocean. When he was younger, he had done it often. Now that he was prince that had all changed. Owyn was not able to go out on his boat The Comte as often now because of his duties.
Owyn resolved to go out on his boat more often.
He looked down the dock and found the carriage with the royal seal on it, sure it was the one meant to pick him up. He started walking down the pier but halted as a lovely young lady stepped out of the carriage.
She asked something of the nearest groom and when she received an affirmative answer, she started walking down the pier towards him.
Owyn couldn’t help but appreciate the lovely sway of her hips, or the tiny waist and full bosom, all pale in comparison to the soft features that encompassed her face. Her face was slim but round and her lips were full and a soft pink. The best feature he thought was her beautiful eyes, the soft violet gaze burning deep into his soul.
Her hair was blond and braided to the side, almost disappointing to him because he would love to see it down and flowing around her shoulders. The woman was lovely he could not deny.
Who was she though? Had he just lit an inextinguishable flame for Everett’s wife? He hadn’t heard Everett had gotten married, but who was he to know.
Owyn didn’t pay that much attention to the gossip unless it had something to do directly with him. He mentally shook his head to clear it as he realized that she was almost near to him.
She stopped two feet away from him and asked, her voice smooth as silk, “Prince Owyn Breams?”
He nodded and she curtsied, stepping to the side, motioning him to precede her. He stepped forward and offered his arm to her, a look of surprise coming to her face.
“I insist you let me escort you to the carriage, My Lady,” he said, waiting for a reply.
They headed down the pier to the carriage and he asked, “So, who do I have the pleasure of acquainting as we head to the carriage?”
She half-smiled as he asked and she glanced at him when she replied, “I am Elsa Dormhnall, the Princess of Dewberdeen. King Ethan is my father. He asked me to come meet you and escort you to Braewood Keep so you can discuss the business you have with him.”
Owyn chuckled. “What makes you think I have some business here with your father?”
The part about her being King Ethan’s daughter relieved him greatly.
The smile on her face widened and she looked back at him with a look that spoke of her intelligence.
“My father is not one to have social visits. However, if it was a social visit, then my father would have asked me to do a tour and then lunch, then an assortment of other things. So no, you aren’t here on a social vis—” she stopped abruptly and turned to fully face him. “What business do you have with him, I wonder?” she said, then turned to walk the rest of the way to the carriage unescorted.
However, when they came to a small set of stairs, Owyn reached out and took her arm again, helping her the rest of the way.
She nodded her thanks and he smiled.
They reached the carriage and the driver opened the door, holding out his arm to help her into the awaiting vehicle. She stepped into the carriage and Owyn was gifted by a nice view of her derriere. When she sat and looked out the window at him, he almost blushed, but he cleared his throat and got in.
They ambled off towards the castle and Owyn sat there, watching the countryside go by.
Elsa couldn’t help but watch Owyn out of the corner of her eye. She wasn’t sure what to make of this man. Then she realized he hadn’t answered her question. She sighed inwardly and turned her attention back to the issue she had been contemplating before she had arrived at the pier.
Her father didn’t want her doing anything but sewing and reading and other womanly things. She wasn’t allowed to read the old manuscripts that Everett brought home from his last trip. What her father didn’t know was that Everett had been teaching her the ancient language of Foyeile. She was proficient in reading it, but was not as much so in writing it. It was easier to decipher it instead of actually writing it herself.
She hadn’t told anyone about it; she was scared about it getting back to her father. Everett had told her not to worry about it and that he would help her out if she was found out. He would take care of Father he had told her. She sighed and blushed when she realized Owyn was staring at her.
He arched a brow at her and she scowled at him.
“You never answered my question.”
“Your question? I don’t remember there being any question,” he replied, staring at her.
Now it was Elsa’s turn to arch a brow.
“What business do you have here with my father, Your Royal Highness?”
Owyn laughed at the sarcasm in her voice as she said his title.
“No need to be unpleasant,” he said, a blush rising to color her face.
A becoming blush.
“My business here is my own. I would speak to your father only about it since there are very few people I would want to know about this particular business of mine.”
Her scowl she still wore deepened and he had to fight back the urge to laugh. She looked like a spoiled child who had not gotten her way.
“Please forgive me, My Lady, but until I speak to your father, I’d rather my agenda remain hidden.”
Duly chastised and somewhat mollified by his apology, Elsa’s scowl faded.
“I understand, sir, and hope my father is able to assist you with your agenda.”
Owyn smiled. “Thank you, My Lady.”
The rest of the carriage ride passed in a somewhat awkward silence between them.
Chapter Three
After what seemed like an eternity to Elsa, they finally pulled into the courtyard of the keep, the carriage jolting to a halt. She quietly let out the breath she had been holding and tried not to look over at Owyn. He hadn’t spoken at all and that had almost unnerved her.
Whenever she rode in the carriage with anyone who wasn’t Everett, conversation always flowed. With Everett, she was used to silence since he didn’t like to speak very much anymore.
Elsa inwardly sighed. Sometimes, more often than not, she missed the old Everett. He used to be so happy and carefree, and now he was more serious and reserved. Elsa knew that he had seen many horrible things since he had started working for the Keepers of the White.
She had resented them and was thankful at the same time; it had taught him how to be grown up, but it had also shown him realities he had been previously ignorant of. She hurt for the little boy t
hat Everett once was, but understood the man he had become.
Elsa was jolted out her thoughts by a loud cough. Blushing furiously, she realized that Owyn and the footman both waited for her to exit the carriage. She accepted the footman’s hand and headed towards the door, not waiting to see if Owyn had followed. She knew he had of course. He was here on business and was not going to just leave.
Slowly, Elsa opened the door and her face lit up. Her home was her sanctuary, even if she sometimes had her family to deal with. At home, she escaped from everything in her life that was possibly wrong. She still was awed by how wonderfully warm and inviting their home was.
Their wonderful doorman Edgar held open the door for her and Owyn, and closed it behind them.
“Very warm and homey,” Owyn said, looking around him.
He smiled when he saw her smile.
Owyn always appreciated a woman’s smile but hers brought something out in him he had never felt before. Perturbed, he looked away, running his fingers over the wood paneling that made up most of the walls around him.
The staircase of Braewood Keep was a single stair, also wood but it had a carpet panel running down it. There were a few paintings hanging on the wall, but the one that caught his eye was the portrait of the woman who looked like an identical twin to Elsa.
Slowly he walked up to it and stared at her, asking softly, “Is this your mother?”
Elsa smiled even brighter.
“Yes, Queen Edeline is my mother. She and I look very similar, which has on occasion confused my family, but we all manage to muddle through. She was out visiting tenants of homes we let to families. One of the little girls is sick right now so she went to bring them some extra supplies. She should be home now, though.”
Odd. He hadn’t known whether or not Edeline was alive or not.
“Does your mother leave home very often?” he asked.
Elsa chuckled and shook her head, bringing Owyn’s eyes back to her.
