little to the right. Higher,” I instructed. “Now release.”
She let go of the string and the arrow flew straight ahead,
landing in the center of the target.
I sighed, turning my back to her, and rubbed my face, annoyed and frustrated. I could feel the nerves twitching in my wrist. I wanted to slam my fist against the wall, but I kept myself under control.
“How did it happen?” she asked. “Hey,” she frowned when I scowled, “I answered your questions, it’s only fair if you answer mine.”
I exhaled.
“We were coming back from Trella. Their knights, the Drakans, attacked us. I was the last on the ship. I tried to climb up the ladder, but one of the broadhead arrows pierced my arm through. It’s a miracle I survived the journey, and an even bigger one that I got to keep my arm.”
“Oh.” She paused. Then, “how about your family? Do you have one?”
“We’re not having a heart to heart right now, Ashes. I have better things to do.”
“Come on. Just one more question,” she pleaded. “I know nothing about you. I’ll answer any question you have.”
“Fine.” I sighed again, annoyed. “I never met my family. I lived with one, a wretched, cruel group of people, but they weren’t my blood.”
“Oh.”
“We’re done for today,” I said, wrapping my cloak around my shoulders. As I left, I muttered, “good work.” I could swear I heard her squeal once I shut the door behind me.
THIRTEEN
Princess Zinovia arrived safely from Crea by the fourth day since it had begun snowing. She was exhausted and literally frozen stiff. Immediately, the handmaidens got to work, directing her to her own royal chambers and getting her warmed and cleaned up.
I only saw her from a distance. She was too cold to notice me—or anyone, for that matter, but I knew I’d be hearing from her and Lorelle soon.
I mentally prepared myself for the bitter, frigid journey that lay ahead. I prepared myself for meeting King Adrean again after I made a daring escape from Trella. I also stole important documents from King Tarquin.
I prepared myself for being hung for treason. I shook my head at the thought.
As I walked through the corridor, enjoying the last few days I had left of not being rushed and hurried, stuck in the midst of a war with all the weight on my shoulders again, I noticed something out of the corner of my eye.
I turned my head slightly to see Lance sitting beside Jax on a bench. They were talking about something, and it seemed serious. Halfway through the conversation, Lance gave him a shove, Jax nearly falling off the bench.
I stiffened, ready to separate them again, but I was surprised
to see them burst into laughter.
“Well, at least they’re not fighting anymore.”
I looked to my left to see Xavier standing beside me.
“One less thing to worry about.”
He smiled, and I realized he wasn’t wearing his mask today.
“What happened to your disguise?” I waggled my fingers.
“It seems as if the girls find me more attractive without it,” he said, smirking. I rolled my eyes. “Tell me one thing,” he said after we’d started walking again, “what are you planning to do when you go to Dystalphi?”
“You’re not coming?”
“I can’t. Lorelle won’t let me.”
“Why?” I frowned.
“Element of surprise? The prince of Astodia is magically still alive? I don’t know. She thinks if she sends you and Phoenix, she’ll still have me as a backup.” That was smart thinking on her behalf. Xavier was right beside me in skill and ingenuity, although he’d never admit I was better.
“And she discussed this with you?”
“Only because I asked. So, answer the question.”
I stopped walking, turning around to face him. “We should keep the fight away from the castles, farther from villages and towns scattered around the kingdoms. It should stay near the borders of Dystalphi and Astodia. Also, we have to set some ground rules. No matter which side wins, we can’t take the kingdom by force. The innocent people have to be spared.”
“What’s in it for him? Why would he listen to you?”
“King Adrean has tried to get me on his side countless times. It means I threaten him, which also means there are holes in his kingdom where I can attack him from the inside. To prevent that, he has to agree to my terms.”
“I’m proud of you,” Xavier said with a smile.
“How come?”
“You’re protecting the people.”
“I’ve always protected the people.”
“You always protected the king, who protected his people. Now you’re thinking of everyone.”
“That’s because . . .” I tried to come up with a valid reason. “That’s because you can’t rule a kingdom without people,” I mumbled.
He laughed, kissing my forehead. I smiled up at him. Xavier grabbed his chest, feigning a heart attack as he groaned, bending over.
“What’s wrong?” I raised an eyebrow, seeing through his act.
“What are you doing to my heart,” he whispered. It wasn’t a question—more of a statement as if he knew the answer already.
I felt my face flush.
“Adalia!” Zinovia greeted me with utter delight.
I bowed my head. “It’s been so long. I was expecting you back in Crea, and when you didn’t show, I had feared the worst.”
“I apologize. We were captured by pirates on the way back. The crew didn’t make it.”
“None of them?” Her face fell.
“I’m sorry,” I shook my head. “We barely made it out ourselves.”
“Adalia was injured,” Lorelle began, but I quickly interjected. I didn’t want to make a scene.
“We were all hurt, but we healed quickly. Thank you for the concern.”
For a second, I thought I saw Lorelle roll her eyes, but the
moment was gone as fast as it came.
I heard the doors open again and glanced over my shoulder
to see Lance and Jax walk in, Ashes close behind. The three of them were wearing their uniforms.
Lorelle gestured towards a long table set with chairs. We took our seats, Zinovia and Lorelle taking the ends. Taj and Simon had joined us as well, sitting across Lance, Ashes, Jax, and I.
Princess Zinovia began to speak first about her journey here, answering all of Lorelle’s questions.
She finally asked, “Adalia, did we get an alliance with Trella?”
I glanced at Lorelle, frowning, sending her a look saying, you haven’t told her yet?
Lorelle cleared her throat.
Well, no wonder Zinovia had been so cheerful. She had no idea what was going on.
“No,” I replied. “When we arrived at Trella, we found out that they had already allied with Dystalphi.”
Zinovia’s face turned bone white. “They’ve allied already? But . . . But their army . . . Crea . . .”
“They’re planning to attack Astodia first,” I assured her, “but we have to be on the safe side. Have you started building up a defense?”
“Yes. Since you left there hasn’t been one day I let go to waste.”
“Good. Because as of now, we don’t know what they’re planning. I’ve decided to go speak with King Adrean personally to set rules.”
“Rules?”
“War is war, but we need to be civil. We can’t charge like
barbarians and rip apart the first things we see.”
“It’s a dangerous but tactful approach.”
I looked at Lorelle. “There are . . .” I trailed off, waiting for
her to give me a sign to stop, “other things.”
“Other . . . things?”
Lorelle didn’t stop me. Her sky-blue eyes met mine, and she nodded to go ahead. I turned my head to face Zinovia.
“There was a weapon a king left for the future kingdoms. He ruled over Astod
ia, Crea, Trella, and Dystalphi, which was then one kingdom called Archaon.” I began to explain the whole story, word for word, just as Augustus had explained it to me. I told her about the trip to Amghadon, the pirate island, and filled her in on the riddle with the location of the volcano on the island.
“A secret weapon?” she asked, trying to understand. “What was it? Did you find it?”
“We did,” I said, “but it wasn’t what we had expected. It’s more powerful, and not something that can be controlled.”
“Well, go on. What is it?”
I opened my mouth to answer when suddenly the doors flew open. Lorelle shot to her feet as a man ran inside, falling to his knees.
“What is the meaning of this?” Lorelle demanded, her voice like steel.
“It’s important, Your Majesty,” the guard who had let him in explained. “Please, listen to him.”
Lorelle looked down at the man. Suddenly, his head shot up. In seconds, I had jumped over the table, landing between the man and Lorelle. I pushed her back, grabbing the man by his collar and lifting him to his feet.
“Why did you come here?” I demanded. He looked at me, his face covered in soot. Slowly, with one trembling hand, he
reached under his chin to unclip his cloak.
I clenched my jaw to keep from gagging.
Half of his shirt had been seared off. Not one part of his arm
was left intact. His skin had been burnt to the core, deep enough for me to see parts of his bone. His flesh bubbled, layers peeling away.
I let go of him, letting him fall to the floor.
“It . . .” the man gasped, “it attacked our town. I had to warn . . .” he shuddered, “I had to warn the . . . queen . . . it’s my duty . . .”
“Who attacked you?” I asked, bending down beside him. “How did you get here? Answer me so we can help you!”
Jax stepped forward, but Lance held out an arm to stop him from getting closer.
“Help my . . . family. Save them. My son.”
“Who attacked you?” I asked again, gripping his shoulders. “Where are you from?”
“North.” He shuddered. “Illkis.”
“What attacked you?” I repeated for the final time, dreading the answer.
“. . . beast.”
He started seizing. I turned him on his side, but the damage was too deep. We couldn’t save him.
“Get her out of here,” I ordered the guards, motioning towards Zinovia whose hazel eyes were widened in horror, hands clutched to her chest. “Go!” They tried to direct her out, but she refused.
“No . . . no, I have to know what’s going on.”
Suddenly, the man stilled, his eyes rolling up into his head. Foam dripped from his mouth. I let my head hang, exhaling, and then stood up, wiping my forehead on the back of my sleeve.
“I’m going to Illkis,” I announced to the queen and princess.
“Ashes, Taj, Lance . . . you three are coming with me.” I turned
to Taj. “Prepare your men.”
“Adalia—”
“It’s not a request, Your Majesty. This burn . . . This was done by the drakon. If I go there, maybe we can learn something about how to kill it. Who knows how many other villages it has burned to the ground?”
Lorelle pressed a hand to her forehead. “Alright.”
“You have Xavier with you,” I assured her. “I’ve passed by Illkis once. It’s not far from here—only a day’s journey.”
That seemed to trouble her more. We were all thinking the same thing—if the drakon had attacked that village, who knew how close it had come to Astodia?
“We’re leaving tonight,” I said, motioning for Ashes to follow me. “Ashes, bring the healers and their supplies with you and meet me at the gates.”
She nodded, splitting away from us.
I stared at the man lying on the floor, Zinovia’s shocked eyes still locked onto his charred body.
“Take his body,” I ordered the guards. “Don’t burn it. Bury this one, and check his pockets for anything before you do.”
The drakon had already begun attacking towns on the inner border of the kingdom, and I had no idea how to stop it. For the first time, I was clueless at what to do. I’d never been trained to fight drakons, only foolish kings and noblemen drunk on wine.
I walked through the corridors, heading straight to one place. I burst through the doors of Xavier’s room where he was busy reading and threw my arms around his neck. His chair tipped back.
“Whoa, what’s wrong?” he asked, getting up. He wrapped
his arms around my waist. “Adalia, are you okay?”
“I’m leaving,” I muttered, burying my face in his chest. “To
chase that stupid drakon.”
“What?” He tried to pull back but I didn’t let him, inhaling his cinnamon-rose scent. He always smelled like that.
“It attacked a town called Illkis. And,” I cut him off, “don’t try to stop me.”
“I feel like there’s more to it than that. If it were a day’s journey, you wouldn’t be doing this right now.”
“That’s because . . . I may drop by Dystalphi?” I winced, knowing exactly what was coming.
“You’re really leaving?”
“Well, didn’t I mention it before?”
“I thought it was a suggestion! Like it may happen, but probably not.”
I groaned. “It was never a suggestion.”
“It’s too dangerous,” he growled in protest, trying to pull away, but I yanked him back, squeezing Xavier as hard as I could.
“It’s more dangerous if we sit around and wait for it to come to us. I just came to say one thing.”
He froze. “What?”
“Do whatever you can to save this kingdom, no matter what happens to me. Do you understand?”
“Nothing’s going to happen to you, you fool,” he glared. “And I thought you would say something sweeter than that.”
I grinned. “Just in case.”
“I don’t want to hear it. Are you really going to let a drakon defeat you? You’re a force to be reckoned with.”
“I’m not an assassin anymore.”
“But you were the greatest. You still are.”
I smiled. “That is true.” Wrong. I clenched my fist against
his back. I wasn’t, and would never be, as great as I once was.
“Come back in one piece.”
“While I’m gone,” I said, pulling away, “you read through
that library like your life depends on it. Which it does.”
“Okay.”
“Okay.”
“That reminds me.” He opened the drawer, pulling out a page from inside.
“I’ve been trying to figure out the King Albion’s message,” he said, handing it to me. I realized it was the letter that the king had written to his daughter, Merilee, about the drakon egg.
“Why are you giving it to me?” I asked, confused.
“It’s of more use to you than me. If you figure out what it means on your trip there, you may be able to find the metal the king was writing about.”
I took the page from him, folded it, and slid it into my scabbard, which I stuck into my boot.
“Good luck.”
“Thank you. I’ll need it.”
I spent the whole night with Xavier, watching him, listening to him, laughing with him. I played with his hands, his hair, and took in his eyes as if was the last time I would see him.
Beautiful.
He was perfect.
He was mine.
FOURTEEN
A group of eleven knights—along with Ashes—waited right by the gates of the castle. By dusk, we were packed up and prepared to leave.
The Knights were clad in silver armor, helmets on as they mounted their horses. I received my own armor from the queen.
Zinovia stood outside beside Lorelle, their crowns glistening. Lorelle had chosen to wear white and gold, accenting the crown and
reflecting the pureness of the snow. Zinovia wore deep crimson, her crown decorated with rubies.
Everyone fell into bows and curtsies. I did as well, making sure not to let the curtsy look as sarcastic as it felt. I couldn’t believe that I still was not able to curtsy without making it seem like I was mocking someone.
As the rest of the Knights mounted their horses, Xavier stood by mine, gently running his hand over its back.
“She reminds me of Butternut,” Xavier said with a smile, referring to one of my favorite, loyal horses. His lips were pink, matching his cheeks. His perfect teeth showed as he grinned.
“That’s why I chose her.”
He crooned, raising his hands to pinch my cheeks, “look who’s getting sentimental.”
I swatted his hands away, rubbing my face.
“I’m not sentimental. I just want to feel comfortable here, which,” I said, lowering my voice to a whisper, “I don’t.”
“You don’t feel comfortable?” I shook my head. He reached out, pulling me closer, a smirk appearing on his lips. His gold eyes narrowed with mischief, and I knew what was coming. His voice dropped to a whisper as he asked, “How about now?”
I jumped away, my face flaming as someone cleared their throat. Xavier began to laugh as I mounted my horse, my face burning, even though the cold air whipped through our clothes.
“We must leave now, or the sun will set on us too early,” Taj called, and I realized all eyes were on us.
“Goodbye, Xavier,” I whispered, and suddenly we were back three years ago in Astodia except this time, I was leaving him.
He took my right hand, pressing his lips to the back of it, and then did the same to the inside of my wrist as a sign of good luck.
“You better come back alive,” he said, sternly. I saluted, and he smiled, stepping back. He slapped the Butternut lookalike’s rump, and she neighed, rearing.
I held up my sword.
“We will fight for this kingdom, and we will die for this kingdom.” The Knights raised their swords and let out a cheer. The gates opened, and I forced myself to look away from Xavier as the horses were urged forward.
The trail that led to Illkis was clear.
Taj led the way, Knights following in a line behind.
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