The King's Secret

by Maryam Durrani

  On the twentieth day, we were slowed by another blizzard.

  Fortunately, we had made to Ashbourne, all of us and our horses were safe.

  I sat in front of the fireplace at the inn, holding out my hands to the fire. I felt lonely.

  It was all Xavier’s fault.

  I should have brought him with me, but I couldn’t force the journey upon him again. He, Jax, and Isabel, were exhausted from the journey back from Trella.

  Ah, Jax and Isabel.

  I missed the twins so much. I never thought I’d grow attached to them, but each passing day made me realize how much Jax’s dumb jokes and Isabel’s snide remarks had grown on me.

  A knock came at the door.

  “Come in,” I called. The door opened, revealing Lance’s tall, broad frame.

  “We’re dining downstairs. Would you like to join?” As if on cue, the smell of roasting venison wafted into the room, making my mouth water.

  “Oh, definitely,” I said, getting to my feet. As I walked past him, Lance said, “I’m worried about Nyx.”

  “Nyx?” I asked, confused, and his cheeks turned pink.

  “Phoenix.” Ashes, I wanted to correct him with a scowl, but I bit my tongue.

  “And why’s that?”

  “Her mother’s going to be there. Once we arrive, make sure

  you keep a close eye on her.”

  “Ashes or her mother?”

  “Both of them.”

  “And why would I care to do so?”

  “Because,” he said, deadly serious, “Phoenix’s mother is King Adrean’s personal advisor. And to be honest, their relationship is terrible. If Phoenix does something to anger her, our entire trip goes to waste.”

  I remembered Ashes talking about her relationship with her mother. It didn’t seem like they had much of one at all.

  “Fine. It’s your job to keep Ashes under control. It seems like the closer we get to Dystalphi, the more she’s losing her mind. I didn’t bring her along to babysit.”

  He nodded, understanding.

  As I walked past him towards the stairs, he called, “Her mother’s name is Aedon!”

  The last village we passed through was called Clarcton.

  We had officially crossed Astodia’s border into Dystalphi.

  We were more than halfway there.

  After crossing the border into Dystalphi, things only got worse. The horses were frail, exhausted, and famished. They gave out sooner than I had expected.

  Batch’s steed was the first to go. It collapsed, and I couldn’t help but feel guilty. The poor creatures didn’t deserve it, but what choice did we have?

  Since there were no extra horses, Batch shared with Asselin, the next day, we lost Asselin’s mare as well.

  I kept leaning over, patting Walnut’s neck and whispering

  words of encouragement to her. The villages we stopped at provided us with food, but it just wasn’t enough.

  By the twenty-fifth day, we had lost four horses.

  It slowed us down since Asselin, Galien, Batch, and Simon took turns switching, doubling, and just walking by foot to

  give their horses rest.

  We encountered bears on day twenty-eight. Two mothers, raging, desperate to feed their cubs. They ran after us for miles, but were soon taken down by Ashes’s arrows.

  On day thirty-one, we lost Walnut.

  I sat behind Ashes, who was pleased, being the first one to offer me her horse.

  On day thirty-eight, the Knights cheered, pumping their fists in the air.

  In the distance, I saw it, relief flooding through every inch of my veins.

  The castle.

  SEVENTEEN

  On the forty-first day, we had arrived.

  Dystalphi was set above the town on high ground. Although the castle was much smaller in size than Crea’s and Astodia’s, we had learned that that was no reason to underestimate the kingdom or its king. The way Crea built up its imposing, colossal empire, Dystalphi spent its effort instead on its vast, intimidating army.

  There was very much reason to be careful.

  We approached the stone walls surround the castle and its town, waiting by the large portcullis.

  “Who are you, and where do you come from?” a guard called from the embrasures on the wall.

  “I, Adalia, come with the Knights of Astodia. I’m here to speak with the king.”

  The guard disappeared for a few moments. I glanced at Lance who shrugged, keeping his hand on the hilt of his sword.

  I spotted another guard running across the ramparts, disappearing behind a bartizan.

  Moments later, I heard the gate start to creak, grinding as it was drawn up. Still alert, I motioned for everyone to enter.

  Ten guards waited for us on horses, expecting us to follow them. I slipped off of Ashes’s horse, resting my arm against its neck. Ashes looked down at me, but I pretended not to notice.

  I followed the guards in.

  Moss green flags waved in every direction. Dystalphi’s crest was the siren—sweet on the outside, sinister on in the inside. Sirens sunk ships with only their voices, luring men overboard with a simple tune of a song.

  The siren stared back at me, her tail twisting like a serpent around itself.

  The townspeople watched in curiosity as we walked towards the gates that led inside the castle. It seemed like forever before the gates swung open, leading us inside.

  “The king is busy,” one of the guards said curtly. “He has guests to attend to. You may wait in our guest quarters.” He eyed us warily. “Someone shall come to fetch you when he is ready.”

  The Knights were the first to leave. As I prepared to follow, a woman walked into the room. Her tea-rose dress trailed behind her, a cruel glint in her eye.

  “Well, well, well. If it isn’t the murderer.”

  I clenched my fists at my sides, blood starting to rise to my face. I couldn’t attack a princess, but I was coming pretty close to doing so.

  “Since those many years ago, I knew it was you who poisoned our duke at the party. You were always so spiteful,” she continued. Beside me, Ashes tensed, but didn’t make a move. We were the only three in the room—not including the princess’s guards.

  “I’ve been waiting for this moment ever since my suspicions were confirmed. And, to think King Sadim trusted you!” she let out a hollow laugh, the aggravating blond ringlets in her hair bouncing like springs with every movement. “You killed him and dear Xavier, didn’t you?”

  I worked my jaw. The way she said his name set me on edge, but there was no reason to pick fights now. I couldn’t

  compromise our trip just because of one bitter, loveless girl.

  “She had nothing to do with it, Your Highness.” I held in a

  groan as I heard Ashes speak. “In fact, she did her best to protect them.”

  Princess Renée’s eyes flicked towards Ashes as if she had just realized she was there. A small hint of surprise appeared in her eyes, leaving as quickly as it had come. “So, you’ve come back, Phoenix?” The corner of her lip quirked. “Your mother will be pleased.” The princess’s head turned back towards me. “Because of her, the man I loved—who would’ve been mine, by now,” she scowled, her features sharp as blades, “—was killed.” Inside, I scoffed. Only in her wildest dreams would Xavier ever be hers.

  Princess Renée stepped back, motioning towards her guards. Her eyes never left mine as she spoke, smirking. “Keep an eye on her. I don’t want her hurting my husband or my father.”

  Husband? Bitter Renée had ended up finding love elsewhere, then?

  “Come now, Renée,” a familiar voice interjected. “Let us treat our guests well.” Frowning, I found myself recognizing the owner of the voice. I was so bewildered that I forgot to bow as he walked into the room.

  Prince Valentin of Trella.

  So, the two kingdoms had made it official, and they had wasted no time in doing so. The oldest son of Trella and the only child of Dystalphi
had been wed, sealing the pact.

  It wasn’t surprising—in fact, I should have seen it coming. But that didn’t keep me from wondering why Valentin had agreed to it.

  Unless—

  “It’s nice to meet you again, Adalia,” Valentin said, his soft

  brown eyes fixed on mine. There was a certain charm in his voice, one that I had learned to steer clear of, for behind that beauty was a cunning cobra ready to strike.

  “You as well. I wasn’t expecting to find you here, Prince Valentin.” He smiled, irritably calm.

  “Really? That’s amusing—I was actually waiting for you to show up at our gates any time. It looks like I was right.”

  “Well, we’ve had quite a journey. Please excuse us.” I dipped my chin, and Valentin mirrored my action, holding out his arm towards the door.

  “Please escort our guests to their chambers.”

  I could feel Renée watching me, her malicious eyes burning holes into my back until the second I stepped out of the room.

  As the doors shut behind us, Ashes let out a growl that sounded like she’d been holding it in for a while.

  “How dare they?”

  “There are guards around us—be wary of your words,” I muttered under my breath.

  “The way they talked about you . . . as if you were dirt. I’m surprised you didn’t rip them to shreds!” I stopped abruptly, turning to face her.

  Ashes slammed into me, raising her arms to protect herself. She scowled.

  “What was that for?”

  “I will do nothing to jeopardize this mission.” My voice was low, a warning behind it, and I knew the message was conveyed as Ashes’s eyes widened. “I expect you to do the same, whether we run into your mother or not. Understood?”

  Ashes nodded, dropping her arms—although she didn’t seem too pleased.

  “Understood.”

  I was alone again.

  I sat at a desk in the corner of the room, a lantern the only source of light in the room beside the silvery glow of the moon.

  Elbows propped up on the desk, I held up my intertwined hands, the backs of my thumbs brushing against my lips. I frowned, deep in thought.

  Valentin.

  King Tarquin of Trella was too clever—even more so than King Adrean. Just by looking at Valentin, I knew he was just like his father, if not worse. In fact, it was probably him who was running the show behind the curtains.

  It was Valentin who had planned the marriage between Dystalphi and Trella.

  Valentin had been thinking ahead.

  There was only one reason he married Renée. It was definitely not out of love. The way he looked at her, as if she was something he’d conquered, confirmed that.

  After the war, Valentin was going to take Dystalphi for himself. There was no doubt about it. While King Adrean and Renée fell for his charm and were ready to bind the kingdoms together, growing into a mighty empire, Valentin was, instead, only slinking in the shadows, waiting for King Adrean’s death.

  Dystalphi would no longer exist; instead, it would become the other part of Trella.

  I had learned this way of thinking from King Sadim.

  “Princess Renée wants Xavier as her husband,” King Sadim said, staring down at me from his throne. I stood at the

  foot of the dais, feeling my blood turn cold.

  “Are you considering it, Your Majesty?” I asked. It made

  sense—a princess betrothed to a prince. It was bound to happen.

  “I am. If Xavier and Renée marry, maybe one day I can take

  Dystalphi for myself.”

  “How so?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “Think of it this way; without Adrean in the way, where does that leave my son?”

  “But, as queen, won’t Renée have power over the kingdom?”

  “Not if I have someone on the inside to tear their defense down brick by brick. As time passes, their foundation will crumble. By the time she realizes what’s happening, my men will be waiting in the shadows, prepared. Then, they will attack at once.” His cold eyes brightened as I watched the plan unravel in his head. “Dystalphi and Astodia will become mine, with Xavier ruling alongside me.”

  The plan had been ruthless, but ingenious. Of course, it never had a chance of playing out. Slowly, the king began focusing more and more on the growing army of rebels in his kingdom, and that’s where all his energy went.

  And then, he was killed by Lorelle’s mother.

  If I could prove to King Adrean that Valentin was bad for him, maybe he would end their alliance.

  I let out a groan, rubbing my eyes.

  That wouldn’t work, because even if King Adrean knew of Tarquin and Valentin’s intentions, he would pretend not to

  know until the war was over. And if they won, Adrean would begin plotting his own gambit to take Trella for himself.

  Either way, the four kingdoms were going to fall apart.

  I stood up, the wooden chair scraping as it pushed back. I began to pace the room.

  And then, I remembered the most important thing.

  The damned drakon.

  What was a drakon, anyway? I could destroy it. There had to be a way. I destroyed armies three times the size of mine. A king used my mind to help run his kingdom. I memorized every possible poison and its antidote. I had been trained to use every weapon perfectly. I could get into any kind of locked room. I could hit a target using a bow and arrow from places no one could possibly expect.

  A drakon was no problem.

  Right?

  I curled my fist, ready to let my anger out on the innocent post, when suddenly, I felt a familiar sensation in my wrist.

  I stared down at my left hand, opening my palm.

  For a while, it seemed like I’d forgotten it was there. Maybe it was from the cold that I had stopped noticing. But as something in my hand buzzed, I let myself sit on the bed.

  You’re not immortal, it seemed to remind me. You are not the greatest. You can be defeated. Be cautious.

  I clenched my fist, massaging the inside of my wrist.

  Suddenly, I didn’t feel so powerful anymore.

  I woke up when I heard the door creak slightly.

  From the weight of the footsteps, I knew it was Ashes who had walked in. My back was turned towards the door.

  She approached the side of my bed, making her way to-wards me. She didn’t try to wake me immediately. Ashes

  stood, watching me.

  “You look so much kinder when you’re asleep,” she said with a scoff, shaking her head. “Should I wake you, or should I let you skip breakfast? I’m inclined towards the latter.” She grumbled something under her breath. “You peculiar human being.”

  She seemed to have made up her mind, reaching out to shake me awake, but I swatted her hand away. I opened my eyes, peering up at the startled face of Ashes.

  “‘Kinder,’ huh?” I asked, sitting up.

  “I, uh . . .”

  I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, reaching for my boots. “You’re lucky you didn’t choose ‘the latter.’ I’m starving, and when I don’t eat,” I said, getting to my feet and staring Ashes down, “I’m the exact opposite of kind.”

  I smirked, walking away. I would never get tired of irritating her.

  I sat across from Lance and Taj, the rest of the Knights sitting around us on a long, wooden table.

  We were alone, except for the Dystalphian guards that stood at the entrance.

  “I wonder what they’re planning,” Simon said in a hushed voice, picking at the pieces of duck meat on his plate. He scrunched up his nose, looking up at me. “You’re trained for this, aren’t you?” He leaned forward, lowering his voice even further. “Is it poisoned? Can you smell it?”

  I scowled at him, wondering who’d even signed off his knighthood.

  “I can’t just sniff it and detect what’s inside,” I leaned back

  in the chair, crossing my arms over my chest. “And if it were

/>   really poisoned, which I highly doubt, they wouldn’t make it obvious enough to be smelled.”

  “Ask one of the guards to try a bite,” Asselin said under his breath, jutting his chin towards them.

  “They won’t do it, you arse,” Batch shot, and Asselin punched him for good measure.

  I rolled my eyes, holding out an empty plate.

  “I’ll taste every one of them for you,” I offered. “Come on.”

  “But what if you’re poisoned?” Kay asked with concern,

  green eyes wide. I smiled at him. If I had to choose a favorite

  out of all the Knights, it would’ve been Kay. He was too innocent, almost. Caring. He was quiet and seemed like a gentle person overall.

  “Then you’ll just have to avenge me. You’ve been chosen as Knights for a reason.” I raised my eyebrows. “Well? What are you waiting for?”

  Taj shook his head, sighing disapprovingly. “You all disappoint me.”

  “Well, we all can’t die, can we?” Simon shrugged. He was the first to push a slice of duck onto the empty plate I was holding out.

  Slowly, the rest of them followed—all except Lance and Taj. Even Ashes joined in, smirking.

  “That’s for this morning.” She held up crossed fingers.

  “Taj,” I tsked, “what kind of Knights have you raised?”

  He shook his head, defeated. “I’m depressed just thinking

  about it.”

  The Knights complained in unison, none of their words distinguishable from one another as they dug into the feast that lay before us.

  Leaning back, I watched them eat.

  “Why aren’t you eating?” Lance asked. He raised the goblet to his lips, taking a sip.

  “I’m not hungry.” That wasn’t true. My stomach rumbled, but I was too stressed to take a bite. All I could think of was what King Adrean would say once I spoke with him. I couldn’t keep my mind from wandering, stress causing my stomach to churn.

  “Are you thinking about your meeting with the king?” Lance asked, setting down his silver fork.

  I nodded. “I’m trying to figure out what his response will

  be. I have to be one step ahead.”

  “It’s better not to ponder over it. Whatever happens, happens,” Kay said gently.