Veracity (The Seven Cities Book 1)

by Lindsey Stell

  The bracelet hums and grows silent.

  "Katherine," she sniffs, "Please believe me when I say that I would never wish actual harm on you or anyone else. I know I'm a brat, and it is something I promise I will work on, but I'm not evil. What Alana did is unforgivable, and I am so sorry that my spiteful nature brought this on."

  I was stunned, and still am. Surprised as I was, forgiveness in the face of so much regret was not hard to give, and the three of us were able to find a sense of peace after her confession.

  Amber is not the only person changed by Alana's execution. Sadie seems to be languishing here in the suite after having so much freedom. She still is sick often, and has become so pale. I have been ordering more fresh fruit and vegetables for her, and all but force her to sit on the balcony for at least an hour a day, but still her natural glow seems dulled. She assures me that she is fine, blaming her condition on allergies of all things.

  Then there is Grayson who has stepped up his stalking game. If I had questions about him seeming to be near me often, they have been answered as he is now my regular shadow. Even though the threat is gone, I can feel the tension building inside him. He is still drinking heavily, and sometimes I find him fast asleep and snoring outside my door. I have talked to Travis about his behavior but he just brushes it off, convinced it is just the soldier in him, feeling the need to protect someone vulnerable. Grayson is a hero, he tells me. Until he is satisfied that I am no longer in danger, I should just humor him without getting involved. I would be more inclined to accept this answer if the danger hadn't already been dealt with.

  It's a quiet morning, a few days into the first normal feeling week since Alana's death. I am sprawled out on one of the sofas, rereading one of my favorite books when Sadie walks into the room, dressed head to toe in black. I am so shocked to see her out of her customary beige; I drop my book, swearing when it hits the floor.

  "Why aren't you dressed?" she asks.

  "Dressed for what? Why are you wearing black?"

  "The funeral. You forgot didn't you? Today is the funeral for Aunt Lola's mother."

  "I forgot all about that, but I do want to go. Wait for me while I go ask Maggie if I have a black dress."

  The best I can find is a dark green gown, but Maggie assures me it will work just fine. Running a comb quickly through my hair, I pin it back into a simple bun and we walk out of the Big House and into the city, only the second time I have been allowed on the streets. Thankfully the General has allowed me to forgo wearing the garish gold gowns, but still everywhere we go, the people watch me. They no longer try to mask their attention, openly staring as we go.

  Sadie is in the middle of a story I've only been pretending to listen to, but when we pass the butcher shop she stops talking, slowing down to almost a crawl.

  "What's wrong Sadie?" I ask her. "You look like you are about to be sick."

  "It's just the smell of the meat is all, it's got my stomach tied up in knots."

  "I don't even smell anything, are you sure you are okay?"

  Barely five more steps and Sadie is vomiting in one of the alleys. She seems terrified, looking around wild eyed to see if anyone had seen her.

  "Sadie, what is going on? I know something isn't right. You have been pale and sickly for weeks now. Have you seen a doctor?"

  "I don't need to see a doctor," she whispers. "I'm fine."

  "You are not fine. You have been falling asleep in the middle of the day, and you can't tell me that's normal because I know it's not."

  "Kat, please stop."

  "Why?"

  "Because if you ask me, I am going to have to tell you."

  "For Pete's sake Sadie, I'm asking you what is wrong! Why won't you tell me?"

  "Because I went and did something stupid, and I don't need anyone finding out about it," she sighs, pulling me further down the alley. "I've messed up, Kat."

  "Wait," I say incredulously, the pieces of the puzzle finally coming together, "Are you saying you're . . ."

  "Don't say it!" she cries. "If you say it, I can't deny it."

  "How could you be so stupid Sadie?"

  "I don't know what you could possibly be talking about," she says giving me a pointed look before heading down the alley.

  "Don't play with me, you've already all but said it. What will happen when you start to show?"

  "If I don't have to lie when I am scanned I will go to the work camp, and the baby will go to the nursery. If I have to lie, I will be executed."

  "Why on earth would you lie?"

  "If they ask me who the father is, I will lie until my last breath. I will never give him up."

  "I'm going to help you figure this out."

  "The best thing you can do for me right now is forget you know anything about it. I have to act normal, and so do you."

  By the time we arrive, Sadie is acting like her old self, smiling at everyone, teasing her cousins, and terrorizing her grandfather. The two of us blend into the crowd and with the festivities, and it is almost possible to relax and forget. The farm is enticingly festive. Decorations and flowers have been hung throughout the yard, and a rag tag band plays in front of a makeshift dance floor. Lola's mother is taking full advantage of the party as well, dancing with all the boys and playing cards with the girls, flitting around to try and spend time with everyone. Her eyes light up when she sees Sadie, grabbing her and pulling her into a fierce hug.

  "I'm glad you could make it Sadie-Girl," she says. "It wouldn't feel right to make the big trip without seeing you first."

  "I wouldn't miss it," Sadie says. "This is Lady Katherine. Katherine, this is my Aunt's mother, Clarissa."

  "It's nice to meet you," I say, taking her hand. "I appreciate the chance to share this with you."

  "I am so sorry," she says, embarrassed, "but I can't remember how to address you. Is it your majesty now or just my lady? I just can't keep it straight."

  "Honestly, neither can I," I say. "Please call me Katherine, or Kat for short."

  "Well aren't you just a sweetheart," she says patting my hand.

  Clarissa excuses herself and goes back to the party. It's in full swing now, people dancing and singing along to the music as kids run through the crowd, weaving in and out of the dancing couples. A long table has been pulled outside, and it is full of finger foods and cold drinks. A breeze kicks up, delivering the sweet smell of roses and cake. The colorful ribbons dance in the air, the leaves sway on the trees, and the crops wave back and forth in the wind. It looks as if the earth itself is celebrating.

  I try to enjoy the party, but I can't stop obsessing over Sadie. She moves with such a friendly grace, and has a kind word for everyone she meets. She doesn't deserve what is going to happen to her. She is the single kindest person I have met here, and the thought of her stuck in a work camp, or worse, has my blood boiling. I wrack my brain trying to think up some way to save her. She mentioned once that lady's maids could marry. Could I find her a husband in enough time? Maybe we could run, go find Jack and see if he could help her. I push the thought away, though. How could she raise a baby out there in the wild, as terrible as it is?

  The sun sets and the stars pop out one by one in the night sky. The music has slowed and the children have long been put to bed. Clarissa sits with her family around her, holding their hands and telling stories of their childhood. She seems so virile, so alive. It's a shame that she is being sent away from her family forever, based solely on her age. She looks up and catches my gaze, holding it, trying to communicate some silent thought to me. Keeping her eyes locked to mine, she raises her daughter's hand, kissing it as tears fall down her cheek. What does she want? Is this a plea for help? Does she think I have the power to stop this? Could I stop it?

  The party ends, and we make the walk back to the Big House. Sadie is unusually quiet, and I suppose too much has been said for one day. The next morning after breakfast, Grayson finds me in the hall. He looks nervous, and his hands shake as he takes mine.

&nbs
p; "Kat, can I talk to you for a minute?"

  "Of course, but are you okay? You look a little off."

  "I'm fine, there is something I would like to talk to you about, and I am having a hard time figuring out how to say it."

  "What is the matter?" I ask worried. Did he find out about Sadie? How could he have?

  "Nothing is wrong, well not in the traditional sense, I just . . . need to talk to you and I am worried you will hate me for it."

  "Grayson you aren't making any sense. What could you possibly have to say that I would hate you for?"

  He looks up quickly as Laura, the General, and the old woman walk out of the breakfast room.

  "We can't talk about it here," he says looking nervous. "Meet me tomorrow afternoon in the garden. We can take a carriage ride and I will explain everything then."

  "Alright, I'll meet you tomorrow, but you do realize that I am going to worry over what you have to say until then."

  "Please don't. Hopefully what I have to say will make you feel better, not worse," he says before kissing me on the cheek and walking away.

  "Grayson was acting strange," Laura says as the trio pass.

  "Yes he was," I say, rubbing my cheek.

  "I wonder why?"

  "I don't know, I suppose I will find out tomorrow."

  "Hmmm . . . In my experience only love can make a boy look that nervous," Laura smiles.

  "Do you think he has fallen in love again?" I ask confused. "Why would he want to talk to me about that?"

  "Why indeed," the old woman croaks. "Please let the General and I know if my grandson is any trouble would you?"

  "Of course," I say feeling uncomfortable. "Although I am sure he doesn't have anything to say to me that he wouldn't say to anyone else."

  "Boys have their secrets," Laura grins.

  "I am sure if the boy had a secret he wouldn't have made plans with her loud enough for us all to hear," the General grunts. "Leave the kids alone Laura. No need to stir up trouble where it doesn't exist."

  The trio leaves me and I head back to my suite. Maggie, Sadie, and I start a card game once their work is finished for the day. Maggie orders snacks from the kitchen, and we stretch the game out as long as we can, laughing at each other's poor playing. It becomes a game in itself to purposely lose hands we could have won to prolong the tournament. Maggie and I both notice Sadie is avoiding the snacks like they were poisoned, even though they are her favorites. Maggie doesn't say anything but the shrewd look in her eye makes me nervous. Maybe I have less time to figure this out than I thought.

  The game finally won, the two women head back to their quarters and I to mine. Changing into a long nightgown, I pull the many pins out of my hair, sighing in relief as it falls down around my shoulders. I am just about to crawl into bed when I hear a tapping on my balcony door. Letting out a squeak, I grab a candlestick, raising it above my head as Jack sticks his head into the room.

  "What on earth do you think you are doing?" I whisper harshly.

  "Saving you." he says, walking full into the room, looking around to make sure we are alone.

  Grabbing me by the arm, Jack starts to drag me toward the door. I sit down like a child, crossing my arms and legs, refusing to move. Not fazed in the least by my show of defiance, he picks me up, throwing me over his shoulder. He starts to walk toward the door and I sink my teeth into his back. Howling, he shucks me to the floor.

  "I am not going with you!" I cry.

  "Yes you are. It's not safe for you to be here!"

  He grabs me again, turning my back to him and pinning my arms around my waist. He lifts me off the floor with one strong arm, and pulls the door open with the other. What is he planning on doing, throwing me over the balcony?

  I lift my feet, putting one on each side of the door jam, preventing him from taking me through. He tries to push, hoping to dislodge my feet in the process, but I hold strong and push back with my legs. He falls back, pulling me with him. We hit the floor hard, and I can hear the air being knocked out of him as I land against his chest.

  "Someone has to have heard us," I say panting. "I am not going with you, and if you don't leave right now, you are going to get caught."

  "It's . . . not . . . safe," he wheezes, trying to catch his breath. "They know."

  "Know what?"

  "That Grayson is going to tell you. I don't have time to explain it but you are in danger and you need to leave with me now!"

  "I can't trust you, Jack, and I have a life here now. I'm not leaving, but you need to."

  "Didn't you hear what I said?" he asks, shocked. "They are already here, they have always been here. You have to be the next General's wife, and they will do anything to make that happen."

  "You aren't making any sense!" I cry. "Stop being so cryptic and tell me what is going on. Who is here? Who wants to hurt me?"

  "I can't tell you, not now. You wouldn't believe me and there isn't time to explain. You have to leave with me tonight!"

  "I am not going anywhere. I don't want to, but I will scream if you don't leave."

  "Fine. Have it your way," he huffs, limping through the door. "But the only reason I am leaving is because I can't protect you if I'm locked up. I will be here when you need me Kat, I promise I will protect you."

  "Don't be crazy Jack! You need to forget about me. If you get caught, who knows what they would do? I can't bear the thought of seeing you hurt."

  "So you still care about me?"

  "Against my better judgment," I say pulling myself off the floor. "I don't love you Jack, but I know that I used to."

  "That's a start," he says as he disappears into the night.

  It's terribly disturbing that no one comes to check on me. I know that our scuffle had to have been loud enough to draw attention, but no one comes, not even Maggie. Maybe these walls are thicker than I imagined. I spend a long time standing on the balcony, staring off into the darkness. Was Jack out there now? Was he watching me?

  Morning comes quickly and despite the active night, I am in a great mood. The time since Alana's execution has been a lonely one with not even Travis making much time for me, so even though I am worried about what he will say, I am excited about seeing Grayson.

  As I dress, I look for any sign that either Maggie or Sadie may have heard something last night, but no one lets on if they did.

  "That spooky old woman is making her way up the main stairs," Sadie tells me, sticking her head into the dressing room. "If you hurry you might be able to avoid her."

  "You just saved my morning Sadie!"

  I finish dressing in record time, and make a mad dash for the stairwell at the opposite end of the hall. I know I am being cruel trying to hide from her, but I just don't have the patience for her this morning. She might not be coming to see me anyway. Laura's suite is not far down the hall from mine.

  The garden is enchanting this time of day, full of people milling about on the soft grass and talking quietly in pairs. The flowers are all in bloom, and hundreds of tiny butterflies fly through the air. Children from the preschool giggle as they chase them, filling the garden with the sound of their laughter. The carriage is already waiting for me, and I bound up the steps, surprised to see that it's Travis, not Grayson who greets me.

  "I hope you don't mind," he says. "Grayson asked if I could take you today instead."

  "Of course," I say, trying not to seem too disappointed. "I thought he had something he needed to talk to me about."

  "He did, but he was afraid he wouldn't be able to find the words, and even if he did, that he wouldn't be able to handle your disappointment with him. My brother may seem tough, but he has a hard time with rejection."

  "Rejection? What are you talking about? Why would I reject Grayson?"

  "Because he loves you. He has always loved you."

  "He is in love with me? What about this mysterious fiancée that he was so enamored with? What happened to her?"

  "That was you." Travis says sadly. "You were never m
eant to marry me. You and Grayson were promised to each other from an early age."

  "Wait," I say, stunned, "I'm lost. If I was supposed to marry Grayson before I was taken, then why am I suddenly engaged to you when I return? Isn't that lying? Didn't this whole society get founded on the idea of honesty? I think I am going to throw up." I say putting my head in my hands.

  "I was never a fan of deceiving you," he starts. "And Grayson fought it the entire way, but it was at the command of your brother. He thought a marriage to a second son wasn't good enough for you. You've seen how eccentric he is, how he considers himself a king. He wants you to be in a ruling position, for what reason, I can only guess."

  "That is the single dumbest thing I have ever heard. How could my brother get such an idea in his head? Why the charade? He's my only male relative, he could have ordered me to marry anyone he wanted."

  "Honestly, we think he might be mad. His thoughts have always been just a little off, but now they seem completely insane. Even so, he loves you in his own way. He saw your memory loss as a good opportunity to change your marriage contract without affecting your feelings. He would have been much more hesitant to carry out his plans if he knew it would break your heart."

  "I can't believe this," I say, shocked. "I am the one Grayson mopes around about. This whole time you have been lying to me, courting me, and he has been miserable watching us together."

  "We were fools to think we could really pull it off," he says softly. "That your hearts wouldn't call to each other. I've seen the way you are drawn to him."

  "That's exactly what it feels like," I say, thoughtfully. "I think a part of me remembers him. Somewhere, deep down, my heart knew him from the moment he found me."

  "Do you hate us?" he asks.

  "Of course not. I'm angry and confused, but I see how this wasn't your choice. I don't even hate my brother, although now I am concerned about his mental health. Thinking up such a scheme, and for what? To make me a General's wife? What kind of power does he expect me to wield in that position? Amber's isn't any more powerful than I am now."