Grishma (Necoh Saga)

by Kelly Blount

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  BRIANNA AND EMLYN FLIPPED THROUGH dress after dress in Sophie’s massive wardrobes.

  Emlyn held up a bright turquoise dress that was tied tightly at the bodice with a white ribbon. “How about this one?”

  Brianna rolled her eyes. “No, that won’t do. She’s meeting the King and Queen tonight. She has to wear something special!”

  Emlyn went back to inspecting each dress until she found something worthy to show Brianna and Sophie.

  “So,” started Brianna with a coy expression. “How was last night?”

  Sophie smiled as her thoughts drifted to the previous night with Algid.

  With a dreamy look in her eyes, she murmured, “It was perfect.”

  Emlyn spun around so quickly, she almost lost her balance.

  “Spill!” commanded Brianna.

  Sophie sighed. “Well, he could tell I had been crying when I got out of the bath. I guess my eyes were all red and puffy. Anyway, he comforted me like a warm blanket on a chilly day.”

  Emlyn giggled. “Did you really just compare him to a warm blanket?”

  “Shhh!” said Brianna. “So, you got out of the bath and he noticed you were upset. Then what?”

  “Well, we had a beautiful dinner together and a few glasses of wine… Followed by Bressa’s antidote for dessert,” said Sophie.

  “Antidote?” Brianna asked.

  “Apparently, someone in Sumner gave me something that affected my memory,” said Sophie. “So when Bressa looked at my arm, she told me she would give me something to fix the problem.”

  Emlyn’s jaw dropped. “Who would do such a thing?”

  “Adeline,” said Brianna and Sophie at the same time.

  Emlyn scrunched up her nose. “I never liked that girl!”

  “Bressa warned me the antidote might make me feel strange, and man, she wasn’t kidding,” said Sophie with a sheepish smile. “I felt completely blissful, all my sadness just melted away.”

  Emlyn chirped, “I bet Prince Algid liked that!”

  Sophie could feel her cheeks getting warmer and she emitted an embarrassed giggle. “He did.”

  Brianna looked Sophie in the eyes. “So fess up! Did you to do it or not?”

  “Brianna! Don’t be so brash!” scolded Emlyn. Grinning sweetly, she said, “What she means is, did you two finally consummate your marriage?”

  Sophie looked down at her hands and smiled. “We did, and it was magical.”

  Gossiping and covering all of the juicy details, the girls talked until they had picked out the perfect dress for Sophie, pinned her hair up, and selected several rings and a jewel-encrusted bracelet to wear to the feast.

  “You look stunning,” said Brianna.

  “Time for us to get ready. Do you need anything else before we go?” asked Emlyn.

  “No, thank you for your help,” said Sophie.

  A few moments later, Algid returned to their bedroom chambers. “Wow,” he whispered as he walked up to her.

  She turned to face him and kissed him passionately.

  He traced her collarbone with his finger. “Are you sure you want to go to the feast tonight?” He kissed her neck. “We could just skip it and stay in here all night. Just the two of us.”

  She pulled back. “No, I have to meet your parents tonight.”

  He tugged her body roughly back into his. “Are you sure?”

  Sophie kissed the stubble forming on his jaw line. “Perhaps we could arrive a bit late to dinner?” she teased.

  He picked her up and gently tossed her on the bed. “Oh Princess Sophie, aren’t you a naughty one?”

  Groping hands and hungry lips meshed together and for the second time that day, the two newlyweds became one.

  After their romp, Sophie was exhausted and she found herself having trouble keeping her eyes open.

  Strange voices and vaguely familiar faces floated through her hazy mind.

  “Brooklyn, are you ready for the party tonight?”

  More haze.

  “That’s Ryder… He’s an exchange student from Denmark.”

  More haze.

  “Quick… Drink this!”

  A shimmering rainbow drifted through her mind.

  How beautiful.

  The rainbow disappeared and several slimy tentacles burst up from below and started wrapping themselves around her legs.

  Shrill screams erupted. Bolting upright, she found herself staring into Prince Algid’s wild and confused eyes.

  “What’s wrong?” he gasped.

  She put her hand on her chest and attempted to control her rapid breathing. “I was being attacked! These nasty tentacles were wrapping themselves around my legs and trying to pull me down!”

  Algid enclosed her in his arms and ran his fingers through her tangled, damp hair. “There, there, it’s okay. It was just a nightmare.”

  His calming words were interrupted by a several sharp knocks.

  His eyes went wide and he clenched his teeth. “We’re late!”

  Algid grabbed Sophie’s hand and pulled her out of bed.

  “Ah, we’re coming!” he shouted.

  A voice from the other side of the door responded, “The guests are waiting in the main hall and the King has ordered everyone to wait for your arrival.”

  “Please inform my father we will arrive shortly,” responded Algid.

  Sophie rushed to the mirror and attempted to pin up the fallen strands of hair that brushed against her neck.

  “It’s our first appearance together and I look horrible! Your parents are going to think I’m a mess!”

  He leaned forward and kissed the back of her neck. “You look amazing and my parents will adore you.” He spun her around and looked deep into her eyes. “In fact, my love, all of the people of Dratun will love you.”

  Approaching the cold stone doors leading into the main hall, Sophie felt lightheaded and queasy.

  Algid grasped her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

  They stopped an arm’s length before two guards holding matching blood stained flails.

  “Announce our arrival,” commanded Prince Algid.

  One guard swung open the doors to the main hall, exhaling a gigantic, “Oomph!” While the other guard set down his lethal weapon and in its place, picked up a delicate horn.

  Taking a deep breath, the large guard blew the horn in three successive bursts. The effect was immediate and the crowd became quiet.

  “Ah, my son, Prince Algid, and his magnificent wife, Princess Sophie! At last, you have decided to join us!” boomed King Zandel of Dratun.

  Sophie felt like she was about to vomit. She looked around for a comforting face and found none.

  Algid ignored the snide remark and walked proudly into the room with his new wife.

  “Father!”

  The two embraced. “My son, your kingdom welcomes you home!”

  His mother stood dutifully next to his father and inspected her son’s new bride. Softening her harsh expression, the Queen reached out for Sophie. “Come dear, let me see you.”

  She spun Sophie around twice, paused, then smirked. “You’re very beautiful.”

  “Th—thank you, Your Majesty,” stammered Sophie.

  The King cut through the awkward scene with an announcement. “People of Dratun, I’m pleased to announce Prince Algid and Princess Sophie of Dratun.”

  The crowd erupted in cheers.

  King Zandel stood up and cleared this throat. “Thank you, people of Dratun. I am so pleased my son has taken such an exquisite wife and secured the peace accord between Dratun and Sumner, the two most powerful kingdoms in Necoh.”

  The people applauded as Sophie and Algid stood before them.

  “Before we eat, please raise your glasses to toast Prince Algid and Princess Sophie, the future rulers of Dratun!”

  Everyone raised their glasses and delicately tapped it with their neighbor’s.

  Raising his hand to quiet the guests, King Zand
el said, “We are also here to celebrate a very brave man. Without his heroics, my son and daughter might not be with us tonight.”

  Gasps erupted from the crowd.

  “Ryder, please step forward.”

  Ryder!

  It felt like a bolt of electricity had struck Sophie on the tip of her head and the current had run down straight through her toes.

  Oh my god!

  Everything came back all at once. Memories of her parents fighting, leaving for the party of the year, running into Ryder in the woods—it all flowed in her mind. She even remembered being captured by Grishma and escaping, only to be captured by Laro and brought to the King of Sumner as Princess Sophie.

  Oh shit! They all think I’m Princess Sophie!

  The King’s booming voice interrupted her thoughts. “Ryder and his companion, Alexia, who is still with our healer, bravely battled Grishma in the Kadin Forest. Without their act of courage, both the lives of Princess Sophie and Prince Algid would have been taken by Grishma.”

  Loud gasps and cries of terror shot out from the guests.

  “We have reports that Grishma has holed herself up in the Halias Swamp in her Bastu stronghold. But have no fear, my people, we have sent out the best hunting party in all of Necoh to finally put an end to that murderous beast!”

  Sighs of relief echoed around the room.

  King Zandel motioned to an empty chair sitting beside him. “Ryder, please join us and we shall toast your bravery!”

  Ryder entered the room and bowed in front of the King and Queen.

  Everyone raised their glasses once again and waited for the King to speak.

  “To Ryder, who displayed impeccable bravery during a dire situation and henceforth will always be treated as a hero across all of Dratun!”

  Glasses clinked together and the people whistled.

  “Now, let us sit together, eat, and enjoy life!” The King took his seat.

  The crowd laughed and cheered one last time before sitting down to begin the feast.

  Brooklyn stood frozen in place until Algid led her to a large throne seated next to his mother.

  “I thought you and my mother would love to talk over dinner,” he said as he leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. Before she could respond, he turned and seated himself directly in between the King and Ryder.

  The Queen gave Brooklyn an icy glare.

  Brooklyn tried to remain calm and play the part of a princess during the remainder of the dinner, which proved challenging.

  “So, dear, how are you finding Dratun?”

  “It—it’s lovely,” stammered Brooklyn.

  The Queen sneered, “If you don’t like it here, at least be honest! There’s no need to lie!”

  Brooklyn looked around. No one else had heard the snarky comments. “I do like it here, Your Majesty. It’s just different and I miss my home, that’s all.”

  She rolled her eyes and turned to speak with the woman sitting on her other side for the remainder of the dinner.

  Brooklyn’s mind was in overdrive. She tried sorting through the memories as she picked at the strange delicacies on her plate. She remembered thinking she was Princess Sophie. It was strange. Almost like a dream.

  Then it really hit her. She was married to Prince Algid and they had consummated their marriage, twice! Oh my god. What am I going to do?

  Looking out over the people of Dratun, she felt lonely and scared. Attempting to get Ryder’s attention right now was pointless and probably dangerous. What would I say? Hey, everyone, sorry, but there’s been a bit of a mix up. I’m not really Princess Sophie and I need Ryder to take me home right now. So sorry, see you later! She shook her head in disbelief and continued to think throughout the multicourse meal. She came to the conclusion she needed to talk to Ryder, alone, without any prying ears.

  After the last course, full of delicious food and drink, people began to get up and stagger away from the table.

  Prince Algid came to Brooklyn’s side and kissed her cheek. “Are you ready for bed?” he asked with a seductive look.

  “Um, yes, of course,” she responded. “But first, my Prince, would it be possible for me to thank Ryder for saving our lives?”

  He smiled. “Of course!”

  Walking up to Ryder, her knees felt weak and she struggled to make eye contact.

  “Ryder, my wife, Princess Sophie, would like to personally thank you for saving our lives,” said Algid.

  Ryder looked deeply into her eyes before bowing and kissing her hand. “The pleasure was mine, Princess Sophie.”

  An idea popped into her mind. “Ryder, you look quite familiar. You don’t happen to know the MacIntyres of Sumner, do you?”

  Ryder’s eyes lit up. “You don’t mean Lady Jocelyn and her family, do you?”

  Yes, he knows it’s me! Damn that Jocelyn MacIntyre, who knew she’d help save my life one day?

  “Why yes, that is exactly who I was thinking about. Forgive me if my memory serves me wrong, but didn’t you attend some of the royal functions in Sumner with the MacIntyres?”

  “Yes, you have a keen memory, Princess. It feels like ages since I last saw you, we were just children back then,” responded Ryder.

  A strange look flashed across Algid’s face and then he broke out into a massive smile. “My darling Princess, Bressa’s cure must be working well! You haven’t been able to remember much of anything from when you were a young girl!”

  Brooklyn smiled. “Yes, my Prince, I believe Bressa’s cure is working. I’m beginning to remember a lot.”

  Algid smiled. Wrapping his arms around Brooklyn’s waist, he said, “Well, I think it’s time for us to depart to the royal chambers.”

  She felt Ryder watching her every move as he stared at her with his striking green eyes.

  “Perhaps we shall have more time to reminisce tomorrow,” suggested Brooklyn.

  A flash of jealousy crossed Algid’s eyes.

  Sensing the tension, Ryder added, “If it helps, then I would be willing to assist in any way possible.”

  The answer appeared to appease Algid. “Goodnight, Ryder, and thank you again,” he said as he swept Brooklyn away down the dark hallways of the castle of Dratun.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  RYDER ATTEMPTED TO REMAIN CALM, but his fury was about to boil over like lava flowing down a volcanic mountainside.

  His hands were all over her!

  Walking back to his bedroom chambers, he continued to fume. Slamming the door, he thought to himself, Somehow, some way, I’m getting her out of here ASAP! The question is… how?

  Before he could come up with a solution, he found a folded note sitting on his bed. He picked it up carefully.

  Ryder,

  Please come see me after the feast. It’s urgent!

  Alexia

  He sighed. Perhaps she’ll have an idea how to get out of this mess.

  Before going to see Alexia, he changed into a less dramatic outfit and found a furry hat to wear. It is so damn cold here!

  Ryder walked down the deserted hallways of the castle, trying not to draw any unwanted attention. When he made his way down to the healer’s room, he found only a handful of torches remained lit and a curtain hid Alexia from view.

  “Alexia? Are you there?”

  No response.

  He reached out for the curtain and pulled it to the side. The cot Alexia had been lying in earlier was empty.

  “Huh?”

  He turned around to search the rest of the small room and almost collided with Bressa.

  “Whoa! You about gave me a heart attack!” he exclaimed.

  “So sorry, boy,” she replied with a strange smile.

  “Where’s Alexia?”

  “She’ll be right back. But first, I have a question for you. How do you know Sumner’s potion master, Bethenny?”

  It felt like the wind had been knocked out him.

  Why is she asking about my mother? He tried stalling. “Bethenny? Um, well, why do you want
to know?”

  She stepped forward and thrust her face inches from his. “I said, how do you know Bethenny?”

  Ryder locked eyes with Bressa. “You could say we go way back.”

  “Did you harm her? Word is that she is missing and no longer in the castle of Sumner.”

  “Harm her? No, I would never do such a thing. Why are you so interested in Bethenny and her well-being?”

  Bressa blinked several times, then turned away from Ryder.

  “Well?” he pressed.

  Her response tumbled out of her mouth before she broke down and began sobbing. “Because Bethenny is my sister and I’m worried sick that she’s dead!”

  “Sister?” asked Ryder in disbelief.

  “Yes,” Bressa cried.

  “Prove it!” he demanded.

  She crossed the room and pulled out several dusty scrolls. Carefully unrolling the first one, she held it up for Ryder to inspect.

  “This is my family,” she said as she showed him several hand drawn sketches and a succession of spindly lines that formed a large drawing of a tree. “We are descendants from the greatest potion master of all time, Breka.”

  Holy crap! I’ve seen these scrolls before, but I could never figure out what they meant. It must be some sort of cryptic family tree! Not ready to admit everything yet, Ryder said, “So, how do I know you aren’t trying to find this Bethenny and cause her harm?”

  Bressa shot him a look containing the perfect combination of anger and annoyance. “I told you, she’s my sister! I would never harm her or anyone in my family!”

  Ryder continued, “And you say she’s missing?”

  “Yes, one of the guests at the feast tonight brought me the news. There’s word a young man, who very much meets your description, helped her escape. I wasn’t sure if it was a lie or the truth.”

  “And you swear on your life that you do not wish her harm?” Ryder asked one last time.

  Bressa nodded. “Yes, I swear on it!”

  “Then, yes, I know Bethenny, and I did help her escape the castle of Sumner,” said Ryder.

  Bressa gasped. “Why would you do such a kind thing? She has been locked up there for years!”