Gaia's Secret

by Barbara Kloss

  A little voice nagged at me to say something, but I wasn’t sure what. I still couldn’t believe what he had said, even though I heard it with my own ears.

  “Well?” He glanced irritably at my dad.

  Dad flashed me a pleading glance. Right, I needed to be on my best behavior, which meant I should probably say something.

  So, I stuck out my hand. “Daria Jones from Fresno. You may call me Daria.”

  I felt a wave of anxiety from Stefan, but the king smiled, accepting the gesture. “Natural command, I see. But from now on you will go by your given name, Daria Regius. And we will have to do something with these clothes of yours.” His eyes frowned over the length of my frame.

  My cheeks flushed, but I stood tall—aware of Stefan’s acute disappointment.

  “And now that we’re on the subject of your dress, you should know it isn’t fitting for you—a princess of Gaia—to be covered in filth. I recall your father saying you prefer to be out of doors. That is fine; however, for now you shall remain inside the castle, until you learn our ways and what’s expected of you.” He eyed me up and down again.

  I started feeling claustrophobic. Within moments of meeting the man, he built walls around my freedoms and dictated my future. He expected me to be a mindless, glittering, puffy-dressed pawn at his disposal. This man, my grandfather, the king.

  Don’t say a word. Don’t say a word if you have any hopes of keeping certain freedoms.

  At my silence, he continued. “I understand these changes may be a lot to absorb, but given the proper time, I’m confident you will learn our customs and manners as should be fitting. The lifestyle here is entirely different than what you’re used to, I’m afraid. I will take great care in ensuring you are educated with the best tutors as your brother has been. That should be rather simple, now that you are to live here, but before any of that, we shall present you to the realm. Tomorrow morning should do.”

  “Father.” My dad’s apprehension was strong. “Don’t you think it’s a little early to—“

  The king held up a jeweled hand. “All but one of my lords is present, although his son is serving in his stead.” The king turned to my father. “Perhaps Stefan mentioned Danton is here?”

  “Yes,” my father said, his tone flat. “We saw Lord Commodus on our way here.”

  “Wonderful. He has come then. Things have been trying since your absence, and now that you’ve returned, you can fill the Council in so they may find an appropriate course of action. Regardless, everyone is gathered that must meet her, and can relay the information to the territories well before the Festival in November.

  “And then.” King Darius turned calculating eyes on me. “We can introduce the world to my granddaughter. Wait until they see her. News of her beauty will travel far. I’ve no doubt she’ll have her choice of eligible suitors come November.”

  I suddenly found my voice and, unfortunately, lost my discretion. “Suitors?”

  A twinge of nervousness hummed from my dad and Stefan.

  “Of course. As my granddaughter, you are expected to marry well. The union must be to the son of one of my lords. Not to worry. They’re all present currently, including Lord Commodus’ son, Danton. He would be very suitable, once you’ve…changed.” He waved his withered hand over my frame again.

  Their nervousness had transformed into pure fear.

  “Marriage?” I gaped at him. “What on earth are you talking about? I’m only eighteen and I’m not…getting married anytime soon, and when I do—assuming I do—I’ll pick him.”

  The room fell silent. Seconds ticked by, holding on for dear life. The horror of Dad and Stefan was acute, but even beyond their varying emotions, I didn’t miss the flash of rage from my grandfather, though his face betrayed nothing.

  My grandfather patted my arm. “We shall discuss this topic at a later time.”

  “There’s nothing to—“

  “Daria.”

  It was Dad this time. His face was fixed and his eyes held warning. I closed my mouth.

  “Alaric, it is alright. She is tired from so much travel, so many life-altering circumstances. I am sure that her judgment has suffered for it.”

  I wanted to tell him my judgment was fine. It was his judgment that suffered. But I didn’t want to get Dad—or myself—in further trouble. Remnants of that powerful rage still permeated the space around him.

  “I think perhaps it is time to introduce Daria to her chambers.” Without giving anyone the opportunity to argue, he snapped his fingers. The sound was sharp in the empty room.

  Within seconds, a woman poked her face around a wall. She had a sweet demeanor, slight frame, soft features, and warm brown eyes. She seemed to be about Sonya’s age, but her skin had lost more of its elasticity, and when she smiled, the skin folded near her eyes.

  “Yes, your grace?” Her voice was soft.

  He motioned for her to come to his side, and she wasted no time in obeying. He whispered something into her ear and she nodded as her eyes moved back to me.

  “Daria, this is Rhea, one of my attending servants. I’m relinquishing her services to you, unless you find them unsatisfactory.”

  He was giving me a maid? What was I supposed to do with a maid?

  “Really, sir…sire…Grandfather, that’s not necessary.”

  “I tell you it is.” His eyes narrowed.

  The strong surge of apprehension from my dad and Stefan told me I shouldn’t argue.

  My grandfather continued. “Rhea, show Daria to her quarters. I have matters to discuss with my son and Stefan.”

  So now he was leaving me out?

  “That’s it?” I couldn’t stop the words. “You’re making me leave—just…go to my room after everything that happened?”

  The king’s face was rigid and his eyes were cold. “Goodnight, my dear.”

  No, not after everything I’d been through. He couldn’t do this. “I am just as much a part—if not more—of the past events as they are. I was there for everything, if you didn’t know. So you should hear what I have to say.”

  I had done it. Pushed too far. Much too far.

  A fire surged in the king—one so strong the candles in the room flickered and dimmed. The draperies ruffled as a shadow danced upon the king’s features.

  Dad’s face flared red and Stefan was paralyzed in shock. The king looked so angry I thought he might start breathing fire. Wouldn’t that be nice, to make it through all that only to turn into a pile of ashes. I should’ve turned and run when I had the chance. I should’ve fled at the gate.

  I never should’ve come here.

  “Father,” my dad interceded. “You may find her account beneficial.”

  The king narrowed his eyes. “My granddaughter’s thoughts on diplomatic matters are unnecessary.” Each word dripped from his tongue like acid. “I will not hear another word on the subject.”

  My dad bowed his head in secession. “One moment then, while I speak with my daughter?”

  He earned himself a rather overt glare from his father, but made his way towards me regardless. Dad’s face communicated everything he could not say while in the presence of a king. Mostly silent apologies.

  “Daria,” he whispered. “I promise I’ll come and see you the first moment I can. And I’m hopeful—” he glanced back at his own father “—that given time, he’ll learn to value you.” He wrapped his arm around me. “All right?”

  “As soon as you can,” I reiterated.

  Dad grinned, but it failed to touch his eyes.

  On the king’s orders, I was escorted from the one remaining person I trusted.

  This man was taking everything away from me. This king, my grandfather.

  Chapter 29

  Glittering Captivity

  Angry, I followed Rhea to my room, along with an escort of two guards.

  The guards weren’t so bad, really. Their armor was obnoxiously loud as we walked, and they didn’t say a word, but at least they didn’t stare. N
ot like everyone else.

  The people in the king’s castle were about as nice as the king. In fact, I wondered if he somehow made an announcement to his entire court, ordering them to make the new girl feel subhuman, because when I walked by, they would look me up and down and frown like they pitied me. Some even covered their mouths and giggled. But the funny thing was I pitied them. They looked like peacocks in their so-called refinery, and it was beyond a giggling matter.

  Rhea turned down another hall—I was doubtful I’d ever find my way around—and stopped before a tall door with a round, iron knocker. The guards positioned themselves on either side and stared at the opposite wall. I had the sudden urge to jump and scream in front of them while making a funny face, but Rhea clicked my door open and motioned for me to step through. Maybe later.

  “Your room, my lady,” she said.

  I peered inside.

  There was a small sitting area near the door, with two mahogany chairs and an ivory sofa. Everywhere I looked was deep green and black and silver, and lots of dark wood. Sconces clung to the walls, surrounded by a golden halo of light, and the air smelled so thickly of spice it numbed my nostrils. I couldn’t see a window anywhere but I noticed a wall of black velvet, hanging from an iron rod and pooling on the floor below like a puddle of ink. There was an enormous bed off to one side, covered in rich green satins and black velvet with a mountain of pillows on top. Of course, it was equipped with four posts and way too much gossamer. This room was larger than my entire home back in Fresno, and it was apparently mine.

  If my grandfather the king was trying to make me feel out of place, it was working beautifully.

  Rhea followed me inside and pulled the heavy draperies open, the muted evening light softening the shadows in my room. Beyond the glass was a view of the mountains. Waterfalls cascaded into verdant greens and birds soared high, disappearing into thick clouds overhead.

  It was a picture of freedom.

  Note to self: add “cruel” to the list of my grandfather’s attributes.

  Rhea padded off through a narrow corridor on one side, and was soon accompanied by a few splashes of what sounded like water.

  These people didn’t waste time.

  After a few minutes of arguing with Rhea—well, me arguing with her—she capitulated to letting me scrub my own skin and wash my own hair. As much as she tried to convince me of its commonality, I was not ready for someone else to give me a bath. There were some freedoms I was going to keep. Like who got to see me naked.

  My grand tub sat upon four curled legs on a pristine marble floor enclosed by an oval-shaped marble wall. I even felt too dirty for the bathroom. Once I was done scrubbing two weeks of filth from my skin—which hurt—I walked right back into my room to find Rhea had already laid out clothing for me across the bed: a black satin gown, a rich black shawl, and slippers.

  That was it, then. Rhea must’ve heard the king’s announcement, too.

  Rhea noticed my hesitation and took a step towards me. “My lady—“

  And that wasn’t helping. “Please don’t call me that,” I said.

  She looked at me like I offended her. “It is your title.”

  “Title?” I grumbled to myself. “This is getting ridiculous.”

  “Excuse me, my lady?” she asked.

  “Nothing…never mind. I just…you don’t need to call me that.”

  Rhea studied me but I couldn’t tell what she was thinking. “All right,” she said at last. “As long as it’s just you and me.”

  I didn’t hide my relief. “Thanks.”

  She nodded.

  I made my way over to my bed and stared at the silk.

  “Do you not like it?” Rhea asked.

  What I really wanted was a t-shirt and shorts, but I doubted Camelot could provide anything like that. “No, it’s…nice,” I said, rubbing the soft fabric between my fingers. “It’s just not what I’m used to.”

  I missed my room back in Fresno; the one with scuffs on the walls, a missing closet door, and stacks of papers and books on the floor because there wasn’t enough room for them on my dinky desk. I even missed the stench of farm on my clothes.

  “I understand.” Rhea’s tone was so gentle I looked back at her. And by the look on her face, I knew she really did understand, somehow. She continued, “I’ll help you in any way I can. There are…ways to keep yourself beneath all the glittering layers.” She smiled a warm, genuine smile.

  I grinned. I might like this woman after all.

  No one visited my guarded room the remainder of the evening. Not even Dad. That surprised me, but Rhea assured me it was because of the situation. Until everyone knew I existed, no one—not even my dad—could visit. Maybe Dad hadn’t realized that when he said he’d come see me, but I could sacrifice this one night. Especially after everything my family had done for me.

  Rhea spent the remainder of her evening attending me, and attending me well. I hadn’t expected it, but I appreciated her company. For one, she didn’t call me “my lady” again, but even more than that, she was real with me. Tomorrow would be a momentous day in Gaia, she’d said. Everyone would be anxious to meet me.

  “And remember.” She’d grinned. “It is only for a little while. You can return to these chambers and be yourself again.”

  Rhea and I might get along just fine.

  I thanked her many times throughout the remainder of the evening, and the next morning when she brought me my breakfast through my guarded door.

  “They’re still out front?” I whispered.

  Rhea nodded, grinning. She set a tray of food beside my bed: breads, unusual fruits, a couple slices of meat, and a goblet of a deep burgundy shaded liquid.

  “Upon the king’s orders. Oh, and I hope you don’t mind.” She set down a pile of deep brown leather fabric on my dresser. “But I took the liberty of having your leathers cleaned and mended. It will be awhile before you are allowed to own anything like this.” She smiled.

  “Thank you.” I grinned. “I’ll be sure to keep them hidden.”

  “And I found this in your pocket. I wasn’t sure if it was important to you or not.”

  In her hands was the little rook Thad had given me. It had cracked; part of the tower was missing but was otherwise intact. I wished my own tower—the one I was locked within—would chip away. Thanking her, I took it from her hands.

  She nodded and disappeared into my bathroom.

  I set my little chipped tower on my nightstand and began digging into my food. The bread was doughy and warm and sweet. I picked up the goblet and took a sip of the liquid, but immediately spit it back in the cup. These people were bizarre when it came to their tastes of beverages.

  Rhea poked her head in. “Do you not care for Pom Ale?”

  I eyed the drink in my hands. “You all drink ale this early in the day?”

  She chuckled, walking towards me. “It’s considered a delicacy. Made from pomegranate trees on Earth.”

  “I didn’t think it was possible, but you have successfully ruined their flavor.”

  She smiled. “Is there something else you like to drink in the morning?”

  Was there ever. “Coffee.”

  “Coffee.” She mulled the word over in her head. “Is it…black and smells much better than it tastes?”

  I grinned. “That is an adequate description.”

  “And you like it?”

  I nodded.

  She peered into my goblet and held her hand over it. Her soft eyes glanced at me before they closed. When she removed her hand, the substance inside the goblet was dark and steaming and smelled like…coffee.

  “How did you do that?” I gasped.

  She grinned, holding up a single finger over her lips. “Do not tell a soul. There are things I’m not allowed either, but I think this occasion excuses it.” She took a whiff of the coffee in my hands. “And why you prefer that to Pom Ale, I’ll never understand.”

  I took a sip. It was the best coffee I’d eve
r tasted. Finally, something familiar, something from home. I might survive here after all.

  She began walking back towards my bathroom when a soft rapping sounded on the door. “Will you be seeing anyone now?” Rhea asked.

  “Yes. That’s fine.” I pulled my black robe around my frame. The silk still felt slippery and cold on my skin.

  Rhea unbolted the door and it creaked as it opened. Soft mumbling ensued and a head of bronze hair appeared. Great, Golden Child.

  “Good morning, mind if I come in for a moment?” His voice sounded a little nervous, but his smile was so warm I couldn’t tell him to go away.

  “Sure, I mean, is that okay?” I asked Rhea.

  “Of course…my lady.” She grinned, and I grinned back. “Would you like me to stay?”

  I eyed Stefan. “No, I think I can handle him.”

  “So sure of yourself already?” Stefan grinned.

  “I doubt Mr. Prim and Proper would do anything to offend the one and only princess of Gaia.”

  Rhea covered her smile as she stepped out the door.

  It was odd seeing this younger version of my dad staring back at me. We didn’t look related at all, but then, I was used to that. I never had looked much like my dad.

  “Have the guards left?” I asked.

  Stefan arched a brow. “It’ll be a long time before you’re left unattended.”

  My morning was getting better by the second. “Then where’s my…our dad?”

  Stefan folded his fingers and swallowed. “He’ll be here in a little while. He was on his way this morning, but I asked him if I could see you first.”

  I eyed Stefan. Why he thought I’d want his company over our dad’s, I had no idea.

  Silence.

  Stefan grinned awkwardly and took a few more steps into my room. “How did you sleep?”

  “Terribly.”

  He looked at me a minute and grinned. “Perhaps we should move your bed to the woods. A says you slept great out there.”

  That was the second time I’d heard him use that. I raised a brow. “A?”