Gaia's Secret

by Barbara Kloss

“Alex.”

  I nodded. “So…you talked to Alex?”

  “Last night over dinner. I was dying to hear the details of your journey.”

  Left out again. A prisoner in my own room. Scowling, I walked towards my taunting freedom called the window.

  Stefan meandered to my side.

  Just go away.

  Unfortunately for me, he didn’t hear my silent plea. “Daria, I came here because…I wanted to ask you something.”

  I waited.

  “What…is that horrible smell?”

  I looked at him then, his face winced in disgust. “It’s not me. I had a bath,” I said.

  “No.” He looked down at the goblet in my hands. “It’s that. What is that?”

  I tried to keep from laughing but I couldn’t, not completely. “Coffee.”

  “Coffee? I’ve never heard of it before.”

  And I thought I’d been sheltered. “Um, it’s—” What should I say? “—something to help wake me up. We drink it back home.”

  He looked intrigued. “Where did you get it?”

  Mr. Goody Two Shoes couldn’t be trusted with that information. “Rhea…managed to find me some.”

  “Is it good?” he asked.

  “It’s better than that Pom Ale of yours.”

  Stefan looked a little offended. “You didn’t like it?”

  I eyed him a moment. “Did you send it for me?”

  “Yes.”

  “Oh. Well, thanks. But, no, I didn’t like it.”

  He eyed my coffee. “May I?”

  I handed him the cup. “Careful, it’s hot.”

  He was slow to lift it to his lips, and he almost immediately handed it back. “How can you drink that stuff?”

  I took a huge gulp. “So you came here to ask me about my diet?”

  “No,” he started, clasping his hands. And then he began pacing. “What I…wanted to ask you was…” He stopped walking and looked up at me. “I need your patience.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well.” He folded his hands again. “You see…you’re different.”

  I arched a brow. I wasn’t sure I liked where this was going. “Different.”

  “Yes, different. You’re outspoken and self-sufficient and opinionated and…why do you look so angry?“

  I realized my face was burning. “Hm, I don’t know, maybe because you came all the way up here just to throw insults?”

  He looked curiously at me a moment. “Daria, I meant them as compliments.”

  I opened my mouth to argue but I couldn’t think of anything to say. I had never thought of being outspoken and opinionated as a good thing—in fact they usually got me in trouble—but Stefan was serious. And now he was starting to look confused.

  “Oh,” I said. “I just thought…well, those things usually irritate most people.”

  “I didn’t say they weren’t irritating.”

  I folded my arms. “You can leave now.”

  “I’m sorry, that’s not at all what I meant.” He grinned awkwardly and looked down again.

  “Then you better explain before I grab a fistful of that golden hair and drag you out of here.”

  He looked startled. “I just…what I meant was, you speak your mind and there’s nothing duplicitous about you. And you’re independent and you’re…not afraid.” He took a step towards me and lowered his voice. “I’m not used to that and I find it refreshing.”

  I searched his face for any sign of amusement, but there was none. He was being completely honest, if not a little frightened that I might actually follow through with my earlier threat. I grinned and he grinned back, his posture relaxing a bit.

  “But…” he started.

  “But? I should’ve—“

  He grabbed my hand. “No, listen to me.” His eyes were even bluer than my dad’s. “As refreshing as you are, it’ll take me some getting used to. People don’t…refute Grandfather. Not even Father. My upbringing tells me it’s wrong, but my heart knows you’re right.” He squeezed my hand. “Daria, what I mean to say is…I’m so glad you’re here. I think we can learn a lot from each other—at least I have much to learn from you.”

  Of all the things I had expected him to say, these words weren’t even on my radar. My brother might be a little goody-goody, but he was sincere and his heart was good. I smiled at him and he smiled back, letting go of my hand.

  “Between the two of us, I’ve got the steepest learning curve,” I sighed.

  “And I’ll do anything I can to help you,” Stefan said. “Actually, that’s the other reason I came.”

  “Oh?”

  “Well, it was actually Father’s idea, but I wanted to help you pick your attire for your…announcement.” He said the last word in an ominous whisper.

  “Is it really that horrific?”

  “No, just all the great lords, the entire Council, the Guild…basically anyone of importance. They’ve been discussing a course of action all morning after what happened to you in the south, but since you destroyed all evidence, Father and the Del Contes are having a difficult time convincing everyone exactly what happened. But the one thing they can all agree on is wanting to meet the famously returned Lady Daria Regius. Immediately.”

  I was supposed to meet everyone? Right now? All at once? My limbs started feeling weak and I had a difficult time filling my lungs with air.

  Stefan grabbed my arm. “It’s not terribly bad.” He looked worried. “Really. It’s just a bunch of powerful lords and…”

  “You’re not helping.” I took a deep breath.

  He scratched his neck. “Right.”

  He looked lost. Like he wanted to reassure me but didn’t know what language I spoke. “You’ll be fine,” he finally said. “Grandfather is the most powerful human in our realm. Plus, Father will be there, and I’ll be there…”

  I laughed. “Great. I feel better already.”

  He grinned, but looked relieved. I took my arm back.

  “So.” I raised a brow. “You’re here to help me pick out a dress?”

  He started to respond, and his face turned red. “Father was worried you might show up in jeans and a t-shirt.”

  “Wait, are there any?”

  Stefan shook his head and grinned a curious grin, and turned his attention to my wardrobe. I wondered if we’d ever really understand each other. He flung the doors open and I was afraid. It was filled to the brim with all sorts of colors and fabrics, and lots and lots of pink.

  “Father thought I should pick out your dress because—” Stefan searched inside “—he thinks—” he strained, reaching deep into the pile of clothes “—you don’t have any idea how to flatter yourself.”

  In his hands was a wad of shimmering emerald green, and there wasn’t nearly enough fabric to make a shirt—let alone a dress.

  I eyed him with suspicion. “Dad wants me to wear that?”

  “The king wants you to look appealing, and you need to make a good first impression at Court. Whatever you do after that is on your head. Here.” He smiled, holding the dress before me, letting the bottom part fall to the ground, and I stared.

  It looked like an emerald dressed in diamonds. There was a single piece of green silk, contoured to the shape of a woman with a neckline lower than I was comfortable with. A sheer overlay of silver hung from the waist down to the floor, covered in tiny sparkling jewels, and trailing behind like a glittering river beneath the moonlight. “I’m going to wear that?”

  He smiled. “The silver will bring out the grey in your eyes. You’ll look stunning, trust me.”

  He held it out to me, but I was afraid to touch it.

  “It won’t bite. Here.” He draped it over my arm. “I’ll get Rhea to help you and I’ll be back with Father. Rhea can pick out your shoes. This is as far as I’ll ever go with women’s fashion.”

  I glanced skeptically at him as he laughed and walked out the door. I might like my brother after all. There was an innocence to him that a life
of luxury and propriety had somehow managed to leave unadulterated.

  Rhea entered right after, smiling as she observed the gown. It didn’t take long to put it on. She fiddled with my hair, held brushes and powders to my face, grabbed a pair of satin black slippers, and I was soon standing in front of the mirror.

  At first I thought I was staring at another woman. A crown of glossy dark hair was gently pulled back, spilling about her slender neck and strong collarbone in large rich curls. Thick dark lashes framed her large grey eyes and splashes of pink warmed her lips and cheeks. The emerald gown hugged her slim frame in all the right places and the silver sparkled as she moved. She looked…ethereal.

  And I realized it really was me. I tried to find myself in the reflection, but around every angle and every exposed piece of skin, all I could find was a woman. Someone confident, someone that belonged here, like she’d lived here all her life, knew how to act, speak—even think. And I didn’t have a clue.

  Stefan peeked his head in, and I noticed just in time to see his jaw hanging open.

  I smiled, feeling my cheeks burn. “I feel like an imposter in this dress.”

  He walked towards me. “But you look dazzling.”

  My face burned hotter.

  “Good, keep blushing. It gives you a sort of innocence and vulnerability that is very attractive. It’ll do wonders to your merit, at least until you open your mouth.”

  I punched him in the shoulder and he laughed.

  There was a quick knock and Dad stepped into the room.

  My father looked like a prince. He was dressed in fitted black with a silver and black waistcoat, and a sword was strapped to his waist. A rich green cape slung over one shoulder, attached by a large silver clasp.

  Despite the luxurious costume, his person was unmasked and his features glowed with pride and love.

  “What do you think?” He beamed.

  “I think you’d better never leave me locked up in this tower again,” I said.

  “Princess.” He kissed my forehead. “I’m so sorry. Your grandfather kept me occupied well into the morning, which, I’m sure, was intentional. By then it was too late and there were many curious eyes watching me. I didn’t dare risk your safety.”

  Of course he wouldn’t. “Then after this morning, you’ll have no more excuses,” I said.

  “And I don’t intend to create them—not after a lifetime of making excuses from telling you the truth.” He sighed, and then took a step back, appraising me. “You look absolutely stunning. On second thought, maybe I should keep you locked up here.” He grinned.

  “If you want me to behave myself today, don’t even dream of it.”

  “Something tells me she’d find a way out anyway,” Stefan said.

  My dad chuckled. “I brought something for you.” He reached into the breast of his jacket and pulled out a delicate silver chain. From it hung a beautiful clear crystal. It caught the light, splattering it in fragments upon the walls. There was an energy radiating from it, like it held life inside.

  “This belonged to your mother,” he said. “It was a Pandor family heirloom. I thought now might be a good time for you to have it.”

  I touched the smooth crystal. From leathers to elegance.

  My mom seemed just as confused about her identity as I am.

  I smiled to myself.

  “Here, I’ll help you put it on.” He clasped it around my neck; the crystal felt cool upon my skin. He smiled and extended his arm. “Shall we?”

  He led us down the wide stairway, Stefan following behind. Our footsteps echoed along the empty halls as we passed portrait after portrait of grumpy men. We finally came to a stop before a pair of enormous doors, guarded on either side by men in elaborate black and silver uniform. They didn’t move and they didn’t speak, but this time they stared right at me.

  I liked them better when they stared at the wall.

  “You’ll be just fine,” my dad whispered in my ear.

  My hand sweated as I gripped his arm, thankful he was right beside me.

  The doors opened.

  A swell of anger and indignation wrapped around me and loud voices filled my ears.

  The noise ceased. The silence hit so fast I wondered if I’d lost my hearing, but then someone coughed.

  One by one they all turned to peer at the doors. There were so many faces, and all of them craned their necks to catch a glimpse of us.

  I was slammed with their curiosity and wonder and some hostility. Taking in a deep breath, I pushed their emotions away so I didn’t rip free of Dad’s hand and run right out the door.

  Dad led me into the room and the sea of faces slowly parted to the sides. All of them stared, many of them whispered, none of them I recognized. Candles hovered in the air overhead, casting a soft glow upon their faces.

  There was one, lifting his head from a short bow. I hadn’t recognized him at first, veiled in a heavy crimson cloak. That dark face and permanent scowl. Master Durus stood near a group of men dressed like he was, all of their faces fixed stern, their eyes narrowed as we passed—including the man my grandfather had addressed earlier as Headmaster Ambrose. A surge of power pulsed through me and then it clicked. This was the Guild. Master Durus was a Guild member.

  We walked past more men and women, all of them bowing, dressed in lavish velvets and leathers, some wide-eyed in wonder, others glaring, angry that I existed. These were people of influence and power and their minds were already working, devising avaricious plans for me—me, the spark that ignited them.

  Out of the sea of curiosity, I was touched by two fine points of tenderness. I caught Sonya’s gaze, Cicero right beside her. Their faces were bright beacons in the night. Thad was nearby, wearing all black, standing with a group of similarly dressed younger people. Students of the Academia.

  And then one point of emotion stole everything. I saw his dark hair first, then his eyes as they trailed up the length of my frame. Alex looked striking, all dressed in black with his thick dark hair messed perfectly around his face. My heart beat fast as I felt a surge of his love and desire, and he met my gaze. His green eyes were so piercing I forgot where I was.

  My dad yanked on my arm, hastening me forward.

  Fine. I would find Alex later, after all of this.

  Thinking on that, I found it easier to ignore all the faces and stare only at the green river of velvet that marked our path forward. The last of the sea divided, and there, in an elaborate bronze chair, sat my grandfather.

  He was dressed even more lavishly than he’d been during our first meeting, and now a crown of jewels sat on his head.

  I couldn’t believe this. His crown—that thing filled with enormous sparkling jewels—it belonged in a glass case at the Tower of London. Not on his head.

  “Ah, there you are.” He stood, smiling with pride. “We were just discussing your victory over the gargons.” He embraced each of us in turn, but it was stiff and formal and completely forced. I followed Dad’s lead, faced the crowd, and gripped his arm harder. There were so many of them, and all of them were staring at me.

  “Lords and ladies of Gaia, citizens of the realm,” Grandfather’s voice bellowed. “It is time I introduce you to someone long absent from this world—someone who has been kept safe since her birth so that she may devote her life to serving this realm as a daughter of the crown.”

  Whispering sounded about the room.

  “She has already proven that service, slaying one of the greatest threats Gaia has seen in centuries. It is with great pleasure I give you my granddaughter, the daughter of Alaric and Aurora, Princess Daria Regius.”

  Hands clapped and chatter exploded as surprise and indignation poured through me. I could feel their scrutiny and expectations—all of which was left wanting.

  Much as I was left wanting.

  In my ignorance I thought the one thing I needed—the one thing I wanted—was to know the truth. That the truth would set me free. But as I stared at the faces—so many dev
ious, manipulative faces—the truth made itself perfectly clear. And it was sending me straight into captivity.

  EPILOGUE

  The rest of my day was a blur. So many names were spoken, so many hands were shaken, and everyone commented on me slaying a monster. They thanked me as if their extravagant lives actually depended on it. I never said much. I didn’t trust these people.

  At some point during the commotion, Thad made his way to shake my hand with a funny smile on his face. He had known all along. I asked him why he hadn’t given me a pawn instead of the rook, but he said I’d never looked that innocent.

  I never made my way to Alex, although I tried relentlessly. At one point, I caught his penetrating gaze through the group of black suits surrounding him. There was one in particular I noted, standing beside him: an exotic young woman with long blond hair who frowned at me. After a while, when that frown didn’t disappear, I deduced it was Vera.

  When the commotion died and surprise faded, I eventually retired to my room for the night. Alone. My dad and Stefan told me I’d done a fabulous job, but I’d done a fabulous job pretending and it sickened me. Ironic how the choice Lord Tiernan had offered me wasn’t so much different at its core.

  But this way no one was dying. At least not on the outside.

  I tugged off my gown and pulled on my robe just as I caught a glint of metal. There it was, lying across my nightstand. My dagger.

  No one had been to this room, no one but me and Rhea.

  I picked up the slender object, and the metal felt cool. Strange that it should keep returning to my hands. I tucked it into my drawer and crawled into bed.

  A light chill on my cheek woke me. The candle flickered beside my bed, but the rest of my room was dark, except for something bright orange on the pillow beside me.

  A flower.

  Ardor’s flame. It was a burst of fire on my pillow and its fragrance was strong—much stronger than I remembered. Beneath it was a piece of paper.

  My heart beat fast as I looked around. My room was empty. The draperies fluttered in the light breeze. The window. I had closed it.

  I picked up the flower and the petals folded in upon themselves into a compact bundle. Typical. I set the compressed flower down and picked up the paper.