by Tenaya Jayne
She took a deep breath. Like it or not, this was her closet. These were her clothes. Well, acceptance didn't mean she couldn't change things to suit her better. She was a fighter, and she'd never stop fighting, but she could solider-on with more precision and less flailing.
Forest didn't hear the soft knock on the door, or the creak of the hinges when it was opened.
"Forest?"
She came out of the closet, still in her robe, and faced Rahaxeris. She hadn't expected to see him and took a second to school her expression and tone of voice. He held a large flat box in front of him.
"Ah, Daddy," she said in a sweet, mocking little girl way.
He smirked in response. "Here, put this on and be quick about it." He pushed the box into her arms.
"Now you're trying to dress me up, too? Is it something pretty to wear to the party?" Acid dripped through her tone.
Rahaxeris laughed, a frightening, terrible laugh. "Just open it."
Instead of a frilly dress, there was a plain black hooded robe inside, with long sleeves and a single R embroidered on the right breast in gold. "What is this for?"
"An important meeting is about to begin. This robe will mark you as my personal secretary so you may attend."
"The war council?"
"That's right."
"I don't think I was invited. I'm not supposed to…"
"Since when have you cared about following any rules? Smuggler." He smiled indulgently.
When she hesitated, he pushed. "Unless you'd rather get back to picking shoes to match your bag for this evening?"
Forest huffed. "Hell no. I'll be ready in a minute."
She quickly threw on the clothes she'd worn the day before and slid the robe on over the top. She regarded her appearance in the mirror for a second. She still had the same face she'd constructed for her first interview with her father.
"Should I change my face?" she asked as she came out of the bathroom.
"Well, that's up to you. I think you should consider picking a look you want the public to recognize. If you decide to accept the title of Hailemarris, or if you become queen, people will need some continuity from you."
Forest hesitated.
"I like this face. It seems…natural," Rahaxeris said.
"That's because it is very like my true face."
Rahaxeris smiled. "I'm sure Syrus must feel very lucky when he gets to look at you."
Forest could feel the pressure of oncoming tears, unsure why the pressure was there at all. Her father had paid her a compliment. He thought she was beautiful. Now more than ever, she was amazed that she could want his approval, but she did.
"How am I to behave in this meeting?"
"As my secretary, you'll not be expected to speak. Sit next to me on my left. Take notes."
"You want me to take notes?" Forest was incredulous.
"No, I don't care. Just look as though you're taking notes. I'll introduce you to the group."
Forest's eyes widened.
"Just as my secretary, not my daughter. Unless you've already decided to claim your birthright?"
"I haven't decided yet."'
Rahaxeris shrugged but he didn't hide his disappointment. "Are you ready?"
****
Forest entered a large room that highly resembled a set for a movie about King Arthur. Tapestries lined the walls, depicting great Regian battles. The round table in the center of the room was massive, and its surface was painted with a map of the world. Security ogres stood at the only entrance, looking bored.
She stood close behind Rahaxeris, trying to look relaxed and right. The room was full of people, some she recognized, some she didn't. There were only two other women present, Gagnee and Zefyre from Fortress' high council. Forest spotted the other priests of the Rune-dy, murmuring to themselves in a corner, their golden robes providing the only color in the room as everyone else wore black. Her stomach gave a little jerk when she spotted Syrus, his face hidden in the shadow of a hood. His lips tightened as she looked at him. Of course he knew she was there, he could smell her. Was he upset at her? Zeren mingled around his glowering officers, who seemed resolved to snub the elves.
"This is quite a turn of events, isn't it?" a familiar voice said behind her.
Forest turned to see Kindel smiling at her. Never had she been so happy to see him and barely refrained from hugging him. "It's good to see you," she said emphatically.
"And you. Look at you! Back from banishment and on top of the world." He gestured to the gold R on her lapel. "Being declared princess isn't enough for you, eh? Got to stick your nose in politics, too."
Forest snorted. "Keep your voice down. I haven't been declared anything."
"Yet," Kindel added slyly.
Forest sighed. "Right."
"I've got to get back to my side of the table. Can we talk later?"
"Definitely."
A nervous quiet settled over the room as Rahaxeris was noticed. All eyes turned on him.
Zeren came forward. "Gentlemen, and ladies, we are all here now. Let us sit and discus the future of our great world."
Chairs scraped the floor. Forest sat on Rahaxeris' left as he had told her to. Zeren sat on the other side, directly across, with Syrus a few seats down from him looking withdrawn and unimportant. No one seemed to notice him. Forest tried not to stare.
"Not everyone is acquainted," Zeren announced. "Let us make introductions. First, I'm sure all of you who have regularly sat at this table with me have noticed the addition of our friends, the Rune-dy."
A murmur of assent went around the table.
"Let us all welcome them as brothers. Please stand and introduce yourselves."
As High Priest, Rahaxeris went first. He rose fluidly from his chair and gave a little bow to the room. "Thank you, Zeren. I am Rahaxeris, High Priest of the Rune-dy. We are honored to be among you today. I know that change can be uncomfortable for some and is often met with resistance and suspicion. The Rune-dy has largely worked to benefit the overall well-being of Regia for centuries, and we have done so predominantly in the shadows. But no more. The time has come for more direct, transparent involvement on our part in the machinery of this world."
Forest looked at the faces of Zeren's officers. She could tell they were listening attentively. Every face held some level of resentment and all had traces of fear behind their eyes. As her glance roved around the table, she caught the eye of a few people: Kindel, who winked and gave her a little side smile, Zefyre, who looked nervous and quickly looked away, and one of Zeren's battle worn generals, who surveyed her with interest and masculine appreciation. Forest's eyes settled again on Syrus. Rahaxeris continued to speak, but his words faded into a murmur in the background until he touched her shoulder.
"And when I am not present, my secretary, Forest, will stand in my stead."
Forest hesitated a split second, unsure if she should stand or not and decided to just nod her head once in acknowledgment and respect to the room. She expected half the room to jump to their feet and demand that the abomination be removed from the room. But no one said anything.
Rahaxeris sat back down. Forest flushed with pleasure. They had all looked at her and accepted her presence immediately. She looked back at Syrus, a small smile playing around his lips, he could feel her delight.
Everyone talked. Forest didn't just appear to take notes, she did take notes. Her wrist cramped long before the meeting was over. And once it was done, she realized that there really wasn't much that had been discussed. It was more of a meet and greet than anything. But she was a part of it. Accepted, however reluctantly for some, but accepted nonetheless as a member of the group.
Zeren let his men know change was coming so they could brace for it.
In the last few minutes, Forest looked again at Syrus and realized that no one in the room could know what was coming because they, she and Syrus, hadn't yet figured it out. Excitement mingled with a crushing fear deep in her stomach. Responsibility, obligation
, power. What she chose to do now affected everyone.
The second chair legs scraped the floor, Forest bolted from the room. She wasn't ready to meet these strangers personally. She ran back to the room she shared with Syrus, feeling as though she was going to explode into a million pieces.
****
Syrus came in a few minutes later. "You gave me quite a surprise, showing up like that." His voice was light but she could hear the edge underneath.
"It wasn't planned. After you left, Rahaxeris showed up here and offered me the opportunity to go with him."
"There was more than a little buzz about you. I had to remind myself that I was in disguise to keep from choking General Wragg, who already fancies himself in love with you. Then there was Lieutenant Gerhard who wouldn't shut up about the Rune-dy's insane hiring practices, and how we can't trust them because they employ trash Halflings."
The part of Forest that had been elated vaporized. She crossed the room and laid a hand on Syrus' cheek. "I'm so sorry…I…"
"Sorry? What are you sorry about?"
"I embarrassed you."
Syrus made a small growling sound in his throat. "I'm an idiot who needs to learn when to shut his mouth. I shouldn't have told you what anyone said…You didn't embarrass me. I just reacted badly to the shock of you being there…I was really so proud of you." He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Brave girl, you faced them all down. Not that I expected any different. I've been by your side when you faced down werewolves, guardians, Philippe, and worst of all, a bratty vampire prince who had the hots for you from the start."
Forest chuckled. "Yes, you were definitely the worst." She pulled his face down to hers and kissed him. "I love you, Syrus," she whispered. "I don't ever want to shame you."
"You couldn't. Stop saying it."
"A lot is riding on our choices. We need to figure it out."
"Yeah," Syrus nodded gravely. "My father really wants me to step up and take the crown. He's putting the pressure on…but I think it might be the perfect time to let the kingdom go. A republic would be better for the people...but maybe you becoming the queen would help things more."
"Me?" she scoffed then drew in a deep breath. "You told me once that you didn't want to be king. Has that changed?"
"No…and yes. Sparring last night reminded me how much I want to dedicate myself to the Kata. I wish we had more time to catch our breath." He drew his arms around her and pulled her close. "I just want to go away with you and not worry about anything for a while."
"That would be nice. I wonder if—"
The loud knock on the door had Syrus swearing. "Who is it?" he shouted.
"Zeren."
Syrus sighed, let go of her, and opened the door.
"Hey, son, we need to talk."
"Now?"
"Yeah, now. Come on, it's important."
"Fine." Syrus didn't hide his weariness.
"Oh, Forest." Zeren turned his full attention onto her. "I've gathered up every one of Christiana's handmaidens and told them they'll be serving you this evening. They should be up in about an hour."
Forest's forced smile felt as though it would break her face. "Thank you." If you weren't Syrus' father, I'd shoot you in the knee.
Syrus swept her up in a tight hug. "I'll see you later," he whispered in her ear, "as a free woman. Now would be a good time to take care of that."
She didn't reply. She stared at the closed door after Syrus and Zeren left, once again wishing she could run away. Her eyes slid out of focus as she ran her finger down the length of her scar. It felt strange, just a straight line now that the seven lovers marks were gone. What was wrong with her? Why did she hesitate on the threshold of freedom? Why did she feel unworthy of happiness?
Chapter Fifteen
Leith's eyes rolled, unfocused. Fragments of memories, not his own, flashed in his mind. He saw his own face over and over and heard Forest's cries of pain, felt them, uttered them. In his delirium, he tried to fend himself off. Various moments of brutality he'd subjected Forest to over the years melded together inside him. Sweat poured down his skin as he came back to himself, shaking back to his own thoughts. He felt no revelations or remorse, only hatred and confusion. The thorns moved slowly up, impeding the blood flow in his arms. He thought of Forest, felt her draw near.
****
Forest's left hand rested on the hilt of her sword while the right clenched around the key to Leith's cell. She felt numb. Not at all like the last time she'd had him pinned. Nothing could save him now, he couldn't escape.
The magic responded to the key as she slid it into the lock.
Leith sat on the floor in the far corner of the empty room. His head, resting against the stone wall, lifted and slowly turned toward her. His eyes were bloodshot and his skin looked waxy. The flesh on his forearms held the appearance of necrosis spreading up from his wrists.
"Forest? Is it you, Forest?"
"Yes." Her voice was flat. "What happened to you?"
He heaved a great sigh, as though he was too weak to answer. "Some elf put me here, and he gave me these." Leith lifted his arms, giving her a better view of his wounds.
Forest didn't move any closer to inspect him. "What is that doing to you?"
He shrugged. "Punishment. And now here you are, ready to kick me when I'm down." His watery eyes drifted over the hand that gripped her sword. "Or have you come to rescue me?"
When she made no reply or move, he looked away from her and leaned his head back against the wall. "You can't help yourself. I made sure of that all those years ago. Like it or not, you love me."
Forest took one step toward him then crouched down to his level.
"What are you doing?" he asked when she pulled a small knife out of her boot.
"I want you to see something."
She took the blade and slit open the shoulder and arm of her sleeve. He blinked a few times looking where the lovers marks used to mar her skin, abruptly he closed his eyes, tears running down his cheeks.
"Who is he?" Leith hissed.
"What does it matter?"
Leith sat up a little, a small surge of energy animating him. "I'd kill him…if I could. For taking what's mine." He slumped back breathing heavily. "You are still mine. Your slave mark is still there."
"For the moment."
"Come closer," he ordered.
Forest wasn't prepared to fight off commands and obeyed before she could stop herself. He reached up and pulled her into a crouch beside him. Quicker than she gauged he was able; his hand shot out and thrust roughly between her legs. Forest surged backward, light flashing off the small blade as it slashed diagonally across Leith's pretty face, splashing a line of blood on her chest. Leith covered his face with his hands, screaming.
She stood up, wiping the blade on her jeans.
Forest sneered and spat on him. "I was going to kill you," she said loudly over his cries. "But I'm using you now. So for the time being, I'll delight in the extra pain I've given you, while you buy me some more time."
"FOREST!"
His screaming vibrated through the door as she closed and locked it, the magic pulling back together over the wood. The protection muffled the sound, but it could still be heard. Forest hung the key back around her neck and stalked down the hall. The warm blood on her clothes caused the fabric to cling to her skin. She smiled at the sensation and quickly headed back to change, unaware that anyone had seen her.
****
"You've got to be kidding."
A mob of eager handmaidens crowded at the door. Their puffy sleeves and skirts packed around them as they pushed together to get a good look at their new mistress. They looked like a set of china dolls in a packing crate to Forest. She bit down on her tongue and took a deep breath, looking at their powdered expectant faces. They curtsied in perfect formation.
"All right, who of you has the…" Forest strained to think of the right words. "…The highest rank?"
"I do, mistress."
For
est scowled at the face right in front of her. "Would you please point out whom here has the lowest rank?"
"Of course, mistress." The painted doll turned around and pointed a finger at a bowed head in the back. "Her. Ena."
The ocean of crinoline and silk parted to give Forest a clear view of Ena. Her light brown hair was braided simply, and her grey dress was plainer than the others around her. Ena curtsied, keeping her eyes on the floor, her cheeks flushed with pink. Forest looked back to the painted doll. "Why does she have the lowest rank?"
The doll lifted her pointed chin arrogantly. "Weak bloodlines, and she's trouble. It's probably her lack of breeding that makes her so stupid."
All the other dolls giggled. Forest looked back at Ena. Rage clearly boiled under her flushed skin but she remained silent.
"Ena, please come inside." Forest stepped aside in the doorway so Ena could enter the room. "The rest of you are fired."
"But mistress!" The highest ranking came forward. "I served Christiana for years. She always said I was her favorite."
"Really?" Forest sneered. "Maybe firing you isn’t enough. Perhaps I shall have the ogres put you under arrest."
All the dolls gasped.
"Now scram before I take my sword to your skirts."
"Just who do you think you are?" screamed the doll. "I can trace my lineage back six centuries."
"That's nice," Forest said sharply. "I'm the bastard child of two races. And I have a party to get ready for. So get out of my sight and stay out." Forest gave them all a broad grin. "Welcome to the new world order."
She slammed the door in their shocked faces. Forest turned to the young woman behind her. Ena held her hand over her mouth, making a small noise that sounded like a gasp and a giggle mixed. Her bronze eyes grew wide, and she curtsied again as Forest took a step toward her.
"Milady," Ena said quietly.
"So, Ena, with the lowest rank." Forest smirked. "Now, with the highest. I'll let you know now that I don't desire servants. I've been grooming myself my whole life, and I certainly don't need some sniveling china doll helping me put my butt into my skivvies."
