“Your Highness,” the soldat said, “the queen ordered us to accompany her.”
“I am the king of Nelebek. You will listen to me.” His hand sliced in an arc. The soldat dropped to the ground, blood pooling around his head, his throat slit. Horror rippled through me not only at the evil that resided within Morlet, allowing him to commit such atrocious crimes, but at the fact that I was responsible for the soldat’s death.
Morlet sneered and turned to the people. “I am your king,” he said, his voice echoing between the buildings. “Kaia is my wife and is subordinate to me. She cannot save you.”
His words rang in my mind. She cannot save you. Did that mean he intended to hurt these people? Simply because of what I’d done? I pounded against the window. “No!” I screamed “Don’t hurt them! They didn’t do anything wrong. This was my idea!” I called on my power, intending to destroy the ward on the door. However, there was nothing inside of me. I cursed. Morlet had placed a spell over the carriage preventing me from using my power. I pounded both fists on the window. “Don’t hurt them!”
“My wife does not have the authority to give you my food. You will not take advantage of her kindness.” He raised both arms in the air.
Bile rose in the back of my throat. “No!” I cried. “Don’t do this!”
He turned and looked directly at me, raising his eyebrows. “These savages almost killed you.”
“You can’t do this,” I begged.
He slowly shook his head. “You will not disregard my orders again.”
It felt as if I’d swallowed stones. “Where is Espen?” I demanded. “Isn’t there a part of him in there screaming not to do this?” Tears welled in my eyes. I thought our time together had changed him and that he had perhaps gained some small amount of control over the evil inside him. “At least spare the children,” I pleaded, tears falling down my cheeks. I looked out at the sea of faces, still frozen. They were here because of me. This was happening because of me. This was my fault.
Smiling, Morlet lowered his hands. People’s eyes began to bulge. Faces turned red and then blue. Toward the front of the crowd, a little boy’s eyes rolled back and his body crumpled to the ground, lifeless. One by one, people started dropping, death releasing them from Morlet’s magical hold.
It only took a couple of minutes, and then every single person on the street except for Morlet was dead. Hundreds of people murdered for no reason. If I wasn’t sealed in this carriage, I’d kill him with my bare hands for what he’d done. “I hate you!” I screamed. I banged on the glass, tears streaming down my cheeks, letting the rage flow through me. A mixture of emotions—terror, disappointment, shock, and grief filled me. How could he kill so many?
He slowly, deliberately, turned to face me. He mumbled a few words, removing the magical ward he’d placed on the carriage. The only sound was my loud breathing. We stared at one another through the glass—Morlet still as a statue, my shoulders heaving up and down.
He twitched his fingers and the carriage door flew open with a bang. “Don’t ever go behind my back again,” he snarled.
“You’re a monster.” I scooted to the far side of the carriage, ready to break the window to get away from him. He reached in and grabbed my ankle, yanking me toward him. I clutched onto the seat, kicking him with my other foot, trying to remain in the carriage. He zapped me with his magic, and I cried out, involuntarily letting go of the seat. He hauled me out of the carriage, plopping me on my feet. I repeatedly punched his chest. “How could you!”
His arms wrapped around me, holding my arms down. “Stop fighting me.” His magic flowed into me, forcing my body to go limp. He caught me as I fell, picking me up in his arms. “You almost started a riot. You could have been killed.”
“They were just hungry. And now they’re all dead.” Bodies covered the entire street. So many of them. I closed my eyes, trying to block out the horrific sight. It was time to end Morlet’s reign—even if Vidar wasn’t ready. With or without the precious Heks sapphire, this had to end once and for all.
12
Morlet carried me into my room, laying me on my bed. I still couldn’t move my arms and legs. Looking at his treacherous face made me sick to my stomach. And to think I’d shared my body with him last night. I could be carrying his child.
Without uttering a single word, he turned and strode from the room, shutting the door behind him. The lock clicked into place. My body tingled and movement returned to my limbs. Sitting up, I tried not to think of the horror I’d witnessed, but I couldn’t shake the image of those innocent people suffocating to death. It had been so easy for Morlet to kill them. A wave of his hand and hundreds were dead. Their lives snuffed out. Were all the bodies still lying on the street? Would Morlet order them to be burned like trash?
I wiped my nose on my sleeve and started pacing about my room. I needed a plan. I went over to the armoire, leaned my back against the side of it, and slowly pushed it. It took me several minutes to shove the heavy armoire in front of the door to my bedchamber.
Satisfied, I resumed pacing, feeling a small measure of security. I needed to join my fellow Krigers so we could kill Morlet. But first I had to know whether I was pregnant or not. The sky darkened as night approached. And still I paced, trying to form a plan.
There was a soft knock and then it sounded like the door opened. “Your Highness,” a man said. “Are you all right?” The armoire shook as he tried to push it away from the door.
“Leave it there,” I said. “No one is to move that.”
“But no one can get in or out with it blocking the doorway.”
“That’s the point.”
Soft mumbling came from the hallway. The man cleared his throat and said, “It is time for supper.”
“I’m not eating with the king,” I replied.
There was more mumbling and then the door closed. Several minutes later, there was another knock. The door opened and a tray of food was slid under the armoire. “In case you get hungry,” a soldat said. I didn’t respond or acknowledge the tray. Why did Morlet think I wanted his food? Food that he didn’t want to share with those starving in the capital. I continued pacing.
The room turned dark. I didn’t bother to light any candles. I kept walking back and forth, not wanting to sleep. Not wanting to be haunted by what I had witnessed today. Not wanting Morlet to communicate so intimately with me.
Any of those people could have been me today. On my way home from work, starving, knowing we had nothing to eat, stopping to accept charity. Not that I’d ever seen anyone give away food before. Soldats would have struck us down. We weren’t allowed to help one another. Besides, there was never any extra food to give.
Remember what you’re fighting for, my father’s voice echoed in my mind. Stay focused. Kill Morlet, free Nelebek. Do whatever it takes to end the curse plaguing our family. I had the ability to end the curse. Therefore, the responsibility fell to me.
Something tapped on my window, startling me. A hooded figure appeared in the moonlight. I rushed over and threw open the window, surprised to see Anders again so soon. He climbed inside my room and pushed his hood back.
It was Vidar.
“I expected a warmer greeting,” he said.
“I thought you were Anders.”
“Sorry to disappoint you.” He scanned my body. “How are you holding up?”
I closed my eyes and overwhelming grief bombarded me.
Vidar wrapped his arms around me. “I heard what happened today,” he mumbled. “I’ve been beside myself worrying about you.”
I inhaled his warm scent of pine and smoke, taking comfort in something familiar and safe. “I wasn’t hurt.” Physically, at least. “I want you to go and get the Krigers. I’m ready for this to be over.”
He released me and walked farther into the room, his hand trailing over the side table, the bed, the sofa. I glanced at the crown lying discarded on the floor. I picked it up, about to toss it on the long dresser when Vidar pl
ucked it from my hands.
“This was my mother’s.” He sat on the edge of the bed, staring at it.
I only thought of it as something binding me to Morlet. “I didn’t realize.”
He gently traced the edge of it with his finger. It looked infinitely more delicate in his large, calloused hands. “She was a beautiful woman who cared very much about tradition. That’s why she forbade Espen from marrying someone from a lower class. She expected him to marry a princess from another kingdom.”
“What about you?” I sat next to him.
“She planned for me to marry a princess as well. We were in talks with three neighboring kingdoms when she…died.”
I leaned my head on his shoulder.
“I never thought anyone else would be worthy to wear this.” The corners of his lips pulled up into a wry smile. “But I was wrong. You showed that today.”
“Vidar,” I said, scooting away from him. “I’m not really Nelebek’s queen. Today proved that. I’m responsible for all those innocent people’s deaths.”
“You didn’t kill them, Morlet did.” He set the crown atop my head. “All you are responsible for is feeding those in need.”
I wanted to rip the crown off but feared offending Vidar.
“If only you would have chosen to marry me,” he said. “We could have been great together.”
We’d been over this dozens of times before. We only cared for one another as friends, nothing more. Marriage would have ruined our friendship. “When Morlet is killed, you plan to ascend to the throne, don’t you?” I asked.
“You are the queen of Nelebek.”
“I don’t want to be queen.”
“I know.”
“The position is rightfully yours.”
“I’ve been thinking a lot about this.” He laid back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. “Everyone saw you crowned queen.”
“Vidar…” I didn’t like where he was going with this.
“The people will only love you more for killing Morlet.”
“No, they won’t. They’ll want you sitting on the throne. You’re the true heir.”
He shook his head. “They don’t know me. It makes sense for you to be queen when all of this is over.” He sat up. “I need to be on my way.”
I didn’t want him to go. “The Krigers,” I reminded him. “What’s the plan?” When were they coming to join me so we could end this?
“I don’t want to divulge any of my plans here. There are too many people who could overhear.” He went to the window, pulling on his hood. “I’m assuming you’re with child since you’re eager for the Krigers to arrive?”
“Only time will tell.”
He nodded. “Thank you.”
Not knowing what to say to that, I asked, “How are you getting on and off the castle grounds?”
“You’d be amazed at how resourceful Anders is.” He crawled outside. “Stay safe.” He smiled and climbed down the side of the castle.
Morlet pounded on the door to my bedchamber. “Kaia! You can’t stay in your room all day and night. You need to come out. We need to talk.”
I refused to let him in.
The door opened. “What’s this?” he screamed. “Guards, move this piece of furniture out of the way.”
The only direction it could go was forward, so I ran over and leaned my body against the armoire, trying to keep it in place. It wobbled against me as the men tried to move it. “I’m standing right here. If it topples over, it’ll squash me.”
“Kaia, be reasonable.” Morlet’s voice came from near my feet.
I squatted and peered under the armoire. On the other side, Morlet was on his hands and knees looking at me.
“Let me in,” he demanded.
“No. I hate you.” I jumped to my feet and leaned against the armoire again.
“I’m coming in.” Morlet started to shimmy under the armoire toward me.
I closed my eyes, releasing my power and striking him. He cursed. “I told you to leave me alone.”
He shoved himself back into the hallway.
An eerie chuckle sounded outside my room. “Lovers spat already?” Norill crooned.
“What do you want?” Morlet snapped.
“I came to see the queen.”
“She’s not taking visitors at the moment.”
“I see that. But she is required to admit me.”
I stood there shaking, unable to deal with Norill right now. “I want to be left alone until tomorrow. I will meet with you then.”
She laughed. “So be it, little queen.”
Morlet slammed the door shut with a growl.
After staying awake all night, I could barely keep my eyes open. I tried to stay busy, moving about the room, adding a log to the fire, drinking some water, but still my eyelids grew heavier and heavier as the day wore on. A tray of food was slid under the armoire at each meal of the day. While I didn’t want any of Morlet’s food, I ended up eating to maintain my strength so I could kill him when the time came. When the sun set and the sky darkened again, I opened the window, allowing the cool air in. I refused to sit on my bed. I couldn’t go to sleep. I couldn’t face Morlet in a dream. Not after what he had done.
The quiet of night consumed me. I kept nodding off while standing. I decided to sit on the sofa for a couple of minutes. Just to rest my legs. I wouldn’t fall asleep…
Warmth caressed my body. I opened my eyes and found myself standing in a circle of flames about ten feet away from me. Sweat trickled down my neck from the oppressive heat. The flames temporarily parted as a cloaked figure walked through the ring toward me. I scrambled back, wanting to put as much distance between us as possible.
“Careful,” he warned when I neared the flames.
Was this a magical fire? Could I walk through it as he had? Reaching my hand out, I put it near the fire.
“It will burn you.”
I pulled on my power, willing it to surround my hand like a shield. Hesitantly, I extended my arm once again. Just as my fingertips were about to touch the flames, my hands exploded in pain, warning me of the danger. I withdrew my arm and turned to face Morlet. I was trapped. “Stay away from me. You’re a monster.”
He held up his hands, trying to placate me. “I need to talk to you.”
“There’s nothing you can say to explain your behavior. You murdered all those people without a second thought. I hate you.” My hair clung to the back of my neck and my clothing was crisp and hot to touch. I needed to get away from the fire.
“I’ll take you somewhere else as long as you promise to listen to me. Just give me five minutes. That’s all I ask.”
The hot air made it difficult to breathe. Memories of Anders’s body burning in the magical fire assaulted me. I had to get out of here. “I’ll give you two minutes.”
13
Morlet lifted his arms and the fire disappeared. The sky lightened and the sun shone brightly overhead. We stood in the middle of a field filled with blue anemones. I spun around searching for Linnea’s family home. I didn’t see it anywhere.
“What’s the matter?” he asked. “I thought you’d like this place.” He pointed at the bright flowers dotting the green grass swaying in the wind. In the distance, a forest surrounded us.
“Where are we?”
He shrugged. “Just outside of the capital’s wall.” He bent down and picked an anemone. “This is my favorite flower.”
I remembered Anders picking one and placing it atop Linnea’s grave. “Pretty flowers won’t make me forget what you’ve done.”
He dipped his head, his hood covering his face. “Kaia,” he whispered. “I don’t know what happened. All I remember is being filled with rage and releasing it upon the people I thought were hurting you.”
“Don’t you dare try to justify your actions.” I had been safely in the carriage before he murdered everyone.
He looked up at me. Dark blue veins pulsed under his skin and his eyes glowed. I took a step back, a
lmost losing my balance. He looked like a male version of Norill and it frightened me.
“It’s the dark magic,” he said as if sensing my fright. “It lives and breathes inside me. Begging to be released. I spent the entire night with you keeping it under control. Now, I’m paying for it.” He abruptly closed the distance between us, moving so fast that I didn’t have time to back away. “Please, Kaia. You must understand. I thought those people were going to kill you. I thought I was saving you.”
“You lie.” I shook my head, refusing to believe his pathetic excuse. “I was feeding those people because they were starving. You murdered them all. Even the children.”
He grabbed my arms, clinging to me tightly. “I didn’t want to kill them.” Desperation coated his words.
“Let go.” I would not be swayed.
He released me and fell to his knees, the hood of his cape falling back, revealing his face. At the sight of the pulsing blue veins, I shivered.
“Sometimes the magic is too consuming and I completely lose myself,” he said. “Please don’t hate me. Don’t give up on me for something I can’t control.”
His eyes locked with mine, and raw magic flowed into me like a rushing river. It was dark, malevolent, angry. I wanted to wrap my hands around Morlet’s throat and watch the life drain from his body. I took a step toward him, undiluted hatred coursing through me. Visions of tearing off his limbs and feasting on his body inundated me. He would suffer by my hands. The anticipation of his pain radiated joy through me, and my head leaned back, reveling in the smell of his terror and the thought of torturing him to death. The wild and uncontrolled magic vanished, and I hunched over, having trouble breathing from the sudden loss of it.
“That was only a sliver of my magic, Kaia. And you could not control it.” He remained on his knees watching me.
I crumbled to the ground, my head pounding. I’d felt his magic before when I fought Norill. I remembered the feeling of hatred and it being difficult to control. But this…this was so much more. So much worse.
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