“You aren’t a princess. You are a pain, and until you start acting like a princess, I will not give you the honor of that address. You will have to earn it from me.”
Had she earned his respect? Had she earned more? The way his eyes burned, touching her own heart, she could not doubt it. The words should delight her, not give her a sudden aching pang deep in her heart.
“Please call me Cassie,” she whispered. When he said her name like that, something wonderful happened in her heart and she wanted to carry the feeling with her.
His eyes met hers, almost defiant but tender. “Goodbye Alexandra. Godspeed,” he said, slapping the rump of her horse, sending it flying down the path and onto the road.
Chapter 31
Cassandra immediately turned her thoughts to steering her horse. As the horse’s hooves touched the road, she glanced over her shoulder and into the woods.
Taleon was on his horse watching her go.
She longed to stay looking back, but her horse was still going at a breakneck speed. She turned forward, towards Chambria and the fate that awaited her.
Within the hour, she reached the city walls. The gates were closed. She drew her foaming horse to a halt and looked up as two guards peered over the top.
“Who goes there and what be your business?”
“Hurry! Open the gates. Don’t you recognize me? Any moment we might be set upon by bandits from Raven Castle; hurry!”
“Who are you?”
“Princess Alexandra! Now open the gate! Hurry.” There was a groan of chains being put into use and creak of wood as the metal gate rose and the wooden doors opened. Cassandra galloped in. She wasted no time with the guards but galloped towards the castle through the city streets. She passed unharmed through the quiet city, whose silence seemed to rumble with discontent. In only a matter of minutes, she was at the castle, only to receive the same trouble she had at the gate. They would not let her enter even after she had identified herself.
“Get my father!”
The guards growled and turned away.
People started to gather around, and Cassandra began to grow anxious. If the gathering mob were prepared to start a riot and she was the object of their anger, she had no chance of survival. Anxiously she looked up at the castle walls.
Did she dare cry out for their attention again? The crowd was growing tight around her, leaning in and curious. She did not dare speak a word. But then someone shouted.
“That’s the princess, all right. Shabby worthless thing, should have stayed where she belonged.”
Cassandra turned her attention to the wall. “I demand to see King Archibald,” she shouted, feeling as if she had just sealed her doom to the mob. They pulled closer. Silent whisperings passed from one mouth to another like a babbling brook.
Cassandra found her face in the horse’s mane as something struck her in the back. Looking over her shoulder, she saw a large partly decayed head of cabbage had struck her. A pebble struck the horse, causing it to prance sideways with a slight rear. Cassandra held on. If she bolted, it would mean life or death for her.
At last a head appeared over the top of the parapet for such a short moment that Cassandra could not be sure who it had been.
A rock flew by Cassandra’s nose. Panic swelled within her. She tried to hold the horse steady as it danced beneath her, nearly unseating her off of its slippery back.
The crowd pressed in. She looked at their faces. Thin, worn, haunted and tired, weariness, hunger, fear and hate lurked in all of them. If something didn’t happen soon, there was no knowing what her own fate would be. It was death by mob, or life if only someone would just open those gates.
A metallic groan came from the chains, and the hinges of the wooden doors moaned. The crowd surged forward, almost desperate enough to try anything that would rid them of the Imposter. Cassandra pressed her horse further forward. A troop of heavily armed soldiers were waiting just inside the gates. Kicking the horse’s sides with her heels, she burst forward only to find herself sliding off of her horse’s back. Someone had grabbed her dress.
Cassandra hit the cobblestones with a jarring thud that tingled up her spine.
“Get her!”
“Down with Archibald the Imposter!”
“Long live king Aric!”
A loud cheer erupted after that utterance and Cassandra’s silent prayer joined their cry. But she had to take care for her life. They were upon her; her hands and feet hurt. The soldiers were surging forward, but would it be soon enough?
A strong arm grabbed her, pulling her up from the ground, over his shoulder they entered into the safety of the castle. Carrying her through the courtyard and corridors. A few minutes later he was setting her down on the soft bed in her former chambers.
“Your father said to keep an eye out for you. I didn’t think it would require this.”
Cassandra’s brow wrinkled. She had never seen this man before and he talked so familiarly to her.
He glanced over his shoulder, then, turning to her, whispered. “Long live King Aric.”
Cassandra understood and smiled, “Amen to that.”
Going to the washstand, he poured water on a cloth and touched it gently to her forehead, which felt as if an egg was hatching. “Their aim is getting better,” he said, his face screwing up in disgust.
“Wicked people,” he said out loud, then whispered. “Trust no one.” He raised his voice again to a normal tone. “Can’t they see what King Archibald is doing to help them?” then dropping it to a whisper, “Tell me anything that needs to get out and I’ll make sure it does.”
A moment later they weren’t alone. King Archibald burst into the room.
“Alexandra? Alexandra!”
“Father!” She choked on the word but just as well for at the same time tears trickled quickly down her cheeks.
Sitting down, he clutched her to his chest.
Emotional pain tore through her and she burst into sobs.
A moment later he had released her from his grasp and laid her back on the bed.
“Shh, now. Stop your crying. You are quite well.” he said, wiping the tears away with his cold hand. It felt anything but gentle. He hated tears. Cassandra felt smothered.
“I know you were frightened, but you have nothing to fear now. I am here to take care of you.”
She longed for her Pappa to throw her arms around his neck, to hear his heart beat beneath his chainmail and tunic, to feel protected and safe.
A moment later Judith came in.
“Judith, give her something light to eat, attend to her wounds, and put her to bed. Alexandra, tomorrow I want to hear everything that went on. You are weak and need your rest.”
You want me to go to bed? It is still the middle of the morning.
Judith fussed a great deal over her. After a bath, ointment and bandages on anything even resembling a scratch, and a meal of hot broth. Cassandra was put to bed.
Cassandra was emotionally weary and shaken. Was it really only that morning she had left Raven Castle? Closing her eyes, she fell asleep at last, but as night came she opened her eyes and looked around. She was alone; that was a relief, and she began to put her thoughts together once again.
Her door opened, and from well-executed practice, she closed her eyes and breathed deeply and slowly as if she was asleep.
“See, she returned,” said King Archibald, in a low voice.
Cassandra battled the chill that ran up her spine and took a deep breath to fight down the butterflies that suddenly took flight in her stomach.
“He’ll be back for her. I will fight him—crush him, and after that you will marry me.”
“I will never marry you,” whispered a soft voice, a voice Cassandra had thought gone forever. Shock jolted through her. She wanted to sit up and open her eyes. Instead, she just took a deep breath and sighed.
“Shhh, you will wake her.”
“I will not be silent. I have been silent too long. You have locked m
e away in hope that you will destroy my husband and his country. You have had thirteen years; don’t you think you have done enough damage?”
“Not until he is destroyed.”
“You cannot destroy him.”
“I will, and then you can have no further objections.”
“Keep your hands off of me.”
“I always loved that about you, Serena.”
“And I hated that about you.”
“Come, now that you have seen her; it is time to go.”
“I want to speak to her.”
“She is sleeping.”
“Give me another minute with her? Please.”
There was no reply, but in a moment, Cassandra felt her bed depress quite near her. A hand ran gently over her hair.
“Why didn’t you stay with your father, Cassandra? You were safe with him.”
“She is safer now,” answered King Archibald.
“Safe from what?”
“Becoming you or Aric. Come, you’ve had enough time with her.”
A soft kiss touched her brow.
“Good night, Cassandra, and may God protect you from your uncle Archibald.”
“I said quiet!” Archibald spat between his teeth, rage roaring within his words.
There was gasp of pain. “Let me go, Archibald.”
“Never.”
There was a sound of scuffling, then a scream. Cassandra shot up in bed.
“What is going on?” she asked after a moment in a loud scared voice.
Archibald swore under his breath, but Cassandra caught the words just the same.
“Guards! Guards!” he shouted.
In a moment the room seemed to be flooded with men.
“Take this woman where she belongs! She is mad.”
“Cassandra, don’t believe a word that he says.” Then her words were cut off as a hand clapped over her mouth.
“Father, who was that?” Cassandra asked in a panicked voice.
“Nothing you need to worry about.”
“How come people call me Cassandra? It scares me.”
“I am sure it does, poor child,” he said, coming and putting his hand on her shoulder. He sat down on her bed.
“What did they tell you on the mountain? In Raven Castle.”
“They called you all kinds of names and said all sorts of lies about you. None of them are true, are they?”
“No, just desperate people. What did you think of my brother?”
“Is he really your brother?” Cassandra asked, wide-eyed.
“Yes, Alexandra, he is, though I am ashamed to admit it.”
Cassandra let the shiver that had been hiding at the back of her spine travel up to her shoulders; she shook at the end with a tremble.
“I don’t think he is very nice. He tried to convince me that he is my father.”
“Do you think that is true?”
“I don’t see how it could be. You and I look so much alike.”
He kissed her cheek. Cassandra wanted to cringe away but resisted the urge and laid her head on his shoulder for a moment.
“You are a smart girl. My girl. How did you come to escape?”
“I bribed a girl with a new dress and all of the pearls I had in my hair the day they took me captive. We looked rather alike, and when she came in with my dinner tray, we traded clothes. She owned a horse, so in the morning I took him out of the stables, saying I was on urgent business, and came riding down here. But I had to do it before daybreak so no one would recognize and stop me.”
“How very clever of you.”
“It took me forever to think of it.”
“I am sure it did.”
“What did that woman want?” asked Cassandra.
“Nothing you need to worry yourself about. Now go to sleep; I will protect you.”
“Good night, Father.”
“Good night, Alexandra.”
Cassandra waited for him to leave before she turned and buried her face in her pillow. “I love you, Pappa. I love you; good night,” and a few tears hid themselves in the soft pillow.
Her heart was beating wildly. She had heard and seen her mother. She wasn’t dead. Her mother wasn’t dead. Her mind reeled. Thirteen years. For thirteen years that fact had been kept a secret to everyone. Where was she hidden in the castle and why did no one know? Why did no one speak of it? Why had she not tried to escape? What was really going on? Should she tell her Pappa? She was here to reveal Archibald’s plans to her father and help sabotage them. Would this complicate things?
Her mind seemed to whirl. There were too many things to think of. She was in over her head. Way over.
Chapter 32
Cassandra never knew how she fell asleep, deep into dreamland.
The recurring dream had never been so vivid. Her father, her mother— they felt so real. They were real. Cassandra awoke with a start. The gravity of it all took away her breath.
“Alexandra, are you all right?” asked Judith, who was hovering over her.
“I am fine,” she said.
“You can’t fool me, Alexandra,” said the woman, sitting beside her and taking her face into her hands.
“It was really nothing.”
“It was something. Now tell me, Alexandra.”
Cassandra’s heart rebelled. But she must obey. She mustn’t seem to have changed too much.
She looked down, disappointed “I had the dream again.”
“The dream,” Judith asked.
Cassandra nodded.
“You know it is all a fantastic fantasy on your part, don’t you?”
“I know, but why does it keep coming back? Why does it haunt me? Tell me, Judith,” she said, with a pout growing on her lips.
“There is no knowing, child. But come; let me get you ready. Your father is eager to see you.”
Cassandra found it incredibly difficult to stay still and do exactly as she was told. Her brief stay in independence had spoiled her, but she could not complain—not out loud at least. Her mind ran questions through it instead.
Was it really my mamma I saw last night? Could it really be possible that I saw her? It must be true, but how have they kept her hidden all of these years. How can I find her? Is she still alive or did uncle...father?
She sprang the question on Judith as it popped into her mind. “How did my mother die?”
Judith stopped dead and glanced at her.
“What, my dear?”
“How did my mother die?” she repeated the question.
“I don’t think that is something that should be talked about. It isn’t delicate.”
“Was it like the woman who tried to kill me last night?” she proceeded unchecked.
“Alexandra, your mother, she died a most painful death. You know she died protecting you from the horrid rebels.”
Cassandra let a shiver run up her spine. “I know, but how? Was it a sword or dagger? Was it single man or many?”
“Why do you want to know?”
“I am just wondering if they won’t try to kill me like they killed her. I want to be on the lookout just in case— I am afraid they will come after me again.”
“Oh, you poor thing, Alexandra, the things you must have suffered up there.”
Cassandra let her eyes fill with sad tears.
“Well, I don’t think you will have to worry. She was killed by a sword. She didn’t suffer long. It was a very quick death.”
Cassandra took in a deep breath and sighed. Judith’s reluctance to answer the question made the belief that her mother was still alive grow strong within her.
“There, you are all ready. Your father will be waiting for you.”
They left her apartments and headed for her father’s. He greeted her with a smile. That was it; nothing more.
“Come sit by me, Alexandra,” he said, not rising from his chair.
Cassandra came to his side and sat down, looking at him expectantly.
He took her face in his hands, gazing
deep into her eyes.
She wondered what he was looking for in them.
A smile quirked at the edge of his mouth. “Yes, you are quite well, my little daughter, aren’t you?”
“Yes, Father, now that I am here with you,” she said, looking sweet and innocent.
“If you don’t mind sitting here all day, I have some work to get done that shall not take me out of my chambers, but I cannot bear to have you out of my sight for one moment.”
“I don’t mind.”
“Good. Judith has already brought in your workbasket, as you can see, and this couch has blankets so you can rest well while I work. Will that do for you?”
“Very nicely.”
“Good.”
The morning whiled away into afternoon and Cassandra found herself easily annoyed by reminders to take it easy and take a nap now and do this and that and the other thing. To think that she had blindly obeyed, heeded every order given to her by them, was distressing.
In the middle of the afternoon, she was told to lie down for a nap.
There was a knock at the door. Archibald answered it.
“I have the plans you requested, your majesty.”
“Good. Bring them in here and lay them on that table, but be quiet. Alexandra is sleeping.” A moment later she knew that Archibald’s shadow was hovering over her, seeing if she slumbered yet.
Cassandra contrived to breathe deeply. He left with a sigh of satisfaction.
“Now, tell me what you have found out.”
“My scouts have searched, but I haven’t found a single man—though we did have another run in with a group of their flash fighters. All of the forces have been brought into the city except one.”
“They’ll just have to fend for themselves. How are our stores holding up?”
“Well enough, your majesty. We should be able to get through the winter well enough.”
“And the citizens?”
“They won’t make it. The city will be a ghost town come spring. They’re half-starved as it is. Our forces hold no risk of being overpowered by them.”
“Glad to hear it. Imagine what my brother will feel when the city he loves so much is laid to waste with no one left alive but his enemies.”
Captive of Raven Castle Page 19
