Mark of Fate

by K. T. Webb

  Maris entered the room and quietly approached the thrones. When her eyes found Evander, she faltered slightly in her confident stride. Whatever caused her trepidation evaporated by the time she returned her gaze to Legacy.

  “Your Majesty,” she began, causing Legacy to laugh aloud.

  “I think we know one another a little better than that. Nothing has changed between us, Maris. Please, call me Legacy.”

  “And before you begin again, I want you to know that I do not hold stock in titles. Please, call me by my name as well,” Nikita insisted.

  Maris smiled back and gave a quick nod, “Legacy, Nikita, I would like to bring you only good news regarding our progress with the men, but unfortunately, we have encountered a problem with a few of the former Makt.”

  Legacy braced herself for the worst. It seemed unlikely they were causing any significant issues, or she would have heard about it long before that moment. Outbursts of violence rarely went unnoticed since the change of command. The citizens of Pallisaide were beginning to accept their new Queen and her calmer approach.

  When neither monarch made a comment, Maris continued, “A few of the men have been trying to establish a mutiny. A soldier from the Resistance came to me with the information. I have identified the instigators and had them detained.” She paused momentarily, glancing at Evander with an apology in her eyes, “It was Emrys. He has been working against us for weeks.”

  Evander released an almost inaudible groan. It was not hard to imagine what he was feeling. Legacy would be heartbroken if she discovered Honor trying to counteract her every move, and she had not been raised with her sister the way Evander was with Emrys. Their bond must have been stronger when their father was alive. They had only been a year apart in age; Evander would have seen his older brother as a friend and playmate from a very young age.

  “How many were with him?” Legacy asked.

  “Twelve in all. A tiny group considering the number of men we have been working with is greater than sixty. It did not take long to determine who their leader was once we began asking questions.”

  “I would like to speak with Emrys. Where is he being held?” Legacy reminded herself she would have to convince Evander to let her speak with his brother on her own. It would not do anyone any good to have the added fuel of familial betrayal to whatever burned in Emrys’ heart.

  “I will have him brought to you with two of our men. He has not been any trouble physically, but I would rather have the guards with him as a deterrent should he decide to try anything,” Maris left to complete her task.

  Evander wasted no time in sharing his thoughts on the matter, “Legacy, you have to let me deal with this. My brother is not a bad person, he just has not come to the realization that things have changed now that father and the King are gone.”

  Legacy exhaled heavily, “I am sorry, Evander. I know he is your brother, and you want to handle the situation on your own. The trouble is . . . he is your brother. Regardless of the crimes he has committed, you will be blinded by your relationship with him. I have no issue with you speaking with him, but not until after I have asked him some questions.”

  The pained look in Evander’s eyes was almost enough to break her heart. Legacy steeled herself against the guilt that welled in her chest at his expression. She was doing the right thing to dismiss him for the time being. Nothing good would come from his presence when she spoke with Emrys. Evander approached her, glancing at Nikita as though he expected her to stop him. He offered Legacy his arm.

  “Walk me to the war room, I will wait there for you to tell me when I may have an audience with Emrys.”

  Legacy wondered why he was insisting that she accompany him to a room not twenty feet outside the door. She trusted him enough to accept his request and loop her arm through his, “I will return momentarily, Nikita.”

  The woldigo bobbed her head once to indicate her understanding. Legacy felt the warmth of Evander’s other hand as he placed it on top of hers. When they left the throne room, Evander released her arm from his and took her hand instead. He quickened his step toward the next room. In any other circumstance, Legacy may have laughed at his hurried steps or made a joke. Something about the way Evander gripped her hand told her this was not the time for laughter. The door closed behind them, and he turned her to face him.

  “Listen, I understand why you want to speak with him alone, but you need to make a promise to me,” his eyes burned with a familiar intensity.

  “Anything,” her voice was low and breathy.

  “Do not let him get in your head. Emrys is my brother, but he is also something else. He is my father’s son. He will say what he thinks you want to hear and not mean a single word of it. Emrys is dangerous. Promise me you will see him for who he is, never forget that he will use anything he can to gain the upper hand.”

  Legacy looked beyond his eyes. Evander had never been this intense about anything before. This was more than concern for her safety, this was fear. Evander may not admit it to himself, or anyone else, but Legacy knew at that moment he feared his brother above anything else. He was not a man typically driven by fear, so Legacy knew his warning was something to be taken seriously.

  “I will be careful. I only mean to discover if Emrys is working alone or if he could possibly be under the influence of the Shadow Mages. I would have you there for the questioning, but I cannot take the chance your brother will use your emotions to get the better of either of us.”

  Evander nodded his understanding, then reached up and placed the back of his hand against her cheek. Legacy’s heart hammered in her chest. Her feelings for Evander had grown, but she had no idea if he shared her affection beyond their friendship. Now, as they stood facing one another, she wondered if it would ruin everything for her to take matters into her own hands and kiss him. When she was sure her visions were spiraling toward death at full speed, it would have been unfair to even consider crossing the line from friendship to something romantic. But Legacy was no longer certain her fate had been sealed.

  Her heart made the decision before her mind caught on. Legacy eased forward until her breath mingled with Evander’s, stopping just short of pressing her lips to his. His hand slid back until it was slightly tangled in her hair. She hesitated for a mere second before the feeling of his breath became too much for her to resist. Their lips touched carefully at first, as though the moment was a curious experiment. The kiss ended, and she pulled away enough to see his face. An expression of awe and shock was quickly replaced by one of intense determination. One side of his mouth went up in a half-grin just before he leaned in to kiss her once more. This time, Legacy felt confident she had done the right thing. Evander wrapped one arm around her waist while the other hand took a firmer grip on her head, holding her against him. His tongue gently pressed against her closed lips, requesting entry; she granted the request eagerly.

  Everything inside her seemed open to the possibility presented at that moment. Evander was her best friend, the one person she wanted to spend every moment with since the day he introduced himself. She had grown to love him as he proved time and again that he would risk everything to protect her. For the first time, Legacy had taken a chance on something that turned out to be precisely what she hoped it would be. When they brought the kiss to an end, Evander carefully tilted her face up until she was looking directly into his eyes.

  “I have to say that was unexpected.”

  “I had to see what would happen,” Legacy smiled.

  “I am thrilled you did. I cannot tell you how many times I have wanted to kiss you. I was not sure it would be appropriate given the things we are facing and the difference in our . . .” he trailed off as though thinking better of what he had been preparing to say.

  “The difference in our what?” Legacy pressed.

  Evander sighed profoundly and released her, “You are the Queen of Alderwood; you have a destiny laid out for you, and people look to you to be the salva
tion they have hoped for. I am a former Makt soldier. My father was responsible for many of the atrocities King Junius ordered. I was not even permitted a mark to guide my future. I appointed myself as your bodyguard mainly because I could not bear the idea of not being there should something threaten your life. I fear I am not worthy of you.”

  Legacy laughed out loud then clapped a hand over her mouth as though attempting to shove the sound back in. The idea that Evander thought she was so high above him was absurd. Before she replied, she wrapped her arms around his neck, gently pushing his head down to her level for another brief kiss.

  “Evander, my entire life was spent in a cave with a woman everyone thought was long-dead. I never once felt I had a say in how my life would go. I was raised to be the Queen. My visions showed me pieces of a future I did not expect to live through. Do you know that until the first time you burst through the forest to rescue me from the fire, I had died a horrible death every night in my dreams?” She shook her head before looking back at him with unshed tears glistening in her eyes, “You told me you knew it was time to lay down your weapons and join me instead of the Makt the moment you saw me. You gave me hope that there was something for me beyond the darkness that sealed my fate. How can you think you are unworthy of me?”

  Evander kissed her again, this time urgently clinging to her as though their very lives depended on that kiss. Legacy gladly returned his affections, allowing her touch to wander down his muscular arms. Her heart overflowed with happiness. She had taken matters into her own hands and gotten exactly what she wanted. When they pulled away from each other once more, Legacy held both of Evander’s hands in her own.

  “I should return to the throne room. They may already be waiting for me. Please know, I will be careful, soon you will join us so that you may speak with your brother.”

  “I will be here waiting to be with you again.”

  Legacy left with a spring in her step. When she arrived outside the throne room, she took a deep, steadying breath. She did not regret what she had just done, but she scolded herself for taking that chance right before she faced Emrys. If he was half as cunning as Evander indicated, he would notice the difference in her behavior and use it to his advantage. After a few more deep breaths, she opened the door. Nikita was curled up on her throne, waiting for Legacy to return. No one else had come to the room yet.

  “You two are good for each other,” Nikita said lazily.

  “What?” Legacy was taken aback by the random observation.

  “You smell different. The rush of emotion has caused you to secrete a pleasant odor. I am assuming you must have expressed your feelings for one another.”

  Legacy blinked at the woldigo, “Listen, I know you cannot help but smell the world around you, but if you could maybe try not to smell me, that would be great.”

  Nikita offered a half-hearted shrug, “Perhaps I should keep information like that to myself.”

  “I mean, your instincts can be helpful in several situations so you can share. But, no one wants to be told they are secreting any kind of odor,” she offered Nikita a half smile.

  “Understood.”

  The door opened behind Legacy. She quickly returned to her throne and worked to straighten her face before speaking to the man who entered between two guards. His expression was somber and unreadable. Legacy took the opportunity to study his features as he was directed into a seat in the center of the room.

  Emrys and Evander looked very much like brothers. The parallels between them were striking, but the differences stood out to Legacy in a strange way. Where Evander’s face was round and kind, Emrys’ was marked by sharp lines that made him seem unapproachable. Their eyes were the same shade of brown, but Emery’s eyes seemed flat and dark. Each similarity was marked by a striking difference that set the men apart in looks alone.

  “Emrys, I assume you know why you are here,” Legacy wanted him to do most of the talking if he would.

  “I do,” Emrys replied.

  “Can you tell me why you were trying to undermine Maris and Gray in their work with the soldiers?” If she asked a direct question, she might receive a more detailed answer.

  “I can,” a slow smile made its way across his face as he mocked her. It was clear he would not offer more information than he was asked.

  Legacy breathed in and out through her nose. She would not let him get to her so quickly. “Tell me why you were trying to undermine Maris and Gray in their work with the soldiers.”

  Emrys narrowed his eyes slightly. Of course, Legacy knew he could simply refuse to answer, but that did not seem like the kind of thing he would do. Emrys liked to play the game. He would see her demand as a point in her favor rather than find a way to evade the request. But she would have to listen carefully if she wanted to hear the information needed for all subsequent questions.

  “I think you were too hasty to put an end to the way things were running under the Makt. We had a tight grip on the civilians. Because of that tight grip, people were less likely to step out of line,” Emrys explained.

  “By step out of line, you are referring to the other day in the square. I believe you took that more personally than intended. The fact of the matter is, there is a clear line between right and wrong. If my men are smudging that line and getting away with unjust things, it is my responsibility to put an end to the behavior and restore the line.”

  He shook his head, “You are wrong again. It is your responsibility to sit on your throne and look pretty. King Junius may have given commands, but my father was the real enforcer. You have no right to interfere with the work we do. Our methods have worked for years, making changes will only lead to problems.”

  Legacy considered what he said carefully. From his perspective, the King had not been in charge. He believed his own father had been running the Makt. Emrys clearly saw her attempt at reformation as besmirching his fathers' name. This rebellion was more about his pride than what he truly believed was the right way to run the kingdom.

  “Correct me if you feel I am wrong, but it seems you think I should be handing overall responsibility for keeping this kingdom safe to someone like yourself.”

  “Now, you have it.” Emrys offered a nasty smile.

  “Tell me, though, do you think the citizens of Alderwood would agree? I believe their numbers far outrank the number of men you have following you on this crusade. Can you put yourself in their position and decide if you would want the King or Queen to simply hand over their free will to a man that would sooner kill them that listen to their plights?”

  Of course, she knew Emrys was not capable of considering how other people would feel. The man was too focused on himself to see anything else. He had never known a life outside of the Makt. His father did not care to let him be a child, he was more interested in teaching him to terrorize others. Emrys clamped his mouth shut and glared at Legacy from where he sat.

  “Emrys, I am going to give you the opportunity to live a life outside these walls. You have proven yourself unfit for duty as a member of the guard and will be dismissed immediately. I am sure you will be able to find your way in the city, but to be certain of your future, I can arrange for someone to take you on as an apprentice or employee.”

  “You cannot remove me from this castle. My brother will not allow it. You may have poisoned his mind against the mission of the Makt, but you cannot poison him against me. I am his brother. He will not stand for this.”

  Legacy looked to Nikita for any objection to her decision. The woldigo simply nodded before returning her gaze to Emrys. The young man caught the exchange and latched on to the opportunity to dig his nails into the wound he created.

  “Does your little doggy have to give permission for you to send me away? Who let a mutt like that into the castle anyhow?”

  Nikita released a low growl at the insults hurled in her direction. Legacy immediately perched on the edge of her throne, unwilling to rise to her feet despite the r
age coursing through her. “Lady Nikita is the ruler of the Kingdom of Creatures. I advise you to remember that she has just as much power here as I do. Neither of us is required to ask permission of the other. I simply needed to verify that we were on the same page. Since we agree, my order will be executed.”

  Emrys scoffed, “What is this nonsense about a Kingdom of Creatures? You cannot make me believe humans should be expected to follow the rulings of a mongrel like this. I will not stand for it. The people of Alderwood will not let that happen. There is a reason men beat their dogs into obedience and harness their horses to control where they go. It is because we are the superior race. Animals belong in barns, not on thrones.”

  Legacy involuntarily rose to her feet this time. Nikita sat straight in her own throne, now snarling at Emrys. It would do no good to point out to the woldigo that she was behaving in precisely the manner that made people like Emrys believe she was nothing more than a beast. At this point, she was showing her anger in the only way she had been given. Creatures and humans were not the same, but that did not provide Legacy the right to expect Nikita to behave in a particular manner. If they were indeed to unite the three kingdoms, they would have to learn to respect the things that made them different. Nikita’s snarls were no different than a cry of outrage that would come from Legacy if she were the one being belittled.

  “You will do well to watch your tongue, I do not like you boy, you smell of deceit and ill intentions,” Nikita nearly barked the words.

  Emrys was momentarily surprised by her ability to speak and be understood. He gathered his wits quickly enough to bite back a response, “And you smell of wet dog, perhaps your master should give you a bath.”

  Nikita leaped from the throne and pounced on Emrys. Her front paws balanced on his legs as her snout nearly touched his shocked face. “You will need to learn to bite your tongue, or someone may do it for you.”

  The expression of terror on Emrys’ face was quickly replaced by one of revulsion, “Thank you for the offer, but you are not my type of woman.”