Unleashing the Shadows (Nine Kingdoms Book 1)

by Ann Bakshis

  He lifts his head to meet my gaze when he notices the medallion dangling around the side of my neck. It must have slipped behind my head when things became intense. He moves the necklace so it’s resting between my breasts as his fingers caress the griffin embellishment.

  “What’s this?” he asks.

  “It belonged to my father,” I reply. “I never got to meet him, so this is the only thing of his that I have.”

  “It’s beautiful,” he says. “I’ve never seen another like it.” Evan lies down and pulls me against his chest. “Do you know anything about your father?”

  “Only that he loved my mother very much,” I reply, my heart beginning to ache. “I know she misses him every day and it still hurts her knowing he can’t return to us.”

  “Did something happen to him?”

  “I don’t know as she won’t tell me much about their life before I was born other than that they had to leave each other to keep me safe.”

  Evan turns me so his deep blue eyes stare into mine and I feel at home, like I finally belong somewhere. We curl up together, pull the blankets over our bodies, and wait for the storm to pass.

  A soft knocking on the door rouses me. We both must’ve fallen asleep and I no longer hear thunder or rain. Evan glances around the room searching for his clothes, which he finds and quickly puts on. He takes my knife and tells me to go into one of the bedrooms. I grab the rest of my things and hide. As I’m dressing, I hear Evan talking to someone, and the response from the deep booming voice tells me it’s Argus. I strap the empty sheath around my waist, then swing my longbow and quiver onto my back before returning to the front room. Argus looks relieved to see me, and steps inside, closing the door.

  “How’d you find us?” I ask.

  “Evan’s horse is just outside,” Argus replies.

  “He must have returned after the storm,” Evan says.

  I’m glad about that since I’d left my rucksack tied to the saddle.

  “We should probably get going. Your mother will be worried,” Evan says.

  He hands the knife back to me before we step outside and mount up. Both Caster and my mother are standing outside the front door of the cottage when we arrive, and neither are thrilled to see me.

  “Where the hell have you been?” my mother shouts as I get down from the horse.

  “Sorry, we got caught in the storm,” I reply.

  “Elizabeth, take Honora inside while I have a word with these two,” Caster says, pointing to Argus and Evan.

  My mother pushes me through the door and before she can even yell at me, I go to our room to remove my weapons. She follows me, slamming the door behind her.

  “You never answered my question,” she says, her face red with rage. “The storm passed hours ago, so where have you been?”

  “Someplace safe,” I answer without turning to look at her as I fuss over the arrows I have left, which aren’t many.

  She grabs my shoulder and spins me around. “Honora, you’re taking too many risks,” she says, scolding me. “We don’t know anything about these young men and you’re acting like you’ve known them your whole life. We can’t afford for you to keep acting so foolish.”

  “What do you mean by that?” I ask, moving out of her grip. “You can’t afford it? What the hell are you talking about?”

  She bites her lip and folds her hands in front of her face before responding. “Look, all I’m saying is just be careful. You’re my only child and if anything were to ever happen to you, I don’t think I could go on.”

  I hug her as tight as I can. “I’m not going anywhere, Mom,” I say, trying to soothe her frayed nerves. “Everything is going to be fine. Please stop worrying about me.”

  “It’s my job, honey, as a mother to worry about you,” she says sweetly.

  “Are we all right in here?” Caster asks, opening the door.

  “Yes, we’re fine,” my mother answers.

  “Good. Now I’m going to escort these boys back to the village. I’ll be home later tonight,” Caster says.

  “Wait, why?” I ask.

  “I need to make sure they pack and leave before nightfall,” he replies.

  “No,” I say, my heart breaking. “You can’t.”

  “Ore, it has to be done. I’m sorry.”

  Tears well in my eyes as I crumple onto the bed. I know Caster is right, but that doesn’t make it easy. My mother sits beside me and tries to console me when all I want is to be left alone. Just when I was feeling more like a normal person, this happens. I blame myself for letting it get too far. If I’d just listened to the both of them the first time, I wouldn’t be in this mess. Now I know how my mother felt when my father had to leave. It’s a pain I never knew could envelop every ounce of my being and I don’t ever want to experience it again. I lean against my mother and mourn the loss of a love I’d just come to understand while Caster closes the door, taking my future with him.

  Six

  Evan

  While Caster is inside the cottage Argus and I wait as instructed, though neither of us are thrilled with what we suspect is coming next.

  “Are you going to tell him the truth?” Argus asks.

  “It’s the only way to explain what happened,” I reply.

  “That’s not a good idea, especially if you mention the attempt on your life,” Argus says.

  “I’d never bring that up,” I say, rolling my eyes. “We’ll have to come up with something else to explain the long absence.”

  “You know Caster is going to force us to leave.”

  “I know,” I say, miserable at the thought. “And maybe now we should. I can’t put Ore in that kind of danger again. How did they find us? No one knows we’re out here, let alone who I am. Did you have any inkling as to the possibility of my life being in danger?”

  “No, and the kingdom has never had any issues with its people before. Maybe they came from somewhere else?”

  “Pelheim has no quarrel with anyone and we haven’t for years. It doesn’t explain how they found me,” I say. “What did you do with the bodies?”

  “They’re buried in the woods, but not too deep since I didn’t have the right tools so if another heavy rain should fall, they’ll be exposed.”

  “Then let’s make sure we’re not around when that happens. I know Ore said she’s never come across anyone in these woods, but there’s no telling who’s out here now, with what happened earlier.”

  “Ready?” Caster asks as he brings his horse around from the back of the cottage.

  I nod and let him lead the way to the inn. No one says a word during the entire journey since there’s so much tension being exuded by all of us. When we reach the inn, we tie the horses to the post outside and I take Caster to our room at the back. Once the door is closed, I wait for Caster to begin haranguing me for what happened today, but surprisingly he simply sits down and waits for one of us to speak.

  “Let me explain,” I begin, but he puts a hand up for me not to speak any further.

  “Just give me the short version of what happened,” he says rather calmly.

  “That’s what I’m trying to do,” I say a little too forcefully.

  “Evan, calm down,” Argus says from his side of the room.

  “I will not calm down,” I say, my voice rising. “I’m about to be torn away from someone I never knew existed and I don’t want to live my life without her.”

  “But you just met Ore the other day,” Caster says, stunned. “How could this have happened so quickly?”

  “I don’t know, it just did,” I reply, then sink to the floor. “This was supposed to be a simple journey through Pelheim before we move onto Vanir, but everything’s changed now.”

  “Nothing’s changed,” Argus says, sounding adamant. “We’ll leave tomorrow morning as planned.”

  “I think that’s a good idea,” Caster says.

  “But what about Ore?” I ask, almost pleadingly.

  “Don’t worry about her,” Caste
r says. “Elizabeth and I will take care of any issues that might come up with your departure.”

  “Are you going to keep her in the cottage for the rest of her life?” I ask, my ire taking hold.

  “Evan, enough,” Argus says, fuming.

  “Well you know it’s true,” I say, getting to my feet. “That’s no way to live. Her father would be furious if he knew what kind of life she has.”

  “How do you know about that?” Caster asks, grabbing my collar as he abruptly stands. “Did Ore tell you?”

  “She needed to tell someone, Caster. The poor woman is hurting and neither you nor Elizabeth are even noticing.”

  Caster punches me in the jaw. I wait for Argus to intervene, but I’m shocked when he continues to sit in his corner of the room.

  “You know nothing about our family,” Caster says, shoving a finger in my face as his temper rises. “Stay away from Ore, forget she even exists, and leave… tonight.”

  He storms out of the room, slamming the door behind him. I collapse on the edge of the bed and glare at Argus.

  “Thanks for protecting me,” I grouse.

  “You had it coming,” he replies. “Why did you yell at that poor man? I’ve never seen you get this agitated before.”

  “Because I know what he’s hiding,” I reply.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  I reach into my boot, unpin the medallion I keep there, and toss it to Argus. “She has one of these,” I say. “It’s on a chain around her neck, but she has no idea what it represents, so I didn’t let on that I do.”

  “Which kingdom does it belong to?”

  “Geron,” I reply as he returns my medallion and I secure it back into my boot.

  “Are you sure?”

  I glare at him. “If I’ve learned anything while being kept in Latrest, it’s what each kingdom’s symbol is as well as what it represents. Just like ours has a large howling wolf with sapphire eyes to represent the amarok that call this land home, Geron’s is the griffin since that’s where they resided before they went extinct.”

  “Then I wonder why Ore is in Pelheim,” Argus comments.

  “She said she was born here, and I believe her,” I say as I stand and begin to pace the room. “The way Elizabeth and Caster overly protect her makes me think King Gregor doesn’t know Ore even exists.”

  A knock on the door pauses the conversation. Argus goes to answer it, only cracking the door partially before closing it as he clutches a letter in his hand.

  “It’s from your father,” he says, handing it to me.

  “I knew you told him,” I grumble as I break the wax seal to open it. I read it to myself until I notice Argus glaring at me. “Nosy.”

  “I want to know what he has to say.”

  “That’s what being nosy means,” I grumble. “Fine.” I clear my throat before reading the letter aloud. “Argus—I much appreciate you informing me about my son’s lack of focus in his duties as prince. I highly recommend that you move on to the next village before he becomes too infatuated with this young woman. Of course, if he feels strongly about her, he can always invite her to the ball at the castle the night before his coronation. There will be plenty of eligible young ladies attending, so I don’t see the harm in inviting one more if that’s what my son so desires. Perhaps the notion will appease him for the time being, so he can continue with what I’ve instructed the both of you to accomplish in this short amount of time. Please send me word immediately when you’ve reached the next village, so I know where you are. Warmest regards—Job.”

  “That’s not too bad,” Argus says.

  “You made me sound like an idiot,” I retort. “As if I’m not capable of fulfilling my tasks before becoming king.”

  “If that’s your take on it. That was never my intention. I just wanted the king to be aware of the distraction you’ve come across so he and I can properly deal with it. If you do prefer Ore, then invite her to the ball as your father suggested.”

  “Then I’d have to tell her the truth about me and you know how well that goes over with people,” I grumble. “Her attitude towards me will change and nothing will be the same. I’m not willing to risk that, I care about her too much.”

  “Maybe she’s not into such things. You’re assuming Ore is like any other woman you’ve come across, but so far, she’s demonstrated herself as being quite the opposite. Don’t assume the worst at every turn, or that’s all you’ll ever experience. Now, let’s get packing so we can head out before the sun sets.”

  “We’re not leaving,” I say adamantly.

  “Evan, don’t do this,” Argus groans. “Don’t make me force you because you know I will.”

  “Just give me until tomorrow, please. We can leave right after the festival.”

  “She already told you she’s not going, so why bother staying?”

  “It’s just a feeling I have, Argus. And besides, my father wants me to get to know the people and this is one way to do that.”

  “I’m not going to win this argument, am I?”

  “No,” I say, grinning. “Let’s get some dinner as it’s been hours since we ate.”

  The next morning the sun is out and warms the chilly air. I still intend on competing in the archery contest, so I make my way to the weaponsmith to purchase a longbow and arrow set. Ore is right that the price is too high for her to be able to afford. I meet up with Argus back at the inn and we follow the crowd as they make their way out of the village and over a lane to a large open field where the entire festival is being held. The village leaders sit under canopies above the crowds as people begin to meander around the booths and head off towards the contest area. I scan the crowd for Ore, but I don’t find her.

  The archery contest isn’t for a couple of hours, so Argus and I spend the time beforehand watching the caber toss and axe throwing. The same man wins both and is awarded handsomely. There’s a break in the games so everyone can grab a bite to eat and converse while the contest area is reconfigured for archery. Twelve targets are placed chest-high on moveable racks that are twenty feet from the firing stands. I eye the competition as a few take some warm-up shots even though the contest isn’t for another half hour or so.

  “Incoming,” Argus says, bumping my arm as we sit at the back of the tables.

  Caster is barreling his way through everyone having spotted us. I look around for Ore, but don’t see her anywhere in sight.

  “I thought I told you two to leave last night,” he says, fuming.

  “Argus wanted to, but I didn’t,” I say, defiance thick in my tone.

  “Do you have any idea what kind of problems you’re causing? Especially if Honora finds out you’re still here when I explicitly told her last night you’d left?”

  “I told you we shouldn’t have come,” Argus says, drinking his ale.

  “What’s going to happen to Ore when we do leave?” I ask.

  “It’s Honora, by the way, and none of your damn business.”

  I scrunch up my face at the sudden change in Caster’s tone towards Ore’s name. He had no problem calling her by it while we were at the cottage, but standing amongst the villagers, he’s adamant that I refer to her properly. I wonder what else he’s hiding.

  “Can we go somewhere to talk?” I ask, trying to diffuse an increasingly intense situation.

  “I don’t have anything more to say to either of you,” Caster replies, crossing his arms over his chest.

  I look over at Argus as he shakes his head because he knows what I’m about to do. I slip my hand into my boot, unpin the medallion, and cup it in my palm before I stand and place my back to the entire village so I can show it to Caster.

  “Ever see one of these before?” I ask as calmly as possible.

  “Where did you get that?” he asks, shocked at seeing it.

  “My father gave it to me when I was younger, and I know Honora has one as well. She wears it on a silver chain around her neck.”

  Caster grows pal
e and begins to tremble. I help him sit down then return the medallion to my boot. Argus hands him some ale, which Caster swallows in one gulp. We wait for him to regain his composure before continuing the conversation.

  “Does she know what it means?” Argus asks.

  “No, she doesn’t. You didn’t tell her, did you?” Caster asks, panicking as his eyes widen in terror.

  “No. I pretended not to recognize it,” I reply, which seems to relax him.

  “She can’t know… ever,” Caster says vehemently, glancing between Argus and me.

  “We won’t tell her,” Argus says.

  “What do you know about the Geron throne?” Caster asks after a few moments of silence.

  “Not a lot, only that King Gregor is a tyrant and a swine,” I reply. “My father despises the man.”

  “Is Gregor still in power?”

  “As far as we know, yes,” Argus answers. “It’ll take an act of God to kill that evil man.”

  “How did Honora obtain the Geron medallion?” I ask.

  “We didn’t steal it if that’s what you’re getting at,” Caster responds, getting defensive.

  “No, not at all,” I say. “I was just curious since only the royal families have them, and there’s only two per kingdom. I would assume Gregor has his since he’s still ruling, and the other would’ve gone to his wife.”