Ruby shrugged, “I want to be with you too.”
“Then let me kiss you again.”
Ruby blushed, “you may.”
As he leaned in, Ruby felt a wave of excitement thrum through her. She was so nervous, more nervous than she had been that night when he had first kissed her.
“Step away from the princess!" A voiced boomed.
Ruby jerked backward, putting a wide berth between them automatically. She turned toward the source of the voice, just before noticing Serin's look of panic. It was the Captain of the guard, Serin’s superior. He was stomping towards them now, his face like stone. The blue-eyed sour puss followed him, his expression unreadable. His eyes darted to Serin and then to her accusingly, but he said nothing as the captain grabbed hold of Serin. He jerked him even farther away from Ruby toward another superior guard who relieved him of his sword.
"What were you thinking?" the captain yelled.
Serin looked dismal, "a man does not think when he is in love," he whispered, turning his gaze to Ruby.
The angry captain, yanked his arm, "You!" he addressed Ruby’s other guard, "take the princess back to her room. Unless you have difficulty doing your duties too" the man warned.
The young soldier nodded, "not a problem sir," he turned to Ruby, his gaze cold, "princess, shall we?"
He reached for her elbow to guide her away, but she jerked her arm away from him like his fingers had prickles.
"What is going to happen to him?" she demanded, gritting her teeth and turning around.
He lifted his chin, "you should have thought of that before you brought him up here... your highness," he gestured to the steps.
Ruby huffed, lifted her dress and stomped toward the steps that would take her back to her quarters, "I know my way around my father's castle," she spat.
Once again, her father had dashed the slightest glimmer of hope that had dangled before her, there was nowhere in this kingdom she could go and ever be free from his presence. As she stomped down the stairs, her angry guard following quietly behind her, she began to think about what Serin had said, he was in love, in that moment she decided that she loved him too.
✽ ✽ ✽
Ruby took a deep breath, her breathing coming in short huffs. She could taste the salty sweat dripping from her brow, threatening to burn her eyes, but she dared not lift a hand to wipe them away. She tightened her grip on her sword and mentally rechecked her stance. Her brother's over-confident smirk mocked her. She could feel the eyes of Topaz and the grumpy soldier on her, they had not taken him off her detail as she had hoped, now that Serin had gotten in trouble because of her, the dark cloud he carried with him had grown even darker.
She exhaled through her mouth, took a step forward and swung her blade expertly at her skilled opponent. Jasper evaded her every move, like he was in her head. It made her weary, but she would sooner run out of oxygen than show it. Their swords clanged loudly in the empty training room, mingled with the sounds of her grunts of frustration. She twirled in one last act of desperation, going for a roundhouse kick aimed at his face. His hand went up, he grabbed onto her booted foot and shoved her backward. As she tumbled to the floor, her weapon flew from her hand, falling mere inches away from her fingers with a loud clatter.
She opened her eyes to the tip of her brother's blade and his amused smirk.
"Well done," he said.
"Really? I am... the one with... the sword to my face," she said breathlessly.
Jasper chuckled, as he sheathed his sword and extended his hand, "you actually had me on my toes sister. Next time though, save the roundhouse kick for when your opponent is disadvantaged, not in a position to see it coming like I was." She took his hand and he pulled her to her feet. The “dark cloud” sauntered over and handed her a flask of water.
"Thank you," she replied absently, still seething over her loss.
"It is good to see you have come to understand the importance of control. Topaz here has yet to," Jasper was saying.
Topaz rolled her eyes, "I get it Jasper, I am too interested in winning and right now winning is not as important as form," she recited glibly as she scooped up her own training gear.
"I have a date with history," she mumbled, stomping out of the room, she too was not dealing with her defeat very well.
Jasper regarded Ruby with his knowing silver eyes, eyes that always seemed to dance. It was hard to imagine them wrought with fury in the heart of battle, the loud scar on his face seemed so out of place. Who had dared to mar such kind eyes?
"Have you spoken to father?"
She smiled sadly, "I have."
"And you understand?"
She nodded, "I do. It is either he is relieved of duty for neglect of duty or tried for treason. But Jasper he does not know anything about Dravia, we were just talking. I am sure we are not the only ones who talk about other kingdoms, who imagine what it would be like to see beyond the borders of Aldor.”
Jasper nodded, “I understand but tensions are high now, especially between us and Dravia. Father is only trying to protect you.”
“What I don’t understand is who told him about us."
Jasper sighed, "You need to remember Ruby, people like us hardly ever go unnoticed."
He smiled sympathetically, "we have a meeting with the generals, I must go" he said, turning to leave.
He looked over his shoulder, "and Ruby, it really is the best way."
"So, they say," she muttered as the door closed behind him.
"It is you know," the grumpy soldier said tentatively.
It was unexpected to hear him speak. After all he had not spoken a word to her other than her father’s orders since Serin was taken away. But even without words he had made it clear to her how he felt about all that had happened; as far as he was concerned, it was all her fault. Ruby turned to him, he sounded almost human when he was not issuing her father's directives like a robot.
"You should know Serin, he is your friend right?"
He nodded slightly, she almost missed it, "then you know living as a stone worker with his father again, will kill his spirit."
He looked at her quizzically, there was a hint of intrigue in his odd coloured eyes, "you are quite perceptive princess," he said, his expression blank, but his eyes saying more than she was sure he wanted it to, “and kind,” he added softly.
"Hmm hardly,” she replied, choosing to ignore his last statement. She could not trust him after what happened, and she was not about to let him charm her out of her suspicions.
“I cannot seem to figure you out. He is your friend, yet you give him up, you know where I spend my time and I have been nothing but cruel to you, yet you keep my secret."
Not even a crack appeared in his armoured expression, "What do you mean, I did not know of your relationship with Serin, I could not have given him up. And the only reason I keep your secret is because I believe in what you are doing for those orphans. You would think that in a place like Aldor there would be more people willing to sacrifice for those in need, regardless of who they are. As for the king's conditions, it may seem tough for Serin, but the King does not abhor second chances. If Serin shows the king he is remorseful, he may reinstate him."
Ruby's temper flared, unlike the man before her, she never concealed her emotions, "show he is remorseful?" she snapped.
"For caring for me?" she shook her head, glaring at him, "I think it is better that you remain silent… if you can," she handed him her sword and stomped out of the room.
"As you wish your majesty," he muttered.
✽ ✽ ✽
After his argument with Ruby, Deswald was eager to end his shift. He returned to his quarters in the barracks and removed his uniform wearily. Lowering himself to the edge of his bunk with a sigh. His eyes found Serin’s bunk, which was now stripped of any sign of him. A part of him was truly saddened over Serin’s plight but another part of him stewed over his audacity. He used his position of closeness to the princess to pursue
his own romantic ambitions, ambitions Deswald had never been aware of until the other night when he was caught with Princess Ruby. A part of him felt betrayed, clearly Serin did not value his friendship as much as he did his. This had been the story line of his life for as long as he could remember.
Aldorian natives hardly ever considered him a close friend. He could only assume that once Serin learned of his interest in the troublesome princess he had decided that he did not stand a chance there either. Deswald took out his new knife and leaned back against the head of his bunk while he twirled it around his fingers. His mind went to the man he had met in the square, he had gone back the next day to talk to him again, but he was gone, Deswald knew that he would probably never see him again. He could not imagine being so far away from everything he had ever known and to still not be fully accepted by those around you. Deswald never expected the king to accept him, the son of Dravian refugees for his daughter.
Once upon a time being a palace guard thrilled him, he never thought he would get this far, but it turned out that it was not enough to quell his desire for more. He was tired and longed for a home where he could fully belong and be anything he wanted to be, but unlike Serin he would never leave Aldor if it meant distancing himself from El.
CHAPTER 6
Ruby dressed in one of her print dresses with the least extravagant design and pulled her hair back into a bun before tying a white cotton scarf over it. She wanted to look beautiful to Serin but she did not want to mock him with excessiveness. She replaced her extravagant earrings with simple silver hoops and took a deep breath. She would see him today for the first time since he was arrested for being with her. She stood against the walls of the dark hallway, her heart pounding against her chest so hard, she feared everyone else could hear it.
She watched them unlock the gates of his cell and remove his shackles, he looked so different without his uniform, wearing nothing but a leather vest held together at the front with laces, and baggy dusty trousers. The dark stubble around his lips and jaw could not disguise his stately looks, just as the dark circles around his eyes could not drown the passion in them. She was happy to know that his imprisonment had not broken his spirit, but she knew that it would be short lived, because as soon as they loaded him into the carrier bound for his home territory, life as he knew it would change. She took a deep breath, he was drawing close to her now, those burning brown eyes piercing through her. She held his gaze, hoping she could communicate her remorse to him that way, hoping he would understand that she never intended for it to be this way.
"Wait!" She winced inwardly, it was her voice that had broken into the silent procession.
She took a deep breath and stepped forward, making her way to him, she could feel the eyes of the soldiers upon her, accusing eyes no doubt. It was after all her fault that one of their own had found himself in this situation. She was the spoiled princess who did not care about the result of her own selfish actions. She knew the story too well.
She reached out and placed a hand over his heart, lifting her gaze to his, "I am sorry," she said.
He smiled, "I am not," he said, leaning forward slightly, he whispered, "my offer still stands."
She frowned at him, posing the question with her eyes. He smiled in response.
"See you around princess."
She stepped aside and watched as they disappeared with him behind the dungeon walls, turning just in time to see the eyes of her grumpy guard upon her. There was something behind them that she did not fully grasp, no doubt he too, blamed her for this, but that was not all his eyes were saying to her.
She lowered her eyes and fled back to her bed chamber, he would not be far behind, he never was. But just this once she wished he would delay, so her tears could fall freely, so her crying could go unnoticed.
✽ ✽ ✽
“A little more to the left… back a bit… yes that’s it, right there.”
Prince Haddin, leapt from his seat and clasped his hand in pleasure, as he beamed at the extra-large painting of himself in the entrance hall. Upon entering the palace everyone will know who sat on the throne.
“It’s perfect.”
The servants exchanged uncomfortable glances, not only was the painting ostentatious and its extravagant gold frame hideous, but the king had only been dead a week and Drayton was still to return. Even though Drayton’s regiment was found slaughtered, they were yet to confirm that the eldest son and rightful heir to the throne was truly dead. Many held on to the hope that Drayton would return but as time went on, Prince Haddin grew more certain and it would not be long before the council would have to name Haddin, King of Dravia. It was hard enough living under the stipulations of the temple of Rah without Prince Haddin governing the kingdom. His taste in apparel alone was enough to make the treasury bankrupt.
Haddin turned and perused the changes he had made since his father’s demise and nodded to himself. Then turned to his servants.
“What say you?” he asked.
“Oh your majesty it’s beautiful…”
“Magnificent…”
“The colours bring out your eyes…”
Their fumbling responses tumbled over each other’s in panic, neither one wanting to get on the prince’s bad side. He had already dismissed many of them, proving himself to be an even harder man than his father.
He smiled, clearly pleased with their responses, “I think so too,” he said, “now all I need is a bride.”
The servants exchanged glances, but the prince was so caught up in his inner dialogue that he did not notice the look of discomfort on the faces of those who served him.
“We should have a ball, invite all the beautiful women in the kingdom so that I can have my pick. During the Festival might be ideal,” he turned to them now, those cold blue eyes constantly threatening.
“Get this done!” he commanded.
They immediately scurried away, leaving him to shake his head in exasperation.
“So hard to find good help these days. Except for you three.”
He turned around to three odd looking figures dressed in black robes, their bald heads wrinkled and the pallor of their skin an odd grey hue, they all bowed before the prince, their hunched frames awkwardly dipping before him.
“If only you were not so hideous,” the prince remarked, “if everyone could see you I would have no one to serve me in this place. For your unfortunate faces would chase them all away.”
“Yes, your majesty, we are only here for your service,” they crooned in unison.
The prince rolled his eyes, “any success?” he asked, eager to get them out of his sight.
“No, your majesty, we are sorry. But we have no way of locating your mother. Wherever your father has banished her must be enchanted somehow, our finding spells are of no use,” one said.
“But you are sure that she is alive.”
“Luska is alive your majesty,” another one of them replied.
The prince nodded, “curses upon that dead old man!” he muttered.
“Well at least we have some good news. My men are returning with the dark element my brother was on his way to dispose of. Once we have it safely in our hands, we will need only one more ingredient to finish what my mother started.”
The figures nodded, grinning their blistered gums excitedly, “Yes excellent news master. Maldeev will surely favour you.”
“Your job is to make sure that my mother is here to see it to completion,” with a wave of his hand he sent them on their way.
“Get out of my sight!”
The trio bowed once more then turned and scurried away from the prince. The prince looked over at his mother’s old crown, which he had displayed in the entrance hall as well and sighed.
“I will find you mother and together we will get rid of Aldor and Saharia will be as it should be.”
✽ ✽ ✽
The sunset was one of the most beautiful sights in all the land, and though he had not been beyond the immedia
te territories of Aldor, he would bet his last gold coin that this would always be true. He stooped down from where he stood, at the highest point of the Royal City; the king’s stronghold. This was a fortified fort built just above the warriors’ barracks, it served the purpose of being the last line of defense should an attack come against the castle. But until then it was another one of those places where a man could be alone with his thoughts and not worry about any intrusion, not even duty could find him here, not even the princess with her fiery eyes and unfounded accusations could unnerve him here. Deswald undid his belt, laid his sheathed sword beside him and hunkered down to sit on the edge of the wall, his long legs dangling over the courtyard below.
Aldor was beautiful; every territory boasted mesmerizing landscapes, as if sculpted by the most skilled painter, chanting loudly peace, safety and prosperity. Deswald imagined that that was what made the kingdom such a haven, bringing people from distant lands to seek refuge within its walls and to be loyal to it. Because not only were they safe from the treacherous dark magic that touched the rest of the land, but it was ruled by a compassionate yet feared king. It was the reason he believed in El. Many of his generation did not, many like Serin, though they had sworn to serve the king and uphold the ways of Aldor, did not believe in the invisible presence behind it all.
El had been quiet for most of their generation after all, they had only heard stories of the last prophet of El, of the thundering of his voice or the fiery blaze of his presence. But Deswald believed in El, thanks to his parents, who never let him forget where he had come from, he knew that such a kingdom could only be held together by something good and powerful. He was the first of his family to be born here and like the princess, like Serin, he had never known any other place. Unlike them however, he did not mind. His loyalty was to the king, he was not a soldier because of the prestige that came with it, he was a soldier because he believed in the ways of the kingdom, he believed in El, he also believed in justice, the kind of justice he knew his father deserved.
Kingdom of Refuge (Gemstone Royals Book 1) Page 5
