by Beth Hodgson
What would Derek think if he knew that she was gifted? The thought always crossed her mind. They had been close growing up, but would he be accepting?
Best not to tell him, Emerald decided. I don’t want him to think I’m out of my mind. He might not even believe me anyway.
Wanting to avoid any more conversation about her hair color, Emerald changed the subject. “What are your plans today? Business meetings throughout the day?”
He paused for a moment, his eyes piercing hers, then continued. “Emerald, do you know why I came to Arcadia?”
“I don’t know, Derek,” Emerald answered quietly. “As I recall, you were evading the subject last night.”
He held out his hand across the table, waiting for hers to meet his. Emerald eyed his open palm, then slowly rested her small hand in his. Her hand looked so miniature against his with him being so grand in stature. He closed his hand around hers, and she suppressed a tremble of excitement.
“I can’t hide under the pretense that I came here on business.” Derek paused, taking a deep breath. “I came here for you.”
Emerald’s blood was pumping hard through her body as her nerves began to get the best of her. “You did?” Emerald asked slowly.
“Does that please you?” he asked, leaning forward in anticipation of what she would say next.
Emerald let out a small laugh in disbelief. She gripped his hand firmly. “Yes, it does.”
Derek let out a sigh of relief. He still held his strong posture, but the tension melted away from his face. A smile appeared in its place. “Your words please me, Princess. I have waited for this day for many years.” He got up from his seat, then moved toward her, getting on one knee. He reached inside his jerkin, pulling out a small box.
Emerald’s heart skipped a beat, her body trembling. She gasped as he opened the box, revealing a beautiful emerald ring, the stone cut into an elegant elongated gem. Emerald gasped, covering her hands over her mouth lightly as tears of disbelief formed in her eyes while her heart stopped.
His blue eyes met hers, as clear as the daytime sky. “I had intended for this to be your engagement ring. However, with the many challenges that I have come to face—your father, mainly—it might not be official for some time yet.”
Emerald tried to find words, but nothing came.
“Think of it as a promise ring, leading to our engagement.” Derek smiled, grasping her hand. “Emerald, I can’t fare through this week of negotiations without knowing how you feel about me.”
“Yes.” Emerald laughed faintly, repeating her answer. “Yes. There is nothing more that I want than to be with you.” She held her breath in, then laughed once again as happy tears began rolling down her cheeks. Seeing Derek’s piercing eyes gave her hope for the first time in her life.
Derek took her hand, then slipped the emerald ring on her finger. As soon as he secured it, Emerald leapt out of her chair and into his arms, embracing him. Before she knew it, his lips were locked onto hers in a deep kiss. Melting in his strong arms, Emerald kissed him back fervently. His soft lips felt delightful to hers, causing a stir in her that she had never known.
It was the first time they had ever kissed, let alone shown any sort of affection toward each other. There was a longing that was released within her, a passion ignited that had been holding her back all these years. It was almost surreal; they had grown up together, felt the same for each other for years, and now their feelings were out in the open. She no longer had to be reserved and guard her affections. It felt so good to feel so free.
As their lips parted, Derek squeezed her hand one last time, kissing her newly acquired ring. He smiled at her, helping her back into her seat, then returned to his.
Emerald wore a giddy smile upon her face, as it was impossible to hide her joy. Then her thoughts turned to her father. Derek mentioned her father being an obstacle. A sinking feeling came over her.
“Derek. You spoke to my father regarding our betrothal?”
Derek hesitated for a moment. “We had an… exchange last night. He had guessed right away of my true intentions in coming to Arcadia, and I told him of my affections for you, and the prospect of marriage. He proposed unreasonable terms for your hand. Terms that no kingdom would ever agree to.” Derek eyed Emerald, then took a sip of his coffee. “Princess, when I said your father was going to be a challenge, that was putting it mildly. It will take intense negotiations on York’s behalf for our betrothal.”
Derek’s words suddenly made her succumb to reality. Her father had rejected every offer of marriage from the other kingdoms, and it seemed this would be no different.
“Derek, if I might ask, what were the terms my father put forth?”
“To pay off your kingdom’s outstanding debts. And for us to stay here in Arcadia, living in the palace under him, while Arcadia remains under his ownership. Your father seems to not want to give up his crown, nor ruling, even if it were to his own daughter.”
Emerald sat in her seat, stunned. “What debts do you speak of?”
“You don’t know?”
Emerald shook her head. She had never heard of any debts the crown owed, no conversations, no whispers from within the palace.
Derek looked at her intently. “Emerald, Arcadia is on the brink of financial collapse. Over the years, Damaris has run up so much debt that your kingdom is billions of dollars in the red. Many other kingdoms, my kingdom included, as well as the world banks, have eased Arcadia’s financial grievances with loans. Your father has never paid the world banks back, and the kingdom of York has not seen a cent from your father.”
He paused, an uneasy look on his face. “No one knows what he is spending his money on. And now, he is right back in his same predicament, only worse. No bank or kingdom is willing to settle the debts, unless someone buys out Arcadia, allowing Arcadia to have a new ruler. Your father has been so desperate for money that he passed the new tax laws across all levels of Arcadia to squeeze any money he could get from the people. Emerald, people are taking to the streets in rebellion.”
Derek’s words sunk into her. “Rebellion?”
“Haven’t you seen the street levels on the broadcasts?”
“No. I haven’t seen a single broadcast on the subject.”
Derek frowned, then lowered his voice slightly. “Figures,” he muttered. “Damaris must be censoring what is actually happening within the city so as not to frighten the palace.”
“Derek, please,” Emerald pleaded, lowering her voice to match his. “What is happening to Arcadia?”
“The mid to lower levels are in chaos right now. The last few days, people have been looting, rioting, burning, and destroying the city. Even the upper levels are worried, though they dare not express their opinions to the council or the King. Their money is in the stock markets. Arcadia’s trade has plummeted daily, and many have lost a fortune.”
“I don’t believe this.”
“It’s true, Princess. This could stop with financial relief from my kingdom. I had hoped your father would allow me to marry you in exchange for leveling all of Arcadia’s debts, restoring peace and financial stability within the kingdom.” He looked down. “Apparently I was wrong.”
Emerald sat there in silence, contemplating. “I must speak with him and convince him to accept your proposal.”
“Believe me, I will do everything within my power to win your father over. I would do anything and everything for you, as well as for the people of Arcadia. I contacted my father earlier this morning, and York is working on extreme proposals, several options that your father might take interest in.”
“Derek, this is truly concerning. What if my father refuses all options? Then what?”
Derek sighed, offering his hand across the table. “I haven’t thought that far yet. But I promise you, I will find a way.”
Emerald relaxed her face for a moment, but the worry still hid in the pits of her stomach. “I hope you do. My father is very stubborn.”
“T
hat, my princess, is an understatement.” He glanced at the ring on her finger. “Please, do not tell your father that I have proposed to you yet. Knowing him, he would take offense to it. It would give him more ammunition to say no to me.”
“I swear it. Although I don’t know how long I can stay silent on the subject. Arcadia in peril.” Emerald sighed in distress. “People turning to violence… And here I am, having breakfast in the palace’s gardens! It’s terribly frustrating.”
Derek finally took a bite of his food. “You shouldn’t feel bad. There is nothing you can do to fix it.”
“But I should be able to do something about it. After all, I am Arcadia’s princess,” Emerald huffed, taking another sip of her coffee. “You would think that I would have some sort of power or authority to help.”
Derek set down his fork, looking at Emerald solemnly. “I know your father shuts you out of all the royal councils, and that he isn’t instructing you in the ways of how to govern a city. I can promise you, once we are wed, that will change.”
His soothing words took the sour edge off her mood and lightened weight in the pit of her stomach. He believed that they would be married. It gave her confidence, seeing in her mind’s eye that she would eventually not be under her father’s rule, a privileged prisoner locked within the palace. Hinting a small smile, Emerald said, “Your words encourage me.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a glimpse of white. Derek turned his head, and they both saw Glacia enter the gardens, heading over toward them. Glacia remained poised but flashed a knowing smile at Derek as she approached.
Glacia bowed to them. “Forgive me, Prince and Princess.” She turned to Emerald and continued. “Princess Emerald, you will be late for your appointment if we don’t leave now.”
“Appointment? Can it wait?” Derek asked, raising an eyebrow.
Emerald’s blood appointment. She had forgotten all about it.
“I apologize, Derek. I do have to go. I cannot miss any of my medical appointments.”
“Are you sick?”
“It is to monitor my health. My father requires that I have weekly blood tests. He gets them done as well.”
“What for?”
“To monitor for any possible terminal illnesses before it develops, or to catch it in the early stage. That way they can stop the disease before it progresses.”
“Sounds like your father is more terrified of becoming ill himself,” Derek said flatly. “And this is standard within your kingdom? How long have you been doing this?”
“Since my early teenage years,” Emerald said. She placed her hand on his worried face, then caressed it. “Don’t fret about it. It is really nothing. I am not sick, and I am not dying.”
“I have not heard of anyone doing that, that is all,” Derek said reluctantly.
“It is a standard procedure with the royal family. You have not heard of us doing this procedure on your previous visits?”
“No, I can’t ever recall.”
Emerald smiled at him. “I know my kingdom is a bit more advanced than yours, but not by that much,” she teased. Derek relaxed his face somewhat. She couldn’t tell if he was persuaded, but he dropped it. “I am so sorry that I have to cut our breakfast short. Believe me, I would sit with you all day out here if I could.”
“Are you ready, Princess?” Glacia asked, motioning to Emerald to get up.
“Yes,” Emerald said to Glacia. She turned to Derek. “Perhaps we can see each other later. Possibly before dinner?”
Derek rose from his seat and grasped her hand, caressing it playfully. “Let me take you out. To the upper levels.”
The thought of leaving the palace gave her heart a jolt. How desperately she wanted to see the outside world and all that it had to offer. But as quick as the thought came, it was replaced with thoughts of her father, knowing what he would say if she dared ask.
“I would love to, but I don’t think my father would allow it.” Emerald smiled sadly. “Especially if what you said… well, I should say, considering what you told me earlier.”
“Let me ask him permission at the very least,” Derek said as he continued to touch her hand, moving toward her. The heat of his hand made her heart race, giving her pleasure in each soft stroke of his fingers against her hand.
Coming to her senses, Emerald shook her head. “No, let me do it. It would be better coming from me, especially after your exchange last night. I doubt he would give me permission, but it’s worth a try, at least. I, for one, would love to get outside of the palace. It’s been far too long since my last outing.” Emerald smiled. “I would love to visit the city with such delightful company.” She turned to Glacia, nodding to silently to tell her that she was ready to depart.
Derek bowed to her, then kissed her hand. “Send word either way. If Damaris denies your request, I shall see you before dinner.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Ever since Derek had arrived at Arcadia, Damaris was on edge. The very notion of the Prince of York staying at the palace irritated him, reminding Damaris of the pompous twit’s infuriating father. He would have rejected the prince’s request for him to even visit Arcadia, but it was the perfect setting to ensnare him in his trap. He just had to tolerate the prince a little while more in order to catch his daughter’s foolish admirer off guard.
Five councilmen were sitting around a glass table in the Inner Council chambers, with Damaris in the center. The room itself was encircled by glass, with the exception of the entrance. It had a perfect view of the city below, more so than any other room in the palace, though it was not the highest point in the structure itself.
Damaris sat listening to issue after issue that the Inner Council spouted off to him. Riots. Revolts. The financial markets. Large corporations ready to leave Arcadia. His advisors continually hounded him with a plethora of problems. He had developed a headache just by listening to them. The mumblings of the councilmen became background noise, and Damaris didn’t care to focus in to hear all of the woes. All he saw when he closed his eyes was the spitting image of King Samir’s face in Derek’s, minus the blue eyes. The very image of Derek renewed Damaris’s loathing for Samir.
Elyathi. The most beautiful, the most desired woman in the world. The only one as equally beautiful as him. He had pursued her in the wastelands for many years, for the legends of her beauty had reached all the courts, and all the princes of that time had been in hot pursuit of her. But Damaris got to her first. She was his and his alone. His bride and trophy, for all the world to see. She was the only person for whom he had felt an inkling of the stirring of his heart.
And Damaris had given her everything a woman could want: jewels, fine gowns, and the grandest quarters in the palace. And she’d betrayed him. With none other than his best friend.
Damn that whore, Damaris thought spitefully. Opening her legs for Samir. She deserved to die.
Damaris’s fist shook, and his wine wobbled in his glass. Steadying his hand, Damaris took a drink, turning his thoughts to his daughter, the one true gift Elyathi gave him in return. A gifted child. A daughter to make him the most powerful king and conqueror on Earth. A daughter with the ability to bestow magical regeneration properties to an army, an army of machines mixed with humans, all with the use of her blood. And for that, he could not afford anyone to find out about her true power. Emerald was staying right where he wanted her, within the palace, never to be married off. Her blood and power was his and his alone. He couldn’t let anyone, or any kingdom, steal his power away from him. She was the key to overthrowing all other kingdoms, with him reigning supreme.
Count Jadeth was still blubbering on about some account of the eastern sector being plagued with power issues. Something about how some of the utilities within the city needed to be upgraded, resulting in more spending that Arcadia couldn’t afford. He didn’t care; all the issues within his kingdom would stop once his army was complete. There would be more than enough money and resources coming in once Arcadia invaded an
d conquered its first target.
It had amused Damaris seeing the other royals, lords, and dukes from the surrounding kingdoms at last night’s celebration, seeing their smiling faces one last time before he crushed their kingdoms. It was a worthy cause for a celebration and gave him much joy just thinking about it.
“Sire, what do you think?” Count Jadeth stared at him, waiting for a reply. All eyes of the council were upon him.
Damaris rose from his seat, taking a drink of wine while casually walking over to view the whole city spread out before him. He felt the eyes of the council watching him patiently for an answer. They were stressed from the recent events, and with good reason.
“Councilor Zane,” Damaris called out, still watching the city below him through the window.
“Yes, Your Majesty?” the councilor asked, still seated at the table.
“When will our army be complete? I grow tired of waiting,” Damaris said, taking a drink of his wine again. He turned, flashing his green eyes at the councilor. “I was told that the completion date was to be over a month ago. Then two weeks. And then a week… and on and on and on.” Damaris snapped his head at Zane. “Where is my army?”
Councilor Zane stood up, then bowed. “Your Majesty, the corporation began running out of… subjects… several months ago. They found what they needed in the wastelands, but it set them back at least a month and a half.”
Hearing those words was completely unacceptable to Damaris. With the uprising in the lower levels, he couldn’t spare any more time.
“So, you are telling me that they should be ready in two weeks?” Damaris walked over to the councilor and set down his glass, glaring at him. “Because what is happening now is all your fault. I gave you this great responsibility to ensure our army is prepared for invasion. From the plans, we were supposed to have a steady flow of resources coming into Arcadia from our first victory, which was supposed to be happening at this moment.”
