by Beth Hodgson
Emerys and the other councilors waited for the King to continue, remaining silent. Damaris took a sip of his wine, then gently set down the glass.
Emerys was confused. Had Damaris just sipped his wine like a lady of the court?
Damaris continued. “I have summoned you here to announce that I will agree to Prince Derek’s terms of marriage to my daughter, Princess Emerald.”
Everyone around the table looked at each other, each with a stunned expression. Emerys sighed inwardly. For once, he is not being irrational, Emerys thought.
“What made you change your stance?” asked Baron von Aedard, quickly nodding in agreement with the King. “Not that I disagree with you, Your Majesty.” He took a deep breath. “But… after your… opposition to the prince this morning, we—”
“I was out of sorts. You will all have to excuse me,” Damaris replied.
Emerys raised an eyebrow. King Damaris never asked anyone to excuse him.
“This is wonderful news,” Councilor Zane interjected. “With the betrothal of the prince to the princess, he can remain a hostage here while we invade York. And if the King of York doesn’t surrender to our forces, we will continue to have a powerful pawn in the game, and his money.” He smiled crookedly, stroking his beard.
“There will be no invasion of York, Councilor,” Damaris snapped. Everyone’s faces dropped. Each of the men sucked in their breath, including Emerys. This was not like the King at all. Not that Emerys disagreed with the King’s decision, as Emerys had opposed the invasion of York from the start. But this was all out of character.
There was an uncomfortable pause, then Councilor Zane stroked his beard again, continuing nervously. “Well, then, let’s prepare Arcadia for a wedding,” Councilor Zane said. “After we locate the bride, of course.” He forced a half smile, trying to ease the high tension in the room.
“Yes. We need to locate my daughter,” Damaris stated coldly, slamming his hand into the table. “The only one with green magic, and she’s out there, just waiting for someone to snatch her up!”
“Your Majesty, the corporation confirmed with me that the gifted cyborg will be ready on schedule to track the princess,” Councilor Zane said.
Damaris’s eyes shot to him, and his expression almost seemed like it was the first time the King had ever heard that news, and he paused for a moment. “Well, they better have it ready. I need that damned cyborg as soon as possible. The princess must be back in these palace walls soon. Or else.” His head jerked back into the headboard of the chair. His eyes closed, and his face was strained as he massaged his temples.
“She will, Your Majesty,” Zane said nervously.
“Thank you, Councilor.” Damaris waved his hand in dismissal at Zane. “Also, I have other news,” the King continued, keeping his eyes closed a moment longer before snapping them open. “I want you all to draw up a decree. I will name Prince Derek my heir. He is to inherit the kingdom.”
Madness broke out along the table, all of the men talking out of turn, utterly baffled at his statement.
Damaris slammed his hand down on the table. “Silence!” The men stopped, giving him mixed looks.
Emerys was dumbfounded but made no objection whatsoever. He liked where this was going and wanted it to come to pass. Arcadia would finally have someone to rule it properly, and perhaps the other members would finally be expelled off the council. None besides Councilor Lysander was worth a damn. The other councilors cared not for Arcadia, only for lining their pockets with wealth and titles. It was in their best interest to eat the scraps that fell from Damaris’s hand and not have Derek on the throne.
“Your Majesty?” questioned Count Jadeth. “Are you quite sure? Do you really want the prince privy to Arcadia’s secrets? And for you… to give your throne to a foreigner? Pardon me for saying so, but this is ludicrous. What about the princess?”
“You dare question me?” Damaris snarled, taking another sip of wine. Count Jadeth shrunk in his chair. “Yes, I am damn sure. I want Derek to marry my daughter, and he will inherit Arcadia. I am so damn sure, in fact, I want you all to draw up a document here, right now, before I force you all to resign.”
Emerys bit his lip in amusement, trying to hold back an audible laugh.
Count Jadeth snorted in laughter, thinking it was all a joke. Emerys knew this was no joke. Jadeth’s laugh was the only noise in the room. Not one person dared to join in with the count. Jadeth looked around the room while his laugh died out, coming to a complete stop. “You are serious, Your Majesty?”
The King turned sharply to the count. “Yes, I am damn serious! Get me the document drawn up! Now! And send for the prince immediately!” Damaris barked. Councilor Lysander nodded, then walked out of the room, most likely to fetch the guard stationed at the door.
The King rose from his seat, taking his glass of wine and pacing the room as the men began to formulate the law. Emerys scribbled furiously while the others gave input to how to word the decree, offering language and wording advice as Emerys wrote.
When the document was complete and the Inner Council had agreed on the decree, Emerys handed over the scroll to the King, placing it in front of him. Emerys watched with satisfaction as the King’s vacant eyes shot from left to right, reading the decree, then he picked up his quill and signed it.
Emerys took the decree, then walked over to the law machine.
A new era of Arcadia is dawning, he thought excitedly.
Emerys scanned the document into the machine as Damaris nodded in approval. The document became digitized, its new information uploading to the kingdom’s online laws.
After Emerys finished, he turned and saw Derek entering the chambers with many of Arcadia’s guard surrounding him. The prince was clearly tired, almost as sickly looking as the King himself, and by the dark looks he gave the councilors, he clearly had no interest in being in the room longer than he had to. Every few seconds, Derek scowled at the guards. Emerys didn’t blame him. He’d had a most undeserving welcome, had braved Damaris’s outburst, and then endured a short confinement.
“Your Majesty,” Derek said, nodding his head, not giving a proper bow to the King. He gritted his teeth. “Have you sent for me to be humiliated once again? To have a pleasant conversation about my time so far as a prisoner?” His voice was laced with bitterness. “Because I can tell you I take no pleasure in it.”
Damaris ignored the sarcasm. “I am accepting your original terms to the betrothal of the princess. You are no longer Arcadia’s prisoner. Furthermore, you will be named heir to my kingdom.”
The prince’s puzzled face shot up, then snapped around at the others in the room, asking with his eyes if it was true. The councilors sat silently but nodded in agreement.
“Really?” Derek looked at Damaris, clearly combative and suspicious. “And what of this morning? You informed me, in so many ways, of your feelings regarding me.” Derek closed in on the King, but Damaris held fast, staring at him. “My lords will have to pardon me, but I don’t believe this.”
“I have just signed a decree. It is already law,” Damaris said pointedly. “As soon as we locate the princess, we will plan for our two houses, our kingdoms, to unite by the marriage between you to my daughter. Arcadia will be yours to rule.”
Derek eyed Damaris, still unconvinced.
“It is true, Your Highness,” Emerys said. “Would you like me to pull up the decree in the computer?”
“Yes, I would,” Derek said firmly.
Emerys quickly went over to the computer, pulling up the law for Derek to read. Derek hastily read the proclamation, scrolling through the screen, then turned around to face Damaris. “I don’t understand. Is this some sort of trick?”
“No. Consider it a present for our arrangement,” the King said effortlessly, revealing a faint smile. “And I expect you to follow through with your end of the bargain.”
Derek’s face went white, and then he tumbled into a nearby chair, not taking his eyes off the King. He
motioned for some wine, and the servants brought it over to him. Without removing his eyes from the King, Derek answered in a slow, cautious voice. “I would be forever in your debt for allowing me to marry the princess, Your Majesty.”
“As you should be.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
GREEN
Emerald lay awake, listening to the night sounds of the city coming from outside Kyle’s apartment window. In the dark, she watched as one of the neon lights outside flashed between green and blue, highlighting the walls and ceiling between the two colors.
Several hours passed, but Emerald knew that Kyle wasn’t asleep yet by the uneven sounds of his breathing. She heard him light a cigarette, and the smell of the smoke permeated the air, paired with the sloshing of liquor in the bottle he drank from. Kyle had been beaten pretty badly, but he didn’t utter one word of complaint about his pain.
It seemed almost a lifetime ago that she had left the palace. Her life, Glacia, and Derek were more like a lost dream rather than a recent reality. Derek was now a shade from her past, disappearing to the back of her mind. The only real proof of his existence was his ring, which still hung around her neck.
Since Emerald had left the palace, she had a whole new perspective about Derek. She had told herself that she was in love with him that night when he arrived at Arcadia. But what did Emerald or Derek truly know about love? Sure, Derek spoke eloquently, always knowing the right words. He was very charming and obviously had the highest respect for her. All of those things were much desired in a suitor.
But the more she thought on it, Derek didn’t seem to act on his words or feelings. He had waited nearly a decade to confess his feelings for her. Why hadn’t he come for her sooner if he cared for her as much as he declared? And how was it that he was truly in love with her? Derek hadn’t seen her in years. People changed over the years. As far as Emerald knew, Derek could be a completely different person than the Derek she knew growing up. She had only seen him for a couple of days, and their exchanges were quite brief. The thought left her feeling confused and conflicted.
Emerald heard Kyle’s steady breathing from the floor. Good, he’s finally asleep.
She peeked over the edge of the futon and saw that Kyle was out cold. Her gaze tarried, taking in every detail of his face, her heart quickening with each second. Through the blue hues of the night, she saw his face was swollen from the exchanges of punches, and awful bruises colored him. Kyle had washed up the best he could before he retired for the night, but the cold water didn’t help with the swelling in the least.
What Kyle had done was unlike anything anyone had ever done for her. He had gotten involved on her account, protecting her twice now from those who troubled her. Kyle had no qualms about throwing a punch at some guy who’d mistreated her, whether it be from words or touching her. It didn’t matter. He was her protector, masked as some tough guy who didn’t care about anything but his bike and his band.
Emerald found herself comparing Derek to Kyle. Emerald wasn’t convinced that Derek would be the kind of guy to be confrontational, willing to physically fight for her if it came down to it. He seemed to be above all of that, most likely resorting to bartering with those who opposed him. Perhaps he would fight, but only with those who carried his same status. There had been a time when she wanted nothing more than for Derek to come rescue her from the confines of her own life, but looking back on it now, she had just been plain desperate, and she’d pegged him as the prince who was her happily ever after. But now her life was beginning for the first time, and between Derek and Kyle, she felt the gap between them. Like she’d known Kyle for years and Derek for a few days, even though it was quite the opposite.
Ever since earlier in the evening, when Kyle’s ex-girlfriend insinuated that they were together, Emerald’s mind had been stuck on it. She wanted her thoughts to linger on that moment, the moment when she first thought of her and Kyle together. It sparked a fire within her, and there was no putting it out. Emerald felt strangely attracted to everything about Kyle. His wild behavior, his sense of freedom, his carefree spirit. Even his crazy white hair, the bizarre inked designs on his arm, the thick curved spike earrings. He fascinated her, and every day was a new adventure with him.
Emerald observed Kyle for several more minutes, ensuring that he was sound asleep. Her eyes wandered to his lean body, and she watched his chest breathing in and out evenly. What she would give to touch every crevice of his chest, to run her hand along his flesh. Her heart raced, beating loudly, pumping hard at the mere thought. Emerald realized that she had been gazing at him longer than she should have, and her cheeks burned with embarrassment.
She arose slowly off the futon, quietly placing her feet on the floor. Emerald hesitated for a second, afraid that Kyle would wake up and see her hovering over him. She watched him take a few more breaths, then deemed it safe to do what she intended, and kneeled beside him.
Emerald paused for a moment, wondering if she should really go through with what she was about to do. What would Kyle say in the morning? Would he wake up while she was in the midst of healing him? Then what? He would know her secret… What would he think of her then? Would it change everything?
The questions kept coming, but Emerald pushed them aside. She had been born with a great power. What good was it to keep herself from using it to aid others? Especially on Kyle, who didn’t even have to think twice about helping her.
Emerald closed her eyes and thought about the healing magic within the Spectrum, the magical life force flowing within her body. She called upon her fears, allowing the magic to stir within her. The magic began to pump through her veins, welling up inside of her. It began to gather itself within one place in her body—the core of her being. Opening her eyes, she summoned the healing magic, beckoning it to gather in the palms of her hands. It answered her call, and her body began to glow green. It came gradually at first, but as the magic continued to gather and intensify, Emerald’s color burned a bright greenish-white.
Gentle as a brush of wind, Emerald laid her hands on Kyle’s swollen cheek. As soon as her hand met his face, the magic poured over him. Her green glow faded away from her, covering him instead. The power settled within him, then dimmed over time as his flesh began to restore itself to its natural state.
Kyle’s eyes cracked opened, glazed over from sleep. Emerald suddenly went still, biting her lip anxiously. Her heart began to beat wildly once again.
It took a moment for him to focus, but he saw her peering down at him. “What are you doing?” he asked, rubbing his head.
Emerald casually got up. “I was trying to get to the restroom when I accidentally bumped you. Sorry. It’s so dark in here,” she apologized softly.
“Don’t worry about it. Even I have a hard time seeing shit in here at night, and I live here,” he muttered, half asleep. He turned over on his blanket, falling back asleep.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Emerald played along with her charade, heading toward the bathroom.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
ORANGE
There was a knock on the chamber doors. Someone wanted to see Ikaria.
Suri hurried to Ikaria’s private collection room, peeking her head inside. The Enchantress was burning with violet magic, consumed by her power. She had been like that for hours, transfixed in her state.
Suri heard another knock on the door.
Best not interrupt the Enchantress, Suri thought. I don’t want to interfere with her plans.
Turning away and closing the door to the private room, Suri called forth the joy she had in serving the Enchantress. How she loved the Enchantress, how the Enchantress was so good to her. The Enchantress entrusted her with many things, including all of her secrets. If the Enchantress succeeded in all of her plans, it would make Suri the happiest servant ever, allowing her to serve such a kind and powerful woman. Perhaps, just maybe, Enchantress Ikaria would see her in a different light…
From her life force, joy flooded her
veins, converting the energy to her orange magic, running through her body. Summoning up the power, Suri released it, letting the magic envelop her entire being. Her body burned bright orange, then slowly began to morph itself into the very image of Enchantress Ikaria herself. Suri shot another wave of orange magic through herself, focusing it on her voice box.
Another knock ensued. Glancing in the mirror, Ikaria’s image peered back at Suri. It was perfect.
“Coming!” Suri called out in Ikaria’s voice.
Hopefully it’s not an orange-gifted at the door, Suri thought.
Suri opened the door to find the Ambassador Liliana and breathed a sigh of relief. The non-gifted ambassador was from World Sector Two and had recently arrived in World Sector Six, still very new to ins and outs of the court. The night Suri had assisted Ikaria with Lord Valamir, Ikaria herself had impersonated the ambassador in order to seduce Valamir of the Red.
“May I help you?” Suri asked, smiling and motioning for the ambassador to step inside.
“Enchantress Ikaria,” the ambassador began, looking around at Ikaria’s chambers as Suri closed the door. “I am surprised to see you answering your own door. I would have thought that you had a chamber servant.”
Suri laughed. “You are correct, Ambassador. I normally do have my maid answer the door, but she is unwell at the moment.”
“I am sorry to hear that.”
“No need to be sorry,” Suri said. “What brings you here to my chambers?”
Liliana cleared her throat, then lowered her eyes to the ground for a moment. “You see… there is a certain lord…” The ambassador faltered, sweeping her long, thick hair aside.
Suri continued to study the ambassador, letting the woman stumble on her words. Because that was what the Enchantress would do.
Liliana continued. “Back in World Sector Two, our court sorceress was… knowledgeable in many of the ancients’ potions.”
