Of Blood and Deceit

by Rachel A. Collett

  “Yes,” I answered. “She—she found me and helped me out of a rather difficult situation.”

  “I see.” His focus returned to my bandaged hand.

  “It’s only a scratch, Your Majesty,” I said, tucking it from his view. “Please do not bother Gedeon with it.”

  “Gedeon’s not here. He’s playing midwife for a difficult pregnancy.” The king grimaced. “I’m not sure when he’ll be back, but Sameen will be relieved to see you. She’s been worried sick. I’ll send her to you right after our debriefing. You can fill her in on everything, and she can fuss over you and get you ready for your celebration.”

  It was my turn to cringe. “Surely, that could be cancelled?”

  “Absolutely not. Now is not the time to stick our heads in Anolyn’s deep soil. We must move on. Besides, your dresses are ready for the grand ball.”

  “Ball?” Dread did a number on my nerves.

  A smile tipped one side of his mouth. “Why, of course. If things progress as I fear they will, this might be the last celebration for many. And in any celebration, there must always be dancing.”

  I lifted my chin, staring straight forward, hoping he didn’t see the fear drain the blood from my face. “Warriors don’t dance.”

  “Speak for yourself,” Melia said. I speared her with a sharp look. She only smiled.

  Siana chuckled darkly.

  “Whoever heard of a princess not dancing at her own celebration?” A wicked glint entered Riaan’s eyes. “But perhaps you are worried for your safety. Brother, do we need to relocate Princess Ilianna?”

  Heat crawled my face. “Again? But they’ve already relocated me.”

  Riaan stared straight forward, the muscles within his jaw tense. “And within the first night you were abducted.”

  “You cannot protect me from everything.”

  “I already have plans to ensure her safety,” Castiel said, and I flinched at his voice. He still avoided my gaze; I was surprised he even cared. “These plans will be put into place this very evening.”

  Riaan gave me a patronizing glance. “It’s for the best, considering the new circumstances, Princess. If I could relocate, I might feel safer doing so, as well.” He shuddered dramatically.

  “What is going on, Brother?” Castiel asked.

  The king’s brow quirked, his voice low. “The esteemed Ambassador from Ardenya has graced us with her presence.”

  My pulse thundered painfully. My gaze fell to the prince, but he didn’t look at me. What would he tell his brother? So much had changed from the time I was taken by Lucan and Weylan. Would I even be welcome anymore?

  “Then it has begun,” Castiel said in a quiet voice.

  The king nodded. “Time for debate is over. We must act now and see where it leads. The night of the ball I will announce the arrival of our beautiful Princess of Eira and the peace Johan desires. We will announce it in front of the ambassador to show her our commitment to fighting any enemy that challenges us.”

  “And then?”

  “We wait for her response.”

  “Why not counsel with her now? Why wait?”

  Riaan’s head ticked to the side. “I’ve tried to speak with her, but she is the most peculiar thing. My gut tells me she’s from the Wraith Queen, although she does not say it. She won’t even give her name. She only says she must wait for word from her master. She is… odd.”

  “Odd?” Melia asked.

  Riaan shrugged. “That she watches us to report back to her mistress is no surprise, but she also does not eat. She barely says a word, only wanders the corridors at all hours of the day.”

  Castiel flinched. “Unaccompanied?”

  “Of course not, and we demand that she remain in her room during the night hours.”

  “She’s a shell,” Melora said in a hushed voice.

  “A pryor,” the wraith corrected.

  “You don’t know that,” I said, quickly.

  “Whatever she is, she’s unnatural,” the king said.

  I scoffed. “Why let her roam at all? Why is she not in a cell already?”

  Riaan tsked. “Ilianna, you of all people should know that we don’t go throwing visiting dignitaries into prison. And what good would that do to lock up a mere ambassador?”

  “I agree with the king. We must wait for her to deliver her message, but if she is a pryor she cannot see me, or Cyris for that matter.”

  “Cyris? Did we find the him?” the king asked.

  “I am here, Your Majesty.”

  The king’s head whipped around to glare at the wraith. His horse jutted to a halt. “You—Castiel what is the meaning of this?”

  “You’ll have to trust me, brother—”

  “Now is not the time for this,” Melora said. “We might be recognized, and the wraith’s deception in my plan is a must.” The seer reached into her saddlebags as her gaze traveled the great castle walls. She withdrew a black cloak and wrapped it around herself. She pulled the hood down low, almost over her eyes.

  Cyris nodded, shielding himself as well.

  Melora continued. “As soon as our business is concluded, my king, I will excuse myself. I must prepare for what she might bring.”

  Riaan spurred his horse forward. His gaze was lethal as he stared Cyris down, but he waited until we had dismounted and were securely within his throne room before asking more. Reese and Mikael remained outside the doors with two other guards, shutting us within. Siana stood apart from the group, silently watching her king.

  Riaan circled the wraith. “Alright, fill me in on all the particulars. Did we find the murderers? Who took Ilianna? And why is this man not three feet underground?”

  I steeled myself to hear it all over again. As Castiel took turns with Melora and Cyris explaining the details the king wanted, Melia listened with her arms crossed over her chest.

  I remained silent. Anything I said would be immediately rejected anyway. I was tainted. A risk. I had been from the moment I had arrived at Castiel’s home. But now it was worse.

  Riaan’s face solidified as the story progressed, hardening into a mask of steel. Only when he heard of my attempt to end my own life did he cast a glance my direction, but his expression remained unreadable. I paced away, not wanting to hear my fate replayed yet again. Melia broke from the company to take a stand at my side.

  After a silent moment, I swallowed against a dry mouth. “Don’t want to hear the rest?” I asked. “To hear how far I’ve fallen?”

  She snorted. “Always so dramatic.”

  I glared.

  “I already knew, Ilianna.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Melora is my mother. You don’t think she told me of her suspicions long before? Alright, maybe not too long ago, but she told me everything the night before we left.”

  “But, then—”

  “What does it change? Did I think you had deceived us all? Tricked us into believing you were some innocent chit, all the while plotting your treachery upon my kingdom?” She crossed her arms, staring toward the others hovering around the king and prince. “Surely you know I’m much smarter than that.”

  “You didn’t tell the king, then?”

  “It wasn’t my story to tell,” she said simply.

  “I need an interview with Princess Ilianna,” Riaan said, interrupting our conversation. “Alone.”

  I flinched when all looked to me. Even Castiel watched me, but distantly.

  Riaan walked away from everyone. “The wraith is under the care of the seer. See that he behaves himself, or he’ll be thrown from my home.” He climbed his dais of power and cast himself onto his throne. The others, even his assassin, left without a backward glance, abandoning me to the stoic king. Castiel disappeared last through the double doors, and Mikael resealed them shut.

  “So, this little girl is the reason for all of the commotion within my home?” Riaan asked. It was the question he had offered to Castiel the very first time we met.

  I didn’t a
nswer.

  He tipped his head to the side, considering me. “The daughter of the Wraith Queen herself. Ilianna Drakara, heir to the powerful Prince Toma and the infamous Theia. The untapped power that must flow through your veins…”

  I closed my eyes, sick to my stomach.

  “I bet that’s what your uncle wanted to ignite in you.”

  I gritted my teeth. “Then he went about it the wrong way.”

  Riaan chuckled softly. “No doubt. Well, what do you suggest we do?”

  Apprehension plagued me. “What do you mean?”

  “It’s your life, Ilianna. I won’t pretend to understand what must be going through your mind, or how you must feel.” He leaned forward, his hands clasped. “But suicide? Really?”

  “You have a better solution?” Although I sounded strong, sickness nearly stole my nerve.

  He drew a knife from his boot, examining the blade. “I believe you should do as the seer suggests. If what the wraith says is true, then this is our opportunity to destroy the beast once and for all. You are a gift to this nation.”

  A laugh burst from my lips. “I’m a curse.”

  “You are a blessing, Ilianna. Not a curse.”

  “Blessing?” I nearly choked on the word. “What chance do I have against this lunatic? Someone that infests the souls of her own children to become stronger through some black magic? And I’m a magician—doubly cursed. How much more powerful will she be when she takes me?

  Slowly, he stood. “You believe she will take you?”

  I didn’t answer.

  Carefully, he extended his knife to me, delicately balanced on his two palms. It was a beautiful instrument sharpened to a deadly point—an offering. “Then what would you do if the choice was yours?”

  I hesitated, then grabbed the knife by the hilt. One hand clamped down on my wrist, so fast I had no time to react. An iron grip chafed against my skin. I jerked back, but his hold kept me in place.

  His eyes stared into mine, holding me fast. “You’d leave us to face her alone?”

  My mouth opened to respond, but nothing came. Shame colored my cheeks.

  “Dammit, Riaan.” Castiel’s voice was like ice. From the corner of my eye, the prince darted toward me. “Ilianna, stop—”

  Power surged into my fingertips and I yanked free of the king’s grip, deftly moving away from both royal brothers. I lowered into a crouch and Castiel halted, his hands raised. I had all but forgotten about the secret entrance into the room. Had he heard the entire conversation?

  “So now you care? Is that all I am to you? A means to an end to the Wraith Queen?”

  Slowly, he straightened. “Of course not.”

  “At least your brother was willing to give me the choice.”

  “Is that what you want? Truly?”

  I growled. With the flick of my wrist, the king’s blade flew from my fingers, hitting the oak throne dead center. Without waiting for their response, I turned on my heel and pounded on the double doors for release. Mikael opened them. Reese waited beyond.

  “I wish to go to my room.”

  Mikael peered beyond my shoulder to the king, but I couldn’t. I didn’t have the courage to see Castiel’s disappointment.

  “Where is the ambassador, Captain?” the king asked.

  “She wanders the garden with three of your soldiers, Your Majesty,” Mikael said.

  “Good. Quickly take the princess to her room. Lieutenant Reese, find Sameen.”

  I stormed by the guard without waiting to see if Mikael followed, earning several strange glances from an unusual amount of security. As I climbed the stairs, I was slowed by half a dozen soldiers in the stairwell. They pressed themselves against the stone walls for me to pass. Some whom I recognized from the training yard murmured their apologies then went their way. I hesitated, watching their descent as I finally registered the changed atmosphere of the castle. An eerie sensation pricked the back of my neck and traveled the length of my spine.

  “Princess?” Mikael waited on the steps below me, annoyance clear in his voice.

  I slowly restarted my ascent. “Was anyone hurt the day of my kidnapping?”

  The hesitation in his voice was barely detectable. “The soldier that stood guard at your door was found unconscious, but alive.”

  I hummed. “Probably given the same injection I was.”

  Mikael grunted. “The knot on his head would suggest otherwise.”

  Had he been the one to deliver that blow? “I see. Well, I’m glad to hear he was at least left alive." I released a heavy sigh, my nerves on a tight string. If I was going to do this, there would be no better time. “Now that we’re alone, I feel this is the best time for you to kill me, so no one else is injured during the attempt.”

  Mikael’s steps halted. “Excuse me?”

  I laughed, and the Demon Daughter within stirred to the crazed sound. “Believe me, it’s for the best if you do.” I faced him, a whole head higher on the stairs. Lifting my chin even higher, I glared. “Shall we begin?”

  “What do you—”

  I took a step down, excitement rising. “Nolen was murdered. Your guard was injured. All because of you.”

  His jaw clenched. “I didn’t injure any guard or kill this—this Nolen.”

  “No, but you might as well have.” I tipped my head to the side, examining the red splotches erupting on his cheeks. He wasn’t a very good liar, which meant he didn’t do it very often. That at least was encouraging. “Do you know why I have this?” I held up my hand to expose my injury.

  One side of his lips quirked up, mocking, “How should I?”

  “Because it was done by your blade, and when Gedeon heals it, he’ll see what I saw. The arm of my captor, and the feathers of a falcry on the exposed skin of his wrist.”

  Confrontation

  The smug smile slid from his lips as the blood drained from his face.

  I took a step down, closing the distance. “If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather you be a man and kill me yourself. If you can.”

  His teeth set, his jaw clenched. “No.”

  “Are you afraid that if you do it in the light of day, with extra security roaming the corridors, you won’t be able to cover up the murder?”

  “No.”

  “Because no one will be able to take the fall for you, right?” When he didn’t answer, I took another step down, bringing us eye to eye. Anger electrified the space between us. The demon inside growled. “Coward.”

  His gaze narrowed. The muscles in his jaw worked. “I’m not a coward.”

  “Then prove me wrong.”

  “How?”

  I shrugged, nonchalant, but that wasn’t the answer my demon wanted. She paced within, still hoping. “I don’t know. Personally, I’d take me up on the offer.”

  “I didn’t want you dead. You weren’t even supposed to be hurt.”

  “Then what, Captain?” My voice echoed from the concrete walls. “Why help Lucan and Weylan? Why go against Riaan?”

  He grimaced at the mention of his king.

  I smirked. “I honestly didn’t think you capable of treason.”

  Anger flared in his eyes. “I’m not a traitor. I just wanted you gone. Riaan himself wanted it at first.”

  “Are you saying he doesn’t want that now?”

  His smirk mirrored mine from just a moment before. “You think my king had something to do with your abduction?” He laughed. “He’s young, but he’s a good man. He would never go against his word.”

  “But you would.”

  “For the safety and benefit of my kingdom, yes. You’re a threat to Anolyn.”

  I tsked. “I don’t want to hurt your precious Anolyn.”

  “Maybe now you don’t, but you are a Drakara. You’ll be as bloodthirsty as your father and uncle.”

  Bloodthirsty. The word hit me, strangely. I blinked as shock and shame battled for ownership. If he only knew what my family line was capable of. The Demon Daughter rolled her eyes, r
elinquishing any control.

  Mikael smiled. “You know I’m right, don’t you?”

  “You’re a fool,” I said, rallying. “The Wraith Queen practically beats upon our doors. You’d risk the peace Riaan seeks?”

  “Lucan said your uncle wanted you home and that he’d keep any peace needed to fight any upcoming battle. Both he and Weylan promised to take you to Eira. That’s where you belong. Not here. You’ll lead my kingdom into ruins.”

  I snapped. “I don’t want to lead any kingdom anywhere. I never wanted to be here in the first place. I wanted to get away from my uncle. To start over somewhere new and live my life as I choose!”

  “And yet I’m the coward?”

  I glared at him. “Perhaps you are the one who needs to leave.”

  “No.”

  “Where will they send you when they hear of your treason?”

  “My place is here, protecting my king.”

  I ripped off the bandage, exposing the torn flesh, still red from the cut of his blade. “Then from here on, you’ll do what I say no matter the cost.”

  He grimaced. “You’d blackmail me?”

  “Absolutely. But like you, Mikael, I have a soft spot for both of the brothers of Anolyn, and heaven help me, I’ll protect them, even above my own king and kingdom.”

  “Truly?”

  Shocked by my own words, I laughed. “Is it such a surprise I have no love for my uncle?”

  His eyes narrowed, then slid to the burn mark on my neck. “Is that from him?”

  I lifted my head, angling it so he could see it better. “It was given as a reminder of his power over me.”

  He shook his head, his expression darkening. “I can understand why you’d hate the lunatic.”

  “I don’t need your sympathy,” I said, my face flushed. “but I believe you genuinely care for your king. I also believe you to be a good man, Mikael, but I can’t keep looking over my shoulder for the next time you’ll betray me.”

  His chin raised a fraction. “I’ll never betray you again.”

  “We’ll see.” I turned from him, almost daring him to stab me in the back. Pricks of imaginary pain assaulted my spine, but Mikael made no attempt on my life.