Her voice rings like bells so sweet,
I ask one thing; will you be my queen?”
Please let her hate it. I held my breath and looked up at Mareleau. She simply continued to stare off into the distance, completely unmoved by the activity below her balcony. Excellent.
“Very good, Prince Teryn!” King Verdian clapped his hands and created a wave of applause.
My brother’s shoulders relaxed as he stepped back into the crowd of princes, wearing a broad smile. I glared at him, but he wouldn’t meet my eyes.
“Thank you, Teryn, Prince of Mena. Next we have—”
“Teryn is not the only prince of Mena.” I stepped forward, hearing a ripple of gasps around me.
“What are you doing?” Teryn whispered, tugging at my sleeve.
I shrugged from my brother’s hold. “I have a poem to read as well, Your Majesty.”
Verdian cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, Prince Larylis, but you were not invited to participate in this competition.”
“Yet, I have every right to. I love Mareleau more than any man here, and I am just as much a prince as my brother is.”
“I’m sure you are familiar with the requirements. Only a crown prince will marry my daughter.” Verdian puffed his chest, yet the flush in his cheeks betrayed his composure.
“You care more about making her a queen than giving her a life of love?”
“Silence!” Verdian stepped off the dais and strode toward me, his face now fully crimson. He lowered his voice just above a whisper. “Just because I have known you since you were a boy does not mean you can speak out in such a manner. If you will not honor the rules of this competition, I will have you removed from palace grounds for the remainder of the festival.”
Two of the Royal Guard stepped forward, hands on the hilts of their swords as they flanked the king.
“No need,” I said through clenched teeth. “I’ll remove myself.” My shoulders slumped. I turned around, head hanging low as I walked through the sea of staring, smirking, whispering faces. I had lost. Mareleau was lost. How could this be? Doesn’t love conquer all? Not unless you are crown prince, apparently. I continued through the crowd, muttering to myself and grinding my teeth.
Wait, is this how a man fights for the woman he loves?
I darted back to Mareleau’s balcony, once again interrupting Verdian before he could finish announcing the next contestant. “I love you, Mareleau! You can pretend you don’t remember me all you want but I see through you! You are still the same beautiful, caring, loving, smiling girl you were when we were kids.”
Mareleau’s eyes met mine, and in that moment I was entranced, wanting nothing more than to fall into those blue pools forevermore. What did they hold in their sparkling depths? Recognition? Love? Before my hope could swell for another heartbeat, her eyebrows lowered, her eyes narrowed, and she snapped her head to the side. “Take him away.”
My heart felt as if it was torn from my body. My mind was numb. Not even my arms would obey when I told them to resist the guards who grabbed me. Instead I surrendered, keeping my eyes on Mareleau as I was dragged through the crowd. She never gave me a second glance.
3
The Quest
Mareleau
“You choose Teryn?” I stared open-mouthed at my father. “But why? His poem wasn’t even that good. And it’s…Teryn! It would be like marrying a brother.”
“Teryn comes from a fine family, a family we have been loyal to for generations. It would be wise to join the two of you. And it would be wise for you to change your tone about him.” Father put his hands on his hips and stepped toward me in a way that was meant to be intimidating.
Unfortunately for him, it was he who I had learned my own powers of dominance from. I crossed my arms and took a bold step forward, bringing us nearly eye to eye. Standing this close, I could see every crease and wrinkle on his face, every wiry, silver hair sprouting from his brows and beneath his crown. His dull, gray eyes held a desperation where there used to be fierce, terrifying power. I felt almost guilty for bullying him so. “You know I don’t want to marry him.”
We glared at each other for silent moments, neither of us daring to move or blink.
Before long, my mother came and placed a hand on each of our shoulders. “My darlings, don’t be silly. There’s no need to get worked up.”
“Then you talk some sense into her, Helena! She doesn’t know what’s for her own good. She doesn’t want to marry Teryn. She doesn’t want to marry King Dimetreus—”
“Oh, don’t get me started on old King Dimetreus again!” I said.
Father threw his hands in the air. “Old? Old? He’s only eleven years your senior, and may be younger than most of the princes here today.”
“But he’s a widower!”
“Of six years! He’s an ideal prospect. If you married him, you’d already be queen, but no! You refuse—”
“Enough, enough,” Mother said softly as she took a graceful step between us. “This is old news. We all know King Dimetreus never responded to our offer of marriage, so there is nothing more to be done.” She turned her nose to the air and pursed her lips.
“King Dimetreus never responds to anything,” Father said under his breath.
“Darling, why don’t you get some air?”
Father held my gaze for a few moments, the redness in his face starting to recede. Then, without another word, he turned and stomped out the doors of my chambers.
Mother took my hand and led me to the window overlooking the palace gardens. I looked below at the revelry of the Spring Festival, still in full bloom. Many anxious faces flickered up to my empty balcony, likely wondering how much longer until the winners of the poetry contest would be announced. I sighed and turned away from the window.
“Don’t worry, Mareleau. Just because your father chose Teryn, doesn’t mean Teryn will win the Quest. I still have my choice to make and you have yours. After that, we let love decide.”
I rolled my eyes and went to my lounge, sulking into the pillows beneath me. “A stupid poetry contest and a ridiculous quest are supposed to prove true love?”
My mother stood over me, frowning as she narrowed her crystal blue eyes. “Isn’t this what you wanted? You do remember it was you who came up with these terms, don’t you? And after all that we’ve been through, after all the allowances we’ve given you, you’re still not satisfied?”
I leaned back further, covered my eyes with my hands, and let out an agitated moan.
“Now look here, Mareleau!” I peeked through my fingers at Mother shaking a forefinger at me. “You are not going to ruin this! You have managed—who knows how—to destroy every single engagement opportunity you have had. We ask what we can do to make you happy, and you say you must marry for love! We let you have your poetry contest and we are letting you choose the goal of the Quest. What more do you want?”
I was too annoyed to argue. She wouldn’t understand, anyway. The only thing that could make me happy was the very thing I couldn’t have. Now I was just buying time. I crossed my arms and pouted at the floor.
Mother sat next to me with a sigh, patting her perfectly coiffed, silver-blonde curls. “I’m sorry, darling. You frustrate me so. But you need a good match. You are destined to be queen. I will not let a rose like you go to waste.” She reached a hand to brush my cheek as she beamed her goddess-like smile at me. I could feel her maternal powers softening my irritation.
“Fine. Who do you choose, Mother?”
Mother clapped her hands in front of her chest. “Yes, let’s talk about that. I choose Prince Helios of Norun. He read a fine poem and was very handsome. And Norun is a wealthy kingdom. He would be perfect for you. How about you, my sweet? Who do you choose?”
I suppressed a laugh, realizing I hadn’t given my choice a moment’s thought. What did it matter? They were all the same, these strange men from distant lands and kingdoms, all disgustingly desperate to risk anything to win my body for their own e
njoyment. I could hardly remember a single name. “Uh, was there a…Thomas?”
Mother eyed me with a squint and then snapped her fingers at her scribe, who handed her a scroll. She and the scribe whispered back and forth, consulting the long list of names. “Ah, yes,” said Mother. “There were three. Thomas of Albuin? Thomas of Ermynia? Thomas of Durry? Or it says here there was a Lexington of Tomas, but I doubt—”
“Prince Lexington of Tomas, that’s the one.” It sounded interesting enough.
My mother frowned. “Odd. I don’t remember him or his poem.”
“Oh, he was terribly handsome.”
“And his poem?”
“Exquisite.”
“Very well. Are you ready to announce the winners and reveal the Quest?”
My eyes widened. “I have to announce the Quest now?”
“Yes, Mareleau. Don’t tell me you haven’t decided where to send them!”
My heart raced, and my forehead prickled with sweat. Of course I hadn’t decided. I didn’t care! But if I wanted this to work, I would have to come up with something good…and fast. “Just give me a moment. I need to perfect my speech.”
“You have until fifth bell,” Mother said through clenched teeth, and then left my room with a slam of the doors.
I spun, looking frantically around me as if I would find my solution in plain sight. Finally, I spotted some inspiration. “Lurel,” I called to my young chambermaid.
Her eyes shot up and widened. She took one step forward from where she had been standing by my door, hands clasped. “Yes, princess?”
“Come here, I need help. Can I be any clearer?”
Lurel rushed to me, bowing her dark-blonde head as she sank into a deep curtsy. “What can I do for you, Your Highness?”
“Well, you’re not deaf, so you must know the problem I face.”
“A lady should never eavesdrop, princess.” Lurel’s wide, watery, blue eyes remained somewhere near the hem of my dress, her cheeks blazing.
“Don’t play coy, this is important. I need to come up with a dangerous goal for the Quest.” I began pacing. “I need to send these princes somewhere in search of something…but what?”
“A rare, magical flower? A potion of everlasting youth?”
“Is there such a thing? Where would they find it?”
Lurel shook her head. “I’m sorry, highness, I don’t think there is such a thing. I was only thinking of fairytales.”
“It must be something real, something believable. But also difficult to find. You must hear as much gossip as you do fairytales. Are there any rumors afloat of anything incredible? Magical? Something that inspires desire and jealousy?”
“Your Highness, in my world, the things that inspire desire and jealousy are things you already have.”
I let out a frustrated moan. There must be something! I couldn’t just make it up, or my parents would see through my ruse and be done with me. I was already pushing them close enough to the edge; it was only a matter of time before they forced me into an arranged marriage. I shuddered at the thought.
“Must it really be something so dangerous, princess?” Lurel asked. “Wouldn’t it be easier to send them to find you a four-leafed clover or a beautiful songbird? Besides, what if they are killed doing something dangerous?”
I spat out a cold laugh. “Who cares?”
Lurel gasped and put her hand over her mouth. Her innocence was annoying me.
“If you can’t help me, you are dismissed.” I turned my back to her. My mind was spinning wildly for a solution. What was I going to do? When I turned back around, Lurel was still standing in the same place she’d been before. Her brows were furrowed, and her head was cocked to the side. “What? Do you have something for me or not?”
She slowly looked up and met my eyes. “Well…would a unicorn work?”
A unicorn! The very thought sent my heart aflutter. I’d seen a few rare artifacts made from the horn and skin of a unicorn. Each piece was exquisite and priceless. Some pieces were even said to harbor magical properties. Then again, these artifacts were ancient. Everyone knew unicorns didn’t exist anymore. My mood turned sour once again. “Can’t you give me something useful? I said it needed to be real.”
“But they are real.” Lurel’s eyes bulged and she smiled from ear to ear. “Or so I’ve heard. There have been rumors for months of unicorn sightings all over northern Kero. All from different sources too, so they must be true!”
I pondered this new idea and grew excited once more. “Have any been caught?”
“Not that I have heard, princess. They are said to be most difficult to find and impossible to capture. It takes enough courage as it is just to travel to the spooky forests of northern Kero.”
“Then it’s perfect.”
* * *
I nearly bounced with excitement as I stood between my mother and father on my balcony, overlooking a vast sea of hopeful men. What was it about crushing the dreams of these loveless impostors and sending three of them to their deaths that delighted me so?
“I will now announce the three winners of the poetry contest,” Father bellowed over the crowd. Dead silence responded as the young men awaited the delivery of their fates. “First, we have Teryn, Prince of Mena!”
Teryn came forward, bowing low. His smiling eyes met mine. All I wanted to do was stick my tongue out at him. Instead I smiled indulgently, knowing I would be delivering my justice soon enough.
“Encore!” Father shouted, and the crowd echoed him.
Teryn blushed, but confidently repeated his poem. I barely listened. Why torture myself a second time?
My father announced the next winner. “Helios, Prince of Norun! Please step forward and present your poem one more time!”
I rolled my eyes as the tall, handsome, muscular Helios pushed his way forward and parted the crowd. Teryn looked alarmed as Helios stood next to him, towering nearly two heads taller. Helios looked at me, yet didn’t so much as smile. He simply stood, chest puffed, arms confidently at his side. I knew his type just by looking at him; arrogant, aggressive, and fully aware of his power. Men like him had no power over me, though. I ground my teeth and imagined how fun it would be to watch him fail.
I looked from Helios to Teryn and back again. Teryn was handsome, but in a subtle way next to Helios. Teryn was of lean build with fine, sandy-brown hair, brown eyes, fair complexion, and soft features. Helios, on the other hand, was roped with muscle and had tanned, leathery skin. His deep-set eyes were the blackest of browns, and his hair was a thick, dark mass of short curls. His features were hard and angular, as if they were chiseled from stone. He looked to be about ten years my senior while Teryn was seventeen, only a year older than I.
But compare as I might, neither man took my fancy. Helios was just another rich prince who thought his looks were enough to win a woman’s heart, and Teryn was nothing more than a boring, slightly taller version of his twin brother. It took everything I had to keep from glowering.
Helios reread his poem, comparing me to some goddess of the sea. His voice was deep and strong—probably the only tolerable quality about him. I could see a handful of simpleminded maidens swooning in the crowd.
When Helios finished his lengthy poem, Father announced the third winner. I was intrigued to find out who I had chosen. “Lexington, Prince of Tomas!”
There was silence. The men in the crowd looked from one to the other, trying to identify the winner. Slowly, from the back of the crowd emerged a short, chubby, young man with ruddy cheeks and messy, blond hair. He looked as excited as he’d be at a funeral. That makes two of us. I suppressed the giddy laughter that bubbled in my throat.
Mother’s head swung toward me. “Are you sure this is the man you intended to choose?”
“Why, yes, of course he is,” I said in my sweetest voice. I turned to my other side where Father was gaping at the newcomer. With a nudge, I urged him to continue.
He blinked a few times, cleared his throat, and forc
ed his kingly smile. “Prince Lexington, please grace us with your poem one last time.”
Lexington turned bright pink as he fumbled through his pockets, eventually pulling out a crumpled piece of paper. His voice was so quiet I had to strain to hear him mumble,
“Your hair is golden like a pint of rich ale.
Your lips are red like a glass of wine,
Your eyes are blue like the sea,
Your skin is pale like fresh milk.
You are graceful like a deer,
And smart like a fox,
If you choose me, I’ll make you very happy.”
My eyes watered with the effort it took to turn my squeal of mirth into, “Oh, how sweet!” I could see my mother shaking her head beside me. To anger her more, I put my hand to my heart and swooned, eyelids fluttering as I smiled down at my chosen champion.
Father scratched the side of his head. “Congratulations to the…three of you.”
Now it was my turn. I stepped forward and my mother and father both stepped back. I lifted my chin and my chest, standing tall. “I will now announce the goal of the Quest. The three of you have been chosen for very special reasons. In two weeks, each of you will embark on a dangerous mission in search of my heart’s desire. He who returns first with what I demand will prove he loves me most. What I ask for is rare and will put its seeker in grave danger. You must accomplish the Quest without the aid or accompaniment of your guards. He who has the determination and skill to persevere is the one worth my hand in marriage. Listen carefully to what I ask, for you must bring me exactly what I demand.
“For the Quest, you must find me three unicorns. From the first unicorn, I require a horn. From the second, its pelt. And the third will be my pet. I wish you three the best of luck, and may the worthiest man win.” I grinned at the three dumb princes and the stunned and silent crowd. I then grinned at my parents, who were frozen with horror.
I turned on my heel and left the balcony, closing the doors behind me so I could erupt with victorious laughter.
Shadows of Lela Page 2
