Shadows of Lela

by Tessonja Odette

  The sound of feet coming down the hall distracted me from my thoughts and I sat up eagerly. Perhaps it was someone who was ready to answer my questions for once. A figure carrying a lantern stopped in front of my door and swung it open.

  “Come with me,” Orin said.

  My breath caught in my throat as I scrambled to the farthest corner of the cell, my heart racing fast enough to burst. “You’re dead!”

  “Silly Coralaine.” The voice came from behind Orin, a cold hiss that chilled my blood and bone. I tried to activate the fire within me, but it had been extinguished by my fear. Slow footsteps came nearer and nearer as I opened my mouth in a silent scream. Morkai stepped into the light of the lantern, smiling. “I’ll never die.”

  Someone shook me by the shoulder. I opened my eyes and blinked into the face of a guard, trembling as I stood. The nightmares that seized my mind each time I drifted off to sleep were by far the worst amenity Verlot’s dungeon offered.

  “Come with me,” the guard repeated. I shuddered and tried to steady my breathing. Once I had my wits about me, I followed the guard from my cell, surprised that I was being released without bindings.

  He led me beyond a door and into a narrow hall that seemed endless as it wove this way and that, up thin, creaking staircases, down more windowless corridors, breaking off in separate directions here and there. After three days stuck in a cell, it was hard to keep up with the guard without finding myself short of breath. Finally, he opened an unseen door into a room spilling blinding light.

  I stepped inside, blinking at the daylight flooding through the elegantly curtained windows and illuminating intricate designs on the tapestries that covered the walls. In the middle of the room stood an immense, four-poster bed that was larger than anything I’d ever seen at Ridine Castle. The posts were of a thick, dark wood carved with flowers and trailing vines, and draped with a gauzy, white canopy. The bedding looked so plush with its countless pillows and thick blankets, I could have cried just imagining sleeping in it. The remaining furnishings in the room—a lounge, a table and two chairs, a wardrobe, and a vanity—paled in comparison.

  “Is this her?” A wisp of a girl stood from one of the chairs and walked toward me, hands folded at her waist and a shy smile on her pale, youthful face.

  “It is,” the guard said. “She is not to leave this room until she looks presentable. Have her bathed and dressed, then have the guards take her to the Royal Study.”

  The girl gave a small curtsy and the guard left through two heavy doors at the other end of the room. I looked back the way we came and saw nothing suggesting there had been a door.

  “Servant’s hall.” The girl walked to the wall and pulled aside a tapestry. “You aren’t to go in there, though. It was just so you weren’t seen in the palace until you are cleaned.”

  “Yes, Lela forbid anyone in the palace be made aware the conditions the Princess of Kero was held prisoner in.”

  The girl giggled, ignoring the malice in my voice. “Are you truly the dead princess?”

  “I was never dead. Just…elsewhere.”

  “I’ve heard so many rumors. I can’t wait to hear the truth. I’m so honored Mareleau chose me to be your chambermaid.” The girl paused. “She doesn’t like me much. I try not to talk, so I don’t irritate her.”

  I felt the tenseness release from my shoulders as the girl’s innocence prompted a small smile from me. “What’s your name?”

  “Lurel,” she said with a curtsy. “Now, let’s get you looking like a princess again.”

  * * *

  I felt every bit the princess as I walked down the halls of Verlot Palace, two Royal Guards flanking each side. My hair had been brushed in rolling waves of brown with four rows of braids running from my temples and sides of my head to meet in the middle at the back. My lips and cheeks were stained a rosy hue and I was dressed in the most elegant gown I had ever seen.

  The dress Morkai made me wear at Ridine was commoner’s garb compared to what I wore now; an exquisite gown in emerald green and gold brocade, cinched so tightly at my waist that I had no other option than to stand tall, taking slow steps. The only threat the dress posed was its length. According to Lurel, the gown had belonged to Mareleau three years prior, and she had since grown out of it. Even three years ago, it seemed Mareleau had been taller than I was now. Lurel did her best to hem the front, so only the back trailed behind me. Still, the thought of tripping on the gown made every step that much slower.

  Heads turned my way and curious eyes stared shamelessly as I passed on our way to the Royal Study. Once we reached the large, double-doors, I took a deep breath and stepped into the room. King Verdian stood behind his desk, and a regal-looking woman sat in a chair beside it.

  “Welcome, Princess Coralaine,” the woman said. It was the first time I’d been addressed as a princess since I’d been at Verlot. “I’m Queen Bethaeny, mother of Prince Teryn, who has done a great deal on your behalf. He has been tireless in arguing your case and bargaining for the release of your brother.”

  I felt heat rise in my cheeks, which I hid as I sunk into a deep curtsy. “I appreciate everything he is doing, and for your willingness to listen.”

  “Have you been treated well?”

  I paused, wondering how much honesty was treasured in this new world I was thrust into. “I find my most recent accommodations treat me well.”

  Queen Bethaeny gave me a sly smile. “You must forgive us our need for the lengthy questioning.”

  “After what we’ve been through, we were not willing to take any chances. Lives have been lost.” Verdian’s eyes flashed to Bethaeny who nodded solemnly. “We need to do what is best for Lela.”

  “And what have you decided?” I asked.

  Verdian stepped in front of his desk, leaning against it as he crossed his arms and fixed me beneath his gaze. “First, you must know what is at stake. Even though Teryn has assured us Dimetreus was under Morkai’s control and not acting of his own accord, he’s been seen as a traitor. It would be no difficult task to seize Kero, divide the kingdom in two, and place it under the control of Sele and Mena. If you and your brother fail to agree to our terms, we will enact this plan, and you will remain hostages here. Any resistance from you as hostages, and you will both be executed.”

  I clenched my jaw and fought the anger that threatened to spew forth. “What are your terms?”

  This time, Queen Bethaeny spoke. “Your brother will be allowed to resume his place as King of Kero, but his council and heads of both staff and Force will be selected by King Verdian from men of Sele and Mena. Dimetreus has already agreed.”

  I let out a sigh of relief and nodded.

  “But we need something from you too. We have had a difficult time deciding whether to trust you, and how we can secure that trust. That has been the focus of Teryn’s biggest fight. He has spoken highly of you. I can tell he trusts you and is fond of you and is willing to do anything to guarantee your safety and position as princess.”

  Again, heat rose to my cheeks and I couldn’t help but smile.

  “Therefore, I have agreed to arrange a marriage between you and my son. Dimetreus will make him heir, and rule will pass to the two of you and your children upon Dimetreus’ death or abdication.”

  “If Dimetreus is deemed incapable of the crown by his council, he will be forced to abdicate immediately,” Verdian added.

  “Dimetreus has agreed to these terms as well, but has left the final choice for you to make.” Queen Bethaeny folded her hands and awaited my response.

  My eyes flashed from Verdian to Bethaeny, my head swimming as I considered their words. I appreciated my brother allowing me to choose my own fate, but the weight of the decision made me feel like I was going to sink into the floor. If I wanted to save my kingdom, I would have to marry.

  I would have to marry Teryn.

  Just a short time ago, I thought of myself as nothing more than one of the Forest People, living my simple life with people I l
oved. I never dreamed I’d marry, much less be a princess again. Then I found Valorre. And I met Teryn.

  This time the heat flooded more than my cheeks. My entire body filled with warmth. Teryn is doing this for me. It was no small feat for Teryn to fight for me to regain my place as Princess of Kero. And he decided to be at my side to make it happen. Even if I wasn’t anywhere near ready for marriage, surely with Teryn it wouldn’t be so bad, would it?

  “When would we need to marry?”

  “My husband is dead, so his rule must pass to Teryn as soon as possible. Teryn will be coronated within days after his marriage to Princess Mareleau, who will then be coronated as queen. You and Larylis will marry immediately after.”

  My heart froze. “I…and Larylis?”

  “Yes.” The queen’s face softened when my eyes grew wide. “You didn’t think…”

  I shook my head. My breath quickened, my lungs tightened. Waves of noise flooded my mind with thoughts, words, feelings. It seemed like every person in the palace were suddenly in my mind all at once. I closed my eyes over my swimming vision, and collapsed to my knees.

  “Oh dear. Help her!” I heard the queen shout over the noise in my head.

  Hands of the guards surrounded me, their thoughts and words pounding into my ears and temples. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, fighting the anxiety in my chest, pressing the noise from my mind. Once the cacophony receded, I was left with nothing by my own mind. And shame. A deep, flooding shame that made me wish I was invisible. I stood and brushed off my dress.

  “Forgive me, Your Majesties.” My voice sounded weak and distant. “I haven’t eaten enough, and I am overwhelmed. Please allow me to excuse myself and consider your terms.”

  “Of course.” Verdian’s face shifted between annoyance and concern beneath a furrowed brow.

  I sunk into a slow, deep curtsy, and then left the study.

  I did not feel like a princess as I walked back toward my room. The halls were a blur of color and sound as I tore through the halls, furiously wiping the tears from my cheeks. Passers-by stopped and stared, eyebrows raised as they whispered amongst themselves. They no longer looked at me with admiration and awe, but I didn’t care. What did it matter now? I wasn’t a beautiful princess like Mareleau. I was nothing more than a pawn.

  “Cora. Cora, wait. Cora!”

  I ignored the calling of my name until Teryn stood directly in front of me, taking me by the shoulders. “Cora, are you all right? My mother said you almost fainted.”

  I looked up into his face and the tears poured over my cheeks in streams of heat. “Did you promise me to your brother?”

  Teryn’s mouth opened, but he said not a word.

  “Everything else I can understand. But your brother? How could you do that to me? Why would you want that?”

  “It was the only way. I had to think of something—”

  “It wasn’t the only way! There was another, yet you obviously found it distasteful.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I was so stupid. I can’t believe I thought…” I knew my voice sounded childish, which filled me with even more shame. What was happening to me?

  “Cora, I don’t understand. What else could I have done? Why are you angry with me?”

  I shook free from his grasp and brushed him aside. The guards scrambled to keep up with me as I stormed ahead. I took one look behind me at Teryn’s fallen face staring after me, yet I felt nothing but anger.

  “I thought she meant you.” I wasn’t sure if he heard me, and part of me hoped he hadn’t. My head whipped forward as I blinked my eyes dry, my every step fueled by rage as—dress be damned—I picked up speed and ran back to my room.

  36

  Sacrifice

  Teryn

  Cora’s words echoed through my head. The memory of her angry eyes pierced my heart as I returned to the Royal Study.

  “Good of you to rejoin us.” King Verdian’s voice held an unmistakable bite. “Can we start now?”

  My eyes remained unfocused as I took my seat. I met my mother’s smile and then stole a glance at Mareleau, who sat with her arms crossed, refusing to meet my eyes. I took my seat next to Larylis, who was seated low in his chair with shoulders so tense they looked to be one with his neck. Queen Helena stood tall next to Verdian behind the desk, her glowing smile and sparkling eyes seeking to shine their radiance on everyone in turn.

  “As I was saying, Larylis,” Mother said. “We’ve made the offer to Princess Coralaine, and she is taking some time to think about it. Despite our initial reservations, this is a very advantageous match for you. It would place you as future King of Kero.”

  Larylis nodded, yet his eyes wouldn’t budge from their fixation on King Verdian’s desk.

  “Which brings us to our most important topic.” My mother turned her attention to me. “Your coronation as king. Once we return to Mena, we will arrange for the ceremony. Before we leave, we will secure your marriage to Mareleau so we can celebrate her coronation as queen as well.”

  I felt a deep pit in my stomach as I nodded. This was not how I’d imagined my marriage to Mareleau would go. In fact, as I looked at her, lips pursed and eyes glaring into the opposite wall, I couldn’t imagine what could ever have prompted my attraction to her. What had I been thinking? Was this what I’d risked my life for? Is that what had driven me on an insane mission to hunt unicorns?

  “The two of you can sign the agreement now, and we will have the ceremony tonight.” King Verdian spread the contract over his desk and held out a quill.

  I suddenly found myself as heavy as lead in my chair.

  “No.”

  All eyes turned to Mareleau, who stared unblinkingly at her father.

  “Excuse me?” King Verdian mirrored her ferocious stare.

  “I’m not marrying Teryn.”

  “Don’t be silly,” Queen Helena cooed. She waved a hand at my mother, whose lips trembled as she stared wide-eyed at Mareleau. “Ignore her, she doesn’t mean it.”

  “I do mean it.” Mareleau stood and stepped toward her parents. “I want to marry Larylis, and he wants to marry me.”

  “That’s absurd!” Verdian pounded his fist on the desk.

  “No, this is absurd. All my life you’ve told me I need to marry a crown prince. Teryn specifically, for the good of Lela. You said Larylis could never be king, yet you have no problem with him being heir to the King of Kero. Why can’t he be my king? If Dimetreus can make his sister’s husband his heir, why can’t you make Larylis yours?”

  King Verdian’s face burned red. He opened his mouth but was quieted by the gentle hand of his wife.

  “Your uncles will never follow Larylis.” Helena’s voice was smooth as silk. “You know this. They would argue and fight and overthrow your rule to take it as their own. But they will have no choice but to follow Teryn, a crown prince made king in every right.”

  “This makes no sense.” Mareleau turned to me. “Teryn, I don’t want to marry you. I want to marry your brother. I love him. I don’t love you. That makes sense, doesn’t it?”

  I was torn between shock and laughter as I looked from her to my brother, who still sat low in his seat, looking as dumbfounded as I. Speechless, my mouth hung open as I struggled to sort out one feeling from another.

  Frustrated with my lack of reply, Mareleau threw her hands in the air and returned to face her mother. “You know what makes even more sense? I missed my moon-cycle. I’m pregnant with Larylis’ child. There is no better reason to allow us to be together as we wish.”

  This time shock prevailed as my overwhelming reaction.

  Larylis bolted upright in his seat. “Teryn, we never…I swear…I wouldn’t—”

  “We don’t have to hide anymore.” Mareleau’s eyes bored into Larylis, crystal blue daggers so sharp, even I could feel them.

  “But we…” Larylis stared back, his face growing pale. Finally, he nodded and turned to me. “I’m sorry. What she says is true. I never m
eant to betray you, but…I love her.”

  Nausea wrenched my stomach. The blood left my face. My head spun and spun until I thought I would faint. Then a warmth washed over me, flooding in from the crown of my head down to my toes, pushing all confusion, shock, and ill feeling away until there was nothing but relief.

  “What have you done?” Queen Helena’s words shook me from my moment of peace. She lost her unworldly calm and grace as her face nearly turned purple, her temples pulsed, and her hands clenched into fists at her sides.

  “You have ruined yourself!” King Verdian flew from behind his desk, stopping just inches from his daughter with his hand raised.

  I jumped to my feet and stood between them, and found Larylis standing beside me. Keeping my eyes locked on the king, I waved a hand at my brother to return to his seat. “Your Majesty, please…”

  Verdian’s chest heaved as he lowered his hand and took a step away from Mareleau. “You’re her only hope now, Prince Teryn. You’ll be doing both our kingdoms a great honor if you will take this spoiled, ruined wretch of a girl for your wife.”

  “Did you not hear me?” Mareleau’s voice quaked through clenched teeth. “I love Larylis. I’m pregnant with his child.”

  “And if Teryn agrees to marry you, no one need know of your shame.” King Verdian passed a palm over his face, letting it rest over his chin. His voice had grown calm, empty. Hopeless. “Otherwise, you are ruined. Your uncles will fight for the throne.”

  Tears streamed down Mareleau’s cheeks. “You are insensible!”

  “No, my daughter, you are. You care more about your selfish desires than the security of your kingdom. If Teryn won’t have you, no one will.” Verdian looked from Mareleau to Larylis. “The two of you have likely doomed our kingdom and should be executed for treason.”

  My mother stood, rushing toward him. “You can’t mean that! You’re talking about my son!”

  Voices raised as everyone but myself began shouting, drowning out any sense of audible words. I stepped forward and took Mareleau’s hand, pulling her from the crowd. The arguing subsided to an uncomfortable stillness when she turned toward me, a look of terror in her eyes as she met mine.