Princess of Fire and Smoke (Forbidden Court Book 1) Page 14

  “But I haven’t made it to Elphine yet. I haven’t had a chance to talk to Dante.”

  “Let me do it. Rosabel and I are already stopping in Elphine on our way to the trials. We’ll talk to Dante."

  “Are you sure? Dante and I aren’t on the best of terms right now. It might take a bit of convincing.” Doubt makes my response come out slowly.

  Trusting in someone else to help with such an important plan makes nausea burn in my stomach. But, if I am going to trust anyone, it’s going to be family. And Xander and Rosabel are my family.

  “I’m sure. Let me help you, Addy. Besides, I’d like to see him try and tell Rosabel no,” Xander wiggles his eyebrows at me.

  I chuckle as I think of Dante trying to face down Rosabel. For someone so small, she has a ferocity unmatched by the greatest warriors in the kingdom. “You’re right. Dante doesn’t stand a chance.”

  Xander offers me his arm and leads me to the dining room. I entertain him with bits and pieces of the trip. Leaving the General out of the conversation completely. Xander and I are finally getting along again and I don’t want anything to mess it up.

  Rosabel, Aileen, and Emerson are seated when we arrive.

  “My love, I hope we haven’t kept you waiting?” Xander releases my arm and walks over to his wife with an adoring smile on his face.

  “Only a little while. Besides, it’s given Aileen and I a chance to catch up. A lot has happened in the last few months.”

  “Last few months?” That’s when it dawns on me. Aileen’s assurance that Xander would vote yes, her familiarity with the path on the way up here, her friendliness with Rosabel. I turn to my twin and raise a knowing eyebrow. “Well, sister. It looks like there are a few things you haven’t had a chance to mention yet.”

  Aileen, at least, has the good grace to look embarrassed. “Yes, I have visited Perth often. My village isn’t far from here and this is the best place for certain herbs I use in some tonics. I was going to tell you after Elphine, but you were sick, and we haven’t exactly had a chance to talk.”

  That will change once I win the trials, I vow silently. We’ll make time to catch up on everything.

  Our dinner arrives shortly after and Xander dismisses all the serving staff so we can talk in private. We take turns telling Xander and Rosabel about our adventure so far.

  When I describe my mother's death, Xander's growl of furry shakes me to the core. My voice cracks and when I open my mouth to finish the story no words form.

  Emerson places his hand on mine in a show of strength and takes up the storytelling. Having heard this story a few times, he's able to finish it for me.

  After a while, I stop listening to the other's conversation, and my gaze snags on the fireplace. The blazing fire soothes some deep part of me, and exhaustion overcomes me. I have to fight to keep my eyes open and I try my best to stifle my yawn.

  “I think Adeline speaks for all of us,” Emerson says with a laugh. “We should probably get some sleep if we’re leaving at dawn.”

  He offers me his arm and when I accept it, he walks me up the stairs to my room.

  “Good night, Feisty.” He says as we reach my door. Slowly, he leans in and kisses my cheek, “Sleep well.”

  “Good night, Emerson.” I smile back at him as I retreat into my room, closing the door behind me.

  I quickly take off the gown Rosabel has lent me and lay it neatly on the chair by the bed. I don a nightgown and almost run to the bed. A good night's sleep in a comfortable bed sounds heavenly. But, a quick glance out the window has me pausing.

  Far off in the distance, a snowstorm is dropping more snow than I’ve ever seen. After a quick pep talk, I slip the little ring off my finger. I gently push a little magic out towards the snowstorm and feel a familiar cold magic brush up against mine.

  “Well, that’s one way to slow them down.” I chuckle at Xander’s impressive display of power. I’m not sure how he’s managing it, but I applaud his imagination.

  I climb into the bed, sighing as my head touches the pillow. My body urges me to sleep, but I still have one more thing I want to do.

  I take a deep breath and drop my ever-present mental shield.

  Hello, General.

  Princess? What are you doing?

  I suck in a quick breath at his response. I wasn’t positive this was going to work. Just checking in. How’s the weather?

  He lets out a dark chuckle. Have you learned a new trick, Princess? This frozen hell doesn’t feel like your magic.

  I add a little extra confidence to my voice. Frozen Hell? That doesn’t sound like me. I’m more likely to burn you alive then freeze you.

  You can try, but I’m not so easily deterred. I will find you. The promise in his words sends a shiver down my back.

  Don’t worry, General. If I wanted to disappear, I would have. You’ll find me exactly when I want you to.

  When will that be, Princess?

  Soon enough.

  I slide the mental wall back into place, as I snuggle down into my pillow.

  But, every time I close my eyes, I picture that traitorous jerk out there freezing to death. I should be reveling in his discomfort. He did betray me and plans on handing me over to Maximus. But when my magic shows me a glimpse of him freezing in a tent, I know I have to help.

  As High Princess, I can’t let someone else from my kingdom die. Not even him.

  I begrudgingly lower the mental shield again.

  Couldn’t stay away, could you Princess?

  I push my magic out towards him and it happily obeys, for once.

  When I close my eyes, I can see where my magic travels, almost as if I am riding with it. It travels past the castle and through the forest until it comes to him, huddled under a blanket in a single tent. I watch him for a moment as he stares down at a map. His dark hair falls over his eyes and he pulls a shaky hand through it. His lips are a pale blue and I cringe at the sight.

  He won't make it through the night.

  His head pops up and he looks in my direction. His brows furrow as he scans his tent but it's obvious, he can't see me.

  What are you doing? He asks suspiciously.

  Where are your soldiers and your fancy tent?

  He rolls his eyes dramatically and I can't help but chuckle.

  I wasn't going to make them suffer through this nonsense to chase after you.

  Surprise flickers through me. I figured he was a cruel leader, someone who wouldn't care for his men.

  Very carefully I think to my magic: Help him stay warm.

  Tiny flames of orange and magenta appear on his hands.

  This is a horrible idea. Why would you help me? After everything, I’ve done to you.

  He might sound annoyed, but I can see the way he rubs his hands together and huddles towards the warmth. He is much colder than he's willing to admit.

  Would you like me to take it back? I let the frustration show clearly in my voice.

  No! Please, don’t. His quick response has me calming down.

  No one deserves to freeze to death. Even you.

  His magic twirls around mine and I give him a little more heat until the flames dance all over him and he stops shaking from the cold.

  Good night, General.

  Good night, Princess… He’s quiet for a moment before he adds a quick Thank you.

  I smile as I look down at my empty ring finger. It seems warming the General has helped relieve some of the pressure of my magic. It doesn't feel like an explosion waiting to happen anymore and I place my ring carefully on the table beside my bed.

  He owes me now. Maybe I can trade the favor for something important.

  I think sleepily as I finally drift off to sleep.

  ∞∞∞

  I wake with a start and confusion washes over me. It takes me a moment to figure out what’s wrong: This is the first time I haven't had a nightmare in a very long time.

  A blush spreads across my cheeks as I remember what my dreams were abo
ut. An image flashes in my mind of a certain man covered in flames. I try to remember exactly what the dream was about, but the heat that blossoms in my core has me changing my mind. Maybe I don’t want to relive this particular dream.

  I pick my ring up and pause for a moment. One peek won't hurt. Just to make sure I didn’t burn his tent down. Although it would be great payback if I did.

  I close my eyes and feel for that little part of my magic that is still connected to him, keeping him warm. With a flash, I’m in his tent again. He is asleep on his bedroll with a blanket tangled around his legs. My flames still dance carefully across him.

  There, nothing has burnt down, everything is fine.

  I should leave now, but I can’t help but linger a bit longer.

  It looks like he’s had a rough time lately too. His beard is starting to grow out and his hair is longer now, falling into his face. He looks almost peaceful right now, not at all like the monster he was last time we met.

  I take a few steps closer, experimenting with my magic. I wonder exactly what I can do in this magical reality. I lean down and reach my hand out towards him, hesitating only for a moment before brushing his hair out of his face. Warmth radiates from my touch and I freeze.

  His hands fly up and grab my wrist. Staring straight at me, he gasps in shock. “Princess?”

  I gape at where our hands touch, flames dancing across both of them. “You can see me?”

  Faster than I thought possible, he tugs my wrist and I fall onto the bedroll beside him, legs tangling in his blanket. One of his arms props him up so he can look down at me and the other wraps around my waist, holding me in place. The cold of the ground seeps through the pad and I shiver.

  “Of course, I can see you! Why the hell are you in my tent? How did you get here?”

  Chapter Twenty

  “I don’t know." Shock floods me as I look up at him. "This must be another dream. I must have fallen back to sleep.” I stutter as he leans over me, inches from my face. I can feel his breath on my cheek and confusion clouds my head.

  This doesn’t feel like a dream, but is there any other explanation? What kind of magic could make this possible?

  He stares at me for what seems like an eternity before a wicked smirk spreads across his face. “Another dream, huh? How often do you dream about me, Princess?”

  I silently curse myself for the blush that is undoubtedly spreading across my cheeks. “I didn’t say my dream was about you, General. Maybe I dream about a lot of men.” I reply with a smile and try to bluff my way out of this.

  His smirk instantly turns into a scowl and his hand moves to my chin. His thumb brushes against my cheek and he leans in until we are a breath apart. “Do those other men make you feel like this?” He asks roughly as he leans in and presses his lips to mine.

  It isn’t a tender kiss like I'm used to, but a passionate one that leaves me gasping for air. The fire building inside of me explodes and flames dance in the air around us. A traitorous moan escapes my throat and I try to fight the feelings bubbling up inside of me.

  He pulls away and I lean into him, missing his warmth instantly.

  “I thought so,” His ridiculously handsome smirk comes back, and I want to punch him in the face, again.

  He must guess what my reaction is because he reaches out and captures my hands with his, pinning my wrists to the ground beside me.

  “Princess, you surprise me more and more every time I see you. Who would have thought underneath that stubborn spoiled exterior, you were so much fun?” Chuckling softly leans in and bites my bottom lip.

  I make a sound that is either a purr or a growl. I’m not sure which instinct wins out. My body wants to stay right here with him, but my head is screaming ‘get out while you can’.

  “I might enjoy kissing you, but I still hate you,” Apparently, it’s a little bit of both.

  His expression hardens as he lets go of my hands and glares down at me. “You should hate me,” he says venomously.

  He opens his mouth to say more when I slam my eyes closed. As soon as I open them again, I’m staring up at the dark gray stones of Perth’s Castle. Somehow, I’m back in my room and I have no idea how it happened.

  What the hell was that, Princess?

  I slam the mental shield back up and pull all my magic back to me as I slide the ring back onto my finger. I can’t believe I was that stupid, I deserve the agony this ring will bring with it. I brace for it, but unfortunately, the pain doesn’t come. Surprisingly, my magic pulls back into my body without a fight.

  I dress quickly in the warm brown riding leathers and a long cloak that Rosabel had set out for me. The clothes are a lot tighter and more form-fitting then I’m used to. They show off all of my curves and leave very little to the imagination, but I’m surprised to realize that I’m not upset about it. They’re the clothes of a warrior and as I braid my hair back, I finally feel like maybe this is who I was meant to be. A warrior queen who will take back her throne. The Ancient knows I have enough magic to do it if I could just figure out how to control it.

  I glance down at the General’s dagger that I’ve somehow managed to keep with me this whole time. After a brief debate, I slide it into the waistband on my pants. No point in wasting a weapon when I have an entire army after me.

  I'm ready for the next part of the trip in record time and I walk into the hallway to wake Emerson and Aileen. I have too much nervous energy pumping through me to wait on them, so I quickly make my way to the stables.

  My mother always said ‘if you let someone else make choices for you, it’ll still be your fault when you fail’. So, here I am inspecting the horses Xander has set aside for us and all of the supplies he’s packed.

  As promised, Xander has three fine horses saddled and ready to go. But, the gear packed on them is minimal and has me biting my lip. Maybe I should look through them, just to make sure we’ve got everything.

  I reach up for the nearest saddlebag when a booming voice has me jumping like a child caught stealing cookies.

  “Don’t you even think about it. I was up half the night making sure everything you needed was in there and packed well.” Xander says as I casually turned around to look at him.

  “Who, me? I’d never do such a thing.” I say with a nonchalant shrug of my shoulders.

  He throws his head back and laughs. “I think everyone that knows you would argue with you about that.” His expression quickly grows serious. “I added a map to your pack. You’re going to have to take a side path out of Perth, then skirt the western edges of Elphine until you get to the Capital. It’s normally a four or five-day trip. I suggest you ride hard. If you’re smart with your stops, you can make it in three. That will give you two days once you arrive to figure out how to get into the opening ceremonies.”

  “Thank you, Xander. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” I say as we lead the horses towards the front of the castle.

  "Your parents would be so proud of you, Addy. You are going to be the best High Queen yet.”

  A lump forms in my throat at his kind words and all I can do is nod my thanks.

  Sweat breaks out on my forehead. Everyone is counting on me to win the trials, become High Queen, challenge my uncle, and ward off a great darkness that is threatening the Kingdom. No pressure.

  The others join us as we walk to the main gate. Aileen is dressed in riding leathers like mine and Emerson looks handsome dressed in a pair of brown leather pants and a thick brown tunic that’s open at the top to reveal a cream shirt underneath. He has a sword attached at his waist and a thick brown cloak thrown over his arm.

  We say our goodbyes to a stoic Xander and a very emotional Rosabel and set off at a gallop. Since Aileen has traveled these paths the most, we let her lead the way and we push our horses hard through the mountain pass.

  Spending hours surrounded by blurs of trees and snow gets boring quickly, but there’s something buried deep within me that’s screaming for us to move faster. There�
��s a constant feeling that we’re running out of time. So, we put as much distance between us and the General as we can. We only stop when absolutely necessary.

  Emerson tries to start up conversations with me throughout the day, but my mind is still reeling from everything I’ve learned on this trip. Between the news about Maximus, the threat of a pending darkness, and my newfound powers, I don’t feel capable of making conversation with anyone. He eventually quits trying, and we ride in silence for the first day. The time is marked only as we pass from Perth to Elphine and have to take our heavy cloaks off.

  We make camp that night near the cliffs on the western end of Elphine. The sound of the wind howling as it hits the cliffs reminds me of my castle in Centralia. A pain washes over my heart as I long for my home.

  I curl up on a mat near the fire and close my eyes, pretending to be asleep. I don't care about food or anything else. I just want to be left alone.

  Something in me broke the night my parents were murdered and no matter how hard I try, I can’t fix it. I can feel it pushing at me, a darkness so deep and terrifying that I wonder if my destructive magic is a sign of something else. Something worse.

  Maybe I’m not the High Princess that wins the trials, redeems herself, and saves her people. Maybe I’m the Warrior Queen that destroys her enemies, revenges her parents and takes back her throne.

  I’m only sure of one thing right now, I want this heartbreaking feeling washing over me to go away. So, when sleep comes for me, I embrace the darkness.

  ∞∞∞

  I was dragged into the throne room as my mother came to a screeching halt in front of me.

  “You bastard!” She snarled at the cloaked figure who was sitting on her throne.

  My blood froze as I heard a familiar chuckle coming from the dais.

  “My dear Adora, you think that after all this time, I’ve simply given up on my chance at being High King?” My Uncle Maximus lifted his hood and smiled at my mother. “You managed to win during our trial. Which wasn’t ideal, but we were supposed to be wed. We would have ruled together. Everything would have turned out great if you hadn’t fallen in love with my brother.” He ended the last word with a growl.