The Four Tales Page 17
Swallowing, she looked up at him and met his cold, blue eyes.
“Wh-at do you mean?”
“I’m not going to allow you to sneak away or warn someone. This is her time, our time. We deserve this.”
“What do the king and queen deserve? They haven’t hu-rt you.”
“No, but they hurt Kemyss, and she’s providing an escape for us all. If you’re smart, you’ll play along. It will turn out better for you, if you do.”
“Aven, you know this is wr-ong,” Cassie endeavored to change his mind.
“Only by your perspective. Now, I’m going to go get us a glass of punch. The hours are ticking away. Stay here.” With that, he spun on his heel and walked off into the crowd.
Looking for a clock to ascertain how close to midnight they were, Cassie knew she would have do something. However, she still had no idea what. Inching along the wall, she bumped into another long drape. She paused and pretended to feel the drape.
To anyone who caught sight of her, she would appear to be obsessed with drapes. This notion did not bother her much since she suspected they would all be running and screaming for their lives come midnight. Somehow, Cassie suspected the dragon hadn't been summoned to dance the country jig at the ball.
With enough of her voice granted to her, Cassie let out a small screech when she found herself pulled behind the drape and through the wall behind.
Terrified, Cassie kicked and hit whomever had a hold on her. It would seem Kemyss had yet another surprise for her. Yet, the voice she heard in her ear was one she welcomed.
“Cassie! I knew I'd seen you! You're alive!”
Arms wrapped around her.
Sighing, she found her own arms following suit. Her eyes adjusting through the dark, she didn't see him clothed in the typical soldier uniform. Instead, he was dressed in a deep blue cloth tunic, hemmed with gold, and long sleeved. His pants were of the same deep blue. Gold necklaces draped from the left to right shoulder with an insignia of the king hanging on a gold medallion in the middle of his chest.
Looking at him, Cassie realized two things at once. One, he was not from a cook's family as she had once believed. Second, he was obviously the king's son. Her assumption this evening paired with his absence had proven true.
“Ssss-imon,” she struggled out. Her voice didn't want to work on names, apparently.
“Cassie,” he whispered and hugged her close again. “I was afraid you were dead. Did you hear of your father?”
Simon's eyes held tears as he gazed into her own. They stood in a narrow alcove which was lighted by several lanterns against the wall. The music from the party was distant through the stone wall.
Cassie nodded. Her own eyes filled at the mention of her father.
“What happened?” he asked.
“F-f-f-ire. Sh-e set it on f-f-ire,” Cassie managed to get out.
She wondered how Kemyss had expected her to speak even the most commonplace pleasantries to anyone with this limited ability at speech.
“Her? Who? Your stepmother? What's wrong with your voice?” His brows were drawn over his eyes as he asked the question. He seemed to be puzzling over what she was telling him.
Cassie nodded. Close enough. Miriam was as guilty as Kemyss.
“Why? That doesn't make sense.”
“Plan,” Cassie struggled to say. “Need p-p-pa-per.”
“What's wrong with your voice?” Simon asked again.
“P—p-paper,” Cassie stammered.
“There's some in here,” Simon directed her to the right.
Simon took her through the tunnel and into another brightly lit room. Once there, he seated her at a desk and put the pen, ink, and paper in front of her.
She began to write: Miriam is working with Kemyss, the witch. She put a spell on me to speak limited words. They are working with King Ammandon. Kemyss called forth a dragon. She said I was the key. The bait. I don't know why. The dragon will come at midnight.
* * *
Thankfully, Cassie could write out what she knew. Watching Simon read the note, she noticed he didn't look surprised, but his shoulders slumped forward.
“It's the Legend. The witch enacted it on the eve of my parent’s engagement ball and has threatened my father. Although, from what I know her name is D’Arcy Doran. This ball is to determine the extent they are working together. However, you’ve just confirmed all our worst fears.”
The Legend. Cassie had heard of it. She grew up on stories from her father. This had been one of them. It was just a scary story then. Now, it wasn't.
* * *
What do we do? She is very powerful. They are supposed to be watching me. If I'm gone long, they will suspect something is not right.
* * *
Simon nodded. “Then we must get you back to the ballroom. I refrained from coming down yet because I’m in the midst of research. My father understood I couldn’t party while all of this is going on around us. At least I have a point of reference to look into now.”
He twisted around in one spot and looked at the tables piled with books. “I know there’s a book here dealing with dragons. I just have to find it. Thanks to you, I know what to search for, and that will make a huge difference.”
Facing her once again, Simon put his hands on her shoulders. “There isn’t any way for you to escape them?”
Cassie shook her head. She looked into his eyes and wished to hold him close again. Clearing her throat, she said, “I’m so gl-ad you aren’t de-ad.”
His lips quirked up on the right in a half-smile, and he nodded. “I’m glad I’m not dead too. I’m so sorry about your dad, Cassie. We became very good friends, and I didn’t mean to let him die.”
Her eyes filled with tears, and Simon pulled her close. As he hugged her, she smelled his paper and spice scent. He smelled like home. She squeezed him tight and wished she could hold on longer.
Stepping back, she wiped her eyes. He sniffed and smiled down at her. They stood staring at each other for a minute. Neither moved.
“When this is over, can I see you?” Simon asked.
Smiling, Cassie nodded.
“Will you be okay?”
“Yes,” Cassie spoke this time.
“I should look through these books and let you get back. Are you sure you’ll be safe? I don’t like the idea of you being near this witch.”
“She has a sp—,” Cassie couldn’t spit the word out. “I have no ch-oice. Will you wa-r-n the king?”
“Yes, I’ll send a note to him with Rupert. He’s our butler and an excellent man. I’m just worried about you. Please be safe?”
“I will. I should go now. Remember, midnight.”
Simon nodded and began to take her the same way they’d entered. “Wait,” Simon took the paper from the table as they were passing it and reread it. “What do you mean you're the ‘key'?”
Cassie shrugged.
“I'll see if I can find out. She hasn’t said. They’ve only told me pieces which don’t make sense to me.”
“I see. If you’re a ‘key’ to her, she isn’t going to let you go. Please be safe, Cassie.”
Her name sounded lovely when he said it. She could feel every syllable filled with concern and care. She didn’t want to leave but knew she had to get back before they discovered her missing for so long.”
Taking her hand, Simon took her back through the tunnel. “I won’t leave you for long, Cassie. I promise to find the answer to this for us all.”
Cassie nodded before she slipped through the door behind the drapes and back into sight. Aven was by her side in a moment.
“Wanted to see the back,” Cassie got out before his hand gripped her arm.
“Mother wants us.”
Cassie was dragged across the room until they stopped before Miriam. With a fake smile, Miriam took her other arm.
“What were you doing?”
“Nothing,” Cassie said. “It's hard to talk to people. They look at me funny.”
&nbs
p; “Kemyss,” Miriam called the witch over. “You may need to give her back more of her voice. She said people are looking at her funny. We don't want to bring any suspicion.”
“Oh, very well.” Kemyss waved her hand and Cassie released a pent-up breath.
“Thank you,” Cassie breathed.
“Stay with her. It's getting close. King Ammandon knows what to do.” Kemyss threw them a smile before heading back in the direction of the kings.
Miriam followed, and Cassie was left with Aven once more. For the second time, Cassie wondered how the king could not recognize Kemyss as the witch. Hadn't they been a couple at one time?
As she watched them, Cassie noticed a tall man dressed in black and white carrying a tray with a note on it over to the king. He stopped a few feet from where the king and queen talked a large group of people including Kemyss and Miriam. Tilting his head down, the man who must be Rupert indicated the king should join him.
Cassie observed King Tritium extricate himself from the throng of people and meet his butler. Kemyss had her eyes on his every move. Cassie watched Kemyss watch the king and Rupert.
King Tritium looked at the note, pocketed it in his inner breast pocket, and nod at the butler. Both disappeared without a word to those awaiting his return. Inching across the room, Cassie stopped a foot away from her stepmother.
Queen Arlyn was laughing at something a woman had said to her, but she perceived the king’s exit. “Our son must have arrived,” she told the group. “I’m sure they will arrive soon.”
Cassie noted the look Kemyss gave her stepmother. It was as if the queen had said the magic words. Both pulled away from the group and joined Cassie.
“It will be complete,” Kemyss whispered to Miriam. “I had thought we’d have to go after him later, but if he’s here, my plans can be completed all at once.”
“It looks as if it’s only 10:30. We have an hour and a half before midnight. You don’t think anyone suspects, do you?”
Kemyss glanced around and shook her head. “No. Keep mingling.”
They walked off in two separate directions. Each found a new group to join and made themselves comfortable. Chatting, they seemed as if they had all the time in the world.
Keeping her eyes open, Cassie spoke to a few guests in passing. Many articulated their sorrow over the loss of her father and home. Everyone who paused to talk to her wouldn’t leave until she’d explained what happened. Telling the lie her stepmother invented became easier each time.
She couldn’t tell the truth or ask for help. Petunia and Aven weren’t ever far from her elbow and often took the conversation over. When one disappeared, the other showed up.
“Would you like to dance?” Aven asked her as another waltz started.
“I don’t think I’d be any good,” Cassie murmured as she looked to see if the king had come back with Simon.
“Well, I feel like dancing, sister dear. So, we’re going to dance. Remember, you’re having a great time.”
Aven took her arm and yanked her forward. She had no other option but to follow him and join in the dance. His right hand crushed her hand as his left settled onto her right hip.
“Now, pretend we are the best of friends,” he whispered in her ear.
Cassie looked up at him and refrained from glaring. She though she was doing a decent job until he squeezed her hand even more painfully. His eyes narrowed down at her.
“You need to smile. I’m not killing you. Yet.”
Cassie stepped on his foot with as much force as she could.
He grimaced and growled at her, but with so many witnesses nearby, he just admonished, “Be careful, sister. Your feet are a bit big and clumsy.”
“I’m so sorry, Aven. It was an accident.”
A couple twirled by them and overheard what had happened. They tinkled with laughter and smiled at Cassie and Aven. When they were gone, Aven twirled her in a new direction and way from the closest couple.
“Do that again, little sister, and I’ll be forced to retaliate,” he threatened.
“With witnesses? I don’t think so. Besides, I don’t have to play by your rules.”
Digging his nails into her hand, Aven hissed, “I disagree. Remember midnight will come, and you will regret this.”
Bravado ebbing, Cassie decided not to say anything else. They finished the waltz without any more mishaps, and Aven deposited her by Petunia’s side.
“She’s getting a little sassy,” Aven muttered.
“I saw. She stamped your foot hard,” Petunia whispered back.
“Here I was, trying to be a good brother. No one can blame me for making the effort.”
“Of course,” Petunia agreed.
Prince ------, Queen Arlyn’s brother approached them. He bowed to Cassie, nodded at Aven, and bent low over Petunia’s hand.
“May I have the next dance, miss?”
Petunia cocked her head to the left as a smile played with the corners of her lips. “I would be delighted, Prince ------. Thank you for asking.”
“My pleasure,” he told her. Releasing her hand, he turned and picked up Cassie’s. “May I have the pleasure of dancing the second dance with you?” he asked.
“I would be delighted,” Cassie spoke before Petunia or Aven could do so for her.
“Charmed,” the prince told her before freeing her hand.
The quarter hour chimed, and he stayed near them talking of the weather and horse racing until the current song ended. Guiding Petunia onto the floor, they entered the next dance together and left Cassie and Aven behind.
“What a bore,” Aven spoke under his breath.
“At least he has manners,” Cassie retorted.
His hand was gripping her arm in the next instant. Nails dug into her exposed flesh, and she winced. Swallowing, she held her breath as he leaned next to her ear.
“I’ve had enough. When midnight is over, and Kemyss has exacted her revenge, I’m going to have a bit of mine.”
“What did I ever do to you?” Cassie whispered.
Jerking his head back, Aven’s eyes found hers, and they were wide with surprise and confusion.
“What?”
“I want to know what I ever did to make you hate me so much? I wish we could have been friends, Aven. I was excited to have you as my brother when you first arrived. Why are you so angry at me?” Cassie asked the questions she’d been holding onto for years.
She should have asked them sooner. Perhaps, if she had built a relationship with either of the twins when they’d first arrived, they wouldn’t be here now. Instead, she’d remained silent and angry, hid herself away whenever possible, took over duties without saying a word, and exacted subtle revenge.
“I should have been more of a friend,” she whispered. “I’m sorry. This is my fault.”
“Is this some sort of trick?” Aven grumbled.
“No. It isn’t. It’s me seeing, for the first time, how different I should have been. I see that now. This is just as much my fault as yours or anyone else’s. Aven, you have to be better than this. I believe in you.”
For a second, his bright, blue eyes blinked at her. Processing her words, he swallowed and located Petunia on the dance floor, as if waiting for her to step in and say something. She was too far away, and he had to respond on his own.
“I’m not to blame for any of this,” he turned to her and hissed, “This is the king’s war, not mine. I’m just going to be on the winning side and benefit from the spoils.”
“They know, Aven,” she whispered. “You all won’t get away with this. Maybe you think you will, but you won’t. Please choose another path.”
The music ended, and the prince began walking back to them with Petunia on his arm. She was laughing at something he was saying to her, but her eyes bore into Aven, as if she could hear their conversation across the room.
Aven squeezed close to her and bent down to whisper in her ear, “It doesn’t matter.”
Cassie let out a low, steady
breath. Her hopes sunk. There was a tiny chance she could have won him to her side and gotten more information, but she’d lost. However, what she said was true.
She was to blame. She was sorry. She had hoped he was better than being a part of Kemyss’s plan.
“Well,” the prince spoke on approach, “I am delighted to offer you a dance, Miss Alasdair. Are you ready?”
“I would be most happy to dance with you, Prince ----,” Cassie forced a smile onto her lips.
The prince took her hand and led her out onto the dance floor, she couldn’t help viewing Petunia and Aven from where they stood to begin.
Their heads were bowed together, and Petunia appeared to be arguing with Aven. She grabbed his hand a pulled him from Cassie’s sight as the music started, and the dance began.
“Are you enjoying the ball?” Prince ---- asked.
“Yes, are you?”
“Immensely. My sister didn’t tell me her kingdom had so many enchanting women.”
Cassie endeavored to laugh.
“Do you find my comment funny, or are you disagreeing with me?” the prince asked with a smile as they made a left turn around the dance floor.
“I would never disagree with a prince, and I’d never laugh at him either.”
“A diplomatic answer,” he nodded. “My sister said the locals were intelligent and well-educated.”
“It’s my sincere hope every kingdom is well-educated, Sir. I’d like to think we are all working toward a more informed future. I may work on a farm, but there’s no rule saying I can’t read and instruct myself.”
“You are intelligent. I apologize. I didn’t mean to make my comment sound so condescending. It might surprise you to know I’m very aware of the education of every kingdom, and I support new advances every year. We may not have technology any longer, but I don’t want to see us regress completely to the dark ages.”
Cassie laughed. “I hope not. It would be a major setback indeed. Do you think we’ll ever try technology again? Surely, with modifications, we can make it safer than the past?”