The prince returned to his desk, placing the book down before turning around. He continued to observe me, trying to figure out what troubled me enough to make me cry.
Remembering the manners my deceased guardian, Papa Gil, instilled in me, I said, “Thank you, Prince Finn.”
He released a teasing groan. “How many times have I told you, just call me Finn.” His eyes danced with mirth, but I was too aware of the insult recently thrown my way to join in his levity.
The first time the prince had suggested I drop his royal title was the night of the infamous rebel attack. The night I learned of my brother’s loyalties. The same night I was forced to remain in the draekon capital. Alone.
I understood the prince was trying to be kind when he insisted I address him informally. He’d been nothing but welcoming and respectful since the first day I met him, and I knew he wanted us to be friends. Though, I suspected his kindness stemmed from the fact I had saved his life during the first rebel attack on the castle.
I could still hear the shrill warning sirens and see the flying contraptions peppering the sky as the elves rained attacks down on our unsuspecting heads. I’d been running through the open space, frantically searching for my younger sister when I saw Prince Finn fall to the ground. I helped him to safety and treated him the best I could.
When the fighting finally stopped, I’d found someone to help the injured male. That was when I learned I hadn’t helped just any draekon, but one of the draekon. Prince Finn was one of the top three draekon leaders in the Draekon Kingdom, sharing the title with his twin brother and his father, King Roderick.
“Apologies, Finn.” I dried my eyes with my sleeve.
The prince’s smile fell. “What happened to make you cry?”
I shook my head. Telling him about the scandalous insult was the last thing I wanted to do. I didn’t want his pity. “It’s nothing.”
“It doesn’t look like nothing.”
Finding my strength, I stepped away from the door, preparing to walk over to my bedroom. “I’m tired,” I lied. “I didn’t sleep well.”
Prince Finn frowned. He didn’t believe me, but unlike his twin brother, he would not push the issue. I had no doubt if Prince Brion had seen me crying, I wouldn’t have been allowed to leave his sight without explaining what happened. I thanked the gods I’d escaped that humiliation, at least.
“I’m going to rest.” I offered him a tight smile. “If that is okay?”
“Of course, it’s fine.” Prince Finn never treated me like his personal servant, even though that’s exactly what I was. “You know you don’t need to ask.”
I dipped my chin in appreciation. “Thank you.” I walked to the room and closed the door. My hand traveled to the lock, hovering as I debated whether or not to turn the bolt. I’d been sleeping in the princes’ private quarters for a full week, but neither of them had attempted to enter uninvited. I dropped my hand and crossed the room towards the bed.
After taking off my boots, I pulled back the lace comforter and burrowed into the soft mattress. I closed my eyes and tried to fall asleep. I longed for the comfort and reprieve of oblivion, but my desire to escape the world was denied. I’d spent my entire life working as a healer, waking up the moment the sun crossed the horizon and not going to bed until the moon was high in the sky. My body continued to follow that schedule, despite my change in circ*mstance. It would not let me sleep.
So I spent the rest of the afternoon lying in bed, staring at the crown molding on the ceiling. I tried to forget my wounded pride and allow myself to relax. I heard Prince Finn move around the apartment before finally leaving to complete whatever princely task was required of him that day.
The silence should have been soothing, but it just put me on edge. Rolling on my side, I stared at the door. It took me a minute to realize I was waiting for an angry draekon to come stomping into my room, demanding I get out of bed and complete another meaningless task.
But other than our morning conversations regarding my to-do list for the day, I rarely saw Prince Brion until the evening. I didn’t know what he did with his time, but it kept him from his personal apartments more often than not.
I sighed. I needed to stop being so skittish. Prince Brion might be abrasive, but he’d done nothing to frighten me since the night of my brother’s rebel attack. And even then, I knew he would not hurt me. I’d recently learned Prince Brion had been behind my original assignment to the castle kitchens. For reasons I had yet to figure out, he was determined to keep me out of harm’s way and out of notice.
So why did he deem my position as his personal secretary the best way to keep an eye on me?
I hadn’t a clue.
Prince Brion could have easily assigned me guards, or even locked me in the dungeons to secure my presence and deter rebel attacks. He didn’t need to draw attention to me by making me a constant topic for castle gossip.
I shoved away the confusing thoughts, closing my eyes. My mind would only go in circles trying to figure out that male’s motivation. Instead, I pictured Caldiri.
I envisioned the dry soil and sweltering temperatures, feeling the sensations trailing over my skin. I imagined Jem and I running to the region’s lake, laughing as we jumped from a rock into the refreshing water.
A smile covered my lips, and a lone tear escaped the corner of my eye. I missed my home. I missed my best friend and my family. My current situation made it seem impossible, but I still prayed to the gods that I would have the chance to see them again. If only one more time.
2
“Cienna, please lie down. The treatment will only take a minute.”
The draekon princess flung her dark braid over her shoulder and put her hands on her hips. “I’m telling you, Lissa, I’m fine. I don’t need the chest percussions. Listen to my breathing.” She proceeded to take long, exaggerated breaths, looking pointedly at me when nothing interrupted her demonstration.
Princess Cienna, the youngest royal child, suffered from a childhood illness that had carried over into adulthood. When Master Errol originally took me with him to treat the nearly-suffocating princess, I’d been stunned to see a draekon with an illness. The shape-shifting creatures were supposed to be indestructible. I never thought a draekon could suffer from a chronic illness, but the evidence had sat in front of me. Cienna hadn’t been able to breath, and Master Errol hadn’t known what to do to alleviate her symptoms.
That was when I’d suggested performing chest percussions to clear the blockage from the princess’s lungs. Now several weeks later, Princess Cienna was the picture of health. Her skin lost its sickly pallor and was now bronze like her brothers’. Her corseted dress no longer hugged her skeletal frame, but the fitted fabric dipped and swayed over her feminine curves, making her look healthy and vibrant.
The only problem was now Cienna didn’t think she needed my treatment. She believed she was cured, but I wouldn’t be swayed.
“I know your lungs feel clear, but we need to make sure the mucous doesn’t have the chance to build back up. If there is any mucous still there, continued percussions will break it up and help you expel it from your body.”
“But I’m fine.”
I rolled my eyes. The princess might be centuries older than my sixteen-year-old sister, but they had the same tendency for stubbornness. “Please, Cienna. Just humor me. I never get to treat anyone anymore.”
Originally, I’d tried to plead my case to Master Errol, asking him to speak to Prince Brion on my behalf. I’d hoped he’d be able to convince the prince to allow me to continue working with him, but the experienced healer refused to go against his prince. Now, the prince’s sister was the only patient I was permitted to treat. Though, I did so under the guise of visiting my friend for afternoon tea, per Prince Brion’s insistence for secrecy.
Cienna sighed. “I don’t understand why you let Brion tell you what to do.”
I released an incredulous laugh. “Uh… he’s a prince, Cienna. Not to mention,
my superior.” She was delusional to think anyone but she could stand up to her daunting brother. “Now, stop avoiding me and let me do your treatment.”
“Ugh. All right.” The princess reached behind her, unlacing her dress. I moved to help her loosen the violet strings until she could shimmy out of the garment. Cienna stepped out of the corset and attached skirt, covered by a lightweight slip. She moved and lied on the bed with her shoulders near the edge.
I picked up her dress and hung it over a chair before taking my position. Looking into her onyx eyes, I asked, “Ready?”
“Yes.”
I cupped my hand and began clapping against her chest, working to loosen the potential buildup in her lungs, careful to avoid bones in the process. When I finished, I instructed her to roll over, and I performed the same treatment on her back. The action took less than an hour, but my hands were stinging by the time it was done.
I helped Cienna sit up, rubbing her back as she coughed the dislodged mucous into a bowl. I was happy to see the volume decrease with every treatment. Soon, I suspected Princess Cienna would no longer need the battering treatment. It seemed, despite everyone’s doubt, she was truly on her way to being cured.
“How are you feeling?”
Cienna stopped coughing and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. I removed the ceramic bowl and gave her a wet towel to clean herself.
“Fine, just like I told you.” She tried to come off as indignant, but her trembling body betrayed her.
“You should rest.” I looked at the sun setting outside the window. “It’s almost night, anyway.”
“No.” Cienna waved away my concern. She slid off the bed, wobbling for a second before she locked her legs. “I want to go on a walk in the gardens. We never get to spend time together anymore. My brothers are determined to keep you to themselves.”
The princess was exaggerating.
Sure, we didn’t spend as much time together as we had in the past, but Cienna and I still ate dinner together nearly every day. The only difference was I no longer showed up for afternoon tea or daily walks around the castle grounds, but that wasn’t her brothers’ fault. I was the reason the princess and I didn’t spend as much time together.
I hated being dishonest, and Cienna believed I was really her brothers’ secretary. She didn’t doubt them for a second, and the deceit gnawed at me. She honestly believed I wanted to be a royal secretary, and sometimes it was easier to avoid her rather than face the lies.
“Are you sure?” I asked. “It’s almost dark.” The beauty of the garden would be hidden underneath the blanket of night.
“There are torches along the path,” she returned, retrieving her dress and stepping into the skirt. “Help me with the laces?”
I tied the ends of the strings in a double knot. Cienna grabbed two shawls from a drawer and handed one to me. I took it without hesitation. The capital was located on the north end of the continent and rested against snow-capped mountains while my home region lied to the south, adjacent to the desert in the region of Mar. I was used to Caldiri’s warm weather, and the summer nights in Draek were chilling.
I wrapped the expensive fabric around my shoulders and followed the princess out of her rooms. I knew I’d draw more attention to myself by being seen with the princess, but I longed for fresh air and companionship. Besides, spending time with the princess wasn’t nearly as noteworthy as being seen with one of her brothers. I tried my best to avoid that situation at all costs.
The royal gardens were empty. Unless there was an official court function or private gathering, most draekon retired to their personal rooms after the evening meal. We wouldn’t run into many people on our spontaneous stroll. I shivered, and the princess wrapped her arm through mine, pulling us toward the inner tree grove.
At least, that’s where I thought Cienna was taking me. She turned left twice, then right. Suddenly, we’d passed the center of the gardens, and she led me towards the tall stone wall surrounding the castle.
I halted my steps. The princess tugged on me. She looked at me with a confused frown, dropping my arm. “Why did you stop?”
I didn’t answer. Instead, I asked, “Why are you taking me to the wall?”
She sighed. “It was supposed to be a surprise.” She sounded exasperated.
Alarms rang in my head. “What was supposed to be a surprise?”
“I was going to take you to see Jona,” the princess explained. Her frown deepened; she didn’t understand my panic. “She and her companion are hosting an evening party in the greenhouse.” She referenced the building within the castle walls where young draekon nobles sometimes gathered in the evening to drink and socialize—often without the approval of any of the draekon in charge of the castle.
“Oh.” My muscles relaxed, relieved to know the princess hadn’t been trying to take me beyond the castle walls. Prince Brion hadn’t been subtle about my boundaries.
Not that there was anywhere for me to go. Caldiri was hundreds of miles away, and I’d have to face the treacherous Royal Forest to get there. Regardless, I didn’t want to test the prince’s temper by letting him even think I was trying to leave the castle.
The princess’s frown deepened as she watched me. “Are you all right? You’re acting strangely.”
“Yes.” I shook away my anxiety. “Apologies, Cienna. I think I’m just tired.” I seriously needed to come up with a better excuse to get out of uncomfortable situations.
Unfortunately, Cienna wasn’t going to let my lack of enthusiasm deter her plans. “Come to the party for ten minutes. Say hello to Jona, and then we can leave.” She bounced eagerly. Her wide eyes begged me to agree.
I sighed. “Okay, but only for ten minutes.”
Cienna squealed with delight and rewrapped herself around my arm. She chatted excitedly about seeing Jona again. Her cousin, and friend, had been away celebrating her recent companion ceremony. The event resembled a wedding. But instead of two humans tying themselves together, it was a human and a draekon, and the pairing was one of necessity.
Centuries ago, after the draekon had successfully established themselves on the human continent, their ancient elven enemies cursed them with the inability to reproduce with members of their own race. As a result, if draekon wanted to have children, they were required to do so with humans.
As the princess’s healer and eventual friend, I’d interacted with Jona on several occasions. The draekon beauty was welcoming and kindhearted, and I considered her a friend, as well. But despite the time we’d spent together, I had no idea Jona was romantically interested in anyone, much less that she planned to link herself to a man for life. Her companion ceremony had been a shock, but not as shocking as the surprise rebel attack that had occurred during the middle of her celebration afterwards.
Cienna and I approached the greenhouse. It extended off a stone building matching the style of the castle. The clear walls allowed sunlight in to grow the tropical plant life, but only the pale moonlight offered illumination tonight.
As we drew closer, I saw light limning the door, which connected the glass room to the building behind it. There, in the posh basem*nt below, was where we were going.
Cienna opened the door and ushered me inside. Then, she took my hand and maneuvered us through the crowded space toward Jona and her new companion. We bumped against several people. I offered apologetic glances to the draekon and humans we passed, but most of them had lowered their heads to their passing princess and didn’t see me.
I tried to appear calm, but being in the greenhouse reminded me of things I wanted to forget.
I’d been at a party, similar to this one, when Agent Leith had found me. The half-draekon male had acted as a census agent in Caldiri, but he was really a rebel sent to search for potential recruits to join the anti-draekon rebellion. Agent Leith also was the person responsible for finding my brother and convincing him to join the rebellion.
I blamed him for many of my troubles.
Two se
conds after breaking through the crowd, Jona spotted us. “Cousin! Lissa!” She abandoned her companion and rushed forward to greet us. “I’m so happy you could make it.” She wrapped us in her arms, her satin sleeve tightening around my neck.
“We wouldn’t miss it,” Cienna returned happily. “I’m so happy you have returned to Court.”
Jona stepped back and grabbed our arms, squeezing them once before dropping her hands. “Me too. Our holiday was nice, but it is good to be home.” She looked over her shoulder and waved. The delicate bracelet indicating she was a taken female glittered in the candlelight. Her companion joined us.
“Vik,” Jona addressed him. “You remember Princess Cienna.”
Her companion, Vik, bowed low. “Of course. Pleased to see you again, Your Highness.” He took Cienna’s hand and bestowed a chaste kiss on her knuckles.
When he straightened, Jona continued, “But I do not believe you have met my friend, Lissa.”
Vik flashed a charming smile. His brown hair swayed from side to side as he said, “No, I haven’t, but Jona has told me much about you, Lissa.” To my surprise, he leaned over and kissed my hand like he did the princess’s.
I pulled my hand back the moment it was polite to do so. “Nice to meet you.”
Vik dipped his chin. Then he pulled Jona close, tucking her under his arm. “We are pleased you could come to our party.”
“Of course! My brothers keep such a tight rein on the fun around the castle, it’s nice to socialize out from under their oppressing watch.”
The trio laughed.
Feeling like I missed out on the joke, I tried to hide my awkwardness by asking, “What made you decide to throw a party?”
Immediately, I regretted the question.
Jona’s brightness dimmed, and sadness seeped into her gaze, though she tried to hide it behind a smile. “Oh, you know,” she said, aiming for a light tone. “We just missed everyone. Besides, our last party didn’t exactly end well…”
Of course, the rebel attack. The one my brother had been a part of. My heart squeezed. The death of innocent people hadn’t been the memory Jona hoped to make that day.
