Crown of One Hundred Kings (Nine Kingdoms Trilogy Book 1) Page 8

I took a fast, surprised intake of air that wasn’t enough to fill my lungs. Arrick was not the man I expected him to be.

  The short beard covering his jaw had falsely given the impression that he was older, a man well into his prime. But, in fact, he was as young as me. His face pulled at something inside me. A memory… or a feeling…an emotion that I wasn’t at all comfortable with.

  He watched me stare at him without speaking, as if he were waiting for me to offer judgment. His eyes flashed with anxiety, brightening and softening simultaneously. This was why he wore the hood. He couldn’t command fear when women would be mesmerized by him; people in general would have a hard time whispering gruesome rumors about a man that looked like that.

  Nor could I imagine many villagers fleeing in terror should he ride in on a thundering steed. I cleared my throat and decided Shiksa’s paws needed my immediate inspection.

  Arrick let out a deep breath and continued, “You are more than prisoners in my camp, although I have not done a good job of proving this to you. You are my guests.”

  I couldn’t believe my ears. And I certainly couldn’t believe his words. Something had changed his mind when he removed his hood. But I couldn’t begin to guess what.

  “Your guests? Then we’re free to go?” I shared a skeptical glance with Oliver. He didn’t believe this rebel bandit either.

  “I should hope you would choose to stay,” Arrick continued. “Or at least wait until we’re ready to go with you.”

  That wasn’t exactly the answer I was looking for.

  I stared at him, taking in his high cheekbones and the tousled hair that fell too long over his collar. He didn’t fit the image of a rebel I’d always imagined. Where were his jagged scars and gray nose whiskers? Where was the foul breath and repugnant body odor?

  “What do you mean by that?”

  “You’re clearly not prepared to survive the Tellekane Forest,” he pointed out. “And if you’re on your way to the Diamond Mountains, you’ve more danger to contend with. If you’re lucky enough to survive to the Elysian borders, you’ll still have to make it over the Marble Wall and sneak past battalions of Tyrn’s armies.” When I only stared at him, wide-eyed and open-mouthed, he continued, “Since you came to Tenovia unprepared with papers, I assume you have none for Elysia either.” I shook my head. We didn’t. “How about for Soravale?”

  “No. I didn’t realize… I hadn’t realized…”

  “Where exactly are you from?” He stepped closer, examining my features all over again. “How is it that you’re dressed for this realm and yet you know nothing of current politics or—”

  “Heprin,” I offered promptly. “We’re from a remote part of Heprin where the news comes very infrequently.”

  “Heprin?”

  I decided to redirect him to our original conversation. “Thank you for your offer Arrick, but we can’t accept your generosity.”

  “Why not?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Why. Not?”

  “Because!” I looked to Oliver for help, but he merely shrugged. “Because, as you’ve said our journey is dangerous. You would only draw attention our way. We would like to remain unnoticed for our own, personal, very private reasons.”

  “You can’t make it out of this forest without my help. How do you think you’ll make it all the way to Elysia?”

  “You’ll slow us down,” I countered without answering his question. “You and any of your men, no matter how small a number you bring, mean more people to feed, to protect, to… bathe.”

  “We have horses.” His mouth broke into a full grin. “And food to eat on the road.”

  I refused to give into Arrick’s bold, pushy assertions. Even if I was running out of arguments. “You’ll make the road more dangerous for us obviously. No doubt there is a price over your head in every one of the Nine Kingdoms. We’ll be hunted. You’ll be hunted and I doubt I’ll be able to convince my next jailer to consider me a guest, welcomed or otherwise. Nobody is that lucky.”

  “You’re right about that, Tess,” he agreed solemnly. “I doubt anyone could be as lucky as you. Twice.”

  The gravity in his voice made me uncomfortable. Even more so because I didn’t know where it came from. I glanced nervously at Oliver, but he only shrugged again.

  “You do need my help,” Arrick continued. “And my protection. Any trouble we run into will be swiftly taken care of. King’s guards or not.”

  “So confident,” I murmured. “But my answer is still no. We don’t need nor do we want your help. Thank you for your forced and unwanted hospitality. But tomorrow we shall be on our way. Without you.”

  He lifted that one arrogant brow again and I knew it was to call me out for my brazen argument with the small, unspoken caveat that we would be staying here tonight.

  “Fine,” he grunted. “Then I suppose we’ll have to barter for it.”

  “Barter?” I laughed. “But you have nothing I want.”

  That was not quite true. He had weapons and food and horses, after all. But I didn’t trust him.

  I had just decided that I won the argument when Arrick stuck his hand into his pocket, retrieving my necklace. I had almost forgotten about it with the excitement of the day.

  He dangled it in front of me until I made the mistake of reaching for it. He pulled it back before I could get close.

  I should have known better. But the temptation had been too great.

  “This is a rather interesting pendant, isn’t it?” He held it close to his face, examining the glittering gemstones. “What do the colors stand for?”

  I looked longingly at the sapphire blue and sparkling diamond in his palm. The Soravale and Elysian crest colors. “Death,” I lied. “They are a talisman to Denamon.”

  “Oh, yes, the cursed item readying to strike my manhood?” he asked with an even voice.

  “I wouldn’t sit down for a while if I were you.”

  His answering smile was brighter than any lantern in the tree house. “Manhood or no, you’ll not get your necklace until you agree to let us accompany you to Elysia.”

  I ground my teeth.

  “No.”

  “I’ll give you the night to think about it.” He stepped back, into the shadows that lurked near the door.

  I opened my mouth to argue more, but he had already disappeared into the night. I listened to his footsteps tromp across the nearby rope bridge, leading him to a different part of his elevated camp. The rope creaked and groaned beneath his weight and the night breeze rustled the leaves overhead, igniting the air with a cacophony of curiously comforting sounds.

  I blinked as sleep seemed to hold my eyelids prisoner. “What do you think?” I whispered to Oliver.

  He curled onto his side and poked at the fire with a kindling rod. “I think we’ve either been saved or damned. I just haven’t figured out which yet.”

  “Damned,” I told him. “Obviously.”

  He sighed, tucking his hands beneath his cheek and closing his eyes. “I don’t know, Tessana. I don’t feel damned. But ask me again in the morning.”

  I quieted, letting my mind absorb this strange turn of events while Oliver’s snores filled the quiet room. I meant to stay awake and keep an eye out.

  Arrick had seemed peaceful enough. Even if he was lying about why he wanted to accompany us, I still didn’t believe he meant us physical harm.

  So that must have been why my eyes closed so easily and my mind stopped spinning.

  That must have been why sleep chased me so successfully and why I had absolutely no trouble drifting away.

  All the while wondering if this was damnation.

  Or if Arrick could be salvation.

  9

  “Tessana!”

  I jolted awake, curling my fists into claws.

  “It’s me!” Oliver rushed to assure me. “Just me.”

  I struggled to catch my breath, panting as memories of the previous day infiltrated my sleepy fog.

  My heart pou
nded, running a race it would never win.

  Oliver’s face came into focus and I reached out to smooth the worried lines across his forehead. “I’m okay,” I told him.

  His voice was raspy with sleep, “Can you remember anything?”

  I shook my head and rubbed at bleary eyes. “Nothing. Nothing but birds and blood and…” There was something there, just at the cusp of my mind. I closed my eyes and tried to reach for it, hold onto it. It disappeared, like smoke sucked up a chimney. “Nothing. Birds and blood. That’s all.”

  “Birds.” Oliver sat back on his heels. “That is one of your stranger fears, princess.”

  I smiled before shushing him. “I never said I was afraid of birds! At least not while I’m awake.”

  We were silent for a long moment, thinking on the odd nightmares that had followed me since the night I escaped Elysia. My mind drifted with memories of the past and present and the last lucid dream I had before I left the monastery for good.

  Oliver and I realized that we had awoken before anyone else and that we were alone. No guards. No meddling Arrick. No one to stop us from leaving.

  I jumped up and shoved my feet into my boots. I laced them with slow fingers, frustrated that my body hadn’t spurred awake like my mind.

  Oliver crawled over to his bed kit and started shoving what little possessions he had back into his pack. My hair had come out of its braid, falling wildly around my shoulders, but I would fix that later. I deposited Shiksa into the pack I slung across my body against her whimper of protest. Choosing to ignore the irate kitling for now, I flung my cloak around my shoulders, clasping it with careless haste.

  I shared one last glance with Oliver and we moved silently for the door. I pulled my hood over my tangled hair and hoped to blend in with the still thick darkness. I would have to leave my necklace behind. And I hated that. I determined to hunt it down once I had an army at my disposal. Maybe with the strength of the Elysian royal forces behind me, Arrick would be more reasonable.

  At least I still had the Crown of Nine.

  We left the warmth of our quiet loft behind us and stepped onto the balcony that looked out over the intricate community Arrick had built for his rebel army. Trees as broad as belfries held houses aloft, each wrapped with a balcony and rope bridges that connected on all four sides.

  The darkness had lightened just a touch, turning the treetops orange with approaching sunlight. The forest remained as black as always, but there was no fog to hold us within the camp.

  I took another step forward, intent on using the rope foothold that would swing me to the ground.

  “I wouldn’t do that, m’lady.” I turned sharply to face a young rebel with his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. “The commander has demanded you stay within your accommodations.”

  “Where did you come from?” He shrugged, trying to hide his victorious smile. I let out a sigh. “And if I decide not to listen?”

  His expression tightened with determination. “Then I’ll be forced to make you listen.”

  “Brave words,” I acknowledged. “But I just don’t feel them.” He was a kitten compared to the men we’d met yesterday.

  The young soldier pulled his blade free. “I feel them. I will stop you, m’lady, if you try to leave. With force if I have to.”

  I resisted the urge to growl with frustration. “What if I promised you that we aren’t leaving? We’re just going for a morning stroll.”

  “I will call for reinforcements,” he threatened.

  I could take this child soldier easily enough, but I’d hardly make it across the courtyard if he yelled out for help.

  “You are making my life very difficult right now,” I snarled at him.

  “As you are making mine,” a deep voice roughened with sleep called out behind me.

  Arrick. Dragon’s blood.

  I stiffened, wondering at the skittering of shivers down my spine. I was loath to be caught after he’d offered kindness the night before. But I couldn’t allow myself to be held in his trap a moment longer. Oliver and I needed to be on our way. Without him.

  I schooled my expression into placid control and turned to face him. “I was just giving you my answer regarding your offer, Commander.”

  “By sneaking out?”

  I looked him over and had to press my lips together to keep from smiling. In his rush to get dressed, he had put his shirt on backward and remained barefoot. But the very worst part of his disheveled state was that his leggings weren’t tied. They hung open inappropriately. I had to lock my eyes with his to keep from staring.

  Although one quick glance confirmed there was nothing indecent peeping through.

  Unfortunately.

  “I was just…” I tried to keep a straight face. “You can’t blame me for trying. I’m an opportunist.”

  That irritating eyebrow lifted. “Is that what you are?” He ran a hand through his mussed hair. “Tess, you are welcome to leave, if you must. But I can offer a hot breakfast if you’re willing to speak with me once more.”

  Oliver’s stomach growled behind me. My stomach was just as unhappy, even if it didn’t do me the disservice of speaking up.

  “We can wait through breakfast,” I allowed. “If you’re serious about our freedom.”

  “As I said last night,” he huffed as he gripped his leggings with one hand. “You are my guests.”

  Oliver and I backed up together. “Then I apologize for the, er, early commotion.” We slipped back into our lodging as quietly as we left it and collapsed with silent laughs—not because we were trying to remain quiet, but because we were laughing that hard.

  An hour later, we’d washed, and I’d managed something civil with my hair. Oliver and I feasted on Quirick eggs and salted potato hash. Oliver had thirds while I stopped myself after two generous helpings.

  Arrick joined us not long after we’d finished, flanked by Eret and Dravon. They moved around the small space, shrinking our cozy sanctuary with their size.

  “My generals, Eret and Dravon,” Arrick introduced needlessly.

  “We met them the other day,” I sneered. “They’re very good with ropes.”

  “That they are. And with combat. You’d be wise to accept my help and have these men ride at your side.”

  “If I were wise, I wouldn’t have ended up in their trap to begin with,” I countered.

  Arrick’s eyes flashed with frustration, “Tess, see reason.”

  “Why are you so determined to accompany us? Yesterday, you were happy to leave me to hang in the Blood Woods. Today I cannot be rid of you. What changed?” I felt the presence of the crown in the room. He’d said he hadn’t looked through the pack, but he could have been lying.

  Arrick stepped forward, his hands held out in front of him. “This realm is dangerous. A girl like you, without protection, will be eaten up within days. It’s my civic responsibility to make sure you arrive at your destination unharmed.”

  “I have protection,” I nodded toward Oliver.

  “Real protection,” Arrick clarified.

  “Hey!” Oliver protested.

  Oliver might not have looked like much, but I knew without a shadow of a doubt that he would protect me with his life. And he was proficient with a number of weapons. He was not the scrawny, skinny boy he appeared to be. And yet we’d still managed to be caught.

  My thoughts moved to the crown. If Arrick had found the crown, even if he’d merely glimpsed it, he would have already killed me. The crown was all that was needed to take control of this failing realm. With it, he could elevate his army from rebel to royal. If my uncle was truly that incompetent at running the realm, then the crown and a new king would be enticing to a kingdom in ruin.

  But I also didn’t believe he felt any obligation to me, civil or otherwise. He was a rebel, a hunted bandit. He didn’t hold respect for this land or the sovereigns that ruled it. He certainly wouldn’t care what happened to a stranger.

  I stood, matching him as closely in he
ight as I was able. “I need more than your civic duty, Commander. I need reasons I can actually trust.”

  “Despite what you believe, Stranger, my army does in fact want peace. We fight to protect the helpless of the realm, the victims that Tyrn wishes to crush beneath his boot. We save what we can from the marauding Ring of Shadows. We fight oppression and repression. We fight so that young girls like you may walk from one kingdom to the other and keep their heads atop their bodies.”

  I swallowed, working to breathe beyond the large lump suddenly lodged in my throat. I fought to hold out hope for my uncle, despite Arrick’s mounting evidence against him.

  “And we have horses,” Arrick continued. “We would reach Elysia in a third of the time it would take you on foot.”

  My desperate need to get home and dig my realm out of this mess made me wonder if the pros to Arrick’s offer outweighed the cons. I looked into his eyes and saw his determination. I didn’t believe any of his reasons for accompanying us. I wasn’t sure about his dedication to the realm and his mission to fight my uncle. Those reasons weren’t enough for him to accompany Oliver and me.

  But he was willing to escort us to Elysia. With his horses. He would bring his muscled men with their weapons and forest experience. He could solve our pesky problems with papers.

  “Fine,” I heard myself say. “You may accompany us to Elysia. I, er, we shall allow it. But be warned, Commander, we have nothing of value to pay you for your time and services.”

  That wasn’t quite true. Once we made it to Elysia, I would have stores of gold and coin to heap upon him and his army. But I would hold back that offer until we’d crossed the Marble Wall and the crown was situated firmly on my head.

  “We do not expect payment, m’lady,” Arrick said with a bow of his head.

  I noticed that his men stared at him agog. Apparently, they expected payment. Was I being manipulated into a sense of safety? A quick glance at Oliver told me he didn’t know what to think either.

  I put away my feelings of unease for now but vowed to keep my guard up. “When will you be ready to leave?” I asked, ignoring the tremble in my voice. “We are eager to be on our way.”