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  Her room, the second entry on the right, remained closed. A portion of gold glinted above her doorframe. Great! The key’s still right where I hid it. She considered stopping to change into a cleaner dress, but decided to wait. First she had to break into Master’s study. If he didn’t find out and kill her, then she’d get new clothes.

  The hall was empty, so she darted for the statue of Master. Ignoring the shudder knocking her knees, she listened a moment, before running to the hiding spot behind a troll suit.

  “I knew it,” said a voice from behind her.

  Two terrible things happened at once. Princess first spun around to find Tarek standing next to the closet door, hands on hips and a satisfied smile on his arrogant face. In the opposite direction, clomping footsteps topped the grand stairs.

  Princess grabbed Tarek’s tunic and shoved him behind the troll armor. When he tried to protest, he clamped her hand over his mouth.

  She peered around the floor-to-shoulder-sized shield, as one of the beastly governors stopped on the landing. A ginger colored cat wove between his thick, elephant-like legs. “Come now, my precious,” He snapped his fingers. “King Darnel wishes to speak privately. Perhaps his-high-and-mightiness sees the real value in Sir Brollus, yes?” He patted his massive chest. “Perhaps he gives us biggest town.”

  The cat purred, but stopped and turned its yellow eyes in their direction. She pressed Tarek tighter against the wall. He grinned roguishly.

  The governor sighed, “Amazing, eh, Milly? Strange how he keeps this armor in his halls, but will not welcome the wearers even into his city. Ahh, if he knew…yes, my sweet? If he knew our little secret?” The giant man’s laugh sounded like grating rocks.

  She was right! He had to be part troll. She’d never actually seen any of the fair folks before, except for the rare occasions she’d gotten hold of Master’s private books. All creatures lived on the far outskirts of Racan land.

  “Come, let us go see why his mightiness desires to speak to us.” He headed in the direction of Darnel’s meeting room.

  Princess released a long breath, resting her forehead on Tarek’s chest. His heart beat unusually fast against her brows.

  “You know,” Tarek whispered. “Even covered in dirt and sweat, you smell lovely. Like-” He pressed his face into her hair and drew in a whiff, “-apples? Maybe honey. I like it.” An impish grin tugged his lips, causing his cheek to dimple.

  She shoved away. “What are you doing here, Tarek? You almost got us both killed!”

  Tarek rolled his green eyes. “Came to ask you the same thing.”

  She hated the way he smirked at her.

  “You think this is a game? You think Darnel will invite us to tea if he catches us up here sneaking around?”

  “King Darnel.” He corrected. “And I’m not sneaking. I’m following.” He stepped out from behind the armor with a low whistle. “I’ve never been allowed past the main floor. This place is ahh-mazing!” He turned back to face her. “You left this for the dungeons? You’re more deranged than that lunatic rebel they brought in today.”

  He knew about the messenger? Did he also know about Darnel killing the old man, too?

  “Go back to the kitchen, Tarek. This isn’t your business.”

  “Making it my business.” He brushed past her. “Let’s hurry before someone else comes.”

  Not wanting to waste time arguing with him, she ran toward Darnel’s suites, but turned at a narrow opening that led up to his watch tower. He stayed right at her side.

  Breathless, she paused on the landing for her heart to quiet, before gasping, “You call me crazy. What are you hoping to gain by coming?”

  “Sat…tis…faction.” He spoke between breaths. “And bragging rights.”

  “You’ll never be able to tell anyone. If word gets back to Darnel, you’ll be severely punished.”

  “King Darnel.” He corrected again pushing on the large mahogany door. A crescent moon, surrounded by stars, was carved into the dark wood. Intricate snake-like patterns wove along the arches. Absently, she rubbed her right shoulder where a similar mark had been set, and caught Tarek doing the same. She followed him inside.

  “So tell me, Princess, why are you here?” He stood in the center of the room, gaping at the massive shelves lined with various books and Master’s strange magical instruments.

  She ignored his question and headed straight for the balcony where a tubular shaped instrument sat besides the railing. Master called the contraption an Imagiscope. Intricate designs and a script she didn’t understand was etched into the gold casing. Somehow Master used the device to see places and things. And people. Once he’d insisted she watch the dragon feast on a prisoner. She’d never wanted anything more to do with it since. Until today.

  Tarek, still captivated by the vast bookcases along each wall, inched closer to a metal sphere. He reached out and touched the mechanism, which began to spin and whirl. With a yell, he jumped back and tumbled over one of the couches in the sitting area.

  “Maybe we should leave,” he whispered. “Before you get in even more trouble.”

  “Soon as I take a peek. I think I can figure out how this works.”

  “Why? What are you looking for?”

  She hesitated. “I want… I mean, the messenger talked about how there’s another king living in a place called Aloblase and—”

  “You mean we’re here because of something that cracked-nut said?”

  Tarek rushed over to the balcony and stood beside her. A tinge of heat crept along the back of her neck.

  “Listen, nobody’s asking you to believe anything. This is my business, not yours.”

  Tarek’s brows creased over his emerald eyes. “No, you listen to me. People who believe in that fairy tale king are simpletons. Mom told those stories when I was little to put me to sleep. But it’s not real! Don’t you understand? It’s not real! There is no wonderful city where everyone lives in harmony.” He waved his hands around while mocking in a sing-song voice, “blah, blah, blah. Just fairy tales.”

  Doubt crept into her resolve. “Tarek, if it’s not real, then why is that messenger, and other ‘simpletons’ as you call them, willing to be put to death rather than serve Darnel? Give me a good reason, and I’ll not argue with you anymore.”

  He took a step back as if she’d slapped his face, but didn’t answer.

  “Besides,” she peered into the eyepiece, “we’re already here.” She turned the knobs, wishing she’d paid better attention before.

  “How’s it work?” He wrapped his hands around the tube and pushed her aside.

  “Hey, don’t do that. Break it and we’ll both end up dead.”

  From behind them Lord Darnel’s deep, cold voice said, “The mere fact that you have broken into my private chamber will indeed cost you dearly, child.”

  Princess’ heart lodged in her throat. Tarek’s tan face paled. Neither of them moved.

  Master slipped off his purple coat as he glided across the room and laid it on one of the couches. Turning to them, he stared down his long, graceful nose. “You’ve brought a friend, I see.”

  She met his penetrating glare, keeping her back straight and chin high as she stepped off the balcony. Her hand caught Tarek’s and pulled him along.

  “He didn’t know, Master. He tried to stop me from coming. Please let him return to the kitchens.”

  Tarek’s thumb gently rubbed over the back of her hand. “I knew, sire. I’d heard rumors about all the magical things you keep up here.” He cleared his throat before adding, “She did tell me to go back, but I didn’t listen.”

  Surprise at his words, pricked her chest.

  Master’s flawless face, appeared amused on the outside. Yet the fury building behind the twitch in his cold, blue eyes and tightly compressed lips was obvious to her. In his stare, her heart quaked and she fought as long as possible before that usual fear overtook her resolve to stand firm. She turned away.

  “I’m quite upset at y
ou, daughter, for sneaking up here uninvited. I should have you and Tarek both flogged.” His gaze bore into Tarek for a long, excruciating moment.

  Was he probing the boy’s mind, too? He knew his name. What else did Master know?

  Tarek’s eyes widened. His fingers constricted around hers. But he said nothing, either out of fright or good sense.

  Darnell finally let out a hearty chuckle, laying a slender hand on each of their shoulders. “Well now, daughter, you have made yourself a devoted friend, I see. How wonderful.” His laugh sounded sarcastic. Fake.

  He strolled over to a cord hanging against the bookshelves and gave a pull. Beside the cord, a metal tube poked from the wall. He spoke into the opening, ordering a tray of tea and cakes from the kitchen.

  Tarek’s brows arched. She shook her head, completely bewildered. Why wasn’t Master calling for his soldiers to put them both in prison? Instead, he really was inviting them to a cup of tea. She rolled her eyes, knowing Tarek would never let her live this down.

  Master sat on one of the couches and motioned for them to join him. “Thanks to you, daughter, the dragon will be rewarded with a special treat tonight. I noticed you were trying out my Imagiscope. Perhaps you two would be interested in using it to watch?” His voice became genial and even a little playful. She shuddered.

  Tarek’s face went from white to a slight tinge of green. “Um, I’ll be working the ball tonight, sir.”

  The door opened as a kitchen servant entered. The errand boy’s eyes widened when he saw Tarek sitting beside her, yet he said nothing. He set the tray on the circular table between them.

  “Thank you, Roderick,” Darnel removed the cover off the white frosted cakes. “Please remain outside the door. I may need your services again shortly.”

  The servant’s gaze darted from Darnel to Tarek before he bowed. “Yes, sire.”

  When he left, Master stirred the tea pot, his other hand moved in a circle over the sweets. “You seem to be a fine young man, Tarek.”

  This brought the color back to the boy’s face.

  Darnel’s voice lowered into a conspiratorial whisper. “You wear bravery well, my lad. I need more courageous subjects like you.” He offered Tarek a cake.

  His chest puffed as he took a hearty bite. She had no chance to warn him before he swallowed the tainted confection.

  When the plate came her way, she refused, hoping Tarek would catch the hint and not take another bite.

  “I have tried teaching such qualities to my daughter, here, but she lacks the mental capabilities, I suspect.” He poured an amber liquid, slightly darker than normal tea, into three cups and offered one to each of them. “Despite all the wonderful things she is missing, she finds more joy in traipsing through dark tunnels which lead to nowhere.”

  Princess’s head snapped up toward Lord Darnel. Tarek chuckled, taking another huge bite of pastry.

  In her mind Master stated, “Of course I knew! Who did you take me for?”

  She stared out the tall windows trying hard to focus on the brilliant blue sky. She took in every detail about the clouds and any other thought she could muster to keep away his intrusive voice. Her legs trembled from the effort.

  Tarek snickered. His words came out slightly slurred. “Told you he would know. She never listens, your majesty.”

  Darnel smiled and offered him another square. He accepted, but didn’t eat any

  more. An odd glaze filled his eyes.

  “I’m glad she has you as a friend, Tarek.”

  He set the platter down and then took a sip of his drink. “This is the best tea in all the land. Imported from a newly acquired mountain city in the east. I insist you try some.”

  Princess left her cup on the table. Tarek peered over the rim, eyebrow cocked. He took a small sip. A smile lit up his face and he gulped the rest down.

  Darnel sat back on his pillows. “So tell me, my children, what did you wish to see? It must have been important for you to come here at such great risk.”

  Before she could form a plausible lie, Tarek blurted, his voice slurred and loud, “Princess here believes in that fairy tale king. She’s obviously been talking to that crazy messenger, can you believe that?” He chuckled again for a moment, then grew somber. “I tried to tell—”

  Darnel’s eyes flashed as they settled on her. A pain shot from her head to the pit of her stomach and she gave out a small cry.

  “What were you thinking?” demanded Master. “Look at me!”

  She bit her lip, fighting back tears. Allowing them to flow would only make matters worse. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for him to come. I’m sorry.

  “I really like these cakes,” Tarek stated, and for a moment, the pain in her head ceased. “You sure are stupid, Princess, for leaving this place. It’s nice here.”

  “Yes, very much so. Then you dare to come back! What were you thinking, stupid girl? Now look at me!”

  “No!”

  Master leapt to his feet. Tarek froze, the cake poised before his open mouth. Darnel waved his hand over him. “Sleep boy.” Tarek’s eyes slowly rolled shut and he slumped over on his side. The pastry tumbled onto the carpet.

  Princess tried to see if his chest still moved with breaths. Master’s hand clamped on the back of her neck as he dragged her over to the balcony.

  “Look for yourself and see if there’s any other king. Go ahead. Look!”

  She jerked free of his grasp. “You and I both know the scope will only show me what you allow.”

  “There is no other king but me!” He roared. “Accept it!”

  “No! I am not your daughter and I don’t belong here.”

  “How do you know? Your head is so damaged you can’t even remember your own name.” His hands clenched into fist. From the rage burning in his eyes, she knew that he’d love to wrap them around her neck. “Lucky for you I’ve taken pity on your condition and provided food and shelter.”

  “I’m not damaged!”

  He shook with rage, but she didn’t care. The messenger was right. Despite the grandeur of this palace, she could no longer stand the yearning, and the dreaming of that other place.

  Gritting her teeth, she spoke in a surprisingly steady and calm voice. “I will never be part of your kingdom. I’d rather you go ahead and kill me. Let the dragon have me!”

  His hand swung across her face so hard, the impact knocked her to the floor. Blinding pain rattled through her head.

  “You…stubborn, ungrateful….” He walked onto the balcony, facing the east. His long fingers dug into the banister as his shoulders rose and fell with deep breaths. To nobody in particular he yelled, “You’ll never get her back. She’s mine!”

  Then he quieted, smoothing the long sleeves of his white shirt, slowly regaining his composure.

  “You’re much more use to me alive, than dead. At this point…” his words trailed off and he turned to look at Tarek, before his gaze fell back on Princess. “Yes, this settles my decision.” He swooped down on her, grabbing a fist full of hair at the nape of her neck.

  He stormed to the door and yanked it open. “Rod—" He began, but the boy stood right outside, waiting, as ordered. “Roderick, find Sir Brollus. Tell him I have made up my mind. If he’ll indulge me in one more meeting here in my study, we will complete our plans for tonight’s announcement.”

  “Yes, sire.” He bowed and darted away.

  Master dragged her down the stairs and toward the west wing where she and Tarek had entered. He stopped at her bedroom suite.

  “Tonight, I’ll require your attendance at the ball. The five new governors will be introduced to the public during a special ceremony.”

  He opened the door and shoved her inside.

  “I will also announce my blessing on your marriage to Sir Brollus. He’s establishing a new city in the far west. Very far west. You, dear daughter, will never find your way back from that pit.”

  Chapter 4

  Her room appeared untouched since she’d left mont
hs ago, except for the few necessary items she’d taken to the dungeons. Earthen hues of red, gold, and orange hung from the iron bedpost and curtains. A carved, mahogany desk sat beside the wide windows. On the opposite corner, tall glass doors opened to a balcony. The room spoke beauty and comfort. She missed the beauty and comfort. She didn’t miss the reason she’d been able to enjoy the beauty and comfort.

  Darnel rummaged through the gowns hanging in her wardrobe. He handed her a cream-colored, crushed-velvet dress trimmed in gold.

  “This should do well.”

  She shook her head. This. Was. Not. Happening. Feed her to the dragon, but not…this. A shudder ran down her back. Not this. She hugged the dress to her chest, staring toward the balcony, wondering if she jumped…. No, he’d stop her before she reached the banister.

  “Master, please, I can’t marr—”

  “Put it on. Now.” He shoved her behind the dressing screen. “I’ll send someone up later to fix your hair and face. You’ll need to appear more mature.”

  Slowly, she pulled off her ratty dress and slipped on the clean one. The stiff fabric rubbed against her skin. Wrong. All of this felt completely wrong. She wiped the dampness from her cheeks before coming out from behind the screen.

  “Ahhh, much better. There’s a resemblance of my daughter.”

  She winced.

  Darnel grasped her arm so she had to face him. “I know this will be for the best.”

  His voice grew gentle. She stiffened, bracing herself for the darkness. His finger stroked her cheek where he’d struck her, and a sleepy heaviness clouded her mind. She barely realized he’d led her to the canopy bed.

  “You will come of age within the next two summers. Until then, you’ll help build our new city.” He touched her temple and her eyes grew heavy.

  No, no, no. She sank into the silk pillows.