With quick movements, I tore through the wardrobe, tossing unlikely options aside, and letting them float dejectedly onto my sloppy bed. After holding a couple of potential options up in the mirror, I decided on a light pink lace gown with belled sleeves and a high neck. If today went as planned, I would need to be sure to dress appropriately. I pursed my lips in consideration as I twirled in the mirror and watched the lace float gracefully through the air. My eyes fell on a dainty pink satin ribbon, and I tied it into a neat bow above the heavy leather strap that held back my hefty braid.
No sooner had I achieved satisfactory attire, than the familiar, soft knock of Mabel tapped at my door. “Just a moment!” I called through the door as I skittered across the floor to my wardrobe.
I scanned through the clutter until I spotted my most essential accessory, my blindfold. I quickly grabbed the strip of worn silver satin and tied it snuggly across my eyes. Once the knot was secure, I blinked beneath the soft fabric, making extra certain I couldn’t see even a speck of light.
“I’m ready. Come on in!” I listened intently to the familiar sound of the creaking door and Mabel’s soft footsteps. My acute ears picked up on the subtle echoes that clicked across the stone floor until I was certain she was standing in front of the dining table. I waited for the sound of the meal tray clattering onto the surface, then faced the woman with a bright smile after counting the seconds it took for her to look up. “Good morning, Mabel. Isn’t it a lovely day?” I found my way to my usual seat and grabbed blindly at the chair with ease. After so many years of practice, I always knew exactly how to find it.
“Good morning, sweet Elle. Today is rather stunning, isn’t it? I’m sure it would be an excellent day to open your window and let in some fresh air.” Mabel’s warm voice flowed like honey mingled with the sounds of her pouring tea into the porcelain cup.
I patiently waited for the liquid to reach the brim, then reached out for the cup. I tapped my fingers gingerly around the hot exterior until my fingers brushed against the handle. Once the drink was successfully in my grasp, I raised it gracefully to my lips and blew on it lightly until the rising steam didn’t sting my skin.
“Oh, I’m definitely planning to get some fresh air today.” I smiled between sips.
The light noise of Mabel’s hands thumping onto her hips made me pause and lift my head. “Miss Elle... you’re not planning to ask to leave, now are ya? We both know it’s not safe for you to leave the tower; not to mention that the king would lose his head if you even asked.” A brisk rush of air informed me she had swept her hand across the table. She lifted the metal serving cover off my breakfast with a softclang, and the sweetest scent of fresh baked fruit pastries and sticky cinnamon rolls caused my bound eyes to roll back in my head blissfully.
“It’s my favorite, isn’t it?” I asked excitedly as I reached forward for a pastry. My hand made contact with a sticky drip of frosting, but I was too excited to worry about making a mess. “That means the king is looking for a good fortune! Don’t you see, Mabel? Today is going to be my lucky day, after all!” I took a wide bite of the flakey pastry and instantly cherished the tart cherry jam that accented the sugary glaze.
“It would definitely seem like he’s expecting good news today, but that doesn’t always mean he’s in a good mood,” Mabel said crossly. I had never actually seen Mabel before, but after being raised and cared for by her for twenty-one years, I could picture every facial expression with pristine vividness. “I don’t want you to get in any trouble, Elle. The king has been very kind to you over the years, but he isn’t a man to test. There has been a lot of important business keeping him stressed over the last few months, so it may not be a good time to ask for any favors.”
I keyed into the nervous shake in her tone and paused mid-bite. “What kind of important business?” I questioned, dabbing a smear of frosting from my lip with a table linen. “Do you think he’ll ask me to look into it today?”
Mabel went quiet for a moment, which usually meant I had asked something I’m not allowed to know the answer to. “I can’t say for sure, miss,” she said wearily. “It’s not my place to go spreading rumors, and you know how the king likes to keep your head clear before he visits.”
I bit the inside of my cheek in order to hold back a defiant comment.I’m not a child anymore. I can control my emotions enough to control my magic without all the king’s sheltering.My lips parted for another bite of pastry, and my tension softened. “Very well then, I guess I’ll just have to find out for myself,” I mumbled between chewing. “But I’m still going to ask him. How could I not? It’s a perfect day, and I think I can convince him that if I wear a head scarf and keep my gaze low...”I guzzled down the rest of my tea and placed the cup a touch above my plate to silently request a second pour.
Mabel sighed as the teapot sloshed as she lifted it from the table. “I understand your desire to explore the world, I really do; but his majesty has his reasons for keeping you here.” The porcelain cup clattered across the table as she slid it back into my reach. “I’ve been caring for you for your entire life, and I’ve never once been permitted to see your eyes. What makes you think the king will allow you to risk seeing anyone else’s?”
I swallowed uncomfortably.She’s right, of course, but I’ve been trying to not think about that truth.“Well... I wasn’t planning to look into anyone’s eyes. I just wanted to see a little bit of the city or the mountains up north. If we take a less common route and avoid any major gathering places, I could easily avoid making eye contact.”
“What do you know about avoiding eye contact?” Mabel questioned a little more sternly. “The only pair of eyes you’ve ever seen are the king’s and your own. Elle, I’m not trying to crush your dream, but what you’re asking for is completely beyond your comfort zone.”
“Well, maybe it’s time I break out of my comfort zone for good!” I said boldly, springing up out of my seat. “Mabel, I’m so bored. This tower may protect me, but it also traps me. Every week, I see visions of this incredible world that exists beyond these stone walls, and I only want a taste of it. I have loyally served the king my entire life; I owe him everything, but doesn’t he owe me a little something, too?” I waited for Mabel to reply, but she had gone entirely silent. I shrunk back into my chair. “I’m sorry for raising my voice. This is just something I’ve wanted for so long...”
The sound of slow footsteps touched my senses until I could hear the older woman’s breathing a step behind me. She placed her hands on my shoulders, then wrapped me in a sweet hug from behind. “I know, dear. I’m going to speak out of turn, so don’t tell the king, but I think you deserve a day in the sun.” I jumped in surprise and turned to face the woman. She gently stroked the top of my head and cupped my cheek. “You deserve to live a life where you fulfill your dreams, little Elle. But, as you know, the king’s rule is absolute. He only has the best interests of the kingdom in mind. I just don’t want you to be too disappointed if he doesn’t grant your request.” She dropped her hand from my cheek and I felt the floor vibrate as she crossed back behind the table.
“I understand your concerns, but I’ll never get a chance if I never ask.” I turned around in my seat and grazed my hand across my plate in search of the cinnamon bun. “If he says no, then I won’t ask again, but...” I picked up the bun and took in the sweet, bready aroma. “He might say yes...”
I took a bite and heard Mabel pull up her usual chair. “Well, you’re the one who can see the future. Perhaps you’ll find out for yourself.”
chapter two
The steward entered the study silently, then bowed low, stretching out the file to me with a straight arm.“Prince Miron, here are the archived reports you requested.”
I took the papers from him and thumbed through the reports as I turned back to my desk. “It’s about time,” I sneered, waving my hand over my shoulder to dismiss the servant. “I’ll ring for you if I require any more documents. Try to be a little more punctual next time.”
“Of course, Your Highness. My deepest apologies.” The steward retreated from the study, closing the tall hickory door as he left.
I tossed the stack of papers onto my desk and dug through the assortment with a detailed eye. The heavy velour curtains shadowed most of the space and only reflected a minimal amount of light on the black-and-silver mosaic floor. Ashbourne had always had been rich in obsidian deposits and other fine stones, so the castle’s decorating scheme often made use of the black glass. However, the gloomy color scheme was less than ideal for a study where light was necessary for accomplishing proper research. I moved the oil lamp a few inches closer, cursing under my breath at the idiotic architect who designed the space.
I scanned over rows and rows of census papers, searching for any clues to fill in the informational gaps from the siege that occurred over two decades ago. It had been eight months since my brother, Killian, declared himself a traitor to the Ashbourne crown and married a common peasant in Sybettal. At first, his betrayal amused me. The kingdom of Sybettal has been nothing but a heap of dust and depression ever since Father burned it to the ground. Unfortunately, Killian has proven to be more resourceful than I had anticipated and has now gained the support of both the Isallan and Drancos crown.
That left only Ashbourne against the world...
War had been brewing across the Emerald Realm for a few years now, so it wasn’t as if we hadn’t prepared for an upcoming attack. However, Killian’s control over Sybettal left us vastly outnumbered and potentially out-powered. Isalla had always had the fiercest military in the realm, and now they were ruled by a man who was previously a military captain. Drancos’s military was a laughingstock in comparison, but they were rich in resources that could easily keep Isalla well-supported. Sybettal didn’t have much to offer other than manpower, though they did share our largest border. However, the people held a heavy grudge against our kingdom and would likely have no qualms throwing down their lives in defense of their kingdom. With the three kingdoms officially working together, we were placed in a tight position. Yet, my father didn’t seem worried at all...
What did he know that we didn’t?
I flipped over another page and instantly latched my eyes onto the date.This is it.This should be the census that took place right after the siege. I snatched up the list from the previous year and compared the number of names and families. As I had expected, there was a drastic increase in population after Sybettal’s fall. Father had slain nearly thirty percent of the kingdom’s population that day and migrated at least the same amount of people into Ashbourne. I had never known why, but according to the history records, Father had only taken mages back to our kingdom.