The light bluedress I chose was the simplest one I could find and apparently, the previous Mage Queen hadn’t known what simple meant. Everything was embroidered with golden thread or had gemstones sewn into them. The buttons glittered with what looked to be diamonds. The slippers fit me perfectly and felt like walking on a cloud. The ribbon looked like it was spun from gold as well.
My hair was a bit harder to tame. The thick tresses of silver were stuck to different parts of my head while matted and tangled in others. The brush waiting on the vanity in the bathing chamber looked brand new but didn’t do the job I needed it to. There wasn’t a single comb in sight. With the soft-bristled brush, I did my best and my hair didn’t look as unruly. It was presentable for the current company.
As much as I wanted to climb back into the huge bed beckoning to me, I squared my shoulders and walked as confidently as I could out of my chambers. I could hear Reva and Grove’s voices echoing from down the stairs and Alric’s laugh from somewhere else.
Light shone brightly from the stained glass windows behind the magnificent staircase. My slippers were silent with each step I took down them and I felt content. Not elated. Not happy. But just relieved to have made it all this way. My fingers trailed down the golden railing beside me as my dress dragged the stairs behind me. It felt ethereal. I couldn’t believe this was all happening. I also couldn’t believe that the castle could change and that there was magic all around me, but that was a thought for another time when I was alone.
At the bottom of the stairs, there was still the big round table where there’d been tented cards before, but now there was nothing but a vase of colorful flowers. Golden sconces lit the walls while the sun blasted through the floor-to-ceiling windows behind me. There was majestic molding and colors everywhere Iturned. Nothing in the fraud kingdom could compare, not even before when this space was somewhat frightening and ominous. But now that it was welcoming and bright, it was something else entirely.
The group of people that survived the journey here were standing around in the entryway. A few of them looked like they were ready to run for their lives while the others seemed reluctant to leave. I didn’t blame them for both of those feelings. The grand masterpiece they were standing in was enough to overwhelm a person and when you added in the magic? I would have probably run too.
They each bowed low but a few of them didn’t seem comfortable with the movement. I didn’t mind. It would take some getting used to on my part, as well.
“After the journey we’ve had I figured it was time I introduced myself and learned a bit about each of you.” There were ten of them. Each of them were younger couples besides one. They were much older and I wondered how they’d braved the journey. I’d never once heard them complain though I did recognize them. “I’m Juniper. I don’t think I’m ready for the title of Queen or even Mage Queen just yet. I think we’ve all been through enough together to wave that formality for now, don’t you all agree?” They all nodded like they knew it was their duty to and I found myself sad at it. “What are your names?”
A young man fell to my feet. “Your Highness, I am Von, I am indebted to you and your guards. Whatever you may need, I will be a willing and ready servant.” His long brown hair was slightly wet and his clothes were rumpled. His brown eyes were kind and I knew immediately that I could trust him. A redheaded woman stood behind him with her hand over her heart as if she was pledging this to me, as well.
“Von,” I motioned for him to stand, unsure of myself and protocol. “What do you like to do for fun? What did you do for work back in the keep?”
“I tended to the horses,” he stepped back and put his arm around the waist of the woman. “You don’t have any yet, but I would love to see if the island has any wild ones.”
I smiled. “I would love that very much. Whenever you feel up to it, we can put together some supplies for you to go search.” I kept the thoughts about dragons and monsters to myself.
The redheaded woman was next. “I’m Luica and I was a maid for the fraud kingdom before the keep saved me. I would be honored to serve you and this castle in the same way.”
I fought the urge to wrap my arms around myself. “I’m sure we will need lots of help around here, eventually. If that is truly what you wish to do, then the job is yours. I want to remind each of you,” I looked into their eyes as I spoke. “You are not indebted to me. You do not have to stay here. If you would like to leave, you’re more than welcome to make your own way in this world. Whether that’s in this kingdom or another.”
These people wouldn’t be forced to do anything. They could make a life where they were comfortable and where they saw fit.
One of the reluctant men stepped forward. His lips curled down into a sneer. “How are we supposed to leave? Where are we supposed to go? The only place for us is in this haunted castle.”
One of my brows lifted on my forehead and I wondered if Leo or Alric were nearby. I had a feeling the spymaster was well acquainted with this lot already and knew how this conversation would go. I doubted he would leave me alone. He gave me the illusion of control. I didn’t mind it. I also hadn’t thought this far and wasn’t expecting this question. Of course, we would rebuild but I didn’t know how to start.
I opened my mouth but no sound came out. Alric came to my rescue. “Good morning, I hope you all rested well and had a hearty breakfast.” There was surprise and collective nodding to his sudden appearance. He probably had the entire castle mapped out and knew where everything was. He wouldn’t go exploring with me otherwise. “I’m glad to hear it. As far as where you’ll go, Juniper and I were just talking about that this morning over breakfast.” I fought the urge to look over at him in surprise. He was the spymaster and in that, he was also the master of lies. I didn’t like it but he was saving me. I didn’t have anything better to contribute. “If you’d like to stay and work at the castle grounds, we will find areas for you to work in. Whether that’s with the eventual livestock,” Alric nodded over to Von. “The cleaning and tidying of the castle.” His eyes flicked to Luica. “Or any other duty we will need to be filled, you’re more than welcome to live here on the grounds. These rooms, though they were splendid, are temporary as the magic in this place can’t continue to operate at this caliber and eventually the Mage Queen will take over.”
Where had he come up with this stuff? Was I not asking the right questions? Well, I hadn’t exactly asked any questions at all, yet. But they would come and hopefully, I would find real answers.
“So,” Alric clasped his hands behind his back. “If you do not wish to work on the castle grounds, which is fine and up to you, we will help rebuild the city. It is nothing but ruins at the moment, but eventually, it will be just as grand as this castle. It will be a lot of handwork but we will need people to occupy the surrounding land.”
“You, of course, will have access to our resources until you no longer need them,” I added. I didn’t exactly want to look like I took too much advice from the man I wasn’t supposed to be romantically involved with.
“Will there be a wedding?” The older woman asked. There it was.
Alric smiled down at me but let me do the talking. “As of right now? No. I don’t have any suitors, nor am I courting. Though I love this man standing beside me, it is in the most platonic way. Plus, I think he has eyes for a certain crimson-haired spitfire upstairs.”
Alric rolled his eyes but that seemed to break some of the tension in the room. The man who hadn’t liked the idea of living in the castle bowed his head. “I was a blacksmith before. I would love to have my own forge.”
“We will see it done,” Alric smacked him on the shoulder.
A stablehand, maid, blacksmith, cook, seamstress, night watch guard, bar wench, gardener, teacher, and an archer. It was a much-needed diverse group. Only a few of them wanted to live in the castle long term while the rest wanted to make a name for themselves and help rebuild. The cook would help around the castle until she was ready to open up an Inn out in the city. The seamstress didn’t like sewing but it was needed when Sita was busy— she eventually wanted to open a bakery in the city. My heart sank when I thought of my friend and prayed she was safe. The teacher wanted to open a schoolhouse and bookstore when it was needed. Seeing these people come to life with ideas for their futures gave me hope, hope I had no idea I needed. The archer wanted to go back to the mainland and see if anyone else was trying to make it here. We would need a scouting party. Surprisingly enough, Leo and Grove volunteered to be a part of this excursion and started to make plans immediately.
What if there were others trying to get here? They would have no way to find us. The magic would let them in but would they get this far? They would need help and guides. They would need someone to protect them from the monsters still lurking around this castle.
Reva was angry with the idea. Her face turned almost as red as her hair when she heard it. But Grove was determined. She needed to stay busy or she was going to go crazy here grieving one of her best friends. She needed to kill. She needed to protect and right now politics were going to be the death of her. I didn’t know how much I wanted to deep dive into them either, but it was my duty. Not hers. If she needed to go, I would let her.
Later that night as I was gobbling down food, Reva slammed my bedroom doors open. “You can’t seriously let her go!”
I placed my bowl back on the table, wiped my mouth and waited for her to finish.
