Vian narrowed her eyes at him. “What I foresaw was that the princess was to be on the altar, thenyouwere to sweep her away to safety. Valona would have been enraged, but she would fear exposure too much to run after you. Your marriage in front of all those armed men—who I worked hard to get there—would have sent Urah and her daughter running to hide at the Lair. Then those three spiteful, arrogant women would have killed one another in a battle of jealousy. It was a perfect plan that tookthirty-five years to set up!” She shouted the last.
Looking like she was trying to swallow her anger, she turned to Tanek. “Valona’s death has increased the power of Olina and her mother. Right now, the people are occupied with the idea of domestic bliss—as was planned. However, without a young king-to-be as a leader, they’ll have no desire to overthrow a queen. This will give Urah enough time to create enchantments to subdue the people. She’ll fill the water, the very air, with her evil concoctions.” Vian looked at Aradella. “I foresee that they’ll find the princess wherever she hides. She’ll be told that she’ll either marry that simpering Nessa or the people she has come to love will be killed. Urah’s plan—which will happen when she gains control of the men—is to take over King Aramus’s island.”
Vian lowered her voice. “My vision also shows that the princess will sacrifice herself in an attempt to save everyone. But it won’t work. The truth is that no matter what Aradella does,she and my grandson won’t be allowed to live long—nor will the people who have helped them.” She looked at Kaley. “Urah hates you for killing her sister at that cake house. Her revenge plan of eradicating you and your family will be successful.” She turned to Tanek. “Youwon’t live long enough to unite the people. You won’t get to Empyrea. You won’t...” Suddenly, it was as though all energy left Vian. Her eyes rolled back into her head and her knees bent.
Roal caught her in his arms, then soared with her up through the hole in the ceiling and out of sight.
Tanek turned to Kaley. “We need to get the princess out of here. Now.”
Kaley was feeling the effects of Vian’s words. It was like she’d been stamped on by a herd of wild horses. “Mekos... Aradella... You... All of us...” she whispered.
Tanek grabbed her by the shoulders. “Don’t give up on me now. Do you know who Ian is?”
Kaley was staring at him. “Didn’t you hear what she said? We can’t—”
“We have more important matters to deal with. I need to find Sojee.” When he looked at Kaley’s face, he bent, his nose almost touching hers. “If everything can be turned in a different direction by a single act, it can be turned the other way by another. We just have to figure out how to do it.” He straightened and looked at Mekos and Aradella. They were on the far side of the room, their heads together, and talking intensely. “We’ll take her to the top of the mountain where you hid, then Papá and I will try to figure out what to do next.”
Kaley looked as horrified as she felt. “I donotlike beinginsidea fairy tale.”
“Neither do we.” Tanek kissed her forehead then hurried out of the room.
11
Aradella woke when she felt Mekos’s breath on her cheek. She partially opened her eyes, afraid that even the slight movement would wake the people around them.
They were in a beautiful stone pavilion that was at the top of the mountain above the Beyhan Homestead on Selkan. Earlier, they’d gone through the old village and up the gravel path to the top. Aradella and Mekos were in front, with Tanek, Kaley, and Sojee behind them.
It was a solemn group. The words,Whatdo we do now?seemed to hover over them.
With every step, Aradella felt worse.This is all my fault, she thought.If I’d married Nessa, everyone would be safe now. Or if I’d not killed Valona.
When they came to a break in the neglected path, Mekos took her hand and helped her across. He didn’t let go of her hand. He gave her a look that was meant to cheer her up, but that was impossible.
The top of the mountain was extraordinarily beautiful. There was a lake with elegant white swans, and as soon as the birds saw Tanek, they came forward. He walked into the water, fully clothed, and dove under them.
Kaley stood on the shore and watched. They all understood that he needed to be with the birds.
Sojee was at the side, also watching. His usual cheerful demeanor was gone.
At the back was the long stone pavilion with massive stone chairs with arms carved into the shape of swans. Sojee easily moved them, putting two on each side as though he was forming a cage. He put down a blanket filled with swan feathers in the middle. When he stepped back, he looked at Aradella. It was to be her bed. He didn’t say so, but Mekos was to be with her as protection.
In the grass, more blankets were spread. Tanek, Kaley, and Sojee were to use them. Lurking near the lake was the tabor. They all formed a barrier around Aradella.
They shared a sparse meal of bread and cheese, with no conversation. Everyone was thinking of what could be done.
When Aradella went up the steps to her bed cover, she thought she’d never sleep, but she did, and she didn’t wake until she felt Mekos’s breath. As she looked into his eyes, she knew he meant for her to go somewhere with him.
Of course he’d have to take her. As a human, she was much too noisy to slip past the people and animals who were guarding her. And too, Tanek had said that if there was danger, the swans would warn them.
Kaley had muttered something about an “infrared heat search” and “a bomb squad” but at a look from Tanek, she said no more.
Aradella put her arms up and Mekos held her. Silently, they soared across the grass, over part of the lake, then landed beside a swamp.
When she was on the ground, she waited for him to speak. The moonlight was bright but even if it had been full dark, she would have felt his seriousness.
“In the morning, Papá will take you to my mother. She’ll keep you safe. The kits will love you.”
She knew she was being dismissed and it wasn’t easy not to be sarcastic.Sounds like fun!she could say. Instead, she said, “Where are you going?”
