I glance at her in surprise but am even further shocked by the determination shining on her face.
My father glances around to see if anyone was a witness to this particular rebellion and seeing as everyone else had made themselves scarce due to his previous tirade, he found no one. Gritting his teeth, he spoke “You are lucky no one else was around to hear you, you insufferable blight.” He rubs his temples and then flicks his hand in our direction. “Fine. But if she is even a tenth of a second late to her elvisera you will live to regret it.” Shooting another look of annoyance in our direction he storms off.
“You did not have to do that. I do not want him to trouble you, but nonetheless, I am grateful. Please try to keep yourself out of harm’s way.”
“Lace, I am afraid that is not possible when looking after one as special as you,” she says this on a laugh, but not in a way meant to be offensive. Her words ring only of truth.
This struck a chord in me and made words come to my lips before I had the brain to think them. “Then I release you from your service.” A breath whooshes out of Mandi in an instant, her eyes widen with shock. “Please once I leave the palace finda way to escape from this place. I hope one day, maybe, we can meet again but for now I only wish you safety. I cannot stand the thought of my father using you as a pawn in this twisted game of his. You and I both know your safety is tenuous at best if I am not within castle walls, especially with that stunt you just pulled so please—”
She puts up a hand. “I agree, I’ll go. I know of a person who can take me to safety, but your father mustn’t know of my release until things can get sorted. You might hear some unpleasantries come up in the press with my disappearance but I promise they are planned. Now, let’s not draw anymore ire from the king, this plan will only work if you are not late.” She shepherds me towards the front of the castle.
I feel relieved, but still antsy about the journey ahead of me. We walk quickly to the front gates, and even with our talking, still manage to arrive early to take flight. I walk up to my elvisera, Addie, primed for my departure. She is a magnificent creature. A seven-foot tall, winged bird covered in feathers of burnt auburn with a mouth and talons brushed with silver, I could not imagine beauty in a more glorious form. I bow my head in respect for the creature. Although these birds bring me many joys in the form of letters and sunset flights, I know their beauty is better appreciated elsewhere, away from my father’s rough control. Addie looks me in the eye and tilts her head to the side as if studying me. I smile slightly and bow my head once more. A door slams open.
My father walks out rubbing his hands together and looks around expectantly. I wonder if he would have preferred our tardiness as when his eyes land in our direction he slumps his shoulders, as if in disappointment. He approaches. “Are you ready then?”
I look towards my toes and nod once. Biting my tongue in anger. Although my plan is in no way thought out, I have thebeginnings of an idea. One that rides on my father thinking I am properly cowed by his banishment of me, so I must hold my tongue until I arrive to Helomasi, King Demetrius’ kingdom, otherwise we all may be in danger. My father grabs my chin and raises my eyes to his.
“Behave,” he commands. Although my eyes are now raised, I do not dare make eye contact, I have made this mistake before and know there is only danger lurking within his gaze.
“Yes, father,” I reply as meekly as possible. At this point I am a ball of fury but cannot let it show. He squeezes my chin hard enough to ensure it will match the bruise now marring my arm and then drops it walking away. My hands feel warm as I mount my elvisera. I look around and spot Sorin and Sam. They notice my gaze but before they can say a word, I shake my head. I know they too cannot follow me on this journey and seeing as their influence has gotten me into this mess, I decide I must temporarily remove them from my life until I can get it back on track for their safety and for mine. My eyes start to water and I look away for a second to compose myself. When I glance back out to the crowd they have disappeared, in their place stand two men unfamiliar to me. These men approach and climb onto the elvisera on either side of me.
My father speaks to the gathering crowd, his leering eyes boring into me. “These men are two of my closest friends, Fadres and Credour. They will keep you company and be my eyes. Treat them well, daughter and they should keep you safe.” He glances towards the two men. “You know your mission. Do it well.” I have never met these men before in my life. Sure, maybe they did seem a little familiar in a passing way but none of my father's so-called friends have ever made me feel as if I wanted to be within a closed space with them, let alone rely on them to keep me safe. That coupled with Mandi’s warning has my stomach filling with dread at the journey before me.
They nod towards him and then turn towards me, smirking. “Time to fly,” one of them commands on a whisper. Motioning to our elvisera, we all take to the wind, and I try not to think about all those watching us on those castle walls, especially not Sorin or Sam and especially not Mandi.
Chapter four
Welcome to Helomasi
Alaceandra
We arrive in Helomasi without much fanfare. The elvisera are very speedy creatures. They deliver us to the front gates of the castle, setting us gently in front of King Demetrius and my supposed betrothed. They both wear teal robes lined with pink floral accents.Helomasi’s colors.I have never seen the prince before, but Mandi had once described him to me, although he is much more intimidating in person. A six-foot fiveman, he easily towers over those surrounding him, including his father. His gray-green eyes pierce anything they touch. He has a silky inky braid spilling over his left shoulder and an aura about him that reeks of arrogance and authority. I sigh, not looking forward to this encounter.
“Welcome to Helomasi, Alaceandra,” King Demetrius smiles, but there is something ominous about it. The welcome did not seem very genuine. Goosebumps break out across my arms.
Sliding down the elvisera’s wing, I gain footing on the cobble stone walkway. The air smells of spring. Floral blooms and clean linen mix in my nostrils along with an undertone ofsomething.What is that?I take in a deep breath and pause. The flowers almost seem to be masking a staleness in the air, but glancing around I cannot see where the disturbing scent originates. I wrinkle my nose and admire the surrounding trees. The leaves are showing out in brilliant bursts of reds and pinks and little winged creatures flutter around their branches. I smile at the sight. Returning my eyes to the men in front of me, I dip in a slight curtsy to acknowledge the king’s welcome. “Thank you.” When I come up from my curtsy, more people have appeared around the king and prince.
The king motions to them and then looks to me. “They will be escorting you to your new chambers. Please try not to cause any trouble. Your father, as well as other parties, have informed me of your mischievous tendencies of which will not be tolerated in my kingdom.” With that he turns his back to me and makes his way back into the castle.
I look around, steeling myself when Fadres and Credour appear at my back. “Let’s get going,” Fadres says in a low tone and grabs my elbow to steer me towards the castle. A servant curtsies and leads the way into the castle.
We walk in and I pull my elbow out of Fadres’ grip, he gives me a disapproving stare. “I am fine, thank you.”
The woman leading us finally arrives to my new quarters. “The prince requested you reside here until the details of your marriage are secured. The prince is in the room next to you. Men you will be in the other wing of the--”
“No.” Credour interrupts. His voice sends a shiver of unease through me. “Please find us quarters in this room here.” He points to the room on the other side of my new quarters. “We will accept nothing else. We are here to guard Alaceandra, and we cannot do so from the other end of the castle.”
The woman purses her lips. “Sir, I do not assign the rooms.”
“Well then find the person who does. We will either be in that room or sleeping on her floor.” Fadres enters a staring contest with the woman.
“I do not think that is neces-” I start to interrupt.
“Quiet, Alaceandra.” Fadres chides. I bristle at the ease in which Fadres says my name, holding back the urge to lash out at the strange man.
The woman sighs.
“One moment.” She grabs a small comms device from a leaf on the wall and speaks in low tones into it.Odd.Returning it to its place she turns to us. “Although this situation is most unproper, the king said he will allow you to quarter next to Alaceandra for the time being. In exchange, once she moves into the prince's quarters, he requests you be dismissed from the premises. A young woman being so close to two men would not be the start to a successful union especially in the eyes of our subjects, do you agree to these terms?”
