Page 5 of Once Upon a Crown
“Are you leaving?” I had a hard time believing my brother would just pack up his things and go, especially without telling me.
“Yes, I have to go back home, I’m afraid.”
“What for? We haven’t even been here that long.” His whole posture looked uncomfortable. He was on edge, which wasn’t normal for Thatcher, who was laid-back, with a “couldn’t care less” attitude most of the time.
“I have a few loose ends to tie up. Besides”—he looked around the foyer of the palace—“I think I prefer Norrandale.” Levernia wasn’t home, to be certain. Norrandale’s towns were much more vibrant, with their endless shops and quaint little markets and the taverns from which music often spilled out onto the streets. But with the recent rebellion and the people being so divided, I supposed it would take time for Levernia to regain its liveliness.
Thatcher loved his life at court in Norrandale. But did he honestly plan on leaving me alone here with no one but Prince Lance to keep me company? Something didn’t feel right.
“Is it Mother and Father? Is everything all right?” Our parents hadn’t been to court for quite some time. Perhaps something had gone awfully wrong with Father’s businesses and we’d lost all our money. I could think of few other things that would get Thatcher rattled like this.
“Mother and Father are fine,” he assured me, but I wasn’t sure what to believe.
“What about Cai?” The King and Queen had just left for Argon, hoping to sort out matters with King Aries.
Thatcher put his hands in his pockets. Took them out again. “I’ll meet him at Mistwood. They’ll probably stop there on their way back. Who knows what Aries is planning. Cai might need my support that side.” He did have a point there. But it didn’t settle the uneasy feeling in my stomach.
“Do you want me to come with you?” I wasn’t sure which answer I wanted. Part of me feared I would feel alone here but the other part of me wasn’t ready to return home yet, to face my duties that side. Mother was not pleased that I had come here with Thatcher, and she would see me married off as soon as possible.
“I think it’s better if you stay for now. I’ll be back soon.”
It was the last thing my brother had said to me. And now I didn’t know if I would ever see him again. I knew something was wrong that day. I should have stopped him or done something. In a way I felt responsible for letting him go, unknowing of the atrocities he was about to commit.
Everyone here had been treating me kindly, but how long before they turned and decided I was a traitor too? I looked at the thick Evernean Forest in the distance and thought about all the stories and myths I’d heard. I remembered Elara briefly mentioning, once, that the woods contained some kind of magic. I’d heard some of the fairy tales as a kid and wondered now if they had any merit to them.
“Come on.” I lightly pulled at the rein, coaxing the mare to turn around. “Let’s go back.”
My brother’s words followed me as I made my way along the wooded track: “I’ll be back soon...”
Chapter 3
Cai
The fire was dying in the hearth. I couldn’t remember falling asleep in my clothes. My body was splayed in the chair in front of the fireplace in my room. The curtains were still unopened, leaving the room dark. The only light was from the embers that were slowly burning out.
I rubbed my eyes. My neck was stiff from the position I’d been lying in.
What time of day was it?Whatday was it?
Most of the time it felt like they were all merging into each other.
I was unsure how long I’d been sleeping. There were noises coming from outside my bedroom door. It sounded like people talking, or arguing was more like it. Pulling myself into a better sitting position, I ran my fingers through my messy hair. It was longer than it had been in many years, but I couldn’t find the motivation to cut it.
“I just want to talk to him. No one has seen him for days.” The voice on the other side of the door was familiar — Elara.
“The King has asked us that he not be disturbed, Your Majesty,” the guard outside my door responded.
“Well, thequeenof this kingdom is going to have your head if you do not open this door immediately.”
There was an uncomfortable clearing of a throat before the door hinges squeaked. My back was to the door, and I didn’t turn as she stepped inside the room.
“Cai?” Elara sounded a lot more uncertain than she had a few seconds ago. I heard a rustle behind me and suddenly a bright light bathed the room as Elara pulled open one of the curtains I squinted in discomfort.
“Cai, when did you last eat?” I looked around me but there were no signs of empty plates or cups. Perhaps the servants had taken them away while I was sleeping, I didn’t know. I still couldn’t recall what day it was, much less when I had had my last meal.
Finally, she came into my line of sight and took a seat on the chair next to me. I kept my gaze intently fixed on the last of the fire.
The scent of her was like a breath of fresh air, sweet with a warm undertone. She looked dazzling in her dark red dress, the cuffs and collar made of animal fur. It complemented her dark red lips, along with her golden crown. I quickly looked away, too ashamed to meet her eyes.
