Chapter Four

Casacaliyia was a country overgrown with plants and trees, the winding paths lead up to stark mountains whose bases were covered in moss. There was little blue in the sky because the leaves would block out the colour. The water reflected as a pale green instead of the crystalline blue I was used to.

“Are you planning to fight this time?” the low drawl of his voice pulled me from my thoughts.

I scowled in response.

“Whatever you choose, it will do nothing to change your fate.” He did not wait for a reply, pulling the carriage door open, and letting in the pale moonlight filter through.

It was dark but the distinct scent of sodden bark invaded my senses.

I would have expected the King’s Palace to be high above the foliage, but it lurked beneath it a fortress more than a castle.

I could run.

The thought barrelled through me but I pushed it away, duty bound, I would stay here for my people. Running would mean the reigniting of a war that had barely even been ended.

“You could,” his voice was clear in the night air, “You could run, but to what avail?”

I said nothing, my words something I would harbour close, information was what I needed to gain.

I put on the air of defiance, walking past him.

“It seems you have already forgotten the way of royals,” he gripped my arm, loosely but hard enough to pull me to walk in step.

“Royals walk together,” he murmured softly, his eyes catching the moonlight for a singular moment a glint that was inhuman, a glow that should not have been possible.

Emerald for eyes for a fraction of a second, and then the same darkness I knew.

Disappearing as much as my hope.

“I do not understand this,” the fatigue had challenged my thoughts, my voice spilling out even when I did not want it, “Why do you want me?”

“A pretty thing like you and you even have to ask the question?”

I stilled, a sickness riding up my throat, my skin paling losing its distinct brown.

I stalled a moment, horror lacing my features, and he stopped.

For the first time his voice changed, it no longer held that underlying arrogance, it was quiet a moment, “I have no intention of…” he trailed off slightly, his voice inaudible to the point where I knew I was not supposed to hear, but I did, “As for him, I do not know.”

“Who?”

But the question was lost as soon as the palace gates opened, a spill of light onto onyx black steps, shot through with swirls of grey, a marble perhaps, or reinforced obsidian.

It was grand with marble for floors, the same swaths of ivy green curtains pressed against high arched windows, the glass planes coloured in a way that struck me. Something so beautiful hidden in the recesses of a forest, unseen.

Beauty hidden was still beauty.

The foyer was open, untouched by any shade of red, nothing but pure white and hues of green. It was pristine, guarded by soldiers stood to attention.

It felt empty, I knew there were legions of soldiers, that had taken over my home country. Many had stayed behind I knew as much, they would make sure that Ardour kept to it’s promise. Guilt wracked through me, but I knew my inner court would make sure that the treaty was abided by, and slight in the agreement would mean that I was free to leave. Though I would be foolish to believe I would be let go that easily.

“For your own good,” Rhydian whispered to me as we entered through the thick oak doors, “Keep quiet.”

I was never one to bite my tongue, but my teeth clenched involuntarily as I saw what was before us.

Confusion ripped through me as I stared at the courtier splayed across the throne. A crown welded of pure gold perched upon curls of blonde. Sharp eyes glazing over me a grin widening as he leapt from the throne.

He stood tall, the deep blue of his eyes resting on Rhydian who had sunk on his knee, arm held out to rest his head, as he bowed to the boy-king before me.

“Wha-“ my voice was cut off by a scathing look from Rhydian.

“Rise soldier,” the man before us commanded, and Rhydian rose, his jaw set and his eyes focused on nothing but the blonde haired boy.

Solider?

“You have done well,” he strode forward, his cloak left behind him. He was not wearing anything remotely royal, but Rhydian Koen had bowed to him.

A King who bowed to no one.

“It is a wonder to see the confusion on your face my dear Adelaide,” My fingers curled at the scrape of his voice, it was not high but nor was it low, a sequestered middle. The voice of a child.

He looked about the same age as Rhydian, but even so there was something juvenile about his features, the way he walked the way he carried himself, the way his spoke, everything was coming undone and I did not know what to do.

I did not care for Rhydian’s warning to remain silent, “Who are you?”

His face fell for a moment, one dangerous flicker, as his grin pressed into a snarl. I glanced at Rhydian but he would not look at me. His gait set in stone.

“It seems our façade has worked too well, and the people have forgotten their true king.”

It did not take long for the truth to settle, fear gripped my heart as I realised what this meant.

Rhydian Koen was no king.

I saw the malice in his look, the terrifying flicker from naïve to brutal. His fingers curled, urging me forward, “Bow for your king dear Adelaide,” and then in a voice that could slice me open, “If you know what’s good for you.”

There was no one else in the room but us.

I felt my throat tighten, but as though I was nothing but an obedient servant to him, I sank low, a curtsy deeper than the one I had given Rhydian.

“It seems you are not just a pretty face, Queen Adelaide,” he dipped his head slightly, the honorific lingering loosely in the air, unwanted but there, a guise of respect that meant nothing.

“You may leave now Koen,” he nodded a Rhydian who did not move.

The king’s gaze steeled, “Are you disobeying a direct order, Soldier?”

“I would be betraying my sacred oath to protect crown and country were I to leave you with this vicious woman.”

“Vicious,” it was a bark of laughter, “What will sweet Adelaide do to her king? Do you not think I cannot subdue her? That she will not be at my beck and call in a matter of weeks. Praying for a mere moment with me.”

I wanted to laugh.

There was delusion and then there was this utter fabrication, this view of reality that danced in the eyes of a maniac.

But I did not want to be left alone with someone so dichotomous. If this was the king of Casacaliyia, he had been the one to condemn my people.

All whilst resting upon a throne, hidden amongst thickets of impenetrable forest. Laughing at the death and destruction he waged, all for a prize.

“I tried to kill him in the carriage,” I admitted with a shrug, making sure my gaze never fell.

“Is this true Koen?”

His pride was swallowed quickly that is as much as I could decipher, because he did not describe how easily he had bested me. With a single arm and a bored expression, he merely answered, “She did in fact try to kill me, My liege. Theses scratches are her work.”

The glee on his face was revolting. He slinked his way over, like a careening wild cat approaching the dead carcass of an animal killed by another far braver predator.

“And here I was boasting that you my shadow, had the ability to remain unscathed. That is your role is it not Shadow King, to be in my steed, to show my power, to remain untouched,” his glare slithered over to me, “By anyone.”

False remorse dampened his expression, “Adelaide was not what I anticipated. Therefore, I cannot leave you. She may well and truly try and scar you in any way she can.”

“The dress spilled in blood says as much,” he agreed allowing Rhydian to stay.

“What is your name,” I pressed, the fear of being killed smothered by curiosity that was entirely misplaced.

Everything I thought I knew about Casacaliyia of King Rhydian Koen was a lie.

“King Idris Woevern,”

“I’ve never-“

He stalled my sentence easily, with a wicked grin, “That is the entire point. You have never heard of me, but I assure you, you have felt my influence. My commands are what bring you here, Adelaide. You are the prize I have so long desired, and now you are mine.”

Revulsion pooled through me, invading my veins and carrying to each organ throbbing in my body. I would retch if I wasn’t careful.

“I don’t understand. My people, you killed them, you-“ the tears were angry but to a man like Idris it was weakness.

A hot tear snaked its way across my skin, already flushed from the cold, but now coloured with rage, “All for what?”

“For you,” he said it simply and it was the smile that unravelled me. He was smiling like a boy awarded his favourite sweet, not as though he was responsible for the murder of thousands.

My world crashed around me, “I don’t. I don’t understand!” My voice was shrill and in a matter of moments I was rushing over, with nothing but my hands as weapons, so familiar this was but the rage was tenfold.

I was ready to shred him to pieces with nothing but my nails, had Rhydian not gripped onto me.

All I could hear was a my shrill scream, “YOU MONSTER,” my heart thundered restlessly as I swung my elbow backwards, something Rhydian had not expected. I reached for his sword, slipping low as he tried to halt my unbridled rage. I had the sword in my hand. And I was rushing forward.

I would have killed him.

I would have killed him without a second thought, had I not felt the thick liquid coating the hilt of the sword. Thick and seeping into my skin. I dropped the sword, as the world swayed.

“Poison,” I snarled at the men who were awfully close to me know, “How your sword,” My words were sluggish, “How did it not.”

“Cascayli,” the real king spoke, with that unbidden joy, that insufferable lilt in a voice too accustomed to having every want and need accounted for.

He had not known suffering, locked away in a castle, whilst men and women died and fought in his name.

“Are immune to their own poisons. You, dear Adelaide are now,” he sighed heavily, as though I was a mere inconvenience, “I guess I shall see you when you wake,”

My breath dried, my head heavy, the last thing I felt were arms draped around me saving me from my own fall and condemning me all the same.