Chapter 6
Six
RAELLE
Hills of clothes, mountains of books, and canyons constructed of framed art and chests of jewels make up the labyrinth that is Ashavee’s workspace.
She sits in a red high-back chair behind a sturdy wooden desk, logging the Allaji’s newest acquisitions into a journal.
The valuables are sorted on shelves that almost touch the storeroom’s ceiling.
The shifters don’t find worth in items that don’t ensure their survival.
Books, art, and most clothing are considered nothing more than kindling for a fire.
My heart aches at seeing the talent and history of other kingdoms, including my own, discarded without a second thought.
“Ulric won’t sit still,” I say from my place on the floor next to a heap of clothes.
“He opened the wound on his back again this morning and ruined another shirt. And don’t get me started on what it’s like sharing a bed with him.
The man is in constant motion, up and down, walking around the room and turning from side to side on the mattress.
How is he ever going to heal if he doesn’t take it easy? ”
Ashavee glances up from the book she’s logging items into and cocks a brow. “I’m sure much of it is a nervous habit. It can’t be easy to be under the same roof as your enemy.”
“Trust me, I know.”
“I know you do. How is your leg?” she asks.
I run my hand over my tender thigh. The ache is continuous, and I fight not to limp when I walk.
Any show of weakness can be used against me, whether it’s in Zek’s throne room or walking the halls of his palace.
I won’t let my enemy think I’m easy prey.
“The stitches have held up and the pain is bearable. At best, I can outrun Ulric.”
She snorts and says, “I’m not sure that gives you bragging rights, considering what he’s been through.”
“I take what I can get these days.” I pick up a tunic and add it to my pile.
Two days ago, making a joke about Ulric’s condition would have been the furthest thing from my mind.
His physical state was heart-wrenching. I could barely look at him without tears welling in my eyes and stabbing pain in my chest. He’s still weak, but the color is returning to his complexion and his gaunt features plump with each meal.
With him on the mend, it’s difficult not to think of the Cyffreds who aren’t as lucky as him.
If Zek has his way, more will succumb to a worse fate than Ulric.
“You just need to keep him entertained,” Ashavee says, tossing a scroll at me. “Maybe you can have him solve the mystery of the Cruel King’s Stone.”
I remove the frayed leather tie and unroll the water-stained paper. The black ink is smeared in several places, but the image is still discernible. It’s a map. Of where? I’m not sure, but it’s detailed with sloppy notes written along the edges, marking places of interest.
“What is the Cruel King’s Stone?” I ask.
“You never went on treasure hunts as a child to look for the most powerful of all the Sacred Gifts. They say it’s the one that can give and take power.”
“No. I didn’t have time for many games as a child.
I had history and royal protocol to learn.
When I had the chance for fun, my best friend and I were sparring.
We were determined to become the most skilled sword fighters in the five kingdoms,” I say, basking in the memory of Leif and I clashing swords in the middle of the forest.
“While you were learning to be queen, other children were searching for ways to rule the world. When some of those children grew up, they didn’t give up on that notion. It’s the driving force behind the Outlanders. They are searching for the stone.”
I examine the weathered map again. The terrain is mountainous, with countless bodies of water winding through the landscape.
I’ve never claimed to be a geographical expert, but nothing is familiar to me.
Even the small, printed notes next to landmarks aren’t helpful.
The only familiar shape is the worn stamp on the corner of the tattered map. Property of the Stigian Royal Archives.
“This came from my kingdom,” I say.
“I’m not surprised. I believe this last haul came from one of your ships.” My face heats with anger, and I clench my jaw. They have stolen enough from my kingdom. The Allaji have my people, must they steal our goods too?
“I’m sorry, Elle,” Ashavee says, her apology sincere.
The desire to study the crude design of the map is dulled by the knowledge that I sit amongst items that may have cost more of my people their lives. Fearful that I might lose my breakfast if I linger on the thought for too long, I roll up the map and gather the clothes.
“Thank you for your help, Ashavee.” I barely hear her response as I rush out of the room.
It doesn’t surprise me that the Outlanders would ransack a ship.
They’re known for their lawlessness and violent means of getting what they want.
The day I left my kingdom to become a soldier, I encountered three Outlanders.
I never allowed myself to think about what would have happened if Leif hadn’t come to my rescue.
It wouldn’t have been good. The Outlanders don’t live by any law and consequences for their actions are far and few between.
My story ended well, but the same can’t be said for whoever owned the map.
Perhaps my life as Micah’s heir made me oblivious to the harsh truth beyond Lucent’s walls.
Other than the battles between Lucent and Stigian, the five kingdoms seemed peaceful.
I didn’t spare much thought about the dire circumstances the Allaji were creating for themselves or the driving force behind the Outlanders’ lawlessness.
I was clearly blissful in my ignorance, and now that I know better.
It feels like destruction is inevitable.
It is a snowball racing downhill, growing and picking up speed as it heads right for me and my kingdom.
I must stop it before it buries the people I love and we can’t dig ourselves out.
I enter my room, and Ulric glances back at me from his perch, staring out the window. A line of blood stains his shirt. His wound has split open again. He returns his attention to the scene below as I shut the door.
“Not everyone on the ground is a shifter,” he says, his voice gravelly from lack of use.
After setting my finds from the storage room on the table, I step to his side.
“No, the Allaji conduct business with Outlanders. They get many of the goods they need to survive from their pillaging. In exchange, the Allaji allow them the opportunity to mine the caves throughout the kingdom. The shifters find no real value in precious stones, but they’re a great bargaining tool for the Outlanders.
After they’re done drinking and fucking, they’ll board their ships and either head for the mainland or in search of other vessels to steal from. ”
“It figures that two vile groups of beings would be allies,” he says.
I understand the disgust he feels. I’ve spent my fair share of time simmering in it.
Both the Outlanders and the Allaji are at fault for their current situations.
One didn’t want to live by the rules of a kingdom, so they have no land of their own.
The other has depleted all their resources by overindulgence and a refusal to tend to their land. I feel sorry for neither of them.
Wrapping my fingers around Ulric’s bicep, I say, “Let me clean up your back and help you into a fresh shirt.”
I guide him to a chair at the table before retrieving a damp cloth from the washroom.
When I return, he’s shirtless and slouched forward.
His wound is an irritated bright pink smeared in blood.
I wipe along the newest mark that runs from his right shoulder blade to just above his trousers.
His back flexes at the gentle touch as he sucks air in between his teeth.
I cringe and say, “It’s looking better, but you’re slowing the process by not resting.”
“It’s hard to relax when I’m tormented by the memories of what happens outside these walls,” he says with a sharp edge to his tone. The crease between his brows deepens, speaking of the hurt inflicted upon him.
“I know. I can’t stop thinking about it either,” I say.
“The things happening within these walls aren’t much better,” he murmurs.
I fall silent as I work the salve into his skin.
Images I’ve locked into the furthest recesses of my mind struggle to break free.
The horrors Ulric and I endured the other day are minimal to the barbaric punishments Zek has dealt within his throne room.
I’ve sat idle as he has ordered the torture of my people, fearful that a single outburst will only fuel more of his cruelty.
It wasn’t for my sake that I said nothing as he ordered the whipping, severing of limbs, and other brutalities.
It was fear for the countless others he could use for his sick entertainment if I reacted.
If I showed no emotion, he would have no joy in watching my heart splinter into millions of unrepairable shards.
And that’s exactly what has happened over and over again.
“Choose a shirt,” I say, placing the lid on the salve.
Ulric grabs the tan tunic on top of the pile. The rolled parchment underneath falls to the floor, and the leather strap breaks free, revealing the map inside. “What is this?” he asks, picking it up.
“Have you ever heard of the Cruel King’s Stone?” I ask, studying the smeared lines from over his shoulder.
“Aye. It is an old folktale mothers and fathers tell their children when they want a moment of silence. They send the wee ones out on a fool’s errand to find the stone. I spent many days hunting in the countryside for it.”
“It seems even adults believe in its existence. This map was stolen from a Stigian ship. Do you think it really exists?”
He scoffs and sets the paper on the table. Pulling his shirt over his head, he says, “Like I said, it’s a fool’s errand. You would be better off searching for a way out of here.”
I roll the map and secure it with the leather again.
Although both he and Ashavee have said the legend was a children’s story, something stirs inside me each time I look at the map.
I don’t have a desire to possess the stone rumored to be the most powerful.
Far from it. The last thing I want is the responsibility of judging who is worthy of their power and who is not.
Yet the legend awakens an inexplicable hope within me.
If something this powerful is really hidden in this world then something or someone can save my kingdom.
“In all seriousness, we need to find a way out of here, Elle,” Ulric says, pulling me from my ridiculous thoughts.
I glance out the window, watching the people below continue on with their lives like nothing is out of sorts.
“Haven’t you wondered why the Outlanders remain on the ground and not up here?
There’s only one way to come and go from this place, and that is with the help of a shifter.
Even if you and I tie some sheets together and repel down the trees—which sounds terrifying, by the way—one of those animals on the ground is going to eat us.
Since you’re the injured one, they’ll catch you first and when your bony ass doesn’t satisfy them, they’re coming for me. ”
He chuckles and says, “Good. Then you’ll have a chance of getting to Kyron and stopping him before he does something stupid.”
I snap my attention back to him. “If we escape, we do it together.”
We stare one another down. He is serious about sacrificing himself if he must. I refuse to leave this island without him. Neither of us is willing to budge on our position.
His eyes narrow, and his tone is hard as steel as he says, “Then use whatever means possible to find a way out of here. Because if you don’t, I will start ripping the sheets apart and feed myself to the wolves for you.
I swore an oath to protect my kingdom and its ruler.
You may not be queen, but you’re vital to my king. ”
“I’m trying,” I say with a sigh.
“You need to try harder, Elle.”
“Don’t—”
A knock on the door has us both clamping our mouths shut, but neither of us breaks eye contact.
“Open up, your highness. Our king needs some entertainment,” Holly says, her sickly-sweet voice sending chills down my spine.
“Go and use the asshole’s infatuation with flaunting you before his court to our benefit. Keep those pretty brown eyes wide and your ears open for any information that can help us,” Ulric whispers.
“Fine, but you need to promise me you’ll rest. I’ll need a strong soldier at my side when we figure out a way to escape. And I don’t need you serving yourself to the shifters as a free meal.”
“Deal.”
I fan out my pale pink skirt, draw my shoulders back, and walk to the door.
The past couple of days have given me the illusion of security, hidden from the taunts and brutality of the Allaji court.
I pretended to be fully consumed by Ulric’s welfare day and night.
Taking care of him has been a welcome distraction and a way to avoid my tormentor.
But the nagging truth never released its hold on me.
We’re not safe in this place and that danger will spread beyond these walls. It will travel across this land and infect other kingdoms. The only way to stop it is to face it head on and learn its secrets. So, with a deep breath, I brace myself to confront the Allaji tyrant once more.