Chapter 13 #2
“That’s hardly fair,” I replied, shaking my head. “Unless you’re prepared to exchange that information for a truth of your own.”
He tapped his chin, contemplating. “Agreed.”
“Alright,” I said, thinking of something innocuous to share. “Growing up, my tutor made me press flowers into a journal as part of our nature studies. I secretly enjoyed it and still do it to this day. I wish I had it with me for our turn around the gardens.”
“A new journal can easily be arranged for you, but we’re not going for a turn around the gardens. And that truth doesn’t count.”
“We’re not?” I couldn’t conceal my confusion.
“No.”
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.” His answer was accompanied by a playful glint in his eyes.
A slight arch of my brow accompanied my narrowed gaze. I suspected I knew where we were headed.
With a chuckle, he said, “It’s a place I like to visit for some peace and quiet. I think you’ll like it too.”
Tarben steered us past a wooden bench, towards the flagstone pathways between the hedges. “It’s a large castle, aren’t there many places for solitude?” I asked as we made our way into the maze.
“Not as many as you’d think. No matter where I hide, someone tracks me down.”
“You don’t actually hide.” I couldn’t suppress the laugh that escaped my lips. Growing up, I had gained a reputation for hiding for hours at a time. Especially during my needlework lessons.
“What? You don’t believe me?” His eyes twinkled.
“Oh, I believe you—I’m picturing you nestled between hampers of laundry.”
“I’ve tried the laundry hamper trick before,” he confessed with a smirk. “It didn’t work out as planned.”
“I’m not surprised. So, this place you’re taking me, is it a secret?”
“No, not a secret. At least not amongst those who live in the castle. But it’s far enough out of the way to steal a few precious minutes to myself before my responsibilities inevitably catch up with me.”
His tone was light, but I knew from experience that he must feel overwhelmed and frustrated, isolated and trapped.
Being heir to a kingdom tended to have that effect on a person at times.
I understood his need to get away more than he would ever know.
Still, I said nothing as we ventured deeper into the maze.
Suddenly, it was darker as the dense hedges cast shadows over the pathway.
The air grew subtly colder, carrying the aroma of damp soil.
The only sounds were our footsteps and the distant rumble of the ocean.
It was a disorienting experience, but Ulf charged ahead happily as though he knew the path by heart.
Tarben was the first to break the silence. “Does this make you uneasy?”
I found it thrilling to not know where I was going or what was around each corner. “No. Should it?”
He shot me a sidelong glance, and I caught a hint of approval in his gaze. “No. It’s not much further now.”
The bush grew sparser, and the atmosphere shifted, gradually warming and brightening around us.
“Does Ulf invite all his female companions to brave the maze?” I kept my tone teasing, but there was no denying the fact that I was digging for more information about Tarben’s romantic history.
“Only the most intriguing ones,” he quipped.
My eyebrows lifted. “It sounds as though there have been a few.”
He shrugged offhandedly. “It might surprise you to learn that you’re his first. And you’re proving to have nerves of steel.”
Was he being truthful? Did it actually matter? Probably not. Even if he had brought other females here, I was sure to be the most memorable. “I didn’t realize this was a test.”
The corner of his mouth curled upwards. “Oh, this isn’t it. Leading us back blindfolded, now that’s your true test.”
It was my turn to shoot him a sidelong glance. Mischief danced across his features. I feigned a glare as I retorted, “You wouldn’t dare. I didn’t think you were wicked.”
A sly grin played across his face. “So, you think of me?”
Flirt. “Perhaps,” I shrugged. “I’ll let you know, if I survive the maze blindfolded.”
With a lift of his eyebrows he replied, “Who’s being wicked now?”
I tilted my head and offered him the most innocent smile in my arsenal. But my smile quickly faded into awe as I took in the sight in front of us.
As I had seen from my window, the maze led to the castle wall’s boundary. However, nestled within the high stone wall was a postern gate leading to steps carved into the cliff face. The gate was guarded by two sentries, who bowed their heads to Tarben.
Intrigued, I followed him through the gate and approached the weathered steps. They seemed to disappear down the cliff.
I looked up to find Tarben studying me. His eyebrow raised quizzically—a challenge. One that I met with a cool, “Lead the way, Your Highness.”
He held his hand out to me. “These steps seem especially treacherous today. It looks like I’m going to need your assistance.”
Despite myself, another laugh bubbled out of my throat. “I’ve never heard of a prince who’s afraid of stairs.”
With the faintest twitch of his lips he said, “It’s a new thing for me, so it’s best that you stay close.”
With a shake of my head, I accepted his warm, calloused hand and slowly, deliberately, we made our descent. The staircase was steep and winding. Even Ulf approached each step with caution.
“I suppose you’re not going to tell me where this leads,” I said, keeping my eyes trained on the steps beneath my feet. One foot at a time. Just one foot at a time.
“There would be no fun in that. Besides, you’ll see for yourself soon enough.”
“You must be desperate for solitude, if you have to risk breaking your neck in order to find it.”
He only laughed. “It’s worth it.”
It took several minutes, but eventually we neared the bottom of the steps. By now I could see that they led to a small, picturesque cove at the bottom of the towering cliff.
Coarse sand formed a narrow strip of land. Eroded rocks decorated with sea moss and abandoned mussel shells jutted out of the sand. At the water’s edge, small boats were moored.
It was impossible not to notice the sound of waves colliding with rocks. To anyone else, it might be pleasant. For me, it reverberated like a bellow in my ear. Come back. Come back. Come back.
Tearing my eyes away from the ocean, I noticed Tarben watching me expectantly.
“It’s lovely,” I said, forcing a smile and ignoring the call of the ocean.
“I’ve been coming here since I was a boy. During high tide, the cove becomes completely submerged.”
I turned to see that the cliff bordered the entire secluded strip of land, serving as a barrier for the cove. Mosses and lichens sprouted from dark crevices and covered its jagged face like a beard. I tilted my head, eyes tracing the climbing steps as they disappeared around a bend.
My attention was stolen by the sound of barking. Ulf was joyfully chasing after the receding waves, only to dart away as they surged back towards the shoreline, chasing him in return.
We laughed at his antics. I supposed I could admit it was lovely here. And peaceful.
“I can see why it’s your haven,” I said. “It’s certainly tranquil and isolated—a far better hiding spot than the laundry hampers.”
His mouth quirked into a smile. With his eyes on Ulf, he said, “I know it sounds cliché, an heir seeking refuge from the everyday pressures of his pampered, royal life. But, honestly, there are moments when I struggle to find space to think beyond the future of the kingdom. I live under the constant weight of expectations to act like the future king.” He faced me.
“It’s nice to come here and just... be.” He dragged a hand through his hair, looking self-conscious.
“There’s a truth for you,” he laughed softly.
I certainly hadn’t been expecting that, and for a moment I was dumbstruck by his sincerity, disarmed by his honesty. There was clearly more to this prince than flirtatious charm and easy laughter.
Reaching for the comfort of my charm bracelet, I repaid his admission with as much of the truth as I was prepared to give.
“I know how the expectations of others can be like a parasite to a sunflower. Once they’ve latched on to you, it can be difficult to thrive.
And I think that being heir is a burden many will never grasp.
It’s important to have a place to take refuge, and be free of the things that rob you of your sunshine.
” I looked out at the ocean and felt a pinch of yearning.
With a quiet smile, I added, “I’m glad you’ve shared it with me. ”
He looked as though he was on the verge of saying something else, just as we were interrupted by Ulf furiously sniffing and barking at a rock formation, his tail and ears raised in alert.
“What is it, boy?” said Tarben. “Have you found a crab?”
Unhurriedly, we made our way over to the agitated dog. As we approached the rock formation, the fetid stench of garbage and rot made it difficult to breathe. With my heightened sense of smell, I was surprised I hadn’t noticed it earlier; the breeze must have been carrying it away from us.
It didn’t take long to identify the source of the smell.
Wedged between the rocks lay the decaying carcass of a seal.
Except, where there should have been a shiny, black pelt, there was nothing.
The hide from the back of its body had been removed.
There was a puncture in its abdomen, and thick, oily blubber and blood, mixed with salt water, pooled onto the outcrop.
Flies had already begun their greedy descent upon its remnants.
To say it had been killed would be an understatement—it had been brutalized.
I covered my mouth and looked away. My eyes watered and my throat burned as I suppressed a gag.
“Shit,” Tarben blanched. “You don’t need to see this.” He grasped my hand and led me away from the decaying carcass.
“Who would do something so depraved?” My voice was thick with emotion.
“Not anyone I know. It was likely a local fisherman who murdered it for its pelt and discarded it in the sea. Sadistic bastard,” he added, his lips curling. “Let’s head back to the castle. Ulf!” he called to the dog, who was still sniffing the carcass with vigorous interest.
I looked at him in wide-eyed alarm. “What about the body? We can’t just leave it here.”
“I will send servants from the castle to dispose of it.” At the look of horror on my face he added, “I’ll ensure it’s granted the respect of a burning.”
I hesitated. “Would you—could you—see that its ashes are scattered to the sea? I know it might sound absurd but I want it to return home.” Truthfully, I didn’t give a damn if it sounded absurd. It belonged in the ocean in life and in death.
“Of course.” His eyes softened. “And it’s not absurd. It’s thoughtful. And kind.”
I didn’t consider myself particularly thoughtful or kind, but I was certain that any child of Vell would have wanted the same thing for the poor creature.
Stomach roiling and body shaking, I accepted his elbow. Bearing the weight of what we had witnessed, we trudged up the steps and returned to the castle.