Chapter 28 Ariah
ARIAH
The words “in love with you” hit me harder than anything I’ve ever endured. No one, outside of my parents and sister, has said those words to me, and they certainly didn’t mean it the way he does.
He did say “I think” though, which makes it a little less daunting.
These past few weeks have brought a lot of joy and comfort when I’ve been around him.
I’ve never known feelings as strong as the ones I’ve developed for Iann, but how am I supposed to know if this is love?
What if these heightened emotions are just from the thrill of being here, or maybe it’s all just infatuation because he’s a prince.
Wrapped in my own thoughts, it takes me a minute to realize the musicians have stopped playing. Iann doesn’t move, and everyone around us has ceased dancing, frozen mid-step or twirl.
“Iann?” I wave a hand in front of him and then remove his mask to find a soulless being in his place, unable to blink or move. “Iann!” I shout like the sound of my voice alone can pull him from the trance.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
There is distant clapping from across the ballroom. I step to the side, so Iann is no longer blocking my view. At first, I think it’s a sick, twisted game the Queen conjured, but she stands near us, like she was about to approach, also as still as stone.
“Well done,” someone says from across the room.
Rolley steps away from a group of people frozen in mid-conversation.
“You, Ariah Tyddel, went from rejecting a notable village boy with rather poor manners, to getting one of the finest princes I’ve ever been in the presence of, to admit his love for you.
” He steps onto the dance floor, walking over to me without fear of, or concern for, the unsettling lifelessness around us.
“I personally thought you would have gone for Deean had he not foolishly disguised himself. You both have a similar personality and wit. And Marcel, well he was never really an option, was he? But Iann suits you well, I can almost see it being the truest type of love…one day.”
Rolley steps behind a couple who are stone still, and when he comes back into view, he’s no longer himself.
His body is completely altered, having shifted into a figure with an abundance of dark curls sweeping low to their waist and bony skin that’s illuminated, as though they smuggle a star in their being.
“Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Morrena. I’m the Queen’s fifth Fox and personal enchantress. ”
She is also the woman who was waiting in the coach outside my house the day the Queen showed up.
Unable to move, she comes closer to me. Two violet gems rest in her eye sockets and she wears a golden dress lined with fox fur.
When I first arrived, the Queen mentioned a fifth Fox she had sent to Ethmay on assignment. What I didn’t know is that she was an enchantress.
“How old are you?” Is the first question I can summon.
She releases a baleful grin, one filled with secrecy.
“Not the politest question but I understand why you’d ask it.
Fraya was the second person I was tethered to.
All enchanters must be connected with another soul, or our powers remain dormant.
I was with her the day she discovered Farella.
” She stops a foot away from me. “You see, before we left the island, Fraya had me use every ounce of power I had to so that only her bloodline would be able to see the flowering tree. It drained me so much I was nearly powerless for weeks.”
“Why are you telling me this?” I ask, trying to put together any missing pieces.
“Finders are only allowed to take one flower each. It can either be for yourself or another, but no more than a single blossom. Fraya took it for herself, she was selfish like that, but it also meant I could be tied to her forever. Because we were tethered, my life was hers and it was only her that could release me.” She waves her hand, annoyed at the memory.
“She was supposed to come back to Haymel, map out exactly how to get back to Farella, and then return for more flowers that she had promised people, like our shopkeepers’ great-grandfather.
“But Fraya was fickle. She met a man, as a lot of silly women do, and fell in love. To shorten the story let’s just say she ended up pregnant and then found out he was already married.
Heartbroken and not the maternal type, she gave the baby to a family by the surname Tyddel.
Fredrick is what they named him, he went on to have a son named Isso, and Isso became owner of the apothecary in town.
Isso also had a son, Galen Tyddel. By this time Fraya grew depressed and her gambling debts increased as well.
She learned of Queen Cayleen’s search for an enchantress, and to relieve herself of her burdens, tied me to the Queen.
Fraya then disappeared and I haven’t seen her since.
” She leans in addressing me with a conspiratorial whisper, “Are you keeping up, dear?”
“My father is the great-grandson of Fraya Vellen?” I stop as more of her story weaves together. “I can see the tree…”
She claps. “Thank goodness you have a brain. The level of stupidity I have to deal with sometimes is frustrating. Yes, you and your father can see it.”
“Did you know I came up with the idea of the Queen’s Foxes? Was pretty much a matchmaker for your parents. Vera’s parents as well, but that’s a more tragic story that we don’t have time for.”
“Why bring Iann along? He won’t be able to see it?”
“True enough. But finding the island is already a difficult plight. I’ve tried to convince several others to take me there, but no one has been able to make it since Fraya.
Your precious prince has a knack for finding things, and I believe he might be able to do what so many have failed at.
Plus, he’s needed for other things.” Her grin is wickedly deceitful.
“And Fraya is alive?”
“Unfortunately.” She tosses up a hand in annoyance. “The flower did as many claimed it does, and she’s still somewhere out there. Completely unreachable and probably useless. I’ve searched all over Ladora for her and found nothing. So now you see why I had to move down the line.”
“Why not ask my father? Why me?”
She laughs. “Your father is skilled with poisons but that’s where his discoveries end. And regardless, your father was given a chance.” She walks over to a boy who is mid-dance and plays with the feathers of his mask. “Are we done with all the questions? Time is really running out.”
There are about a million more questions I want to ask her, but there is something about her tone that makes me suddenly feel impatient. “What do you want?”
“Finally, a question about my needs.” She places a hand to her chest mockingly.
“It’s simple. Iann will find the island, he’s just not able to help it.
The chase is so thrilling to him. Plus, his mom will die if his father doesn’t get a flower of his own.
” She pouts her lips sarcastically. “Once your boyfriend finds the island, he will lead you to the trail Fraya mapped out and then you’ll be the only one to see the tree.
When you find it, you are to bring a flower back to me. ”
“What do you need it for? You just said you can live forever as long as you’re tied to someone.”
“That’s not part of story time.” Immediately she appears before me, neither of us dropping our gaze with the other.
“Now, time will remain frozen for another thirty minutes. To unfreeze those you wish to wake up, all you must do is touch them. Including your dear friend, Chana.” She strokes the back of her fingers along my cheek.
“If you don’t come back with my flower, I will make the Queen remember how you betrayed her and together we will come after everything you have and destroy it.
Death will not be your escape. I will trap you forever like Chana and Esha—the real Esha—where you can hear and feel everything but remain an unmoving soul forever. It’s a true kind of torture.”
“They did nothing to you.”
“They found out who I was before my big reveal. Couldn’t let them go spoiling it. You’re lucky I’m even allowing you to wake them.” She pulls out a pocket watch and declares, “You have a thirty minute head start, before everyone wakes. I would move quickly.”
“And what about the Queen when she wakes?” I touch Iann and watch his body melt back into reality.
Looking back at Morrena, she’s returned to Rolley’s form and is waving at a waking Iann. “I’ll deal with my responsibility. You take care of yours. Unless you would like me to wake the Queen and have her serve the princes her deadly surprise.”
“What’s happening?” Iann pulls off his mask and tosses it to the ground.
“We have to go!” I shout and pull on his arm.
In the ballroom I touch Vera, Deean, Benny, and Marcel.
“What the hell?” Deean spins around, noticing the unmoving bodies. “Benny, what was in that bottle?”
“I swear it was just rum.” He sniffs the rim to check he’s not mistaken.
“I’ll explain everything later. Let’s go!”
We run to the workers’ quarters where I touch all of those from Saden, including Esha. He’s the most startled and looks to be suffering mentally and physically.
I tell Iann to have his brother’s men get ready to depart as Vera and I head to Sky’s workshop. We find him frozen by Chana’s bedside and with one touch there is life in them again.
Chana is just as shaken as Esha, but it doesn’t stop her from wrapping her arms around me. “Thank you,” she cries.” Pulling back, her eyes flutter to Vera and Sky. “Morrena is back.”
“What?” Vera hisses and pulls a dagger.
“Chana is right. She’s the one who rendered everyone immobile. But I’ll explain once we’re on the ship,” I say.
Sky rushes to grab some bags, handing one to me and another to Vera.
“I haven’t packed,” Chana cries as she wobbles with her walk.
“No shit,” Sky says impatiently. “You’ve been out for a few days so how could you? We have your stuff already.”
Not wasting another second, we run through the castle and race out to the courtyards where our carriages await.
“We’re ready, Your Highness,” a deep voice calls—one of the servants.
Marcel comes over to us, moonlight outlining his frame.
He places a hand on Deean and the other on Iann.
“If something goes wrong, or you think for a fraction of a second you won’t be able to make it to Farella, get the hell out and go back to Saden.
Our father will be fine without whatever it is you’re looking for. ”
A burning sensation slides down my throat when I swallow, reminding me of Morrena’s warning about their mother.
“Be safe,” Iann says to Marcel.
“And no stopping until you are far from here,” Deean adds.
Done with farewells, Marcel gets in one of the carriages and we watch it race away.
“We’re ready,” Benny says, tossing a bag into our carriage.
Iann holds out a hand for Chana, who is still a bit wobbly. It takes her some time but as soon as she slides over, he holds out a hand for me.
“Rolley is the only one missing,” Benny shouts, having accounted for those we planned on coming with us tonight.
“Leave him,” I reply, and watch the faces around me fall. “Trust me.”
“Morrena,” Vera whispers. I follow her gaze up the stairs.
Morrena stands on the steps with a dubious smile on her face. Her skin still appears illuminated as if it’s radiating all her power to hold the people still.
“Ariah, you need to get in.” Iann brushes my cheek and gently pushes me farther inside.
Once inside we wait for Iann, Deean, and Benny. Vera and Sky move into the final carriage with three other men from Iann’s crew.
Our carriage jolts forward and a hand slips into mine. It’s not Iann’s though. Chana holds on tight as she rests her head back.
“I’ve been on one adventure in my life. The day I was taken and transported from Ethmay to Haymel. They said it would be better here. It’s been miserable,” she says slowly. “Promise me this one will be different.”
“This will be different.” The answer doesn’t come from me, but instead, Deean who sits across from her. “That I promise you.”
She rests her head against the window and gives him a hopeful smile as our carriage charges out of the castle courtyard and down towards the town.
Most of the townspeople are stuck back in the castle, unable to move, and the rest are tucked away for the night, resulting in clear roads and little fuss as we get to the docks.
Across from me, I lock eyes with Iann, who, despite the situation, looks to be wrapped in joy.
The last words he spoke to me before Morrena froze him play endlessly in my head.
There is an uneasiness about feeling this way so soon, but I can’t deny there is something between us, something I would like to explore more of. There is hope in him. A hope that I’ve never known, and I both fear and crave it.
We reach the docks where a burly captain is waiting for us.
“Right on time,” he says, pulling a pipe from his mouth. “I appreciate folks who respect time.
“This is for you.” Benny hands him a sack, which I assume is payment. “Everyone, meet Captain Sallen. He and his crew will be working with us.”
“Punctuality and payment. My two favorite things.” He tips a hat and allows us to board the ship.
“Nice necklace,” Deean mumbles as he makes his way on.
“Keep moving,” Iann says. I look back, but he only shrugs. “I’ll tell you about it later.”
Once everyone is on deck, we watch Sallen’s crew prepare for departure. I only count six crew members and expected more, but as long as they can get us away from here, who am I to complain.
It isn’t long before the ship drifts farther and farther from the dock and floats closer into the awaiting darkness.