CHAPTER 35
The blurred bed sheets and hazy candlelight became crystal clear as I was roughly shaken awake. Lukas knelt on the bed beside me, one hand on each of my shoulders. His tawny hair was a choppy sea of waves, while only a thin nightshirt covered his bronze chest. It was as though he’d just woken up and run all the way here in the middle of the night. But I supposed, judging by the candle that flickered away beside us and his heavy panting breath, he probably had.
“What is it?” I croaked. As I blinked away the sleep, I noticed a strange phantom ache lightening in my hips. It almost felt as if someone really had been sitting there, pinning me down to that swaying grass and placing soft kisses along my jaw.
No. Impossible. That was a dream.
“Sorry for waking you,” Lukas began, his voice wavering. “But I had to come. Something’s wrong.” Behind him, moonlight poured in from the window. I must’ve slept for the entire day and most of the night. Somehow, though, I still felt exhausted.
Pushing myself up to lean against the headboard, I met his worried eyes. “What happened?”
“I… I don’t know,” he stammered. “I went to speak to the King. I needed to tell him about the goblin camp in the woods. But when I arrived at his chambers, I was told that he was resting. So I gave him time. I let him have his rest. But when I came back after a few hours, I was just told the same thing—”
“You know he’s ill,” I cut in. “I’m sure he’s fine, probably just resting.”
Lukas shook his head as he dragged a sweaty hand through his hair. “I tried to get some sleep, but I couldn’t. I just… I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. That’s when I decided I would just force my way into his room. But when I made it past the guards, his bed was empty… I can’t find him anywhere, Naria.” His breath quickened. “He’s been taken by someone, I’m sure of it.”
“Wait, wait.” My heart stuttered. “How do you know he hasn’t just left the palace for some perfectly innocent reason? Maybe his healer needed to take him somewhere for more treatment?”
It was silly to even suggest that. The last time I saw the King, he was in such a poor state that leaving his bed would’ve only caused him more suffering, but still, I couldn’t accept that someone had just taken him. Why would they do it? If this was an assassination attempt, why not just kill him where he slept?
“I’ve searched the entire palace. Nobody knows where he is,” Lukas carried on, his cheeks paling. “And then I searched for my mother… She’s gone too. I checked her bedchamber. None of her servants were there and her bed was empty.”
My stomach churned. Erissa wasn’t responsible for the King’s disappearance, was she? She certainly seemed to hate him enough, but could she really be capable of stealing away a king? The woman’s mind was barely even there. She couldn’t have done this. Whoever had the King surely has the Queen too. After all, a kingdom without either of its rulers is a kingdom ready for invasion.
Exhaling, I steadied myself. I knew I had to stay calm. Drothmore could be hours away from a war, but a panicking prince and a trembling princess would be no good to anyone. And there was still time to fix this. There had to be.
“Okay,” I said finally, my voice calm and precise. “What about your armies? Did your father ever tell you what to do in the case of an incoming invasion?”
Lukas’s shoulders tensed. “I’ve already spoken to the generals. Apparently, a few days ago, the King requested that our largest armies be sent to patrol the northern borders of the realm.”
“But that would mean—”
“We’re completely unprotected,” he confirmed, his words making my chest seize. “The generals have just sent their fastest riders to tell the armies to come home. But it’ll take days before they reach the northern border, and even longer for our armies to return.”
“How many soldiers do we have left?” I asked, dreading the answer.
Lukas sighed, sliding a hand over his face. “Only the guards that patrol the palace and a few other small forces.”
In other words, Drothmore was doomed.
“How could this happen?” The room began to blur as tears threatened to overcome me. Then Lukas drew closer, and the storm inside my mind settled for a brief moment, until he spoke again.
“Everyone is telling me that you might be able to answer that question.”
His accusation sent all the air rushing out of my chest.
“What?” I almost choked. “You can’t possibly think I would have anything to do with this. I wouldn’t even know where to start with ordering armies about, or… kidnapping people. I—”
“Listen to me.” Lukas grabbed my hand, grasping it tightly. “I trust you. And I know you never would’ve gotten involved in this willingly, but… the timings, Naria.” He winced, conflict raging across his features. “You move into the palace, have secret meetings with the fae – my father’s greatest enemies – and now there are goblins in the woods? I want to believe you’re innocent, but the generals certainly don’t.”
The tears broke free then, streaming down my face while deep in my chest, my heart pounded. Each intense beat forced more and more air in and out of my lungs. This couldn’t be happening. This was just another awful dream.
“I swear on my parents’ graves, Lukas,” I insisted between sobs, “I had no idea that any of this was going on. I didn’t know there was a goblin camp in the woods until we were both captured. And even when I visited the fae, there was never any mention of any invasion! If I knew that they were planning this, I promise you I would’ve reported it back here immediately.” I took a breath to steady my shaking voice. “Trust me, I know what it’s like to lose a kingdom. I would never wish that fate on anyone.” I met his steel gaze. “Not even on my greatest enemy.”
A deafening silence fell between us. After what felt like hours, Lukas swallowed hard, nodded, then ran a hand through his messy hair.
“I believe you,” he admitted in a calmer voice. “The generals might want you thrown in the dungeons, but I’m going to tell them you’re to remain in your tower with Lady Raena. It’s safer up here, and I’ll make sure to leave you both with a guard that I can trust to get you out of the palace if things take a turn for the worse.”
“But what about you?” I asked, fear settling in my stomach.
Lukas hesitated for a moment before answering. “I’ll be travelling back to the goblin camp with a few of our remaining soldiers.”
“What? No!” Something cracked within my chest. “It’s too dangerous!”
“I don’t have a choice, Naria.” He breathed heavily. “I’d bet my life that the fae are behind all this and that they’ve sent the goblins to do their dirty work. My mother and father could be being tortured in that camp as we speak. I have to try and rescue them – for the sake of my kingdom.”
Another sob forced its way up my throat, but I swallowed it down. I knew he was right. What kind of future king would he be if he didn’t try?
“Then let me help you,” I suggested while wiping away a tear. “When you find the King and Queen, they’ll probably need healing. I can help with that! Or if any of your soldiers get injured, or if you do?” I cast aside the painful image of Lukas bleeding out on the forest floor. That would never happen. I would never let him die.
To my immense frustration, Lukas shook his head. “No, like you said, this is an incredibly dangerous mission. I can’t risk you being hurt in the crossfire.”
“But I can heal—”
“I said no!” Lukas cut me off with a fierce glare. “I can’t risk it. I won’t.” Then the glare faded to a softer look as he sighed. “Besides, you’ve seen the… tricks that I can do. If the situation calls for it, then I’m sure I can repeat what happened in the woods, and the little beasts will scatter, just like last time.”
I’d almost forgotten about the bizarre weather. Making a mental note to force him to spill all of these dirty secrets when we weren’t on the cusp of invasion, I leaned forward to remind him of the one thing he seemed to be forgetting. “But you said you can’t control it yet.”
Whatever the strange magic was that lurked under his skin, it was useless if he couldn’t wield it on command. And it wouldn’t take long for the goblins to realise that too.
“What if you try to use it and nothing happens?” I pressed. “I know we have our differences, Lukas, but I still can’t bear to think of you getting hurt.”
He stiffened, glancing away almost sheepishly. “If it reassures you, I’ll make sure to bring a few healers from the infirmary,” he offered. “And I’ll try again to locate my father’s healer. I’ve heard her skills are unmatched in the realm. I was actually hoping to question her on what happened in the King’s bedchamber, since she always seems to be right by his side, but she seems to have vanished too, along with my parents.”
“Seraphina is gone as well?” I pondered out loud. The more I learned, the more confusing this situation was proving to be. Wherever she was, though, I hoped she was safe.
Shaking my head, I focused on what was really important. My gaze locked onto Lukas. “Promise me you’ll come back from this unharmed?”
“I promise you.” His jaw tensed. “Naria, I—” There was a brief silence, and he chewed his lip, as if there was more he wanted to say but he couldn’t bring himself to say it yet.
“What is it?” I asked softly.
He shook his head, rising from the bed. “I’ll tell you when I return.”
I wanted to argue, but I knew if I opened my mouth, a sob would force its way out instead of any useful words.
When he reached the door, he paused for a moment, glancing over his shoulder one final time. “Stay safe… forest princess,” he said, then he smiled in a way that made my heart ache the second the door clicked shut behind him.
Please, please stay safe too.
I lasted all of two hours before I began throwing on a lightweight travelling gown, our heated conversation still ringing clearly in my mind:
‘But I can heal—’
‘I said no!’
It didn’t matter what he’d said. Every time I blinked, I could only see him flashing across my vision – lying there helplessly against the bloodstained leaves of the forest floor. It made me feel ill. Of course, I couldn’t fight, and if someone tried giving me a sword, I’d probably end up stabbing myself. But I wasn’t lying when I said I could heal. I knew I could help them. Without me, Lukas and his soldiers would be defenceless against the hundreds of savage goblins.
So I was going to help. And there was nothing that could possibly change my mind.
Just then, a soft knock sounded at the door.
“Who is it?” I asked hesitantly, but any fear faded instantly when the door slowly opened and Raena’s kind face blinked back at me.
First, she smiled, clearly relieved that I was alright after my ordeal yesterday, but then her gaze dropped to the travelling gown that swung around my calves, and then to the healing supplies on my hips. The colour drained from her cheeks as she pieced it all together.
“Don’t tell me you’re leaving too?” Raena squeaked, using her body to shut the door behind her.
“I have to,” I insisted. “I can’t just let him ride out to his death. You haven’t seen the goblin camps, Raena. There are so many of the little monsters! He’ll die!” Another sob lodged in my throat but I swallowed it down. I had to stop with the crying. These pesky tears weren’t helping anyone. Especially not Lukas. Wiping a hand across my face, I turned to continue packing up my medical supplies.
Behind me, Raena stepped closer. “Erik told me everything that happened,” she said in a gentle tone. “I heard about the goblins and how the Drothmore armies have left us. It’s not safe out there anymore. You should stay here and wait for news. I’m sure the prince will be fine.”
“You don’t know that,” I shot back, hurriedly stuffing crushed flowers into little potion bottles. “He could be dying right now, and no one would be there to save him!”
“There would be healers amongst the soldiers. This isn’t your fight, Naria.” I felt her place a hand on my shoulder.
“But what if it is?” I spun around, tears streaming down my cheeks. “This is all my fault. I should’ve never visited the fae. What if it’s Arenn who called for the army? What if I’ve made him jealous and this is all because of me?”
Raena shook her head, making the tight curls around her face bounce. “You’re being silly. None of this is your fault,” she soothed. “From what you’ve told me, it wouldn’t make sense for the faeries to do this. Not unless there’s something else going on, and whatever it might be, it would be much bigger than any of us.” She wiped the tears from my cheeks. “Now please, let’s just try to relax. How about we read a book together? I can fetch that naughty romance you liked? Remember how it made us fall about in laughter?” She just about managed to tease out a weak smile from me before I forced my lips to flatten.
Another blink, another flashing image of a bloodied prince.
“There’s no time for reading.” I returned to my herbs, making sure to pack an extra few nightbriar leaves for dressing wounds.
Over my shoulder, I heard Raena let out a frustrated huff. “Naria, stop this madness.” Her soothing tone was long gone. “If you go out into those woods, you will surely die. Do you want to have a quick sparring match with Erik outside? You wouldn’t even last a minute. You—”
“Erik’s our guard?” My face lit up like the morning sun. “That’s fantastic!” I whirled back to an open-mouthed Raena. “He’ll take me into the woods for sure. You can persuade him!” This was perfect. I’d be by Lukas’s side in no time. We’d be together and—
“STOP!” Raena’s scream pierced through my racing thoughts as if she’d thrown a dagger right at my head. Even Erik peeked his head around the door to check if everything was okay. Though a quick glare from Raena sent the door slamming shut again. My seemingly innocent friend was actually quite scary when angry. Perhaps she should come along too – one scream and the goblins would scatter.
“You will stop these ridiculous thoughts at once! I will not have you dying on me,” she seethed, her face burning with rage,“I will never forgive myself if anything happens to you while you were supposed to be safe here, with me. I know you want to help, but you can’t fight them. And no amount of healing herbs or potions will ever kill a goblin.”
Kill a goblin? Could I make a poison perhaps? I did know a few recipes…
Despite my wandering mind, Raena went on, “You don’t know how to wield a sword or use a bow. You’d only get in the way during a fight. Prince Lukas would probably kill me himself if he came back here and you were still out there.”
A poison wouldn’t work. There’s too many goblins, and I’d have to feed it to them somehow. I needed something bigger. Brighter. Something more… explosive. My mouth fell open.
“Are you even listening to me?” Raena huffed.
“Yes, well… I was.” But how could I convince her that this would work? “I’m sorry… you’re right.”
“I’m right?” She raised an eyebrow.
“Yes.” I took a breath and closed the gap between us. “Of course, you are. I can’t fight and I’d only get in the way if I tried to.” My fingers crumpled the fabric of my skirts. “I wouldn’t ever be able to help with just my herbs but… I might know another way.”
Raena studied my face. “Go on?”
I took another deep breath. Please let this work. “A few years ago, back in my village, there was a storage cupboard where our teachers would keep all of the different healing ingredients. Sometimes, my friends and I used to sneak in late at night, and, well… mix some of the powders together.”
“So you were a bit naughty?” she interrupted. “What’s this got to do with the goblins?”
“Just listen,” I persisted. “One night, we mixed together a few ingredients and something strange happened. There was a big, loud flash. Then the cupboard began to fill with smoke, and it glowed too!”
“The cupboard glowed?” Raena’s brow furrowed, unconvinced.
“No! Not the cupboard, the smoke!”
She shook her head. “I don’t see how that’s possible. That just sounds like magic.”
“Exactly! And the goblins are terrified of magic.” I grinned, praying that she’d piece it all together. “If I can use the same ingredients to recreate the sparks and the smoke, I can convince them that I’m a faery. And if they think I have magic, they’ll run for the hills. I can give Lukas the time he needs to find the King and Queen. It’s perfect!” My heart thrummed in my chest. Surely she would understand now.
Raena blinked a few times, her pretty face completely blank. “I don’t know, Naria. There were a lot of ‘ifs’ in your plan. What if something goes wrong?”
“It won’t,” I assured her, snatching up her hand in mine. “And if you don’t believe me, then at least let me show you the smoke. I have all the ingredients here. I packed almost an entire healer’s chest when I left the village. Just let me show you. Then you’ll see how it could work.” I stared back at her with glossy, desperate eyes.
After a few tense moments, she relented with a sigh. “Fine. Show me.”
I almost squealed.
“At least if you’re busy mixing up potions, you won’t be strolling through any goblin-filled woods.”