34.

He finally catches up, tackling me to the ground. “Now you know what it feels like down here.”

I wiggle my back against the floor. “I don’t know… It’s not so bad.”

“Ha! You’re just saying that to spite me.”

“Maybe.” I grin.

Malik stands, extending a hand to help me up.

“So where to next?” he asks.

“The gardens! I can’t wait for you to see them.” I grab his hand and lead him to the hallway. “Follow me.”

I guide him through tapestry-covered walls and arched doorways, until we’re in view of the granite stairs that split in two, curving around to meet each other again.

“This is it,” I say. We glance at each other, and then race to the fountain.

“It’s even grander than I had expected,” Malik says. “Wonder how much this thing costs?”

“More money than you will ever see in your lifetime,” someone says behind us. We turn to see King Zarek.

“Majesty,” I say, bowing. Malik follows my lead.

“Glad you two feel so at home. Don’t get too cozy. There is work to be done. But we’ll chat about that tomorrow. I assume you two will be joining me for supper?”

“I am a bit hungry.” I rub my stomach; it growls a retort.

“Good. I’ll see you two then.” He reaches down for my hand, giving it a brief kiss, and then he turns to leave. But before he makes it five steps, he’s facing us again. “Malik, I’ve checked with my advisors. It seems the kitchen needs help preparing the prisoners’ food. Do you mind moving right away?”

“No, Majesty. I’m very thankful,” Malik answers.

King Zarek laughs. “Fantastic. I’ll tell them you’ll start tomorrow.” He waves without looking back.

When he disappears through the opening at the top of the majestic stairs, I glance at Malik. “You didn’t come here for work like that.”

“It’s better than not having a job at all. Any extra money will be sent to my family. Everything’s for them. Not me.”

“That’s not what I meant. You could have a better job here. Make more money. And now you’ll be serving food to prisoners? That’s dangerous.”

“Andy, not everything is handed to people like you and me. When are you going to learn? We have to fight for what we want. Our actions here will be scrutinized because we aren’t people of class. You, however, could manage with stuff I can’t.”

“Me? I’ve been trying for the past week. You’ve seen how he is. He won’t listen.”

There’s remoteness in Malik’s eyes. Cold. Vacant. “He likes you, and thinks you’re different from everyone else.”

“Says who?” I cross my arms.  Even in the sunny weather, a chill prickles my skin.

“My mother has visions. She’s had them since she was a kid. That’s how she and my father found me alone in the desert. She knew I was there before anyone else. But she had a vision recently about you.”

My right eyebrow rises on its own, doubtful of what he might say.

He continues. “She said you’re our hero. Even though Legora struggles, she said you’ll appear through of the heavy fog weighing us down. You will appear as the light which divides the haze.”

“Well…what does that mean?”

He shakes his head. “I don’t know. But I think it has to do with you and the King. I think you’ll change everything for us.”

“Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I don’t believe it’ll happen.”

“Andy, do you not see the way he looks at you? It’s like his entire face softens when you’re in his sight.”

“I don’t know what his problem is,” I lie. Unfamiliar emotions tackle me at once. Haven’t I seen King Zarek’s feelings expressed? Don’t I know I’m getting in too deep by returning to Valyad? If it wasn’t for my family’s fate being on the line, then we’d be somewhere far away by now.

Great. Malik just killed the excitement.

But when he unexpectedly closes the short distance between us and wraps his arms around me, I feel that excitement return. Against my hair, he murmurs, “I have faith in you.”

His hand gently stroking my back makes me dizzy. I attempt to pull away, but he’s adamant about keeping me in his grip. I glance up at his face. He opens his mouth to say something. Nothing comes out.

“What is it?” I ask.

His hands drop to his sides and he shakes his head. Even his smile is barely there. “Just keep your head up.”

Right now, I wish I could escape. 

To Legora.

Or Halgan.

Or maybe a city I haven’t heard of.

I never asked for this responsibility to sit on me.

There are some days I wish I had been sitting at the kitchen table when stars blasted our home into toothpick-sized fragments. They soared directly into our city, knowing they’d demolish memories caught between four walls. I hate them for that. All those thoughts and dreams were special to me.

I should’ve died that day.  

35.

When we return to our rooms before supper, there is a short, blonde-haired girl in mine.

“You must be Andrina,” she says.

“I am. And you are…”

“I’m Lucy. Your new maid.”

She reminds me of a porcelain doll; her hair is curled in all the right places, her makeup isn’t overdone and every crease has been ironed from her dress. Plus, she just stands there, like her body will crack if she moves too much.

“What happened to Daphne?” I ask.

“I’m afraid Daphne has been assigned other duties, so they sent me instead.”

She looks so young. Younger than me. I might as well get to know her.

“Where are you from?” I ask.

“Here. I was born in Valyad. My mother is a seamstress, and my father is a prison guard.”

“So you’ve always lived in the castle?” I haven’t moved from my spot in the doorway. There’s something strange about her, but I haven’t figured it out yet.

“Do you always ask a lot of questions?”

Maids aren’t usually so brash about what they say. But, I guess if I grew up in a castle, I’d speak that way too.

“Yeah, actually. I do.”

She giggles, which comes out as too shrill. “We’ll talk later. I have to ready you for the feast.”

Motioning me to a chair, she opens drawers on the vanity and pulls out equipment—makeup, hair pins, curling iron.

“I haven’t decided what I’ll have you wear tonight,” she says. I give her on odd glare, and she adds, “This is a bit like playing dress-up.”

“Only, I’m not a child’s toy.”

She ignores my statement and works on my hair first. By the time she finishes dolling me up, my stomach notifies me that it’s more than hungry. Malik has probably been ready for some time now, since he’s a guy and they don’t take half as long as us girls.

“All done,” Lucy says. “You look like a princess.”

“Thanks.” I exit the room, glad to get away, and walk briskly toward Malik’s chamber. Two knocks later and he stands in front of me. His hair is slick, completely void of waves. Black dress pants and a ruffled blue shirt are his attire. The hue of his shirt plays up his eyes.

“You look nice,” I say.

“As do you,” he replies. “Shall we?” He extends his arm and I loop mine through it. “Tell me, what type of food should I expect?”

“Everything you can think of. Fruits. Vegetables. Bread that dissolves as soon as it reaches your tongue. Fried birds. You’ll see why it’s a feast. Oh, and they bring it to you. You won’t have to stand for any reason. Makes conversation easier.”

“Can’t wait.”

The dining hall is decorated in the same golden hues, but with white sprinkled throughout. White flowers, white placemats, white dishes. Even the seat cushions are white.

“Wow,” says Malik. He soaks in every last decoration. “My mother would love this.”

“Maybe she could come visit you. I’m sure King Zarek will allow it.”

We find the folded cards bearing our names near the King’s chair. Though we’re not within an arm’s reach, we’re still closer than most people will sit.

Malik tilts his head and says, “We don’t belong in a place like this, Andy.”

His statement takes me by surprise. “Why do you say that? There’s a reason why we’re both here.”

His nose wrinkles. “I smell treachery. Deception. Nothing good can come of that.”

My body chills. Why haven’t I acknowledged these signs? Like when I asked where they obtain their jewels, or that they don’t want to aid helpless cities such as Legora…

A doorman announces King Zarek’s arrival, and everyone stands.

“Glad the two of you could make it. Malik, I hope you enjoy the meal,” King Zarek says, gracefully sitting down on his pallid cushion. He takes my hand again, giving it a kiss. Governor Hadi gruffly takes his seat to King Zarek’s right.

“I’m sure I will, Majesty,” says Malik. His eyes stray from King Zarek’s brazen exhibit of affection toward me to the cherubs painted on the ceiling. “I’ll admit—I’ve never seen anything like this.”

Zarek releases my hand and says, “Magnificent, aren’t they? This castle has been here for centuries. When I learned it still stood after the Age of Desolation, I knew this was the place to build my kingdom.”

“How did you come into power exactly?”

King Zarek waves his hand toward a footman by the door nearest us. I don’t know if that’s the cue for dinner to begin, or if he wants Malik to refrain from asking fearless questions.

But he chooses to answer. “I came from a family of immense wealth and political power. In the Old World, my family governed many thriving cities. Most were richly populated and held leaders that reigned under our command. But those days ended when the other kingdoms threatened our policies. War ensued. My family split in hopes we could one day be reunited.” He smiles, but it’s sad to watch. Like it’s forced so no one outside of the conversation will notice he’s upset. “Well, you see how that turned out.”

“I’m sorry to hear of your family. My thoughts are with your loved ones, wherever they are,” Malik says.

“No doubt they would be happy not to see the world so changed. I thank the stars every day that they aren’t living in these conditions. But I have to wonder: what would it be like if they were still here?”

“I think they’d be proud of you,” I say. “It seems like you’re doing a wonderful job of maintaining your kingdom and the surrounding cities.” I honestly don’t know where that came from; it’s not like he’s bothered to help Legora. Yet.

Maybe my sucking up will do some good.

“Ah, well, I’m sure they are watching me from wherever they rest.”

Dinner is rolled out on carts, accompanied by several men preparing to hand out the first course.

“Now the fun begins,” I whisper to Malik. He grins, watching the men handle the dishes with ease.

We begin the feast with a light pairing of sautéed red and yellow vegetables followed by a never-ending supply of buttered rolls the size of my hand. For our second course, we’re served grilled mangal over a bed of sugared rice. And our dessert? Caramelized brown sugar dusted on top of diced cocoa beans.

My stomach is so taut I think it might pop. Malik is battling with the same. He groans, but seems determined to finish every last bite. He must’ve been starving.

King Zarek waves, and the footmen come running. As soon as the plates are taken, he speaks. “Malik, do you like to cook?”

“I’ve never done much cooking,” Malik replies. I suppress a giggle when I think about the gypsies magically preparing their food.

“If you show promise with your new position, I’ll have you promoted. Possibly to an altogether different post.”

“Thank you, Majesty.”

“I’m sure that family of yours will no doubt be satisfied. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have business matters to attend to.” He stands and eyes us over his shoulder. “I really am pleased you two could join me for supper.”

Before King Zarek and his advisors exit, he warmly smiles at me. Malik looks like he might be sick. Like, really sick.

“Are you okay?” I ask, grabbing hold of his arm. He’s somewhat bent over the table.

“I think I ate too much,” he wheezes.

“C’mon. Let’s get you to your room so you can lie down.”

We have to walk slower than a snail, though. Malik says he might throw up. If he does, I’d lose mine, too.

But we make it—even through the twists and turns, and feeling like the draperies are smothering us. Malik collapses onto his bed with a grunt.

“Get some rest. You’ll have a long day tomorrow with your new job.”

He nods.

In my room, Lucy sits on the balcony, sipping a fragrant drink; the smell spirals through the air. 

“How was your meal?” she asks without so much as a glance toward me. She won’t even stand.

“Filling.”

“If you don’t have any further need of me, I’d propose dismissing me for the night.”

This is the time I wish I had Daphne back. I miss her company. Not this spoiled castle brat. While she is still a maid, there is that fire in her that tends to consume me so that all I see is red.

I don’t like her. I want her gone…permanently. She’s only going to distract me from my ultimate plan—not that I actually have one yet.

“You are released from all duties pertaining to me. Honestly, I don’t know how you’re still employed.”

Lucy’s facial expression is a smug one when she stands. Her shoulder fall back, her nose rises toward the ceiling. She glares at me like I’m a rodent, and there’s a trap set somewhere for me to step in.

And then the wench snorts, placing her mug on the table beside her.

“You don’t even deserve a maid. I’m surprised Zarek hasn’t put you to work. This high and mighty act doesn’t bode well with him.” As she walks by, she makes a point to whisper, “One day I’ll be queen, and you’ll be my maid.”

Before I can stop the words from tumbling out, I say, “I would think that His Majesty would reward you for your services. But look at you. You’re still a servant.”

Her voice falters when she says, “We’re all servants to the King.”

“You can leave now.”

The little princess leaves in a show of frustrated screams and pounding of fists against the double doors.

“What was that about?” Malik asks.

I jump, not realizing he had been standing there. “I thought you were in bed.”

“I was, but I wanted to watch the chick fight.”

I roll my eyes. “You feeling better?”

“A little.” He hesitates, like he wants to say something. “Andy, what if I’m not cut out for this?”

“You’ll be working in a kitchen. I doubt you’ll do the cooking, just the delivery. The only thing you have to worry about is the prisoners trying to kill you.”

“Wow. I feel so much better now.”

I giggle. “Seriously. It can’t be hard, right? Plus, if you do well, you’ll be promoted. That’s always a good thing. You came here for your family to have a better life, and for you to give back. Think of them.”

He purses his lips. “What if my family can’t visit me?”

“You can ask what if until your voice fails, but it won’t get you anywhere. Time will tell. Surely King Zarek wouldn’t be so cruel.”

“He doesn’t know me that well. For all I know he could be using me for another purpose.”

“Why would he do that?”

He shrugs. “I don’t know. Sounded like a good idea a moment ago. Like, what if he’s using me to get to you somehow?”

“I hate to crash your party, but I haven’t gotten anywhere with King Zarek. And it’s likely I won’t at all.” After glancing down each hallway, I motion for Malik to step inside and close the door. “Between the two of us, I don’t know what this trip is all about. I still haven’t learned what he and Lazar spoke of in Legora.”

“Give it time. You can’t expect to talk things over as soon as you arrive.”

That’s what I like about Malik. He’s so level-headed.

“Anyway, I’ve got to get some rest before tomorrow. Good night.” He hugs me, and then retires to his room.

I can’t help but wonder if he’s right. Should I be patient and let things play out? What will happen if I wait too long?