Mountain of Masks Read online

  Her abundant bubbies heaved. “But I have done nothing wrong.”

  He tightened his grasp. “Nothing? You speak openly, as if you and I are of the same status, you are disgustingly fat, and you threaten to feed me meat from a dog of whose origin you know not. I see much wrongdoing.”

  “There is nothing shameful in eating dog meat. Many find it pleasing.”

  “It is food for commoners!” He forcefully slammed her raised hand downward. The knife plunged into the wood, missing her other hand by the width of a hair. “Because my father cared for you, I shall show you mercy. Cross me not again.”

  Her body folded into itself. “Thank you, sire.” She bowed her head and stared at the floor.

  Satisfied, he smiled and patted her on the back. “I shall have three eggs and bread with honey. Take some to my wife as well, but before you enter her chamber, make certain she is awake.” He chuckled. “She could not keep herself off me last night, and I fear she is exceptionally weary.”

  He sat in a chair in the corner of the kitchen and propped his feet on a stool. It pleased him to watch Ercilia fumble around the kitchen. Truthfully, he felt a great deal better than he had upon entering the room.

  A king needed to have the ability to put his subjects in their proper place. He had proven to himself time and again that he could capably rule.

  Once he had satisfied his appetite, he would take his bride on a journey to Oros. King Callum would surely be pleased to see them. And after Marni’s passionate outbursts in regard to Sebastian and his Crenian whore, Frederick intended to sit back and allow his wife the opportunity to relate her concerns to her father.

  Frederick would dote on her in his presence and display his fineness as a future father and king. With the help of Oros, they would overturn Sebastian’s claim.

  That thought alone pleased him more than Marni had. Nothing and no one could ruin this day.

  He caught Ercilia’s eye and smirked, and she quickly turned her head.

  The woman understood her position of lesser degree, and soon, everyone in the kingdoms would as well. God help them if they challenged him.

  Chapter 5

  Sebastian and Olivia had scarcely set foot inside the castle corridor, when running footsteps neared them.

  “They have returned!”

  Olivia laughed at Delana’s outburst. The girl nearly tripped on her skirt as she raced toward them.

  Catrice followed on her heels, and within moments, both girls had their arms around her.

  Sebastian leaned close. “You may regret leaving the ocean earlier than we had planned.”

  “No.” Olivia laughed even harder. “I adore this wonderful welcome.”

  Delana grinned up at her. “We did not expect you so soon. Did you not care for the ocean?”

  Catrice merely blinked her big blue eyes, smiling all the while.

  “The ocean was beautiful. However—”

  “Olivia wished to return …” Sebastian said, while tapping the tip of Delana’s nose, “… so she may become better acquainted with her sisters.”

  Catrice’s mouth dropped wide open. “She did?”

  Olivia appreciated Sebastian’s interruption. It probably would not have been wise to tell them the true reason. “Yes. I believe you have a turtle to show me. Is that not so?”

  Delana scrunched up her face and shook her head. “Her silly turtle is not important. Let me take you around the castle.” She grasped Olivia’s arm. “There are hidden passages only we know of.”

  “Oh, my. I am intrigued.”

  Sebastian held up a hand. “That will have to wait, Delana. You must first grant me the opportunity to escort my bride to our chamber. Let her catch her breath before you run her ragged.”

  The dear girl pouted and stared at the floor.

  Olivia took her hand. “We will have plenty of time to explore. I admit, I am famished. I could use a bath and possibly even a nap.” She shifted her eyes to Sebastian, who grinned at her remark, so she widened her eyes in silent admonishment. She had no doubt what he was thinking.

  “Yes,” he said. “Let us rest and after supper you may show Olivia the castle and all its passages. Will that suffice?”

  Delana’s head lifted, and she smiled. “Yes. Thank you, Sebastian. Mother promised you would share her.”

  “Did she now?” He crossed his arms over his chest.

  “Yes. She said Olivia would have to learn how to give her time to all of us and many other people, as well. It is her duty.” She grabbed Catrice’s hand. “We must tell Mother they are home!”

  Before Olivia could respond, the two girls sped away.

  She wrapped her arms around Sebastian and rested her head on his chest. “My duty.” She let out a long sigh. “For now, I crave to be your wife and nothing more.”

  He stroked her hair. “That suits me. Although eventually, you will have many obligations as queen.”

  She peered up at him. “I understand. Do not forget, I was trained to rule Padrida. I have full knowledge of obligation. The needs of our people will always come first.”

  “Yes, they shall.” His features softened into something a great deal less playful. “Are you indeed, spent? If not, I would like you to walk with me.”

  “I am quite able to walk. I assume you have something to show me?”

  He jerked his head toward the hallway, and they casually moved in that direction. “I sincerely believe your father thought you would be the queen prophesied.”

  She stopped and faced him. “What queen? I am not familiar with such a prophecy.”

  “Truly?”

  This time, she folded her arms. “Sebastian. I would not ask if I knew. And please do not tell me it has something to do with the horrid words the priest spoke at our wedding—telling you how you would be tested beyond measure, and that I should prepare myself for grievous heartache.”

  “No. You must disregard all he said. The man was deranged.”

  Hearing it brought an ache to her heart. “And yet he sealed our vows. I pray it does not diminish their worth.”

  Sebastian placed a light kiss on her brow. “Nothing and no one shall accomplish that. We are bound to one another by law. And …” He drew her into his arms. “Our coupling cannot be undone. We gave ourselves to one another and could very well have produced an heir. No priest can discount our child.”

  The possibility of a baby growing within her, brought on both joy and terror. She tossed aside worries of the wretched priest, more curious about this unknown prophecy. “So, tell me. Of what prophecy do you speak?”

  He again gestured to the hallway. “That is what I wish to show you.”

  They followed a long, domed passageway and came to an enormous door. The front bore elaborate carvings of odd-looking symbols.

  “Our library,” Sebastian said and opened the door.

  The room rose a full two stories. Much fancier than the library in Padrida. Along with shelves upon shelves of books, the walls held paintings—portraits of men and women in fine clothing.

  Sebastian nodded at them. “My ancestors. If you look closely, I am certain you will see the resemblance.”

  Olivia wandered from one portrait to the next. An exceptionally old canvas caught her eye. “Strange. This man reminds me of my father.” From his face, all the way down to his plump belly.

  “Hmm …” Sebastian moved close and examined the artwork as if he had never seen it before. “I do see the resemblance. Of course, over the centuries, our ancestors would have intermarried. With only five kingdoms, eventually all royalty intertwines.”

  She put her back to the wall and leaned against it. “Then, is it not good to introduce blood from other lines? Just as we have with mine?”

  “It matters not to me. Blood is blood, as you so cleverly expressed to my father. Yet there are those in power who believe otherwise.” He shut his eyes and rapidly shook his head. “How did we come upon this course of conversation? Did I not bring you here to show you the
prophecy?”

  “Yes.” She cupped a hand to his cheek. “I can see in the crease of your brow that I trouble you. You should know by now, I freely speak my mind.” After tickling her fingers through his beard, she brought her hand to herself. “Is it not the reason you find me appealing?”

  He grinned. “That, along with many other attributes.” He stared at her for a brief moment, then cleared his throat and gestured to a large book set atop an ornate table. “The reason I brought you here.”

  The room heated, simply from the way he had looked her. Had he not been so eager to show her the book, she would have hastened him to their bedchamber. Instead, she followed him to the table and set aside her passions.

  The incredible book had been inscribed with gold lettering, written on parchment that appeared centuries old.

  Sebastian carefully turned the pages. “The royal family alone is allowed to touch this, and it is never to be taken from this room.” He mumbled something she could not understand, all the while scanning the words as he worked his way through it. “Ah, here it is.” He rested his finger on a line at the top of the page.

  She leaned close. “Shall I read it aloud?”

  “Please do.”

  “Wars will rage, and men will die. Their women weep, their children cry.” Olivia lifted her eyes from the troubling page. “I do not like the sound of this. Surely it speaks of the wars of old?”

  “Read on.”

  She swallowed hard. “All shall fear the light of day, until she comes in dark array. No truer aim of archer’s bow, or fiercer sting of steely blow. The rightful heir to reign on high, not king, but queen, will satisfy. She alone shall rule the lands, and peace will come at her commands. Yet not until the earth runs red, and every king is lying dead.”

  “Oh, mercy.” An unpleasant tingle crept down Olivia’s back. “This is a horrible prophecy. I have never heard such a thing.” She reread the final line to herself and swallowed the bile that had crept into her throat. “Every king dead? Has a queen ever ruled as the highest authority?”

  “No.” He rested his hand on the page. “The realms have seen to it that the highest throne is always held by a man. And when my great, great grandfather defeated yours in battle, peace was achieved throughout all the lands.” He shut the book. “I believe the prophesies are wrong.”

  She cocked her head to one side. “You so easily dismiss it?” She pointed a stiff finger at the words on the page. “Who wrote this book?”

  “A seer of old named Masa.”

  “I have not heard of him. Did the priests accept him as legitimate?”

  Sebastian gave a simple nod.

  She reached for the book. “Are there other prophesies written in these pages, that have come to pass?” A desire to sit down and pour over Masa’s writing from cover to cover tugged at her.

  “Olivia.” Sebastian laid a hand on hers. “Worry yourself not over his writings. I merely thought you would find this particular one of interest. I feel it is the very reason your father wanted me at your side in Padrida, and not you at mine.”

  She gaped at him. “According to this prophecy, if it came to pass, he would be dead, along with every other king in the realms. Why would he want that?” A cold chill covered her from head to foot, and she trembled. “As much as I want to read and understand all of Masa’s words, I would have been happier never to have seen this.”

  Sebastian’s face fell. “Forgive me, Olivia. I honestly assumed you would have been made aware of Masa’s writings through your training as heir. His prophesies are some of the oldest and most respected in the realms.” He carefully shut the huge book, then smiled. “You need not worry. We can be certain you are not the one foretold.” His smile broadened. “Had your father seen you shoot your bow, he would not have entertained the idea.”

  His pleasant expression helped, yet she could not dismiss the prophetic words from her mind. “Father may be unaware of these writings. I believe he simply wanted to see his daughter on the throne in Padrida.” She gazed upward, met by an even warmer smile. She could not help but return it and playfully smacked his chest. “Will you ever dismiss my lack of skill with the bow?”

  He shook his head. “Jonah suffered for it.” Grinning, he waved a hand toward the door. “Let us go to our chamber, and you can come back here at your leisure. I know you well. You will not rest until you have read all of Masa’s writings. And, to answer your question, yes, most of his prophesies have come to pass. But, I pray this particular one does not. The idea of bloodshed sickens me. As king, I shall do all in my power to maintain peace.”

  “And I shall help you.” She threaded her fingers into his. “Show me to our bedchamber, Highness. I wish to see where I shall lay my head for the rest of my days.”

  He hurried her from the library. “If fortune is on our side, we will find our chamber empty and not being tended by one of the chambermaids.”

  “And, if it is not?”

  “Anyone within will be sent away.”

  “Even if it is your mother? After all, your sisters were alerting her to our presence.”

  He laughed. “Especially if it is she.”

  They reached another finely carved door. This one bore the prince’s emblem.

  Sebastian jiggled his brows and scanned the hallway. “All is quiet. I pray I find the same within. In addition, I hope you find this room to your liking.” He pushed the door open.

  Olivia gasped and clutched her bosom. “No.” A red coverlet lay across the elaborate bed at the center of the room. White silken pillows lined the top.

  She buried her face against his neck. “You said there was no bedding like this anywhere in the castle.”

  “I did not lie. I have never seen this before.” The fear in his voice came through plainly, troubling Olivia even more.

  Giggles in the corridor drew their attention.

  “Who is there?” Sebastian demanded.

  Delana inched toward them. “You speak with anger. Do you not like what I did?” The poor girl frowned, obviously confused.

  Olivia remembered the white silk pillow Delana had so joyfully placed on her bed the night before Sebastian and she married. She reached for her. “It is lovely, Delana. Thank you.”

  The girl’s demeanor brightened. “Estelle had the coverlet made, and I gathered the pillows. We wanted something pretty for you, Olivia. Sebastian’s bed bore an ugly brown quilt. It was not fitting for a woman.”

  Sebastian’s face had turned ashen. He trudged into the room and fingered the red fabric.

  Delana tugged on Olivia’s arm. “He is acting quite strange. I suppose I should have left his old ratty blanket where it was.”

  “Worry not.” She bent to the girl’s level. “Thank you for the fine gifts. I shall be certain to let Estelle know of our appreciation.” Her heart pounded, but she would not let on to the girl that she now feared being in the room. “Please tell your mother we shall see her at supper. I believe your brother and I require a brief rest.”

  Delana rapidly bobbed her head, then scurried down the hall.

  Olivia made her way into the bedchamber and shut the door. Slowly, she approached Sebastian. “Now, you fear my dream, just as I do.” She gingerly touched the coverlet. “I had to have been mistaken in regard to Donovan. Perhaps the image was that of Frederick. Are they similar in appearance?”

  “No.” He yanked the blanket from the bed and tossed it on the floor. “But dreams are shadows. You could be right about Frederick.”

  She moved into his arms. “My poor love, you are trembling.” Heart aching, she tightened her hold. “As you assured me, we are safe within these walls.”

  He covered her face with kisses. “Forgive me. I am behaving as a fool. I should be offering you comfort, and yet you soothe me.”

  “Let us ease one other.” She moved onto the bed and stretched out her hand.

  He fell into her embrace and they became lost in one another. Sleep would not come anytime soon, but that suit
ed her. She cared not to be witness to anymore nightmares—her own personal prophesies that eventually came to pass, no matter how hard she tried to dismiss them.

  Chapter 6

  Sebastian lay flat on his back and vacantly stared upward. His inner turmoil kept him from fully appreciating the moment, even though his beautiful bride had draped herself across his body, breathing peacefully.

  He glanced over to the floor, where the red coverlet lay crumpled in a ball, and his stomach roiled. Whenever he lied to Olivia, it bothered him more.

  “We should dress for supper.” The soft sweetness in her voice did not help. “It would be wrong to keep your parents waiting.” Her fingers brushed across his chest and tickled his bare skin.

  “True. But …” The only way to ease his distress would be to tell her everything, yet he had no idea how to go about it.

  She rose up onto one elbow and looked in his eyes. “Something still troubles you. I can hear it in your voice.”

  He slid his fingers through her silky hair. “You know how much I love you, do you not?”

  “Yes.” She intently studied his face, as if reading into his soul. “And because you love me, you must tell me what you have been keeping from me. I have sensed it for a while, but cast it off as unreasonable. After all, there is no need for you to hide anything from me.”

  Her words stabbed into his pounding heart. “I have been silent on this issue, wishing only to protect you. Your happiness means more to me than the air I breathe.”

  The crease in her brow deepened. “As I feared. There is something.” She sat fully upright and clasped a sheet to herself. “I love you, Sebastian, and I believe you love me. But we cannot have secrets. If we are to one day rule together, we must share everything. I cannot be left in the dark.”

  He, too, sat up and faced her, then took hold of her hand. “If I had told you everything prior to our time at the ocean, you would not have been at ease and happy, but fearful. I did not want to ruin the fulfillment of one of your heart’s deepest desires.”

  All expression vanished from her face. “Donovan lives.” She spoke in a matter of fact tone, not one that questioned.