Island in the Forest (Shrouded Thrones Book 1) Page 7

  Donovan. The true source of her mother’s anger.

  Olivia assumed his punishment had been much worse.

  Chapter 8

  The raucous noise from Toad’s Tavern pounded in Sebastian’s head, but he stood firm and hovered over Jonah.

  Thus far, Sebastian had been unsuccessful convincing him to accompany him on another journey. Especially when Sebastian told him they would be away for weeks, not days. And when he had added they would be returning to Black Wood, Jonah slammed his mug of ale on the table and refused to go.

  So, as prince, Sebastian ordered it.

  Jonah defiantly crossed his arms over his chest and jutted his chin. “I have no choice in the matter?”

  “You had a choice and made the wrong decision. So, I have made it for you.” Sebastian grinned, hoping to appease him, but his words prompted a scowl.

  “Do not grin at me. You know how I feel about that place.”

  Sebastian shook his head. “I recall you telling me how wrong you had been regarding the dangers in the forest.”

  “I saw nothing to fear then. However, that does not mean it is safe. Perhaps we were merely fortunate not to have encountered peril.”

  “That is ridiculous.”

  Jonah huffed. “Why not ask Boris to accompany you? He’s big as a bear and dumb as a rock. He would not question anything you do and fears nothing.”

  “No. I want you.” He took Jonah by the arm, lifted him from his chair, and guided him out the door of the tavern. Too many eyes and ears had been attuned to them. And though they had spoken low, they had received several raised eyebrows.

  Besides, Toad’s was not a wise place for any prince to tarry.

  Some distance from the tavern, Jonah jerked from Sebastian’s grasp. “Worry not. I shan’t run. And please, never again say I want you in the presence of other men. They may get the wrong impression. Because of that and my newly revealed abstinence, I am certain tongues are wagging.”

  “Tongues my father would remove if such talk reached his ears regarding his son.”

  Jonah stopped walking, and his entire body slumped. “I am upset about much more than that, but it all ties together.” He placed his hands on his hips. “I wish to be a knight. If I accompany you on this romantic quest, will you speak to the king? After all, finding you a proper bride could be a treacherous venture.”

  Sebastian understood. With the scarcity of available princesses in the outlying kingdoms, some princes had already set claim to girls younger than twelve, willing to wait for them to come of age. He might have to do the same.

  If fortunate, a proper princess might live in the kingdom within Black Wood. Reaching her would take time, something his father had given him. That venture in itself could be more dangerous than Jonah realized.

  “If we accomplish what we set out to do,” Sebastian said, “I will request your knighthood.”

  “Thank you, Your Highness!” Jonah slapped him on the back and continued walking. Then just as quickly stopped cold. “Why go to Black Wood, if your purpose is to find a bride?” His eyes narrowed. “Are you truly seeking one, or is this only an excuse to return to that wretched place?”

  “I will tell you when we are well on our way.” Sebastian could not risk word getting out before they left Basilia.

  “Something about this does not feel right.” Jonah shook his head. “I doubt this journey has anything to do with finding a princess.”

  “You are mistaken.” Sebastian grinned. “Now, go home and pack for a long quest.”

  Even after they parted ways and Sebastian had gone a great distance, he could still hear Jonah grumbling.

  * * *

  Since Golda was entangled with Champion, Sebastian saddled Ebony, another fine mare as black as night. Not as fast as Golda, yet more than able to manage a long journey.

  Jonah appreciated her slower gait. Once again atop Cinnamon, he trotted beside him. “I saw Allana last night at supper. I made her laugh.”

  Sebastian looked down his nose at his friend. “That is well and good, as long as you are doing nothing more to her.” Four years could prove to be difficult for him. He had never known Jonah to go longer than four days without a woman’s affections.

  Jonah dipped his head. “I gave you my word, Sebastian.” He kept stride and sidled up even closer. “May I ask you something personal?”

  “Go on . . .” Discussing other matters kept him from having to tell Jonah about the castle.

  “How do you do it?”

  “Do what?”

  “Remain chaste.”

  Sebastian would have much rather discussed the other matter. But since Jonah asked, he felt obliged to discuss it. Perhaps his methods could aid him. “Never forget that your mind controls all your actions.”

  “Not in my body,” Jonah muttered.

  Sebastian chuckled. “Every man has the ability to control his desires. However, you must want to control them. As prince, I have no choice. As you know, by law I cannot lie with a woman until she is my wife. The law keeps our royal blood pure and no one questions the legitimacy of heirs. Most importantly, I cannot choose a woman who has been spoiled.”

  “What about your sister?” Jonah’s lip curled. “Can she marry a spoiled man?”

  “Yes. If not, I would have told you immediately you could never have her. I know of your activities. You have never shied from sharing them.”

  “It was cruel of me. Telling you how I . . .” He stopped. “Well—the fact you cannot—it must be difficult hearing my tales.”

  “Sometimes.” Sebastian breathed deeply. “All-in-all, I found them educational. I will not be quite so ignorant on my wedding night.”

  Jonah sat tall and puffed out his chest. “It pleases me I could help.” His shoulders dropped. “Now, tell me how to stop thinking about it.”

  “Put your mind on other things.”

  “Such as?”

  “Black Wood.”

  Jonah scowled. “Yes, that alone makes me limp.”

  Maybe it was time to tell him why they were returning to the forest. It might be what Jonah needed to take his mind off of his lower extremities.

  They reached the same pond where they had watered their horses before, and Sebastian guided Ebony to it. Though the air was warm, and they all needed a drink, Sebastian feared the weather would soon turn. Currently, the sky was clear, but far off, dark clouds gathered. They would need to press on to reach the forest before the rain came.

  While he munched on an apple, Sebastian took a seat on the green grass close to the water and motioned for Jonah to join him.

  Sebastian quickly recanted everything about the hidden kingdom and how fearful Olivia had been. Jonah silently gaped at him the entire time he spoke.

  When Sebastian ended his tale, he waited for some sort of comment, or perhaps even a question or two, but Jonah sat frozen in place.

  “I have devised a way to communicate with her,” Sebastian went on. “You see—”

  “You are insane!” Jonah jumped up and shook his fists in the air. “You discover a kingdom unknown to any of the realm and you keep it to yourself? Do you not realize the danger? How dare you!”

  Sebastian shot like an arrow to his feet and faced him squarely. “Never speak to me that way!”

  “Forgive me, Your Highness, if I remember correctly, when we are away from Basilia, you and I are friends. I am not your subject! I have every right to tell you when you have lost your damned mind.” He fisted his hands on his hips and glared.

  “Why are you angry? I have done nothing wrong. They pose no threat!”

  “No threat?” Jonah stepped closer. “There are but two of us. What if this kingdom draws against us?”

  “How can they, with a cavern that separates us from them? They cannot cross!”

  They both breathed hard and heavy. Neither backed down or broke their intense gaze.

  Sebastian finally dropped his eyes. How could he fault his friend for performing his duty? He had s
worn an oath to protect him and vowed Sebastian’s safety to the queen.

  “Forgive me.” Sebastian rested his hand on Jonah’s shoulder. “I am bewitched by this place and have not clearly thought this through.”

  “Then why not go elsewhere? We can go to Oros. Prince Eural has a sister—”

  “No. I cannot rest until I have answers. If Olivia returns to the wall, I can send her a letter. I have already composed it and secured it to an arrow. The distance by the bridge from one side to the other is narrow enough for one to reach her. My bride could be within their walls, and we would have no need to go farther.”

  Jonah shook his head and huffed. “How do you know you can trust this . . . Olivia?”

  “Somehow, I believe I can. And when you see her . . .” He shut his eyes and envisioned her. A beauty like no other. If she represented the women of her people, then the princess was bound to be even lovelier. Though he could not imagine how. From afar, Olivia resembled pure perfection.

  Jonah punched Sebastian’s shoulder. “You are no different than I. This quest is all about that woman. You had best get your mind off her. After all, you are supposed to be teaching. Your behavior sets a bad example.”

  “I wrote her a letter, Jonah. Nothing more.”

  “Yet.”

  They mounted their horses. Black Wood beckoned them.

  Chapter 9

  Olivia took her time walking into her mother’s chamber. When she saw Rosalie working the fan over her mother’s head, the vision sealed her pain.

  Olivia might as well be a commoner. She feared the queen.

  She had no worries of something as horrid as being beheaded—something described in old tales—but she feared her mother’s treatment of cruelty to their people.

  Olivia’s actions and words prompted her mother to punish two citizens guilty of a love crime. How could that be justified? She would likely be told her honor had been protected. Olivia would rather have had the event overlooked.

  Rosalie met her eyes and cast the most tormented expression.

  Somehow, Olivia needed to reassure her that once she became queen, Rosalie would serve her again. But, even that might not give her comfort. After all, it could be many years before Olivia’s father relinquished his throne.

  Her mother motioned her closer. “I am glad to see you have risen before noon.”

  “Truthfully,” Olivia said as calmly as she could, “I have been awake for hours. I have already had my breakfast and a stroll in the courtyard.”

  Her mother clapped her hands, then waved her ladies away.

  As they passed Olivia, she discreetly reached out and gave Rosalie’s arm a quick squeeze. A silent way of saying she was sorry.

  Rosalie replied with a brief nod and timid smile, dimmed by her red, swollen eyes.

  If only Olivia could ease her.

  “Come sit with me,” her mother demanded.

  Olivia’s mind whirled. She prayed to have the courage to say her peace.

  Her mother eyed her up and down. “You look dreadful, but that will soon change. I have taken care of the mess you made, and you shan’t be bothered with Donovan’s persuasions again.”

  Olivia’s heart fell into her feet. Though she sat up straight, she could not keep her hands still in her lap. She twisted her fingers together and held her breath, knowing her mother had more to say.

  “Your father took care of him.” Her mother’s fiendish grin churned Olivia’s stomach.

  She swallowed hard. “Took care of him?”

  “Yes. He will not spar again.”

  “Did father hurt him?”

  Her mother tilted her head from side-to-side, studying Olivia’s face. “You continue to care about him?” She huffed a loud breath. “His pride hurt more than his body, although he has a few bruises and quite possibly a broken nose. In time, all that will heal. He has been ordered to remain with the baker and learn his trade. An appropriate thing to do. And just as I ordered Justine, he will not be allowed in the castle. He must eat elsewhere.”

  At least he lived. Regardless, Donovan hated his family trade. His life would be dreadful. He had taken pride in sparring and building his strength. Being a guard meant everything to him.

  It made little sense for her to feel sorry for him. If he had truly planned to take her throne, then his punishment was more than just. Still, her father could not possibly have beaten him. No doubt he had one of his guards carry out Donovan’s punishment.

  Olivia moistened her dry lips. “Are they permitted to marry?”

  Her mother’s eyes narrowed. “Why are you concerned for them? As long as they keep themselves from my sight, what they do now worries me not. You, too, must forget them and set your mind on a husband. One who is pure. And not that redheaded boy you danced with last night.”

  “Yes, Mother.” She dipped her head, then rose to her feet. “Mother . . . why did you take Rosalie from me? There are other women of age in Padrida who would serve you just as well.”

  “I honored her. She had the decency to tell you about Justine and Donovan. She saved you from a horrid mistake. And most importantly, I know I can trust her. However, I severed her relationship with Dane. No lady of mine will be partnered with the brother of a traitor.”

  Olivia wanted to scream. “But, she loves him. How could you do this?”

  Her mother lifted her chin high and smiled. “I am queen.” She slowly blinked several times, then tapped a single finger to her cheek.

  Olivia bent down, kissed her, and hastened from the room before her mother saw her tears.

  The clap of her hands followed her out the door. Her ladies had been ordered to return. Rosalie’s life had become a miserable existence. Somehow, Olivia had to make everything right again.

  * * *

  Olivia kept her gaze on the floor as she walked into the sparring room. As a rule, women were not permitted to observe, but she had always been an exception.

  It had been a great while since she had come here. She found the clash of swords exciting, and as a little girl, she would sit for hours and watch the men. Their movement intrigued her, but when a sword slipped and shed blood, she had to cover her eyes.

  “Ah,” her father said. “Livvy. It is good you have come.” He handed his sword to Roderick, a man with rugged and somewhat unpleasant features. She had always had difficulty looking at his face for any length of time.

  Roderick grinned. “Did I work you too hard, sire?” The man also happened to be one of his finest and strongest sentries.

  “Never. I relish our bouts.”

  Still grinning, Roderick strode away.

  Her father walked toward her, his face drenched with sweat. She would not embrace him in his condition, and he chuckled at her hesitation.

  “Forgive me, Father.” She dipped her head. “But—”

  “I smell and I am drenched. You do not have to apologize.” He heartily laughed and his belly jiggled. As much as he sparred, he should be fitter. His love for sweets definitely outweighed the energy spent.

  “Allow me the opportunity to cleanse myself,” he went on. “Then we can walk to the orchard and have a talk. I assumed you would come to me today. Much has happened.”

  “Very well. I shall meet you on our bench.” She smiled, curtsied, and left.

  If she could convince her father to find a replacement for Rosalie, her mother would have to comply. It would not set well for Olivia, but she cared not. Rosalie should not have to pay the price for her. She had done nothing wrong.

  Olivia had not been sitting long, when her father came into view. Now fresh and clean in his royal robe. When he took his place beside her, his scent gave no offense.

  He lifted his right hand and pointed at his knuckles. “Slightly bruised.” He chortled. “They may be old and plump, but they can still level a man.”

  “You hit Donovan?”

  “Of course, I did. When Sonya told me what he had done to you—how he had deceived you—I wanted to flog him. I settled
on a beating.” He brushed his hand across her cheek. “He hurt you, and it was my right not only as king, but as your father.”

  Donovan would have been restrained and not allowed to fight back. The king’s guards would have been present, and if Donovan had raised a hand against him, it would have cost him his life.

  Was she supposed to thank him for defending her honor? “Father, I—”

  “There is no need for gratitude. I rather enjoyed it. I have not had a good brawl since I fought for your mother. That baker thought he could have her, but I knew better. Being king has many advantages.”

  The baker? Things were rapidly getting worse.

  Olivia stared at the man. “Are you saying, at one time, Mother and the baker were involved with one another?” The baker had married a farm girl—Donovan and Dane’s mother.

  Her father nodded and frowned.

  “But, she loved you, did she not?”

  “Eventually.”

  Perhaps this was the reason her mother acted so bitter. Could the love she thought she had witnessed between her parents be false?

  Knowing this, she understood why her mother ached for a son. The baker’s wife had given him two.

  Olivia’s thoughts tumbled. If she had married Donovan, maybe her mother would have felt a sense of atonement. It might have been a way to show the baker she still cared for him. Donovan had ruined everything, and her mother hated him for it. Not only had she punished the baker’s first born, but his other son as well.

  “Father . . .” Olivia twisted her fingers into knots. “Would it be possible to have Rosalie returned to my service? Daisy is young, and Rosalie and I are well suited. Mother could easily find another Lady.”

  He patted her leg. “No. This way is best. Someday, you will understand everything we did is for your own good. Your mother’s methods may seem harsh, but I agreed with everything she chose to do. You and Rosalie were becoming too familiar. A servant should not be a friend. When the time comes for you to rule, you must be able to govern, using full authority and a clear mind. Not one that can be swayed by friendship.”