Child of Beauty (Prophecy Series) Read online

  “Now each of you raise your left arm.”

  Radley and the others obeyed.

  Viktor moved his Tatuar over their left hands, and an “S” appeared on their skin, finishing their tattoos. Radley looked at the “S” now on the back of his left hand. He noticed the word “Soldat” was slithered in the shape of the letter.

  “Congratulations to the new Soldatas and Soldats of this year.” Viktor concluded. “You will all travel to Kapok and meet with the king for your joining year. Upon completing your assignments, you will be reassigned another position.”

  “Yes, your grace.” The Soldatas and Soldats responded.

  The crowd rose, clapped, and roared encouragement.

  Remember who you are fighting for. A Soldat is a warrior made for one purpose: death.

  Radley would make his grandmother proud.

  Wilma rushed to Radley as he stepped from the dais. “Congratulations.”

  “Thanks.” He hugged her. “I am going to miss you in Kapok.”

  “I hope to see you again.” She touched his shoulder.

  He took her hand and led her into a hallway. “We will definitely see each other again.” He gently grabbed her neck and kissed her.

  She closed her eyes as his lips explored hers. Her fingers somehow made their way into his auburn locks, and she twisted his hair. He pushed her against the wall as he continued to kiss her.

  Wilma gasped as he finally let her take a breath.

  “I love you Wilma Reece.” His voice was husky as he spoke. “I should have said that a long time ago; I am so sorry I did not. But I will not go to Kapok without telling you the truth about me. I love you so much.”

  “I love you too.”

  “Then you should know that I plan on joining the rebellion in Kapok when I get there.” Radley whispered. “I will not be fulfilling my joining year, instead I am going to rebel against the king and betray him. It is not right, how he treats the common folk. It is not right how nobles are treated, and common folk are treated far worse. I have tried to find the rebellion here in Derbon, but they move all the time.”

  Wilma’s heart was in her throat. Could she trust him? Should she tell him the truth? It wasn’t only her life which would be lost if he was lying to her, but her whole family would be killed too. Besides, her family knew all about the Quints and the leaders of the rebellion. It was too great a risk.

  “Why are you telling me this?”

  “I love you, and I want you to know why I am betraying the king.” Radley took a step closer. “I hope you trust me enough to know I am doing the right thing. Please do not stop me.”

  “But how will we ever be together if you betray the king?” Wilma put her hands to his cheeks.

  “I will not be used as a Soldat to hurt common folk.” Radley shook his head. “I cannot live with myself if I did that.”

  “Then I wish you the best.” Wilma whispered. “Do not get killed out there, either by rebels or the king.”

  Radley kissed her, deep and passionate. “I hope this is not goodbye.”

  “I trust not.”

  She watched him leave, wondering if he truly would follow through with his promise. She would let her brother know his plan so Creedon Quint won’t kill him.

  ~ Chapter 23 ~

  The carriage pulled up, and Jerrika wondered how her sister would treat her with their mother around. They had talked about their mother, but Rayna was still nervous. Jerrika would not allow her mother to return her sister, and she was almost sure her father would protect them. Jerrika’s heart still ached with the new realization that Barrett’s feelings for her were deceitful. Jerrika exited the carriage behind her sister.

  Servants lined the stairs half circling the front of the estate. Jerrika frowned as she noticed her mother standing in the shade of a large fan one of her servants held.

  “Welcome home.” Ederra Little greeted her husband, kissed his cheeks, and embraced him.

  “Hello my darling.”

  “Rayna, my precious.” Ederra took her adopted daughter into her arms.

  Rayna smiled. “Hello Mother.”

  “Welcome home.” Ederra beamed at her husband and daughter.

  Jerrika cleared her throat.

  Her mother turned. “That sound is very rude.” She twisted back to put an arm around her husband and adopted daughter.

  Rayna brushed her mother’s arm off. “You always greet Father and me. When your sons come, they get a warm greeting as well, and you should greet your true daughter as well.”

  Ederra gaped, and the entire household did as well. Jerrika almost laughed as she noticed servants who looked as incredulous as she felt. A warm swirl of pride and joy flowed through her as her sister continued to prove her friendship.

  “Well said.” Sage embraced both sisters.

  “You… Jerrika… never cared…” Ederra babbled before she turned on her heels and walked inside, looking insulted at Rayna’s comment.

  “So I see things have changed.” Sage looked between his sisters.

  “You have no idea.” Viktor clasped his son on the shoulder. “Both of them got in trouble last week for offending Baron Hoffman.”

  “That monotone is still teaching?” Sage gasped. “He used to put me to sleep.”

  Viktor smirked. “That is pretty much what Rayna told him after he said something extremely rude to Jerrika.”

  “I am proud of you Sis.” Sage embraced his adopted sister once more. “I am glad the two of you have put this childhood nonsense behind you and have finally found peace with each other.”

  “Me too.” Rayna timidly put a hand on her sister’s shoulder.

  Ederra looked between her daughters at the birthday celebration. It was the 17th day of Sake, the day Ederra was born. Viktor had surprised her with a present for her 29th birthday many years before. He had adopted a beautiful four-year-old girl, naming her Rayna Little. Ederra’s hope that her daughter would one day be queen was restored with the blonde haired and blue-eyed girl given to her to raise. Now Ederra’s birthday was also celebrated as Rayna’s, since she had become Rayna on that day fifteen years ago.

  Ederra pouted in the corner of the main parlor. She watched Hadrien, Rayna, and Jerrika laugh at something Sage had said. It was unnatural that her daughters would get along. Rayna was destined for something Jerrika could only dream of. Rayna was adopted to be queen. Jerrika was born to be filth.

  Even looking at her daughters, Ederra didn’t understand their connection. Rayna’s blonde hair was curled and woven into an intricate style atop her head, a fuchsia headband keeping stray curls from her crystal-blue eyes. She was the definition of beauty, her body a perfect shape and size, outfitted in a fuchsia gown with a silver woven belt showing off her small waist. Jerrika, on the other hand, still kept her hair hidden under a spring green silk head wrap, her gown coffee colored with spring green accents on the neckline, sleeves, and belt. She looked like a wealthy commoner.

  Ederra had warned Rayna a long time ago, and now she would have to contact the man who had set up Rayna’s adoption. Ederra would not allow her child to disobey her.

  “You need to stop that.” Viktor stepped up to her, handing her a cup of wine. “I was blind to your cruelty for far too long.”

  “Stop what?”

  “Judging your daughters, abusing Jerrika, and threatening Rayna. We will never return Rayna. She is our daughter, just as much as Jerrika.”

  How many of her secrets did he know about? “How long has this foolishness been going on?”

  “I found out about it a month ago.” Viktor stated. “But I believe it happened after Monnaie Eve. I will never allow you to lay a hand on Jerrika again.”

  Ederra shook her head as she took a sip of her wine. “I never wanted them to be friends. Rayna was not bought to be a companion.”

  “She was bought to be a queen.” Viktor nodded. “Did you ever stop and think that she is her own person. Perhaps she does not want to be queen.”

&n
bsp; “It does not matter what she wants.” Ederra paused. She hadn’t wanted to marry Viktor. She never loved him. “The king will agree with me. Prince Navion should marry Rayna. Their union will bring power to the crown, and they will have beautiful children.”

  “You thought all of your children would be beautiful.”

  “Four out of five.” Ederra sighed, remembering how devastated she was when her one daughter looked like her older brother. “Rayna will not make the same mistakes I did to deserve such a horrid child.”

  “You never elaborate on your mistakes.” Viktor glanced at her. “I told you about my mistake.”

  “Your affair never bothered me.” Ederra took another sip of her wine. “The only thing which would have bothered me was if you wanted to marry her too.”

  “One wife is enough for me.”

  “Then perhaps it was fortunate that I was pregnant with Fergus at the time. Your son is a powerful Soldat. It was through your devotion to me that he gets that strength.”

  “I told you.” Viktor looked at her. “It was only once, and I will always be faithful to you from now on.”

  She didn’t care about his faithfulness. Gods knew she hadn’t been faithful to him through the years, but Viktor didn’t know about that. He was foolish to believe she was satisfied living alone in this estate. Of course, she’d had to be more careful since Sage and Hadrien lived with her now. All of her children believed she was a devoted wife.

  “And have you?”

  “I have. I will always be.”

  She looked at him. “Good.” She stepped away from him. Last year Rayna had ignored Jerrika, as they had always treated each other. Now Jerrika was in love with some cusca, and Rayna was friends with her sister. Everything was unraveling, and Ederra worried that Rayna would one day tell her she didn’t want to be queen. Everything Ederra had worked for, everything she deserved was contingent on her daughter’s marriage.

  Ederra glanced at Sage. If he was never to be king, Rayna would one day be queen. One of her children would sit on the royal throne.

  ~ Chapter 24 ~

  Ovepo 539

  Jerrika was glad to have all her brothers back home. Garrik would find out his assignment from the king soon, and Fergus had joined his brother for a month. Garrik had been shocked to find out his sisters were friends, just as everyone else in the family was.

  “Come on.” Rayna stated as they got ready for dinner. “Just take it off. You wear that thing all the time. It has been over a year now.”

  Jerrika looked at Rayna. “You promise to not tease me?”

  “Why would you say that?”

  “I have been waiting for the best time to do this.” Jerrika pulled the scarf off her head.

  Rayna’s eyes widened as she took in her sister’s hair. Jerrika turned and looked in the mirror, finding her own eyes just as wide. Her hair was now thick and brunette, just like her mother’s. It went just past her ears, almost to her shoulders. The color and style did something magical. The straight, dull brown hair was completely gone, transformed into a thick, dark brunette. Jerrika swallowed a lump as she blinked a few times. Whenever she’d washed her hair, she’d ignored mirrors. She would brush her hair out and wrap it back up with silk. Now she looked beautiful, more like her mother than she’d ever seen herself.

  “What do you think Mother will say?” Jerrika whispered.

  “She is going to wish she shaved your head herself.” Rayna chuckled. “And a long time ago. You look beautiful.”

  “Thank you sister.” Jerrika’s fingers played with the locks, and she was afraid to blink and lose sight of the reflection.

  Barrett took a deep breath as he walked to the Little Estate. Jerrika had warned him about her mother time and time again, but he didn’t care. Jerrika hadn’t returned since her sister and his had their fight. He didn’t know what Rayna could have told Jerrika to make her stop seeing him. He was ready to confront them.

  He knew he wouldn’t be admitted like a noble suitor, so he went in the back through the servants’ doors. Few people watched him as he moved through the estate, but no one said anything to him.

  Abruptly, a hand grabbed his shirt collar and pulled him back, slamming him into a wall.

  “What d’ya think yer doing?” A man glared. “The extra servers are supposed to be gettin’ dinner served in the main dining hall. Git.”

  Barrett followed the direction the man had pointed him.

  “You must be the village serving boy.” A stout woman stated. “Have you ever served a high noble family before lad?”

  “No ma’am.”

  “Figures.” She scoffed. “Follow the others into the dining hall and stand out of the way on the far wall.” She shoved a glass pitcher of red wine into his hands. “When you notice a member of the family’s goblet getting low, you put more drink. Never spill and never speak to any of them. Do you understand lad?”

  He nodded. He would get Jerrika’s attention, and they could speak privately after dinner. Perfect.

  “Ooch. That hat is horrid.” The stout woman grabbed his favorite hat from his head and threw it on the ground. “You can’t go into the hall dressed like a filthy blacksmith.” She scowled. “Jon, grab something suitable for the boy.”

  A calloused hand grabbed his arm and yanked him aside. Barrett almost dropped the pitcher he held, but he managed to keep hold of it.

  He was promptly dressed in black cotton britches and cape, white cotton shirt, belt, suspenders, and black sandals. His unruly hair was combed and styled in a manner which he had never seen himself look before. Nowhere near as refined as a noble, it was the finest outfit he had ever worn. He took hold of the pitcher of wine once more. He was dressed to woo his love.

  Barrett followed the dozen other serving men and women. All the servants were dressed far more sophisticated than anyone in town.

  He stood along the side of the wall. The table was set for eight, and all the glasses were already filled with wine. Barrett could barely hold his excitement at seeing Jerrika and surprising her here.

  The duke and duchess were first to enter. It was the first time Barrett had seen anyone in Jerrika’s family. Her father was tall and strong with dark brown hair and brown eyes. He was dressed in dark brown leather britches and matching doublet. His royal blue shirt looked like silk, and his belt seemed to be his Wopler. His wife, Ederra, was absolutely beautiful with flawless alabaster skin, soft curls of dark brown hair pinned up with a sapphire accented headband, and her eyes were a warm brown, which Barrett suspected could turn cold in an instant.

  She was dressed in a fitted, sapphire gown with a silver woven belt. An intricate sapphire flower pendent hung from her soft necklace. She kissed her husband’s cheek as they turned.

  Barrett heard the footsteps then and was shocked to see three of the four sons enter. All Soldats, and Barrett knew one of them.

  Every one of his senses screamed at him to run, but Barrett kept still as he stared at the man he knew as Jonathan Litchel. Questions clawed at his brain as Barrett watched the man laugh at his brothers. He must be the oldest Little son: Sage. Why hadn’t he turned their family into the king? He was a Soldat. Obviously he had been sent to their family to find out about the rebellion. They had opened their home, and secrets, to him. Was Sage loyal to them? Or was he, and the king, just waiting for the opportune time to destroy the rebellion?

  Aileen had been caught and released by a Soldat. He must have been Sage. No wonder he had wanted her to go to Derbon. But if he was loyal to the rebellion, why hadn’t he revealed his true identity to Aileen?

  Jerrika and her sister entered together.

  The pitcher slipped from Barrett’s hands, crashed to the ground, and spilled all over his fine britches.

  Every eye turned to him, but Barrett crouched to hide his face. He didn’t know what would happen if they all saw him at the same time. He’d come here hoping to find Jerrika and speak with her. He hadn’t realized he knew two of the other members in her
family. Anger boiled as he started to process that.

  Another server grabbed Barrett’s arm and wrenched him from the room. “You clumsy clod.”

  “I’m sorry.” Barrett paused. “I promise I can do my job.”

  The man took a deep breath, grabbed a pitcher of water, and shoved it at Barrett. “This won’t stain if you drop it, but don’t test that statement.”

  “Yes sir.” Barrett had to go back in there and see her again.

  ~ Chapter 25 ~

  “What happened?” Ederra gasped. “You even surprised one of the servants.”

  Jerrika blushed.

  Ederra continued to gaze over her daughters. Rayna, beautiful as always, didn’t outshine Jerrika as she always had. Jerrika’s now dark brunette hair was thick and held a bounce of curl. She wore an amber headband with a flower on the right side of her head. Her brown dress had golden accents at the hemline, base of the sleeves, and neckline, and she wore a gold, woven belt to add shape to her otherwise shapeless body. For the first time in her life, Ederra was seeing the child she always wanted to give birth to.

  “You look beautiful.” Viktor kissed her cheek.

  “Thank you.”

  “Is this because of Mae’s prank last year?” Garrik asked.

  Jerrika nodded. “Looks like her callous act turned around and gave me beautiful hair.”

  Sage grinned. “Now everyone can see how you look on the inside.”

  They sat at the table. Ederra couldn’t take her eyes off her biological daughter. For almost nineteen years, she’d hated Jerrika, wondering how she was so cursed to have such an ugly child. The thought had even crossed her mind that Jerrika was a punishment for her being unfaithful to her husband several times throughout their marriage. After all, she knew Viktor wasn’t Sage’s true father, and she wasn’t sure if Hadrien or Garrik were Viktor’s sons. The only two children she was sure about were Fergus and Jerrika.