Child of Beauty (Prophecy Series) Page 16

  “Why did you need to kidnap her?” Gwen demanded. “You stole her from us, wounded my family in the process. You tore us apart. Did you ever think of us while this plot was planned?”

  Viktor looked at the woman and paused. “I suppose it never occurred to me to tell you the truth.”

  “Of course not.” Delisa snarled. “Nobles always take as they please. They never treat common folk right. We’re human too. What makes us different than you? You have magic in your bloodlines? It was put there.”

  “Rayna will bring about a new age of peace.” Rosewyn answered. “It will be because of her that the class system will be redefined.”

  Jerrika took Barrett’s hand in hers.

  “Besides, Viktor is lying to you.” Rosewyn continued. “He did think about you. I asked him to take Faryn when she was three. He made me look through several dozen possible futures, hoping I could find one with the same ending.” She looked at Creedon. “I couldn’t.”

  “How long have you been working with the rebels?” Viktor looked at Wilma.

  “Years.” Aileen stated. “Almost since I brought the rebellion here.”

  “I think everyone needs to hear exactly what Rosewyn told me.” Rayna looked between her families.

  Aileen felt sick as Rosewyn finished her story, the tale of The Battle of Krijar when Viktor Little decided to betray the king and Rosewyn saw the future of the prophecy about the one with common blood. Aileen would never forgive Viktor for what he did to their family. He had gashed a gaping hole in their hearts, built up a rough resistance to the king and those loyal to him, and forced Rayna to face the future without her family.

  Sage went to Aileen.

  “I am so sorry.” He put a hand to her shoulder.

  She shrugged him off. “Don’t.” She thrust her necklace over her head and put the metal in his palm. “Just, don’t.” She walked away from him, tears making her vision fuzzy as she moved into the woods.

  “Aileen.” Barrett raced after her.

  She closed her eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I didn’t know all of this.” Barrett explained. “When I went to the Little Estate, I had no idea what I would be walking into. Sage begged me to not tell you, and I know how much he loves you.”

  “I understand.” Aileen sighed at her brother’s expression. “No, I really do.”

  “Then why are you so mad at him?”

  “All this time.” Aileen closed her eyes. “I’ve been waiting for him, and he’s been here all along. He’s known I’m here, but he proved his loyalty is to his father, not me. He should have chosen me.”

  “Even if his loyalty wasn’t strictly to his father, but to our sister as well?”

  Aileen glanced at him. “He found out Faryn’s destiny, but he couldn’t even bring himself to explain the truth to me. It isn’t right.”

  “Maybe, but he loves Rayna as much as we do. He’s been protecting her.”

  “So has Viktor.” Aileen groaned.

  Rosewyn and Rayna returned to the underground spring where Kurtis remained asleep.

  “Are you sure he is going to be alright?” Rayna gently touched his cheek.

  Rosewyn nodded. “Now remember, you cannot tell him the truth about you. No one else can know that you are of common blood.”

  Rayna sighed. “Alright. I will not tell him.”

  “Good.” Rosewyn touched her shoulder. “I’ve been seeing you since before you were born child. You are truly destined for something great.” She kissed Rayna’s forehead. “I’m sorry for everything I’ve done to you, but I promise, it will be worth it in the end.”

  Rayna shook her head. “I still do not know if that is true.”

  “Lie next to him.” Rosewyn moved from the cave. “Pretend to wake in a daze.”

  Rayna lowered herself to lie next to Kurtis, closing her eyes as she tried to understand everything she learned that night.

  Kurtis moaned, and he gasped. “Rayna.” He shook her shoulder. “Are you awake? Are you alright?”

  Rayna groaned as she faked waking up. “Kurtis?”

  “I am here.”

  “What happened?”

  “I have no idea. Perhaps we should get out of here before whatever happened happens again.”

  She nodded, allowing him to pull her up.

  ~ Chapter 36 ~

  Fobst 540

  Rayna and Jerrika stood in Aileen’s room with Delisa and Aileen.

  “This is going to be so exciting.” Delisa cried.

  “I have always wanted to see them.” Jerrika wrapped light brown head wraps around her hair.

  “This will be the first time I have dressed as my station.” Rayna hid her own locks with black head wraps.

  Aileen and Delisa were already dressed as common folk, and they waited patiently for Rayna and Jerrika to change out of their leather and silk training outfits into woolen skirts and cotton shirts.

  “Hopefully there will be less of a difference between stations after you fulfill your destiny.” Aileen looked at her sister.

  Rayna nodded.

  “Come on.” Delisa grabbed Rayna’s arm as she finished strapping her sandals.

  Rayna stood and glanced at herself in Aileen’s mirror. It was a reflection of how her life should have been. Dressed in black, brown, and tan, she looked more like her mother than she’d ever imagined.

  “The circus won’t be waiting in Balete forever.” Delisa pulled Rayna down the stairs.

  Rayna chuckled at her sister’s exuberance. After all these years of hating her unknown little sister, Rayna couldn’t help but love Delisa. She was strong, brave, and so excited to get to know her. Out of everyone in her birth family, it was Delisa who didn’t resent Viktor for kidnapping her. Delisa just wanted to move past the events of that night and onto a new future of what she’d always missed.

  Rayna looked behind her as Aileen and Jerrika followed behind them.

  “Have fun.” Gwen waved from the front desk.

  “Thanks.” The girls left the Smithy.

  They rushed through the muddy streets as a soft sheet of rain drizzled them. Rayna pulled her woolen cape tighter, trying to keep warm in the mist.

  “I want to see an acrobatic act.” Delisa cried.

  “I hope they have fire breathing.” Jerrika seemed to be free as she walked through the streets. She was the only of the three who was born noble, but Rayna knew she was even more comfortable with the Quints than she was.

  “I heard they have tamed animals.” Aileen took the lead as they made their way to Balete, a city just south of Derbon. It was where the Jefferson Traveling Circus went every year in Fobst, and it was a city where they could all venture together as common folk and not be recognized. Rayna wondered what would happen if nobles found out she and Jerrika were the daughters of Viktor Little.

  They just had to make sure that didn’t happen.

  “What do you want to see?” Delisa looked at Rayna.

  Rayna smiled, so many of the younger trainees looked at her as her sister was now. “I would like to see hoopers. When Jerrika and I were ten, a performing duo came to Krijar and performed a show for us. I have never seen such elegance and dexterity before or since. They were really incredible.”

  “They were.” Jerrika agreed.

  “Some of the rebels in Kapok used to work with a different traveling circus, but a group of soldiers killed many of them, wounding several others.” Delisa frowned.

  “Why did they do that?” Jerrika looked at her.

  “They had a little play of people mocking the king.” Delisa shrugged. “It was pretty funny, but the outcome was not.”

  “That’s the only time we’ve been to a circus.” Aileen whispered. “I wanted to protect them, to fight against the soldiers, but Dad stopped me.”

  “He was right to.” Delisa stated. “You would have only gotten yourself wounded, or killed. It was too big for you to step into. Dad’s been waiting for the right time.”

  �
��He’s sent letters out to the different rebel groups in Perso’s Creek.” Aileen touched Rayna’s shoulder. “We’re going to have an army when you fulfill your destiny.”

  “It still seems like an impossible task.” Rayna whispered, her breath showing in the mist.

  “You’ll have us there to support you.” Delisa wrapped an arm around her waist. “No one can take you from me now.”

  “From any of us.” Jerrika added.

  Family. Rayna had felt so alone, so afraid all of these years. She knew Ederra only saw her as a prize, that Sage and Garrik liked Jerrika more, Hadrien enjoyed his books more than any of his siblings, and Fergus had been the one brother who cherished her. For so many years, Rayna had dreaded Viktor and Ederra would find out the truth about her parentage, and Rayna would be killed. But now she had her sisters, her brothers, and her parents. Family filled the gaping hole in her heart.

  The four sisters entered Balete. The Jefferson Traveling Circus was set up in a large tent. The girls paid for admission and entered the enormous tent. Rayna’s mouth dropped as she saw large contraptions of ropes, acrobats flying through the air, hoopers twirling and dancing in their hoops, trainers with bears and monkeys, and several fire eaters and breathers on the far side of the enclosed space.

  “This is incredible.” Delisa whispered. “Let’s go get popcorn.”

  Rayna chuckled as her little sister led the way to a bright orange machine heating flavored corn. After each sister had her own bag, they walked through the crowds, watching the performers on several dozen little stages. Some performed magic tricks, one man sawed another in half, and there was a group of two hoopers performing an intricate dexterity act between their hoops and juggling balls.

  Rayna stopped, watching the performers. Their talent was incredible, and they made their performance look easy.

  “Over there.” Jerrika gasped and rushed to watch one of the fire breathers.

  Rayna, Aileen, and Delisa followed her. The heat of the flames brushed them, and Aileen gasped. “That is crazy.”

  “Out of my way.” A man shoved Delisa.

  Delisa fell to the ground, hard. Rayna rushed to her and helped her sister up. Delisa’s palms bled. Rayna growled. “Can you not just ask politely?”

  “Excuse me?” The man stepped closer to Rayna, and she realized he was a soldier. Not a Soldat, but he must have been trained to fight almost as well as she and Jerrika had been.

  “I’m alright.” Delisa touched Rayna’s arm.

  “How dare you speak to a noble like that?” The soldier backhanded Rayna, and her head spun as she took a step back. “I should teach you to speak to your betters cusca.”

  Rayna’s brows furrowed, and Delisa grabbed her shoulders. “Don’t do anything.”

  “What is the lass going to do?” The soldier laughed and grabbed Delisa’s arm, yanking her to him.

  “Let my sister go.” Rayna jabbed the man in the neck, and he gasped. Rayna grabbed Delisa’s arm and pulled her away from the soldier. They rushed into the crowd.

  “Thanks.” Delisa whispered.

  “It is not right.” Rayna shook her head. “It is just not right.”

  “It’s the way of life.” Aileen joined them. “We should probably leave. The soldier’s getting his friends now.”

  “He hit you.” Jerrika appeared on her other side. “He actually hit you.”

  Rayna glanced at her sister. “It is nothing compared to the abuse you have gone through.” Then she turned to Aileen. “Have nobles hurt you?”

  “Sometimes.” Aileen shrugged.

  “It’s just another part of life as a commoner.” Delisa stated.

  For the first time since she found out she was the common blood of prophecy, Rayna was glad and proud of her destiny. She would be the one who brought about a new way of life, a new peace which every one of all stations would endure and live out. Things would change very soon, and just like the forming of the rebellion, she would be the catalyst of that change.

  They rushed out of the circus tent and ran through the streets. The soldier and four others raced after them.

  “This way.” Aileen gestured to the forest.

  Jerrika took the lead, and Rayna helped Delisa. Aileen took the back. “Hurry up.”

  They sprinted in the woods, dodging trees, and trying to outrun the soldiers.

  Two of the soldiers had mounted horses, and they rode to the front, cutting Jerrika off. She stopped quickly, and Rayna and Delisa almost ran into her.

  The first soldier from the tent smirked as he dismounted his stallion. “Thought you could outrun us? How stupid cusca!” He grabbed Jerrika. Rayna stepped forward.

  “Stop this instant.” The voice froze Rayna’s blood. “Release her now.”

  Rayna glanced to her left, where the voice had come from. Kurtis, dressed in his Soldat armor, Garrik and Hadrien flanking him, dismounted his stallion.

  The soldier immediately released Jerrika. Rayna’s face burned, and she was sure a blush had overtaken her face. Did Kurtis know he was protecting Jerrika and her?

  “What happened?” Kurtis glared at the soldier.

  “They-”

  “I was not talking to you.” Kurtis interrupted. “Miss?”

  Aileen’s eyes widened. “Me?”

  He nodded.

  “We were at the Jefferson Traveling Circus when that man shoved my little sister.” Aileen explained.

  Kurtis glanced at Delisa’s broken skin on her palms.

  “My other sister helped her up.” Aileen went on. “She asked the soldier to ask Delisa to move next time instead of shoving her.”

  Kurtis nodded. “That is good advice. I imagine that is what led them to this chase?”

  “Yes.”

  “I am trying to change my soldiers’ ways here in Derbon.” Kurtis glared at the five men who had chased them. “Can we escort the four of you home?”

  “Thank you.” Aileen smiled.

  Rayna’s heart quickened. Aileen didn’t know who these Soldats were. She and Jerrika had to be sure their brothers and Kurtis didn’t get a good look at their faces.

  “What’s wrong?” Delisa whispered.

  Rayna glanced to the Soldats, but she didn’t reply.

  “They’re helping us.”

  “I should introduce myself.” Kurtis turned to look at Aileen. “I am Soldat Kurtis Jarger, commander of the southern unit in Derbon. My lieutenants are Soldats Garrik and Hadrien Little.”

  “Thank you for your kindness.” Aileen paused and briefly glanced behind her at Rayna. “You know, we can get back home safely. You’ve already provided us with that.”

  “I insist on making sure no other soldiers attack you.” Kurtis turned to Garrik. “Garrik and Hadrien, please escort these men back to Balete. They have done enough damage already.”

  “Yes sir.” Garrik and Hadrien left to take the soldiers back.

  Rayna bit her lip. She loved Kurtis even more. He had sent Garrik and Hadrien not because they really needed to go back, but to make the four common girls more at ease. He was a prince in his own right.

  “Thank you.” Rayna wondered if Aileen had ever thanked a noble as much as she was Kurtis.

  Kurtis took lead. “Where do you live?”

  “I’m the blacksmith in Derbon.” Aileen told him.

  “Oh, your brother is Jerrika Little’s beau.”

  Rayna closed her eyes. She just had to keep Kurtis from looking back at them. Aileen had to keep his attention as they walked.

  “How do you know that?” Aileen stared at him.

  “Jerrika is my best friend.” Kurtis explained. “She told me about Barrett a long time ago. It is a pleasure to meet all of you. I did not know your family was here.”

  “They recently arrived from Kapok.” Aileen kept moving.

  Rayna was glad her sister was keeping a good pace. The sooner they got back, the sooner they could get away from Kurtis’ kindness.

  “How long have you been Jerrika’s best
friend?” Aileen asked.

  “Since she began training at Krijar.” Kurtis explained. “I am the same age as her brother Garrik, and he was always very kind to me.”

  “Wouldn’t everyone be kind to each other?” Delisa asked.

  Kurtis turned back to look at her. Rayna ducked her head.

  “At Krijar, most high nobles treat nobles cruelly.” Kurtis explained. “That is why I am trying to make my soldiers treat common folk fairly.”

  “That is very honorable.” Aileen sounded surprised.

  “Thank you.” Kurtis smiled.

  “So do you know Rayna?” Aileen asked.

  “Of course.” Kurtis’ face almost shined. “I am courting her. I understand that Jerrika introduced her to your family.”

  “She did.” Aileen stopped. “You’re courting Rayna?”

  Rayna just wanted her sister to keep moving.

  “She is the most incredible woman I have ever met.” Kurtis was the one who kept moving. “She is strong, brave, and honest. Rayna has a pure heart, and she is extremely kind.”

  Delisa gently elbowed her sister. Rayna bit back her smile.

  “Here we are.” Kurtis stated as they stepped onto the streets of Derbon.

  “Thank you so much for your kindness.” Aileen paused. “It’s nice to know there are Soldats like you out there. We’ll be fine getting home now.”

  Kurtis nodded. “It was a pleasure to meet you Aileen.”

  “The pleasure was ours.” Aileen answered. “Goodbye.”

  Kurtis watched them make their way across the street, and Rayna’s heart was ready to burst. “Let us get back to the Smithy before Kurtis follows us all the way.”

  “I was terrified he would look at us.” Jerrika gasped.

  “You’re courting him?” Aileen grabbed Rayna’s arm.

  “We love each other.” Rayna nodded.

  “I never would have thought a noble would be a good match, but I’d be wrong.” Aileen paused. “Perhaps courting a noble isn’t so bad.”

  “As long as he is a good and kind man.” Rayna gave Aileen a meaningful look.

  ~ Chapter 37 ~

  Mooch 540

  Fire enveloped Rayna, and she screamed in pain. Falling to her knees, she writhed in agony.