Child of Beauty (Prophecy Series) Page 17

  King Navion chuckled as he stepped closer. “Did you think you would win?”

  “You are nothing.” Princess Viveca sneered. “Turns out I was wrong to even call you an Adlig.”

  “Filth.” Mae hissed. “I cannot believe I wanted to be your friend.”

  “You were never my friend.” Rayna whimpered.

  “You never deserved to be any of our friends.” Paige kicked Rayna’s stomach.

  Bile mixed with blood spurted from Rayna’s lips, and she felt like her insides were on fire. The pain was immense as the flames continued to eat at her flesh, scorching and writhing in their own throbbing dance.

  “You believed someone with common blood could defeat me?” King Navion hit her with the dull side of his sword. “How stupid are you to think such a falsehood could have some truth in it?” He knelt by her side and whispered. “We are going to find your birth family and hunt them down, and then we will kill Viktor, Ederra, and every one of the Little children. You will be the reason both your families die.”

  “Stop it.” Rayna moaned. “Your fight was with me.”

  “And yet everyone else picked up the fight as well. Viktor kidnapped you to train you as a Soldata, Creedon started a rebellion against me, your birth family trained countless cuscas to fight, and Jerrika, she was stupid enough to fall for someone common.” King Navion knelt next to her sweltering face. “Looks like Sage and Jerrika will be killed for committing treason: nobles cannot love someone common. Mixing bloodlines is criminal.”

  “What about everything you have done?” Rayna suddenly realized she and the king were alone.

  “I have brought a new order about. Peace and wealth has been distributed to all who deserve. I am practically a god.”

  “But you can die.” Rayna brought her Wopler up, blowing out the poisoned dart with her last breath of air.

  King Navion’s face widened with shock, and he looked down at the dart embedded in his abdomen. He slowly pulled it out. “What have you done?”

  Rayna lost all will to hold herself up. The cold rocks of the palace towers felt good against her sweltering skin. She thought she saw someone running toward her…

  Rayna opened her eyes and gasped. She sat up, blinking a few times.

  “Are you okay?” Jerrika groaned from the other side of the room.

  “Yeah.” Rayna shook her head. “I just had a nightmare.”

  “About?”

  “My destiny.”

  “Ah.”

  “You know.” Rayna remembered the girls in her dream. “We should not talk about this at Krijar.”

  Jerrika nodded.

  Rayna smiled. “Today is Idrico Festival.”

  Jerrika jumped from her bed. “It is going to be the best Idrico Festival I have ever had. I actually have friends to hunt with.”

  “Well you are a very good tracker.”

  “You know?” Jerrika paused as she got dressed.

  Rayna nodded, braiding her long blonde hair. “I wonder who all will want to be on our team.”

  “You, me, and Wilma.” Jerrika smiled. “Kurtis will probably join us. How is your courtship going?”

  “It is going extremely well.” Rayna paused. “As long as Ederra does not find out.”

  “She is going to have more to be upset about soon enough.” Jerrika stood as they left their room.

  Rayna, Wilma, Jerrika, and Kurtis gathered together on the south side of Krijar. They were all dressed in bright blue leather outfits. The girls wore bright blue ribbons in their braids.

  “We have to catch the largest deer.” Wilma stated. “Deer like to drink at the Lakewood pass here.” She pointed to the rough map she’d drawn in the ground. She was the most familiar with the woods. The girls didn’t tell Kurtis the real reason why she was.

  “Most people will go to Jensen River.” Wilma pointed to another section to the northeast. “So we will pretend like we are headed there as well.” She moved her finger to their position and mimicked their run. “Then we will break off here and go south. The largest deer will be at Lakewood.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” Kurtis grinned. “This is going to be fun.”

  Jerrika smoothed the drawn map into normal dirt, and the four stood.

  “Mind if I join your team?” Garrik walked up to them.

  “When did you get here?” Jerrika hugged him.

  “Just now.” Garrik grasped Kurtis’ forearm in greeting. “Looked like this was the group I should join.”

  “Everyone please gather around.” Viktor yelled.

  The dozen groups of trainees and Soldats gathered around. Each group represented a color.

  Rayna glanced over to Viveca. The princess, Mae, Paige, Zenia, and half a dozen others wore bright green. Viveca met Rayna’s gaze, and the princess’ hazel eyes narrowed. She turned her attention back to Viktor.

  “Every team may use the entire forest.” Viktor explained the rules. “Each team gets one arrow. Choose your archer now.”

  “Wilma.” Jerrika and Rayna stated.

  Garrik nodded, and Kurtis smiled. “Sounds good.”

  “Put all the pressure on me.” Wilma muttered as one of the trainers came around, handing an arrow to each archer.

  Wilma tied a bright blue ribbon around the shaft, just below the fletching.

  “Alright.” Viktor looked around to all the groups. “Now that every group has their arrow and archer, remember to use your shot wisely. You must walk together, and you cannot cover your leather with anything. Leave all other weapons here and bring back the biggest deer.” He raised his right fist, pumping it in the air.

  The groups ran. Just as Wilma had predicted, almost all of them headed northeast. Kurtis took Rayna’s hand, entwining their fingers as they followed behind Jerrika and Garrik.

  Wilma split from the group where she’d planned, and they made their way noiselessly through the forest, using rocks and thick roots as footing. With their bright outfits, they wouldn’t be able to hide from deer. Instead, the festival was about skill and using different abilities to bring home the prize.

  Wilma held her right fist up, signaling them to stop. She glanced around.

  “What is it?” Kurtis whispered.

  “I thought I saw something.” Wilma murmured.

  The group looked around, and Rayna saw it a moment before the trap sprung.

  “Look out.” She cried.

  Jerrika and Garrik turned, but not in time. They bounded high, caught in a rope net. Kurtis and Rayna turned. Her heart pounded in her ears. Were rebels attacking? They should recognize Wilma, if not Jerrika and herself. Rayna breathed in and out slowly as a dozen or so beefy rebels stepped into their path. Rayna glanced over her shoulder at Wilma. She should have asked how Wilma knew about Lakewood.

  “Look what we ‘ave ‘ere.” A man with crooked yellow teeth spat between a gap in his mouth.

  “Trainees out on an ‘unt.” Another man with a misshapen left arm smirked.

  “Idrico Festival, right?”

  “Means you don’t have no weapons.”

  Rayna glanced at Kurtis’ waist, remembering he’d left his Wopler at Krijar.

  “You can either surrender or die.” A woman without eyebrows stated.

  “Who is your leader?” Wilma demanded, holding the arrow to her bow.

  “No one you needs to know.” The woman’s face wrinkled as if she was thinking hard. “You look familiar girl. ‘ave we threatened you afore?”

  “This be the first trainees I’ve threatened.” A lanky man without a left hand stated.

  Rayna bit her lip. If only her brother and Kurtis hadn’t joined their group. She was the daughter of Creedon Quint, the man who had first rebelled against the king. But these rebels didn’t know that.

  “I repeat.” The woman stepped forward with a wicked-looking axe. “Surrender to us or die.”

  “If you kill us,” Kurtis spoke. “Be prepared to be slaughtered.”

  “Be that so?” A man with crossed eyes chu
ckled. “Who might ya lot be? Which ‘igh noble families be you from?”

  “I am Wilma Reece, daughter of Quint Reece.”

  Rayna hoped these rebels knew the name, at least the family name. If they did, the rebels showed no sign of recognition.

  “A ‘igh noble.” A woman with two black eyes spat.

  Abruptly, a tall man appeared under the net. Two women flanked the man, two men appeared behind some rebels, and another woman came down on top of the net.

  The six shifted before Rayna could understand what was happening. The group of warriors moved so fast, she only saw colors and shapes. A deep red sash. Long dark brown hair. A tattooed right arm. Dark hood shadowed a pale face. A tail smacked into a soldier. Dark blue robes wielded a long leather whip.

  The rebels either dropped, dead or injured, or ran. Jerrika and Garrik fell free from the net.

  “Whoa.” Kurtis gasped. “Who are you all?”

  “My mother sends her greetings.” The man in the dark blue robes turned to Rayna.

  “Who is your mother?” Rayna blinked.

  “It doesn’t matter.” The woman with a deep red sash stepped up, cleaning her blade on the material around her waist. “You will not remember us, but we will return if and when you need us again Rayna Little.”

  They all disappeared.

  Rayna turned. “What happened?”

  “I—” Jerrika frowned. “Did a deer run into us?”

  “Look at this.” Garrik grabbed a cut net. “I do not remember this.”

  “Must be left over from someone fishing or something.” Wilma shrugged. “Let us continue to Lakewood.”

  The others followed behind, knowing they could bring back the largest deer.

  ~ Chapter 38 ~

  Rayna danced with Kurtis after their victory of Idrico Festival.

  “It feels amazing to be able to truly dance with you out in the open.” Kurtis held her hands as they moved together.

  She blushed, looking at him, hoping her eyes conveyed some form of affection.

  He chuckled and pulled her into an embrace. “You must enjoy having your brothers here.”

  Rayna nodded as she glanced to see Garrik, Hadrien, and Sage with their father. “How do you like working with Garrik and Hadrien?”

  “Garrik is very outgoing.” Kurtis chuckled. “Of course, I have known him quite well for many years. He was the first high noble to be kind to me. He never cared that I was merely of noble blood. Garrik was always been loud and enjoys being in the middle of a crowd. I remember one Idrico Festival when we were eight; I joined Garrik’s hunting party, which of course included Hadrien, Fergus, and Sage as well. Sage and Fergus were so serious, trying to use trees and bushes to hide their bright leather. But Garrik…” Kurtis smirked. “He decided it was his job to scare the deer into his brother’s line of fire; Fergus was the archer.”

  “Naturally.”

  “Hadrien and I tried to remain silent, but Garrik made such a fool of himself, yelling and dancing, practically giving the deer a show. It did work in the end, a deer was so terrified of your brother’s dancing that it ran straight into Fergus’ line of fire. We did not catch the largest deer that year though.”

  Rayna chuckled. That sounded exactly like her brother.

  “But Hadrien has always been more of a mystery.” Kurtis went on. “I think I understand him better now. He longs to be an ambassador, promoting peace through the kingdom. He has decided that when—” Kurtis abruptly stopped. “He wants to one day become an ambassador.”

  Rayna raised a brow to his interruption.

  Kurtis twirled her around. “I think he will be great in that position.”

  Suddenly the music ceased, and everyone turned to look at Viktor.

  “We have a surprise guest.” Viktor stated and stepped aside.

  Rayna’s eyes widened. She’d never seen him before, but as she gazed upon the man, she knew exactly who he was.

  King Navion Perso I was a tall man with a square jaw and straight mustache. His dark brown hair was thick and topped by a gold crown with amethysts and sapphires embedded within the bullion. His dark eyes scanned the crowd of trainees, trainers, and Soldats facing him. He wore gold leather, deep purple shirt, and a velvet cape.

  “Hello my future.” The king spoke with a deep voice which commanded attention. “I am here to assure everyone that these rebel attacks will not go unanswered.”

  Rebel attacks? Rayna frowned. What was he talking about?

  “The capital has been crawling with these bugs for too long, and come next joining year, those of you new Soldatas and Soldat, will be gathering at Kapok to unify my forces. I am here now to take my two Soldat squads back to Kapok with me.” He looked through the crowd. “I believe Kurtis and Sage are here.”

  Suddenly everyone was looking at Kurtis and Rayna. She felt exposed as the king’s gaze fell upon them.

  “Gather your troops, your lieutenants, and we all ride for Kapok tomorrow morning.” King Navion smiled, his white teeth glistening in the firelight. “We will crush the rebellion with one final sweep. Those teaching, helping, harboring, or protecting the rebels will be killed.”

  A cheer rose from the trainees.

  “We are the nobility, and we will fight to defend what is rightfully ours.” King Navion continued. “My soldiers, my Soldats, my Soldatas, you are the future of Perso’s Creek, and with your resolve, your strength, and your loyalty, the rebellion will be slaughtered within minutes.”

  The cheer made the hairs on Rayna’s arm stand. She looked around at all the people she knew, she’d once trusted. They wanted to kill her. Then Rayna realized Kurtis wasn’t one of the ones cheering with the others.

  “Enjoy your festival.” King Navion looked at Viktor. “Give your next class their rightful rank of Soldatas and Soldat and come to Kapok to see the annihilation of the rebellion.”

  All the joy Rayna had been feeling seeped from her bones, sickening her marrow, and reminded her of her dream.

  ~ Chapter 39 ~

  Sake 9, 540

  Rayna held onto Kurtis as they hugged goodbye. She didn’t want him to leave, but she knew he had to.

  “I will see you soon.” Kurtis brushed loose hair behind her ears.

  “Not soon enough.” She whispered into his palm. “I do not want you to go.”

  “I have to.”

  “I know.”

  “I do not want to go either.” He gently pulled her back to look her in the eye. “I promise to see you in Kapok. Things may change, but know that I will always love you and be there for you.”

  “What do you mean? How will things change?”

  “I am a Soldat commander. I do not know what ranks the king will have in Kapok. Besides, as I understand it, your mother will be one of the high noble wives coming to the capital to witness the victory.”

  “Then we will tell her the truth.” Rayna didn’t care what Ederra had to say. Gwen was her only Mum. “She cannot keep us apart.”

  “She will not keep us apart.” He promised. “Be strong.”

  “Be brave.” She kissed his palm. “Do not tell my father I did that.”

  “We might as well keep a bigger kiss from him.” He gently grabbed her neck and pulled her to his lips. Shivers vibrated down her spine, and Rayna threw her arms around him, returning the passion with her own.

  “What did I tell you two?” Viktor’s voice broke them apart.

  “Forgive me sir.” Kurtis bowed. “I was just saying goodbye.”

  “You can do that with your words instead.”

  “I will miss you.” Kurtis took her hand and entwined his fingers with his. “I will be waiting to see you in Kapok, waiting for my Soldata.”

  “I love you.” Rayna wanted to force him to stay. If only he would betray the king.

  “Goodbye Duke Viktor.” Kurtis nodded. “I must make my way to the stables and leave to Kapok.”

  “Safe travels.” Viktor clapped a hand to his shoulder.

  Kur
tis threw Rayna one more glance before walking through the corridor and out into the grounds of Krijar.

  “I cannot believe you.” Rayna gasped once he was out of ear-shot.

  “I specifically said he could not kiss you.”

  “You are not my father.” She stepped past him.

  Viktor grabbed her arm. “I know I do not deserve your love, but I have only wanted to protect you.”

  “I know you are married to someone you do not love, that your one chance at happiness was taken from you, but I love Kurtis.”

  “I know.” Viktor’s eyes turned somber. “I do not wish my marriage on any of my children, including you.”

  “My parents love each other.” Rayna lowered her voice. “Perhaps there are more good things about being common than noble.” She pulled her arm from his grip. “I will see you at the ceremony tomorrow.”

  Rayna, Wilma, and Jerrika got ready for their ceremony together. Today was the day they would be made Soldatas.

  Rayna wished Kurtis was there to support her. He’d returned to Kapok three weeks earlier with the king, her brothers, and their troops.

  Wilma looked over to her friends. “I cannot believe today is finally here.”

  “Seems like we have all changed so much.” Jerrika looked between the others.

  Rayna chuckled. “I think we have, but I am not so sure about Wil. You have always been the same. We just did not recognize it.”

  “You did.” Wilma replied. She stood and straightened her leather jacket. “Today we get our Woplers.”

  “Today will be a first.” Jerrika curled her dark brown locks. “Wil and I will stand on either side of you.”

  “Just in case there is something different when you add blood to your Wopler.” Wilma nodded. She braided her straight brown hair.

  Rayna grinned. “Thank you both so much. I worried about my secret for so many years, never knowing how people would treat me if they found out the truth.” She paused and looked to Wilma. “Though I have always known it would not matter to you. I never doubted that you would always be my friend.”

  Wilma embraced Rayna. “Let us go. We have a ceremony we cannot be late for.”