Child of Destiny (Prophecy Series Book 3) Page 3

  Megan didn’t answer. She only lowered her head once more.

  “I’m here to take your measurements, so I can find you a proper gown for your wedding.” The woman explained. “My name’s Belle.”

  Megan looked at the woman again. “Do you know what Lord Scott’s forcing me to do?”

  “Oh, I know.” Belle answered. “The entire village knows about you. Lord Scott has been quite adamant about you being his wife.”

  Megan groaned, and Belle helped her stand. The stout woman gently wiped tears from Megan’s cheeks. “You don’t want to be his wife, do you Miss?” Belle wrapped a knotted rope around Megan’s waist.

  “He knew the only way to get me here was by force.” Megan answered. “He has put me here where I can’t escape, and he left guards by the door, which is locked so I couldn’t escape that way anyway.”

  “You poor thing.” Belle looked at her. “I’m sorry.”

  “This isn’t your doing.” Megan replied. “I don’t know what to do. He’s going to make me marry him tonight. I can’t escape.” More tears burst from her eyes, and Megan wept.

  Belle put her arms around Megan. “There’s no use crying my dear. Life has given you a wonderful opportunity.”

  “Opportunity?” Megan frowned. “What is wrong with you?”

  “I mean that you have a chance to change a man.” Belle shrugged. “Isn’t that what marriage is all about?”

  “No.” Megan stepped away from the woman and looked toward the sunlight seeping into her cell from the high window. “Marriage is about love, commitment, freedom, and compassion. I want to be with a man who will cherish me, not break me. I want to marry a man who will always care for me and love me, not want to force himself on me. I will never willingly give myself to Scott, and he knows that.”

  “Then you must take every opportunity you can.” Belle stepped closer to the door. “Don’t leave any stone unturned my dear, and you’ll find what you seek.” Belle went to the guard and nodded. He opened the door.

  Megan stared at Belle as the woman and guard left. The door slammed shut, leaving Megan alone inside the room; she spun around. Don’t leave any stone unturned. She stared at the ground, but the stones were pounded into the floor. Megan dropped to her knees and grabbed at the rocks. Her fingers bloodied as she worked at all the different stones in her prison. The walls and the floor. Exhausted, Megan sat on her cot, closing her eyes as her hope began to drain. She wanted to believe there was a way out, that Belle’s words meant something, but nothing seemed possible.

  Don’t leave any stone unturned.

  Megan slipped off her cot and moved it aside. There was a large stone, and Megan was able to move it with ease.

  A soft creak sounded behind her, and Megan grinned as part of the wall moved aside. She raced toward the crack and slipped through. The wall moved back into place, and Megan was trapped inside the safety of a dark hallway. She used her hands to feel the sides of the stone wall, ignoring spider webs as she did.

  Keeping her eyes closed, Megan used her fingers to feel her way through the hall.

  A shout and the sound of sword fighting made Megan open her eyes. She turned back, but she couldn’t see anything in the blackness. She took a deep breath and found that she could make out faint outlines in the dark. She rushed forward, moving as quick as she dared in the uneven steps of the hidden hallway.

  She stopped at a small window and looked to see soldiers rush out into the courtyard. Scott must know she was gone from her room. Megan continued to follow the hall until she found herself hiding behind a tapestry in the kitchen. She watched through the thin material as soldiers searched the hot room.

  Megan held her breath as the soldiers passed the tapestry. Still in the hallway, Megan was safely hidden from their sight.

  The soldiers grabbed the servants and moved them out of the kitchen, back to another room, probably to interrogate them about seeing anything strange or unusual.

  Megan slipped into the room and grabbed a knife, a basket, and some food. She rushed back to the hallway, ready to escape this prison and find her sister by whatever means necessary.

  ~ Chapter 5 ~

  Twenty-three-year-old Richelle Paken walked through Goshen city, dressed in a simple dress, boots, and apron. Her long dark brown hair was tamed back in a braid, and she had several knives hidden in her belt and boots.

  Her best friend, Drew, walked alongside her. Normally he wore his magician robes, but they were both trying to not attract attention.

  “I think this could work.” Drew looked at her. “Are you sure about this Rickie?”

  Rickie nodded. “I think this person, Archer, will be a great addition to our little group.”

  “Archer’s destiny does seem to be entwined with ours.” Drew’s hand glittered with azure veins, an extension of his magic. Born in Chite, he’d inherited his mother’s prophecy magic.

  “Alright.” Rickie faced him. “I’m ready.”

  Drew grabbed her bag, shoving her aside. Rickie fell painfully to the ground as she screamed. A flock of birds raced into the air, and Rickie tried to get to her feet.

  “Are you alright Miss?” A bald merchant pulled her to stand. “What happened?”

  “That man robbed me.” Rickie breathed quickly, pretending to be scared out of her wits. “He took all I have.”

  A black horse suddenly raced through the market, cutting through Rickie and the merchant. Rickie grinned as the hooded and masked protector raced after Drew. It was the first time she’d actually seen the mysterious protector, and Rickie hoped it wouldn’t be the last.

  “Archer will stop him.” The bald merchant assured her. “Don’t you worry now.”

  “Thank you.” Rickie raced after the horse, her braid whipping behind her. She needed to make sure Archer didn’t hurt Drew.

  Rickie breathed hard as she slowed. Archer had cornered Drew, bow aimed. “Don’t you know it’s not right to steal?” The voice was muffled by a mask. “Taking from others never solves any problems.”

  “My name is Drew.” He raised his hands, lowering Rickie’s bag. “We wanted to find you and speak with you.”

  “I’m sorry, but this was the only way we could think to do it.” Rickie said from behind the warrior.

  Archer spun, bow pointing at the pirate now. “What? This was some kind of setup? Did the king send you?”

  “My name is Rickie, and I’m the leader of Ruccis.”

  Archer’s brown eyes widened. “Ruccis. I’ve heard many stories of you. It’s said your mission is to help bring prophecies to pass, like the Prophecy of the Blue Knight.”

  “It is.” Rickie nodded. “This is our magician, Drew.”

  “Hello.” His hand bristled with azure magic.

  Archer lowered the bow. “Why did you want to find me?”

  “Word of your bravery and skill has reached our camp.” Rickie explained. “We’ve been discussing it, and we wanted to know if you’d be willing to join our group.”

  “You wouldn’t want someone like me to join you.”

  “I wouldn’t say that if I was you.” Drew paused, tilting his head to the side. “Are you a man or woman?”

  Archer chuckled. “Woman.”

  “We’d love to have another girl join us.” Rickie grinned. “It’s my sister and me with the three boys.”

  Archer’s eyes, the only thing not hidden in her costume, moved between Rickie and Drew. Rickie wondered what concerned the archer, and she looked at Drew. “Can you leave us to talk for a while?”

  Drew nodded, and he clapped, disappearing in blue smoke.

  “Wow.” Archer gasped.

  “You get used to his magic.” Rickie shrugged as she went to pick up her bag and tie it around her belt. “I know this must be strange, us setting up a robbery so we can find you and ask you to join us.”

  “It wasn’t something I was expecting.”

  “Then perhaps we should sit and talk about everything.” Rickie gestured to a wide falle
n tree trunk.

  Archer sat beside the pirate. “There are many rumors about Ruccis. I don’t know which are true and which aren’t.”

  “You can ask me anything, and I won’t lie to you.”

  “Is it true you and your sister were marooned?”

  Rickie nodded. “I was eighteen when it happened.”

  “Is it true that Ruccis formed to find one person connected to prophecy?”

  “No.” Rickie leaned back on the trunk, using her right arm to hold her weight. “While we each joined Ruccis for our own reasons, we want to help everyone connected to prophecy. We’ve helped over forty people connected to prophecy so far and seen over twenty come to pass.”

  Archer looked at Rickie with brown, pleading eyes. “I want to help bring King Girdo down. It isn’t right for him and his family to be on the throne. He stole it from the Leifton family, and if I can help this prophecy come to pass, if I can help you find the Liberator, then I will join Ruccis.”

  Rickie grinned. “That’s great.”

  “But I cannot be like you.” Archer shook her head. “I can’t leave home. I’ll be a spy for you, and I’ll help you as much as I can.”

  “A spy? Where will you spy for us?”

  “The palace.”

  ~ Chapter 6 ~

  Her room was full of grand furnishings, but Laura felt empty. Everything in her life had been ripped so violently away, and Laura couldn’t understand why. How could she possibly be destined for evil? She despised the king and loathed how Brad and King Girdo treated their people. But the king seemed more than willing to accept that she was the Chain. He’d showered her with gifts: jewels, silk and lace gowns, and an ornate bedroom. He’d given her everything she could possible want, everything except what she truly desired: Tobin, Megan, and freedom.

  A soft knock came from the door behind her.

  Laura didn’t answer; she curled herself into a tighter ball on the large bed.

  “Laura?” Girdo’s dark-haired niece peeked her head into Laura’s room. “May I come in? I wanted to speak with you, please.”

  “Do I have a choice?” Laura growled.

  “Of course, you do.”

  Laura looked to the young woman. “As far as I can tell, I’ve been ripped away from my family, Brad murdered my husband, my sister was given to a psychotic man infatuated with her, I’ll never see my parents again, and I’m surrounded by people who want to believe I’m some kind of prophesied evil. I’m not the Chain, and I won’t help the king defeat the Liberator.”

  “I know how hard this must be for you.” The dark-haired woman closed the door and took a step toward Laura.

  “Does your uncle think you can turn me to his side? Does Brad think you being kind will sway me toward his idea of what he thinks I am?”

  “My uncle and Brad don’t know I’m here.”

  Laura finally looked the princess in her brown eyes. “What’s your name again?”

  “Montiel.” She answered. “My sister is Celeste.”

  “The blonde.”

  Montiel nodded. “Our parents were murdered by the Leifton king’s soldiers when we were young. They killed our parents in an act of revenge for our uncle taking the throne. When Uncle found out, he adopted Celeste and me. He raised us.”

  “And that should make me want to help him keep the Liberator from fulfilling her destiny?”

  “You have a right to make your own conclusions and follow your own heart.” Montiel sat on the edge of Laura’s bed.

  “How would you feel if someone murdered your husband and gave your sister to someone who wanted her like she was property?”

  “I would be devastated.” Montiel admitted. “I love my sister with all I am, and I would do everything in my power to protect her from awful people and licentious men. I do not love my husband as you loved yours, so I cannot imagine loving someone as much as I’m sure you loved him.”

  Laura watched the princess closely. She was married to Brad, but she admitted she did not love him. Perhaps this young woman was the key to getting out of the palace. Laura would use Montiel to gain her freedom. “Why did you agree to marry Brad?”

  “He’s a powerful ally of my uncle’s, and Brad has done many things to help him. Our marriage was part of my uncle’s way of showing his gratitude to his friend.”

  “Is that why your uncle adopted you?” Laura whispered. “To use you and your sister for his own gain?”

  “It is my duty to do as my uncle wishes.” Montiel answered. “It is my duty as heir to be loyal to my uncle. I’ve known what’s expected of me since I was a child. I was always going to be given to someone as a bride, someone my uncle deemed fit to be king, someone he trusted and loved.”

  “But not someone you loved.”

  Montiel glanced at Laura. “Love is a dangerous thing. It brings heartache, pain, misery, and brokenness. It is power and strength which will bring what truly matters to one’s life. Once you accept the truth, you will see that what Brad did was done to make you stronger. Severing the bonds of love will make you a better warrior, a stronger sorceress, and a more powerful weapon against those who want to destroy the king. Brad may have been harsh, but my husband did what was necessary.”

  “How can you think that?” Laura jumped to her feet. She felt queasy, ill, and angry. Rage filled her blood, and she glared at the naïve princess sitting at the foot of her bed. “Love is the most powerful possession we have. It is the force which binds people together, fortifies families and community, and brings strength behind a cause. You are blind to the truth Montiel, just as your uncle raised you to be. How can someone who is going to be queen be so naïve and foolish?”

  “I promise you, I am not naïve.” Montiel stood. “I am not foolish.”

  “If you trust your uncle and your husband, then you are.” Laura turned her back and paced away from the princess.

  “I want to be friends.”

  Laura spun to face the princess. “I can never be friends with someone who thinks my husband’s murder was a good thing.”

  “I don’t.” Montiel stated. “I can understand the motives behind it, but I do not believe it’s a good thing. What they did to you was wrong.”

  Laura paused as she watched the princess’ eyes in that statement. She’d been putting up a good front of loyalty to her uncle, but in that sentence, her pupils dilated just slightly, a sign of anger or something deeper revealed. Did Montiel say what her uncle and Brad would want her to? Did she actually believe the naïveté she spoke? Or was she more aware of the evils in the world her uncle and Brad ran? Did she want the Liberator to bring peace to the land and the Leiftons back to the throne?

  “Can we please try to be friends?” Montiel bit part of her lower lip, and her brown eyes widened in her question.

  Laura took a deep breath. This princess was reaching out to her. Was she reaching to make her loyal to her uncle? Or was the princess key to finding her sister and their freedom?

  “Alright.” Laura answered. “We can try to be friends.”

  Laura followed Montiel from her room, nervous about eating with the princesses. Laura could never trust them, and she would never truly befriend either of them.

  “How old are you?” Montiel looked back.

  “Twenty-three.”

  “I’m also twenty-three. Celeste is twenty-one.” Montiel glanced at Laura. “Where are your parents?”

  “Forgive me, but I will not reveal information about my family to anyone here. I’ve lost too much already.” Laura needed to protect her parents. Brad would recognize her father, and if he did, Brad would realize she could never be evil.

  “Here’s the private dining room.” Montiel opened a sturdy door.

  Laura followed her inside.

  Celeste stood from her seat. Her golden-blonde hair was pulled back in a stylish bun, and she wore a sheer lace, silver gown with a light pink underdress.

  “I’m so glad you decided to join us for dinner.” Celeste greeted Laura with a kis
s to each cheek.

  Laura pulled back.

  “Why haven’t you dressed in proper attire?” Celeste frowned at Laura’s woolen skirt and cotton shirt.

  “This is what I’m used to wearing.” Laura took a seat next to Montiel, across from Celeste. “I’m of middle class. I don’t want to be an example of luxury and wealth. As far as I can tell, this life brings nothing but pain and suffering.”

  “You’re still upset about your husband.” Celeste sat in her wooden chair.

  “My husband was murdered.” Laura glared at the younger princess as she controlled herself to not strike her. “How long should I take to get over that?”

  Celeste glanced at her sister. “We got over the death of our parents quickly. We realized our uncle loved us and wanted to protect us.”

  “So, I should be okay with Brad killing my husband because he did it to make me powerful?” Laura frowned. Perhaps Montiel wasn’t the naïve princess. Laura glanced to the older princess, but Laura couldn’t read her face.

  “We’ve been fortunate to grow up in the palace and have such a wonderful uncle.” Celeste continued. “He’s trained us to defend ourselves and attack our enemies. You’ll soon be made into a powerful warrior. You’ll destroy the rebels and the Liberator. Our uncle is a good man.”

  “Your uncle has never been a good man.” Laura hoped they would kill her. She wanted to be with Tobin again, and if she was truly destined to be the Chain, she couldn’t stop the Liberator if she was dead.

  “You’ve just been raised to believe the falsehoods people speak about the king.” Brad entered the room and took the empty seat next to Celeste. “How do you like the palace so far Lady Laura?”

  “I hate it.”

  Brad tisked. “You will soon realize the truth about the king and the kingdom.”

  “I already know the truth.” Laura hated being around the sorcerer. She knew how evil he was, and she would never ally herself with the man who had murdered her husband and grandfather. Of course, she couldn’t tell him who her grandfather had been.

  “As I said, things will change in time.” Brad stood. “I came here because it is time to begin training. You have powerful magic, and I will train you to harness it.”