Child of Beauty (Prophecy Series) Page 7

  “When are you finally going to ask to court my sister?” Garrik joined them.

  Kurtis and Jerrika looked at each other. What was he inferring?

  “I mean, you two have been friends for so long.” Garrik paused. “I always imagined the two of you would end up together. Did Kurtis not give you those pearls you always wear?”

  “No.” Jerrika touched the said jewelry.

  “Oh…” Garrik left them alone once more.

  Jerrika chuckled.

  “I am not surprised he thought that.” Sage Little walked up behind them.

  “Have you met everyone in my family?” Jerrika asked Kurtis. She didn’t want to address Sage’s comment.

  He shook his head.

  “Soldat Commander Sage Little.” He held out his hand. “You must be Soldat Kurtis Jarger, as I understand it.”

  Kurtis shook Sage’s hand. “I am.”

  “I know the king is planning on sending a new commander to Derbon after the joining year is through.” Sage replied. “Rumors say he is thinking about making you a new commander.”

  “If you say so.” Kurtis paused. “Though I would like it if those rumors are true.”

  “I am supposed to get two new Soldats or Soldatas.” Sage stated. “Hadrien is going to be assigned to the new commander once he or she arrives in Derbon.”

  “It would be an honor to work with Hadrien.” Kurtis replied. “Whether as his commander or lieutenant.”

  Sage nodded. “Welcome.” He walked off to speak with the prince and Rayna.

  “Your brothers are…” Kurtis paused.

  “Sage and Garrik are probably going to be the only ones who speak with you about us.” Jerrika stated.

  “I wonder if they all think I gave you those pearls.”

  “I hope so.” Jerrika admitted. “I do not want my mother to know where they really came from.”

  “Who they came from.” Kurtis paused. “She would not like it if you were courted by a noble, so I can only imagine if she knew you were in love with someone common.”

  “And she will not find out.” Jerrika grabbed Kurtis’ hand and pulled him toward the table. “We should sit. The food should be coming out soon.”

  Kurtis nodded.

  One table seated Viktor, Ederra, Sage, and Hadrien. The other sat Jerrika, Kurtis, Rayna, Prince Navion, Garrik, and Fergus.

  Fergus looked across the table to Kurtis, frowning as he watched him. “You are Kurtis Jarger, a noble Soldat, right?”

  Kurtis nodded.

  “I swear you look high noble.” Fergus paused. “Like another high noble at least.”

  Kurtis shrugged. “I am not.”

  “Too bad. It must be awful being noble.”

  Rayna put her hand over Fergus’. “He is a Soldat now too.” She looked between the three other young men. “How is your joining year going?”

  “Very well.” Garrik answered. “We all have local assignments right now.”

  “What kind of assignments?” Jerrika asked.

  “We cannot discuss them during the year.” Prince Navion stated.

  “But they usually have some kind of undercover assignment.” Fergus stated. “I can tell you that the prince and I are working together to try to find more information about the family of rebels responsible for beginning this uproar in Kapok.”

  “An uproar?” Rayna asked.

  Prince Navion nodded. “There have been several small attacks on soldier squads, as well as theft of weapons, metals, gold, and even cloth and leather.”

  “Sounds like some rebels are planning on becoming more than their station.” Jerrika looked at Kurtis. “Perhaps one day common folk will be treated like nobility.”

  Fergus gasped. “What? Why would you even say something as horrible as that?”

  “Why is it horrible?” Jerrika wondered. “What is so bad about treating everyone the same?”

  “We are not the same.” Fergus replied. “Cuscas are worthless souls who cannot understand the true meaning of power or what to do with it. Nobility teaches us how to protect and wield our weapons before we bring them against someone else. The rebels are just concerned with fighting; they are brute and basic.”

  “Perhaps if they could be trained as we are, they can-”

  “Common folk do not belong at Krijar.” Rayna stated. “They never will.”

  Jerrika shut her mouth, not wanting to continue her tirade. She wished more than anything that nobles would accept common folk. Then she and Barrett could finally be together.

  “Seems to me that nobility should be more than just who you are born to.” Kurtis spoke up.

  “It is.” Fergus looked at him, looking to his left arm. “That is the meaning of our Soldat tattoo.”

  “Then how come common folk cannot learn the same traits we do?” Garrik paused as if he was pondering his own question.

  “It is too personal for everyone right now.” Prince Navion stated. “When my father became king, there was civil unrest. He could only trust his closest allies in that time, and Krijar is an example of that loyalty.”

  “Then you think things may change in the future?” Rayna asked.

  “Perhaps one day,” Prince Navion shrugged. “But it will be a very long time until that day comes.”

  After dinner, Ederra took Sage with her as music began. She and Sage danced the Monnaie Waltz. Moving in slow steps, Kurtis and Jerrika soon joined them. Prince Navion and Rayna also came into the waltz.

  Moving slowly, trying to flow like water, Jerrika smiled at her friend. “I sure miss you.”

  “I miss you too.” Kurtis pulled her along with quick two-steps. “I hope I do get reassigned here. At least I can be with you during your last year at Krijar.”

  “I would like that.” Jerrika stepped closer. “And I think Rayna would too.”

  He glanced over toward her sister and sighed. “She is in love with the prince. I can never compete with him.”

  “If you ask me, she is putting a show on for Mother.” Jerrika whispered.

  “You think so?”

  “You know Mother wants Rayna to be queen.”

  “I also know the prince loves her.”

  “Granted, I do not know Rayna well or have her trust, but I would guess that she would rather end up with you than him.”

  “Thanks for saying so.” Kurtis spun Jerrika in a tight circle.

  ~ Chapter 13 ~

  Rayna couldn’t take her eyes off Kurtis as she danced with the prince.

  Prince Navion sighed. “It is the same thing, is it not?”

  She looked at him. “What?”

  “When I became a Soldat and left on my joining year, you could not take your eyes off him that night either.”

  Rayna sighed. “I am sorry Navion.”

  “I understand. Why do the two of you not at least pretend to move past this rivalry between you and Jerrika?”

  “I would love to, but Jerrika hates me. She will never be my friend.”

  “What if she says the same thing about you?” Prince Navion whispered. “Perhaps she thinks you hate her and would never want to be her friend because of how you let Mae treat her.”

  Rayna frowned. She wished she could explain to Kurtis, and Jerrika, the truth about why she wanted to have Ederra and Mae’s favor.

  As the dance ended, Viktor took Sage’s place to dance with his wife. Garrik replaced Kurtis, and Fergus danced with Rayna.

  “Just over a year.” Fergus stated. “It is going to be exciting, having you in Kapok for your joining year. I will have my little sister with me once more.”

  Rayna smiled. When she and Jerrika had begun training at Krijar, it was Fergus who had helped their lie of who was the true Little daughter. He had insisted that Rayna was his birth sister, not Jerrika. Even after Jerrika told the truth, Viveca would have believed Rayna and Fergus, but Garrik had insisted Jerrika was his birth sister. Viveca continued to want to believe Rayna was the true Little daughter, but she’d asked Duke Viktor. He
hadn’t known how intense the rivalry was, and he’d told the princess the truth about his daughters.

  “I still cannot believe that Jerrika and Garrik are such close friends with that Adlig.” Fergus glanced at Kurtis, who stood by himself, watching the dancing.

  “He is a kind young man.” Rayna stated. “He is strong, brave, smart, and loyal. He will always be loyal to Jerrika.”

  Fergus’ brow furrowed, and he looked into his sister’s face. “What is going on? I thought you loved the prince.”

  “Prince Navion is a good friend.” Rayna nodded.

  Fergus groaned. “Mother will never allow you to court anyone besides the prince.”

  “I know.”

  “So what are you and the Adlig planning on doing?”

  “Nothing.”

  As the dance ended, Hadrien stepped up to dance with his mother.

  Rayna walked away from Fergus, and she was pulled into a dark corner of the house.

  “I did not get my dance from you.” Kurtis whispered in her ear.

  Rayna smirked. “You danced with my sister instead.”

  “And now I want to dance with you.” Kurtis gently touched one of the sapphire earrings in her earlobe.

  “Alright.” She moved with him in the shadows of the house. “So did you come all this way just to dance with me?”

  “I came for Jerrika.” Kurtis replied.

  Rayna nodded. “Always her best friend.”

  “At least someone is.”

  “You know I want to be friends with her, but I cannot.”

  “What?” Kurtis frowned. “You want to be friends with her?”

  Rayna nodded. “When I was adopted, Ederra explained that I had not been adopted to be a companion for Jerrika. She told me if I became friends with Jerrika, she would return me.”

  “Do you think she really would?”

  “Ederra is a terrible mother, and I do not doubt she would.” Rayna sighed. “She almost returned me after Viveca stopped being my friend.”

  “I am sorry.” Kurtis embraced her.

  “I could not risk Jerrika being nice to me.” Rayna whispered. “I had to make her hate me so she would not try to be my friend. I could not have resisted being friends if she wanted us to be.”

  “I think the two of you deserve to be honest with each other and explain the past between the two of you.” Kurtis touched her face. “Viktor is a good man, and I know he will protect you. He does not share in the same desires and beliefs Ederra does. Viktor will never let her return you. He sees you as his daughter.”

  “You cannot know that.”

  “But I do.” Kurtis kissed the tip of her nose. “You need to believe he will protect you. You will never truly be happy until you and Jerrika at least try to be friends.”

  She sighed and shook her head slightly. She wanted him to be right. She wanted to believe Viktor loved them both enough to protect them, but it was too great a risk.

  “You need to be honest with Jerrika.” Kurtis whispered. “Both of you are suffering when each of you will bring the other peace. Do not let Ederra continue to hurt the both of you.”

  Kurtis stood against the back wall of the estate as he watched the family interact with each other. Rayna and Jerrika still weren’t talking, but hopefully that would change soon.

  “Hello Kurtis.” Viktor stepped close.

  “Duke Viktor.” Kurtis bowed.

  “You are close friends with my son Garrik and my daughter Jerrika?”

  “Yes sir.”

  “Do they know the truth?”

  Kurtis looked at him. He forgot Viktor knew; it wouldn’t be smart to return. “No.”

  Viktor nodded as he walked past him to join his wife.

  Jerrika and Garrik joined Kurtis once more. Kurtis watched as Prince Navion, Rayna, and Fergus laughed at something together. Rayna’s blonde hair glowed in the moonlight, and she looked beautiful. Prince Navion took one of her hands and kissed her fingers. Anger boiled in Kurtis’ stomach as he watched them. Rationally, he knew Rayna was only friends with the prince, but Kurtis hated watching them together. The prince always made her laugh, always made her smile, and always wanted to be with her.

  Though they weren’t close friends, Kurtis did respect the prince. He was not like his father, proving himself compassionate, genuine, and direct. Kurtis turned his gaze to Ederra.

  She was an exquisite woman with alabaster skin and thick brunette hair. Her cheeks held a natural rosy color, and her eyes were pools of liquid brown, warm and friendly as she watched her adopted daughter and the prince. Pride shown through her expression, and Kurtis knew everything Jerrika had ever told him about her mother was true.

  “How long are you staying?” Jerrika looked at her brother.

  Garrik brushed his long black ponytail behind his shoulder. “We have to head back tomorrow morning after breakfast. Monnaie Eve is never long enough.”

  “But at least we got to see you.” Jerrika hugged her brother. “And I am so thrilled that you came too.” She embraced Kurtis.

  He hugged her back, once again hoping she’d be friends with Rayna.

  Jerrika returned to her room that night. She was so happy to have her friendships back. Garrik and Kurtis had both danced with her. Usually only Sage and Garrik danced the Monnaie Waltz with her.

  She sat on her bed, lied back, and stared at the ceiling.

  The door burst open, and Jerrika swiftly sat straight. Her mother stood in her doorway. “What is wrong with you?”

  “What?” Jerrika frowned.

  “Who is this common boy you are in love with?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “One of the servants overheard your friend Kurtis say a common boy gave you those pearls.” Ederra grabbed the necklace and yanked them off.

  “No.” Jerrika jumped up. “Stop it!”

  The black pearls swam around her wooden floor. Ederra crushed several under her heels. “Tell me who he is.” Her heels came down on more, and other pearls seemed to spin out of control, searching for a safe spot.

  “Never.”

  Ederra slapped her daughter. “I will have him driven out of Derbon.”

  “No.” Jerrika touched the side of her now burning face and the blood from her split lip. “I love him Mother. You cannot change that.”

  Ederra’s sneer should have warned her, but Jerrika was taken off guard when her mother punched her face. It wasn’t the first time Ederra had abused her daughter, but Jerrika promised herself it would be the last.

  Fergus Little rode his steed away from his family’s estate. He was thrilled to be home. Here he was close to Krijar, close to his love. No one in his family knew about his secret courtship with Princess Viveca Perso. The beautiful brunette was training to be a Soldata. She was as strong and passionate as her father. Fergus had been honored to accept a position in Kapok after his joining year, but a part of him hated being away from Viveca.

  He rode up to Brinker Inn, walked inside, and entered his usual room.

  She was already inside. Her dark brown hair was down and flowed over her bare shoulders. She smiled at him. “Hello Fergus.”

  “Viv.” He wrapped her in his arms, and their lips met.

  She gently ran her fingers through his hair. “I have missed you.”

  “As I have you. You should visit me this summer.”

  “Our families cannot know about us, not until I am a Soldata.”

  “I know.” He sighed, nuzzling his lips into the side of her neck. “I love you Viv. I just cannot wait until we can take our relationship out of this room.”

  “We meet in other rooms.” She whispered, hands going for his belt.

  He grinned as his hands gripped her skirt, and they landed on the bed.

  ~ Chapter 14 ~

  Jerrika didn’t come to breakfast the next morning. Rayna was sure her sister was being dramatic about something, but when she wasn’t at lunch either, she decided to investigate. She couldn’t stop thinking
about Kurtis’ words since he’d spoken them. Did Jerrika truly want to be her friend? Would Viktor protect them from Ederra?

  Rayna walked up to the third floor and her sister’s room. She knocked loudly. “Jeeer-rika.”

  “Go away.” The voice which responded was soft with a hint of malice.

  “What is wrong? You need to eat.”

  “Go away Rayna.”

  “Not until you tell me what is wrong.”

  “Why do you care?” The question could have been a poisoned arrow sent straight to her heart.

  Rayna paused for a moment. “Kurtis said something.”

  A long silence from the other side of the door met her statement. Finally Jerrika opened the door a sliver. “What do you want? To gloat? Did Mother not tell everyone what happened?”

  “Mother?” Rayna frowned. “She has not said anything about you.”

  “Figures.” Jerrika finally let Rayna open her door.

  Rayna gasped. Her mind went blank upon seeing her sister.

  Jerrika’s eyes were black, and her lips had three cracks in them. Dried blood was the defining feature on her face. Her nose was broken, and her cheeks were bruised. Her right arm was limp, as if Ederra had almost broken it.

  Had their mother really done this? She wished she didn’t believe a parent could abuse a child, but as evidence by her own parents, Rayna knew some parents were horrible. At least her own birth parents had never abused her.

  “It is not the first time she has beaten me.” Jerrika whispered as she turned to sit on her bed.

  “You never told me.” Rayna couldn’t take her eyes off her sister’s face. “You always said you fell.”

  “Well I lied.” Fresh tears streamed down Jerrika’s broken face. “She has never beaten me this violently.”

  “I am sorry.” Rayna whispered, sat next to her sister, and threw her arms around Jerrika to embrace her.

  Jerrika flinched.

  “I never knew.” Guilt consumed Rayna, and she tried to fight back tears as a lump appeared in her throat. She could never allow anyone else to hurt Jerrika. She’d suffered far too much already.