Born to Rule Page 5

  I stick out my hand and he offers me his and I shake it. After seeing Archer again after believing he was dead but then realising that Brett had been on our side, I thought I would never smile again. Archer is so cross with me, Everleigh is so cross with me.

  This man has changed that. “Thank you for saving Archer.”

  “You’re welcome. I like looking after people, saving them, with words or potions. I am a healer, I suppose.”

  I think about his words, how he saves people with words. Is that what he’s done for me? This teacher.

  “What’s your real name, teacher?”

  “Why? Curious girl.”

  “I feel stupid calling you teacher, that’s why.”

  “Fair enough. My mother named me Kenneth. But I am not free with that information. I like being called teacher. Kenneth just isn’t...mysterious enough.”

  He smiles at me, his eyebrow raised, the cheekiest smile on his face and I know that I have made another friend.

  He stands up and reaches out his hand to me. I stand with him. “Let’s find the others, then get to the castle. It will be nightfall soon. We should all be together.”

  We follow the smell and sight of smoke and find Everleigh and Archer kneeling next to Brett’s fiery body. I sit down next to Everleigh. “My Queen. Forgive me for ending the life of a man who didn’t deserve it, but please don’t punish me for wanting to keep you safe, or for doing what I thought was right. Please.”

  Everleigh reaches out and takes my hand and I can’t help crying. “I was shocked when you told me what you’d done. When Brett took me from Will I was so scared that he was going to kill me. When I realised that he was on our side the relief was tremendous. Then I found that Archer was alive, and it was Brett who brought me to him. I wanted to be able to keep him safe, give him my thanks. I’m just sad that he’s gone. He didn’t need to die...but I do thank you for trying to look after me.”

  Archer stands up. “It’s time to go.” He’s trying to draw a line under it all and I get that, but he’s so bossy.

  Reluctantly Everleigh stands up and leaves Brett’s side.

  I’m scowling as we walk back to the castle, kicking at tufts of grass and piles of stones. Archer and Everleigh are holding hands and I’m jealous. I know that’s why I’m so grumpy. All the good things I was feeling after talking to Kenneth have gone.

  Archer is alive and he doesn’t love me.

  When he was dead I could pretend that he might have picked me instead of her. Now he’s alive again – not that he ever really died, because Kenneth saved him – I have to watch them together. Makes me want to puke if I’m honest. I have to accept the fact that he wouldn’t choose me, even if he knew how I felt.

  But when I sneak a look at them both again, a tumble of pure happiness flips through my stomach at the sight of him. Archer is alive. Wait till Weaver sees him. He’ll be so happy. I’m happy too, but sad.

  We were always a little group of three, helping the villagers, showing up the King’s men, downing ale and killing rabbits. One of our three has moved on; he’s growing up, and I don’t like it.

  We won’t be just us three again – that’s gone. Even though Archer is alive and well, we won’t go back to the village and carry on like we were. He won’t go back to the lovely house where he was a squire. He’ll want to stay by Everleigh’s side.

  He’s alive, but dead to me really. The boy I knew, the boy I loved is gone. He belongs to someone else now. He’s outgrown me.

  He moves from Everleigh’s side to mine and throws an arm around my shoulders. A friendly move. Close but not intimate. I shake my head. Am I going to spend the whole time I should be celebrating him being alive worrying that he doesn’t love me? He never did. I haven’t lost anything really. Just my fantasies. That he would find out my feelings and declare his love for me. Foolish fantasies.

  It’s time for me to grow up too.

  “I am so glad you’re alive.”

  “Stop giving the teacher a hard time then.”

  “I didn’t. We’re good friends now. He made me feel better about...”

  “I know why you did it. Next time it might be the right person you kill, someone who would have harmed Everleigh. We can’t be cross with you, not really.”

  “Good. I would hate Everleigh to be cross with me. I like her a lot.”

  “Good. I would hate it if you two couldn’t get along.”

  “Because you’re in love with her?”

  “I am. You’re my best friend but she’s...”

  “We got along just fine when you were dead, actually.”

  “Good. And now that I’m alive?”

  “We’ll be just fine.” I stomp away from him and link arms with Everleigh. I won’t hate her because of him. I won’t be one of those girls who blames another girl for her own feelings of inadequacy. I love Archer, Archer doesn’t love me. None of that is Everleigh’s fault. And a Queen will be good for the Realm. A new ruler, a fair ruler, a fresh start.

  “Are you happy he’s alright?” she whispers to me. I nod and ask her, “Are you?”

  She nods and smiles. “I didn’t tell him about you...”

  She tails off, but I know what she means, and I feel hot with relief. “Thank you.”

  We walk in silence, the marked girl and the Queen, her true love and the teacher and I resolve to be a good subject to Everleigh, a good friend to Archer and keep my mean mindedness to myself.

  It won’t last, but I’ll try.

  6

  THE GROUP OF FOUR MAKE it to the castle without further incident, and as they approach the front door, Everleigh stops and looks up at her home, her castle. With her brother missing she will take his throne and rule. Ginata will crown her and she will fulfil the prophecy that Halfreda told her about by the island, less than two weeks ago.

  She feels a rush of power and strides ahead of the others. “Where will they be?”

  “Probably Ginata’s rooms or Millard’s. I’m not sure,” Ceryn says.

  “What about Millard’s guards?”

  “I won’t let them hurt you.” Ceryn already has her hand on her sword.

  “Me neither.” Archer has a dagger in his hand, a pained look on his face, his injuries still causing him trouble.

  “Thank you. Both of you. I don’t think they’d dare attack me but...”

  “Better to be prepared,” the teacher says, following them in.

  “I think we should go to Ginata’s rooms first or Will’s maybe. Just in case Millard came back when we were away.”

  They fall silent and follow the stone hallways to Ginata’s rooms – Everleigh’s father’s old rooms. Before he was killed.

  Everleigh knocks the door and pushes it open.

  The receiving room is empty. Ceryn gestures for her to stay with the teacher and walks ahead with Archer. They make their way through her series of linked rooms and find Ginata sleeping in her bed, empty vials on the covers next to her, a fire blazing in the hearth.

  When they come back to Everleigh she is holding Millard’s crown. It’s heavy, made of gold, beautiful. “I don’t want to wear his crown. I want one of my own.”

  “Whatever you want,” Archer says, anxious to keep her happy. “Ginata’s sleeping, seems pretty flat out.”

  “Let’s find my sister then. We’ll go to her room.”

  They follow Everleigh once again through the hallways and passageways, no guards to be seen, no sound to be heard. She knocks on Addyson’s door and tries to open it; it’s locked. “Addyson. It’s me.”

  Within seconds Addyson’s door is unlocked and they’re hugging and crying. “I thought I’d lost you.” Addyson’s voice is full of relief.

  “I thought I was lost to you.”

  “What happened?” Della opens the door fully and Everleigh and the teacher go inside. Finn jumps up and embraces Everleigh. “I’m so glad you’re alright.”

  “Thank you. Brett took me to Archer. He’s alive.”

  Finn st
eps away from Everleigh and raises a hand in greeting to Archer and Ceryn beside him. “I’m Finn.”

  “Archer. Look, I’ll stay out here, just to keep an eye.”

  “Me too,” Ceryn says.

  Everleigh closes the door and sits holding Addyson’s hand. “Brett took me. But he was taking me to Archer and the teacher.”

  The teacher smiles sadly and nods his head. “We were lucky to have one of Millard’s men on our side. Unfortunately, Ceryn found him before we had told her the truth of him. She killed him.”

  “Oh, poor Ceryn.” Addyson wipes at her tears. “She must feel awful.”

  “I think we all do. I believe some food and sleep are in order.”

  “Have you seen anything of Millard or his guards? Wolf?”

  Addyson shakes her head. “We went to the great hall for something to eat. There were a few guards, but Weaver made sure we were safe. Will did some tricks and we ate.”

  “That was risky.” Everleigh looks at Della who nods but answers her calmly. “We thought she would be safest in company. Out in the open. With witnesses.”

  “You’re probably right. That was actually clever.”

  “It’s probably the best idea for you too. We should all go to the great hall now. Show the people that you are alive and safe. Proclaim you Queen.”

  “I don’t know about that. I think we should go to the hall, but I think that’s all.”

  “We can decide once we’re there.”

  Everleigh opens the door. “We think we should go to the great hall. Eat, drink and be merry.”

  “Really?”

  “Addyson has been in there, in plain sight, with a lot of people around. It might be safer.”

  “Not just that,” Archer says, “but it will show that you’re safe and well and ready to rule. You cannot rule hidden away. With Millard gone you can take his place. You cannot do that hidden in your room.”

  “Where’s Weaver and Will?” Everleigh wants everybody together.

  “Weaver went to Millard’s room in case he came back. Will went with him.”

  “We’ll fetch them on the way to the great hall,” Archer takes Everleigh’s hand. “I’m not leaving you unattended again.”

  “Everleigh. You need to change first. You cannot go into the great hall looking like that.” Della bows as she speaks, an apology for being rude.

  Everleigh smiles. “You’re right. I look terrible. Hardly Queenly.”

  Suddenly there is a euphoric feeling throughout the group. Smiles are wider, the air no longer heavy or thick with tension. Millard is gone and Everleigh will be Queen.

  “Let’s all go to Everleigh’s room. Archer and I will stand guard outside and when you’re ready we’ll fetch Weaver and Will. I can’t wait to see Weaver’s face when he sees that you’re alive Archer.”

  “Long live the Queen!” Archer shouts as they head along the corridor.

  Everleigh

  ARCHER’S WORDS RING in my ears as I rush through the corridors with Addyson, Della and Finn. I am holding Addyson’s hand and I may never let it go again. I am back with my sister, back at my home. This day has got so much better than it was.

  I cannot believe that only this morning my brother tried to kill Will. It seems like a life time ago. Time is strange at the moment. So much has happened since Halfreda took me to the island and I made the river rise. It wasn’t that long ago but I feel like a different person.

  A fizz of excitement bubbles through me: Archer is alive; my brother is gone – where I don’t even care. I will be Queen.

  I push open the door to my room and I am overcome with pure happiness. I really am home. Safe. Ready to rule.

  Della sends Finn to find little maids. I need to be clean and dressed properly to go to the great hall. While I wait, I sit with Addyson, holding her close, as though she is a tiny baby again.

  “Are you alright?”

  “I am now. I thought you were dead.”

  “I thought I would be. I thought Brett was taking me to Millard.”

  “I’m glad he didn’t. Poor Ceryn – she’s so sorry she killed Brett. She didn’t know.”

  “I know. It’s just horrible, though. Poor Brett. You like Ceryn a lot don’t you.”

  “Yes. She’s nice to me. And she gets me. Because of her face.”

  “I know. She did what she thought was right. I’m just so sick of how horrible everything is now. I want peace.”

  “You can have peace when you are Queen. You can have everything you want.”

  “Like cake for breakfast?”

  “And a bath of wine.”

  “Too sticky. A puppy?”

  “Ten puppies and cake for breakfast.”

  “New clothes.”

  “New shoes.”

  “New everything.”

  “New anything.”

  We laugh and the sound brings tears to my eyes. Poor Addyson. She has been through too much; she’s only eleven. “A wonderful birthday party for you.”

  “A coronation for you first.”

  “Ah, that’s a nice thought.”

  “I’m glad Millard’s gone. And Macsen. I miss father though. Do you think he loved me at all?”

  I pull her close to me, so she cannot see the heartbreak written all over my face. “Of course he did.” My voice sounds fierce, angry. I am angry at my father. He was a wonderful father to me and a terrible father to Addyson. I hug her closer as I remember the times when I was younger when I was glad the King liked me the best, glad that I was the favourite princess. I feel sick at the thought. Poor Addyson. The person who loved her the most was glad she was ignored by their father.

  “I’m so sorry, I’m sorry,” I mumble and hug her, my tears of self-hatred stinging my eyes. I vow to be good to her always. To make life better for her than it was. “Would you like a bath of wine?”

  She splutters through her tears and we laugh together. “I’m hungry and I’m tired.”

  “I’m sure. I feel the same way. It’s been a long day and a busy few weeks. Life will settle down now. We’ll plan my coronation together and then we’ll plan your birthday party. Twelve is very grown up.”

  “It is, isn’t it? Much better than boring old eleven.” Her smile is beaming now, thinking about her party. I envy my sister’s ability to look on the bright side, to have so few worries. I need to guard her, so that she enjoys this innocence for a bit longer. She has lost too much.

  Finally, the little maids have filled the bath. Finn steps outside with a smile and a bow. He’s so nice.

  I let Addyson bath first and I wash her long hair, brushing it out – relishing looking after her.

  Once she’s drying by the fire, I sink into the hot water. It is bliss. I watch Della brush Addyson’s hair. She’s so good for my sister. A lovely woman.

  I swirl the water and the petals, the fragrance wafting towards me. I concentrate, staring at one of the petals, and I will it to lift out of the water. It does. I let it drop, grinning. I try it again with another one and this time I spin it around in the air before letting it drop back into the water.

  I do it one more time, but I send it across the room, concentrating hugely, and letting it flutter down into Addyson’s hand.

  She squeals and turns to me, her eyes dancing, a smile playing on her lips. I remember how young she is, still a baby.

  I look at all the petals in the water and one by one I will them up in to the air, until they are dancing all around us, like a storm of petals, a waterfall of flowers.

  Addyson is enchanted and I love it. If my powers are good for nothing else, if I cannot control them enough for serious business, I will always be able to make my sister smile. And that can’t be a bad thing.

  I let them settle, and Addyson catches as many as she can, smelling them and throwing them back into the air. The floor is a carpet of pink, and I lay back in the water, the heat sinking in to my bones as I close my eyes. Exhausted now, I could sleep for a week.

  When I made the
river rise and realised that I could rule, I had no idea how hard the road to the throne would be. How could I know? I have led a simple, cosseted life. As a princess and a Kingmaker life was easy. The threat of sacrifice was always hanging over my head, but I was used to it. I knew what would happen and when. I knew what was expected of me.

  Things are different now. A princess is different to a Kingmaker is different to a Queen. A Queen rules. She is in charge. And we have never had one in the Realm before. Not one that didn’t have a King sitting beside her.

  Will I be a good Queen? I hope so. I’d like to think I’ll be kind and good and fair and sweet and lovely. And then I remember the squirm of pleasure I felt when I realised my father loved me more than he loved Addyson. Maybe I have more to learn than I care to admit.

  Does facing your inadequacy, acknowledging it make you a better person?

  I do have a lot to learn. I want to know and understand my magic. I want the teacher to help me, advise me, show me what I can do and what I can’t. I’d like to learn how to defend myself. I was so upset that Ceryn killed Brett, but I’m also in awe of her. She’s not like a girl in a lot of ways. She has many qualities that are mostly attributed to men. She’s tough and strong and fearless. I think a Queen should be like that. Tough, strong, fearless. I can’t always expect others to battle on my behalf and hide while they do so. Maybe she can help me. I know she would, if I asked her.

  And Archer. I have a lot to learn about him too. About love.

  I can still remember how upset I was when my father started searching for love matches for my brothers, for whichever one became King. He didn’t look for a match for me, because I would be dead. I put my hand on my chest and feel the beat of life. I am alive.

  It’s the most incredible feeling. Most of us take life for granted. We know death will come, but not for us, not for a long time at least. We cannot think on it or worry about it. I knew it was coming for me. I knew when and I knew how and I had closed myself off from hope.

  Now I have life. I have choice. I have hope. I have love.

  At least I think I do.

  What do I know, really?