Rise (17 page)

“Deal.” I placed my cards down. “I win.”

“Unless I have the same three cards.” There was no way he could have managed that. He laid down three identical ones. “I win.”

I wanted to strangle him. “You must have cheated.”

“Nope,” he said, chuckling. “I’ve been playing this game a lot longer than you have.”

I folded my arms, fearing what he’d ask.

“So,” he mused, gathering the cards and putting them away. “I want to know something personal about you.”

Relieved his request was so simple, I opened my mouth to say something when he cut me off. “No you don’t. I choose the question you’ll answer. Who was the last person you kissed?”

“Easy. My father.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

My face went beet red. Of all the things he could have asked me, he chose to discuss this? I was mortified.

He laughed at my discomfort. “Come on,” he said. “You promised.”

“Fine. I’ve never kissed anyone.” I covered my face, wanting to shield myself from his scrutiny. Technically, Anders had kissed me in the brothel. Although, I hadn’t kissed him back, and it didn’t mean anything.

Vidar burst out laughing. “You’ve never kissed a man before? How is that possible? You’re sixteen! Most people marry around your age.”

“I’m not most people,” I mumbled. “Now leave me alone.”

“Sorry,” he said, still laughing. “We can fix that right now if you want.”

“Absolutely not.” I moved closer to the fire to make sure Vidar didn’t do anything to embarrass me—like kiss me out of jest.

“Oh, come on. I’m only teasing you.”

I ignored him, not wanting to make a big deal out of this.

“Kaia, I’m sorry.” He sat next to me, our shoulders touching. “You know I wasn’t serious.”

“What did you do?” Anders demanded, causing me to jump.

“Nothing,” Vidar said. “Go back to sleep. I was just teasing Kaia, and she took it personally. I’m trying to apologize.” He nudged my shoulder.

“You’re lucky my ankle hurts,” Anders said. “Otherwise I’d come over there and pummel you.”

Vidar laughed. Afraid he’d tell Anders what we were talking about, I said, “I’m fine. Please let it go.”

“I’m serious,” Anders said. “Kaia tended to my injury, now I’m in her debt.” He winked at me.

“Maybe I’ll get hurt so she can fawn all over me,” Vidar said.

I had the sudden urge to be out of the cave. “Excuse me,” I said, lurching to my feet. “I’m going to step outside for a couple of minutes.” Without waiting for a response, I turned and left.

“What did you say to her?” Anders asked.

I rested against the rock outside the cave, listening.

“Nothing,” Vidar responded. “I was just teasing her; trying to get her to loosen up.”

“Why?”

Vidar sighed. “I need to talk to her about something, and I don’t think she’s going to take kindly to the news.”

“What is it?”

“Something Grei Heks told me.” There was a moment of silence before Vidar continued, “What do you think of Kaia?”

Anders didn’t hesitate to respond. “She’s intelligent, tough, and has excellent survival skills. Why?”

Not wanting to hear any more, I walked away from the cave. The trees towered above me, shielding the sky. Sitting at the base of a tree trunk, I inhaled the frigid air.

Why couldn’t I stop thinking about Anders? Why did he make me so uncomfortable? Did it even matter if we were friends? Once the Krigers killed Morlet, I’d be back in the capital with my father. My breath caught. I couldn’t think about Papa right now. All my energy and focus had to be on getting my weapon.

The wind whirled around the trees, rattling the leaves. My head pounded. Morlet was searching for me. Perhaps communicating with him while I was awake would afford me more control over severing our connection. As stupid as it was to seek him out, the desire to know more about him before I killed him consumed me. Closing my eyes, I let myself relax and forced my power out.

I entered Morlet’s bedchamber. He stood in front of a window, staring outside. His cape lay nearby, draped over the back of a chair.

His hands gripped the window ledge, and his shoulders hunched forward. “You came,” he said, his voice ragged.

“Yes,” I replied. “Can we talk?”

He straightened and turned around to face me. I’d forgotten how intimidating and handsome he was. Clasping his hands behind his back, he asked, “What would you like to discuss?”

I took a tentative step toward him. “I’ve heard stories of what happened and how you came into power, but I’d like to hear your version.”

“How will you know if I’m being honest?” He strolled over to the fireplace, staring at the flames.

That was the problem—I had no way of knowing; yet, I was willing to take that chance.

“If I tell you my story, I want something in return.”

Of course he did. “What is it?”

Morlet motioned for me to move closer. We now stood only a foot apart. His bright blue eyes reflected the dancing flames, mesmerizing me.

“Come to the castle so we can end this together.”

Did he honestly think I’d willingly go to him so he could kill me? “Tell me your story, and I’ll consider it.”

He grinned. “No you won’t.”

“Never mind.” I turned to put some distance between us.

“Wait.” Morlet grabbed my arm. “Please don’t go. I need you.”

I glanced at his hand, surprised by his touch. He released me, his blue eyes revealing emotions he kept hidden from the world. Maybe he would open up and trust me, and then we could find a way to fix this mess without a fight or anyone dying.

Morlet reached out, cupping my cheek in his hand. “What is it about you that I find so appealing? You’re by no means elegant or a great beauty,” he whispered. “You’re a Kriger—a warrior. Yet, I feel a desire to be near you.”

I swatted his hand away. “If you’re not going to tell me the truth, then I have no reason to stay.”

Two soft hands touched my neck, startling me. “Kaia,” Morlet whispered. “I’ve longed to tell you the truth, but I’m afraid of your reaction.”

We were only a couple of inches apart. His hands slid to my shoulders, sending a soothing warmth through me. “If you stay, then I will tell you everything.”

I stood on the edge of a great cliff. One step forward, and I’d fall to my death. I couldn’t remain on that ledge, always wondering, and never moving. Taking a deep breath, I said, “Okay.”

Once the word was out, there was no going back.

Morlet’s hands dropped from my shoulders, and he moved to the window, staring outside into the night. In the distance, tall apartment buildings were crammed together, lights flickering in a few of the windows.

“I’ve never shared this story with anyone,” he said, his voice barely audible. “No one has ever asked or cared before.”

Sitting on the chair next to his bed, I patiently waited for him to tell me what happened all those years ago.

“Quite simply, I’m Morlet Forseve—the dark force—because I fell in love with a girl.” He turned around, leaning against the window ledge, watching me closely. “Not what you expected, is it?”

I shook my head, unable to utter a single word.

A ghost of a smile flitted across his face. “I met a commoner and fell in love. We wished to marry and have a family. When I sought permission from my parents to wed her, they refused. They said she was beneath me and not befitting for someone of my station.” He closed his eyes, lost in the painful memory. “Their reasoning didn’t make any sense. After all, I was only a second son, and my older brother was set to inherit everything. Why did it matter who I married? So we ran away,” he whispered. “I planned to defy my parents and marry her.” His eyes met mine as if he expected me to criticize him.

“What happened?”

“We fled to the Forest of a Thousand Lakes and stumbled across a small hut. Not knowing who lived there, we knocked on the door, seeking shelter for the night. An elderly woman invited us in, fed us dinner. We told her our story. She said she could help by taking care of my parents so I could marry the girl I loved.” He rubbed his hands over his face. “I was hesitant to accept her offer. It seemed as if my mind was clouded by something brewing over the fire. However, my betrothed encouraged me to take the deal. I was young and naive, so I agreed.”

Morlet’s eyes glossed over, and he moved to the hearth, facing the fire. I watched his back, hoping he’d continue to speak.

“The elderly woman was Skog Heks—the evil witch of Nelebek who wields dark magic. The witch hired an assassin from a neighboring kingdom to hunt down and kill my parents and brother. When word came that they were dead, I was devastated. I went straight to Skog Heks and confronted her. When we made our deal, she never said anything about killing them—she was supposed to change their minds. She laughed in my face and cast a spell to force me to do whatever she wanted.” His shoulders were tense as he spoke. “I fought her, and somehow her magic left her body and ended up inside of mine.” He raised his arms and then let them fall to his sides. “I have Skog Heks’s magic stuck in me.” He slowly turned around and faced me. “I live in darkness. Never aging, never changing, until the evil magic is transferred back to its rightful owner.”

I moved closer to him. “How did you become the king?” A sick feeling rose in my stomach.

“My parents were the king and queen of Nelebek, and I was Prince Espen. That’s how I became king of this forsaken land.”

It seemed as if the room spun around me while I stood there, horrified by this revelation. Morlet was indirectly responsible for his parents and brother’s deaths. All because he loved a girl who his parents deemed unworthy to stand by his side.

“You want nothing to do with me,” Morlet said, his head hanging low, dejected.

“No,” I gently replied. “That’s not it.”

A snarl flickered across his face. “Kaia—Skog Heks has your father. She will kill him unless you come to the castle. She needs you in order to get her magic back.”

Fear shot through me. I couldn’t let my father die. “Will she release Papa if I come?”

“Yes,” he replied. “But she’ll kill you and all the Krigers.”

I didn’t have my weapon yet, so my power couldn’t connect with the other Krigers. Morlet must not realize my bo staff wasn’t in my possession. “I have to save him.” It was a risky move on my part, but worth it.

He nodded. “My elite guard is in the forest looking for you. If you tell me your location, I can guide you to them. They’ll escort you to my castle unharmed.”

“I’m not sure where I am.”

Morlet placed his hands upon my shoulders. “Kaia, look into my eyes and let me help you.”

I did as he said, and my vision blurred. “What are you doing?”

“Don’t fight it,” he purred. “Let me in.”

I relaxed, and something slithered inside my head.

“Good. Now bring your mind back to your body. I will be with you and lead you to my men.”

I opened my eyes and found myself sitting against a tree trunk. What had just happened?

“Look around so I can see through your eyes in order to determine your location,” Morlet spoke in my mind.

I stood and turned in a slow circle, observing my surroundings.

“I know where you are. Go to your right. Keep heading in that direction. I need you to hurry. The spell I cast will only allow us to stay connected for an hour or so.”

I started walking, my mind in a foggy haze. I thought I heard Vidar call my name. Stopping to listen, my head started to ache with acute pain.

“Keep walking, my dear Kaia,” Morlet spoke in my mind. “You need to save your father.”

I ignored Vidar and did as Morlet commanded. The pain in my head immediately went away. I stumbled onto a narrow dirt path.

“Follow this trail,” Morlet said. “Whatever you do, don’t deviate from it.”

The fogginess in my mind withdrew. It took me a minute to remember I was on my way to save Papa. I walked for hours through the dark forest.

Eventually, there was a soft glow up ahead, and I ran toward the light, entering a clearing filled with a dozen
soldats
dressed in black. The ones around the perimeter held torches while the others held swords, bows, and spears.

I had just willingly walked into enemy territory. My hands throbbed with pain. Taking a step backward, I tried calling on my power. Something hard hit the side of my head, and I lost consciousness.

***

When I came to, my body was tied to a wooden board being carried by four armed
soldats.
My hands were covered with some sort of coarse fabric. Curling my fingers into a fist, I punched the board.

“Don’t even try to use your power,” the man near my shoulder said. “Those gloves block magic.”

In the dim light of dawn, we traveled along the outside of the wall surrounding the capital. A
soldat
opened a wooden door in the ground, and my body was lowered into a tunnel.

“Where are we going?” I demanded. “Morlet said I’d be brought safely to the castle.”

One of the men near my feet glanced back at me. “That’s where we’re taking you. And the
king
instructed us to bring you in alive—that’s all.”

They carried me down a damp, narrow corridor. The urge to kick and scream filled me, but I needed to conserve my energy. We stopped before an iron door built into the rocky tunnel. A
soldat
pulled out a ring of keys and unlocked it. They took me inside a dark room, lowering me to the floor. They left without a word and closed the door, the bolt sliding into place.

Excruciating fear shot through me as I lay there in complete darkness, tied to the board. The only sound was my rapid breathing.

***

After what seemed like hours, someone began untying my arms and legs.

“I’m so sorry, my dear Kaia,” a voice whispered near my ear. “But I had no choice.”

When the last binding loosened, I scrambled to a sitting position. Something creaked behind me, and I spun around. The door opened, casting a thin ray of light into the dark room. A cloaked figure exited, closing the door behind him and plunging me back into solitary darkness.