The King's Daughters (19 page)

"What kind of animal does a witch keep?" The villagers had spoken of horses. A clearing in the cloudy night sky allowed some rays of moonlight to filter through. Enough to catch a glimpse of something big, black, and immobile . . . like the mouth of a cave. The cloud moved back in front of the moon and everything disappeared into darkness again. Not expecting to see anything more, I returned to the main room.

"Well," I said, "the witch is not here."

"The Baba Yaga, you mean," mocked Diego.

"Whatever her name is, she's not in."

"She can't be far, she left her shawl behind." Diego plucked a brown wool shawl from the rocking chair.

I took the shawl from his hands; it looked familiar to me. Turning it around, I found a broad yellow line at its bottom. "That's Isabo's shawl. That's hers. I'm sure of it."

"Isabo was here," Diego said. "Why would she come see a witch?"

"Maybe she's the witch."

Diego's mouth formed a perfect circle. "Oh!"

I squeezed the shawl between my hands. Something didn't fit. Something was missing, as for what exactly, I didn't know.

The
clank
of a cooking pot lid tore me from my thoughts. I looked for Diego and found him with the pot lid in one hand and a ladle in the other, stirring the cauldron hanging over the fireplace. "Diego, leave that alone."

"I am curious to see what she's cooking—Ahh!" Diego jumped back in horror. The pot lid and the ladle hit the floor in a cacophony of metallic clink-clank. "Witch's brew! Horrid witch's brew!" Hiding his nose in the crease of his arm, he pointed to the cauldron. "Go look! You have to see that."

I picked up the ladle and reluctantly approached the cauldron. At first sight, the liquid inside had the thick, rich, brown appearance of a common stew. Taking a deep breath, I plunged the ladle in the steaming stew. A powerful jolt of energy shot through my entire body. At once all my muscles and nerves became as taut as the string of a bow. Frozen stiff, I watched powerless as the stew transformed itself into a green viscous concoction with what looked like a human ear and a foot floating in it. Before I could recoil in disgust, a white flash of light blinded me. As the light began dimming, an odd sensation invaded my body. I felt so strange, so light; it was as if I had no substance. I looked down and saw myself staring in the cauldron. I saw myself as if I were floating . . . high up on the ceiling. Panic seized me, and I fought to return to my body, like a drowning man desperately swimming to the shore. I was getting closer and closer to myself. I stretched my hand; I could almost touch my shoulder. In a last ditch effort, I kicked and pulled, then finally my fingertips made contact with my shoulder, and I felt sucked right back inside myself. But as soon as I had reentered my body, another jolt of energy shook me and a series of images flew across my eyes: a sea of riders galloping across a field; a vast stormy ocean; a marvelous city with dazzling white towers; a snow-covered mountain; a small, bald man in a deep yellow robe smiling at me, welcoming me. Then I saw Eva's face. Tears covered her cheeks. Suddenly her image vanished, replaced by the vision of blood—blood all over the snow. And there was that scream. It wouldn't stop.

"AAAAAH-AAAAH-AAAAAH!"

"Amir!"

"AAAAAH. . . .
"

SMACK!
My head flew to the side. A burning sensation on my cheek followed.

"Amir, wake up!"

I blinked. Everything was blurry and distorted. Yet, somehow, I knew I was still in the Baba's house.
What am I doing sprawled on the floor?
I thought, confused. As my vision began to clear, Diego's alarmed face appeared above mine. The next thing I saw was his hand rising to strike me again. "NO—DON'T. Once was enough."

Relief flashed across Diego's face, and he let himself fall back on his heels. "Oh my goodness, for a moment there, my friend, I thought you were going to die."

"What happened?"

Diego brushed a strand of hair away from his face. "You were looking in that cauldron, and then suddenly you started screaming. I tried pulling you away from the damn thing, but you were stuck there. I couldn't move you. I had to ram you down. Amir, I thought you weren't going to wake up."

I cupped my stinging cheek. "Well, clearly you found a way of breaking this spell."

"Was it really a spell?"

I shook my head. "Honestly, I don't know what that was." There was one thing I now knew though. Eva was in danger, terrible danger. And my deepest fear was that I wouldn't be able to return to the castle in time to protect her.

Fortunately, soon after we left the Baba Yaga's cabin, a cold north wind blew away the cloud cover and moonlight beamed down upon us, illuminating our steps and rendering our return to the castle an easier feat. This brought me very little relief. I desperately wanted to be in the castle now, right this minute. I wanted to see Eva safe. This was my main focus. My disinterest for everything else must have been written on my face, because Diego gave me one glance when we began our trip back and kept his mouth shut for its duration. That was rather unusual for him. The man seemed to know every tale ever told. So we walked in silence, me in front, plowing through the snow as fast as my legs could manage, and Diego behind. We moved rapidly and quietly, with only the sound of our heavy breathing disturbing the silence of the night.

Finally, the castle fell into view. I was glad we'd reached our destination because I was exhausted, out of breath, and my legs wouldn't cease trembling. But when I entered the castle, my mood turned sour as I realized that I had no way of contacting Eva. I couldn't burst into her chambers like a vulgar thief. Well, to begin with, I didn't even know where her chambers were. I looked at Diego.
But he knows the way.

"Diego, can you guide me to Eva's chambers?" I knew his answer was going to be
no
before he opened his mouth. His furrowed brows and overall expression of horror contorting his face made that clear.

"Amir, there are certain ladies' chambers in this castle that even I won't attempt to enter."

"Please, I must see her. I need to know that she's safe."

"No, my friend. It's too dangerous a venture. If the king gets wind of your presence there . . . goodness, you'll be killed on sight."

"I'm willing to take that risk."

Diego shook his head. "I can't help you—not for this. You're on your own, my friend."

Fists closed, I glared at him. "How dare you call me a friend if you won't help me? Leave then! You're not my friend at all."

Diego sighed. "Yes, I am. But you're too angry right now to see it. Tomorrow maybe." This being said, he turned and left.

Alone in a dark corridor, I cursed Diego.
That stinking dandy! He's no friend of mine. I should set fire to his wardrobe; that would be a relief for everyone's eyes.
Infuriated by what I conceived as Diego's betrayal, I screamed, I wanted to break something. Finding nothing in the corridor to break, I directed my rage at its meager decoration. I ripped a tapestry off the wall and threw it on the floor. Then I kicked it a few times. It did not make me feel any better, only a little ashamed of myself. "What am I supposed to do now? Ask a guard where she sleeps? That will raise suspicions."

As I was wondering what to do, I heard a
"Psst."
I turned.

Countess Ivana tiptoed out of a dark corner. "I've waited for you," she said in an anxious voice. "Have you found something? Was I right to suspect Isabo of wrong doing?"

"Yes, you were."

"Is she a witch?"

I scratched my beard. "I'm not sure what she is. It's just . . . I have the feeling something bad will happen tonight."

"Me too!" Countess Ivana looked so relieved it was as though I had pulled a sharp thorn out of her side. "I thought I was mad to think so. I've tried warning the queen and the king about her . . . strange ways. But they won't listen to me." Slapping her thigh with a fist in frustration, she added, "As it stands now, there's nothing I can do. Nothing!"

She raised pleading eyes to me. "But you, Prince Amir, you can help. I heard the plea you made to Prince Diego. I can lead you to Princess Eva's chambers. At least she will be safe tonight."

My heart soared. "You would do that?"

She nodded. "I must warn you though. This is a very dangerous endeavor."

Taking her hands into mine, I kissed them with all my gratitude. "Danger matters not, Countess. I am willing to face any peril set in front of me. Please, lead me to her."

* * *

As I tiptoed toward Eva's majestic white canopy bed, the irrationality of the situation struck me. Why didn't I just knock or scratch at the door like I wanted? Why did I listen to Ivana and enter Eva's bedroom uninvited like a common ruffian? True, I might have awakened someone else by knocking, as Ivana said. Still, invading a lady's chambers like this was highly improper. Oh well, it was too late to go back now. With this in mind, I crossed the space separating me from the bed.

Slowly leaning over the sleeping princess, I gazed at her enchanting profile, her small nose, her half-opened mouth. Eva looked so peaceful, so lovely amid those pillows of soft white linen. Gently, I brushed gold curls away from her cheeks. The touch of my fingertips on her skin awoke Eva. Her eyes opened wide, and she stared at me in panic. At that instant, I realized that she was about to scream. Quickly, I covered her mouth with my hand.

"Eva," I whispered, while she punched, kicked, and scratched me like a wild cat. "Eva, it's me. Amir."

Recognition replaced the panic in her eyes. Eva stopped fighting and collapsed into her pillows. She tugged at the hand I still kept over her mouth.

"Shhhh . . . " I made with a finger on my lips.

She nodded.

I lifted my hand.

"You scared me half to death," she hissed. "What possessed you to do such a thing? I thought I was being abducted."

"That's why I'm here, to protect you."

"Protect me from what?"

"From danger—danger coming from within this castle." I told Eva all I had learned tonight, I told her of my fear, my suspicions also.

"Isabo—a witch! Don't be silly. She's a blessing."

"Eva, I wouldn't make up such a story. Isabo was in that house. Evidence of her presence was there. I saw it with my own eyes. Why do you think I would risk my life coming here? I had to make sure you were safe. I just had to. I couldn't bear the thought that someone might hurt you; it was driving me insane."

"What you're doing now is terribly dangerous, Amir."

I took Eva's hands into mine and kissed them softly. "I care not for my own safety. I care for yours. I love you more than anything in the world, and I would gladly risk my life a thousand times to see you safe."

Pushing back her thick blankets, Eva sat up in her bed. She wore a fairly transparent, lacy white nightgown. My eyes immediately lowered to her small perky breasts with their dark pink nipples, now clearly visible through the thin airy fabric.

Eva cupped my cheeks in her hands and raised my face to hers. "Amir," she murmured against my ear. Her warm breath caressed my skin, sending goose bumps along my entire body. "Is my safety
really
the reason why you're in my chambers tonight? Or have you another motive, a lovelier one?"

Our eyes met, our lips followed. Molten lava shot through my veins, warming my body and soul. My hands glided to Eva's narrow waist then traveled up to her breast. She gasped. My kisses became harder, my tongue plunging deeper into her mouth. We fell back into her pillows.

For a long moment, all we did was kiss, our tongues exploring each other's mouths at length. Then I rose up to my knees and, with Eva's help, I undressed rapidly. Even though the room was cold—the fireplace held only embers by now—I felt burning hot. Slipping under the cover, I began the delightful task of undoing the many little bows fastening Eva's nightgown. I relished untying every single one as if it held some lovely treasure, which they did in fact. They held Eva's young supple body. Her skin was soft and creamy, her belly flat, her hips firm and round. My mouth explored every sensual curve of her body, and my tongue played upon her most sensitive part until she was moaning with pleasure. Only then did I gently lie upon her and, with the greatest of care, pushed myself into her. Eva emitted a small whimper of pain, yet urged me to go on. I thrust myself deeper into her. Keeping my eyes fixed on her face, I made love to her as tenderly as my burning passion permitted. I had dreamt of this moment for so long, I didn't want it to end. And when it finally did end, it was in a glorious climax, after which we both fell back heaving, our bodies glistening in sweat.

I was almost immediately ready to start over. And to my amazement, so was Eva. This time, however, our lovemaking was far less careful. This time, there was a feverous hunger in our kisses and caresses that we had not experienced before, an unabashed passion that brought us to a complete and satisfied exhaustion.

As we lay closely intertwined together in her bed, Eva's back resting against my chest and my arms surrounding her shoulders, she began to sob.

A sickening fear seized me. "Eva, my love, what's the matter. Have I caused you some pain? Do you regret—?"

"NO. I regret nothing. Stop worrying, Amir. I regret nothing. I swear." She took a long hiccupping breath, turned around in the bed and buried herself in my arms.

Totally mystified by her reaction, I hugged her as tightly as I could, brushed her hair back, and kissed her forehead in the hope it would appease her. "I love you," I whispered to her. "I love you more than life."

"I know," she replied in a sleepy voice.

* * *

BANG. BANG. BANG.
"Princess! Princess Eva!"

The door . . .

My eyes flew open. For the space of a breath I didn't know where I was. The room was dark. It was still night or maybe early morning, very early. I glanced around. In spite of the ambient penumbra, I could tell this wasn't my room, or my bed for that matter—it was far too comfortable. Then my gaze fell on Eva still clutched in my arms. As the memory of last night returned to the forefront of my mind, I began smiling. Oh, what a magical night it had been.