Daughters of Jared, page 12
As customary, I dropped into a low curtsy when they both noticed me.
“Naiva, it’s so good to see you this morning,” Ash said, her voice elevated.
I lifted my head, the painful throbbing back. Akish’s eyes were on me, dark and contemplative. Ash held her hands out to me, but I refused to move.
“I have made many sacrifices for our family, Ash,” I began in a raspy voice. The crying hadn’t done much good for my throat.
Ash’s eyes narrowed; then she turned to the court members. “Please leave. This is a private matter.”
Footsteps scurried around me, and seconds later, the throne room was absolutely quiet.
I didn’t wait for permission to speak. I had to spill it all out while the courage burned hot inside. I didn’t care what they did to me, what my punishment was, but I would not become a handmaiden to Akish.
“I’ve spent my life in your shadow in order to help you achieve your destiny as queen,” I said.
“It is your destiny as the second daughter to serve me,” Ash spat out.
“I know,” I said, keeping my tone calm. “And I have done it with pleasure and will continue to do so.” I couldn’t look at Akish with the next words I spoke. “Part of my loyalty to my sister, and my queen, is to not interfere in her marriage and to not—”
“This is not interference, Naiva,” Ash cut in. “This is a command from your king and queen. It’s an order but also a very high honor.” Her voice softened by a margin. “I could choose any woman as a handmaiden. But I chose you. Just that fact alone proves my love and concern for you and for our family’s pure bloodline.”
My eyes welled with hot tears, no matter how much I didn’t want to cry.
“Just think, dear sister, one of your sons might be on the throne. He might be in a position that you could never be in yourself, but through you, he’ll rule the entire kingdom.”
I knew what she was doing. Twisting. Tempting. But I had been born a second daughter, and I had never aspired to her desires, either for myself or for my future children. Yet how could I turn them down without incurring their wrath?
I sank to my knees, desperate, not caring if I looked like a childish fool in front of Akish. Perhaps it would dissuade Akish from coming to my chamber tonight. “Please,” I begged, trying to keep my shaking voice steady, “let me serve you in the ways I’ve already served. Don’t add this to my lot.”
“Don’t you think I’d seek another way if there was one?” Ash rose to her feet, her face a mass of anger.
Akish put a hand on her arm. “Let’s give her some time,” he said.
Time wouldn’t change my mind, but a small well of relief opened in my chest. Perhaps time would change their minds.
My sister assented to her husband’s suggestion with one condition. “She must be well guarded, then.” Her eyes narrowed as my face flushed. I was too easy to read.
I left the throne room, my eyes red and blotchy, my face swollen, and my legs ready to collapse at any moment. Two guards followed and stationed themselves outside my chamber.
I spent the rest of the day on my bed, alternating between acute nausea and disbelief. I burned with anger and hatred. I had to find a way past the guards, I decided. The windows were too small to fit through, and the door was blocked, but I still plotted. As the afternoon shadows collected in my room, I packed a satchel of clothing. I included only the necessities, hoping that whoever had the compassion to take me in would allow me to work for my keep.
I finally fell asleep, exhausted, as the orange afternoon sky turned lavender. I was settled on my plan to escape in the middle of the night.
It was dark when I awakened. Confusion filled me, then my mind suddenly cleared as I recalled what was supposed to happen tonight. I scrambled off my bed and straightened the covers. I didn’t know when the chance would arise, but I wanted to be prepared to flee at the most opportune moment. I didn’t know exactly where to go, but I remembered Nelise telling me about her home in the Isla village. I hoped her parents might take me in for a short time.
I decided I might be able to sell my paintings, so I turned to add my set of dyes to the satchel. Then I froze.
“Hello,” Akish said. He sat near the window, silhouetted by the moonlight.
Fear took possession of every part of my body. How long had he been there watching me sleep? Had he seen my loaded satchel by the wash basin? Had he wondered why I was straightening the covers when evening had descended?
He stood, and my heart nearly stopped. How could I get out of this? How could I explain? I had thought of a hundred different ways, but now that he stood in front of me, I couldn’t think of one.
“Don’t be afraid,” he said in a soft voice.
I took a step back, my legs hitting my bed frame.
“Screaming won’t help either. I’ve dismissed the guards.” His lips moved into a smile. “They wouldn’t dare interfere anyway.” He took a few steps closer. “I know this is not what we hoped for from the beginning. Do you remember when I told you there was something powerful between us?”
I don’t know if I nodded; I don’t know if I even moved. I could only stare at him.
“There still is . . . something between us.” He touched my cheek, running his smooth fingers down to my neck then resting them at my collarbone. “No matter what reason Ash gives—or the goddess, Ix Chel—we were meant to be together. And this is our opportunity.”
His touch sickened me.
“I love you,” he said, pulling me into his arms. I tensed, hating to feel his body against mine, hating that I might have once welcomed it. “You’re the sister I saw first,” he murmured. “And the sister I see now. I can give you everything you desire. My love has no limits.”
He held me gently, but it was as if his arms were iron shackles. I knew I couldn’t overpower him. I knew his wicked heart would have no problem snapping my neck or driving a dagger through my heart. I would be another accident at the palace that he’d get away with.
I pushed the rising nausea back down, wrapped my arms about his neck, and pulled him closer. “I’d like to wash and prepare myself for tonight,” I whispered against his warm neck.
He chuckled and held me tighter. “You smell delicious.”
“No,” I breathed. “I want to be special for you.”
“How long will it take?” he said, his fingers threading through my hair before releasing me.
I met his black eyes. “Not long.”
“I’ll be right outside the door, then.” Akish touched my lips as he spoke, and I kissed his fingers. A small growl escaped, and he leaned in, but I put my hands on his chest and playfully pushed him away.
“Patience,” I whispered. “Bring some wine while you’re working on that patience.”
He gave me an adoring look, one I’d seen him give my sister many times. When the door clicked shut behind him, I knew I had only a few moments before he would return, goblets in hand.
I dumped my collection of dyes into my satchel, took one final look about my room, and opened the door. The corridor was dark and silent. I heard nothing over my pounding heart. To the right was the cooking room where Akish had likely gone to fetch the wine. To the left was the king and queen’s chamber, the throne room, the entrance to the palace.
My choices were limited. If I ran into Ash, I hoped to be faster than her. If I ran into Akish, heaven help me.
I approached the guards at the entrance of the palace. “Akish needs assistance,” I said. “He says he needs help from every able guard.”
The first guard looked at the second then nodded. They both abandoned their post and hurried into the palace. It would only take a few minutes before they discovered my lie.
I hurried across the courtyard. The moon had never seemed so bright and the sky so clear. Everywhere I looked was bathed in silvery light, limiting the shadows that might conceal me on my journey. Once outside the gate, I ran along the wall until I reached the line of trees that bordered the palace grounds. I didn’t dare head straight into town.
Instead, I circled the palace until I reached the practice fields. I imagined torches being lit, shouting through the corridors, and men searching for me. The thought propelled me to move faster until I was sprinting across the expanse of field, lifting my tunic so my legs were free to run. I reached the thick set of trees that separated the first field from the second, and I stopped in the shelter of the deep shade to catch my breath.
Sure enough, various torches shone from the palace. Was Ash awake and caught up in the search? My breathing slowed, but my heart continued to hammer. One more field and then I’d be in the hills of Ephraim. On the other side of the hills was the city of Cerros. Then through the next valley, I’d arrive at the village of Isla—home to Nelise.
Then I froze. Men carrying torches had appeared at the back courtyard walls. I could almost see their faces from across the field, garish in the orange flames. I didn’t wait to see if one might be Akish. It didn’t matter.
I turned and ran through the trees, the underbrush clawing at my tunic and legs. Fear pulsed through me, making me run faster and faster despite my ragged breaths and aching muscles.
I sprinted across the second field, my satchel knocking against my hip, but I didn’t slow until I reached the next group of trees. Everything was uphill from here, but I was determined to put plenty of distance between me and the palace.
I turned again, the curiosity too great to not know if I was being pursued.
The moonlight seemed to detail every bush and clump of grass in the field. The wind was gentle tonight, barely moving the leaves overhead and not strong enough to disturb the grass or wildflowers.
I’m free, I thought then quickly pushed it away. I wasn’t free yet. For a moment, I wished I’d brought a waterskin. The path to a nearby river wasn’t far away, but I didn’t want to travel anywhere that Akish might think to look. I started up the hillside, heading east, away from the palace and away from the river.
Though exhausted, I decided to walk through the night and arrive at Nelise’s village by morning. I reached the first ridge and turned to look over the escarpment. I hadn’t traveled as far as I’d thought, and the palace still seemed relatively close. The torchlights were more spread out now, with a couple in the first field and several along the perimeter of the palace.
Please, I prayed to whichever god might be listening, please send them in the wrong direction.
I crested the ridge and started down the other side of the hill. At the base was a narrow river. When I reached it, I drank the water and felt a measure of energy restored. My head throbbed, and my breath was still far from normal, but with each step, hope grew stronger.
I stood and looked up at the next hill looming over me.
A rush of air touched my legs, and something heavy crashed into the back of my head. I was so stunned I barely put my hands out in time to brace myself from falling into the river. I landed hard on my knees, scraping them against the rocks, my hands flailing to find purchase.
Someone wrenched my arms behind me and lashed them together. I screamed. A cold hand clamped over my mouth, and I was dragged to my feet. I kicked at my assailant and tried to pull away. I slipped on the rocks.
The man jerked me painfully to my feet again, and I came face to face with the guard I’d lied to. His lips parted, and he sneered at me before calling out, “Got her!”
The footsteps that scuttled over the rocks made my heart sink. I might have had a chance against one man but not against several.
The guard forced me forward, and I nearly stumbled into Akish.
“Well, well,” he said in a quiet voice, looking me up and down.
A shudder went through my body as I met his gaze. Hatred seemed to pour into me. I’d never seen or felt such fury. I broke the gaze, my fear turning into outright panic.
“I’ll take her,” Akish said. The guard handed me over, and Akish’s strong fingers closed around my upper arm. He started forward, practically dragging me along. I willed myself to walk, though my hands and knees were scraped, my head throbbing, and my legs exhausted.
We retraced my steps almost exactly, making me wonder how free I had ever been. I hadn’t even heard them, let alone seen them.
When we reached the first field, Akish told the guards, “Go ahead and prepare the prison. I’ll bring her in the rest of the way.”
The three guards hurried ahead, their mission almost complete. No one would be reprimanded tonight for doing a poor job—no one but me.
Akish pulled me firmly to his side. “A woman in love doesn’t run to the hills.”
My blood chilled as he slowed his step significantly. Would he ravish me right here in the fields beneath the open sky?
I wanted to bite my tongue but didn’t. “A man in love with me wouldn’t tie me up.”
He exhaled with what sounded like a cross between a sigh and a snort. Then he came to a complete stop and put both hands on my shoulders.
“Naiva, I would never force you.” His eyes burned into me. One smooth hand touched my cheek. “I would have you come to me willingly. What brute of a man do you think I am?”
My expression must have said it all, for his hands slid from my shoulders to my upper arms.
“I will not be accused of assaulting a defenseless woman, not even in your mind,” Akish said. The anger was back. “You’ll be punished for disobeying your king. And when you’re ready to be loyal to your family again, I’ll personally escort you from prison.” His hand touched my chin. “One of these days, you’ll tire of your shackles, and you will be mine. Completely.”
Although his touch was fashioned as a caress, my fear only multiplied.
Help me, I pled silently, though I wanted to scream the words. There was no one to help me. Not even the gods and goddesses had been listening. I had been captured, hadn’t I? And now I’d be imprisoned. The queen’s own sister.
FILTH SURROUNDED ME. DAMP AIR permeated my skin. I felt the dirt in my hair, in my clothes, and beneath my feet. I had no idea prisoners were kept in such poor living conditions. Not that I’d ever thought being kept prisoner in a hole beneath the earth was anything luxurious, but I thought at least the holes were cleaned out periodically.
Akish had lowered me into the cavern, sending an oil lamp with me. I supposed it was as an act of mercy on his part, since it was still dark outside and I wouldn’t have been able to see my prison until the sun had risen. I set the lamp in the middle of the small cavern and looked around.
A wide-mouthed jar stood in one corner for a privy. It smelled as if it hadn’t been cleaned out since the last prisoner, whoever that poor soul had been. A mat lay against one side of the cavern. I couldn’t decide which looked dirtier, the ground or the mat. There was no rug for warmth or any food or water in sight.
I sat in the middle of the cavern, ignoring the mat, and hovered over the flame of the oil lamp. It gave off little warmth, but somehow staying near it brought me a sense that I wasn’t the only living thing in this hole. I wanted to preserve the oil, but if I blew out the flame, I had no way to relight it. I doubted new oil would be among any standard prisoner supplies.
As I stared at the flickering orange, I imagined Akish returning to the palace and telling Ash that her sister was sitting like a filthy varmint at the bottom of a hole. I pulled my knees up to my chest and wrapped my arms around them. I imagined Ash’s surprised reaction, her possible horror, then her demand that her sister be released. No member of the royal family should be treated this way.
I wondered if Akish would tell her that I would be released when I promised to become his handmaiden.
Ash would tell him he’d gone too far, that I should be locked in my room or sent to the temple again. What would people say about the queen’s sister being imprisoned?
The hours passed, and no Ash. I curled up and lay on the floor, barely keeping my eyes open to watch the flame.
The darkness dissipated, replaced by a gray light. Morning had arrived. Still no Ash. I was forced to use the privy jar; then I scurried back to my place at the center of the cavern, next to the now-extinguished lamp. I lay back on the ground and watched the changing colors of the sky through the opening at the top of the hole. Gray. Blue. Violet. Indigo. Black.
Still no Ash.
She hadn’t come for me.
On the second day, they fed me—two tortillas and a waterskin dropped down the hole. I forced myself to eat slowly after I practically inhaled the first tortilla. My stomach had alternated from starving to nausea to nothing.
Every minute of waiting was agonizing, and I could only hope that my being in prison was agonizing for my sister too. Why didn’t she come? I also wondered why Akish didn’t come, even if only to ask if I’d changed my mind. But death seemed a better alternative than becoming his handmaiden. Even if he were to give me the status of a second wife, I would refuse.
I had heard the stories of old and how the two wives of Lamech turned against him when they found out what he really was—someone who had entered into a secret combination. Someone who was a murderer. The two wives had rebelled and revealed his dark secrets to others. Lamech was despised and cast out.
But I knew marrying Akish would only drive my sister and me farther apart. And it would only plunge us into greater darkness.
The sun set on the second day.
The third day.
The fourth day.
I awoke with a start. I’d taken to sleeping in the moon-lit patch on the ground so I felt as if I were still a part of the living world. Someone had spoken; I was sure of it.
“Naiva,” the whisper came again.
I sat up, my body weak and stiff. Peering at the incoming moonlight, I saw the silhouette of a head looking down on me.
“Lib?” My voice scratched since I hadn’t spoken aloud in several days.
“Yes,” he hissed back. “I brought you some things.”
