Maga's a Beast (The Beast Within Book 3), page 6
“When the child was walking and talking, but showing no signs of a healer’s gift, they were forced to return to the family and tell them of the mistake. The parents were of the old world and knew the story of the Third. They also had a toddler who was healing houseplants and garden snakes after being chopped in half. So, the switch was made.
Centuries before, a prophecy told them that a mistake would be made twice. The second time the healer in question would not be found out until it was too late, because both switched children would have magia. One of a healer, and the other a great power needed to aid in a battle to determine the future of our world. So, they vowed not to make the mistake a second time.”
Tangier stopped for a breath. He sounded winded and tired. Sheree wondered if he had gotten enough sleep while they traveled or if he’d spent his nights awake to watch over her.
“When I was born, they decided to mark me right away. I was given the mark of the healer as soon as my body was free of yours. As you know, you cannot bargain with fate. The spell backfired, and instead of marking me with a small sigil on my neck, I was given a much larger sigil.”
“To your face?”
“Yes, though once you see the healer who performed the spell, you should be satisfied that he too was injured by it. He tried to intercede with the fates, and for that, he paid dearly.”
“What sigil was cast on your face, Tangier?”
“Have I told you yet, I think I like that name. I might like to keep it.”
“Stop deflecting.”
“I was marked Buio.”
Sheree moved her horse up next to her son and waited until the hood landed on his shoulders. The mark looked like fresh burns. Red raised welts cut along the left side of his face from his cheekbones down to his jawline. The sigils of Buio. Hot tears began to fill her eyes as she took in the sight that was her son.
“I know it looks painful, but really it’s never hurt. Please don’t be upset. I promise you will know the man who did this, but as I’ve been taught, you’ll come to understand an intervention was necessary. The prophecy stated the switch would not have been found out in time for what is to come. I would have never been armed with the tools I need to help aid in the war. I would have ended up betrothed to a princess, and my brother would have fought and lost. Nothing would change what you see around you. The land, Pylira itself would be destroyed.”
Knowing that, didn’t make it any easier. Sheree sucked in a breath and cleared her eyes. She sat a little taller on her horse and leaned over to rest a hand on his shoulder.
“While I can understand that, it doesn’t make it easier. I should have been there for you. I wish I’d known.” She stopped talking then and let her horse fall back until she was at a safe distance away. Sheree wished she hadn’t pressed him. She wished she could go back and change what had happened. Then she thought about what he said. Tangier would have been raised by Ourobus, his hate and greed for power would have influenced Tangier, and he wouldn’t be prepared for what was to come. He would have been married off to Renella, and Tyson would be in the high temple. No. It was better that it happened. Fate was scorned and took its revenge. She just hoped the healer responsible was marked just as much for his part in it.
“We’re here,” Tangier announced pulling his hood back over his head and pointed to the keep up ahead.
D ays passed, and Chris hadn’t received any more weird prophecies. I thought about it as hard as I dared before losing my mind. I was still struggling with everything else that was going on. Couple that with the fact it had only been a few short weeks since my memories started to come back. I still woke each morning expecting to see the digital clock on the side of my bed. My cell phone was in my old school bag inside my closet, most definitely dead as a doornail, and I wanted to search Google for everything.
Those things were gone. I could never get them back, and I shouldn’t want to. My dream of growing up and being a princess came true, but for some reason, I was miserable about it. I missed the freedom of living in the small town of the other world. Since I returned home, my footsteps were always accompanied by four more following behind me. If I were to turn around the realization that being a princess is not all it’s cracked up to be, would stare me in the face. Two men with armor and swords strapped to their hips. Helms that covered half of their faces and the prominent crest of our family stamped across their chest plates. The fishbowl was getting smaller.
The hallway leading to my father’s room was darkened. Apparently, he’d asked Clara to snuff out all of the torches on the way to his door. He did not want any visitors, aside from me. We had breakfast together every morning. His mood was worse by ten each time I saw him.
As I pushed open the large heavy door, I saw him frantically moving around his room. He had his nightshirt on still, his feet were bare, and a knitted red blanket was hanging from his shoulders. It may have been pinned to him by the way he was moving around without a care. He shuffled some papers on his desk, pulled open two drawers, closing them instantly. Then he went for the cabinets, the chest at the foot of his bed, then the stacks of books on his shelves. Finally, he stopped and looked out the window. The morning light caught his face for just a moment and I could see the tears running down his cheeks and disappearing into his unkempt facial hair.
“Father? What are you looking for? Maybe I can help.”
“No,” he said leaving the window. He moved to the bed and felt around the top of his rumbled blankets. When he didn’t find what he was looking for he pulled the bedspread free of the mattress and threw it to the floor. His hands went searching between the mattresses until he dropped to his knees to look underneath. “You wouldn’t know it if you saw it. I have to find it myself. I had it right here.” He slammed his hand against the cold stone.
I placed the tray of food and drinks down on the table. Father didn’t even want the housekeeper to disturb him. His afternoon and dinner meals were left outside of his door and were often picked up untouched.
“Come. I have breakfast. You must eat.”
“I just did that yesterday, Karen. I’m not hungry.”
“Father, it’s me. Renella. Come have breakfast with me.” I prompted and received a sorrowful look.
“I’m so sorry,” he said coming to join me at the table. He slapped at his face with the back of his hand, clearing away the stains from his cheeks. Then sat in the chair opposite me. “I’d like some coffee.”
“Yes, and a biscuit and some cheese. At the very least.”
“I’m tired of biscuits. Is there any yogurt?”
“Yes, father. Here.” I handed him the small bowl with his favorite strawberry yogurt and a spoon. “I need to talk to you. So, maybe while you eat you can listen and take in what I’m saying?”
His head bobbed while he ate, and I took that as a yes to continue. “Your advisors are worried you are going mad. They will make you abdicate and make me Queen. I can’t—not yet. I’m not ready. I need you to pull yourself together.”
“I’m fine.” His big hands trembled with those words so much that the spoon he held clattered on the floor. “No, really. I’m okay. I just have to—” he looked around his room.
Everything was scattered. Books and papers lay wistfully on his desk and even the floor, chaise lounge, and end stands. His bed was bare, and all the bedding strewn around the large piece of furniture. A king size bed for a king-sized King. Clothes were hanging out of drawers and thrown around the room. Had I gotten up and checked the bathroom there would have been more of the mess collected in there. I didn’t need to see the extent of it. I knew what the issue was the moment I took in the belongings thrown about. My mother’s clothes and personal effects were nowhere in sight. He was looking for her. Some semblance of the woman he knew to have lived with him for so many years and was just gone. He most definitely was not alright.
“Find, mother?”
“No. Well, yes—but not like that. I know she’s gone. It’s this room. She was here. Everywhere. There was not a surface unscathed by her and her things. Now, there is nothing.”
“I can tell Clara to put it all back. Would you like that?” In that moment I knew I was speaking to him as I would a small child. He answered in kind, with a pouting lip and a bob of his head. His eyes still wandered the room in search of her.
A loud knock at the door made me jump. The staff knew not to disturb the King. “I’ll be right back.”
I stood, and barely moved a foot before the doors burst open. “Your highness, we need you in the council room. At once.”
“I am dining with my father. You know we are not to be disturbed.”
“Yes, but the advisors have all arrived as well as the privy council.” Nile looked forlorn and weary. He was also shaking like a leaf. Did anyone in the palace have a backbone anymore? I could answer my own question. Yes. Me.
“I’ll be back for dinner. You didn’t eat but one cup of yogurt. You need food in your belly.”
“Ok, but—you will make sure?”
“Yes. It will all be put back.” Kissing his forehead, I smoothed the curls on top of his head. The look he gave me did nothing to remind me of the man that ruled his land with authority and a stern voice. That look told me he was weakening, and I would have no choice but to allow the crown to pass. Directly to me.
I looked to Nile as I left the room. “Make sure to tell Clara to return my mother’s belongings to his room—immediately,” I said pointing toward the door.
The council chamber was on the other side of the palace. My father’s wing of the stone structure was so far away he would never be disturbed by the goings on inside the walls. I couldn’t reconcile the look of such a giant man in such a sad state.
That quickly changed as I opened the door to the meeting before me. Every member of the council, my father’s advisors and a very angry looking Fairy Queen sat awaiting my arrival. Calipee sat in my father’s seat and was the only one not looking at me as I entered the room. The purple streaks in her black bob were almost unnoticeable because of the sparkles adorning her face. I wasn’t a fool. She may have looked pretty, but she was the daughter of the queen that had created our world. Calipee was the one to invoke the curse and move all of the maga of Ormshire to Cherry Valley. She was extremely powerful.
“Had I known I was receiving guests I would have met you here. What do I owe for the pleasure of your company?” I moved to the window where my father usually stood to preside over his meetings. I wouldn’t sit in a lesser position because a queen was there.
“Your Highness, it has come to the attention of the council that your father is unwell. After a thorough examination, we have decided the throne must pass now. We cannot wait. War is upon us, and we need a leader.” The boldest of the four council members spoke from the middle of the table. They all wore the frayed green robes of the healers fastened at the waist with a gold rope. I’d been away for so long I didn’t recognize any of the men at the table.
“When was my father examined? That should have been cleared through me.” I said sternly and glanced once more at the fae. She was still intently studying her nails and appeared not to be interested in the meeting at all.
“Young lady, we are of the High Temple. We do not need permission from you to examine the King.”
“I don’t recall the High Temple being above the royal family. Everything that happens within these walls, and this land is my responsibility now. You will respect that—and me. Especially if you plan on putting me in my father’s seat.” My hands were on my hips, and I quickly moved them. My father always warned me that move was similar to a child having a tantrum. For better or worse, I had to be a queen.
“Yes, we do want you to take your father’s seat, and that would be why the Fae Queen is at your table.”
I looked to Calipee as she uncrossed her legs and stood. She waited for the murmurs in the room to stop, making sure she had the attention of everyone in attendance. One click of her high-heeled boot started a procession of taps as she began to pace around the table, one hand touching the high backs of each chair before laying the other on a healer or advisor at the table.
“I am here because I was alerted to my brother’s return. I can, however, swear in the princess after speaking with the king myself. I won’t be taking the word of any man beyond the king himself as to whether or not he is ready to step down. My mother chose him for a reason. She made it very clear it was his position to carry out until a time he could or would no longer continue being the ruler of this land.”
I had to give her props. As much as I thought she was stuck on herself, she always seemed to regard her position as queen as if her mother presided over her shoulder and spoke directly to her on every opposition. She stopped beside her own chair and stood there, one foot crossing the ankle of the other one. I suddenly realized I was staring at her as if she were a surprise. I closed my gaping mouth and placed my hands together in front of me and squared my shoulders.
“Would you be opposed to seeing him now?” the healer asked. None of the others made an attempt to go against him. I had to assume he was the one that spoke for the High Temple, so I turned and addressed him directly.
“Sir, my father is not in a position to accept company at this time. He is grieving the loss of his wife for heaven’s sake.”
“Yes, we are well aware of that, Highness. The fact of the matter remains, several things need to be handled. Much of which cannot wait until a time when your father is able to see to them.”
“He gave me this document,” I said walking to the desk in the corner. I picked up the roll of paper and opened it to show the healer. My father’s royal seal and signature stamped on the bottom stating I was able to make decisions in his absence.
The man shook his head. “I’m sorry, but this is not something we want to leave in the hands of a provisional ruler. This needs to be handled now.”
“I have to agree with the man, Renee.” Farlow stepped forward from the corner he was inhabiting. “I think as soon as this is put to rest, the sooner we can put our attention elsewhere.”
I looked to his sister who was back to studying her nails as if she were unhappy with the paint and glitter she was flashing. Purple to match her wings, dress, and hair with silver sparkling as the sun kissed them. She looked up at me after nobody said a word, realizing we were waiting on her word. It was the fae, after all, who gave us the land and the titles that went along with caring for it.
With one nod of her head, she returned to her fingernails and then slid her hands down her skirt. “Let’s get on with it then.” Her shoes clicked against the stone again as she hastened her movements out of the room before I could object once more.
Farlow followed behind, along with two of my father’s advisors and two healers. None of the others made an attempt to move from their seats. When we rounded the stairwell to make our way to my father’s wing, Ty came from the great room and took up the rear. Farlow held back. I could hear the two of them whispering as I followed Calipee to my father’s quarters.
I knocked on the door and waited for him to tell me to enter. When he didn’t respond, I opened it just a crack and peeked in. He was where I left him, sitting at the small table by the double doors that led to his balcony. He was staring out at the trees beyond the palace walls, or at least it looked like that’s what he was looking at.
“Father,” I said tentatively. “The healers of the High Temple and the fae queen are here to see you. May we come in?”
“Huh…?” he looked around and then stood. “Yes. Yes, please. Invite them in.”
The doors were more oppressive than ever when I pushed them wider so the others could follow me inside. Calipee entered first and stood before my father, curtseying to the king. Once everyone was gathered my father sat down and looked upon them blankly.
“To what do I owe the honor of a royal visitor?”
“Majesty. The healers of the high temple state that after a thorough examination they feel it is time you step down as king and relinquish your throne to the princess and her husband.”
“Is that so?” He looked at the men in robes. Their hands folded together hiding within their sleeves, and heads bowed.
“Yes. Rowan, do you feel you can no longer accept the duties of the king? I must hear it from your lips before anything is done. As the princess is correct, the High Temple does not outrank the royal family,” she said with a sideways glance in my direction, but I could have sworn she was scolding me.
“Well, when you put it like that.” He stood and turned his back to us, so he was facing the doors. The sunshine covered his face, and he moved his hand in the rays that leaked into the room. “I suppose a king should be able to put aside personal turmoil in a crisis. I do believe the loss of my queen has put me in a state of mind that might be questionable to some. That is why I signed the document I gave to Renella. If my sanity is questionable by the High Temple, then I suppose a change in ruler is in order. Might as well make it official.” He turned with a smile plastered on his face. “I always knew you would be queen well before I took my last breath in this world. I suppose now is as good a time as any.”
He took a few steps to me and took my hands in his. “You and your husband will do much better than I would be able to right now. I just…” His words trailed off, and he turned away going back to stand in front of the windows. “Where is Karen? Her things are missing,” he spoke to the glass in the window.
Calipee wasted no time pouncing with that information given. “Do we need a formal ceremony or is everyone now present alright with conducting the transfer here and now?”
My father whipped his head back to look at Calipee, and with the same smile on his face, he told her. “Here and now. I think with what the people have had to deal with, we could keep this small and private. No need for a big to do. Right, sweetheart?” He asked me, then went back to looking at the landscape. “My Renella isn’t big on the big fancy ceremonies anyway.”
