Page 9 of Lord of the Castle
“You look frightened,” Cedric observed.
“Yes!” I squeaked. “No. Not frightened of battle but. . .” Should I tell him about the whispers? Nay, I did not know him well, and he’d only think I was mad. “You have to understand, it is difficult to believe that there are spirits in the forest who will attack. Are you sure it isn’t some enemy trying to trick you?”
Cedric’s lips thinned, and he stared off into the colorful rose garden. “Mariel, it is understandable that you do not believe me, no one has before you. I do not expect that you will be any different. But I have lived here all of my life. I know what my duty is, and even if you do not believe me, will you stand with me as protector?”
Chapter Six
I glared at him,unsure whether I was still angry with him for trying to frighten me with stories of spirits or his polite request. After all, I was here under the guise of protection, and standing as shield-maiden was my first duty. "I will stand with you, but you don't have to frighten me with stories."
His shoulders slumped and he leaned back, as though relieved at my answer. “If I told you there were soldiers from the other side of the forest, would you believe me then?”
I scowled. “Yes.”
“Then that's what we shall call them.”
“Why?” I persisted. “Why the shadows and secrecy and mystery? And why does the kingdom only send one person to help you if you face these beasts alone?”
Cedric snorted and shook back his long dark hair. His scar practically glowed at me. "I think you know the answer."
Those devilish violet eyes appraised my body before he yanked his gaze away and spoke to the rose bushes. “The answer to that question is the very reason why you were sent here."
I recalled the hushed voices I'd heard after I'd first met him.Let it happen."You knew the kingdom sent me to assassinate you?" I breathed, my voice thick with emotion. "And you were just going to let it happen?"
"What someone does or doesn't do under pressure reveals their true character. The fact that you couldn't kill me surprised me."
I swallowed a lump in my throat. "What happened to the others who were sent to guard you? Did they also try to kill you?"
"They did, after a time. None so quickly as you."
Those eyes returned to study me again, and a shiver went down my spine. "I thought if I got to know you, I would not want to kill you," I admitted, wanting to gain a reaction from him.
He stood, a smile playing around his lips, and when he spoke, his voice was gentle. “Is that what you thought? After we met for mere moments, and yet still, you came. You tried. That is something I cannot forget. The others were not honest, and even though I gave them their lives, perhaps I should not have.” He sighed. “The first four guards died fighting by my side. The next three I was forced to sacrifice to the Dark Queen and the last one never attempted to take my life. He lost his way in the wildwood, chasing the whispers of the wood.” His eyes misted over. “So much death, for no reason. Perhaps he is still out there, or perhaps he is lost, like many others who dare to enter the wood. Your fate will be your own, choose what you will. Now, I have business to attend to. Will you join me tomorrow?”
"Yes," for there was nothing more for me to say. Should I refuse his offer?
"I am not sure where you interests lie, but you may explore the castle. Betty and Sasha will answer any questions you may have."
Betty who talked too much and Sasha who wished me far away. Still, not to seem ungrateful, I nodded, and Lord Cedric strode away.
Our brief conversation left me with more questions, and although I did not know what his business was nor where he was going, I thought it might present the opportunity to snoop. After all, he gave me free rein in the castle. I assumed that reached to the grounds, although with the whispers I'd heard, I was disinclined to wander alone.
I sat in the garden and breathed in the enchanting floral scent. I had to admit, it was beautiful. Orange and blue butterflies alighted on the flowers and fluttered above the water fountain. I watched for a while, sure I had been transported to a wild land where the basic rules of life did not matter. Briefly, my thoughts flittered back to my training and the other shield-maidens. I was not popular, but I had friends who were on my side and believed in me. They would miss me and hoped I would return, but now looking back, I already knew my fate. No one returned from Whispering Vine, and I intended to find out why. But first I had to forget my strange attraction to Lord Cedric and the way he threw me off balance, first by teasing and then by seriousness.
I stood and flattened down the skirts of the dress I was unused to wearing. Since I had plenty of time before the mid-day meal, I set my focus back on the castle. The garden paths were tempting but perhaps later I could walk through them and explore. I gave a longing glance down the cobblestone path and decided I would return after I explored the castle.
* * *
It was cold inside, and even though I wore a borrowed pair of slippers, my gentle movement caused the dust to resettle and echoes to bounce off the stone. I shivered as I walked the first level, peeking into rooms from time to time but seeing nothing more than old and disused rooms. Some were covered in dust, others look as though they'd been recently used, but all hinted at immense wealth I could not fathom.
As I walked, I wondered where everyone was. The King's castle was full of people: the royal family who lived there, the nobles who helped run the kingdom, and the servants who kept order. And the army was not far away, stationed throughout the impregnable fortress. Yet here, in the land of exile, the castle was forlorn and empty, as if those who would fill it with light and happiness were chased away long ago.
I clasped my fingers together as I climbed up staircases and crept through empty halls, sometimes too frightened to open doors. Dread settled around me as though evil held me in its grip. When I climbed to the third level, there was a distinct smell, an odd smell as though sulfuric vapors were trapped there. Little light drifted into those haunted halls, and my courage dropped away like a stone sinking into a pond. I swallowed hard and came to a standstill. How easy it was to believe that spirits haunted not only the castle but the forest. Something vile had happened here, I was sure of it. But would going on give me answers?
Suddenly I heard voices, but not vague whispers like I'd heard outside. Real voices.
Heart pounding in my chest, I crept down the hall toward the sounds. Dim light came from the room at the end, a wide open hall. I flattened myself against the wall and listened.
"I haven't forgotten you or your plight," a woman's voice said. It was cold and authoritative. It was obvious she was used to being obeyed.
