Icebound (Legends of the Shifters Book 2) (8 page)

-Chapter Twelve-

The
next day, I awoke to a knock on the door. I pushed my tangles back and opened
it to find Prince Matthias standing there in full uniform with a bandage
wrapped around his head. I blushed, imagining what a sight I was this morning.

He
didn’t seem to care, his eyes warm as he said, “May I come in?” His voice was
raspy, but not nearly as bad as I expected.

I
stood aside. “Of course.”

Behind
him, I saw the innkeeper, looking thrilled to have the prince in his home
before the door was shut in his face.

“I didn’t
mean to wake you,” the prince said. “I suppose I should have guessed you’d be
asleep after everything that happened last night—everything I can’t remember.”

He
seemed too close in the small room, so I retreated to the bed and started
pulling up the covers. “It’s not a problem. But what time is it?”

“Nearly
two in the afternoon,” he said as he watched me. “Anyway, I just wanted to
thank you for saving me from the fire.”

I
stiffened and looked up at him, hoping he wouldn’t blame me for what happened
last night like Sir Lochlan had. “I just did what anyone else would do,” I said
with a shrug. I smoothed the covers and turned to face him as he walked over
and leaned against the bedpost.

His
face was serious as he looked me in the eye. “I’m in your debt, Ivy. I hope to
be able to repay you someday.”

I
avoided his gaze. “There’s no need for that.”

I
flinched when he took a step forward and rested both hands on my shoulders. “I
will
repay you,” he said, his face so close that I could see every freckle that
dotted his nose.

His
gaze flicked down to study my lips. When I started to take a step back, he
dropped his hands and strolled to the door. “We’ll be taking the day off to
bury Lukas. I’ll let you know when the hole is dug.”

“Um…thank
you,” I said awkwardly as the door clicked shut. Below the door, I saw his
shadow pause briefly, and then his footsteps continued on down the hallway,
leaving me with my confused thoughts. I was tempted to lay back down in the
bed, but hunger got the best of me.

Only
Alyss and a few guards were in the common room when I came out. Alyss sat at
the table, bent over a piece of paper as she scribbled on it with charcoal.

I
sat down across from her, catching a glimpse of a sketched bird in an iron
cage. “What are you working on?” I asked.

She
looked up in surprise and covered her drawing with her hand. “Oh, nothing. I
figured I would sketch while I had the time.”

“Can
I see?”

She
bit her lip, but nodded and pushed the piece of paper over to me.

There
was a cage, but now that I looked closely, I could see that it was old and
rusted, with holes in several spots. The little door to the cage was open, and
yet the little bird she’d drawn was still sitting there, content. “It’s
beautiful.”

She
whisked the drawing back and stared at it. She opened her mouth to say
something else, but the innkeeper’s wife was already speaking from behind me.

“Would
you like something to eat?”

I
looked back at her, seeing that, if possible, she appeared more frazzled than
she had last night. Her apron was covered in flour and her formerly pinned back
hair was falling out of place.

“Yes,
thank you,” I replied.

She
hurried into the kitchen and came back out a minute later with plate of
chicken, green beans, and a piece of bread.

Alyss
went back to her sketches while I dug into the meal. The woman cleared my plate
when I was done, and for the first time in a long time, I was able to relax as
I watched Alyss add more details to her sketch. The guards that gathered around
the fireplace talked, sometimes laughing, and for a moment, everything felt
light and happy.

And
then the door creaked open, and the prince stepped inside to say the two words
that darkened everyone’s mood. “It’s time.”

*   *   *   *
  *

The
next five days after Lukas’s funeral passed by slowly. Every breath we breathed
was either road dust—until we could feel the grit between our teeth—or
saltwater spray. I usually got to fly whenever I felt like it and when it
rained, Grix, Alyss, the prince, and I stayed in the carriage while Sir Lochlan
volunteered to ride out in the downpour with the rest of the guard, claiming it
didn’t bother him.

He
and the guard were constantly on high alert ever since the fire, and unlike the
prince, Sir Lochlan never thanked me for saving his life.

On
the last day, when we finally boarded the final ship, I was relieved, but at
the same time, apprehensive about meeting the king and staying in the castle.
At least when we traveled, I got to fly every once in a while. Would I be
trapped in a stone structure for days until I left for my quest?

As
we neared land, I could see the giant castle that dwarfed the buildings and
hills around it.

I
stood with my elbows on the rail of the ship when Prince Matthias approached me
and rested one of his hands in the rail next to me while the other pointed into
the distance.

“Do
you see that tower? The tallest one in the front?”

I
squinted my eyes and nodded.

He
dropped his hand to the rail. “My father once kept me in that tower for two weeks
after I disguised myself as a villager and took a stroll through the streets. I
never saw why he got so angry.”

I
shrugged. “It might be dangerous for someone like you to be out there.”

He
turned his back to the castle and looked down at me. "It didn't stop me
from doing it again. I just made sure not to get caught."

I
shook my head and smiled. "Of course you did...but why did you want to
disguise yourself anyway?"

He
shrugged. "I like the perks of being a prince. The food, the servants, the
parties, and of course, access to the stables and the royal marina. But every
once in a while, I just liked to get away from the duties and the fake smiles
and the bowing and curtsying."

“Sounds
like something I would do," I said, thinking of what Sir Lochlan had said
days before, how I was always trying to get away.

He
stared at me intently as his hand inched closer to mine on the railing. “We’re
more alike than you think.”

I
cringed inwardly, but pretended not to notice as I turned to Alyss and Grix.
“I’d better go see if those two are ready to dock.”

I
felt cowardly for retreating, but any feelings I had quickly evaporated when I
realized that Alyss and Grix were holding hands, standing so close to one
another that if they stepped one inch further, someone’s toes would get stepped
on. As I watched, Grix leaned forward slowly, hesitantly, and kissed Alyss
right on the mouth.

It
would have been sweet…had I not been trying to get away from Prince Matthias
for the very same reason. I fled like a rabbit, hating that I could only go as
far as the other side of the ship.

In
my effort to keep my eyes averted from the embracing couple, I glanced back at
the prince. His mouth formed a half smile as he watched me.

Frustration
clawed at my insides and I tightened my jaw. I stared at him with cold, dead
eyes, hoping to convey a specific message.
I’m not interested.

He
never looked away. In the end, I broke eye contact.

-Chapter Thirteen-

I’d
thought I would want to be one of the first ones off the ship, but looking down
into the crowd below, I reconsidered. A few guards went down the plank first,
and the crowd may as well have been sharks waiting to greet them. When Prince
Matthias followed after them, one girl managed to grab the sleeve of his
uniform, pulling him into the crowd, but Sir Lochlan, always the prince’s
shadow, quickly forced her back. The prince, meanwhile, straightened his
uniform and continued as if nothing had happened.

In
the chaos, it was hard to tell if people were excited or angry, but with such a
large assembly, I imagined it must be both. What a difference this was from the
northern islands. We appreciated stories of the royal family up there, but we
hardly reacted to anything with this much energy. Maybe the cold weather
mellowed us out.

“You
may want to get off now, while their attention is riveted to the prince,” said
one of the guards behind me.

It
was true. There wasn’t one person looking this way. I hurried down the plank,
but could already feel the attention shift on me after Prince Matthias hoisted
himself up into the carriage. I kept my eyes on the path ahead until I saw the
prince’s hand. The prince and his advances were nothing compared to a
thunderous horde of people, so I took it and settled into the seat beside him.

Alyss
and Grix were next. He led her down, eyes narrowed protectively while she kept
her head bent, every now and then glancing up at the people with wide, owl
eyes. Grix helped her inside, and then slammed the door shut as he joined the
other guards, who would accompany us on horseback.

“Why
are there so many?” Alyss asked as the carriage jolted forward.

“And
why are they all screaming?” I added.

Prince
Matthias shrugged. “It’s always been like that here, though I can say the
attendance of girls peaked when my brother and I turned sixteen.”

“So
they aren’t mad?” Alyss asked, voicing one of my own questions.

“Of
course not. Why should they be?” the prince asked.

I
was tempted to spew out a few protests against the castes, but I bit my tongue.
This might not be the best time.

The
palace neared quickly, and at close range, it was beautiful. The color of the
stone was the same color as the sand on the beach that stretched beyond it.
Neatly trimmed green grass and evergreen bushes stood out against its grandeur.
Graveled walkways crisscrossed over the grounds and several elegant fountains
were lined up in front of the castle. Under each of the tall stained glass
windows, a blue and silver flag whipped in the wind.

More
guards and servants waited for us by the tall, open doors, most of them smiling
and yet, others with faces of stone. And standing in front of them, ready to
greet us on the bottom step, was the most stony-faced of them all. King Giddon.

As
soon as the carriage lurched to a stop, a footman opened the door. “Wait here,”
the prince instructed quietly before he stepped out.

He
walked up to his father and bowed low. The king let him stay that way for a
while before he allowed him to stand back up with a few quiet words. I couldn’t
hear anything they were saying, but I could see their mouths moving, and after
a while, the corners of the king’s mouth lifted slightly.

I
nearly jumped when King Giddon gestured in my direction, his eyes squinting as
he took me in. Then, his smile grew bigger as he said something inaudible to
Prince Matthias that made the prince look at his feet, the tips of his ears
reddening. When the king started walking toward me, my heartbeat quickened. I’d
heard tales of his bravery and his strength, but I’d never heard anything about
his hospitality.

“You
must be Ivy,” he said, stopping a few feet away, hand gripping his sword hilt.

“Yes,
sir.” My eyes flickered to his hand as I tried to determine whether or not it
was a threat.

He
let his hand drop away from the sword and instead raised it toward the castle. “Come,
let us walk inside together. There are many things we must discuss.”

As
soon as I stepped down from the carriage, he pressed the palm of his hand into
my back, pushing me forward and up the stairs at a clipped pace. The prince
followed closely until we were inside, but Alyss, Grix, and Sir Lochlan fell
behind.

The
king led the way through the crowded corridor, which was so full of people that
the black and white checkered tile was barely visible. Servants and guards
stared at me as I trailed behind him.

When
we turned a corner, the crowd finally started to thin. With one peek back, I
saw that the prince was still following, his face revealing nothing about what
was to come.

We’re
very alike, you know
, he’d said. In truth, no one could be more different
from me than the prince. He was raised in a castle, has had servants going to
and fro at his every beck and call since the day he was born. I was raised in
an orphanage where I had to beg on the streets just to be able to eat.

As
soon as we reached a single door with gold lining the edges, the king turned
the knob and pushed it open to reveal an office with two plush chairs facing a
desk peppered with papers, and behind the desk, a large tapestry of Erabyn. As
soon as I—and a few moments later, the prince—stepped into the room, the king
shut the door and turned the lock.

I
bit my lip and circled around to the chair by the window, which overlooked the
never-ending sea. Watching the waves lap at the shore calmed me considerably.

As
Prince Matthias took a seat in the chair next to me, King Giddon strolled over
and stood behind his desk. “You know why you’re here, don’t you?” he asked,
placing his knuckles on the desktop as he watched me.

I
shifted nervously. “Um…because the phoenix is part of some prophecy?”

“
You
are part of a prophecy. This isn’t about the phoenix, girl. This is about you.”

I
flinched at the intensity of his words and nodded mutely.

“What
do you know of the prophecy?” he continued.

I
tilted my head. “I’m supposed to save the kingdoms?”

He
crossed his arms. “It seems so. At least, that’s what we’ve been told.”

“What
you’ve been told?” I questioned. “You don’t know the entire prophecy?”

His
broad shoulders lifted and sunk as he breathed in a deep sigh. “Unfortunately,
no. We only have hints. Only the royal family of Onwin know the true prophecy.”

“Then
why am I not on my way there?” I asked, finding it difficult to hold in my
annoyance.

“You’ll
get there in due time. Plus, I’ve invited one of them to stay at the palace.
Princess Cecile. I hope to persuade her to tell you before you have to trek all
the way to their capital.”

Beside
me, Prince Matthias tensed up.

I
frowned. “Is there any other information that you know?”

The
king stepped away and turned his head to the wall behind him. “Just look at
this tapestry. Do you notice anything strange?”

I
studied the city of Erabyn and the castle above it, but found nothing strange
until I focused on the sun. “The shadows are long.”

“What
was that?” asked the king.

“The
sun is at its peak, but the shadows are long,” I repeated, my eyebrows furrowed
in concentration.

The
king smiled once again. “Correct. Come closer.” I stood and made my way around
the desk. “Anything else?” he said.

My
gaze immediately fastened back onto the sun, and I spotted something red
stitched into the fabric. I looked closer. “A phoenix,” I said. Sewn in thin
maroon thread was the fire bird, its wings outstretched and its mouth open as
if it itself was creating the fiery orb surrounding it.

“This
tapestry is portraying a time when darkness is covering the land, but also a
time when the sun—and the phoenix—are at their highest. You represent hope for
our kingdom in a time of shadows.”

“Is
darkness overshadowing the kingdom right now?” I asked.

“You
tell me,” he said. “More and more of my soldiers disappear each day, and the
rulers of Onwin and Kislow are saying the same thing to me in their letters.
Ginsey and Pira are killing them.”

I
raised my eyebrows, surprised that he didn’t know the truth. “You’re wrong.”

The
king scrutinized me, a warning look in his eye. “I’m wrong?”

I
nodded. “King Ciaran’s numbers are growing every day. He’s stealing your men.”

The
king’s grip tightened on the back of the chair in front of him and he narrowed
his eyes. “My men would never do such a thing.”

“I
thought you would already know what’s happening to them,” I said.

He
crossed his arms. “And what’s that?”

“He’s
controlling them with blood magic.”

It
took a moment for him to process the information. When he had, he sat heavily
in his chair, his dark eyes flitting out the window. “If you’re right,
Ivy...then the prophecy must be upon us. King Ciaran will destroy us all, with
Pira as their ally.”

“Pira?”
I asked.

The
king nodded. “Pira has always been an ally of Ginsey. If Ginsey fights, Pira
will join—”

“You
have to be the phoenix of prophecy, Ivy,” cut in Prince Matthias, his gray eyes
boring into my own. “You could save us all.”

King
Giddon suddenly rose out of his chair and walked over to a shelf stacked with scrolls.
He reached up and took one from the top shelf. Then, he came back to the desk
and set it in front of me. “Which is why I’ve decided to make you a Leviathan
noble.”

The
document in front of me was a map, and circled was a city in the mainland, just
south of Erabyn.

King
Giddon placed his finger on the city. “That’s where your new home will be. You
will be Lady Ivy of the
Brinestone
Estate.”