Mysterious Warriors: Alone (12 page)

~ Chapter 26 ~

              Neal held his bow as he stood with Gary, Ian, Alex and Stefan.

              “Are the girls going to join us?” Ian looked at the others.

              “They’re with Queen Margaret.” Gary explained. “The queen doesn’t want to find any women in the training yards, especially her daughters.”

              “Queen Margaret hates when Tara and I train out here.” Alex shook his head.

             
“I bet the queen would hate me.” Blake stated with a laugh. “She’d be appalled that a woman would pretend to be a man and train to be a knight. The queen would never let Rachel befriend me if she knew the truth.”

              Good thing she didn’t know Janie was Blake.
Neal rubbed his hands against the grain of his bow.
It’s probably a good thing very few people knew Janie was Blake.
“Who’s going first?”

              Alex stepped up and set his arrow to the string of his bow.

              “I love it when a man knows how to shoot.” Someone said behind them.

              Neal turned as the other men did. Pearl, Rachel, Tara, Patience and Monika stood with them. The women shaded their faces as Alex stepped to take his position to shoot. Neal noticed Tara eying him, and Stefan watching her as Alex shot his arrow.

             
“The women here could show a lot of men how to shoot.” Janie chuckled.

              “You want a turn?” Alex handed the bow to Tara.

              “I think she can use the bow of the man she’s courting.” Stefan stepped in front of the offered bow and took Tara’s hand. “Come my Little Hummingbird.”

              She blushed as she seemed to favor her right side.

             
“She’s not used to this much attention.” Blake stated. “She always liked men she could never have. I bet she never expected to be pursued by two.”

              She always liked you. Were you always secretly in love with me?

              “Of course.” Janie chuckled. “I’ve loved you a long time.”

              Why didn’t you ever tell me the truth? I would have accepted a woman who wanted to be a knight. I accepted Janie, knowing she was a Mysterious Warrior. Blake should have told me the truth. I trusted you with everything, and I shared more about me to you than anyone else. Blake and I were closer than Gary and I were.

              “Which is another reason I loved you.” Blake’s voice was intermixed with Janie’s, the decibels rising and falling between male and female.

              “Neal?” Patience asked.

              “What?” Neal blinked back to reality.

              “Can you show me how to shoot?” Patience held the bow at an awkward angle in her hands.

              “Like this.” He lifted his bow and modeled the stance and position of his hands and feet.

             
“She didn’t mean that.” Janie scoffed.

              I know.

              Patience frowned as she copied his movements. Her dark blue, hazel eyes never left his, and Neal’s breath caught as her gaze seemed to deepen with her cheeky grin. She slid her hands over the grain of the bow, bracelets glancing off the weapon, and she lowered her lashes so she was looking at him through them.

              Neal coughed.

              “Do you enjoy the sun?” Patience asked. “It’s usually either sunny or rainy here.”

              “There are more changes in weather at home.” Neal answered. “Snow, sun, rain, wind.”

              Patience nodded and took a deep breath as she raised the bow again, this time setting an arrow to the string. “I’ve never held a bow before.”

              “You’re doing well so far.”

              “You’re a good teacher.” She stepped closer to him and gently pressed her body against him. “Are my hands in the right place?”

              He took a deep breath as he repositioned her left hand. Her fingers were calloused and tan. She smelled like soup and sunshine.

             
“This is the oldest trick in the book.” Janie scoffed. “Next she’ll ask you to place your arms around her and hold her as she shoots the bow.”

              “Can you put your arm around me and help steady me as I shoot?” Patience asked, her voice husky.

              Neal chuckled as he looked at her. Patience pulled back and twirled a lock of her dark hair between her fingers. “What’s so funny?”

             
“Don’t tell her about me.” Janie warned. “She’ll think you’re crazy.”

              Aren’t I?

              “Maybe.”

              “Nothing.” He shook his head. “I just want to be friends Patience.”

              “Because I’m a maid?”

              “Because I’m not ready for anything more than friendship.”

              She nodded and closed her eyes. “Thank you for being honest Neal.”

              “You’re welcome.”

              She touched his wrist and traced a finger down his hand. “You’re awfully kind, even though you’re rejecting me.”

             
“Oh is she real?” Blake chortled.

              “I should go back inside.” Patience set the bow down and winked at Neal. “I have duties I must attend to.” She blew a kiss as she left with a wave of her fingers.

~ Chapter 27 ~

              Pearl looked around the palace. Everything looked different, sharper, stronger, as she moved. She hadn’t felt much different becoming Duchess Pearl from Maid Pearl back in Whitehaven, but now every eye followed her as she walked through the halls in Junipero. Nobles turned their backs on her, hands covered whispers, and Pearl knew her standing was something unheard of.

              “Pearl Webster.” Someone said with a hint of derision in her voice.

              Pearl let loose a deep breath. She wasn’t sure who was going to speak with her, but she knew it wouldn’t be fun. She turned. “It’s Pearl Weastle now.”

              “Weaseling your way into the nobility I see.” Lyssa Brooks, who had been Queen Margaret’s maid for twelve years, was bitter and harsh. She was a beautiful woman, almost thirty, with dark hair and deep brown eyes. Pearl had always thought Lyssa was the one maid nearly as beautiful as the queen, and apparently the thought wasn’t her own.

              “I fell in love with Ian.” Pearl shrugged. “I fell in love with the man, not his title. I rather wish he wasn’t noble.” She had known it wouldn’t be easy for people in Junipero to accept her. Good thing she lived in Whitehaven now.

              “Right.” Lyssa rolled her eyes.

              “I am here because Princess Rachel asked us to accompany them.” Pearl added. “I also wanted to see Princess Tara, since they are both dear friends.”

              “You begin as the best friend of two princesses, and now you find yourself married to a duke.” Lyssa’s tone was cold. “You must have planned this for years.”

              “Oh yes.” Pearl clenched her hands as her tone dripped with sarcasm. “I planned to have Princess Rachel married off to the prince of Whitehaven just so I could find a duke for myself. I always knew if I wanted to marry a noble, I couldn’t marry one in Junipero. My evil plan worked perfectly.”

              “I never said you were evil.” Lyssa huffed. “I—”

              “I am no longer a subject of Zorba’s Reach.” Pearl interrupted, no longer caring if she was rude. “I am a lady of Ada’s Circle, and it is there where I am noble. You don’t have to think I wormed my way into the nobility here in Zorba’s Reach. I do not expect to be invited into the ladies’ social circles, and I will not be offended by the queen’s words. My husband and friends respect me as I am, and I have nothing to fear from my home.”

              “Pearl?” Ian’s walk quickened as he saw Lyssa. “Are you alright?”

              “Your wife was just telling me about her life in Whitehaven.” Lyssa stated. “I’m one of the queen’s maids, Miss Lyssa Brooks.”

              “Sir Ian Weastle.” He nodded.

              “Is it true that your father is the king’s cousin?” Lyssa’s deep brown eyes shined. “I heard our Pearl married into royalty.”

              “While we do have relations to the king, I do not consider myself royalty.” Ian replied. “It is true about my father, and the prince is my second cousin as well as friend.”

              “It must be an incredible place to live.” Lyssa stated; her voice was suddenly full of joy and warmth, nothing of the bitter ice she’d spoken to Pearl.

              Ian smiled. “It truly is. My king and queen are kind to all subjects. The queen herself gave Pearl away at our wedding. Queen Addison has treated Pearl like a daughter.”

              “Well the queen must see something of herself in Pearl: orphan, maid, in love with a noble.”

              Pearl glanced at Ian, and he nodded. “The queen has many connections to my lovely bride.”

              “She certainly is lovely.” Lyssa whispered and curtsied. “I must get to our queen before she wonders why I am so late.”

              “It was nice to meet you Miss Brooks.”

              “Same.” Lyssa’s eyes turned to Pearl. “Don’t forget.” She brushed past them.

              Pearl let her breath escape, and she looked at her husband. “Lyssa just wanted to remind me that I’m not noble here.”

              “You’re the wife of a duke.” Ian touched her blonde curls. “You’re my love.”

              “And I’m the mother of your child.” Pearl blushed as she touched her flat stomach.

              Ian’s mouth found hers, and she gasped as he kissed her. She chuckled, gently gripping his back as she returned the sentiment.

~ Chapter 28 ~

              “There he is!” Koketa rushed through the narrow alley after the bounty hunter.

              Cabaya and Sacrifice raced on the roofs with Galdut and Sarasa on the other side. Kitnan ran behind Koketa as the bounty hunter slipped through another street.

              Cabaya jumped to the next set of roofs, and she flashed a grin at Sacrifice. He was falling in love with her, even though he didn’t want to. She wasn’t sure how she should feel about that. The jade necklace he’d given her was long enough to hide under her clothes, both her Cabaya outfit and her dresses as Tara.

              “Thou be surround'd.” Kitnan stated as the bounty hunter stopped. Kitnan’s blade shot from her pegleg.

              Sarasa flew from the roof, her palms stretched forward as a gushing wave of water sprayed down. Suddenly Sarasa snarled. “Black Hood is part of the reason. Braedon cursed us, but Black Hood...” Sarasa roared. She spun in the air and faced Galdut. “We should kill her, as we should have done years ago.”

              “I don’t know about that.” Galdut stepped closer. “She’s cruel and vicious, but she’s kind of beautiful too. If I can’t have Emmalee, then perhaps I can be with another beautiful blonde.”

              “She is controlling thou.” Kitnan shouted. Suddenly Kitnan fell back. “Don’t looketh at me!” She screamed and sheathed her blade in her pegleg. “Stopeth looketh at me.” She covered her pegleg with her hands.

              Cabaya looked at Sacrifice and overwhelming joy filled her. She was falling in love, with two men, and her life had never felt so incredible. She rushed to him, and she touched his shoulder. “Sacrifice, I think I love you. You bring so much joy and desire to my life, something I’ve never felt quite as much as I do now.”

              “You shouldn’t love me.” He grabbed her hands and shook his head. “I’m a liar, and you shouldn’t love a liar. You would be shocked and overjoyed to hear the truth from me, but I’m sworn to keep this secret.”

              “Stopeth staring at me!” Kitnan cried. “'Tis not mine fault I lost mine fork.”

              “Let’s kill her!” Sarasa screamed as her bright blue wings forced powerful wind to slam into the bounty hunter. “Tell me where to find her scum!”

              “Why should we kill someone so fair?” Galdut shook his head. “I remember what she looks like, even though she covers her features now.”

              “You can’t look at me.” Koketa cried. “I need to keep my identity secret. Please don’t.” She rushed into the alleyway.

              In. Out. Deep breaths. In. Out.
Cabaya must give Tara the emotion so Cabaya can continue to fight. You are a person under that mask, and you must be willing to give your emotions away. While you are Cabaya, you no longer have emotions. Take away Black Hood’s weapon, and she won’t be able to wound you anymore.
In. Out. Deep breaths. In. Out.
Cabaya gave Tara a gift. Tara opened it, and she pulled something bright and formless from the box. It shone emerald and bright.
In. Out. Deep breaths. In. Out.

              Cabaya brought an arrow to her string and shot.

              The bounty hunter cried out as the arrow landed in his chest. Kitnan, Sarasa, and Galdut were coming out of their emotional states as well.

              Koketa returned from the alley, and Sacrifice stepped beside Cabaya as she held an arrow to her bowstring.

              Suddenly overwhelming grief gripped Cabaya. She’d lost two close friends to the Xanites, and she was falling in love with two men. She dropped her bow and fell to her knees. She gasped as pain flowed through her body, emotional grief too strong to overcome.

              In. Out. Deep breaths. In. Out.

              Neal couldn’t believe how ornate every room in this palace was. Bright curtains adorned the large windows of the royal nursery, and velvet rugs warmed the wooden floor. The furniture looked new, and everything was spotless.

              “Pearl and I have an announcement.” Ian looked around the group.

              Rachel, Gary, and Tara looked up from where they watched Elena on the rug.

              “Elena’s going to have a new friend in Neek.” Pearl gently touched her stomach with a smile.

              “Congratulations!” Tara jumped to her feet and enclosed Pearl in an embrace.

              “That’s amazing.” Rachel hugged her sister and Pearl. “I’m so excited for you both. That’s great.”

              “Thank you.” Pearl laughed as she looked at her friends.

              “Do you think you’ll have a boy or girl?” Gary looked at Ian.

              “I don’t care. I just want a healthy baby.” Ian answered.

             
“We would have been the second couple in our group to have children.” Janie’s voice was soft in his head. “I would have loved to be the mother of your children.”

              I would have loved you to be the mother of my children too.
Neal stood. “Congratulations you two.” He half-hugged Pearl.

              “Thank you.”

              “If you have a daughter, she’s going to be Elena’s best friend.” Rachel insisted. “And if you have a son, maybe he’ll fall in love with Elena.”

             
“Our daughter was meant to be Elena’s best friend, and our son was meant to fall in love with Elena.”

              Maybe our son would have been Elena’s best friend.
Neal suggested.

             
“And fall in love with her.” Janie insisted.

              “We’re all so happy for you.” Tara squealed. “This is great news.”

              “Too bad Mother won’t let you come to Whitehaven to be with Pearl during her pregnancy, like she did with me.” Rachel sighed.

              Elena started crying.

              “Oh precious baby.” Rachel picked her up gently. “Are you sad that the attention won’t all be on you?”

              Elena seemed to nod, and she nestled into her mother’s dark hair. Rachel laughed as she tossed her locks over her shoulder. “Elena will love her cousin.”

              “That she will.” Ian agreed.