Mysterious Warriors: Alone (8 page)

~ Chapter 18 ~

              Tara looked up as Monika walked into her room. The princess moved her head, looking at the woman curiously. “
Have you lost the love of your life? I have to be in the palace, and I cannot be with the man I love, so close to me, and yet so far away.”
Was it possible? She knew the stories of the woman Vance had loved: a woman who could control water. Could Monika possibly be avoiding Vance for that reason?

              “Did you sleep well?” Tara asked.

              Monika looked up, her dark brown eyes surprised. “Excuse me?”

              “I’m sorry I haven’t been a very good companion.” Tara explained. “It had nothing to do with you and everything to do with my mother, I promise you that. I was afraid I couldn’t trust you, and I was upset that my mother could replace Pearl so easily.”

              “I understand.” Monika’s dark brown eyes were kind. “I can assure you, I am not loyal to your mother. I would like to be loyal to you.”

              “I want to be loyal to you too. But part of loyalty includes trust, and I really want to trust you.” Tara paused and put all her cards on the table. “Sarasa.”

              Monika’s eyes widened a fraction, and Tara noticed her tense. So she’d been right. “Excuse me? I don’t know what you think you know—”

              “I think you do.” Tara interrupted. “You’re a fairy, and you’re close friends with Kitnan and Galdut. I just don’t understand your past, but I want to.”

              “Does this mean you’re Cabaya?” Monika smirked. “If you know that much about me, you must have your own secrets as well.”

              “Perhaps.” Tara chuckled. Trust had to go both ways.

              “I’m surprised you’re not Lunette.” Monika sat in a velvet chair opposite Tara’s bed.

              “You know Vance, don’t you?” Tara hoped her voice was gentle.

              Grief passed through Monika’s dark eyes as she lowered her lids. “Yes.”

              “How?”

              “He’s the love of my life.” Monika whispered.

              “He said the love of his life is dead.”

              “Vance must continue to believe I’m dead.”

              “Why?”

              “If we’re ever reunited, he’ll die.” Monika explained. “I’m cursed; we all are.”

              “We? You, Kitnan, and Galdut?”

              Monika nodded. “And others. We used to be buccaneers with our captain. We helped protect Olivia Naxison, and we were cursed by Braedon Smith a long time ago.”

              “But how is that possible? You’re about my age.” Tara felt like her head was going to explode from all this information. Whatever she’d been expecting from Monika wasn’t this.

              “I’m actually 53.” Monika stood. “I’ll always look 24 because of another curse. Vance was not in the war with the rest of us, so he will continue to age.”

              “Us?” Tara whispered.

              “You know Kitnan and Galdut, and there are others who are like me.” Monika paused. “You’ve met more of us, but I cannot tell you who.” She smiled. “I shouldn’t be telling you any of this.”

              “You, Kitnan, Galdut, and the rest of your crew battled Black Hood?” A new wave of understand flooded Tara. “You truly are old enemies.”

              Monika nodded. “It feels like another life, the way things were back then.”

              “How did you meet Vance?”

              “You don’t know our story?” Monika smiled.

              “I’m not as close to Vance as my sister.” Tara explained, keeping her own secrets from the woman. “Rachel probably knows the whole story, but I don’t. Vance doesn’t talk about you a lot.”

              “He wouldn’t.” The woman closed her eyes. “We were teenagers when we met, in a sea battle. He, his best friend, and their crew tried to sink our ship. Vance didn’t know much about our crew; otherwise he never would have attacked.” A soft smile turned her lips up. “Our captain was like a sister to Vance, as was our first mate. And Vance’s actual sister was in the crew as well.”

              “His sister?” Tara whispered. “He doesn’t speak about his sisters a lot.”

              “His sister’s name was Stefana Lot.” Monika explained. “He thought she and Nicole had been kidnapped by pirates, not realizing they’d joined the buccaneer crew on their own accord. The battle lasted until our captain realized who had attacked us. She had Stefana and Nicole stop him, and then the four were reunited. Vance and his best friend came to be our allies.”

              “His best friend?”

              “The man you know as Galdut.”

              “Galdut and Vance are best friends?”

              “But Vance believes we’re all dead.”

              “Because you’re trying to protect him from a curse?”

              Monika nodded. “Most of us were separated from the person we loved, and that was our curse. If we’re ever reunited with the person we love, we will be the cause of their death. I cannot let Vance know I’m here. I hate being away from him, but I love him so much. I will do everything in my power to protect him.”

              Cabaya pulled the hood of her cloak up as she made her way through the muddy rain of Upper City. She couldn’t believe Kitnan was revealing her home to them, but Cabaya understood. They needed a place to meet and practice emotional control, and Kitnan trusted them.

              Kitnan’s home was a small, two-room dwelling. It was clean, and Galdut, Sacrifice, Sarasa, and Kitnan sat in chairs in the first of the rooms. Cabaya joined them, glancing at Sacrifice. They hadn’t spoken about Cabaya trying to kill him or Sacrifice kissing her.

              Koketa joined them, closing the door behind her as droplets fell from her dark bracelets. She shook rain off her long, dark hair. Running fingers through the locks, she tied her hair back into a bun.

              “Welcometh to our home.” Kitnan stated. “If thou ev'r needeth to findeth one of us, this is a safe placeth. Galdut, Sacrifice, and I liveth hither, and we welcometh thou when thou needeth sheltereth and safety. Black Hood hath been a foe f'r a longeth timeth, and Galdut, Sarasa, and I hast fac'd h'r 'ere. We wast able to learneth to controleth our emotions so Black Hood couldn’t playeth with them.”

              “Obviously we’re out of practice.” Galdut stated. “I shouldn’t have been incapacitated by grief like I was.”

              “Black Hood cannot puteth emotion inside thou.” Kitnan added. “She amplifies emotions to helpeth h'r gain what she desires. Ev'ry emotion thou feeleth when she manipulates thou is already inside thou. That is the w'rst thing about h'r pow'rs: revealing what thou keepeth eyeless.”

              Cabaya closed her eyes. She knew she had anger, rage, but she didn’t like the idea of not being able to control herself. She glanced at Sacrifice. Kissing her wasn’t some emotion Black Hood put inside him. Even though he despised her, there was some part of him that liked her. The idea made her happier than it should. She wanted to love Stefan, not some man whose face she’d never seen. Some man who loathed her and wouldn’t trust her.

              “How do we control ourselves when Black Hood is using her powers against us?” Koketa asked.

              “Thou wilt learneth to breatheth.” Kitnan explained and sat with her legs crossed. She put her hands, palm up, on her knees. “Ev'ryone followeth mine leadeth.”

              Cabaya did as ordered, and she rested her hands on her knees. She took a deep breath and let it out as Kitnan spoke.

              “Breatheth in and out but soft.” Kitnan stated. “Thou wilt learneth to separateth thy emotional state from thy physical state. Closeth thy eyes.”

              Cabaya obeyed.

              “Picture yourself in costume and yourself out of costume.”

              Cabaya saw herself beside Princess Tara. She wondered what the others looked like out of costume. In Whitehaven she’d known several identities, but here she only knew Sarasa’s and Koketa’s true identity.

              “Anon remembereth that ye are two people.” Kitnan continued in a voice that could lull a baby to sleep. “Thither art two sides to thou: the warri'r and the emotion. Thou wilt giveth thy secret identity the emotion, so thou, as a warri'r, can continueth to fighteth. Black Hood wants to cripple thou, but ye are not just a Myst'rious Warri'r. Ye are a p'rson und'r thy mask, and thou wilt be willing to giveth thy emotions aroint. While ye are a warri'r, thou wilt nay long'r hast emotions. Taketh h'r weapon, and she won’t wound thou. Black Hood wants to controleth thou with what thou feeleth. Don’t leteth h'r. Puteth thy emotions in a boxeth and giveth it to thy oth'r self.”

             
Cabaya gave Tara a gift. Tara opened it, and she pulled something bright and formless from the box. It shone emerald and bright.

              “Anon remembereth this gift the next timeth we fighteth against Black Hood.” Kitnan continued. “She will endue emotions that cripple thou, but thou wilt fighteth against it. Geteth rideth of the emotions while thou be in costume. Thou can always regain them out of costume.”

              Cabaya continued to breathe. 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.

~ Chapter 19 ~

              Tara sat in the royal menagerie with Stefan as rain pelted the glass ceiling of the large room.

              “This is so beautiful.” Stefan looked around at the multi-colored flowers, birds, and butterflies that called this place home. “Look at the Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager.” He gestured to a black bird with a yellow patch on its head and chest and blue wings and tail feathers. “However, I’m with the most beautiful thing in here.” He kissed her cheek. “My own little Little Hummingbird.”

              “Thank you.” She blushed.

              “Tell me something about you that I don’t know.” He took a bite of an apple as he stared at her with soulful brown eyes. “What was it like growing up the princess? Did you always feel different? I know you and your sister are close now, but you weren’t always close, right? What was that like, and what helped you grow close now?”

              Tara couldn’t tell him the truth about that, but she wanted to be as honest with him as she could. “Growing up sheltered in the palace, I didn’t realize how differenty other people lived until I got older. My best friend was always Pearl, and I loved my sister too. I remember the first time Terena took me into Upper City with her. I had never heard of Lower City until that first trip. I saw the roofs and poverty for the first time. I was shocked to know something so desolate was so close to the palace.

              “My first trip outside Junipero was to Crestor. I had never seen land so flat; it was the first valley I had been to. My father introduced me to some knights, instructors, and trainees. My father told me I would one day rule Zorba’s Reach and these men were the ones who would protect it for me. I remember thinking that I wanted to be strong like those men and be able to defend my land.” She smiled at the memory. “I demanded to be trained, and when we got back home, Father talked Mother into letting me. Of course I wanted to acquire more than my mother would allow, but I was grateful the Law didn’t prohibit me from learning.” She shook her head. “Here’s something you don’t know about me.” She looked up into his eyes, and her heart flipped. She could barely breathe, and she managed to whisper. “I hate the old Law.”

              “Why?”

              “It protects me, but it has never once protected my sister. Rachel was forced to marry someone she barely knew. Thank the gods Gary is a good and loving husband, but she was never allowed to learn to defend herself. Things are extremely different in Ada’s Circle, and I wish the old Law was more lenient. When I’m queen, I’m going to get rid of the old Law and rewrite a new Law which allows more freedoms, chances, and choices. The royal heir won’t be the only one with liberty.”

              “You are truly amazing.” He brushed a stray lock of hair back into her hairnet. “I’ve never met anyone like you before.”

              “Tell me more about you.” Tara grinned. “Where are you from again?”

              “My father is the Baron of Northside.” Stefan answered. “He’s always been a hard-working man, spending more of his time with his fishing enterprise than with me or my sister.”

              “You have a sister?”

              “Had.”

              Tara touched his arm. “What happened?” Her breath caught as she listened.

              “She drowned.” Stefan closed his eyes. “My father took her on a boat, but he didn’t watch or care for her. He was more concerned with his catch. He was chasing a group of bass when he turned the boat so sharp that my sister fell into the water. She tried to swim back to the boat, but my father wasn’t the only predator after the bass. My sister was attacked by an orca. She didn’t make it back.”

              “I’m so sorry.” Tara ran her fingers up his arm and embraced him. She held him tight, and he returned her embrace. All she wanted to do was comfort this man, and she wondered if that was what love left like.

              “We were always so close.” He mumbled. “She wanted to earn Father’s respect, and she died because of that desire.” He cleared his throat as he moved back. “I lost any respect I had for my father that day, and I left Northside. I traveled through Zorba’s Reach until I found my way here. I hope to be a better man than my father.”

              Tara nodded.

              “Tell me something else I don’t know about you.”

              Tara took a deep breath. “I thought I was in love before, twice actually.”

              “Twice? Anyone I know?”

              “One was a squire in Whitehaven.” Tara blushed, and she hoped Stefan wouldn’t figure out why. Blake was dead, but Tara would continue to keep her secret. “He was the first friend I had once I moved to Whitehaven with my sister and Pearl. I thought I loved them, and neither loved me in return.”

              “Well I hope we can change that.” Stefan took her hands and brought them to his cheeks.

              Her own flamed as he kissed her. Tara closed her eyes, and she played with the ends of his hair as his mouth enchanted hers. She gasped and pulled away. “That’s not proper in courtship sir.”

              He smirked. “No, but it was worth it.”

              She chuckled and moved back. “We shouldn’t even be in this menagerie without an escort.”

              “Your sister, her family, and some friends are coming to the palace, right?”

              “They should be here tomorrow.” Tara grinned. “I cannot wait for you to meet them.”

              “Rachel, Gary, and Elena.” He counted on his fingers. “I’m assuming Pearl and her husband?”

              “Ian.” Tara supplied. She sighed. “I didn’t get to witness their wedding, but I’m very excited to see them. Our friend Neal is coming as well. He’s been best friends with Gary for a long time.”

              “Another knight?”

              Tara nodded.

              “Such a strange custom…” Stefan seemed to notice her confusion. “Knights training in the royal palace.”

              “That’s what I said too.” Tara laughed. “When I first heard of it. I was surprised, but I think it’s a nice tradition.”

              “Will that be in your new Law?”

              Tara bit her lip and looked into his brown eyes as he teased her. “No. I want to change the most important things in Zorba’s Reach. That isn’t among the most important things.”

              He nodded. “Will you bring peace between the monarchy and the Mysterious Warriors?”

              “I would like to.”

              “I would like that as well.” He slid his hands into her grasp and squeezed her fingers.

              Tara moved with Stefan as they moved through the hedge maze toward the center of the royal ballroom.

              “I didn’t think your mother could top herself, but this is something I’ve never seen in her parties.” Stefan shook his head.

              “She throws her annual Renewal Ball every year.” Tara explained. “She always has to do something bigger than the previous. I don’t know how she managed to get this maze inside, but she always does the unthinkable.”

              “You look incredible.” Stefan touched the laurel entwined in her hair.

              Tara bit back a grin. “Thanks.” She enjoyed her forest green silk dress, fingering the layers of fabric that flowed about her like leaves. Monika had pinned laurel in her hair, and the queen had even found a hairnet made of bark and leaves. The look made Tara feel like an Elf, and she wondered if her mother had found any to perform at her ball.

              “Do you think the party truly is at the end of this maze?” Stefan took her hands. “I think it’s this way my Little Hummingbird.”

              She shrugged. “I don’t know, but this maze is more fun than almost anything my mother’s had at her previous parties.” She touched the plants.

              “You make the maze look complete in its greenery.”

              Tara laughed. “Come on.”

              They turned another corner, and Tara’s mouth dropped. The ballroom had been transformed into a forest with several trees as tall as the three-stories with ivy decorating the walls and vine-swings throughout the room. Flowers carpeted the floor, and dancers moved with the sway of the plants.

              “This is incredible.” Tara couldn’t help but admire her mother’s taste. This was her kind of party too.

              “We just need archery, and this would be your perfect ball.” Stefan whispered in her ear. “Come my Little Hummingbird.”

              She let him pull her toward a vine-swing, and Tara giggled as he helped her into the seat.

              He gently pushed her, and Tara shook her head. “This is incredible.”

              “Do you think your parents are here yet?” Stefan looked around. “I have a feeling she would enjoy the swings as well.”

              Tara looked through the crowd. “The one thing I truly dislike about my mother’s parties is the crowd. She always needs to outdo herself and have everyone see it.”

              “But at least we can always dance.” Stefan took her hand and pulled her from the swing.

              Tara followed, and she took a vine as the other female dancers did. She eyed him. “I wonder what this is for.”

              He shrugged.

              Tara followed lead as the dancers moved in fluidity, the vine draped over their shoulders. Tara moved her arms as the dancers did, and the vine seemed to move with her. She was graceful and strong. “I feel like a tree.” She chuckled as she spun and twirled around Stefan, gently moving the vine around her like a ribbon. She moved along, and Stefan stepped closer, bringing his arm around her back and gripping the end of her vine. They moved as one in a waltz to the vine dance.

              As the music ended, Tara blushed and looked at him.

              “I can’t wait for my sister to meet you.” Tara whispered. “She’s going to be shocked when she finds out I’m courting you.”

              “Does she know anything about me?” He frowned.

              “No.” Tara chuckled. “She’ll be shocked because I’m courting, not because I’m courting you. My reputation for never courting is well known, especially by my family. Rachel knows how particular I am when it comes to men, and she will be thrilled that I finally found someone whom I fancy.”

              “I’m glad I’m someone you fancy.” He brought his hand to her chin. “I look forward to meeting your sister and friends. I can’t imagine how lonely it must be for you here without them.”

              “At least I have you and Alex.”

              “Alex.” He sneered. “I don’t like him.”

              “He’s my protector.”

              “He has feelings for you.”

              Tara rolled her eyes. “Alex is just my friend Stefan.”

              Alex joined them. “Hello Tara.” He looked at the other man. “Stefan.”

              “Alex.”

              “Hi Alex.” Tara paused as she looked between them.

              “I have no idea how your mother got the maze and trees into this room, but it is pretty amazing.” Alex stated. “Do you know how your mother did it?”

              “No idea.” Tara shrugged. “She has her maids and ladies-in-waiting to help her plan these things. Mother’s been feeling much better since Stefan and I started courting.”

              “Right, you’re still courting.” Alex paused. “I’m glad you’re happy.”

              “Thanks.”

              “May I have a dance?” Alex bowed and held his hand out. His gaze was locked with Stefan’s.

              “Of course.” Tara took his hand. Why was he looking at Stefan instead of her?

              Alex brought her onto the dance floor and smiled. “Thank you.”

              “Alex.” She paused. She couldn’t ask him if he had feelings for her. That would be so rude!

              “Yes?”

              “Thank you for being my protector, trainer, and friend.” She smiled. “I really appreciate everything you do for me.”

              Something washed over his face, and when he spoke, his voice was tight. “Of course Princess.”