The Key (10 page)

He
pursed his lips when Darmik stood at his feet.

“Your Majesty.
” Darmik knelt, bowing his head.

“Welcome home,” King Barjon
responded with a cold voice that echoed through the room. “I trust your journey was productive.”

“Always. When can I give you my report?” Darmik needed to discuss the rumors with his father without the possibility of being overheard.

The king asked his recorder, “How many people are waiting to speak?”

The
man lifted his paper. “Three, Your Majesty.”

King Barjon
waved Darmik closer. “My office,” the king snapped, “one hour. Now go get yourself cleaned up.”

Rema

Rema stood in the middle of the bedchamber seething with rage. If she had
the strength of a man, she would’ve been able to fight off the two guards who had brought her to this room, locking her inside. But since that wasn’t the case, here she was—imprisoned in the governor’s castle.

Rema
scanned the room. There was a sitting area by the door with two dark green settees and one chair. Centered on the far wall was an ornate, four-post wooden bed with a silky, gold canopy. A dressing area was off to the side with a privacy screen. Tapestries depicting horses running through fields, wild and free, decorated the walls, the only thing making her feel at home. The sole exit was through the door in which she had entered. There were also two large windows. Glancing outside, she determined that she was on the third level.

S
urely, a guard was stationed outside the room. Rema laid down on the wood floor and peeked under the door. Two sets of boots stood on either side. Straining to listen, the sound of voices grew louder, echoing down the stone corridor. Rema stood and straightened her dress. Metal jingled, and the door flew open.

Prince Lennek stood in the doorway, framed by candlelight. He smirk
ed while dangling a key in his hand. “Rema, darling.” As he sauntered into the bedchamber, his six guards spread throughout the room, one blocking the exit. “You are stunning when you’re mad.”

He could tell she was furious? What else could he sense about her?
“Prince Lennek,” Rema said through clenched teeth, “can you please explain to me what I’m doing here?” Rema stepped back, increasing the distance between them.

“I thought we could be friends—get to
...
know
one another.” He took a few steps toward her until they were only an arm’s length apart.

She couldn’t tell if he was
being patronizing, but the way he said, “know,” led her to believe that there was a double meaning. Rema shot back, “Is this how you manage to maintain such a promiscuous reputation? Locking ladies up with no chance to refuse you is one way to bed women.” She didn’t want to come across as weak and obedient, and she no longer cared about offending him. Perhaps if she showed her stubborn personality, he would willingly release her.

Prince Lennek’s hands clenched into fists
, and he took another step toward her. She tensed and prepared for him to strike, but instead, he asked one of his men, “Has she been searched?”

“Yes, Your Highness
, when we first escorted her here,” a soldier responded.

“Good. Leave us.”
Rema saw a few of the guards’ eyebrows raise, one bit his lip, and another cleared his throat; however, they exited without a word.

Lennek’s dark eyes bore into hers. They were cold and calculating.
Being alone with Lennek was like being stuck in a snowstorm—difficult to predict, and bone-chilling cold. Paralyzed, she was unsure what to do.

After several seconds, the prince’s eyes softened
, and he smiled at her. “I thought you would be happy to be here,” Prince Lennek mused. He strolled across the room to one of the windows and gazed outside. Rema saw his reflection in the glass. “You’re a horse merchant’s niece with a tedious life before you, and yet, here you are mocking my hospitality.” He spun around to face her.

Rema refused to
meet his deep, brown eyes that reminded her of the forest’s dirt flooring after it rained. She needed to keep her head on straight. “Your kindness is much appreciated, Your Highness,” she said condescendingly. Rema refrained from saying that she wished to return home for fear it would give him leverage over her.

“Hmmm,” he responded
, leaning against the window ledge and folding his arms. “Let’s cut to the point.” She nodded in agreement. “I need to marry, and I wish to marry you.”

It felt
as if she had been thrown from a horse, the wind knocked right out of her. Rema was certain she misunderstood him because there was no way a prince, especially one she didn’t know, would want to marry her.

Prince Lennek chuckled. “You
seem confused, but it is actually quite simple. Agree to marry me, and you’ll be a princess. And just like that, the future is open before you.” He waited for her to answer.

“
Why me?” she stammered, caught off-guard.

“Several reasons. But none of them are your concern. I’m giving you a way out of your life. Only a fool would say no.”

Rema was no fool, which was why she didn’t say yes. Her mind raced through all sorts of scenarios and possibilities. “But I’m engaged to Bren. The paperwork has been signed and delivered to Lord Filmar.” Could Prince Lennek null the contract? This seemed like a way out of her arranged marriage. And did marrying Prince Lennek mean she could travel throughout the kingdom no longer bound by the black tattoo on her left wrist?

“The paperwork can always disappear,”
Prince Lennek suggested. He pushed away from the window ledge and walked toward Rema, who remained frozen in the middle of the room like a trapped rabbit.

“
Bren will file a protest,” she said. “And my aunt and uncle. There’s no way the paperwork can disappear that easily.” For a brief moment, Rema wished everything was that simple. She longed for a life of travel and adventure, not the dull one she had planned with Bren.

“You still haven’t answered my question,”
the prince said, stopping a mere foot away from her. “Will you marry me?”

“I barely know you
,” Rema whispered. Inside, she thought that this was crazy. He had to have an ulterior motive.

He took another step, closing the distance between them. “Oh, but you could,” Prince Lennek
murmured, taking hold of her arms. Rema shivered as his hands sent a rush of warmth through her.

“I need to think,”
she declared. Rema wanted him to leave so she could figure things out, without him intoxicating her with his presence. She dared not look into his eyes.

Prince Lennek
released her. “I’ll be back tomorrow for your answer.” His finger tipped her chin upward, causing Rema to reluctantly gaze into his eyes. A slow grin spread across his face. “Until then.” His lips brushed hers. Then he was gone.

****

Rema didn’t sleep that night. Instead, she thought about Prince Lennek and his offer. The idea of traveling throughout the kingdom, discovering all the treasures and secrets Greenwood Island had to offer, was very enticing. Only the royal family and the army had the privilege of traveling freely between the seven regions of the kingdom.

However, Rema couldn’t allow herself to indulge on the possibilities. The royal family was evil. They demanded everyone pay high taxes, they took all the food farmed and redistributed far less of it, people who spoke against the crown were executed for treason, and people were marked like sheep or cattle.

Prince Lennek didn’t even hesitate to threaten Rema’s aunt and uncle in order to get her here. The prince was used to getting his way and had the means and expertise to do so. If she didn’t give him what he wanted, he would take it by force. Rema’s focus had to be on finding a way home to her family. Then her aunt and uncle could help figure a way out of this situation. Perhaps they could hide in their secret cave.

The prince
had said he would come today for her answer. Rema wanted to be prepared for his visit. She knew what needed to be done, and she thought she was strong enough to do it. Aunt Maya always taught her to stand up for what she believed in and to do the right thing.

T
he entire morning Rema paced around the room, biting her nails, but Prince Lennek never came. Her stomach growled, and she wondered if he had already forgotten about her.

There was a knock on
the door and a servant entered, carrying a tray. The girl set the food down on the table between the two settees, curtseyed, and left. Rema rushed over, dropped to her knees, and ate. The plate was filled with goose, bread, and cooked carrots. There was also a bottle of wine and two glasses. Perhaps she was supposed to wait for Prince Lennek; however, hunger won the battle, and Rema inhaled the remaining food.

Resting
on the settee, she was content for the moment. Rema imagined what it would be like to live with servants and have all the food she wanted.
Stop
, she told herself, forcing her mind blank. That was what he wanted her to do.

The door banged open
and Prince Lennek, along with his guard, entered the room. The prince wore his crown and royal-blue cape, making him appear powerful and wealthy—the type of person who rarely heard “no.” Rema was careful to keep her eyes away from his beautiful face, which reminded her of Darmik. She couldn’t afford to be enamored by his good looks.

“Your Highness, I trust you
’re doing well?”

“That depends,” he replied, flopping down on the
settee across from Rema. “What’s your answer?”

Best to get it over with.
But before she could respond, Prince Lennek asked, “Where did that come from?” He pointed to the tray, looking confused.

“The servant brought it
.” Perhaps the food was given to her by mistake. If that was the case, Rema was thankful she hadn’t touched the wine.

“An empty plate?”

“No,” Rema replied, embarrassed. The plate had been licked clean. “The servant brought a plate of food. I thought it was for me, so I ate it, but I didn’t touch the wine.”

His eyes narrowed
, and he waved for a guard. “I ordered
no
food to be brought to Rema. Only a bottle of wine. Find out who did this and bring her to me.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” The guard
’s face paled.

Prince Lennek turned back to Rema. “Now, where were we?” he mused. “Ah, yes.
Your answer. What is it?”

Rema
squared her shoulders, willing herself to be strong. “I am already engaged to Bren. I intend to honor that promise.”

Prince Lennek sat
up straighter. “Do you want to marry me or not?” he asked.

“No,” she firmly said. “I am going to marry
Bren. The paperwork is signed, and it’s what’s expected.” Clutching her hands together, she struggled to remain calm and in control of her anger. The prince abruptly stood and paced around the room, his cape floating behind him.

“You’re telling me
no
?” he asked, incredulously.

“That is correct. My answer is no.”

Prince Lennek snarled, grabbed the bottle of wine, and hurled it across the room. It smashed against the stone wall, thousands of pieces of glass cascading down among the red liquid. Rema jumped at the sound of glass shattering and moved as far away from Lennek as she could. A string of profanities came from the prince’s mouth and for a moment, Rema feared he would hit her. She glanced at one of the guards, but he avoided eye contact. The wine pooled on the floor like fresh blood.

“I am the Crown Prince,” Lennek
snarled, reclaiming her attention. “I will have what I want.” He stormed out of the room, the door slamming shut behind him.

Even though Prince Lennek looked very much like Darmik, that was where the similarities ended. These two brothers were as different as a vicious mountain lion and a horse.

Rema sunk to the cold, stone floor, crying.

****

The prince did not return to see Rema, nor was any food brought for the remainder of the day. When darkness finally descended, Rema moved to the door. There weren’t any voices in the hallway. Lying on the ground, she peered under the door. The two shadows of her guards remained stationed there.

Knowing she didn’t have much time, Rema got to work. She extinguished the candles and stood in the dark
, listening. Hearing nothing of concern, she grabbed the fabric that she had hidden under the bed. It had taken her almost the entire afternoon to tie the four blankets together and make knots all along them so she could use it to keep her footing. Knowing it still wasn’t long enough, Rema yanked a curtain down and attached it to the end of the blankets. Her hands shook and sweat dripped down her forehead.  It was difficult to work when she kept imagining the guards storming in to officially arrest and put her in prison.