The Key (22 page)

The riders in front of Rema moved
aside as she flew past them. The soldiers looked to Darmik for orders. Protocol dictated they remain with him.

Laughing,
Darmik urged his horse into a canter. The stallion obeyed, eager for the chance to run. Rema glanced back, a huge smile plastered across her face. Darmik was gaining on her. Rema got even lower on Treasure and managed to pick up a bit of speed, but it was no match for the stallion. Darmik was quickly on her tail, his guard left behind. The wind from the horse’s speed tossed Rema’s golden hair back, and he thought he heard her laughing.

Nearing the forest
side by side, they slowed down, allowing the rest of their riding party to catch up.

“You’re an excellent rider,” Darmik commented.

“So are you,” Rema said. “No one has ever come close to beating me in a race.”

The
path narrowed, forcing them to ride in single-file formation. They followed the dirt trail as it wound between the towering trees. When their party came to a small clearing, Darmik gave the signal for everyone to dismount and stop for a rest. After securing the horses, Darmik saw Rema sitting alone on a large rock, looking content. Her cheeks were rosy and her hair a wild mess.

Neco approached. “Care to tell me what’s going on?”
He blatantly looked from Darmik to Rema and back again. 

Perhaps it would be best to take Rema on a walk. His personal guard was loyal, but he didn’t want to put them in an awkward position by speaking intimately with Rema in front of them.

Neco cleared his throat, still waiting for an answer.

Darmik tore his eyes away from her.
“No,” he responded. “Keep everyone here. I need to speak with Rema. Alone.”

He hurried away before
Neco could ask any more questions.

Rema glanced up when
Darmik neared. “Thanks for getting me out of the castle. This is just what I needed.”

Darmik stood staring at
her. If he took Rema away from the group, he was crossing a line—one where there was no turning back. He knew he should leave her alone. He should return her to the castle and put all thoughts of her out of his head.

“I
didn’t think I’d see Nightsky again,” Rema said, pointing to Darmik’s horse. Her eyes were full of love.

Darmik remembered the time he saw her with the stallion
. She had handled the wild animal exceptionally well, not showing any fear and gaining the stallion’s trust.

“I named him,” she
said.

He
squatted next to her. Rema’s eyes were blue like the ocean and there was a stormy force to them. She glanced away, her cheeks red.

Darmik
decided to cross the line. “I’d like to show you something.” He held out his hand. She flinched. “You can trust me,” Darmik said gently. “I’m nothing like my brother.” Lennek better not have hurt her—if he laid a finger on Rema, Darmik would kill him.

Rema nodded
, taking his outstretched hand. Darmik pulled her up, and then released her. He felt every soldier staring at him. He knew his men would keep their mouths shut; the only ones he’d have to worry about were the two castle guards. But there were always ways to make sure they didn’t talk.

“Where are we going?”
Rema asked, glancing behind her toward the rest of their riding party.

“Just over this
rise.” Darmik left the path, leading the way up the hill.

T
he leafy ground turned to slippery rocks. Darmik offered Rema his hand, but she refused his help. He remembered finding her alone in the forest, and he realized he knew nothing about her—yet he wanted to know everything.

When they reached the top of the hill, he saw what he was looking for.

“A silent waterfall,” Rema gasped. She stood next to him, amazement clear on her face.

On the hill opposite them, water cascaded a
long tendrils of mossy grass growing from the rocks. It slipped down the soft, green padding until it reached the pool below.

There were
a million questions Darmik wanted to ask, but he had no idea where to begin. He rarely did anything on impulse. Looking at Rema’s face, her penetrating eyes, he decided not to think. Pulling off his boots and socks, Darmik threw them on the ground. He unclasped his riding cape and removed his tunic, leaving on his long-sleeved shirt and pants.

He
ran and jumped, knowing he’d make it to the water below. The pool was in fact, quite deep. When he and Lennek were younger, they used to dare each other to jump. But unlike Lennek, who was always taking chances, Darmik wouldn’t jump until he checked the pool to make sure it was deep enough. Only then, did he follow Lennek with a giant leap.

Hitting the cold water, Darmik cringed
, welcoming the feeling of losing control and the freedom that came with it. Kicking, he swam to the top, broke the surface, and took in a deep breath.

A
splash hit him in the face. A moment later, Rema surfaced, wearing a huge smile. “Now
that
was fun!”

Swimming over to the edge, Darmik pulled himself out. The bank was mostly moss
-covered rocks that were slippery and difficult to maneuver on. He turned around to help Rema, but she was already hoisting herself onto the shore. She looked like the first time he had seen her—soaking wet and happy.

There was a small patch of sun on a
large, dry rock big enough for the two of them to sit next to each other. Darmik carefully climbed over and lifted himself up onto it. The rock was warm from the sun’s heat. Rema stood at the bottom with her hands on her hips, like she was trying to figure out a way to join him. Darmik rolled onto his stomach and lowered his arms. She grabbed onto him, her grip strong. He pulled her to his side and released her.

Once she was safely on
the rock, they stretched out on their backs, basking in the warmth. Darmik tried his hardest not to look at her. Rema was only wearing her white underdress. It would’ve been too difficult to swim wearing all of her clothes. Still, he didn’t want to be caught staring and offend her in any way. Yet, her body was like a magnet, pulling his eyes in her direction.

Unable to resist
any longer, Darmik peered at her. Rema was smiling with her eyes closed, looking peaceful and content. Her white underdress clung to her ribcage and wrapped around her legs. Her chest rose and fell with each breath she took. Goose bumps covered her arms. Her hair lay above her head like a halo.

Something shiny caught
in the light. A delicate gold chain hung around Rema’s neck. Strung on the chain, lying on the rock near her ear, was a gold skeleton key. Embedded in the bow was a heart-shaped ruby diamond. The jewelry was befitting of a queen or princess. Rubies were not only extremely rare, but they cost a fortune. Did Lennek give her the necklace?

Darmik glanced
to the top of the cliff from which they had jumped. No one was about. He hoped to conceal the entire outing, but it was vital Lennek never learn Darmik spent this time alone with Rema on this rock, unsupervised. It was illegal, and his brother would punish him with the full force of the law.

There was a soft rustle a
s Rema’s head turned toward him.

“How did you end up here? Engaged to
my brother?” He forced his eyes to remain on hers—away from her body. It was easier to pretend she was fully clothed, dry, and certainly not a mere six inches away from him, their hands lying side by side, almost touching.

“I was hoping you knew the answer to that one
,” she whispered, droplets of water glistening on her eyelashes.

H
is suspicions were confirmed—she didn’t choose Lennek. That meant she didn’t love him. But why was she wearing his necklace? “My brother and I aren’t close like that. He doesn’t share his plans or his feelings with me,” Darmik said.

“He has feelings? Really?” She laughed and looked away.

Most women were blinded by Lennek’s charm and position as prince. But Rema seemed to know the real Lennek. A selfish and cruel man. Had Lennek hurt her? She flinched earlier when Darmik had offered her his hand. Usually women only acted like that if they have been hit or beaten by a man. His fingers curled into a fist. She knew who Lennek truly was because he had revealed his true nature to her. What game was his brother playing? What kind of horrors had Rema seen?

Darmik said,
“Why don’t you tell me what’s happened since I last saw you in Jarko.”

Rema gave a brief overview of everything—how she
had received the royal summons, met Prince Lennek at the governor’s home for dinner, the proposal, her escape, Bren’s death, Prince Lennek threatening her aunt and uncle, the acceptance of his proposal to keep her family safe, the journey here, and being locked in the castle. She stared up at the sky, speaking without emotion—no anger or hurt or anything. Most women would’ve been hysterical.

“
Have you...come to terms...with being engaged to Prince Lennek?”

Tears filled
her eyes. “Prince Lennek is a monster. I hate him.”

H
e didn’t know what to say. She stared at him, waiting. “Are you well?” He knew it was a stupid question, yet he needed to say something.

“No, I’m far from
it.” She looked back up at the sky. Darmik had the urge to wipe the tears from her cheeks, but he kept his hands to himself.

“It’s all my fault,” she whispered.

“Nothing is your fault,” Darmik said, thinking about what had happened in the past between him and Lennek. He had blamed himself then. He should have known, should have learned, so it wouldn’t have happened again. If anyone was at fault, it was Darmik. If he hadn’t shown interest in Rema, Lennek never would’ve seen her. “You did what you had to do to save your aunt and uncle.”

“You don’t understand.
Bren’s dead because of me.”

The memories of the past threatened to overwhelm him.
“No,” Darmik said, punching the rock. “Bren is dead because of my brother. Not because of you.”

Rema
tilted her head toward him again. “But I feel so guilty. I didn’t want to marry Bren,” she admitted. “I wanted to travel around the kingdom and experience life outside of Jarko.” Rema covered her face with her hands. “I got what I wanted, and now I’m paying the price.”

“You can’t torture yourself. You had no idea any of this would happen.” Darmik sat up
and gently took her hands, pulling them away from her red, swollen eyes. “Listen to me; it’s not your fault.”

Slipping her hands out of his, she said,
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be confiding in you like this. Prince Lennek is your brother.” Rema sat up, the necklace slipping down her chest.

He should scoot away from her as protocol demanded
—but he couldn’t. He wanted to be near her. He wanted to touch her soft skin. Their faces were only inches apart.

“Please tell me one thing,” Darmik said. “Has Lennek physically hurt you
in any way?” He tightened his jaw, forcing himself to keep his body calm, his face neutral. If Lennek hurt her at all, he would kill him.

“No
,” she answered. Darmik’s shoulders slumped forward. “But I have no intention of marrying him,” she defiantly said. “I’ll find a way out of this. I swear I will.”

Darmik didn’t expect her to go down without a fight. It was one of the things he
admired about her. Little droplets of water trickled down Rema’s face from her hair. Darmik wanted to take her pain away. To kiss her soft, red lips.

Rema looked down to her hands, clasped in her lap.
“Can you help me?” she asked.

Yes
, Darmik thought,
I will help you
. Although he couldn’t tell her, and Lennek could never find out, he vowed to keep her safe. There had to be a way to beat Lennek at his own game. Then Darmik remembered the deal he had made with his father—he agreed to publically support Lennek’s marriage. Well, he could still give the appearance of supporting the marriage, all the while helping Rema. It would be a tricky balancing act, but one he was well equipped to handle.

Movement caught
Darmik’s attention, and he looked up. Neco stood at the top of the hill, signaling for them to rejoin the group. It must be later than Darmik realized. They needed to be back inside the castle before Lennek returned.

Rema

The
guards escorted Rema through corridor after corridor on their way to the Dining Hall. Prince Lennek had sent word for her to attend breakfast with him and the king. As a result, Rema’s appetite was gone, and she just wanted the entire ordeal to be over with.

Rema was
led through a large foyer, and then down another hallway. When they rounded the corner, a familiar laugh filled the air and Rema glanced around her guard. Halfway down the corridor, Prince Lennek stood kissing someone, his hands roaming over her back. Rema froze, unsure of what to do. Should she continue? Or turn around, pretending like she hadn’t seen Lennek? Her guards slowed and cleared their throats, alerting the prince to their presence. Lennek peered over the girl’s head. A smile spread across his face as he roughly shoved the girl away from him.

“Rema, darling,”
Lennek said, coming toward her.

The girl lifted her face
—it was Cassie. Cassie’s lips were swollen from kissing the prince, and her dress was rumpled.

Holding her head high,
Rema continued walking toward Lennek and Cassie.

“My lady,” Cassie
curtseyed.

“Cassie,” Rema nodded. “I hope you know what you’re doing.” She stepped around Lennek and Cassie, and continued
, the guards scrambling to keep up.

“You’re ignoring me?”
Prince Lennek laughed, following Rema and leaving Cassie behind. “I’m just keeping busy until the wedding, darling. No reason to be upset. If you don’t want me kissing other women, then perhaps you should fill the void.”

Rema
didn’t want to touch his foul lips. The thought revolted her and renewed her need to escape this heartless man.

“I’m glad you’re getting your
needs
taken care of from someone else,” Rema said. “I want nothing to do with you.”

His cheek twitched and anger flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained control and smoothed his facial features.
His hand rested on Rema’s lower back, making her jump.

“Don’t touch me.”

“I’ll do whatever I damn well please.” Lennek raised his hand as if to grab her arm.

The guards opened the doors to the Dining Hall, neither one looking her way.
Rema hurried inside, trying to put space between her and Lennek. Unfortunately, no one was seated at the table yet. She spun back around to face the prince.

Lennek stood with his arms crossed.
“You need to start behaving yourself. Lord Jamison, Lady Lucinda, and their daughter Trianna will be joining us for breakfast. I expect you to be on your best behavior. Understand?” Rema nodded. “Good. I’m leaving with them shortly hereafter for a hunting trip on their land.”

If he was trying to make Rema jealous, it wasn’t working. Rema was
ecstatic. If Lennek was going to be gone for a few days, then she’d be seeing more of Darmik. She tried to suppress her joy at the news.

King Barjon entered
, wearing a blue tunic that revealed the tattoos covering his neck and the top of his shoulders. His marks reminded Rema of a briar patch—thorny-vined plants strangling one another in order to dominate. Although the king wasn’t wearing his cape, he still exuded power and confidence. Following him was a middle-aged couple. Based on their extravagant clothing and jewelry, Rema knew they were wealthy and had to be the couple Lennek spoke of. Behind them was a delicate girl with flawless skin and black hair. She looked to be about sixteen and wore an elegant, green dress. This beautiful girl had to be Trianna.

When
Lord Jamison, Lady Lucinda, and Trianna entered the room, they bowed to the king and prince. No one acknowledged or even looked Rema’s way as everyone sat down. Rema quietly took her seat next to Lennek. One place setting remained empty. Perhaps Darmik was coming. The possibility filled Rema with hope. She could make it through this breakfast if afforded the opportunity to see him.

“What
is
she
doing here?” The king asked Lennek, pointing to Rema. “I thought I was clear, I don’t want to be around her until I have to—after the marriage ceremony. Until then, keep her away.”

“
Father, be nice. I thought it wise to expose her to a little culture. Besides, I’m leaving today and I wanted to see her before I left.”

The king stared at Rema. His top lip curled like he smel
led rotten food.

“I want her
here,” Lennek added.

Lord Jamison smirked
, while Lady Lucinda avoided eye contact with Rema. However, Trianna was staring directly at Rema, studying her.

“So be it.” The king lifted his hand and
servants entered, carrying plates of food.

Lord Jamison said,
“We’re so happy that you’re joining us, Prince Lennek.”

“Yes,” his wife added. “
Trianna is equally pleased.”

“King Barjon,” Lord Jamison said, “Now that Trianna is of age, we are seeking an appropriate suitor. If you have any suggestions, we will gladly accept them.”

Trianna’s face turned rosy red.

Rema quietly ate her food
, wishing she could suggest that Prince Lennek marry Trianna. Now that match made sense.

“I will think o
n it,” the king responded. “Sometimes the correct choice isn’t the most logical one. I advised Lennek to marry from the lower class in order to restore unity to the kingdom.”

“Yes,” Lady Lucinda responded. She turned her full attention to Rema. “I understand you are a horse merchant’s niece, and that you were raised on a horse farm. What a terrible upbringing that must have been.”

“I miss my family and home,” Rema replied. “My childhood was filled with love. I knew nothing of politics, selfishness, or greed until I came here.”

The doors flew open, and Prince Darmik was announced.
He was sweaty and wore a loose-fitting shirt and trousers, making him even more handsome and rugged.

“Sorry I’m late,” he
said as he took his seat. “I was running a training exercise over at the compound.” Darmik did not glance her way.

“Prince Darmik,” Trianna spoke with a soft, kind voice. “I trust you are doing well?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Lord Jamison cleared his throat. “King Barjon, why not have Prince Darmik
marry the commoner for the reasons you stated, and have Prince Lennek marry one of our own people? It seems rather barbaric to force Prince Lennek to marry so low. But the commander, now that makes more sense.”

Rema’s face flushed at the thought of her and Darmik.

“I have my reasons,” the king said. “Now don’t worry, your daughter will marry, and she will marry well.”

“Prince Lennek,” Lady Lucinda spoke, “our carriage is packed and the horses are ready. When you are prepared to leave, Trianna will accompany you. We are so very pleased to be spending this time alone with you.”

“It will be an interesting trip, I’m sure,” Lennek said. He looked to Trianna and smiled. Trianna batted her eyes at him.

“Yes,” Lord Jamison said. “We will be dining with the governor and local nobles. I will ensure a peaceful and relaxing visit. My daughter will tend to your every need.”

Lennek chuckled. “I’m sure I will enjoy my visit immensely.”

“Excu
se me?” Rema exclaimed, unable to stop herself. Her face reddened in anger. Everyone turned their attention to her. “Perhaps instead of vacationing, you should focus on your kingdom and the people starving in it. Act like a prince for once.” She slammed her fork down. People were starving in the kingdom and all Lennek cared for was his own personal satisfaction. It was disgusting.

The room was deadly silent, everyone staring at Rema. She hadn’t meant to speak her thoughts
aloud.

“
Tell me,” the king demanded, “if your uncle uses a whip to train his horses.”

Darmik’s hand tightened around his fork, the tendons in his arm protruding.

“No,” Rema answered. “Whips are barbaric.” She knew she was in trouble. The king never addressed her directly.

“Father,” Prince Lennek interjected, “you can’t whip Rema. I don’t want her scarred.”

“No, her punishment for her foul mouth is this,” the king turned to face Rema, “you will witness a horse whipped to death. And the next time your mouth acts up, know it will be you who meets that fate.”

Rema’s
stomach violently twisted, and there was a dull ringing in her ears. Did she hear the king correctly? He was going to whip a horse to death in front of her?

Lady Lucinda pushed away from the table
, smiling. “Clearly we’re done here. If you’ll excuse me, I want to make sure the servants have everything in order.”

Darmik also stood,
his plate still filled with food. He looked at his father, and then left without a word.

Everyone else exited
, but Rema remained alone in the Dining Hall, unsure of what to do. Her body was shaking from anger, and her eyes filled with tears. She hated it there and wanted to go home. Home—where she was loved, accepted, and wanted.

Her guards entered.
One gently said, “We’re to escort you outside.”

****

They came around the side of the royal stables. A lone, gray horse stood tethered to a post, his legs chained to the ground. Four men surrounded the animal, each holding a whip. They exchanged glances with one another, unsure of what to do.

Rema froze. She couldn’t watch this. Her two escorts didn’t push her any farther into the pasture. They both looked sick with the prospect of watching an animal
beaten to death.

“Please,” she begged, “don’t kill it.”

The king approached. “What are you waiting for? Get Rema in there and get started.”

The guards took hold of her arms and went into the pasture.

“I don’t have all day.” The king’s robe floated in the soft breeze. The sun shone overhead, warming Rema’s face.

Rema wanted to be
g the king not to harm the animal, but she was afraid speaking out of turn would only enhance the barbaric punishment.

The four men drew their whips up, and one at a time, the leather straps sliced down, ripping into the horse.

The beautiful animal screamed. Tears fell down her cheeks as her legs buckled and she fell to the ground, vomiting.

Blood splattered on the ground in front of her.

The soldiers pulled Rema to a standing position, forcing her to watch. She squeezed her eyes shut, refusing to witness the gruesome murder. She covered her ears with her hands, trying to block out the noise.

But she couldn’t block the sound. The screams. The thump when the animal fell to the
ground. The feeling of wet blood hitting her in the face.

****

As they silently headed back through the corridors, Rema’s body was still shaking, her skin damp and clammy. Bloody spots littered her dress.

Darmik stepped
from a darkened doorway. He put a coin in each of the guard’s hands.

“Are you
well?” he gently asked.

Rema shook her head, no voice to respond. Images fresh in her mind bombarded her
.

Darmik carefully took her elbow and turned down a different hallway, the guards trailing behind them.

“I just want to be left alone,” she whispered.

He pulled her to a
n arched doorway. “Wait here,” he instructed the guards, handing each of them another gold coin.

Darmik opened the door and led Rema inside. It certainly wasn’t what she expected. The large room had glass walls and a glass ceiling. The entire place was filled with rose bushes of
various colors. The air was warm and sweet. Darmik walked to the center of the room where the rose bushes were as tall as his head, shielding him from anyone passing by outside. Rema followed. When she caught up to him, he was sitting on the ground, hands clasped in his lap.

“I’m so sorry,” he murmured.

“It’s not your fault,” Rema responded, sitting on the ground next to him.