A tunnel toward the golden castle.
I let the words seep in slowly. Their meaning simple, yet, there’s something more.
“A tunnel,” I repeat, running a hand down my face, feeling the hard spikes of my lower teeth on my rough palm.
“Yes. It’s at least half-way to the castle. A group of the youth came upon it earlier today while they were out searching for mushrooms. I’m sure it’s not possible, but it made me wonder, the curse—”
“If I could get to the castle,” I bark out, nodding as I cut him off. “Underground.”
Blood rushes hot through my veins. Sweat gathers at my temples.
“Yes. Maybe…”
I spin, grabbing him by the shoulder. The leather casing covering my chest and arm rubs against my heated skin. “Show me. But, you tell no one else. Do you understand? No one.”
CHAPTER 3
Calliope
How is it possible that an already broken heart breaks again? And again?
How I’ve come to rely on seeing Rian, or what is now Rian, not the man but the beast roaming the edge of the woods, day and night, his glowing silver eyes piercing the darkness, letting me know he is there.
Even if we cannot speak, we cannot come near, at least I knew he was there in silence, waiting for me and now, for three days…
Nothing.
There are no more tears and why should there be? I spent less than a day’s hours with him in the week of his arrival after the gathering.
But, what hours they were. Time spun in loops and curls, speeding past and yet staying still, letting me memorize every contour of his square jaw. The way his dark hair curled around his ears. The veins that snaked over the backs of his hands as they held mine.
How we left unspoken the conflicts our courting may bring to our separate kingdoms. And yet, we dreamt of the maybes that would unfold and make something forbidden into something for all to rejoice.
We never got that chance. Odette made sure of that, through her own jealousy and selfishness.
Being apart shattered me. But now? Rian has been gone from the edge of the woods now for two nights and three days, and walking out into the darkness seems less painful than living here in the light, not knowing if he’s left, if he’s dead or he’s given up.
My silly dreams that somehow Rian and I could repair the bad blood between our peoples and create our own life, while bringing lasting peace and renewed strength to our united kingdoms, now a flicker of a candle as another fate awaits me.
“Princess Calliope.” Meina and three other of the house staff come fluttering into the grand ballroom as I pull my eyes from the edge of the woods through the open window.
“Is he here?” I ask and she nods as the others float around the room, straightening and dusting, refilling the oil in the torches and replacing any candles that have burned down to less than half their length.
“He’s in the main hall. He’s brought three wagons full of food, wine, dresses, books…” She looks so sad and I know why. Zacharias is failing. His age and the weight of the kingdom’s future, as well my cursed state, have worn him down and what comes next, I’m not sure.
I take a long breath, reaching out for my friend, who takes my hands, knowing right now could be the last time I see the man that has for all purposes become my father and made sure I was safe and protected here, even under the curse that none of the great minds in the kingdom can figure out how to break.
As I descend the staircase, I hear his voice.
“Calliope? Is that you?” He coughs, almost choking until one of his servants tells him to drink his water.
I rush to his side, help him to take a sip. “I’m here. The preparations are all being made for what…what must be done.”
He takes my hand, frowning. “I know this isn’t what you’d choose. I wouldn’t choose it either. I would like nothing more than to see you happy, you know that. But I also know that the only man who can make you so lurks along the borders of our land, unable to meet you lest you freeze and he burn. I’m begging you, Calliope, don’t throw away your life and the kingdom. Marry the elf king. He will allow you to stay here where you’re safe.”
I draw a deep breath and nod, knowing if I refuse, an elf war will descend upon the kingdom from which we will surely see defeat.
This is likely to be Zacharia’s final act as steward of the kingdom. He reached out to the elves, offering a binding of our kingdoms. With me as the sacrifice. The elf king rode to the kingdom, Zacharias brought him here to the castle for me to meet.