A Castle of Ashes (The Fifth Kingdom Book 2) (9 page)

The dream he had of Thomas covered in bruises came to his mind. “Her story will only become yours if you let it.”
Matthew said gently to her. “How will you become a true ruler if you allow the spirits of the past to haunt your life, Lucinda?   Your people may call you Queen, but it will always be Nycilla’s kingdom until you rise from the shadows and show your own strength.”

She looked up at him with sad eyes. “How can I rise over the fear I instill in people? Fear is a powerful emotion.  Even you feel it when you are with me if you are honest with yourself.”   

He hesitated.  He thought of the burn she had placed on his arm, unknowingly all those years ago. He thought of the islanders who cowered in fear of her in Narka, and their leader whose neck she snapped. He thought of the loyalty she invoked in her people that led them to try to kill him to protect her. Yes, he did fear. Yet, it was not her powers, nor her followers he feared.  In truth, he feared his growing affection for her. For years he denied it, and blamed them as something brought on by the ancient spirit of Thomas.  Yet, as she stood before him, he knew his feelings were his own.  He also knew it was dangerous to pursue them. Lucinda was not the only one who feared the shadows of the past.  What if they were destined to share the same fate as Thomas and Nycilla?  What if his care for her could lead to her end?

“I am sorry that I said I feared you.” She continued.  “I feel more powerful when I am around you. More than I can even control. I am afraid I may have turned the sea against us.  It was so unsettled. I think I angered it by hurting you.”

“I was the one who hurt you, Lucinda.”

“No, it was Thomas. I knew it was not you, but I hurt you anyway.” She raised her hand to the side of his head.  “I keep hurting you and you keep protecting me.”

She stared up at him with her emerald eyes. Feelings of desire mixed with guilt washed over him. He knew it was improper to be in such close quarters alone with a woman who was not his wife.  Yet, he did not want to fight his affection for her.  He drew her close to him and pressed his lips against hers. So much had happened within a week’s time.  The lost princess had returned as Queen.  The Fifth Kingdom was no longer a legend.  All his years of searching were not in vain.  He wondered how he would assimilate back into the West Kingdom and choose a wife as he promised, without having part of his mind always in the sea
.
Their separation had only made his heart grow fonder of her.

He pulled away from her and placed his forehead against hers as she kept her eyes shut.
You must protect her Matthew.  Even against herself. 
Thomas had said
. If the gods won’t protect her then you must protect her. 
Prisma had told him. Yet what about the assassins’ words?  What if he would truly bring her downfall?  What if he was the one who was a danger to her? Perhaps, protecting her meant leaving her.

She opened her eyes for a moment and gently wrapped her arms around his neck.  He lifted her slightly to meet his lips again. 
A part of me will always be with you,
Matthew thought. 
I will always want to protect you.
But he couldn’t stay with her.  The risk was too great.  He held her tightly before letting go of her.  “Goodbye, Princess.” He said softly as he pulled away and let her arms drop to her side. He turned and descended the staircase before she could respond.

Instead of returning to his sleeping quarters, Matthew exited the castle gate and went toward the Green Sea.  It was calm.  Somehow Lucinda was connected to the sea.   It felt a strong need to protect her, just as he did. 
What if we both are connected to the sea?
He wondered. Did it pull her into the waters to get her away from him or did it want to draw both of them in, just as it did when they ended up in Narka? Did it want him here in her kingdom with her? He stepped into the sea and knelt in the shallow waters.  Rain started to pour steadily from the sky. He didn’t know what the sea wanted, but it didn’t matter.  He had already decided to leave her.

A faint cry came out of the waters.  From a distance, he thought he saw a hand coming from the sea.  Matthew stepped further into the water. Another cry could be heard and a head came up out of the water before disappearing again. Someone was out there.  Matthew started to swim in the direction of what he had seen.  It was dark and it was hard to know where he was going. The cries became louder.  He tried to swim faster, not certain if he was going toward the cry or not.  It was storming now and the sea was getting treacherous.  He stuck his head out of the water, trying to gather air.  He looked around him and could not see or hear anything any longer.  He turned at the sight of movement near him and came face to face with a woman.

She had white skin and dark, wet hair but Matthew noticed her eyes in the darkness.  Green, just like Lucinda.   She smiled sinisterly at him.  “You are a fool to return here.”  She dragged him down into the water.  All of his senses escaped him.  She was trying to drown him, but why?  She was strong and he could not manage to free from her grasp. 
A sorceress,
he thought.

She lifted his head out of the water. “You do not belong here!  You will bring nothing but disaster!” She pulled him back into the water.  Matthew thought of the dream he had in the North Kingdom.  Thomas was being tortured in the sea right before he was killed by his Father’s men.

The dagger. 
A voice came to him.  
Use the dagger. 
Matthew struggled in the water and realized his dagger was still attached to him.  He did not want to kill the woman, yet she was set on killing him.  He grabbed what seemed to be her leg and wedged the dagger deeply into her thigh.  She let go of his head and gave a loud scream.  Matthew gasped for air.  She wrapped her hands around his neck, but her face gave a panicked expression.  Suddenly, her body started convulsing in the water.  He wrapped his arms around her and dragged the woman to the shoreline with the dagger still in place in her thigh.

“Commander!” Zekiel was by him suddenly. “What happened here?”  Matthew pulled the dagger out of the woman’s leg and dropped it on the shore. The woman gave out a treacherous cry of pain.  Her body stopped convulsing and a black shadow pulled away from her.  It shot up into the dark sky and disappeared.

Chapter 8

Word was sent to Lucinda late at night that there was an incident in sea.  It was shortly after Matthew left her room in the tower.  Geenessa had called her to come down to the throne room.  Zekiel, Matthew and a young woman from the kingdom were there when she entered.  They were soaking wet and the woman was bleeding down her thigh.

“What happened?”  Lucinda went to the woman and touched her wound to close it. 

“Thank you, my lady,” She replied in a teary whisper. “I’m sorry.”

“My Queen,” Zekiel started, looking with distain at the woman.  “This woman drew the Prince into the water and tried to drown him.  He saved himself by stabbing her with this dagger.” He threw the dagger to the floor.  A pang of nostalgia floated through Lucinda.  It was the dagger she had given him on their sixteenth birthday.  She looked at Matthew then, but he stared at her with expressionless eyes.

“You witnessed this, Zekiel?”               

“I took the watch for the night when I saw the Prince enter the water.  The rain made it difficult to see, but I soon saw him dragging her to shore.  I have no reason to doubt his story.” He pointed to the woman on the floor. “She, of course, claims she doesn’t remember anything.”

“I don't! I swear it!” She looked at Matthew with teary eyes.  “I have no reason to want to hurt you!  Something came over me!”

Matthew and Zekiel exchanged looks. “What is it?” Lucinda said. 

“When the Prince brought the woman to shore, her body was convulsing.  We removed the dagger and what seemed to be a shadow pulled away from her body, and released into the sky.”

“Nycilla.” Geenessa said quietly.  “The spirits of her followers are still amongst us.” 
Nycilla’s followers. 
Lucinda’s suspicions were true. 

“What are you saying, Geenessa?”

“Some amongst your people may be taken by spirits still loyal to the old Queen.  Shadows can come in and out of the living, my lady, if they feel they have a purpose to fulfill amongst us.”  She looked downcast. “Even I must admit there were moments in the past where I was not accountable for my words and actions.” She looked to Matthew. “But it has been so long.  I swear the kingdom has been in peace for seven years. An attack like this is unusual.”

“No,” Matthew said as his eyes met Lucinda’s.  “It is not unusual for me at least. I am the trigger, as you said. This is the third attack on my life since you returned me from Narka.  Two men dressed in black armor like your guardsmen tried to kill me in my bedchamber in the West. My brother killed one and imprisoned the other, but not before black shadows pulled away from their bodies. Just as it was with this woman.  Another attacked me on the road to your father’s kingdom. I left him alive.   They all claimed that they were trying to protect their Queen.”

“Commander,” Zekiel started.  “I swear to you, we have not sent any men to the shores after your life.  I knew very little about you until now, to be honest.  These men acted on their own accord.” He looked uncertainly at Geenessa. “Or perhaps they had no choice.” 

“How did you subdue the first two men?” Geenessa asked curiously.

“Truly, it was Thomas who saved me. I heard his voice in my head, warning me to wake up before the men could murder me in my sleep.” He closed his eyes a moment before continuing. “I stabbed both men with my dagger at first and then knocked one unconscious.  The other, John stabbed through the stomach with a sword.  The one left alive said they were meant to check on my whereabouts.  He gave no mention of who commanded him to do so, even at the threat of death.  He was loyal, which I am afraid cost him his life.  My brother surely did not leave him alive if he refused to speak after this much time. Stephen, he said his name was.”

Lucinda’s heart sank.  “I sent Stephen and Marcus from my guard to check if you returned safely to the West many weeks ago. I never thought—” Lucinda tried to suppress her feelings of anger at the thought of these attacks on Matthew’s life. She had simply asked the two knights to check on the whereabouts of the Prince of the West Kingdom, not revealing why it was important for her to know. Yet, she had sent them to their death.

Unknowingly, her actions almost had Matthew slain.  She was so focused on how seeing him again impacted her, she did not think of how it would affect him.  He was a catalyst to the restoration of her kingdom. He had served his purpose and now the ancient spirits saw him as a threat.

A surge of anger came upon her at the thought of him fighting for his life from these shadows.  Then a feeling of sadness overcame her at the thought of his lips upon her.  He was bidding her farewell, she convinced herself.  Now he planned to leave her, but was it too late?  Would he be safe or would the spirits still come for him?

“Lucinda!” Geenessa’s voice interrupted her thoughts.  A rush of wind was encircling the throne room around them.  The torches and candles unlit and black ash was falling from the ceiling. Her hands were aching and she realized her grip on her throne had caused indents in the arms and pierced her palms. “Calm yourself, my Queen!” Geenessa cried.

Matthew knelt in front of her and rested his palms tightly on the top of her hands as a swirl of ash encircled them.  “There is no way you could have known what they would do!” He said to her over the sound of the wind. “It is not your fault!  No one blames you!  I know you never would want harm to come upon me or anyone!  Enough Lucinda! You must stay calm!”

She breathed deeply and focused on the sound of his voice as the wind around them and the rain of ash ceased. “Why didn’t you tell me about the attacks before?”  Lucinda whispered.

“Because there is nothing that can be done.  It seems that Nycilla’s followers do not want what happened to her to happen again.  They fear that Thomas has returned and that your care for him,” He hesitated and looked away from her.  “Your care for me will lead to your end.”  He shook his head.  “It is best if my uncle and I not stay any longer, my lady.  Forgive me, but we should take our leave.”

She wanted to say more to him, but had no words.  How many times could she say that she was sorry before the words lost all meaning?  She simply nodded at him and he departed toward where his uncle slept. 
Four assassins,
she thought,
and they were spread throughout the kingdoms
.  She had brought this upon him, yet she did not know how to remedy it.  She did not know how to protect him.

Lucinda looked down at the young woman with the thigh wound.  “Are you alright?”

“I am so sorry, my Queen.  You must believe me! I was out of my mind!”

“I do believe you.” Lucinda said gently. “You are dismissed, but you will be under watch.” 

“I will do it myself, my lady.” Zekiel said looking curiously up the staircase to where Matthew disappeared, and then back to Lucinda before departing.

Genessa picked up Matthew’s dagger and studied it.  She set her eyes upon Lucinda.  “Have you heard of the double edged sword, my lady?”  Lucinda shook her head at her governess in confusion.  “It is a sword with two sharp ends.  It can be a powerful defender but it can also be dangerous to the beholder if not handled properly. It can be a gift or a curse, bring forth both good and bad.  Be an ally or an enemy.  It is really up to you to learn to wield the sword to your advantage.”

“I know my powers have been erratic—“

“I am not referring to your powers, your Grace.  He calms you yet he also makes you lose control. You thrive in his presence and yet it is painful to you as well.  He brings forth both light and darkness within you.” She handed his dagger to her.  “Perhaps you invoke that in each other.  Nevertheless, you both have much to offer each other, though there will always be a chance of danger.  You must decide if the risk is worth it.” She bowed and left Lucinda’s presence.

It was still dark when Matthew and Jonathan made their way toward the sea.  “Just enter deeper and deeper into the water until you are submerged.” Lucinda instructed them.  “Do not be afraid. I will tell the sea where to take you.”

Commander Jonathan hugged her.  “It is a miracle to be here and to witness your kingdom.  To witness the woman you have become.  Your mother would be proud.”  He said with tears in his eyes. “Have courage, my lady. You have a tough journey ahead, but the best is yet to be seen.”

“Pray for me, Commander.”

He kissed her forehead and entered into the water.  Lucinda turned to Matthew. She handed him his dagger as he looked down at her with stern eyes. “Do not let this be it Lucinda.  Pursue the kingdoms.  Legitimize all that you have worked for.  Do not hide anymore.” He looked at her in silence for a moment before he continued.  “I do not fear you Lucinda, but I do fear for you.  You have built a castle of ashes and an army of shadows.  The kingdom needs a solid foundation to stand on.  Show your strength.”  He turned away from her and stepped deeper into the water.

She grasped his arm impulsively, and he turned again toward her.  A sudden desire for him to stay filled her, yet she knew she could not ask that of him. She had no right to ask anything of him, but a wave of emotion grasped her.  “I missed you.” She managed to say.  If he knew nothing else of what she felt these past seven years apart, he needed to know that much. “With my own heart and spirit.” She added as he looked at her with a pained expression. He seemed as if he wanted to say something, but he only nodded before turning away from her again.

Lucinda knelt into the sea and softly whispered
The West Kingdom.
The waters gathered submerging them, and then they were gone. 

I am alright Nycilla.  No one was truly hurt.  We will make the kings understand it was an accident.

I lost control, Thomas.  They made me so angry.  They will never accept me.

My kingdom will have to accept you when you are a part of my family. Be my wife, Nycilla. I love you. I do not want to depart from you again. 

Lucinda sat up in her bed.  She looked down at the ring on her finger.  It was a betrothal ring.  Thomas had given it to Nycilla. They were to be married. Betrothal rings were replaced with marriage rings on the day of the wedding. Lucinda remembered in her dream all those years ago, that Nycilla was still wearing this ring when she found out that Thomas was dead.  They never married.  Nycilla was also wearing the ring when she told Thomas she had to leave him.  She said she would return to him, but she was too late.
Why had she delayed to return to him?
Lucinda wondered.

She ascended the staircase to her tower, and looked out the window facing west.  The sapphires sparkled at night against the white stone of the West Kingdom.  Matthew was right. It was time to show her strength.  She had taken the first step in making her kingdom legitimate.  The letters were sent to each kingdom informing them of her return.  Now, she would go to them.  She would not plead.  She would explain herself and state her case and let the kings decide on their own.  If they refused, she would not hide. She would never hide again. She would fight for what was hers.