Desperate Forest Page 12

  “Do you know why my uncle wanted Laurel and her sister dead?”

  “I have no idea. But that’s why I need to find her. If Abrax finds her first and realizes who she is”—his voice cracked—“he’ll kill her immediately.”

  “I hope she’s all right.”

  “Me too.” Gavin grimaced. “But if she’s not in Galesmore, I won’t be able to take you to Marcsnovia anymore. She could be in trouble and I—”

  “I understand,” I said quickly.

  “I’m sorry.” He hung his head, and I could tell it pained him to back out on his promise to me.

  “It’s all right. I’ll send word to Darius.” I squeezed his hand lightly before walking to where Gianna was setting up a tent. I worked with her for a few moments until I saw Jay slip between the trees to scout the area.

  “Hold on,” I said, handing Gianna a tent stake. “I’ll be right back.”

  I picked myself up off the ground and headed to the opening in the trees Jay had gone through.

  He stood several feet away from me, his back turned. “To what do I owe this honor, Princess?” He turned to me with a teasing smile.

  How did he know it was me?

  I walked over to stand next to him. “I can’t believe we’re so close to Galesmore. There was a part of me that never thought we’d make it.”

  He smiled. “It did seem unlikely at times.” He pulled his gaze away, staring at the setting sun through a cluster of pine trees. “Did Gavin tell you he might not be able to take you to Marcsnovia?”

  “Yes, and I completely understand. He can’t rest until he knows Laurel’s safe.”

  Jay chuckled lightly. “I don’t think she has any idea what she’s done to him.”

  “Probably not,” I said with a small smile. It was obvious Gavin was in love with her, but I doubted Laurel had realized it. Or if she would even care.

  “So, what will you do now?” Jay asked, eyeing me carefully.

  I shrugged. “Go back to the original plan, I guess. Send word to Darius and hope my uncle doesn’t find me in the meantime.”

  Jay shook his head. “I wish you’d reconsider . . .”

  “Why?” I asked, feeling agitated by his persistence. “Why are you so dead set against me going to Marcsnovia?”

  “Thaddeus said things are different there now . . . since Charles died. That’s why he left. He wasn’t comfortable with the things Darius was planning for the kingdom.” He ran a hand through his hair. “And from what I remember of Darius, he’s hotheaded and immature. His decisions could hurt you—and Tover—if you marry him.”

  My anger rose at his accusations against Darius. Perhaps Darius was a little reckless at times, but I knew he would never do anything to harm me or my kingdom.

  I sighed. “How do you know Thaddeus is telling the truth? What if that’s not the real reason he’s here? Where was he the night King Charles died? Maybe Thaddeus only tracked you down to make sure you don’t reveal what really happened that night.”

  I recalled the strange conversation Thaddeus and I had by the fire the other evening. It was like he didn’t want Jay to remember what happened the night King Charles died.

  “Thaddeus wasn’t there,” Jay insisted. “It couldn’t have been him.”

  “Maybe he was there! What if you just don’t remember? You said he’s like a father to you . . . maybe his betrayal was so shocking that your mind won’t accept what really happened.”

  I took a deep breath. “I overheard an argument between King Charles and Thaddeus my last summer in Marcsnovia. I don’t know what it was about, but Thaddeus threatened him—said if King Charles didn’t act on something, then he would.”

  Jay shook his head. “I just can’t believe it.”

  “No, you don’t want to believe it!”

  “Forgive me for not wanting to believe the worst in my friend.”

  “But you’ll believe the worst in yourself . . .”

  “What about you?” He threw his hands in the air. “You’re so blinded by your love for Darius, you’ll go running thoughtlessly into a situation you know nothing about.”

  “Don’t,” I warned him.

  “Don’t what?”

  “Don’t treat me like an infatuated little girl. Everything I’m doing, I’m doing to save my kingdom!”

  “Oh, so you’re not in love with him then?” He laughed. “Could’ve fooled me . . .”

  “Is that what this is really about? You’re jealous of Darius—”

  “I’m not jealous of Darius! But you should stop and think about how well you really know him. I lived with him for almost ten years—not just a few months in the summer—he’s a womanizer and a child, not to mention abusive of his power!” He sneered. “Tell me, what do you think he’s more interested in marrying, you or your kingdom?”

  “Stop,” I said quietly, feeling the sting of his words. “Just stop it.” I pushed past him, walking farther into the woods to get away from him, but he followed me.

  “I’m not the only one who can’t face the truth.”

  “Ha! That’s rich coming from you,” I called back, still striding away.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Jay caught my arm, turning me to face him.

  Frustrated, I felt tears build but I said boldly, “When I was sick, I heard you and Laurel talking. She said you were in love with me.”

  He stared at me. “Garmonia snake venom causes vivid hallucinations, Princess. You must have imagined it.”

  “So why do you care if I marry Darius?”

  He released my arm. “I don’t.”

  His words hit me like an icy douse of water. I stood there as he turned away and walked deeper into the forest. I couldn’t even explain why his indifference hurt so much, but it did.

  At that moment, I wondered just how deeply my feelings for Jay ran. But what did it matter? He had just made his clear. He kept walking until I could no longer see him through the thick trees.

  After a few minutes of standing there frozen, I slowly turned to make my way back to camp.

  I had only taken a few steps when I heard a commotion behind me. I turned and ran in the direction Jay had gone.

  Breaking through the pine trees, I saw a group of five soldiers, green Marcsnovian crests on their armor. Two of them held Jay on his knees. Blood trickled down Jay’s face from above his left eye. Another soldier stood over him with a large sword raised.

  “Stop!” I raced toward the knights. “Don’t hurt him!” They all turned to me. The soldier with the sword lowered it.

  “Princess Roselynn?” he gasped. “You are alive!”

  “Yes!” I exclaimed breathlessly. “Please leave this man alone.”

  The soldier raised his sword again, pressing the sharp blade against Jay’s neck. “Your Highness, this man is a dangerous criminal. We have orders to execute him on sight.”

  I attempted to stand tall as I demanded in my most regal voice, “I forbid it. This man saved me. If it weren’t for him, I would have been dead days ago.” I turned a threatening glare on each of them. I hoped I sounded more intimidating than I felt. “If you kill him, I will see to it that you’re all punished.”

  The soldier stared at me in disbelief. He replaced his sword in its sheath and motioned to the other guards. “Tie him up. We’ll take him with us.” He pointed to me. “You take this up with the king.”

  “I will.” I looked at Jay. His eyes were downcast as the soldiers bound his hands behind his back with heavy rope and thrust a gag in his mouth.

  As the other soldiers secured Jay upon a horse, the one who had threatened Jay with his sword mounted his horse and held his hand out to me. “Come on, Your Majesty, we’ll take you to Marcsnovia.”

  Chapter 20

  We rode for hours, not even stopping at night. The soldiers lit their way with lanterns attached to their horses’ bridles. When we finally stopped for a rest, I ordered the guards to remove the gag around Jay’s mouth so I could talk to him. Begrudgingly,
they obeyed.

  “Are you all right?” I asked him in a low voice.

  “What are you doing?” he hissed.

  “Trying to save your life!” I raised a canteen the soldiers had given me to his lips.

  He took a long drink. “Darius will never listen to you, and even if he did, the people won’t allow it. No one’s more hated in Marcsnovia than me! You should have let them kill me. All you did was earn me a public execution.”

  I glared at him, distressed by his lack of hope. “Not if I can find out who really killed King Charles.”

  He shook his head. “It’s useless.”

  The head guard, whose name I’d learned was Callen, came over to me and said, “Time’s up, we’re moving again.”

  As he led me away, I glanced back at Jay. Another knight stuffed the gag back in his mouth. I turned to Callen. “Is that really necessary?”

  “Listen, Highness, I don’t worry too much about the comfort of killers. If it were up to me, I’d be taking him to the palace dragged behind two horses. But you’re the one with the power. I just follow orders.”

  ✽✽✽

  Over the next few days, whenever we stopped, I attempted to talk to Jay if the soldiers would allow it. I thought about Gianna and the others. I asked Jay if he thought they would have reached Galesmore by now.

  He nodded. “Gavin knew the way. They should’ve made it.”

  I knew they would all be worried about us. When we reached the castle, I would send them word about our whereabouts. Although I wasn’t exactly sure what I would say.

  I’m safe, but it’s likely my fiancé will execute Jay tomorrow at dawn. Hope you’re all enjoying Galesmore. No, that was not a letter I wanted to write.

  I prayed Darius would give me a chance to explain everything. It would be difficult though. I knew Darius would want justice for his father’s death, just as I wanted it for mine. And as far as Darius knew, Jay was the one who needed to pay. Unless I could convince him otherwise.

  ✽✽✽

  The next afternoon, many days after the Marcsnovian knights had captured Jay, we arrived at the castle gates. Immediately, Callen began barking orders, calling for stable hands and requesting the king be notified of our arrival.

  As I gazed up at the giant castle looming before me, I remembered the last time I had been here. It looked no different, but so much had changed since then.

  The grand oak door opened, and King Darius walked out with a line of knights behind him.

  “Darius.” I stumbled from my horse to meet him.

  “Roselynn!” He embraced me warmly. “I thought you were dead! You have no idea how relieved I am to see you safe.” He turned to Callen. “Well done!”

  When Darius’s gaze fell upon Jay, who was still tied up on the back of a horse, his expression turned hateful. “Why has this man been brought back alive?” He advanced on Callen.

  “Wait!” I exclaimed, stepping between them. “It’s not Callen’s fault he’s here, it’s mine. Please let me explain!”

  Darius turned to me, brows knit. “Yours? Why?”

  I looked around. I did not want to plead Jay’s case in front of him and a group of knights. I squeezed Darius’s arm. “There’s too much to explain. Please, can we talk about this in private? I promise I have my reasons.”

  Darius’s expression softened and he rubbed my arms. “All right . . . I’m so relieved to see you alive, I don’t think I could deny you anything.” He turned to Callen. “Take him to the dungeon. Make sure he is well guarded and gagged.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.” Callen bowed and gave the order for the other knights to seize Jay.

  I briefly caught Jay’s gaze, hoping he would see in my eyes that I would do anything I could to help him. I watched helplessly as the knights led him away, grateful I had bought him some time at least.

  “Come on, Rosie,” Darius said. “You must be tired . . . and we have a lot to discuss.”

  As Jay was escorted out of sight, I followed Darius into the castle.

  ✽✽✽

  I sat on a giant red velvet couch in one of the palace parlors. The walls were adorned with paintings of angels and cherubs. In giant candelabras, more candles than I could count were spread about the room.

  Shortly after Darius and I sat down, a maid came in with a large tray of fruit, bread, jam, and tea.

  Darius dismissed the maid and got up to prepare my tea. As he did, I relayed my story the best I could.

  I started from the beginning, with how I’d discovered my uncle’s plot to have me murdered, and continued all the way to when his soldiers had found us in the woods. I explained how Jay had saved my life more than once, and what he’d told me about the night King Charles was killed.

  “I don’t believe he really did it, Darius. But he can’t properly defend himself because he has no memory of what happened. It wouldn’t be right to condemn him when we have no proof.”

  “No proof?” Darius turned to me, aghast. “His sword was found in the rubble! How much more proof do we need?”

  He set the teacups down and sat next to me. “Rosie, I know you’ve been through a lot, and for whatever reason, this man helped you, but you can’t let that blind you. He’s a killer—the whole kingdom knows it. And he does too, even if he can’t remember. That’s why he fled.” He paused. “Don’t you see? A man like that is clever and manipulative. He’s trying to use you to gain his freedom, and I won’t allow it!”

  “Darius, I’m not a fool!” I stood up. “He hasn’t manipulated me. I know in my heart, he’s innocent!”

  “Listen to yourself! That makes no sense. The facts all point to him. Don’t let your emotions cloud your judgement.”

  “I’m not!” I threw my hands in the air. “But don’t you see there could be another explanation? Was there even an investigation into your father’s death?”

  “Listen to me, Rosie.” Darius took my hands and rubbed my knuckles. “On the evening of my father’s death, I returned from a hunting trip to find the stable burned, my father murdered by his own knight, and that knight missing.” He shook his head. “There’s no other explanation. My father trusted Jay completely—we all did. He was a great knight, and we thought he would do great things. But instead, he tried to control my father and influence his decisions about the kingdom. I just didn’t realize until it was too late.”

  I pulled my hands from his and crossed my arms. “I don’t believe it.”

  Darius grabbed my shoulders. “Rosie, what is wrong with you?”

  “Nothing.” I paused, unsure what else I could say to explain why I felt so strongly about this. “Please, if you love me, do this one thing for me. Let Jay go. Send him somewhere far away if you need to, but don’t execute him. I owe him my life.”

  “Do you realize what you’re asking me? You want me to set a murderer loose on innocent people? You want my father’s death to never be punished? I can’t agree to this.”

  “He’s not a threat to anyone! He’s been free in the forest for weeks and hasn’t hurt a soul.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “I know the people who were with him. They all trusted him, like I do.”

  “Or they’ve all been fooled by him too.” Darius sighed. “Here’s what I can do—I can arrange to have him work on one of the kingdom’s prison ships. It’s not an easy life, but it’s a life, nonetheless. Does that satisfy you?”

  It wasn’t the freedom I had in mind for Jay, but it was better than the alternative. “Yes, Darius, thank you.” I planned to use my time in Marcsnovia to discover King Charles’s real murderer. If I could do that, I could prove Jay’s innocence, and he would be set free from his sentence of servitude.

  “Very well.” Darius rubbed his eyes. “There’s a ship setting sail for Kirdsortt in three days. I’ll make arrangements for him to be part of the crew.” He took my hand and led me to the door. “Now you should rest. You’ve been through a horrible ordeal, and you need to recover.”

&nb
sp; He opened the door and said to the maid waiting, “Nelly, take Princess Roselynn to her room and make sure she’s not disturbed.”

  Nelly curtsied and led me down the long stone hall. We entered a large room decorated with rich silk curtains and a lavish blue bed of warm blankets and pillows.

  A fire roared in the fireplace, and a highly ornate blue rug sat on the ground. A silk white nightgown with flowing sleeves and soft ribbons was already laid out for me.

  Nelly returned several minutes later, handing me a hot cup of steaming tea. I smelled the aroma of strong herbs, but I didn’t recognize them.

  “The king had this made for you to help you sleep,” she explained. I took it from her gratefully and drank it. When I laid my head down that evening, I felt more relaxed than I had in ages and soon fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

  ✽✽✽

  The next morning, I awoke feeling confused.

  Where am I?

  As I looked around sleepily, I remembered coming to Marcsnovia the day before. I’d forgotten how luxurious it was to sleep in a real bed.

  Nelly entered my room and placed a covered dish on the bedside table. “Good morning, Your Highness,” she greeted me cheerfully, “I’ve brought your breakfast.”

  I thanked her and uncovered the silver lid to find hot eggs, biscuits, and sausages. I dived in hungrily.

  As I ate, Nelly produced a stunning deep purple gown from the wardrobe and laid it on the bed. She left and returned periodically with two large buckets of hot water, which she poured into a bath.

  I peered into the mirror beside my armoire and barely recognized myself. My hair was still partially pulled back in my gold clip, several strands sticking out. I undid the clip to find my curls tangled and matted. My face had traces of dirt, and my cheekbones were more apparent than the last time I saw my reflection.