Thorne (Random Romance) (19 page)

‘Yes.’

And that was it. It hit me as a wave of heat and I squeezed my eyes shut, wishing I could faint and lose consciousness, disappear from this world and this body that was too small for me and had made of me a monster.

When I looked at Hess again she was focusing on something I couldn’t see. Her expression sharpened and she shook her head, murmuring, ‘No – not
that one.’ She started to look frightened. ‘
Not that one
.’

Thorne looked as bewildered as I felt.

‘Hess?’

The woman’s eyes jerked back to me, blinked several times and then seemed to clear. ‘Forgive me. I see many times at once. Is there anything you wish to ask me, Prince Thorne?’

He stared at her, then shrugged. ‘Don’t you already know if I’m going to?’

‘Yes.’

‘So I don’t have a choice?’

‘Of course you do. Every move you make is of your own choosing. It is simply that I have already seen you choose what you choose.’

He considered this. ‘Are you ever wrong?’

‘I don’t know. I don’t assume so.’

Thorne shrugged. ‘I have nothing to ask.’

‘Would you like to know about the ice?’

‘No.’

‘Very well.’

‘Are we going to find the end to the bond?’ I blurted out.

‘Don’t ask that,’ Thorne warned quickly.

‘Why?’

‘What if she says no? Will you give up now, before even trying?’

I shook my head, not knowing the answer. ‘Don’t tell us,’ I agreed finally. ‘Better not to know.’

‘I will tell you two things, because I saw myself doing so,’ Hess said.

Thorne shook his head. ‘That doesn’t make sense. What if your vision is what brings the future to pass?’

‘So what if it is?’

He opened his mouth then helplessly closed it again.

‘What are the two things?’ I asked.

‘The writings you seek will be found at the warder prison. And at the end of this journey through ice and ghosts, one of you will die.’

All the air was gone from the room and my heart disappeared from my chest. What I thought in that moment shocked me to my core:
Don’t let it be Thorne
.

‘I know not which, nor how. But I know it is certain, and that it will only be one of you.’

‘Black sorcery,’ Thorne snarled suddenly, and I was stunned by the fury in his voice. ‘What right have you to play so cruelly?’

I turned to him quickly, reaching for his hand, but he was gone from the room with alarming speed.

Slowly I looked at the warder. I didn’t apologise for him, because a part of me hated her for what she’d said to us. I knew not how I would bear that knowledge, or what it would do to me.

‘It seems cruel,’ she said softly, and there was an abrupt sorrow in her. The very edges of her white eyes leaked to a deep jungle green, almost as though they had not been that way in many years and had forgotten how to shift. ‘I know it seems cruel. But the fact that I have told you this will impact on both your paths.’ And then, in a voice surprisingly hopeless, she murmured, ‘I had to speak because I saw that I did.’

It occurred to me how very bound she was to this gift of hers, a gift I now saw for the curse it was.

She reached to the left and whispered, ‘The stone will skip its path a thousand times,’ and I realised she was no longer speaking to me. I rose and left her, wanting to bid her farewell but finding my voice stuck at the strangeness of her particular kind of madness. I didn’t think she was even aware of me anymore.

Outside I found him staring up at the full moon, and under its gaze he
seemed wolf-like to me, as though he might let out a mournful howl at any moment.

‘Why didn’t you tell me what had happened with Sam?’

‘Why would I have?’

‘You let me believe you murdered him for sport,’ he accused flatly.

‘And you believed it so easily.’

‘You wanted to make me hate you.’

I swallowed. ‘Did it work?’

He moved close to me, unbearably close. I could feel his breath against my lips, and I could feel my eyes shift. ‘No,’ he murmured.

It cut me, and I felt panic bloom from the wounds. Summoning all my cruelty and coating my heart in it, I simply replied, ‘Better it had.’ And walked away.

Thorne

She had secrets behind her eyes, and I was starting to guess what they must be. The reason she had to run and run and never stop.

But I knew something she did not. I was the heir to the throne of Pirenti, son of the slaughterman from the north, and one day I would be King. Even if I had to make myself the most powerful man in the world, I would do it, because
I would not allow Finn of Kaya to die for me.

When I returned later to the inn, I found Jonah waiting for me in the dark. He motioned for me to be quiet so as not to wake Penn, and we went out onto the balcony.

‘Is Finn all right?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘Where is she?’

‘She left me in the city.’

‘Why didn’t you follow her?’

‘As she pointed out, she does not need a minder.’

Jonah shook his head, frustrated. ‘She’s not well, Thorne. She needs to be protected.’

‘No she doesn’t. She is more than capable of looking after herself, and old enough to know how.’

‘You don’t understand –’

‘I do, Jonah,’ I murmured. I reached out and placed a hand on his slender shoulder. ‘She will be well. She just wanted wine and laughter and people who don’t know her.’

‘What happened?’

I explained about the next clue being at the warder prison in the south.

‘That is dark news indeed,’ he sighed. ‘We can’t take Penn there.’

‘Why not?’

‘His parents are there.’

I frowned. ‘Guards?’

Jonah’s eyes shifted white, and it startled me in the dark. ‘Prisoners,’ he replied.

Falco

I very nearly went with them. That was what I knew on the morning I woke to their departure. The silver-tongued girl had ensnared me, and the prince had seen me. He was the only one who ever had. Knowing that, knowing what I could be if I gave all of this up, my throne, my title, my power over Kaya … I very nearly went with them.

Instead, I decided to let Emperor Feckless take over. What was the difference, anymore? Perhaps he was not a deceit, but the truth of me after all.

Quillane

Falco was different over the next week. He drank more. Drank himself into comas. He took no women to his bed. He spoke very little, but was heard yelling at servants and smashing things in his tantrums. I found him one evening in a pool of vomit and nearly wept from the sight.

‘What is this?’ I whispered to his sleeping face. ‘What is it that plagues you, my love? And why will you not fight it?’

It was a week after that when I retired to Radha’s room to find her gone.

Falco

I woke with a splitting headache from a dream of the Sparrow. He always found me in my dreams. I could feel him circling, readying himself to come for me. In my dreams I dared him. Taunted him. For I wanted nothing more than for him to come after me and end this farce once and for all.

And when he came, I wanted him to take me first. It was why I did all of this – to protect Quill from becoming a target.

Needing fresh air, I could think of only one spot in which I wouldn’t be interrupted by servants or courtiers. Making sure not to be seen, I climbed the stairs to the roof. On one side I could see my city sprawling below, full of the bustle of daily life. On the other I saw the world drop away into sea cliffs and an ocean that stretched out to a distant horizon.

The sun was hot, and I relished the feel of it on my skin. Without thinking, I drew my sword and began twirling it. My hands moved of their own accord, so used to the movements. Enjoying my body’s stretches, I pushed into a more complicated sparring pattern. Slash left, right, shift the foot positioning, spin and hack, block. I revelled in the power through my limbs, the push and strain of muscles, the instinctive way my body knew exactly what to do. My father had taught me every day since I’d been old enough to hold a blade. Nobody remembered that though. Parry, hard left jab, high riposte, sweep low and spin –

I wrenched myself to a stop.

There was a person watching me.

A young woman – without a blindfold. She had a pretty face, pointy nose, clever eyes. Belatedly she sank into a bow.

‘Who are you?’ I demanded, horrified.

‘Forgive me, Majesty. My name is Radha.’

‘Why are you up here?’

‘I came for the view.’

This was not good. ‘You are a servant?’

‘Yes, Majesty.’ She actually moved closer to me and brazenly looked at my face! ‘I can’t count the number of times I have been told of the Emperor and his disastrous abilities with a sword. He cuts himself, they say. Can’t even manage the weight of the weapon.’

The air left my chest. Was she threatening me?

‘Why do you hide it?’ she asked.

I was so dumbfounded I couldn’t reply.

‘You have so much talent, Majesty. It would comfort the people no end to know their Emperor was not quite as useless as he seems.’

We stared at each other. I had to remember to close my mouth. ‘Are you addled in the head?’ I managed. ‘What possesses you to speak so freely – and so insultingly – to your Emperor?’

She shook her head quickly, aghast. ‘Forgive me. I meant no offence!’ Her eyes turned lime.

Perhaps it was not a threat at all, but simple stupidity. I needed to do some damage control here. The cloak settled upon my shoulders. ‘You call me useless and do not wish to offend?’ I asked pompously.

‘Forgive me,’ she breathed again. Her cheeks and ears were turning pink. ‘I am new to the palace. I forget myself, and the way of things.’

I realised what it was. Painful innocence.

‘I’ve been practising in secret,’ I admitted. ‘I was embarrassed at my inability.’

‘You have overcome it,’ she assured me.

‘Who are you?’

‘No one, Majesty. One of the Empress’ maids.’

‘Bonded, yes?’

She nodded. It was the only way she’d be allowed to work in the palace, but still, she should have worn a blindfold – it was the law.

My headache was starting to intensify. I sighed, rubbing my eyes. ‘I cannot have you telling anyone about what you’ve seen.’

Radha lifted her gaze to mine. Again, I was surprised by the audacity. Had she not been instructed upon her employment? ‘Tell them, Majesty,’ she implored. ‘Why hide it?’

‘Tell them what? That I can manage a few clumsy sword moves?’

She frowned. Searched my face. ‘I learnt as a youth. Trained at the
Limontae academy. I have seen many a swordfighter. But believe me when I say I’ve never seen one who moved as you just did, Majesty.’

My heart sank as I realised what I was going to have to do. ‘A misfortune for you,’ I murmured, dropping my accent and the high-pitched timber I affected.

She was clever. She heard it. Her gaze sharpened, turned to azure. But she did not struggle or cry out when I took hold of her arm and escorted her to the dungeon.

Thorne

We had come through the rock region with a few sprained limbs and a thousand insect bites, but were otherwise in good shape given we’d made it to the first clue in just over a week. However, what I didn’t realise as we approached the heavy cloak of trees at the south of Querida was that this forest lay dark with magic. We each felt it the moment we entered. Like a touch spiriting over skin, lifting the hairs and chilling everything inside.

It did not feel pleasant. A low growl was ripped from my throat and I felt very
other
. The beast rattled at the cage with frightening intensity.

Finn took one look at me and stopped immediately. She and Jonah engaged in some kind of silent communication. ‘Jonah and I will go the rest of the way alone, and come back for you.’

‘Why?’ Isadora demanded.

‘This much soul magic will be harmful to you.’

‘Why not to you?’

‘We have more practice in bearing it.’

I looked at Penn, wondering how I could get Isadora to stay here with him while I escorted the twins. With the magic of the forest prickling against my skin, I looked at the young red-haired boy and wondered if he had any idea where we approached.

He surprised me yet again by saying simply, ‘I would like to come with you.’

Jonah and Finn looked at Penn carefully, and then Finn nodded. ‘Of course.’ She glanced at Isadora and me with a roll of her eyes. ‘I suppose you two will be demanding to come too?’

We nodded.

‘Then I’ll enjoy watching you puke your guts up.’ She flashed us a sweet smile and led the way deeper into the forest.

Finn and I had spent zero time alone since the night with Hess. She was making sure of it. But that didn’t stop us from watching each other. I felt it every time her eyes grazed me, and I knew she felt it when mine rested upon her. Over fires we stared at each other, unable to look away, as if pulled by some impossible, yearning ache we could deny in words but not in our bodies.

If I tried to speak with her she simply levelled me with a look dripping with such scorn that it made my insides shrivel up. Sometimes I thought I understood her perfectly, and then within the space of a glance or a word I would feel completely blind to her. She was sending me mad trying to put all the pieces together.

In moments of weariness I would tell myself to dislike her once more. It was easier than this confusion. It cost nothing to be kind, and yet somehow she couldn’t find the desire or the space inside her to be so. Even as I thought this, the story of the boy Finn had tried to save reared its head. He was there in the back of my mind, every second of the day. I couldn’t work out if I believed that trauma could be an excuse for unkindness. But I could see the obvious self-loathing she harboured. It made me think that perhaps if she disliked herself enough for the two of us, I needn’t bother. And then I would come, inevitably, to what lay beneath all my efforts. To the truth that she might be unkind, but she was also brave and clever and protective and funny,
and no matter how hard I tried I didn’t actually dislike her at all.

The trees had started to die. It made something in my chest clench to see blackened trunks and barren boughs, and not a living thing in sight. It was a ghost forest, something deeply disturbing in its unnatural quiet. Grey and black fingers reached up into the darkening sky and made spectral silhouettes before the moon.

Something moved and I realised there was something alive after all. A single black raven, perched on a low branch, gazing at us with beady golden eyes.

I watched it as we passed quietly by, and was startled when it launched itself into the air. With a loud squawk it flapped once, twice, thrice, and then without any warning at all, the raven fell from its height and plummeted straight into the earth.

Penn sprinted ahead and was crouched over it when the rest of us arrived. ‘It’s dead!’ he explained quizzically. He prodded it a few times as if to make sure. Its beady eye stared eerily.

‘It’s the warders,’ Jonah explained softly. ‘They take soul energy from everything around them in order to keep the prison secure.’

‘And when they run out of things to kill?’ I exclaimed.

Jonah’s deep blue eyes shifted to a pale mauve. ‘I don’t know.’

I shifted on the balls of my feet. ‘It occurs to me that should the warders in charge ever be compromised, they could do a vast amount of damage.’

‘It would be almost impossible, since there are so many of them. They guard each other, maintain balance and order. Spread the power out so that it cannot be overcome by a single individual.’

‘Still …’

Jonah didn’t reply for a while, and I thought he meant not to, but
eventually he said very quietly, ‘In our hearts, it is what we are most afraid of.’

Finn

We moved on, keeping quiet. As we walked I started to feel weary, but it was nothing to how the others seemed to be feeling. Isadora and Penn looked pale and ill. They took regular sips of water and ate more than they normally would, trying to keep their energy levels up.

But Thorne was becoming a different creature altogether. He paced like an animal on the prowl. The humanity in his face seemed to disappear, and from deep within his chest came an urgent, dread-filled growl.

The magic and his berserker blood – they did not get along.

‘No further,’ I told him seriously.

He opened his mouth to reply, but a tremor ran down his spine and he looked as though he might have had a minor seizure or something. When it passed he simply nodded, his eyes unable to focus on anything but darting, darting.

Isadora remained with him, and my last image of her was to see her vomiting onto the dead ground.

In the distance as Jonah, Penn and I drew closer we could make out a dark smudge amongst the trees. It grew into a flat building, out the front of which waited two warders in their robes. Their skin was glowing a strange shade of aquamarine, a mark of how much power they were using at this very moment.

‘Greetings,’ one of them said. They looked identical to each other and I couldn’t tell which one of them had spoken. ‘We must be quick. You’ll not withstand this place much longer.’

We entered the building and poor Penn hit the ground as though something had smashed into him. It was the force of the magic, its pressure
enough to make it feel as though his skull was being crushed. A whimper left him, and Jonah bent to scoop him up.

‘We were informed of your arrival and have made you a copy of Agathon’s parchment,’ one of the warders said.

I shared a suspicious look with Jonah. This seemed awfully easy. None of us had spoken a word. Penn’s eyes rolled back in his head.

The building had no roof but opened to the sky above. Within it there were several warders rushing around as though attending to something dire.

‘You will be needing horses, too,’ our warder said.

‘That’s very generous of you,’ I replied, waiting for the catch. ‘But why?’

‘You are on a royal search,’ he explained. ‘The other groups, if they make it this far, will be given the same.’

‘I’d like to see my parents,’ Penn requested, slurring badly.

‘There are to be no visitations at this time.’

‘Why not?’ I asked. ‘What’s going on in here?’

Ignoring my question, they handed us a pack in which I assumed the parchment waited, then led us to another door, beyond which waited several horses.

‘How do they stand the magic?’ I asked, gesturing to the mounts.

‘They are wreathed in protection wards and thus cannot be drained of their energy. They will get you to safety.’

I had no idea what was going on as we were shepherded swiftly onto the horses.

‘We’ll need more – there are two more in our party,’ I said.

‘We can spare you three, but that is all.’

So I held onto the reins of the third horse, while Jonah and Penn shared the second, and we were spurred away. I had never been more confused in my life.

The horses moved swiftly across the broken earth. Over the cantering of their hooves I could hear Penn muttering over and over again, ‘I’d like to see my parents. I’d like to see my parents. I’d like to see my parents.’

It caught and squeezed my heart, and I wished for his sake that the world were a fairer place.

Thorne and Isadora were where we’d left them, and it was no small feat trying to get them onto the horses. He was barely conscious, and Isadora kept vomiting. In the end the only way we could think to configure it was to have Thorne ride behind me, for he was unable to control his own reins and would fall off without someone to lean on. Isadora took the horse on her own, insisting, between retches, that she could manage. Leaving Jonah to continue carrying Penn, who had slipped heavily into sleep.

Past the dead raven we rode, under ghostly trees, through moonlight. We came to living forest at a gallop and slowed our horses with relief.