Promising Hope (11 page)

“Father,” Dar said quietly, “have you heard from the
elders?”

“I’ve heard quite a bit,” Father said, shaking his
head. “Evan killed my guards, Sierra’s with Lisbeth, the curse is
broken.” He scoffed. “Yes, quite a bit.”

Dar glanced at the servant. “They’re all true.”

Father stopped in his tracks and stared at Dar. “What
do you mean?”

“Grace said they broke the curse,” Dar said. He
glanced at the servant again, who was still walking on. He motioned
for his father to continue after him as he started walking
again.

“They? Who?” Father asked, his brows knitted
together.

“Her and Sierra.”

“Sierra…” Father trailed off. “Well, yes, that’s what
everyone is saying, but… I didn’t… it couldn’t possibly be…”

“Grace wouldn’t lie about this,” Dar said quietly.
Especially not while she was under a love potion. He wondered if
Tisha and Kilar were brewing more for when the first would wear
off, or if they had other plans for her. It made him shudder just
thinking about it. They shouldn’t have so much control over her
life.

“But then…”

The servant stopped in front of a door. They were
still on the ground level, deep in the castle. The servant knocked,
and after a moment, a voice called for them to enter. He opened the
door, motioning for Father and Dar to go first. Dar took a deep
breath before following his father inside.

They walked into a study, the wall lined with books,
the rugs rich red. Tisha sat at a desk, but he stood when he saw
who it was. He glared at them, then told the servant to return with
Kilar. The servant shut the door, and Tisha looked back at Dar.
“Why aren’t you working?”

“I brought him here,” Father said. “I’m not leaving
without him. You can’t arrest him and keep him here like he’s a
common criminal!”

“We don’t keep common criminals at the palace,” Tisha
said. “We keep the most dangerous ones closest to us.”

“What have you charged him with?”

Tisha said nothing for a moment. He walked around the
desk and leaned on the front of it. “Avialies are not supposed to
be in Renaul without permission from the Protectors.”

“I’ve been trying to get permission for weeks now,”
Father said, taking a step closer and pointing at his chest. “I
wanted to see Evan when I found out he was alive, but you barred us
out. You’ve ignored my letters, ignored my messengers, ignored my
Zinna contact—”

“I will not be contacted by Zinnas,” Tisha said
harshly.

Father rose his voice. “What have you charged my son
with?”

“Why don’t you tell him, Dar?” Tisha asked.

Dar clenched his teeth. “I’m charged with helping
prisoners escape Rahuda. Sierra and Evan.”

“Rahuda is my jurisdiction,” Father said, his eyes on
Tisha. “I didn’t approve of those men searching everyone who came
into the city.”

“Royal jurisdiction is higher than that of a
governor,” Tisha spat. “We arrested Evan and Sierra Avialie, and
your son helped them escape. He may have even killed some of your
guards and assisted in Jared Cosa’s murder.”

“They were unjustly arrested!” Father yelled.

“They kidnapped a lady of the court,” Tisha said, his
voice calm.

Dar shook his head. They couldn’t keep spreading
these lies. “Grace left willingly.”

The door opened, and Kilar and Prince William came
in. Tisha bowed low. “Your Highness.”

William’s upper lip curled once he saw Dar. Dar kept
his expression blank, though he felt the same disgust whenever he
saw the prince.

“Your Highness,” Father said with a bow. Dar followed
suit, hating himself for it. “I’m here to vie for my son’s
release.”

“Your son helped royal prisoners escape,” William
said.

“I don’t believe those prisoners were arrested on
just grounds in the first place,” Father replied.

“Then he should have consulted you or another
authority. Instead, he helped them escape, stole royal property,
and possibly killed royal guards.”

“When will his trial be?”

William chuckled. “It depends on whether we feel he
deserves a trial.”

Dar’s stomach lurched. Not for the first time, he
wondered what his fate would be here in the palace. Death? Lifelong
imprisonment? Perhaps some kind of torture?

Father’s jaw tightened. “What are you basing your
convictions on?”

“Eyewitness accounts,” Tisha said. “We have quite a
few guards who saw him there.”

“Which guards?”

“You honestly think we would tell you who they are?
So you can go pick them off?”

“I would never! I only doubt that your witnesses are
reliable and trustworthy men.”

Tisha waved his hand and rolled his eyes. “This
coming from an Avialie.”

“I have done nothing,” Father snapped. “I have
governed Shyra well, and the Avialies there have never been a
problem.”

Kilar scoffed, his hands in his pockets as though
they were discussing the weather. “The only problems we’ve had with
the Avialies since the curse have been from Shyra! That ridiculous
prophecy, your nephew killing half a dozen guards. That one—” He
pointed at Dar. “—traipsing all over the country with a lady of the
court. Shyran Avialies headed the attack in Nyad.”

“You attacked us!” Dar glared at him, unable to
remain silent at that.

“My son and the others were only trying to break the
curse,” Father said.

Tisha shook his head, tutting. “At one point, I
thought you might have been different from the other Avialies. I
thought we could reason with you. I should have known that we
cannot change a creature like you.”

Father’s hands clenched into fists, but he said
nothing. Dar knew his father had tried to appease them, tried to do
what they wanted in order to protect his family and his state. But
he should have known they’d turn against him.

“We will be giving punishment to those who deserve
it.” Tisha’s eyes flicked to Dar, then back to Father.

Father turned to the prince. “Your Highness, I beg
you to reconsider.”

“I am not the person you should be asking to
reconsider your son’s fate,” William said coolly. “If it were up to
me, he’d be dead already.”

Father glanced at Dar, whose eyes were on the
prince.

William glared at him. “You should get back to the
stables, where you belong.” He looked at Father. “You shouldn’t be
here, either.”

Father inclined his head. “I’m only trying to free my
son.”

“It won’t happen,” William said, his voice coming out
harsh. “Do you understand? He’s not going anywhere.”

Father looked at the men in the room, then at Dar.
His expression was apologetic. Dar shrugged, giving his father a
half-smile.

“I’ll walk you both out,” Tisha said, stepping
forward.

The three of them walked in silence to the stables,
where Dar brought out his father’s horse. “I’m sorry, Dar,” Father
said quietly.

“Father, don’t be,” Dar said.

“How is Lady Grace?” Father asked.

Dar bit his lip, nodding. “She’s well. Safe, for
now.”

Father turned to Tisha. “Is there anything I could do
for Dar’s release?”

“No,” Tisha said without hesitation. “He’s
responsible for what he’s done, and he must answer for his
deeds.”

Father pursed his lips, then grabbed Dar in a gruff
hug. He whispered into Dar’s ear, “I’ll keep trying. I promise I’ll
return for you.” He pulled away and mounted, his eyes watery.

“I suggest you tie up any affairs you may have in
Shyra,” Tisha said, backing away. “It will only be a matter of time
before Avialies will not be welcome in Haltar any longer.”

Father ignored him. “Stay well, Dar.”

Dar nodded to him. “You, too, Father.”

He left as quickly as he’d come. Tisha chuckled
before walking out of the stables.

* * *

That night, Dar lay in his cot, trying not to let
hopelessness consume him. He was so helpless. He would try to
escape if he didn’t fear what might happen to Grace. If Mex and Jon
weren’t watching him on every side. If Cosa magic didn’t permeate
every inch of the castle. But mostly because of Grace. He would
risk the other dangers, but he wouldn’t leave her behind, no matter
what promises of freedom he might have.

He was just about to doze off when an apparition
appeared in front of him. A hazy, gray image of a familiar girl. A
Zinna communicating with him—and only him. “Dar, I’m Angela. I’m
helping the Avialies with Matilda. Are you alone?”

He shook his head, glancing at the sleeping men
around him. A guard stood just outside of the door.

“We’re trying to organize a way to rescue you, Grace,
Vin, and Amina. The elders are going to arrange a meeting with the
Protectors to reach a treaty. It will serve as a distraction.
Matilda and I will break through the barriers to help the four of
you escape. Are you willing to help?”

He nodded, his heart pounding, and he sat up.

“I need to ask you some questions about the castle.
Do you know how many Cosas are working for the Protectors?”

He shook his head.

“Do you have any idea? Even a guess?”

He held up one finger, then five, and shrugged.
Hopefully the message got through. He wished he could communicate
with her without speaking, but only Zinnas could do so over a
distance like this. He wondered where they were.

“Okay. Are Tisha and Kilar staying at the castle
right now?”

He nodded.

She went on with dozens of questions: how many
servants, how many prisoners, how many guards, when and where did
he work.

“I have to go. I think they suspect my contact
because the barrier is growing stronger. When will you be alone
tomorrow?”

The only time he was alone was when he was in the
outhouse, and he had limited time there. He held up nine fingers:
the ninth hour. She nodded and vanished.

The next morning, the ninth hour came, but Dar was
stuck helping Mex with a horse’s broken hoof. Angela appeared
again, and when she asked if he was alone, he shook his head. She
reappeared four times before he finally escaped to the outhouse. He
could finally nod, and she asked more, detailed questions. They
slowly put together a plan.

* * *

Chapter Eight

As they approached the castle, Sierra chewed on her
lip. The imposing stone rose high above them. It was a beautiful,
intimidating place. Lavish gardens surrounded them, and great stone
masonry filled the courtyard where they dismounted. But Sierra knew
the Protectors ruled here, and it didn’t feel warm and inviting
like the castle in Jolen.

Sierra glanced around at the others: Jeshro, Lisbeth,
Nilee, and Mort. She was the only attendee of the meeting who
wasn’t an Avialie elder. Evan had been wrong; they’d wanted her to
come to the meeting. She wouldn’t have let it happen without her,
not when Grace’s life hung in the balance.

A week had passed since the banquet, and the elders,
Adrian’s men, Dar, Matilda and Angela had planned for every
possible situation. Things hung precariously in the balance, the
players in place, and Sierra felt as though one small mistake could
change everything.

Prince William met them in the courtyard, his face
serious. Sierra had never had close contact with the man aside from
the day she’d arrived at the palace with Evan… and later when she’d
forced a sleep syrup down his throat in Kleisade so they could
escape the royal company. He had to have seen her face then.

“Welcome,” he said. “I trust your trip went
well.”

“Yes, your Highness, thank you,” Jeshro said, bowing.
The others followed suit, as well as Sierra. She thought of her
sister, and her heart sped up and she glanced around the courtyard
as though Sashe might be standing nearby.

Prince William turned and began to lead them to the
front doors. They entered a large hall with high ceilings and
pillars.

Sierra swallowed and quickened her pace to pass Nilee
and Mort. She fell into step a foot behind the prince and asked,
“Your Highness, how is Lady Sashe?”

The prince glanced over his shoulder and slowed his
step for her to walk next to him. She tried not to show her
confusion. “Lady Sashe is well. So far, the pregnancy is
healthy.”

Sierra smiled. They’d been pregnant together little
more than two years ago and terrified of the inevitable—losing
their children to the curse. “I’m happy to hear that.”

They reached the top of a stone staircase, and
General Daniel met them, Lady Grace on his arm. Her eyes widened in
surprise at the others. “Sierra!”

“Grace,” Sierra said in relief. “You’re…” She trailed
off. Of course she was all right. She looked more than all right,
actually. She wore an ivy green dress and diamond-studded jewelry.
Her blonde hair was pulled into a side plait, golden, and her face
was full and clean. “It’s so good to see you.”

Grace smiled. She looked at the elders, and her face
tightened. “What’s going on? Why are you here?”

“They’re here for a conference,” Prince William said.
“We hope to reach some kind of treaty with the Avialies.”

Grace’s face lit up. “Oh, that’d be wonderful,
William.” She beamed at Sierra. “I hope it goes well.”

“We were hoping you’d attend,” William said.

Grace’s cheeks went pink, and she smiled with
pleasure at William as though he were the only person there. “You
were?”

Sierra clenched her hands together in front of her.
She’d wanted Grace at the meeting, too, until she realized it would
be harder for Evan and the other men to break her out if she was in
the room with them. Even now, they were moving in as Matilda and
Angela tested the barriers. Dar was somewhere in the palace right
now, preparing to meet them with Vin and Amina.

Sierra couldn’t say anything about Grace’s presence
in the meeting without seeming suspicious, though, and the elders
knew that, as well. They were already risking so much.