The Wrong Prince (22 page)

ANTONIA KORELLI SLID DOWN FROM her cot. She’d hardly slept all night, for fear of missing the sunrise. It hadn’t quite arrived yet, the sky still an inky black. But she could tell by the pines outlined through the window, which were becoming marginally more visible, that dawn approached.

Silently as she could, she pulled out the modest bindle from beneath her cot and scanned her cell to ensure there was nothing she’d forgotten to pack. The sacred scrolls that lay on her desk would remain there. Additionally, she’d taken care to remove her ritual jewelry the night before, and place it prominently it on the nightstand, lest she be accused of stealing.

All looked well. She was ready.

On the tips of her toes, the young woman crept from her cell, past the other sleeping apprentices’ doors. Her pulse hummed with nerves as she rounded the corner into the main sanctuary. What if one of the priestesses was already awake and praying there? How would Antonia begin to explain the hour, her bindle?

To her relief, the sanctuary was empty. Only the bust of the temple’s patron goddess, Azea, rested upon the altar, her alabaster neck garnished with a fresh wreath of flowers, shadows of the ritual candles flickering off of her carved face.

“It’s nothing personal,” Antonia whispered. The likeness of her deity stared back at her, stone eyes unseeing.

At last, Antonia pushed into the vestibule, where she quickened her steps. Freedom was literally just through the door. She could taste it, feel it in her hand as she unlatched the great deadbolt and pulled back the iron handle. She cringed at the door’s hearty groan as she heaved it open and darted outside, nearly tripping over her robes as she leapt down the steps, three at a time, and broke into a run across the lawn.

She was out. The young woman released a hoarse laugh of disbelief, sailing through the cornfields. She couldn’t believe she’d done it. And no one was the wiser…yet.

The sky was lightening, though not by much. No matter; Antonia could see well enough. The road was just ahead. Brushing her long blonde hair aside, she glanced over her shoulder, praying that no one followed her. Fortunately, she saw not a soul. She laughed again, this time in delight. “Elat, here I come,” she declared to the parting clouds. Indeed, she was free to pursue her dream, at last.

Antonia Korelli had never wished to be a priestess’s apprentice. She’d never asked for a life confined to the cloisters of the temple, relegated to chastity in servitude to the goddess, Azea. Nay, and the last six years she’d spent with the coven had not been her choice. Her parents had forced her to go, in fulfillment of their bargain with the deity.

Mr. and Mrs. Korelli had enjoyed a comfortable life as merchants, yet were devoid of children. As reiterated to Antonia as a child, they had prayed ceaselessly and frequented the temple with gifts of flowers, coins and food. But it wasn’t until they promised the goddess Azea that, should she bless them with conception, they would dedicate the child to her, when Antonia was finally conceived.

Antonia had enjoyed her upbringing in Innía, and had been fond of her family. But, as her parents had promised, their only daughter was meant to be “returned” to the goddess. And so, at age thirteen, when Antonia’s blood of the moon came upon her, she’d exchanged tearful goodbyes with her mother and father, and was forced into apprenticeship to become the priestess she had never desired to be.

Presently, her sandals found the paved road, and she slowed her steps. There was no need to run anymore; the temple was but a speck in the distance. She wiped her brow. The sun had not fully risen, but already the summer’s heat was pervasive. Perhaps it would be cooler in the brush, she hoped, following the road into a thicket of trees.

It was a long way to Elat from Innía, Antonia knew. And she certainly did not intend to walk the whole way. But she’d very little coin, and wished to save it for when she had real need of a coach to carry her.

Her heart swelled at the thought of Elat, the splendor she’d heard about its majestic courts, and the King and his assortment of valiant knights, who ventured far and wide on special missions and brave battles. Antonia dreamed of meeting such a knight, being swept off her feet in a whirlwind courtship and accompanying him on exciting travels. Such fantasies were the only balm to her yearning heart those last six years in servitude. But now, at age nineteen, she was about to make it happen. She had only to get to Elat.

The sun broke through on the horizon, illuminating the woodland path before her. She could just make out the pinks and golds of a promising sunrise, when she heard a muffled yell.

She halted. Had someone been following her, after all? She swiveled around, her yellow hair tangling in her face, but saw no one. Cautious, she pressed on through the brush, only to hear more raised voices.

Shapes moved in the clearing ahead. She knew it would be wiser to run away, to avoid any human contact that close to the temple. Yet, when there came more yelling—and this time, sounding truly distraught—her instinct to help could not be subdued. With curiosity, she pushed past a cluster of trees, and arrived at the scene in question.

At first, she didn’t know what she was looking at. There was a dog. She
hated
dogs. She then noticed two dark-haired people, a man and woman, confronting a third person, whose hair and beard shone auburn beneath the rising sun.

That was when Antonia realized they were waving a handheld pistol in his face.

She covered her mouth to stifle a gasp, but could not convince her feet to run. What if the people saw her fleeing, and shot at her? She froze, staring at the pistol, as did the auburn-haired hostage.

It was the woman who held the weapon, twigs crunching beneath her pointy boots as she inched closer, lowering it to the man’s heart. Meanwhile, her partner made to grab at the black dog, but the beast snarled. Antonia shuddered. There was hardly anything more disconcerting to her than a canine snarl.

“Let it go, you damned mongrel,” grunted the dark-haired man, aiming a kick at the animal.

The hostage lunged forward. “Leave him alone!”

“Easy,” barked the woman, her wavy brown mane curtaining hard features. Scowling, she cocked the pistol.

The dark-haired man tried to wrestle the dog again, and Antonia noticed the creature carried something in its muzzle. It appeared to be a vellum square of sorts. “Tell ‘im to drop it,” the man growled.

The bearded hostage said nothing. Peeking through the leaves, Antonia studied his face. He looked both panicked and infuriated. But there was something else, too. Was it pain, sorrow…?

“Do as he says,” commanded the woman. “And call Mav off the map.”

Her captive gritted his teeth. “No.”

“Don’t think I won’t do it,” she hissed. Antonia’s eyes widened as the woman’s finger leaned back against the trigger. “I swear to the gods…”

Antonia could hold back no longer. She would not stand idle and watch the spectacle, permitting an innocent man to have his chest blown open before her eyes. Not if she had anything to say about it. “Leave him be,” she cried tremulously, emerging from behind the oaks.

Three sets of eyes instantly shifted in her direction. The dog, apparently also startled, dropped what he’d been holding. Antonia bent down and retrieved it.

She swallowed as the wavy-haired woman now pointed the pistol directly at her. Antonia straightened, holding the folded vellum aloft. “Is this what you’re after?” Her voice shook. “If you have it, will you leave this poor man alone?”

“Give it to me,” snapped the woman.

Antonia shivered. “Only if you promise to spare his life.”

The gunslinger pursed her lips into a heart shape, and finally lowered her weapon. Antonia handed over the vellum, and the woman and her partner leapt atop a pair of chestnut steeds.

The captive, now freed, emitted a most frightening bellow, chasing them down the dirt path. “No,” he wailed. “Not my horse, too!”

But the thieves were already gone, rounding the corner at a breakneck gallop, leaving naught but dust in their wake as the black dog howled ferociously after them. The man slouched over and groaned, dragging his fingers through his beard.

Antonia stood, immobile, as he turned to face her. To her astonishment, he tossed up his hands with an accusing glare. “Great!” His blue eyes narrowed at her. “Thanks a
lot!”

ANTONIA STARED AT THE MAN she’d just rescued. Needless to say, his response was not what she’d expected. She had anticipated his relief, perhaps even his gratitude. But certainly not his scorn.

She lifted her chin, already fed up with his tactless character. Whatever his problem, she hadn’t the time for it. “Well,” she said stiffly, “my apologies for saving your life, sir.”

He tugged at his hair, looking agitated. “You don’t understand. That was
my
map. And now they have it.”

“Oh?” She lifted a pale eyebrow. “In case you failed to notice, that woman had you staring down the barrel of a handheld pistol. If I’d have let her shoot you, they’d still have gotten your map.
And
you’d be dead.”

He only moaned. “Bloody brilliant.”

Appalled with this most ungrateful reception, Antonia hitched her bindle over her shoulder, intending to turn. But his voice shot out behind her: “Where do you think you’re going?”

“Far away from you,” she muttered, climbing up to the road.

He pulled her back. “Uh-uh.” He shook his ochre head. “You’re not going anywhere until you help me get my map back.”

Antonia’s mouth fell ajar. “Excuse me?”

“It’s your fault I’ve lost it; now you’re going to help me find it.”

“You can’t be serious.”

When his expression remained resolute, Antonia laughed. “I’m sorry, but I don’t have time for this. I’m going to Elat, see—”

“Fine.” He took her by the wrist. “You can go to Elat
after
you’ve helped me regain my map.”

Antonia stared down at his hand upon hers, then raised an indignant gaze to his face. “Oh, really?”
Did he honestly think he could
make
her go with him?

“Yes, really,” he countered, tightening his hold. “Or else, I am sure the Temple of Azea would be curious to know why one of theirs is traversing the road with a bindle at the break of dawn?” He cocked a red eyebrow.

Antonia felt her cheeks burn. But of course. She still wore her salmon-colored Azean robes embroidered with the phases of the moon. It was the only garb she possessed. She had been concerned solely with fleeing, and hadn’t considered being recognized on the outside as a daughter of the cult. She made a mental note to find new clothing, as soon as she could escape this insufferable lunatic.

The man cackled gently. “Running away, are we?” He released his grip, and Antonia rubbed her wrist, pouting. “Hey, I don’t blame you, sweetheart. I’m an adventurer myself. Robin’s the name. Robin Watkins.” He eyed her. “And, you are…?”

She was uncomfortable with the way he looked at her now, as if only just apprehending that she was, in fact, a woman. Clutching her robes about her, Antonia turned, only to be harassed by his drooling mutt.

The black beast flapped its tail against her leg and made to slurp at her. Antonia pulled back, pulse jumping. One look at those long white fangs, and she wanted the creature nowhere near her.

Robin Watkins grunted, traipsing over to a small tent, in which he’d apparently been camping. He began to dismantle the canvas and gather his sack of belongings. “No point in sticking around, I guess. And seeing as the others have my horse…” He sighed. “It’ll be a hell of a time catching up with them.”

In spite of herself, Antonia was curious. She kneed the relentless dog away. “Who were those people?”

Robin frowned. “My girlfriend, and my best mate.”

Antonia was taken aback.

“Both formerly now, I s’pose,” he muttered darkly, rolling up the canvas. “Who knows how long they’ve been plotting together against me? Should’ve suspected all along they were only after the map.”

“What’s it a map to?” asked Antonia, taking a tentative step forward. The slavering dog was swift at her heels.

Robin only smirked. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” At last, he hitched his rucksack over his shoulders. The sun was wholly up by then, and for the briefest of moments, Antonia appreciated just how brilliantly his reddish hair and beard shone beneath it.

“The map will guide them into Axacola,” he went on. “That much I know. So we need to beat them there, before they can hire somebody to translate the rest—”

“Axacola?”
Antonia interjected, alarmed. “I am not going all the way down there—with
you!”

Robin only fixed her with a staunch look. “Then perhaps that shall give you incentive to help us recover it sooner,” he suggested coolly.

Antonia heaved a flustered sigh. How in the world had she managed to get herself entangled in this mess? She hadn’t escaped the temple just to be forced into some other unwanted bind! Oh,
why
hadn’t she run in the opposite direction when she’d first heard voices? Of all mornings, why had she chosen that one to flee?

“You know,” Robin examined her, “you still haven’t told me your name.”

She clenched her jaw. It was no use lying to him. “Antonia Serafina Korelli.”

“Really?” He blinked. “That’s quite a mouthful. Mind if I call you something for short? Like Toni?”

She stepped back as his dog leapt at her again. “Yes, actually, I do mind.”

“How about Nia?”

Antonia wrinkled her nose. “Nia? Goddess, no. What sort of a name is that?”

He squinted in thought. “I know,” he decided. “I’ll call you Annie.”

“Fine,” she snapped. “You may call me whatever you wish, so long as you keep your blasted beast
off of me.”

Robin glanced down at the dog, who was still vying for attention. “Who, Maverick?”

At the sound of its name, the animal perked velvety ears and bounded up to him. Robin patted it. “Mav doesn’t mean any harm. Do you, boy?”

Antonia rolled her eyes as the man continued to coo at the dog and permit it to slobber all over his bearded face. Why people coddle their pets as though they were infant children was beyond her.

Robin had not missed her expression. “What, don’t like dogs, Annie?”

“They are brutal and vile.”

Robin gasped, covering the creature’s ears with his hands. “Don’t listen to her, Maverick. Her judgments reflect her, not you.”

Antonia fidgeted with her bindle, impatient. “Well, seeing as I’ve no intention of traversing all the way to Axacola with you, Mr. Watkins, I should like to get moving to catch up to your friends.”

“Eager, are we?” He cast her a sidelong glance. “Remember, they’ve horses, while we do not. It may be quite a feat to intercept them on foot.” He straightened. “Therefore, we need another means of transport. And I know of only one person who may be able to help.”

Antonia waited.

“My father.”

“Your father?”

Robin walked alongside her, with Maverick trotting in between. “He’s an inventor. If anyone can think of something, it’s him.”

“How far out of the way does he live?”

“He doesn’t,” said Robin. “Live out of the way, that is. He’s just on the other side of the Greyer Woods. Only problem is,” he glanced up, “I have just turned twenty-six years old.”

The young woman’s brow crinkled. The more this fellow spoke, the less sense he seemed to make. “And?” she prompted.

“And,” he answered, “if memory serves, I was a boy of nine during the last
ciqédo
hatching. Not pretty, Annie. There could be thousands of eggs in those woods, and they hatch every seventeen years. You do not want to get caught in the middle of a swarm.”

Antonia had lived her whole life in Innía, but had never ventured as far as the Greyer Woods. “What are ciqédo?”

Their shoes marched in unison along the paved road. “Giant flying insects that suck your blood. And if you’re allergic,” he added lightly, “you’ll faint.”

The notion disturbed Antonia, whose cloistered life had granted her little experience with the elements. “And how do you know if you’re allergic?” she asked, beginning to feel apprehensive.

“You don’t. Not until you’ve been bitten unconscious, anyway.”

She frowned. “Must we go into the woods?”

“If we want to reach my father, aye.”

“But what if the ciqédo are hatching?” Her voice was higher than usual.

Robin shrugged his sturdy shoulders as they wound around the road’s bend. “Then don’t get bit.”