Read Fate War: Alliance Online

Authors: E.M. Havens

Fate War: Alliance (7 page)

BOOK: Fate War: Alliance
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He walked aimlessly through the afternoon quiet of the castle corridors trying to devise a new plan. A plan to what? Last night he had simply been set on making up for wrongs. He still felt he should do that, but now there was also something else. He was something of a physician. Maybe it was a sense of protectiveness, or responsibility to help her health which was quite poor.

Cole nodded in recognition to the saluting soldiers standing at the top of the stairs. He dropped a foot slowly to each step as he spiraled down. There was still something else. It was like she was a person minus a personality. No, she had to have some desires, dreams, feelings. There were little flashes of them that flit across her face like elusive fireflies on a summer night. He cocked a crooked grin remembering the longing in her eyes for the uneaten sweet roll and her carefree giggles while under the influence of the sleeping tea. It was more like the person that was Samantha of Perspicia was held captive behind some vapid exterior.

Cole came to the bottom of the staircase and paused, pondering this new revelation.

“I always did like a challenge.” The words echoed in the cavernous castle entry. “But how to proceed.” Encouraging conversation was a waste, and there was no physical draw that might chip away at the barrier.

He stepped through the open castle doors onto expansive stone steps and reflexively sampled the not so refreshing city air. It couldn’t be seen from this vantage, but behind the towering exterior walls lay congested streets and homes. Arbitrary columns of smoke and steam trailed upwards, and the continual haze betrayed its existence. Otherwise, from here, one might think the castle a pristine country estate, with the manicured grounds sprawling out beyond the drive.

It was there by the drive, at the bottom of the entrance steps that Cole spotted possible help with his challenge. Speaking courteously to a Perspician blue clad page, stood Queen Adella. The Prince groaned inwardly while he considered approaching the shrew, but decided at the moment Samantha’s mother may hold a figurative key to unlocking her daughter.

“Queen Adella.” He hailed and bowed curtly. Turning away from the departing page she looked him up and down pausing at his chest. Cole realized that, yet again, he had forgone wearing a waist coat, a custom which in essence deemed him in his night clothes. Without looking, he was pretty sure he had an un-tucked shirt and uncombed hair.

“Prince Cole.” she nodded in acknowledgement, but her disdain for his appearance was evident. Cole thought quickly, knowing his waist coat faux pas might cost him valuable information.

“Your Majesty.” Feigning breathlessness, and holding his side as if in pain with one hand, he took the Queen’s in the other. He kissed the sapphire signet ring reverently then straightened. “I saw you on the steps from my window and feared you were leaving already. I needed to speak with you, and I made haste to catch you. It seems I have forgotten a few things.” He grinned sheepishly, begging forgiveness. It was an expression he knew from experience would yield results from any woman. Not disappointed, he watched her cheeks flush, and she was at least not frowning anymore. Hopefully she didn’t analyze his excuse too closely, as his suites didn’t face this direction, and there was a conspicuous lack of sweat for someone who hurried through the castle.

“Well it must be important to pull yourself away from my daughter at such a time and in such a hurry.” Cole could still hear the displeasure in her tone, but he was fairly certain his next statement would coax her cogs.

“I need help, My Lady. I believe you are the only one I can turn to.” Slowly, a rusty smile turned the corners of her lips, and the familiar light of one who felt needed twinkled in her eye. Queen or not, she was still a woman.

“Certainly, Prince. How can I be of service? Is it a matter of state?” her questions rattled off without giving him a chance to speak, then her smile disappeared. “There’s nothing wrong with Samantha, is there?” She held a hand to her lips in anticipation.

“She’s fine!” Cole soothed quickly. Tension visibly dissipated from the Queen as her hand moved to her chest, and she chuckled nervously.

“Oh my, I was worried for a moment.”

“No, My Lady, Princess Samantha is well. She’s settling in quite nicely I assure you. I know her comfort is of your utmost importance.” Cole berated himself immediately for the lilt of sarcasm that tainted his response. Thankfully the Queen was oblivious and motioned for Cole to follow her toward one of the carriages laden with trunks, hat boxes and garment bags. A servant who appeared much too old to be lifting boxes handed them one at a time to waiting porters.

“I’m glad. She was a bit out of sorts this morning. I do hope you will forgive her. This is quite a transition. For the both of you I’m sure. You’ve been single for so long.” Cole silently applauded the woman. Though her tone held no venom the biting remark was meant to sting nonetheless. His bachelorhood was quite a scandal and disgrace to the royal family, but she failed to realize he didn’t care.

“Yes, yes. I’m sure we will manage. But my request does have to do with your daughter and our adjustment.” The Queen waved him to continue as she looked over the pile of steam trunks the elderly man had stacked awaiting the attention of porters. “I’d like to give her a gift.”

“You’re too kind Prince Cole, but you have given her so many gifts already.”

“This is true, but – “ he hadn’t actually sent any gifts, they were all chosen and delivered by his representatives. “I would like to get her something more personal, more to her liking. Could you give me some idea of her likes and interests? Maybe there is something she has been fancying.”

Queen Adella turned her full attention to Cole, her eyes measuring him head to toe, contemplating her reply. “She is interested in the usual things. Needlepoint, poetry, fashion. Perhaps a new hat or some jewelry.”

Cole almost suggested he give her rubies to replace her sapphires, Perspicians being just as loyal to their colors as Arboreals, but caught his tongue.

“I’m sure you will choose a lovely gift. Now if you will excuse me, I need to prepare for King Augustus’ and my departure.” With that, the Queen ascended the steps and disappeared into the castle.

A grunt and contented sigh drew Cole’s attention to the old man unloading the carriage. He had apparently removed the last item and climbed down. His duties fulfilled, he leaned against the coach and wiped sweat from his brow with a grimy handkerchief. The movement was awkward and caught Cole’s attention. Another look told him the man’s arm was mechanical. His ruminations of gifts for Samantha were abandoned in lieu of further investigation of the man’s arm.

“Hello. I’m Cole.” He said jovially, hoping to put the man at ease while talking to a noble. The man stood up with a grunt and offered his real hand in return to Cole’s gesture.

“Cole nothin’, yer the prince, and I’ll call ya as I’m suposed.” Shocked and pleased at the elder’s forwardness Cole slapped him on the back and laughed.

“You are most correct. But please, let’s dispense with the formalities. If you must, call me Prince Cole. What shall I call you?”

“Anything ya want, but most call me Zeb.”

“Well Zeb, I must confess that I have a terrible curious streak, and I couldn’t help but notice your arm. I don’t wish to offend you, but I really would like to get a closer look.”

“No offense takin’. Have a gander.”

Zeb held his arm out unabashedly for Cole’s inspection. It was astounding. The most intricate piece of tinkering he had ever seen and on a servant nonetheless. By the oxidation Cole could tell the mech was almost a decade old. The more he studied the thing the more questions he had.

“Can you make a fist Zeb?” he asked in his most scientific voice. Obediently, the mechanical arm pumped and whirred. The metal fingers ratcheted into a human like fist and then relaxed.

“Truly miraculous.” Cole tore his eyes away from the arm to look at Zeb, contemplating how to ask his first question without offending the man.

“Zeb. Is this the standard in artificial limbs in Perspicia?”

“No sir. This here’s special. Don’t think you’ll find one like it anywheres else. Maybe never.”

“I’ve seen incredible mech from your country, but I don’t think I’ve seen anything so technologically advanced. Tell me Zeb, how did you become the recipient of such a fine piece?”

“Jasper o’ course.” Zeb said, pride evident in his eyes. Cole struggled to place the name. It sounded familiar, but Zeb spoke the name as if he were a king of renown. Thankfully, the man continued. “Was somthin’ he was tinkerin’ with. He needed a lab rat without a arm, and just so happen’ I lost one.” Zeb guffawed at his presumed joke. Cole laughed awkwardly out of respect.

“Jasper went missin’ rite after. Won’t find another like it, an ain’t givin’ this one up fer what they call re-placemets.” Zeb made the hand fist a couple of times to prove its superiority. “and I don’t care what nobody says. Jasper wouldn’t just up an leave. Someone must’ve taken him.” The look on Zeb’s face dared Cole to disagree.

“I believe you, my friend.” Cole said with a squeeze of the older man’s shoulder. Zeb suddenly shifted his weight uncomfortably and cleared his throat. He took off his dusty bowler hat and circled it between his hands.

“Everything okay, Zeb?” Cole asked, eliminating any concern from his voice that he felt at the man’s sudden change in demeanor.

“Well…” Zeb started, then swallowed hard. His eyes darted up to the castle steps and then into the driver’s seat of the carriage. “I think horse.”

“You think horse?” Cole repeated, even more confused.

“For a present, for Miss Sam…er. I mean Lady Samantha.” Zeb laughed nervously and turned back to the carriage.

“Wait.” Zeb pivoted back to Cole, the man’s anxiety showing in every wrinkle and crease on his face. Why would this man be so frightened of him? “You think I should give the Princess a horse as a gift.” Cole was certain he wasn’t hiding the skepticism he felt. Nothing in Samantha’s demeanor, nor in their brief conversations had given him any indication that she would enjoy being out of doors around large smelly animals.

Zeb was about to speak when several porters appeared on the castle steps to retrieve the rest of Samantha’s things. Instead, Zeb nodded his head vigorously, conviction in his eyes.

“Thank you, Zeb.” The servant huffed acknowledgement in response and went back to his duties, unwilling to speak in the presence of others. Cole ascended the stone steps and entered the castle. What a strange man Zeb was. He certainly believed Samantha would want a horse. He believed it with more passion than the Queen exhibited.

Cole scratched the evening stubble on his jaw. Should he take the safe way, the Queen’s way? Or should he take Zeb’s way and take a chance? Cole chuckled as he picked up his pace, winding through the castle corridors. There really wasn’t a question.

Cole stood at a juncture of two hallways. One way would take him to his father’s quarters and one back to his own. He could only imagine the conversation and outcome of his request if he asked permission of his father to take Samantha on a sunset stroll in the gardens. But there was a chance Samantha wouldn’t come without consent from the King. Permission or forgiveness. Since he sought forgiveness anyway, he turned toward his quarters. What was adding a little more clemency after all?

He reached the door to the bedchamber and grabbed for the handle. At the last minute, he remembered how modest and easily startled Samantha was and decided he should knock. He felt a little chaffed at the idea of needing permission to enter his own quarters. Sighing in resignation, he relaxed his features and raised his hand to knock.

A noise from within stayed his hand. It sounded like a laugh. Unless Samantha got into his tea, or someone else was in there laughing it couldn’t be. He again raised a hand to knock when the distinct sound of Samantha’s laughter breached the thick oak door. Now incredibly curious and slightly concerned at what mystery could have her so amused, he pressed an ear to the door instead of a hand. He could definitely hear her voice. A smile brightened his face as he listened to the lilting tones through the wood. She sounded almost childlike, or like she was talking to a child. She sounded – happy.

Slowly Cole’s smile faded, and the warm excitement of knowing Samantha could be happy was replaced with an unfamiliar feeling. His brow furrowed as he struggled to place it. It wasn’t anger, fear, or even hatred. He knew those well. Although the feeling in his gut hinted at all three, this was different. All he knew was that he was trying to make her happy, and someone had beaten him to it. He was – jealous.

But what difference would it make if he made her happy or someone else, as long as she was happy? He shook himself to purge the uncomfortable feeling and reapplied a smile. He would just find out who this mystery person was that made his wife laugh. Knocking and opening the door at the same time he called out.

“Samantha!”

Her back was to the door when he entered, and she startled, then whispered.

“What?” he asked at her undecipherable words. There was a slight shing of metal on metal. For a moment he feared Samantha held daggers, but she turned with a placid smile and bowed her head slightly.

BOOK: Fate War: Alliance
12.95Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
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