Haven: Chronicles of Warshard (16 page)

The man suddenly looked up with vacant eyes. It was for barely a moment, but his eyes stared right through her. He removed the table from the room and Haven watched as they both left, closing the
door.

There was something wrong with these men. The way they blindly obeyed wasn’t normal. Collapsing back onto the bed, Haven buried her face in her hands. She hadn’t known what she was getting herself into when she told the others to run. She didn’t know there would be so much pain, so much suffering. She never wanted to be touched again; certainly not in the way Kadia had touched her. There was something so possessive about it. It scared her to think of
it.

Still Haven didn’t regret her decision to tell the others to leave. If they had stayed, they would have lost their lives, simply because of her. She wasn’t worth it. Sitting up, Haven looked around her prison. It was the nicest cage she could have imagined. Haven stood. She needed to act, to move, to forget. If she kept herself busy, she wouldn’t think about her last few hours. She wouldn’t think about the knives, the poker, the
drowning.

Pacing the room, Haven searched for a way out. She started by checking the door. Locked. Haven checked the window. Locked. Inspecting the glass, she realized how thick it was. There would be no breaking it. Peering through the window she started at the height. She had to be on the third floor at least, just like her chambers in
Rythern.

Haven shook her head and continued inspecting the room. She wasn’t getting out of here by reminiscing about a home she might never see again. Checking the bathing room, Haven found the same thick glass and nothing she could use to pry off any locks. She returned to the main room. An easel and a basket of paints sat by one wall. Moving quickly, she dumped its contents. Kneeling on the floor, Haven sifted through paints until she found a brush she could use. Dumping everything back into the basket, Haven took the paintbrush to the bathing room. Using the windowsill, she scraped the wooden handle back and forth. If she could turn this into a point she’d be able to use it as a weapon. At this point anything would be better than remaining unarmed and
meek.

“You can survive anything,” Haven whispered to herself. “You will survive
this.”

She repeated it to herself over and over until she believed it. She would survive, she would escape, and she would flee to the tunnel and follow her friends to Seaburn. She would do this. Kadia would not be the end of her. The people of Rythern needed their queen. Haven would rise to the
occasion.

When the sun began to set, and dusk set in, Haven grew tired. The brush was almost pointed enough to use. It would have to do. Hiding the brush between the mattresses of the bed, Haven found exhaustion taking over. She told herself not to let her guard down, but as soon as those silk sheets wrapped around her and she settled against the down-filled pillows, she was asleep. Her mind swirled into dreams of torture, agony, and un-healing wounds, both mental and
physical.

“Little queen, you’ve gone to bed without
supper.”

Haven awoke for the second time in this room, jerking upward. She turned to stare through the dim light at Kadia who sat on the edge of the bed. Haven shifted away. She tried not to tremble at the thought of Kadia touching her, but her hands shook
anyway.

“You don’t need to be afraid, my little queen,” Kadia smiled. “We’re friends now,
remember?”

Haven nodded. She did remember Kadia saying she wanted that. More rambling came back to Haven. Kadia wanted a friend who was special like her. Haven wasn’t like Kadia but she was special and this Kadia did not yet possess. If Haven wanted to get out of this, she’d have to play friend to this
psycho.

Smiling, Haven said, “Yes, of course,
friends.”

“I’ve come to bring you a gown and take you to dinner. You will be my honored guest.” Kadia jumped up and rushed to the blank-eyed maids who carried in several gowns in varying styles and colors. “Pick any you
like!”

Moving from beneath the blankets, Haven stood and carefully followed Kadia to gaze upon the beautiful dresses. She’d never seen anything like them. Silks and cottons adorned with jewels and crystals. Plunging necklines, short skirts, long skirts, they came in all shapes and sizes. Haven had worn something so lavish only a few times in her life. One had been not long ago at her
coronation.

“Personally, I think you’d look stunning in red,” Kadia cooed, motioning to a maid who stepped forward. The dress was red like blood, with long skirts and a low neckline. It had long sleeves and a corset bodice. It was similar to something she’d seen the mad queen wear the first time she’d seen her, down to the jewels dressing the bodice. “You should wear that one,” the queen
insisted.

“If you think so,” Haven smiled and nodded, trying not to appear horrified by the dress. It was beautiful but all she saw was blood when she looked at it. Wearing it would be like bathing in
blood.

“Quickly, put it on!” Kadia clapped her
hands.

Haven was quickly undressed and redressed by unfamiliar hands. It was agony to have so many people touch her. Though they moved quickly and barely looked at her, Haven had to fight back tears and the memories that followed. She told herself again and again that she was not being violated, simply dressed. Her face was hot throughout the entire process, and when they were done they brushed her hair and braided the long strands away from her face, while letting the rest of the waves flow freely. Once they had finished, Haven sighed in
relief.

“Absolutely gorgeous!” Kadia held Haven’s hands. It took every ounce of strength Haven had not to recoil. “You may very well outshine me!” she laughed and pulled Haven out of the
room.

In the flurry of motion, Haven took in as many halls and staircases as she could, trying to memorize the maze while simultaneously pushing awful memories from her mind. Hall after hall went by and then they were in the grand dining room. Too dizzy to take in much of the room, Haven let Kadia lead
her.

This began the charade Haven needed to play to survive this nightmare. She’d play nice, dress up and have dinner, but in her mind, Haven would plot her escape. It was all she could
do.

CHAPTER 16

“L
ittle queen, good morning!” Kadia beamed as she stood to greet the young
queen.

Haven had been called to breakfast in the courtyards the following day. She attempted to memorize the way, but the guards took her through a confusing route, leaving her dizzy by the time they reached the beautiful garden. Haven peered at the magnificent flowers, walking along the stone path until she arrived at a small tableau surrounded by roses. She started at the sight of them. Red like blood, they had been present at two scenes; one with her assassin on a pike and the other surrounding poor Nikolai’s decapitated head. Haven swallowed the lump in her throat and pressed
on.

A stream near a lattice pergola surrounded them. Kadia stood beside a small black marble table and chairs with a full spread for
breakfast.

“How did you sleep?” she asked, motioning for Haven to
sit.

The queen obliged, eyeing the food hungrily. “Well, thank you,” she lied, settling into her seat. She had barely slept at all, nightmares plaguing her when she did. She waited while Kadia filled her plate before filling hers. She wasn’t worried about poison, and wasn’t sure if she should be. If she couldn’t die, could poison affect her? She hoped not. Carefully picking at her food, Haven tried not to think about how close Kadia was. The insane queen was a touchy woman and Haven didn’t want to have more physical contact than
necessary.

“I’m glad to hear it,” Kadia smiled, picking food off her own plate. “Do you like the
gardens?”

Haven nodded without raising her eyes.
“Yes.”

“They are quite beautiful,” Kadia continued. “I enjoy spending time amongst my roses. We will have to take a walk
later.”

“Of course,” Haven mumbled, still picking at her
food.

“It is quite lovely here in the summer. I wish you could have been here before this dreadful fall began. Every flower was in bloom and the aroma through the castle was incredible.” Kadia sighed, leaning her cheek against her hand. “Summer is my favorite time of year. Wouldn’t you agree it is the best of
seasons?”

“Yes.”

“Are you enjoying your breakfast? I had the chef make it specially for you. The bread was baked fresh this morning! Do you eat a lot of bread in Rythern? What is the climate like this time of year? Cold, I imagine, beside the mountains. How do you keep warm through the
winter?”

On and on, Kadia asked her simple questions, and usually answered them
herself.

Haven replied now and then when Kadia paused, but she seemed quite content to prattle on by herself. Before she knew it, Haven was done with her meal and her tea, while Kadia had barely begun. She tried to busy herself looking at the flowers while Kadia commented on her own city, until she missed a
question.

“I’m sorry, what was that?” Her gaze finally settled on the mad
queen.

“I know the flowers can be distracting. They are quite beautiful,” she sighed again in that blissful way of hers. “But I asked you what your parents were like. I know they’ve died which is why you became queen, but did you know them well? Did you have siblings? Brothers? Sisters? I’ve always wanted a little
sister.”

Haven stared at Kadia in dismay. It had been some time since she’d spoken of her family, and the last person she wanted to speak with about them was Kadia. She was the reason for their deaths. If Kadia hadn’t started this war, maybe her parents and siblings would still be alive. “They were fine,” she said, her tone
clipped.

“They were
fine
?” Kadia laughed, sitting back in her seat. “I’m sure there’s plenty for you to say. I never knew my parents like I’m sure you knew
yours.”

“They were... great parents,” Haven said, blinking back the oncoming tears. “I miss them,” she admitted. Haven wanted to say it was all Kadia’s fault. She wanted to jump up and scream and rip the hair from her obnoxiously pretty head. But she
didn’t.

Kadia’s expression melted into that of a worried mother. She reached across the table to hold Haven’s hand. Unthinking, Haven recoiled. “They were great rulers. Everyone looked up to them. My mother sang to me, and my father taught me how to ride a horse like a man.” She smiled to herself at the memory. “The people loved them, and my brothers. They were both older than me, and very smart, but quite hot headed. I only have my younger sister left, but she disappeared when the city was attacked,” Haven lied. “She is feared dead.” She would not let her only remaining blood be hunted by this
woman.

“A younger sister?” Kadia gasped, her gaze turning from that sweet innocent child to the predator she was. A sick curiosity filled her. “Is she like
you?”

“No, none of my family was,” Haven
said.

Kadia nodded, but her fascination remained. Haven wished she had never mentioned Astrid. If she hadn’t, this woman wouldn’t be thinking awful things about her right now. “They’re all dead?” Haven nodded. “How sad. My sad little
queen.”

Haven sat back, putting as much distance between herself and the queen as possible. The way Kadia spoke made her want to jump up and run. If she even thought she could get out of the gardens, Haven would have leaped up right then. “It is sad,” she
agreed.

“Do you miss
them?”

“Of
course.”

“I miss my daddy sometimes too,” Kadia sighed, suddenly returning to innocence. Haven sighed in relief. “I never knew my mother, but daddy gave me so many things, such great
gifts.”

“Great gifts?” she
asked.

“How else would I have abilities like these?” Kadia laughed. “My daddy gave me every single one. He always called me his favorite daughter. He said I would do great things, conquer any lands I wished. He’ll return to me someday and take me back, I’m sure of
it.”

It was a lot of information to take in, and Haven found herself wondering what half of it even meant. “Take you where?” she asked
cautiously.

“Izenfir, of course, to see the Spyre. He promised to show me if I was a good girl,” she giggled, “or bad in this
case.”

Haven had never heard of a land called Izenfir, and had no idea what the Spyre could possibly be. Was this a land over the sea, or possibly beyond the mountains? Now that Haven thought of it, she had no idea where Kadia had come from. She’d come into power when Haven was only a child, and she’d only heard stories since. It was rumored that Kadia had never been the next in succession, that she was from a noble family and seized power when the last king died. Haven wondered if this was true, or if Kadia was really from far away. Her white blonde hair certainly marked her as
foreign.

“So you do have siblings?” Haven
asked.

“No, no,” Kadia sighed. “Half siblings, but they don’t matter. They’ll never measure up to me.
You
on the other hand…” she leaned forward. “You come quite close. You can be my sister
and
my friend if you wish, Lady
Haven.”

Haven tried to smile, but found it difficult. “Of course. We would be the best of
siblings.”

“Just having me would replace every one of your family members,” Kadia beamed. Haven nodded, trying not to let the horror she felt show on her face. How could this woman even think to replace her family? The horror began to mingle with the anger she felt. She took a deep breath to calm down. “Anyway, I’m sure Daddy would like you. Maybe he’ll take you with
me.”

“I’d like that,” Haven
said.

Kadia suddenly gazed down at Haven’s plate and frowned. “You’re done eating.” Haven nodded. “Good, I wanted to apologize once you were finished. My actions were unforgivable yesterday, though it
was
before we were friends. I don’t hurt my friends unless they make me angry,” she smiled. “You haven’t made me mad though, I was just so curious about you, Haven. I want to know how you work, but I shouldn’t hurt my sister in the
process.”

That, Haven could agree with. “It’s alright,” she lied. “It doesn’t hurt
anymore.”

“Excellent!” Kadia jumped up. “If you’re in good condition then I want to walk with you.” She pulled Haven up and linked arms with her. Haven held on to her suddenly queasy stomach, revolted by Kadia’s touch. Her breath caught in her throat and she tried to stay calm. “You absolutely
must
see the view from the edge of the courtyard. These are my highest gardens and you can see just over the walls! We’ll have to come back at sunset later for you to see the colors over the horizon. It’s as if everything turns to blood! You can’t even imagine it, you
must
see it!” Haven would rather not, but she smiled and nodded, letting the queen lead them while she tried to hold down her
meal.

Kadia spoke at great lengths as they walked, occasionally stopping to adjust her hold on Haven, changing to holding her hand or brushing back her hair. It made Haven dizzy, but she forced a smile to her face, and tried not to appear fearful. Once they’d reached the edge of the courtyard, they both stopped. From there, she could see half the kingdom, as well as part of the ocean and the entire city. It was a beautiful view. She would have preferred to see it after they’d taken down Cidra and Kadia along with
it.

“It is breathtaking,” Haven
said.

“Isn’t it?” Kadia sighed. “This is my favorite view. It’s where I do most of my
thinking.”

“What do you think
about?”

“My dreams, the kingdoms, the world. I want it all. Every inch of soil will be mine,” Kadia smiled into the sun. Haven was glad she wasn’t looking at her, because her jaw dropped and she gaped at the queen. “I bore
so
easily. With everything at my fingertips I know I can’t be lonely. Maybe you can rule with me one day. I will be beyond queen of the world, and you can be my princess, even if we aren’t truly
related.”

Haven grew still. Kadia wanted so much and with her power, Haven wasn’t sure they could stop her from getting more. But they had to try. “That would be lovely,” Haven said
instead.

“It would, wouldn’t it?” Kadia ushered her to a bench where they both sat. “Maybe you can even help me find a king to rule at my
side.”

“A
king?”

“Yes, a husband,” Kadia said. “I’ve always wanted
one.”

Haven cringed. She couldn’t imagine anyone wanting to marry this witch. “That would be
nice.”

“Do you see a husband in your future, little queen?” Kadia smiled. “I know you fancy the young Prince
Emeril.”

Once, that might have been true and she would have blushed and pretended not to care for him. Now, she was revolted by him almost as much as she was by the insane queen. “I do not fancy the young prince,” Haven said, staring at the ground, fists
clenching.

Kadia seemed to pick up on her change in tone. “Did something
happen?”

“No,
nothing.”

This time Kadia knew she was lying. She took Haven’s hand and leaned her head against hers. The touch was meant to be comforting, and it almost was. “You don’t have to lie to me, little queen,” she said. “You can tell me anything, we’re friends
now.”

Haven denied
it.

“If he hurt
you--”

“He
didn’t.”

“Then is it his betrayal that hurts you?” Haven looked at the queen. “It is.” Kadia smiled slightly. “That was my fault, I’m sorry
sister.”

“It’s okay,” Haven murmured. Kadia may have been partly to blame, but Emeril made the decision on his own. “He chose his path and I will choose
mine.”

“And you’ll choose it without
him?”

“Yes.”

“Is there anyone else?” she
asked.

“I will never marry, Kadia. I won’t pass this on to anyone else. I won’t have my children cursed for the rest of their lives. My immortality will end with me, and me
alone.”

“But it would be such a shame to waste your gift. You could have it continue for generations. I’d love to have little nieces and nephews running around my castle.” Kadia smiled, but Haven couldn’t help the terror filling
her.

“This isn’t a safe place for children,” she tried to reason with the queen. If Kadia went a step further and forced a husband on her so that she might have children, Haven would truly have to find a way to kill herself before she could accomplish that. “If you’re constantly taking other kingdoms, I can’t very well stay with you in your travels
and
bear
children.”

Kadia laughed. “Well if it were for you, I could take a break from conquering the known
world!”

“I would not have that,” Haven smiled. “I could not ask such things of
you.”

“I will just have to rule the world much faster then! So we can both settle down and have our babies. Oh, that would be so wonderful Haven! We should get pregnant together!” Kadia clutched Haven’s hand again. Haven couldn’t imagine a worse
fate.

“Maybe someday,” she
said.

“Someday,” Kadia
agreed.

If Kadia wanted to force children on her, Haven thought that perhaps it wasn’t herself who should die. The closer the women became, the more open Kadia would become with the young queen. Only then could Haven strike. She would kill Queen Kadia and rid the kingdoms of their
misery.