Mysterious Warriors: Alone (19 page)

              “Cabaya.” He touched her pendant with his free hand. “You’re here?”

              She nodded.

              “Sakey nice.” Elena proclaimed.

              “He sure is.” Cabaya smiled.

              Sacrifice handed Elena back to her father. “May I have a dance with you Cabaya?”

              “I’d love nothing more.”

              Sacrifice took her hand and brought her into the dance. He spun Cabaya, and she nearly laughed. She’d never danced without a dress before. Her pants made her steps easier. She stared at his gingham mask and wondered what the face below it looked like. Was he blond? Brunette? Bald? Would his eyes be brown, green, blue, or something else?

              Sacrifice moved to the left and released Cabaya as she spun away from him and returned to his waiting hand. She never wanted to leave his arms. Sacrifice stretched his arms out as Cabaya spun from one side to the other and out once more. It wasn’t fair that they couldn’t have this life all the time.

              After repeating this move several times, Sacrifice took Cabaya’s hands, and they marched in the point of a cross with other couples. Cabaya had thought about dancing with him since she’d started to love him. This was far better than when they’d danced half a dance at Elena’s birthday.

              They turned clockwise as the pitch of the music hit a high note. At the end of the note, Cabaya broke away from Sacrifice, spinning with her arms sashaying high and then low. Joy filled her as she nearly laughed. She hadn’t felt this free in a long time.

              Upon the low movements of the arms, Sacrifice took hold of Cabaya’s hands and outstretched their arms, completing the dance.

              Sacrifice grabbed her hand and rushed off the dance floor with her. He pulled her into a small alcove and brought his hands to her neck, kissing her softly. Cabaya responded as she grabbed his shoulders and held him, melting against him. Sacrifice pulled back and whispered. “Just who are you Cabaya?”

              “I’m—”

              He brought his fingers to her lips. “No.”

              “But I want you to know.”

              “No.” He buried his head into her shoulder. “I’m sorry, but no.”

              “Sacrifice.” She gently raised his chin. “Do you love me?”

              “I can’t.” He confessed. “I can’t love you. I can’t love anyone.”

              “Why not? What are you paying penance for?”

              “I’m so sorry Cabaya.” He took her hands in his. “I want this to be different.”

              She suddenly knew exactly how Alex had felt, and she nodded. “I should go.” She moved past him, and Sacrifice grabbed her hand.

              She looked at him. “I want more than the masks. I need more than the masks.”

              “I’m sorry.”

              “I know.”

~ Chapter 42 ~

30
th
day of Atz, year 520

              Tara knocked on her mother’s door. Queen Margaret must be in one of her moods, since she hadn’t come down to breakfast. Tara had promised her father she’d check on her.

              “Mother?” Tara opened the door.

              “Princess Tara?” A surprised voice stated from behind.

              Tara turned to see Lyssa, Alice, and Terena.

              “I was checking on my mother.” Tara explained.

              “The queen is ill again.” Lyssa explained.

              “I’m sure she’ll feel better once someone tells her good news.” Alice added.

              “Would you like to come in and sit with your mother?” Terena held an extra blanket.

              “I would.” Tara followed the maids and lady-in-waiting inside her mother’s room.

              Queen Margaret was in bed, her dark hair swirled around her like a crown. She was pale, and Tara rushed to her mother. “Mom?”

              Queen Margaret didn’t answer, and Tara fell beside her mother’s bed. She took hold of the queen’s icy hands and held them in her own. “Mom?”

              “Get the physician.” Alice commanded. “Roanna!”

              The other lady-in-waiting rushed to them. “What is it?”

              Terena ran from the room as Tara touched her mother’s cold forehead. “Get my father.”

              “I’ll go.” Lyssa stated and left them.

              “She was sleeping.” Roanna shook her head. “You don’t think she’s—”

              “My mother’s cold.” Tara whispered and didn’t know how to feel. “Mom.” She shook the queen’s shoulders. “Mom.”

              Terena and a physician slammed into the room. Tara half expected her mother to wake and yell at them for making such noise. The queen didn’t stir.

              The physician gently moved Tara, and Terena put her arms around the princess. “You don’t have to be here.”

              “I do.” Tara whispered.

              King Cedrick rushed in with Lyssa slowly following behind. “Where is she? Where is she?”

              Tara stepped back as everything flooded her emotions. She wanted to hear her mother say she was proud of her. She wanted her mother to know she was Cabaya. She wanted her mother to want her to marry Sacrifice, to choose love, and be happy for her. Terena held Tara close, and tears flowed from Tara’s eyes before she could stop them. Rivers flowed, and Tara gasped as she tried not to choke on her tears.

~ Chapter 43 ~

              Alex was shocked to hear the news as it was announced through court.

              “Queen Margaret Colville is dead.”

              The words didn’t make sense in his mind, but there was only one person he worried about. There was only one person he wanted to make sure was alright. He rushed from the courtroom as the ladies-in-waiting spoke with nobility and the queen’s maids spoke with the servants. Everyone had questions, but Alex only had one. He found Terena as she entered the courtroom and gently took her arm. “Where is she?”

              “Who?”

              “Princess Tara.” Alex breathed her name. “Where is she?”

              “She’s in the training yards.” Terena answered. “Tara found her mother.”

              Alex went cold. He couldn’t imagine finding one of his parents dead, and he knew how hard Tara’s relationship with her mother was. He rushed from the room, wondering what words to say, if she even wanted to be around him through this moment.

              Alex slowed as he rounded the training yards. Tara, dressed in leggings and tight training shirt, was attacking a stuffed mannequin. She threw her body against the poor contraption. Her hair was tied in a high ponytail, and he couldn’t help but think about how beautiful she was.

              “Tara.” He entered the room.

              She looked up as she breathed out, her scent a mix of spices and sweat. Her deep green eyes met his, and a shock went through him. It was the first time they’d been alone since he’d told her he loved her. Alex held his breath as he studied the look in her eyes. They were far-away, and she looked exhausted. “My mom.”

              “I know.” He stepped closer, and he wanted to embrace her, let her find comfort and home in his arms.

              She stepped back. “She knew she was sick.”

              “She always got better.” He didn’t know how to help her.

              She closed her eyes. “She never knew the real me. I…” she dropped to her knees in a crouch. “My mother died without ever knowing who I really was.” She looked up at him. “She never knew Rachel either.”

              “Your mother knew how kind you are.” Alex insisted. “She knew how you wanted to fight for your people. She knows you will be a good queen when you are needed.”

              “My father—” Tara looked shaken. “He’s always truly loved my mother. I don’t know how he’s going to get through this. He won’t be able to forgive himself for living longer than she did. Will he even want to continue being king? I don’t want to think about being queen. It was supposed to happen a long time from now.”

              “Your father is wise, and he will make the right decision, whatever it may be.” Alex touched her shoulder. She didn’t pull away, and he gripped her shoulder until her eyes met his once more. “You are strong. You are brave, honest, and true. Your life will change because of this, but I know you will be ready for whatever that change might bring.”

              “Thank you Alex.” She smiled. “I’m glad you’re my friend.”

              He saw the pity in her eyes, and he swallowed his anger. “What do you need me to do for you Princess?”

              “I just want to be alone right now.”

              Alex nodded and left without another word. She didn’t want his comfort. She knew how he felt about her, and he knew how she felt in return. They would be friends, but she would never think of him as anything else.

              She’d rather have a stuffy noble more interested in birds than anything else.

~ Chapter 44 ~

              Tara watched Alex leave, and she knew she broke his heart once more. She couldn’t help her feelings. She didn’t love him, but she treasured his friendship. Tara wondered where Sacrifice was. What would he think about Queen Margaret’s passing? The other Mysterious Warriors would probably be thrilled she was gone, but Tara ached. She missed her mother.

              She pulled her jade arrowhead pendant free from where it lay under her neckline. Tara gripped it in hand as she thought of her mother watching her during court, her mother’s face as it would light when she had an idea for a new party, the look in Queen Margaret’s eyes when she told them Rachel would marry Prince Gareth, the curve of the queen’s smile when she watched her daughter marry, the look of joy in her mother’s eye when Tara told her she was courting Stefan.

              Overwhelming grief gripped her; Tara shattered, and she fell. She didn’t have the strength to stand, and she grabbed her side as quakes of despair sliced her. She gasped and looked up.

              “I’ve come to share in the grief of the kingdom.” Black Hood stood there. Her smile was ice, and she knelt beside the princess. “I see you are grieved by your mother. I must admit, I’m surprised how much emotion is stored in you toward her.”

              Tara closed her eyes and envisioned a box. She took several deep breaths, trying to place her emotions in the box.

              Black Hood grabbed Tara’s arms and shoved her. Tara fell back, tumbling over a bench. She landed on her back and cried out in pain.

              “The more emotion you give me, the better.” Black Hood yanked Tara’s arm as pain blasted. Tara tried to calm her breathing, to control her senses and emotions, as Kitnan had taught her, but she was already a storm.

              Tara dug her heels into the soft ground, and Black Hood turned and backhanded the princess.

              Stefan grabbed Black Hood’s hand and twisted, shoving Black Hood back several paces. “You are in the wrong place for grievers.” He hissed, and Tara could see where Black Hood’s knife had sliced his arm.

              Black Hood narrowed her green and red eyes. “You still have this man here to defend you Princess?”

              “She doesn’t need a man to defend her.” Stefan snarled. “But I will always be here to help her anyway. You aren’t welcome in this palace Black Hood.”

              Black Hood looked at Tara. “One of these days you won’t have a strong man to protect you, and you will want the protection that day.” She ran from the yards as Stefan yelled for guards.

              “Thank you.” Tara whispered.

              Stefan took her hands and helped her to her feet. “You’re welcome my Little Hummingbird. I don’t usually see you dressed like this.” He ran a hand up her back. “You are a beautiful woman.”

              “Thank you.” Her face flamed, and she took a deep breath. “I should have been able to control my emotions around Black Hood, since that’s what she plays with. It’s just been too trying. My feelings are all jumbled.”

              “What about your feelings for me?” Stefan looked her in the eyes, and she stared straight into his dark brown eyes. They were pools of brown, different shades and levels, and she always felt lost in the labyrinth.

              “You always make me feel special.” She tried to piece the words together. “I’ve never felt this way before, the way I feel around you.”

              “Good.” His lips closed the distance, and he kissed her.

              Tara gasped as he held her. She threw her arms around him, pulling him tighter. He gently moved her against the wall, and his lips were so soft. He was gentle, and a fire rushed through her as she kissed him back. She forgot about her mother, the possibility of becoming queen, even Sacrifice, in that moment.

              Her emotions overwhelmed her senses, and she gasped for air, breaking the kiss. He held her softly, and his eyes were curious as they bore into her. She took several deep breaths. He took her thoughts away, and she wanted to experience that again. She wanted to forget until she couldn’t remember what she was trying to forget.