Mysterious Warriors: Alone (3 page)

~ Chapter 5 ~

              Tara walked among the books of the library, fingers dusting the covers. Leather, cloth, and paper embraced her fingers, and she couldn’t help but smile as she closed her eyes. The library was familiar, safe, and home. She used to spend hours picking through the books. She would read about the history of Zorba’s Reach, the Split of 268, the other kingdoms, and her own family.

              Tara pulled a dusty book from the shelf and gently blew off the soil. She went to a couch and pulled her feet under her, smoothing her apple green skirt. Tara bit back a grin as she remembered the first time she’d read the book.

              Tara had just heard about Lunette, and she’d found the book about the buccaneers of
Mprozo Bon
and their enemies. Heroes and heroines were still real. Lunette was proof of that reality.

              Rachel, of course, had insisted Lunette wasn’t real, just as their mother did. Tara shook her head as she leafed through the pages, searching for the section about the buccaneers’ enemies. Rachel had fooled everyone for so long.

              “Your Highness.” Monika sighed. “I didn’t know where you were.”

              “I’m fine.” Pearl had never been a protector of the princesses. She’d been their friend, confidant, someone who helped Rachel keep her secret from their mother. Pearl had spent time with the princesses as their friend, not as a spy for their mother. Tara wasn’t sure who Monika was truly loyal to.

              “I know.” Monika’s slim hands smoothed her skirt. “But you are now my responsibility. I thought you had a maid before. Did you hide from your previous maid as you hide from me?”

              Tara ignored the question. “We were young when Pearl became our maid, after her parents died, so she grew up with us. She was our maid for a long time.” And I trusted Pearl.

              “And she stayed in Whitehaven with your sister.”

              “She’s no longer a maid.” Tara explained. “She married a duke, so Pearl’s a duchess now.”

              “Your mother didn’t mention anything about her marriage.”

              Tara shrugged. “I doubt my mother knows.” Maybe she should tell her mother before Pearl came back to Junipero. Tara smirked. No. She wanted to see her mother’s face.

              “Your mother likes people to remain in their class, doesn’t she?”

              “She doesn’t like change.” Tara glanced up to her maid. “Mother doesn’t like anything she deems unpleasant.”

              “What’s that you’re reading?”

              “I wanted to get some information about Black Hood.” Tara explained as she showed her maid the book. “Black Hood was an enemy on the seas.” Would Monika scoff at a princess trying to help her people and gather information about her adversary?

              “You don’t need to worry about Black Hood.” Monika let a slow breath out. “I have a feeling your mother wouldn’t approve of you researching the pirate.”

              Will you tell her I’m researching Black Hood? “She wouldn’t.” Tara grinned. “She’s used to me disappointing her. I’m different than my mother, and she doesn’t appreciate that.”

              “She’s wrong.”

              Tara glanced at her maid, and she let a real smile cross her lips.

              “There you are.” Queen Margaret huffed as she entered.

              Tara was surprised to see Baron Stefan Graem with her mother.

              “It’s a pleasure to see you again.” Stefan bowed and glanced up at Tara with dark brown eyes.

              A small beat of her heart touched Tara as she stared at the young man. She stood, curtsied, and hugged the book to her chest. “It’s a pleasure to see you again as well.” She felt her cheeks flush as he looked at her, and Tara wondered what was wrong with her

              “I wanted to make sure you were still alright from the other night.” Stefan explained. “I don’t trust that Alex guard to protect you.”

              Tara glanced at her mother. “We’ve never faced someone like Black Hood.”

              “I suppose I took her by surprise, but I expect someone protecting a princess such as yourself to be capable of facing a person such as Black Hood.” Stefan shook his head.

              “I’m glad you were there to step up and protect my daughter.” Queen Margaret looked at Monika.

              “Kiki.” Queen Margaret gestured to Monika. “Let’s leave the princess and baron alone as they continue to get acquainted.”

              “Don’t they require a chaperone?” Monika asked.

              “Only when they begin to court.” Queen Margaret’s eyes turned hard. “Come.”

              Monika followed the queen from the library, and Tara wished her maid would stay. She had never felt so tongue-tied around a man before. Tara looked back at the baron.

              “What are you reading?” His voice was strong, deep, and soft.

              “A history.” Tara explained. “I’m trying to find out more information about Black Hood.” She hoped she didn’t sound ridiculous.

              “Very wise.” Stefan walked closer, and Tara couldn’t help but smell soap and a hint of pear.

              “She’s ruthless, and I wanted to find out how people fought against her powers. She controlled my emotions so I would trust her.” Tara explained. “It was the oddest sensation, and I want to find out how to protect myself against her influence.” Cabaya and the other Mysterious Warriors would need to know how to defend themselves.

              “I’m glad I could help protect you.” Stefan smiled.

              Tara gently bit her lower lip as she gazed at him. “So tell me do you enjoy reading.”

              “I do.” Stefan sat beside the princess. “But I’m a fan of tournaments more, and my two favorite events are jousting and archery. Have you seen a tournament before?”

              “My father used to take me to Crestor to see the yearly tournaments, and Whitehaven is having yearly tournaments as well. I got to see a couple during my visits there.”

              “Do you have a favorite weapon?”

              “I enjoy archery.” Tara bit back a grin. None of the nobles at home had ever asked her about her favorite weapon. “It was the first weapon I learned. I’m better with the bow than any other weapon.”

              “I’ve heard many stories about you.” Stefan admitted as he looked into her eyes. “I’ve never met anyone like you, if the stories are true, and I hope they are.”

              “What stories have you heard about me?”

              “You were the first supporter of Lunette, and later, the Mysterious Warriors.” He paused. “Even though your mother wanted to pretend Lunette wasn’t real, and she’s never defended them.”

              “That’s true.”

              “I think it’s remarkable how you have always defended the Mysterious Warriors. They do great things for this city, and we are all fortunate to have them here.”

              “You are a fan?”

              “Absolutely.” He paused. “I would like to j—” He paused and gently reached a finger toward her and brushed a piece of hair behind her ear. “But more about what I’ve heard about you.” He paused, and she thought she saw something secret in his brown eyes. “You’re best friends with your sister and former maid, and you are brave enough to support what you believe in, no matter whom or what is against you. You always wear hairnets because you don’t want to spend time getting yourself ready. You are smart and strong, a brave warrior, and beautiful.”

              Tara’s stomach seemed to flip, and she didn’t want him to stop saying all the wonderful things spilling from his mouth. Was it true? Was that her reputation?

              “I hope you don’t think I’m too forward, but if you truly are everything people say you are, I would be the luckiest man in the world to be honored with the pleasure of courting you.”

              Tara stood and stepped away from him. She felt like running into the gardens and clearing her head. She couldn’t think with him so near, and she didn’t know if she wanted to think clearly. She faced him once more. “I’m not saying never, but I don’t know you. I’d like to get to know you.”

              “We can do that while courting.”

              “I don’t want that pressure.” Tara explained. “I want to be friends with the man I want to court.” Like she thought she would have with Blake, but that relationship had ended completely different than she had originally imagined.

              “Alright.” Stefan stood and went to her, gently taking one of her hands in his. “I will be your friend Princess, if you’ll let me.”

              “Then we’ll start with you calling me Tara.”

              “Then you must call me Stefan.”

~ Chapter 6 ~

              Crouching in the rain, Cabaya listened for sounds of crime in Lower City. Someone in red and dark grey yanked a man by his long black hair. Cabaya watched as the disguised man flung the other against the side of the baker’s residence.

              “The way I hear it, you know where to find Black Hood.” The man in red and dark grey growled as he held the man against the stone wall.

              “I don’t.” The man whimpered. “I don’t know where you got your information man, but it’s not true.”

              Cabaya jumped down and grabbed the masked man, shoving him away from the bleeding victim. “That’s enough.”

              The masked man looked up, and Cabaya stared. His mask covered all of his head, except his mouth, and it was a gingham designed red and dark grey. She couldn’t see his eyes, but she knew he was glaring.

              “You must be Cabaya.” He said her name like it was a disease.

              “Are you trying to join the Mysterious Warriors?” She couldn’t understand his repulsion.

              “Trying?” He laughed. “Can’t you see I already have?”

              “Sorry, I didn’t realize since I haven’t worked with you.” Why was he laughing at her? How rude!

              “Hey, stop!” The masked man shoved Cabaya aside as the man he’d been interrogating ran away through the sheets of rain.

              Cabaya groaned as she chased after them through the winding passageways of Lower City. While Upper City was full of streets, alleys, and spacious brick, stone, and wood dwellings, Lower City was a haven of tight corners, stone resistances packed together in decaying wood. She moved to the side as she followed the man who claimed to already be a new Mysterious Warrior.

              Cabaya used the stone side of a herdsman’s house to kick herself forward, landing beside the man in dark grey and red. She grabbed her bow, set an arrow, and loosed. The man they’d been pursuing slipped on the wet stone, and her arrow went high. The masked man slid through the wet stones to the man and tackled him. They fell to the ground hard, and Cabaya gripped the side of a dwelling. The rock crumbled in her grip, and she wiped it off on her dark pants.

              The man in the mask hauled the other man to his feet and tied his hands behind his back.

              “Now when did you join the Mysterious Warriors?” Cabaya crossed her arms.

              The masked man looked at her, or she thought he looked at her. “I don’t need to explain anything to you.”

              She frowned. “You know who I am, can’t I at least know your name?” Why was he so rude? It was almost as if he hated her for a reason she didn’t know or understand. What could she have possibly done to him?

              “You can call me Sacrifice.” He growled as he spun the man to face him. “Tell me what I want to know Elias.”

              Elias groaned. “I can’t tell you what I don’t know.”

              “I know you work for Black Hood.”

              “You’re looking for Black Hood?” Cabaya gaped. Perhaps they were working on the same side after all. Could this jerk truly be one of the Mysterious Warriors? Maybe Kitnan, Galdut, or Sarasa knew about him?

              “It shouldn’t be surprising.” Sacrifice stated. “Come on Elias; don’t make me turn you into Ramsden.” He named one of the mercenaries in Lower City.

              “What do you plan on doing to this man?” Cabaya demanded. “Maybe he doesn’t know anything.”

              “Don’t worry your pretty little head about it darling.”

              Cabaya gasped, spitting rain from her mouth.

              “I can finish this without your help.” Sacrifice continued. “You go off and see if you can find someone who needs help somewhere else. Black Hood is dangerous, and I don’t want someone as delicate as you to get hurt.”

              “What are you talking about?” Cabaya fumed. “You don’t even know me.”

              “I don’t have to.” He shoved Elias toward the mercenary’s residence, and Cabaya couldn’t help but watch him leave as her insides flamed. What was his problem?

              They weighed more than anything she’d ever worn before, and Tara took a deep breath as she looked at herself in the outfit her mother had chosen. The necklace looked like a wide collar with so many different jewels that Tara didn’t even recognize. She was a colorful mess, and her dress wasn’t much different. Jewels and gold embroidered the gaudy mermaid-styled gown, and Tara’s arms were left bare. At least her mother was alright with Tara wearing her custom hairnet. Of course this hairnet was inlaid with more jewels.

              “There you are.” Monika finished tying Tara into her gown. “Well I must say, you look like a princess.”

              “I look like a treasure chest.” Tara frowned. “Where does my mother come up with these themes?”

              Monika shook her head. “I have no idea.”

              Tara turned and touched Monika’s shoulder with a jeweled hand. “Thank you for helping me get into this monstrosity.”

              “Not your taste?”

              “If you remove all the diamonds, gold, and jewels, then it would be more mine.” Tara paused. “My mother must be so sad her daughter doesn’t share her taste in finery.”

              “I’m sure she is more than happy to provide you with her own refinement.” Monika curtsied. “Do you any additional assistance Princess?”

              “No thank you Monika.” Tara swished her skirt out of her way. She frowned at the cinching around her knees instead of her waist. What was her mother thinking? Probably that this skirt would prevent Tara from galloping about like a colt. She sighed as Monika left her room.

              Tara found her way to the royal ballroom, and she was grateful to slip into the array of people without being noticed. The ceiling shimmered as if diamonds grew in the edges, and fine velvet and satin draperies adorned the columns holding the three-stories tall. The room was dressed in silk.

              “Your mother sure knows how to be extravagant.” Baron Stefan found her.

              Tara nodded as she took in all the fine materials. “She does that well.”

              “I haven’t seen so much wealth shown off in a single room my entire life.”

              “Well my parents are celebrating their marriage tonight.” Tara answered as her mother would, mocking the batting eyelashes and pitch of her voice. “They’ve been married twenty-three years now. Mother was a fragile seventeen-year-old who had the love of the prince of Zorba’s Reach. They had courted for a year before he asked her to marry him, and Mother couldn’t refuse her prince.”

              “And they brought you into the world a year later.” Stefan handed Tara a gold-rimmed goblet with studs of emerald in the base. “Which makes me a lucky man now.”

              Tara smirked as she took the drink and sat at a table made of solid gold. “Really?” She touched the cold surface.

              “Apparently.” Stefan sat beside her.

              “I’m glad my parents still enjoy their marriage.” Tara admitted. She knew her father always loved her mother, and she knew her mother always loved being queen.

              “It is nice to see royals enjoy their union. I hear your sister was betrothed to a man she didn’t choose to marry.”

              Tara nodded. “But Rachel and Gary had two years of betrothal to fall in love, and I am happy to say my sister loves her husband.” Tara sighed. “I want to love my spouse.”

              “As do I.” His brown eyes were full of laughter as he looked at her. “You are an incredible woman Princess.”

              “Call me Tara.” She insisted once more.

              “Alright, alright.” He raised his hands in surrender. “I shall always call you Tara.”

              “Good.”

              “Until I figure out another name for you.” He sipped his drink. “I want a special name for you, something no one else calls you so you’ll think of me when you hear it.”

              “I’m having a hard time thinking of anyone beside you.” She admitted. “I always vowed to dismiss any man my mother chose for me, but I want to break my own rule.”

              “I am glad to hear it.” Stefan paused. “Does this mean you’ll court me now?”

              “No.” She hoped her grin was cheeky. “I still want to be your friend first.”

              He nodded. “Alright. Are friends allowed to dance?”

              “Of course.” She pulled him to his feet. “Dancing is a must. It’s the best thing about my mother’s parties.” She felt free as she led him to the crowded dance floor. Tara raised her arms, her wrists glistened gold with bracelets, and she moved to the rhythm of the music like she had seen gypsies. She watched Stefan as he moved lithely with her.

              “So you like dancing?”

              “Absolutely.” Tara answered. “I always danced, even before I was old enough to dance as a proper young lady.” She chuckled. “Rachel always pointed out my unladylike flaws.”

              “I see no flaws.” He brushed a finger against her bare shoulder.

              Tara shivered, and she spun behind him, twirling in circles through the stream of dancers. Stefan kept up with her well, and he whispered. “You look like an Evening Grosbeak.”

              “An Evening Grosbeak?” She wasn’t sure if he was complimenting her.

              “They’re beautiful birds with gold feathers.” He explained. “You’re as graceful as a bird and as beautiful as a Grosbeak.”

              She laughed. Was that a compliment? She brought her hands out like wings, and she flapped her arms.

              He laughed and took her hands, bringing her arms around the back of her neck. He was suddenly close, and Tara’s breath caught in the scent of him. Her heart beat wildly, and she whispered. “I think the music changed.”

              “I don’t care.” His whisper tickled her nose. “I just want to have my arms around you a little longer.”

              Flush burned her cheeks, and Tara dropped her gaze to the floor. She bit her lower lip and looked into his brown eyes through her lashes. Something caught in his gaze, and she couldn’t break their connection. It was too strong.