Amáne of Teravinea - Black Castle (The Teravinea Series Book 4) Read online

  CHAPTER THREE

  I sat in my chambers sulking after Fiona left.

  Surveying my plush surroundings, I couldn’t help feeling a pang of guilt for my ill humor. I now lived in the royal wing of Castle Teravinea close to everyone I loved. My quarters were ground level with access to a small private garden. There was no excuse for my self-pity. No one could be more fortunate than I. But the stress of our upcoming ceremony, and that I couldn’t see Ansel, pulled at me.

  Before I could dwell on my darkening mood any longer, my stomach reminded me I hadn’t eaten since earlier that morning. I glanced at the bell pull across the room and shook my head. I didn’t think I would ever get used to summoning any of the staff to serve me in my quarters. Besides, I needed to get out of my room for a bit, so I decided to go down to the kitchen and find myself something to eat.

  I took the less-traveled hallways and servants’ route. Sneaking in the back way, I scanned the kitchen. The fires roared, the cooks bustled as they prepared for the coming feast. I made every effort to stay out of their way, hoping maybe they were too busy to notice me. I’d no sooner stepped into the room when, like ripples in a pond, one dropped to a curtsy, another followed with a bow and soon they crowded around me, bobbing and asking how they can serve me. I struggled for patience as I tried to make them understand I preferred to find my own fare.

  “As you were. Please, go back to your duties.” I tried to sound authoritative, but felt miserably ineffective. They curtsied a few more times before returning to their chores.

  Clenching my teeth, I maneuvered around them and headed toward the back corner of the kitchen. I reached a table that attracted my attention. It was loaded with breads and cheeses. As I reached to take a small loaf, I looked up and caught my breath.

  “Ansel! What are you doing here?” My heart leaped as he entered from the opposite direction, heading for the same table.

  My betrothed looked nearly as surprised as I.

  “I suppose the same thing you’re doing.” He closed the gap between us and pulled me close.

  Low gasps came from some of the women in the kitchen.

  “Ansel, we’re not supposed to see each other.”

  “It’s not like we planned meeting here. But it would be a waste not to take advantage.”

  He flashed a devious smile and brought his lips to mine. Exclamations echoed louder from the kitchen workers. I ignored them and took equal advantage of the situation.

  “You know this is bad luck.” Fiona’s voice interrupted my perfect moment.

  Ansel and I broke apart, my eyes wide with guilty discovery. Fiona stood with her hands on her hips.

  Before I could defend myself she started in, “Amáne, we discussed this today. I specifically reminded you that you two cannot see each other until —”

  Her face went red as she turned toward Ansel. She executed a deep curtsy. “My Lord, I beg your pardon. I didn’t mean to ... that is, I’m not telling you what to do in your castle. It’s just that ... well ... you understand ... tradition and all.”

  Ansel cut in. “Fiona, it was a chance meeting.” He scowled. “Tradition be hanged. I haven’t seen Amáne for days.” He gave me another quick kiss in defiance. “Who thought up that ridiculous convention, anyway?”

  Fiona and I exchanged a glance. He’d repeated what I said to her earlier, nearly word-for-word.

  A bit flustered, she conceded, “It does seem quite silly when it’s one’s own ceremony. I remember feeling the same way three days before Kail and I said our vows.” She tipped her head at us. “Chance meeting or not, it seems to me you didn’t waste the opportunity.”

  Fiona smiled then, and said almost to herself, “But I really can’t fault you two.”

  She curtsied again as she grabbed my arm. “If you’ll excuse us King Ansel, I’ll take your lady and hope that there are no more breaks in our customs. It’s bad luck.”

  I grabbed a lump of cheese and turned a pained look at Ansel as Fiona dragged me away.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Two days remained before the wedding. The endless fittings, questions and final decisions I had to make proved to be a torture for me. The only thing that kept me from breaking the accursed custom was the fact that at least Ansel and I could communicate through our dragons. Fiona had no power to prohibit that. Maybe I’ll confess it to her in the future, but in the mean time, it gave me great pleasure to bend tradition.

  Fiona had entreated me to not leave the castle. In fact, she barely approved of me leaving my chambers. And even more aggravating, I knew she had a host of the castle staff keeping an eye on me, ready to report to her should I happen to encounter my betrothed. Many of the workers were superstitious, so they didn’t take lightly the supposed curse of bad luck for breaking the tradition. If misfortune should befall their employers, it would stand to reason it would affect them as well. It occurred to me Fiona had solicited their help, even before my meeting with Ansel, else how would she have arrived at just the right moment to catch us? I loved Fiona dearly, but when she made her mind up against or for something, she could be quite stubborn. I giggled at that thought.

  I suppose no one can outdo me in stubbornness.

  Restlessly pacing my room, I stomped my foot in frustration, then paused. A satisfying smile grew on my face. Throwing open my wardrobe, I reached toward the back and brought out a disheveled pile of clothing. I snickered as I slipped on my most worn tights and tunic, threw on a stained brown cape and pulled the hood low over my face.

  “Eshshah, the wedding is the day after tomorrow. I need to get away for a few hours. Meet me outside Forest Gate and we can go for a quick flight. With all the frenzy around here, they’ll not look twice at a commoner in the hallways.”

  I dragged a side table to the bell pull so I could stand on it and reach high enough to cut a long length of the cord. Then I coiled it and stuck it in my satchel. A tray with some empty bowls from my breakfast lay on my desk. Grabbing the tray, I padded to my door, cracked it open and sneaked a peek up and down the corridor. Almost clear. A guard stood at the end of the hall to my right, but his back faced me. I slipped out, carrying my full tray and headed in the opposite direction, hoping I’d pass as a serving boy.

  In no time I found myself outside the gate, pleased with the success of my escape. Stashing the tray and bowls behind a bush, I clambered onto Eshshah’s back.

  I took the bell pull cord in my right hand and swung it under Eshshah’s neck, trying to catch it on its upward swing on the other side. After a few tries, I finally managed to grab it. The length was just long enough for me to secure it around her neck. I couldn’t chance going to the saddlery room for all of her equipment. Riding bareback was a rare thrill I shared with her, but I wasn’t foolish enough to fly without something on which to hold.

  In my haste to leave my chambers, I’d forgotten my breastplate and helmet. If the Healer, or Ansel knew I flew without, I would hear of it for days. I don’t want to imagine the scowls on their faces if they knew I also flew with just a cord around Eshshah’s neck. That vision evaporated the second Eshshah launched into the air. Exhilarated, I laughed out loud.

  We soared over the river and headed toward the woods on the other side. The wind whipped at my hair. Eshshah and I glided low over the forest, riding the warm air currents. Then, with powerful strokes of her wings, she ascended higher. I closed my eyes and filled my lungs with the cool invigorating air.

  “Eshshah, aren’t we near where Charna hunts? Why don’t you summon him?”

  Charna Yash-churka was the mutant black lizard with whom I also shared a link.

  Galtero, the deposed ruler of Teravinea, had attempted to breed dragons that would be loyal to him. The resulting species resembled lizards rather than dragons. Charna was one of those lizards. His tattoo-like mark on my ankle proved Galtero achieved some of the dragon traits he tried to emulate. I held the position as the only dragon rider in history to be twice-linked.

  It had repulsed me e
ach time I looked at the linking mark. That is, until my second encounter with the black lizard in Galtero’s arena of death. Charna had saved my life from the other monster lizard pitted against me.

  Filthy and ugly when I first encountered the mistreated beast, Charna now proved to be quite an imposing creature. Although he’ll never be a sleek dragon, with his thick neck, stocky legs and wings that would never carry him, he and I still had a connection.

  The black lizard’s new life of freedom in the nearby forest had refined him noticeably. His ebony scales gleamed, and because of the rich game in the forest, he no longer had the putrid odor of his earlier days.

  Eshshah and I glided over the tree tops to a clearing and spiraled down to where Charna waited for us. I marveled at his size. He’d nearly tripled since our first meeting.

  I still couldn’t understand his primitive tongue, but Eshshah translated for me.

  Enjoying the sun, he rolled onto his back and wriggled in the dirt. His actions reminded me of horses I’d seen rolling in pleasure. I laughed at his antics. When he rose, I noticed a few of his dark scales were left on the ground.

  Picking one up, I examined it. Longer than it was wide, it fit the length of my hand. Similar to other dragon scales, the side that attached to his body ended in two spikes, the other end had a rounded point.

  “Eshshah, do you think Charna’s scales exhibit the properties of his name, like other dragon scales?”

  “He does seem to show a lot of similar dragon traits. I would think that if mine could start a fire, Sovann’s turn into gold and Sitara’s scales illuminate, his should behave likewise. But, with a name meaning black lizard, I couldn’t think what his scales would manifest.”

  “Let’s find out.” I held the scale close to my face and took a breath to whisper Charna’s name.

  “Amáne, wait. Don’t you think another dragon rider should run this experiment with you? We don’t know what to expect.”

  I laughed. “Eshshah, thank you for your concern, but you’re too cautious. I’ll ask another rider, or even the Healer once we get back. I just want to do a little test on my own. Nothing bad will happen.”

  She gave me a flat look. “Then don’t put any power into your whisper. Say his name gently.”

  “Of course. Good idea, my beautiful dragon.”

  With the ebony scale in my palm, I brought it back up to chin level, and contemplating gentle thoughts, I said, “Charna Yashchurka.”

  A thin column of grey smoke oozed from the scale. The column divided into wispy tendrils that darkened as they rose. The smell of sulfur assaulted my nose. I pulled my face back and watched in fascination as the wisps entwined and, even though the air hadn’t stirred, they curled toward me.

  “Amáne,” Eshshah’s thoughts echoed her trepidation, “throw it down. Back away.”

  Her voice came as if from a long distance. I stood mesmerized. A terror filled my heart. I couldn’t move. My hand jerked. The scale dropped. That didn’t stop the probing tendrils. Like skeletal hands, they stretched out toward me and circled my head. They entered my nose and mouth.

  A scream lodged in my throat as my sight went dark. Even in the blackness I could see shapes begin to form. Visions of my worst nightmares circled and moved in toward me. Fear tightened its grip on my chest. Panic roared inside. I couldn’t pull myself from the blackness. A terrifying wail rang in my ears. It came from me.

  I crouched and drew my dagger. Slashing out, the blade passed through the wraiths without effect. I turned and ran, swinging the dagger wildly in the air.

  Talons closed around my waist and lifted me from the ground. I kicked and thrust my blade at my attacker. A warm wind blew in my face and I inhaled a familiar spicy aroma. Calmness enveloped me. The specters dissipated. My eyes opened to Eshshah’s face inches from mine. She hummed her calming tune as she breathed again on me.

  I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand. “Eshshah, what just happened?” Tremors swept through my body. It felt like my blood had been drained.

  My dragon put me down gently. When she let go, I grasped her talons for balance.

  “Charna’s scales are quite powerful,” she said. “It was as if you were caught in the Shadows.”

  Eshshah’s distress filled me with guilt. “That was not the Shadows, Eshshah. I’ve been there. They don’t hold the terror I just felt. It was more like a nightmare, but one in which I was fully awake.”

  I raised my arms up to her. She brought her head down to mine. “Once again,” I said, “you proved to be the smarter of the two of us. And once again, I should have listened to you. When are you going to give up on me?”

  She shook her head slowly.

  My eyes swept to Charna. He shifted from one foot to the other, his head swung back and forth. I headed toward him, but still hadn’t gained full control of my legs. He closed the distance between us. His dark eyes reflected anguish.

  I exuded calmness to ease his distress. Pressing my forehead on his nose, I said, “Charna, no, this was not your fault. I’ll be fine. Please don’t act so wretched.” Eshshah translated as I spoke. “Listen, we just found your scales exhibit a profound trait. A very valuable property. It may save one of our lives once we learn more about it. I’m going to bring some of your scales to the Healer. She’ll know how to test them and how to harness the trait for our good. This is wonderful news, Charna.”

  I patted his large head and turned to Eshshah for affirmation.

  “You’re too pale, Amáne. Let’s get you back to the castle.”

  Eshshah breathed her healing breath on me once more. We returned to the spot where more of Charna’s scales lay. I picked up all I could find, put them in my satchel and prepared to mount. My strength not yet restored, Eshshah had to stoop low and Charna gave me a boost with his head. Once up, I slipped both hands under the cord around Eshshah’s neck and held tight before giving her the okay.

  “Thank you Eshshah,” I said to her once she dropped me off at Forest Gate. “I’m glad we did this.”

  “I’m just thankful nothing worse happened to you. Will you be all right? I can summon a rider to escort you back to your room.”

  “What? And listen to a lecture the whole way back?” I shook my head. “I’ll be fine. I’m just a little light-headed. Eshshah, please, don’t give me that guilty look. This adventure is entirely my responsibility.”

  “Your color hasn’t returned, either.”

  “I’m fine, Eshshah. Forgive me for the bother I am to you.” I smiled. She breathed on me once more before nudging me gently through the gate.

  I pulled the hood of my cape down over my face, retrieved the tray I’d hidden and made my way through the hallways back to my chambers.

  As I crossed a corridor, I caught a glimpse of Ansel and Fiona talking at the other end. Ansel faced in my direction and looked up just as I halted in the middle of the wide hallway. A slight smile turned his lips.

  How does he know it’s me?

  Thanks to the shadow of my hood, he couldn’t see my face clearly, which I was certain, still remained pale. It would surely have drawn his concern. Fiona must have caught his distraction because she started to turn her head when I ducked around the corner. The last thing I needed was to bear Fiona’s admonitions.

  Back in my room, I threw off my cape and gaped at myself in the looking glass. A frightful image stared back. Not only was my skin pallid, my eyes had dark circles under them. No wonder Eshshah seemed so concerned. I exhaled at the thought of Ansel’s reaction if I hadn’t been shadowed by my cape.

  Then a frightening thought struck me. “Eshshah, what if I still look like this for my wedding?”

  “We’ll make sure you don’t. A bath and a rest should do you well.”

  Eshshah was right. A hot soak set all to right. My nightmare receded behind me. My eyes were left with only a trace of their haunted appearance.

  I summoned the Healer. She was the only family I had since I’d lost my mother. Not actually blood family
, but my guardian and so much more. She and her husband, Gallen, both dragon riders, trained Eshshah and me when we first became linked as dragon and rider. Thinking back, it seemed like someone else’s life so long ago.

  I let the Healer into my room and gave her a warm hug. When she pulled back, she studied my face.

  Tipping her head, she said, “Amáne, are you ill? Is that why you called for me?”

  I should have known nothing gets past her.

  I shook my head. “No, Healer, I’m fine, but come sit here and I’ll tell you of our discovery.”

  Her brows lifted. She eyed me suspiciously.

  I told her of what I had gone through, and passed on my findings about Charna Yash-churka’s ebony scales.

  She remained silent and seemed quite riveted by my narrative. After answering all of her questions, I endured the Healer’s reprimand for my foolishness. I deserved it.

  I’d placed Charna’s scales in a small pouch which I handed to her. She hung it on her belt and stood to leave.

  Taking my face in her hands, she peered into my eyes. The Healer had a way of searching deep as if she looked into my very core. Satisfied, she wrapped me in her strong arms. “You’ll be fine.”

  A smile in her voice, she said, “Although I question your decision to delve into this in such haste, I believe this is a significant discovery. I’ll keep you apprised of our findings.”

  I shut the door after her and stumbled to my bed. Exhaling in relief, I knew she would move forward to discover the benefits of Charna’s scales.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  As a slew of attendants fussed about me in the early morning hours of my wedding day, the Healer entered my chambers and stood at the doorway. Her eyes glistened.

  “Amáne, your mother would be so proud. You look beautiful.” Her words came in a choking whisper.

  “You’re quite striking yourself, Healer.” I put my hand out to her. My attendants parted so she could get to me. She kissed my forehead and then both cheeks, as was our custom.