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  CURSED

  By R. B. Knight

  Copyright © 2016 by Regan Guerra

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof

  may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever

  without the express written permission of the publisher

  except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Printed in the United States of America

  First Printing, 2016

  ISBN 0-9000000-0-0

  R. B. Knight Books

  1550 E Thunderbird Rd. Apt 1057

  Phoenix, AZ 85022

  www.RBKnightBooks.com

  PART I

  Adrienne gasped and looked away, but knew it was already too late. Five years as queen, five years of dealing with Councilman Havard’s oiled countenance... she should have known better. She scanned for some way of escape in the throng of ballroom dancers, but everywhere she stepped, the surrounding crowd would allow her the proper two paces of space, giving away her position. Ironic that the law designed to keep her safe now betrayed her . She could make out her husband’s form across the sea of glittering gowns and ro bed gentlemen . If she could just…

  “Your majesty?”

  Adrienne bit her lip and took in a breath, taking care not to make too much noise, and turned around with the smile she’d practiced since she was very small. “Yes, Councilman? Are you e njoying yourself?”

  “I am trying, your majesty, but you are so very diverting from the rest of the young ladies in the room. Has his highness bought you a true silk gown?”

  Adrienne blinked to hide the scowl that threatened to rise. Havard knew full well how both she and her husband had agreed to keep their own expenses minimal while focusing on bettering the kingdom. The line her father had drawn between bloodlines had cut deep. The Councilman’s comment, designed to jab at her beloved Markus’ ability to provide, no doubt, earned several scowls from the guests who resided in the lower village and she blushed.

  “What can I do for you, Councilman?” She took a deep breath to help her keep her smile in place.

  Havard inched closer, to the point where Adrienne felt uncertain whether she could call the guards without treading on broken glass with her guests. “So, so many things, your majesty, but for now, a simple dance, perhaps?”

  He’d practiced that influxion. In spite of the distance, only she had heard the first of what he ’d said. The last was loud enough for the immediate audience to hear, but not so loud as to catch anyone else’s attention, such as Markus or Gaius, the guard captain.

  Backed into a corner. She’d promised to refuse a dance with no one upon their first request. It had been intended as a peace offering, an attempt to unite the classes, and now it had grown fangs. The night was still young and none of the other guests had asked her, as of yet. If she refused a Councilman, n o one else would dare ask and the opportunity to heal past wounds would vanish.

  She’d already waited too long to give an answer. The crowd’s movements had slowed to listen in, to see what she’d do.

  “Of course, Councilman.”

  Armed with her permission, Havard crossed the threshold and signaled the orchestra, who started to play a song that made the entire room groan.

  Several couples moved to the drinks and hor d'oeuvres, while others sat in the chairs, fanning themselves. Instead of remaining on the dance floor, however, Havard steered Adrienne through the crowd and into the adjacent room. Her heart began to race. He’d planned this.

  In a moment of panic, she tried to pull away, but he surprised her with his strength.

  “Just hear me out, your majesty. You’re going to want to listen to what I have to say.”

  Adrienne blinked. Had she misjudged the Councilman? Was there a danger in the room she’d missed in trying to avoid a mere annoyance?

  No. Markus would have seen it first. Her chest felt as if it wanted to implode as she realized some one had sealed off the room they’d entered. All of the curtains hung shut . No furniture or rugs decorated the bare stone floor . The only light glowed from a few well-placed candelabras and a fireplace roaring to Adrienne’s left. For a moment, she wondered why the servants had lit it. None of the guests would come in here .

  “No more excuses, Adrienne. No more evasions. I’ve respected your decisions for years, no matter how eccentric. The poor excuse of a man you chose has failed to produce an heir. It’s time you placed your people above your fancies. This kingdom needs a successor and I will happily-”

  “W-wait.” Adrienne took a step back. “What in the name of the Five are you doing? Calling us by our given name? Insulting us and your King? Have you taken leave of all sense?”

  Havard’s face darkened. “I am offering you redemption from becoming the most laughed-at ruler in our history, your majesty. I am the only eligible noble in the Council and the obvious choice for replacement as King. The Elders-”

  Adrienne scowled, unable to hold up any more facades. “They put you up to this, didn’t they?”

  “It was a unanimous agreement, Adrienne. You need an intervention. We were willing to allow your fancies for a while, but the inability to produce an heir…”

  “Is business between our husband and ourselves. The Council has no right-”

  “The Council has every right, your majesty. An heir must have at least half-royal blood or they cannot rule, so adoption is out. What other choice is there?”

  “Perhaps it’s time to reconsider such a law. Has the Council ever thought about that? Which is worse; having a ruler with an unknown lineage or having one who cannot keep oaths even to those for whom they deeply care ?”

  The hard lines in Havard’s face divided his furious expression like an ill-pieced puzzle. “I warn you, Adrienne. If you refuse me, the Council has given me permission to remove you from power.”

  She raised a brow. “While the people are already in unrest? Does the Council truly believe denouncing the only advocates for the welfare of their so-called peasants will allow them to rule without question?”

  Havard laughed. “You forget how fickle the minds of the masses can be. You’ve only ruled for five years, Majesty . H ardly enough time to ear n true love from your subjects. But no. I never said anything about denouncing you. We cannot have a leader the people can rally around to fight our attempts in restoring order.”

  Adrienne felt her insides freeze over as a silver blade in Havard’s hand caught the light of the fire. She opened her mouth to scream, but Havard grasped her throat, trapping her breath and holding her against the wall so high her feet dangled in the air. In a wild attempt to break free, she jammed her heel just below his ribcage , knocking the breath out of him and making him drop her. She collapsed, sucking in air of her own and forcing her legs to move forward.

  The sound of tearing fabric followed her and she cursed, pulling at her skirt to free it from the embedded dagger. Havard coughed, hoisting himself up. “I wish you hadn’t done that, your majesty. I was going to ensure your passing was as painless and honorable as possible. Now I think you owe me a little entertainment first.”

  He picked up the dagger with an ease that made Adrienne’s heart s top . The momentum sent her to the floor, but now she could think a little better. She kicked out at the door and screamed with every ounce of breath she had stored in her lungs.

  Havard glared at her, backing into the shadows and sheathing his dagger as he hissed. “Blood and kin of Iron Fang. I say unto you: Rise.”

 
Adrienne gasped in pain as the feeling of a thousand blades easing their way into her skin crawled across her body, her lungs raging as if being consumed in fire . She saw Markus and several guards burst into the room, swords drawn, but even as her husband held her, examining her for injury, she couldn’t shake the haze of her vision. As she forced herself to breathe, the feeling passed and she retched on the floor.

  PART II

  Markus glanced up at the window above, candlelight flickering in the chambers he shared with his wife, and tried to remain focused on the hunt. The image of Adrienne sprawled out on the floor, her dress torn, unable to speak, had left his vision veiled in crimson . He’d scoured every possible hiding place, interrogated every guest. None had seen Adrienne slip out of the throng. The only suspect was her last and only known dance partner, Councilman Havard, who’d disappeared.

  It was obvious they wouldn’t find anything tonight. Perhaps he would be able to at least get a description from his wife, now that she’d rested for a while.

  “Captain Gaius, recall your troops. Rest up. We’ll search again tomorrow.”

  The soldier saluted and retreated into the night to signal his men. In a way, Markus missed military life. Though he still managed movements and training, leading from the palace differed from leading on the field and he knew which he preferred. Marrying Adrienne hadn’t come without sacrifice, he knew they both craved t he respite a less public life would provide, but as he crossed the ballroom floor toward the grand staircase , remembering even the short time he and his wife had shared, he smiled. He wouldn’t have traded his decision for anything.

  A few remaining guests stood next to the punch bowl, giggling in a co a rse manner. Markus frowned at the ladies’ drunken behavior . They should have gone home hours ago.

  “I hear one of the nobles had at her.” One of the ladies hiccupped. “She couldn’t produce an heir with her peasant husband so they staged an attack. Maybe someone else can get the job done, poor girl.”

  Markus walked away, not wishing to hear more. No matter how hard they tried to keep their lives private it seemed everyone and their horse knew every disagreement, every illness, every intimate detail within minutes. Of course, it was difficult to track down goss ip with so many servants and guards about.

  A terrified scream permeated the walls, jarring Markus out of his thoughts and sending the ladies below into a panic. It would have made him laugh had he not recognized his wife’s voice for the second time that night. He picked up the pace through the corridors, skipping three steps at a time and cursing the winding hallways of the palace. Had he ensured that she was guarded? He’d been so keen on catching that son of a-

  Fire billowed from their chambers and the body of one of the guards flew into the hallway, landing in a crumpled heap and leaving a large smear of red behind him. Another scream, this one coming from a man, echoed in the room and ended in a gargle that made Markus grimace.

  He drew his sword and eased himself next to the door opening, careful not to touch the hot, blackened stone and lowering himself to avoid the smoke and see into the room. Everything flammable burned within and blood had spattered everywhere. One of the walls no longer existed and arrows flew into the opening, trying to land a hit on the creator of the chaos.

  Markus scanned for any sign of Adrienne, but found none. It was difficult to miss the dragon, however, roaring into the night, arrows bouncing off its pitch scales like mosquitos trying to drink from a rock. Allowing the beast to be distracted by the attack from outside, Markus inched into the room, turning over blanket, drape, and clothing remnants in search of his wife. A crimson mass caught his eye and his stomach clenched. It didn’t look like a body, but he recognized the fabric. Adrienne’s already torn gown lay in shreds, drenched in blood and strewn across the room as if… as if someone had been trying to escape it.

  “No.” Markus whispered. “Please no.”

  The dragon roared again and Markus could now see strips of the same cloth dangling from its teeth.

  He was no stranger to death. He’d seen it take both youth on the battlefield and the elderly after long illness, but this? His Adrienne had never harmed a soul. There had been no reason for her death. Dragons remained in the mountains, leaving civilization in peace unless provoked. And why was it alone? Why had it attacked? Why this particular building? Why this particular room? Nothing about this made sense.

  Something inside of him burst. Th is monster would not escape.

  Raising his sword arm, Markus lunged the blade toward the beast’s eye, but ran into something solid and the metal sparked as it glanced off the dragon’s scaled hide. Mottled green and brown eyes stared as it held him back, watching him as he swung his weapon again and again, knowing it was futile, not knowing what else to do. It sniffed him, looking almost scared, though Markus couldn’t care less . He spotted pink skin showing just behind the dragon’s shoulder. Removing his boot and throwing it at the dragon’s face, he seized the distraction and plunged his blade into the weak point, twisting for good measure and not caring if the beast crushed him in its death throes . It would serve him right for failing his wife.

  The dragon howled and snapped at Markus, its teeth crashing so close to his face he could smell the blood and sulfur in its breath. Unfurling a pair of canvas wings that filled the room and diving through the opening in the wall, the dragon slammed him into the hot stone and left him in a bruised heap on top of Adrienne’s gown. Footsteps echoed in the hallways and several guards burst into the chamber. Clutching his wife’s bloody dress, he struggled to stand and meet them.

  “Are you harmed, your majesty?”

  Markus registered Captain Gaius’ face. Everything felt numb. He closed his eyes and grunted, the only sound he could manage.

  “Where’s Queen Adrienne? Is she-?”

  He opened his eyes to see the captain’s gaze drop to Adrienne’s bloody gown before closing them again, gritting his teeth to hold back the sobs that threatened to rise. “If I’d… been here… sooner…”

  “It would have killed you, too, sire.” Gaius grasped his arm, offering his shoulder to lean on.

  Markus shoved him away, standing on his own and adjusting his uniform. “You don’t know that, Captain. I found a weak point, but I doubt it was enough.”

  The chamber still smoked, though the soldiers had put out all of the flames. A cool breeze blew in from the hole in the wall, sweeping away the smell of burning fabric and sulfur for a moment.

  In that small respite, Markus imagined the room as it had been. Red drapes surrounding the black comforter on their bed, reading a book with Adrienne in his arms and the discussions they would have on life. Listening to her gush about how she would heal the divide between classes, not knowing how far she’d already come and wanting to push further.

  Tonight was supposed to be her celebration. Her victory. How had it ended this way?

  “The servants have drawn you a bath, sire. I recommend that you rest.”

  “Send for Eivonne.”

  “Sire?”

  “Adrienne’s sister, Princess Eivonne. Send for her.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Markus watched the captain head down the hall before holding up Adrienne’s gown and examining it. Something felt off about tonight’s events. Either there was a connection between the attacks or this was the most unfortunate day in their lives. Gripping the sticky fabric as if it was a lifeline, he passed the other chamber already prepared for him and strode toward the armory.

  Perhaps he was letting his emotions get the better of him, but something told him finding either the dragon or Councilman Havard would bring answers… and he didn’t trust himself handling Havard. Besides, who knew what other damage a crazed, flying, fire-breathing reptile would cause?

  PART III

  “He’s in mourning, Princess, what did you expect?”

  “And I’m not? She was my sister, captain! But do I go gallivanting off to hunt down the mindless creature that killed he
r? No. Because I have a responsibility to maintain order, to set a good example for the people.”

  Markus glowered as he entered the room, marching toward the throne in such a way that Captain Gaius reached for his sword . It took all of his self control to not bark at his subordinate . He’d thought, out of all people, his sister-in-law would at least support his decision.

  “The dragon went rogue, Eivonne. The only logical reasons for it to come here are it getting kicked out of the mountain flock or it’s sick. Either way, it’s a danger to the people. You know I grew up near the mountains. No one here knows dragons better than I and no one else handles the people better than you now that Adrienne is… gone. It’s why I asked you to come.”

  Eivonne’s face turned almost as red as her hair. “I’m sorry, Markus. You ’re right, of course, I just… didn’t ever expect to have to do this. Will you keep me posted? The sooner that monster is eliminated, the better for all of us.”

  Markus nodded. He noted that his captain wouldn’t look him in the eye and frowned. That was never a good sign among ranks.

  The great doors to the throne room burst open, slamming against the walls with a crack that made hi m wince .

  The guards lowered their spears toward the unexpected guest, but pulled them back up again, bowing to Councilman Havard as he raised a brow and strode forward.

  “Security has improved since last night, I see.” His voice rubbed like sandpaper in Markus’ ears. Havard walked past him as if he’d turned invisible, a stark difference to when Adrienne had been there to keep the Council members in tight rein. “Good. Ah, Eivonne! You look m ore glorious than ever, my dear.” He bowed to kiss the princess’s hand, flourishing his coattails and bowing so low his long nose almost bumped into his bent knee.

  Eivonne smiled. “This is not the appropriate time for flattery, Councilman.”

  “But it is always the appropriate time for truth, Your Grace. I merely wish to brighten your day after the horrors I heard of last night.”