Daughter of Alvar (Redemption Saga, Book 2)

Chapter 8

"Princess Kyla, Lady Elle has been asking for you," Maybelle calls into my bedroom, waking me up.

I groan and roll onto my side. I should've gotten more sleep.

"Why does she need me?" I ask groggily, blinking the sleep from my eyes.

"She says it's important," Maybelle states, entering my bedroom and fussing with clothes, "But she did not tell me the cause. She's waiting in your study." Maybelle is human. Although she does her job well and is generally kind, I've known since she started working for me three months back that she sees me as a royal mistake.

I get up off my bed, and Maybelle holds out a black gown for me.

"The usual, your highness?" she asks, and I can't tell if she is being sarcastic or playful.

"Of course, thank you, Maybelle," I say, slipping into it. I'm not quick to take offense as I've developed a thick skin over the years.

"Princess," Maybelle bows her head, but the corner of her mouth twitches. Her brow furrows a moment as if she's holding back from questioning me about something. Does she know about what happened last night?

"Wait, Maybelle," I say, "did you come by my chambers last night?"

"No," Maybelle says quickly, "I'd been told you went to sleep early and were not to be disturbed."

"Huh," I exhale, not giving anything away.

"Will that be all, Princess?" Maybelle asks.

"Yes," I say and walk over to the fireplace mantle, touching the deck of cards. One of the cards is lying on the mantle out of the deck. It's a "Queen" card. I pick it up to see a note that has been written on it: I hope you'll agree to see me at week's end for another match.

I smile. Rift. He must have left it after we'd finished the game.

Well, I'd better see Elle, I think to myself. Stuffing the card in my pocket, I wonder if I should tell Elle of Rift's and my further exchange.

I leave my room and walk into the living area of my quarters and then to the study. My "study" is really an art studio. My father used to have a tutor come in and teach me this skill. Unfortunately, none want the works of a Cursed hanging on their walls. My gift for creativity is somewhat ignored, save by my mother, my brother, and Elle. Still, I don't let that stop me from painting every chance I get. I specialize in portraiture but also dabble in landscapes.

Elle is studying my latest rough landscape of Ferar's mountain range as I enter the room. I hear her breathing funny as if she's in between a good cry. She turns to me. Her face is streaked with tears.

"What's wrong?" I ask, my mind scrambling for all the things that could go wrong. Had she been in a fight with Ava or Kalvar?

"I lost the baby," Elle blurts out and bursts into sobs.

"Oh, Elle, I'm so sorry!" I run to her and hug her tightly. How terrible for her! After what she has to put up with Ava, now to have this loss?

"I'm glad I told you," Elle sobs.

"Is there anything you need?" I soothe, keeping her in my embrace.

"It happened this morning, while I was bathing, suddenly blood everywhere," Elle sniffles, trying to stop the tears. "I couldn't do anything to stop it."

How terrible for her! My heart aches for my friend. "Oh, Elle, I'm so sorry."

"I haven't told Kalvar yet. I just... can't."

"That's okay. You don't have to tell anyone anything right now."

"Maybe I'll wait until Sylvia arrives. That way, they'll be too distracted to think about or talk about it with me," Elle says thoughtfully. She's not crying anymore; instead, her face is blank as if she's going numb. "I'm sorry to come in and bring such bad tidings to you, but I know you won't tell anyone."

"Of course," I say.

Elle pulls out of my embrace, and walks around my studio, admiring my work.

"Is this Lord Delar?" she asks, pointing at a portrait. She smiles mischievously, and I return one to her.

"I made his nose a bit big, didn't I?" I say, joining her to view it.

"No," Elle laughs, "You got it right."

I join her in laughter, but I'm a bit subdued as I'm trying to calculate what my friend needs most right now after experiencing this grief.

"You need to show these in the palace gallery," Elle says, "You're better than most of the palace painters."

"Thank you, Elle."

"Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?" Elle asks, suddenly changing the subject and sounding chipper. "I don't want to have dinner with Kalvar and Ava tonight."

"I'd love to," I say, but internally I'm wondering about why Elle won't at least tell Kalvar. It was his child, after all. Are things becoming strained between my brother and Elle? It's hard to imagine that happening, especially since Elle and Kalvar's romance is sung of in town as an example love story.

"I'm tired," Elle says, "I'll get some rest. Have a good day, Kyla."

I give her one more hug, just for good measure, and see her out of my chambers myself. After she's gone, I go back to my studio. The dark cloud of Elle's news hangs over me, and I pick up a fresh canvas and spatter it with red and black colors. Mother enters my quarters while I'm still working on the piece.

"Kyla, I have something for you," she says. "But it's a secret. No one must know. Not even Kalvar."

"Alright," I say, curious enough to set down my brushes and palette.

"I received word from your father," Mother states, her brow furrows in concern.

"What?" My jaw drops, and I rush to her, gripping her arms. I'm sure my face is livid. "Where is he? What does it say? Is he coming back?"

"Unfortunately, it does not indicate as to his whereabouts. It was carried via multiple couriers," Mother sighs, "All it contains is a warning." She hands the message to me. "Here."

I uncurl the paper and read in my father's hand:

My love, Lucy,

As you know, I am unwell and cannot return without disaster. But I must give you and my daughter some information I've happened upon. A skilled mage has crafted a blade capable of killing a Cursed. Kyla, exercise caution in your dealings with outsiders. Also, before I was taken from you with my affliction, I heard whispers of a vessel of the Sorceress living in the palace, I know not if they are true, but I believe something sinister lurks in the darkness, an ancient evil.

I hope to return to you soon. Know I would never leave you if it weren't for the best.

All my love,

Alvar