(the shadow crown book draft) chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

Deianara stood frozen in the middle of her old room. It must have been years since she last stayed here long enough to spend the night. It looked so empty, so hollow, as if the life that once used to live here had been tucked far away. She looked to her right where once vibrant patterns of flowers decorated the wall above her bed. The colour had faded away. Deianara’s eyes shifted to her bed, once a polished and regal frame, now chipped and dull.

A single breath escaped the princess's lips as the memories came flooding back. A sudden knock on the door brought her back to reality.

“Come in,” Deianara’s voice sounded a bit hoarse. Two servant girls strutted inside, each holding piles of fabrics. Deianara looked taken aback for a second, before the obvious question escaped. “What is the meaning of this?”

The girl closer to the princess seemed to be too terrified to speak, as she tried to mumble something, averting her gaze.

“Speak up, girl, I don’t bite.”

“We were ordered to bring these up. Dresses for you to try on, for the ball.”

A smirk appeared of Deianara’s face as she watched the two girl in front of her looking like they wish they were on the other side of the continent. “I won’t be needing them.” She waved at them dismissively.

“But, your highness, your father insisted.”

The smirk disappeared off the princesses face. If her father had gone to such lengths, to bring dresses for her up to her room, she knew she had to obey.

“Put them on the bed,” she ordered the girls, who still looked terrified for their lives. She supposed dressing up for once wouldn’t hurt that much. The servant girls put the dresses down and scuffled out, shutting the door behind them.

⇹

Laughter, soft murmurs, and the gentle swish of fabric filled the air as the guests filled up more and more space in the ballroom. The high ceilings held several crystal chandeliers that cast a golden glow, illuminating the polished, mirror-like shine of the floors. The walls have been covered in silk tapestries, woven with threads of silk and gold. Soft music, not too loud, filled the hall, however the musicians were nowhere to be seen, hidden, tucked away somewhere, to add more to the magical atmosphere.

Some were already on the dance floor, so you could only occasionally see a glimpse of a jewel or a swish of hair. Caerwyn sipped his wine. With a rather grim expression on his face, he had tucked himself away into a corner, next to the wine stands, trying to avoid any unnecessary attention.

“This is usually my hiding place.”

The voice behind him made the prince almost jump as he didn’t hear anyone approach him. He turned, already knowing who was lurking behind him. When his eyes stopped at the princess however, he found himself unable to find the words. Deianara, the royal princess, was standing in front of him. Her hair, half tied back by silk threads, half flowing down her back, was decorated with a small, yet stunning tiara with emeralds decorating it. However, what struck him was the black dress that she was wearing. Starting with a high neckline, that was adorned with a delicate silver embroidery, that framed the princesses face gracefully. The bodice, modestly tailored, hugged her forms gently and the sleeves covered her whole arms and even extended onto her wrists. The soft skirt, made out of layers of translucent fabrics, created an illusion of dark mist that followed her. Despite the lack of colour, the skirt seemed to reflect certain shimmers from the lights around them.

It took Caerwyn a second to take that all in, before he cleared his throat and looked back at his glass. Deianara could not resist a smirk, before she moved closer to the prince, pouring herself wine into a nearby silver goblet.

“Hiding, are we?”

“I would assume you are doing the same. What’s with the attire?”

Deianara rolled her eyes before replying, “It was heavily insisted that I dress appropriately tonight.”

“Ahh.”

They spent the rest of the ball in silence, the only sound being the wine that was either poured into the goblets or the goblets being drained. They had so much to talk about, so much time had been lost, and yet, neither of them could find the strength to start what most certainly would be a painful conversation.

Caerwyn looked less bored, as he observed the dancers of the dance floor, as he spotted one of the musicians running in the back to get to his hidden post in time for his que. He always kept an eye on the Lord of the shadows that was always surrounded by his men, all in black and gold, constantly talking.

Deianara just seemed to have disappeared into her own mind as she stared blankly into the wall ahead, not moving and Caerwyn had wondered at times, if she even was breathing.

Sudden laughter, children's laughter echoed all around them. Several little kids, three girls and two boys came running in the middle of the floor, swirling and spinning in rhythm. Even Deianara’s attention seemed to be on them, as everyone had stopped doing what they were and watched as the kids got their one song to dance along too.

“Do you remember this?” A faint smile appeared on Caerwyn’s face as he remembered how he used to dance here as a child as well. Deianara did not answer and did not smile. Her eyes filled with sadness. In a blink it was gone and she turned to pour herself one more goblet of wine.

“This is the wrong kind of wine, I prefer the fae wine instead,” Deianara stated, looking down in her glass.

“Do you want to dance?” A sudden question broke the awkward tension or perhaps, causing even more.

“What?” the princess askes, even though she heard very well what the prince had just blurted out.

“Dance. You and me. Just like…”“No,” Deianara interrupted, a little too harsh. “Listen, even if I wanted to, I don’t think some would approve.” she said more softly.

“Who would care?” Caerwyn’s voice sounded a little detached, as if he was trying to mask how hurt the harsh rejection made him feel.

Deianara did not answer yet again, only shifted her eyes to somewhere behind the young prince. He turned to follow her gaze that landed on her father, who now had their back to them.

“I am sure your father wouldn’t mind,” Caerwyn turned back, only to find out that the princess was gone. Vanished into thin air. With a deep sigh, Caerwyn downed his wine and decided that tonight was enough, and made his way back upstairs. On his way to the rooms that were provided for him, he passed a small passageway and just as he was about to walk past it, he heard whispering.

“Your father was not pleased tonight, he did not expect you to hide away in a corner.”

Caerwyn couldn’t make out the people that were talking, however it was obvious that it was the princess when he heard the reply. He decided not to eavesdrop any longer.

Meanwhile Deianara, who was being scolded by one of her fathers men about proper behaviour, noticed the prince slipping past. She also noted that he did not take the staircase that led to his room, but the other one.

“That is enough now, I must go,” not waiting for a reply, she turned on her heel and strode off, while the man still shouted something in her way. She was practically running now, the wind that roamed the castle halls was roaring in her ears. She flew up several flights of steps and stopped before a large wooden door. She paused to catch her breath and opened the doors wide open, without knocking.

She walked upon Reyna, perched on a window ledge and Caerwyn, who was slumped in a nearby chair. Both of them looked startled and Reyna had to grab on not to fall.

“Oh, gods,” she exclaimed. “You would think that being raised in a royal family would teach you some manners.”

Deianara raised one brow. “Someone’s finally showing her spirit.”

Without a word she closed the door behind her and Reyna could have sworn she saw a glimpse of a shadow wrapping the door for a split second. She blinked and it was gone.

“What are you doing here?” Caerwyn asked the question that Reyna was just about to ask herself.

“Oh, you know, I thought you would want some company. I thought we were becoming friends.”

Caerwyn did not smile. “We were in the middle of something.”“Oh?”

Caerwyn’s face twitched. “Something private.”

“Oh, so your plans to leave for the mountains, and perhaps, reach the lands further, Tenebria?”

Silence fell as the princess spoke those words. Reyna’s face went white and Caerwyn’s whole body jerked. He tried hard keeping his face straight but failed miserably. Deianara smiled faintly at the reaction. She turned to Reyna and slowly approached her.

“You thought I didn’t know? Oh, how can you be so naive.” Without turning her head, she addressed Caerwyn this time. “I can expect this of the girl, but you?” She clicked her tongue.

“Sereia, was it?” Her attention returned to the girl standing in front of her. “Or should I say Reyna.”

Reyna blinked. That was the only thing she was capable of. Her thoughts were racing so fast.

How could she have known? When did she find out? Has she known this entire time? Was someone coming to kill her this very instant?

“You knew?” Her voice sounded dry and distant. Deianara only looked her deep in the eyes and tilted her head a bit.

“Calm down, if I wanted to have you killed, you would have already been dead.”

That sounded logical, however, Reyna did not find that to be soothing enough. The shadow princess, the daughter of the enemy, her enemy, the one she was raised to hate and despise - did not kill her. Not only that. It had just struck Reyna that the princess has actually helped hide who she was since the moment they met. A few drops of sweat ran down her forehead.

“You and I, you know, we have a lot more in common than you think.” Deianara finally took a step back.

“I am not so sure.”

“Well, we both are royals for a start.”

“Shhhhh,” Caerwyn jumped to his feet. “I don’t care whatever game you are playing here, but you have to be careful.” Deianara looked him up and down with a look of disappointment.

“I have put a spell around this room. No one, I repeat, no one can hear what we are talking about here, not without my permission.”

“Why?” Reyna tried to make her voice sound as convincing as possible, tried to stop it from shaking.

“That, oh, that is a good question. I want to help you.”

For a moment everyone was too taken aback by those words. It was Caerwyn who broke the unbearable silence. “You? Want to help? You don’t even know what you are talking about.”

With a swish of her hand, the princess moved the nearest chair closer to her, and sat down.

“Yes, me. Yes, I want to help, don’t sound so surprised, I am not that evil as everyone makes me out to be and… yes, I know exactly what your plan is.” After no one spoke, she continued. “You and me, Reyna, we have a history. Or more like, our families do. Tenebria is now ours, used to be your fathers. Wars happen, betrayal happens. What doesn’t happen often is when the heir to the throne survives.”

Reyna knew this story, it was hers. However, she still clinged to each word that Deianara spoke as if grasping for some new information about her family.

“You survived, as a baby, and not only that, the masters at the black mountains managed to hide you, hide you so well even my father was convinced you had died. And right under our noses. That takes skill and dedication. I truly am impressed. The masters, they stayed loyal to your family.”“How do you know all this?” Caerwyn interrupted, his vein on his neck was pumping blood a bit more than usual.

“Why shouldn’t I?” Deianara snapped sharply. “This is history.” She glanced at the girl, who now was paler than paper. “Your family saved you, but not just to protect you, you were their only hope that someday your bloodline would sit on the throne again. Am I right?”

“Yes.” Reyna’s throat was so dry, she had to force the words out.

“So now that you are of age, here you are, on your little quest. And with a fae prince helping you…” Her voice trailed off. “I wonder, how did you get him to help you? How did you even get to his lands?”

“I took the long road, the one that does not cross your lands, the mountain chain.” Reyna spoke before Caerwyn had the chance to stop her. “I went to him for help.”

“And you agreed.”

Caerwyn nodded. If Reyna hadn’t been busy trying to piece the last conversation together, she would have noticed the strange look Deianara gave the prince.

“Your father got too comfortable, you know it, and rumour has it he has been talking about expanding his territory again. My father is not going to let that happen.” Caerwyn’s voice sounded a little quieter than usual.

Deianara stayed silent. Her face became unreadable as usual, still as a statue. Crossing her legs, she gestured to Reyna to sit down in the last chair in the room. She obeyed.

“Thought you knew everything.”

“Don’t get cocky. The idea still stands. Reyna wishes to get her kingdom back, and I can help.”

“I don’t need help-” Reyna started, but Deianara interrupted her. “Of course, you do. Yes you have the fae prince by your side, but it is my family who owns those lands now, my armies scattered there. Think again.”

“Why would you even do something like that? You expect me to believe that you would go against your father, to help me, of all people? You must think I am too naive.”

“You are, you also are young, with no people yet to support you. Tell me, do you have an army that would go into battle just for you? An army that is just yours?”

Reyna couldn’t answer that. The shadow princess was right, she was thrown into the world without any back up. Perhaps, it was foolish to even try.

“It is never foolish.” Deianara’s voice sounded softer. “You just need…guidance.”

“Dei, I-” Caerwyn cleared his throat. “You, how can we trust you?”

Deianara looked at him, her expression unreadable. She sighed. “You know me. You know that I don’t bother playing games like these. If I were to tell my father, I would have and you would be either in the chains or dead. Or both. I don’t play with my victims, you know that. I have never enjoyed the chase after prey. My father is a complicated person. Just believe that I have a personal agenda and I promise you that resolving the issues I have with the Lord of the shadows will not come at the expense of your lives.” Deianara turned to the other princess in the room. “I can promise, you will get back your kingdom.”

And that was it, she just stood up and walked towards the door. Before taking off whatever protection she had put on, she turned slightly and just said, “Think on it.”

A slight shadowy glow appeared again for a split moment and Deianara slipped through a small crack.

Reyna and Caerwyn stayed silent for a while after she left. Reyna lifted her head. “Do you trust her?”

Caerwyn looked both defeated and worried. “I used to.”

“Do you think she was telling the truth?”

“Yes, I do.”

Caerwyn left shortly after and Reyna got ready for bed. She blew out all the candles and changed into the night clothes that were kindly provided to her. As she climbed into her bed, she was too tired to notice a black bird perched outside on the nearest tree, looking directly at her with its black eye.