Royal Games

Chapter 17

Once I'm sure the other girls are in bed on Sunday night, I sneak out of the house. For what I'm about to do, I should be safe under cover of darkness.

I wander off campus and walking along the treeline of the nearby forest. Even though I've never done this journey before, I know exactly where I'm going. I undo the glamour on my eyes to give myself better vision in the dark.

I pause as I reach a small cottage. Flowers creep up the brick walls. A thatched roof echoes of the simpler lives of generations long gone. But I know that simpler doesn't necessarily mean happier. I got away from court life. Why am I persisting to reclaim my place there?

It doesn't matter right now.

I sprinkle a pinch of fairy dust over the door handle.

"Open."

I push down on the handle. The door opens without the need for a key.

There is a protection spell on the cottage. The only reason my magic works is because the deeds are in my name.

I step inside and close the door behind me.

For the first (and probably only) time, I explore in the interior of my cottage. Delicately, I drag a finger over the walls. Trace the edges of furniture and decorations. The cottage was decorated to my tastes in anticipation for my arrival here. Most of the furniture was chosen personally by me.

Tears prick in my eyes as I think of the time I should've spent here.

In the bedroom that was meant to be mine, I open up a wooden chest by the bed. At first glance it appears empty. I reach in and take out a thin piece of wood at the bottom, revealing a small collection of items from Topia. There are potions and weapons. A few books and other enchanted objects. Everything is where it should be.

I hear something. Footsteps outside.

Panic fills me. I wonder if I've been an idiot coming here, with my real name still clearly attached to the building.

But I won't be caught off guard this time. Tonight, I'm prepared to fight. I wipe my tears away and retreat back into the emotional void I've been stuck in.

Silently, I grab a sword from the chest and replace the false bottom. I creep downstairs. When I get to the hallway, I watch in horror as the front door handle moves. I didn't lock the door.

Sword up and poised to strike, I keep a vigilant eye on the door.

I observe the door slowly swing open.

I lunge.

Metal clashes as my sword is met by another sword lifted by rapid reflexes.

"Alyssa?" Shock is evident in the familiar voice.

"Liam?" I'm equally as shocked. Weary relief grips me.

"How are you alive?" He whispers, still in disbelief.

"Long story. I'll explain later. Come inside; this isn't the safest place to talk." He sheaths his sword as he closes the door behind him. I lead him up to my room. My sword, although lowered, remains tightly gripped.

"What are you doing here?" I ask icily. He sits down on the bed. I stay stood.

"I came to see if there were any clues about what happened to you. Clearly I made the right decision."

"I left the banquet and never got to the ball. What have I missed since?"

"I won the duel with your idiot brother." I completely forgot about the duel. "The ball was called off after only about an hour. No one knew why at the time, but your absence was obvious. Guests were dismissed from the palace the next day, and us guards were told of your disappearance, and to be on high alert. Your parents sent out search parties, who found your bloody outfit. It was assumed you were dead, which was announced to the public."

"What did you really think of my disappearance?"

"Is this some kind of interrogation?" Liam sounds offended.

"Yes." I lift my sword to his throat. The tip touches his skin without piercing it. He could, potentially, move backwards away from it. He doesn't. He just stares me down. "You will answer my questions." I lower the sword down to his chest, over his heart.

He keeps staring for another few seconds before he answers. "I thought you had been killed in an ambush. I never thought you would run away."

"I ran from an ambush. It was dark. The assailants were hidden in the shadows. I wasn't prepared for a fight. But I am now. Tell me how my dear mother's been." Talking about my mum tastes like poison.

"Most of the time she's hidden away in her private chambers with your father. I've only seen her with red eyes since your birthday; she cries a lot over you."

"Who knows you're here?"

"Your father gave me permission to come. I told no one else." Perhaps my dad has successfully received my letter and, hopefully, Liam is still a friend.

"What weapons do you have on you?"

"Other than my sword? Only a dagger tucked into each boot."

"What would you do to prove your loyalty to me?"

"Anything you ask of me." Liam's eyes seem to be pleading with me to give him some challenge and end the interrogation.

"Would you give me your oath?" I ask quietly. All palace guards are under oath to serve the crown. Liam has sworn no oaths (to my knowledge) to any particular person.

"Gladly."

I lower my sword, allowing Liam to move. He stands from the bed, before dropping down to his knees. I grab his right wrist and he holds my left. His eyes don't leave mine.

"Do you swear to always tell me the truth? To never share information about me without my permission? To protect me from all harm? To give your life before mine?" As I speak, I feel the magic flare up between us.

"I swear it."

"Should you fail in any of these tasks, you will never hold a weapon again unless I allow it. Do you accept these terms?"

"I do."

The tingling sensation of magic fades away. Liam is magically bound to his oath. My sword clatters against the floor. I help Liam up and immediately give him a tight hug. Tears spill down my cheeks once more.

"I've missed you." I weep.

"I've missed you too."

Minutes pass before I pull away.

"I only came here to get some supplies." I say, before walking over to the chest. I put my sword back in, before placing both my hands flat on the closed lid. "Items here and nothing there, send these things away with care." When I open the lid again, nothing remains. Not even the false bottom.

"Where did you send your supplies to?" Liam asks.

"My wardrobe in my university dorm."

"Wait. You're actually at university?"

"Yes. I'll explain everything tomorrow; it's late and I have a morning lecture tomorrow. I need to get back to campus, but you can stay here if you like. Here's my new number. And I'm now going by Ally Evers."

"You're great at this on-the-run thing. New phone, name, even dyeing your hair."

"Thanks. I'll meet you in the woods outside tomorrow afternoon." I give Liam's hand a squeeze as I walk past him and back to campus.