“
I have a trunk being lowered,
”
Leonosis said.
“
I shall see to it personally. Let me escort you to your rooms.
”
The outer portions of the castle were reserved for military use and occupied by soldiers who stood guard duty day and night over the King
’
s stronghold. The interior of the castle was as plush as any palace in Valana. Leonosis followed Bynes down a marble staircase past huge works of art. There were ancient weapons displayed occasionally and they passed several ornate corridors before Bynes led them down a long hallway with a plush carpet running down the center. There were tapestries depicting former rulers and some that showed scenes from before the cataclysm.
Leonosis was led to a large suite of rooms, which he found ordinary in every regard except the fact that there was no fireplace and no windows. Leonosis guessed they warmed the rooms with braziers, since open flames would consume the air and there seemed to be very little ventilation in the ancient castle. Leonosis was left to wait, which was bothersome, but not unexpected. Princess Ariel had never shown any romantic interest in Leonosis and he guessed that she would see through his ruse. It made little difference what she thought of him, or how much she might discern of his true motives. He would unveil his intentions soon enough.
It was sunset before Leonosis heard from his host again. He had spent the afternoon pacing in his suite of rooms. Bynes had delivered his trunk as promised and finally a messenger came inviting Leonosis to dine with the King and his daughter.
Leonosis dressed himself and was joined by Grentz as they waited for their host. It was nearly an hour later when a servant arrived and they were escorted to a small dining hall. There were lamps burning and casting the room in a soft, yellow light that felt warm and inviting. The King was already present, and well into his cups if Leonosis was any judge. They were joined by several high-ranking officers in the King
’
s Army.
The military men conversed in quiet tones, and Grentz seemed right at home. The King was a sullen host and Leonosis waited impatiently for Princess Ariel to arrive. It was nearly an hour before she came sweeping into the room. Everyone except the King rose to their feet, and once the Princess was seated, the King excused himself.
Leonosis had done little but pick at his food and sip his wine. He didn
’
t want to be addled the first time he saw the Princess again. She looked tired and unprepared for his visit.
“
My lady,
”
Leonosis said.
“
It does my heart good to see you again.
”
“
Indeed,
”
Ariel said.
“
Shall we take a walk after dinner and discuss the reason for your visit?
”
“
That would be wonderful,
”
Leonosis said smugly.
He ate a bit more of his food, passing the time with pleasantries but not really caring about anything that was said until one of the officers offered his condolences to Prince Ariel.
“
Your brother is worse?
”
Leonosis asked, surprised for the first time since arriving at Sparlan Citadel.
“
He is dying,
”
Ariel said quietly.
“
I
’
m so sorry, your highness,
”
Leonosis said, hiding the giddiness he felt at the news.
He sat back in his seat and pondered the new information. He had thought that the sickly young prince might need to be dealt with, but if he died of natural causes it would make Leonosis
’
plans that much easier. Without a male heir, whoever the Princess married would be next in line for the throne. Leonosis recognized the King
’
s addiction to strong drink. Earl Aegus was much the same. Both would soon succumb to their vices, leaving the way open for Leonosis to improve his own position in Valana. He only needed to secure his place with Princess Ariel and his ambitions would be complete.
Once the meal was finished, Leonosis rose and offered the Princess his arm. She had seemed confident and full of herself in Avondale, but now she seemed uncertain and mildly distressed.
“
Shall we?
”
Leonosis asked.
The Princess rose without a word and took his arm. They left the dining hall where the officers were watching them and Ariel led the way to a small room with a large hearth. She went quickly to the fire and stood warming her hands. Leonosis thought the castle was cold, but he wasn
’
t uncomfortable. He stood nearby and savored the moment.
“
Why are you here, Lord Leonosis?
”
Princess Ariel finally asked.
“
I
’
m here to seek your hand in marriage of course,
”
Leonosis said confidently.
“
And what would give you any indication that your affection is in any way warranted?
”
“
I
’
ve put a few things together since our last conversation.
”
“
It
’
s good to see that eventually you catch up.
”
“
Indeed,
”
Leonosis said, ignoring her jab.
“
And now that I know your secrets, I shall need a reason to keep my mouth shut.
”
“
Petty bribery, that is what you seek?
”
Princess Ariel scoffed.
“
I seek the throne, my lady.
”
“
You dance around true power, and settle for trappings. I do not think you are strong enough to bear the weight of what you seek, my lord.
”
“
Speak in riddles all you wish,
”
Leonosis said hotly.
“
I shall speak plainly. I know that you have dabbled in magic. I know that is why you sought out my brother. Now, let us not beat around the bush. Agree to marry me and I will keep your little secret. Cross me, and I shall see that you are banished from all Nine Cities, and then I shall take the throne from your drunkard father.
”
“
Your ambition is commendable,
”
Princess Ariel said.
“
But your threats are out of place.
”
“
Don
’
t test me, Princess.
”
“
You underestimate me, Leonosis.
”
“
What is your answer?
”
“
I shall have to think about such a romantic proposition,
”
she purred cynically.
“
I have no time for games, your highness. And neither do you it appears. Once the King
’
s heir passes, you shall become little more than chattel to be traded to the highest bidder.
”
“
No one can possess me,
”
Ariel said.
“
And your threats fall flat.
”
“
As you wish,
”
Leonosis said.
“
In fact, I think I much prefer things this way. It may take a little more work, but in the end the throne will be mine alone.
”
“
Allow me to show you something, my lord,
”
Princess Ariel said.
She stepped up to the wide mantle above the hearth before Leonosis could reply. She ran her finger across the top of the mantle and with a groan a secret door popped open beside the fireplace.
“
Come with me,
”
she said.
Leonosis could see that she was whispering something under her breath but he couldn
’
t hear the words. Suddenly he was following her and his head felt as though it were being squeezed in an almost crushing icy grip. He wanted to stop, to get away from Princess Ariel, who suddenly seemed absolutely terrifying to him, but he had no control of his physical body. They went down a spiral staircase, the stone steps covered with a layer of dust that lay thick and gray in the corners.
With each step, Leonosis felt his dread grow. There was something at the bottom of the stairs that he didn
’
t want to see. He didn
’
t know how he knew this, but he was certain it was true. At one point, Princess Ariel paused and leaned heavily against one wall. A piercing scream was echoed up from below, and once the sound had faded away, Ariel continued their descent. The bottom of the stairs opened into a large room that Leonosis guessed was situated below the castle, but above the huge chamber in the mountain. The room was dark, with only a few candles burning on the floor to give the room any light. Leonosis wanted to turn and run away, but he couldn
’
t move. He stood at the bottom of the stairs, frozen like a statue.
Then he felt something burrowing into his mind. It was a horrible violation, but one he was helpless to stop. Another consciousness entered his mind. It flitted through his memories and laid bare all his plans. Nothing was held back from the dark consciousness in Leonosis
’
mind and the young noble thought he would go insane, but then the presence withdrew.
“
He is pliable,
”
said a deep voice.
“
More so than my brother,
”
the Princess said.
“
He is stronger, but his ambition will make him easy to dominate.
”
“
That was my hope, Master.
”
“
Who
…
who are you talking to?
”
Leonosis said, suddenly able to control himself once more.
“
Will you reveal yourself?
”
the Princess asked the voice in the darkness.
“
Perhaps,
”
answered the voice.
It was so deep, the words seemed to reverberate inside Leonosis. He quivered with fear and his bowels felt weak as if they might give way at any moment. He stepped back, but the staircase was gone. He turned, only to find a solid wall behind him now. He knew he didn
’
t want to see what had spoken to the Princess, but he had nowhere to hide.
“
You were right about me,
”
Princess Ariel said.
“
I am a witch, but I don
’
t just dabble in magic. I am the doorway to the unseen world that birthed this one.
”
“
I don
’
t understand,
”
Leonosis sputtered.
“
Your brother didn
’
t either,
”
Ariel said.
“
He was dabbling, but he had potential. We could have been a powerful union, but perhaps you
’
ll do.
”
“
I don
’
t want it,
”
Leonosis said.
All he could think about was getting away from Princess Ariel and whatever was hidden in the darkness beyond the candlelight.
“
Please,
”
he begged,
“
let me go.
”
“
It
’
s too late for that,
”
came the deep voice.
“
My ambition needs a vessel, and you have been chosen.
”
“
You
’
ll have your wish,
”
Princess Ariel said.
“
You
’
ll be King when my father dies.
”
Leonosis was terrified, but that terror was suddenly tempered with desire. He wanted to be King, more than anything in the world. He would give anything to be King, he knew that. All he needed to do was go along with Princess Ariel and whatever was hiding in the darkness. He could do that, he thought to himself.
“
You see,
”
the voice rumbled.
“
He is much more fit for our purposes.
”