Princess of Darkness Read online

  “So, your brother’s married now. I know you’ve never met him before but, Viktor’s marriage took everyone by surprise. I wish him all the best.” Valerius began, hoping it was a conversation to Serendipity’s liking.

  The Princess shrugged. “I thought you and my ‘brother’ were supposed to be enemies. Don’t let your father hear you talking about him as though you are friends.” she said. Out of habit, both she and the young Lord looked to the door of the terrace in search of Marcus; should he have been hiding behind a set of curtains or something, during their conversation.

  Valerius leaned against the balcony ledge. “I don’t even know who my enemies are anymore. You were supposed to be my enemy but, look how that’s turned out.”

  Serendipity approached him and placed her hands onto his chest, leaning close enough for her to press her nose against his. “How has that turned out for us?” she asked.

  Valerius brushed some of her curls aside and placed a hand on her face. He ran his thumb across her cheek. “I think we might need some reminding because my mind is going blank.” he teased.

  Serendipity pressed a kiss against his lips. When he rolled his tongue around her mouth, she only grasped his tunic with both hands and kept him where he was. Just like Valerius, the Princess wasn’t sure who her enemies were either. Or perhaps, she knew who they were but, Valerius just wasn’t one of them. Nor was Alexandria, or Soraya. As for the rest of the Valentis, Serendipity was certainly not rushing to make any room for them in her heart anytime soon.

  *****

  That following morning an argument broke out in the grand hall. After having bickered with Reynald about who would escort his wife to their family manor in Faradwyn, Marcus had said he wasn’t going to change his mind on Aderico taking her. He had planned it in advance and that was how it was going to be. Period.

  Aderico wasn't too keen on leaving Serendipity in his cousin’s care, however Marcus insisted. As his son, Valerius had to remain behind with his father to maintain the running of Valkenn Castle. That only left Aderico as a candidate trustworthy enough to escort the Grand Lady of Valkenn to the family Manor.

  Valerius swore to Aderico that no harm would come to his fiancée. As expected, his cousin didn’t trust his good intentions. “She's to be my wife, not yours.” he told his cousin straightout.

  Valerius only responded with a grin and signalled for him to be off, as he knew Aderico liked to plan his journeys well in advance. A quiet shuffling sound from behind him caught Valerius’ attention; he turned towards the pillars lining the right side of the grand hall.

  Serendipity stood hidden behind one of the pillars, watching as Aderico strolled out of the hall, before entering herself. “Is he leaving?” she asked desperately.

  “Not yet, in two days; I think.” Valerius replied. He pulled some hair back from his eyes.

  “Can he not leave any sooner? That will be one less person for me to worry about.” Serendipity said. She glanced around the hall casually, making sure her unwanted fiancé hadn’t suddenly returned to the hall in search of her. “Do you think,” she began.

  The sound of footsteps caught both their attention and they found Aderico walking in again, only this time with Evard. He walked closely to him and he spoke to the young serving boy in a hushed tone. “You will remain here and take care of Serendipity's needs, I won't have you slipping up must I remind you. You won't fail me, yes?” he said.

  Evard nodded quickly and straightened himself up. “Yes Milord, I won't.” he replied. His note of boredom went unnoticed by the Lord, even when both Serendipity and Valerius had caught onto it.

  “You're trusting Evard to serve Serendipity? He's useless, always starting fights. Serendipity would be better off being served by Soraya or Kalyani for that matter.” Valerius sighed.

  Serendipity folded her arms over. “I don’t need a servant. I am fully capable of doing things for myself, thank you anyway,”

  “Certainly not.” Aderico argued. “Evard you will not start any fights whilst I am gone, do you understand? Serve her well, if I hear any complaints about you I'll have you whipped.” at that, Aderico turned on his heels and left the hall again. He seemed anxious to leave, judging by his constant running around the castle; being in one place and then another without anyone else being able to keep up.

  Valerius held his gaze on Evard for a moment, bouncing his weight from one foot to the other as he pondered. He turned to look at Serendipity and found her smiling. She was enjoying Aderico’s departure too much.

  “Evard, come.” she said as she walked and he followed behind her silently. Serendipity was off to plan her free time away from her fiancé already.

  Valerius only watched her go. Without really meaning to, he felt a pang of pity for her run through him.

  “Tired of her already, brother?” Kalyani's voice came from the pillars. She strolled over to him and smiled. Folding her arms, she spoke again. “I'm sure you are, so there's really no need to answer my question. Fortunately for you when Aderico leaves, and you'll be busy most of the time, she'll have Reynald to look after her.” she paused in thought. “Of course Aderico has appointed that stupid boy Evard to keep an eye out for her, but I suggested to Reynald that it would be best if he had the honours of doing so. Have fun cleaning up her corpse when he's done with her.” she patted him on the cheek and pushed past him.

  Valerius grabbed onto her wrist and pulled her towards him, smiling as she slammed hard into his chest and began to squirm. He moved his mouth closer to her ear. “What are you planning, little sister? You know just as well as I do that if Aderico returns to see his fiancé mutilated, he'll be taking his anger out on everyone. You included. You're weak Kalyani, you can't fight and he’ll go for you first.” Valerius whispered threateningly.

  Kalyani bit back a scream as her brother tightened his grip on her and his nails began biting into her skin. “Sister or not - if you have her killed, I'll just have to cut your stomach open - rip out your entrails - and force them back down your throat. Doesn't that sound pleasant?”

  Kalyani pushed her brother away and slapped him hard across the cheek. “What a love-drunk fool you have become.” she spat and ran past Valerius, towards the pillars. She disappeared out of sight, leaving her brother standing alone in the hall.

  She was plotting something, the young Lord had no doubt about that, yet he didn't know to what extent she'd go to see Serendipity dead. If it included Reynald, he knew he had to be quick to think of a way of stopping her before she did something she would regret.

  Serendipity

  Serendipity had been called into the hall for a reason completely unknown to her but, as it was by Marcus' orders, she knew this would be far from pleasant. Valerius was already waiting there, sitting on his seat beside his father, he propped his chin up with one of his fists. He looked positively bored. Aderico entered the hall through a row of columns just opposite the Princess, with Soraya following closely behind, and moments later Kalyani pushed past Serendipity rudely and made her way towards the front of the hall. The last person to enter was Alexandria, dressed in her usual extravagant clothes; she strolled towards Marcus and quickly found her place beside him.

  Was it a large gathering? This most definitely wasn't going to be pleasant. A public beating perhaps? A way to keep the nobles entertained; although it seemed so unlike Valerius and his mother, in particular, to condone such spectacles.

  Serendipity drew a deep breath and made her way towards the front of the hall, her steps were small but calm, and she avoided trembling. She didn’t know what this was all about, yet there was nothing to suggest it was going to be brutal. As she drew nearer to the family, the front doors to the castle were swung open and as Serendipity’s gaze slid towards them, her jaw dropped. Axel Rossum, the Chief of Staff of Anderaith barged in and servants, as well as guards, jumped out of the way to avoid running into him and getting punched as a result. The Princess turned away in hope of him not noticing her. As long as she foun
d her seat and kept her head down.

  Axel’s heavy footsteps stopped behind her and she heard him speak. “You shouldn't be in my way, be quick about moving.” his tone was harsh and as smug as the Princess last remembered.

  Serendipity kept quiet. She hung her head low, as to avoid all eye contact with the brute. Axel snorted with impatience and reached out to grab the Princess. The fool hadn’t yet realised who it was, even after all these years. Serendipity ducked, yet not fast enough. A sharp pain shot through her scalp as a pair of strong fingers entangled in her curls. She was pulled back and met with a bellow of laughter once her captor recognised her face.

  “What's so amusing?” Alexandria asked, startled by the sudden roar he called his laugh.

  Axel released the Princesses by her hair. “I thought I'd lost you, Serendipity. I should have known you’d come back to me again, somehow.”

  The Princess moved away from him and held onto her head, attempting to ease the stinging in her scalp; she shook her head. “Who have you kidnapped now to sell to the Valentis?” she growled.

  Axel wagged his finger at her. “There's no need to ask like that but, if you really need to know, your close companions were in the bunch.” he replied and smiled in victory as the Princess tensed.

  Serendipity stepped back as though she had just been dealt a blow to the face. “You haven't.” she began.

  Axel clapped his hands with glee and rushed over to the Valentis. Bowing down low, he cleared his throat. He was in a jolly mood and that only meant trouble for those around him. “Lord Marcus, may I present my latest stock? Fresh from Anderaith.” he announced.

  To the Princess’ horror, Thommo, Alena and Marhi were dragged into the hall. Arann followed closely behind and he, it seemed, was the only one putting up a fight.

  But Arann was to be the Captain of the Guard. Why had Axel kidnapped him? Serendipity could only ask herself.

  Axel took hold of Thommo and dragged him before the Valentis. He smiled broadly as he twisted Thommo around for the Valentis to see. It was like selling cattle at a farmers market, rather than slaves. “Fine young man, strong and able; he would make a perfect stable boy and blacksmith’s apprentice. He's had the experience.” he began and messed Thommo’s hair up with his hand.

  Next he brought up Marhi and Alena, both chained at the wrists and ankles just like their male companions. Axel cleared his throat. “Sixteen years old, Alena knows how to serve a drink or two and Marhi, she is able to cook, clean and sew. I've made sure of that.” he pushed them to the side and beckoned for Arann to be brought forward. He had saved the best for last.

  Arann found he had no energy to fight. Hungry and tired, he obeyed his given orders and stumbled over to the Valentis. His black curls were a mess, whilst his stubble had grown out and no longer looked as groomed as before.

  Axel's smile broadened. “Here is a fine man, twenty-one years old and recently promoted to Captain of the Guard. He can fight, I've seen him train. He would be a good mentor for your younger soldiers, the ones still in training. I want his weight in silver.” he demanded and patted Arann on the shoulder.

  Serendipity turned to look at Marcus and found him nodding, as was her fiancé. Of course, Alexandria and Kalyani held no interest in such business and instead they talked quietly amongst themselves.

  Valerius on the other hand observed the new slaves with care, frowning all the while. He was the only one seeing sense in this business, at how ridiculous such a trade was.

  “You won't sell them.” Serendipity snapped.

  Axel frowned at her. “What did you just say?” he asked.

  Serendipity turned her attention to the Chief and spoke again. “You won't sell them - I won't let you.”

  Marcus sat up in his seat, smiling. “Why won't he, I like the look of them all? In fact, I'll have them and you can have the young Captain's weight in silver.” he nodded and, without a moments hesitation, went to beckon for a servant to fetch the required money.

  “But I won't let you.” Serendipity cried again and looked at Marcus. Rushing up to him, she fell to her knees and placed a hand on his thigh.

  “Please, you can't buy them. They're not slaves, most of them are hardly adults and you have no need for them.” Serendipity began, her voice was very close to breaking, yet she refused to cry in front of the Grand Lord.

  Marcus, however, didn't seem convinced, and he gently pushed her hand from his thigh. Rising to his feet, he simply nodded and left the hall as quickly as he had come.

  Serendipity wasn't going to give up as easily as he wanted and she rose to her feet in pursuit of him. “Marcus.” she began. The Princess made every effort to catch up with him and she took hold of his arm; stopping him in his tracks. “I won't let you buy them, let them go. Please,”

  Marcus turned and grabbed her by the neck, forcing her against one of the pillars. “You won't tell me what to do, Serendipity.” he spat.

  The Princess cut in quickly. “You have no need for them, Axel only wants your gold and you already have more servants than you need.” she pleaded.

  Marcus released the Princess from his grip and she spluttered, sucking in some air gratefully. He stared silently at her for a moment, as if contemplating what to say, and then he shook his head. “I never turn down an offer from Axel Rossum and I certainly won't start now.”

  “If you're treating the others like slaves, why am I not working for your family? Why aren't you giving me chores, treating me like a serving maid?” Serendipity dared to ask him.

  Marcus sighed heavily and tucked a curl behind her ear. “Because there's a difference between being born a slave and being born a Redbane.” he replied, his voice was gentle all of a sudden and he stroked the Princesses cheek with affection.

  “But I'm not a Redbane.” Serendipity hissed and pushed his hand away. She knew she had lost this battle and decided there was nothing else she could do. With a heavy heart, Serendipity turned for the refuge of her room instead.

  Marcus followed after her. His arms swung freely by his sides. “Is that what you have been led to believe?” he asked gently, yet Serendipity knew better than to be fooled by his misleading tone.

  “Why do you ask what you already think you know?” she hissed as the Grand Lord came closer.

  A smile tugged at the corners of Marcus’ mouth and he folded his arms over his chest. He allowed his gaze to drift over Serendipity’s body, slowly, savouring all that he saw. “Is it so wrong to hold an interest in things?” he asked in turn.

  “When you're walking into a business not of your own, it is.” Serendipity replied and pushed past him again, hoping he wouldn't dare to follow after her still. After wandering aimlessly – with the hope of losing Marcus somewhere along the way - Serendipity went back to the hall. She found Valerius seated on a plump sofa alongside Aderico and to her surprise, Evard. They all seemed locked in a conversation of their own, yet they broke off their talk as soon as the Princess appeared before them.

  Serendipity sighed heavily and slumped down onto another sofa just opposite Aderico. They didn’t meet each other’s gazes.

  Evard shook his head at her. “Serendipity, you’re really pushing your luck now. Arguing with Marcus in front of everyone. You’ll push him too far one day.”

  “I for one would prefer to not return home to a fiancée who has had her tongue ripped out as a reward for her insolence. Those people are not your friends anymore, Marcus has bought them and they’re now just part of his household staff. There’s nothing further to discuss as far as I’m concerned.” Aderico didn’t even bother looking at her as he spoke, instead he focused his attention on picking the dirt out from under his nails.

  Serendipity huffed in disbelief as Valerius reached over to give her hand a comforting squeeze. Aderico snapped his attention to the gesture, his nostrils flaring with jealousy. “Come Serendipity.” He stood, extending his hand out to her. “You can help me finalise my packing before I leave, as a good wife should.”
/>   Serendipity stood slowly, reluctantly and took his arm. As she walked away, she glanced back at Valerius, the silent message flashing between them. She was not his wife yet and with any luck she would be as far from this wretched hole as possible before he could return and make her nightmares a reality.

  Adelaide

  The Princess had retired to bed at midday after complaining of a headache. She could hardly remember the journey back to Faradwyn, having tried so hard to sleep through as much of the journey as she could. Adelaide had been restless, robbed of sleep the entire time. Now her fatigue had returned with a vengeance. Yet it seemed she wasn’t going to get any rest as she tossed and turned in her bed, with sweaty palms, Adelaide made a weak attempt to wipe her forehead dry; only it was no use. Her head spun and spat out images, visions of something. She dreamed of riding through Faradwyn forest. The Princess urged her horse to go faster as she knew something was after her. Or was it someone?

  Faradwyn Forest had a reputation of being eerie whatever time of day it was and it seemed a lot worse as it came closer into view. The wind had picked up ever so slightly, causing whatever leaves that were left to dance on their branches, so Adelaide pulled her hood up and scanned the forest, but found she was alone.

  She rode deeper into the forest until she came to a small clearing. Adelaide took her time to scan the forest carefully again, keeping an eye out for any movement; and it didn’t take long before a black horse bearing a rider came into the clearing to meet her.

  Valerius Valenti.

  Adelaide’s jaw dropped, and she had her horse retreat a step. What happened next went by so fast, even as she slept the Princess couldn’t keep up with her dream.