Heir of Beauty Read online

  "I'm asking you now."

  My stomach turned as I dared to face her. Across the room, her eyebrows knitted together as she thought hard, her fingers laced in a pile in her lap.

  “This girl, the one you argued with. Do you think you might be in love with her? Is that where the questions are coming from?"

  Love? I never really thought about it like that, not in terms of a word or a status anyway. It was just this thing. This feeling I couldn’t shake since…I didn’t really know when it started, but it kept growing each time I saw her.

  "I don't know. I just know that I think of her when she's not around and I can't wait to see her again. I want to know what she’s thinking. Want to see her smile. And when I'm around her I feel more like myself then I ever have before, even if being around her scares me a little bit."

  Mom sat beside me on the bed and ran her hand gently up and down my spine. "Then maybe you are. But I can't tell you that for sure, only you will know. But, whether you are or you are not, you need to make things right with her. She clearly means a lot to you to bring about this change, so even if she's just a friend, you should hang on to her. People can be cruel sometimes, make sure you hold on to the good ones.”

  I hugged her tight. A weight started to lift even though my problems still hadn't been solved. "Now what did you want to know about your father and me?”

  Another knock sounded at the door, this one harder and rougher. I rushed over as my mother straightened herself, then whipped open the door to greet the captain of the guard standing outside in the hallway.

  "Permission to speak to the queen, Your Majesty?” he said, his expression unreadable. All business in his perfect uniform.

  I swept my arm back. "Of course."

  "What is it, Amir?” She asked meeting him halfway across the room.

  "I've received word from the last unit at the border. There is no sign of the king anywhere."

  "Have you checked every forest? Every river bank and creek? He can't have disappeared into the air?"

  "I'm sorry, my queen. We have looked everywhere, twice. Our only thought is that he's escaped to the mountain peaks or has left the kingdom. We've alerted all the neighboring kingdoms and they are all on watch with strict orders to return him home alive. I’ve enlisted the best falconers to search the mountain peaks, but nothing has surfaced yet. A full search would be difficult at best with our current resources."

  Tears welled in my mother's eyes, but she quickly wiped them away as her strong mask of the warrior slid back into place. "Then we must find additional resources. Gather your men and we will devise a new plan. He can't be far without food or shelter."

  "Yes, ma'am." He nodded.

  "That will be all, Amir. Thank you for your diligence and your information. As always you are an asset to this kingdom."

  The captain gave her a quick salute then marched out of the room closing the door behind him. The second the handle clicked in the frame my mother's eyes flooded with tears. I pulled her close and she buried her head in my chest, as my arms struggled to hold her tight against her gasping sobs. Her whole body shook, the strength in her legs to hold her up evaporating with each painful cry. I rested my chin on her head and closed my eyes as my own tears began to fall.

  Eventually, the sobbing slowed and she peeled herself out of my embrace. Make-up smeared down her blotchy cheeks and red spiderwebs spun in her watery eyes.

  "Fallon, the guards told me you appeared out of the sky on a giant bird the other day. Do you still have access to it?"

  "I don't think so." Veda’s offer to borrow Alizeh came before I hurt her. I doubted it still stood. But as my mother's face drooped, her heart smashing into yet another jagged piece, I didn't care. "But I can definitely try.”

  A brief spark of hope glinted in her stare. "Do whatever you need to, but please, Fallon, go find your father."

  The light glowed at the end of the tunnel. The dark green leaves fluttered in the golden sun as I finally emerged from the underground passage that led from the castle. I could’ve tried calling Alizeh from the courtyard inside the gates, but I didn't want to attract any more attention to myself this week. Discretion had become a precious commodity that I wasn't willing to give up.

  I shortened the strap on the leather shoulder bag to ease the load and stop it from banging against my leg. Mom insisted I bring half a year’s worth of provisions, but I managed to put some back in the cupboard before she saw. I didn’t need to be adding any more weight to the journey than I needed to.

  Stopping at the entrance of the cave, I propped my foot on the rocky wall and let the peaceful breeze wash over me. Birds chirped in the distance as leaves rustled and added percussion to their happy song. I forced my shoulders down and closed my eyes, my neck stretched up toward the sky trying to relax, but the knot of guilt tying tighter in my stomach wouldn't let me let go.

  I stumbled down the pathway towards the edge of town and the only clear space I could land a giant bird without immediately alerting everyone in a five-mile radius. Shielding my eyes from the sun, I stuck my fingers in my mouth and blew, just as Veda had done before. A breathy half-whistle came out along with a shower of saliva. Gross. I wiped my hand on my pant leg and tried again. A low whistling sound emitted this time, but not nearly as melodic as she would have done. I watched the horizon, waiting for the giant cloud of feathers to come, but nothing dared dot the perfect blue sky.

  I whistled again, this attempt much better and a lot less wet. But still nothing moved overhead. I tossed my hand through the air and sat down on a pile of dry leaves. I figured it probably wouldn't work anyway. Veda said I could borrow Alizeh anytime, but she’d probably changed her mind. Not that I blamed her for that decision, but I hoped she'd understand why I needed the bird when she finally spoke to me again. If she ever spoke to me again.

  I propped my elbows on my knees and rested my head in my hands. Mom would be so disappointed. The one favor I might be able to do for her, to help ease her sorrow, and I let her down too. I clearly didn't have any luck with the ladies this week. Becoming king had been an even bigger burden than I’d imagined.

  The sun faded behind a cloud, the warmth of it falling into shadow. I took a deep breath of the cool, new air and hoped it didn’t mean rain on the way. Except, when I’d looked before there hadn’t been any clouds in the sky.

  The earth shook and I jumped to my feet as Alizeh’s bronze wings dusted the treetops and her sword-like talons plowed the dirt upon landing. She clucked, snapping her beak in the air then gazed over at me with her oversized eyes.

  "You came." I rushed to her side and leaned into the downy softness of her right wing.

  I moved to the front of her and she lowered her head to me. I held the sides of her beak and locked my stare with hers, hoping she’d understand me. "I need you to do me a favor, girl. My father has gone missing in the mountains and I really need to find him. He is not himself, and he might be dangerous, but I need your help."

  Alizeh nodded in my grip, whether understanding my plea or just responding to the attention.

  "I know you belong to Veda, but I really need you. I care about her and I think she cares about me. At least I hope she does. Would you be able to help me?"

  She snapped her beak and I stepped back. Maybe she hated me too? But instead of ripping off my arms she nudged the bag at my hip pushing it back.

  "Are you hungry, girl?" I pat her head and pulled a dark pink and green dragonfruit from the bag. She clucked happily, and I tossed it in the air, the entire piece disappearing in one gulp.

  "Is that a yes?”

  She pulled her talons back and lowered herself to the ground, her head laying low on the dirt. I mounted her back as fast as I could, in case she decided to change her mind and tried to buck me off. Instead, she stood tall and proud with her enormous wings spread out in a perfect line, waiting for my directions.

  "Let’s go.”

  I jerked forward as Alizeh climbed higher into the sky.
I scanned between the trees, looking for any movement, any sign that my father may still be in the forest. But as we ascended higher and higher, the hope that I would find him disappeared in the open air.

  The silvery moonlight twisted through the mountain peaks. The cool evening air helped soothe the sunburn etched into my skin, but still didn't stop the burn completely. I rubbed my tired eyes, the dust of flight and the intense concentration from surveying every movement below itched under my eyelids.

  Unfortunately, I hadn't found one clue as to where my father may have gone. I'd searched all of the lower peaks, every one that was accessible by road or pathway, moving into the ones that required actual mountain climbing experience, but they both seemed untouched. The window for finding him kept closing and I needed to find a way to prop it open a little while longer. My stomach growled, battling hunger and the dread of telling my mother that I'd found nothing, just like the captain had warned her.

  But no matter where I flew, I couldn't lose the awful feeling of hurting Veda. Mom said to make it right, but lately every time I opened my mouth I offended someone. Or could I have been making excuses to avoid owning up to my mistakes?

  I leaned forward and gathered a fistful of feathers near Alizeh’s neck. "Alizeh, bring me to Veda’s mountain."

  The giant bird turned in a wide arc and the wind whipped through my hair as we soared straight into the current. I settled back and watched the stars float by above our heads, trying to figure out what I could say that might convince her to forgive me. But how would I explain that I let the Council get into my head, or worse, that the thought of kissing her meant more to me than any other kiss I’d ever had?

  Alizeh circled the familiar peak, slowing down to land, as the tiny cottage appeared below us like a dot on a map. The windows stood dark as the surrounding night, so she might have already gone to bed. Was it even that late? Or maybe it was early tomorrow already? Flying all day had messed with my concept of time. Alizeh landed as smooth and graceful as always, and I slid off her back as the odd feeling of the stable ground beneath my feet buckled my knees.

  “Thank you," I said, as I rushed across the yard. I grabbed a fish from the box by the tree and tossed it toward the bird, her sharp beak shredding it almost instantly. I owed her so much more than a partially rotting fish, but it would have to do for now. Once I returned to the castle I would have the kitchen prepare a feast deserving of the most decorated knight.

  "Good girl." I tapped her beak and she closed her eyes with a contented cooing sound. "I'll be right back."

  I took the narrow winding path toward the dim cottage. No lights were visible from the ground either. The flowers in the tiny garden flopped over on their stems waiting for the morning sun to wake them again from slumber. Maybe it was a lot later than I thought.

  By the time I reached the door, a thickness had already built in my throat. I swallowed, trying to force it down as my fist hovered beside the wooden door. I’d come all this way and still had no clue what I would say to her, but I hoped the right words would come when I saw her face. I clenched my teeth and knocked.

  The sound echoed between the peaks, but inside the house remained silent.

  I knocked again, louder but trying not to sound too aggressive.

  Nothing.

  I looked at Alizeh out in the yard and shrugged. She turned her head to the side watching me with upended eyes.

  One last try.

  I banged my fist harder and longer, the sound reverberating through the mountains. "Veda, it’s Fallon. If you are in there please come to the door. I'm sorry it's so late, but I really need to talk to you.”

  I leaned against the wall next to the door, one foot crossed over the other and waited.

  Still nothing.

  “Veda,” I called again, “I just need five minutes, then I promise I’ll leave if you want me to.”

  The moon moved miles across the sky while I stood there by myself, holding up the wall. I’d never had to chase a girl before. Any time I did something to offend one of the tavern girls, I simply continued on with my life and they came back the next day pretending like nothing happened. The thought stung in my chest. I hadn’t exactly been the most upstanding guy. Maybe I deserved this. I’d done so many people wrong that now I had to pay the price. Except, I never knew karma would be so all-consuming. Veda deserved to be mad at me. I deserved to be standing out in the dark begging for her forgiveness. But who knew that it would sting this bad?

  "She's either not home, or I screwed up even worse than I thought,” I said to Alizeh as I snaked back down the path. She'd already made herself in a comfortable pile, but as I approached she laid her massive head on the ground, her eyelids drooping as she fought sleep.

  I sat beside her and leaned against her wing as the slow rhythmic rise and fall of her lungs provided a warm cushion behind my back. It wouldn’t be the most comfortable sleep, but I’d had worse over the last few days. Besides, even though Veda’s comfy old couch lay only fifty feet away, I couldn’t risk violating her trust again by breaking into her house. If she’d found me sleeping there in the morning, she’d likely throw me off the mountain and deserved the right too. I pulled the shoulder bag onto my lap and dug through the contents. Mainly fruit peels and scraps remained, but I found a squished sandwich along with a couple of bright orange clementines near the bottom. I peeled back the rind and took a bite of clementine. The sweet juice exploded in my mouth as I closed my eyes and let the weight of the day pin me down.

  Slowly my mind sunk into the emptiness of sleep. The future king, the Crown Prince of Aboria, laying in the dirt, waiting on a girl.

  4

  30th May

  My body ached. Every inch of flesh pressed against the hard ground as I tossed and turned the night away, my subconscious shouting at me for being so cruel. Anything else not beaten by my restless sleep burned deep with the scars of sunburn, and I still had who knows how many days of searching I had left.

  I stretched my arms above my head and finally opened my eyes.

  Ahhh!

  Two massive yellow eyes hovered just above me. I screamed again and clawed myself backward, ripping the tops of my fingers as I pulled myself away.

  Alizeh squawked and shook her head. Small bits of fluff from her feathers billowed around her, like bronze snow.

  "Don't do that when I'm sleeping."

  She tilted her head and stared for a moment, then ignored my panic and tried to rummage through the bag I'd been using as a pillow.

  I let go and fell back to the ground digging the heels of my hands into my eye sockets and letting my heartbeat go back to a normal rhythm. Alizeh had a point though. Time for breakfast.

  I staggered over to the side of the yard and pulled the last fish from the box. I tossed it in the air for Alizeh, then stared up at the lone tree and its shady branches. Small apple-like fruits grew in several clumps within the blanket of leaves and hung just low enough that I might be able to reach. I jumped up and swiped with my arm, dragging down a few branches and shaking a few little green orbs to the ground. I scooped them up, wiped off the dust, then wolfed them down and choked on their tartness. I bit into another and my lips puckered tight. Awful. But the contents of my mother's care package had run low after last night's dinner so unless Veda came to the door this was all I had. I flopped down beneath the tree and enjoyed the cool shadow the leaves overhead provided. Nothing seemed to move in the cottage, no silhouettes in the windows or open doors to let in the morning breeze.

  I rolled my neck in a circle, still trying to stretch out the stiffness from sleeping on the ground. Maybe Veda really wasn't home, or maybe she'd tiptoed around me this morning and already disappeared. But unless she had another bird, which could be possible, she wouldn't have left Alizeh here. A giant thing like her would be hard to miss, and definitely made the worst alarm clock.

  But leaving here without trying again would be foolish. I stumbled toward the cottage and knocked on the door, each pound s
low and solemn as it echoed through the wooden panels.

  Nothing.

  I slumped against the door frame. What now? I still had the higher peaks to search, but the probability that my father could've climbed that high seemed unreasonable. Maybe I should just sweep back over the valley, go home and refresh before going out again? Besides, what if Captain Amir already had news of a sighting? Or maybe, I stood up straighter as the faint glimmer of hope sparked in my veins, maybe he'd already come home. If that were true, then wasting another day searching would be useless.

  Except, since I’d already spent nearly a whole day flying all the way up here, I could always go the rest of the way up to the temple. I could give one last quick check through the mountain peaks for my father, I’d get a chance to talk to Veda’s father again and finally get the truth, and possibly, Veda would be there and I could try to explain. I launched off the wall and ran down the path.

  "Alizeh, time to go.” I scooped up my bag from the ground and launched myself between her shoulders. “Take me to Edwin Macario."

  The spire of golden light rose into the sky as we soared closer to the temple. Below us, the gilded statues and babbling waterfalls glittered in the afternoon sun. I scanned the yard, hoping to see Veda standing in the garden or sitting on the grand staircase, but they both sat empty. The entire yard lay quiet, just like the first time Veda brought me here.

  Except as we circled closer, something seemed different. A large box loomed at the end of the yard in the farthest spot from the temple. Something moved inside the box, back and forth, its shadow darkening the ground beside it but barely distinguishable through the series of bars that constructed the top and sides. As we neared closer it looked more like a cage, one fit for a tiger or a bear, or maybe worse. I shuddered and steered Alizeh to the opposite side of the yard, away from the box. She reared her head back at me as she touched down and I shrugged. She scratched her feet along the ground, refusing to stay still as I stroked her feathers and nearly tossing me off as I tried to dismount.