Chapter 6

  || 21st of Junil, 999 || Coast of Edan||

  I wake with a start, my eyes snapping open. For a brief moment I’m disoriented, trying to remember where I am. And then it all comes back.

  Right...yeah. Just a dream you idiot.

  The earlier part of the day flickers through my mind, a private viewing of all my recent failures.

  The woman in the green dress, the kidnapping and that asshole driver.

  That’s when I finally notice that the cart is no longer moving.

  I shift onto my side a bit, my back aching and sore from being cramped up for so long. My stomach growls in protest, a reminder that I haven’t eaten since dinner last night. As I sit up straight and gaze up towards the small window, I realize how dark it’s gotten outside, looking to be close to sunset now.

  Fuck, how long was I asleep for?

  I bang my fist irritably on the back door, “Hey! Let me out of here dammit! I’m thirsty and I need to piss.” I yell, only half lying.

  To my surprise, the door to the cart is immediately yanked opened but all I can see is a woman’s silhouette lit up by the fading light of the sun.

  Oh god.

  It's just like my dream.

  Could she really be...

  My heart drops once my eyes focus and I finally recognize the woman in front of me.

  Suddenly her name comes ringing through my mind, clear as day, like a song I could never quite forget.

  “You.” I seethe.

  “Me. Get out of the cart, would ya? We’re on a schedule here.” Val teases as she gestures for me to step out.

  I clamber out of the back of the cart, my legs feeling like jelly when they touch solid ground. I take a moment to steady myself, before turning to face her.

  It's at this point that I realize she’s changed out of the clothes from last night. The ropes of her long black hair are pinned up this time, and instead of a delicate green dress she’s wearing a long black cloak, a pair of dirty black boots being the only thing visible underneath it.

  I can’t believe it was her this whole time.

  That lying shape-shifting little bi-

  She tilts her head, her eyes studying me with a cool detachment. “Thirsty?” she asks, her voice betraying no emotion. She holds out a clear bottle filled with what appears to be water.

  I hesitate for a moment, my anger and distrust warring with my thirst. Finally, my parched throat wins. I reach out and snatch the bottle from her hand, downing the liquid in 3 large gulps.

  The water is thankfully cool, easing the dryness in my throat but doing very little good for my mood.

  I glare at her for a moment before finally asking, “Who the hell are you? Some bastard Bellamy?”

  “Do I look like a fucking Bellamy?” she snaps, clearly offended by the suggestion.

  “Alright then how do you explain the magic show? I know I heard a man's voice before.” I press, not willing to just forget what I heard.

  “Skill. Now are you done or do you really need to piss?” She asks, an eyebrow cocked, her expression smug.

  “You’re a bloody demon, ya know that?!” I hiss dramatically.

  “Now is that any way to speak to a lady?” she teases, one hand on her hip, still clearly visible beneath the loose cloak.

  I narrow my eyes at her, my irritation only growing. “Are you even a lady?”

  “You wound me Princeling. and here I thought we had gotten so close last night.” She teases mockingly.

  “Only because you tricked me!” I snap, pointing a finger at her. Her gaze flicks down to my finger before coming back to my eyes.

  “It wasn’t hard. Now come along Pretty.” She responds, her tone still infuriatingly casual as she walks ahead of me, assuming that I’ll just follow.

  What am I, a bloody dog?

  “I’m not going anywhere with you actually.” I snap, staying planted firmly in place with my arms crossed over my chest.

  “Wanna bet?” She asks with a slight inflection before reaching into her cloak and pulling out a small handgun, pointing it straight at my chest.

  My eyes widen and I hold my hands up in surrender, “God woman, are you insane?”

  “Do you think an insane person could have kidnapped you so flawlessly?” She asks, before taking another step towards me, gesturing forward with the gun. “Now keep walking.”

  “Or what?” I snap, my pride getting the better of me.

  Surely she’s not going to actually shoot me.

  She raises one eyebrow and for a brief moment I can see a dangerous glimmer in her eyes as she responds. “Or... I’ll put a bullet in your knee, and you’ll have a hard time walking anywhere ever again. Your choice.” She smiles sweetly, but I can tell she is just waiting for a good excuse to put some metal in me.

  My mind filters through a series of different scenarios, each one ending rather painfully, before I finally give in and start walking. “You are very unpleasant.” I mutter as I walk away from the cart, noticing a small stretch of beach ahead of us. “Besides, if I can’t walk you may have a hard time getting me to your boss.”

  “My boss?” she asks, her voice giving nothing away as we continue to walk further down the beach.

  “I’m not an idiot. you’re obviously an assassin or something. I just want to know who you work for. Who arranged all this?” I gesture with my hands.

  I feel something cold and hard press against my back as she nudges me forward again, “If I was an assassin, I’d say I’m doing a pretty shit job, you still being alive and all.” She teases.

  “Not if you keep playing with that thing.” I fuss, walk a few paces ahead of her, “You shoot a bullet in my spine and then who’s going to be in trouble little Missy?”

  “I’ll just tell her it was an accident. It’ll be fine, trust me.” she answers dismissively, waving a hand like it’ll only mean extra paperwork or something.

  I stop in my tracks, turning to face her fully. “Her? Your boss is a woman?”

  “Wow can’t get anything past you, big brains. Keep moving.” She nods her head forward.

  “What does she want with me?” I ask, as we walk further along the beach. I notice a small rowboat on the shore for the first time, like it appeared out of nowhere.

  Is she fucking with my head or something?

  “That’s her business. Move.” she hits my back again and I stumble closer to the boat. The fading sunlight shines against the side of it, and I notice it's made of the same copper colored metal as the cuff she put on me.

  Who the hell are these people?

  “Yeah well, unless she ordered a bruised Prince, I’d say easy on the manhandling Love.” I say, mostly trying to stall a bit.

  “Not my fault your daddy never taught you how to fight.” she counters, but there’s a judgmental edge to her voice.

  “Oh, don’t flatter yourself, this isn’t a fight.” I respond with a roll of my eyes, trying not to let her words get to me.

  “True,” she says with a sigh as she drops her bag into the boat and points at a spot for me to sit. “If it was, you’d be bleeding a lot more.”

  “Yeah, we get it, you’re deadly.” I snap sourly before slowly getting into the boat.

  The rowboat is small, only just big enough for both of us but I’m not exactly in a position to complain so I sit down on the small seat, my body still stiff and aching from being cramped up in that cart for so long.

  She tucks the gun into her waistband and gives me a warning look, one that says, ‘don’t try anything stupid’. Then she pushes the boat out towards the water and hops into the seat across from me.

  She takes an oar and starts rowing us out further, the silence around us almost eerie, broken only by the sound of the water beating against the boat and the steady breathing of Val doing all the rowing. I take the opportunity to study her as she keeps her gaze fixed firmly up ahead.

  “Don’t tell me you’re going to try to reach Cameria in this shitty little thing?” I ask, still trying to figure out where we’re headed. My gaze flicks down to the bag next to her foot.

  Unless she’s got some food in there I’m going to starve before we get where we’re going.

  She sighs and continues to row, “Do I look stupid to you?”

  “Well…” I lean back a little, trying to appear more comfortable than I am. “You did plot to kidnap a royal so…”

  “And a stupid person would have failed, but look at you, all comfy and kidnapped, aren’t ya?” she teases as she continues to row.

  I roll my eyes at her and look towards the horizon, the sun is almost completely below the water now, leaving just a few streaks of red and orange against the sky.

  In a different context this would be quite beautiful.

  “Where are we going then, oh wise one?” I finally ask, still trying to seem unbothered.

  “You’ll see” she says simply, as if that will make this whole situation easier to stomach.

  “I’m hungry” I complain after a moment, risking another glance at her mysterious bag.

  “Oh are you now?” she teases, not slowing in her rowing efforts, “I’m so sorry, let me just magic you up some steak and ale shall I Princeling?”

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  “With a side of green beans if you don’t mind.” I tack on, barely resisting the urge to roll my eyes. “But lacking for that I’d take just about anything right now. I mean…you’ve got to bring me there alive right?”

  “And you’re at risk of dying of starvation?” she asks, clearly not buying it.

  “Well now that you mention it, I do feel a bit…faint.” I pretend, pressing the back of my hand to my forehead.

  She rolls her eyes, clearly not swayed by my attempt at playing the helpless damsel in distress, “If I offer you some food will you stop whinging?”

  I nod and offer her a mock look of innocence. “Oh yes, I’ll be a very good boy.”

  “I hate you.” she mutters under breath, reaching into the bag next to her and pulling out what appears to be a wrapped sandwich half.

  “Love you too darling.” I say with a cheeky tone as she hands it to me.

  I take the sandwich and practically wolf it down, the taste of it not particularly remarkable but it feels like ambrosia to my empty stomach. I let out a sigh after I’ve finished, “Don’t suppose you had any more water too Love?”

  “Only if you agree never to call me that again.”

  Ugh, rude.

  “Call you what? Love?” I tease with a smirk. “But it's so fitting, I mean you’ve been so loving to me thus far.”

  She rolls her eye again and yet some part of me can’t help but find her irritation kind of adorable.

  “Do you want some water or not you idiot?” she snaps, holding out another bottle full of water, just out of my reach.

  “Yes, obviously.” I reach out for the bottle just as she moves it further away from me, dangling it tauntingly.

  “Say please.” she grins, clearly enjoying taking the piss out of me.

  Stop playing with her you idiot!

  I scowl but give in. “Please.” I repeat pointedly.

  “Now that wasn’t so hard, was it?” she teases before finally handing me the bottle, a satisfied look on her face.

  I hate that stupid beautiful fucking smirk.

  I quickly drink nearly half the contents of the bottle, the cool water refreshing but slightly less satisfying without any steak and green beans attached to it. I let out a satisfied sigh before finally breaking the silence. “So how long till we get to this secret destination of yours then?”

  The smirk drops from her face, before she lets out a loud exaggerated sigh. “You know what’s more annoying than you asking where we’re going all the time? Your constant squawking.”

  I scoff and cross my arms over my chest, “Then perhaps you should have gagged me!” I snap dramatically.

  “I’m starting to think I should have.” she mutters before going back to rowing.

  Minutes pass and silence fills the space between us. I know I should be using this time to come up with a plan, but my mind keeps coming up blank. Instead, I can’t help but notice the way Val’s arm muscles flex as she rows, her dark skin practically shimmering with sweat.

  Damn it, stop gawking at her.

  This woman could get you killed.

  Though...what a lovely way to go, right?

  I tear my gaze away and try to look out at the water instead, the low light making it difficult to tell how far we are from the shore.

  “How much far-” I start but she cuts me off.

  “No.” she says firmly, the look on her face brokering no further questions on the matter.

  I let out a frustrated sigh, “But this is so boring!” I complain, trying to sound as whiny as possible just to fuck with her.

  “Oh, I’m sorry, are you not being entertained enough by your kidnapping?” she asks sarcastically.

  “It’s not like you can kill me, so what really is there to be worried about? And then the question becomes, how do I pass the time?” I joke, shaking my head in mock turmoil.

  “I may not be able to kill you, but I can certainly make you wish you were dead.” she threatens, her eyes narrowing at me.

  I raise an eyebrow at her and smirk before I can help myself, “Kinky.”

  Seriously, what’s wrong with me?

  She responds by rolling her eyes and giving the boat a particularly hard lurch, nearly causing me to tumble into the water.

  Shit!

  “Hey! precious cargo here!” I shout, my voice going up an octave.

  “I’ll toss your precious ass overboard if you don’t shut your gob.” she threatens, but there’s an almost playful edge to her voice.

  “Promises, promises.” I tease as I lean back again, gripping the sides of the boat a bit harder now as an extra layer of security.

  She glances over at me, and I can see a hint of a smile on her face, but she shakes it off quickly. “You are very annoying, did you know that?” she finally asks.

  “I’m charming.” I insist.

  “You’re something," she grumbles.

  I grin at her obvious annoyance, enjoying the way I seem to get under her skin too.

  “C’mon, don’t tell me you don’t enjoy the bants at least a little bit?” I tease, leaning my chin against my hand as I watch her row.

  “Oh yes, I’m having such a great time being forced to row this damn boat while you priss about and spout bullshit about nothing in particular, why do you ask?” she replies in a faux nice voice, every word steeped in sarcasm.

  “I have never ‘prissed about’ a day in my life thank you.” I joke, not able to help myself.

  “Bullshit.” she snaps back, and I can’t tell if she’s actually mad or just playing along, “You do nothing but priss about. Wake up, priss, look at yourself in the mirror, priss some more, have lunch, priss. Dinner then bed but wait, ya gotta get one last priss in, don’t ya?”

  I can’t help but start to chuckle at her description, “I will have you know I do much more than just priss about.” I say with mock offense, “I priss and flirt. Occasionally I’m known to swagger a bit. And sometimes…I even brood.”

  “Oh, how could I forget? The tortured prince thinking of orphans on his stag night, haunted by the responsibility of it all.” she reminds me with a mocking scoff.

  Her teasing immediately brings back memories of last night, sobering me up slightly. I had been so open with her, obviously too open and now she has the nerve to use it against me.

  Yeah well, fuck you too.

  I feel the bitterness rising up in me and I speak before thinking, “Gotta say, it was a good plan. Snatch up the prince at the brothel. My question is…did you get the job because of your…” I slowly drag my gaze over her form before meeting her eyes, “Assets or was there another reason?”

  Her jaw clenches, the first sign of genuine anger from her all day, and she stops rowing for a moment, “I was sent because I’m the best.”

  “Oh, you certainly are.” I leer, leaning back a little to look at her more.

  “Is that supposed to make me feel bad? Perhaps if you weren’t some love drunk fool this wouldn’t have happened. But sure, blame my assets.” she rolls her eyes and scoffs.

  “It was your assets!” I lean forward again, “You coaxed me in like a lamb for the slaughter, admit it.”

  “Oh please. I batted an eye and listened to you whine about your spoiled little life for 5 minutes and you were already wrapped around my finger. Not exactly the stuff of romance your Highness, perhaps consider raising your standards next time.” She retorts, not sparing me in the slightest.

  “Ohhh trust me, any whores I bed going forward will be thoroughly vetted.”

  “You’re disgusting.” she spits.

  I shrug and lean back again, “I’m a man. I have needs. But I will admit, I hadn’t expected you to be so prudish about all this. Especially after the way you behaved last night…”

  “The way I behaved last night was part of the job.” she retorts, picking up the oars again and rowing, harder this time. “And I am not a prude. Forgive me if thinking that time spent with a woman shouldn’t require the exchange of coin.”

  “So not a prude then, just judgmental.” I say with a smirk.

  She ignores me and doesn’t respond, but I can’t help but notice how she’s rowing a bit faster now.

  “And it’s not just the money ya know.” I continue, enjoying the way her expression tightens, “There’s a…thrill to it. The anonymity, the act of paying a beautiful woman for an hour or two of her time. The illusion of tomorrow without anyone getting their heart broken. It’s better that way really, everyone wins.”

  She scoffs at my answer and shakes her head, but I’m too busy focusing on how the warm light of the sunset highlights her features beautifully. All sharp and soft at the same time, just like her. “That’s a sad little world you live in. Don’t you think you deserve a woman who wants to be with you for you, not just because you’re paying her?”

  I can’t tell if her question is genuine or simply meant to mock me, but either way I find myself answering honestly. “I’ve had that. Love and all that. Twice, maybe even three times. And look where it’s led me, stuck on a boat with a whore I didn’t even get to fuck.” I snap, immediately followed by a thick wave of regret.

  Shit, I shouldn’t have said that.

  She goes silent for a moment before finally replying, “Perhaps love is not the problem. Perhaps the problem is you.”

  “What the hell does that mean?” I blurt as my anger rises again.

  “You are...” she sighs bitterly and shakes her head, “Just like your father and honestly? I don’t know why I’m surprised. That’s what I mean.”

  My jaw clenches and I look away from her, her words cutting through my skin like razor blades. “You don’t even know me,” I mutter lowly.

  “Oh, I know you. More than you think Princeling, but I’ll let my boss tell you more about that.” she responds with disgust before shaking her head and continuing to row.

  “Yeah and just how long have you been watching me then?” I ask, leaning further away from her as I start to finally feel a bit uneasy.

  “Long enough.” she says, not elaborating any further.

  My stomach drops as one thing quickly becomes clear— whoever is behind this has been planning this for a very long time.

  As bad as Val is, she’s only the messenger.

  It most certainly gets worse from here.

  || 21st of Junil, 999 || Hellfire Sea ||

  There's this painting in the great hall that always scared the shit out of me when I was young. It depicts a ship sailing into what looks like a giant wall of fire rising from the depths of the ocean. Men flee, jumping off of the boat but what always scared me most was the image of the captain, standing tall as he steers the ship directly into the towering wall of flame. I always wondered how someone could do such a thing, to face death so fearlessly.

  I once asked my mother if the Walls were real, if the stories are true, about men turning to dust with one touch. She didn't console me or tell me lies. that night, like many others, my mother told me the truth.

  "No one knows where it came from, but each religion has its opinion. Some say it's the gates to hell, or the afterlife. Some say it's the bleeding of another realm into our world, some dark place of fire and torment. I don't know if we'll ever have a real answer, but I know that some things just wish not to be touched. Humanity is not welcome everywhere and to think we should be, in a world full of so much magic, well that would be foolish on our part."

  "So, we should just leave it alone and not know? Ever?" I asked, confused at how people can accept never knowing the truth.

  "I think in the face of so much loss, why keep provoking a beast that shows no sign of tiring? Leave it be. if we see flying demons swarm out one day then you can tell me I was wrong but until then, the only thing we know is this. We are not allowed, and we have been warned."

  I think of that now, as my old fears loom over me, real and closer than I'd like.

  We have been warned...

  So, what the fuck am I doing here then?

  I stare up at the giant wall of fire in both wonder and terror, my heart pounding as the image of that painting fills my mind. Who will I be today, the men, diving into the ocean out of desperation, or the foolish captain, sailing straight ahead.

  Fuck, if the stories are true...

  I try to hide my unease but I’m not doing a very good job if the smug look on Val’s face is any indication.

  “You look nervous.” she points out with a hint of a smile, clearly enjoying my discomfort.

  “Yeah well, any sane man would be nervous right now. Why are you so close to it?” I ask, my voice unable to hide my desperation and fear.

  "Cause we're going to sail through it." she responds matter-of-factly.

  "What?! Have you lost your fucking mind?" I yell, my eyes wide in panic.

  “You’ll be fine, you big baby,” she teases.

  “How can you be so damn calm about this?!” I snap, not missing the hint of a smirk on her face as she continues rowing effortlessly.

  “I’ve been here many times. You get used to it.” she answers dismissively.

  “Used to it? You’re insane!” I shout, my eyes flicking over to the wall of flames again.

  My breathing increases as we get closer to the wall and it feels like the temperature in the air is increasing along with it. My mind is racing with thoughts of burning alive, of turning to ash in a flash of instant agony.

  Is this really how it ends for me?

  Fuck, should I try for her gun?

  “Please tell me there’s a chance I can survive this.” I blurt, my voice shaking slightly.

  She looks at me, taking in my obvious panic, and her face softens slightly. “There’s a way to get through.” she says, her voice almost gentle. “But you’ll have to trust me.”

  “Trust you?” I scoff but I’m already too panicked to genuinely argue, my breathing is becoming shallower by the second. I don’t look her in the eye when I finally mutter, “Fine. What do I have to do?”

  “Close your eyes.” she instructs firmly.

  Yeah sure, that’s what you said last night before sticking a fucking needle in my neck.

  I hesitate for a split-second, but my fear of the Walls gets the better of me and I quickly obey, squeezing my eyes shut, trying to control my breathing.

  “Good. Now deep breaths.” she says firmly.

  I follow her instructions, taking a deep breath in through my nose and slowly exhaling through my mouth. My heart is still racing but her firm tone is starting to have a strange calming effect on me.

  I can feel my body starting to relax as I continue to deep breathe. But just as I’m starting to feel a bit better, I feel a sharp poke at my neck and suddenly everything starts to go fuzzy again.

  “Really? You can't just-” I manage to mutter before my eyelids start to droop and my words slur. “You…asshole.”

  I fight to keep my eyes open, but I can feel myself losing the battle, my vision getting blurry and dark. My head lulls forward as the drug starts to take effect, my body growing heavy and my mind growing blissfully hazy.

  Eventually my muscles give out and I slump over into her lap, her plump thighs thankfully cushioning most of the fall. Just before everything fades into darkness, she brushes a strand of hair out of my face and I swear I hear her say, “Remember to thank me later Stupid.”