Stolen (The Blueblood Stories Book 1) Read online

  Immediately the crowd burst into applause, sending ripples of clapping through the high halls. When the celebrations quieted, Esrael lifted the veil covering his face. A sudden swooning noise came from the front of the assembly area, where a group of girls stood. I smirked. Esrael had always been good looking, not that anyone except my family knew this. Being as broad as he was, not to mention having piercing sapphire eyes, made him very attractive by any measure.

  “Prince Esrael will usher in a new age of expansion across the kingdom,” my father decreed, beaming at Esrael. “His gift will assist with the building of farms and homestead, while ensuring we maintain peaceful borders with our neighbors.” After that he moved over to the altar, retrieving a large green leather book, with an intricate deep-rooted tree etched on the front. Flipping it open, he thumbed through the pages until he found a blank one and began writing in it.

  This book was one of the oldest relics in Carnell, detailing the royal family tree. Medeina created it centuries ago, entering her name and gift on the first page, along with the date she received her affinity. Since then it had become customary for the High Priest or Priestess to write down their heir’s name when they were gifted by Medeina.

  When I was little I used to sit in the crypts below the temple, flipping through the pages while I read stories of all the miracles my ancestors had performed with the help of their elemental magic. The stone statues that depicted each ruling family were so life-like, sometimes it felt as if I knew my relatives, almost as if I were connected to them.

  I must have been about twelve when I realized that there was only ever a single line of succession in my family. I’d gone looking in the very depths of the crypts for the siblings of the rulers but there were none to be found. Finally, after many hours, my father found me. He had been furious with worry at first but quickly realized what had upset me. That was when he told me that the Carnell royal blood line did not have siblings — that he had not brother or sister, nor did his father, and so on and so forth. I’d cried for a while, sobbing that I wouldn’t be buried in the crypts with my family and that Medeina wouldn’t bless me with an affinity.

  As expected, my father comforted me, but from that day, I never went back to the crypts nor did I read from the green book. I let go of all thoughts of wielding the elements or that I might be like my ancestors. Hope was something for children.

  When my father finished writing down the date Esrael received his earth affinity, he closed the book and placed it back on the altar. “Medeina has gifted us,” he called, turning back to address the crowd.

  “And so, we thank the blessed spirit,” the crowd chorused back.

  I too said the words that were so hardwired into my mind. I knew them as well as I knew my evening prayers . . . my own name even.

  “And one day soon, our blessed daughter, Princess Natasha,” my father beamed, gesturing to me, “will offer herself to Medeina and she too will be gifted a power over the elements, so that she may better Carnell. For all that we have, we give thanks. Now, please take time to chant songs of memory. We do not forget those who have left us, we remember them. Once your prayers are sung, eat and be merry at the feast in the city. Even on a day like today, Carnell has much to celebrate. Peace and freedom does not come easily. Our neighboring kingdoms do not have the protection Medeina offers us, and so have fared poorly in recent times. I ask that you all be neighborly to each other.”

  I tried not to meet any of the faces in the crowd as my father promised them that one day soon I would be gifted elemental magic. There was no certainty of it, and it felt like a jinx to hope for it. But that was my father for you. His kindness was one of the reasons he was so beloved by the people of Carnell. It was also the reason why growing up, I always ran to his arms whenever I was upset. It wasn’t that my mother was cold, but she never offered me the same unconditional faith that my father did.

  After his speech my father sang a peaceful melody. It was an old song, one of memory. It brought waves of sorrow and longing to me, made more powerful by his magic over the wind, which carried his voice all around the temple, only to echo back softly, as though he were not alone in his chants, but accompanied by a choir. Soon other voices from the crowd joined in, each one singing of loved ones lost. The spectacle brought a tear to my eye, but with my face covered in lace, no one could see.

  After the songs came the prayers and gifts. The people offered all manner of things, laying them down at the feet of Medina’s statue. The act of sacrifice was one tradition that was shared in all our sabbaths. More than that, it made up the core of mine and my brother’s training while we practiced at the temple, learning to one-day command the elements. All bluebloods knew that nature could not give without receiving.

  When the last of the gifts were laid down, my mother and father stood and once again the hall fell silent. They didn’t speak, simply made their way through the crowds of people, Esrael and I following closely behind. When we were finally at the doors, the booming voice of the grand announcer called again.

  “The bluebloods gift these lands with elemental magic; we thank them for their sacrifice.”

  When the doors opened, my father walked through first, standing tall and proud, the perfect picture of a leader.

  I waited a few minutes for us to be out of earshot before I spoke. “Will we attend the feast?”

  “No my darling,” my mother replied, shaking her head with a knowing smile. “Your father and I must retire to speak with Mr. Roper. You and your brother will commence your prayers in the palace chapel and then you’ll train before bed.”

  “But —” I said, falling silent the instant my mother turned to look at me.

  “What business have you with Mr. Roper? Is there news from Spinton?” my brother asked, his tense face betraying his emotions.

  Letting out a deep sigh, my father replied. “News . . . yes, but not good in nature. As I feared, the leader of Spinton has taken our neighboring friends, the Massions. I had a few families from the villages who bordered Massion and Carnell manage to escape before the soldiers arrived and have granted them refuge, but Massion is now under Spinton control.”

  As he spoke, I noticed a gravelly sound in my father’s voice, one I hadn’t heard before. It worried me.

  “Already? That was a fast defeat. When I visited the Massions last spring, I saw their army. It was a force to be reckoned with,” my brother said.

  “The Spinton leader has a dangerous weapon at his disposal and —”

  “Dander!” my mother hissed, uncharacteristically using my father’s first name as she glanced around cautiously. “Not here. We should not discuss such things out in the open. What if we were overheard? How would the people respond to knowing of this? We do not wish to bring fear to our lands.”

  “Ah Athena, as always, you are right,” my father replied, smiling. To my relief, his voice had returned to its normal humble tone. “Sometimes I wonder that she wasn’t taken off to train as a girl in war council while the rest of her classmates were learning mundane matters.”

  “I want to be there for the meeting,” my brother demanded, stopping dead in his tracks. “I am a blueblood and heir to the kingdom. If Carnell is at the brink of war, then I need to be involved. My affinity for earth means that —”

  “Esrael,” my mother hissed, her eyes reflecting their surprise, “you would do well to remember your place. You are not the High Priest, your father is.”

  “I know our customs,” said Esrael. “But I am young and if we are to go to war then perhaps I should be appointed to —”

  “Do not speak of such things,” said my mother, looking at my father for help.

  “Esrael, we are a peaceful nation,” my father reminded him, stopping also to clap a hand on Esrael’s back. “We will not fight, nor shall it come to that. Besides my young warrior, your affinity for earth is very young. Medeina has only just gifted you. Do not be in such a rush to control a gift, lest it control you.”

 
Esrael fell silent after that.

  “What’s wrong darling?” my mother asked, careful to keep her voice quiet as she moved towards me.

  I sighed — what was wrong? Truthfully, nothing important. All I wanted was to join the feast with the rest of the kingdom. I knew it was petty . . . ungrateful even, but I was the only blueblood who longed to be normal. Having not yet developed an affinity over the elements and with no promise of ever receiving one, I had always longed to be part of the crowd, rather than seated in a place of power. My mother was the only person in my family who might understand this. She had been born a commoner and only by my father’s affections, had she gained her station in life.

  “I just thought — hoped, that I might spend some time amongst the people,” I admitted finally. “It is such a beautiful night and, what with it being the day of Thantos, I thought perhaps . . .”

  My voice trailed off when my mother squeezed my hand. “My darling,” she said, pulling me close, “I know the burden of trying to find your elemental affinity falls heavy on you. But that is why you must train. Sacrifice and constant discipline is the only path that will lead to you receiving Medeina’s blessing.”

  I nodded, glad my veil covered my face, lest my mother see the disappointment in my eyes. Still, I thought she must know what I was thinking; no amount of sacrifice would be enough to ensure that two heirs were gifted. Surely there was a reason why the rulers of Carnell were only ever able to have one child.

  “You were our gift,” my father chimed in, catching up with us, “our second gift. The child we hoped for but never dared to believe could be. To have you in our life is joy and you must never think otherwise. Just that you are here, is enough. Should Medeina gift you an elemental affinity, then we shall consider ourselves twice blessed. But affinity or not, a true blueblood does not need elemental power to guide their people. Did you know that the speaking of the names ritual for the Day of Thantos was meant to be done by the current ruler? I entrusted you that responsibility when you were just a child because I believe in you Natasha. Never doubt your own abilities.”

  Tears welled in my eyes. They were right. Even though their words did not say as much, I knew I was being selfish. I just wished that there was some way my parents could understand what it was like, growing up and not fitting in anywhere.

  “You know what Esrael,” my father called to my brother, “I would like you to join us in the throne room as we discuss our options with Mr. Roper. Though that doesn’t mean you may neglect your prayers. Before the night is spent, please go to the blueblood crypts to give thanks to our ancestors who guard the Nevers. It would not do, that on the very week you are blessed, you forget to give sacrifice.”

  It took a while for Esrael to understand our father’s invitation. When he finally did, his eyes widened hopefully and then he bowed in respect.

  “And you my dear Natasha,” my father added, beaming at me, “why don’t you spend the night with our kingdom. As your mother says, you are the daughter we hoped for. Why not let the people indulge in your company? The city is safe enough.”

  My mother stiffened at his words, but said nothing.

  “Really?” I asked.

  “Let them feel the joy you bring to our lives every day. Any position of power demands sacrifice; nature cannot give without also receiving,” he added, and I was instantly taken back to my first lesson in the temple, when my father taught myself and Esrael, the importance of giving to receive Medeina’s gifts. “You have sacrificed enough for this reward.”

  “But what if something happens to her?” my mother asked, her voice tense.

  “My dear Athena, Natasha is wise enough to stay safe,” my father chuckled softly. “Besides, she will be with a guard at all times.” He turned to me then, scratching his head before adding, “Why not take Marcus with you? And make sure you return before midnight. You may train in the morning but do not forget your prayers when you come home. Oh, and best we not mention this to your guardian. Tomya scares me a little.”

  I was smiling so widely, I thought that even through my veil, my father might have known.

  Chapter Two

  I didn’t give either of my parents the chance to change their minds. Just as soon as we had re-entered the palace, I raced to the first guard I saw, desperate to find Marcus. After several interrogations, I was directed to the south entrance. Sure enough, Marcus was pacing back and forth inside a narrow stone hallway, his sword sheathed by his side. The moment he saw me, his eyes widened, and he fell to his knees.

  “Please stand Marcus,” I said, smiling at him, not that he could see.

  I knew Marcus better than most of the guards in the palace; his father had been on the royal advisor council and we had played in these halls as children. Not that he had ever seen my face. As I grew older and my duties to prayer and training intensified, I saw Marcus less and less. When he turned fourteen, his father secured him a guard position in the South of Carnell. Only in the last few days had he come back to the palace, and I couldn’t pretend that it wasn’t wonderful to see him again, even if his appearance had changed drastically from the last time I set eyes on him.

  Marcus had been a boy when he had left and now . . . now there was no mistaking that he was a man. His hair was still the same dirty blonde color, though it was longer, tied up out of his face, though with wisp around the back of his neck. I thought it suited him, contrasting against his long nose and strong chin. There was also a roughness about him that was new. His hands and face were country worn, no doubt from so many years working under the scorching sun. Even so, I could still see the small dimples I had always associated with him, not to mention his warm, honey-colored eyes, set beneath strong brows.

  “I am sorry my Lady,” he said respectfully, “is there — is there something I can help you with?”

  When he looked at me, his eyes roamed up my body. When he found my face, he searched my veil, perhaps trying to recognize something behind the lace.

  “As a matter of fact, there is,” I exclaimed, unable to hide how pleased I was. “Father has gifted me leave of the palace to attend the Thantos feast in the city. You are to attend with me. If that suits you?”

  “Of course, my Lady. But — do you think it wise you go outside? The news from the home guard is that Massion has fallen. And what about your guardian? Would it not be safer for you to —”

  “Carnell is protected not only by the guards, but by my family’s affinity for elemental magic. The bullies of Spinton wouldn’t dream of declaring war on our lands. War has not touched this kingdom for centuries. Besides, tonight is about thanking Medeina for her gifts of life into our lands and to usher passed souls into the Nevers. I was so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. Would you not like to sing of his memory with me at the feast? I am surprised that you didn’t request leave to go.”

  “I didn’t realize that you knew, my lady,” he said kindly, his warm eyes touching me with their radiance.

  “Your father was a much-loved man. My father valued his council, not to mention his friendship. He felt his death greatly. I think that is why he sent for your return to the palace in a guard position. I am sure that he admires your sacrifice for the people and wants to appoint you to a similar place your father held.”

  My words shocked Marcus. That much was clear by the wide-eyed look plastered on his face. He probably thought that I should not be speaking of such important matters to him, a lowly guard, but the reality was, Marcus was one of the few people in this world with whom I had ever felt truly comfortable with. Outside of my personal attendants and guardian, I had few people I talked with and no true friends to confide in. And even though we had not seen each other for four years, I could still sense the same kindness in Marcus that I had when we were children. It was this more than anything else that made me want to trust and confide in him.

  “As you say my Lady,” he said, bowing. “I will just appoint a guard to take up my post.”

  I nodded, barely abl
e to contain my excitement, as I waited for his return. I couldn’t believe that I was getting my wish; I would be able to leave the palace and celebrate the day of Thantos, just like a regular citizen. Well . . . almost. True, I would still have to keep my veil on, but I had long since gotten over that annoyance. No — tonight I would get to visit the city and celebrate the day of Thantos just like a normal person.

  When Marcus finally returned, a large man cloaked in a black tunic with a wide sword held at his side, accompanied him. He bowed to me and then moved to his station. After that I took the lead, walking briskly to the south gate, not wanting to waste another moment inside the palace.

  “Don’t you want to get changed before we leave?” Marcus asked before I could reach the gate.

  “What? Why?”

  Marcus’s face tensed, the muscles in his jaw stiffening. “Oh — nothing . . . I just thought that perhaps something a little more conspicuous might be wiser.”

  “Don’t be silly,” I insisted, picking up the long train so that it couldn’t trip me up. “This dress was made by the head seamstress. Besides, I don’t know if you noticed, but I am wearing a veil. If that doesn’t give me away, I doubt nothing else will.”

  Marcus’s eyebrows rose, and a small smile curled the side of his lips, but all he said was, “As you wish my Lady.”

  “Marcus, you worry too much. I already told you, nothing is going to happen,” I said confidently.

  He nodded, leading the way through the stone gates as we left the palace. Soon we were on the brick path that would take us down Mount Ieros, to where the city celebrations were.

  Neither of us spoke as we walked. I was too preoccupied with thoughts of what the night might bring. Even in the darkness, it was impossible not to appreciate the beauty outside the palace walls. The gardens leading away from the temple were magnificent. Black burning candles had been hung through the ancient manicured trees, making the whole place appear like a magical garden, made even more majestic by the few fireflies that still lingered near the path.