The Courier’s Collection

Chapter 26

26

Rasha sat alone in her cell. They’d hauled off Chiza in one direction and the boys in the other. She’d known she’d be arrested, but she hadn’t thought them capable of putting her in the dungeons. It was cold, damp, and dark. Only two small, spire-shaped lanterns hung on either side of her door lighting the small space. Lu and Jak might be together. The prison covered the entirety of the lower level. She could be a corridor or two away and not even know. Chiza, a princess, would not be held here. Her parents wouldn’t be so cruel and no doubt recognized her.

Rasha heard the sound of heavy boots on stone headed in her direction. They brought light with them and it preceded them down the corridor. Her suspicions were correct. Chiza stood on the other side of her cell along with two guards holding the light above them.

“Please open the cell,” she asked.

“I cannot, the king’s orders,” the guard said, standing straighter.

“You expect me to stand here to talk to the prisoner? I don’t think so. Open the cell and you can close the door behind me,” Chiza insisted. They conceded, and she was allowed into the cell with Rasha.

“You must be desperate for company if you want to sit down here with me,” Rasha said.

“Your parents have been very kind to me. They gave me a very nice room where I can rest. It’s pink with a lot of lace. I think it was yours once.”

Rasha didn’t reply. She didn’t want to talk about her old room. She’d hated the pink, but her mother had insisted on it.

“The castle is beautiful. The grounds were well kept and there are lots of beasts to ride. They offered to let me go riding. I declined. After all the riding we’ve done, I could use the break.”

Rasha stood but still didn’t speak. The guards stood outside, one on each side of the door, no doubt listening. They were always listening.

“Won’t you speak to me?”

“Did you come here to discuss the castle highlights?”

“No, I’m just not sure what to say.”

“Did my parents send you?”

“No, of course not.” Chiza stood up to face her. “I wouldn’t have come if they had. I would never come between you.”

“There’s nothing between us.”

“You’re wrong.” Chiza reached out a hand and held Rasha’s arm. “They love you, in their way. Keeping your room as it was, is just an example.”

“No, you’re wrong. If they loved me, they would have changed that room long ago. I never liked it. No, they’re holding on to what they wish their daughter to be, not what she’s chosen to become.”

Chiza sighed. Rasha didn’t like arguing with her. Their views were just too far apart.

“You might be right, but ignoring them won’t get you understood, or even seen by them, either.”

“Have you spoken with the prince?” Rasha asked. She’d rather talk about anything but herself right now.

Chiza sat back down on the slab of stone where Rasha was to sleep. She was careful not to lean back. “I have, he’s in good health, and he’s expecting my arrival. He says the other girls are already there, and they are excited.”

“You mustn’t let the other girls worry you,” Rasha offered, wanting to get out the advice she’d been planning to give. “You have every right to be there, as much as anyone. Maybe more, since your little misadventure has taught you how to react under pressure and unpredictable circumstances.”

Chiza laughed. “That’s true enough.” She had a far-off look in her eye, as if she were thinking back over the trip. A smile spread across her face and she looked down at her folded hands.

“What are you doing?” Rasha asked.

Chiza blinked and then sobered. “I beg your pardon?” The formality had returned.

Fine, that would work for her. “I recognize those feelings. You’re going to hurt him.”

“I’d never dream of hurting my prince and future king.” Chiza smoothed out her dress over her knees.

“He’s not the one to whom I was referring.” Rasha gave her what she hoped was a meaningful look.

“Oh.” Chiza’s mouth formed the word, but it came out in a whisper.

“He’s in love with you and you’ll crush him. It’s not fair to practice on him.”

Chiza searched for the words to respond. “I never meant for—”

Rasha stopped her with a wave of her hand. “Of course you didn’t. But look at what you’ve done and tell me you can just walk away from him as if he meant nothing.”

Rasha paced the cell like a caged animal and kicked at the bars. It was a long moment before Chiza spoke again, her voice a whisper. “How do you know he’s in love with me?”

Rasha turned and faced her. Chiza’s eyes remained cast down and her shoulders slumped forward.

“Because when he thought you were dead, and he was dying, he told me so.”

“Why didn’t he say anything?”

Rasha’s anger flared again.

“Are you that ignorant? You’ve studied the other princesses in The Choosing but haven’t studied royal history? What is he supposed to do, declare his love for you only to be killed? All of this while you secure the affection of the prince? Fickle girl.”

Chiza didn’t speak this time. She wept, her silent tears falling to the floor.

Rasha put an arm around her. It hadn’t been her intention to hurt her feelings. Chiza had become a friend to both her and Lu. She noticed that Chiza had cleaned up. She was dressed in fine clothes that had come from the closet in her old room. The dress was a warm yellow and unlike Rasha, it suited Chiza.

“What am I going to do? I think I’m in love with him, too.”

Rasha knew she’d be putting Lu in harm’s way to encourage anything between them.

“There’s nothing you can do. How does that pink cage in the upper tower feel now? Perhaps you understand a little now why I left it behind.”

“You were in love with someone else?”

“No,” Rasha shook her head and lifted Chiza’s chin so she could see her face. “No, I wanted the choice.”

Two royal guards entered the jail and stopped in front her cell. The two guards that arrived with Chiza straightened up.

“Their royal highnesses the king and queen request your presence in the royal chambers,” the guard informed Rasha. He opened door of the cell and waited for her to exit.

They wouldn’t leave her in peace for long. She’d been expecting to be summoned. She’d have to answer for her betrayal of her parents, the kingdom, and her royal position. This was a moment two rotations in the making. Somehow, it didn’t feel the way she thought it would.

Chiza wiped her face and looked up at Rasha.

“What will they do to you?”

Rasha waved airily. “Don’t worry about me. Promise me you’ll be honest with yourself and with him.” She didn’t need to clarify to which ‘him’ she meant. “If you break his heart, you’ll lose two good friends.”

Rasha stepped out of the cell and held out her hands, but the guards did not bind them. They turned around, and she followed them out, leaving Chiza sitting alone in the open cell.