Trisha Wolfe - Fireblood

Basket hooked on one arm, I browse the fruit display of a vendors stand in Town Square, trying to ignore the white towers of Castle Karm just past the rolling hills of the gated royal village. Its become a constant presence in my weekly errands. An affecting reminder, a monstrosity to be feared and obeyed, even more so than the knights of the Force patrolling the cobbled roadways.

The day is overcast, and the faint blue lines of the sky are distinct, contrasting against the dark clouds. The grid veils the market in a blue-gray hue. The rows of apples are a sea of bright blue stars, their glassy skins reflecting the domes gleam.

A chill prickles my skin, and the hairs on the back of my neck lift up.

Im being watched.

Pick one and lets move on, Zara, Hadley says, talking over the creaking wheels of carriages and shouts from bidding customers. She wipes the moisture of the humid day from her forehead, her dark skin strikingly beautiful against her olive tunic. We dont have time for your daydreaming today. You may care nothing for the kings transmission, but Id like to be home in time for this one.

Nodding to the fruit vendor, I smile and move past the stand. When were a distance away from the crowded shops lining the main street, I glance over my shoulder. Two members of the Force linger near the vendor. Fear needles my chest.

I dont have a monitor to watch the transmission, I remind Hadley.

She nods once, and her dark braid bobs along her shoulder. She points to the screen hanging above the podium in the middle of Town Square. We can stay longer and watch it here. A knowing smile tugs up her lips.

You know I cant. Defeated, I move closer to her ear, while peeking at the knights in crimson and black. And you shouldnt care for the transmission either, Hadley.

Aha, she says. I knew it had nothing to do with your fathers reluctance to watch them. You simply dont want to get your expectations up.

Pressing my lips together, I take in her hopeful expression, and say cautiously, I dont think youve truly considered what it would mean to become a member of the royal family.

Her brown eyes widen, and her thin mouth parts. Careful with your words. She glances around before the excitement returns to her voice. Honestly, Zara. You cannot tell me you dont wish for Prince Sebastian to choose you. Her eyebrows arch. Every maiden in Karm is vying to become his betrothed. Your humble act doesnt fool me.

The feeling of being watched bears down on me, and I pick up my pace, edging Hadley away from the market. Ive never once thought about it. Truly, I havent. Not the way she means, as in becoming a princess. My father warns me all too often of the wrongness and dangers of Karm under the kings rule, and that fear has been as present in my life as the castle looming over me now.

I would never mention my fathers beliefs to Hadley, though. I wouldnt risk involving her or her family in his theories, which have gotten worse with his illness. But having grown up with his rants, the last thing Id desire for myself would be to marry the kings son and live locked behind the walls of the castle. I look up again at the blue pointed rooftops piercing the sky and shiver.

I dont believe you, Hadley says. She shakes her head and loops her arm through mine before I can respond, steering us under the low eaves of the apothecary shop. Dont worry. I havent forgotten why we made this heinous trip. She smiles.

Thank you, I say. And its not that heinous. We make the walk every week just so you can lustfully gaze upon the princes posters.

Her eyes take on a faraway look as we pass by a painted parchment of a smiling Prince Sebastian. Scrawled beneath is the message: Seeking his princess. I dont remark on the impossibility that one of us could ever be chosen. The court has been aflutter with balls and dancesevents were not permitted to attendwith the ladies of age competing for the princes affections. Although its my least concern, I dont want to ruin Hadleys enjoyment.

After shes taken in the charming portrait of the prince, Hadley sighs and motions to the door of the apothecary. Lets get your fathers prescriptions, and then youll be in better spirits to humor my daydreams.

I look behind us one last time and release a pent-up breath. The two knights are no longer lurking. Lets hurry, I tell her, then force a wide smile. And afterward, Ill watch the announcement with you.

She laughs, a high, squealing sound that tickles my ears. I knew you secretly wished it. Oh, the prince is much more handsome in person. Just wait, youll see. She bounces as she opens the door. Your first transmission. Your first glimpse of the royalty we only dream of

Hadley, please I cut her outburst short. You cant tell my father. He wouldnt approve.

She waves away my worry as she ushers me inside the shop. Hell never know.

While the apothecary retrieves my fathers prescriptions, I peruse the shelves, aimlessly reading labels while my mind revisits the transmission I witnessed in person when I was ten.

The snap of a mans neck breaking as he was hung echoes through my memories and I squeeze my eyes shut.

Todays transmission will be different, I tell myself, forcing my breathing to calm. The princes announcement of his chosen princess will be extremely different from the transmitted punishments. All of Karm will celebrate.

I blink my eyes open and find Hadley watching me, her brows pinched in thought. I never told her about what I saw that day for fear just talking about it would make it real, and my young mind wanted it to be a nightmare. So, Im not lying when I say Ive never seen a transmission. I havent. Not on a monitor.

After I pay for the medicines, I wrap the glass vials in a brown rag and bury them under the fruit in my basket. Luckily the apothecary, Mr. Levine, is a close friend of my fathers, and even if he suspects my father of having the Virus, I know hed never report him.

I thank Mr. Levine, then turn to meet Hadley at the door.

Miss Zara, he calls out.

Pausing in the doorway, I glance at Hadley and say under my breath, I probably counted my payment wrong. I step back to the counter. Yes?

Mr. Levines weathered eyes sweep my face, and he frowns. Please tell your father I asked after him. I do miss his company during this fishing season. He widens his eyes. Mayhap I could send a messenger to invite him along on one of my hunts soon. Say, next week?

It only takes a moment for me to understand his cautiously selected words. I believe he would like that very much, I say. Thank you, Mr. Levine.

Of course. He smiles. Best hurry home before it comes.

I squint. Im sorry?

The rain. Its about to come down hard. His kind, crinkly eyes meet mine, and I wonder if Im meant to catch another meaning there, or whether Im simply being paranoid. Here, so near the castle with the Force walking the streets, Im always paranoid. I return his smile and nod.

Hadley and I make sure my fathers friend sees us head in the direction out of Town Square. Then we make a sharp right, back through a narrow alleyway toward the crowd gathering beneath the screen.

Your father has creepy friends. Hadley smoothes down the fly-aways from her braid.

Mayhap, I say. But Im thankful for them. Mr. Levine has secured a way for my father to get his medicines without me having to come into town. It will be less suspicious. Though it may put the apothecary at risk, I trust his prudence; hell choose a discreet messenger.

Hadley and I find a clear spot on the center fountain and take a seat on its cemented edge. The water rains down in a wide spray, sending drops onto my arms and gray tunic. I look at the darkening sky, trying to determine if the rain Mr. Levine spoke of has already come or if the fountain alone splashes me.