Declan walked down the deserted castle halls. He remembered glimpses of his childhood through each room that he past. His brother lived in the northern part of the castle, Declan had only been there on one other occasion but fully expected there to be guards keeping his brother within his chamber. Lucky for him, the time he came before was with his mother and she brought him through a secret passage. It was in the outer garden that was filled with marble statues of different magical creatures.
Declan walked over to the statue of the wyvern within an alcove. On the back side of the wyvern there was a secret handle that opened to a spiral stair within the ground. He turned around the stair until at the bottom he walked down the narrow passage. Declan moved slow feeling his way along the stone walls. His foot hit the base of a stone step and he began the ascent to the top of the steps. At the top, Declan pushed gently on the door and entered his brother’s bedroom.
He looked around the room and saw that it looked exactly the same. The massive room had firelight creating massive shadows around the high ceiling. Declan heard the faint snore over on the bed before he saw his brother. Kelvan had aged quite a bit since Declan had seen him several years ago. His looks resembled his mother. He had inherited her light colored soft hair which framed his face. His full beard twitch a bit as he snored a little louder. Kelvan had never shown any affection for his little brother and Declan had no idea how to wake him without invoking anger or shock. Declan decided to try nudging him awake first. Kelvan grunted and rolled over. Declan squinted his nose and eyes and tried poking him in the side. Kelvan’s hand grabbed Declan and pulled him towards him.
“Father?” Kelvan asked rubbing his eyes with his other hand.
“No, it is Declan” he said in a low voice.
Kelvan let go of Declan’s hand and sat up, “What are you doing here?”
Declan responded by asking “Did you really kill our father?”
Kelvan began to laugh “You would like to believe that wouldn’t you.”
“What do you mean?” Declan answered.
“Are you that na?ve? The only one responsible for our father’s death is celebrating downstairs.” Kelvan bit his lip and stretched out his arms.
“You mean to say Lady Revna killed him?” Declan asked.
“I said responsible, not that she thrust the dagger herself.” Kelvan said.
“Did you thrust the dagger?” Declan dared to ask.
Kelvan sighed and asked “Why did you come here Declan. To gloat?”
“Not at all, I came searching for the truth and to.. help you.” He answered.
Kelvan laughed heartily, “You? Help me?” He laughed some more and then added “You don’t even know that you are already caught in her web.”
Declan began to feel foolish for coming here. “I guess that you are too good for my help even here.” He started back towards the secret passage. Kelvan stopped him “Declan, it is too late, you cannot save me.”
“I could have tried” Declan looked defeated.
“It was my dagger.” Kelvan leaned back on the bed and laughed some more.
“So it was true, you did it.” Declan stated.
“If you say so, what difference does it make to you anyway, you hated our father.” Kelvan said.
“I never hated him, or you” he added.
“Do not pretend that you were ever happy here, you could not wait to leave for your home in the sky.” Kelvan mocked him.
“You made it easy with your cruel games and your utter contempt for me.” Declan said
“You thought those games were cruel? Aww poor little lamb.” Kelvan feigned concern.
Declan felt anger welling up within him, “I was a fool to think you could change. You are just like father and you will meet the same fate.” Declan turned away from his brother resigned to never speak to him again.
“At least I don’t pretend to be someone I am not.” Kelvan jabbed. When Declan did not respond Kelvan continued “All these years later you pretend to be a good brother and rescue poor older brother. What do you really want Declan? You can have my position, Lady Revna is too powerful for it to be much good anymore anyway.”
Declan responded “Why did father not stop her?”
Kelvan spoke low “He could not, no one can, her reach is far too wide now. The royal family has given in and let her roll over them, including myself. You will find no allies here. Only snakes.” Kelvan’s eyes passed behind Declan to the bedroom door.
Declan felt an ominous presence standing behind him. The air felt a bit colder and Kelvan’s face began to pale.
“Declan, my dear sweet nephew,” Lady Revna said in a silky voice. “I have been longing for this moment.”
Declan turned slowly to face Lady Revna. “I must say, our family all in one room, or what is left of us that is. How refreshing.” She said in a cool voice.
No one spoke so Lady Revna strode closer to Declan and put her hand on his shoulder. “You have grown up well, you look just like your father. It is a shame that he could not be here with us.” She twisted to glance at Kelvan and smiled.
“Does he know?” she asked him.
“Know what?” Declan finally found his voice.
“Oh, perhaps he did not divulge that to you yet, should I let him, or should I tell you myself?” Lady Revna was fully enjoying herself. “Alright, I confess I cannot help myself. I will divulge the news myself, your brother has practically handed you the crown. He agreed with me that he would make a better king but acted rather foolishly. You see, he allowed his desire to override his intelligence. He killed your father without realizing that in doing so, he removed the possibility of himself ever gaining the crown. Half a dozen guards saw him lunge at your father and needed to pull him off. Since your father was not fully dead yet and I was in the castle, I came to your poor father’s aid. Just before he died, he made you, Declan, his heir, thus making you the king.” She finished with a satisfied smile.
Stolen novel; please report.
“What role do you imagine that you will play in my kingdom?” Declan asked.
Lady Revna’s eyes narrowed, “I see that you have grown and are not as trusting as you once appeared. I will only assume whatever role that your majesty requires of me.” She curtsied neatly. “Since you have had little to no training in the courts I could be useful to you.”
“Did you not send assassins in an attempt to have me killed?” Declan asked.
Lady Revna’s face turned up in shock “I would never harm my dear nephew. As you know, I have an army of Shadows at my disposal. If I wanted to hurt you, it would not be difficult.”
“You liar!” Kelvan shouted. “Do not believe her, she is manipulating you!”
“My dear nephew, have I ever manipulated you, or was that your brother and father?” Lady Revna asked sweetly.
Declan felt his resolve beginning to falter. He looked from his brother to Lady Revna. He was reminded of how much he hated the court and their mind games. He answered “You never manipulated me but you have ruined others lives.”
“I only did what was necessary to protect my family.” She said. “And you are part of my family.”
Declan could see the way that she twisted words and it sickened his stomach.
“I don’t believe you will be useful to me at all. In fact I would like you to peacefully step down as regent and go back to North Moon.” Declan said more confidently than he felt.
“Am I to believe my beloved nephew is casting me out?” Lady Revna asked her face horrified.
“I am.” Declan answered.
Lady Revna strode across the room and said “peaceful transfer? Let us go then.” She smiled sweetly.
Declan was caught off guard, he did not think she would agree. Cautiously he followed her out of the room. They arrived in the masquerade room again with no incident and Lady Revna swept him up to the platform. She motioned for the music to stop.
She cleared her throat and everyone was silent. “My nephew, your new king has arrived.”
Her announcement was met with shocked silence. Everyone seemed to be holding their breath. Lady Revna smiled and began to lightly clap. Others joined her until the room was filled with confused clapping.
Lady Revna spoke again, “Please join me in welcoming our new sovereign, King Declan. Long live the king.” Shouts of long live the king echoed in the room. Declan felt the urge to run and never come back. He looked out at the sea of white masked faces and moved to speak. Lady Revna interjected before he could speak. “I would like to thank all of you for your grace and patience with me as I acted as regent in our King’s place until he was found.” She paused for the light clapping. “I will be stepping down as your regent as per the King’s request.” She looked at Declan and gave him a sad smile before continuing. “I feel it necessary to let all of you know that he has cast me out and asked me to leave as a thank you for standing in his place.”
Many of the people started muttering and Declan could feel their eyes on him. He knew that his aunt was playing a dangerous game and she currently held the upper hand.
Declan interrupted before she could get another word in. “My dearest aunt, you have spoken enough and must allow me to explain my decision.” He saw her eye twitch at his calm voice and he addressed the crowd, “My aunt has served you well and I offer my many thanks to her.” Declan held out his hand to Lady Revna and she placed hers in his. “To show how grateful that I am, I have decided that my aunt deserves to rest after all of her hard work for my people.” The crowd seemed to respond well but Lady Revna was determined to have the upper hand.
“I thank you my sweet nephew,” she said graciously. “However, as acting regent, you would do well to allow me to catch you up on the latest events and concerns that our people have. After, all they were entrusted to my care and I would like to fulfill my promises to them.” She smiled at the crowd.
Declan realized that he had just been backed into a corner. If he refused, the people would not trust him and if he agreed, he would have to continue this game with Lady Revna at his side.
He conceded in order to continue playing “My dearest aunt, you have convinced me, I would ask that you stay for a time and when you have filled me in, you will have your rest.” He faked a believable smile at the people and they all clapped. Lady Revna bowed to Declan and motioned for the music to begin again.
As people began dancing, Lady Revna leaned close to Declan and in a low voice she said “Well played nephew. You are better at this than I thought.” Then she walked away to chat with some of the nobles.
Marwynn stepped next to Declan and in a low voice said “You handled that well. I am sorry that I could not detain her longer. Did you learn anything from your brother?”
“Nothing useful, this was a wasted trip” Declan confided.
“That is not true, you have just proved that you are a capable opponent for Lady Revna. It may not appear so but there are those in the crowd who you have just won to your side.” Marwynn said.
Lady Revna saw Marwynn talking with Declan and sauntered over. “I forgot, there is a tradition that the Lady Winter’s only partner for dancing is the king. As such, let me introduce you.” She placed her arm through Declan’s and guided him to the dance floor. She interrupted the dance between Lord Tarlock and Muriel.
“Lady Winter, I would like to introduce you to your only partner for the remainder of the evening, King Declan.” She placed Muriel’s hand in Declan’s and walked away.
Declan and Muriel stood there holding each other’s hand awkwardly for a few moments before beginning to dance. “Declan” Muriel said softly.
“Muriel, how did you come to be here?” Declan asked.
“I have never been to a castle or a masquerade, and I wanted to go.” She shrugged.
Declan looked over at Marwynn who was watching them intently and smiled apologetically. Muriel also noticed Marwynn and feigned a flirtatious smile at Declan. His face turned pink and he said “Muriel, you should not torment him.” “Torment him? How do you mean?” she asked.
“Whether he admits his feelings or not, he clearly cares for you.” Declan answered.
“He sure has a funny way of showing it” she frowned.
“I am sure that he has his reasons.” Declan said.
Muriel glanced at Marwynn again and said to Declan “I no longer care how he feels. I have waited my whole life for him to notice me and it seems to me to have been a waste.”
“Do not give up too soon, the way has been staring at you” he nodded towards Marwynn, “would suggest he is aware of his feelings now if he was not before.”
“Whatever you say” Muriel gave him a lighthearted laugh as he twirled her around.
Marwynn straightened his back and looked away from Muriel and Declan. He could not help but glance in their direction every few moments. Marwynn was burning up with jealousy. A light tap on his shoulder startled him.
“My lambkin, why do you look so cross?” Lady Revna asked.
“I am not cross, I am just wondering why you did not take Declan while you had the chance.” He answered.
“Ah I see, you are worried that I did not see this coming.” She smiled and turned Marwynn’s face towards her with her finger. “I have all of the pieces in place now lambkin, it is only a matter of moments before the main event of the evening.”
“Main event?” Marwynn asked.
Lady Revna’s mouth curved into a smile. From the hall a distant scream erupted. The music stopped and the scream grew closer until the doors were flung open. A bedraggled maid limped forward covered in blood, the guests moved aside as she made her way to where Lady Revna was standing.
Marwynn watched as Lady Revna put on a most shocked expression. “Dear girl, someone get her some help!” she cried.
The maid fell to the floor and pleaded “Lady Revna, it is not my blood” she said as she tried to catch her breath.
“Speak child, to whom does it belong?” Lady Revna inquired.
“It is Prince Kelvan, he… he is… dead” the maid sobbed.
“How child, who could have done this?” Lady Revna pressed.
The maid stuttered trembling in fear, “It, it was th.. th.. the Dullahan.”
The news spread through the hall like wildfire and the room erupted with people trying to flee. Marwynn pushed through the crowd of people trying to reach Declan and Muriel but the crowd was too thick. He tripped over a gown and fell to the floor. When he stood back up he could not see Declan or Muriel anymore.
