Eden Forest (Part one of the Saskia Trilogy) (4 page)

ground closes up. My eyelids flutter and I collapse.

When I awake, the room is in darkness. My body feels stiff

and sore. Grabbing the altar helps me steady myself and stops the

room spinning. I stumble up the stairs, inspecting my face with

a shaky hand. It is crusted  in dry blood. I hold on to the wall as

I make my way back to my chambers. I stagger to my bed and

collapse on it, falling into a nightmare of the underworld.

When I wake, I feel disorientated. I am lying on my bed in my

gown. Raising my shaky hand to my chest, my fingers rest on my

pendant. I let out a sigh of relief at feeling it under my fingertips.

Moving my hand to my cheek, the skin feels rough. I rise on

shaky legs and examine my face in the mirror. The left side from

my cheek down to my neck is still crusted in dry blood, but the

puncture wounds have healed.

I have never encountered anyone like him.

Taurus is stationed outside my chamber doors. When I open

them, he takes in my appearance. I can see he is straining to keep

his face composed.

“My lady?”

“Taurus, get Corrona to fill a bath for me and prepare my

supper.”

“Yes, my lady.” Taurus leaves. I sit down on one of my

armchairs beside the unlit fire. I have seen a lot in my hundred

and fifty years, but never anything like Lucian. And to discover

that another world exists… not a world I would ever want to

rule. Corrona enters my chambers and her gaze falls on my

cheek. She looks away quickly when she catches my eye and

starts filling my bath.

Marta - Saskia-

T
he next morning, I awake to pounding on my door.

Rubbing my eyes, I open it and Corrona bursts in.

“Marta, how are you asleep? I have been awake since

sunrise.” Corrona is busying herself lighting a fire to boil some

water for tea.

After shutting the door, I sit at the table. Corrona stops what

she is doing and sits across from me, taking my hands in hers.

“Are you feeling unwell? Is it the baby?” She places a hand on

my forehead. “You feel a bit warm, but no temperature.”

I flick her hand away. “Stop fussing. I am fine, just a bad

night’s sleep.” Hurt flickers across her face. I never tell her about

Taurus, because I know she will just end up worrying about me.

“I am sorry. I’m just tired.”

She gives me a lopsided smile. “All is forgiven. Now, we have

to get you organised for the festival. Bethany is coming over to

mine, as are you, and we will get ready together.” Corrona’s

eyes are sparkling with excitement.

I can’t help but smile back. “All right, but first I need a hot

cup of tea to wake me up.”

Corrona pours out two cups of tea. I cradle mine in my hands.

We still have three hours before the festival begins. Corrona is

not coming, as she is married already, but she loves dressing

me up. When we finish the tea, we leave my cottage and make

our way to Corrona’s. We chat while waiting on Bethany. She

works with Corrona in the castle, taking care of the cleaning

and running of it.

The castle is divided into three sections—left, middle, and

right. Both of them work in the left wing and are called L1 and

L2, as they are head maidens over several other girls.

After an hour, Corrona gets up from the table. “I am going

over to Bethany’s to see what is taking her so long. It isn’t like

her to be late. She was so excited last week when we made plans

for tonight.”

I give Corrona a small hug. “All right. I will start getting

ready.” Corrona throws on her cloak and leaves.

Sitting in front of Corrona’s dressing table, I start with

my hair, releasing it from the bun I placed it in this morning.

Curls bounce around my shoulders. I gather two small pieces

from the front and tie them loosely, leaving my hair down,

but keeping it off my face. As I sit sideways, my hair looks

beautiful in the mirror. Some days from the heat, it would

be frizzy, but today it is smooth and shiny. I lift my tunic

and smile at my reflection; pregnancy suits me. I think I look

beautiful with my bump. I go back into the kitchen and take

a white rose out of Corrona’s vase of flowers, placing it at

the side of my hair.

Corrona returns then, her eyebrows set in a furrow. “She

wasn’t there,” she says.

“Don’t worry. She must have gone to someone else’s to get

ready.”

“Maybe”

“Are you not going to say anything about my hair?” I ask

while twirling around.

“Oh, Marta, sorry. It is perfect.” She comes over and twirls a

curl around her finger. “It is perfect.” She says sincerely.

“Stop worrying, Corrona. Sometimes you worry too much.”

“You are right. She must have gone to Ancellia’s home…

maybe…” Then she claps her hands together. “All right, let’s

get you ready.”

An hour later, after being pulled and prodded by Corrona,

I am fully dressed in a beautiful blue dress. All the material

gathers around my stomach to conceal my bump. It is perfect.

I arrive at the main square of the village. While I stand there,

I take in the transformation. I have heard it is one of the most

magical nights, but have never seen it before. Everything is so

exquisite. A large platform has been erected for the occasion for

the king and queen to watch us. It is decorated in the finest silk

of gold and reds. At each corner, there are fifty-foot sheets of

white silk material billowing in a slight breeze. I pity whoever

has to stand there for the night and use their air affinity, no

doubt a woman.

I walk deeper into the crowd. Everyone is dressed in their

finest clothes. The women gather on one side and the men on

the other. The square is lit by lanterns and candles scattered

all around. Large barrels have been turned upside down and

candles are placed in the centre. Someone has spread rose

petals on the ground to give it the illusion of a carpet. It is

beautiful.

Goblets of wine are handed out by servers. A girl hands me

a goblet while giving me a look of envy. “Your time will come.

Don’t worry,” I say.

She gives me a disgusted look. “That’s all right for you to say.

I have another ten years to wait.” She walks off, serving others

begrudgingly. I hold the goblet and pretend to take small sips so

nothing looks suspicious.

“You look stunning.” I laugh as I face Nicon. And feel very

shocked. He cleans up well. He’s dressed in a black pair of

trousers and a snow-white tunic. His beard is shaved, making

him look younger, and his blue eyes are sparkling.

“Nicon, you will make some girl’s dreams come true here

tonight.”

He laughs slightly, and then kisses me on the cheek. “You

are too kind, Marta.”

Beating of drums settles everyone down, except me. The king

and queen are arriving. My stomach tightens at the thought of

seeing Morrick.

“Ladies and gentlemen, bow for your King Morrick and

Queen Bellona.” The king and queen take their seats, both of

them dressed in white robes with royal-blue trimmings, the

colours that represent the matching festival.

Morrick stands then and walks to the front of the platform.

“Rise.” I look up and meet his deep grey eyes, causing my

breath to catch in my chest. A small smile tugs at the corner

of his mouth, but is gone as soon as it appears. His attention

is now back on the crowd. “Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we

will unite you together to live long and happy lives and create

the next generation.”

Everyone applauds, the men louder than the women. No

doubt it is the last statement that makes the men happy. Everyone

settles back down as the king continues to speak.

“Once everyone is matched, we will celebrate with dancing

and wine.” Another roar goes up; then Morrick returns to his

throne.

A small man with a large scroll takes his place at the front of

the platform. He wears all blue down to his sandals. His nose is

too big for his face, his eyes too small. He starts the list, letting

the scroll unwind. It hits the wood with a large thud. He clears

his throat and a voice erupts that doesn’t match his face, much

too deep and loud. “Felix is matched with Seth.” And the list

goes on.

After several minutes and smiling couples, Nicon’s name is

mentioned. I squeeze his hand and he smiles down at me. “Nicon

is matched with Claudia.” Claudia squeals with joy from across

the stage and then blushes when Nicon smiles over at her. She is

petite and pretty. I know her face from the gardens. She works

the fruit and vegetable section. Her squeal of joy causes the little

man to give her a stern look. He continues with more names,

and more sounds of joy gush, causing his face to grow grumpier

each time.

“Marta is matched with…” I hold my breath, hoping it is

someone I can push away easily over time. “Taurus.” I look

up at the little man in disgust and can see Morrick staring at

Bellona in shock as she smirks. Was I imaging that? I feel ill as

the big brute comes towards me, grinning. I look the other way,

pretending I don’t see him.

“Well, well, well. Aren’t you a lucky girl?” The smell of wine

hits my face. He seems to be always drunk and this infuriates

me.

The music starts up then, signalling the beginning of the

celebrations. I look up at Taurus with a show of disgust on my

face.

He laughs. “Do not be like that. I promise we will have

lots of fun.” He winks at me, pulling me into his sweaty

body.

I push him away. “I think I will wait another ten years.”

I storm off, pushing my way through the crowd, wanting

to get as far away from Taurus as possible. When I reach

the edge of the mass, I start to calm and watch all the new

couples dance and talk. After an hour of standing alone, my

mood darkens. I know Morrick can’t be with me in public,

but times like these make me feel even lonelier. I take the

rose out of my hair and throw it on the ground and start

walking back to my cottage.

A voice comes from behind me. “You dropped this.” I freeze

with fear. Has Taurus followed me? I try to muster up as much

courage as possible.

“Go away.” I turn around and am faced with Morrick

holding my white rose.

I bow. “Sorry, your highness, I thought you were—”

He finishes my sentence. “Taurus. I guessed as much. Are

you all right?” He places his hand on my elbow to help me rise

and puts the rose back in my hair. “That’s better. Now you look

perfect.”

I smile. “I better go before anyone sees us.”

He looks conflicted “I tried to make sure it was Nicon that

you were matched with.”

I look at Morrick, startled. “Nicon? And why would you do

that?”

“I see how he looks at you, and he would have treated you

well,” Morrick says, looking annoyed.

This frustrates me. I did not want to be matched with Nicon.

I wanted Morrick more than life itself, but this would never be possible.

“Morrick, I don’t want Nicon.” I look away and don’t say how

I truly feel. It would be unfair.

But Morrick startles me with his response. “You have my

word. I will find a way for us to be together.” And then he is

gone, back to the village.