Fire in the Heart : The Princess and the Bandit (9781629020112) (23 page)

“I knew you would do it! And on the first night as well! The assassin was not as clever as he probably thought,” said Anas chuckling.

Natalia jerked when Anas broke out in laughter. She wanted to scream out loud to relieve the mountain of remorse and pain, but she had nowhere to go.

Anas’s next words caused Natalia to stiffen. “Did you bring his head?” he asked gruffly.

Only a flicker of hope remained in her thoughts as she drove herself to believe that he was still alive. She couldn’t stop the surge in her chest and throat.

Radwan extended his blood-crusted hand. Natalia’s eyes widened when a tiny, wooden bird appeared.

Anas rose to his feet. “What is this?” he demanded. Nearby, a loud rustle in the bushes signaled the end of their visit as the little blue family took flight.

“Seems like all the people here are infatuated with hummingbirds,” snarled Anas.

Natalia quickly turned away. Thoughts of Elijah spun around in her mind—his smile, his laugh, the way he kissed her, the way he was always positive, when he introduced her to his friends. She was suddenly overcome, stifled.

The now sinister man grabbed the hummingbird and threw it to the ground. One step forward ended the wooden creature’s existence as it broke into tiny bits and pieces. “There! Good as gone, now,” Anas proclaimed.

Radwan’s red plume fluttered in the morning breeze.

Natalia choked up. “I…have to go,” she said to Anas.

“What do you mean? Is this not a time to celebrate?”

She stepped away. “I’m sorry. I…”

But Anas didn’t want to let her go. “Natalia. What is it?” he asked.

Natalia forced another smile. “Nothing. I will be fine,” she claimed and walked into the palace. Out of sight, she bounded up the marble stairs, past some guards, and into her room. With one careless leap, she landed on her bed and collapsed. The room filled with her sobs as tears flowed freely. She now knew that she loved Elijah and realized that, because of her, he was dead. “I’m so sorry, Elijah! Please forgive me! I am so sorry!” she cried out. Her body slid, limp, off the side of the mattress. The cold, hard floor held her in her own pool of tears.

The door creaked open and Mera strutted in. She immediately ran to the shaking girl.

Natalia took one look and started yelling. “Why? Why did you scream? He was not going to hurt me! He loved me! Why did you call for help?”

“Because, Natalia. I was looking out for you,” replied Mera as she knelt down.

Natalia cried even harder. “By killing the man I love? Why?”

“It would have never worked with him! He was a bandit, Natalia! You have a chance to marry the son of the God-King! You will live in royalty beyond your wildest imagination. You will be taken care of forever! Why would you throw away an opportunity like that?” said Mera grimly.

Natalia felt another wave of nausea spread throughout her body. “Money does not make me happy! Royalty does not make me happy! Love is what makes me happy! Freedom to love is what I…” she cried.

Mera shouted back. “Stop it! It is your duty to marry the prince! You will marry him and you will submit to him! Quit being the selfish girl you are and become the woman that everyone expects you to be before you get someone else killed!”

Natalia breathed in deeply and slowly rose. “How…dare…you!” she chided.

But Mera didn’t flinch. “We all want the best for you! Now do what is right and be a princess!” she said.

Natalia dropped to the side of the silk-covered bed, face buried in her hands.

“Your people are depending on you! If you marry the prince, the city will be purged of all the bandits! We will have protection from the barbarian hordes! This responsibility lies in your hands! Do not let us down!” continued Mera.

Nothing was able to stop Natalia’s flow of tears.

Mera threw her arms around the princess. “There, there. We are here for you, my dear Natalia,” she said as the tormented girl’s chest continued to heave.

Chapter 27

N
othing seemed real,
especially the splinters of light from between the boards on the window.
What kind of place is this?
thought Elijah as he forced open his eyes. The air felt dead when he peeled the sheet from his skin. Covered in thick wraps of gauze, he could barely move his arms. “Ouch!” he screamed when he lifted his leg. His back felt as if it were on fire. Immediately, his heart pulsed rapidly through his chest.

“Ah! You’re awake!” Bijan said to Elijah. The man stood at the door, gazing around the small space.

Elijah scowled. For a moment, his mind went blank.

“Well. It’s about time,” said a familiar voice. Elijah turned slightly and faced his friend, Aiken.

Elijah again tried to move, but was held captive by intense pain. “Where, where am I?” he asked.

“In an abandoned house,” said Aiken.

Bijan nodded. “This is where I reside at night,” he confirmed.

Elijah tried to shout, but only managed a raspy whisper. “How could you betray me?”

“Easy, Elijah. He didn’t have a choice. What matters now is that he saved you,” replied Aiken.

Bijan’s eyes filled with tears. “Please forgive me. My daughter’s life was at stake. Darius threatened me with her life if I did not tell him what I knew about you,” he pleaded.

Elijah’s head slowly cleared, but he felt it difficult to sound intelligent. He mustered a shallow grunt.

“I am sorry,” said Bijan.

“It’s okay,” said Elijah as his voice trailed off.

Aiken walked over and plopped down on the bed. “In fact, it’s better than okay, lad. The entire city thinks you’re dead!” He quickly broke out in laughter. “You’re a dead man! Oh, how jealousy has taken me over.”

“Well, that’s good,” he replied as he considered his fate. Natalia’s image quickly formed when thoughts of Anas’s speech played back in his mind. Just the thought of her gave him chills.

Aiken nodded. “That is very good. Now they are just looking for me,” he said grinning.

Elijah glanced over. “I’m sorry,” he said.

“No need to be sorry. Can you move?” asked Aiken.

Elijah raised his voice. “Of course, I can move,” he said and immediately screamed in pain.

Aiken jumped up. “Easy, boy. It’s okay.”

“Man oh man! He really did me in, didn’t he?” Elijah said. Suddenly, visions of Radwan’s attacks appeared and Elijah’s color matched the stark white sheet.

Aiken smiled. “Nothing we can’t fix. Here, sit up,” he said when he reached his arm under Elijah’s back.

Elijah sat up and Aiken positioned one of his own legs on the bed. He turned and put his hands around Elijah’s neck. “Uh…what are you doing?” asked Elijah.

“Fixing you,” he said grinning. He then quickly rotated Elijah’s neck, causing a ripple of
pop, pop, pop
down his spine as the joints snapped back into place.

Elijah didn’t know whether to yell or cry. “Ahh! What are you doing?” he exclaimed again.

“There. How is that?” Aiken replied.

“Hmm…it’s actually a little better,” said Elijah.

“Your body was a little out of place if I may say so. Ribs were out, back was out, dislocated shoulder. You should be ready to go soon, but your muscles need to heal,” said Aiken.

Elijah just looked at him. He didn’t know what to think but couldn’t say anything bad.
Maybe he does know what he’s talking about?
thought Elijah. “How do you know this stuff?” he asked.

Bijan hadn’t moved from the door. “You are very wise, Crusader,” he added, nodding.

Aiken grinned again. “It’s an art. I mixed some herbs. They will help with the pain,” he said and reached for a bowl of herbs. Elijah reached out, frowning, peering into the bowl. “Thank you, Aiken,” he said and gingerly stuffed some in his mouth.

Elijah sipped some water and glanced at Aiken. “How long was I out?” he asked.

“A week.”

“A week?” exclaimed Elijah. He thought,
That can’t be. It’s impossible.

“Enough time for me to get you back into fighting shape,” replied Aiken.

Elijah placed his shaking hand on Aiken’s shoulder. “Thank you, friend,” he said.

“My pleasure. Now, Bijan has some news for us,” said Aiken.

“What is it?”

Bijan stepped further into the room. “There are tunnels underneath the city that lead out into the foothills,” he said.

“Really?” asked Elijah in disbelief.

Bijan quickly replied, “Yes.”

“They are underneath the prison,” said Aiken.

Elijah still doubted. “How do you know this?” he asked.

Bijan winked. “I use to be a powerful man in this city. I know all the secrets.”

Elijah grinned. “Well, then. I am afraid we have no choice. Where in the prison do we go?” he asked.

Bijan continued, “The entrance is actually on the backside of the prison. There are usually two guards guarding the entrance. If you were to get past them, then you will be able to find your freedom.”

Elijah threw off his sheets. “Then we can go to the foothills and get the magic that Aiken is talking about! Finally a way to my heart’s desires!” exclaimed Elijah. His eyes sparkled when they met Aiken’s.

Aiken slowly replied, “Of course!”

Suddenly, Elijah winced. “I don’t know if I can move. The pain is too great,” he cried.

Aiken patted him on the back. “Do not stress yourself. The herbs will take time to work. I will make more for our trip.”

Bijan barked a command, “When you get out of the city, never come back, Elijah. There is nothing for you here now. You are very lucky to have lived through what you did. Do not waste your second chance.”

Elijah plopped his head back on the pillow. “I won’t. No more princesses for me,” he said, smiling.

“You’re going to have to tell me about that one day,” replied Aiken, this time frowning.

Elijah winked. “We will have plenty of time to discuss that on our way to the treasure,” he said.

“I will hold you to it.”

Elijah turned to his friend. “Thanks, Bijan. I knew we could count on you,” he said.

The sun suddenly exploded through the cracks, filling the room with a golden hue. “Good luck, my friend,” replied Bijan as he turned to go.

Chapter 28

T
he sun slowly
settled over the western wall of Habarga just as Elijah and Aiken took off for the prison. Anas’s army still surrounded the city, and their elephants roamed close to the eastern wall. Every once in a while, one or two would rear back and let loose with a loud roar. The sound could be heard nearly everywhere. Elijah struggled to keep up with Aiken, trying to hide his pain, but it really hurt to walk. His lower back felt like it was on fire every time he took a step. He kept thinking it would get better, and it had, but he was forced to limp to relieve the pain.

Aiken rested his hand on his sword as they skirted another busy street. “Are you okay?” he asked Elijah.

Elijah grimaced. “Just a little pain. That’s all,” he replied.

“Do not worry. Give it time. It will heal.”

Elijah frowned. “How much time?” he asked.

“Another week, at least,” said Aiken.

Elijah shook his head. “That is way too long.”

“I understand,” answered Aiken, chuckling.

“Got any ideas how we are going to handle these guards? I’m injured,” asked Elijah.

Aiken ducked into a nearby shadow. “Ha! I have not trained all my life to let a few guards get in the way.”

Elijah’s eyes sparkled. “Will you teach me?”

Aiken glanced at Elijah. “You wish to fight like a crusader?” he asked.

“I do.”

Aiken smiled. “Whenever we get the chance, I will be more than happy to show you. Are you going to miss your friends?” he quickly asked.

“Of course I am. I would say the situation I am in is not fair, but I know Karim is right and I did bring this on myself. I guess I should be lucky enough to get this second chance at life. Have you ever wished that you could take back some of your actions?” replied Elijah.

Aiken’s eyebrows raised slightly. “Why, of course I do. That is life, I’m afraid. We learn from our mistakes and try to do better next time,” he said.

Elijah glanced down at the rough stones. “I hurt so many people because I was stupid. I never ever want to make that mistake again. I hoped that maybe I could make things better here, but it seems that the best solution is for me to run away and never return. I suppose that would make everyone the happiest.”

Another few steps brought them directly in front of their previous battle ground—the prison. They both stopped and stared at two guards milling around out in front.

“We have to go around,” whispered Elijah.

Aiken paused. “Do you know an easier way to get around?” he asked.

Elijah immediately replied, “Of course, I do. Follow me.” Elijah led Aiken around and into the back alley. He skirted a couple of crates and landed on top of a small overhang. They crept to the edge and easily could survey the back prison wall. “Come on,” whispered Elijah. Once on the ground, the back entrance was only a short distance away. Elijah’s eyes widened as the sprawled bodies of the two guards came into view. One’s neck was pierced with a short arrow, and the other’s throat was brutally severed.

Aiken tried to make light of it. “It seems others want to flee the city as well,” he said.

Elijah felt his chest tighten as the reality of these deaths began to register. “Who could have done this?” he asked.

Aiken gingerly bent over them. “This must have happened fairly recently. We may catch up to whoever did this,” he claimed.

Elijah glanced away. “Well, we still need to go. Maybe they are far enough ahead of us to not be any trouble.”

“Let’s pray for that,” Aiken said.

The metal reinforced door was the only thing that stood between them and their freedom. In seconds, they found themselves in the cavern of a long and dank tunnel. Elijah quickly uttered, “I do not like this,” just after his feet sank into a large pool of water.

Aiken exclaimed, “It is incredible! When was this tunnel created?”

“I have no idea. I didn’t even know it existed,” replied Elijah. He stared ahead and let his eyes adjust to the dimness. The only lighting were sparsely placed torches, but he could see only until the next bend. He noticed that the roof was curved into an arch and the walls were hard-packed dirt. The floor was wet and muddy and home to scurrying rodents afraid of the light. As they walked along, a bat or two would chirp and fly at them, causing them to duck quickly out of the way. Each time it happened, Elijah felt a rush of chills on the back of his neck.
Yuck
, he thought,
but this is better than a fight with Radwan any day
. “What’s that?” he asked as he pointed to a pile of bones chained to the wall. Aiken ignored him and just kept walking.