Cursed Read online

  The horses were behind them, eager to reach the rocky beaches of home. Jude almost smiled as he felt a warm nose nudge him in the back a couple of times. He reached the shore and turned to Luce. “Still going to kiss the ground?”

  She gave a wan smile, but her heart wasn’t in it. She looked as if it was taking everything she had just to keep standing and leaning on Jude’s shoulder. The smile faded after just a moment and then a horrible grimace crossed her face. Oh no. Jude knew that face. She was going to be sick. He leaned her over not a moment before a weak stream of vomit issued from her mouth. It worried him that it had been all that was in her stomach. How dehydrated was she?

  The men had seen too. “Let’s get moving,” one of them said.

  This time there was no packhorse, as expediency was the goal, and the siblings were each seated in front of one of the men. It tore at Jude not to be able to watch over her as closely as he had for the past few weeks, but his hands were tied. Fighting would do them no good right now. Help was what they needed, and these men were the only two that knew how to get it.

  The rest of the morning passed slowly. Jude could hardly stand sitting on the horse he was so weak and sore from their confinement. Luce had fallen asleep at the beginning of the ride and not yet awoken, but the steady rise and fall of her chest was small comfort to Jude. The surroundings stayed unchanging as they traveled. Green, and greener, as far as the eye could see. He had never felt so hemmed in by the landscape before.

  Just as he was starting to wonder if it would ever end there was a break in the trees, and he kept his eyes trained on that small area of sunlight until they passed through. And then the sight in front of him stole his breath. He had never seen anything so massive in scale. There was a large expanse of grassy plain in front of them and in the very middle sat a stone wall so high and wide that he could hardly tell where it ended. The only thing visible over the top was one glinting spire.

  The closer they got the higher the wall loomed in front of them and Jude began to understand why no one had visited this kingdom in ages. What secrets hid in that fortress? The whispers of magic were starting to seem less improbable because surely it had taken magic to build a place like this. If Jude squinted, he could just make out the shapes of people patrolling the top of the wall. And farther down, a wooden gate.

  The gate and the bridge that led up to it came into clearer and clearer focus until they were at the very edge of it. The man that rode behind Jude shouted towards the top of the wall. “It’s Vernon. We’ve returned from Her Majesty’s mission with her cargo.”

  A man, merely a distant shadow, leaned over the wall to answer. “Passphrase?”

  “Ten crying babies.”

  That was the passphrase? It seemed like an odd choice to Jude, but it was obviously the right answer as the gate swung slowly open in front of them. One man outfitted in shining armor stepped forward to meet them. “Vernon. Alain,” he said.

  “Sir,” they answered in unison, with small dips of the head.

  “I see you’ve brought the girl, but who is the man?”

  “He bore her mark.”

  “Did he?” The man cocked his head as if considering. “Interesting. See them to the palace and I will inform Her Majesty. You might get a move on, that girl doesn’t look well.”

  No kidding, Jude thought. He was relieved that they all seemed to recognize how badly she needed help, and it seemed like they were going to give it. His sense of urgency increased, and he fought not to spur the horse on himself. They got moving not a moment later, and Jude got his first look beyond the high wall once they crossed beneath its cavernous expanse.

  The city was like nothing he had ever seen. While his own village had wooden cottages, they were small and spread out over acres of farmland. Here, timbered buildings butted up against one another in a wild tangle, competing for space in the crowded outskirts of town. Instead of the sweet smells of grass and hay, his nose was assaulted by the stench of raw sewage that ran in channels beside the lane. And the noise was almost overwhelming.

  Even here at the very fringe of things, it was bustling. Men and women were going about their daily business. Talking, cooking, washing, fighting, and Jude was pretty sure he even saw a couple of women soliciting. The only sound missing was the shrieks and laughter of children. It was the constant background noise of his small village and he hadn’t yet heard the voice of a child once. It was strange and a bit unsettling.

  Jude continued to look out for little ones as they wound their way through the town. He never did see any. What he did see were masses of people, both poor and wealthy. The outskirts of town had transitioned into the markets and it seemed as if everyone were out shopping. There were items up for sale that Jude had never imagined before and strange but delicious-smelling food stalls.

  Here in this busy area, Jude found that he and Luce were curiosities. People glanced up quickly, stealing a peek, and then turned to each other to speak in hushed whispers. Thankfully, the people stayed out of the way of the horses and didn’t slow them down on their way to the palace. Luce was still limp against the man riding with her and Jude thought that it was a bad sign that she hadn’t awoken through any of this trip.

  There were brightly dyed, woven cloths hung everywhere, providing shade for the vendors beneath, and for the people clustered into the narrow walkways. It gave Jude the curious sensation of being indoors, there was hardly a visible patch of sky anywhere. All the clothes were strung up onto high wooden posts. It made the town feel cooler, but that much more claustrophobic.

  Underneath the unusual rooftop were storefronts that were hawking everything from spices, to papyrus paper, to little dead doves, strung up by their talons. The different odors of the market were strong enough that Jude began to feel a little sick. All the men were dressed in shabbier versions of what the men on horseback were wearing, and the women wore long gowns of varying color and style. Jude noticed that they all had hair that was no longer than shoulder-length.

  The market began to thin out, and instead of mud and shit clogged alleys, things became much nicer. Jude could tell that they were in the wealthier area of town. It was set away from everything just a bit, and there was more greenery tucked here and there in small gardens. The homes were no longer a jumble of timber, but orderly rows of well-constructed stone and timber cottages. Behind them were expansive rows of crops and grazing animals, a small bit of home that brought comfort to Jude. He hoped that they would be put to work here, where they could be valuable.

  In the distance, at the top of a gently rising hill, Jude saw that another wall was looming. Only this one was far more ornate and beautiful with what looked like carved granite inset with tiny chips of tile. The gate for this wall was also nicer and appeared to be made of iron. Jude had the feeling that this was going to be the palace. He hoped that here they would get Luce some help and possibly an explanation of why in the world they were here.

  Directly through the gate was the great, stone edifice of the palace. It was only a fraction of the complex, but it was still impressive to Jude. The men got off the horses and the one that Jude had been riding with helped him down roughly. Jude looked over to see Luce being held over the other man’s shoulder. A strong flash of worry climbed over Jude. Luce hadn’t moved in far too long. Her body was as limp as a ragdoll. He hoped that help was just around the corner.

  They were brought through the doorway, and down a hallway lit with flickering oil lamps. To the left and right were what Jude quickly recognized to be prison cells. His deep unease grew even more. Were they going to be locked up? The men stopped in front of one of the cells and cut Jude’s bonds, gesturing him in. He hesitated for only a second before following directions, he had no way of fighting them now, any hesitation might lead to a delay in care for Luce. It wasn’t a smart idea right now, and Jude was nothing if not sensible.

  The man holding Luce rather unceremoniously handed her off to Jude, and left the cell, turning to lock the door beh
ind him. Jude ran forward with Luce in his arms, “Wait! Wait! Are you going to help my sister? Please, you’ve got to find someone to help her!”

  The men didn’t seem to be listening. They left through the door without a second glance. Jude cursed because he had no other way of his expressing his frustration with the entire crazy situation. He looked around the cell, to see if there was anything that could help Luce. Three of the walls were the granite that seemed to permeate everything in this place, and the other wall was made up of roughly hewn iron bars and the door. On the floor were a woven mat, a crockery pot, and a jug. Jude lay Luce down on the mat and reached for the jug, praying that it contained water. He was in luck, there was water, and he filled up one hand and trickled it over Luce’s hot forehead. He also tried some in her mouth, but she wouldn’t swallow it and he was afraid of choking her.

  Jude heard footsteps and ran back to the cell door. One of the men was approaching, and he had an older woman clad in simple robes following close behind them. Jude stepped back so that they had a clear path into the cell, and the man swung the door open a moment later. The woman swept in and immediately went to Luce’s side. “Has she been like this for long?”

  Jude answered. “She was very seasick on the way over and could not keep anything in her stomach. She’s been sleeping mostly and drinking little water.”

  “I see.”

  “Please, are you here to help her?”

  “I am. It is lucky you got here when you did, or her body might have given out altogether.”

  Jude could feel the blood drain out of his face. Was Luce that close to death? If so, he really didn’t see what this one old woman with no medical tools could do to help her. His stomach clenched and felt for the first time on this trip as if it might be him who was sick on the ground.

  The woman began humming softly. Her hands floated gently over Luce’s body, moving in slow circular motions. She swayed back and forth gracefully, eyes closed, moving back and forth to her gentle melody. It was soothing to watch, and Jude felt as if he could slip into a trance with her. His eyelids felt so heavy, he thought that it might be nice to close them for just a second. So, he did.

  It could have been a mere moment or a hundred years, but Jude’s eyes flew open at last when he heard Luce give a tremulous breath. Her eyes were open, and she was looking around in mild confusion. What had just happened? It felt like he was waking up from a dream or rising out of a fog. He had missed whatever the woman had done to heal Luce but healed she was.

  Jude went to her side in a flash. “Luce. Welcome back.”

  “Oh, Jude. That was awful. I hardly remember leaving the boat, and nothing after that.” She reached out for him and he drew her into a hug, relief sweeping through him.

  “Do you feel alright now?”

  “I feel amazing.” Luce turned to the woman, “Thank you for helping me.”

  “I do as my queen commands.”

  Jude brought Luce’s attention back to him, checking her for any lingering signs of malaise. But there were none. Her skin was rosy, but no longer fever-flushed. Her green eyes were snapping with their usual zest. She really seemed like she would be herself once they washed the stink of the boat and the journey away from her. He was relieved, beyond relieved really. Whatever came next they would be together, and he could watch over her as he always had.

  Luce suddenly turned away from him and looked towards the door, he stopped to pay attention and realized that she had heard footsteps coming towards the cell. The healer and both men had suddenly dropped prostrate to the dirt floor, bowing low in anticipation of whoever they thought was coming. Jude and Luce shared a panicked look, wondering if they needed to follow suit, but the decision was made for them as a beautiful woman stepped in the cell with four guards trailing behind her.

  Jude fought not to show his awe. This woman, and surely it must have been the queen, looked like she was clad in enough jewels that she was likely wearing the value of his entire town on her petite body. Her robes were a fabric he had never seen, shining red with gold embroidery shot through. There were flashes of fur at her hemline and sleeves, and Jude couldn’t believe the waste of using fur for mere decoration instead of warmth. As amazing as her clothes were, she was even more beautiful. Though middle-aged, her skin was smooth and clear, and her face was striking. She had the deepest brown eyes, like pools of ink, and a long mane of hair to match.

  “Rise,” came her voice, commanding and clear as a clarion call.

  The healer and men got to their feet, and Jude helped Luce get to hers. The queen came forward, circling Luce and Jude with an appraising eye. “So, it’s true. You’ve brought a male. Care to explain, Alain?”

  The man that had ridden with Jude answered. “He bore your mark as well, Your Majesty. I thought it better to bring him back and be mistaken than to not bring him and be mistaken.”

  “And why would you bear my mark, boy? What makes you so special?

  Jude started at being addressed directly. “I am not special, Your Majesty, merely a field slave who was sold by my old master to your men.”

  The queen narrowed her eyes at him for a moment before turning her gaze to Luce. She grabbed her chin and turned her face to the left and then the right, like a man, might check a horse he wished to buy. She nodded as if satisfied. “You will do nicely.”

  “Please, Your Majesty, it has been a long journey and we would love to know how best we can serve you,” Jude said.

  “I do not usually answer the demands of my servants, but this is a curious situation. You say you were a field worker before?”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  “And the girl?”

  “I worked in the dairy, on the same farm as my brother.”

  “Your brother you say?”

  “Yes, Your Majesty. We are twins.”

  A look of knowing lit up the queens stunning face. “That is why. You were as one in the womb, and so you are also in life. As the other half of the girl, of course, my mark would have befallen you as well.”

  Jude was confused, he didn’t understand all this talk of marks. And he certainly didn’t understand why Luce had been marked, or sought out, for whatever they had been brought here for. Yet he was hesitant to ask, the queen had not liked it the last time that he had questioned her.

  “Well, you were unexpected, but I suspect the household servants will find good use for you, boy.”

  “And me, Your Majesty?”

  “Yes, you. You have been brought here to be a concubine to my son. You will be brought to the girl’s court and made suitable.”

  Luce’s wide eyes met Jude’s and he was sure her shock was reflected at her. This was not what either of them had expected. They had thought that they were being sold for their skills and that they would maintain a similar situation in their new home. But for Luce to become nothing more than a piece of meat? No.

  The queen gave an exasperated sigh. “Do not look so put out. Would you rather have been a servant all your days? Now you will have a chance to be with my son, and if he gets you with child you will be the next queen. Do you understand, girl?”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  The queen gave a sharp nod and then turned to her men. “Bring him to Petunia, she’ll have to find a use for him. And get her to the girl’s court so they can wash the stink off her.”

  She turned on heel and swept out without another word or glance, and the men moved to follow her orders. Two grabbed him and began pulling him out of the cell, but he fought. This was all too sudden. Would he get to see Luce? Would she be okay? He bucked hard and found an inch of space to turn to her. “Luce. I’ll fix this, somehow I will.”

  She looked too shocked still to speak but gave a nod of understanding. He would have said more but a fist found his stomach and he doubled over. Then Luce found her voice and gave a cry, but he was being dragged away and had no chance to look back. He wondered if he would ever get to see her again.

  Chapter Two
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  Luce

  Luce was in shock. After everything that had happened so far today, from waking up in the cell to being told that she was a concubine, it wasn't surprising that she was so dazed. The men on either side of her were still holding tight to her upper arms, but they were no longer dragging her along. She had given herself over to the situation for the moment, she trusted that Jude would do everything that he could to reunite them. Also, she was frightened that the queen would punish Jude for any bad behavior on her part.

  The queen. In the very brief amount of time that Luce had spent in her presence, she had been thoroughly cowed. Which was unusual for her, but that lady was not the usual kind of person that Luce knew. She seemed cruel. For such a petite woman, she had radiated enough power to make her seem ten feet tall. She was scary and it was enough to make Luce obey. Temporarily.

  She tried to pay attention as they walked through the enormous compound. If there was ever an opportunity to escape, she needed to have a good sense of her geography. Not that she had any place to go even if she did escape, there were miles of thick woods in every direction. Still, she had to try, she had to allow herself hope or she felt like she would start screaming and never stop. Being a slave had been hard, but to be a concubine was unthinkable.

  The path that they took was labyrinthine, she was led through so many different courtyards and archways that everything began to blur together. It was all the same, tinkling fountains, intricate stonework, and lush roses. If this had been a palace that she was visiting for fun she would have thought it was stunningly beautiful, as it was, she saw a gilded cage. Luce felt a strong urge to rub her eyes and make sure that everything that she was seeing was real.

  After what seemed like miles, they came to the tallest wall and gate that Luce had seen yet. This was the first gate that the guards didn't stride through with confidence. Instead, they pulled on a cord that rung a heavy brass bell. It was a few moments before a girl appeared behind the gate. Her eyes widened when she saw Luce and she turned to the guards, "Another one? Let me get Little Mother."