11. Amanita

ELEVEN

AMANITA

"You seem fond of this place," Agaric chimed as we stood beneath the weeping willow. In truth, I enjoyed seeking solace in the cool shadows offered by the old weeping willow. Despite my extended time of recuperation here in the palace, my body still seemed to resist the warmer temperature, and this was one of the few places I could physically withstand the hot climate, my body seemingly naturally resilient to the warmth and sun. It was one of the few places that I felt complete. I shook my head. "Good. All I want is for you to feel at home here." He kissed my hand once more. "Perhaps we should be married here, under this tree?" My eyes widened at the idea. The darkness and shadows called to me. He smiled, pleased with himself. "Now, we should return to the ball. It isn't fair to rob my people of your presence, my lady. You are far too beautiful to keep hidden in the shadows."

The idea of socializing and mingling didn't appease me. I'd much rather sit in the garden alone, observing the stars. "You go ahead, my prince. I wish to catch my breath for a moment, but I shall join you shortly." He hesitated before nodding, stepping back toward the loud commotion of his people as they celebrated his victory.

As his glow disappeared from view, I gazed up at the moon, breathing in its light before lifting my skirts and kneeling on the cold dirt. My nails shifted various rocks, revealing the blooming mushrooms I had planted. They glowed a bright blue in the night, growing faster than I had imagined. "Sweet night caps," I gently brushed their little blue hats, "I shall care for you. You see, we are the same, attempting to bloom in a foreign land, searching for our place in life. As long as I am here, you shall thrive in the darkness." The faint sound of footsteps sent my body on automatic alert. My hand gripped a nearby stone, my mind switching into a strange automatic defensive way of thinking, preparing to attack if needed.

The sunflowers rustled faintly as I quickly turned, raising my arm, ready to strike, when something stopped me. Not something— someone .

Standing in front of me was a man dressed in a refined, blue costume. The obvious oddness of his outfit didn't concern me, but instead, it was the uniqueness of his mask. It was elegant and simple, covered in glowing night caps much like the ones I had replanted. His amber eyes, clashing against the blue color scheme of his costume, burned into mine as moonlight shined across my face. His hair was a deep ink color, almost black but kissed with deep blue strands, reaching his shoulders. He was extremely fit, his physique larger than Agaric's. His pale skin was covered in old scars, somehow similar to my own. I stared into his eyes, something familiar in his face. His grip tightened, forcing me to drop the stone as it clattered beside me when it clicked. This was Agaric's younger brother. Morel. His men gasped, silently frozen as they remained behind him like statues.

I breathed sharply at the sudden awareness of a blade hovering lightly over my throat. He watched me, his hand firm as the dagger remained close enough that I could feel the coolness of his blade along my skin. Something inside bubbled with anger as a side of me I had not felt before blurted out. "What are you waiting for? Do it!" The raised tone and aggression in my own voice startled me as I silenced my words.

The man blinked as if trying to clear his vision. "What makes you think I wouldn't?" He snapped, his voice deeper than Agaric's.

"Do it." I growled. His jaw clenched as the blade hovered gently above my skin.

"Do you not fear your life ending? Would you not miss your beloved bastard king?" he asked, almost impressed by my boldness.

"Why should one fear the end of their life? It is only natural to be born, live, and eventually die. There is no stopping it—"

He cut my words short. "Your thinking is not like that of a lady of this court. Nonetheless, I shall deliver him the same misery he gifted me." The dagger pushed closer, the top lightly tapping my skin when I blurted my words, halting the pressure.

"As for my beloved ," the man's eyes narrowed as he listened, curious. "I shall not shed a tear for him. Despite the engagement, Agaric is merely a kind soul who rescued me." I watched as he grinned, realizing what I had admitted.

"A kind soul?" He laughed to himself. "Oh, my lady, you are naive if you think my older brother is kind."

"Your brother, Morel," the sound of his name flowed from my lips as his grin immediately dropped, "is the kindest man. He cares for his people, wanting only to shower the kingdom in abundance and peace. It is you who should fear death, not I." Speaking so positively of Agaric twisted my stomach. The man dropped his dagger and released his grip on my arm as I yanked it back. He ripped the beautiful mask from my face, gazing down at me. His expression changed drastically, his men gasping. Their reactions were confused, Morel remaining silent as he stared down at my face, his eyes noticing my scars.

"My king." A strange, masked man pushed forward from behind, "Agaric is returning. What will you have us do?" The man stared at me, the color of his face draining. "Is she—"

"Silence." Morel snapped.

"I suggest you leave before my prince returns," I growled, my nails digging into the earth. Morel grimaced at the possessiveness of my claim on Agaric. "He holds a strong distate for you."

"Oh?" Morel's smirky attitude returned as he raised a brow. "Is that so, my lady? Are you sure it is not I who hates him more? After all, it was Agaric who murdered my wife ." I could feel the pain in his words. "Tell me, what is your name?"

"Amanita. Lady Amanita."

"Amanita," he scoffed, shaking his head. "Tell me, Lady Amanita, where do you come from?"

"My king—" Morel shushed the gawking man, waiting for me to answer. "Go on, tell me. Where are you from, my lady? I am very curious to know where Agaric found you." His eyes narrowed, intently waiting for my response.

"I—" I hesitated, "I do not know." My eyes lowered at the embarrassment of being unable to answer such a simple question, my cheeks burning. "Prince Agaric found me on the battlefield after he—"

"My king!" The man alerted Morel. "There is no time! Agaric is returning, and we must leave at once."

Morel stood, staring at me for a moment, turning to face his men. "Indeed." I exhaled, relieved that he would be gone soon. "But first," he quickly bent down, snatching me from the ground, "we must remind my brother what it's like to lose. Seems he's started a new game, and I fully intend to win." I groaned and grunted, fighting his strength as he tossed my body over his shoulder, leaving my mask behind.

"Release me, you bastard! Put me down this instant!" I punched his back, kicking my legs as he began to walk away, my body slung over his shoulder. His men watched from behind with shocked expressions as they stared at the display Morel was making of me.

"Come!" Morel commanded. "We shall return to Grisset at once."

"I shall go nowhere. Release me!" I screamed.

Morel smiled as he exited the royal garden, stepping into the cool shadows of the night. "Silence, woman! It is a long way back to Grisset, and the last thing I need is a headache resulting from your screams."

"I couldn't care less if my voice bothers you! Instead, I should hope it gnaws at your brain and makes you suffer!" I punched his back, desperate to break free from him.

Morel smacked my backside, shocking me into silence. "There you go. Now, be a good girl and keep quiet." His blatant disrespect and cockiness stunned me as I remained silent. His men watched, their eyes shying away as I glanced at them, embarrassed. There was no escaping my situation. I was his captive, a prisoner to the king of darkness. I only hoped Prince Agaric would realize what had occurred and rescue me.