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  “A chief is like a king; however, no one chief or tribe is above another. Being a leader is a lifelong position. It means your dwelling is near the center of Katori, closest to the Agora.”

  “So, they make all the decisions, those four men?” Kai asked.

  “Well, it’s not just those four men. Beside each chief sits an Unie, again one from each tribe. Unie means to unite, a position held by a woman to ensure equality and compassion in the decisions made. My mother is the Unie for our tribe; which meant my home was next to Mariana’s home.”

  “Were you best friends?” he questioned excitedly.

  “Well, your mother is several years older than me; however, there was an attack in the Agora. Your mother protected me. It is that bond that brings me to you now. When I heard of your mother’s passing, I was unable to come and care for you. Instead, I found a position in the palace of Nebea, tending the Cazier children. The new Master General, Adrian Cazier, recommended me for the position here when your old governess Agatha retired. I was happy to accept the position to be close to Mariana’s son.”

  Kai sat up. “Wait. What? There was an attack on the Agora. By whom?”

  Kendra shook her head. “I am sorry Kai. I should not have mentioned it.”

  Disappointed, Kai flopped back into bed. “You won’t tell me, will you?”

  Her voice was heavy. “You know I cannot.”

  Confused, Kai looked at her. “Why does it have to be a secret that you knew my mother?”

  “I fear what others would think. I would hate to lose you because the King felt concerned about my motives.”

  “Motives?” Kai tilted his head. “I won’t tell anyone. I would not want to lose you, either.” Struggling to stay awake, he asked another question. “How long does it take to get from Katori to Diu?”

  “Our lands are on tall white cliffs above the ocean, and there is only one decent beach. The harbor only allows shallow boats to get close. Dangerous rocks jut up from the ocean floor, like hidden spears below the surface. Ships dare not risk coming too close. Large ships must anchor and send in smaller boats with people and cargo.”

  “Can people come by land, over the mountains?” Kai asked.

  “Not a wise choice,” Kendra responded. “The Katori Mountains are treacherous, with jagged ridges and bottomless canyons. Not to mention they are home to all sorts of wild beasts: dragons, black shuk, ridgeback wolves, black panthers and more. Many of these creatures roam the Zabranen Forest. Nobody would dare try that route to get to Katori.”

  Kendra let her head rest on her pillow. “Enough talk, we both have a big day tomorrow.”

  “I want to hear about the dragons and why the Katori live so close or trust them…” Unable to continue, he closed his eyes, settled into his pillow, and drifted off into a dream.

  In his slumber, Kai spun and spun under twin maple trees, making himself so dizzy he collapsed. From his bed of leaves, he watched the signs of autumn—red and orange leaves twirled in the air as they fell. Lifting up onto his elbows, he looked to his mother. Nearby Mariana sat on a small bench, her blue dress gently swaying in the breeze, her long mahogany brown hair blowing softly around her face. He watched his mother. She was completely engrossed in the pages of her book.

  Mariana dropped her book, her pleasant smile lit up her brown almond-shaped eyes. She stood and approached Kai. The cool breeze and mid-day sun had turned her ivory skin to pink. “Want to race, little man?” Without another word, she grabbed the front of her dress and ran toward the entrance of the maze.

  “Wait, no fair, wait for me,” Kai called after her as he scrambled to his feet and ran to catch her.

  There were multiple routes through the maze; the question was, which one did she take? The hedges were much taller than he was, and every turn revealed more green walls and choices. Each dead-end frustrated him because it meant he had to circle back and choose again. Kai’s next decision led him to a small clearing with a sundial. He knew he was close because he could hear her laughing.

  “I can see you!” His mother called.

  He dashed along the hedge that he thought would be correct. Running to the end, Kai turned; he hoped to reveal her hiding spot. She was not there. Instead, it cut short as another dead end.

  Disappointed, he looked down and stomped his little feet. Something landed on his head and shoulders. Pink and white flower petals dropped over the hedge by his mother’s hand. A smile lit up his face—he knew that meant return to the sundial and turn at the pink and white flower bed.

  Laughter filled the maze as they called to each other from different sides of the maze. He was close to finding the path leading to the center. While it had only been a moment or two when he’d last heard her laughing, now she was silent. The entire garden became eerily quiet. The wind ceased, and the air felt heavy on his shoulders. Even the birds fell silent.

  Unsure of what else to do, he ran through the maze. The next sounds he heard were a terrifying mixture of screams and fabric tearing. His vision clouded and wind from the dragon’s wings thrust his small frame to the ground.

  Awake, Kai sat up in his bed, soaked in sweat and clawing at the covers. “No, no…NO!” he screamed.

  Kendra burst through the door and wrapped her arms around him. She held him tight and rocked him back and forth. “Hush sweet boy, you’re alright. I’m here now. You’re not alone. I’m so sorry I wasn’t here. I stepped out to check on your brothers.”

  No matter how many times he dreamed of that day, he still couldn’t understand what had happened. He wiped the tears from his face. Then his stepmother Nola entered the room, followed by his father.

  Iver Galloway was an intense man with pitch black hair, sharp brown eyes, and a thunderous voice. “Why can’t you keep the boy quiet? Where were you? Why were you not with him?” he scolded Kendra.

  Kendra hesitated, “Your Majesty, I…”

  Iver held out his hand to Kendra and looked at Nola. “Maybe we need to start giving him his medication again?”

  “No, not that,” Kai begged. “I hate the medication. It makes me sleepy the next day.”

  Nola stepped between them and placed her hand on Iver’s chest. Iver instantly softened at her touch. The queen was a noblewoman with long wavy blonde hair and green eyes. She placed her hands on her sizeable pregnant belly and sat on the edge of Kai’s bed. “The boy has nightmares, Iver. Let me take care of this. Go back to bed.”

  Undaunted, Iver crossed his arms in frustration. “No. I’ve had enough. It’s time he moved out of the nursery. I’m tired of his night terrors.”

  From the foot of the bed, Smoke growled.

  “Hush,” Iver thundered. “Why is he on the bed? If you can’t train your wolf properly, maybe you shouldn’t have him.”

  “Honey, please,” Nola cried out. “Leave the boy alone. Let’s talk in the morning.”

  “No matter. Get it done. Kai should have changed rooms six years ago when the twins were born. It’s time we stop coddling the boy. Besides, the new baby will be here any day now, and we need the nursery. I want all of the new baby things moved out of our chambers and in here where they belong.” Iver angrily stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

  Kai cupped his face; fresh tears welled in his eyes. That was it, the King had spoken—he would be removed from his room, the only connection he had left of his time with his mother. His new sibling was coming.

  “Don’t worry about your father,” Nola said softly. “I will speak to him. But unfortunately, he is right. It is time you move to a new room. I need the adjoining nursery for the new baby. Take your time moving. I know how much this room means to you.” From the door, Nola offered a shallow smile.

  Kai felt empty. Nola had such a way with father; an ability to calm the King with her touch. His father’s moods recently were wildly unpredictable. One moment he was kind, the next angry or dismissive.

  Kendra returned to sit beside Kai on the bed. “I am sorry I wasn’t here.”

>   “I thought I was doing better. For weeks no nightmares, but tonight something happened.” He looked at her with desperation in his eyes. “My dream starts happy and clear, but the end becomes cloudy.” He hesitated and looked away. “I’m sorry, I wish I could remember.”

  “I understand. Maybe I should not have talked so much about Mariana right before bedtime.” Kendra shook her head.

  “Oh no, please don’t stop telling me stories about her,” he begged. “I think it is the tree and the maze. It happened there, this time of year.”

  Kendra tenderly took his hands in hers. “While you may be able to navigate through the day-to-day, grief is not that simple. Certain triggers can bring all the emotions rushing back, reminding you of her absence.” She paused for a moment.

  She tapped her lips. “I want to teach you how to glean. Gleaning was something your mother often did to find focus. It is a cross between meditating and opening the mind. Done properly, it allows you to see things you otherwise could not. When you’re ready, it may help you remember.”

  Learning anything that would bring him closer to his mother was something Kai wanted more than life itself. “I would like that.”

  Chapter 5

  Betrothed

  Kai and Smoke walked the palace grounds. Several small stones bore the brunt of his frustration. Drew crossed the courtyard and offered a wave, and Kai waved back heavyhearted. He missed Drew, but he was happy to know his guard was doing well without him as a distraction.

  Ready for breakfast, Kai dashed into the hallway. Twins, Seth and Aaron, his younger half-brothers, walked down the hall with Kendra. Hoping they would not see him; Kai hesitated a few moments. A burst of hearty laughter bellowed, startling Kai. The king’s chamber door opened, and he found himself face to face with his father.

  Iver’s smile faded. The shift hurt Kai. He felt insignificant standing in his father’s presence. Lost in the moment, they stared at each other until Nola pushed Iver into the hallway. “Go Iver, I’m starving. I am eating for two.”

  Kai remembered the sparkle in his mother’s eyes; Nola’s eyes did not offer the same kindness. He felt she stood between them, while his mother had bonded them together. Uncomfortable, Kai walked away, mentally kicking himself for not knowing what to say.

  “Good morning, Kai. I trust you are feeling better this morning?” Nola called after him.

  He turned and offered a pert smile. “Yes. Thank you for asking. Good morning, father. Sorry about last night.”

  “Yes, well, let’s not talk about it now. We are eating in the great hall this morning. Everyone who matters came in last night.” With a quick smile to Nola, Iver patted her hand in the crux of his arm, and they continued down the hallway.

  Morning sunlight spilled through the wall of arched windows in the great hall. Kai stood beside his father as the king formally greeted their guests. The room was filled with familiar faces.

  Iver offered a nod. “Good morning, Regent Maxwell. So good of you to make the trip. Lady Grace, you are looking well. Your daughter Amelia is a pleasure to have at the palace. She is a beautiful young lady.” Iver glanced at Kai with a hint of pride, then back to Amelia, who clung to her mother’s arm.

  Kai’s insides squirmed. Amelia curtsied to the royal family. The pressure of their betrothal overwhelmed him. While he was mostly ignored, left to lounge around the palace, this future responsibility loomed over him. He liked Amelia, but not in that way. For two years now she’d studied in Diu, and they had become close, but their connection felt more like brother and sister.

  They were promised at birth to unite the old Bangloo kingdom of Milnos, far to the northwest of Diu. Amelia was the only child born to the aging regent, Lucas Maxwell. Kai knew their union made it possible to put a male Galloway heir on the Milnos throne and secure the final country on their continent. No more threats from an old enemy.

  How he wished he could follow in his father’s footsteps and marry for love, but Kai and Amelia’s union would ensure that peace continued without future challenge. He would be sent away to a strange land far from his home to rule over strangers.

  With no desire to rule, the responsibility felt like a burden. He wished Maxwell would father a son to free him from the obligation. Though the Maxwells had tried, the lack of a male heir had forced Maxwell and Milnos to accept Iver’s offer.

  The silver-haired Lucas Maxwell’s distrustful eyes glared at Kai. The regent wore the Milnos badge, a black raven in flight on a field of blue. He offered a stiff bow to King Iver. “Good morning, Your Majesty. We are pleased to visit Amelia. We miss her dearly throughout the year. With your permission, we’d like to stay the month. I trust that my nephew, Landon Maxwell, gives you no trouble.”

  Lucas grasped Iver’s offered hand. Kai noticed the sturdy grip and intense glances shared between his father and his future father-in-law. He knew they merely tolerated each other for the sake of peace.

  “Certainly, Regent Maxwell, we would be happy to have you both,” Iver said. “Landon continues to excel in his studies. Lady Grace, good morning.”

  Grace’s half-hearted curtsy was barely noticeable. “Good morning, your Majesty. Queen Nola.” Like Amelia, Lady Grace had golden blonde hair and large silver-blue eyes; which frowned when they reached Kai.

  The conversation between the two men felt uncomfortable. Kai rolled his eyes towards his brothers. Amelia took his meaning and grabbed his hand—they joined Aaron and Seth to watch from afar. Kai caught an approving smile cross his father’s lips. “Amelia, does your father really intend to stay in Diu an entire month?” Kai asked.

  “He has business in Port Anahita along the coast. A shipment he is expecting. He is not here to see me,” she insisted. “Our betrothal disgusts him. A Milnos highborn lady to marry a Diu-Katori underling. He says the only reason Milnos never crushed Diu was that Brandon Cazier, a Nebean prince, married Eden Galloway, a Diu princess, and the Nebeans defend you.”

  “Nebea is formidable,” Kai chuckled. “And here I thought it was because the Katori brought dragons to protect Diu during the war.”

  She nodded. “My father hates dragons almost as much as he hates Diu. Not to mention, he wanted to be king himself. Sorry, you know how I feel about him. My father has no use for a daughter. He is not an affectionate man. And he still hopes for a son, illegitimate or otherwise.”

  “I am sorry, Amelia. I am thankful we have the years to get to know one another, but I hope you understand, I am not sure I feel the desire to marry.” He winced at speaking the truth.

  She smiled. “No offense taken. You know I feel the same. We share a few interests, but I hope there is a way out of this union. They cannot force us to marry. Can they?”

  Her smile faded. “I want to be with, well, someone I love.” She twisted her fingers in her lap.

  “They can,” Kai said flatly. “Who are we not to do what is best for our people? I know you’re several months older than me, but maybe when we are eighteen, we will feel differently about marriage.” He had no idea what it would feel like to love another in such a way you were drawn to them permanently.

  A tap from Seth interrupted Kai’s thoughts. “When you go to Milnos, who will follow in father’s place as king?” his half-brother asked.

  “Well, Aaron, I suppose. He was born first. He would be the next Galloway King,” Kai answered.

  Aaron beamed. Seth slumped.

  “I thought so.” Seth’s tone wilted.

  Near the grand fireplace, Kai saw his father greet the new Master General. “Good morning, cousin Adrian. I trust you slept well and are finding everything to your expectations in the tower. It is most unfortunate the circumstances of your promotion, but I welcome you as my Master General. I will sorely miss your father.”

  Adrian Cazier wore the black and silver version of the Galloway family crest, a silver wolf with three spears in its jaws, worn by all the king’s royal guard. With a bow, he accepted the king’s offered hand. “Your Majesty. Everything
is as it should be. Thank you for bestowing me this honor. I believe I will be of great use to you here in Diu.”

  Seth sharply elbowed Kai in the ribs and pointed across the room. “Cousin Adrian came in late last night. I miss his father, Aerin, he was nice.” Seth’s voice softened with sadness. “What does a Master General do exactly?”

  “It is not nice to point, Seth,” Kai whispered. “The Master General holds a seat on the king’s council, he is second in command behind father, responsible for the Diu army, the king’s champions—Kempery-men. He also sends spies on secret missions to other countries. Not that we should know about that part.”

  Aaron poked Kai from around Seth. The jab made Kai jump. “How do you get to be Master General?” Aaron asked.

  Kai gently pushed Aaron’s hand away. “The position is appointed by the king. Since Nebea is our ally and our cousins have sat on the throne for generations, it was natural to offer the position to the most qualified relative. Master General Aerin Cazier was Adrian’s father and our second cousin. After he passed away, cousin Adrian requested the rank of Master General. He could have been the King of Nebea, behind his brother Andrew, but he is leaving that honor to his son Aden.” Kai pressed a finger to his lips. “Shh.”

  Iver continued to greet guests. One important man was Admiral Roark Raebun. Who wore his midnight blue regimental surcoat, specially designed for his unit; the royal blue and silver Galloway crest was over his heart. A silver spear through a crescent moon, the symbol for Fort Pohaku on his left. Befitting his rank, Roark had the silver wolf above four silver stripes and four silver stars on his broad shoulders.

  Roark stroked his well-groomed ginger beard and bowed. “Sire, my son Tolan has one year of academics left with Professor Greydon before he joins me at Fort Pohaku. Upon my arrival, I purchased a horse for him, with your permission, I would like to leave three men in your barracks. They will be his entourage between here and Fort Pohaku. He needs to learn the route and build on his skills as a tracker.”