Sybil Deceived Page 6

  “What if you’re away on business again?” I asked him breathlessly.

  “Then ask Hugh.”

  “Okay, I promise.”

  “Thank you. I was worried about you all day,” he said seriously.

  I smiled and kissed his lips softly. “I was worried about you as well.”

  “I nearly lost control when I saw that male attack you. I wanted to kill him for trying to harm you,” he said as he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “If I lost you, I would lose the only thing that has ever mattered to me.”

  “Gerard,” I whispered in shock.

  He kissed my lips fiercely and I felt his true passion for me for the first time. I kissed him back, his passion igniting my own.

  “Sybil!” Uncle called from the houses.

  I pulled back from Gerard and called back, “I’m here.”

  Gerard kissed my lips quickly and then stepped from the trees, revealing us to my uncle. “She couldn’t sleep so we went on a walk.”

  Uncle nodded his head. “Okay. I just wanted to be sure she wasn’t alone.”

  I walked up to my uncle and then turned to face Gerard, curtsying formally to him like protocol demanded when saying thank you to a suitor in front of family. “Thank you for escorting me on my walk.”

  Gerard bowed to me. “Thank you for allowing me to accompany you.”

  “Good night,” I said as I turned and walked to Uncle’s house. They walked behind me, but talked in hushed tones so I couldn’t hear them.

  Adam walked to me and asked, “Are you excited for tonight?”

  “What’s tonight?” I asked curiously. Mother and Gerard had mentioned it the other night, but they still hadn’t told me. We walked into the hall and I sat at a table with Hugh and Adam.

  “You don’t know what tonight is?” Adam asked unbelievingly.

  “No, I don’t,” I said exasperated. “Why does everyone find that so hard to believe?”

  Gerard walked into the hall and it was as if the entire room brightened. He smiled at me and I realized that I was smiling at him already. He walked to me slowly, giving me a long time to admire his physique and gracefulness before he kissed my cheek.

  “We find it hard to believe because tonight is your birthday,” Adam said with jealousy evident in his voice.

  “What!” I yelled and looked back at Adam. “No, it’s not. My birthday is…” I stopped counting the days and put a hand over my eyes. “Oh no.”

  “Happy birthday!” everyone in the room yelled.

  How could I have forgotten that it was my birthday, especially when it was the most significant birthday of all for the princess? I wasn’t ready. I couldn’t do this tonight. It was too soon.

  “Sybil,” Gerard whispered. “What’s wrong?”

  My heart was beating faster than a hummingbird’s wings as fear threatened to overwhelm me. “I can’t. I don’t. Excuse me,” I said as I ran from the dining hall and out into the night. I ran under the archway and to Grandpa. How could I have forgotten? “Grandpa,” I whispered. “I don’t know what to do.”

  The leaves on the tree rustled. I leaned my forehead against the tree and tried to slow my breathing. “I have to choose my guard tonight. It’s too soon. It’s too early. I can’t choose already.”

  The wind picked up and it felt cool against my warm skin. “I know Gerard wants to be my guard and I know he saved me, but… What if he decides he doesn’t like me after all? What if he finds another female he likes better? It’s not right that I have to choose a guard so young. I’m only eighteen,” I muttered.

  “Sybil,” Gerard called. “You shouldn’t be out alone. Please answer me.”

  “Here,” I called back as I closed my eyes.

  He didn’t even crackle the dried leaves on the ground as he walked to me. “Are you alright?” he asked and stopped near me.

  “I don’t know,” I whispered.

  He pulled me away from the tree and wrapped his arms around me. “Everything will be fine,” he whispered.

  “You don’t know that.”

  “I know that every time I am with you, I feel like I can conquer the world and that you always bring a smile to my face.”

  I opened my eyes and looked up into his beautiful silver ones. “I feel the same.”

  “Stop worrying and let’s just enjoy your birthday. Every warrior is coming to celebrate with you and we’ll have a great time.”

  “Gerard, you’re a great Captain and an amazing warrior, but what if you end up wanting something different? I don’t want to decide your life for you.”

  “Is this what you’re worried about?” he asked. I nodded. He laughed. “Sybil, how many times do I have to tell you that all I want is to be your guard and be by your side for the rest of your life?”

  “But there are so many other females that are interested in you.”

  “And that is sad for them because I am only interested in one.”

  “But—”

  He put his finger over my lips and smiled down at me. “You are the only female I have looked at for the past thirteen years, Sybil. I know what I want. It’s your decision now. I won’t hate you or be angry with you if you don’t choose me.”

  I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him deeply. I pulled back and looked into his eyes. “There isn’t anyone else I would choose,” I whispered.

  He smiled happily and kissed me as he wrapped his wings around us, cocooning us together.

  “Excuse me,” Hugh said from beside us.

  Gerard and I pulled apart, but he linked hands with me and kept me by his side. “Yes?” Gerard asked.

  “It’s time to head down to the courtyard for the party,” Hugh said with a teasing smile. The rest of the warriors stood behind him, most with the same smile, but Adam was glaring angrily at Gerard. I wondered what had happened to cause Adam to be mad at Gerard, but I knew now wasn’t the time to ask.

  Gerard nodded his head and tugged on my hand to get my attention. “Can you fly?”

  I nodded and flew up into the sky, twirling as I did. Gerard flew up next to me and laughed.

  “See, all better.”

  The other warriors flew up into the air and together we made our way to the courtyard, which was filled with all of the fairies of our Troupe. We landed in the center where my mother was sitting next to her guard, Octavius, and Uncle Giles. The courtyard had been transformed into my party place. Tables filled most of the area and a large bonfire took up one corner. I curtsied to my mother and the warriors bowed as well.

  She stood up and hugged me. “Happy Birthday, Daughter.”

  “Thank you,” I said as she pulled back.

  She looked at the sword hilt and turned to Uncle Giles. “What’s this?”

  He smiled. “This is something that should have happened long ago. Gerard, come forward please.”

  Gerard walked up to Uncle Giles. “Yes Sir?”

  “Did you present the sword to Princess Sybil?”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  Uncle Giles turned to me. “May I see your sword please?” I took the sword from its sheath and handed it, hilt first, to him. “Please kneel.” I wasn’t sure what was going on, but I did as he asked and kneeled, tucking my dress around my knees as I did. “I officially recognize you, Sybil, as a warrior,” he said as he tapped my shoulders with my sword. “Rise as a warrior.”

  I stood up and the warriors and a few others cheered, but I could see that many in the crowd were shocked and some of the older ones were upset. I took my sword back from him and slid it into my sheath.

  “Let us eat and celebrate Sybil’s birthday,” Mother said as she took a seat at one of the tables.

  “Sybil!” Audrey yelled behind me.

  I spun around and barely caught my balance as my friend slammed into me and hugged me. “Audrey!” I said happily. “I’ve missed you so much.”

  She pulled back and kissed my cheek. “I’ve missed you too.” She touched the hilt of my sword with her fingerti
p. “I always wondered when you’d finally get this.”

  “Hey, Sybil,” Charles said from behind her.

  Audrey stepped to my side and I smiled at him. “Hello, Charles.”

  “Happy Birthday,” he said as he handed me a box.

  “You didn’t have to get me a gift,” I said, lifting an eyebrow.

  “We always get each other gifts for birthdays,” he said as he smiled shyly.

  I hugged him and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

  “Sybil,” Gerard said softly from behind me. “You should eat.”

  I grabbed Audrey’s hand and pulled her with me to the table where Gerard and the other warriors were sitting. Hugh and Gerard scooted over to make room for the two of us and Audrey smiled shyly at Hugh. “Hi, Hugh.”

  He smiled brightly back at her. “Hello, Audrey. You look lovely tonight.”

  “Thank you,” she said as we sat down.

  I set Charles’ gift on the table next to my plate and Gerard looked at it suspiciously. “A present?”

  I nodded my head. “Yes.”

  “Charles?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Are you going to open it?”

  “Not until after the party tonight. It’s a tradition.”

  He eyed the box a moment longer and then started piling food on my plate. “You need to remember to eat as much as you can to keep your strength up.”

  “So, what have you been doing at the training grounds?” Audrey asked as she nibbled on some vegetables.

  “She’s been learning to kick our butts,” Adam said with a smile.

  “Really?” Audrey asked. “I thought she was just able to beat Charles and me up. I never would have guessed she could beat one of you.”

  “She had Gerard on the ground with a sword to his throat,” Adam said as everyone laughed.

  “That wasn’t nearly as funny as her getting you with an uppercut to the stomach,” Hugh said and the table roared with laughter.

  Adam blushed and pushed off from the table and walked away. I set down my cup and stood.

  “Where are you going?” Gerard asked softly.

  “I’m going to talk to him,” I said as I walked away. “I’ll be right back.” I walked in the direction Adam had gone and found him on the other side of the palace in the rose garden. “Adam,” I said softly. “I’m sorry.”

  He shrugged. “It’s not your fault.”

  “Please come back.”

  He turned around and smiled. “No, it’s alright. I’m just tired and worn out from dealing with the trespassers. You go enjoy your birthday.”

  “Are you sure?” I asked.

  He nodded his head. “Yeah, I’m just going to go to bed.” He walked to me and kissed my cheek. “Happy Birthday, Sybil.”

  “Thank you,” I said, blinking hard at him.

  He looked at me a moment and then stepped forward and kissed me hard on the lips. I froze in shock and he stepped back. “Gerard isn’t the only male who has had their eye on you. If I had been there last night, I would have killed those males for trying to hurt you.” He stroked my cheek with his finger and whispered, “If it were up to me I’d fight any other male for the chance to be your guard.”

  “Wh…why didn’t you say anything before?” I stammered. “You never showed interest to me.”

  “The only chance I had was when I was training you, but you said you wanted to be treated like a warrior. I don’t flirt with the other warriors. And you were always with Gerard besides that.”

  “I don’t know what to say, Adam,” I told him honestly. “This is quite a shock.”

  “Can’t you postpone the decision?” he asked as he ran his hand down my arm.

  “I’m supposed to choose tonight. It’s tradition.”

  “You just broke tradition by becoming the first female warrior. Why not break one more?”

  “Sybil, are you alright?” Gerard called from the front of the palace.

  “Yes, I’ll be right there,” I called back. “Adam, I just. I’m so shocked right now and confused. I don’t know.”

  He picked my hand up. “Don’t worry yourself, Sybil. It’s alright. I should have made my move sooner. I’m sorry.” He kissed my cheek and flew up into the sky, heading towards the training grounds.

  I watched him disappear and then started slowly back towards the front of the palace. Was Adam right? Should I wait to make my choice? I didn’t want anyone but Gerard, but was that fair to the others?

  “Hello,” I said to Gerard as I rounded the corner.

  “Everything alright?” he asked as he held out his hand to me.

  I linked hands with him and kissed his cheek. “Yes. We should get back to the party though.” I pulled my hand out of his and we walked side by side back to the party.

  “I have a present for you, after the party,” he whispered.

  “You didn’t have to get me anything,” I said, but couldn’t hide my smile.

  “I wanted to,” he whispered back. “You’re special to me.”

  “Sybil,” Mother called. “Come have a drink with me.”

  I walked up to her slowly and took the offered cup. It was the first time I was allowed to drink the fermented liquid. I clinked cups with my mother and together we drank them in one swig. The crowd cheered and my mother smiled proudly at me. We sat together and shared a loaf of bread as we drank more.

  After an hour or so had passed, she stood from her seat and the crowd hushed. “As you all know, tonight is Sybil’s eighteenth birthday. As princess, this is the night that she chooses her guard - the male who will protect her with his life for the rest of their lives.”

  “No, tonight is the night the true ruler is decided,” said a deep and angry voice.

  Fairies screamed in terror as enemy fairies dropped from the skies and attacked. I pulled my sword from its sheath and stabbed a female who came after me. The warriors jumped into the fray, protecting the other fairies of our Troupe and attacking the enemy. I ducked a blade from one female only to have another kick me in the back. A circle had formed around me of five enemy females and I felt true fear for the first time in a long time.

  Gerard grabbed two of the females and tossed them away from me while I engaged the other three. The sounds of swords clashing and fairies screaming were almost deafening. One of my attackers sliced my arm and made me cry out in pain. I doubled my offense and killed two of them quickly while the last was proving to be quite a struggle. She was extremely skilled in swords and no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t cut her.

  Gerard’s disappearance worried me most of all. I knew he wouldn’t have left me alone if he had control, but he wasn’t anywhere I could see him. Finally, the female faltered and I ran her through the stomach. I spun around just in time to block a blade aimed at my chest from a male.

  Gerard dropped down from the sky to land behind the male and stabbed him through the back. “Are you alright?” he asked in panting breaths.

  “Yes, just a few cuts,” I answered.

  A female screamed and my heart broke at the sound. I turned around and stared at Octavius’ lifeless body and my mother’s beside his. A large male with a jagged scar over his eye pulled his sword from my mother’s chest and smiled happily. I screamed my pain and felt tears sliding down my face.

  Part of me felt like throwing up while the other more dominant part ached to stab my sword through his gut. I rushed forward, cutting down any enemy in my path until I stood in front of the man. He smiled at me. “Hello, Princess.”

  I screamed my rage and attacked him. My movements were crazed and my attacks random, but I didn’t care. The only thing I cared about was killing him. I used everything I knew about hand combat and swords as I attacked him, but to no avail.

  “You can’t beat me,” he said smugly.

  “No, but I can,” Gerard said as he attacked the male from his side. I tried to fight too, but Gerard pushed me back and continued his assault on the male. “Stay back, Sybil,” he
barked.

  “You may be older, but you’re still not good enough to fight me, Son,” the male said with a sneer.

  I dropped to my knees and cradled my mother’s head on my lap. “Sybil,” Octavius whispered. I jumped in shock and turned to the guard. “I need you to help me,” he whispered.

  I gently laid my mother’s head down and turned to him. “What can I do?” I asked as I looked at the blood gushing out of his chest and stomach.

  “Show mercy and end my life, please.”

  I scooted backwards in horror. “I can’t.”

  “Please,” he begged. He looked at my mother’s body and tears leaked down his eyes. “I have failed my duty. She died to protect me, but nothing can be done. There is no life left to live without her. Please, Sybil.”

  I shook my head and cried. “I can’t.”

  “If you love me, please do it.”

  I sobbed and stood up, grabbing my sword and standing over him.

  “I’m sorry I failed her. I’m sorry that I failed you. It’s your turn to lead. Make us proud,” he whispered and then closed his eyes.

  I placed my sword over his heart and drove it in as quickly and as hard as I could. He gasped once and then stopped breathing. I screamed and jerked the sword from his body and fell backwards on the ground. I couldn’t stop shaking and felt like I was going to break apart.

  “Sybil!” Adam yelled behind me.

  I turned around and watched with passive fear as a male enemy charged at me. I didn’t have enough time to defend and wasn’t sure I would have even tried if I had. Adam rushed forward and kicked the male in the side, and sent him flying sideways.

  Gerard yelled in pain and I looked up to find him cradling his left arm against his body. The male who killed my mother smiled and then rushed forward. Gerard ducked and stabbed the man through the chest with his sword. “It ends now,” he said through gritted teeth. It was then that I noticed the resemblance between the two.

  The male gasped in pain with wide eyes and fell to the ground besides Gerard’s feet. Gerard hurried over to me and dropped his sword beside mine. “Are you alright?”

  I backed away from him and looked around at everything. The last of the enemy fairies were flying away and Hugh and a few other archers shot at them, taking them down as they tried to flee. Fifty or so bodies lay upon the ground, most enemies, but some from our Troupe. I had never seen war before and now that I had, I never wanted to see it again. I never wanted to hear of it again.