Beauty Beheld: A Retelling of Hansel and Gretel (The Becoming Beauty Trilogy Book 3) Read online

  Before the children had begun to disappear, Isa had had little experience involving those with the dark arts. The practitioners of Sorthileige had been well enough hunted down by earlier generations of Fortiers that there were few left in Destin. Even so, whenever word came in of Sorthileige activity, Ever had never wasted a second in tracking it down and cutting it off wherever he found it. When Isa had once asked why she should not accompany him, Ever had turned to give her a look that had chilled her to the bone.

  “You will... someday. But the darkness will change you...” He’d paused, his eyes troubled. “It took me years of practice before I was ready to take the Sorthileige on without my father’s guidance. One day, when I know how, then I will teach you.”

  Isa might have pressed harder if it hadn’t been for the extreme weariness she had seen on his face every time he and his men returned from such an expedition. When she had asked Acelet, Ever’s favorite general, the man had worn a haggard look very similar to Ever’s.

  “Such activity is not a place where we can help him. We simply clear the area so no one stumbles upon us while he is at work.”

  “What does he do with it?” Isa had asked.

  “Burns it... all of it. Everything the Sorthileige practitioner has touched or owned must be destroyed.”

  “Can you not set such items on fire?”

  Acelet had shaken his head sorrowfully. “No mere fire burns such relics of darkness. Only the Fortier fire can engulf it.”

  “And the people?”

  “I continue to await the day when one runs to him, begging for forgiveness, but no such thing has ever happened. They all try to escape or resist him. Every single one dies with a shriek of rage on their lips.”

  After that conversation, Isa had decided that Ever was right, and that she was not ready to face such an evil. Not yet. The Fortress was changing her, making her stronger to be sure, but she was still learning her own power.

  That resolve had changed for both of them, however; when the children had begun to disappear a few weeks before, the work had become too much for Ever to handle on his own. Even then, Ever had not wanted her to touch the witnesses they were bringing in, but Garin had assured him that he would be there with her as long as she needed it. Only Garin’s presence had convinced Ever to let her try. And to be honest, Isa hadn’t really wanted to try at first, either. As always, however, Garin, in his own gentle way, had guided her and protected her. Under his tutelage, her particular strength had proved to be a great asset in the interrogations as they tried to track down the source of the disappearances. It had not been long before Isa was able to handle the interrogations on her own. Of course, that didn’t mean she enjoyed the darkness any more than Ever had.

  Still, it gave her something to do, a purpose she knew she had been made to fulfill. So now, Isa steadied herself as she faced the man that was bound to the chair in the center of the room. Chains, rather than rope, had been used, as Ever said rope was rarely effective with even the most basic of Sorthileige users.

  Upon studying him, however, Isa realized that this particular man was somewhat unusual compared to their more recent prisoners. He reeked of the dark arts, as the rest of them had, but unlike the others, he wore no talismans or charmed stones. In truth, he much resembled a tavern regular, the kind one might find on its steps after having a drink too many and causing a ruckus. His stringy brown hair was long and tied poorly behind his neck. Along with the scent of darkness, his ragged clothes reeked of ale, sweat, and bodily parts that Isa preferred not to think about. As she studied him, the man stared right back at her. His dirty, matted beard covered most of his mouth, but what was visible was turned up in a cocky grin. Not that such looks bothered Isa. She had dealt with arrogance like his before, and worse.

  “So,” Isa began in a quiet voice as she fixed him with her most unnerving stare, “I am told you were found boasting of selling a book of the Sorthileige.” She paused. “You do know that to possess such an item and not relinquish it immediately to the crown is a crime punishable by death, do you not?”

  The man stuck his bottom lip out and shrugged. “I’m just a simple tradesman, Your Majesty. I don’t care to make deals with the king. But you,” his eyes raked her up and down, unabashed, “I might certainly be willing to make a deal with you... for the right price. We could—” The smirk melted from his face. “What are you doing to me?” he gagged.

  “That is for me to know. What I need from you is the truth. Who purchased that book?”

  “I don’t like this!” The man shook his head violently and flexed his hands within their bindings. “Make it stop!”

  “Then tell me to whom you sold the book!” Isa shouted.

  “It wasn’t recent! Four years ago... maybe five?”

  Isa pressed harder. It was amazing how agonizing the truth could be when one had managed to suppress it for so long.

  “A woman! It was a woman! She was new... I’d never seen her before that night! She simply showed up at the tavern one day.”

  “What tavern?”

  “The one in Samsin. I don’t even know how she found me. She asked if I knew where she could find a book of the Sorthileige, and I did. Picked it up off some dead hermit a few years before that. She paid me and left, and I haven’t heard from her since!”

  “And what, precisely, did that book detail?”

  The man shrugged, his body shaking as she released him just enough from the agony for him to think. “I never read it. I told you, I’m a merchant. I have a few talents here and there, but I deal talents more than I practice them. Talismans, individual spells, even large items like the book, when I can find them.” He sat up straighter. “It had something in it about fire.”

  “Did it never cross your mind,” Isa leaned in close, “that she might use such an item poorly?”

  “My lady,” the man gave her a strained smile, “do you think such an object would be used in any other way?”

  Frustrated, Isa stepped away to think. Of the dozens who had dabbled in Sorthileige that she had interrogated in the last three weeks, none of them had been as openly unguided or unrepentant as this fellow. Often, they would say nothing, or would try to find excuses, trying to hide their deviances in her presence. They had mistakenly seemed to believe that she would be more merciful than her husband, whom they had openly defied. They had been wrong.

  Just as this man was wrong to underestimate her. He screamed as she fixed him with her most focused stare.

  “You asked what I was doing, so I will tell you. I, sir, have the strength of the heart. That means that I can make you feel the truth as it is. Not the convoluted, twisted truth that you have convinced yourself exists. The real, visceral truth, the one that you ignored when you sold that woman the book for enough coin to purchase a few more drinks.” Isa leaned over him so that she could grab his chair and tilt it back to an uncomfortable angle. “I thought you should know that the book you sold the woman just might have aided her in luring away hundreds of children over the last few weeks, and if any of them should die, their blood will be on your head.”

  Isa stepped back, letting his chair crash to the floor, but she didn’t release the grip she held on his heart as she sent barrage after barrage of images at the man, images of the distraught parents’ faces who had come to the Fortress, begging for help. Their wails and screams and agony. This man was proving to be more difficult than most, despite his careless appearance. And yet, Isa could feel him beginning to soften as he began to quietly weep. Silently, she allowed herself a breath of relief and thanked the Fortress and the Maker.

  “The southern forest,” he finally said in a ragged voice, “past the Shadowed Chasm and the oak trees.”

  “That’s nearly on the border of Kongretch!”

  He nodded, still staring at the ground. “She headed south from the tavern after we finished our deal. But I must warn you,” he said hastily as Isa took a step toward him, “something is happening there, though I know not what
! But the Sorthileige is even stronger there now than it was back then.” He looked up at her piteously. “What will you do with me, now that you know?”

  “That will be for my husband to decide,” Isa said softly before turning and nodding at her guards. But as she headed for the door, the man grunted behind her. Isa’s sword was out in a flash. The man’s chains burst as he let out a cry of anger, but Isa was ready. He took a step back, then two as she held her sword against the flesh of his throat.

  “Are you harmed, Your Majesty?” One guard wound a new set of chains even tighter around the man’s wrists, while the other guard began to examine her for blood. “We need to bring you to a safer place,” the guard began, but instead of answering, Isa grabbed their prisoner by the collar and tormented him in the most agonizing way she knew how.

  “May the evil that you have inflicted upon others visit your soul every waking moment until you die,” she whispered in his ear. “And when it does, just remember that truth is only as painful as you have made it.” She looked up at the older guard. “You will have no problem with him now.” Then she nodded for the other guard to walk her back up the steps and into the main hall once more.

  “If I may say so,” the younger guard smiled shyly at her when they were finally on their way back to the banquet, “that was quite impressive, Your Majesty.” Then his face paled. “I apologize though for my forwardness. I have only just begun here. I fear my mouth—”

  “Your compliment is kind,” Isa interrupted him with a smile. “I could not be more honored. Now,” she sucked in a deep breath, “pray tell, do you know what hour it is?”

  With the enthusiasm of a small child, the young man dashed over to a passing servant, before dashing back over to her. “It is just past the ninth hour.”

  Isa thanked him, but couldn’t help the deep sigh that escaped her. She was grateful, of course, to have the information they needed. And yet, she couldn’t help wishing that the interrogation had lasted just a bit longer.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  In Which Much is Said

  “Well, well, Your Highness.” The duke of Sud Colline leaned forward, a piece of beef sticking out of his mouth as he spoke. Ever tried to ignore it, but he had never much liked this cousin. “Either she failed miserably,” his cousin continued, “or she is back very soon. If it is the latter, I am quite impressed.”

  Ever followed his cousin’s gaze to see Isa reentering the room. A small wave of relief broke over him as she met his eyes and gave him the smallest of nods. He knew that Isa was safe within the Fortress walls, and yet, the thought of his sweet wife standing within spitting distance of those who practiced darkness made his skin crawl. Not that there weren’t monsters here in the dining hall as well. Ever didn’t miss the way his oafish cousin studied Isa as she approached, and Ever had half a mind to set him straight when Isa seated herself again beside him.

  “We have our heading,” she announced in a small, triumphant voice. Despite her calm appearance, Ever could tell she was nearly bursting with excitement.

  “You must have beat him with a weapon fierce,” the duke’s youngest daughter called out, her eyes bright with interest.

  “Oh, of course not!” Isa smiled and smoothed her crimson skirts. “I am a lady! Striking a man with a weapon would be highly inappropriate.”

  “That is not what you seemed to think this morning during swordplay,” Ever teased his wife.

  She blushed prettily, and began to eat her meal as if nothing out of the ordinary had just taken place, and she hadn’t just found a lead to their kingdom’s disappearing children. In fact, Ever realized with a pang of unease, she seemed far too happy.

  “So how do you do it?” the duke pressed. “If you don’t torture them with a weapon, surely they do not give up their information on their own accord.”

  Isa put down her fork, having not yet gotten a bite to eat, and fixed her sweetest smile upon him. Ever nearly grinned, for he knew what treatment his cousin would now be privy to.

  “There is an undeniable truth in this world, as sure as the Maker lives. I cannot make them agree with it, but I can use the truth to make them uncomfortable, for they know deep down that they are suppressing that truth. If they are not completely on their guard or are not very strong, the truth can twist their hearts and alter their actions.”

  “So you make them change their minds?”

  “Oh no. That is the work of the Maker. The Fortress simply gives me the power to show them the Maker’s truth. Limited insight, you could say, into the lives of those he sends my way. In this case, I just showed the man the truth about the damage he had done to so many through his selfish, careless actions.”

  “It must be terrible to be a weak minded person around you,” the duke chortled. “I must be grateful that such is not my lot in life.”

  Isa didn’t answer, only frowned ever so slightly, and just as Ever had expected, the duke’s face went from its usual shade of puffy red to nearly a deep purple, and his grin disappeared completely.

  “You really should pay more attention to your wife, sir,” Isa said. “It is a shame to waste time pining for those that the Maker did not give you.”

  So the duke’s attentions had not been lost on her, either. Ever enjoyed watching the man squirm as he looked guiltily at his wife for perhaps the first time that night. Disgusted, Ever shook his head.

  After that, Isa’s other admirers hurriedly found other topics of discussion. That, of course, left Isa in the same position she had been in to begin with. Ever’s heart hurt as he watched her give Olivia and Launce her kindest smiles and sweetest words. When Olivia felt ill again, Isa called Gigi immediately to tend to her in the guest chambers that Isa had kept prepared for her brother and his wife. Not a moment too soon did the hour eventually strike eleven, and Ever stood and thanked his guests for their cooperation and attendance, turning them over hence to their prospective servants to be led to their guest chambers.

  Finally, he was on his own with Isa as they made their way back to their room.

  “Did most of them agree to allow the men to be stationed at the borders?” Isa asked as he took her arm.

  “Yes. Tumen wasn’t very happy about it at all, but I think even they do not relish the idea of a child thief tramping about their kingdom.”

  “Good,” Isa nodded, “then the evening was a perfect success.” She continued prattling on as Ever held the chamber door open for her, talking too fast like she always did when she was uncomfortable. “And isn’t it wonderful that Olivia and Launce are having a baby! It will be a beautiful child, with her complexion, of course.”

  Ever folded his arms and watched her with sad eyes as she stood before her vanity and removed the piles of jewelry that Gigi had heaped upon her that afternoon.

  “We’ll have to get them a special gift, of course...”

  The moment that Ever had been dreading all evening finally came as Isa’s voice trailed off, and she laid her head in her hands. Quiet sobs shook her thin shoulders as Ever went to her and drew her into his chest. Desperately, he tried to find words that would lift the weight off of her shoulders even just a little. But no words came. For really, what could he say?

  “It hurts, Ever,” Isa whimpered as tears continued to stream down her face.

  “I know,” he whispered as he lifted her and carried her to the bed, where he laid her gently in his lap. “I know.”

  “My duty is to show everyone else the truth,” she continued between sobs. “But that means I have to see the truth as well. And the truth is—” her voice broke. “The truth is that the Fortress doesn’t want me to have a baby.” She pulled back and looked up at him with her piercing midnight eyes, reddened and wet in their grief. “Why, Ever? Why is the Fortress doing this to me?”

  “I wish I knew.” Ever shook his head slowly and tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear. Upon seeing his wife in the lavish red dress earlier that evening, Ever had hoped to spend the rest of their night in a way that had
n’t involved tears. But the damage had been done, and with a sigh, he knew that what she needed most right now was simply to be held. And though it had taken much heartache on her part, and even more stupidity on his, Ever had learned through the last few years that sometimes his arms were the most powerful healing he could give his wife.

  They lay that way for a long time, shudders and tears still occasionally shaking Isa’s shoulders. Not that Ever minded, of course. But, he suggested finally, she might feel better once she was out of her stiff red dress and into some proper nightclothes. Nodding, Isa stood and went to change. Ever briefly mourned his loss as she went from the striking red gown into a shapeless night shift. But, he reminded himself, he had one duty this night, and that was to be what Isa needed. And so, after they had both shed their formal clothes, Ever drew Isa back towards him beneath the covers, and carefully tucked the blankets in around her.

  Let me know what to say, he asked the Fortress silently. I do not know why you have chosen to withhold a child from her, but at least tell me what to do.

  As if in response, a little warm wind moved from the hearth over to their bed, warming them just a bit more in the cool of the early spring night. Alright then, Ever thought, taking a deep breath. If this is what you wish for now, then that is what I will do. Ever pulled her close until she was curled up perfectly into him, her head tucked beneath his chin, and he began to hum one of her favorite songs into her ear. Little by little, he could feel her begin to relax.

  “Oh,” she said sometime later after he thought she had fallen asleep. “I forgot to tell you about the prisoner.”

  “It can probably wait until morning.”

  “Actually,” she propped herself up on her elbow and looked at him, her heart-shaped face lovely in the flickering shadows of the fire, “I think we should leave tomorrow. He said the woman did indeed buy the book from him, and that she left towards the southern forest.”