The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine Read Free Book Online

his horse. His knights fell into place behind him. They were off. I looked up at the sky, hoping the clouds were thickening.
    When Father and his knights had crossed the drawbridge, I turned back to the castle, Rhys at my side. I’d been away from Meryl for hours. Surely she’d let me in now.
    Rhys said nothing, but I felt his sadness.
    “Meryl is going to be fine,” I said. “She’ll get her strength back, or Father will find the cure.”
    Rhys was still silent.
    I stopped walking. “Can’t you do something for her? You’re a sorcerer.”
    “Oh, Princess Addie.”
    “Isn’t there some magic to make her stronger or to make the Gray Death weaker?”
    He kept shaking his head. He looked like a fool, wagging his head. What were sorcerers good for? I started walking again, faster.
    “We don’t have enough power. Only fairies do,” he said, keeping up with me easily.
    “I know,” I murmured, sorry for making him feel bad.
    Neither of us spoke for a minute. Then he said, “King Lionel has instructed me to fly to him every day until I have to go to our citadel.” He added, “There’s a ceremony for the apprentices. I wish it weren’t taking place so soon.”
    “When will you leave?”
    “In a week. I’ll be gone nine days.” He held the wooden door to the stairway open for me. “Until then, the king will let me know his progress every day, and I’m to advise his council.” He paused.
    I looked up.
    He was blushing. “And you too.”
    His blush gave him away. Father would never remember me unless Homely Truths told him to.
    Without thinking I asked, “Must you go to your citadel?”
    “Yes. I must.”
    “Can’t you arrive late?” I was begging. It was shameful, but with Meryl sick and shutting me out, I needed someone to . . . protect me? Tears pricked my eyelids again. I was such a coward. Like Father.
    Rhys said, “I can’t arrive late. I’ll be drawn there whether or not I want to go.”
    “Oh.”
    We walked the rest of the way in silence. I wondered if Meryl was still angry at me.
    When we reached her chamber, I paused. What if she still didn’t want me? I knocked.
    “Come in.” Her voice sounded gay.
    I saw Bella first, seated in a red chair by the fireplace. Then I saw Meryl. She was up and dressed, standing at the foot of her bed. Milton, holding Blood-biter, stood a few feet from her. Meryl opened her arms to me, and I ran into them.
    She whispered into my neck, “I’m sorry, Addie. I was too angry to be with anyone healthy. I won’t send you away again. Besides, I won’t be sick for long.” She tilted her head back. “I realized something.”
    I looked down at her.
    Her eyes were shining. “It’s what the specter meant. This is my next adventure! The Gray Death. You see, if it’s an adventure, it can’t be inevitable that I die.”
    Could she be right? I smiled back at her, nodding. Of course she was right!
    “Now stand back and watch. Milton, give me my sword.” She took it from him and raised it with both hands. Her arms shook from the effort. She lunged, lost her balance, and came down hard on one knee. Blood-biter clattered on the tiled floor.
    We all rushed toward her.
    “No!” She waved us away. “I will stand up on my own.” She heaved herself up and stood still, panting. “See, Sir Gray Death. I can do what I want.”
    But she couldn’t. She could hardly do anything.
    Bella was weeping. I was horrified. Meryl was losing strength so quickly! If she continued this way, the next phase, the sleep, would come soon. After that she would have only twelve days left.
    Rhys picked up the sword and gave it to her.
    “Thank you.” Using both hands, she lunged, and this time she didn’t fall.
    That was something.
    “There,” I said. “You did it.”
    “Put it away, please.” She held the sword out to Rhys, her arms trembling again. “I’ll practice more later. I think I’ll walk now.”
    She headed for the door. She moved slowly but easily, I thought, till I