Chapter One

A rooster crowed, announcing sunrise. A pair of dark green eyes blinked open to see tiny rays of light penetrating the green bed curtains that surrounded them.

This was the seventh day since Jade's family had disappeared, and today, she had been summoned to the governor's court. She pulled back the curtains and climbed out of bed. Her long, curly auburn hair was tangled from another restless night of sleep. It took her a little while to fully wake, and she stood there and looked out the open window at the sunrise over the treetops. When her mind finally began to fully function, she took steps toward her clothes, which she had laid out the night before.

Everything had to be perfect. The governor's court was nothing to scoff at, and Jade was on a mission. She had to find out what happened to her family. She would utilize this situation in any way she could. Very few people had ever received a summons from the governor himself, so of course, rumors had been spread.

Rumors were often spread about Jade. She was an imaginative and eccentric thinker, and her intelligence had earned ridicule. Women were not supposed to think, much less think clearly or rationally. They were meant to go to court, look pretty, manage the household, and bear sons. Jade was not thought well of by society. "Off her rocker," and "loopy" were commonly used to describe her.

Jade had isolated herself for most of her life. She had no desire to be around people, and because of her desire for solitude, she was also thought to be conceited. In truth, Jade wanted out. She longed for anything other than the life she was set to lead. She often would sneak off to the depths of the forest, and pretend she was somewhere- anywhere- else. She lived inside her mind, because, though she may be physically forced to live in a world where life was dull, boring, and mundane, there was no limit to her imagination.

So these new rumors were nothing to Jade. An affair with the governor and her bearing his child merely brought laughter from their victim. The absurdity of Jade putting herself in such a position was humorous.

After she had dressed and had brushed the tangles out of her hair and put it up, she left her room, and went into the kitchen. She lived in quite a small house. Her family was not very well off, though they had not yet been put on the streets. She wore plain, unembellished clothing, and though, she did not resent her poverty. Jade knew there was a reason for her destitution, and therefore accepted the circumstances she faced. She thought better of eating anything. Instead, she drank a small glass of water to settle her rumbling stomach. Lifting her usually downcast face high, she left the safety of her tiny house, out into the harsh, uncivil world of humanity.

Locking the door behind her, Jade walked quickly toward the road. She was surefooted and quickstepped. Her eyes were on the governor’s mansion, less than a mile away, on the top of a nearby hill. She followed the road, passing joyous smiles and cheerful laughter emanating from people who lived simple, yet deceiving lives. The people of this small city were constantly backstabbing one another, and were cruel, though the cruelty was not the type to be noticed by outsiders. Jade wondered if these people were truly happy, or if these smiles and laughs were only a façade, and they despised this life as much as she. No, she decided; they were happy in this comfortable little cubby hole of theirs in the world. She wanted out, and nothing would keep her here, even the governor’s request to join his court. This is why she had been summoned, and knew it to be true.

The governor had long been asking her father to hand Jade over to his court. He would ask her now, as her father was now out of the way. In a way, she expected that the governor had ordered the removal of her family. He was not used to being told no, and would do anything to get his way. However, Jade would not allow herself to become the 10^th wife of a self-centered, egotistical man, much less the wife of any man. She craved independence, and told herself that she would never marry, and never fall in love. However small and poor it was, she now owned her father’s business. She would use that to assist her in her escape of the court, city, and the life she would be forced to live.

As she approached the front of the governor’s mansion, she thought of the words she would use to greet him. She had to be respectful and courteous, while remaining distant. Jade knocked at the enormous door, which was quickly opened. She was escorted into a tremendous room, lavishly decorated with great amounts of color. The room was also filled with the colorful dresses of the many women of the governor’s court. She quickly was aware of all eyes on her, in the simple garb of a peasant. She dismissed the thoughts of embarrassment, realizing that her dress set her apart, exactly where she wanted to be. One set of eyes bored into her more than all the rest. They belonged to the only figure in the room wearing black, in a throne-like chair near the windows, which was the only source illuminating the room.

The black-cloaked figure beckoned to Jade to come closer. She gathered up her courage, and moved forward. A path was made for her as the people of the court stepped aside. As Jade approached the throne, the man stood and grabbed her outstretched hand. He gently brushed his lips against her hand; she curtsied slightly. This was not what she had expected.

She had always imagined the governor as an old, corrupt, ugly bureaucrat. This man was young and rather dashing. She looked into his eyes, and the depth she saw was indistinct. She could not tell who he was. He could be the shallow, pig-head she had thought all along, or he could be what his figure portrayed him as, a young man, respectful and illustrious.

Jade quietly spoke, “Greetings, Lord.” She curtsied again, this time, a little deeper than before, bowing her head before him, as well.

He reached down and lifted her chin. With his other hand, he motioned for her to stand. Her body responded immediately, before her mind could react. She had stood up, her mind unwilling. The room still in silence, the governor took her hand and led Jade through a door she had not noticed. She followed, knowing that it would be better to stay among others while in the presence of this man, but not knowing why she did it, she followed him.

The doors shut behind them as they walked into a dark room, lit by a few candles. This man belonged in this type of environment. The change of surroundings bewildered her mind. All her sense abandoned her, and she was left helpless. She could do naught but look into his dark eyes.

“You’re family is being searched for. Have no doubt, I will not have my subjects taken against their will.” a deep voice came from the man. He now turned to face her, “Meanwhile, it is best you not stay in your house, not alone. A room has been prepared for you here. I will send for your things, and you will stay as long as necessary.”

Jade nodded her head, trying to comprehend her situation. Her thoughts were entranced, and however hard her sense tried to break through, it was pushed away, by some unknown force.

“As you most likely already know, I would like to have you in the court” he spoke again, “However, I understand that you are not like other women and do not desire it. I beg you to reconsider. A woman such as yourself could be the queen of the social hierarchy, and being the head of the court could give you great power, enough to fulfill all your dreams.”

Jade remained speechless, while her mind fought for its bearings. There was nothing she could say. She reached out for words, but they did not come.

She curtsied again, and as words popped in her head, she could do naught but speak before she thought about what she was saying. “Thank you, Lord. Your generosity is greatly appreciated and accepted.”

He grinned, “Call me Quentin.”

She bowed her head before him once more, as he clapped his hands loudly. A different door than the one they had entered opened, and a vast amount of light shone in, blinding Jade’s eyes, which had adapted to the darkness. A servant came up to the governor and bowed.

“He will show you to your room,” the governor spoke to Jade as she arose. “You will find garments in your room. You may wander the mansion and grounds freely, as you wish. Luncheon will be served at noon, and I ask that you dine with me. I will send someone to your room to fetch you at that time. Until then…” he kissed her hand once more, then turned away towards the other door, and entered into a whirlwind of color. She watched after him as he went, and as the door closed, her mind was freed. Sense and thought returned to her and she now grasped her situation. The servant led her out of the dark room, and Jade shuddered as she returned to a world filled with light. Thoughts raced through her mind unsuppressed. She welcomed the thought back into her mind, gladly. Her mind restored itself as she followed the servant up the staircase to her room. He bowed to her as she went into her room. The room was enormous, and greatly decorated. Her eyes grew wide as she took in the sight; she was overwhelmed. Thought pushed through her shock. She would have to grow accustomed to this, if she was going to return to herself. She took a deep breath, adapting once more to her surroundings. Remembering the governor’s words, she went to the armoire and opened it to find many dresses, which, while they fitted her personality somewhat, did not completely match her. She reached into the armoire, and pulled out dark brown cloth, as soft as silk. She pulled the dress out, and held it up to her. A full length mirror was mounted on the wall next to the armoire. She compared the elegant gown to her own, plain, yet neat dress. Sighing and rolling her eyes, she undressed and slipped the gown over her body. The silk-like material was cool and crisp against her skin.

She looked again at her reflection in the mirror. She was astonished at what she saw. Jade was gone, and here stood a young distinguished woman. There was but one defect in her appearance. Noticing a hairbrush on the bedside table, she let her hair down out of it’s confines and brushed the kinks out of it. The curly auburn hair flowed gently down her shoulders and back. The color complimented perfectly the color of the dress. Satisfied with her appearance, she sat in a large cushioned chair, and lost herself in deep thought, planning her escape from this situation she had let herself be placed in.

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A knock came at the door, bringing Jade out of her thoughts.

“Yes?” she answered the door to find the same servant who had shown her to her room.

“The governor requests your presence at luncheon in the gardens.” the young man bowed to her.

“Thank you,” she replied, “But please don’t bow to me. There is no need of it.”

“Yes, Ma’am. I can show you to the gardens if need be.”

“That would be greatly appreciated.” Jade offered her thanks once more. Closing the door behind her, she followed the servant. She had thought everything out and had everything planned. She would thank the governor for his generosity and hospitality, but she would then explain to him that she had no desire at all to stay in the town and that she planned to sell her father’s small business for however small a profit. She would then sell her home and possessions and move away from everything she had ever known, never to return.

As she finalized these plans in her head, the servant led her to a secluded area of the gardens surrounded by a ten foot tall hedge and through a narrow opening in the hedge, off the paved pathway. The wall-like hedge completely encompassed a small area, just big enough for two people to dine in comfortable privacy. Rosebushes, like vines, climbed up the hedges and created a shady canopy above. The roses were in full bloom overhead, and their sweet aroma filled the air. This seemed a paradise.

There was a small table set for two in the middle of the area. The governor was sitting in one of the two well cushioned chairs that accented the table. With a wave of his hand, he dismissed the servant. He rose from his chair to greet Jade. “Sit.” he commanded pleasantly after kissing her hand. “I see you found a garment to your liking. The brown suits you.”

“Thank you.” she smiled.

Silence enveloped them for a few minutes. Jade avoided looking into the governor’s eyes during this time. She did not want to be put in the same situation as before.

“Truth be told,” the governor broke the silence, “I halfway expected you to stay in your old garb. I didn’t think you were so eager to give up your old life.”

“I am eager to give up my old life,” she began in response, still avoiding his eyes, “but not for a life at court. I thank you for your generosity and hospitality, but I plan on leaving tomorrow morning.”

He set down the fork with which he was eating and calmly stood from his chair. He walked over and knelt beside her, taking her hand in his. “I don’t suppose I can change your mind?” His voice had suddenly changed; the melodic sound emanating from his lips was deeper, smoother, enchanting, and caused Jade to look into his eyes. He brushed his lips against the back of her hand, making her cheeks turn crimson. “I’ve been robbed, not having the chance to know you. Will you steal from me the only opportunity I am presented?”

“Lord…” she tried to protest, but no other words came. Try as she might, she could not keep her mind from going blank. She could not look away from his eyes; those dark piercing eyes held her gaze.

“Don’t leave.” the governor’s voice was entrancing. “You may eventually find that you like it here. Stay.” His words were controlling.

She could not reply. Some invisible bond trapped her thoughts, and they could not escape. Neither could her eyes break away from their captor. He slowly rose from his position, still holding her dark brown eyes and her hand in his.

He let go of her hand at last, and left the little area. Her eyes had at last broken free from his, and she looked down at her hands, now folded in her lap. Her mind was still in chaos, and she still could not bring herself to speak.

Her mind slowly began to recover and she noticed the cup of coffee in front of her. Coffee was a delicacy that, though she was not used to having, she loved tremendously. She reached for the cup and breathed in the delightful fragrance, which seemed uncommonly strong. She poured in some cream to dilute the strength. She took a sip of the drink, and it warmed her inside. She took another drink, and again felt the warmth spread through her body.

Suddenly, her vision started to blur, and the cup slipped from her hand. A single thought flashed in her mind before all went dark, poison.