Heart of Lies Read online

  Heart of Lies: A Fireheart Urban Fantasy Novella

  The Fireheart Fantasy Series, Volume 2

  Connor Whiteley

  Published by CGD Publishing, 2021.

  HEART OF LIES

  CONNOR WHITELEY

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means. Including information storage, and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This book is NOT legal, professional, medical, financial or any type of official advice.

  Any questions about the book, rights licensing, or to contact the author, please email [email protected]

  Copyright © 2021 CONNOR WHITELEY

  All rights reserved.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Thank you to all my readers, without you I couldn’t do what I love.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  CHAPTER 1

  Stretching out her hands, Alessandria lightly touched the hard cold dark brown oak arms of her throne as she sat down.

  She adjusted herself in her seat. Feeling the soft black pillows moulding to her flesh. Sending cold chills through her body as the material warmed up after the freezing weather last night.

  Turning her head, Alessandria rolled her eyes at the boring yet imposing cold grey stone blocks of pure might that made up the small chamber she sat in. The blocks of stone gave a chill to the air and a reminder that they were deep in the Queen's castle that no one could hear you scream.

  Of course, Alessandria hadn't tested that fact yet but she wanted to at some point.

  Stretching her neck, Alessandria gave a small smile at the curved ceiling with all the blades tied to it. She had no idea why someone tied or welded the blades to the ceiling but they were always helpful reminders to the criminals she dealt with.

  That reminded her, she needed to get some new scented candles since the candles burned in the four corners stunk of animal fat and sweat. Not pleasant. And certainly not what a noble woman was used to!

  Yet as always Alessandria focused on her purpose, sure everything wasn't as she planned when she had accepted the Queen's offer to live in the castle. But at least her noble family had a home and somewhere to base their operations.

  Alessandria turned her head to the left and peeked out a small glass window that bright sunlight poured in from. Squeaking her eyes, she saw the massive clock tower outside and rolled her eyes.

  They were ten minutes late. Alessandria didn't mind personally hearing cases from her Procurators when they weren't sure what the law said. But the least the Procurators could do was be on time. It wasn't like Alessandria was a busy Noble woman or anything. At least, it was only 10 past 8 in the morning. Hopefully, at least she could do something later if the meeting overran.

  Casting her mind back to her first case hearing, she hated it. It was an hour after she was promoted to Dominus Procurator and she had to decide whether to forward a murder case to the Crown Prosecution Service. It was difficult because the victim was horrible but it was still murder. She decided against it because the victim was a horrible scammer and deserved it.

  Hopefully, this occasion would be less of a difficult choice.

  A loud scraping sound filled the chamber as the immense heavy wooden door opened and three people walked in.

  The first Alessandria easily recognised as one of her Procurators, Police Officers, she looked like your typical Procurator with her grey cloak and her black leather armour underneath. Yet her violet eyes and long black hair made her easy to recognise.

  Whilst not Alessandria’s favourite Procurator, since this one was pretty average, she could tolerate this Procurator for a while.

  The other two women Alessandria supposed were the people she was judging. She raised an eyebrow at both of them with their dirty slimy brown dresses and their greasy hair.

  At least the women to Alessandria’s right had the decency to wear some horrific perfume that stunk of... Alessandria had no idea, but it stunk.

  The Procurator started in her very common and unprofessional tone: “Ya Lady, this are the two I spoke of,”

  “What is the situation?” Alessandria elegantly spoke looking at the women.

  The Procurator was about to speak but Alessandria raised a hand.

  “Um, Miss, um my Lady,” the lady to her right greeted.

  “Speak,” Alessandria ordered.

  “That woman stole 50 coins from me and a week’s food!” the other woman shouted.

  Alessandria looked at the accused with her narrowing eyes.

  “Theft is a serious offence in my land. Do not think because my family is not based on our land. It does not mean will let our land go lawless,”

  “Um, Miss, I swear I didn’t steal it,”

  “Liar!”

  Alessandria raised a hand to silence the accuser.

  “What do you believed happened Procurator?”

  “Ya Lady, the woman definitely stole food and money. It’s a shame,”

  “Why bring this to me if you are sure? I am the Dominicus Procurator. I have more cases to investigate and oversee. I hope you are not wasting my time,”

  “Na Lady, this woman. The theft I thought you might want to hear her side,”

  “Fine, tell me your side,”

  “Um, Miss, I didn’t steal it. I was going to give it back,”

  “Liar!”

  “Be silent or I will grab one of these weapons on the ceiling and kill you with it!” Alessandria shouted as she smiled.

  The woman went silent.

  Alessandria smiled as she made a note to remember that for the future.

  “Um, I was going to give it back. I need the coin for my son. He needs to go to school,”

  “Education is free, you know that,”

  “Um, miss, but my son is bright. Too bright for the normal schools they said. They won’t take him. He wants to become a doctor one day. I cannot afford the education he needs,”

  “How old is your son?”

  “Ten, Miss,”

  Alessandria understood the mother’s concern. All the doctors in the land were from the noble families or the richest families. A mere common woman would never be able to get their child educated enough to even be considered by the Medicus Colleges. But stealing?

  “What about the food?”

  “Um, Miss. I work two jobs. I see my son for two hours a day. My mother looks after him. She cannot work. I sleep for four hours a night. I can barely feed us,”

  “And what about me and my family!”

  Alessandria nodded. Despite all the financial support her family gave to her people. It was never enough. Too many people in need and not enough money.

  However, she had everything she needed to know. Yet this was difficult if she found the thief guilty then the bright child would lose another parent. He might never become a doctor and get his family out of poverty.

  If she didn’t find her guilty then people would question her and she would be called weak and unfit by others. Then what sort of precedence
does that set for all other poor people that want to steal?

  “I have made my decision,” Alessandria turned to face the thief. “I hereby decree you are found guilty, but I will not charge you. You are to give back the coin and the food,”

  The other woman nodded with thanks.

  The thief fell to her knees with tears swelling up in her eyes.

  “And I will write to the Head of the School Board and get your son a place at a good school. My family will pay for it. Providing you do not commit more crimes and your son becomes a doctor in the future for the people of my land,”

  “Um, Miss. Of course, of course. Thank you!”

  “Dismissed,” Alessandria waved them away.

  All three women bowed and ran away.

  Alessandria stretched her arms and felt the warm wood of the wooden throne as she heard heavy footsteps walking towards her.

  As soon as she saw the blue and fiery armour, she knew it was Nemesio. Her complex memories returned to her mind as she remembered how the former Inquisitor got her brother kidnapped and tortured and tried to destroy her family. Yet he was trying to make amends, so she was putting up with him.

  Although, she hated to admit looking at him in his tight armour was semi-pleasing. She shook the thoughts away as he stopped in front of her.

  “Impressive judgement. Both people got what they wanted,”

  “I try and that woman did the wrong thing for the right reasons,”

  Nemesio smiled and nodded.

  “Are you ready?” Nemesio asked.

  Alessandria paused before saying: “Of course, we have this Queen thing again,”

  “Yes. We are meant to be protecting the Queen,”

  Alessandria stood up from her throne and they both started to walk towards the door.

  “I know. I know. It’s been three weeks since she’s hired us and we still don’t know who’s trying to kill her,”

  “One of my contacts said something might change today,”

  “Well, Nemesio. Time to save a Queen,”

  CHAPTER 2

  Placing my large cream mug filled with almost black bitter coffee down on the desk, I signed another military contract and added it to the ever growing pile.

  I do love having a clear desk as I admired the smooth oak wood of the desk with its lumps and bumps and the gold running in between random splits in the wood. Even the wooden draws and legs were covered in gold.

  Of course, this was overkill but I wasn't going to deny the Queen when she gave me an office in the heart of the castle. Although, I have to admit the cold stone walls with no other furniture was boring. Perhaps I'll grab Harrison later and go shopping with him for some cabinets and decorations.

  Personally, I don't see the big deal about having a big perfect homely office but my assistant was moaning earlier. I suppose that's one of the reasons why I prefer autistic people. None of us care about these little things as much.

  Shaking my head at the thought of going shopping with all those people and the noise, I spun my dulled blade in my left hand and took another slip of my coffee. Letting my tongue enjoy the bitter chocolatey notes of the coffee.

  Placing the mug back down, I breathed in coffee scents that filled the office and I made a note to thank Harrison for buying me this coffee. He said earlier that it was expensive since it came from far away. I told him that wasn't logical but he agreed and said that's what boyfriends are meant to do for one another. Not sure if I agree but I appreciated the gesture.

  Returning to the task at hand, I looked at the last military contract on my desk and I opened it. Feeling the cold paper and its rough edges.

  Although, as I read it, I got more and more confused. It was something about the Head of the Military requesting over a thousand men, two thousand swords and enough rations to last them a year.

  My eyebrows rose. As the person who dealt with all the contracts for the family business I know this wasn't abnormal for the Military to order such large quantities from us. Since we control the Military trade in the country but I didn't understand why he would only pay a thousand coins to us. Especially, when all this would cost four times that to produce, not including the rations.

  I reread the contract and it said nothing about the reasons for the request and the Queen hadn't signed the contract to give her blessing. So, I smiled and I thankfully rejected it.

  However, the oddity of the request troubled me. I remember Alessandria mentioning something about her and that awful Nemesio being tasked with finding the people who want the Queen dead. Could they be connected?

  Picking up my coffee once more to finish it, I guess I'll mention it to my sister when I see her. But I am not talking to that Nemesio not after what he did. Even at the thought of the former Inquisitor I spun my dulled blade rapidly.

  “You okay beautiful?”

  I raised my head with a boyish smile as I looked at Harrison in his stunning expensive black suit that highlighted his slight muscles, and slim frame.

  I stood up, walked over to him, and gave him a quick hug and kiss. Breathing in his beautiful earthy aftershave.

  “I’m better now. But you aren’t actually dragging me along to this royalty thing, are you?”

  Harrison gave a small laugh.

  “Daniel, you are coming. And all the important people will be there,”

  “But the noise, the crowd. I don’t like noise and crowds. Too many people,”

  My dulled blade spun even faster.

  “Beautiful, I hate noise as much as you do. I hate people more than you, but I’m Head of the Queen’s Engineers. I have duties,”

  “As do I,”

  “Your desk is clear,”

  Sometimes my autistic productivity is a curse!

  I suppose I could go to this event. After all I get to see Alessandria and talk to her. But will I be able to cope with all those people?

  Clearly, my face must have been conflicted as Harrison wrapped his strong arms around me.

  “Daniel, we will be fine. You have your dulled blade to play with and I have my tricks. And please, just do it for me,”

  Who could resist such a nice plea?

  “Fine. You own me though,”

  “I know how to make it up to you,”

  I backed away as I pushed his arms away. I knew what he meant but... I wasn’t sure. Normal people could easily do it by three weeks of dating. I wasn’t sure on my opinion. Could I deal with being touched for that long?

  Harrison stepped over to me.

  I got a whiff of his earthy aftershave.

  “Daniel, I’m sorry. I know you want to and that’s enough. I can wait,”

  I gave him a slow nod.

  Well, he had a point. This was my dream to do it, but I don’t know if I can handle the touching for so long. As much as I love my autism, this is probably the one area I’m concerned or conflicted about.

  Looking around, I picked up the file. This was strange and something wasn’t right. The Queen always signs the contracts to make it a legal request, so why was this contract so different? Especially, with the amounts of military might requested. Something was wrong and hopefully I would find something at this forsaken event.

  So, I grabbed Harrison’s hand and we left.

  CHAPTER 3

  After all the boring formalities of shaking the hands and greeting all the important people of Ordericous, Alessandria, Nemesio and Hellen had finally made it to the stage along with lots of other people. Making the air hot and humid and the chamber smelled... interesting as Alessandria breathed in all the different sweet, fruity and earthy perfumes everyone wore.

  Alessandria had never minded greeting the Nobility whenever her family had guests but she didn't need to greet all the military captains and commanders, the Nobility and everyone of importance in the castle and church. She probably shook over a hundred hands.

  Yet it didn't matter now as Alessandria stood on the far right hand edge of the large wooden stage next to Hellen and Nemesio.r />
  Scanning the chamber, Alessandria eyed all the members of the crowd. She eyed the military leaders at the back, all the church people who snarled at Daniel to the left and all the rich families to the right. All chatting and muttering to themselves. Alessandria hoped Daniel was okay with all this noise.

  Alessandria's eyes narrowed on them all, she wanted to see if someone was an assassin before they striked, but who knew an assassin would attack?

  Turning her head slightly, Alessandria looked at the six massive guards in thick imposing armour with red metal shields as tall as her, standing behind and in front of the Queen. Then Alessandria smiled briefly as she caught Daniel's eye as he looked at her.

  Daniel smiled and looked away. Continuing to spin his dulled blade fast.

  She wished Daniel would come over and be with her. They were siblings but she couldn't blame him for avoiding her when Nemesio was around. It probably explained why Daniel had placed Harrison in between Nemesio and himself. Whilst she was determined to prove to Daniel that Nemesio was sorry for getting him tortured, she knew she just needed to support and love him.

  Raising her head, Alessandria focused on the rows of burning candles in the ceiling and the great sheets of stain glass that illuminated the chamber. Even one would have been a perfect place for an assassin to lie in wait. Yet that was assuming there was an assassin.

  Despite Nemesio's faith in his informant, Alessandria knew better than to have complete faith in them. As she remembered some interesting situations of informants lying and the traps she had walked into during her Procurator days.

  After a few moments, the Queen in her admittedly stunning white armour started her speech as she stood in the centre of the stage.

  “My dearest subjects and friends, I have bought you here today to celebrate the ending of the war against Mortisical,”

  Hellen and I smiled as we heard the military moaning and muttering to themselves. She tapped my feet with her big wooden stick as I almost laughed aloud.

  “I know this may have come as a shock. We were winning the war against the people of Mortisical, but the war should never have happened in the first place,”