“We’ll get used to it.” Aaron said as his gaze raked over my sister and a smirk curved his lip. “I can see the advantages to being here.”
Mercy beamed back at him.
Isaac walked towards us all. “So, of course, with your sister’s journey to Earth it rewrote Billy’s past. You remember crashing off the road, but Billy remembered thinking you were with Aaron. I’ve brought back his memories of the time the two of you spent together the first time around, but Billy could end up feeling confused about things with two sets of memories about yours and Mercy’s time on earth. However, the focus should be on all your futures anyway.”
Billy gave me a half smile that did not reassure me at all.
River clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention. “Okay, so today has been a very interesting day and I’m sure the Mandrakes are exhausted. Tomorrow is the coronation. We shall need to discuss your employment within the palace as I’m sure my nieces will not want you too far away, but for now, I will arrange the transport to take you home. If you’d like to follow me.”
I moved forward and smiled at Billy. “I’ll see you tomorrow at the coronation.”
“You will.” He said, and he leaned over hesitantly and placed a kiss on my cheek. Shivers broke out down my spine at the contact. I craved more. When I’d imagined our reunion, this awkwardness had not formed part of my thoughts. In contrast, Aaron whispered something in my sister’s ear that made her cheeks heat, then he kissed the back of her hand. Their passion burned through them whereas I was struggling to raise a kindle of flame in Billy.
The family bade us farewell and everyone left until it was just my sister and I alone in the room.
“Can you believe they are actually here?” She clutched at my arm. “Once we have the coronation out of the way, we can spend so much time together. I can’t wait to show Aaron around the palace.”
I smiled at her and agreed, but I doubted my joy reached my eyes. The Billy who had just arrived in Andlusan was not the Billy I’d known on earth and I wondered if I’d ever see that version again.
Chapter Five
Leatha
I woke as Ramona entered my room. She opened the drapes revealing bright blue skies. As I rubbed at my eyes, trying to rouse myself from my half-asleep/half-awake state, she sat at the side of my bed beaming at me.
“Happy eighteenth birthday, Leatha. Today you will be Queen! I am so proud of you, Your Highness.”
She gave me a parcel wrapped in a printed paper with crowns stamped on it.
I pushed myself up the bed and leaned back against my pillows, beginning to unwrap the gift. “You know I’ll be exactly the same, except everyone out there will call me a different title, right? I’ll still be a royal pain in the butt for you to deal with?”
She smiled again. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. Now while you wake up properly I will go get you some breakfast and then we shall get you dressed in your finest.”
Unwrapping the present I found the most beautiful keepsake box. It was wooden, and painted with the sigils I loved. “Thank you, Ramona.”
“It’s for you to keep your grimoire and other magick books in. Or anything else of course.”
“I love it.”
Ramona was so excited and it struck me then that she was about to become the Queen’s lady-in-waiting. I’d not given it a single thought. Guilt flooded me as I realised just how selfish I’d been.
“Ramona. I never thought about your gown for today. Do you have anything?”
“Oh don’t worry about me, Leatha. Today is about you and Mercy. I have a gown I wear for celebrations.”
“No. Today you are to become the Queen’s lady-in-waiting and you also need to look amazing. I’m just sorry I haven’t thought of this before. You are a similar size to me, let’s go and look through my closets.” I leapt out of bed with a renewed purpose.
Pulling open the closet doors, I searched through until I found a dress of midnight blue with gems that sparkled across it like the night sky. I threw it at her. “Go and try that on.” I indicated to the screen I always dressed behind.
I could see she was about to protest. “Do you want to upset the future Queen?” I placed my hands on my hips.
“You are so very bossy, Princess Leatha Northcote.” Ramona said, but she took the dress from my hands and went to slip it on. Obviously she needed the undergarments to go with it, but for now I just wanted to see how it fitted. My friend came out from behind the curtain looking beautiful. Her silver-blonde hair complemented the gems on the dress.
“You look stunning.” I told her truthfully.
“I don’t feel worthy to be dressed in a gown belonging to a princess. I should wear something of my own.”
I shook my head vehemently.
“Things are changing, Ramona. I am going to have your own rooms upgraded and we shall go through my closets and also get the seamstresses to make you some new gowns of your own. I can only apologise that for the last seventeen years of my life I have been too selfish to spoil one of my oldest and dearest friends who just so happens to be my most loyal attendant.”
“Leatha. I have a voice of my own. If I had needed anything I would have requested it. I have perfectly nice quarters next door and many lovely gowns. I have hardly been going without.”
“But you deserve more and as the lady-in-waiting of the Queen, you shall have a new wardrobe of clothes and all the accessories needed to go with them.”
“Have you had a bang to the head? Where is all this coming from?”
I shrugged. “I just feel that I’ve been so wrapped up in my own selfish thoughts, that I’ve not considered anyone else. My travelling caused such tragedy. If it weren’t for Mercy, I could have died; Billy could have stayed dead. I just want to celebrate life and I just feel so grateful to have so many wonderful people around me.” Tears came to my eyes. Ramona was there in a second with a handkerchief.
“It is an emotional day, Leatha. You only recently lost your mother, and now you and Mercy are about to be crowned. Do not punish yourself further about what has happened in the past. Look to the future. You can create change in Andlusan for the better. You will marry and have children. This palace will be so blessed when there are little princes and princesses running around its halls once more. There is no point dwelling on the past. It is done.”
“You’re right. What would I do without you, my sensible friend?”
“You’d lie in bed all day. That’s what you’d do. Now let me get out of this dress for now and get you ready. Once you are set, I’ll get changed myself. I need to speak to Saira now there’s a change to my own outfit.”
“I realise it’s late but if you and Saira need anything else, just contact the seamstresses and get whatever you need.”
“Your generosity is as big as your heart. And it is that which will benefit Andlusan the most. Now let’s get you prettied up and pretend it’s for the coronation when really we know it’s to impress a certain new member of the village.”
I grinned. “I can’t possibly work out what you are insinuating.”
The morning passed quickly. Mercy and her lady-in-waiting Saira, moved into my chambers so we could all get ready together. Mercy was dressed in a blue chiffon gown decorated with a design of snowflakes and embellished with intricate beads and jewels that made it sparkle. She wore a garland of blue flowers on her head which would be removed and replaced with a crown. My own dress was more daring than demure. The top of my dress was white with a black lace overlay to the chest and then white taffeta cascaded out in a vast skirt. I’d had my arms hennaed with the sigils of protection and my skirt carried a few black embroidered ones. It would give the court and the villagers a sign that things were indeed about to change. Ramona braided my hair into a thick plait down my back whereas Mercy wore hers long and straight.
My sister had taken out her own midnight blue dress and a seamstress had made quick alterations to the length for Saira who was a little shorter than the
rest of us. Our ladies-in-waiting looked amazing with their hair up in buns and a crystal-jewelled flower clip attached to the front of the bun.
A knock came to the door and our uncle came in.
“It is time for me to escort my very beautiful nieces down to the village square where I shall proudly watch them become queens. Eighteen years old and so beautiful. Your mother would have been so proud.” His voice broke with emotion and we rushed over to him as fast as our gowns would allow and hugged him. Guards were waiting in the corridor to escort us. Our security was tight and yet they were never obtrusive, like shadow guards. The doors to the palace opened and I gasped. The villagers lined the pathway holding lit candles and cheered as we began to descend the steps ready to climb into the royal carriage.
And then we were on our way.
The carriage slowly travelled down the main path of the palace, out of the gates, and made it’s way up to the village square. A thick white carpet ran from where we alighted, up to the stone stage where villagers were more used to watching plays than coronations. Upon the stage were two large thrones which looked like they were carved from ice when actually it was glass. The ice glistened on the rest of the floor. At the side of our thrones, just a little further away, were two smaller carved wooden seats with ornate arms where our ladies-in-waiting were to sit.
The crowds had followed the carriage and were gathering in front of the stage. Seats were placed at the front for travelling dignitaries, the council, and invited privileged guests and I spotted Billy with his family. He caught my gaze and smiled. I took a deep breath as I stood in front of the carriage and Mercy grabbed my hand. “Come on, Sister. The sooner the ceremony is done, the sooner the partying can start.”
We took our seats on the thrones and the cleric of the courts began the official ceremony. Around thirty minutes later we were crowned and platinum crowns festooned with diamonds were placed upon our heads.
“Please be upstanding for Queen Leatha and Queen Mercy.” The cleric said. Everyone before us stood. “And now please show your fealty to your rulers.” I watched as everyone bowed and curtsied. Although I’d been used to such things being born a princess, seeing all these people before me, people dependent on us for their safety and wellbeing, disconcerted me. The weight of responsibility weighed down heavily once more, reminding me that my life was not my own and no matter how much partying and celebrating took place that night, I would never be able to truly let go.
But we were already making one change as new rulers.
I stood before my subjects. “Before we go to greet our guests and the celebrations begin, Queen Mercy and I wish to announce that as part of our reign, the ban of white magick is lifted.” Gasps and cheers rang out around the crowd. “More information shall be forthcoming officially from the courts.”
Mercy took over from me. “So now, we would welcome anyone who has an affinity with the old ways or who simply wishes to join in, to welcome Mr Isaac Stafford who shall now perform a blessing of our coronation.”
A nervous looking Isaac took to the stage. I saw that some of the crowd did break away and others looked on with fear, but others began to clap and cheer. It would take time to adjust, but it was just another part of the change of rule. Some would welcome it, some would oppose it, but all would have to accept it.
Isaac called to the elements, and asked that our ruling be blessed and that we be protected by the angels and it was done.
We announced the festivities had started and the evening began with its entertainment and feasts. Mercy and I had to meet with royals from the other courts and anyone else of importance who had travelled to see us and then we began to accept congratulations from our own. A private banquet took place in the palace and it was late evening before we were free to enjoy the remaining hours of the celebrations the villagers were taking part in.
I watched from the outskirts as a couple danced with complete abandon; merry on wine, food, and love, and I envied them. Mercy came and stood at my side.
“We did it, Leatha. Now, don’t forget you agreed to share the paperwork.”
She said it as a joke, but the truth of it made my bones ache.
Then Billy and Aaron joined us, standing at our sides and the weight of my responsibilities fell away.
Billy took my hand and Aaron Mercy’s as we gazed out.
As we stood there white feathers came from nowhere, appearing to fall from the sky. They fell around our feet in a thick carpet.
“You are seeing this too, aren’t you?” I could feel my brow furrow as I wondered if I was going crazy.
Mercy smiled. “It is a sign I asked for from our parents, that they are happy together and happy with our plans for Andlusan.”
I looked to the sky. “We love you and will make you proud.”
“I have no idea what you women are wittering on about, but would you care to dance, Queen Mercy?” Aaron held out a hand.
“I thought you’d never ask.” My sister mocked him and they headed off into the crowd of villagers, aware that within the crowd male and female guards looked like other villagers while they kept watch.
“I’m aware that we haven’t had much time together, but right now, I would also like to take the hand of my Queen and eat, drink, and be merry.” Billy said. “What say you?”
I guffawed at him talking the way the villagers did. “Goddess, yes, please let us have some fun.” I followed him to the dance floor where we danced the night away until my feet burned with pain. With a quick kiss to my lips, Billy left me before I took my carriage back to the castle.
Mercy had left with Aaron a while earlier. I did not want to think about what they were doing, but at the same time I envied them. I had been going to give my virginity to Billy on the night of the crash. Now I didn’t know what the future held for us. I could only pray to the goddess that my sister was right when she said that everything that had happened had brought the brothers back to us, back to where they belonged.
Ramona helped me prepare for bed; though I would barely recall it, being merry and exhausted. Sleep claimed me in mere seconds.
“I’m here and I’m waiting, watching, for an opportunity to unleash my hell on Andlusan.
Your return to the past will give me my future.
Enjoy your reign, Queen Leatha, while it lasts.”
I woke, panting, my hands clutching at my chest. My clock said it was nine minutes past three. I’d been back again in the nothingness, the disembodied voice around me. Something was here? My return to the past gave it its future? While I’d been trapped in the planes what had I done?
I no longer felt like this was merely a dream. Come later in the morning, I would speak to my sister and Isaac. For now, I got out of bed, gathered my grimoire and supplies and spent the next couple of hours performing and repeating protection spells and placing wards.
Afterwards, I dozed on and off, but every time I woke, a feeling of foreboding washed over me.
Then a fast knocking came at the door and Mercy ran in.
“Leatha. You must rise. I heard a commotion and I sent Saira to see what was happening. A villager was left at the gates of the palace. Her eyes were white, Leatha. I called Lord Thomas. He said she had been drained of her soul.”
And there it was. Confirmation in my sister’s panicked expression and with her words uttered shakily, that I had possibly brought something with me, back from the planes within which I’d been trapped and already it had brought death to Andlusan.
Worst of all, it appeared that despite my protection spells, I was powerless to stop it.
Chapter Six
Leatha
Ramona helped me dress quickly and then I hurried, following my sister to our medical suite in the main palace. We had our own private facilities, but this was there should any of the palace staff become ill.
“So how was she found? Was she collapsed at the gate?”
“No.” Mercy’s voice softened. “She was hung on one of the gates by her chest.”
“Oh Goddess.” I cried.
“Thankfully, no-one appears to have seen anything except Uncle River and a security guard. They’d done a last walk around last night to ensure all revelers had left and that’s when they saw her.
“Do we know who she is, and who she’d been with?”
“Yes. Her name is Cassie and she lives near Isaac. She was a witch. Isaac is on his way now. She lived alone. Had no family here that anyone knew about.”
“Do we know who she was with yesterday?”
“No. Isaac is going to make some enquiries before he arrives, but he must be careful because at the moment we don’t want to make a huge fuss over what has occurred. Uncle River is just meeting with the guard from last night to go over what they saw and ask him to keep a close eye on the palace entrance today lest another body be left there.”
I gasped. “You think it might happen again?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “It’s hard to know what’s going to happen. All we know so far is that someone left us a body. Was it a warning? A protest at our announcement of a return to the old ways? A protest at our rule?”
I nodded towards the door where the body was. “Is Lord Thomas in there?”
“Yes. He is waiting for Isaac and erm…”
“And?”
“And a necromancer.”
I gasped. “They’re going to raise her spirit? Here, in the palace?”
“Keep your voice down.” My sister scolded. “What else are we to do? She is dead and we know not why or how.”
“Maybe we could investigate the normal routes before we mess with spirits?”
“There isn’t time. We have to do it before the day is passed.”
“Mercy, I need to talk to you urgently.”
The door to the suite flew open and our uncle dashed through it.
“Right. Allward is positioned along with other guards to watch the gate and perimeter. The others just believe we are raising security for our new rulers. Has Lord Thomas come out yet?”
First Rules (Sisters of Andlusan Book 2) Page 3
