"I'm sorry. I have to..."
"Never mind all that, let's get inside."
"James, I have to tell you something."
"Later, Evelyn. A masquerade started. You need to get ready."
"A masquerade? I have nothing for it."
"Things are taken care of. You just need to get ready."
I nodded and left him in the barn, wishing he'd let me tell him this news. Once inside my room, I saw a cream-colored gown hanging up. The shoulders were non-existent. Straps of red roses hung down. The front split at the skirt, each side lined with more roses. The inside petticoats covered in stitched, red roses and was a beautiful, yet different shade of cream.
"Where have you been?"
"Training," I muttered.
"You're filthy. Hurry to the tub. You need cleaned," Elizabeth said.
I nodded and did as she commanded.
"You're not going to argue with me about it?"
I shook my head and hurried down the hall to the tub room. Maids were already heating up water for me to clean myself. I climbed in and sat on the soft linen as water dumped over my head. I watched as dirt and blood ran into the water. My eyes widened at the sight of the reddish brown water.
I was injured. There's blood!
I held my stomach for fear someone could see something I couldn't. Maids poured vials of liquid on my head and scrubbed at my hair and my body. In no time, someone wrapped a towel around my body as Elizabeth and Charlene twisted my hair up, a ruby and diamond tiara tucked amongst the curls. Charlene applied rouge to my cheeks and lips. A few people had to help me into the oversized ball gown. The buttons on the back took the most time to finish.
At least there's no bodice.
Charlene brought out a gold mask with beautiful etchings beneath the eyes, across the brow, and going up. Diamonds highlighted the eyes with a ruby at either corner. It felt heavy on my face.
I stepped into a pair of black shoes, whose heel was slightly bigger than I was used to.
"Perfect," Elizabeth stated with glee.
"Yes," I mumbled before heading toward the door.
"Are you sure nothing is bothering you?" Charlene asked.
"I'm perfectly fine. You two better get ready to come downstairs."
I turned and left them standing alone. At the top of the stairs, I spotted who I assumed to be James waiting for me. He wore matching doublet and hose, the most remarkable shade of gold. His shoes black as night while his mask was gold as his crown, which adorned his beautiful brow.
"Princess Evelyn," he said, dipping into a dramatic bow.
"Prince James."
He held his hand out for me to take. Walking into the grand ballroom, the crowds erupted into cheers and applause. We both nodded our heads to the lords and ladies of the kingdom as well as all the foreign dignitaries, the old king and queen of France finally arrived and were conversing with my parents.
"Shall we dance?" James inquired.
"Yes. I have something to tell you."
"After we dance."
"Okay."
We stood in the center of the room, surrounded by others, our palms touching each other's. The music started and the slow and deliberate steps of the basse dance.
As the music ended, I curtsied to James as he bowed to me. Leading me to a long table at the front of the festivities, I sat beside my future husband.
"Can we speak now?" I asked.
"Of course, sweetheart."
"I have to tell you what happened."
"Okay."
"Prince James! How marvelous for you to invite us!" King Francis came up to the table and embraced James, stopping me from telling him about my new life force.
I pursed my lips into a thin line and waited patiently. They seemed to talk forever. I took glass after glass of wine in an attempt to steady my nerves. The more I thought about it the more I didn't want to tell him.
How will he respond to this? Will he still want to be with me? Will we be able to have a normal life? How will he explain the fact that I never get old?
The king of France finally left, leaving us alone. I grabbed James's hand and led him away from the party. Standing behind a curtain in a cove beyond the banquet room, I took a deep breath and prepared to tell him.
"What is wrong, Evelyn?"
"I've been trying to tell you."
"What?"
"I was attacked while out with Draco."
"By who? How?" he asked, grasping my hands.
"An assassin, she shot me with an arrow."
"She shot you?"
"Yes."
"Are you alright? Where is the wound?" He panicked as he examined my fully clothed body.
"I'm fine. That's what I need to tell you. Draco took me to a person that could help. She has certain abilities that saved me."
"A woman with abilities? What kind of abilities?"
"She's a witch or something like it. She made this potion from Draco's tear and blood."
His mouth dropped and his eyes glassed over. "The immortality spell."
"You know of it?" I asked.
"It is supposed to be a thing of legend, especially since dragons don't cry. You're telling me Draco cried and willingly gave blood of his heart?"
"Yes."
"And you drank it?"
I nodded my head. "All of it."
"What happened?"
"The wound vanished. I was okay. I was so close to death. And now, well let me show you." I took the dagger from around his waist and sliced my hand open again, this time deeper. Blood spilled over my hand as we watched the gash seal on its own.
"My God."
"Please don't be mad."
"I'm not mad. I'm, I don't know."
"What do I do?" I asked.
"You don't tell anyone. This has to remain a secret. If anyone were to know, they may accuse you of being a witch. We accept dragons, but many would not be okay with someone of your new abilities being the future queen."
"You're not going to end our engagement?" I asked.
"What? Of course not. Why would I?"
"Because of what I am now."
"I don't care about that. I'm glad you're alive. Not to mention, this could come in handy against the Guild when they attack again. As long as they don't know, you should be alright."
"I can still die. Draco and I are tied together. It's harder to kill me, but I can still die."
He grasped my hand and led me back to the table. The servants were emerging from the kitchen with platters of food as we sat. Charlene and Elizabeth finally joined the rest of us, sitting further down the table. I waved meekly before putting bits and pieces of various foods on my plate. My appetite had left long ago. Food didn't seem appealing.
"Eat," James urged.
"I'm not hungry."
"Please, try to eat something"
I nodded and cut at the meat, deliberately chewing it slowly.
King Alastair sat in his rolling chair fed by Andrew. I watched, as the old man was spooned soft vegetables and fruits. He looked miserable.
"You said he woke up one morning like that?" I asked.
"Yes. The physicians can't explain it. Nobody knows what's wrong with him."
"Fascinating."
"What?"
"I mean that they can't figure out what's wrong with him," I said.
"I suppose. I just hate seeing my mighty father in such a state."
"I'm sure." I scanned the room, uneasy with everyone being in masks. I didn't know who was who. "Do you think anyone from the Guild is here?"
"I'm not sure. I made the guards have everyone remove the masks prior to entering the castle."
I nodded and stood. "Dance with me again. My nerves are not allowing me to eat."
"Okay."
We stood in the center of the room as the minstrels played.
"Lavolta!" James hollered.
"Lavolta?" I asked quietl
y.
"Why not?"
"I've had enough wine to go along with it. Lavolta!"
The slow and sensual music started as James bowed to me and I curtsied to him. I spun about him as he moved his nimble feet about. I stopped in front of him as he moved toward me, grasping my waist and twirling me in the air. We continued as people whispered and watched. I closed my eyes as he spun me about the room. It felt as though we were the only ones there. Nobody else mattered. Nobody else existed.
Until a blood curdling scream erupted from somewhere at the back of the room. The music stopped and James put me down as the guards raced to the disturbance. I pushed through the crowd and gasped.
Charlene lay on the floor in a pool of blood.
Chapter seventeen
"Charlene!" I screamed, running toward her crumpled body.
The guards tried to grab me as I pushed through the crowd. I wrenched free and dropped to my knees. The blood pooled about her head and neck, covering her beautiful hair. Not giving much care to my own gown, I scooped her off the floor and held her close to my body, crying for my dear friend.
"Evelyn!" James yelled for me.
My mother tried to tear me away from her, but I refused to leave Charlene.
The gold gown I wore destroyed by streaks of blood. I wiped at my cheeks, smearing the crimson liquid across my face.
"What happened?" I asked to nobody in particular.
Nobody answered. The women fanned themselves as everyone craned their necks to see better.
"I said what happened!"
Again, nobody answered. They stood, staring at us.
"How is it that nobody saw this happen?"
"Let's get her out of here, Evelyn," James coaxed me to release her body.
I nodded, laying her on the cold stone. A guard swooped down and picked her up, carrying her out of the banquet hall.
"Take her to chambers!" James hollered.
"Aye, sir." The guard breezed down the hall, carrying her as though she were a ragdoll, and up the stairs.
That's what she looked like. A ragdoll. Her head lolled back; her damp, blood soaked hair hung down, and her arms hung down her body. He laid her on the bed, the white sheets turning a bright red. I walked to her side, brushing the matted hair out of her face. As my hand passed by her mouth, I felt a small whoosh of air.
"She's breathing. She's breathing!"
"What?" Elizabeth asked.
"Someone give me a knife. Now!"
A guard fumbled with the sharp instrument at his waist, handing it over. I grabbed a handful of the gown and sliced it off. Her undergarments were soaked in blood. She sucked in a deep breath of air while gasping. A blood-curdling scream erupted from her lips as I pushed her onto her side, ripping the back of her undergarments, and searching for a wound. I grabbed the torn gown and wiped away as much of the blood from her back as I could. She cried the entire time. Her body grew hot, and I knew infection grew more the longer I took. The blood poured out of a wound on her lower back.
"Here. It's here. Stop the bleeding," I begged the physician.
He knelt beside me and fumbled through a large black bag, digging for something. "Hold the fabric on tightly. Bring hot water and more towels!"
People rushed about as the doctor pulled out a large needle and thread.
"Whiskey!" he shouted.
Someone handed him a decanter of the amber liquid. He pulled the stopper out and gently poured it over Charlene's back. She let out the most horrific scream I'd ever heard.
"Shh, it's alright. You're going to be alright," I whispered to her.
All she did, or could do, was moan in agony.
"What is it?" James asked.
The physician ran his fingers along the smooth edges of the cut and examined it closely. "She was stabbed. The edges are smooth. Very smooth. Moreover, it's small. Fortunately, nothing important was in the way of the blade. This was not intended to kill, simply to cause great distress. Which it is. The poor lady."
"Why Charlene?" Elizabeth asked.
"Because she's my lady-in-waiting. They couldn't get me so they went after her," I said angrily.
"What?" James asked.
"The Guild. You know this was them. Why else would someone be attacked at your father's birthday? Two people actually."
"I don't know, Evelyn."
"Will she be alright?" my mother asked.
"The lady should survive. She'll be in pain for some time, but she should be okay."
I nodded, and tossed her ruined gown to the side. Picking up fresh linen, I dunked it into the hot water and wiped at the already drying blood. Charlene's breathing was shallow and fast. I still didn't like how hot her skin felt.
"What about the fever?" I asked.
"We shall have to wait and see how her body fights it," the physician said."
"Can you give her something for it?"
"I have a few things I can try."
He pulled out a few vials and pouches of small pills. One after the other he applied the balms, had Charlene drink a vial, and slid a pill into her mouth. After a short while, she slept restlessly.
"Go to bed," James said, rubbing his eyes.
"I'm going to stay with her. At least until I know she's really going to be okay."
"You're not going to do anyone good if you're not resting. We're going to meet tomorrow to discuss the threat."
"The Guild," I said
"Yes. As much as we've tried to protect you from them, they've found you. They're not going to stop until you're dead," he said.
"They don't know about what happened to me yet," I whispered.
"I don't believe they have. I'm not sure what they know. I don't know who managed to infiltrate the castle."
"I'm staying here. We'll meet tomorrow." I accepted a chair from Elizabeth, sitting as she wrapped a blanket around my shoulders.
She pulled a second chair up to the other side of Charlene and held her other hand. "We'll both stay here."
"Charlene doesn't need to be alone."
"She's sleeping, Evelyn," my father said.
"And if mother ever got sick would you leave her?"
"No, but she's my wife. I love her."
"And Charlene is my friend. She's been with me every day since we were kids. I won't abandon her now." I put my head down on the bed and closed my eyes.
The discussion was over. I stayed with Charlene.
I awoke the following morning when the mattress on the bed moved a bit. I sat up and looked at Charlene who smiled at me.
"You're awake?" I asked.
"Don't look so surprised. I'm stronger than I look," she answered.
I leapt onto the bed, wrapping her in the tightest hug I could manage.
"My lady! I didn't know you worried so for me."
"Of course I do, you silly girl. You've been at my side since we were but children. I just never thought of you as being susceptible to harm."
"Neither did I. What happened?" she asked.
"You don't know?" Elizabeth queried.
"No." Charlene shook her head and furrowed her brow.
"What do you remember?" I questioned.
"A very sharp pain in my back and an odd smell."
I looked at her curiously. "A smell?"
"Yes. It didn't belong here."
"What did it smell like?"
"Gunpowder."
"Gunpowder?" I asked surprised. "Why would someone have gunpowder at a birthday celebration?" I pondered aloud.
"Do you think the Guild is using guns now?" Elizabeth asked.
"You think this was due to the Guild?" Charlene asked.
"Maybe. Even though if they wanted you dead, you'd be dead. Not injured."
"So I wasn't the target?"
"I think you were, but they didn't want you to die. They wanted to send a message to me."
"What kind of message?" Elizabeth asked.
"That they're not going to stop, and they don't care who they have to hurt in the process," I said.
"You think that's why they didn't kill me? Wouldn't me dying send a more powerful message?" she asked.
"I'm not sure, Charlene. Either way, I'm glad you're alive. Even though, if there is another attack I'm not sure if that person will live through it."
Someone knocking at the door caused us to grow quiet.
I sighed heavily and pursed my lips into a tight line before answering. "Enter!"
"Madame, I do bed your forgiveness. Prince James instructed everyone to leave you be; however, this urgent letter arrived for you quite mysteriously," Andrew said, bringing a piece of parchment paper to me.
"Mysteriously?" I questioned.
"Aye, Madame. It was delivered by..." His voice trailed off as he looked at the paper in confusion.
"By what? Do speak, Andrew."
"A falcon dropped it, Ma'am."
"A falcon? A bird brought the letter?" I looked at him in disbelief, trying to comprehend that he expected me to believe a bird of prey delivered a letter for me.
He nodded and bowed as I took it. I turned the yellowed paper over in my hand, staring at the odd, red seal holding it closed. The symbol appeared to be two axes forming an upside down V with ivy beneath. A falcon perched on the peak with its wings spread wide.
What is this?
"What is the symbol, Andrew?" I asked.
"I'm unsure, ma'am. I've never seen it before."
"Neither have I. Please fetch my mother. I will inquire with her first."
He nodded and quickly left the room.
"Do you think it's the Guild?" Elizabeth asked.
"It's possible."
I puzzled over the strange communication until my parents and James arrived.
"I send for one parent and I get both and the fiancée."
"Charlene! You're awake! How marvelous," my mother said, grasping her hand.
"Thank you, majesty. I'm in pain, but I'm alive."
"That's what's important," my father said, nodding his head.
I handed the letter to my mother and watched, as her eyes grew large as saucers.
"Where did you get this?" she asked.
"A falcon dropped it for me not long ago. You know that seal?"
"Yes. It's the Guild."
"I told you!" Elizabeth shouted in excitement. "Sorry."
She sat back down and chewed her lip.
The Defender's Daughter: The Defender's Book 2 Page 11
