"Yes. You were right," I mumbled.
My mother handed the parchment back to me. "Open it."
"Open it?"
"Yes. Obviously they want you to read something."
Carefully, I broke the seal. I watched as the wax crumbled and fell to the ground. My hands shook as I opened it, unsure what to expect inside.
"Do read it," James said.
"Um, it's explicit and it was the Guild who attacked you, Charlene."
My dearest petunia, Evelyn,
I do hope this letter find you well and unharmed. Forgive me, sweet dewdrop, for crashing such a lovely celebration. You and that lovely queen of a mother you have did not heed the warnings. I asked, rose petal, so nicely for you to join us since she went on her own way and disobeyed us. Having you as payment for her desertion seems only fair. Does it not, my lovely sweet cake. If there are competent, physicians in that rugged, Scottish palace you're beautiful lad should be alive. Our assassin was given instructions to wound, not to kill. I really did not want to involve others in our little quarrel, but you have left me no choice. This is a most unfortunate turn of events. Do reconsider the offer to join us so no others have to suffer because of your poor decision-making. It would be a shame if anything happened to the lovely friend of yours. Her mother aided your mother. Her name is Elizabeth if I'm not mistaken. Such a beautiful name for such a beautiful corpse. And least of all you becoming one. We would love to see an assassin as a queen. Not a naughty queen like our dearest flower, Joselyn, though. She doesn't behave at all.
Truly and forever yours,
Agnolo
"Oh," Elizabeth said, her color turning a frightening shade of white.
"Are you alright?" my mother asked her.
"I'm not sure. I've never had my life threatened before."
"Don't fear, Elizabeth. You shall be safe here," James replied.
"As safe as Charlene was?" She cocked her head to the side and chewed the inside of her cheeks.
James looked taken aback by her bluntness.
"Forgive, Prince James. I spoke out of turn. I am just upset."
"No. Don't apologize, Elizabeth," I said. "You have every right to worry, and you're right. We couldn't even keep someone in our inner circle safe. If we can't protect those closest to me, nobody is safe."
I stood, dropping the letter, and paced the room. My mother picked it up and read it over and over again as though she were searching for something I missed.
I stopped near the window and watched as horse trotted about the corral. It looked as though there had never been hundreds of lords and ladies prancing about the grounds the previous day. I turned to watch those I loved so dearly. My parents, my friends, and the man I was to marry; we weren't safe. It was my fault despite never doing anything. My crime was being born.
I sighed heavily, fighting the tears, there was only one thing I could do to protect them all.
I had to leave.
Chapter 18
I snuck away to my own chambers. Looking around, I realized there was nothing I could or wanted to take. I took the tiara out of my hair and placed it on the desk. Leaving the area, I crept downstairs and out to the barn. I shed my gown and donned the dragon armor.
"Where are you going?" a deep voice asked from way above me.
"I have to leave, Draco."
"Why? You can't just leave. I am tied to you always."
"You don't understand. I have to. It's the only way everyone will be safe."
"What about your crown?"
"What about it?" I asked.
"What are you going to do when it's time for you to be queen or get married?"
"None of that matters, Draco."
"Evelyn..."
I stuffed the gown behind a barrel and stroked the side of his face. "Be good, Draco."
I slipped out the door and ran to the horses stable. My Friesian pawed the ground, anxious to get out.
"Easy girl," I whispered, rubbing her nose.
I unlatched her gate and led her toward the front door. Grabbing a saddle, I hurried onto her back and galloped away from the Scottish palace. A rush of wind swirled dust around us, sending my horse into a frenzy, rearing on her back legs as Draco landed in front of us. She bucked, catching me off guard, and tossed me to the ground in front of her. I gasped as the air rushed from my lungs, pain radiating up my back and through my arms and legs.
"Why did you do that?" I asked, attempting to sit up.
"You can't leave," he stated.
"It's not your decision," I shouted. "Get out of the way."
"Where are you going to go? Do you think people won't recognize the princess of England? The future queen of Scotland?"
"I don't know. I'm not worried about that right now."
"Wherever you go, I go." He sat in the middle of the road, smoke pouring from his nostrils.
"You can't."
"I can and I will."
I sighed heavily and watched the stubborn dragon. He didn't budge.
"Fine," I grumbled.
Draco nodded and stepped to the side. "Where to?"
"I don't know. I'm just riding right now and hoping the Guild will follow me away."
"So you're just going to run forever?"
"If I have to."
"You can't run forever, Evelyn."
"Watch me."
I nudged the horse into a gallop again, dust kicking up behind us. I heard a whoosh of air and got blasted in the face by heat. Draco wasn't happy with me. I didn't care much. I wanted to protect everyone else. I couldn't let anyone else get hurt or worse.
The sun sank behind me as I came upon a town. There weren't many houses, but there were loads of ships. I eased the horse to a walk as we approached what appeared to be the tavern. Loud music and talking came from within as the lights shone bright. I hitched my steed to a post and took a deep breath before entering. Men sat at tables with whores on their knees, the bar maid wiped at the bar top while laughing with a few of her patrons. I sat in a chair at the furthest end of the long counter, waiting for the woman to come to me.
"What can I get ye, wee lass?" she asked.
"An ale and whatever food you have for sale," I mumbled, keeping my eyes down.
"Ye look awful familiar," she said, squinting her eyes at me.
"I've never seen you before," I mumbled again.
My long hair tied back with a black ribbon and my face smudged with dirt did not give me the air of royalty.
"Aye. I must be going crazy with my old age." She shrugged her shoulders and handed me a tall pint.
A gruff reply came back over the loud music and shouting. Half way through my ale, a plump man plopped a plate of something I couldn't quite make out in front of me. I grabbed a spoon and shoveled some in my mouth. It wasn't what I was used to, but it didn't taste as bad as it looked. I finished the plate off with a slice of stale bread soaked with the gravy. Tossing a few shillings for the nourishment, if what I'd had was even somewhat nourishing, I motioned for the barmaid.
"Aye, lass?" she asked.
"Do you have any rooms for the night?"
"You're traveling with someone?" she questioned.
"No. I am alone."
"A young woman alone? In this part of Scotland? Are you in trouble? I don't want no trouble."
"No. No trouble. I just need a room for the night; I'll be on my way in the morning."
"It'll cost ya," she said, eyeing up my unusual armor.
"Of course." I pulled out my purse of coins and tossed a few gold pieces out for her.
She checked them out and tucked them into the pocket on her apron. "This way. Don't you have any bags?"
I shook my head and followed her up the stairs beyond the bar.
"This room here can be yours for the night. It's no palace, but it has a bed and mirror."
"It'll do. Is there somewhere I can get water to wash?"
"Aye, out back
at the barn. If ye have a horse, it's extra to stable it."
I handed her two more gold and descended the stairs. Leading the horse around back, I removed the saddle and searched for a brush.
"Is this what the princess of England has come to? Brushing out her own horse and renting a dingy room in a less than honest tavern?"
"Stop it, Draco. At this time, I am not the princess of England. I'm just a lonely traveler with no name."
"You are not. You must return to the castle."
"Draco, I don't remember inviting you along."
"Why are you acting like such a stubborn woman?" he asked.
I tossed the brush back on a rickety table and turned toward him. His large head poking through the door while his body was outside.
"What if someone sees you?" I asked.
"I'll eat them."
I shook my head and led the horse to a small stable, filling the troughs with food and water; I searched for a bucket to fetch my own.
I should have been doing all of this on my own since the beginning. I feel so inadequate.
"I'm not being stubborn, Draco. I'm doing this to save my parents, James, his father, my friends, and every other courtier. I'm a danger to them all."
"Why do you think that?"
"The Guild. They're going to follow wherever I go. At least if I'm far from anyone I know or care about they won't be harmed."
"What about others you come in contact with? The men and women in that tavern? What if they are hurt?" he asked.
"Why would they be? I don't know them."
"You're around them. What if the Guild has followed you here and is awaiting an opportune time to kill you? What if they end up slaying every person in that tavern?" he asked.
"I doubt they're going to do that," I said, squeezing past him as I left the barn.
"Think about the consequences' to your actions, Evelyn!" he shouted after me.
I kept walking. Once in the room, I poured the water into the small kettle above the fire. I sat on the old chair staring out the window. The grass beyond my room flattened in the vague shape of a dragon. My dragon. I shook my head and closed my eyes for a moment. The room warmed greatly once the water boiled. I dumped it in the rusty basin and splashed the too hot water on my face. I didn't care though. The heat felt good against my freezing skin. I removed the armor and tore a piece of blanket from the bed, using it to wipe my body off. The water quickly dirtied. I fell onto the bed once finished and slipped into a deep sleep. Despite the mattress being lumpy and hard, I didn't stir during the night.
Sun streaming through the open window woke me shortly after dawn. I laid there, listening for a sound. Any sound. I wondered what a common tavern sounded like when nobody was there except for the owners.
Perhaps it's not like the palace kitchens'. Perhaps they don't get up early to begin food for the day. Of course, that food was probably made last week.
I sat up and listened for any sound.
"Hello?" I called from the doorway.
The eerie silence filled the building. My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach.
Calm down, Evelyn. Nothing is wrong.
I couldn't shake the feeling though. Things weren't right.
"Things are fine," I mumbled to myself.
I crept down the hall; a putrid, metal smell invaded my nostrils. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath through my mouth. Letting it out slowly, I walked to the main tavern area. I chocked back vomit at the sight. The bar maid lay on the floor near the door, eviscerated. The plump cook slumped in a chair near his area, a hole in his head and knife sticking out of his neck. Blood splattered the walls and tables.
"Oh God," I said.
Sticking to the door, a letter rested beneath a dagger. I pulled it out of the wood, glancing at the intricate design on the hilt.
We will always find you. There is no escaping us.
I ran to the trees near the stable, searching for Draco.
"They found me!"
"Is everything alright?" he asked, shimmering into sight.
"No. They killed them. You were right."
"Who?" he asked.
"The owners. They're dead," I cried.
"The Guild?"
"Yes. They said I can't get away. They're right. I'll never escape them," I said.
"What do you plan on doing now?"
"Joining them. If that's what they want and it's how I can stop this, I'll join them."
"Evelyn, you can't."
"I don't have a choice, Draco. If I don't everyone I am around will die. If I don't I'll have to move to some remote cave in a mountain far away and never see people again. I do like being around people."
"Let's go." He lowered his head, allowing me the opportunity to climb on his back.
"Where are we going?"
"To the Guild."
Chapter Nineteen
We soared over the oceans, Draco's claws skimming the water as we went. I laid flat against his back, dragging my hand along the water behind the ripples he created. The salt water splashed into my face. The feeling was refreshing. James and my parents would never find me. Not now. The Guild would call off the hunt. Everyone would be safe.
"Are you sure you still want to do this?" Draco asked.
"Yes. It's the only way."
"I'll be by your side through everything."
"How? They can't know I'm a dragon rider."
"I'll remain invisible."
"Only if you feel it's safe for you. I don't want you caught by them," I said.
"Don't worry."
I rolled to the side, sliding off Draco and into the cool ocean water. I glanced up through the waves and watched as he rose into the air before tucking his wings in. He slipped beneath the water in a splash less move. I could the current churn around me as he circled beneath. I kicked my legs and swam forward, enjoying the coolness. I could feel his body rise beneath me, pushing me toward the surface. We breeched the surface, slowly lifting from the water. He let his wings out, water slicking off, as we zoomed toward the clouds.
"Enjoy your little swim?" Draco asked.
"Very much so."
"We're approaching Italy now."
"Already?" I asked, sitting up and staring at the small speck of brown in the far distance.
"Yes. You tend to get places much fast when you travel by dragon."
"I suppose you do."
A ship appeared below us. It was large and had an English flag flying high on the mast.
"Why is one of my father's ships out here?" I pondered out loud.
"Maybe he's doing trade with Italy?" Draco suggested.
"Of course, but that is a war ship. There is no need for a war ship in the Italian waters."
"I'm sure it's nothing, Evelyn."
"Or it's everything. What if they're hunting for the Guild like the Guild is hunting me."
"It'll be taken care of, Evelyn."
"Yes, by me."
Draco shimmered out of sight as we flew over the port of Livorno. The old, stone buildings stood huddled together on the island, surrounded by mountains on one side and the ocean opposite. Draco landed softly on the soft sand outside of the town. I slid off his back, rubbed his neck, and removed my goggles.
"What now?" I asked.
"I guess we start looking for anyone who may know or have seen the Guild."
"That would be a good place, I suppose."
"Are you alright?" he asked.
"I'm fine. Only slightly nervous."
"This is understandable. Will you be alright going into the town alone? I'm not sure they would like the idea of a dragon walking about."
"No. I'm sure they wouldn't. I will be fine, Draco."
I rubbed his muzzle and continued into the town. People bustled about the port town, not paying much attention to me. I continued about, looking for any sign of the Guild. I didn't even know what they would look like.
&
nbsp; Are they all women? Do they have men? Do they walk around in their all black stuff? Do I stand out?
"Fresh fish!" a fish monger shouted from a stall beside me.
I shook my head and continued along. Nobody seemed out of place. Frustration overtook me until a girl in a black cloak stopped and stared. The scowl on her face seemed off from the other happy, smiling villagers. I furrowed my brows and followed the girl when she turned toward the road leading out of town. I stayed a good distance behind, trying to seem unassuming. Deep down I knew she knew who I was and she led me somewhere. We walked for quite some time. The sun sank beneath the horizon before I saw a massive castle looming in the horizon.
"Are you going to follow her in?" a deep voice asked from above.
"I think so. She has to know I'm following her. If not she's awful daft," I mumbled.
"Be careful, Evelyn."
I nodded and continued toward the castle. The gates opened as the mystery girl walked through, I stopped near the tree line and watched. There appeared to be no guards. Nobody stood in the towers on either side of the gate. Torches lit the dirt road leading up the building, which was cloaked in eerie silence. The usual sounds of a castle didn't emanate from within. No sound of the head butler barking orders, no smell of supper being served, no horses whinnying. I didn't like it.
"What's wrong?" Draco asked.
"Something's not right. It's too quite here."
"Maybe that's just how they are."
"Maybe," I replied scrunching my face, waiting for the castle gates to close.
They never did.
"They're waiting for you."
"I know," I said. "Stay close."
I headed toward the castle, the wind from Draco's wings swirling my hair about. My heart raced as I crossed through the gates. There were still no people about. Nobody greeted me and nobody attacked. The girl in the cloak stood in the doorway, looking at me. She turned and vanished into the darkened entryway.
They are most certainly waiting for me.
I took a deep breath, trying to swallow my heart which seemed to jump into my throat. My stomach did flips and my legs felt weak. I took one last look behind me and entered the menacing castle. The darkness enveloped me like an enemies grasp. The uneasy feeling that crept over me made me second guess what I did.
The Defender's Daughter: The Defender's Book 2 Page 12
