Elizabeth's home was only a few short miles from Hampton Court. We arrived to the dimly lit castle late in the night. Mother shook me awake as the servants bustled about to unload the trunks.
"We're here?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.
"Yes."
"Hurry, ladies!" James said, flinging open the carriage door. "The rain is not letting up."
I grasped my husbands hand and ran as fast as my satin feet would allow.
"Will you be staying with me tonight?" I asked quietly.
"Every night," James replied, kissing my cheek. "Go get ready for bed. I shall be up shortly."
I nodded and dragged my aching body up the stairs.
"Abigail?" I called out. "Abigail, are you still here?"
A plump, stout elderly woman popped her head out of my chamber room.
"Ah! My little princess is home! But, I hear you're not so little anymore. You must forgive this old lad for not attending the wedding festivities."
I smiled and kissed the old woman's forehead. "No need for forgiveness when there was no ill will. I could never be angry with my governess."
She chuckled and gasped at the sight of me. "Oh for heavens sake, child!"
"What?"
"You are an absolute mess! Let's get out of that wet dress and into a hot bath."
I nodded and followed her into the room. A metal tub in the corner already steamed with hot water. The scent of vanilla and cinnamon drifted toward me.
"You are amazing, Abigail."
"I could never allow you to go to bed in such a state."
"Do you mind if I join you, lady?" James asked, standing in the doorway.
"I do say!" Abigail gasped. "She is a married woman!"
I chuckled and nodded at James. "Abigail, dear sweet woman, he is my husband. Prince James of Scotland, please meet Abigail. My old governess."
"Your governess?"
"She's so wonderful I just insisted she stay."
"I do beg your pardon, sir. It still is not appropriate for such things..."
"It's alright. We haven't been going with tradition lately," I said.
As James began to remove the layers of wet clothing, Abigail hurried from the area. I sat admiring James's naked bod in the firelight. He slid in behind me, grabbing various soaps to scrub my hair and body. I relaxed against him as his hands explored every inch of my body. The water grew cold in such a short amount of time.
We abandoned the cold bath for the warm bed, continuing with our canoodling. Another night was spent sleepless, doing what only husband and wife should do.
The following morning I woke to James pacing the room.
"What is wrong, husband?"
"My father's secretary was just here."
"Your father's secretary? Why on earth did he leave your father?"
"Um, because he passed away."
I gasped and jumped out of bed, wrapping James in my arms as he slumped to the floor in tears.
"I am so sorry, James."
"I must return to Scotland once we lay Elizabeth to rest."
"Of course, and I shall return with you."
He nodded and held to me tightly as the tears flowed.
"Did he say what happened?" I queried.
"They went to check on him and found he was cold to the touch and there were no signs of life."
"How dreadful."
"The coronation will occur in a week and half's time."
"Coronation?"
"We are to be crowned king and queen of Scotland."
I sat back on my heels. I knew at some point I would be queen. Never did I imagine it would be so soon. We dressed for Elizabeth's funeral as our trunks were packed back onto the carriages. The service was short and sorrowful. Angeline sat in front of her daughter, weeping silently for the life lost too soon.
"Angeline, do forgive us. We must return to Scotland for James's father and the coronation."
"Of course, dear. I'm glad you were there for her. She was surrounded by those she loved."
I nodded and retreated from the manor.
"Your father and I will be leaving here in a weeks time for your coronation." Mother hugged me as Charlene, James, and I climbed back into the carriage.
"Alright. I love you, Mother."
"I love you, too, dear."
The carriages ambled away from sad house back towards Scotland. There was entirely too much death.
James was quiet for quite a bit of the journey. Lost in his thoughts and all that would change for us over the next few weeks.
I'd grown to love his castle as my own. The sprawling green grounds leading up the the main doors seemed to go on forever. People ran about as we came to a stop.
"I must go talk with the lords of my father's kingdom."
"I understand. I wish to go for a ride. I'll be back shortly." James kissed my cheek as we parted ways.
"I'm going to unpack, again," Charlene said, following a young boy into the house with one of her trunks.
Walking toward the barn, I instructed the newest stable-hand to saddle a horse. Climbing onto the sturdy steeds back, I pushed him into a gallop, vanishing into the woods. We rode along an old trail until it opened to a clearing. Slowing to a walk, I slid off his back near a stream and let the reigns go. He moseyed along, nibbling grass and drinking the clear water. Pulling off the tight boots, I tossed them to the side and waded in, soaking the bottoms of my skirts.
"You mustn't fight," a familiar voice said behind me.
I spun to see the old witch standing near the horse, stroking his mane.
"Priscilla! What..."
"When the fight comes, you mustn't fight."
"Why? I must. I am the dragon rider."
"If you fight, you will die."
"No. I can't."
"You will. You won't be the only casualty though. One other will die with you."
"Draco," I mumbled.
"No, the dragon will be fine. The tiny life growing inside will be extinguished. She must be protected."
"What tiny..." A feeling of uneasiness came over me as she reached out, gently touching my belly. "I'm...you mean to say that I'm pregnant?"
"She must be protected. She is the great-great-great grandmother to the next great one like yourself."
"I'm confused."
"The child must survive. Do all you can to ensure she lives."
"The battle?"
"It can wait. You must wait till the child is born."
A splash in the creek drew my attention away from the old witch for just a moment. When I looked back she was gone though. I climbed back onto the horse and rode as fast as I could for the castle.
Is it true? Am I with child?
"James!" I shouted, sliding from the horse and running into the castle. "James! Where are you?"
He poked his head out of a door to the right of the stair case. I ran into his arms, unsure if I should cry, tell him, or ignore it.
"What is wrong, woman?"
"I saw the witch."
"What?"
"Priscilla. In the forest. I was near a stream and she appeared."
"What did she want?"
"She told me not to fight."
"Why?" he questioned.
"She said if I did I would surely die."
He pulled me close, kissing the top of my head. "Then you simply don't fight."
I pushed back looking up at him. "That's not all."
"What else? I shall find that witch and string her up if she makes anymore predictions."
"She said I am with child! With a girl!"
James stepped back and stared at me, mouth hanging agape.
"Are you sure?"
I shrugged my shoulders. "I do not know. I have not come upon my time yet."
James picked me up and spun me in a circle. Placing me back on the ground, he placed a hand on my stomach.
A baby. A baby girl. Who would born th
e next great one.
Chapter 39
I passed my chamber, anxiously awaiting the physician. My feet grew tired as my back ached. James sat in a wing backed chair nearest the fire place, his eyes closed and his hands resting atop his head.
How can he be sleeping at a time like this?
Mother stood near the window, watching helplessly as I paced. My body tingled with anticipation as we waited for what seemed like ages. My heart nearly leapt from my chest when a loud bang erupted from the door.
"Enter! Enter!" I bellowed.
The old oak doors creaked open as the four frail, white haired men walked in wearing the typical black robes and white collar typical for a physician. My physicians had jeweled collars about their shoulders. Rubies and sapphire rings adored their fingers.
All the money the crown pays them better be worth it today.
I pursed my lips as a few page boys followed close behind with a large table covered in various carafes and glassware. The physicians talked amongst each other for a few moments while the boys arranged various bowls of liquid on the table.
"Oh bother with all of this! It is taking entirely too long."
"Please, be patient Princess Evelyn. We will all know soon enough if what you say is true."
"I already know. I am with child."
"Just humor the rest of us, Evelyn," my father said from near Mother.
"It'll help ease the minds of the people." James stood and strode towards me, running his hands up and down my arms.
"I know. I know. I'm just so anxious. I mean, I'm...we're going to have a baby!" My stomach churned as I sat down. "Oh God, I'm going to have a baby."
"Evelyn, this is amazing news. This is what our countries need."
"Is that the only reason we should bring a child into such a world? Such a cruel and unkind world?" I pondered. Not really to James, but out loud none the less.
"Of course not. The child is a product of our love. And the future king, or queen, of England and Scotland."
"Yes I know. It is important to carry on the lineage. We need future rulers of our countries. I'm not talking about that though."
I stood and walked toward the fireplace.
"Then what?" Mother inquired.
"The Guild. I'm worried what the Guild will do once they learn of our precious news."
Nobody responded. I don't think anybody knew how to respond. They knew the Guild was a big threat.
"We are ready your majesties." The oldest of the four men said, ushering me to the stool chamber. "Princess, please give us an adequate amount in this carafe please."
I furrowed my brow as I looked at the tall vase looking glass. I had to fill it up.
I sat in the small room, listening to the muffled noise from beyond the door. Finishing up, I hurried out and handed what I had produced to the physicians. Curiously, I watched as they filled various bowls and vials with the sunflower colored liquid. The physician in the middle picked up a large glass of wine and poured it into one of the bowls. Cocking my head to the side, I strained to hear what they spoke. They stroked their beards and nodded their heads before moving on to the next bowl. I saw a long blue ribbon being dunked into the bowl they focused on before their murmuring commenced.
"Well? What say you?" James asked, pacing about the table.
"We have a few more tests to go through."
"Come, come now men! You've already done two. What say you?"
The four men spoke softly to one another before turning to the rest of us. "Even though we would prefer to finish the tests, both we've done thus far indicates that the Princess is indeed with child."
The door connecting my room to Charlotte's burst open. "You're going to have a baby!"
"Oh for heavens sake, Charlotte!" My mother grasped her chest as Charlotte jumped up and down about the room.
James wrapped me in a large hug and held me close.
I smiled for a moment, only for it to fade away.
I locked eyes with one of the physicians before looking away quickly. "You are not pleased with our answer?"
"I am. Very much. I am excited and nervous. I have just realized that dear Elizabeth will not be here to celebrate with us.
All grew silent, remember the somber event just a few short weeks before hand. The time had gone by so fast. I didn't realize that one person could leave such a large, empty space in your life as Elizabeth had done. The wound I had sustained healed shortly after the incident happened. Being immortal seemed to give me remarkable healing abilities.
The baby. What will she be like? Is she going to be a dragon heart? Will she need to bonded? What will become of her?
As everyone stood about the room talking happily and making plans for my child, I stood near the window, staring out into the cloudless night. The stars and moon shone bright over the city. The guards marched up and down streets, lights slowly went out amongst the houses, while a few people walked about the darkened area. Celebrations would begin in just a few short days to announce the pending arrival of a new royal. The night was serene. There was no sense of emergency or peril in the air.
I felt uneasy.
"What's wrong?" A low breath growl asked from far to the right.
"Absolutely nothing apparently."
"You're worried."
"Of course I am, Draco. I am with child. The Guild is still alive."
"Perhaps they will leave you alone now."
"Why would they?" I gripped the window sill, tears brimming in my eyes. "They never left my mother alone. She was their fiercest assassin. Now that her daughter is bonded to a dragon and destined to be one herself, and with child, why would they ever leave me alone? My line is growing, not dying."
"All this worry is not good for the child."
"I know. But my child..."
"She shall be fine."
"How do you know?" I asked, glancing over at him.
He snorted a small fire ball into the darkness. "I'm a dragon. I know these things."
A smile played at my lips. "Is that how it works? You become a dragon and know all?"
"Become? Sweet girl, I was born a dragon. Hatched and raised on the cliffs like all the rest."
"Most." I reminded him.
"Like most." He shot a small bit of fire at me. "Are you sad you will be the same as me."
I shook my head at him. "I am actually very excited. Sad, but I am excited."
"Why are you sad about it?"
"Because I'll have to die," I muttered.
"Dying isn't so bad."
"It's not the dying part. It's the leaving everyone behind. The pain I feel now for Elizabeth's death is excruciating, having to put all those here through that again seems almost cruel."
"All creatures die, Evelyn."
"Not all, Draco."
"You're an exception. A very special exception."
"What will become of my daughter?" I asked.
"She shall grow to become a magnificent queen."
I nodded my head as a tear hit the wood beneath my hands. "Will she die?"
"One day, yes, she will die. As all those in the room there will die."
"How do I handle the deaths of those I love when it come time? How did you?"
"Evelyn, there is no one way any being handles the death of those that they hold dear to them. It is a vicious, but necessary part of our life cycles. We are born innocent and ignorant of the cruelties and harshness of the world and grow to either accept them and live life as it is or we grow to fight and change things for the betterment of all. There are those who will sacrifice all to make sure their loved ones live. Even if that means their life will end sooner. But in the end we all end up the same. Dead. Our life cycles are limited and when it is time for us to exit this world, it will be our time. Nobody knows when it is time to go, but it is not something to fear. It is something to embrace. It is something to welcome. It's the newest phase of your life."
"I suppose so."
"All will be well, dear princess."
"I hope so, Draco." Chewing my bottom lip, I looked over at the mighty dragon. "How will I die?"
He shook his scaly head at me. "You know I cannot tell you such things."
"Will it be soon?"
He looked at me, his deep amber eyes still and peaceful. "It will not be before your time is up."
"That does not help me at all, Draco."
"You know I can't give you any more information than that."
"I don't want much."
"Just to know what no person in this world knows."
I shrugged my shoulders and wiped at my eyes.
"Evelyn?"
"Hmm?" I mumbled.
"Are you alright?" My mother asked.
"Fine."
"What are you doing?"
The Defender's Daughter: The Defender's Book 2 Page 22
