Brandon looked amused at the portions I took on my plate, but I was so hungry and everything looked so good I couldn’t resist. There was fig-glazed roast pork with a rich red wine sauce, a chicken and leek pie with a buttery crust, honey-roasted vegetables, roast venison wrapped with crispy bacon, honey corn bread, lemon curd tarts, and steamed treacle pudding with a honeycomb cream. Brandon raised an eyebrow when I asked for my third helping of treacle pudding. Rafe, of course, was used to my appetite and seemed entertained by Brandon’s expression when I polished off all the food.
After dinner was done, Brandon walked us to our rooms himself through long, drafty corridors to the east wing, as moonlight bathed the old stone castle in a spectral white sheen.
“I know you must be tired, and I won’t keep you,” he said, bowing to me at the door of my room. “I will send your breakfast up to your room in the morning so you can rest. Take your time getting ready.”
Rafe ignored Brandon. “We will leave at daybreak, Aurora. The faster we get on that ship to Brandor, the better.”
“As you wish, Your Highness,” said Brandon, a wry smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
Rafe’s eyes narrowed.
Brandon took my hand gently and brought it to his lips, his cerulean-blue eyes never leaving mine. “The journey to Calos is not long. But I do look forward to getting to know you better, my lady.”
I could see Rafe scowl behind Brandon. Blushing, I gently pulled my hand away. “Thank you, Brandon. Goodnight, Rafe,” I said quickly and opened the door to my room.
It was big and ornate, with a large wooden four-poster bed hung with dark green velvet and trimmed with gold. There were only two windows, and they were shuttered. The castle, although warmed suitably by large stone fireplaces, had a very cold and dismal sense to it. It felt as if the rooms had never experienced any real warmth.
There was a knock at the door.
“Who is it?” I called out, whirling around.
The door opened and two young housemaids came in, along with three footmen who were carrying a large wooden tub. They set it down in the center of the room and proceeded to fill it up.
A bath! That would be perfect. It had been days since I’d had a real bath, in a tub, with soap.
The maids insisted on helping me undress. They put me in the hot tub and soaped me with a lavender-scented soap from head to toe, washing all the dust and dirt of the long journey out of my hair.
The younger maid, who had soulful doe eyes under thick lashes, dressed me in a bright green robe and sat me down in front of the ornate dressing table, brushing my hair until it shone. “How lovely you look, my lady. I was shocked when his lordship asked us to open this room and clean it. It hasn’t been used for years.” She put the brush down. “Now, however, I can see why he wanted you in this special room.”
I turned to look at her, a sudden chill scuttling down my spine. “Why? Who did this room belong to?”
“This was the room of our mistress, the Lady Riora, madam,” said the older maid, looking down her hooked nose at me as she adjusted the white cap tied under her sharp chin. “Lord Delacourt’s late sister.”
Orange and gold flames flickered and crackled in the fireplace, which had recently been lit with dry wood, and I wondered why Brandon had put me here. Wouldn’t it have been easier to put me in smaller guest quarters? Sleeping in a dead woman’s room that hadn’t been used for over twenty years seemed too creepy.
I thanked them, shrugging off the eerie feeling that had crept into the room.
The maids had the tub cleared away just as another showed up with a little silver tray carrying a mug of warm vanilla milk, topped with thick cream and dusted with cinnamon.
Brandon was very generous. But what did he hope to gain by helping me?
I left the candles burning and shot a fire strike at the fireplace to reinforce the flames, and the fire roared to life. At least I was next door to Rafe and Kalen’s room—I was glad they were within shouting distance.
I had a few sips of milk and lay down on the plush bed, covering myself to my chin and snuggling under the warm blankets. I stared at the opulent velvet canopy, elaborately embroidered with gold thread and woven to look like stars in the night sky. And realized I was right back where I started.
I was a fugitive once again.
Masquerade
The journey to the seaside town of Calos would take about four days. Brandon had given us new identities and clothes for the journey. I was grateful we decided to travel by coach and stop at well-kept inns along the way. My thighs ached from all the previous riding, and my bottom was terribly sore.
I peeked out of my curtained window as the carriage rambled along the main road, lurching and bumping over stones as we passed overgrown woods, open fields, and small villages. Weary travelers ambled past and farmers hurried back and forth with their wagons laden with produce to sell in the closest town. Rafe, Kalen, and Marcus rode beside the coach disguised as guards, serving as our escort. I wished it were Rafe who sat beside me instead of Brandon.
While we traveled, Brandon proceeded to tell me more about the area, pointing out important historical sites and giving me more information about the kingdom of Eldoren.
“That one,” Brandon pointed to the ruins of what once must have been a grand castle, “was once the largest fortress in southern Eldoren.”
“What happened to it?” I scanned the charred structure that remained.
“They say it was burned to the ground over two decades ago by the Prince of the Night Court, a merciless High Fae warrior, who swept down from the sky and wreaked havoc on our kingdom. People in this area still talk about the dark prince and his fury and hatred toward the mages.”
“Why did he do it?” My voice was almost a whisper.
Brandon shrugged. “I have no idea. But he nearly shattered the fragile peace between our kingdoms. It was only because Izadora intervened that war between the mages and fae was averted.” He paused and leaned back in his seat. “Be careful of the fae, Aurora. Not all of them are like your friend Kalen. I have heard the Royal Court of Elfi is an evil place. Full of backstabbing traitors and High Fae who believe they are so much better than everyone else. Although their numbers have dwindled to near extinction, they still think they are the masters of this world. Your grandmother may be a good queen to her people, but she is known for her ruthlessness and cunning mind, not to mention her vast powers. I would not be so eager to go to Elfi if I were you.”
I nodded, trying to assimilate all he had told me about the High Fae and my grandmother’s kingdom. Why was he trying to put me off going to Elfi, a place where everyone else wanted me to go? I was not sure what to believe anymore. But I knew I would never forget the story he had told me of the ruthless fae-warrior who burned a whole castle and its inhabitants to the ground. An involuntary shiver darted down my spine; I hoped I would never have to meet the dreaded Prince of the Night Court when I went to Elfi.
On the last day of our journey, Brandon turned to me in the carriage. “I hope you don’t find this too forward, Aurora. I would love to hear your story. I’ve heard bits and pieces—mostly rumors that have been spreading since people realized you were still alive. I want to hear what actually happened.”
I smiled at Brandon. He was sweet, and he did seem like a good friend who wanted to help. Still, there was something about him that disturbed me. I couldn’t put my finger on what it was. I realized I had to be on my guard with everyone I met from now on. I had learned my lesson, and I was more careful with what I revealed and to whom. I proceeded to tell him my story, leaving out big chunks of it, of course. I couldn’t tell him about the Book of Abraxas and the keys, or about the Dagger and my mother.
Brandon listened intently and cursed the Blackwaters under his breath at the very mention of Damien’s name. “The Blackwaters can never be trusted. They are snakes, all of them, each one worse than the next.”
I nodded. “I learned the hard way.” I told
him about Damien’s betrayal. I had been such a fool, thinking they couldn’t possibly be so bad, that they were not truly evil. But I was so wrong.
I wrapped my cloak tighter around me. Brandon had given me a warm green one lined with fur. It was very snug, but it was getting colder by the day; even inside the coach my fingers were frozen. I hid my hands under my cloak to try to keep them warm. “How can the king pardon them after their treachery?”
“It does seem strange.” Brandon leaned over to close the carriage window, which was ajar and letting in the chill. “But Devon Blackwater—Damien’s father—is the king’s cousin, his father’s sister’s son. They are family after all, and next in line to the throne if anything happens to Rafael.”
“But surely the king will come to his senses soon, once Prince Rafael returns and tells him what actually happened.”
“I’m not so sure,” said Brandon, crossing his arms. “I wouldn’t underestimate the Blackwaters.”
“That’s what Rafe always says.”
“So it’s Rafe now, is it?” said Brandon with an amused chuckle. “I’ve seen the way you two look at each other. I suspect Prince Rafael has made another conquest.”
I sat up straighter and tried to look indignant. “What do you mean?” I knew what he meant, but I felt so stupid when he said it. “We are friends, that’s all.”
“I meant no disrespect, Aurora, but I can see clearly that you are more than friends with the prince. A man does not leave his kingdom and family to go running after a girl if he doesn’t have strong feelings for her. I’ve never seen him like this. His duty to his kingdom has always come first. Until now.”
“He was just helping me with something.” I was not eager to explain myself any more than I had to. “When I go to Elfi, he will return to Eldoren and marry Leticia.” I tried to make myself sound like I didn’t care, but I didn’t think I succeeded.
“Probably, but he is not thinking very clearly right now. Rafael’s very presence is a danger to you. He is recognized throughout the land and is much more conspicuous than you would be if you were traveling with someone else.”
“Like you?” I said bluntly.
Brandon shrugged. “I am the likely candidate. I will make sure you get to Elfi safely, I give you my word. But you must be the one to tell Rafe to go back. If you don’t do it now, he will lose his crown, and Morgana will be one step closer to becoming high queen of all Avalonia.”
I looked down. He was right, I was being selfish. I wanted Rafe to stay with me as long as he could before he went back, but if he did, he might not have anything to go back to. Without Rafe, Brandon was the only other person who could get me to Elfi. No one else wanted anything to do with me. They wanted to lock me up and throw away the key.
“I see you are besotted with him, however much you may try to hide it.” Brandon didn’t smile. “But there is no future for you with Rafael. He will never marry you.” He looked away. “I know I shouldn’t be telling you any of this, and he is one of my oldest friends, but I can’t sit by and see such a wonderful girl get hurt by him again.”
“How many women has he been with?”
Brandon gave me a half-smile. “Quite a few more than I can keep track of, I can tell you that.”
“I thought he’s been betrothed to Leticia for years?”
“That part is true, but it didn’t stop Rafael from breaking hearts all the way from Andrysia to Brandor.”
My face fell and Brandon shook his head. “I am sorry, Aurora. I should not have overstepped my bounds. It is not my place to tell you or Rafael what to do. I can only give you advice on the matter. And I don’t want him to know we had this conversation.”
“I won’t mention it.”
“If you care for him, you must convince him to go back as soon as possible,” Brandon added.
I nodded, burying myself further into my cloak and ending our talk. Brandon did seem very concerned about Rafe, and maybe he was being sincere about his eagerness to help me. But he didn’t mind speaking negatively about one of his oldest friends, and I couldn’t help wondering what Brandon’s agenda was. I was going to have to be more careful around him. If he wanted me to trust him, he was going to have to prove himself first.
On the fourth day of our journey we reached Calos, a big seaside town that lay farther east along the Emerald Coast of Eldoren. Autumn had come and gone, and fallen leaves in shades of gold and brown crunched beneath the horses’ hooves. Although Calos wasn’t anywhere near as big as Neris, the capital city of Eldoren, I had read in my books at the academy that it was a big trading hub and shipping town.
A cold November thunderstorm had washed clean the approaching winter air. The wheels of our carriage clattered over the cobblestones and splashed through muddy puddles as the coach lurched and jolted its way toward the docks. The smell of fish permeated the air with a thick stench, and the streets were crowded and bustling with merchants going about their daily business. Warehouses seemed to be stocked to full capacity, and traders from all parts of Avalonia were haggling and selling their wares at street corners and along the quay.
Brandon pointed out two massive warships. “We need to stay away from those,” he said as our carriage rolled up the main cobbled avenue of the seaside town. “They are part of the royal Eldorean fleet posted here in Calos.”
I looked out of the window, studying the area and the ships anchored in the bay. There were whalers from Andrysia and small fishing boats from the villages and towns on the Eldorean Coast. Some of the big ships were passenger schooners from Illiador and many looked like merchant galleons, which Brandon explained were actually slave ships from the far eastern kingdoms of Brandor and Rohron. I wondered which one belonged to the pirate prince, Santino Valasis; I felt intrigued and a little apprehensive about meeting him. I hoped Brandon would manage to convince him to take us to Sanria.
“The customs guards here are more interested in making money than checking the cargo,” Brandon informed me. “Many a pirate and slaver has dealings with the people of Calos. It is one of the major southern ports, and the main trade here is smuggling slaves and black market items from the far reaches of Avalonia. I’m sure Marcus will feel right at home.”
Finally, we stopped at a large whitewashed inn. Brandon opened the door of the carriage, jumping out as I gazed up at the structure. Pretty wooden shutters opened out to a wonderful view of the azure-blue coast of the Stardust Sea. Wisteria cascaded down from every windowsill, and the roof was painted a beautiful powder blue, complementing the violet flowers.
Brandon gave me his hand and helped me out of the carriage. My legs were stiff from sitting for so long. And my backside, although not quite so sore as it would be after riding, was still hurting after all the numerous bumps along the road from Roth to Calos.
Calos was an interesting town, rising on one side of a hill and overlooking the vast coastline. All the streets connected to a main avenue, and a maze of houses and cobbled walkways led to the docks.
Brandon got us rooms facing the ocean, and as I stood at my window, the crisp air of the afternoon breeze cleared my head. There was a wooden tub with fresh warm water waiting for me in the center of the room, and I removed my clothes, soaked my tired body, and washed off all the grime of the journey. I changed into a simple brown dress with long sleeves, then washed my pants, shirt, and doublet, hanging them on the chair to dry. They were the only other items of clothing I had carried with me.
There was a knock on the door and two footmen carried in a big chest, putting it down in the center of the room. “A gift from Lord Delacourt, my lady,” said one as they both bowed.
“What is it?” I was suitably intrigued. Brandon did know how to spoil a lady. I went over to the chest and opened it. Out spilled a variety of lovely dresses, each more sumptuous and extravagant than the next. Why had he sent me these? Warm milk and a hot bath were one thing, but this! This was too much.
“For the ball tonight, my lady,” said the same footman.
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“What ball?” Did Brandon expect me to accompany him to his cousin’s wedding? Wouldn’t that be too dangerous?
“Our orders were to deliver this to you, my lady.” The footman bowed again and they left the room.
I sat down on the edge of the bed and stared at the beautiful dresses before me. What was Brandon up to? We couldn’t go out in public—the whole Eldorean guard was looking for me. We were supposed to find Santino and sail for Brandor as soon as we could.
Rafe had warned me to stay in my room and I obeyed. I didn’t want to cause unnecessary trouble. He said he had something to do, and I was curious as to what was so important he would wander around the town with the risk of getting caught.
Normally I would have gone looking for him or insisted on accompanying Brandon myself to speak to Santino, but I had lost all confidence in myself and my decisions. Every time I tried to do something I thought was right, it turned into a disaster. Now I had to tell myself time and time again that I should listen to others who knew better. This was my time to learn, not be foolish and get myself killed. I had to stay alive long enough to get to Elfi and my grandmother.
I lay down and took a nap, the fresh sea breeze lulling me into a calm sleep.
When I awoke, it was evening, and twilight was starting to set in. I rose from my bed and stared out of the window at the dusky pink sky that lay above the water. The setting sun had turned the bay into a myriad of red and orange, while ships with colorful sails danced on the waves, bobbing up and down on the shimmering sea.
Rafe came to see me. He eyed the dresses with a raised eyebrow, and I explained that Brandon had sent them over.
“I spoke to Brandon.” Rafe ignored the dresses. “It seems trying to see Santino on his ship today will not be possible. He sails for Brandor tomorrow.”
The Rise of the Dawnstar (The Avalonia Chronicles Book 2) Page 4
