by Dawn Brower
“Oh, dear,” Susanna said as she entered the room. “What have you done to your lovely dress.”
Elodie looked down and then said, “Improved it immensely.”
“What am I to do with you?” Susanna sighed. “Why are you here? What happened to going to the ball and talking with Sir Griffin?”
She had no desire to explain herself to Susanna. Describing the betrayal that filled her heart would be too much. The way Fiona had looked at Cale… It spoke volumes to the lengths her stepmother would go to control her. And Cale, well, it was clear she’d misjudged him. He was a better liar than she could ever have imagined. He didn’t care about her, and she was unwise to ever believe he did. At least she hadn’t foolishly laid her heart before him in the hope he had tender feelings for her.
“The ball was a raging success.” And it was if you considered the fact it had opened her eyes to those around her. Fiona had always been clear, but the rest had hidden their treachery well. “I danced, and yes, talked to the noble knight.”
What she didn’t say was that the conversation had been brief and his actions spoke far louder than any words he could have uttered. There would be no sharing of her heart’s desire with him. Those feelings were best left dead and forgotten. They were as useless as fighting for her right to decide her own fate. As long as she remained in the castle she’d be constantly clawing for even the smallest liberties. If she stayed, she’d never know peace or happiness. Fiona would always find a way to usurp her and, in the end, retain control of the kingdom.
“And?” Susana lifted a brow.
Elodie blinked several times. What had they been discussing? Oh, that’s right, the knight who stole her heart and then proceeded to crush it out of existence. What did Susanna expect her to say? That she’d spilled all and he reciprocated her feelings? Clearly, they were both fools for thinking thusly.
“There’s nothing to say,” Elodie said flatly. “I have no future with him or anyone.”
She would not marry Daire. As far as Elodie was concerned, she’d never willingly tie herself to another male. The prince may have changed, but she wasn’t prepared to take a chance with him. Celebrations were scheduled for each day, and it should have been a glorious time for her. She was to be queen, and with her rule she’d finally have control of her life.
There was nothing to revel in. If she stayed, what would she gain? A stepmother who’d never relinquish control and a husband whose charm blinded those around them. Perhaps it would be best if she disappeared for a little while. She could return at the end, stronger and without any impediments to her rule.
Susanna placed a hand on her shoulder. Elodie glanced up and met her gaze. Pain must have been pouring off Elodie in waves because Susanna’s next words echoed with remorse. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I thought he…”
“So did I,” Elodie said. “It doesn’t matter.” None of it did. It was time to let all of that go and focus on what she wanted out of life. She thought she’d wanted to rule her kingdom, but perhaps that was too much to ask. Maybe Fiona would do a better job. She shook her head. Where had that thought come from? “Help me out of this dress and get me a set of my training clothes.”
Susanna nodded. Elodie rose, letting the dress fall down in to a pool of blue silk at her feet. She kicked it away and stood before Susanna in her shift. Her maid picked up the dress and hung it up in the armoire. “I may be able to repair the laces for you to wear it another day,” she said.
“I will never wear that gown again. You may as well burn it.” Elodie’s gaze turned to the fire. Perhaps she’d toss it into the flames herself once Susanna left.
“I’ll do no such thing and neither will you. Don’t think I missed how you stared at the fire.” She wagged her finger at Elodie, chastising her. “I’ll return in a few moments with the garments you asked for. Don’t do anything stupid before I return.”
Elodie sat on her bed and waited. She was rather surprised Susanna didn’t argue with her. Her maid had to realize why she wanted her training clothes. She reached down and picked up her mother’s blades. The desire to destroy something ran through her blood. It was too bad she didn’t have Cale to train with anymore. A good sparring might cool the rage burning inside of her. She couldn’t stay in the castle another night under Fiona’s rule. She’d find someplace else to go until the day of her birthday. Then would she return and face her responsibilities.
“Here you go,” Susanna said and handed her the leather trousers and black tunic. “I’m sure you’re planning something foolish and I should stop you, but you have always followed your own path. Promise me you’ll at least try to be careful.”
That was the last thing she wanted to do. Promises were too easily broken anyway. What did it matter if she said the words and later betrayed them? Elodie bit her lip and contemplated her actions. She wouldn’t be any better than Cale if she blatantly made a promise she didn’t intend to keep. It would be better to deflect and make none. Elodie’s conscience wouldn’t allow her to deceive Susanna.
She grabbed the clothes from her maid and dressed quickly. “I have to leave.” Her boots sat by the dressing table. Elodie crossed over and slipped them on, then bent over to tie them snugly on her feet.
“I figured as much,” she said gravely, her face devoid of emotion. “Whatever transpired between you and your knight must not have been good.”
Nothing, and yet so much, had happened in the short time she’d been with Cale. One dance followed by betrayal had been enough. For a moment, it had been everything she could have hoped for—until it wasn’t.
“I refuse to discuss it,” Elodie said as she slid her scabbard on. “He’ll be gone by morning, and after that no longer an issue. He made his choice, and it wasn’t me.” That still burned to admit. “Dwelling on something I can’t change is a useless endeavor.” Her locket dangled against her cool skin. It reminded her what was important—her parents, her people, and defeating Fiona once and for all. She would return and honor her commitments. But until that time came, she’d have to figure out a few things first. Her emotions were too wrapped up in the things she’d lost, and it weighed heavily on her heart.
Susanna wrapped her arms around Elodie’s waist and hugged her tight. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” Elodie said, returning the hug. “You’re the one person I can count on. If not for you, I’d have given up long ago. Now I must go.”
Elodie unwrapped her arms and walked away from Susanna. She pulled up her hood to cover her features and sneaked out. No one stopped her or paid her any mind. Most of the inhabitants of the castle were bustling around to handle the needs of the ball. It made it much easier to slip out and not look back.
* * *
“I thought you might do this,” a male voice boomed behind her.
Elodie didn’t want to stop and deal with him. She wanted to leave all of her worries behind, and he was at the top of that particular list. “Go away, Daire.”
“I can’t let you leave,” he said fiercely.
“Try and stop me.” She seethed. “I won’t hold back like I did before.”
“Neither will I.” His voice etched with somber notes.
She turned to glare at him. The moonlight gave his handsome features a soft glow. In the sunlight, he’d sparkled with charm, but in the moonlight, he had an ethereal appeal. In any setting, Daire was devastating to behold, and she ached to look at him. Elodie focused on something other than his gorgeous face. Her gaze landed on a broach pinned to the bands of his quiver. A giant dragon was depicted on it with ruby fire extending outward. She hadn’t noticed that earlier, or maybe she’d been too distracted by his male beauty. He’d changed out of his evening clothes and now wore a simple dark tunic and pantaloons. How much had he seen at the ball? She hadn’t bothered to look around her after her dance with Cale. Daire had the wherewithal to realize she’d been planning something and reacted in kind. His keen observation skills would be her undoing if she allowed them. S
he had to stop reacting to everything and instead plan. Maybe then she’d be able to gain the upper hand.
“Did you plan on hunting?” she asked. “Why else would you grab your bow and quiver?”
“When you left the ball, I thought you might run,” he said flippantly. The following smile was so cocksure Elodie wanted to wipe it off his face with her fist. “It pays to always be prepared. Where are you off to, princess?”
“Anywhere you are not,” she shot out. “Go back to the castle, Daire. Better yet, go back to your own kingdom. I don’t need or want you here.”
Would she ever be free of him? He kept turning up like a bad omen about to strike when she least expected it. What did he care if she decided to go traipsing in the woods in the middle of the night? Did he actually want to marry her? She didn’t believe it for a second. They barely knew each other, and what little there was… She shook her head. People changed all the time, and perhaps he’d grown out of his bullish tendencies. The last time she’d seen him, he had been a mere boy. That didn’t mean she had any desire to marry him. She had plans for her life, and not one of them included him.
“Wherever you go,” he ground out. “I go with you. Accept it or not, I don’t really care, but I will be next to you every step of the way.”
Damn it all. If he didn’t leave, it wouldn’t look good. The ramifications of both of them disappearing would be disastrous. She took a deep breath and tried to calm her raging emotions. It was hard to think with her heartbeats thundering in her ears. Elodie clenched her hands at her side. She would not pull out one of her blades and gut him. There had to be a less murderous way to get him to back off and leave her the hell alone. She stared up at the night sky and sought a solution. Perhaps the gods would take mercy on her and offer her one. The twinkling stars spread across the dark canvas offered no such wisdom. She was on her own. Something she should be used to by this point. Either she disposed of him by some harmful means or she sucked it up and let him come along. She chose to ignore him and spun on her heels to head into the forest. The sounds of his feet hitting the soft ground told her he indeed followed her. Thump, squish, crack echoed through the woods. Each step brought a new sound to fill the silence.
They continued the same way for several heartbeats until Elodie could take it no more. “I really wish you would go.” She really didn’t want to be tied to him for the rest of her life. If he stayed by her side, there might be no way of undoing the betrothal. They’d be good and truly stuck with each other. She didn’t really want to kill him. As much as he irritated her, he hadn’t been all bad to deal with.
“I really wish you had more sense than to go off halfcocked in the middle of the night. Don’t you enjoy your warm comfortable bed?” Daire asked.
There were merits to his question. Her bed was a little slice of heaven on any given day. If only it didn’t come with Fiona and all that entailed. No doubt she’d regret leaving behind certain creature comforts when the cold night began to seep into her, but at the moment, she couldn’t find any reason to care. Her blood still ran hot, and she had too much energy to burn.
“Some things are more important than the luxuries afforded behind the castle walls.”
“Such as?”
One day she’d give in to the urge to stab him. “Why don’t you tell me what you stand to gain by following me,” she deflected. The edge of the forest drew near, and the field she often trained in with Cale came into view. The roar of the river reverberated in the distance.
“Nothing but misery.” They stepped into the open field, and the moon brightened their path. He stopped and turned his ear to listen behind him. “Someone is following us.”
She’d been so caught up in his presence, she’d not thought to consider someone else might come after her. Her carelessness might cost them too much. Who else had noticed her leaving the castle? Elodie strode to Daire’s side and waited to see who emerged from the trees after them.
The last person she expected broke through and stopped abruptly when he noticed them staring in his direction. The very knight who betrayed everything Elodie held dear, Sir Cale Griffin. The moonlight danced across his dark hair and highlighted his high cheekbones. She brought her hand up to her chest and rubbed the ache burning inside. A part of her would always carry the remnants of her feelings for him. If she could erase him from her heart and mind, she’d have already done so. She couldn’t make out his expression. What must he be thinking? More importantly, why was he following them?
“What are you doing here,” Cale demanded.
“I could ask you the same thing,” Elodie retorted. “Why are you following us.”
Cale’s gaze darted between Elodie and Daire. “I’m doing no such thing.”
Somehow, Elodie doubted it. She lowered her hood and took several steps in his direction. When she stood directly in front of him, she glanced up into his eyes. Pain reflected back before he blinked it away. His mouth was drawn taught and crinkles formed on his forehead. What did he have to worry about?
“I’d like to believe you, but I refuse to be that stupid ever again,” Elodie retorted.
“On the contrary,” Daire drawled. “We are out in the middle of the night. It’s clear you’re missing the capabilities of determining exactly what is irrational and unwise.”
Cale’s gaze leapt toward Daire. His face carried its usual blank expression as he said, “I hate to agree with him, but he has a point. You shouldn’t be out here alone.”
Elodie laughed. Who had she pissed off to be stuck with two men who thought they could dictate to her. She was the master of her own fate. Raising a brow, she said, “I’m not exactly alone, am I?”
“Not because of any rational decision you’ve made.” Daire snorted. “You fully intended to traipse around the woods at night on your own. If I hadn’t followed you, where would you be?”
“Much farther along, I expect,” she countered. “You two idiots are holding me back.” Something was starting to itch on her head. She reached up and felt the flowers still pinned in place. Why hadn’t she thought to remove the damn things before she left. Susanna had them pinned tight in her hair and she couldn’t locate the pins to remove it.
“What are you doing now?” Cale asked stepping forward. His eyes rested on the top of her head. “What possessed you to put flowers in your hair?”
“Shut up,” Elodie shrieked. “No more lectures.”
She yanked on the flowers but they weren’t budging. It was almost as if they had somehow fused to her. Her breathing was becoming ragged again as she tried to force air down her lungs. What was wrong with her?
“I think she’s trying to remove them now,” Daire said blandly. “Perhaps we should help her.”
The moon seemed to glow even brighter than before. It enveloped her in its radiance. Her skin heated and she clawed at the flowers. What were they doing to her and why now?
“Something isn’t right,” Cale said. He studied Elodie. “Where did you get those flowers.”
Elodie blinked several times. Her mouth wasn’t working and her tongue felt huge and numb. She shook her head and brought her hands up to her throat. Was she dying?
Cale looked at Dare and demanded, “Help me take the flowers off.”
Both men yanked on the flowers. Blue and white petals floated over top of them like raindrops falling from the sky. A bright powder formed from them, sprinkling the dust over their skin. All three of them sneezed at once. Elodie’s eyelids began to droop slowly. Sleep had never sounded so glorious in her life. Daire’s mention of a warm comfortable bed wouldn’t leave her mind. Yes, she whispered inside her mind. I want to go there.
“Don’t give into it, Elle,” Cale demanded. “It will sweep you away forever.”
But it seems so heavenly… She wanted to say it, but words were beyond her. Elodie blinked several times. Both men were becoming more and more difficult to focus on.
“We’re too late,” Daire said. “It’s taken over. All we can do
is follow her through.”
“Yes,” Cale acknowledged. “Stop fighting the pull.”
Elodie couldn’t agree more. She closed her eyes and fell. Her body floated around her, and warmth spread through all her limbs. This was what heaven was. Why hadn’t she found it sooner? There were no worries, and for once she was completely at peace.
Then it all came to a screeching halt and the true nightmare began. Pain crawled over her and held her immobile. The world turned black and the warmth turned into a flame that scorched her skin. Daire was right—something she hated to admit. When it came to making imprudent mistakes, she was the queen of fools.
Dreamscape
Elodie opened her eyes and blinked several times. Bright light screamed through every one of her senses. It echoed across all of her nerve ending and snapped through her mind. Closing her eyes did nothing to stop the agony from spreading through and taking over each part of her. Light was not supposed to carry sound, and it certainly wasn’t supposed to leave her writhing in unspeakable amounts of pain.
She brought her hands up to her ears and tried to block it out, but nothing worked. Giving up seemed like the best solution, but even that somehow seemed wrong. Every decision she made was both erroneous and misguided. No matter what she did, she couldn’t win, and now she was paying for all those mistakes. If something didn’t ease her burgeoning misery, she’d expire from the excruciating torment being thrust upon her.
A cool breeze brushed over her already distressed skin. Elodie curled into a ball and gave into the need to cry. Tears slipped from her eyes and drenched her cheeks. A chill spread through her and put out the fire blazing inside. Slowly, she opened her eyes and tried to focus on the world around her. The glow had dulled to a glistening ray of lustrous light. Her eyes adjusted enough to appreciate the beauty of her surroundings.
She laid near a large tree that was so tall it almost touched the sky. Its branches spread far and wide, shading her from some of the suns most penetrating rays. Was it the reason she could now focus on the world around her without pain? She couldn’t be certain because when she’d first opened her eyes, blinding white nothingness had greeted her. Elodie sat up and stared at the massive tree. It didn’t have leaves like normal trees. Each branch had silver and white flowers that blew dust around her with each gust of wind. It was almost like snowfall on a hot summer day.
