The Twilight Star

by Laura E. Collins

  “It is good to see you again, my lady,” I replied, not wanting to discuss my reasons for staying away from the castle and everyone in it.

  We continued to make small talk as other nobles arrived. Sir William attended without Sam, I noticed. He nodded to me as he greeted Sir Leonard, Princess Emeley’s body guard and head of security. Several other people who were elite, including the king’s advisors, arrived as servants served us drinks. It surprised me that Lord Crievan was noticeably absent. Finally, Prince Eythan walked through the door ten steps ahead of King Edreyan who escorted the princess. I glanced down politely as Prince Eythan’s eyes sought mine. Even my Cinderella ball gown could not keep my insecurities from surfacing as my stomach tightened into a hard knot.

  A servant rang a bell and announced it was time to be seated before anything else happened. Not knowing where my place was, I hesitated before moving to the table. The king sat at the head of it flanked by his children on either side. I waited for everyone else to fill in before I took the last chair at the end on Prince Eythan’s side, next to one of the king’s advisors who sat facing him at the opposite end. Part of me felt relieved that I would not have to stare at Prince Eythan all night.

  “My friends, thank you all for attending this gathering tonight. Let us enjoy ourselves while we dine. Our business can wait until the end of the meal,” King Edreyan said as he raised his goblet. “To Eteryn, may peace and prosperity prevail.”

  Everyone, including me, followed suit, raising their own cups. “To Eteryn,” we repeated. Servants practically poured into the room bearing trays of bread and wine. Lord Winstone, King Edreyan’s vampire advisor to my right, was given a goblet full of crimson blood to go with his wine. It was the same for the king and the other vampires at the table. I gingerly sipped my wine, still feeling a little dazed from Prince Eythan’s remedy of my migraine earlier that day. My mouth watered as a servant put a fresh, hot, yeasty roll on my plate. After everyone was served, I pulled mine apart and slathered it with the sweet cream butter that was next to me. I was so hungry, I could have wolfed it down, but I paced myself so I wouldn’t appear rude.

  Next came some sort of stew, which I actually found delicious. I think I would have really enjoyed myself had I not been so nervous. Between the prince, trying to understand why I was here, and conversing with the curious vampire to my right who seemed to watch every bite I put in my mouth, I found it hard to relax. The prince’s promised venison came next. A servant whisked my half-eaten stew away and set the extremely thin-sliced rare meat in front of me. Raw meat is not my thing so I reached for another roll instead.

  “Do they not serve venison in your time?” the vampire asked eloquently.

  I think my cheeks flushed a little at being put on the spot. “Not usually,” I said shyly with a smile, glancing back at the prince who was staring at me.

  “I am sure, Lord Winstone, that Evelyn has consumed many things in her world that none of us would ever dream of,” Princess Emeley said in an amused tone, rescuing me from the vampire criticism. I silently felt grateful to her. Fortunately it was a short course. Poultry and side dishes were next, finally followed by sweet pastries and then candied fruit with cheese. I could only sample things due to the tight corset I wore, but appreciated it for keeping me from indulging in too much of the wine. I kind of wished I had sat down near the king’s end as they seemed to be having lots of lively conversation and, at times, bawdy laughter.

  “Now that we have all had adequate amounts of wine,” King Edreyan began talking over everyone, "it is time to discuss what to do about Queen Hadreah.” A hush fell over the table. “As you know, she has been reported to be mounting an attack on Eteryn and will most likely employ any means necessary . . . magical or otherwise to try to take my kingdom from me. My children and I have invited all of you here this evening to discuss our defensive tactics. Whatever is said here will remain within these walls. Are we understood?”

  “Aye,” everyone stated, myself included, about a second behind because I wasn’t sure what the required response was.

  “Our task tonight is to create a strategy to . . . at the very least fend her off if not kill her.” There were words and nods of agreement at the table. “Our ally has informed us that Hadreah will be worshipping the Sabbat in two weeks in the Woodhearst meadow at the south edge of my kingdom. It is a known wiccan celebration and not one likely to cast much suspicion on our ally if we were to show up and attack her there.”

  “What if she has the powers of divination and will be expecting us?” Sir William asked.

  “She has never demonstrated such abilities,” Prince Eythan remarked, swirling the wine in his goblet casually.

  “What tactics other than surprise are we to utilize?” Lord Winstone to my right questioned. “She will burn us all before the dawn breaks if we do not come up with a way to kill her. Between her magic and her army, we cannot get close enough to strike her with any of our weapons . . . and she fends off arrows as if she were swatting at a fly.”

  “Yes, we understand these concerns, Lord Winstone. Nevertheless, Hadreah is not immortal. We simply need to figure out her weakness,” the king commented.

  “That is why Miss Evelyn Remington is here with us tonight,” Princess Emeley stated enthusiastically.

  My mouth dropped open. Here we go again, I thought.

  “This human?” one of the other lords in the room gestured to me. “How can she possibly stand up to Hadreah?”

  “Because Hadreah’s magic will not affect her,” Prince Eythan answered. “She was completely immune to the imp attack on the East Village. Most of us witnessed it in fact.”

  “Yes, but those were just imps. Hadreah is another matter entirely,” Sir Leonard added.

  I didn’t know what to think of all of this. How was I supposed to fight an evil witch practicing black magic?

  “How did you withstand the imp attack, Miss Evelyn,” Lord Winstone asked.

  “I don’t know, my lord. I don’t believe in magic. The only way I can explain it is that maybe I am immune to it because it doesn’t exist where I come from . . . or perhaps it is an evolutionary phenomenon.”

  “Explain,” the king commanded.

  “Perhaps the people from my world have evolved, adapted to life without magic. It isn’t relied upon or even recognized in the modern world. Maybe our brains don’t recognize it because it isn’t used, it isn’t needed, and it isn’t believed. It does not exist except in fairytales,” I concluded.

  “What about your fellow wayfarers?” Sir Leonard asked.

  “I can’t speak for most of them. However, Samantha did not see any of the flames from the imp attack that night either,” I divulged. Sir William’s eyes narrowed at me. I don’t think he liked the possibility of Sam being called to fight a witch any more than I did.

  “If what you say is true, we should put you to the test,” Lord Winstone said.

  “We need a plan first; I will not simply just throw Miss Evelyn in front of Hadreah to see what happens,” Prince Eythan said rather passionately.

  “Hadreah does not know about me does she?” I asked. If I am going into a fight I need to take some control of this, I thought.

  “No,” Princess Emeley answered. “What did you have in mind?”

  “Well, in my world, people fear the unknown. If you put me in front of her, perhaps I could pretend to be something she would fear. Maybe I could dress up as something from my world . . . something she has never seen before. We could make a costume for me. I have no magical powers, but perhaps I could serve as a distraction for you to move in on her. I would be no more than an actress in a play, but it might give you an element of surprise,” I offered.

  “I like this idea, go on, Miss Evelyn,” the king said. Prince Eythan smiled.

  “What does Hadreah fear?” I inquired.

  “As far as we can tell . . . nothing,” Sir Leonard replied.

  “Okay. Then what does she love? If you want to hit her where it
hurts, then take away or threaten something she loves, wants, or needs,” I reasoned.

  “There is the matter of her king,” the king’s advisor stated.

  “No! He is not an option!” Princess Emeley interrupted.

  I didn’t quite catch what just happened. Hadreah has a king that Princess Emeley wants to protect?

  “We will find something else to threaten her with,” she continued.

  “Her grimoire then?” Lord Winstone suggested.

  “I am not sending Evelyn in to retrieve a spell book. Even with a team of seasoned warriors it would be a suicide mission,” Prince Eythan objected.

  “It could be possible at night, Eythan,” Princess Emeley said.

  “Absolutely not!” he replied.

  “I would like to observe her first. Maybe then I can have a better idea of what to do. In my world I once dressed up on Halloween as a skeleton with full face paint that resembled an elaborate skull. I will need something I can move in and access to your collection, Princess Emeley. Take me with you on your ambush and we can see what she makes of me.”

  “Madame Elise can work with you on your costume. I can provide you with paint. It is perhaps for the best she does not see your face. You will need some more training and light body armor. Hadreah may not be able to affect you with her magic, but she could still put an arrow or a sword through your heart,” Princess Emeley replied.

  “We will shield you as best we can and look for an opportunity to attack her while you distract her,” Prince Eythan offered.

  “That sounds like the beginning of a great plan,” King Edreyan announced. He was so cool and level-headed, not to mention strong, it was so hard for me to fathom that a man like him would ever need my help with anything. I have yet to meet this evil queen; however it sounds like they are out of their league with how to even go about countering her.

  We continued to plan for a while and I was left with more questions than answers. I had been up before the sun this day and started to feel the fatigue setting in. It was decided that I would meet with Madame Elise in the morning and then report to Princess Emeley for another look through her collection for something to fend off an evil magical queen that she has not encountered before.

  “Would you like to stay in the castle tonight?” the princess inquired as everyone rose to bid one another good evening.

  “No, thank you. I will rest better in the village,” I said. Although I had missed her friendship, I need my space.

  “Very well then. I suppose it would be better to maintain your anonyminity without spreading any rumors. It could endanger your safety.”

  “Yes, it could,” I agreed, remembering the ridiculous rumors that were already spreading in my village like wildfire since the imp attack; that I was some sort of powerful witch.

  She nodded and walked out with Lady Aryn. Suddenly, Prince Eythan was at my side. It practically startled me. How does he do that?

  “May I speak with you in a few minutes, Evelyn?” he asked softly.

  I could feel my heart aching in my chest again, but my intense feelings for him had been buried. I would never forget the painful sting of his rejection, but I could not be disrespectful to him if I were to live in his kingdom. Despite everything, I do believe that he did not dislike me.

  “Of course, Your Highness,” I answered politely with a curtsy. He nodded and turned and walked away. After almost everyone else left, Vincent arrived, motioning for me to follow him. I followed him out and away from the Avolire room and over a few hallways to a quiet part of the castle. He knocked on a door and I heard Prince Eythan’s voice softly bid us to enter. After I was inside, Vincent left us and quietly shut the door behind me. I glanced around the room, a study of some sort with a large hearth, some formal looking furniture, and then an ornately carved desk situated near the windows to a balcony. The prince was seated at the desk, apparently wrapping up some business as he signed a document, folded it, and then looked up at me as he melted the sealing wax on it before pressing the stamp, his royal seal, on it. It took but a moment and I waited patiently for him to finish.

  “I trust your headache has not returned?” he asked sincerely as he stood.

  “No, Your Highness,” I answered truthfully. “I am feeling much better.”

  “I am glad,” he said as he moved from behind the desk to stand in front of it. “Evelyn, I wanted to speak with you before you left tonight. I . . . I want to . . . apologize to you.” He said the word slowly and deliberately, but sincerely. I wondered how often exactly he had ever apologized to anyone. I remained standing stiffly, not sure I wanted to go back to that horrible night, to the place where he broke my heart and left me hemorrhaging feelings, where afterwards I locked everything up inside just so that I could move on.

  He looked me in the eyes and continued breathlessly. “I should not have said what I said to you, nor should I have behaved in the manner that I did. I regret it now.”

  I believed him. I don’t know why but I did feel he was being honest with me. But why now? I slammed the door on all of my emotions for him. Everything was locked safely away, and despite the fact that my relationship with Henrik was likely over, I didn’t have the courage to go back there. Instead I simply said, “I accept your apology, Your Highness,” and gave him a small smile. I didn’t know what else to say. It was late, I had ingested various substances today to inhibit my better judgment, I was going into a war soon, and I was tired. All I could hope for was that he was done and that I could go back to my life at the clinic, away from him and this place. He couldn’t hurt me there if I pretended that he didn’t exist and didn’t see him except in battle.

  He stood silently for a moment, studying me, before he spoke again. “I understand that you were responsible for thwarting a kidnapping attempt on my sister.”

  I nodded, shifting nervously on my feet.

  “I want to reward you for your loyalty.”

  “It is not necessary, Your Highness. The king has already given me what I asked for,” I blurted out quickly. I really needed to leave. His kind demeanor to me today unnerved me. I didn’t want to feel anything for him again.

  “Yes, but even so, you did not get the answers you were yearning for.”

  The air hung heavy between us and I raised my eyes to meet his. I wondered what he would do next. He walked back around behind the desk and removed a small purse from one of the drawers and moved slowly towards me, as if he did not want to frighten me. As he neared, he reached down and took my right hand in his and placed the purse in it, closing my fingers over it gently before he released me. The weight of it took me by surprise. It was definitely filled with money.

  “Please, I cannot accept this, it is not necessary,” I pleaded as I held the pouch back out to him.

  “I want you to have it,” he said with a concerned look on his face. “Please spend it however you like.”

  Exhaling softly, I lowered my hand, looking back down at the floor.

  “Evelyn, in the future, if the clinic is in need of supplies, I would like you to go to Sir William, my sister, or myself.”

  “Yes, Your Highness. Thank you,” I said softly as I pushed the purse deep into the pocket of my skirt.

  “And, Evelyn,” he spoke again. “Do not trust Henrik Beaumont. He is not what he seems.”

  “I understand,” I replied as the door opened and Vincent returned to see me home. I think I was in information overload. Between joining them in battle, and mixed messages as well as warnings from the prince, I was ready to rest my head.

  Chapter 23

  I overslept the next morning, likely due to the effects of the felonwort poison the prince had given me. My migraine had completely resolved and I got up feeling great. I gazed at my beautiful periwinkle gown and cloak in the armoire while donning my usual black and burgundy ensemble. I was pleasantly surprised to see Sam had already opened the clinic and was treating a bite victim when I came down.

  “I thought you might need to rest,
” she said thoughtfully after the patient thanked her and left.

  “Thank you.”

  “What was your meeting about last night? Sir William said you were with the royals all day.”

  “I can’t really talk about it. Sam, I have to go back to the castle this morning . . .”

  The door to the clinic swung open and, much to my surprise, Lord Beaumont rushed in. “Evie! There you are. I need to speak with you,” he interrupted.

  We curtsied out of custom. “Lord Beaumont,” I said speaking formally and carefully. “I am expected at the castle this morning. Perhaps another time.” I moved to collect my cloak off of the peg on the wall. I had no desire to hear any of it, now that I knew he had been lying to me. Although my feelings for the prince were not the same, I believed that he was being honest with me. If Prince Eythan did not trust him, then neither will I.

  “I was worried about you. What did he do to you?” he blurted out. Sam glanced between us curiously.

  “I don’t know what you are talking about,” I said with irritation.

  Thankfully Sir William arrived. It took him about two seconds of scanning the room to decide to end this situation. “Are you here for your health, Lord Beaumont?” he asked politely.

  “Not exactly, Sir William,” Henrik replied irritably.

  “Back to your duties then. These women have work to do,” he said authoritatively. I suppressed a smile. “Evelyn, the carriage is waiting.”

  Lord Beaumont eyed me as I ignored him and walked out the door.

  “After you,” I heard Sir William call behind me, making sure Henrik left the premises. I’m sure he did not want him around Sam.

  Sir William handed me off to another escort once we arrived at the castle. We took the now familiar route to see Madame Elise.

  “Good morning, Miss Evelyn. How did you like my gown last evening?”

  “It was beautiful, my lady. Thank you.”

  She nodded with a satisfied look.