Once Upon A Time (Historical Romance)

by Constance O'Banyon

  Jilliana put comforting arms about Cassandra. "I shall miss you as well. Were it possible, I would take you with me to Talshamar." Her expression brightened and she held Cassandra away from her. "Would you like to go with me if your mother will permit it?"

  "Oh, yes. I would love it above all things! Do you think it will be possible?"

  Jilliana wondered if it had been wise to raise Cassandra's hopes before talking with her mother. On the occasions she had observed Queen Melesant with her daughter, she had not seen any signs of affection. As a flower needs water, Cassandra needed someone to care for her, and Jilliana could not bear to think of leaving her here on this cold, loveless island.

  "I cannot say for certain that your mother will allow it. Wait in your room, and I will come to you after I have spoken to her."

  Cassandra was too fearful to hope, lest her mother crush those hopes. "Pray that she allows me to go with you, Jilliana. I want to see Talshamar."

  As Jilliana left, Ruyen was just coming down the path to warn his sister of his intentions. When he saw his wife, he quickly stepped behind a hedge. Jilliana must not see him dressed in his chainmail because it would raise questions he was not prepared to answer.

  She passed so closely that he could have reached out and touched her, and he wanted to, but he dared not. There could be no good-byes between the two of them, for he would always carry her in his heart.

  Through the years, Ruyen had developed a cynical attitude toward women. Loving Jilliana had restored his faith. She would leave without knowing that she took his heart with her.

  How insignificant had been his feelings for Katharine compared to the fire that raged within him when he thought of Jilliana.

  He was glad she would be safely away before war raged across the island. The best thing he had ever done for her was to let her go.

  25

  Jilliana hurried into the castle, rushing past the Great Hall. She went directly to the library and rapped on the door, fearing she might lose her courage.

  An imperious voice answered. "Enter."

  Jilliana pushed the door open and found the queen sitting near the window. Melesant motioned her forward.

  "So, you are leaving us, are you?"

  "Yes, in the morning."

  A black cat leaped upon Melesant's lap and she stroked it until the fur crackled. "It is not hard to determine that you do not treasure our hospitality, Jilliana."

  Jilliana did not bother to deny Melesant's assumption. "I am anxious to go home. I have been away from Talshamar since I was very young."

  The older woman's eyes became hard and her hand tightened on the cat, making it spit and leap from her lap. "Then you should not mind remaining with us longer."

  Jilliana made no reply.

  "Would you deny me the joy of witnessing the birth of my first grandchild?" Melesant asked.

  "Ruyen has told you about the baby?"

  "Did you think he would not?" The question was harsh. "Since coming to our island, no one could deny that you have been polite, leaving no doubt that you have been well taught in diplomacy." The regent stood, her eyes half-closed, a smile revealing even, white teeth. "Yet, you have kept your distance from me as if I were beneath you."

  Jilliana had suspected from the first that she and Ruyen's mother would one day have a confrontation. She only wished that it had not been today because she wanted to take Cassandra away with her.

  "If I have seemed distant, it is because 1 do not belong here. You were told that I married your son to benefit us both. We have done that and now I must leave."

  Melesant bent to retrieve the cat, only to have the animal hiss and slap at her. Her hand tightened about the cat's neck and she squeezed.

  Jilliana stared in horror at the cruelty she was witnessing. When she reached forward to stop her, Melesant set the limp cat at her feet and gave it a pat.

  "He will remember this," Melesant said, "and know that I am his mistress and must be obeyed."

  The feline lay still for so long that Jilliana feared it might be dead. But at last it rolled to its feet and sauntered away.

  "That," Melesant said, "is true diplomacy. Power is the only way to master those around you."

  Jilliana had never been so angry. "That was brutality. You could have killed the poor animal."

  Melesant chuckled. "I know just how far I can go. For the first time in my life, I know the feeling of strength and power, and I will use it where I must."

  Jilliana felt sickened by what she had witnessed. She must get Cassandra away from this woman. For the young girl's sake, she swallowed the bile that rose in her throat and pushed her anger aside.

  "1 was wondering if you would allow Cassandra to go with me to Talshamar? You have my pledge that she will be treated with the respect due her rank. I will further her learning and furnish her with a wardrobe. And when the times comes for her to marry, I myself shall provide her with a substantial dowry."

  Melesant swept across the room, going to the window, and tapping her toe in irritation. "You still do not understand what I have been trying to tell you. You cannot take my daughter with you because you will not be leaving this island!"

  Jilliana shook her head. "You cannot stop me!"

  "Can I not?"

  Jilliana backed toward the door, then turned with the intention of running to find Humphrey. But she encountered one of Melesant's guards, who blocked her way.

  "Move aside," she commanded. "Allow me to pass."

  Melesant came up behind her and spun her around. "The only place you are going is to your chamber. You will be locked in until you see reason."

  Jilliana knew she was looking upon the face of true evil, and she was frightened, but she must not show it.

  "Where is Ruyen? Why is he allowing you to do this to me?"

  "Did you think my son would let a prize such as you get away?" she purred. "You carry within your body the heir to Falcon Bruine, as well as Talshamar. We must see that the baby is safely delivered. The one who has possession of the child, controls both countries."

  "You are mad!"

  "Nay, my dear, only practical."

  "You would not dare do this." Terror filled Jilliana's heart. "I demand to see Ruyen at once. We had a promise between us. I kept mine, I expect him to keep his."

  "My son is otherwise occupied and has left this unpleasantness for me to dispense with."

  "Then I demand to see Humphrey."

  "I regret that your arrogant Lord Baldridge and your other knights took exception when they were informed that you would be remaining with us. There was a struggle, and those of your knights who are not dead, are chained in my dungeon."

  Jilliana's face drained of color. "You would not dare harm my Talshamarians. I will not allow such an atrocity." She turned back to the guard. "Step aside," she ordered.

  She saw indecision in the man's eyes, but knew that he would do as his own queen commanded.

  Melesant nodded. "Take her below and allow her to see the Talshamarians. But do not allow them to converse. Then take her to her chamber and lock her door."

  Jilliana glared at Melesant. "We have not finished, Madame. Think you that no one will come to rescue me? Henry, himself, will not be pleased when he hears what you have done. Whatever else he is, he is a man of his word, and he did promise me that I could return to Talshamar."

  "Henry is not king here. Know this: / say who goes and who remains. You remain!"

  Jilliana had nothing more to say to Queen Melesant. She was so frightened for her men. What if Humphrey had been injured? What if he were dead? No, she could not bear to think of that.

  She walked beside the guard, who led her through a darkened hallway, where they found steps leading down into the dark recesses of the castle.

  Down, down they went, until they reached the dank chamber where wine casks lined the walls. She was led into another chamber where torches burned and in the dim ring of light she saw men chained to the walls.

  Hurrying past da
rkened shadows that reflected ominous patterns on the rock walls, she cried out Humphrey's name. There was no reply.

  The guard stepped in front of her, barring her path. "You can go no further. You heard the queen's orders. She will not allow you to speak to them."

  He reached out to take her arm but thought better of it. He dared not lay a hand on a royal person.

  "You cannot stop me," she said, pushing past him and running forward. "Humphrey, answer me. Are you hurt?"

  The guard merely watched her, confused about what to do. He decided that Queen Melesant would never know if he allowed the Talshamarian queen to speak to her men before escorting her to her chamber.

  Jilliana was almost faint with relief when she heard Humphrey's voice.

  "Your Majesty, have they harmed you?"

  She approached him cautiously, for he was mostly in shadow. She was fearful that he had been wounded or tortured. With a quick assessment, she counted only five other knights.

  "I am not harmed, Humphrey, but what of you?"

  "Merely embarrassed, Your Majesty, for walking into a trap and being taken unaware."

  She looked into Humphrey's troubled eyes. "Where are the others?"

  "Alas, Your Majesty, I know not for certain. Everything happened so swiftly." He shook his head. "I feel shame that I was negligent in my duty toward you. We were set upon by the queen's soldiers and hardly had time to draw sword. I make no excuses; I should have known this would happen."

  "Do not blame yourself. I did not suspect Melesant's intent until it was too late. We have been betrayed."

  Humphrey's wrists and ankles were chained and she placed her hand on his, before looking at the others. Sorrowfully, she did not see Sir Edward among them and knew he had been slain.

  "Is there any hope that the others were merely wounded and are being tended elsewhere, Humphrey?"

  "I fear they perished. I, myself, saw three fall."

  Jilliana's eyes were burning and she turned to the guard who now stood beside her. "I demand that you release my men at once. If you do not, I will see that you are punished."

  "We cannot do that, Your Majesty. We should leave now, or I fear there will be reprisals."

  Humphrey's chains rattled as he tried to reach the man. "You dare not lay a hand on my queen, or I vow I will slay you with my own hands."

  "You have nothing to fear from me, noble Talshamarian. 'Twas not I who struck today. Nor would I ever harm your queen."

  He bowed to Jilliana. "We will leave now."

  Jilliana looked back at each of her knights. "Not until I see that they are not suffering from wounds that need tending."

  She looked them all over carefully, touching each hand, which drew a regretful smile. Three of them had wounds but they had been bandaged. It was little enough, but she was grateful for it all the same.

  "Will they be treated well?" she inquired of the queen's guard.

  "I know not, but I must take you to your chamber now or the queen will send someone to see what is amiss."

  "Fear not," she told her knights, "for I shall not rest until you are free. Have courage, for I'll not desert you."

  Humphrey tried to reach her, but fell back against the wall. "Be cautious, Your Majesty. Queen Melesant is corrupt."

  The guard motioned her forward. She nodded, wishing she could share the chains with her knights. She was frightened for them and angry with Ruyen and his mother.

  When they reached her chamber, Jilliana paused in the doorway and spoke to the guard. "You are not one of the queen's Castilian guards, and I have seen that you have compassion. I feel that you do not approve of what has been done to my men."

  He looked about to make certain that no one was listening. "I had no part in it, Majesty. You must know this, the men will not be kept in chains, but moved to a cell."

  That was little comfort to Jilliana. "Know you what happened to my men that were murdered?"

  "I know not, Majesty."

  She removed the ruby ring from her finger and pressed it in his hand. "Take this as payment. I beseech you to have my slain knights decently buried."

  He handed her back the ring. "I require nothing from you, Majesty. But I shall do what I can to see your men buried. You should know that I am merely a man-at-arms, and have no authority."

  "What of my ship and the captain and crew?"

  "They have already sailed."

  Jilliana could hardly believe they would leave without her. "How can that be?"

  The guard knew he was saying too much, but he felt pity for the beautiful queen. "Your captain was told that a long sea voyage at this time would be dangerous for you ... and ... the unborn child."

  "He would not believe this, knowing we were preparing to leave."

  Again she thought she saw sadness in the guard's eyes. "I witnessed the meeting between the captain and Escobar Hernandez. The minister reminded the captain that you were ill on your voyage to Falcon Bruine and he was most sympathetic and understanding. He was told that you required him to return to Talshamar and tell the people that you will be delayed."

  Jilliana felt the hopelessness of her situation. But she was not resigned to her fate. She would find a way to escape. She had to.

  "Where is my maid, Netta? Has she been harmed?"

  "I do not know, Your Majesty. You will have to ask the queen."

  "What is your name?"

  "I am Rob Gilbert, Your Majesty. Were it in my power, I would take you away from here. As it is, I will do what 1 can."

  She smiled at him and his heart gladdened, for she was as brave and beautiful as he had been told. He had heard how she had saved Prince Ruyen's life by endangering herself.

  "I have one friend here, Rob Gilbert, and I shall not forget your kindness."

  With a heavy heart, she entered her chamber. She had not considered that Ruyen would break his promise to her.

  The door closed behind her and she heard the grinding of a sliding bolt as she was locked in.

  It was the sound of betrayal, the sound of heartbreak.

  When Cassandra climbed the stairs with the intention of seeking her sister-in-law, two guards stood before the door to Jilliana's chamber and denied her entrance by her mother's orders.

  Cassandra was determined to discover why Jilliana had been imprisoned. With her heart beating wildly, she hurried down the stairs to the lower level, where Jilliana's men had been lodged. It was empty, but their equipment was still there, as if they would soon return—or as if they had left in a hurry.

  She had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. If only Ruyen were here, he would know what to do. But she did not know where to find him. He had told her only that he would be massing troops to send against their mother, and that she was to remain in the tower so she would be safe.

  Cassandra was frantic. The castle had become a fortress as her mother's troops prepared for war. The captain-at-arms would know what was happening, and she decided to pretend she was in her mother's confidence, thus gaining his trust.

  She stopped in the garden and hurriedly picked an armful of primroses so she would look like she had been out for an afternoon stroll. With slow steps, she rounded the keep and confronted the captain of the guards, a burley man with hard, mistrustful eyes.

  "Sir Arindel," she said, pretending a calm she did not feel. "Were you not surprised by what happened today?"

  "Nay, Your Highness, the queen instructed me on what was to be done as soon as she learned of Prince Ruyen's treachery."

  Cassandra was trembling with dread, but tried not to show it. "Yes, I cannot understand why my brother would go against our mother's wishes. But what was done with Queen Jilliana's men?"

  "Pity to say, Your Highness, some of them were slain, the others are in the dungeon." He looked shamefaced. "I do not keep with attacking unsuspecting men. It would have been a slaughter if I had allowed it to continue. As it was, five of them died fighting valiantly."

  She could only think of Sir Edward. Oh, pleas
e God, she thought, do not let him be among the dead.

  "I will just go to the dungeons and see the men who have survived."

  "I fear Her Majesty would never allow that. Her orders are that no one is to see the prisoners."

  "You could take me there. I am very curious."

  "I dare not, Highness."

  "Then tell me where the encounter took place. I would like to see it for myself."

  "They were lured to the walled garden, where they were told Queen Jilliana would be waiting for them. It was there we set upon them. And unless their bodies have been moved, the dead are there yet. Now if you will excuse me, Your Highness, I must see to the fortifications."

  When he turned away, Cassandra dropped her flowers and ran down the path to the walled garden, praying all the while that she would not find Sir Edward among the dead.

  Shoving the gate wide, she entered the garden and at first she saw nothing that would indicate a conflict. Moving down the yew hedges, she stood on tiptoes, and the sight that met her eyes made her feel faint. Several bodies were lying on the grass, obviously dead. She cried out when she saw that one of them was indeed Sir Edward!

  Frantically, she ran down the row of hedges until she found an opening and squeezed through. With a heartbreaking cry she fell on her knees beside Sir Edward, lifting his golden head onto her lap, her tears falling on his face.

  "Oh, please do not be dead," she cried, clutching his limp hand. She raised that hand to her lips and kissed it, then looked at it, puzzled. The hand was still warm. He could not have been dead long.

  Just then he groaned and opened his eyes. She heard footsteps coming down the path and quickly stood, withdrawing her jeweled dagger from her belt and waiting for the intruder.

  Although the man was from Falcon Bruine, he was her mother's guard. She glared at him while crying so hard that her words were coming out in gasps. "Have you no shame for what you have done?"

  The guard did not answer.

  "This man still lives, and I will not allow you to touch him. If you try, I shall drive my dagger into your heart! If my brother were here he would slay you himself."