“You will witness their demise, James. Are you sure you can handle that on your conscience?” Barret asked.
James moved forward. “There is nothing to tell.” James knew that by keeping them, and threatening them, that Crimah would only succeed in bringing about Quintus’ wrath. This would eventually be seen as proof of what Barret seemed to suspect all along. It was just a self-fulfilling prophecy, but it will still cost men their lives. “What you are doing Earl Barret is irreversible,” James warned him.
Barret reached out, grabbing the front of James’ uniform and pulled him into the bars. “Quintus brought this on himself. He never thought we would have the upper hand.” Barret pulled James in closer, so his face was crushed into the damaged bars. They creaked under the pressure of the struggle, but Barret did not fear them breaking. After a moment, he shoved James away from him, the Braykith man stumbling backwards and finally falling onto his backside.
James sat there as Barret walked away, leaving him to contemplate his own oncoming death.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Evangeline was standing in the stables, frowning as she looked into the empty pen where Tempest would usually be waiting for her. Sighing, she rested her arm on the wooden gate that was uselessly locked and closed her eyes. It had been several days since her return from Crimah, and Quintus would tell her nothing of the planning that was being held surrounding her father. She realised that she was in no place to make demands of the King. Evangeline understood that she did not have the best record when it came to her demands being met. Most of them backfired completely. Quintus would not listen to her, and Glais would not give her even the smallest of hints.
When questioned, Glais had claimed that all directions on this mission were being filtered through his brother, but Evangeline struggled to believe that Glais was being shut out as she was. Even if Baxter were in command of the operations, the details would be known by her husband. Rejected completely, there was only so much she could handle of being kept in the dark, and so instead she was stuck standing at the empty space and wondering what had become of her horse.
“Lady Evangeline.” Baxter’s cheerful voice interrupted her.
Hiding her cringe, she stepped back from the gate and smoothed over her dress. They would never come to friendly terms, but that did not mean Evangeline would be rude to his face. Quintus was a man who cared for appearances, and since she had done so much to anger the King recently, it seemed almost suicidal to turn against his other son even if she believed he deserved it just for the harassment. “Prince Baxter. How are you today?” She asked, wishing he would disappear.
Baxter smirked. “Oh I am doing quite well, but I do have some concerns regarding my brother.”
Evangeline put her hands behind her back and tried not to roll her eyes. “I know you hold no real concerns for Glais, so what could you have to say that is meant to cause a reaction from me?” She asked.
“I believe the ordinary men call it blue balls.” Baxter watched her intently hoping to see a blush, but Evangeline did not seem to be affected by the news. “You know how people love to gossip.”
“I am well aware of the gossip Baxter. It seems all of my actions are an offence to someone.” Evangeline made to walk past him, but he stepped into her path. Evangeline crossed her arms under her bust before realising how it changed her figure. Not wanting Baxter to think she was making attempts to lure him, she let them drop to her side. “Glais has no reason to complain.”
Baxter laughed, short and barking before taking a step forward. “You were right the first time Evangeline. It isn’t Glais I am worried about.” Baxter smirked, but Evangeline refuse to back away from him. Baxter put a hand on her hip, and still she stood firm. “So, how are you, Eva? Really?”
Knowing that the stable boys would be no help to her, Evangeline was preparing to be the pillar of silence that unnerved the people of Braykith so much when she heard the rush of horse’s hooves coming towards the barn’s back doors. A thunderous sound of animal noises warned the people inside before the doors were flung open. Evangeline spun to the intrusion and found Tempest standing in the morning sun.
Evangeline cried out in surprise and Baxter swore at the horse's unexpected entrance. Even when the beast was nowhere to be seen, it somehow managed to ruin his attempts to woo Evangeline.
Tempest was tired and riderless which Evangeline did not notice in her rush to meet her animal friend. She did not pause once reunited with Tempest. Her hand ran along the dapple-grey mare’s muscular neck and over her shoulders. She did not seem injured and for that Evangeline was relieved.
Baxter was slower in his approach. Tempest had never been secretive of her dislike for the younger Prince. She might be tired and struggling to stay standing now, but Baxter was not willing to risk himself. “Where did she come from?”
“Clearly, she ran free of the soldiers returning from Crimah,” Evangeline answered without putting much thought into it.
Baxter shook his head. “No.” He gestured to Tempest’s back, forcing Evangeline to knowledge the obvious. “She has no saddle or reins Eva.” Evangeline stood back to actually look at Tempest as Baxter continued to point out all the signs she had missed., Evangeline was simply relieved to see her horse again. “She is missing all of her equipment, and the soldiers would not leave that behind. No one has a use for the riding tools we craft here besides those who tame the Braykith horses.” Baxter frowned, running his hand over the animals’ side. “She is tired and malnourished. Not enough for serious concern but it should be sufficient to warn her rider.” Baxter rose an eyebrow in Evangeline’s direction. It was condescending, but Baxter had made his point.
Evangeline swallowed hard, feeling terrible for not noticing these things herself. Baxter moved around her and grabbed Tempests’ face and brought her down to eye level. “She has seen something. She fled in fear. Her body trembles from exhaustion and emotion.” Baxter stroked down her face and over her nose. Tempest had so little strength she couldn’t protest him, but Baxter knew the mare still did not like him touching her. It seemed cruel to take advantage of her fatigue. “Eva, take Tempest to her stall. Something is very wrong in Crimah.” Baxter went away quickly back towards the castle.
Evangeline spun quickly. “Wait.” She called out, and Baxter shocked her by stopping. “If there is something wrong in Crimah, shouldn’t I come with you?”
Baxter laughed. “And what will you contribute Eva?” he asked her, shaking his head. “No, stay here with your horse and make sure she had fresh food and drink.” He chuckled again, muttering something about silly women, before taking off at a brisk pace. Evangeline was too stunned by his response to move quickly, and it was Tempest who got her moving again.
Leading the horse to her stall, Evangeline closed the gate behind her and went to find the stable boys to tend to the horse. They came running in through the back door, to slow to keep up with the demanding pace of Tempest even in her distressed state. Evangeline was quick to instruct them on chores they were already tending to and was then left with nothing to do. Feeling useless, Evangeline planned to escape the barn when she heard the approaching footsteps of a group of men.
Slipping behind the barn’s great doors, Evangeline hid and hoped to overhear the conversation. She was not surprised to find Quintus and Baxter leading the group, but it was interesting that Glais was not present. Perhaps he had been telling her the truth when Glais had said he was being left out of the loop of information. Evangeline had been mocked once for daring to judge the king and his actions today, and she did not feel like being mocked with a larger audience.
Baxter had to rush to keep up with his father’s longer strides, but no one seemed to notice it as much as Evangeline did. She very rarely saw Quintus except at meals and occasionally when she sought him out herself. Just as she had been the first night, Evangeline was taken back by how alike he seemed to Glais and yet the opposite to Baxter. They were as different as night and day, Baxter’s s
hort red gold hair contrasting with the long black strands of his father was an image Evangeline felt she would never stop being fascinated by.
Of course, the casual interactions she was accustomed to from seeing the King at breakfast were gone. Very rarely did she see him in any kind of official way, although it was not out of disrespect, but rather Quintus’ efforts to be welcoming and overly familiar with her. Regardless of that, she was not surprised to realise that he felt dangerous. It wasn’t something she could define, but the air was wild with his aura, and a touchable electricity was caught up in the air around him. Evangeline felt too threatened to expose herself from her hiding place with just a slight glance in her direction.
“She arrived alone?” Quintus asked, stopping to see Tempest but did not see anything that seemed particularly useful.
“Yes. And at great speed. She even spooked the other horses.” Baxter had lost all manner of joking and teasing. And Evangeline wished she could see this side of him more. She appreciated the serious Baxter over his flirty counterpart.
Quintus nodded. “Saddle your horses and head to Crimah.” He stopped Baxter from leaving, a hand on his arm to keep his youngest son with him while the five guards gathered their riding gear. “I sent a raven to Barret days ago and have received no word in return. Be on your guard Baxter. I can no longer be confident that he is on our side.”
Baxter nodded. “Of course father.” He walked away, and Quintus watched him for a moment before heading back the way he had come. Evangeline took advantage of the chaos of the men preparing their rides to slip out of the barn.
She was not aware that there had been tension between Baxter and the King of Braykith. Now, with Tempest returning with no gear of her own, Evangeline was genuinely scared of what Baxter might find once he got to her homeland. She stopped along the path and looked back to the barn. How Evangeline wished to go with them. Biting her bottom lip, knowing that no one will ever give her the option to go, she instead watched as the six Braykith men emerged.
Small packs on their backs told Evangeline they planned to stop and rest like one should when making the trip and yet Evangeline often felt frustrated doing. It would be a few days before the men arrived at Crimah, and then more days would pass before she would learn of what they found there. The prospect of that made her stomach turn, and a flare of anxiety made Evangeline’s knees weak.
“You came to see me off?” Baxter’s voice hit her just as a swirl of nausea rushed through her.
She turned to face him, hating the way he never seemed to take no for an answer and took liberties with their proximity. Although he was yet to be as forward as he had been in the past, Evangeline was always careful never to be left alone with him too often. She could not trust Glais to interrupt him every time he tried to force himself upon her. “I didn’t come here for you.”
Baxter smiled, adjusting the bag on his back. “It’s ok.” He leant in close. Evangeline stood still, not moving and barely breathing as his lips flickered over her skin as he spoke. “No one will tell Glais.” He moved back and Evangeline wished she had the courage to slap him.
“Your father has sent you to Crimah.” She said abruptly, although Evangeline knew that it was a useless change of subject. Baxter would turn anything to his advantage.
“You were in the stable?” he asked her and when she refused an answer Baxter chuckled at her. “You were never good at playing by the rules.” He looked her over, his eyes lazy in their focus. Evangeline felt exposed even though she was fully dressed in thick fabrics. “You’ll come to break them all one of these days. I just need to prove it to you.”
“Prove what to me?” Evangeline asked. She crossed her arms over her chest to hide them from Baxter even though she knew the sensation of being nude was just an illusion. “If Glais was suddenly married to Wick, your vows of desire will run to her without a second glance.”
Baxter laughed, soft and intimate, not the usual obnoxious sound he used. “I suppose that is something we will never have to contemplate.” Baxter moved in as if to kiss her, but before his lips could find her cheek, Evangeline turned her head from him. He smirked in response. “Father trusted me with this mission Eva. Doesn’t that say anything?”
Evangeline paused, looking to the small band of men who would accompany him to Crimah. She pressed her lips together as they made jokes with each other, just out of earshot but their body language was obvious to Evangeline. They did not think Crimah was dangerous. She knew immediately that Baxter would agree with his men. If a Prince felt casual about this encounter with Crimah’s Earl, then she would feel confident believing Quintus felt the same.
“It says, Baxter, that your father wants to send a message.” She agreed and saw him grin. “But he isn’t willing to waste the time of his eldest son.”
The grin dropped instantly, and this time when he stepped towards her Evangeline did flinch. She expected him to lash out at her but instead Baxter just took up her personal space. “Father trusts me to neutralise, not antagonise, an old man.” He spat the words out as if they left a sour taste in his mouth. Staring down at her, Evangeline only barely managed to meet his eyes before Baxter turned to join his men.
Needing to be inside she returned to the castle and was instantly found by Glais. Of all the men, this was not the one she wanted to see, and yet she had no choice but to acknowledge him.
“Glais. Why aren’t you going to Crimah?” She stopped, and Glais only just managed to hide the cringe at her accusation.
He glanced down the hall one way and then another before he gestured that she follow him. Still, she hated to be alone with Glais, and while Evangeline had not been so actively avoiding him, she was weary of being seen. She was tempted to refuse but relented after a moment of hesitation. Evangeline decided it would not be good for this new relationship she was attempting to create with him if she refused, so dutifully she followed her husband to the library.
Glais closed the door behind her and waited while Evangeline took a seat. He followed her lead, taking the place near her but never sitting too close because he would never forget how she feared him. Any trick he could use to his advantage in appearing less intimidating, Glais would use it. “As I told you before Evangeline, Father has decided that Baxter is a better fit for this particular mission.”
Evangeline nodded. “Considering the last time you met Barret, perhaps it is wise.”
“I was saving you Evangeline.” Glais reminded her. “He clearly meant to kill you, perhaps even after the Dryad’s told him it would not bring Thea back from Xado’s gates.”
Evangeline shook her head, realising how coarse her voice sounded, and how easy Glais would read her words as being confrontation when she was merely anxious. “I meant, you are the future King of Braykith. Your life is more valuable to the King than Baxter’s.”
“I wish I could agree with you, Evangeline. However, my father has removed me from Crimah’s affairs out of fear of you.” Glais sighed, not surprised at the look of shock she had on her face when he mentioned it. “My father fears you are too impulsive and had openly warned me against giving into your demands.”
“Impulsive?” she repeated, but Glais said nothing and she was forced to consider the facts as she knew them. She did suppose that she had been quick to react to the news of her mother dying. She had done nothing to prepare for the trip and had caused great harm to Glais’ horses, as well as the others in their group who had been left behind. Bowing her head, she nodded and finally agreed with the King’s assessment of her character. “I shall become a terrible Queen.”
Glais started to reach out to comfort her, but stopped abruptly and let his hand fall uselessly on his lap. “I never said I did not understand your actions,” Glais murmured, and Evangeline looked to him, half of her face hidden by her hair as she watched him. “But we must be more careful.”
“We?” Evangeline asked with a sceptical note in her voice that Glais couldn’t help but smile at.
“Ye
s, we. I know you have been working hard on distancing yourself from me, but in my heart, we are in this together. I simply wish you could learn to trust me like I trust you.” He reached for her hand, and she let him take it. “Father has reminded me that you are replaceable.”
Evangeline nodded. “So the rumours are true?”
Glais frowned. “I assumed this would be news to you, and had been looking for the right time to approach you on it.”
Evangeline shook her head. “Thomas warned me months ago.” She did not elaborate, but Glais wished she would. Her direct relationship with Thomas seemed as unsteady as his own, however not in the same way. She confided in Thomas and Glais wanted Evangeline would find the same comforts in him.
“I see. Well, I can confirm that while my father is not actively petitioning for a new wife, he is certainly thinking about it.” Glais released her hand, and Evangeline gratefully took it back. “I suppose that might be a little extreme. I want to believe that he is just concerned and giving me a fright in hopes it will motivate me.” Glais paused because somewhere he wasn’t entirely sure that he understood his own feelings regarding the entire situation. “I will admit to you Evangeline, and to you alone, that I actually fear who he might find to replace you.”
Evangeline blinked at him, surprised by the tenderness. She turned away from him, embarrassed to be caught out and found herself looking out of the window and into the courtyard. Instantly she remembered this was the greatest trick Glais knew. A monster who could play human better than anyone. “Surely you do not mean that.”
“But I do.” Glais fell to his knees before her, and Evangeline nervously glanced around, embarrassed by his dramatic gesture. They were alone in the library, but it did not mean that she welcoming him any more than she did before. “We are not perfect, And I realise this is mostly due to my past actions that caused us to falter, but Evangeline I cannot imagine finding someone new to experience this world with.”
Delusions of Loyalty (The Braykith Series Book 2) Page 16
