The thought of love drew his mind to Princess Alecia, though it had been one way with her: his love and admiration against her worship of Vard Anton. The two times they had kissed stood large in his memory. Alecia could have loved Ramón in the right circumstances. She had professed to love the previous squire, Jorge, but he had been killed by mercenaries. Ramon had his suspicions that the murderers had been hired by Prince Zialni. He had never told Alecia of his notions. She had her own way of dealing with the killers, tracking them down one by one and dispatching them.
Awe inspiring! No wonder I love her. And here am I, cooped up in this damned castle while Anton makes free with the woman who should be mine! If only he had stopped them from escaping when he had the power; instead, he had allowed Alecia’s pleading lilac eyes to sway him and now it was too late. No! It was not too late. Somehow he would shake off the duty that kept him tied to Brightcastle and by then his sword skills would be equal to the infamous Captain Vard Anton. Calm descended upon him as he imagined the kidnapper breathing his gurgling last.
“Are you well?” Benae asked of the man who escorted her. He had made no attempt to converse and the silence grew wearying.
“Yes, lady, I am quite all right.” He frowned. “I must apologize for the behavior of Princess Avalin. The damage to your dress was deliberate.”
“Of that I am well aware, squire, but you are not responsible for her actions.”
“Still, you are under my care.”
“At least I know what I can expect from her now.”
The squire’s jaw tensed. What ate at him?
“Forgive me if I pry, Squire Ramón, but you seem out of sorts. Have I done something to offend you?”
“No lady.” He averted his gaze but there had been something, a flash of shadow that told her he hid deep feelings about something. It would be fun getting inside his head.
They reached the base of the central staircase and he grasped her elbow to help her up the stairs. The touch sent a thrill right through her and she covered her gasp with a cough. Her heart beat a rapid tattoo and she concentrated on her breathing to bring her emotions back under control. This was all wrong. She was usually the cause of these feelings not the sufferer; and this man seemed completely unaffected by her.
When they reached her room, Ramón opened the door. “I will wait here, lady,” he said, closing the door on her after she had stepped through.
Benae stared at the closed door, unable to believe he had all but shut the door in her face. He could not have expressed more eloquently his lack of desire for her company. But who could blame him? She was here to win the hand of Ramón’s master, not to have a fling with the delectable squire. A shiver ran from the base of her skull to her core at the thought of those strong hands, those sensuous lips on her body.
“Lady Benae,” her maid said, as she came though from her quarters that adjoined Benae’s sleeping room. “Why are you returned so early? Oh…” Merel came forward to examine the damage to the back of Benae’s dress. “Your favorite gown! I’ll help you into a new one and mend this right away. How would the black satin with the golden lace suit? You can still wear the emerald choker and tiara.”
“That would do well, Merel.” Benae could have kissed the woman for not asking how the damage had been done to her gown. Her young maid would hold her own in any of the royal courts and, besides that, was a source of support and advice to Benae.
In moments, Benae was attired in the new gown, golden lace over black satin, which left her shoulders bare and displayed a tempting amount of cleavage. Let us see how that chit Avalin deals with this dress. Not to mention the squire. Benae shook her head. Really. She should be beyond such silly thoughts. She was twenty-six, a woman of the world and head of her own estate, though the reason she was leader there still caused her endless sadness.
She pulled her thoughts from the past and squared her shoulders. “Thank you, Merel. That will be all for tonight.” Benae opened the door and stepped into the hall.
Ramon straightened from where he had been leaning against the balustrade. He struggled to control the lust that swept through his loins at the sight of the breathtaking woman who had just stepped from her room. Flickering candles in the wall sconces leant her an air of mystery. He clamped the urges back where they belonged -- shut away. He had no right eyeing her this way.
She paused and her gaze speared him though it was too dark to see her eyes. He would need to be made of stone not to be affected by her -- so petite yet fiery enough to handle the million-and-one details an estate owner must tackle. He knew only too well what it took to care for property and people.
“Let us hasten to the dining room, lady,” Ramón said, guiding her towards the stairs. “They will be waiting for us.”
She touched his hand. “What has you so irritable, squire?”
“You misinterpret my mood, lady.”
“I do not.”
Ramon drew a deep breath. Very well, she has asked the question. “I do not understand why you would put yourself in the position of competing with others for the hand of the prince.” There, it is out, done.
“Oh, really?” Now Lady Benae’s fiery emerald eyes made him rethink his words. Did she never wonder how her actions would appear to others?
“Yes, my lady. You have your own estate and I can see you are intelligent. Why would you stoop…” Ramón stopped as he realized he might have gone too far.
“I do not believe my motivations should be a matter for public speculation.”
“No, lady, forgive me.”
They continued to the dining hall in silence. The sooner he was out of Brightcastle and on the road to finding Alecia the better.
The impact Benae made on entering the dining room was nothing short of satisfying. Avalin’s jaw dropped and Jiseve immediately leapt up, stalked across to Benae and drew her to the seat on his right at the table. It made up for how annoyed she was by Ramón’s judgement of her.
Benae hoped she might be free of Ramón’s company at dinner. He was far too much of a distraction. However, there were six places set at the candlelit table. The squire sat between Avalin and Lella on the other side of the table. If Ramón had been beside her, she might have been able to keep her eyes from him. He is not for you. She steeled herself to ignore him while she was with Jiseve.
Once Benae and the squire were seated, Prince Zialni rose. Glass of ruby wine in hand, he gazed at each of his guests in turn. Oh, how he loves the spotlight! Perhaps there was not so much sadness after all. Perhaps he was coldly seeking to fill his bed with a warm woman. If that was the case, why had he not advertised for a wife sooner? His wife had been dead four years and it was said that he had never been seen with another woman since Princess Iona breathed her last. Until now.
“With the arrival of Lady Benae, our party is complete,” the prince said. “I will not hide my delight at having you all here under my roof but there is a serious reason underlying your visits.”
Benae cast a surreptitious glance at Ramón to find his eyes downcast and jaw tense. From where did his disapproval stem? He clearly believed this contest for the prince’s hand to be beneath herself and the princesses. Why? For some reason, his disapproval unsettled her. She shook the thought away and returned her attention to the prince.
“I find myself without an heir when I had thought my plans set.” Now it was Jiseve Zialni’s jaw that clenched. “You all know how important that heir will be to this kingdom. My brother cannot rule forever and has no children. I am next in line for the throne but only a son, not a daughter, can be heir. I had thought perhaps a grandson would solve the problem, but it is not to be. And so I come to the reason for your collective visit. From amongst you I will choose my bride and she will bear me a son, or sons, to ensure Thorius remains in Zialni hands. My nephew Piotr--” The prince bit his lower lip as though he had nearly said too much. Benae guessed there was no love lost between the two.
“My decision will be made in all haste for
I have already let too many years slip by since the death of my beloved Iona. So raise your glasses.” Everyone at the table followed his words with action. “To your very good health, my beautiful guests.”
As Benae toasted the others, her gaze fell upon Avalin. If looks could kill, Benae would be lying dead at the ice princess’s feet. Oh yes, Avalin had identified her main competition. Before Benae’s arrival, the Tylevian princess must have thought her position secure, though why she would discount the younger women, Benae could not say. But then Benae had not been present to witness the interactions between the prince and his guests.
The kitchen staff arrived to serve the first course, which was pheasant, served in a broth with fresh white bread.
“Please give praise, Squire Ramón,” Jiseve said.
Ramon stood and Benae closed her eyes to concentrate on his velvety voice as he spoke the blessing. His deep love of the Goddess was apparent in the heartfelt way he said the prayer. These seemed not just empty platitudes for Ramón, but a core part of his being. It struck a chord within Benae who had been raised to worship all that was the Goddess.
Their eyes met as Ramón resumed his seat and Benae smiled. He did not return her smile but turned and engaged Lella in conversation. Nothing could have better reminded her of her earlier resolve. Jiseve was the reason she was here, not Ramón, as delectable as the blond squire was with his azure gaze she could so easily lose herself in. She turned to the equally compelling sapphire eyes of the prince.
Jiseve reached for her hand and squeezed it. “Please go ahead and begin, lady. The pheasant was freshly killed this morning.”
He watched as she sliced a piece from the bird in front of her and placed it in her mouth. The meat had a strong, gamey taste but was tender and delicious. She licked the salty broth from her lips. The prince mimicked her gesture and his throat moved in a sudden spasm, his pupils dilated, his breathing quickened. He is enjoying my little game! She raised her glass.
“Your good health, Highness,” Benae said, tapping her glass against his, the musical note of the crystal ringing around the table. This was almost too easy.
Avalin went on the attack.
“Lady Branasar, how many people live on your little estate?”
“Five hundred, give or take,” Benae said. “Surely you would know that, as your father is my king.”
Avalin’s pale cheeks flushed. “Oh…you are of the Tylevian Branasars. I should have realized.” Avalin flushed a deeper shade of red as she fell from one blunder into another.
“What of Tylevia, Princess Avalin?” Benae said, pinning Avalin with her interrogator’s stare. “What are your responsibilities there?”
Avalin turned her gaze on Jiseve who appeared to be enjoying the rivalry between the ladies to either side of him. “I have a myriad of responsibilities. Suffice to say I am well aware of the duties of the head of a household,” then looking to Benae, “Lady Benae.”
Benae narrowed her eyes at Avalin. She was not sure where this was heading but she had a feeling a change of topic was a good idea. Just then, Princess Lella piped up.
“I’ve been schooled by my tutors from a young age to run a kingdom,” Lella said, “even though I have four brothers who will rule before I ever do. We still have ruling queens in Brevisten, you see. My mother and father are joint rulers.”
Prince Zialni seemed not best pleased to be reminded of the differences between kingdoms. “I don’t believe any wife of mine will be called upon to undertake the duties of a ruler. Iona was content to run our household and care for myself and our daughter. That is all I would ask.”
Avalin seemed content, while Lella’s pale-blue eyes were troubled. Marey sat across from the squire and seemed lost in contemplation of him. As for Benae, she resolutely kept her gaze on the prince, well, mostly.
“Prince Zialni--” Benae said.
“Please, call me Jiseve.”
“Jiseve, surely there are other traits, other skills you would seek in a wife?”
Avalin sniggered but Benae ignored her.
“My wife must have grace and beauty, she must be young enough to bear children and she must have good taste and discretion.”
Well, that left Marey out of the race. The Issian princess was still gazing at the squire. For all Benae knew, the girl was probably playing footsies under the table with Ramón. She tried to ignore the spike of jealousy that thought provoked.
“Jiseve, surely you wish your wife to have a mind of her own, to be able to converse and to be a stimulating companion,” Benae said.
Avalin sniggered again. “I’m sure Jiseve has found me to be a most ‘stimulating’ companion over the past two weeks.”
Jiseve smiled indulgently at Avalin.
Benae’s eyebrows climbed her forehead. Of all the words Benae would have used to describe Avalin, she never would have imagined the princess to be so saucy. Perhaps she needed to reappraise the title of ‘ice princess’. Had Avalin already slept with Jiseve? What is the true state of affairs here?
Jiseve turned to Benae. His eyes burned into hers, creating a private moment between them. Benae’s stomach tightened and desire trickled through her lower abdomen. Oh my, he is seducing me in front of Avalin!
“I’m sure you have all the attributes I could possibly want in a companion,” he murmured. He caught her hand and kissed her fingers.
A chair scraped across the floor and they turned to find Ramón standing at his place. “If you’ll excuse me, Your Highness, ladies, I’ll take my leave.”
“You will stay,” Prince Zialni said. “You must help me attend to the needs of these fine ladies.”
Ramón frowned.
“Do you have a problem with that, squire?” Jiseve’s voice held an undercurrent of menace.
The implied threat brought the previous conversation about Jiseve’s harsh treatment of his daughter and the common folk back to Benae. Perhaps there really was a dark underside to life in this castle. Or maybe I should concentrate on my plan and stop looking for problems. After all, the situation on Benae’s estate was desperate and Jiseve could offer a solution that would benefit both of them.
Ramón shook his head. “No, Your Highness.” He resumed his seat as the main meal was delivered.
Benae sent a smoldering look to her prince. She could almost taste victory. Soon she would be mistress of Brightcastle and her people could embrace a future free of the dark elven menace and of starvation.
Ramón watched as the prince swept Benae from the table and onto the small wooden dance floor. Will this evening never end? He had other things in mind for tonight, like meeting up with one of his mercenary spies, but what did the whim of Ramón Zorba matter beside the desires of the prince. And ‘desires’ was the right word. As the two lute players plucked out a sedate court tune, the prince steered Benae around the small dance floor, her body held close to his, his lips moving as though he whispered endearments. Even Ramón could see that his employer was different with Benae than he was with the rest of the candidates. He was smitten, and no wonder. She was enchanting, with her flashing green eyes, full sensuous lips and perfect form. Any man would kill just to have her in his arms. He almost choked on his wine. Where had that thought come from?
He scraped his chair back and asked Marey to dance. The youngest princess giggled her response and he swept her onto the dance floor beside Benae and the prince. Benae had her eyes closed as she was guided around the floor. Perhaps the attraction was mutual and the lady had fallen under Zialni’s spell. He was handsome for an older man and he had wealth and power. These seemed important to Benae. Anger welled up within him and he crushed Marey to his body without knowing what he did. She squeaked and he gazed down upon her. Marey was young, perhaps eighteen. She could not have any experience with men and here she was being offered up to Prince Zialni as a brood mare.
He shook his head. “What are you doing here, princess?”
Her wide, brown eyes gazed back at him. “What do you mean, squ
ire? You know the purpose of my visit.”
“You should be safe in your palace, entertaining the young men of your court, not here vying for the hand of a man old enough to be your father.”
Marey smiled a ‘come hither’ smile that shocked Ramón to his core. “Are you jealous that the ‘old’ prince receives all the attention squire? Perhaps you and I could meet later and you could attend to my ‘needs’. The prince has asked you to do so. Did you not take note?”
Ramón choked as breath rushed into his chest. Not so innocent then, or she was playing a damned convincing game. He coughed and pushed her back from his body, completing the dance at arm’s length. They returned to their seats and Prince Zialni began dancing with Princess Lella.
Ramon’s eyes met Benae’s across the table. “Please join me in a dance, lady.” Before Marey could raise her pretty blonde brows, Ramón was beside Benae and pulling her into his arms for a lively court dance that soon became a waltz. She moved well and she was so tiny, barely reaching his shoulder, but her body was formed of hard muscle from her horse- riding. It was a heady mix of soft feminine curves and toned flesh, but he should not be thinking like this. He took a deep breath.
“What is amiss, Ramón? You are quite pale.” Her lovely eyes shone up at him and he was seized by a strong urge to kiss her full lips. He fought it down.
“Princess Marey propositioned me,” he said.
Benae laughed. “The Issians are a precocious people. Their girls are first bedded at fifteen so by Marey’s age they are experienced in the ways of the bedroom.”
Ramón stared. When would he ever understand women? Why did they not save themselves so that the giving of their virginity meant something? He had been saving himself for Alecia since he had first seen her the evening of her debut at Wildecoast. And Alecia had chosen Anton, a man so unworthy of her it took his breath away. After a month on the road with Vard, Alecia’s good name was surely ruined but he would forgive her mistake, take her back and she would be his first and only partner. He would show her that his devotion had no bounds. His manhood stirred at the thought. It had nothing to do with the lovely woman in his arms.
Princess Avenger - Brightcastle Saga Book 1 Page 21
