The Unfading Lands The Complete Set
Page 35
“Miss Mary.” Ryle greeted quietly.
Arnos glanced up and he briefly smiled in welcome. “Good to see you, Captain.” Using Ryle’s newest title, he turned back to Elizabeth’s wound and continued changing out her bandages.
“What can you tell us, Arnos?” Ryle asked.
“Well, the bleeding has finally stopped. And that is a big thing in itself. She has lost quite a bit of blood, poor thing.” Arnos gently tucked and weaved the bandages so they would not come untied and then slowly pulled the covers back over Elizabeth. “She broke her fever a few hours ago too.”
“She did?” Clifton asked, hope lighting up his face.
Arnos held up a hand to calm his enthusiasm. “Yes, but that doesn’t mean anything at this point really. Sometimes the body begins to act better before it takes a turn for the worst.”
“No. She is getting better.” Clifton stated, placing a kiss on Elizabeth’s hand.
Arnos eyed him carefully. “We all hope so, Prince.”
Ryle stepped closer and lightly laid a hand on Elizabeth’s shoulder. His mouth held a straight line as he struggled to think of a way to describe Elizabeth’s condition to Alayna. How would he break the news if she passed?
“Did the queen come?” Arnos asked looking around the room.
Ryle shook his head. “The Northern Kingdom is much too unstable for her to make a trip just yet. I am to report back to her as soon as possible.”
“She did not come?” Clifton asked curiously.
“She couldn’t, Cliff. You know she would have if possible.”
Clifton shook his head. His obvious anger at the circumstances making his thoughts poison towards anyone who did not seem to grasp the gravity of the situation. “She is the queen and most importantly, her sister. She should be here.”
“The Northern Kingdom is recovering, much like the East. Her presence is needed there. She knows Elizabeth is well looked after here, by you. There would be nothing for her to do here but worry. At least in the North she can worry while also helping the kingdom recover.” Ryle answered.
“Spoken like a true Captain.” Arnos stated as he eased off of the bed and slipped the extra bandages into a basket by the bed. “I’m afraid there is nothing more I can do for now, Prince. We must see how she sleeps.”
Clifton nodded soberly as he turned back to Elizabeth and studied her face. He lightly brushed her bangs from her forehead as she slept. She breathed deeply, the slow rise and fall of her chest making him nervous. His eyes drawn to the small movement in hopes that it would continue throughout the day and night. He heard the chamber door close and only Ryle remained.
“Alayna has sent word to the West. I imagine Prince Isaac will be here within the next couple of days.” Ryle reported.
“Yes, he would want to be here.” Clifton answered.
“Is that alright?” Ryle asked.
Clifton turned to him and shrugged. “Why would it not be?”
“Because he cares for Elizabeth.” Ryle pointed out.
“Yes, he does. They have a friendship I only hope to obtain with her.”
“Friendship? You think Prince Isaac has friendship on his mind when he is with Elizabeth?” Ryle asked in disbelief. “Come now, Cliff. Surely you can see he is in love with her.”
Clifton’s back straightened. “Yes, well that does not matter, because she is my wife. Prince Isaac can feel how he wishes, but nothing changes the fact Elizabeth is unobtainable for him now.”
“Are you so sure?” Ryle asked.
Clifton dropped Elizabeth’s hand and stood quickly in defense. “Yes. What are you trying to say, Ryle? You think Elizabeth’s heart belongs to Isaac?”
“No. I’m just saying that their friendship is—odd. And I can see the look in Prince Isaac’s eyes when he is with her, and friendship is not what I see.”
“Isaac respects her. He respects me.” Clifton barked. “He would never compromise my marriage, and he certainly would not risk harming Elizabeth’s reputation or happiness.”
“I’m just trying to prepare you, brother. If Isaac arrives, he will not take kindly to lingering upon the side during her recovery.” Ryle explained.
“He can do as he wishes as long as it helps her heal.” Clifton slid back into the chair next to Elizabeth and lightly tugged her blankets up further. Ryle shook his head. His brother could not see past his current dilemma. Ryle knew Isaac would arrive as soon as he possibly could, and he also knew the prince of the West would overstep his place in regard to Elizabeth. That’s how Isaac was after all. Selfish. Though his actions in the battle with the South proved heroic, he also knew deep down that the prince’s true colors could not change so quickly. He imagined him easily slipping back into his old lifestyle quite willingly. Were it anyone else on death’s doorstep, Ryle imagined the prince would not bat an eye. But Elizabeth… yes, Prince Isaac would arrive quickly. And Ryle hoped his brother would become more cautious of the threat of Isaac’s relationship with Elizabeth.
∞
Isaac teetered in his saddle, the movement jerking his body awake and forcing him to focus on the trail before him. He caught the amused gaze of one of his guards at having witnessed the prince almost fall out of his saddle. “Don’t be so smug, Andrew.” He mumbled to the man. The guard’s smile widened as he nodded and flicked his reins to pull ahead of the prince towards the front of the caravan. He should be arriving soon, Isaac thought. They had cleared the bridge crossing into King Abner’s Realm a few hours prior and he knew it was less than half a day’s journey to the castle. King Abner, ruler of the valley lands, had sent a personal invitation to the Prince of the West. Isaac had hoped to remain in his own kingdom for a few days of rest before journeying out, but his father insisted Isaac make the trip. “Seven daughters, Isaac. Take your pick.” His father’s enthusiasm at a potential mate for his son blinded him of the fact Isaac was not actively seeking a bride. Isaac shrugged the thought away. Seven daughters. If anything, the trip could provide much pleasure. He tried to muster the excitement of beautiful princesses seeking his attentions, but it didn’t come. He rubbed a roughened palm over his face and groaned at his own misfortune. His mind was only on one princess at the moment, and she was married. Not only was she married to another man, but a man he considered a friend. If Isaac did not feel like a scalawag before, he certainly did at that thought and berated himself for even thinking of Elizabeth. This trip would be good for him. He would step out of the Realm of King Granton… or now, the Realm of the future Queen Alayna, and wash away his thoughts of Elizabeth. A purging of sorts, he thought. Then when he travelled back to the West, his mind and heart could focus elsewhere. On his own kingdom. On his own potential bride if things went successfully here in Abner’s court.
The archway into Abner’s kingdom was the grandest entrance Isaac had ever laid eyes on. The smooth stone statues of knights guarding the castle gates were just as intimidating as the real ones that surveyed from the towers. Well protected from enemies, Isaac thought, his eyes travelling over the busy marketplace. Several peasants stopped and watched as his caravan of red and gold colors passed through the streets. He smirked as several young maidens’ eyes widened at the sight of the prince from the West. He flashed a charming smile to everyone and offered a few waves as he progressed towards the castle. When his guards approached the gate to the main entrance, the heavily, iron clad doors opened, and Isaac’s eyes lit up with pleasure at the sight of such splendor. Servants, attendants, and guards lined the stairs and walkways leading up to the castle doors. And standing at the top was King Abner, his wife, Queen Nora, and seven extremely beautiful daughters varying in age. Isaac pulled the reins of his horse and dismounted. He inhaled a deep breath before rounding the side of his horse and climbing the marble stairs. When he reached the king, he bowed to his knee, hand over his heart.
“Rise, my dear prince.” King Abner’s gravelly voice had Isaac rising to his feet to meet a warm smile in a weathered face. “Prince Isaac of
the Western Kingdom, we are pleased to have you with us.” Abner extended his arm in welcome.
“Thank you for the invitation, your Grace.” Isaac replied. He offered a slight bow to the queen and then turned to see all the nervous faces of Abner’s daughters staring back at him. He knew he was an attractive sort, he had been told many times growing up that he was a handsome child and now man. But dressed in his finest apparel, his pelt of the white wolf slung over his shoulder and the crimson tunic fitted to his broad shoulders, Prince Isaac knew he made a lasting impression. It was not ego, he told himself, it was just fact. He smiled at the line of princesses.
“My daughters.” King Abner walked towards the girls and gently laid his hands on his eldest. “Katarina, my eldest.” Isaac bowed politely as she curtsied. Her dark hair spilled down her shoulders almost to her waist, and her brown eyes held a kindness and silent confidence that Isaac found intriguing.
“Elora.” Abner continued to the next in line and the daughter curtsied and smiled. Isaac felt Katarina’s gaze following him as he made his way down the line of sisters one by one. When he turned to make his way back towards the queen, he caught Katarina’s pleased gaze and nodded his acknowledgment. A small smirk tilted her lips as her father took his place beside her.
“I trust your travels went well?”
“Yes, my Lord. Very. You have beautiful lands.”
“Aye, indeed. I am sorry to hear of the misfortune in your own realm. King Granton was a dear friend and ally. I am sorry to hear of his passing.”
Isaac nodded stoically. “Yes. His absence has been quite hard on the realm. But his daughter, Princess Alayna, has easily and successfully filled his shoes. I have high hopes.”
Abner forced a polite smile. “We will talk more, Prince Isaac. In the meantime, please allow my servants to guide you to your chambers where you may rest until dinner.”
Isaac bowed. “Thank you, my Lord.” Isaac flashed another charming smile at the queen and princesses before turning to head down the stairs. He sensed King Abner’s slight disapproval at his words regarding Alayna, and he wondered why. A warning bell rang in Isaac’s mind, and he mentally decided to take a strong note on the matter, and to read into the king’s thoughts.
∞
Princess Melody grasped the edge of her chair as her father read Princess Alayna’s letter aloud. She pressed a hand to her heart and felt the tears rising in her eyes at the thought of poor Elizabeth. Her father lowered the parchment and swiped a hand over his grim set mouth. “This is grave news.” He stated soberly.
“Father, Isaac will have already arrived in King Abner’s Realm. We must send word to him to head to the East.”
“No.” King Anthony stood and walked towards the window overlooking the main market square. “Isaac is where he needs to be at the moment. You must go to the East, Melody.”
“Me? But you never send me on trips alone.” She countered softly.
“I know, my dear. But I have just returned, and Isaac is not here to fill my stead if I were to leave. I am sure Princess Alayna would very much appreciate you going to see to her sister in her absence as well.”
“But Isaac would want to know.” Melody added, worried for her brother’s devastation at losing one of his closest friends.
“Isaac is not your concern. Princess Elizabeth is. Now, see to your things, and I will have the carriage prepared. You will take a healer with you. You will stay in the East until the princess is fully recovered or until she passes.”
“Father—”
“No interruptions, Melody. You will do as I say. I imagine by the time one of those two things happen it will be time for Princess Alayna’s coronation and you can travel with the Eastern Kingdom to the North. I will see you then. Please send word on Princess Elizabeth’s condition as it progresses.” King Anthony turned from his daughter and began ordering guards and attendants to prep for her journey.
Isaac would be furious at her father for not informing him of Elizabeth. She nervously wound her hands in her lap. She needed to send word to Isaac. It was the right thing to do. Her brother had come so far in the last few months while staying at the North. While being around Elizabeth, his true champion. She brought out a side to her brother befitting the nature of the future king that he needed to be. She believed in his goodness, and Melody knew Isaac had come to believe it as well. Withholding her condition would only make him upset, and worse, lash out. Not onto her, not onto her father, or even onto their citizens of the West. But onto himself. What progress of decency her brother had made would be lost due to anger and betrayal.
Melody’s warm gaze washed over her father’s demanding figure, his very presence fierce and resilient. She did not wish to act without his knowledge, but her father was wrong in his actions. She would go to the East, but once there, she would send word to her brother. Defiance was new to her, unsettling, and she did not like the feel of it within her belly. But her mother had always taught her to lead with her heart, and she knew in her heart, her brother needed to know of Elizabeth’s condition. He cared for the princess. Deeper than he let on. Yet, Isaac respected Prince Clifton and Elizabeth’s wishes as well. They were friends. True friendship that only battles forge. He fought with both of them, and his heart was tied to the East in a way her father did not understand. Yes, she would write to Isaac immediately upon her arrival and once she had seen Elizabeth with her own eyes. He needed to know.
∞
Edward sat across from Lancer. His back aching against the uncomfortable chair and his heart pounding at the thought of Lancer possibly discovering his secret. Lancer had summoned him at the crack of dawn that morning, and for the last half hour had only stared at him. Fingers steepled in front of his mouth, lightly tapping against his lips as if he were surveying every inch and inner thread of Edward’s body and mind.
“My Lord,” Edward began, “Was there something I could help you with? Or that you needed? Specifically?”
Lancer lowered his hands and sighed, a slow smile spreading over his handsome face. His dark eyes twinkled as if the awkward last half hour had meant nothing. “I wished to speak with you Edward. I have not seen you as of late, and was just curious as to why that is?”
“I have been surveying the boundary lines, my Lord. With the battle of the South against the Realm now over, I wanted to check conditions along the boundary line.” Edward stated confidently. “Our numbers have slightly increased due to people fleeing the fights in the Realm.” He tried to sound positive in the news that sickened his heart.
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
Lancer’s brows lifted with slight approval. “And how do you feel about their sudden arrival?”
“What do you mean, my Lord?” Edward asked.
Lancer stood, his lean frame taut and regal. “I mean, Edward, how do you feel about their crossing? They were fleeing. Do we want such cowards on our side of the line? Is our land to just be filled with cowards? How does that strengthen us?”
Edward inwardly sighed in relief. Power. He should have known all Lancer was concerned about was himself and the strength of his dominion. “Strength can come in numbers, my Lord. Though their hearts were weak for a moment, does not mean they are always weak.”
“Weak for a moment?” Lancer scoffed in disbelief. “It is my experience, Edward, that once a man is weak, he is always weak. Weakness hides within the heart, Edward. It is not a temporary temperament. It’s a root, deep within a person’s very self. I have no tolerance for weakness.”
“I understand.” Edward studied Lancer as he glanced out of the main hall window.
“I must share something with you, Edward. Though if I do, I must ask that you not speak of it to any of the guards.”
“Of course, you can tell me anything.” Edward stifled the excitement in his voice. What was Lancer to divulge?
“Something is wrong with me.”
“I’m sorry?” Edward’s brows rose in surprise and confusion.
“I see.” Edward paused a moment and followed Lancer as he walked towards his throne and sat like a sulking child. “And what do you feel is wrong with you, my Lord?”
Lancer looked up at Edward and forced a friendly smile. “I don’t know. I just feel it. Something is—off. My power is waning somehow. The Realm is weak, therefore the Unfading Lands should be strong. Yet, I feel a quiver in my heart. No darkness has come to me the last two visits into my reflection chamber. Nothing.”
“Perhaps it is building up its strength.” Edward suggested.
Lancer shook his head. “No. Something is wrong. This has never happened before. I am never weak, Edward. Never. The darkness always comes when I call it.”
“Perhaps you are just tired from all the excitement of the Realm’s battles and need your rest. Your body cannot function without rest no matter what power you hold.”
Lancer glanced up at him, his chin in his hand. His eyes sparkled in amusement. “You know Edward, perhaps you are right. I knew you would make a wise choice as my captain. I will rest for a few days. Please keep me informed on the boundary crossings. I wish to come up with a plan to strengthen the cowards before they immerse within our people. We have standards that must be upheld, Edward.”
“Yes, my Lord. Of course.”
Lancer stood and began to walk away. Edward bowed his head until he heard the door to Lancer’s personal chamber shut quietly. He then darted a gaze towards the reflection chamber. The darkness had entered him and now Lancer felt weaker. Did he consume all of Lancer’s power? Or did he divide the darkness in half? He would need to try and cross the boundary line. He hesitated to try until he knew of Lancer’s strength. Lancer sensed every attempt of escape, but now that he was weakened, perhaps Edward could try and he not notice it as more than just another person attempting to cross. He could try.