“How is he?” A smooth voice came from the shadows of the doorway.
“Alive, that’s all that I know.” She flicked her gaze angrily at the man who should have been there the entire time.
“I was told that you saved him.” He stepped into the room.
“What did you do?” Venom dripped from her voice. “You left him to go after the boar?”
“I could not stand by and watch him die.” Alistair’s voice quaked.
“So you abandoned him when he needed you the most? Is that the kind of king you’ll be? Will you always run with your tail between your legs? You couldn’t stay with your brother, a man who has done everything that he possibly could for you. You left him to die alone because you could not bear it?” She didn’t care that her voice echoed off the walls. “A coward is all that you are. Only a coward would leave someone he loves for fear of how things will end!”
Alistair’s eyes darted between her and his brother. “I didn’t know what to do.”
A smirk flashed across her face. “You think I did? I was scared, afraid that he would die in my arms. There was so much blood. It seemed like it was everywhere. He was so pale, so cold. But I couldn’t leave him. I would have never forgiven myself if I had.” She turned away from the man who claimed to love her.
“Daciana, what can I do?” His voice shook as he spoke.
“Leave. You’re good at that. Your parents will be here soon. It’s possible that they will arrive today. Then you can inform Kamille that she need no longer worry about Jaceson or myself. You may return home with them to Marcello where you belong.” Her voice was cold as ice.
The sound of the door closing behind him as he left echoed loudly in her ears. Lying gently on the other side of the bed, careful not to touch Jaceson, she wept until the tears seemed to dry up. She had lost the man she loved and was very likely losing her only connection to her brother. Hopelessness wanted to swallow her whole. Dragoste pushed his cold nose up against her face, nudging her softly. She curled over to her side and wrapped her arms around the large wolf. Her wolf would not leave her. Dragoste was a constant in her life. She had discovered from Nonna that Dragoste had been found alone as a pup, near death, when Daciana’s father had brought him to his daughter. She had nursed him back to health and he’d stayed with her ever since.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
MAGNOLIA DIDN’T WANT TO leave Jaceson’s side the next day. The sky was overcast and dreary. Snow would soon be flying. The sea looked angry, and waves crashed to the shore. When she glanced toward the mountains, she swore that she could see them coming, although even if they were there, she knew that they would not arrive until nearly sunset — if they arrived today at all.
But the snow would not hold off simply because she wanted it to. She knew that everyone was prepared for another storm, but she had to double-check just to be certain. When Railynn came in to check on Jaceson, she asked the girl to stay with him until she returned. Railynn seemed both happy and distressed by the request.
“He will be alright. I just want someone here in case he wakes up. He cannot be trying to get out of bed just yet.” Magnolia offered a tired smile before leaving the room.
In the entryway to the castle, she saw ladies scrubbing at the floor to clean up the blood that had been spilled there. They had already cleaned up any that had fallen while Jaceson was carried to his room. Magnolia continued past them, out to check on the livestock.
Gwain appeared by her side. “M’lady.” He smiled up at her, slipping his little hand into hers.
“Gwain, what are you out here doing?”
“Making sure that the sheep and cattle are safe. I took Genevieve’s cat to her when I saw it wandering about. I would hate for her to lose that cat in the snow like I lost my dog.” He smiled up at her despite the sadness in his eyes. “I checked on the chickens. They are all safe and warm. Fed and watered them while I was there.”
“What would I do without you around?” She was grateful that Gwain was there. His show of responsibility proved that he would grow to be a fine young man.
“Is Jaceson going to be alright? I saw them bring him in.” His fingers gripped her hand a little more. So that was the reason he had come to her.
“I believe he will be alright. He needs plenty of rest. You’re welcome to come visit with him anytime you want. He enjoys talking to you. Jaceson speaks very highly of your improving skill with a bow and sword. Though I do believe I heard him say something about you not knowing how to read.”
“I cannot read, m’lady. Neither can my sister.” He looked up at her.
“I think it’s time that you learn. I’ll see what is in the library. What do you think of one night a week anyone who wants to hear a story can come sit in the great hall and listen to one? Meanwhile, I’ll teach you to read. It is a valuable skill that you’ll need. What if I needed you to carry out a very important matter for me, and it had to be done in a specific way? You would need to read so you could follow instructions. As long as the weather is not so bad that you must stay at your house to be safe, you may come every day after your training and chores for a lesson.”
Gwain beamed up at her. His whole countenance had changed; he stood straighter than she had ever seen before.
“I will try my hardest to learn, m’lady.”
“I will try my hardest to teach, sir. Now, go get to any chores that need to be done before snow begins to fly.” Watching the boy run off, she was content for a brief moment. That moment ended when she saw Alistair walking toward her, his blue eyes dark and menacing.
“We need to speak, m’lady.” He stood in her path.
“Do we? I seem to recall this land being given to me and my people by your father. It was a deal that he and I made. Therefore, I don’t think you’re in a position to tell me what I need to do in my home, Prince Alistair.” Her tone grew cold and clipped with each word she spoke.
“You are right, m’lady. I ask that you forgive my boldness.” His eyes darted toward the mountains then back to her. “They will be here this evening, unless my mother insists on making camp to try to stay out of this coming storm. Though, my father would be a fool to give in to that sort of logic when real shelter is not far from them. Are you prepared to face them?” Concern edged into his voice.
“As much as I will ever be.” She wanted to stay angry at him. The anger gnawed at her, but it was something that she had to shove down. “Do you think they will reach us before the storm does? I don’t want them to get lost in it when they are so very close.”
“I have reason to believe that they can make it here safely. The only other option would be to send fresh horses to carry them and whatever it is that they might be bringing. Duncan had said about twenty men rode with them.”
“If you believe it will help to ensure their safe arrival, then please do so.” Worry filled her, mostly for the men that travelled with them. Though for Alistair’s sake, she didn’t wish harm to his parents either.
“You would do that, despite what she tried to do to you? Even though you no longer want me here? You would help them?” His expression softened from the hard glare he’d had moments before.
“Of course I would.” Her hand reached out and rested on his shoulder. “Be safe. I don’t want to lose you.”
Hope leaped up into his eyes at her words. Nodding, he went to gather a few men together to go out to meet the party that was on its way.
Magnolia returned to the castle to order a large meal to be prepared for the imminent arrival of the King and Queen of Marcello. Before she headed back to Jaceson’s room, she grabbed some food and broth.
The room was eerily quiet, the only sound the crackling of the logs being devoured by the fire. With great care, Magnolia lifted Jaceson’s head to put some water to his lips. The water wet his lips, causing his mouth to part slightly. A small tilt of the cup allowed a few drops of liquid to enter. She watched as he swallowed it, then she tilted the cup up again. When he turned his head a
way, she set the cup down. Pulling the blankets back up around him, she noticed that his forehead had small beads of perspiration, but he was shivering with cold. She wrung out a rag that she had soaked in some warm water then laid it across his head. After, draping a blanket over a chair near the fire to warm it, she returned to keep an eye on the rag, which she freshened and reapplied several times. If there was an infection, it was inside the body, which meant there was nothing that she could do to help him. She prayed that this fever was simply from being out in the cold winter air, lying on the snow-covered ground, and being drained of energy. Certain that proper rest could cure that, she prayed that he would heal.
Once the blanket by the fire had warmed, she covered him with it, noticing that the chills had subsided. She hung another blanket to warm. If she had to, she would stay here changing out the cooled blankets for warmed ones all day and night.
“I brought a book for you. See, you must wake so that you can truly enjoy it. I’ll start reading it now though, so you don’t have to listen to silence.”
Just as she picked up Gulliver’s Travels, the door slowly creaked open.
Gwain’s head popped quietly through the opening. “My mother said that I may come see Jaceson before the storm. Is he better?”
Magnolia motioned for him to come into the room and shut the door behind him. “He will be fine. He drank some water earlier, so that’s good. I am getting ready to read to him. But if you would like to talk to him for a bit first, it’s alright with me. I can always go get some hot broth to see if he will wake up for that.”
“No, m’lady. I’ll go get it if he needs it.” Gwain looked anxiously from her to the very still Jaceson.
“The broth can wait until dinnertime.”
“I’d like to listen to the story.” Gwain’s eyes glanced around the room.
Magnolia suspected it was probably twice the size of the little room that he no doubt shared with his sister. She hoped that one day they could all have roomier homes.
“Alright, have a seat.” She watched him sit down gently on the chair that was near the window. Then she opened the book and began to read. Though it was something she had read several times and had seen more than one movie adaption for, she had to remind herself that the book was relatively new here. Only taking breaks to switch out the cooled blanket for the warmed one, she read until Nonna appeared in the doorway.
“It is starting to snow. Gwain, you should get home before your mother starts to worry.”
The young boy nodded then hurried out of the room.
“It looks like we’ll have company very soon.”
“Nonna, I must go make sure that everything is perfect for them. Will you sit with him until I get back?”
“Of course, dear one. There’s broth waiting for you in the kitchen. In fact, I think it may be a good idea to bring a tray of food, tea, and whatever else it is that you want. Once they arrive, I don’t see Kamille allowing you to ignore her to take care of Jaceson.”
“Thank you, Nonna.” She hurried out of the room to do what needed to be done before her home housed the one person who should never be allowed to set foot inside of it.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
HE FOUND HIS MOTHER’S voice grating now that he knew what she’d tried to do. Daciana was the love of his life. He would gladly choose her over his family and responsibilities any day. They pushed their way through the snow flurries. Luckily, it was not coming down terribly hard. Perhaps this would not be the storm they had anticipated but just a few showers of snow.
“Are you certain that this Daciana is prepared for our arrival?” Kamille’s voice was practically a shriek probably because she had been forced to endure such harsh travel conditions.
“Mother, you did not give any warning that you would be coming. You will receive the same welcome that would be given to anyone who showed up unannounced.”
“Hmph! I will not stand for such insult. Where is she now?”
“She is caring for Jaceson, who was injured during a hunt. She saved his life. The rest is up to him if he pulls through.”
Pelonis stared at his son. “What happened to your brother?”
Alistair relayed the details of the hunt and all that he’d been told of what Daciana had done in an attempt to save Jaceson’s life. “When everyone else thought there was no reason to even try, she insisted on doing something anyway. Father, if he lives, it’s because she refused to give up on him.”
“Then I owe her much.” The king said solemnly.
Alistair knew that his father cared for both of his sons. He also knew that Jaceson was the favorite. He didn’t begrudge this of his brother or father. Jaceson’s mother had contracted a fever some years back, leaving Jaceson to be raised without her. Kamille certainly had no interest in the boy who was not her son, who was a constant reminder that her husband had once loved someone else.
“Will you bless our marriage if she will still have me?”
“Why would she not want you?” the queen demanded to know. “Suddenly, she is too good for you?”
He glanced over at her to see a hateful sneer on her face. “There are some things that have occurred, some things that have been brought to light that have put a tension on our relationship.” His voice was clipped.
“When we arrive, I want to see Jaceson, and then I would like to talk to her.” Pelonis spoke up before Kamille could utter another word.
“As you wish, Father.” He urged his horse forward, knowing that they were not far from their destination now.
When they arrived at the castle, they were greeted by Magnolia. She had stayed at Jaceson’s side until Railynn came to inform her that the King and Queen of Marcello had arrived. She reached the doors a few minutes before they walked in.
“Welcome to Avengar. Please come warm yourselves by the fire. I will personally show you to your room, King Pelonis and Queen Kamille.” On her way down to greet them, she’d ordered two tubs of hot water to be taken to the quarters she’d designated for Alistair’s parents.
With Alistair at her side, she led them up to the large bedchambers she had spent an entire day scrubbing just to please them. When she opened the doors, the two tubs were already waiting there for them, a partition up between them. A fire popped and crackled from the hearth, warming the entire room.
“I hope that you find it to your liking. If you would like, I can have dinner brought to you so that you can get some proper rest.”
Pelonis stepped forward to look into her eyes. “I am sure my queen would greatly enjoy that. I would like to see my son now.”
“Certainly, he has not woken yet, but I will take you to him.” Magnolia smiled to see the true concern in his eyes for Jaceson.
“Father…” Alistair stepped forward. “…certainly a bath will not take so long. Then you could stay with Jaceson even longer. I am sure that food could be brought to either your room here or to his room if you want to be with him.”
Pelonis seemed to consider the options.
“You’re right, my boy. I will clean up first. Then I will eat in Jaceson’s room.”
A knock sounded at the door though it was ajar. Magnolia glanced over her shoulder to see that someone had brought up their things.
“Now that my clothes are here, I can get to it.”
Magnolia left the room to go prepare their food while Alistair stayed behind to carry the two large trunks.
After filling the platters full, she asked for Alistair to take the tray to his mother. “She will want to visit with you. Stay with her. Let her enjoy your company because tomorrow I will no longer be hospitable toward her. I will have the truth out.”
“They just arrived.” He looked shocked.
“I know, but I’m not waiting for her to make an attempt on my life. She’s not welcome here so long as she is a threat.” Magnolia turned away from him with her hands full of things to take to Jaceson’s room.
Railynn was waiting anxiously for her when she walked in thro
ugh the door. “I am not sure if he is well or not. He’s been moving about, and I don’t know what to do.” Her eyes were filled with worry.
“Everything will be alright.” She set down the tray that she carried then walked over to Jaceson’s bed. Placing her hand to his forehead, she smiled because it no longer felt warm. “His fever is gone. He was probably having a bad dream about what happened to him. Thank you for staying with him, Railynn.”
Magnolia watched the young girl leave. Then she switched his cooled blanket for a warm one. She ate a little, made herself some tea, then picked up Gulliver’s Travels. A knock at the door brought her out of the story.
“Daciana? King Pelonis was wanting to see Jaceson,” Duncan said from the doorway.
“Thank you, Duncan.” She smiled warmly at the man she had come to trust. “King Pelonis, come have a seat. I’ll get you something to eat.” Quickly Magnolia filled a plate and a cup and brought it to him.
His eyes were on Jaceson’s face, which was not as white as it had been the day before, but still very pale.
“He is improving.”
“Is he? This happened on a hunt?” he asked, his voice gentler than it had been when others were around him.
“Yes, we heard that you were on your way and wanted to have a feast in your honor. A group of men went out. He was brought back after a wild boar punctured him.”
“Alistair told me you saved his life. Everyone else thought he was dead for sure, but you didn’t give up. That you cauterized the wound. Did it not make you want to get sick? I’ve never known a young lady who could stomach such things.”
“It would have made me even sicker to sit there and watch him die.” She sat in chair on the other side of the bed, her book in hand.
Pelonis nodded. “What is that you were reading when I came in?”
The Second Life of Magnolia Mae Page 13
