Twin Curse

by Rinelle Grey

  Inside was much cooler and a little darker too. By the time Brianna’s eyes adjusted, Lyall had almost swept her through the entrance room with its paintings and statues, and she had only a vague impression of opulence. The hallway they entered was similar, lined with paintings and the occasional side table with a potted fern or a vase of flowers.

  Lyall opened a door, seemingly at random, and led her into a smaller, more comfortable room. Here, the walls were lined with bookshelves, and the crackling fire was welcoming after the cool of the hallway. Several comfortable looking high backed chairs were arranged in a semi-circle, and in the middle was a coffee table with a plate of dainty sandwiches and biscuits and a still steaming pot of tea. Brianna’s tummy rumbled, hopefully not loudly enough to be heard.

  Almost as she had expected, Lyall’s mother was small and dark haired, and gave Brianna a welcoming smile. His father, on the other hand, was stocky, and though he smiled, it did not quite reach his eyes. “So, Lyall,” he boomed. “This is the girl you’ve been telling us about.”

  A shadow crossed Lyall’s face, and he swallowed once before saying quietly, “Yes, this is Brianna.”

  Trying not to let herself be intimidated, Brianna bowed slightly. “I’m pleased to meet you.” She returned his mother’s welcoming smile far more readily.

  “Sit down dear,” Lyall’s mother invited. “Have you had breakfast?”

  Brianna took the offered seat and eagerly helped herself to sandwiches.

  Lyall chose to remain standing. “No, we haven’t eaten yet,” he said sulkily, “we were interrupted before we had the chance.”

  “It’s midmorning, you should have been up hours ago,” his father reprimanded. “The whole palace can’t sit around all day waiting on you.”

  “No one asked you to,” Lyall rejoined.

  “Lyallen,” his mother’s voice was soft and contained no reprimand, just a quiet plea.

  And it stopped Lyall in his tracks. He looked at his mother for a moment, then said quietly, “I’m sorry, sir. We came into harbour late last night and overslept.”

  The few bites of sandwich sat heavily in her stomach, and she wished she’d stayed on the boat. She didn’t want to be in the middle of a family argument. She glanced sideways at Lyall, but he remained silent, his face carefully blank. She couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed that he had given in so readily.

  “So, Brianna, how old are you?” The king’s sudden question startled her.

  She chewed deliberately and then swallowed, taking the time to look up at Lyall, who’s face had gone rather red. “I don’t think that’s any of your business,” she said as politely as she could.

  The shocked look on the king’s face amused her. He stared at her for a few minutes, before saying, “If you’re planning on marrying my son, I think it is very much my business.”

  “Derek!” his wife protested.

  “Well, I think it is,” the king insisted.

  “I never said I was planning on marrying your son,” Brianna said calmly.

  Everyone in the room turned to stare at her. Brianna just smiled at them. After a few moments, Lyall actually smiled in return, then sat down next to her and helped himself to a sandwich.

  There was an awkward silence in the room, broken only by Lyall’s chewing. Finally, Lyall’s mother leaned forwards and poured some cups of tea, offering one to Brianna and one to Lyall. As if to change the subject, she asked casually, “So where are you from, dear? Lyall said it was quite far away.”

  “Oh, just a small country town, you wouldn’t have heard of it,” Brianna said evasively. Maybe she should have told them how old she was, because now she sounded deliberately evasive. Although why they cared where she was from was beyond her.

  The king didn’t push further this time. Instead, he stood up and said, “Come, Lyall, you can help me with the morning drill inspections.”

  Lyall looked over at Brianna and raised an eyebrow, and Brianna understood the unsaid question. She was about to nod, when his mother stepped in. “Yes, Brianna and I can have a nice little chat. And I’ll see about arranging some rooms for her.”

  “She’s staying with me,” Lyall said, a little too quickly.

  Brianna hid a smile at the expression on his parent’s faces. They couldn’t work out what was going on, and it was plain both of them wanted to ask.

  Personally, she was glad Lyall had spoken up. She wasn’t keen on the idea of being alone in this huge palace and not knowing where to find him. He was her one anchor in this storm, and she didn’t want to lose him.

  “Are you sure that’s a good idea, Lyallen?” his mother questioned.

  “Yes, I am,” Lyall said firmly. “I have an entire wing,” he continued, as much to Brianna as in answer to his mother’s question. “So Brianna has her choice of bedrooms.”

  “I’m sure the children can work it out,” the king intervened when Lyall’s mother looked as if she might continue to protest. “But right now, the drill is going to start without us if we don’t get a move on.”

  The last was directed at Lyall, who stood up, reluctance obvious in his expression. “I’ll be about half an hour,” he said to Brianna, his eyes asking if she wanted him to stay.

  She smiled. “I’ll be quite comfortable here,” she assured him.

  Satisfied, Lyall followed his father out of the room.

  Brianna waited, half expecting Lyall’s mother to take the chance to continue the earlier conversation in private. Surely that was what Lyall had been concerned about? But instead, she asked Brianna, “Do you read?”

  *****

  Lyall stayed silent as he and his father walked towards the square, waiting for the lecture he was sure his father was about to give. That was the obvious reason for his father asking for his presence. It certainly wasn’t because he actually had any interest in Lyall’s attendance at the drill.

  “You should bond her as soon as possible,” his father said matter of factly.

  “Sir?” Lyall asked. Had he misheard?

  “You won’t find a stronger wife on the whole island,” his father pointed out, a fact Lyall knew only too well. “Not without finding a set of twins.”

  Lyall didn’t even bother to dignify that with a reply. Everyone knew that no twins had been born on the Isla de Magi in over a century. “So that’s all that matters?” Lyall demanded. “I would have thought you, of all people, would realise that far more than strength is required to build a marriage.”

  His father was silent for a long moment. Was he going over his own youthful indiscretions? Eventually, he said softly, “Of course there are many qualities more important than strength. And from the little I’ve seen of her, she has those too. She has spunk that one, and she’ll keep you on your toes. More importantly though, you care for her, don’t you?”

  Lyall couldn’t deny it. “I do,” he agreed.

  “Then how did you manage to spend three days alone on your yacht and not bond with her?” his father demanded.

  Lyall wasn’t insulted, despite the tone. “You heard her,” he said, “she isn’t after marriage.”

  “She’ll come around,” his father insisted.

  Lyall wasn’t so sure. Still, there was no point in arguing, so he just nodded agreement. He and Brianna would sort it out. They didn’t need his father’s blessing, though it was somewhat of a relief not to have to defy him.

  The drill was predictably boring. And pointless. Isla de Magi had no real enemies. Even if the mainland mounted a coordinated attack, their swords would stand no chance against magic. And yet, the endless drills and practice combined magic and sword in a way that well outstripped the capabilities of any group on the mainland.

  Except, of course, the mysterious ‘other’ mages—the ones that Lyall was supposed to have been watching for on the mainland. In all his trips, he’d seen no indication that they had ever existed. But his father believed in their existence without a moment’s doubt.

  Lyall was just glad
that he’d done his time in the drills and no longer had to be a part of it. Still, he tried to pay attention, or at least not look totally bored. No point in upsetting his father any more today.

  Finally, it was over, and he could escape from the hot sun and return inside. When he walked into the sitting room and saw Brianna seated next to his mother reading to her, he couldn’t help give an involuntary smile. Brianna looked up at him, and her answering smile was unguarded.

  “I see Maman has already roped you into reading to her,” he teased.

  Brianna smiled. “Yes. Poetry. I had no idea anything so beautiful existed.”

  Her enthusiasm was genuine, and Lyall could see she was a fair way to endearing herself to his mother. For a meeting he had been apprehensive about, it was actually turning out rather well. “It is indeed beautiful,” Lyall said gravely. “Though I can think of a few things I would label more beautiful.”

  Brianna, of course, was completely oblivious to his compliment. “I’m sure there are many things here that I am going to be amazed by,” she agreed. “I can’t wait to see everything.”

  Maman smiled over Brianna’s head at him in amusement, and he shrugged lightly. To Brianna he said, “How about we start with my rooms, and I’ll get you settled?”

  Brianna paused only long enough to say to his mother, “It was lovely to meet you, and I’d love to read some more again soon,” before following Lyall out of the room.

  “Thank you for taking the time to read with Maman,” Lyall said softly, when they were alone in the corridor again. “She doesn’t get out much and most of the people she meets certainly don’t share her love of the written word.”

  “The books Petar had for you, they were for her, weren’t they?” Brianna asked.

  Lyall smiled. “They were. Maman loves her books, so wherever I go, I try to bring her back a little something.”

  “That’s very sweet,” Brianna said, and Lyall had to glance over at her to work out if she was teasing him or not.

  Her expression was genuine though, so he smiled at her as he pushed open the large oak door that separated his private quarters from the rest of the palace. “These are my rooms,” he told Brianna. “Not quite as good as moving out of the palace but the next best thing.”

  Brianna looked around curiously. Lyall wondered what she made of the place, and looked it over again himself with a critical eye. Not as impressive as the rest of the palace, he’d gone for comfort rather than show. The main living area was comfortable, with sofas long enough for him to lie down on if he wished.

  He frowned. Perhaps he should have tidied up before he left. Piles of books and pieces of paper were scattered indiscriminately on the floor, sofas and table alike. For the first time, he cursed the need for privacy that had led to him telling the maids to stay out of his rooms. Had he even made the bed before he left?

  Brianna nodded in approval. Settling herself onto one of the sofas, she picked up a book that was lying open there, though she didn’t give it much more than a cursory glance. “So this is your home?”

  “It is. It’s completely private, including a private entrance and exit, so you don’t need to worry about intrusions. Even the maids have orders not to come in here. Of course, that does mean that sometimes it is a little less than tidy,” he said ruefully.

  Brianna laughed. “I’m not big on tidy. That was always Mi...” She broke off, her face flushing. What had she been about to say? She continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “My family always gave me a hard time about my lack of interest in keeping things neat, so don’t be hoping I’m going to be inspired to clean it,” she warned.

  Lyall laughed. “I have no such expectations,” he assured her.

  “Good.” Brianna pulled her legs up underneath her, crossing her ankles and flicked at the corner of the book she held. Then she looked up at him. “So, does anyone ever say no to your father?”

  Lyall shrugged. “He’s the king. Of course no one says no to him. But I think what you are really asking is, do I ever say no to him?”

  Brianna’s cheeks reddened a little, and she looked down at the book.

  He answered anyway. “It’s complicated. I personally have no issues with disagreeing with him, and have frequently in the past, but... it upsets Maman, and I hate seeing her upset. As I grew older, I realised that it was usually just easier to nod and agree.”

  Brianna tilted her head on one side, watching him as he talked, then nodded. “Of course.” She paused. “We could have a problem though, because I get the impression your father isn’t terribly impressed with having me here.”

  Lyall grinned. “Actually, he approves. He... um... suggested I get a move on.” Now it was his turn to blush, there was no easy way to word that one.

  Brianna stared at him. “He said that?” Her eyebrows shot up.

  “He did,” Lyall confirmed. “Not in as many words... but... he won’t stand in our way.”

  “Oh,” Brianna said in a small voice.

  “You sound disappointed,” Lyall said, trying not to be hurt.

  Brianna didn’t say anything for a few minutes, fiddling with the corner of the book again. Then she said firmly, “I meant what I said earlier, Lyall. I didn’t come here to marry you.”

  “Then why did you come?”

  “Well, for starters, I didn’t have anywhere else to go.” She sighed and put the book down on the sofa beside her, before looking at him openly. “But it was more than that. Coming here, well, it sounded exciting. And the possibility that I might be a mage, well, that was too much to pass up. I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong idea, I never intended to. I thought I’d been clear from the start that I wasn’t after a relationship.”

  “Yes, you did,” Lyall admitted. “But I kind of hoped that somewhere along the way you might have changed your mind. I thought... I thought we had something special, Brianna. Don’t you?”

  “Don’t,” Brianna pleaded. “We’ve been through this. It’s not... not that I don’t care for you. But I can’t.”

  The sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach lessened just a fraction, and Lyall crossed the room and sat on the sofa beside Brianna, moving the book out of the way and holding her hands with his. “Brianna?”

  She looked up, eyes haunted. “I can’t, Lyall,” she whispered.

  “Why not? Is it because of this person back in your home town? The one that you were supposed to marry?”

  Brianna nodded silently.

  “Why? Why does that matter? You weren’t going to marry him anyway, that’s why you ran away. So why not just move on?”

  “It’s not that simple.”

  “It could be. Or if it’s that big a deal, I’ll come back with you, and tell them I’m going to marry you. Surely a prince and a mage will hold some sway?” He rarely used his rank, but for Brianna, he would throw out all his scruples.

  She gave a half smile. “I’m not sure that being a mage is going to win you any favours. And anyway, it wouldn’t matter. I can’t marry you. Please, can we let it go?”

  Lyall sat back, an unknown feeling of defeat settling over him. He’d been so sure when Brianna had agreed to come with him that she had changed her mind. And the time they had spent on his yacht had only intensified the certainty. But for some reason he didn’t really understand, despite how she obviously felt about him, she wasn’t willing to consider marriage.

  Well, he could live with that. “Well what are you going to do? Are you going back?”

  “No,” Brianna said in a small voice.

  “Then are you staying here?” Lyall asked softly.

  Brianna looked up then, and he looked back at her earnestly. “I... I don’t know,” she said uncertainly.

  “I love you, Brianna,” Lyall admitted. “And I’ll accept that you won’t marry me. But I’m not sure I could accept you leaving.”

  “We’ve only known each other for a few weeks,” Brianna said helplessly. But her voice wavered.

  “I know. It seems crazy,�
� Lyall agreed. “But I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. Have you?” Doubts assailed him. For all that, she was years younger than him, she’d had a special someone who had died, then this other man she was supposed to marry. Maybe it was just him?

  “No, I haven’t,” Brianna said wretchedly.

  “Then stay with me,” Lyall entreated. “And let’s see where this takes us?” It wasn’t the solution he wanted. He desperately wanted a commitment. But he also didn’t want to risk losing her.

  After a moment, Brianna nodded. Just nodded.

  But it was enough. Lyall pulled her into his arms, and she didn’t resist. He kissed her desperately, and she clung to him, murmuring his name. He was so tempted just to take things that one step further. Yet something held him back. He needed to think it over, needed to be sure.

  So he pulled back and said, his voice wavering, “I’d better show you the rest of my home. And then maybe, if you wanted, I could teach you a little about your magic?”

  Brianna’s hair was rumpled and her lips soft and inviting. He wished he had kept quiet, and let the moment happen spontaneously. But she nodded, so he stood up reluctantly, holding out his hand to help her to her feet. He kept hold of her hand.

  “My bedroom’s through here.” He might as well start with that, he was sure it was what both of them were thinking. He opened the door and showed her, smiling a little at her jaw dropping.

  The bed was imposing, he had to give it that. The four corner posts were practically small trees, and the green drapes only enhanced the feeling. He had, as he had suspected, forgotten to make the bed, but somehow, in his eyes at least, the rumpled bed sheets only made it look more inviting. He cleared his throat. “I’m not sure where you want to sleep....?” He trailed off, looking down at her.

  Her cheeks were red. “Perhaps it’s best if I have my own room...?”

  “Right,” he agreed. “You have a choice then. Here is what I like to call the nook.” He opened the door to a small room with a window seat overlooking the bay and a small but functional single bed. “Or you can have this one.” Lyall opened the door to the second room, which was more practical, with a larger double bed and an ensuite.