by Simone Pond
Table of Contents
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Excerpt: Fire and Blood Book 3
Author’s Note
BY SIMONE POND
Fire and Chains
Dragons of Galicia Series
Book 2
By Simone Pond
simonepond.com
Table of Contents
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Excerpt: Fire and Blood Book 3
Author’s Note
BY SIMONE POND
1
The heavy wooden doors to Verubri Castle opened wide, and Evelyn stepped into the grand entrance with Aine and Ciara by her side. The walls were covered with elaborate gold-trimmed tapestries and ornate portraits. The entry was itself more opulent than anything Evelyn could’ve possibly imagined. This is to be my new home. Then her vision clouded around the edges and her face slammed against the marble floor …
The clanking of metal pots and blowing whistles yanked Evelyn awake. She found herself slouched in an oversized armchair in an enormous kitchen area. A bunch of women—all plump and ruddy—wore pale gray frocks and white head scarves as they hurried about the vast room preparing what she guessed was dinner. Some carried teetering stacks of plates and bowls, while others stirred vats of bubbling stew. The ruddiest of them all stood shouting orders to a line of finely coifed ladies in pristine black frocks, who Evelyn assumed to be maids of some sort.
She scanned around for Ciara and Aine, but neither was anywhere in sight. Her head throbbed and the left side of her face felt bruised and swollen. Was that blood she tasted in her mouth? The last thing she remembered was stepping into the castle and … she must’ve passed out from utter exhaustion, and someone had placed her here for safekeeping. But where were Ciara and Aine? A streak of panic shot through Evelyn—what if Ciara had already gone back on her promise? What if she had told Prince Kieran all the sordid details about their journey? Evelyn would have to answer for the destruction of the carriage and the spear of Gorias. The more pressing concern was the dragon sighting. She hadn’t mentioned it to the girls and wasn’t sure if she should tell the prince. Her instincts told her to remain silent for now.
The crystal stone in her corset heated up as if to validate her thoughts. She reached for her neck to make sure the gold locket was still on her person. Relief bloomed in her chest when her fingers grazed over her mother’s necklace.
“I see yer up, ma’am,” grunted the older woman who had been shouting at the maids seconds ago. Her wispy gray hair sprouted from under her white head scarf.
“Where are my friends?” Evelyn’s voice sounded strange and garbled, as though she were speaking with a mouth full of rocks. The pain hammering through her jaw was unbearable. She held her cheek, wincing in agony.
“Took quite a tumble, ya did. Lucky ya didn’t lose any of those purty choppers.” Clouds of flour dust filled the air when the woman clapped her hands together.
“Is my jaw broken?” Evelyn mumbled.
“Don’t know. I’m no healer, but they sent fer one. Should be here soon.”
“My friends?”
“Getting cleaned up in the chambermaid’s quarters. Twern’t in no condition to be seen by anyone upstairs. And neither are ya. But now that yer up, we’ll have the girls get started on ya. Gonna take the bristles of a horse’s brush to scrub off the dirt and muck, ma’am.”
The woman stuck two of her pudgy flour-caked fingers into her mouth and whistled. The shrillness pierced Evelyn’s eardrums, but got the attention of two young women. They came bustling over in drab blue frocks similar to the other women in the kitchen, only they wore no head scarves. Perhaps these were chambermaids? Evelyn took note: dress color determined role. Did the ladies-in-waiting wear specific uniforms?
The two ladies gave a slight bow, muttering their regards. “Evenin’, Ida.”
Evelyn thought the name suitable for the head cook.
“Get ’er to the baths and cleaned up for his majesty.” Ida didn’t need any help hoisting Evelyn out of the chair and wedging her between the two ladies. “Ya got Sinead on yer right and Kateline here on yer left. Sinead’s not much for talking, but Kateline’s a lip flapper. They’ll take good care of ya. Off ya go.”
Still weakened from the long journey, Evelyn wobbled between the two maids toward a door and into a hallway. The candlelight gleaming from the wall sconces made sinister shadows throughout the long and bleak corridor.
The young woman on the left, Kateline she believed it was, turned to gaze at Evelyn. “Took a nasty fall, ma’am?”
Evelyn nodded, too exhausted to speak.
“We’ll get you fixed up.” The dark-haired beauty beamed a welcoming smile. Kateline’s accent was different from Ida’s harsh and choppy northern Galician. Her tone was delicate and more drawn out, as though she lingered on each syllable. “The healer should be here soon. Don’t you worry about a thing, miss. Anything you need, you let us know. We’re here to make your stay comfortable and pleasant. Isn’t that right, Sinead?”
A subtle nod came from Sinead as she kept her gaze forward. Her blonde hair had been pulled back into such a tight bun that her pale blue eyes slanted upward ever so slightly. Evelyn grew embarrassed, thinking about her own appearance. She must’ve looked like she’d been wrestling with the devil himself. Her long copper curls were matted and in knots. Layers of dirt and mud encrusted her body, and she had hundreds of cuts and scrapes. She couldn’t imagine the odor she exuded. It was shocking that neither of these polite ladies had gagged or choked.
When they reached the end of the hallway, Sinead released Evelyn’s arm and took a large ring of keys from her waist belt. She stepped forward and unlocked the door, quickly reattaching the keys. They escorted Evelyn into a large room lit by hundreds of candles, the fragrance of roses and peppermint wafting through the air. Rectangular pools had been built into the floors and each one was brimming with steaming water. The idea of being clean again soothed Evelyn’s soul.
“Come,” said Kateline, taking her hand and guiding her to the closest pool of hot water. As she peeled off Evelyn’s stiff undergarments, the crystal stone dropped to the marble floor.
Evelyn hurried to snatch it up and clutched it protectively against her bare chest.
Kateline bowed politely. “Don’t worry, I just want your clothes, miss. Nothing else. Well, you might want to set aside the locket for now. Just until you’re out of the baths.”
Evelyn smiled, ashamed by her cagey behavior. She allowed Kateline to remove the locket and set it on a table.
“Will it be safe?” asked Evelyn.
“Yes, I promise. Now, let’s get you into the water,” said Kateline.
Sinead bustled over and took Evelyn by the elbow, moving her toward the pool of steaming water. When Evelyn dipped one of her raw, torn-up feet into the hot bath, she stumbled backward from the pain. Her skin was far too tender from running through the caves and trekking through the forest.
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Kateline quickly grabbed her before she collapsed. “We must call for the healer before she gets into the water,” Kateline said to Sinead, setting Evelyn down next to the pool.
Sinead gave a curt nod and ran off to fetch the healer.
“I apologize for my … condition.” Evelyn had forgotten about the pain caused by opening her mouth.
Kateline smiled and wrapped Evelyn in a cloth to cover her nakedness. When Kateline got up to grab a bottle from a nearby shelf, Evelyn tucked the crystal stone underneath the layers of fabric next to her bosom for safekeeping.
Kateline returned and began pouring warm oils over the crown of Evelyn’s head. The scent of roses tickled Evelyn’s nose and she sneezed a few times. Once her hair was saturated with the oils, Kateline brushed through the matted locks. She was gentle where Sinead had been forceful, and for that Evelyn was grateful. After the oils were combed through, Kateline pulled Evelyn’s long hair into a bun. It felt liberating not to have tangles and clumps of hair dangling in her face and down her back.
Kateline then took a washcloth and dipped it into the pool and sat next to Evelyn and gently wiped her forehead free of dirt and grime. She chattered on and on about various topics, but Evelyn was in far too much pain to pay close attention. She focused on making sure the crystal stone stayed where she had safely tucked it next to her heart.
“The other ladies-in-waiting are always competing for the prince’s attention.” Kateline dipped the cloth into the pool and scrubbed Evelyn’s face, careful to avoid the left cheek—the source of the most hellish pain. “You must always look your best. Never let them outshine you.”
The endless chatter continued as she dug out the grit from under Evelyn’s fingernails. “Now, miss. Sometimes it might seem like they’re your friends, but they’re not. Trust me. And neither are the …”
Kateline didn’t get to finish her sentence because Sinead strolled over with an angelic-looking woman, whom Evelyn assumed to be the healer. She wore a long silver robe that shimmered in the candlelight and her waist-length hair was as white as the snow-capped Vindius Mountains. When she looked at Evelyn, her aquamarine eyes pierced into her mind as though she could read every thought. This was Evelyn’s first encounter with a healer and she was a bit skeptical. In her hamlet, they had people who healed with the use of roots and plants. Evelyn knew this wasn’t that type of healer. This lady had the gift.
“Bone not broken. But jaw is, how to say … dislocated.” The healer spoke in a low and melodious voice, heavily accented from an origin Evelyn didn’t recognize. “Her feet no like the journey. But all easily healed.”
No longer able to open her mouth, Evelyn bowed her head as a sign of acknowledgement and appreciation. She couldn’t wait for the agony to be gone. She didn’t care if it came in the form of roots, plants, or magic.
The healer knelt down in front of Evelyn, then squatted across her lap so their faces were only a few inches apart. She stared into Evelyn’s eyes, not blinking or looking away. The woman’s intense focus made Evelyn feel uncomfortable, but when she tried to look away, the healer grabbed her chin and yanked.
A loud pop resonated through Evelyn’s head, and she was about to shout profanities when she realized the majority of the pain had subsided. The healer reached out and placed her palm on the side of Evelyn’s swollen cheek, still holding her stare. The skin along the side of Evelyn’s face tingled and prickled as though tiny bubbles were entering her pores. Her eyes grew heavy and she closed them, letting the sensation take over. Anything was better than that paralyzing pain.
“Speak,” the woman instructed Evelyn.
“What would you like me to say?” she asked. “Oh, I can talk! My jaw no longer feels like someone is stabbing it with a pitchfork.”
The healer didn’t respond. She stood and walked over to Evelyn’s feet and sat cross-legged, taking each one of the mangled appendages into her lap. “Lay,” she instructed.
Evelyn rested on the marble floor, closing her eyes and trying to breathe. Warmth wrapped around her feet and a wave of energy rolled up her legs. She hadn’t realized how destroyed the soles of her feet had been until the healing process began. The relief hit so strong, she nearly passed out.
“Finished.” The healer stood up and knelt down over Evelyn, staring deeply into her eyes, then pointed to Evelyn’s heart. “Don’t forget, the power is here.”
Evelyn wasn’t sure what she meant. Was she referring to the crystal stone or to her heart? “I’m sorry, but I don’t understand.” When Evelyn stood up, the healer was gone. “Thank you …” she whispered.
Kateline and Sinead removed the wrap around Evelyn and assisted her into the steaming pool to scrub off the remaining dirt and muck. She held onto the crystal stone for dear life. When the water turned murky and muddy, they instructed her to step out and into another pool. Evelyn sank into the hot water and soaked in the salts and oils. The pleasure soothed her all the way to the center. She’d never experienced a bath so deeply satisfying. And entirely too short … It seemed like only minutes had passed before Sinead reached down to help her out. The ladies wrapped her in a soft blanket, drying her thoroughly. Evelyn snatched her mother’s locket from the table and put it back around her neck.
The chambermaids escorted her down the hall and into a room containing hundreds upon hundreds of dresses and gowns. Evelyn’s gaze darted from row to row, taking in the bright colors and shimmering fabrics. How would she ever decide on the right one? Fortunately, she didn’t have to make any decisions—Kateline had already selected an emerald green dress of satin to “bring out her eyes.” The ladies got straight to work, getting Evelyn into the elegant gown suited for a queen.
“Can either of you tell me where my friends might be?” asked Evelyn.
Kateline came around and adjusted the neckline. “Ciara’s been assigned to her room. Are you quite sure about this locket? It doesn’t complement the dress that well.”
“The locket stays,” Evelyn said. “What about the little girl, Aine? Where is she?”
“Oh, I’m afraid the little one won’t be staying at the castle,” said Kateline flatly.
Evelyn tilted her head, befuddled. “Surely, Prince Kieran wouldn’t send a child off in the night to fend for herself.”
Kateline finished applying a bit of rouge to Evelyn’s pale cheeks. “Oh, but he’s the one who said she cannot stay.”
A fury swept through Evelyn. What kind of man would do such a horrible thing?
2
Evelyn stood astounded, staring at Kateline. “What do you mean, it was the prince who said Aine can’t stay?”
“No children are permitted in the castle, miss.” Kateline made it sound as though this were a well-known fact.
The dress dug into Evelyn’s ribcage, seeming to cut off the circulation to her head. She stepped away from the chambermaids. “You can’t just send a child out into the night. Not when there’s …” Evelyn almost shouted a dragon out there, but stopped herself and took a deep breath before continuing. “It’s dangerous out there.”
Kateline turned Evelyn around and finished lacing up the dress. “She’s fine for tonight, miss. Sleeping right now. And someone will take her to the village in the morning. There’s a home for orphans. All very well cared for. Isn’t that right, Sinead?”
Sinead nodded.
Kateline motioned to Evelyn’s hand, smiling. “I understand wanting to keep the locket for sentimental values, but what will you do with that stone, miss? That absolutely doesn’t match your attire.”
Evelyn had to choose her next words with care. These women weren’t to be trusted, that was for certain. Keeping the crystal stone in her room was a bad idea. Ciara had access to it and would no doubt snoop around. And it was only a matter of time before Ciara ratted her out to the prince. If Ciara got her hands on the stone, she’d use it as evidence against Evelyn. That would result in either her death or at the very least getting thrown out of the castle. And she needed to sta
y as close to the mountains as possible to keep an eye out for the dragon. She would go after it as soon as she had a solid plan. The stone would need to be stored in a safe place. The safest place she knew.
“This is Aine’s stone. It’s her good luck charm, and I must get it to her before she leaves. I must see her immediately.”
Kateline chuckled. “You have far greater things on your agenda, miss. The prince is finishing up supper soon. He’ll want to see you.”
Evelyn lifted her chin, remembering her status, and though she didn’t want to throw it around, this was an emergency. “Take me to my room and bring the girl. This is a matter I will discuss with the prince.”
Kateline’s dark eyes widened with surprise. “Oh … sure, miss. Sinead, why don’t you take Miss Evelyn to her room; I’ll fetch the girl.”
Sinead tipped her head and quietly walked toward the corridor with Evelyn following behind. They trod in silence through a series of hallways and doors, all of which had to be unlocked using Sinead’s large keyring, until they reached a narrow spiral stairwell.
“Ladies-in-waiting are kept on the second floor.” Sinead’s voice was understated but clear.
Evelyn’s assigned chambers were located in the largest suite at the end of the hall. The enormous room had a queen-sized bed surrounded by curtains, a sitting area by the fireplace, and twenty-foot arched windows that opened to a large balcony—though everything had been shuttered up for the night. A fire was going in the fireplace, giving the room an inviting warmth. Evelyn made her way to one of the chairs by the fire.
“Please, sit,” she said to Sinead.
“I prefer to stand, thank you.”
The two waited in silence for Kateline to arrive with Aine. Evelyn gazed at the crackling fire, wondering how she could convince the prince to let the girl stay.
“Why aren’t children permitted in the castle?” she asked.
“Not an appropriate environment for them, I suppose,” Sinead said, staring at the floor.
