by J. D. Wright
“Bree had your chambermaid pour you a hot bath. It is over in the corner. She thought you might wish to warm a while, after your journey.”
“That was kind of her. I think I will indulge for a bit.” Adelphie walked over and took her sister’s hand. “I know you may have been upset with me, for asking the queen to bring you here, Sid. I hope your stay has been enjoyable. And I hope you can forgive me.”
Sidonie smiled at her sister. “I was never upset with you. I am happy to have had the chance to come here. The experience has been wonderful. I am grateful to you, Adelphie.”
Sidonie stepped back, afraid that if the continued, she may reveal just why she was so happy to be here.
“I will leave you to your bath. I have a few tasks to assist the queen with, to prepare for the ball. I am sorry to leave you this soon.”
“No, no,” Adelphie waived her sister away. “Go on. I will be fine here, enjoying my bath.”
The hot bath was exhilarating. It had been a long time since Adelphie had been to the hot springs near Anestas. She missed feeling the warm water on her skin, basking in how clean she felt. When she finished her bath and was drying herself, she noticed the wardrobe was open. There were clothes inside, undershirts, corsets, and skirts. Adelphie felt foolish looking through them with no idea of how to wear them. What did you put on first? Overwhelmed with the many pieces of clothing, she decided to stick with what she had brought with her for now. And she had just finished dressing when there was a knock at the door.
When she opened the door, Adelphie was surprised to find a gentleman standing there. The first thing that caught her attention was his hair, orange and mussed. He was dressed in fine clothes, leading Adelphie to assume he was part of the royal family. A brother, perhaps?
“Hello, Maiden Adelphie. I am Finnley.”
“Hello,” she replied.
“Are you ready to go?” he asked. “If not, I can come back later.”
“To go?” she tilted her head at him. “Oh, you mean to the village? To the seamstress? You are my escort?”
“Yes, m’ lady,” Finn grinned at her, trying to be charming.
Adelphie gave a snort. “Lady? Hardly.”
But she followed him down the hallway anyway. When they reached the courtyard, there was a carriage waiting for them, with a driver already seated and ready to go.
Finnley opened the carriage door for her. She wasn’t used to being treated so… kindly. It was actually annoying her. She was perfectly capable of opening her own door. She gave a quick smirk and climbed into the carriage. Finnley could sense that she didn’t seem to like him very much. He sighed, then stepped in behind her. The ride down to the village was short, so at least they wouldn’t be confined for very long.
They sat on opposite sides of the carriage, facing each other. Adelphie was quiet at first, studying Finnley, who sat nervously in front of her. He was a devilishly handsome young man but seemed to be afraid to speak to her. Was she really that intimidating or was he that much of a coward?
“So,” she began, trying to fill the silence, “are you a member of the royal family?”
“Me? No. My father is the head of the castle guard.”
“But you live in the castle?”
“Well, yes. I grew up there.”
“That must have been… interesting. What exactly does a man like yourself do all day in the castle? You don’t seem like the type who hunts. Or does anything strenuous for that matter,” she added after noticing how clean and soft his hands were.
Finnley was fairly certain her remarks were insulting him. He stiffened his back and leaned forward, a scowl replacing the smile he had before.
“Not that it is any of your business, but I do assist my father occasionally. Also, I help with the daily operations of the castle.”
She chuckled to herself, annoying Finnley even further.
“And what do you do all day if I may ask? Kill more defenseless creatures to wear around your neck?” He reached out and flicked the corner of her fur. This time it was Adelphie who stiffened up and leaned forward.
“I am responsible for running a camp full of women who depend on me to survive, little boy.”
“Little boy?” His face was becoming as red as his hair. “I am several months older than you, according to your sister. And while I don’t appreciate your insults, I will ignore them since you don’t seem to be very knowledgeable about kingdom life. Seeing as you must have been raised by wild boars!”
“Well, at least I wasn’t coddled like a child my entire life!”
They were nose to nose at this point, both of them boiling mad and shouting at each other. Just then, the carriage door swung open. The driver was gaping at them.
“We have arrived,” he said.
Neither of them moved. The driver cleared his throat and repeated himself. Finn scowled at Adelphie and climbed out. This time, however, he didn’t stay to help her out of the carriage. Instead, he walked into the seamstress's shop ahead of her, slamming the door behind him. Adelphie got out of the carriage and thanked the driver, who just shook his head as he watched her walk into the shop.
~*~
“She is dreadful! Just dreadful! I cannot believe I agreed to this. Why did I agree to this insanity?” Finnley was pacing back and forth in the library while Rowan stood nearby and Dagan sat in a chair, amused by Finn’s ranting. Bree was sitting further away, flipping through a book and mostly ignoring the conversation.
Rowan smiled and shook his head. “Perhaps you are overreacting?”
“No! I am not “overreacting,” he mimicked. “She is a loon! The entire time we were in with the seamstress she was giving me dirty looks while she told tales about strong men who killed wild bears with their bare hands and a cluster of other nonsense, just to insult me.” Finnley’s eyes shot to Dagan, who had remained silent.
“Don’t look at me,” Dagan said, raising his arms to surrender. “I was captured by that ludicrous tribe. I understand perfectly.”
“And then you decided to court one of them,” Rowan added, trying not to laugh.
Dagan smirked, then shrugged. “Sidonie is different.”
“Yes well, Adelphie is not!” Finnley was still fuming. “I cannot continue to escort that woman around. I simply can’t. I may have to feed her to the pigs before this week is over.”
Before Finnley could continue, there was a knock at the door. Rowan walked over and peeked out. A small voice could be heard on the other side. It was Sarita, coming to fetch everyone for the feast. Rowan smiled down at her, nodding. Then he closed the door and turned toward the others.
“Well, Finnley. It is time for you to fetch the Sabra for supper.”
“Oh, no! No!” Finnley replied with his arms crossed. “I will not do it. You cannot make me.”
“Finnley,” Bree began, speaking for the first time. “I would really appreciate it if you would do me this favor. She will be gone before you know it. And I’m sure Sidonie will be very grateful, as well.”
Finnley sighed, shaking his head and looking at the floor. No, no, no, no.
“Fine,” he said, rolling his eyes, and he stalked out of the room.
Dagan and Rowan laughed loudly once he had gone. Bree tried not to laugh, but couldn’t suppress a small giggle.
Meanwhile, upstairs in Adelphie’s room of the guest wing, there was a similar conversation going on between sisters.
“I can’t believe the queen would force me to spend time with that buffoon! Have you seen his hands? He hasn’t cut up firewood or drawn an arrow in his measly life! What kind of men do they raise here?”
Sidonie laughed, which drew sharp eyes from her sister. “I don’t know. I think Finn is rather sweet and adorable. The village maidens are quite fond of him.” She was laying her sister’s clothing out on the bed, about to dress her in a corset and skirts for the first time.
“Ugh! Low standards are what those women have.
He is such a weakling. He can’t protect them!”
“What is there to protect them from in the village, other than drunkards and petty thieves? Besides, wasn’t it your idea to send me here to be a lady, just so I can marry a man to provide for me, such as Finnley?”
Sidonie held the skirts out for Adelphie to step into.
“Are you interested in him?” Adelphie was shocked at the idea of her sister with such a man.
Sidonie laughed, then pulled a ruffled undershirt over her sister’s head. “Well, no, not him exactly.”
Adelphie blew a loud sigh of relief. “Good,” she said, simply.
When it was time for the corset, Sidonie turned Adelphie around and began to tighten it. Adelphie squealed and whined with every pull of the strings as the corset got tighter around her torso.
“You know, you sound a bit like a weakling yourself, sister…”
Adelphie pursed her lips together. She did sound like a child, but the tightening was painful. She had a new sense of respect for women who wore these dreadful things. When Sidonie was finished, she left to go freshen up in her own room.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Adelphie assumed Sidonie must have forgotten something, so she jerked the door open quickly. However, she found Finnley, looking rather surprised at her already. She hadn’t even had time to insult him yet.
Finnley was shocked to see Adelphie dressed in anything other than her furs. Her large round breasts were barely able to fit inside the corset, which was pulled extremely tight around her. Though she looked incredibly feminine now, she also looked very uncomfortable. Finnley smiled at the idea of her suffering.
“I am here to escort you to supper, my lady.”
“There you go with that “lady” word again,” she replied.
“Well, you do actually look a bit like a lady now.”
“Lucky for me,” she scowled.
“But let’s see if you can act like one,” he said, then stepped back to give her room.
She closed the door behind her and stepped out into the hallway. He held his arm out to her, waiting for her to take it. Instead, she brushed past him and started down the hall. Finn ran his hand through his hair and cursed under his breath, then followed.
Chapter Fifteen
The grand hall had been transformed into a winter palace for the ball, with long white and blue drapes hanging all around, and fabric cut into snowflake shapes used to cover the tables. At the queen’s suggestion, Dagan had cast a spell in the room which made snow fall lightly from the ceilings. It disappeared when it reached the floor. The tables in the hall were again moved to make room for dancing. And this time, every musician had been carefully selected to prevent another trespasser from attending. Later this evening, there would be food, music, and dancing. Security in the hall had been of utmost importance, allowing only those on the guest list to attend, which included a small selection of noble families, kingdom knights and their ladies, in addition to the royal family and their guests.
The queen was in the hall, marveling at the décor when Celeste entered from the kitchens. She walked over to Bree, who was looking up with her eyes closed, simply enjoying the feel of the snow on her face. It wasn’t ice cold, since Bree requested that it not be, for fear of freezing the guests. So each snowflake was just cool enough to feel as they landed on her skin. Junacave had not seen snow yet this winter, and probably wouldn’t at all. This would be a treat for all.
“You really have outdone yourself, Bree,” Celeste said, quietly, so as not to startle Bree, who still had her eyes closed. “Your father would be very proud. He lived for these events. I once heard him say that dancing was invented so a man could have a reason to hold a beautiful woman in his arms.”
“Hmmm… I also remember him saying that celebrations were the best excuse to drink too much wine and get away with causing trouble.” Bree finally opened her eyes. “I am glad you were able to come, Celeste.”
“Me, too, dear. But I did want to ask you something while we have a moment.”
Bree motioned Celeste over to a table so they could sit for a moment.
“Sure. Is something wrong?” The look on Celeste’s face was not clear, but she certainly looked troubled.
“I am worried about your mother. I know she’s been having terrible dreams, and I thought they had stopped for a time, but I don’t think it’s only dreams. She feels distant lately. Very troublesome, always jumping at every little sound. She will not speak to me about it, which is also cause for concern. I can’t ever remember when she wouldn’t share her worries with me. I guess I may fear too much, but I wondered if you would consider appointing her a personal guard. Just for a time. Sir Nicholas, perhaps? I know she has great trust in him.”
“I, too, have noticed something is the matter. I’m afraid with so many distractions happening all at once, I may not have been paying enough attention to her recently.”
“No, dear. It isn’t your fault. Your mother is a strong woman. When she is ready to talk, I know you will be there to listen. In the meantime…”
“Yes, you are right. I will speak to the council tomorrow, after the ball. I will make sure she is safe.”
Celeste rose and kissed her niece on the forehead, then left the hall to get dressed for the ball. Bree looked over to see Rowan standing in the doorway. He must have stepped out during their conversation, to provide privacy. Bree gave the room one last glance, then left the hall to get dressed, herself.
Rowan stood guard outside the wardrobe while the queen was inside. When Celeste approached him with two guards, he moved to the side so she could enter. But she didn’t.
“Oh, I am not here for Bree. I am here for you.”
“Uh,” Rowan began, unsure of what she meant.
“I have spoken with Raymun and he has sent two replacements for Bree’s personal guard. Tonight, you are no longer in charge of her safety.”
Rowan started to argue, but Celeste waived her hands dramatically and cut him off.
“You are coming with me.”
~*~
Dagan decided to forego the usual tradition of waiting for his maiden in the hall. He had been told that the men customarily wait around for their ladies to enter. The distraction plan with Finnley seemed to be working, however, if Dagan had to get dressed up for this occasion, he planned to enjoy every moment with Sidonie that he could. Though, he didn’t have to wait long. The moment he stepped out of his room, Sidonie was coming out of hers. He froze when he saw her.
She looked absolutely gorgeous in her dark blue gown with silver trim that without a doubt was made to match the blue and silver wizard robes he was wearing. Her long hair was swept up onto her head, pinned somehow, with just a few stray pieces left down and curled. She looked like a goddess. When she saw him, she smiled.
At that moment, Dagan decided he didn’t care if someone saw them. He walked toward her, almost at a run, and swept her up into a deep kiss that nearly made her hair fall.
It was mid-kiss when Adelphie opened her door and entered the hallway, catching her sister in the arms of the wizard. She was dumbfounded. Purely astonished. She had always known that her sister was rebellious and her mind liked to wander but to actually become involved with their enemy? And to do it so openly? Adelphie’s room was immediately by the stairs, so she quickly turned and snuck out of the hallway.
Adelphie was crying before she made it to the bottom of the stairs. Finnley, who was waiting outside the hall for Rowan, saw Adelphie and could tell she was clearly upset, so he called out to her. She ignored him and ran out into the courtyard. Finn didn’t want to follow her at first. He had wanted nothing more than to overlook her for the rest of the evening and forget he ever met her, but seeing any woman cry was just too much for him to ignore. He followed her out into the courtyard, where she had taken off her shoes and was throwing them, screaming something that Finn couldn’t make out.
“Whoa! Really? Those were
very nice shoes. I saw you buy them, remember?”
“What do you care? Just go away!” Her face was just as rosy pink as the dress she was wearing. The one that she had made in the village. Why she had chosen such a feminine color was beyond his understanding.
“I would love to. Actually, I would love nothing more than to pretend I never met you.”
“Then why don’t you?”
“Because unlike those barbaric men that you seem so fond of, a gentleman like myself cannot leave a crying woman to suffer alone. Probably from all of that coddling and such.”
Adelphie wiped her eyes and looked over at him. “Are you trying to be funny?”
“Why? Is it working?” He laughed at himself. Amazingly, she laughed, too.
“I still don’t like you,” she said.
“I still don’t like you, either,” he replied. “But you really should retrieve your shoes. The castle floors are quite chilly and in case you haven’t noticed, it’s winter.”
Adelphie gave in and walked to pick up her shoes.
“Why are you crying anyway? What could possibly be bad enough to make the warrior woman cry?” he asked her though he was afraid he may not want to know the answer.
“I saw my sister kissing the wizard. Kissing a magical person. Kissing the enemy!” She was shouting again. Finn walked over to her, gesturing for her to calm down, to breathe. A guard nearby was moving closer. Finnley held up a hand for him to wait and he stopped.
“Breathe. Breathe,” he said again, trying to get her to focus. “Look at me. Breathe.” Adelphie looked at him, really looked at him for the first time since he had entered the courtyard. If he was handsome before, he was practically divine now. His hair had been combed back and was smooth, showing his entire face, allowing her to actually count the small freckles if she wanted to. The red stubble that lined his chin the last time she saw him had been freshly shaven. Looking at him now, she certainly could see why women would swoon over him.
