by Jeanne Hardt
They found her still abed, but it took little enticing to have her follow them.
Olivia witnessed a small spark of love between her parents. Her father showed genuine concern for her mother’s safety and helped her quickly dress.
When they returned to the hallway, Olivia grasped Sebastian’s arm. “Rosalie may still be in my chamber.” Though she had told her to leave, she prayed she remained.
They hastened to her bedchamber.
Rosalie was nowhere to be seen, yet Daisy cowered in the corner, crying.
Sebastian scooped her from the floor. “Do not weep. I shall take care of you.” His gentle manner tugged at Olivia’s heart. The child laid her head against his shoulder and wrapped her arms around him.
When Daisy gingerly touched Sebastian’s beard, Olivia could not keep from smiling.
Her father pointed at Alwin and Valen. “Both of you go at once to the baker’s cottage. Bring him to me along with his son, Dane. And find Lady Rosalie. We will wait for you in the keep.”
To the sound of tiny sobs coming from Daisy, and Sebastian’s calm reassurances, they made their way to the stronghold. The center of the castle with only one way in and one way out.
Here they would be protected—guarded by Sebastian’s sword and the protective hands of the few remaining guards. And here they would decide their next course of action.
If all of Padrida had turned against them, Basilia was their only possibility of aid.
Sadly, Basilia’s help would not come for another three days.
Chapter 27
Sebastian gently placed Daisy on a cushion against the back wall of the keep. Olivia sat beside her and pulled Daisy close. The child had not stopped trembling, but he had to release her. Soon, he feared he would need to fight.
Though he did not wish to leave Olivia, he returned to the king’s side—close to the entrance—and glanced around the circular chamber. As Olivia had stated, there was a single door, so they had only one entry to guard against attack. Yet, on the far side, wooden slats went up the stone wall to the ceiling. A potential problem.
He gestured to the ladder. “Where does that lead?”
“The turret,” the king said. “The guards use it to reach the wall walk. Until you came, it had not been used in a great while. Now our people fear what lies beyond.”
“I was there yesterday,” Korvin said.
Sebastian was about to present a plan, when the queen stepped forward. She was indeed beautiful, and undoubtedly Olivia’s mother. “I assume you to be the Basilian prince.”
Sebastian bowed, chiding himself for not making proper introductions. The stress of their situation had caused him to forgo formalities. “Yes, Your Majesty. I only wish we had met under pleasant circumstances. I fear there is little time to become acquainted. When all is well, that shall be rectified.”
“Most definitely,” she said with a smile of her own, then linked her arm in the king’s. “What are we to do now?”
All heads whipped about to the sound of approaching footsteps.
Sebastian unsheathed his sword and nodded at Korvin to do the same. Fortunately, it was only Gerard, and for a short while, they could be at ease.
Gerard shuffled two ladies into the keep. Wide-eyed, they curtsied to the queen. The poor women were terrified—one even trembled.
The queen motioned them toward Daisy. “See to the child.” They obeyed without question and took Olivia’s place beside the girl.
Olivia stood and joined Sebastian at the entrance. Gerard, however, followed the ladies and hovered over the one with red hair. No doubt, Lady Margaret. Sebastian understood his infatuation. She was indeed lovely.
“Your Majesty.” Sebastian turned his full attention to the king. “I suggest we send Korvin to the turret. From there, he can view the courtyard and all the land surrounding the castle. He will know if we are being advanced upon.”
“I concur.” The king jerked his head toward Korvin. “Have you your spyglass?”
He pointed upward. “I left it up there.”
To Sebastian’s good fortune, Korvin had neglected to use it the previous night. He rested a hand on the young man’s shoulder. “When you ascend, take care before fully rising. Though it is the uppermost part of the castle, some may be watching from below for an appearance.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Korvin cast a smile at Olivia before crossing to the ladder.
“Gerard!” the king bellowed. “Leave the ladies alone and mind the entrance!”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Gerard bobbed his head at Lady Margaret and almost tripped when he scurried away from her and positioned himself in the doorway. The poor man needed to compose himself, or he would be useless.
Obviously, the king felt the same way. He followed Gerard to the door, ranting and waving his arms.
Olivia laid a hand on Sebastian’s arm. “What shall I do?” Her eyes showed no trace of fear.
Her courage overwhelmed him. “Stay close to the wall at the back of the keep. I do not want you to engage in the fight if it should come to that.”
“I can use a bow.”
“Yes, but as much as I hate to say it, your proficiency is questionable.” He touched her cheek. “I could not bear to see you harmed.”
“Will your people come?” A trace amount of mist covered her eyes.
“As long as Jonah made it safely to Basilia, then yes, they shall.”
She bowed her head as if in silent prayer. He drew her into his arms and held her, then kissed her forehead and sent her to be with the others.
They needed more weapons, more men, more hope . . .
Sebastian hastened to the king, then pulled him aside and explained their situation. “I understand I acted against your command,” he concluded, “but I held onto strong convictions that I needed to bring my men. I sent the arrow with the letter unchanged.”
The king rubbed his beard and sighed. “Under the circumstances, I am grateful. However—”
“Your Majesty!” Gerard hollered. “Someone’s coming!”
Sebastian unsheathed his sword and positioned himself at the door. A woman’s sob echoed through the great hall.
“It is the lady Rosalie!” Gerard yelled over his shoulder. The king stood cautiously in the center of the keep, clutching the Crenian blade.
Olivia raced to the door and grabbed Sebastian’s arm.
Rosalie appeared holding onto a man, who staggered in her grasp. “Help him!” Bloodstains on his tunic widened with each step he took.
Olivia gasped. “Dane!”
Sebastian secured his sword and, along with Olivia, ran to them and helped bring him into the security of the room.
“Alwin and Valen are coming!” Gerard shouted. “Someone else accompanies them!”
Olivia looked up at Sebastian, then jerked her head toward the entrance. “Go.”
He wasted no time. The guards neared the door, carrying a man’s body between them.
“Hurry!” Sebastian commanded. “Get him in the room!”
They quickened their steps and brought him in, then joined Gerard at the door—all with drawn swords.
“No!” The queen scrambled to her feet and raced to the limp body of the man the guards had laid on the floor. She fell to her knees and buried her head against the man’s shoulder. “No—Doran—not Doran.” Her frantic eyes shot crazed glances around the room. “Help him!”
Olivia left Dane’s side and ran to her, dropping to the floor beside her mother.
Sebastian hovered above them. Whoever this man was, the grim look the guards had cast when they brought him in let Sebastian know nothing could be done for him. The man was already dead.
“Mother.” Olivia wrapped her arms around the sobbing woman. “Oh, Mother. I am so sorry.”
The queen turned her head and peered into Olivia’s face. “You must help him.” All the while, she stroked the man’s hair.
“But, Mother . . . he is—”
“No.” She viol
ently shook her head. “He shall be made well.” She slowly withdrew her hand from his hair. Dark red blood covered it. “No!”
Sebastian knelt at his other side and pressed his fingers to the man’s throat, searching for a pulse. The puddle of blood pooling around his head, told him more than the lack of rhythm in his neck.
“He’s gone!” Rosalie shrieked. “You cannot do anything more for him. Help Dane!”
Sebastian met Olivia’s gaze, then jumped to his feet and returned to where Dane lay.
Rosalie sat on the hard floor, cradling Dane’s head in her lap. “Please . . .” Her tear-streaked face tugged at Sebastian’s heart, but he needed to keep his mind clear and not allow himself emotion.
He lifted Dane’s tunic and discovered a deep stab wound in his side. Upon close examination, Sebastian determined that though the injury bled profusely, no organs had been pierced.
“Apply pressure here.” Sebastian took Rosalie’s hand and pressed it against Dane’s side. He then tore the bottom of Dane’s tunic and folded the cloth into a thick bandage and placed it beneath her hand.
Rosalie blinked away tears, but did as she was told.
The king stood motionless in the center of the room.
“Your Majesty,” Sebastian said. “This man needs to be sewn. Where is your healer?”
The king did not move or utter one word.
“Father!” Olivia jumped to her feet and rushed to him. “The baker is dead, and if we do not tend Dane, he may join him.”
Rosalie gasped, then started sobbing again.
Sebastian understood why Olivia had said their ordeal was complicated. The king appeared to be in shock. The dead man on the floor was the baker, and obviously, the queen loved him. She let out a mournful wail that resounded through the keep.
The king barely moved his head. “Yes, we need the healer.” He shifted his eyes from the dead man to Dane, then trudged toward his wife and laid a hand on her shoulder. “Sonya,” he whispered. “I am so sorry.” It seemed he knew of their love.
Trembling, she looked up at him. “He is dead, Boden.”
“I know.” The king extended his hand.
Quivering, she allowed him to lift her from the floor. He brought her into his arms and soothed her with unheard words, while gently stroking her long hair.
Several long moments passed.
Sebastian’s sense of urgency boiled within him, but he kept quiet and waited for the king to act.
The man lifted his head high. “Alwin!” He gestured for the senior guard, while still holding the queen. She clung to him as if she feared losing him even more.
Alwin moved close to the king. “Yes, sire?”
“Tell me what happened.”
“When we reached the baker’s cottage, we found both men lying on the floor. Before he became delirious, Dane told us Donovan did this.”
The king scowled. “So, who freed Donovan?”
“Wittek . . .” Dane’s weak voice turned their heads.
“Dane!” Rosalie erupted and hugged him, releasing the pressure on his wound.
He loudly moaned. Fortunately, she had the sense to cover it again.
They all circled around Dane.
“Do you know Donovan’s plan?” the king asked.
“No.” Dane grimaced. “He called me a bastard, then plunged a knife. I moved just in time. I fell to the floor and feigned a mortal wound. Then, he ran off.”
The king threw his shoulders back, gently placed his wife into Olivia’s care, and motioned for Sebastian and Alwin to join him with the other guards at the door.
Before he could speak, Korvin shimmied down the wooden slats and ran to them. “Your Majesty. I have looked about. The courtyard is clear, and no one is gathering. Perhaps we were mistaken about an attack.”
“Let us hope it is so,” the king said. “But, I will not allow Donovan to continue his destruction of Padrida.” His lip curled into a snarl. “I am king, and I intend to start behaving as such.”
Sebastian internally smiled. Padrida needed a king who would lead. “What will you have us do, Your Majesty?”
King Boden’s hands tightened into fists, and he lifted the Crenian blade high. “Any son who devalues the life of his father—and takes that life—must pay the ultimate price. Donovan must be found, then die by the blade.”
“Your Majesty?” Sebastian deemed it a just punishment. “How will we bring him in? You have few guards, and we are uncertain how many of your people follow Donovan.”
“We will ring the courtyard bell and bring everyone in. We shall see where their loyalty lies.”
The king returned to the women and spoke too low for Sebastian to hear. However, whatever he said brought a weak smile to Olivia’s face. For a brief moment, it shed a glimmer of light in the dismal room.
There was no calming Daisy, but the ladies did all they could to shield her from the baker.
With long confident strides, the king rejoined the group of men. “Korvin, go now and ring the bell. Alwin. Valen. Find a cloth to wrap the baker’s head, then carry his body to the courtyard. I will show our people the result of true evil.”
“What about Dane?” Rosalie asked.
“I will send Gerard for the healer,” the king replied, then crossed to Dane. “How is your pain?”
“Bearable, sire. But . . . I fear for my father. Donovan hit him over the head with a piece of stoneware, before coming at me with the knife.”
The king knelt on one knee beside Dane. “Your father has passed. He lost a great deal of blood. Even if the healer had been here, he could not have saved him.”
Dane closed his eyes. Rosalie soothed him with kisses and soft words. This kind of pain, no healer could mend. Only time would ease the ache of his loss.
“Lay still, Dane,” the king said. “Mend yourself for the sake of the one who loves you.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Rosalie tightened her hold on Dane. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
After instructing the women to remain in the keep, the king strode toward the door and faced Sebastian. “Wait here until Gerard brings the healer. Once Gerard arrives with his sword and can look after those here, join me in the courtyard. I will either regain my kingdom or die trying.”
“Boden!” the queen cried out.
The king pivoted toward her. “I will do my best to live, my queen. If I perish, never forget I love you and always have.” He walked out and did not look back.
* * *
Olivia stood back—helpless—as the guards carried the baker out the door. Her mother’s sobs tore into her like the blade that brought down Dane. She prayed she would never have to experience the kind of grief her mother bore. It was hard enough feeling it second-hand.
She had to be strong. Not only for her mother, but for Rosalie, and Daisy, and everyone in the keep who felt the security they once knew was gone forever. Lady Eloise had not made a sound. She held Daisy in her arms, while Lady Margaret paced.
Sebastian stood at the door, waiting for Gerard’s return. Yet once he brought the healer, Olivia would have to watch Sebastian walk away. Out of sight and into danger. Somehow, she had to join him, regardless of her father’s demands.
“They are coming,” Sebastian said, over his shoulder.
She frowned. The hurt in his eyes affirmed he misunderstood. “Mother,” she said, and led her to Lady Margaret. “I shall return in a moment.”
“No.” Her mother clutched her arm. “Please, do not leave me.”
“I shall be gone but an instant. I must speak to Sebastian.”
Her mother peered across the room, and Olivia followed her gaze. The healer had come in and was directed toward Dane. The relief in Rosalie’s eyes helped ease some of Olivia’s tension, though not where Sebastian was concerned.
He was talking to Gerard. He looked her way again, nodded, then took a step out the door.
Her chest tightened. She kissed her mother’s cheek, then sped after him. “Seba
stian, wait!” She pushed past Gerard and continued on into the great hall. “Sebastian!”
He stopped and faced her, and she rushed into his arms.
She clung to him, not wanting to let go. “I am trying to be strong, but I have never been so afraid.”
“There is no need.” He smoothed her hair, then kissed her forehead. “I know you have the strength for this, and those remaining here must see it. I need to go to your father. The time has arrived for us to stand together and show your people there is hope for their future.”
“They fear you.” Her tears streamed. “What if they harm you?”
He tenderly wiped her damp cheek with his thumb. “I would gladly lay down my life for you, but I have no intention of dying today. I believe wholeheartedly I was brought here to find you and build something greater than we have ever known—our kingdoms united in strength and long-lasting peace.” He held her face in his strong hands. “Hold onto my love.”
Their eyes locked, and the turmoil deep within her calmed. He leaned close and covered her mouth with a tender kiss.
“Come back for me when it is over,” she whispered. “I shall be waiting.”
“I will.”
As he strode away, she remained frozen to the floor, heart aching.
Once his footsteps faded, she returned to the keep.
Chapter 28
Never had Padrida seen so much pain, and it stared Olivia in the face. Perhaps she could have prevented some of it. If she had accepted Donovan and married him, the baker would be alive and Dane uninjured.
Yet, her kingdom would still have suffered.
No, she bore no fault for this. Donovan was to blame. For everything.
The healer worked diligently. After carefully cleaning Dane’s wound, he used silk thread to sew it—the only time a commoner was allowed to have silk touch their skin.
Dane grimaced, but did not cry out. Even Rosalie no longer cried.
Olivia knelt down and wrapped one arm over her shoulder. “I am proud of you.” She kissed Rosalie’s cheek. “He shall be fine. And he will need you more than ever.”
