“No, I found the sac of grain and carried it with me… gave it to one of the maids.” At least he wasn’t shivering so hard now.
“Good. It wasn’t all for naught then. I’d hate if you went through this for nothing.” I pulled off his boot so he could get out of his breeches.
“I’m sorry I missed dinner. You look pretty,” he complimented sincerely.
I scrunched up my face and helped him lay down in the bed. “I was bored, so I threw a dinner for the staff.”
“How very kind of you.”
There was a knock before one of the maids entered with the tea.
“Thank you,” I said, taking the cup and saucer from her.
She curtsied, and then left us.
After I finished helping Valron drink the warm liquid sweetened with honey, I stoked the fire and curled up beside him. I hoped the heat from my body would help warm him.
When I woke, it was daylight. I stretched and glanced up at Valron. His face had a sheen of sweat on it. I put my hand to his face. He was burning up. I scrambled off the bed, still in my gown from the previous night, which was now rumpled.
I flew out of the bedroom in search of Lamar. I found him with Maybel. They both stopped their conversation and turned to give me their full attention. Worry was etched on both their faces.
“It’s Valron. He has a fever.” I balled my hands into fists and pressed them to my face. Stupid horse!
Maybel came to comfort me as Lamar said, “I’ll send for the physician. He lives nearby.” Maybel reminded me of my mother, the way she consoled me. Though, they were nothing alike appearance wise. Where my mother was sleek and dark, Maybel was curvy and grey.
“Please make haste.”
He bowed and went to gather his cloak and boots.
“Come now, Your Grace. Let’s get you out of that gown.” Maybel put her arm around me to coax me forward, and I complied.
Shortly after Maybel had helped me into a day dress, Lamar and the physician arrived.
I followed them up to the bedchamber where Valron still lay. “Can you do anything for him? He came home cold and wet last night after his horse threw him,” I told the man with a receding hairline that was to heal my husband.
“I can give him a tonic to help with the fever. Other than that, I suggest you keep him warm and in bed,” the physician advised while setting his bag down beside the bed. He pulled out a dark blue, glass bottle and poured it into the cup that had tea in it the night before.
Valron groaned as I helped him sit up and drink the tonic the physician gave to him.
“Give him lots of liquids. You should sleep in a different room to avoid becoming infected too,” he said, gathering his bag again.
“That’s all? There’s nothing else you can do for him?” My eyes darted to the pained look on my husband’s face. This was serious.
“That’s all I can do for now. Give him more of this tonic tonight. I’ll come back tomorrow to check on him.”
I blinked fast a couple times and stepped out of his way. “Alright.”
“That’ll be one gold piece for my services each day.”
I went to the box on the dresser and pulled out a gold coin and handed it to the stout physician. “Thank you, good sir.”
He pursed his thin lips. “Don’t thank me yet.”
He left, and I went to the side of the bed and sat on my knees. “Oh, Valron. You must get better.”
He looked at me with red eyes. I saw regret there. I grabbed his hand and squeezed it.
“Shall I fetch some soup, Your Grace?” Lamar asked from behind me. I’d almost forgotten his presence.
“Yes, he must keep up his strength. Please have the cook prepare something.”
While I waited for the soup to arrive, I sat beside the bed listening to Valron’s raspy breathes. I wondered what would become of me if the unthinkable happened. I’d be free to return to Aquila. No! I must not think that way, I scolded myself. Valron was a good man.
When the soup came, I fed it to Valron only to have him throw it right back up. One of the maids helped me clean him up and got him new blankets.
Tea was the only thing he could keep down. Maybel and I took turns helping him drink it.
I slept in one of the guest chambers, as advised. Actually, I didn’t do much sleeping at all. I lay awake for most of the night, to be honest. My mind kept me tossing and turning. I never wanted to marry Valron, but I didn’t want him to die. He’d been the best husband a man could be under the circumstances. If he didn’t make it out of this, my mother would surely marry me off to someone else… unless I took over this household. I didn’t know enough about matters of estate. Perhaps I could learn. No, I don’t want to stay here if he dies. One, two, three. I tried counting to quiet my mind. It worked—eventually.
Chapter 13
Valron was in even worse condition the next day. I pressed my palms to my face as he lay in bed, shaking and sweating. His hair was plastered to the sides of his face.
The physician was with us. He took one look at Valron and shook his head. “I’m sorry, Your Grace.”
I shook my head. “No… no!” I looked at Lamar. His warm brown eyes shone with tears, but he didn’t say anything.
“Does he have any family?” I asked the servant. “We should notify them.”
“Just a brother,” Lamar answered.
Valron stirred. “N—no. Please.”
“Shhh.” I rubbed his arm. “Go back to sleep. You must save your strength.” The fever was making him delirious.
“I’ll see myself out,” said the physician. He wore layers of wool to keep the cold off himself during his travels to and from our palace. Perhaps he thought the layers would also keep disease away.
“Thank you for your efforts, sir.” I folded my arms tightly.
“I only wish I could’ve done more.”
I didn’t know what else to say, so I fetched him a gold piece for his services and let him take his leave in silence.
I turned back to Lamar. “Send for the duke’s brother.”
He looked like he was going to say something, but he closed his mouth and complied. “As you wish, Your Grace.”
Alone with Valron, I sat in the chair that had been placed beside the bed and stroked his damp hair. His eyelids cracked open a little, and he peered up at me. I’d tried hard to hate him when we’d first wed, but he’d made it impossible. A lump settled in my throat at the fate awaiting him.
“You told me your parents were dead, but I never knew you had any siblings. Why wasn’t your brother at our wedding? You’ve never even spoken of him.”
“He—” He swallowed hard before continuing. “He’s not welcome.”
“Well, now is the time to make amends. He’ll be on his way shortly, and I’m assuming he’s the one who will inherit this household.” It was not a question. I didn’t want to stay in Cansbroke without Valron. He was the reason we all loved living there. With him gone… I couldn’t imagine the misery.
Valron gave me a pained look. “You must leave,” he managed to ground out.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll speak with your brother when he gets here. Everything will be fine.” I wouldn’t leave until matters were taken care of. And I certainly would not leave him there to die.
His eyes rolled back and he passed out again. He was still breathing, but it was very shallow. It wouldn’t be long now. I hoped his brother would make it in time to say goodbye. Whatever happened between the two of them, surely all would be forgiven in the face of death.
A tear rolled down my cheek. I wiped it away. It wasn’t fair. He was only trying to make sure our house had enough grain, and now he was paying the ultimate price. Celestia, why? I begged our goddess for an answer. Of course there was no answer. I was sure my goddess had deserted me long ago. I wondered if maybe my power didn’t come from her after all. Maybe it came from Vesirus, the dark lord of Mnyama. That isn’t true! I scolded myself for such fooli
sh thoughts. If only I could create healing waters with my magic… perhaps I should try. Maybe water touched by my magic would hold a cure. It couldn’t hurt to try. He was asleep so there was no chance he’d see me.
I grabbed the pitcher of water off the table beside the hearth and poured it into the ceramic cup. I focused on the liquid inside until it began to swirl. I tore my attention off the water and it stilled again. I took it over to Valron and woke him enough to drink. He sputtered a bit as it went down, but I made sure he drank it all. I set the cup down and watched his face for any sign that the water had helped.
“What?” he asked. He saw the questions written in my eyes.
“Just making sure it stays down.” I forced a reassuring smile.
I waited… and waited… and waited. Nothing happened that I could see, so I asked, “Did the water make you feel any better?”
“I—I don’t know, maybe a little…” And then he leaned over and vomited in the bucket Maybel had placed beside the bed. “No,” he choked out.
I got up and left the room. I took a gold framed picture off the wall and threw it across the hall. It crashed into another wall and broke.
I crumpled to the floor and covered my head with my arms. This is useless! I am useless. My power was no help to anyone. I didn’t understand what the point was in being able to control water.
“Your Grace?” Maybel crouched down beside me.
I stood and wiped my face with my hands. “I’m fine. I’m fine.”
I saw the doubt in her expression.
“I can’t sit there and watch him die. I feel so helpless.”
“Why don’t you go and get some rest. I’ll stay with him. You look exhausted,” she spoke in a soothing tone.
“You’re right. I didn’t sleep well last night. Thank you, Maybel. Truly. For everything.”
She smiled sadly at me, and I left her with the damage I’d caused.
In the guest chamber I’d claimed, I collapsed onto the bed and fell fast asleep.
One of the maids had also grown sick, causing the household to panic. As a result, Valron was left alone in his chamber. The only time anyone visited him was when they were giving him water or emptying his chamber pot. Even then, that person tied a scarf over their face to stave off infection.
I didn’t want him to die alone in the chamber we’d once shared, but I worried for my own health. I had been the one closest to him… the one who’d been taking care of him the most. I was surprised I wasn’t already laying on my own death bed. Perhaps it was the elemental magic in my veins that kept me healthy. I couldn’t recall falling ill since I’d found out about my abilities.
A knock sounded on the front door as I was stitching a scene with mermaids on the tapestry I’d been working on. “Lamar!” I called.
No answer.
I set aside my needlework and went to answer the door.
Two men stood before me, our messenger and another, who made me think of a rat. His long, wavy, dark hair was the same shade as Valron’s.
“Good evening, Duchess Chelela. Your messenger has given me the sad news regarding my brother.” The strange man spoke with such formality it made me wonder if he was sad at all.
“Yes.” I turned to the young messenger boy. “Thank you, Judah. Go get yourself something to eat and make yourself warm.”
“Yes, Your Grace.” He bowed and left us for the kitchen.
I stepped back and allowed Valron’s brother to follow me to the drawing room. “Please, have a seat,” I offered, taking one myself in a chair covered in cream coloured fabric. “Valron never told me about you. In fact, I didn’t find out he had any family at all until a few days ago,” I confessed.
“That doesn’t surprise me. I didn’t find out about you either, until your messenger came for me. I am Lord Lanbert Michester. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”
I twisted my lips into a smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lord Michester. I suppose your brother didn’t want you in his life. Now that he’s dying, it’s time to make amends. I’ll take you to his chamber.”
He laughed nervously and rung his hands together. “I don’t think it’s safe to be so close to an infected man, Madam.”
My brows drew together, “I’ll get you a scarf to tie around your face. Surely you wish to have words with him. It’s your last chance to forgive each other—for whatever happened between you two.” I understood his fear, but if it were my brother, I’d want to see him.
His beady eyes darted back and forth. They were blue like the ice that froze on the surfaces of the lakes during the winter in some parts of Sarantoa. He shrugged. “Alright, I suppose it would do to speak with him.”
“I advise you say what you need to say quickly. He isn’t able to stay conscious for long.”
He grinned, causing the skin beneath his icy eyes to crinkle. He was so unlike his brother, who was always warm and kind. I ignored the feeling in the pit of my stomach. They were family. They needed to say their goodbyes.
I handed him a silk scarf from out of my skirt’s pocket and led him to his brother.
He paused as I opened the door. “If you wouldn’t mind giving me some privacy with my brother… I haven’t seen him in many seasons.”
“Of course.” I let him in and shut the door quietly behind him.
I waited outside the door. I could only hear murmuring coming from behind the thick oak door. It took a while before I heard the click of the door handle, and Lanbert reemerged.
“How is he?” I asked, folding my hands together.
“Not good. It won’t be long now, I’m afraid. Thank you for allowing me to see him before he passes. We have forgiven each other.”
My shoulders loosened. “Thank Celestia. At least there’s that.”
“Is there a chamber available for me?” He peered at the other doors lining the hallway. “I grow quite wary from my travels.”
“Yes, I’ve had Maybel prepare one for you. Come right this way.” I led him to one of the guest chambers. We had an abundance of them in the winter. The staff told me they were usually filled in the summer with the peers of Cansbroke.
I left him in the spacious chamber and went to find Maybel to ask her to make sure he was fed. She didn’t look happy about the duke’s brother’s presence, but she kept her mouth shut on the subject.
Chapter 14
Valron died a few days after his brother’s arrival. One of the maids was going to give him water, but he was unresponsive. Maybel sought me out to tell me the news.
I stood there in his chamber, staring down at his body. His skin was a shade of grey, and his body had wasted away to nothing. I didn’t know how to feel. I should have been crying… even sad, but I felt nothing. What’s wrong with me?
Lanbert put his hand on me. “Don’t worry, Madam. I will take care of this.”
“H—how?” I asked, somehow managing to find my voice.
“If you must know the details; I will have his body burned and pour his ashes in the river.”
“But that’s not our way. He’s a duke—or he was. He should have a proper ceremony. His body should be given to the Vitreus Sea.”
“The weather’s too cold to ask everyone to travel right now. Would you have him left in here to rot in his bed until his peers can see him off? We’ll have a small ceremony with his household here,” he countered.
I shivered at the image his words produced in my head. “Someone should tell the king.”
He scrunched up his mouth in thought before offering, “I will write to King Zaeden to inform him of my brother’s death.”
I nodded. I needed to write to my mother. Perhaps she would let me return home now—even if just until she found another man to marry me off now, though it’d be tougher now that I was a widow.
I locked myself in the guest chamber—my new chamber. Even if I was now the owner of this household, I’d never be able to sleep in the room I’d once shared with Valron—the room his body now lay in.
&
nbsp; I picked up a quill and dipped it in the thick black ink.
Dear Mother,
Valron has passed away. He grew ill after spending a night cold and wet when his horse threw him and never recovered. My only wish is to come see you… if only for a while. I miss Aquila. I miss my home. If this war is to happen, and I can do nothing to stop it, I’d rather be there with you.
With love,
Chel
“Madam? I would speak with you.” Lanbert’s voice sounded from the other side of the wooden door.
I set down the quill and folded the letter. “Yes, come in.”
Lanbert let himself in and eyed my folded letter. Curiosity lit up his eyes.
“I was writing to my mother—to tell her of what happened.”
“Ah. Would you like me to see it delivered to her?”
I shrugged. “If you wouldn’t mind.” I didn’t see any reason not to trust him with the task. It’s not like he could’ve read it. It was written in code.
He took the letter from me and stuck it in the pocket of his grey trousers. “I’ve come to speak with you about matters of the household.”
When I didn’t answer, he continued. “Before my brother died, we came to an agreement. The agreement was that once he passed, I would inherit his land. I have the papers here. He signed them himself.” He indicted a mark on the piece of paper in his hand.
I leaned forward and peered at the paper he held out for me. It was indeed a document with Valron’s signature at the bottom. I sighed, “That’s a relief, actually. I don’t know how to run a household, and I’d prefer to return home anyways.”
“It’s settled then. No hard feelings?”
“None at all.” I gave him a small smile.
“Take all the time you need to pack your things. It’s better to wait until the weather is warmer to make your travel home.”
“Thank you—Your Grace.” I wasn’t sure what to call him now that his title had risen and mine had fallen.
“Please, just call me Lanbert. I haven’t been appointed as duke yet.”
The Elemental Diaries - Complete Series Page 33