The Kingmaker Series, #1

by Gemma Perfect

  “Is one of your brothers coming up to escort you?”

  Everleigh shakes her head. She has asked Archer to come and get her. She wants a minute alone with him before they are faced with the noise of the ball.

  Five minutes after she’s ready, butterflies crashing around in her tummy, and her breath quickening, there’s a knock at the door.

  Addyson’s maid opens it.

  “Everleigh, a young man for you.”

  Everleigh stands up, the fabric of her gown dropping and just covering her new shoes.

  Archer bows low when he sees her; and when he straightens up there’s a look in his eyes Everleigh hasn’t seen before. He looks like he wants to eat her up.

  “Everleigh, you look, no, you are beautiful.”

  Everleigh’s smile is broad; she feels it tonight. “Thank you, my knight.”

  “You are most welcome, my Queen.” Every time he calls her that it makes her beam. A Queen and her knight; is there anything better?

  He reaches out and takes her hand, squeezing it as they walk along the castle corridors. They pause outside the ballroom and he kisses her, soft and short and sweet on the lips. She closes her eyes, wishing it was a week later than it was; that she was safe and happy on her throne, with Archer beside her.

  He pushes open the door and follows her into the room.

  The musicians are playing a lively song, the King is on his throne, Macsen and Millard are on the dance floor already, with partners she doesn’t recognise. Addyson is sitting a few seats down from her father, a little too young to join in, but old enough to be there watching.

  The band pause when they see Everleigh; everyone stops dancing to bow or curtsey to her. Someone shouts out: “The Kingmaker!” and the cry is taken up around the room, until everyone is shouting her name. Those with drinks toast her.

  She looks around at all the people, familiar faces and strangers. She will be their Queen soon. She can hardly wait.

  The band start up again and Archer takes her hand. They dance together, one of the dances where partners switch around. Everleigh twirls and ends up being held by Macsen.

  “Sister, you look beautiful tonight.”

  “Thank you, brother.”

  “Are you scared?” His question startles her. He is usually far less blunt than Millard.

  “Of course.” And she answers truthfully. Living is just as frightening to her as dying; maybe more so. With her death, she has known for so long what was coming and what to expect; she hasn’t worried about it half as much as she is fretting about ruling the Realm. Life is going to change inexorably in the next few days and she has no clue what will happen. She stares into his eyes. Will her brother bow before her?

  Everleigh carries out the steps of the dance automatically, led by her partner. Macsen spins her around and she lands in Millard’s arms. She stiffens. Is he going to be unkind to her again?

  “Accept my apology, Evers.” Everleigh smiles at his old nickname for her. She hasn’t heard it for years.

  He grins when she smiles and presses on. “I am anxious. This is a horrible time for us all. I want so much to live, but I know it will be at your expense. And Macsen is a pain but I don’t want him to die for me to rule.”

  They dance as they speak, moving around the floor, gracefully weaving around the other dancing couples.

  “I forgive you, Millard. I love you. It is a horrible time. I believe it will get better.” She’s quiet then, what else can she say, without telling her secret?

  She’s spun back into Archer’s arms.

  “Do you ever feel like your whole life; you have just been waiting for one thing to happen?” he asks.

  Everleigh nods. “Until this week, it was my death.”

  Archer takes her face in his hands. “Mine, is you. I know it. All my life has led to me knowing you, serving you.” He pauses and she stares into his eyes.

  She knows it. Theirs is a story that is only just beginning, but she knows that she was meant to know him.

  She is twirled around again and into her father’s arms. She hadn’t even realised that he’d joined the dance. “Father.”

  He is smiling at her but his face is full of sadness. “I am so sorry, my dearest.”

  “About what?” She’s having a wonderful time.

  “I see the way you look at that young man. How he looks at you.”

  “Then you needn’t be sorry, father.”

  “I am. My lovely Kingmaker. You should be starting your journey, not ending it. I am so sorry.” He holds her tightly, as the others dance around them. He’s crying. “I am going to bed, and I will see you in the morning. What festivities await us?”

  Everleigh shakes her head. She really has no idea. The week is busy and with hunts and balls and plays and jousts she has lost track. She just wants Saturday to come.

  “Goodnight, my sweet. And my apologies again for the hand fate dealt you.”

  Everleigh smiles at her wonderful father; a victim of circumstance himself. She has been dealt a better hand than he knows; but he will know soon enough.

  Ginata

  HALFREDA HAS LEFT ME to make peace with what is to come. I can hardly believe the things she has told me, and yet I recognise them as true. I know them to be correct.

  So, our Kingmaker will live. She will rule and be the greatest ruler the Realm has ever known. A Queen. And so, I will not need to be an ally to the monster who plagues me.

  And him; a prince in wolf’s clothing indeed. I would never have guessed or suspected and I have met him many a time. He must be a player in some very dark work indeed to fool Halfreda, never mind me. I never saw it and I would bet all my coin that no one else has seen it either.

  I am so happy that this prophecy will halt his plotting. Everleigh will make a wonderful Queen and I will make a great wise woman for her. I can undo what I have done this week by helping and guiding her until I’m as old and withered as Halfreda.

  Halfreda was right. This is my future. I feel brighter already.

  The castle will be a wonderful place to live and work; I have often envied Halfreda her position. And soon it will be mine. She has made a wise decision waiting until Everleigh’s death day before it is announced. She knows she can trust me. And her kin, Archer.

  I feel light for the first time since that cloaked prince came to my door. I feel at peace again. I was questioning whether I ever would.

  Thank goodness Halfreda came to see me.

  I think I will have a restful night’s sleep tonight and I may even start packing before I do. I’ll speak to Della about watching the cottage when I go as well. Halfreda seems to think she’s not long for this world. And I have looked in the flames since she left and she is right. It won’t be a gentle end, for the wise woman, but some fates cannot be changed.

  She is ready to go, and I cannot believe this after the way I’ve been feeling, but I am ready to take her place.

  I brew a tea, and sit awhile, imagining my new position. I will miss my little cottage, but I am sure that I will get used to the riches and splendour, the authority and deference I will gain as the Queen’s wise woman.

  I am ready, and for the first time since I was asked to make a death draught, I am happy.

  18

  EVERLEIGH ASSUMES BOTH of her brothers have escorted the King to his rooms as she cannot see either of them. Not that she’s really looking. She’s enjoying being in Archer’s arms far too much to think about much else. His arms are strong and he is just the right height for her to place her head on his heart while they dance.

  She will have parties every week when she is Queen. Life will be a celebration.

  The ball is almost at an end, but she wants to dance all night. To drink and dance and kiss.

  Will taps Archer on the shoulder, interrupting them. He looks worried; a look she seldom sees on his carefree face. He is such a cheery soul.

  “Archer. I need to speak to you.”

  “Is everything alright?”

>   “Fine, just...” He doesn’t answer but flashes Everleigh a happy smile. He does not want her to worry.

  Archer kisses Everleigh on her cheek and passes her on to the next dancer, while he steps out of the throng and over to a quiet corner with Will.

  Everleigh watches them for a second before relaxing and enjoying the music and dancing again; whatever is wrong, Archer will be able to fix it.

  THE TWO PRINCES STAND outside their father’s door.

  “Poor father. He won’t be King for much longer.”

  “True. Saturday is almost upon us. Are you coming back to the ball?”

  “Yes. I just need to tell him something. See you in a minute.”

  The two princes part. One goes back to the ball and one goes into his father’s rooms.

  “Son.” The King rises to greet him; he is enjoying some ale by the fire.

  “Don’t get up. I just wanted to double check you were alright.” He walks over to his father, unscrews the lid off the little black vial that holds the death draught, and kisses the top of the King’s head. As he does, he pours a few drops of the abomination into his father’s ale.

  “Goodnight, King.”

  “Goodnight, son.” Watching his son walk away, pride on his face, thinking that either boy would make a fine King, he takes a big slug of his drink.

  Seconds pass and he clutches at his throat. The death draught is burning its way into his stomach. “Son?” His voice is a croak. “What have you done?”

  The prince walks back over to his father. “I intend to be King, father. I intend to rule the Realm how I see fit. I will not have anyone stand in my way.”

  The King spasms, dropping to the floor. “The sacrifice. You plan to poison your brother’s cup?”

  “I do.”

  “Why?”

  He laughs. “Let’s see, father dearest. Power, money, adoration, everybody bending to my will, my whims, day or night. Why wouldn’t I?”

  “And me?” The King is shaking and shuddering, his strength gone, his neck and face turning black.

  “A test run, father, just a test run.”

  He walks away without a glance and within minutes the King is dead.

  Heading back to the ball, a grin on his face, his father dead, he’s pulled to one side. Tucked into an alcove, he scowls at Wolf. “What the-”

  Wolf’s voice is low and urgent. “We’ve got a problem.”

  He outlines everything his friend, who has been pretending to be in love with Lanorie, has told him about Everleigh and the prophecy and the fact that Halfreda isn’t planning on slitting her throat any more.

  All his plans will go to pot if Everleigh lives; he howls with fury and punches a fist at the stone wall. He barely notices the blood dripping from his knuckles as his mind frantically tries to come up with a plan.

  ARCHER IS IN A PANIC; something he has never been in before. He doesn’t like it. He is usually cool and calm in any situation, but this is a new one on him.

  An enemy he could see atop a horse during a joust was one he could handle with ease. Finding Brett in the woods intent on attacking Everleigh had left his mind in no doubt as to his next steps, but this is more muddled. The threat is highly likely, but he doesn’t know its true form.

  He knows one of Everleigh’s brothers is willing to kill off his competition with a death draught, instead of letting the Kingmaker’s blood choose the next leader.

  Will overheard Lanorie telling someone about the prophecy and the fact that Everleigh would live. They have no real idea who it is, but Archer is decided; it must be Everleigh’s brother. No one else would have reason to spy.

  There is no way he is going to leave Everleigh alone until after the death day announcement. He will trust his instincts; they serve him well in life, when he’s travelling and when he’s jousting and even when he decided to take up Halfreda’s invite and come to the castle to serve a Queen. There has never been a Queen of the Realm before and dream or no dream it is still a wild idea, but he knew it was the right thing to do.

  Everleigh is in danger; possibly immediate. He needs to keep her safe; that’s his only job.

  He taps her dance partner on the shoulder and intervenes. “Come with me.” His voice is low and urgent and Everleigh doesn’t hesitate to follow him. Out in the stone corridor, candles lighting the darkness he pulls her into an alcove. Will joins them. The trio talk quietly.

  “Everleigh, did you tell Lanorie? About being Queen.”

  For a second, squirming from their stares she wants to lie, but then she nods her head. “Yes. But only because I knew I could trust her. Why?”

  Archer shakes his head, wishing to kill Lanorie and her big mouth. “She’s told somebody.”

  “No, I don’t believe it; she would never betray me.”

  “I heard her.” Will’s voice is flat; she has never heard him sound like this before. Everything he says is full of wit and wisdom and cheer; even something banal sounds like a witticism from Will.

  Archer nods at Will to continue. “She was in the stable. But I didn’t see the man she was with. I didn’t recognise his voice though. It’s no one we know. Is it true? Are you to live?” The sadness in his eyes makes Everleigh ashamed that she didn’t share her secret with him. Before she can answer; to explain or apologise to him, her oldest friend, Archer interrupts.

  “Everleigh, we think you’re in danger.”

  “From who? Lanorie? She might have told, but she would never hurt me.”

  “We think the man might be a spy.”

  Everleigh laughs. “A spy. Who would want to spy on me?”

  Archer takes a breath. “We think it was one of your brothers.”

  “No. No way.” Shaking her head, and fed up of even talking about it, Everleigh backs away. “I’m going to bed.”

  Archer grabs at her arm, but she moves out of his way. “Everleigh. You must listen. You could be in danger; you can’t go off by yourself.”

  Will puts his hand on her arm, and she lets him. “Everleigh, please. Listen to him. We need to keep you safe.”

  “So, one of my brothers is spying on me? I don’t believe it and if it is true, it won’t mean anything. They’re my brothers.”

  Archer is never going to convince her; and as long as he keeps her safe, it doesn’t matter what she believes.

  “Let us take you to your room. Let me check it over.”

  She nods her agreement and the three of them head along the corridor. One of the little maids should have readied her room for her sleep; a warm bath filled if she wants it and hot bricks in the bed. Or Lanorie might have done it, if she’s feeling better. A thought occurs to her.

  “Lanorie hasn’t waited on me for a few days. Cook told Addy’s maid to tell me that she was ill.”

  The three of them are silent. Lanorie’s betrayal seeming ever more probable.

  The three of them run to Everleigh’s room. Archer pushes the door open and a quick scan seems to show that it’s safe for them to go in.

  Everleigh checks her bath; hot and filled with water. Her bed is made, and when she pulls back the covers, the hot bricks are where they usually are. At her feet, her middle and her head.

  Archer isn’t convinced that all is well. He looks out of the window. It is too dark to see anything much in the courtyard, though a few lamps are lit. He can see some shapes moving around, people going about their business.

  He moves around the room. It’s a security dream but would be a nightmare to escape from. There is only the one door in and out, and although there are several windows, they only open slightly and they are too high for Everleigh to escape out of. If someone wants to kill her in her bed, they would be able to easily.

  He pulls a big chest away from the wall.

  “What are you doing?” Everleigh asks, laughing. “Just who do you think could hide behind that?”

  “There’s no one in here. But now I’m looking for a way out.”

  “Because the door is just too boring?”<
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  Archer gives her an exasperated look. “Everleigh if someone does come to kill you, there is only one way in and one way out of your room. I was hoping...”

  “There’s another way out.” Will says, looking around the room and then pulling out a big trunk just along the wall from Everleigh’s bed.

  “Here.” Set into the bottom of the wall, is a hole covered with a black metal grate.

  “What’s this?” Everleigh kneels in front of it. Archer kicks at it. She has never seen it before but then she doesn’t spend too much time wandering around, looking for ways in and out of her room.

  “How did you know about it Will?”

  “It just came back to me. This room used to be used by the King’s men. Whoever was favoured most by the King got the room. But the most favoured is usually the most trouble. They needed an escape route in case they annoyed someone who then came looking for them. It also served to get women in and out of the room without traipsing them through the castle.”

  Archer kneels on the floor and starts tugging at the grate. “That’s fantastic.”

  “What are you doing?” Everleigh stands beside him. “We might have found a way out, but no one is going to hurt me.”

  “We don’t know that.” Archer pulls at the grate again and it comes away from the wall. He sets it on the floor and sticks his head inside. “Will, get me a candle.”

  Will obliges, passing Archer a candle in a holder. He takes it and holds it aloft. “There’s a passage.”

  “It’s probably the chimney flue.” She’s unsure really and thinks it’s ridiculous to even worry about. “My brothers would never hurt me. Neither one of them. This is pointless.”

  She walks over to her bath, trailing her fingers in the hot water. “Please Archer, I want to have a bath.”