by Bone, K. L.
She forced her eyes back to a forward glance to the far wall which she maintained throughout the remainder of the meeting. Their talks were a quiet affair, at the end of which the guards were dismissed with simple instructions to return the next morning. And so it went continued throughout the rest of the week, day in and day out. Then, on the last day, a banquet was held for the nobles and Mara cautiously added Brendan and Jacob to the roster of the Royal Guard. The Royals drank and made merry until well into the night when suddenly, Erik stepped forward. “May I have the honor of a dance, Lady Mara?”
Startled, she raised her gaze to Phillip, who shrugged as though to say, your choice. Then she turned back to the Captain of the Muir Court. “I am flattered, my Lord. But hardly dressed for the…”
“You look ravishing, my Lady. Please, grant me this honor.”
She nodded and allowed Erik to lead her onto the dance floor. A soft tune filled the room from the royal musicians as the two Captains bowed and began to glide across the floor. As they transitioned into a more intimate portion of the dance, the Captain said, “I am glad to see that you took my words to heart.”
“They were well received,” she replied quietly.
The two separated momentarily in the twisting of the dance and then turned again, one towards the other. “He is not what you think,” Erik whispered as he twirled her in his arms. “He is a monster.”
“What?” They came to a complete standstill as the music came to an end. “Call on me tonight,” he whispered as he gave a bow and left the floor. Mara stood momentarily confounded before finally managing to find her way out of the crowd to resume her previous position against the stone wall. She re-positioned her sword at her side and then looked up to find Edward’s dark gaze upon her. She ignored him, waiting out the end of the festivities before turning to her chambers. She replayed the dance for some time before finally emerging from her room. She walked down a series of long hallways and eventually knocked on Brendan’s door, awakening the young Lord from his slumber. “Brendan,” she said. “Do you remember that night, when I declared the right of substitution?”
“Yes, my Lady.”
“Good. I want you to keep that in mind when I tell you that I need a favor of absolute secrecy.” He nodded without speaking, so Mara continued. “I need you to go to the rooms being occupied by the Muir Court and I need you to bring Captain Erik here to your chambers. I need you to tell no one—not even Phillip.”
Brendan nodded and quickly left to carry out her bidding. A few minutes later, Brendan re-entered the chambers with the Muir Court Captain following closely behind him. Upon his arrival, she turned to Brendan. “Whatever you may hear, I charge you to absolute secrecy. Should you by any chance have been seen or be questioned as to the details of this meeting, you are to say that you, being a young knight, were honored by the chance to converse with such an esteemed Captain. Tell them he told you of fighting in the Golden Age of the Roman Empire and for the glory of ancient Greece.” Brendan gave a bow and moved towards the far wall without being asked. Then Mara turned her attention to the Muir Captain. “My Lord?”
Erik studied her for several moments before speaking. “Honor,” he stated, “is such a tricky thing. Makes it difficult to know what can and cannot be spoken, before it exits no more.”
“I find it hard to believe, my Lord, that one such as yourself could lose your honor so easily. You are a hero among a sea of legends.”
He offered a sad smile. “My Lady, if you knew but a fraction of the things I have done to gain such a reputation, a ‘hero’ is the last thing you would see.”
“And what would I see?”
“A killer,” he replied. “Perhaps one of the greatest to ever live, but a killer, nonetheless.” He took a step forward. “And one day, my Lady, you shall be as well.”
Mara stared at him for several long moments. “You would like to speak with me, my Lord?”
“Only to tell you that the one you seek is within your grasp. And if you search long enough, are determined enough, you will find him. But beware—vengeance comes at a high cost and you may not like what you have become once it is achieved.”
Mara’s breath caught in her throat. “You know who killed her.”
“That, I cannot say.”
“Then why did you ask to speak with me?”
“To tell you to beware. You may have rejected your title, but the same royal blood which condemned the Princess to her fate even now flows through your veins.”
“Who killed our Princess?” she asked again.
“I can say no more.” Erik reached forward and traced his hand along the side of her face, brushing through the long strands of her dark hair. “I dread the day I see you across the field of battle. Yet, I know that the day will come.” He continued to stare into her violet eyes and then, to her further surprise, he leaned down and kissed her. “When that day comes, my Lady, consider this kindness I have shown. Kill me quickly and I shall consider the debt repaid.”
Chapter XLVII
Two days later, after the members of the Muir Court had been seen safely back to the edge of their own kingdom, Mara was summoned to the door of the Queen’s chambers. When she arrived, it was to find other members of the Guard, including Brendan and Phillip, had also been summoned. “I think she called all who worked on the Royal detail while the Muir Court was in residence.” Mara nodded and then proceeded to follow the crowd into the rooms beyond.
The Queen stood near the center of the room dressed in a silver, full-length gown with long, flowing sleeves. “Your Majesty.” She bowed, but the Queen did not glance her way. Mara swept the room. Garreth, Edward and Jacob stood several feet to her left while Phillip and Brendan were on her right. Along the back wall stood several more members of the guard, but their faces were cast in shadow. She took a step towards Phillip, creating a half-circle around the Queen, who had turned to address her Captain.
“Is this all?” the Queen inquired.
“Yes, my Lady.”
“Good.” She nodded. “I would like to congratulate you all on a job well done. The Royals of the Muir Court arrived and left safely. All appears to have gone smoothly. This speaks to the discipline and loyalty of the members of this Guard.”
Mara had to prevent herself from audibly sighing in relief. But relief had come too quickly.
“Or are you?” the Queen suddenly asked the Captain.
“My Lady?”
“Are you, all of you, my most loyal of knights?” Her gaze traveled the room, but it was Brendan who her gaze finally settled upon.
“Yes, my Queen,” he answered tentatively.
“Then tell me, young knight. Where were you the night of the final banquet?”
“On guard in the dining halls, your Majesty.”
“And tell me, Brendan. What happened after the banquet?”
“My…after?”
“Yes,” the Queen answered. “What did you do after the banquet?”
“I…”
“What were you, barely more than a child, doing in a private meeting with the Captain of the Muir Guard?”
Brendan drew a breath and delivered the rehearsed answer. “Captain Erik offered to tell me a few stories of his victories in Rome and Ancient Greece.” Brendan forced a nervous smile. “Did you know he actually fought beside Caesar? I had been dying to hear the tales.”
The Queen considered him for a moment. “In the middle of the night? You honestly expect me to believe this story?”
“There was no time during the day, your Majesty. As the Captains were in meetings every day of the trip. I was most honored by his agreement to come and speak with me.”
The Queen stepped closer to where Brendan stood until she was a few paces away. “Perhaps you are telling the truth.” She paused. “Then again, perhaps you are not.”
“I assure you, I am.”
Mara’s eyes closed tightly at the tone in the Queen’s voice—one she knew all too well.
“Hmm,” the Queen mused. “I suppose this is nothing a few rounds with the lash will not sort out.”
Mara drew a breath to speak, when Edward called, “My Queen, I have never known the boy to lie. You have my word to vouch for his honor.”
“Your word?” the Queen stated as she turned those dark eyes upon the Captain.
“Yes.” Edward took a step forward, his hand upon the hilt of the silver blade by his side. “If the boy says he is telling the truth, there is no reason to disbelieve him.”
“So quick to come to his defense, Captain. Perhaps it is you who needs to be questioned.” She closed the distance between them. “Hand me your blade.”
Mara’s heart began to race as Edward handed his sword hilt-first to his Queen. She took the blade in her hand. “Such a magnificent weapon. To think with a single stroke, you would forever bear its mark.” She shook her head and then tossed the blade aside. It struck the floor with a loud clatter. “Perhaps something a little less lethal.” She pulled a smaller, thin blade from her side.
“My Queen,” Mara interjected, walking quickly across the floor. “The boy is not lying. He wanted to hear Erik’s stories. I arranged the meeting myself. I can personally promise it was nothing untoward. There is no need for this.”
“Hmm,” the Queen answered without removing herself from the man standing in front of her. “Then it seems only the Captain is in need of a lesson.”
“Please, your Majesty.” Mara paused a single pace from where the Queen stood. “They did nothing wrong.”
The Queen did not reply, but instead raised the blade and sliced through the dark fabric of Edward’s shirt, revealing the smooth lines of his pale chest.
Mara’s breathing began to quicken, her heart pounded even harder in her chest. “My Queen,” she tried again, “please don’t.” Phillip moved forward but froze as Mara took her last step, placing herself physically between the Queen and her Captain. “I arranged the meeting. Punish me, if you must. But Edward had nothing to do with it.”
“Mara.” Edward tried to move her, but she brushed him away.
“Be careful,” the Queen said. “You give away your weakness far too easily.”
“That may be,” she replied. “But it does not change the facts. Please.” Mara slid to her knees and gazed up, meeting the Queen’s gaze with her violet eyes. “Aunt Clarissa, please.
The Queen stared down for several moment and her voice grew cold. “That is not going to work, my child. Not this time.” The Queen moved her thin blade in a forward motion toward Edward’s left side. It flew forward but instead of flesh, the blade met the cold steel of Mara’s silver blade.
Chapter XLVIII
“Wait,” Nolan exclaimed from his seat beside Mara. “You raised your blade…to the Queen?”
Mara shifted in her seat uncomfortably and exchanged a glance with Garreth, who cleared his throat. “Yes,” he answered for her. “Mara raised her blade to the Queen.”
Garreth could recall the scene as though it had happened only moments before. The sound of colliding metal echoing through the dark room. The silence which followed. The men against the far wall surging forward, only to hesitate as the Sub-Captains pulled their own swords to meet them. All eyes slowly turning to where Mara sat frozen upon the stone floor, her blade crossed with that of the Queen’s.
It was the Queen who broke the silence. “I could have you killed for this.”
Mara met her Aunt’s gaze directly. Her heart pounded against her chest, yet her grip upon her sword remained steady. It was the Queen who pulled back first, lowering her sword to her side. “Clear the room,” she commanded. “I wish to speak with my niece alone.”
The crowd thinned quickly, most relieved to escape the storm to come. Yet Garreth, Phillip and Edward remained. “I said, alone,” the Queen repeated.
“Your Majesty,” Edward said from his place behind Mara. “If I could just—”
“Do as she commands,” Mara cut him off. “She is right. This is between family. Isn’t it, Aunt Clarissa?”
“Yes. Garreth, you stay. The rest of you leave, or face my wrath.”
“Mara.” Edward’s voice betrayed them both.
“Go,” she said, knowing that if she turned into his dark eyes she would lose all of her hard-won resolve. Phillip stepped forward and gently began to lead Edward from the room when he suddenly knelt down and grabbed both her arms. “Mara…”
“Too late,” she replied refusing to look into his eyes. “I cannot do this with you here.” He stared at her for a moment. Then he stood and left the room without another word.
When only Garreth remained, the Queen turned her dark eyes upon her niece. “You earned a death sentence today, Mara. Were you aware of this, when you pulled a blade upon your sovereign Queen?” Mara met the Queen’s gaze directly, attempting desperately to slow the frantic beating of her heart. “Do you understand me, niece? For what you have done, I have the right to take your life.”
“Then take it, and let us be done with it.”
“Still in love with him,” the Queen said quietly. “Who would have guessed that after all these years—after all the pain he has put you through—that you would still love him enough to put your life between his flesh and my blade.” She shook her head. “How painful it must be to love someone that much, knowing he has nothing to offer in return. How…tragic.” She paused. “What a horrifyingly incredible thing, to love as you do. So…like your mother.” The Queen knelt down until she was eye level with Mara’s kneeling form. “Tell me, niece, if I ordered Edward’s life to be taken in your place, would you choose, as did your mother, to follow him to the funeral pyre?”
The words crashed down upon the younger woman, pulling memories from the darkest recesses of her mind. Her mother crumpling in Regis’ arms as she learned of her husband’s death. The complete abandonment as her mother was incoherently carried to the bedroom, leaving Regis’ second in command, Edward, to inform the ten year old child that her father was never coming home. Mara’s breath caught in her throat, memories devouring her making it difficult to think, to speak, to breathe. The Queen leaned closer and gently caressed the side of Mara’s face with a tenderness she had never known from her Aunt. “Tell me, Mellissa,” she called Mara by her mother’s name, “what is it like to love that much? To give your entire being into the hands of another and to have them offer the same? What is it like, Mellissa?”
Mara trembled as the word, “Unbearable,” tumbled from her lips. “Like having your heart ripped from your chest, every single time he looks into your eyes.”
“You could have come to me, Mellissa.” Her aunt continued to gently run her hand through the long strands of Mara’s dark hair. “Why did you not come to me? I would have helped you.” Tears burned the surface of Mara’s eyes at the tenderness in her Aunt’s voice and the knowledge that the words were not meant for her. “I would have helped you.”
“No. You could not help her.” Mara drew a stuttered breath. “She stopped living the day he died.”
Her mother had lain in bed for weeks, refusing to move, to eat, to live. People watched her, doctors were called and they forced food down her throat against her will. They bathed and dressed her each morning, but she gave no response of her own. Mara sat at the foot of her bed each night, begging her mother to please wake up, but for months it was to no avail. It was Edward and Garreth who watched over her. They who had held her as her father’s body had burned upon the funeral pyre. They, who helped her to understand the truth of what had happened. Who had helped her through her father’s death. Months later, her mother began to function again, but she was never the same. Sadness surrounded her and the depth of her pain was enough to steal the courage of even the bravest of souls. Then one day she laid down and, as Mara held her hand, had chosen to let go of the breath that sustained her, joining her lost love in eternal sleep.
“She died with him. And if you kill Edward…so will I.” A tear spilled from the corner of her eye.
Her Aunt moved a hand to stop its trail down her pale cheek. “Please,” she begged on a trembling breath. “Do not kill the man I love. Take my life if you must, but I cannot, I could not…watch you hurt him again.” Her words fell to complete sobs. “Please, Aunt Clarissa. I beg you. Don’t hurt him. Please don’t hurt him.”
The Queen shushed her as she pulled Mara close, taking the younger woman into her arms and resumed running her fingers through her long dark hair.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. ignosce mihi. Please, forgive me.”
“You poor, motherless child. Do not fear. I will not harm him, this man you love.” Mara’s entire body began to shake. She rested her head against her Aunt’s breast and began to sob in her arms. Clarissa soothed her for what seemed a long time until her sobs subsided and her trembling began to cease.
When the Queen finally drew back, she caressed Mara’s face, wiping the last of the tears from her cheeks. “There,” she said. “No more tears.”
Mara drew a deep breath and nodded. Then, the Queen added. “After all, you will need all your strength for what is to come.”
Chapter XLIX
Mara’s heart sank. “Do not fear, niece. Your royal blood will save your life. But it will not save you from the punishment you have earned by daring to raise your blade to your Queen.” Clarissa stood from the floor and took several steps towards Garreth. “One hundred lashes,” she informed him. “Twenty-five for each of the men she saved, and fifty for daring to raise her sword to me. And a half hour under the knife; let’s see what designs we can make on that flawless skin.”