Delusions of Loyalty (The Braykith Series Book 2)

by Jennifer R. Kenny

  She sighed, and made a deliberate show of the slow intake and outward push of air. “Will Wick be alright?” she asked.

  “From what I could tell, yes she will be fine. The physician will be checking on all of the people who had been poisoned. I was assured that Wick will be seen to and evaluated all in a timely manner and her care is paramount.” Glais smiled but gently moved Evangeline from his path so he could pass, hoping to change his clothes quickly, wash his face and hands before retiring to bed. He had not expected the day to become such a farce, but what had started as a bad day had quickly turned stressful and demanding. Like any many who had been working hard, Glais needed sustenance, but without a secure donation to take he would need to sleep.

  “Sable is well,” Evangeline added, not following him into the bedroom, but speaking loudly to be heard still. “Thomas and I saw her to her room, and she managed the stairs quite well.” Many others could not, but Evangeline remembered the bowls of porridge and how little it appeared Sable had eaten. She bit her bottom lip but did not share it with Glais. There were so many reasons why the bowls had been arranged in such a manner. Evangeline would not be responsible for a witch hunt when she had invited Sable here for her safety. “Your father seems to think that our quick reaction might detour the poisoner from acting again.” She offered the news that Thomas had told her.

  Glais emerged from the bedroom wearing only his pants, his hair loose and brushing along his shoulders carelessly as he walked. Evangeline lowered her eyes from the sight, clasping her hands before unclasping them. Glais did not seem to notice. “How many men died?” he asked, and Evangeline seemed to lose some of her energy as she considered those who never did lose their frozen expression.

  Glais nodded, reading her face and knowing he had just forced her to consider the truth of this situation and while their quick actions had been inspiring it did not mean they were safe from this poison. Glais believed his father had said those things to try and comfort any who heard him, but Glais did not need the stories. He understood the facts, just as Quintus did. They were still under attack in their own home. “Some of our best men will never recover Evangeline, and that will attack moral for those who remain. They will start asking themselves why were they spared when their comrade lead a better life, a cleaner life, perhaps held better principles.” Glais paused to swallow the wine from the goblet he had poured himself. It was not the crimson liquid he needed, but it was all he could have. “Furthermore Evangeline, this will force Father to take new soldiers he had originally passed on. This attack will be felt for much longer than this initial outbreak, and it will continue to echo.”

  Evangeline nodded. “I am sorry Glais. I should have realised how small of a victory this truly is for Braykith.” She hung her head, ashamed that she had forgotten such things which should have been natural for her to observe. She had been taught all the manners a Queen should have, but never had she been able to witness real strategy. While she still believed, they had a right to celebrate, this should also be a time for mourning.

  Glais smiled at her, drinking more in hopes of dulling the ache that was stirring. “Father is correct that it was your fast work ensured it was not worse.” He turned from her and poured collected water over his hands, washing them and giving him the excuses not to look at her as he prepared to tell her his wants. He knew it would not be met well. “I want to have Sable’s rooms searched, discretely of course.”

  Evangeline frowned. “Why? Sable was also one of the ones affected by this sabotage.” She was quick to defend her friend, just as Glais knew that she would be. What he could not guess was how at odds Evangeline was with herself over Sable. Evan as she prepared to defend her, Evangeline was thankful that Glais would search her chambers. “I know it is easy to pass the blame to her. She is new and shares a room with Wick, but that does not make her the conspirator.”

  “Wick has expressed her concerns to me,” Glais said softly, drying his hands and quickly lost for further distractions to save him from facing Evangeline. He realised too late that he should have done this come the morning after he had probably dealt with his hunger. “And I promised I would. I am sure your friend has nothing to hide from us, and it will give Wick a peace of mind over this terrible timing of events.” Glais was lying, but he knew that Evangeline would not be able to tell. It wasn’t the lack of trust between them that made it easier for him to lie. It was Glais’ ability to hide his emotions from her when he was genuinely trying to.

  “I know Wick is not the only one who is suspicious of Sable.” Evangeline crossed her arms under her bust and Glais closed the gap between them with a cautious step. A standoff was forming, and tension was growing that Evangeline did not like. She was only starting to believe they could find a mutual middle ground. “I admit the thought came to me as well.” Evangeline sighed, looking away as she admitted it. She would never say the words condemning Sable again, and only in this room had it been possible in the first place.

  “We will get Thomas to check,” Glais told her, and Evangeline finally nodded. “I am sure there is nothing to worry about.”

  “If it is not Sable, it is someone.” She added, knowing Glais agreed with her. That was not up for discussion. “I cannot begin to guess at how long someone has been planning this attack, but I could not believe they worked alone. It is one of the realities of this whole situation that makes me doubt Sable’s involvement.” Glais did not comment, and Evangeline had to accept that he would not risk speaking openly about how he felt about Sable.

  “If the rebels are using my father’s tactics against us now, he would have placed plants within your walls even years before the attack. It could be our most trusted.” Evangeline leant into Glais, resting her head against his shoulder and seeking comfort from the man she should be this intimate with.

  He was surprised by the affection but Glais was quick to wrap his arms around her instead of questioning it. “You are tired.” He said to her and felt Evangeline smile gently against his chest. She was tired, and it was sweet that he would notice those things in her. Evangeline was not surprised by the observation. Glais had started reading her body to judge her emotions since their first meeting.

  She looked up, and Glais looked down at her. Hair fell back off her shoulders, and Glais realised she was pulling herself on tiptoe against him with clear intent. “Evangeline, what are you doing?” Glais asked.

  “Don’t speak.” She said, pulling him down with her hand on his neck. “If I say stop, you need to listen.” Evangeline waited for him to nod.

  “Of course.” He dared to brush his hand over her hip, and she didn’t repel his actions like she usually did. He licked his suddenly dry lips, suddenly unsure of how to act which was preposterous given his history with women. “I have told you that I have no desire in force.”

  She nodded. With only the slightest of nudges, their lips met, and Evangeline felt him holding back. He was waiting for the rejection she had taught him to expect. She could not promise that the rejection still wasn’t coming, but it hurt her that she had forced this reaction from him. Her eyes closed and it became easier to forget who she was with. She pushed herself more firmly into Glais and gasped as he finally kissed her properly.

  Grabbing her up in his arms, Glais lifted her from the floor and carried her over to the chair. He sat slowly, but he never let their lips separate for long. He struggled internally with what she wanted and what he needed, but Glais’ hands were sure and steady against her form as she arched under the lightest of pressure of his hands on her back.

  His hands were gentle as he pulled the fabrics up over her legs, passing the bend of her knees and crept higher still. The memory of Thomas, misguided and hormonal childhood desires for Glais, and the confusion of seeing his treatment of Wick collided and Evangeline used everything to fuel her actions and make them genuine. A breath of wind passed over her newly exposed flesh, and she shivered as Glais pulled the lace slip over her head.

  She could
never love the man she was with as a wife should, but Evangeline could do her duty. Feeling Glais’ lips against her skin, Evangeline had the harsh reminder that her life was one of duty, and as long as Evangeline performed, who was to argue with her methods. Gasping, Evangeline reached between them, and as she grasped his thickness through the stretch of fabric, Glais pressed himself back in the chair and released a sharp exhale of breath.

  Evangeline smiled at the reaction, and it was curious how her slightest change in speed or direction brought new noises from Glais. The jerking of hips and the desperation that he struggled with showing her what he wanted, and trying to respect her direction. His body was erratic, moving shamelessly and with no hesitation because his mind was whirling with indecision.

  Glais did not understand where this inspiration had come from, and he did not want to think how easy it could be to break her concentration. Placed in an entirely new situation, Glais felt a little foolish in his attempts to communicate without actually communicating. Just as Glais was about to speak, it appeared that Evangeline’s inspiration struck true, and Evangeline straddled Glais here in the chair. Awkward but rewarding, Glais filled her, and Evangeline found his mouth again as they found a pace that suited them both.

  CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

  During all of his years here at the castle, Thomas had never actively sought Wick out. His family came from the soldier’s blood line while her parents had been servants of some kind. Thomas really wasn’t sure of the precise actions that had allowed Wick to somehow get close to the Prince. Thomas and Wick might have lived in the same world but it was only after Evangeline appeared in Braykith did they ever run in the same circles. All that was certain was Wick had been given certain opportunities that had never arisen for Thomas during his youth. Even now no one would call Thomas and Glais friends but rather peaceful enemies.

  While he could not think of any reason why he would not be able to visit Wick, Thomas still felt like he was not supposed to even after he had been given the orders by Glais. There was something forbidden about her, and while he knew people avoided her because of her appearance, Thomas avoided her for other reasons. Wick was intimidating, and knowing what she had endured with Glais in his youth and somehow having the strength to continue on afterwards was worth taking note of. He respected her, and because of that, he had a healthy fear of her.

  Thomas had paused at the door before he knocked on it. It had been a few days since the poisoning incident, and Thomas felt secure in knowing that Wick would be well enough for his visit. He could hear nothing coming from behind the door, and he wondered if she was elsewhere in the castle when suddenly the door opened. Wick stood in her usual clothes, one of the few people who dared to put her hair up when she was in the comfort of her own rooms. “I am sorry I did not warn you first about my arrival,” Thomas said. Wick gave no response, her eyes staring straight ahead as if he wasn’t even there.

  It was disturbing, but Thomas would not allow it to deter him from his purpose. He cleared his throat. “Glais has asked me to search Sable’s rooms for any sign of the poison.” That seemed to get her attention. Her eyes instantly locked on his and Thomas did not shrink back from her, but he wanted to. Having Wick suddenly see him was worse than her simply staring out. He coughed into his hand, but it did nothing to ease the tension he was feeling. “Is she here?”

  Wick reached out, grabbed the front of his uniforms and pulled Thomas into the room. Thomas had seen her perform feats of strength that a woman of her stature should not be able to do. However, it was entirely different to experience it. She slammed the door shut, pressing herself intrusively against Thomas. He took an involuntary step backwards until his back hit the wood, but still she stayed in close. “Eva asked for it?” she whispered, her voice breaking and sounding scratched to his ears.

  Thomas shook his head. “Glais did. He said you are suspicious.”

  Wick nodded, so fleeting was the gesture he almost believed it had been a coincidence and not an answer. “She is sending out messages.” Wick’s voice was quiet, barely above a whisper and Thomas struggled to understand her course voice even in the silence of her rooms. “I don’t know who to.” Wick released him but did not move.

  Smoothing down his uniform, Thomas stayed where he was. He had little choice in the matter since Wick remained uncomfortably intimate before him. “Glais trusts your instincts.” He complimented her, but Wick said nothing. Her eyes were sharp, and he suspected she was thinking hard about something, but her features were slack, and her body held none of the tension that he felt coming from her. “What else have you seen?”

  Wick said nothing, blinking once before she turned towards the room. Thomas stayed where he was, giving her space because Wick would never be rushed. Thomas hoped she had a feeling about where he could start. The available window was small so Thomas felt safe in knowing no one would know he was here, but it did not mean he could work at his leisure. Evangeline could dismiss her for any number of reasons. She had not been included in this decision as far as Thomas knew. Glais had made it obvious to him that he wanted this to be as discrete as possible.

  Evangeline did know that Sable was a suspect. It would be irresponsible for the crown not to investigate her. However, Glais feared the repercussions from his wife should she be aware of the intimate details of the search. He had trusted Thomas to be discreet and he Finally, she pointed towards one of the bedrooms. “Could you narrow it down?”

  “She is careful,” Wick said leading the way over to the door frame, but she did not enter the room. Thomas recognised the way the space was decorated. Sable had not been in the castle long enough to add her own flare to the usual furnishings. He was glad to see that it was furniture he was familiar with. He had been concerned with secret pockets or hidden storage. “But she does not let me in her room.”

  Thomas frowned. “Never?” He asked, but she did not answer him. Thomas was not shocked by her lack of conversation, anyone who knew her situation understood it, and everyone who knew her at all came to expect her silence. Never had Thomas wished for Wick to be chattier, but if Evangeline could not make her speak casually, Thomas had no hope. “Do you know where she is now?” He asked.

  Wick looked at him, saying nothing and moving away from the door. Clearly, she was done with her direct involvement. Thomas saw her stop by the front door leading into their shared living space, and he wondered if she only stopped there or was she acting as look out. Thomas did not ask her and instead put his attention back on the room before him.

  It was entirely possible that Sable had destroyed all evidence. He thought that was far more likely than for him to find anything but he was inspired by Wick’s confession that she was writing letters to someone. Perhaps she kept them or had one sitting here waiting for the moment to send it. Thomas was optimistic, but as he went through the first prominent places, he was losing that initial drive. Sighing, he resisted pulling clothes out of the draws and throwing them around the room. Instead, one by one Thomas pulled items out of draws, unfolding and shaking garments before folding and replacing them as best as he could.

  Time seemed to move faster than normal, and although he had searched the room, he felt like he had not examined it well enough. With no evidence to report back to Glais Thomas groaned, running his hands over his face. Thomas paused, looking at the room and waited for something to jump out at him but there was no obvious mismatched detail.

  Admitting defeat and sure that nothing was obviously out of place Thomas already felt that he was had overstayed his welcome in this task. Closing the bedroom door again behind him, Thomas thanked Wick. She said nothing and he did not expect her to as he left the room to report his findings to Glais.

  CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

  He knew his duty was to Glais. Thomas still remained loyal to the crown, regardless of how people assumed otherwise. His love for Evangeline was a constant battle with no clear victor in sight. However, that love had brought Thomas in search of Evangeline in t
his time. Sable was her friend, and Thomas knew how rare friendship happened for Evangeline.

  Thomas knocked gently on Evangeline’s door, and receiving no response, he investigated the room further. Seeing it deserted he knew there was only one place he could find her. Walking around the outside of the castle, he smiled to see her standing within the trees that stood by her bedroom window. “You are quite easy to find.” He teased her, and Evangeline looked up when Thomas spoke.

  “Only by those who know me.” She assured him, adjusting her dress and feeling self-conscious of being in this secret place with Thomas. She knew there were no signs on her of what she had been doing with Glais. Still, Evangeline felt like Thomas could tell, in the same way that Glais could tell when she had been intimate with Thomas.

  “I finished searching Sable’s room,” he announced.

  Evangeline nodded. “So, that was today?” she sighed gently, not truly understanding why she could not be trusted with the knowledge but knowing it was not worth the fight. “What was discovered?” she asked, half afraid of his answer.

  “There was nothing worth noting. I was sure to check it thoroughly.” He knew it was a sensitive issue and wanted Evangeline to know that he had taken it quite seriously. Secretly, he had been hoping to locate something which was incriminating only so they could put a top to the dangers that lurked within the castle. The paranoia was growing stronger every day. “It would appear that Sable seemed to be exactly who she claimed to be.”

  Evangeline nodded but was surprised when she did not feel relief. Now sure how she felt about the update she moved onto the issue worth discussing with Thomas. She motioned him closer and he, of course, obeyed. He enjoyed any opportunity to be close to her. “Quintus leaves soon.” Thomas nodded. “And I know that initially, you were not leaving with him.” She took his hand in her own and played with his fingers, marvelling the feel of them and remembering how they felt against her. Their eyes met, and she knew he was thinking the same thoughts.