“I’m trying not to frighten you,” Glais admitted. He put his hands in his pockets, but quickly removed them because it was not the proper stance for royalty. “There will come a time where we must openly discuss all of this.” He told her.
“All of this?” Evangeline asked.
“My curse and your dryad blood.” He simplified. “If we cannot find a way to use them to our advantage I fear this kingdom will soon become nothing more than a legend in time. A sister site to Zorelian, yet no one will mourn our passing.”
Evangeline nodded. “After the funeral.” She told him.
Glais nodded. “Yes, after the funeral.” He paused, double guessing himself but decided that later would be better. “Do not be late.” He reminded her before taking his leave. Evangeline stood until the door was closed behind him. Glais did not have the same luxuries that she did. While no one had come to question Evangeline, Glais could not hide in his room. The people of Braykith needed to see their new King handling the distressing passing of his father, and the threat of the rebels.
Glais did his best to pull himself back together and strode purposefully down the hall although he had no real purpose.
Lost in his own thoughts on the matter he almost didn’t see Sable until he had nearly ran into her. He watched her fall into a curtsey, but he didn’t pay her much attention. Just as Glais was about to flee from the corridors, Sable caught his hand. Instantly she let go, but it was enough to stop him.
“I just wanted to say I am sorry to hear about your father.” Sable offered her condolences, and Glais just nodded and moved off before she could engage him further. So many were willing to offer their condolences, but even his best generals were uncertain on how best to proceed.
CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT
Evangeline’s dark brunette hair fell in natural waves, nothing fancy to the procedure or jewels to distract from the natural beauty of her hair. The end result was simply the efforts of air drying and combing her hair by a fire. Evangeline had said nothing while Wick and Sable were present. What words could she offer them? Wick was mute, and Sable was too new to understand her complicated relationship with Quintus. They stayed alone in their thoughts, all three of the women running through the motions to get Evangeline ready for the funeral service.
To her surprise, the dress was not the uniform black she had been expecting. Most of it was the now familiar Braykith black. However, the bodice had silver tones and details, lost under the careful layering of lace that covered her chest. She did not question it; however, she did whisper a thank you to each woman in turn before she emerged from her chambers. Evangeline knew what was expected of her at a funeral. It seemed she had been attending far too many in such a short span of her life. The loss of her friends and mother, and the uncertainty of if her mother had ever received the proper burial she deserved clung to her conscience as Evangeline followed Thomas down the corridors without seeing them. She could not even be distracted by the strange fog that seemed to linger here still. Evangeline did not appear to care about which direction she was walking but stared into his back and allowed Thomas to make the decisions for them both.
Every few steps, Evangeline would consider interrupting him and yet she never found the courage to act on her impulsive desire. Evangeline wanted to speak with Thomas, to share her thoughts with him and lay out the detailed memory of Quintus’ death to ears that would listen to her horror rather than to Glais, who could not bear the news. Evangeline knew this was not the time or the place for such behaviour, but she wished for one moment that could be hers to command. There was much she was banned from saying simply out of politeness to the grieving Kingdom.
Watching the faces of the soldiers who adorned the corridors, the heads bent in sombre alertness, Evangeline would dare to say there was no secret rebel within the castle. Everyone was mourning the loss. The red-rimmed eyes of the men, the way they stood together in the unity of their grief felt genuine and powerful. The love for the crown could not be doubted, and Evangeline felt guilty for ever believing such a thing could not be so. Clearing his throat gently, Thomas paused before the grand doors.
“I thought we were going to the church?” she asked.
“Glais thought it is best if the funeral service is held in a room large and grand, a final show of Quintus’ desire to be seen in the right light.” Thomas smiled, and Evangeline agreed that Quintus would have encouraged the overly indulgent space, and the welcoming of the people into his home if just to see how lavish a life he did indeed live seemed fitting.
Thomas made to open the doors, but Evangeline stopped him. “Do not be far from me today.” She told him, and Thomas smiled.
“I have been entrusted as your personal guard for the remainder of the ceremony Eva.” He stepped into her closer, speaking lowly so not to be overheard. “Glais did not want me to cause you to worry, but there are concerns about security so please, no impulsive running.” He tried to tease her, but the joke made neither of them smile.
Evangeline looked around, but there seemed to be no one close by to feed her fear of attack. She was getting better at recognising the guards and soldiers. Evangeline could name several of the general staff that worked within the castle. Sable stood a few steps behind her, as she had been instructed to do. Besides her friend, the corridors were deserted. “Is it safe here?” Evangeline asked.
“We can only hope Eva. We are letting many outsiders in to pay their final respects to King Quintus. The preparations have been done but who can be certain that someone might not slip through.” Thomas sighed. “But no harm will come to you.”
Evangeline nodded. “I trust you.”
“Good.” Thomas did not kiss her as he wanted, but there was no need for such blatant displays of intimacy in public when she knew so well how he did feel. The look alone was enough for her to feel the phantom kiss and Evangeline was content with that.
Thomas lead her through the doors, but even Evangeline was rendered speechless when she saw what had become of the ballroom. Only a few days had passed since Quintus’ body had been recovered from the spot in the woods, but she was close to believing that the people of Braykith had been working on the designs of the grand ballroom for months.
Baxter’s service had been held in the church, a formal and strictly family affair. There had been details to the arrangements, the seats decorated with flowers that had been in full bloom and small contrasting crafts. However, this was bordering on grotesque, and Evangeline felt a tear come to her eyes as she realised this was exactly as Quintus would have wanted it.
He had been obsessed with perception and the power that came along with it. Evangeline had never met a man so in tune with how one’s view of you created belief, and Quintus was the grand master of such trickery. The rumours that kept Braykith safe was child play compared to the demands he made within the estate.
Flowers decorated every surface. Candles stood at different heights, casting the usually dim room in a romantic glow of life. The floors were polished, the windows cleaned and rows upon rows of chairs stood in a similar set up of the church. From the corner of her eye, she saw movement and Evangeline’s heart skipped a beat as she saw Quintus standing within the circle of armed guards, giving a final preparation before the people from the village were to be lead inside.
She took a step towards him, not believing what she saw. She had witnessed his death, had seen the look on Glais’ face when the body was recovered and the thick darkness that had settled over the castle since. Not believing her own eyes she approached Quintus, only to see it was Glais a moment too late. The shock should not have been there. Since her arrival, she could be rightfully accused of not seeing the difference between them, and Glais’ silhouette had caused her to pause in the belief that Quintus had come back from the dead. After what she had seen, it seemed entirely plausible.
“Evangeline, are you alright?” Glais asked, putting a gentle hand on her shoulder.
“Yes,” she lied. She did not think
now was the time to remind Glais just how much he looked like his father, Quintus. “Your father would have loved this room.”
Glais smiled, looking around at the overwhelming display of wealth. “I hope so.” He agreed with her. “Mother did most of it. I think she needed the distraction.”
Evangeline spotted Kyleigh sitting in one of the front seats alone. Unlike the death of her son, there were no additional ornaments attached to her side this time. She carried no sword or other display of her grief. She didn’t need to. Kyleigh was a shell of the lady she once was. No longer a young woman, the signs of stress showed upon her more readily. Evangeline had never considered Kyleigh frail, but she looked as if a stiff breeze would topple her over.
“There are no distractions big enough for this,” Evangeline murmured. “I’ll go and sit with her.”
Glais nodded, and Evangeline headed towards the seats. As she came to the front, she turned to Sable. Her friend had said nothing since they had come in, but Evangeline noticed her fussing with the simple but still beautifully made dress she was wearing for the occasion. Sable was clearly feeling overwhelmed, and Evangeline considered sending her back to the rooms to wait with Wick, but it was too late for that now. “Are you alright?” Evangeline asked her quietly.
Sable nodded. “This is all so unexpected.” She gestured to the room, and Evangeline could only agree with her sentiment.
“You sit here.” Evangeline gestured to the row of seats that were behind the front row. “Just sit behind me and relax.” Although Evangeline could not take her own words to heart. Since seeing the world through Alisma’s eyes, Evangeline could not leave the waves of nausea behind. Unexpectedly they would form, and she would be forced to ride them out with no other help to guide them.
Evangeline took her seat beside Kyleigh without it being offered. The Queen did not move, and finally, Evangeline took her hand. Kyleigh looked at their joined hands and then up to Evangeline’s face. No smile to her lips and the light was lost in her eyes. It unnerved Evangeline to look at her, but she would not look away and disrespect her.
“Tell me,” Kyleigh said.
“Tell you what?” Evangeline asked.
“Everything you are keeping to yourself out of respect.” Kyleigh gave a short and barking laugh. “I know how people want to remember Quintus in his death. The warrior.” Kyleigh closed her eyes and settled back in her chair, seeming too tired to maintain eye contact any longer. “But I know that look Eva.” Her words slurred ever so slightly, and Evangeline realised that Kyleigh was intoxicated.
“Which look would that be?” Evangeline grew nervous, wondering if Kyleigh could be trusted to remember the rules of the curse in her grief. Evangeline looked back nervously at Sable, wanting to keep her friend safe. “Sable, can you fetch me some water?” Evangeline dismissed her with the easiest task she could think of.
Kyleigh sighed, and her eyes opened slowly as Evangeline came back into focus. “The monster. You saw the truth of the curse, the power that controls them.” Kyleigh squinted at Evangeline. Suddenly her hand caught her jaw, and Evangeline was forced to get in close to Kyleigh as the Queen pulled her sharply towards her. “You have seen it before.” She accused. “With Glais?”
Evangeline nodded and realised how restricted her movements were. “Yes. Once.” She admitted.
Kyleigh released her, and Evangeline sat back in her own seat as quickly as she could without seeming rude. “Then you know what I am talking about.”
“I do, and Quintus was fighting with the extraordinary grace of a monster,” Evangeline said softly. This was not the place to be speaking so openly about the Braykith curse, but Kyleigh did not seem to realise the dangers.
“Good,” Kyleigh murmured, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Why is it good?” Evangeline was confused about this conversation, and how her witnessing such violence could be good. Quintus had lost all control and was nothing more than a vessel for a dangerous being of power. She shivered remembering the otherworldly grace of his physique and the careless ease he had severed a body from its head.
Kyleigh leant forward, a hand on Evangeline’s knee to help her balance. “Because the curse did not leave him. Quintus was not alone when he died.” She looked at the coffin that sat just steps away from them for all to witness. “That is all I could ever pray for Eva. For my husband and children to not die alone.” Kyleigh squeezed Evangeline’s knee. “Do not let my son die alone.”
Evangeline nodded. “I swear it.” She promised.
Kyleigh looked at her, and Evangeline sat unblinking as Sable returned with the water. She presented it to Kyleigh, but she ignored the girl as she passed judgement on Evangeline. “You mean well, but you will fail.” With a sigh, Kyleigh took the water and seemed to return to herself while Evangeline sat there and wondered for perhaps the hundredth time since meeting Kyleigh if perhaps she didn’t have some kind of paranormal secret of her own.
There was never a time to ask the Queen, and before she could consider vocalising her questions to Kyleigh, the great doors opened, and the locals started to fill the seats. There was not enough room for everyone, but Glais had been sure to invite the most influential of the local sectors. Family members of the guards who had died in battle sat between those who had worked close with the royal family for generations.
The seats filled up quickly, but even then the people did not stop, and soon the ballroom was crowded with local men and women standing in whatever section they could occupy. No one jostled for a better spot, and the speaking remained in low whispered voices as not to disturb the process. No one seemed sure on what to do, or where to look. Evangeline did not blame them since she was accustomed to the grandeur of the castle, and even she had been overwhelmed by the display.
Given the reason for the occasion and the locals were even more confused by what they had come to witness. The loss of a King was one that would echo over all the lands of Braykith, but not one could claim that they would be believed if they recited the decoration of the grand hall to their neighbour. Every place they looked, there was a new beauty to be witnessed.
Glais walked down the middle of the corridor, his hands behind his back and two fully armed guards at his heels. Evangeline knew why the security was here, but it did not make her feel safer. The mysterious people responsible for destroying her hair and the poison had not been found, and Evangeline wondered if perhaps enemies were being given delicate security work with the royal family. She did not want to believe it, but it felt to true for the men beside him to suddenly kill Glais right in front of her. She tried to see who the guards were, but their faces were lost under their hats.
From a side door came the priest and that seemed to settle the local people. The priest was the man they recognised, and even if they could dress up the room to such splendour, be you King or dirt farmer the words from the priest never differed. Standing at a podium, the priest waited for quiet to settle over the mass of people. In the flickering light of the thousands of candles that stood all over the room, the priest somehow looked more ludicrous to Evangeline.
She never could quite forgive the priest of Braykith for his conspicuous wealth, the large gems and intricate stitch of his clothes had never sat right with Evangeline, but here he appeared right at home. It was only now that she considered that perhaps the robes were not his desires but rather the demands of the king. Regardless of the cause, Evangeline would not rustle feathers over such a small thing, and never on this day.
Of all things, the look of a priest’s robes was the least of their problems. Kyleigh started to cry before the priest could open his mouth. Glais took her hand. Not looking at his mother but offering his support as best he could, Evangeline was witness to a grief that she could be included in. She did not feel right in taking Kyleigh’s other hand but did not complain when Kyleigh rested against her slightly.
“We have gathered to witness the passing of a man who had lead our people to victory for many years. Th
e good graces of Xado had delivered King Quintus to us, and so now it is the right time to take him away so he may serve in greater things.” The priest paused as in unison the gathered crowd praised Xado with a simple declaration of – in his name.
“In his passing Quintus leaves his wife and two children, Glais and Adeline…” At the princess’ name, Evangeline suddenly realised that the princess had not been seen earlier.
Glais caught her attention over his mothers’ head. “She could not bear it.” He mouthed, and Evangeline nodded, looking back towards the front. Adeline could barely manage the service of her brother. The loss of her father would be more than enough to keep her in bed.
“Who are reminded at this time.” The priest continued. “That their father was a brave soul who proved his worth many times here with the living, so he would not need to show it in death.”
“In his name.” came the chorus of those gathered.
“And so in the time of grief, we celebrate the life that was and bring attention to the natural order of this world. Xado works for the will of the people, and for the people Xado provides.” The priest placed his hand over his heart as the group said “in his name” a final time.
CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE
After the funeral, life in the castle had attempted to regain the natural flow. There was much to be said in the war strategy room, and since Glais was consumed with the running of their Kingdom, Evangeline instead went to check on Kyleigh. Family breakfast no longer occurred, and while Evangeline was glad for it, she knew how much it meant to Kyleigh to have those few minutes alone with her children.
She stopped outside the bedchamber of the King and Queen. Soon it would become her new rooms, and Kyleigh would be moved to humbler lodgings within the castle, but there was no rush in making his happen. Evangeline would never dream of asking Kyleigh to evacuate the rooms simply for tradition. She would allow the Queen to move on her own time if such a thing ever happened at all.
Delusions of Loyalty (The Braykith Series Book 2) Page 41