“Being prepared for war is not the same as being there though is it?” He said. Thomas did not understand why he felt so compelled to speak with Evangeline when she so clearly did not return those feelings. He had not come on this ride for the thrill, but for the honour of retrieving his future Queen. He had not expecting to be so taken with her.
Evangeline paused and looked at Thomas carefully for the first time even though the flames flickered in the non-existent wind and played shadows over his features. There was nothing wrong with this soldier, besides his ability to appear at her side without Evangeline really noticing he was there until Thomas spoke. Taller than her but not overly so, this soldier had well-groomed chestnut coloured hair and his boots were polished under the mud from the fight.
Perhaps under the clothes, there would be a distinguishing mark of some kind, and she wondered if she could indeed see the faint outline of a scar that just peeked out from his collar. Evangeline was confident that there was nothing unusual about this soldier. If asked on him later, she could think of nothing of note that she was certain on. No facial hair, no visible scars. In a lineup, she would not know which one was the man who seemed to want to speak to her even though she was far above his station. Oddly still, no one seemed at all bothered by his behaviour and Evangeline was wondering if it was simply his way, or was this custom within Braykith. Evangeline took her time with the evaluation before finally their eyes met again and she took a small step forward under the disguise of intimidation but really it was to keep the ground from sucking on her shoes.
“Is this what this is? War?” she asked him. Finally, he seemed to realise who he was speaking to as if she was just another typical girl. Perhaps if she had been common, she might have enjoyed his attention more but his conversation undermined her authority. The soldier lowered his eyes and only the darkness hid Evangeline’s surprise when she realised he was bowing to her. Less obvious than Phillip but no denying the bend at the waist, the offering of his servant status to her higher authority.
She cleared her throat gently and tried her best to be everything she remembered about her mother and how she would sometimes treat their own soldiers. Strictly speaking, this one had not done anything to really hurt her, and she didn’t want him punished but hopefully this would be enough to remind him that this kind of attention was not appropriate for the future Queen. Evangeline was pausing for effect, the silence straining between them.
Although uncomfortable, Thomas felt compelled to speak in an effort to give his behaviour some context. “This is the original border of the Kingdom and you seemed out of sorts still. My intentions were only to help.”
Apparently Evangeline had failed at keeping the soldier intimidated, or she had waited too long since he had felt a need to speak. “What is your name?” She asked.
“Thomas.” He did not hesitate, but he did not offer a surname or title either. Evangeline was wondering if that was again a strange custom of Braykith or had Thomas become afraid that she might look for him to be punished in some way when she finally got to see Quintus. Whatever the reason he did not offer and Evangeline was not confident enough to ask for it.
“Thank you, Thomas, for your concern but I am quite capable,” Evangeline repeated before she moved forward alone, pretending that the dark of the strange forest did not bother her. She did not look back at Thomas or anyone else actually in their little group. While Evangeline could feel eyes on her, judging the events that had unfolded and even Evangeline could not guess at what they were thinking about their someday Queen.
Somehow she managed not to stumble or fall as she walked through the dark towards the waiting carriage. Once Evangeline reached it, she opened the door by herself and did not need assistance to take that first step alone. The door closed on its own hinges and all she could hear was animal breathing and the crackle of the fire in her absence.
CHAPTER THREE
Sitting on the cushion within the carriage, Evangeline finally allowed herself to breathe. Her shoulders shivered but she did not cry at the devastating event that had rocked her. Not only the chase and the attack on her carriage, but the unnatural response she had experienced within the woods was still teasing the edges of her mind. Evangeline drew the curtains closed and relaxed back on the heavily decorated wood. Leaning harder back still and letting the walls keep her up, she closed her eyes and listened to her own breathing.
Her heart began to slow, the adrenaline of the chase was fading and even in this new state of mind Evangeline saw that Thomas did mean nothing vindictive in his actions but had only hoped to be a help to her. She felt foolish for ever believing he meant her some kind of ill will. Evangeline’s fingers traced the patterns in the wood as she breathed in the dark. She could feel the rise and flow of the wood against her skin and wished they had light. Evangeline sighed.
“Quite a show.” Came a females’ voice from the dark.
Evangeline jumped and was greeted with a chuckle. A lamp was lit, exposing a girl who was sitting opposite her and dressed far more appropriately for the trip. Evangeline was jealous to see her waist wasn’t cinched in with a corset, but rather had been allowed to breathe naturally wearing only a simple long sleeved black dress. A cloak was tied at her neck and seemed to be the same cloak the soldiers wore.
“Who are you?” Evangeline asked although she felt like she had lost any of the authority she had managed to wield so well in front of the men moments ago.
“Sigourney.” She introduced herself, tucking her dark hair behind her ear in an attempt to control it. “I am supposed to help you adjust to life here within Braykith but it seems you have that under control.” The smirk on her lips told Evangeline the words were more sarcasm than an honest compliment.
A rap at the door and Sigourney opened it to reveal Greg holding Evangeline’s things. “My lady.” If he was surprised to see this other girl, he didn’t show it. He handed Sigourney the neatly folded cloak with the book balanced on top.
“Thank you, Greg.” Evangeline felt the need to say something more than just thank you. Greg paused, capturing one last look at the young lady before he finally let her go. Sigourney set the things to the side. With no more ties to Crimah, Evangeline felt her heart give the now familiar leap. She felt both pained and sick at the same time.
“Are you ok?”
“I'm all right.” Evangeline lied and Sigourney came to sit beside her. Pushing on her shoulder to direct her movements, Evangeline turned away from the other girl and felt the laces of her corset loosen. “Thank you.” Even though the corset had nothing to do with the building anxiety it did help her relax a little.
“I will help redress you once we are closer but it will be a couple of hours before that happens. Since it very well might be the last time you are a little bit comfortable, I suggest you take advantage of it. Until you grow accustomed to our ways.” Sigourney seemed to add the warning as an afterthought.
For all of her curiosities concerning Braykith, Evangeline now had a way of finding answers, and that scared her a little. She never imagined it would be this easy and her first response was perhaps not the most logical. Evangeline could never quite forget her training and the important character her family had been creating for her to emulate. A Queen to be taken as seriously as the King and the territory she would reign was known for an almost supernatural control over combat. Already she doubted the rumours of monsters simply by the very human soldiers she had witnessed, but one does not gain a reputation without some bearing of truth.
She did not want to appear stupid or easily persuaded. Her mother had been warning Evangeline her entire life that the things she did now would pave her path for the rest of her life and ultimately line the frames for her children and her children’s children.
“You must have questions.” Sigourney prompted her, trying with all she could do not to shake the girl. Now was not the time to worry about her image but saying such a thing could be misinterpreted so Sigourney didn’t prod her with a
n aggressive observation. “This is one of those rare times Evangeline that you can let your guard down. You have nothing I want, and I am not your enemy.” Sigourney was aware how little Evangeline knew of their kingdom. Besides a few names, the community within Braykith was still very shut off even from their closest allies.
Braykith has a fearsome reputation, some of it fuelled and maintained by that very secrecy. The stories that circulated regarding the tactics of the Braykith army and their King was sometimes enough for cities to leave them be. Of course, it brought a few challenges but they rarely did all they promised to do. Slowly Crimah was learning some of their trade secrets, like a baby trying to follow the actions of its mother but not yet mastering the basics of control. There were some misses and ruined moments but slowly and surely it was beginning to happen. Even in several years’ time, the land where Evangeline had come from would never know Braykith like Evangeline will. Assuming she managed to survive it at all.
Clearly Sigourney was not going to allow this to be a simple ride in silence, and she would be using this time, to do as she had been instructed by her King. Evangeline needed to be prepared.
“Let us start with the basics.” Evangeline finally acknowledged her and Sigourney nodded, hoping to encourage her. Now that Evangeline felt that she could respond intellectually to Sigourney, there was only one question she felt was worth asking. The carriage jolted forward and their trip to Braykith began with a simple question. “Does Glais like me?”
Sigourney blinked, the question had been expected but she would never have guessed it would come up so early in the conversation. Sigourney chuckled but quickly stopped once she saw the hurt look in Evangeline’s eyes. “I forget how young you are and how new at all of this you truly are.”
Evangeline paused, and did not like how Sigourney considered her young and inexperienced simply because of her priorities. “It is simple really. If Glais likes me, then we can begin a friendship at the very least. I hate the idea of being forced to marry someone who hated me, or whom I hate.” She offered her explanation because it seemed that Sigourney had seen it as something else entirely.
Her statement did seem genuine, and Sigourney was embarrassed to think it had been a question based entirely on lust, but was instead based on happiness and slightly political. “I suppose I misread your intentions. You are more aware than I gave you credit for.”
“So I seem like I know what I am talking about?” Evangeline asked.
“Obviously young blood but the potential is there. We are always studying the potential.” Sigourney answered confidently.
“Why?” Evangeline asked.
“If you have no potential to grow, then you better be more than impressive now. If you have no potential, then you are useless to us.” Sigourney was blunt in her answer, a trait that Evangeline had better grow accustomed to quickly because there was no lying within Braykith, even for the greater good. The King had a knack for being able to detect the smallest of false telling, and the punishment was not worth it.
“Should I have asked something else?” She supposed asking on Glais’ emotions were not the first concern most people had but it was important to her.
Sigourney shook her head, holding a hand up to silence her concerns before she could voice more of them. “I am not accustomed to conducting interviews of this nature. I have shared many dinners and letters with Benedict, your King’s advisor, over the years. Negotiations mostly and often not concerned with someone’s feelings.”
Evangeline was shocked when she learnt Sigourney’s profession. They had sent their negotiator out to meet with Evangeline in the middle of the night, in the middle of their joining territories. Evangeline had to wonder if this meant that she was allowed to ask for some things. She didn’t have anything she could really think of now, but the idea continued to tease the end of her mind as the conversation went on.
“I suppose Benedict was not going to marry Glais. He would not be asking the questions that would concern one who was.” Evangeline pointed out.
“Quite right. I am unsure if this is something that will give you comfort but your parents did ask about Glais on separate occasions.”
Evangeline had considered this before in the past. “Even if he had become a tyrant this would have come to pass.”
Sigourney smiled, glad to see that maybe Evangeline wasn’t all sweet little girl looks. “True, but they did ask about him. Mostly concerning his health. This was before my time so I have no real details before you ask me.”
Evangeline shook her head quickly, to take back whatever assumptions that Sigourney was making. “I suspect they are mostly asking about that to ensure healthy grandchildren.”
“That is something both kingdoms are eager to witness I assure you.” There was a brief pause in the conversation, the silence not welcomed but it didn’t feel strained between the woman. Sigourney was giving Evangeline a moment to process the realities behind her duties.
She didn’t need to bother. Evangeline was well aware of them. There was no reason for her to marry if she did not plan on having children. Both Kingdoms were eager to cement their partnership and Braykith would be waiting for a new King to ensure the lineage stayed royal. She would be beyond foolish not to realise that the continued bloodlines were important.
Sigourney was happy to give Evangeline the limited knowledge she did have. “I do not spend much time with Prince Glais, so I can only judge by what I have witnessed of him in a formal manner.” Evangeline did not like how this conversation was being framed. She felt herself sitting forward as they were continued to jostle on their seats. Evangeline did not want to miss a word over the sound of the hooves.
“He is a rather private man; that is certain so do not be offended if it appears he is avoiding you. Prince Glais is much like his father in that regard.” Sigourney paused as she considered her own thoughts, being drawn into a quick analysis of Glais and his father. “Of all the children I believe it is safe to say that Prince Glais is the most like his father. I suspect you will be an invaluable asset to him much as our Queen is to the King.”
Evangeline wondered why her father was not this way. His emotions could be felt through the manor and on the streets for days. A happy lord, a happy citizen; and all the lands between was a common saying from her father. It appeared the Braykith Kingdom was very much separated from their King and his moods, and his influence was not so easily felt unless he presented it to them. Curiously, Evangeline had never considered that her father would rule in a way different to the King.
Since Sigourney was alluding to the fact that Glais was private, Evangeline was hopeful. Tending to a quietly emotional man, Evangeline was finally presented with a task that she could excel at. Or at least, handle with little outside help. “I hope with time he will find me to be his most obedient and trustworthy secret keeper.” Evangeline wanted Sigourney to keep talking since the advisor had not yet answered her question.
Sigourney was aware that she had not yet answered Evangeline, and was pleased to see that Evangeline was not only aware but gently prodding. Perhaps with time, she would become more efficient at drawing out information from others, but for tonight this was perfect. “He has not been particularly challenging or shown any outward signs of displeasure concerning your arrival.”
Evangeline wished that she could have relaxed a little with the news but, unfortunately, this was not the most critical question she had. She ran her tongue over her lips, stalling for time but there must have been something in the way she held herself that told Sigourney that she had more to say. “There is no rival awaiting me is there?”
Sigourney frowned. “A rival?” she repeated, not sure what Evangeline was asking her. “The King takes his partnership with Crimah seriously and his son is not promised to any other.”
Evangeline blushed and was pleased the carriage was dark so Sigourney couldn’t see the real flush of colour on her cheeks. “That is not what I meant. I had heard from a cousin, Selena, th
at when she went to visit the man she was to marry that a woman attacked her.”
“Oh, my.” Sigourney wanted to hear more and quickly Evangeline was delivering. At that moment, both women forgot their place as future Queen and advisor to the current King and they were simply woman sharing good gossip.
“Indeed. Apparently the Duke had been keeping a mistress. He had never promised her anything more than what he was already giving her but somehow she came to believe that he meant to marry her.”
“It is not entirely unheard of.” Evangeline was shocked to hear that but Sigourney brushed away her concerns with a flexible hand gesture to clear the air. “Never in arranged marriages but it has happened before when one person of station will find love with someone below them.”
“What happens in those situations?” Evangeline was curious although secure that she did not need to be concerned.
“It depends on their King and their likelihood of succeeding him. Most parents will not deny their daughter the chance to become Queen but there is a certain respect that needs to be witnessed.” That made sense to Evangeline. “What happened to your cousin?”
Evangeline had forgotten where she was with her story, so it took a moment for her to resume. “The girl kept attacking Selena. Never directly after that first time. Once she was there as an official guest it seemed that the security detail had taken care of that but when Selena would visit the market rocks would be thrown, and rotten fruit. It only escalated after they were married. My cousin is a good woman who believed that Xado could right any heart.
“Selena had to remove her from court after she was almost poisoned. I am not sure what became of the mistress after that.” Reminded now, Evangeline would need to write to Selena and ask her of any follow-up. Even if she had no rival of her own, it would be good to know how this ended for all parties involved.
The Deviant Curse (The Braykith Series Book 1) Page 6