“When we got the letter from your father attempting to gain our favour, we did a little research. Again, this was a big ask and his province was small. There were positives in your small region of Crimah though, and your father did have a good reputation for loyalty. However, that was not why we agreed to this arrangement. Although it did work in his favour ultimately. It was you and the alleged creation surrounding your birth that was the final news that forced our hand.”
“What do you mean? Didn’t I just come about in the usual way?” Evangeline didn’t want to think about her parents having sex but she knew how babies came into the world. She had always assumed that her existence was not something she needed to question.
“Braykith is not the only place where demons and otherworldly being come to dwell.” Kyleigh looked at Evangeline and chuckled at the lost expression on her face. “You were born after the intervention of a Dryad.”
Evangeline wasn’t sure that she heard Kyleigh correctly. It seemed far more plausible that she had misheard the woman then what she had heard. “A tree spirit?”
Kyleigh nodded. “Or so the stories say. Thea was praying in the woods before a mighty tree, crying and pleading with Xado to give her a child. The dryad of the tree took pity on her and gave her a single seed. She told your mother to brew a tea with the seed and drink it for three days before being with her husband and a child would be born. You.”
Evangeline was sure Kyleigh had lost her mind and she shifted uncomfortably. She couldn’t leave, though. Kyleigh had trapped her hands in an iron grip. “Perhaps it was all a matter of timing. Xado had indeed been listening and gave my mother a child.” Evangeline suggested but Kyleigh rejected the opinion quickly.
“If the Gods had heard, she would have given birth to a boy, an heir to their province and a stronger chip to bargain. Dryads are always female, but the desperation for any child was higher than protecting your family name and heritage.” Kyleigh had thought the whole thing quite bizarre.
“What of my brother then?” Evangeline insisted, feeling like she finally had some kind of proof that this was all a silly myth, just a rumour that could not be the truth.
“He is a real blessing from the heavens themselves, but a less personal gift.” Kyleigh attempted to reason with Evangeline. “For you to be forced into this world in the manner you did Evangeline, it gives you more power than you know.”
Evangeline could only laugh at that. “I have no power. I cannot even convince your King to grant me small favours.”
Kyleigh smiled gently at that. “Before you came here Evangeline the gardens were desolate and dangerous places. Mud traps would threaten to suck down live stock and men alike. The way you imagined the grounds was fact. Nothing would grow here but those strange and hazardous trees. Even they offered us little shelter from the elements. The views from the windows were depressing at best, but there was nothing to come of it. As it had always been, so it continued.”
“I cannot believe it.” Evangeline was weak in her challenge as she looked around in the gardens by them. The flowers bright and in bloom, expertly planted to draw in the eye and keep it. She was impulsively drawn in by them but she never imagined it was mystical in nature. “Your gardeners tending to the grounds have made this what it is.”
“There are no gardeners here in Braykith. Have you ever seen one in all your wanderings?” Evangeline shook her head, readily admitting that she never had. “The gardens are green for you Evangeline. You brought them to life and they only stay green for you.”
Evangeline didn’t know what to say, but she felt like some of this could be true. She had always enjoyed the outdoors, had spent much of her youth in her own gardens and listening to them speak to her, move with her. She had felt like the plants wilted with her moods. “Why would you want me to be with your son if I am not normal. Any child we have will be tainted.”
Kyleigh shook her head. “Whatever child you have could save us all.” Evangeline was almost moved to tears by that and she instantly regretted every terrible thing she had ever said of the Queen. Perhaps she was a little dull but she was generous and kind. Kyleigh finally released her hands and Evangeline missed her contact suddenly. “I will talk to Quintus for you. He is a strong man. Sometimes he forgets the precise needs of a woman.”
Evangeline took a shaky breath and nodded, dabbing at her eyes lightly as she digested everything she had been told in the past few hours. “Thank you.”
Kyleigh smiled and rose. Evangeline went to leave with her but the woman shook her head. “No, stay here. Quintus will close up if he feels attacked. I’ll come and find you.” Kyleigh promised and disappeared back into the castle proper. Evangeline watched her go, sitting and looking dumbfounded as information swirled in her head.
Was any of that true? It seemed so crazy, something that you would hear in a fairy tale, and yet as Evangeline started reflecting on her life it appeared to make a little bit of sense. She found herself looking at her hands, trying to summon the garden to bend to her will but there was no such movement from the closest of nature. She didn’t know much of Dryads, her mother had never mentioned them, so Evangeline was unsure of what one could expect.
Rising suddenly, Evangeline decided to find one. She would not sit by and be passive and allow the world would continue to rotate with her barely understanding the turns. Evangeline would find a Dryad and ask them what was the truth of her heritage. She had no idea how to bring one to her, and so her energy took her back to the library. If there were a clue to be found, it would be found in the books.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Evangeline had spent most of her week in the library, and just when it seemed that the answer would not be there, she found a small book that seemed to be forgotten between two massive tomes. There was nothing fantastic to its cover, no markings on the leather that bound the pages and she nearly dismissed it entirely on the look alone. However, she glanced at the page, opening it at random, and felt the heat drain from her face as she read the words.
A witches’ spell book. She dropped the book and stared at the offending thing as if it somehow could infect her. She trusted her own Gods, the infinite wisdom of Xado and the generosity of Iloh guided her desires. They were the only spirits that could be trusted with managing the world as they saw fit. She didn’t feel any different, and only after a deep breath and holding it as not to breathe in anything from the old pages, Evangeline retrieved the book from the floor.
There was a morbid curiosity about it, her fingers skimming over the unmarked leather skins before she could bring herself to properly pick it up. Evangeline was sure not to read a thing out loud because she could not be the one to bring such darkness into this castle. There was darkness enough already existing without the help of witchcraft. Who would know what kinds of evils were sitting in these pages, waiting to be unleashed on the world? Evangeline flipped through the pages quickly, her eyes skimming over the untidy scribble for familiar words.
Quickly her fear was subsiding. She had been expecting spells for conjuring evil spirits and other realms, and yet the book was barely more than different recipes and apparent cures for cleansing. Claiming this was indeed the book of a witch even seemed ludicrous now Evangeline had been inspecting it closer. She paused, looking at the page and reading the directions on how to redirect love and she thought of Glais.
Evangeline barely let herself entertain the idea before she dismissed it. With a disappointed sigh, she continued to turn the pages with barely more than a glance at what was written there. Nothing seemed to be helping her, and Evangeline felt betrayed by the very Kingdom of Braykith when her fingers randomly stalled on the pages.
There, a small note left behind by some unknown woman of the past. Summoning a Dryad nymph. Excited, Evangeline read through the instructions twice before she frowned. It all seemed to simple. She supposed they were spirits of nature and not the demon beasts of hell. An offering and a quick incantation, at the base of a strong and healthy tree. Ev
angeline bit her bottom lip, instinctively looking out the window and seeing the strange pointed trees that seemed to grow here in Braykith.
They were strong, but she could not imagine any kind of spirit living within them. She would need to find trees like the ones she knew from home. The types of tree that wanted to play with you and not looking to escape the very Earth that nourished them. Evangeline remembered that Glais did not like her leaving the Castle grounds, but if she took Tempest Evangeline believed that the horse’s company might make her brave enough to take off in search of the answers she never dared considered before.
Venturing into the forest would be dangerous. Even if there was no immediate threat of a rebellion attack, just being a woman alone in the woods could attract the wrong kind of attention. She could not think of a person here who she could trust with the truth, and so she steadied her nerve and prepared to make the trip alone. She would ride out just as far as she dared, taking every precaution and return quickly. Evangeline hoped she could remain this brave when the day of the search arrived.
Evangeline knew that she would need the book, but she felt that the longer it was in her possession, the more likely she would be irreversibly tarnished by it. She didn’t want the pages so close to her skin but she was also afraid that she might be seen with such a vile thing. The dress allowed her to hide it against her breast without leaving an imprint against the fabric. She winced as she hid it there.
The leather was warm and it felt alive. It made no sense to her, but she would not be foolish enough to think that any unlawful magic is nothing just because it seemed so small. There was real power in these pages, breathing in her skin and infusing with her as she darted towards the kitchens. Could it be so, or pure imagination? It felt true and Evangeline was feverish with ideas of what was being actively absorbed into her skin.
She needed to keep her mind occupied so she would stop thinking about the power being transferred into her skin. The book had said a raw meat offering. Evangeline was hopeful that something would go in her favour and getting such a thing would not cause a scene. What excuse could she give for such a request, and with that thought pressing in upon her she entered the kitchens and was very thankful to see it was busy. Barely a glance in her direction as she came, and while Peter did look up, Evangeline was quick to wave off his attentions.
Normally the kitchen staff would be more attentive to the needs of the royal family. It would not be proper to leave them to find their own way around. However this was not the right time for it, and when Evangeline assured them with a wave that she was fine to fend for herself, they took it with gratitude. It was a real blessing when they respected her wishes and Evangeline said a small thank you to Xado for making it so.
She found a basket and took a steak from the closest selection of prepared meat. Evangeline did not know how much of an offering she would need, but she supposed gathering more than this would cause alarm. Just to keep up appearance, Evangeline also gathered a few random things as if she planned to cook for herself. Unheard of, and laughable really by any who knew her, but as the far off princess perhaps they would believe that she could do such a thing. Evangeline hoped to create a convincing picture at this moment and not concerned with keeping up appearances in the future.
With the only supplies the book mentioned, Evangeline set forth to the stables. There she was greeted by Cameron. “Miss Evangeline, how can I assist?” The stable boy was far more attentive than the staff in the kitchens. Evangeline supposed that she had expired whatever good graces she had from the Gods. Evangeline knew she could not lose him even if she used all her stealth. Fortunately, she had the perfect excuse to take tempest out of the stalls.
“I wish to go riding. Can you prepare Tempest for me?” Evangeline tried not to sound hurried, even though she knew her face was flushed from her dashing around the castle and down to the stables. If Cameron noticed, he did not comment on it. It made sense to anyone who had seen her ride. Evangeline needed more practice riding her horse and the stables were happy to assist her.
Nodding firmly and indicating that she should wait here, he went to do as she asked. The problem with the Braykith horses was due to their size it took much longer for Cameron to get her saddled then a regular mare. Evangeline wanted to help him but knew it would be refused and so she waited until Cameron approached her.
Evangeline was still learning how to mount such a beast, but Tempest was as ever patient, and Cameron had the small stool ready for Evangeline before she even asked for it. Climbing aboard her horse, she rearranged the basket on her arm and the curtain of her skirts as best she could. Perhaps not the most graceful but Kyleigh had been correct. There was no other way to ride these animals but with a full sit on the saddle. Feeling uncomfortable but determined she thanked Cameron and left at a brisk pace.
“We are only going a short ride from the castle. Off the main roads.” Evangeline spoke to Tempest as if the animal understood it as soon as she felt safe being out of earshot. She wondered for the first time if the mare’s reaction to her was due to the apparent Dryad heritage or simply an understanding between two women. Tempest seemed to understand her in a way that few people did. Even if she did not know the direction, the horse was sensitive to her grip on the reins and took direction well.
Evangeline quickly realised she was foolish in many things when she realised that her quiet ride out of the gates was challenged before she reached them. Thomas stood before her, a safe distance from the mare but clearly blocking the path. Holding his hand up, he looked up at Evangeline and shielding his eyes from the sun as he did so.
“Where are you going?” He asked, never demanding but his voice holding the no-nonsense sound of a trained soldier who took his job seriously.
“A ride.” Evangeline was so unprepared for the question that she did not think to lie. “I won’t go far, and I will stay off the primary trails. I just need to test Tempest somewhere where it isn’t so predictable.”
Thomas rose an eyebrow, clearly suspicious of her answer, but not sure how far he could push the future queen without risking his neck. “We are not on orders to stop passage of the main gates.” Evangeline let out some of the tension that had risen between her shoulders at the confrontation. “Would you like someone to accompany you?”
Evangeline shook her head quickly. “I do not want to be a bother. I doubt I will be gone long and I can promise should I see even the smallest of suspicions I shall return in haste.” Evangeline knew she could bully Thomas, but he seemed to be the guard of the grounds that she noticed the most. They weren’t friends, she could never enjoy the company of someone so forward but she did not want enemies. She certainly didn’t mean to incite further gossip than what was already being generated.
Thomas took her offer seriously and he took a step to the side to allow the mare and its rider to pass. “If you have not returned within the hour I shall be forced to alert the King.”
Evangeline just nodded as if she was aware of this stipulation and had already been planning on the restrictions of her ride when actually she had not thought much about her own safety. She had been attacked once and the rumble of rebels were constant here as they had been at home growing up. She should take more care. However, Evangeline was spurred onward. She said nothing to Thomas, just lead Tempest through the gates and down the path leading away from the castle.
It took far longer to find a tree that satisfied her definition of active and healthy, and she had no way to tell how much time had passed. Quickly they had turned off the main roads just as she had promised and had started back in the general direction of Crimah although Evangeline did not think they would need to travel such distances to find a Dryad. Evidently they existed in trees outside of her father’s hold.
Walking, Evangeline came to the base of a tree. The branches were thick, and the leaves were green and bright even with no direct sunlight. It looked brighter than the trees they had passed and held no characteristics of the trees that inhabit
ed Braykith. Tying Tempest to the branch of a separate tree, Evangeline approached with her offering in her basket. Retrieving the book, she was glad to finally have it away from her skin. She examined herself but saw no marks even though her skin felt aflame. It wasn’t even red but it did not stop the itch.
With no other signs to go by or further advice on how to properly conduct one’s self around the book of a witch, Evangeline dismissed it. Whatever damage was long done and she did not feel ill. Kneeling, she dug at the earth with her hands, not finding any joy in the action as she had once done as a child. She was nervous and moving at a rushed pace. Digging a shallow hole and burying the meat, Evangeline opened the book to the page again and re-read the incantation that went along with it.
Clearing her throat, Evangeline looked around to see if she could spot spies. The forest was alive. All around her, she could hear the little sounds of life. Animals running along branches and hiding among the leaf-littered floor. Carrying on with their lives and seeming content with ignoring the stranger who had mud and animal meat stuck under her fingernails. Sure there were no people nearby, Evangeline closed her eyes and spoke the words she had quickly memorised.
daughters of Gaia Mother Earth,
take this offering
oh nymph of the trees,
move into the trees please
so mote it be.
She had barely moved her mouth, the words released as a whisper, afraid to be seen and not sure how she could explain this except for what it was. The law was clear on the treatment of witches. Kneeling in the expensive fabrics, she waited for something to occur. Slowly she opened her eyes to give her senses the opportunity to witness this meeting and yet there was nothing new to see. The tree did not move. There was no glow or even a drifting wind as she waited.
The Deviant Curse (The Braykith Series Book 1) Page 19