The Deviant Curse (The Braykith Series Book 1)

by Jennifer R. Kenny

  The disappointment was apparent, and Evangeline was suddenly forced to realise that she thought this would work. She had believed that the Dryad would exist, even if it did not connect to her as Kyleigh had said, that it would indeed come to her if only to announce she was foolish. To have no encounter was simply something Evangeline never did think could happen and yet it seemed to be the truth of it. Standing she bent to collect the basket when she heard a sigh.

  Turning suddenly, she was eye to eye with a young maiden, and yet she was no human. Her skin was green and seemed to reflect back the shades of the greens around her. As she moved her hand, she could see the colours change only the smallest amounts as they interacted with the woods around the Dryad. Evangeline looked down at her own hand. She had no illumination as this woman did.

  The Dryad stood before her nude, and yet it did not seem vulgar. There had never been anything more natural for Evangeline to see then this odd woman to stand before her with no clothing. Her eyes were perhaps distracting her from the explicit nudity. Pale white, with no colour or dark centres. A flat whiteness with only the subtlest of differences that allowed for Evangeline to even see which direction she was looking.

  Evangeline felt there was no characteristic shared between them, even the other woman’s ears were long and pointed, going further then the crown of her head and ending in a precise point. They seemed more like animal antennae than ears, twitching slightly and moving on their own accord. Perhaps the only trait they shared was their hair. The long tresses that Evangeline cared for were almost identical in texture. Evangeline had a competing colour when compared to the pale hair of the Dryad. It was small, but it gave Evangeline hope for the rumours to be true.

  “You have summoned me and yet you say nothing.” The Dryad spoke and Evangeline yelped in surprise. Her voice sounded old to Evangeline’s ears. Her voice was not tainted with any regions dialect, and far out of tune with the light and athletic body that Evangeline was witness to. When The Dryad spoke, it was timeless and without distinguishing points of interest. It was unnerving.

  “I, I have some questions for you.” Evangeline stammered over her own words, trying to be polite and never once believing that she had any kind of right to command her, but she hoped if she was polite it would be enough for the Dryad to stay. Evangeline didn’t know how the spell worked, and she rather not make the spirit angry after it came this way to speak with her.

  “I will do my best.” The Dryad bowed to her, and Evangeline copied the movement much to the delight of her Dryad. A smirk showed in the corners of her mouth but she didn’t laugh, so Evangeline didn’t blush as hard as she might have on any other occasion.

  “I was told by a friend that I have Dryad…” Evangeline stumbled over her own question, unsure how to pose it. “She claimed that my heritage was stowed upon me after my mother, Lady Thea of Crimah, brewed a tea made with a seed presented by a Dryad.”

  The Dryad’s eyes went wide and she stepped into Evangeline, searching her eyes before gasping gently. “You are her, the child of Creasi.”

  Evangeline blinked. “Creasi? You have names?”

  The Dryad laughed, covering her mouth with her hand. “Of course, we have names. Mine is Alisma. Creasi is my friend. She told me of your mother and the seed she gave her. Your mother never thanked her or returned with you. She did not know if it worked.” Alisma explained quickly.

  “Would it be possible to meet with Creasi?” Evangeline was hopeful for the chance to meet this mysterious Dryad but it did not seem like it would be possible as Alisma shook her head.

  “She is our leader and stuck to her tree. As it is with all Queens, she cannot be summoned and can only be seen by those she chooses to be seen by. If you were to travel to her, then I am sure she would be happy to greet you.” Alisma suggested.

  “I cannot travel that far,” Evangeline told the Dryad, who seemed to understand.

  Alisma was quick to move on, not feeling any kind of duty to this woman beyond the rules of the summon. “Is that all of your questions?”

  “Oh no.” Evangeline answered quickly. She feared that Alisma would leave. “I want to know what does it mean, for me to be like this.”

  “Generally speaking, Evangeline, it is nothing. You are hardly a Dryad. Not even a half. The power and restrictions that follow us will not affect you.” Alisma looked her over, seeming to be judging Evangeline with a critical eye. “You will be happier out in nature, and find pleasure in the life of the world. You do not seek environmental destruction and you will find strength in dire times. Dryads are survivors. It is what we do, redistribute the energy of the plants into the parts that need it. You cannot do this, but you will benefit still from this unending cycle of energy.”

  Evangeline looked down at her hands, turning them one way before she turned them back. “I thought you would tell me more. Expose some great secret to my life, and my destiny.”

  Alisma laughed gently and shook her head. “No, I am sorry. You exist because of Dryad sympathy and magic, but that is all we owe you. You will live and die as a mortal woman who had been surrounded by the greenest of gardens. In time, you might even entice your own Dryad to take residence within Braykith. Once the trees settle down. They were tormented without you.”

  Evangeline knew that was true, and now she knew why those trees shocked her to the core and haunted her dreams. “Thank you, Alisma.”

  “Due to your heritage, you do not need to offer sacrifice. Knock on the wood of a tree three times and lay your palm against it and we shall come to you.” Alisma turned to leave and Evangeline let her go. She wished she would stay but it seemed that Alisma had better places to be than with her in the woods.

  “Such interesting friends you have.” Glais’ voice shocked her and seeing him there took her breath away. Evangeline’s heartbeat spiked as he seemed to just appear within the clearing. She assumed his horse had to be close by as Tempest was, but at this moment, it seemed that magic had brought him to her.

  Evidently she had been gone for longer than the appointed time and Thomas had done his duty in informing the King. She could not believe that Glais would offer to come find her. Quintus probably ordered him, hoping that the time together would somehow help them. Evangeline had quickly lost confidence in that ever being helpful for their relationship. “I am sorry. I did not realise the time.” She tried to be platonic, collect up the basket she had brought with her and offer him nothing but Glais would not be so quickly dismissed.

  “Was that a Dryad?” He asked, falling into step beside her as she went back towards her dapple grey horse.

  “I summoned it to ask a question.” Evangeline did not know why she told him the truth, but he didn’t seem surprised or impressed with it.

  “Did you find your answers?” He asked and Evangeline stopped to look at him.

  He was handsome. Evangeline was surprised that out in nature Glais looked powerful and proficient. Without knowing the curse that tainted her thoughts, Glais was everything one would look for in a partner. Seeing him now like this, Evangeline suspected that he did care for her. He did not allow her to see it often, but when Glais did allow it to happen, his eyes betrayed his broad shoulders and gave a sneak look at a gentle soul.

  The man in her imagination warred openly with the one who had walked her to her room and gave her the black and gold ring. Glais worked hard in keeping himself was just well hidden. “You care not for my welfare within our Kingdom Glais. Why the interest now?”

  It hurt Evangeline to be so dismissive of him, but he deserved every cold approach she could manage to use against him. Untying Tempest from the branch, Glais’ hand went around hers and she froze. Evangeline was expecting an outburst from him, and she even feared a physical attack for her disobedience but he did neither. A silent moment stretched out before them. Evangeline would not dare move, and limited the intake of breaths in an effort to remain completely frozen inside this rare space with Glais.

  Glais was terrifie
d of the truths he felt compelled to tell her. “I care about you, Evangeline.” He paused. “I just cannot allow myself to experience that.”

  “Now you speak in riddles. We are due to be married.” Evangeline reminded him. “If there is any girl in all of the lands you can be intimate and honest with Glais, it is me. And yet you seem to take your frustrations out on every other girl at court.” Evangeline clamped her mouth shut. She had meant to give him a stony glare and instead the words had flowed freely and brutal.

  “You will never understand,” He told her and bitterly he knew that her short comings were his own doing. Releasing her hand, the reins of her horse fell quickly and she caught them up.

  Evangeline nodded at his proclamation. “You have never given me that option Glais. I cannot agree with you, or dismiss it.” Evangeline started moving off, hoping to find a rock to use to get back in the saddle. Before she could go far, Glais had her by the waist. He held her there for a moment longer than he needed. Back pressed into his front Evangeline could feel nothing but her own heartbeat threatening to explode out of her chest at the contact. Glais so rarely touched her that it felt violent even if he presented no threat.

  “Allow me.” Far too easily he lifted her up and made it possible for Evangeline to settle in the saddle with more grace and dignity than she had ever managed before.

  She turned back to look at him, his hair tied back as it always was. Dressed in the finest of riding clothes and the visible crest of the Braykith court embroidered into the fabric with the care that seemed inhuman. He was beautiful and handsome, and yet Evangeline couldn’t warm to him. All she could feel was confused. “Thank you,” She muttered before she managed to turn Tempest back towards Braykith and was glad when Glais seemed to decide to follow her at a distance.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Evangeline wasn’t sure on the exact details of Kyleigh’s conversation with Quintus but it took almost a month before she could arrange for the arrival of Viviana and Teagan. First there had been a week of negotiations that had happened between the King and Queen. All of which had occurred behind closed doors of course, but Evangeline had been witness to the ice between them during meal times. She felt terrible to have caused such a rift between the pair but she trusted Kyleigh when she said to Evangeline that she was fine and not concerned. Since Kyleigh had taken her up on her cause, Evangeline had made more of an effort to getting to know the Queen. She still would not call her a friend but it had been good to have someone to sit with and drink tea with.

  Evangeline had been too nervous to sleep well the night before her friends were due to arrive. She had even forgotten to care that Glais was still ignoring her whenever they were unlucky enough to be caught in the same room together. There would be no fanfare for their arrival, and very little had been done in preparation. Evangeline didn’t mind and she doubted that Teagan and Viviana would cause a fuss. They seemed quite formal in their letters back to her but Evangeline was sure that was just nerves, something that would disappear once they were back together.

  Quintus had been quite stern in their arrival and their role within the castle. They were not guests, exactly, and yet they weren’t servants. They were to tend to Evangeline and her needs much like they had back home in Crimah with one exception. They were forced to agree to limit their availability to the community beyond the castle. Both women had agreed, but only after Evangeline insisted that all would be well once they arrived. There was not much outside the castle that would interest them. Evangeline thought the conditions were fair and it seemed that Viviana and Teagan too saw it as she did eventually.

  She stood now in the gardens, in a pose similar to the one that Glais and his family had taken on her own arrival. The real difference was that she could barely stand still in her eagerness to see them. At her side was Kyleigh and Adeline. Baxter had no interest in these girls and Glais seemed to make all the excuses not to be seen with Evangeline. Their relationship had not improved at all, but Evangeline supposed it was good to report that it had not deteriorated any further. Some days she wondered if it was at all possible for it to be worse, but she decided not to ponder that possibility more than necessary.

  Today though there was nothing that could sour her mood. As soon as the carriage came into view, Evangeline tore away from the Queen and princess to greet them before the door could even be opened. She barely bothered to recognise Thomas as one of the guards who had fetched them, his face blending in with the rest of the world as Viviana came from the carriage first. She stood to the side as Teagan threw herself at Evangeline.

  The women laughed as they embraced. Looking at Viviana from beyond Teagan’s shoulder, Evangeline silently invited her to join. Her face set in that stone-like patience that Evangeline had come to admire, Viviana resisted. She could only stay where she was for a moment before finally Viviana gave in and joined the huddle. She had never been the most comfortable with shows of affection but this was a special occasion.

  “We have much to talk about,” Evangeline said as she pulled back so she could see her friends properly and remind herself just what they looked like. She put her hand against Teagan’s jaw and smiled as she saw they had not changed without her. Although in this light there were subtle differences where apparently her memory had faulted her on some of the details. She had been so busy admiring the tones of Teagan’s hair that she almost missed Viviana and Teagan sharing a look, Teagan scratching the back of her hand and avoiding Evangeline’s eyes for a moment. “Is everything ok back in Crimah?” Evangeline asked.

  “Let us have tea.” Kyleigh’s voice broke the moment and all three girls looked at her at the same time. “I have it being prepared already, and a small selection of cheeses and bread. I am sure you girls are hungry.” The woman was trying to be polite but Evangeline wanted to know now what was going on. Instead of getting answers, Viviana made the choice for them.

  “It sounds lovely Queen Kyleigh.” Teagan nodded dumbly at her side and Evangeline followed the Queen to where the tea was indeed being set for them. Evangeline felt a shade of guilt. She should have known that Teagan and Viviana would be hungry after the long trip to Braykith. She should have planned the tea herself.

  The girls sat and quietly Kyleigh excused herself, taking her daughter with her. She had been planning to stay, to get to know these friends of Evangeline’s however clearly there was a discussion to be had. The Queen did not think they needed more witnesses to their plight then those who were already stationed for their safety.

  Evangeline waited until they were gone and everyone was settled before she spoke. “What is the matter? You cannot lie to me and say all is well when clearly something is going on.”

  “Eva, has there been any thoughts on what your decisions have done to us?” Viviana asked, Teagan wiping her eyes with her finger so not to ruin the carefully crafted look she had applied even as the carriage bounced them through the woods.

  This was not the reaction that Evangeline had been anticipating when her friends had finally been granted the permission to follow her to Braykith. “Of course I was concerned. That is why I asked for you to come here now so we can be together as we were back home for years. Didn’t you miss me?” She said carefully, knowing a lecture was coming from Viviana.

  However, it was Teagan who spoke. “We were creating a life without you in it, Eva.” She looked down at her hands, afraid to see the look on her best friends face as she confessed to her. “And it was going well. I was progressing with Christopher, the fireplace boy; my work was less intimidating than I first thought it would be.” Teagan swallowed hard and reached for a cup of tea but took the smallest of sips from the lip. “We did miss you, Eva.” Uncharacteristically, Teagan had seemed to be aware of how her words would impact Evangeline. This could only mean that she had been thinking on what she would say for a long time

  “It hardly sounds like it,” Evangeline muttered, waiting for Viviana to add her own objections.

  “We did miss you, and
never assume otherwise but it was hard, as Teagan said, for us to just leave Crimah. We were not waiting for you to return Eva. We were moving on.” Viviana was far less emotional.

  Evangeline frowned and stood from her seat, although she did not move far, only enough to gesture back the way they came. “Then leave. Return to Crimah and continue moving on without me.”

  Neither of her friends rose to take her offer and Evangeline was glad for it. She did not want them to leave, although Evangeline would not have stopped them if they really did try. Evangeline had thought she was acting in their best interests as well as her own. Of course, she had never thought that they would be happy without her and had assumed they were as miserable as she was here in Braykith. To find out otherwise had hurt her.

  Viviana knew that it is hard to hear but she did not change her approach. Evangeline needed to understand that them deciding to come here had been a tough decision. Ultimately, though, being with Evangeline had been more convincing than any potential they had in Crimah “We have decided to stay Eva. You cannot dismiss us now. We have disowned our jobs and our relationships. But we both want you to know what we gave up to be here.”

  Evangeline looked from Teagan to Viviana. It had never occurred her that they would not want to come. She wanted to apologise but the words never made it past her lips. Instead, she sat again, apparently feeling defeated and it showed in the soft way she held herself now. “I was so lonely here without you. The other women are rude, and things have not been good with Glais. I need you both.”

  Teagan nodded. “We know, and we are happy to be here right Viv?” The other woman nodded but she didn’t look too pleased. Whatever she was thinking was not clear in her features and she was not going to share. Evangeline was not in the right place to try and encourage her to speak more. Finally, Viviana sighed and shrugged as she looked around them. “It was just not as we expected.”

  “Nothing here in Braykith is how we expect.” Evangeline sighed and wondered how much she could say here. There were eyes and ears everywhere in the castle, especially when it came to gossip such as this. The soldiers were supposed to be tight-lipped however Evangeline trusted only one of the four which stood nearby. Less than favourable odds for keeping a secret, so she pressed forward and stayed cryptic. She would explain her new found Dryad heritage at another time. “It is not a secret that I do not fit in, regardless of how I try.”