Sebastian shut off the guilt and let it turn to anger, so that when Master Jabari came out into the small stable yard, he stood and turned on his old mentor and father figure.
“Have you lost your senses, man?” he lashed out, forgoing greeting in favor of a verbal whip. “Did you think I’d thank you for starving my best dog?”
Master Jabari bore up under the attack, straightening his shoulders. “I came to tell you yesterday, Highness, but you’d gone riding. She’s not so close to starving as all that.”
“Let you go three days without food and see how you like it,” Sebastian snapped. “She doesn’t even know that she didn’t do anything wrong. All she knows—” Sebastian stopped talking and just stood, watching Artemis eat.
“Your Highness,” Master Jabari offered after a moment. “I’m sorry, but—”
“Leave me,” Sebastian said, cutting off any explanation the man could offer.
Master Jabari stood for a few moments more, then set down the food bowl he carried and left.
Sebastian knelt and stroked Artemis’ back as the dog finished the one bowl and started on the next.
“Courtesy be cursed,” he said at last. Artemis looked up at him briefly, licked her chops, and then went back to eating. “You’re not staying here any longer.”
He would have Artemis at his side. The courtiers could live with it or leave.
Artemis was halfway through the second bowl before Sebastian pulled her off, not wanting to let the dog eat herself sick. “‘C’mon, girl. Let’s stretch your legs.”
Instead of going back through the stable to the main courtyard where throngs of people gathered for the market fair, he took the back alleyway that hugged the castle walls and headed for the small postern gate that let out into the eastern moors. He realized he was disappearing again, but he didn’t care enough to turn back. The festivities could go on without him.
The guards at the gate acknowledged him as he passed, and he returned their salute. Then he was out where the wind blew freely through his hair and whipped his cape back from his shoulders.
He gave one more stroke on Artemis’ great head, then flicked his wrist in a gesture that let the dog run at play. The canine barked once, then ran off to explore, and Sebastian watched, envying the dog’s freedom.
It reminded him of a time not so long ago when he could have run and jumped and wrestled with his friends and come home dirty, tired, and late for dinner. Back then, he would have been scolded about washing his hands and face, and maybe changing his clothes, but he would not have been reminded of the political implications. He didn’t know what difference his appearance would make on whether he made a good king or not, but his advisors seemed to think it important.
Now he knew what Aslynn had felt five years ago with Tawnia—he could never again think of her as a queen—trying to make a lady out of her.
Aslynn. The thought of his twin not understanding what he was feeling both depressed and angered him. Hadn’t he always supported her in her crises? Hadn’t he always told her he understood, even when it was a struggle? Hadn’t he...?
Sebastian stopped, unaccustomed to feeling such intense anger. It wasn’t like him at all. But still, his stomach burned with it and his mind raced with all the frustrations and negative thoughts he had felt since burying his father.
Normally, he would be able to stop and identify what, exactly, was upsetting him, and he could think through it and so remove the anger from his mind. But now his thoughts were pure chaos, and he could not sort through them or think clearly. All that surfaced was anger and frustration.
I’m so tired, he thought. If I could just sleep. Not far off, a small clump of scrub pine offered a break from the wind and a screen against being seen from the castle. He walked to it and sat beneath the wind-twisted branches, heedless of his fine cloak and trousers.
Artemis ran up to investigate the bower briefly, then ran off to follow more scents.
Sebastian watched her, feeling his eyelids grow heavier and heavier. His head sank lower and lower until his chin rested against his chest and his eyes slipped closed.
But they were there, waiting for him. Dark shadows fluttering at the corners of his dream vision.
His eyes snapped open and his head jerked up, but only for a moment. He was so very tired. His eyes drifted shut once again.
The shadows gathered, shifting closer, darting in to pluck at his sleeves. Sebastian flailed his arms, swatting them away. They kept coming, and he could hear them chuckling, a monotonous, muttering sound. One shadow darted in close and hovered for a brief second before him, where Sebastian could see its eyes, red like fire, burning into his own.
Waving his arms to drive it off, Sebastian struck something warm and furry. Artemis whined, licking him on the face.
Sebastian opened his eyes to see the great dog standing before him, looking at him with a quizzical expression. All Sebastian could do was reach out and hug her, blessing the dog’s presence.
“You’re staying with me,” Sebastian said again. There was no doubt in his mind the dog had just saved his life.
Chapter Seven
Aslynn stood on the parapet above the eastern gate, watching her twin disappear behind the stand of trees. She wanted to go to him, reassure him somehow, but after his stinging remark at breakfast, she was more than hesitant.
“Sebastian,” she whispered, “why are you turning away from us?”
She heard Adam approach, and held out her hand for him to take. “The guards said you were here. Is anything wrong?”
She squeezed his hand. “He’s out there, alone. He should be here with us. If not enjoying the festivities, at least taking comfort with those who love him.”
“It must weigh heavy on him to know he will soon be wearing your father’s crown.”
“I think it’s more than that, Adam. I can’t put my finger on it, but something is not right in how he is taking this. Sebastian is distancing himself even from me, so I can’t tell what he is feeling or thinking.”
“Where is Jared?”
“Getting some sleep.” Aslynn knew Adam expected Sebastian’s personal guard to go without sleep as long as Sebastian did, but Aslynn thought he could do his job better with a few hours of rest behind him. “I’ve guards out there watching him at a distance. And Artemis is with him.”
“Still seems a little vulnerable.”
“I know, but...I don’t think he’d allow anything more invasive. I just wish he could get some sleep.”
“What about Lady Mari?” he asked. “They apparently talked all night up on the roof. Perhaps she could convince him—”
“A near stranger convince him to take a sleeping potion when his twin cannot? I don’t think so, Adam.”
“I meant, maybe she could convince him to at least stay within the castle walls,” Adam said gently. Though he did not say it, Aslynn was reminded how she usually let him finish his sentences.
“Oh, Adam,” she said, and leaned against him for more than just physical support. “What is happening to all of us?”
Adam stroked her hair, comforting her. “I don’t know, Aslynn. All we can do is love each other, love him, and trust that love will get us through this...whatever it is.”
“Why do I feel like the world is ready to come crumbling down around our ears? Life as we’ve known it is already gone with the death of our father, but sometimes I think the earth is still shaking.”
⇜⊂⊃⊂⊃⊂⊃⇝
Sebastian sat under the trees with Artemis at his side, just staring out over the empty moors. He had managed to free his mind of all thoughts, though he could sense the anger simmering just below the surface. Anger he wasn’t sure he could justify, but he certainly couldn’t deny or cool it.
That was how Jared found him. His bodyguard looked well rested and washed up, and Sebastian envied him even as his anger stirred. Even his personal bodyguard had deserted him to get the sleep Sebastian himself was denied.
“What?
” Sebastian asked dully.
“Supper, Your Highness. It will be time to go in soon.”
“I am aware of the hour, Jared. The bells from the convent reach me even out here. I am sick of listening to the hours pass.”
Jared stood silently at attention, not looking at his charge, just waiting patiently.
“I suppose I am expected to attend. Why not eat yet another meal? I am sick of sitting on display in front of all those vultures!” Still, no response from Jared. “Have you lost the ability to speak?”
“No, Highness. I do not wish to say anything to anger you.”
“You have reason to fear my anger?” Sebastian asked sharply. Tired of looking up at the man, he stood to look him in the eye.
Jared appeared to search his gaze, and Sebastian grew impatient for an answer. “Well?”
“Not fear, Prince. Princess Aslynn said I should tread softly and not upset you.”
“Did she?” The anger simmering in the back of his mind came abruptly to a boil. “Did she? And did she tell you why I would get angry? Did she explain to you the way I’m feeling? Does she even hint at the cause? Because I would like to know what she thinks is wrong with me.”
With satisfaction, Sebastian watched Jared’s eyes open wide in surprise, and he stood at straight attention.
“No, Highness, she did not.”
Artemis whined, anxiously looking between the two of them. The canine knew Jared was a friend, more like family, and Sebastian’s tone of voice and intensity confused her. Sebastian blinked at the sound, and looked down when Artemis thrust her nose against his hand.
When he looked up, he found he could not look Jared in the eye again, so he brushed past him to head back into the castle.
Feeling a little like a bully, he was about to turn around and apologize to Jared when he saw three other guardsmen falling in from a protective deployment. His anger began boiling again.
So they don’t think I can protect myself, he thought, unwilling to concede that in his current state of mind he probably couldn’t. He stalked back through the castle gate and headed straight for the dining hall, not bothering to stop at his rooms to change or wash up. If they wanted him to attend, they could take him as they found him.
Artemis trotted at his side, and Jared followed just a few paces behind.
⇜⊂⊃⊂⊃⊂⊃⇝
Edward sat uncomfortably in a pew in the chapel of Saint Catherine, near the back, waiting for his sister to appear.
This was the part he hated most about coming to the convent: the waiting. The Sisters of Charity were always polite to him, but he felt as though they only tolerated him because of Katrona.
Because he was a man, he could not come any further than this chapel and the small courtyard out the side door of the sanctuary. He always suspected the sisters were watching him as he waited. Or maybe it was the statue of Saint Catherine, overlooking the room with her kind and wise eyes. The statue had always reminded him of the ghostly visitor who took away his birthright and bestowed it on the stable brat. He didn’t like it very well.
It was taking longer than normal for Katrona to come see him, and he wondered if he was interrupting the evening prayers or something. He didn’t remember hearing the bells that tolled the hour and called the sisters to prayer—but he’d been rather preoccupied with his thoughts.
Thoughts which both thrilled and frightened him, which was why he had come to see his sister. He didn’t know if he would tell her what the witch Maudette—for a witch she must be, to appear and disappear at will—had planned. At the very least, he did not want to leave without seeing her one last time. He and Katrona might disagree on most subjects, but she never made him feel unloved or stupid, or barely tolerated. She always heard him out and gave him her honest opinion.
Maybe I shouldn’t have come here, he thought. Katrona would never approve of this plan to take the crown—by force, if necessary.
He started to rise, but a sound at the chapel’s entry made him stop and look. Tidwell’s youngest daughter came through the door and walked up the center aisle. She apparently hadn’t seen him as she entered; she continued to one of the front pews, genuflected, and knelt to pray.
A shaft of evening sunlight struck through the stained-glass window beside Saint Catherine’s statue, bathing the woman in gilded light. Her auburn hair glowed in a nimbus around her head, and her pale skin looked nearly translucent.
Edward caught his breath and let it out slowly. There was something about the woman.... She appeared almost holy in that light. He found himself up and moving silently in the shadows of the side aisle so he could see her face more clearly.
She looked so...good. Pure. He wanted to reach out and touch her, believe in her, possess her. The pull toward her was so strong, he actually took a step toward her, but a nun entered the chapel. He stepped back, deeper into the shadows.
The nun turned from where Edward had been seated and walked up to where the young woman knelt. “Lady Mari?”
Mari, Edward repeated silently. He’d remember that name.
“Yes, Sister?” The voice was soft, but carried to Edward’s hiding place.
“I’m sorry, but Sister Katrona is still deep in prayer and cannot see you.”
“Is she all right? I mean, it’s been an awfully long time.”
The older nun smiled. “Such dedication can be uncommon in one so young, but then, Sister Katrona is not a common child. We check on her, of course, but she is very deep in prayer. She is beyond even hearing us, I think.”
“I didn’t mean to question you, Sister....”
“Think nothing of it, Lady Mari.”
“Well, when she comes around, let her know Mari of Dewbury came calling.”
“We will, child.” The nun hesitated, then laid a hand on Mari’s bowed head. “Bless you, child, and go with God.”
Mari’s bowed head obscured her face from Edward, and he found himself ducking to keep it in sight.
“Thank you, Sister.”
She stood and Edward watched her leave. The nun moved to follow, but as she turned in his direction she stopped, as though searching the shadows for him. Her gaze stopped on him, and he knew she saw him.
Chastened by the disapproval he saw in her eyes, Edward knew he could not hide any longer. He pulled the hem of his doublet down briskly and, without a word, strode up the aisle and out of the chapel.
⇜⊂⊃⊂⊃⊂⊃⇝
Tawnia watched as first the young girl came out of the convent, and then her son, Edward.
She paused when she saw him, having purposely avoided him since she came back. He was the reason for everything she had done and everything she was doing, but seeing him was a painful reminder of all she had lost.
He looked well, she noticed with pride. He hadn’t grown particularly tall, but he had filled out quite nicely—strong, muscular arms, broad shoulders, powerful legs, her own golden good looks. He had turned into quite a dashing young man.
Tawnia didn’t like, however, that her son had been in to see Katrona. It was apparent to her Maudette had not completely convinced him of the merit of their plans. If she had, he would not have felt the need to seek comfort from his sister.
Then she saw the look on his face while he watched after the young girl—Tawnia needed to find out who she was. Lust plainly clouded his features. Her first reaction was anger that he should lust after such a pious, fragile, good thing. But she thought again. Lust was a powerful emotion. She would be able to use it somehow—if she needed to.
Tawnia returned her attention to the task at hand: getting inside the convent. She had given this matter a lot of thought and had finally come up with a plan she was certain would work.
Stepping up to the doorway, she closed her eyes and tapped into the Ley. It had taken most of the day to prepare her mind for this summoning, so she was careful to take her time to recover from the distraction of seeing her son. Concentration was something she had honed to a sharp skill over the last
five years.
It was several moments before she saw any results of her work, and Tawnia was vaguely aware of people pausing in the street to look her. Then there was movement from the inner door and a very young-looking novice came to the outer gate, looking somewhat confused.
“Good evening, Sister,” Tawnia said, keeping her tone light and friendly.
“Good evening. Is there something I can do for you, Lady?”
“I just arrived tonight to see the coronation. It is my custom to give thanks for a safe journey whenever I arrive at my destination, and I was hoping I could pray in one of your chapels.”
“Oh, of course.” The novice stepped back to make way for her. “Enter and be welcome in this humble house of God.”
Tawnia smiled and stepped over the threshold of the outer door. “Thank you, Sister.”
“I will take you to the chapel of Saint Catherine. It is where visitors come to pray.”
“That will do nicely.”
Inside the convent, Tawnia felt a little queasy, but as her plan advanced, she knew the holiness of this place would no longer affect her body. Inside, she could do much more damage to those without. She smiled. Such tasty irony, that she could hide and do her work so effectively from the last place anyone would think to look for her—if they even suspected her hand in matters. Yet.
Most important, from the inside, she could reach Katrona. Not directly of course, but certainly with a deft touch that would shake her daughter’s false faith to its roots. Katrona could not deny her true nature any more than Edward could. Edward was destined to be king, and Katrona was destined to join forces with her mother to aid her brother in becoming the greatest king in the history of all the Bonnie Isles. Perhaps his rule would even extend beyond these islands.
The novice showed Tawnia to the tiny chapel and she walked up the aisle toward the altar. She heard the novice depart, so she did not bother to genuflect. There was no reason not to start right away.
Once at the altar, she held her hands out wide, bowed her head, and spoke one word.
To Make a King Page 6