by Simone Pond
The boy’s cheeks turned rosy red and all he could muster was a slight nod. He untied Evelyn’s and Aine’s ropes and they wriggled away from the chains.
“You,” he blurted at Doran as he puffed up his spindly chest, “stay right here. If you make one move, I swear I’ll cut off fingers from both of the ladies.”
Doran pressed his lips together as if trying not to laugh and gave the kid a curt nod. “No trouble from me.”
Evelyn held Aine’s hand and the two walked a few feet ahead of Trellox, deeper into the shadowy trees. With her free hand, Evelyn reached into her vest pocket and removed the crystal stone and stealthily handed it to Aine.
“When I tumble, you run and don’t look back. Wait for us in the village,” said Evelyn.
“But what if you don’t come?” Aine’s large blue eyes glistened in the darkness.
“Trust, my friend. That’s all you have to do. We will come for you. Go on ahead of me.”
When Aine got about twenty or so feet away, Evelyn made a dramatic display of tumbling to the ground. She cried out and grabbed her ankle. Trellox made a slow and careful approach toward her.
“Is everything okay?” he called out.
“I’m afraid I’ve twisted my ankle and need your assistance getting up,” Evelyn whimpered.
As Trellox made an awkward attempt at helping Evelyn, Aine darted off through the trees.
Once Evelyn was upright, Trellox looked around frantically. “Where’s the girl?” he whispered.
“The girl?”
Trellox grabbed Evelyn’s arm and yanked her close. “Yes, the girl. Where is she?”
“I don’t know. It was your responsibility to watch over us, was it not?” Evelyn tilted her head.
Trellox pulled Evelyn with him as he dashed between the trees, searching for Aine.
The head knight called out into the forest, “What is the hold up, Trellox?”
The pause of silence was brutal and lingered.
“Trellox!”
They made their way back to the group, sans Aine. Trellox nervously tied Evelyn’s hands and reattached the chain, keeping his eyes averted the entire time.
The head knight came back around. “Where’s the girl?”
“Sir … she, um, escaped …”
More silence except for the orchestra of crickets and Doran’s muffled laughter.
“We have what we came for. We shan’t waste any resources going after her … But Trellox, this mishap will not go unpunished. You can ground it with these two to ensure we don’t lose anyone else along the way.”
Evelyn and Doran stayed close together as they commenced jogging. The chains jangled around their shoulders and weighed down each taxing step. But at least Aine and the stone were safe … for now.
13
Ciara decided to “borrow” one of Lady Evelyn’s dresses for her important meeting with Prince Kieran. She chose a simple empire-waist lavender gown and pulled her raven hair back into a sophisticated chignon. She grabbed Evelyn’s journal from under her mattress and left the room she shared with Kateline and Sinead, hopefully for the last time.
The third floor was brimming with action. Watchmen and maids continued bustling about the hallways in an ongoing succession into the prince’s chambers. Ciara approached the gold doors and stood before the watchman guarding the prince’s rooms. It was the same fellow who had saved her from being strangled to death.
“Miss?”
“I’m here to see Prince Kieran,” she said.
“He’s not receiving guests today.”
The doors opened and a few people from the court slipped past them and scurried down the hall. Then another counselor came up to the door and the watchman opened it, allowing the robed man to enter the chambers.
“Seems to me the prince is, indeed, receiving guests.”
“These are what you would call business colleagues. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” The watchman stepped aside and opened the door again to allow another robed man to enter. “I’m busy.”
Ciara moved in closer, making sure her intoxicating scent of jasmine lingered between them. “Oh, but this is business. Let me assure you, the prince will want to hear this. It concerns Lady Evelyn.”
The watchman chortled. “We’ve already taken care of that business.”
It felt like a boulder had been catapulted into her gut. Destroying Evelyn was an integral part of her scheme. “Pardon?”
“Like I said, miss, I’m busy. The prince is busy. Don’t know if you heard, but there are rumors of Russex possibly encroaching on southern Galicia. We have a potential war on our hands.”
A sigh of elation escaped Ciara’s lips, and the watchman stared at her as though she were insane. Hearing the news about Russex made her information even more valuable. Finally, good fortune had found its way back to her front door!
“The information I have to share is of vital importance. He will find it quite useful, especially if we’re to go to war with King Oren.”
The watchman furrowed his brow and eyed Ciara before finally saying, “If I allow you to enter his chambers and you pull some foolishness, there’s a chance I won’t be able to rescue you like last time. The prince is … how shall I say … a bit tense. And trust me, miss, you’ll be begging for the dungeons if he sets loose on you …”
Ciara cocked her head and smiled slyly. “I give you my word, sir. What I’m about to share with the prince will make heroes of us all.”
For the second time, Ciara entered Prince Kieran’s chambers. He sat behind his exquisite mahogany desk surrounded by counselors and other men of the court, all of them shouting back and forth over his head. When he glanced up and caught a glimpse of Ciara, he slowly rose. The men around him continued arguing, but he moved away from the desk and came around to greet Ciara. He circled around her, taking her in inch by slow inch. The room grew hushed and became chillingly silent.
“You are the girl who lost Lady Evelyn, are you not?” asked the prince.
Ciara curtsied. “My lord, she ran off whilst I was preparing her attire for the day. But that’s not why I’m here …”
He stroked her bare arm with a pleasing smile, one which made Ciara feel a bit queasy. She didn’t think her reaction to the prince would be so … peculiar. This was the moment she’d been striving to obtain for years—to have him in her clutches—but as he touched her skin, she felt oddly repulsed. And for some strange reason, she flashed to a thought of Kateline.
“My lord,” she repeated. “I’m here to discuss important business. It concerns Russex.”
At the mention of the southern empire, Prince Kieran pulled her away. He narrowed his brown eyes, the golden flecks seeming to flicker, as he glared at Ciara.
“What say you?”
“I have information to help build your resources if we’re to go to battle,” she said.
“Resources? I’ve exhausted most of ours throughout northern and southern Galicia. How could you possibly know of more?”
“May we sit, my lord?”
Prince Kieran nodded and escorted Ciara to one of his couches by the balcony overlooking the rose garden. It was still afternoon and the sun sprinkled brilliant light over the beautiful blossoms. Ciara felt a burst of energy radiate through her as the sun caught her eye. This is going to go quite well, she thought as one of the maids rushed over with a goblet of wine and handed it to the prince. Another maid handed one to Ciara. She sat and took a sip of the delicious wine, preparing for her disquisition. The prince remained standing.
“Well, Miss … what is your name?”
Ciara clenched her jaw, but replied with a gentle tone, “Ciara, my lord. My name is Ciara. I’m one of the May Day ladies from the hamlet of Ocelum.”
He gulped back his wine and handed the empty goblet to the maid on standby. “Yes, yes. I recall you now. You look quite different than you did in that rathole.”
Flustered by the backhanded compliment, she took another sip of wine, and then went on to te
ll him the story of Clovis, the legendary warrior from the Oxybii tribe.
After she finished, the prince asked, “So these men were captured by King Oren of Russex?”
“Yes. And they were sent to a country called Eshlan where they are being held captive by Queen Boudicca. She was handsomely rewarded in return.”
The prince chuckled. “These warriors must not be any good if they’re being held captive—by a woman.”
“My lord, they fought hard for many months. But King Oren outnumbered them.”
“And what is the point of this story? I don’t see how it has anything to do with me and my fight against King Oren.”
Ciara rose from the couch and stood in a position so the last of the sun’s rays would land over the crown of her head. Her sapphire eyes sparkled in an almost enchanting and alluring manner. The prince studied her, captivated.
“My lord, I have it on good authority that if our kingdom can negotiate with Queen Boudicca and build a partnership, she will set Clovis and his men free. In return these men will join your army. Revenge grows bitter in their hearts, fermenting for many moons, and given the opportunity, they will stop at nothing to destroy the Russex empire. Surely, these are the type of resources you want fighting on your side.”
Prince Kieran stretched out his hand, indicating for more wine. Within seconds a fully replenished goblet was rushed over. He stepped out onto the balcony and gazed over the rose garden, taking sips from his goblet. Ciara stood watching and waiting. She had to do something more; nudge him just a bit further so he would have no choice but to move forward with her plan. She bravely walked out to the balcony, shutting the doors behind her.
The prince turned around. “Bold move, my lady.”
Ciara’s heart lurched and she smiled slyly. He had called her his lady … she was so close she could taste the spoils of victory. Her bosom swelled and her cheeks grew flushed. It wasn’t the prince’s affections that excited Ciara, it was the thrill of power. Power that would soon be hers to wield.
“If you’ll excuse my boldness, my lord. There’s something else I must share with you. In private. I didn’t want members of your court to hear to avoid shaming your name.”
He stepped forward and glared down into her eyes and grabbed her chin with his hand. “How dare you suggest such a thing.”
“My apologies, but I feel I must tell you now before it’s too late. I mean no disrespect. In fact, I hold you in the highest regard. That is why I’ve risked everything to come see you. It wasn’t only to give you inside information about Clovis and his tribe, but to tell you the truth about Lady Evelyn.”
Lowering his hand, Prince Kieran stepped back and murmured, “Lady Evelyn? What say you?”
“She’s not who you believe her to be, my lord. She’s a charlatan and a detriment to your kingdom.” Ciara handed him the leather journal and waited in silence as he flipped through the pages.
“Where did you get this?” His voice was husky and strained as he continued turning the pages.
“As I told you, it belongs to Evelyn.”
A smirk appeared and his eyes lit up like flames dancing. “I can’t believe my good fortune. I thought she was merely the one to commemorate the summer solstice, but apparently she’s much, much more.”
Ciara was confused by that last remark. She didn’t want Evelyn to be much, much more. She wanted Evelyn to be disposed of!
“That’s not all, my lord,” she continued with an air of desperation. “Evelyn has some sort of stone that turns into a spear. And I would’ve come to you sooner, but she threatened to kill you and place the blame on me.” Ciara fell against the prince and began to whimper into his chest, feigned cries she conjured up just for the occasion.
Prince Kieran patted Ciara’s back stiffly. And then, as though he’d realized her striking beauty truly for the first time, he pulled her into a passionate embrace.
“You’ve done quite well,” he whispered.
She tilted her head to expose her slender neck and the intoxicating jasmine oils. He inhaled and pulled her closer against his chest. His body temperature rose, as did his manhood.
“I’m so sorry, Prince Kieran. When she ran off, I came to tell you right away, but …”
“But I sent you off.” He stroked her cheek with his smooth fingers and lifted her chin to look into her eyes. “I was too harsh with you. You were only looking out for my best interests. You’ve proven your loyalty to me. Not only with the information about Clovis, but also about Evelyn.”
Ciara smiled tenderly. He hadn’t referred to Evelyn as “Lady” that time. She had won! No longer was the goat girl in the prince’s good graces.
“I’m so relieved I wasn’t too late. I understand you’ve sent for her …” She released another sigh. “My only hope is that she doesn’t cause any harm when she returns to the castle. I don’t know what I’d do.”
“My dear lady, you have nothing to worry about.” The prince bent down and placed a gentle kiss upon her lips.
“Oh, Prince Kieran.” She feigned a sheepish giggle.
“To reward you for your loyalty and honesty, I’m promoting you to an official lady-in-waiting. You’ll take Evelyn’s position and rank, as well as her chambers. Pick any chambermaid you desire.”
The first part of the deal had been sealed, but Ciara wouldn’t be satisfied with merely Evelyn’s leftovers—not when there was so much more at her fingertips.
She curtsied. “My lord, I’m honored by your generosity.”
“As you should be.” He kissed her hand and began to head back inside. “Now, I must supply my men with this information and get started on our strategy. You’ve been most helpful.”
Before he reached the door, Ciara took his hand. “My lord, there’s one more thing.”
“If you’re concerned about Evelyn, don’t be. I assure you, she will be taken care of.”
Ciara bowed. “Thank you, my lord. But this is regarding the leader of Eshlan.”
He folded his arms across his chest and frowned. “Well, what is it?”
“Eshlan’s leader is a woman, and she will negotiate only with females. Usually only those of high standing. It would be my honor if you would allow me to be that person.” She curtsied before the prince.
A muffled laugh rose as he smiled at Ciara. “Well, you certainly are a coy one, aren’t you, Lady Ciara. I do believe I’ve met my match.”
“My lord?” Ciara attempted playing the fool.
He leaned over and planted a kiss on her lips, grabbing the back of her head. His mouth burrowed into hers in a suffocating manner, as though he were sucking away the last breath of life. When he finally pulled away, Ciara’s lips throbbed in red-hot agony. She tried not to choke for air. Disgust roiled in her stomach and the wine she had imbibed moments ago gurgled up her throat like hot wax.
Prince Kieran raised a brow in a goading manner. “Of course, you may join me, Lady Ciara. You’re now my most favored lady-in-waiting. We will be inseparable from here on out. We leave at dawn. Be ready.”
Ciara bowed, then dashed out of the prince’s chambers and down the hallway, where she found a decorative clay pot and retched.
14
The castle loomed in the distance like a menacing prison as the horses came through the woods. Evelyn and Doran—and a very exhausted Trellox—were still loping behind the group of knights. Evelyn remembered thinking the castle appeared an oasis just days ago, but now she could see the murkiness that hid behind those stone walls. She’d been blinded by the obsession of becoming a lady-in-waiting and residing among royalty. She thought falling in love with the prince would bring her happiness and give her a feeling of belonging. Moving into Verubri Castle had proven how wrong she was. But she hadn’t brooded over the matter. After all, she was Evelyn of Gorias, dragon slayer. Just as she had done with the zeevils, she would destroy the dragon hiding out in the mountains. And if Prince Kieran or any of his men got in her way, she’d take them down too … as soon as she
got out of the chains and figured out a proper plan.
“What are you thinking, my lady?” panted Doran.
“I’m thinking you need to just call me Evelyn. Or Eve. Or Lyn. I don’t care. Just no more of this my lady crap.” She hadn’t meant to sound so harsh, but after trekking through the woods at a light trot for two hours exhaustion had set in.
“As you wish, Evie …” Doran dragged out each syllable and cocked his head for emphasis.
She couldn’t help herself and laughed. “Actually, I prefer Evelyn.”
“What’s the plan?”
“Since we’re here, I’d like to try to persuade the prince into going after the dragon one last time. And get my father’s journal from that rat, Ciara.”
Doran remained quiet for a few moments. Long enough for Evelyn to grow uncomfortable with the silence. “What are you thinking about?” she asked.
“I’m not sure you’ll have the opportunity—or the position—to request that of the prince.”
She laughed again. “You haven’t seen the way he gawks at me. I could wear a potato sack and he would swoon. I just need a little more time to convince him that the dragon is a threat to the castle.”
Trellox huffed his way into the conversation. “You know, miss, the dragons have never attacked the castle. Not once in hundreds of years. We don’t got nuthin’ to worry about.”
But a shiver inched down Evelyn’s spine, telling her otherwise. She began to put together the pieces of history—what little she knew—and wonder whether the fortuitous events that had centered around Verubri Castle and the kingdom were either pure luck or coincidence. Evelyn didn’t believe in coincidence.
She looked at Doran. “Do you find it odd that Verubri Castle has never been attacked by the dragons of Galicia, yet nearly every village and opposing kingdom within northern and southern Galicia has been?”
“Not really. Advantageous? Yes.”
“Something doesn’t smell right,” she said.
Trellox continued sharing his thoughts on the subject. “Funny thing is, these last eighteen years since the dragons have been absent have been the hardest for our kingdom. The surrounding ones have been making more and more threats. And now we heard rumors that Russex is moving in through the southern channels to encroach on our territory. But with the dragon making a show last night … who knows what will happen.”