She hurried down the hallway, knowing that Feolan was waiting outside for her in the carriage. The excitement continued to course through her body, filling her with a thrill unlike anything she’d felt in years. This was the sort of thing she lived for. Danger. Intrigue. She had never noticed how much she missed it in her life until she’d come under Faustine’s care. The simple life had proven dull and monotonous to her after so many years of constant struggle for survival.
Once outside, Feolan pulled open the door, helping her into the safety of the carriage. He signaled the coachman to move without a look back, sliding into the seat across from Leyna. Neither one of them took a breath until the horses stirred into motion, picking up the pace away from the house. “I will take you back to the inn where I am staying and make sure that you are safely inside the room before I leave.”
“Leave?” she asked in surprise, her nerves flinching at the thought of being left alone at a time like this. “Where do you have to go?”
“Back to the masque in order to put in a final appearance and dissuade anyone from thinking that I am with you.”
“Oh.”
It made perfect sense. If they had both been discovered absent, the suspicions alone would be enough to merit an accusation by the Prince. She wanted to escape, but she didn’t want to leave a bad taste in anyone’s mouth about her reputation. There would be enough talk about her behavior come the morning without her doing anything which might add to it.
The coachman continued on at a quickened speed, winding the way down the long country road. Feolan knelt down on the floor, his hands reaching blindly for something under the seat. After a moment of feeling around, he managed to find what he was looking for, drawing out a long thin box that had been tucked away in the back. Lifting off the lid, he pulled a piece of heavy dark cloth from inside it, offering it out to Leyna casually. “You should wear this. It will keep your face hidden from anyone who might be around the inn when we get there. They cannot be allowed to see you.”
Shaking out the fabric, she recognized it to be an elegantly designed cloak with the insignia of the Consul embroidered onto the left side of the chest. Her knowledge of cloth failed her in determining what it was made out of. It was heavy enough to provide warmth against the cold of the Tanispan winters while yet thin with a gentle shine for a regal outward appearance. Silver thread could be seen along every hem, adding a line of brilliant color to the otherwise rich ebon shade.
She draped it over her shoulders carefully. The fabric was so fine that she hated to think of possibly damaging it in any way. A soft fragrance wafted up from it, pleasant to her senses. Gently clasping a piece of the cloak, she brought it up to her face, inhaling deeply. It was familiar to her, though she couldn’t place from where. All she knew was that it was a comforting scent, easing her troubled mind while she sat quietly there in the seat.
Their arrival passed in a blur of motion around her. The carriage hadn’t even come to a complete stop before Feolan was opening the door, ushering her through it and into the brightly lit foyer of the inn. In their haste, she had no time to even glimpse the name of the establishment, struggling to keep up with Feolan’s long strides.
Only a few other guests were present at the inn, glancing at them briefly for their strange behavior. Leyna could imagine what they must look like. In their concern of getting by without being noticed, they had somehow managed to make themselves stand out even more. Thankfully, despite the watchful eyes, no one could see her face to determine who she was. And even more comforting was the thought that they more than likely hadn’t been at the masque to know that anything was going on out of the ordinary.
In the safety of Feolan’s room, he closed the door, twisting the latch into place. “I hate to leave you here and run, but I need to get back there as swiftly as the horses will carry me. There is some bread and water in the case near the closet, and the inn provided a bottle of wine, if you so desire. The bed is yours if you are tired. I will hurry back, I promise.”
“Do not rush on account of me,” she smiled, lowering the hood of the cloak down around her shoulders. “I will be fine here. Concentrate on you. If you leave the palace in too great a haste, they might still suspect. I would recommend that you linger until it is nearly ended and then find your way out gracefully. It will appear less conspicuous.”
He forced a smile as he turned back toward the door, slipping through it quietly. With slow steps she made her way over to it, watching the lock twist under the direction of Feolan’s key from the other side.
She was alone. The relief was overwhelming. Alone and free. No more tedious lessons in etiquette and lectures on all the things she was doing incorrectly. No more caring about what everyone would think of her, in fear that she would blunder and disgrace someone else. Her mistakes from here on out would be only on herself. There was no longer any need to worry about anyone else’s opinions on her manners.
Nonchalantly moving around the room, she looked over the items that had been set out. It probably was rude of her to be going over Feolan’s personal belongings, but her curiosity was stronger than her concern about being invasive of someone’s privacy. He trusted her, and she knew that she wouldn’t do anything to break that. She desired to get to know more about the man he was. Although they had been such close friends, there was no denying that they were both different people now. Their relationship as commander and lieutenant was over a decade behind them. It was like starting all over again.
She was impressed by the finery he had collected. Several medals were situated on the desk, strewn about aimlessly. Carefully lifting each one up to inspect it, she could see the tiny inscriptions on them, denoting various honors for military service. She had already been long gone from Siscal when the war ended. If any medals had been intended for her, they were unable to reach her. It was sad, in a way. After dedicating every aspect of her life to the defense of the country for such a time, and to have received nothing in return.
Rewards were not her intention when she came to Siscal. That was the most important thing for her to remember. The reasons for her participation in the war had been fulfilled, though she had nothing to show for it. She finally had the means of providing a good home for Reina but Reina was nowhere to be found. It had taken her too long to achieve her goals… and her injuries had set her back even further. If she was lucky, Reina would understand. Unfortunately, she doubted that would be the case.
A tall chair was placed against the wall by the bed, the velveteen cushion matching the deep plum colors of the sheets. He had given her permission to use the bed to sleep, but she felt it would be inappropriate of her to do so. It was his, for the time. As a lady, she shouldn’t be accepting invitations into anyone’s bed, regardless of whether they were in it or not.
Sitting down in the chair, she tried to find a comfortable position with which to attempt resting. The gentle aroma from the cloak she wore continued to soothe her. It reminded her of Siscal. Everything always seemed to remind her of Siscal. It had been the one place that she ever truly felt like she belonged.
That was it. The realization dawned on her suddenly, bringing a sense of peace over her troubled mind. Siscal would be the perfect place for her to escape to. With the help of Feolan and Thade, there was a chance for her to become someone there. Not only that, but it was where she had told Reina she would be. If ever Reina sought to find her, it would be there that she would go. For now, it was the only option that made any sense. She would just have to convince Feolan to allow her to accompany him home.
Chapter Seven
The trip was longer than she remembered. Endless trees had been the only sight for miles until they finally reached the mountainous regions of the Siscal border. Feolan had been more amenable to the idea of Leyna returning with him than she had expected. She’d spent her entire night thinking of ways to persuade him up until her eyes gave in to sleep. Maybe it had to do with his exhaustion from the evening, having only returned back to the inn
a few hours before Leyna had awoken to the sun rising, lighting the entire room through the windows.
He’d been quiet since his arrival. Even throughout the days of travel through the countryside, Feolan barely uttered more than a few sentences to her. His eyes looked troubled. Something was plaguing his mind, but he constantly denied it when she would ask on his silence. She feared the worst about what occurred at the masque in her absence. It was the only thing which she could think that might cause his behavior to shift so drastically.
Sleep proved to be the best way of passing the time on their journey, giving in to it at every opportunity. It eased the racing thoughts in her own mind while at the same time made the trip seem shorter and more bearable. The landscape had only just begun to strike her as familiar when she drifted off again, praying they would reach their destination by the time her eyes opened.
“Leyna.” Feolan’s voice drifted softly over her ears. “Leyna, we are nearly to the city.”
At last. Through her groggy mind, she felt relief at the words, slowly starting to stir from her slumber. Still clumsy from fatigue, she brushed at the soft fabric of her dress, making sure it was clear of any wrinkles. She wanted to look her best upon her return. The dress she’d chosen was a pale blue, the empire waist wrapped by a strand of silver cording. It allowed her the freedom of loosening the tight laces of her corset, while yet not fully granting her the option of removing it altogether. Since becoming a woman, she’d learned that fashion was never intended for comfort.
Clutching nervously at the clasp of the cloak, she made sure it was still concealing the skin of her chest from view, not wanting anyone to see her scars. It was simple enough to cover the ones on her back and abdomen. Her left arm occasionally posed a problem, though it was the mark on her chest which was the most difficult to keep out of sight. So many dresses were designed to reveal the collarbone of the wearer, showing off the round patch of scar tissue just off-center over her right breast.
“You look fine,” Feolan smiled, squeezing her hand gently to pull it away from the clasp. Giving a faint smile, she inhaled at the abrupt stop of the carriage wheels, listening to the coachman calling out for the horses to stay still.
The door opened to reveal the familiar streets of Siscal. They had made it. She recognized the old wooden sign above the door to a small building, advertising the business within. It had been the location of almost every celebration of their unit, including her own promotion to lieutenant. Malic’s Tavern. Still bustling with people coming in and out of the weathered doors, their eyes peering with interest at the sight of their carriage stopped just outside.
Lightly taking her hand, the coachman helped her down the steps to the ground, her legs aching from the long journey. It felt good to straighten them and move around, circulating the blood through her veins. “Are you sure this is the most appropriate place for a young lady to be? I am not exactly a military girl anymore.”
“Malic’s has cleaned up a bit over the years,” Feolan chuckled, extending his arm out to Leyna. “During the day it is a more casual atmosphere for the people of Siscal. I just would recommend trying to avoid it once the sun goes down.”
It was cleaner inside than she remembered. The air smelled fresh, with only a mild lingering scent of alcohol as they moved closer to the bar. There at the end, Leyna recognized a Mialan man seated on a stool, pushing a mug of ale back and forth between his hands. “Teagan?” she asked, squinting her eyes to get a better look. “Dear me, is that you?”
His light brown hair was neatly trimmed, hanging loose down to his shoulders. He was dressed in a fancy golden shirt which matched the color of his eyes, the fabric much nicer than what she would have expected of a retired soldier. He peered back at her for a moment, unsure of her identity. When he finally made the connection, she could see it in his eyes, his face brightening in surprise. “Leyna? My god, you look so…” He paused at first, seeming to consider what he was about to say before the words tumbled from his mouth in his usual fashion. “Womanly.”
“Thank you, I think,” she laughed uncomfortably, thankful for Feolan’s presence at her side. It would have been asking too much for Teagan to have matured over the years. He appeared just as uncouth as ever, only dressed in finer garments while doing so.
Rising from his stool, he took Leyna’s hand in his, kissing it gently. Without letting it go, he stared deeply into her eyes, still in awe at the sight of her. “Your beauty is without compare, Milady. You can feel free to order me about in any way you see fit.”
He was standing closer to her than she was comfortable with. The hungry look in his eyes sent chills down her spine, looking so deeply into her that she feared he was seeing more than she wanted to expose to him. Desperate for anything which would force him to step away, she patted Feolan’s arm gently, hoping he would play along with her.
“Feolan and I only just returned to the city. He is such a good man to me. He treated me to a vacation in the Tanispan valley. It was the most beautiful week I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing.”
Shifting his gaze over to her, Leyna could see the brief moment of confusion in Feolan’s eyes before he realized what she was doing. His mouth hung open, speechless, until he managed to regain control of his senses, stammering out a hesitant response. “I – yes. It was absolutely stunning there for the time of year…”
“Really?” Teagan mused. “I had no idea you were courting the young lieutenant.”
It seemed to be working. Teagan slowly released his hold on her hand, ceasing to touch her while yet remaining close. She was aware of his eyes wandering down to look over her body, making her even more grateful that she had chosen to keep Thade’s cloak on despite the warmer temperatures in the city. “Neither did I,” Feolan whispered, leaning down by Leyna’s ear awkwardly.
She laughed, the sound coming a bit louder than she thought was necessary. Placing her palm gently against Feolan’s chest, she smiled up at him, hoping Teagan hadn’t heard what was whispered to her. “It is still rather new. We have not been telling very many people, just in case. I do not want to have the whole city talking. I am sure you can understand. You will not tell anyone, I hope?”
“No, of course not. Your secret is safe with me.” He looked annoyed. His eyes continued to burn into hers, revealing his uncertainty at their act. A smile curved up one corner of his mouth suddenly, his attention turning toward Feolan’s silent form. “No one in here would care if you gave your beautiful lady a kiss. I for one would love to see it.”
“Feolan is not a fan of public displays of affection,” Leyna argued. She could already feel her plan backfiring on her. Teagan was a fool, but he could read people better than she liked to give him credit for. Especially when it came to women.
Patting Feolan on the shoulder, Teagan smirked, leaning in closer to speak. “Why would you not want to be seen kissing such a stunning beauty? If you do not, then I will assume she is in fact still available for the taking and will kiss her myself.”
“You would not dare behave in such a manner to the lady…”
“Oh, yes I would,” Teagan chuckled. Cutting his laughter short, he held Feolan’s gaze steadily, unflinching at the growing anger building in Feolan’s eyes. “I am curious if her lips taste as sweet as they look – and don’t think to chastise me for my actions. You have no authority over me anymore.”
Leyna could feel the panic rushing through her. She’d lied to him in order to avoid such behavior and yet he’d somehow become better at being a scoundrel than he had been when she saw him last. She didn’t want to kiss anyone. She didn’t have the slightest clue how to even do it. It was just a word to her. One that she never anticipated ever doing. “Teagan, stop. You are going to make a scene. The last thing I want is to draw attention to us.”
“You don’t think I’m serious?” Leyna flinched at Teagan’s hand grabbing onto her slender arm, tugging her in closer to him, away from Feolan’s grasp. “I’ll tell you what. I will let t
his little lie of yours go if you will agree to have dinner with me. We are no longer separated by rank like we used to be. It doesn’t seem like much to ask of you.”
“What makes you think I am lying?”
Another tug at her body caused her to stumble backward, finding herself in Feolan’s arms again. Leaning in, his eyes flickered at her apologetically. The gentle pressure of his lips against hers sent a rush through her body, filling her with an uncomfortable warmth. His hand lightly cupped her cheek, stroking the skin delicately before he pulled away, never taking his eyes off her. “Teagan, you will accept this as a warning to keep your hands off her. If I ever see or hear of you dishonoring her like this again, I will remove your head from your shoulders the way I should have long ago.”
“You wouldn’t dare strike at me, Feolan. I am an influential man now, and you know there would be consequences for laying a hand on me.”
“Do not presume to tell me what I dare to do or not do,” Feolan replied coldly, the tone of his voice causing Leyna to shiver. “You forget who you are dealing with. I am being merciful by letting you live right now. You should leave here before I change my mind.”
Throwing his head back, Teagan burst into raucous laughter, the noise catching the attention of everyone in the room. In a single gulp, he swallowed the last of his ale, slamming the mug down on the bar. With a wink he pursed his lips at Leyna. Blowing her a kiss, he pushed by Feolan toward the door, hitting their shoulders together roughly on his way past.
Leyna could see Feolan struggling to maintain his anger, his chest rising and falling with his deep, controlled breaths. It was all he could do to keep from chasing after Teagan. His dignity wouldn’t allow it. She knew that to be true. In his position, he couldn’t be seen involving himself in petty bar-room brawls. He could easily take Teagan in a fight. Teagan had to be aware of that. But he knew just what buttons to press with Feolan to get under his skin without putting himself at risk of an actual confrontation.
The Myatheira Chronicles: The Vor'shai: From the Ashes (Volume 1) Page 20