Ties of Destiny (Curse of the Crown Book 1)

by Caitlin Taylor

  “It’s still quite different from going to war. You must know that.”

  “What I know is that I cannot give you this,” Jeffrey said and shook his head.

  “And what I know is that you’re denying yourself in this,” the Prince snapped. “Tell me, have you been in love before?”

  “Yes, I have. But I will not tell you about it.”

  The Prince sighed heavily. “I truly don’t know what to do. Making a plan for dealing with the rebels as complicated as it has been, seems easy compared to this. Seeing you every day...”

  “One word to the marshal and you’ll have a new guard assigned. You needn’t see me every day.”

  “Is that what you want?”

  Jeffrey couldn’t speak but gave a small nod.

  “If you truly don’t wish to be my guard, I’ll get you reassigned. Anywhere specific you’d like to go?”

  “My commanders will decide for me.”

  “Jeffrey, you can’t be serious. How could you want to let others decide your fate like this?” the Prince demanded.

  “I believe in the Goddess. She has her plan and we’re subject to it no matter what we do. She is the only one that decides our fate.”

  “And if her plan is for us to be together?”

  “Then she will make sure it happens. But I won’t be helping.”

  “Sometimes you infuriate me,” the Prince said with a heavy sigh.

  “Another reason that it may be better if we part ways.”

  “I would miss you greatly. Not just because of the way I like you. You’re witty and you’re honest... Isn’t there anything at all I can do to change your mind?”

  “It’s been an honour guarding you, Your Highness.”

  The Prince nodded sadly. “I’ll speak to the marshal as soon as I can. Most likely it will take him time to find a replacement.”

  “I’ll serve you as long as you wish it.” Without waiting for permission, Jeffrey stood and left. He didn’t feel good about the way the conversation had gone and yet he’d got his wish at last, reassignment. So why did he feel hollow inside?

  ***

  Later that same day the Prince made the time to speak with the marshal, Jeffrey stood outside waiting. He could hear their voices without being able to make out anything. While he didn’t really want to know, curiosity made him wonder how the conversation was going. When he heard his name being called loudly, it surprised him but opened the door all the same.

  “Please, come in a moment,” The marshal said, beckoning Jeffrey. He did as told, closing the door. “The Prince tells me, you’re aware he’s asking for your reassignment.”

  “Yes, Sir.” Jeffrey said, noting that the Prince stood looking out the window, his back to them both, as though oblivious to them.

  “You’ve served him well by his own word and I’m loath to have to replace you. Yet, the Prince is adamant. There is no one suitable that springs to mind, no one that would be ready to start immediately. Would you be willing to help me select and train the new person? I can organise temporary cover for that time.”

  “Sir, I’d be honoured to help but I’ve no experience in training.”

  “You’ll be fine, I’ve seen you help other recruits many times. I’ll have someone take your shift tomorrow, report to me instead and we’ll get started.”

  “Thank you, Sir. Your Highness.” Jeffrey bowed before leaving the room. Standing guard outside the door once more, he felt a wave of dejection. He’d wanted to not have to work with the Prince, he remembered begging the marshal for reassignment in the early days. Now that his last day had come so quickly, he didn’t want it to end somehow. Yet at the same time, he was glad, hoping it would get easier when he didn’t have to see the Prince so regularly.

  Chapter 17

  Jeffrey reported to the marshal early in the morning, as he had been ordered to. His new orders were to talk with the recruits, to train with them and assess them to find someone suitable to replace him as the Prince’s guard.

  Knowing what the Prince was like, how challenging he could be, he needed someone that would do as ordered, yet it also had to be someone with common sense, a free enough thinker that they could challenge orders at the right time. It was not an easy task.

  Late in the afternoon after many conversations, mostly tiresome and inconclusive, Jeffrey stood watching two men fight each other. They weren’t bad exactly, but they weren’t good enough. He needed more.

  His attention drifted when he noticed a guard entering the practise area. He wore a green cape. Could he be the man supposed to be guarding the Prince instead of Jeffrey? Then why was he here on his own? The man headed straight for the marshal and saluted.

  “Sir, I’ve been sent to let you know that the Prince is with the King. He said the Kingsguard would take over and that I could have the rest of the day off.”

  “In that case, by the Prince’s orders, have the day off,” the marshal said and dismissed the guard. Jeffrey didn’t wait for permission, hurried steps had him out of the training grounds in moments.

  In full sprint, he reached the Prince’s quarters in next to no time and found the hall eerily quiet. Without knocking he went inside, but the rooms were empty. He went through them all, the bedroom, the drawing room. Last came the study, where he found Ignacio on the floor, the Prince motionless beside him.

  “What happened?” he asked, dropping to the floor beside the two.

  “You know what happened. Only, I can’t wake him.”

  “Is he...?”

  “No, no, he has a pulse but it’s weak. I tried to give him strength, but it won’t work. I’m so glad you’re here. Would you try?” Ignacio asked, his voice pleading.

  Jeffrey didn’t need to be asked, he had already pulled his sleeve up and taking a hold of the Prince’s arm. Same as last time, he lined up their arms, his hand holding the Prince’s arm, the Prince’s hand wrapped around his. Jeffrey focused his mind on what he remembered from before, the way it had felt, the blue light. At first, nothing happened, then out of nowhere he felt a shooting pain in his entire body, his hand and arm burned so badly he had to pull away.

  “The same happened to me, I don’t know what it means,” Ignacio sighed. “For now, would you help me get him to his bed?”

  “Of course,” Jeffrey replied and lifted the Prince into his arms to carry him towards the bed. “What are we going to do now?”

  “I’m contemplating calling the royal physician. But Akoni never wanted him to know. The worry is whether he’s the King’s man... but he has served the previous King, Akoni’s grandfather as well.”

  “What’s the risk?”

  “If he is the King’s man, he’ll end up knowing a lot more than we would like him to. He may also be able to do more damage still. But he may be the only one that knows what to do.”

  “I understand knowledge is power, but even the King must know the state he’s left his son in. What else is there that he could find out?”

  “How close you and Akoni are for one. You would not be here now if you didn’t care. That is dangerous knowledge.”

  “What if I hide? And if need be I don’t show myself at all or I come out if you give me a sign. Or if there’s more trouble.”

  “What if you went to get the marshal and if necessary we’ll say that you’re taking guard duty again. I think I’d like him here too.”

  “The marshal came because of the other guard’s message, he brought me to take duty again. That sounds like a plan. Will I go right away?”

  “Do. I’ll call a servant to get the physician.”

  ***

  When Jeffrey got back to the Prince’s quarters with the marshal in tow, the physician was already there, examining the Prince. Ignacio motioned them both into the room, where they waited impatiently for the physician to share his findings. After he finished and turned to face the waiting men, the faces that met him were more than expectant.

  The physician eyed them one by one. “I’m afraid my oaths m
ean I cannot speak to you about the Prince’s health. I must ask you to wait outside while I speak with his Lordship.”

  “There’s no need, I trust both of them,” Ignacio said.

  “What you tell them after I’m gone, I cannot influence, my Lord. Yet, my oaths will only stretch so far.”

  “Just tell us, will he be okay?” Jeffrey asked.

  “There is no easy answer that I can give right now. Please, let me speak to Lord Ignacio.”

  Jeffrey growled, his fists clenching.

  “It’s alright, Jeffrey. Please, wait outside.” Ignacio’s voice was firm, and Jeffrey relented.

  It was only a few moments until Ignacio and the physician returned, yet to Jeffrey, it felt like an eternity.

  “So? Will he be alright?” Jeffrey demanded.

  “Jeffrey...” Ignacio sighed. “I need to go sort this out, there is no time to lose. The Prince must not be left alone in the meantime though. Would you?”

  “I can stay as long as is necessary.”

  “If there is any change in him, do what you did before.”

  “I will.”

  “Thank you.” Ignacio gave a grateful look.

  Jeffrey nodded and went back into the Prince’s room.

  Grabbing a chair Jeffrey brought it closer to the bed, taking a seat next to the Prince. “I should have been there, my Prince. I am so sorry.” He watched him for a reaction, despite knowing there wasn’t likely to be one. He looked peaceful and untroubled, carefree almost. Normally his dark hair was styled elaborately, now it stuck up in different directions, looking dull. Jeffrey ran a hand through the locks, not thinking, just doing what felt right. It was soft to the touch, more so than he would have thought. The simple touch seemed to stir something in him, without conscious thought he took hold of the Prince’s hand, holding it in both his own.

  The door closed with a bang. Jeffrey jumped to his feet, drawing his sword. He’d only pulled it half way when he realised it was the marshal returning.

  “Looks like we’ll have some time on our own now,” the marshal spoke. “Good time for a chat. I was surprised beyond belief yesterday, when the Prince came to me requesting your reassignment. With every word he said, I could see he was asking for something he didn’t want. Tell me, what happened between the two of you?”

  “Nothing happened, Sir.” Jeffrey re-sheathed his sword and sat down.

  “You can drop the sir now and instead be honest. You would not be here if you didn’t care about him. It’s practically written all over your face. And he clearly feels the same. So, what’s the problem?”

  “It’s not that simple,” Jeffrey sighed. “He wants me to be something I cannot be.”

  “I truly doubt he asked anything of the kind of you.”

  “He doesn’t need to say it.”

  “No, because you’ve assumed. Have you even spoken to him? Does he know?”

  “Know what? That I like him too? Apparently, it’s obvious.” Jeffrey scoffed.

  “I meant that you were born a noble.” The marshal’s words were pronounced with perfect enunciation, his voice calm and controlled.

  Jeffrey looked up startled. “Whatever would make you say that?” he asked, his eyes narrowed.

  “I spend a great deal of time watching people fight. With you, I’ve always wondered, but when I saw you fighting the Prince, I knew I was right. No one in the legion learns to fight with staves. You’ve always been a good fighter but to be able to be on par with the Prince... you’ve had considerable training from a young age, a nobleman’s training.” They were both silent for a time. “I would not presume to pry, you’ve been a good soldier, at least as a guard if not before and what brought you to the legion I care not. But I cannot help but wonder what happened to make being a peasant the better option. The Prince will work it out eventually, he deserves to hear the truth from you.”

  “I fought with staves many times in the legion, at least for training. There’s nothing unusual about it. In any case, I will find the Prince a replacement guard, someone who will do the job properly. And then I will ask for reassignment.” Jeffrey spoke with determination. “To anywhere that’s far away.”

  “You are making a mistake.”

  “It’s my life. I will live it my way.”

  “You will live a peasant’s life and always be at the mercy of your commanders. You will go where you are sent.”

  “Perfect.”

  The marshal sighed. “Can you truly leave him? With all that you know now, all you’ve been privy too.”

  “I could have come to terms with being his guard, but I cannot be more to him than that. It’s better for both of us to be apart.”

  “How many more times do you think he will be lying there until he can take the throne?”

  Jeffrey glared at the marshal but said nothing.

  “How many more times can he go through this without someone by his side?”

  “He has Ignacio. He has other friends.”

  “Friends. Do you really think so? I do my best to be there for him any way I can, do you think he can truly see me as a friend, rather than a tutor, an advisor, a soldier under his command? The nobles he spends time with, do you think they truly are his friends? Do you think that if he wasn’t the Crown Prince they would flock to him in the same way? That they aren’t always trying to get something or other from him? Who else is there?”

  “Ignacio.”

  “They are like brothers and they will always have a close bond, but Ignacio is only one person. We are a social species, we need people that we can relate to, people that we can be ourselves with. Have you not seen how different he is around you?”

  “He’ll find someone else. Someone worthy of him.”

  “And what makes someone worthy? Or unworthy at that?”

  Jeffrey once again took hold of Akoni’s hand, no longer caring that he wasn’t alone now. “One day, he will make a great King. I know he will be just and kind. He will make this a better world, I know it. He deserves someone at his side that will be his equal, someone who will help him make the tough decisions he will be faced with.”

  “You could be all that and more to him.”

  Jeffrey shook his head, staying quiet.

  “I think you’re a fool but clearly you don’t care. As it appears that there will be no change in the Prince’s condition for now or yours for that matter, I’ll leave you to watch over him. If you need me for any reason, you know where to find me. Let me know if there’s any change if you would.” The marshal waited for a response, but Jeffrey only gave a small nod.

  Chapter 18

  It seemed like hours that Jeffrey spent watching the Prince for a sign of improvement or anything really. When the change eventually came it was quite unexpected. He’d been sitting holding the Prince’s hand when a blue light appeared, covering the Prince’s entire body. Jeffrey’s hand stung where it touched the Prince and he instinctively pulled away. The light disappeared after being visible only for the briefest moment, making Jeffrey wonder if he had really seen it. Carefully he reached for the Prince’s hand again and found no difference when he touched him, his hand warm but without strength.

  The light might mean the King’s spell had been lifted, Jeffrey thought and tried to give the Prince his strength the way he had before. Closing his eyes, he pictured the blue light again. This time there was no pain, instead, he felt something else, a light tingling. He opened his eyes and saw the blue light covering both their arms, it was working. He sighed in relief, expecting the Prince to get better soon now but as he watched, the blue light faded and then disappear along with the tingling sensation.

  Looking at Akoni’s face, there was no change in him. His eyes were still closed, his breathing shallow. Closing his eyes once more, Jeffrey willed the blue light back. He needed the Prince to be strong again, to wake up and be okay. This time when he felt the tingling sensation he didn’t open his eyes, instead, he kept focusing on it, willing it to stay, for the Prince to be
strong once more.

  Lost in his need to help the Prince, Jeffrey had no awareness of time, nor of how much of his strength he was transferring. He cared little for his own health, wanting only for the Prince to recover. The magic took its toll though, drawing ever more of Jeffrey’s strength into the Prince, until Jeffrey fell into a sleep-like state. Still, the link stayed and more of Jeffrey’s strength and life transferred to the Prince.

  ***

  Voices drifted around Jeffrey. He heard them but couldn’t focus, his mind felt sluggish. He tried to move and couldn’t suppress a groan at the pain flooding him. His body seemed heavy and unresponsive. He felt for his sword, but it wasn’t there.

  “It’s alright, Jeffrey. It’s Ignacio. You’re in the Prince’s room.”

  Jeffrey’s eyes blinked open, revealing a blurry vision of a pair of brown eyes. “What happened?” he croaked.

  “You were looking after the Prince, you gave him too much of your strength and passed out. You’ve been asleep for some time,” Ignacio said.

  “Passed out?” Jeffrey asked in confusion trying to sit up. His body ached, and his vision swam, a black fog clouding it. He shook his head trying to focus.

  “Take it easy.”

  Jeffrey held his throbbing head, it felt like a rockslide had hit it. Slowly his vision became more focused. The four-poster bed, the gold ornamentation, the carved furniture. He turned to his left with a sinking feeling. The Prince sat there, leaning against the headboard, a weak smile on his lips, his eyes glinting.

  “Imagine my surprise when I woke up next to you,” the Prince said.

  Jeffrey snorted. “Dream come true, was it?” He winced when it made his head hurt more.

  “If only the circumstances were different,” the Prince said with a sigh.

  “Wait, it’s dark,” Jeffrey noted, the only light in the room coming from the lamps on the walls, rather than being natural.