Ties of Destiny (Curse of the Crown Book 1)

by Caitlin Taylor

  The mattress dipped as the Prince moved. A hand on Jeffrey’s stomach, tickling as the Prince laid his head down on Jeffrey’s chest. Surprise caused Jeffrey to freeze momentarily before he wrapped an arm around the Prince’s back. Both lay awake a long time without speaking.

  ***

  Jeffrey woke first, the Prince’s head still lying on his chest, their arms wrapped around one another. Bliss veiled him, and he didn’t want to move, never wanted it to end. At the same time, he knew his only chance of leaving would be now when both Ignacio and the Prince were still asleep. He carefully extracted himself from under the Prince, trying not to wake him. He made sure the blanket still covered the Prince fully, so he’d stay warm. Putting his armour back on, he quietly left the room.

  The guard posted outside the Prince’s room was not anyone Jeffrey knew. Relief washed through him that it wasn’t Kieron. The redhead could have taken his mind off the Prince, but the explaining he’d have to do was not something he’d relish. It was better that it wasn’t Kieron. And yet, Jeffrey got an odd look from the guard, that made him hope he wasn’t starting a rumour.

  Chapter 19

  Jeffery spent the next couple of days avoiding the Prince by focusing on watching the recruits selected for special training to become the Prince’s new guard. Each morning he went to the training grounds and sparred with the men, assessing their skills, correcting and improving what he could. Each evening he discussed their progress with the Marshal. For the most part, the training kept him busy enough that he didn’t have time to think about the Prince and he was glad for it.

  “Jeffrey, with me,” the marshal said as he walked through the training grounds.

  Surprised by the summons, Jeffrey followed without question. When they walked to the hall that the Prince usually used for his training, Jeffrey’s stomach dropped.

  The marshal waved him in impatiently. Standing in the door, Jeffrey found the Prince rooted in the middle of the courtyard, wearing armour, swinging a stave.

  “His Highness has requested to train with you,” the marshal explained after closing the door. “Do you agree?”

  For a moment Jeffrey wanted to say no. He didn’t want to fight, didn’t even want to see the Prince. Instead, he wanted to be far away, but he also wanted to be closer. In the end, he said, “I agree.” He took off his sword belt and went to pick up a stave, getting ready to fight the only man he could truly test himself against. Yet also the only man he should never win against.

  They stood facing each other. “Thank you for agreeing.”

  “Your Highness,” Jeffrey said and took his battle stance.

  The Prince took his own position. The marshal stepped between them.

  “This is going to be a practice fight only. If I tell you to stop, you will do so immediately. I’ll be watching both of you to correct and comment. You will listen to what I’m saying. Understood?” Both men nodded, their eyes never leaving each other. Taking a few steps back, the marshal said, “Begin.”

  Uncharacteristically, Jeffrey felt the urge to attack first and so he did. One end of his stave connected with the Prince’s, the clanging echoed in the bare yard. The Prince counterattacked, bringing the other end of his stave up against Jeffrey’s side. Jeffrey evaded by jumping backwards, his stave rotating one-handed, missing the Prince’s head by inches. The Prince raised his stave, and they clashed again.

  Back and forth they went, attacking, defending, counterattacking. Both heard the marshal making suggestions, correcting their stances, pointing out their flaws. While they tried to listen, neither really did. No fight between them was ever just a fight. Everything was at stake. Every unsaid word hung between them, as well as everything they had said. Both fought relentlessly, neither giving any ground.

  When the marshal ordered them to stop, calling for a break, both men were breathing heavily, their skin wet with perspiration. They let the staves drop, glad for an opportunity to breathe and relax. Both went to a table with a water pitcher. The Prince poured the first glass and held it out to Jeffrey, who took it, their hands touching.

  “I miss seeing you every day,” the Prince said. “It’s different now without you.” Jeffrey gave no response or reaction. “Did you hear that Johnson received new funds? He’s been able to use it to get more troops and equipment and has been able to do more successful patrols. They think they are taking control back now.”

  “And the neighbouring farmers are still bringing food to the base, but now they leave with stories of the Prince’s generosity and his valour.”

  The Prince shrugged but gave a little smile. “Because I see you so rarely now, I was wondering... would you let me take you into the city? Tomorrow night?”

  “I’m still your guard and at your service, Your Highness,” Jeffrey said, refilling both their glasses.

  “I don’t mean that. Not as my guard...” the Prince scratched his head helplessly.

  “That would probably not be wise, nor appropriate.”

  “Please?”

  “I really don’t think we should,” Jeffrey said, his voice as pained as the Prince’s.

  “Break’s over, are you two ready to start again?” the marshal asked, interrupting any further conversation.

  Both returned to their staves, picking them up and getting into stance. “Jeffrey, watch your feet and hold your stave higher. You fight well with it, but I can see it’s been considerable time since you got training. Here,” the marshal said and stood next to Jeffrey, showing him what to do differently. The Prince watched with intrigue.

  At the end of another bout of sparring, Jeffrey saw a strange look in the Prince’s eyes. The hair on the back of his neck rose as if in anticipation.

  “The way you fight,” the Prince said, his head cocked to the side. “You’ve had a nobleman’s training with staves.” It was not a question, it was a statement, a fact.

  Jeffrey tried not to react, not to show any response but he could feel the blood draining out of him. He couldn’t meet the Prince’s eyes. Instead, he turned to the marshal. “Sir, I believe it’s time I returned to my duties.”

  “No. You’re not leaving now,” the Prince said with determination.

  “I’m not getting into that discussion,” the marshal said and stepped away.

  “Ignacio mentioned you were hiding something, something in your past. This is what he meant. Why would you hide this?” the Prince asked, more confused than angry.

  “Your Highness, please don’t. I’m not...” Jeffrey wanted to deny it. He’d been lying and making up excuses for so long they came naturally. Except, he found he couldn’t lie to the Prince.

  “I’m not angry, Jeffrey. You should know I don’t care. But doesn’t this make it better? Easier?”

  “No, it does not,” Jeffrey said and shook his head. There was so much more to it, so much he could never say. The shame and disgrace he’d brought on himself and his family, the pain he’d caused. How could he explain that he could never go back?

  “But if you were born a noble... all the times you said you couldn’t be my equal... and all along you were exactly that. I don’t understand.”

  “I can’t,” Jeffrey said and shook his head.

  “The villa, how at ease you were around the other nobles. It’s starting to make sense now. Why did you become a soldier?”

  Jeffrey shook his head, still not meeting the Prince’s gaze.

  “Jeffrey, please,” the Prince’s voice was kind as he stepped closer. Raising his hand to Jeffrey’s chin, the Prince gently lifted Jeffrey’s head to make their eyes meet. “Please, tell me.”

  “My Prince, I can’t, I beg you.” A storm of emotions raged inside Jeffrey, he blinked hard to fight back tears. He hadn’t cried in so long. Not since Aidan. He was stronger than this. He had dealt with so many things before, he would handle this too.

  “Not today, but someday soon.” The Prince let go and Jeffrey let out a sigh of relief. “If you still wish, you may go now. And maybe you’ll t
hink about my request for tomorrow.”

  Without another word Jeffrey left.

  ***

  Jeffrey had run to his quarters to be alone but once there he felt trapped. Removing his armour and tunic he’d put on simple trousers and a plain shirt then headed into the city, making straight for the main temple. While he could have gone to the one in the palace, he did not want to run into nobles or anyone he knew. He needed to be alone and undisturbed.

  The city temple was large enough for him to easily disappear within it. It was a considerable distance to walk but Jeffrey didn’t mind. Being among the city folk, he didn’t stand out, no one paid him any attention which was exactly the way he liked. He did stop briefly to buy some food, enough to last him the rest of the day, then he continued on his way.

  What was called the city temple, was really an enormous, well-tended park and forest. Though there was an actual marble temple too, with statues and altars for offerings.

  Jeffrey could see the trees well before he reached the entrance. Word had it that many of the trees were as old as the city itself, which would make them some eight hundred years old. By the look of them, they easily could be, their trunks as large as some people’s houses, their crowns reaching higher than any building in the city, taller even than the palace towers.

  Once Jeffrey entered the temple, the city noise disappeared quickly. Thick walls surrounded the entirety of the temple grounds, keeping out anyone and anything unwanted, including sound. All he heard were the chirping birds and the wind rustling the leaves high above. A sense of calm overcame him. He smiled. Here, nothing and no one else mattered. Here, it was just him, and who he was made no difference. He continued walking for a while, the further in he went, the fewer people he saw. Still, he walked further, heading deep into the forest.

  Eventually, he was so far into the woods that he heard no other people. The only sounds surrounding him were those of nature, of the creatures inhabiting the forest. That’s when he stopped, sitting down underneath a tree and leaning back against it, his eyes closed. He breathed deeply for a time, letting the peace of the forest surrounded him.

  “Revered Gaia, you’ve helped me once before. If I may, I would ask for your help again.”

  In the night, lying on the forest floor, Jeffrey dreamt of his sister. She danced at a ball, at the palace. Jeffrey could never clearly see the man she was with, his face always hidden. She smiled happily, glowing really. Her black stola and palla had been replaced by a shimmering yellow gown. She looked radiant.

  Her happiness was all that mattered to Jeffrey. Since the vision he had at Extraneo, he had no doubt his own death was not long away but if she could be happy, then all would be well. Maybe there’d be no harm in making the most of his few remaining days. A little indulgence before he departed this world and went to the next, whatever shape it might take.

  He woke at the first sign of dawn but spent some more time wandering through the forest. By the time he got back to the palace, it was midday. While he wasn’t on guard duty, he was technically still late for his shift. He hoped, as he made straight for the marshal’s office, that the man would understand.

  “Come in.” Jeffrey heard after he had knocked. When he entered he saw a change in the marshal’s expression. He thought it looked like relief, but it was gone too quickly. “So, you’ve returned. You’re late for duty and not even in gear.” The marshal said, his voice hard, his eyes narrowed, scrutinising Jeffrey.

  “I’m sorry, Sir. After yesterday, I wasn’t sure I’d be welcome back.”

  “That’s a lie and you know it. I’ve told you I don’t care. And the Prince made it clear he doesn’t either. Where did you go?”

  “The city temple, Sir,” Jeffrey said, hanging his head.

  “That’s why you were gone so long, and why you’re dressed that way.”

  Jeffrey nodded.

  “Did it help?”

  “For now. I think so.”

  “Then you had better get back to your duties.”

  “Yes, Sir.” Jeffrey saluted and turned to leave when the marshal held up a hand to stop him.

  “Aren’t you forgetting something?” Jeffrey looked at him questioningly. The marshal then pointed at a sword hanging off the back of a chair. Jeffrey had no trouble recognising it as his own.

  “Sir, I am really sorry.”

  “Never let it happen again, no matter the circumstances,” the marshal thundered.

  “I won’t, I swear it,” Jeffrey said as he picked the sword up.

  “Go now.”

  ***

  That evening after his shift finished, Jeffrey headed to the Prince’s quarters. The guard standing outside was the same one that had seen him leave early in the morning some days earlier. “Are you here to take over?” the man asked.

  “I’m here to see his Highness,” Jeffrey replied and knocked on the door.

  “Enter,” came the command from inside. Jeffrey did as told, closing the door quickly. “Jeffrey,” the Prince said with surprise but also something else. “Does that mean...?”

  Jeffrey held up a hand. “I still don’t believe that it would be wise for us to do as you suggested. As you had previously pointed out yourself, you can only go into the city with an escort, probably consisting of at least a half-dozen guards. I don’t believe this is what either of us would like.”

  “So, no trip into the city then.” The Prince’s face fell, and he leaned back heavily in his chair.

  “Well, I have a suggestion, but I’m not sure if you’ll like it.”

  “Tell me and let’s find out.”

  “You, as the Prince, can’t take me into town, but, if you trust me, I could take you into town as... peasant. You could become someone else for an evening and fit in with the city folk.” Jeffrey couldn’t read the Prince’s expression, so he kept talking, hoping his words might convince him. “We’d give you a different name, I was thinking Andrew or Andy. I’ve clothes I could lend you. Dressed as a peasant no one would even think to assume you could be anything else. We’d be largely ignored in fact, invisible to most people. It does mean no title and no orders. You’d have to follow my lead at all times. It could be risky and if it’s a foolish idea then tell me to get lost. But I see no other way.”

  “Are you done?” the Prince asked when Jeffrey stopped to breathe. “I like the idea. A lot actually.”

  “Really?” the Prince nodded, and Jeffrey blew out a breath. “Honestly, I didn’t think you would.”

  “Goes to show we’ve much to learn about each other yet.”

  Jeffrey smiled. “And will you be alright with following my lead? I mean, anything I say, you have to do it. Your mannerism could give you away, so you really need to let me do all the talking and everything.”

  “I do trust you, Jeffrey. I’ll follow your lead and will enjoy not hearing any formalities from your lips.”

  Jeffrey grinned. “Well you won’t be the Prince so... maybe I’ll call you really horrible street names.”

  “Maybe you will, and I probably wouldn’t even know it was a horrible thing you were calling me.” The Prince laughed. “So how do we do this?”

  “I could send your guard away and take his remaining shift, though I think he’s already suspicious because he saw me leave the other morning. Anyway, I’ve clothes and everything ready in a place where we can both get changed.”

  “Didn’t you say you didn’t think I would agree?” the Prince asked with a raised eyebrow.

  “I guess I was hopeful,” Jeffrey shrugged.

  “Well then, what are we waiting for?”

  “Do you not want to tell someone? Ignacio maybe?”

  “Do you think it’s necessary?”

  “I think you should be more cautious than disappearing without a word. They might send a search party for you.”

  “Alright, I’ll leave him a message.” the Prince turned back to his desk and quickly wrote out a note. Folding the paper, he put it inside an envelope addressed to Ignac
io, which he sealed and left in a prominent place on the desk. “Does that satisfy you?”

  “It does, Your Highness.”

  “Let’s go then so you can stop calling me that.”

  Chapter 20

  Jeffrey dismissed the guard outside the Prince’s quarters, taking his place instead. The moment the guard was out of earshot, he knocked on the door and the Prince came out. Together they headed to a part of the palace that was rarely used.

  “All guards at the palace have to know all the passages, the rooms that are used as well as the ones not used. We are taught escape routes and all kinds in case of disaster. It means I know of a place where it was easy to leave behind clothes that no one will find, and they are near a secret exit that will lead us straight into town. We will need to be quiet and careful going in and out,” Jeffrey explained as they walked.

  After they had passed through a number of storage rooms, all filled with crates or barrels or other goods and the cobwebs hanging off the walls and stored items were so thick they could hardly move without touching one, Jeffrey stopped. For a moment he listened for the sounds of footsteps or signs that anyone else was nearby. When he heard nothing, he went behind some crates and brought out a cloth wrapped bundle, from which he pulled simple worker’s clothes. “Hope you’re still up for this when you see what you’re wearing.”

  The Prince took the clothes and looked at them suspiciously. They were made of simpler cloth, heavier and more coarse, a stark contrast to anything the Prince would typically wear. “You’re certain?”