Chapter 47
Sister Alethea continued. "The day Her Majesty seized you, your father and his men gave chase, but the Duchess's forces overwhelmed them. He was forced to retreat. When he returned with his army, they were halted at the border. The Duke of Baymoon joined him."
Jack Landing, the Duke of Baymoon. A name etched in tales of war. Ashcroft's most steadfast ally.
"Your father's forces and the Duke's stand now at the very edge of the kingdom. The royal army and the Duchess's men are stationed there as well. Both sides remain locked in stillness, neither yielding. It has endured for months. The papers speak of nothing else. No battle has yet begun, but I fear the first drop of blood shall fall soon. We must reach your father before that moment comes."
"A-Alethea… h-how did matters escalate so terribly…"
"It began simply enough. At first, it was only your father with some of his men and the queen's garrison at the border. Then the Duke of Baymoon arrived with a modest force. In response, the queen summoned the full strength of the royal army. Your father and the Duke answered by calling forth all their men. Soon after, the Duchess pledged her own army to the crown. Dunverra holds the richest veins of magic stones in the realm. I daresay the Duke sees opportunity for conquest."
"Why did Nerissea not tell me…"
"She wished to spare you the burden. In truth, she begged me not to speak of it either, at least not yet… but I cannot hold my tongue."
"I do not believe my father and mother would ever poison anyone," I whispered, grasping Sister Alethea's shoulders. "It must be a mistake. Her Majesty must have been misled." My voice quivered as I continued. "They are good people. They have never owned slaves nor involved themselves in any wickedness."
"Your family is counted among the five wealthiest in all the world. Do you truly believe such vast fortune is built upon goodwill alone? You must awaken to the truth. My dear friend, why do you still remain so foolishly pure?"
"Then why do the papers never speak ill of them?" I asked, clinging to any thread of hope.
"I do not know. Perhaps there are hands behind the curtain, steering the tale we are told."
"W-why has no one ever accused them aloud?"
"I cannot say. But if they were truly innocent, then why send an army rather than ask for your return with civility?"
Her words struck deep. I let go of her and cast my eyes to the floor.
"So then… it is between the Crown and House Ashcroft," I murmured.
"Yes. Queen Yseldra and Duchess Rowena have cast down Duke Piers. He bears the title still, but nothing more."
My beloved's treatment of me changed… from the moment the king and queen departed this life.
The pieces fall into place with cruel precision. Why had I not seen it before? I was to wed the king. My parents spoke so often that I need not worry. Their visit was ever delayed… because they had a plan.
I remembered that laugh… Her Majesty's laugh at the funeral, just after the soldier whispered in her ear. She laughed, then summoned Nerissea to fetch me. Was that the moment she learned of my parents' scheme? Did she find it amusing that the very girl she loved enough to forsake her crown was the daughter of her enemies?
A chuckle escaped me.
Yes. When viewed through her eyes, I suppose it was rather humorous.
"Naevia?" Sister Alethea drew back and searched my face. "Why are you laughing?"
Cheers rose from beyond the walls. "The Queen!"
I turned toward the window, but Sister Alethea seized my wrist and pulled me back.
"No one must see you," she whispered.
"I shall only steal a glance," I murmured with a smile.
"We cannot risk it."
"I promise. Just a glimpse."
"Naevia…"
I slipped from her hold, crossed to the window, and opened the blinds by the narrowest margin.
Her Majesty walked with easy grace, adorned in a cloak of shining gold. Behind her, four royal horses pulled the carriage, and around her marched a company of soldiers, some mounted, others on foot. She lifted an arm and waved with bright cheer, her smile radiant.
"Pay me no mind," she called out merrily. "Let us enjoy this day together."
She pointed to a nearby stall and turned to speak to Nerissea, who followed behind her at a modest distance.
My gaze lingered on them both.
Then came a soldier, hurrying from down the street. He bent to whisper in Her Majesty's ear. She stood still, then turned and slowly stepped into the carriage. Nerissea followed. The road cleared and the carriage departed in haste.
I closed the blinds and sat down on the chair by a small table. Upon it rested an ink bottle, a quill, and a few pages meant for guests.
If I had to guess… they were returning to the palace because they discovered I was missing.
"Alethea," I called softly. She rose and brought the other chair to sit before me.
"Are you in contact with my family?"
She nodded. "Through a false priest who still serves our cause."
"What would come of it, should my father choose to retreat?"
"No blood shall be spilled, that much is certain. Once he withdraws, the Duke shall be forced to follow, for he cannot hope to stand alone against both the Queen and the Duchess."
"If I were to pen a letter, could the priest place it into his hands?"
"Yes, without doubt."
"Then I shall write to him. I shall tell him to retreat."
"I fear it is not so simple as that."
"It is, because I shall not go to him."
She narrowed her eyes, concern furrowing her brow, and shifted her chair beside mine. "What are you saying?"
"I am leaving for another land."
The manner in which my family takes lives is something I cannot pardon. I have sinned, yes, and gravely so… but their transgressions are steeped in blood. And now, they set their fury upon the people of Dunverra. To sit beside them once more, to smile and laugh as though none of it had come to pass...
Oh, Ombrithar, the thought alone brings pain deeper than I can bear.
Sister Alethea regarded me in silence for a time. At last, she drew me into her arms.
"I shall go with you."
"Sister Alethea… I do not wish for you to be entangled in my misfortunes. Should anyone discover-"
"I am going with you. Friendship is not so fickle a thing. Naevia, we have been companions since the age of ten. I know you far better than your own kin. I shall not let you go alone. That is final."
She leaned back, offering a sly little smile. "I only managed to take a handful of your coins, so we shall need to find a way to retrieve the rest from the temple before we flee. With that much gold, we could live for years, provided we spend with care."
A soft laugh escaped me. Oh, how I love her. There was no disappointment in my heart this time that she had chosen to take the gold for us rather than leave it for the children. I understood. We would need every coin if we were to build a life of our own.
"In truth, we need not devise a way to retrieve it," I said. "It shall be brought to us once we have found a place to settle."
"By whom?" she asked, eyes narrowing with curiosity.
"Sister Juliara," I replied with a knowing smile.
"She? I find that difficult to believe."
"Oh, she will. For I possess her secret."
"She has a secret?"
"A rather tremendous one."
"What is it?"
We both leaned in, conspiratorial as children.
"She and Sister Mirelle are lovers," I whispered. "And have been indulging in that act for quite some time. I have also heard others within the temple taking part in similar sins during Fun Camp."
She froze, her mouth parting in stunned silence before she sighed.
"The Temple of Lunovara? More like the temple of lust."
"I daresay it all began with your illustration."
"You make it sound as though I unleashed some great curse," she muttered, drawing her shoulders inward with playful shame.
I slipped my arms warmly around one of hers.
"Thank you, Alethea," I said with sincerity. "For meeting me here."
She sighed. "The festival may well be the worst place to hide, but Nerissea and I had little time to plan anything better. Here, I knew you would come straight to our spot."
Then she drew back and grinned, her eyes now glowing.
"Tell me, are the rumors true? You and Nerissea… is there affection between you?"
"We do care for one another," I confessed. I could still feel the warmth of her many embraces, the gentle way our fingers laced together, the sweetness of every kiss we shared.
Nerissea…
"Are you still in contact with her?"
She shook her head with a sigh. "No. The royal guards monitor her every movement. As though she were royalty herself."
I wished to tell her that Nerissea was the reason the Duchess remained loyal to the crown. That her body had become the bargaining piece. But I could not. No more souls needed to know that.
"I was sent to the capital on an errand," she continued. "The one time I saw her alone, it was by chance. She was with only a single guard. He left somewhere and that was when I ran to her. We then devised the plan to rescue you. Now... I doubt we shall have another chance to reach her again."
Her gaze shifted suddenly, alight with thought. "Ivoryspire. We ought to go there. The laws shall shield you even if you are discovered."
"Yes," I murmured. "Let us go there."
I turned to the writing set upon the table and took up the quill. I penned a letter to my father, telling him to retreat. When it was done, I placed it in Sister Alethea's hand.
"I shall deliver this to the false priest," she said. "Lock the door behind me."
I nodded and she departed. Once I had secured the door, I returned to my seat and sat in silence for a while longer when the door burst open.
A royal soldier stood in the threshold.
"I knew I saw green eyes peeking from this room," he said with dreadful calm.
My heart fell still.