Chapter 63
As I stepped forth from the portal into Cassinee, both Yseldra and Romeo approached me in haste. Romeo bore a bright and hopeful smile, whilst Yseldra's expression was set with an unyielding resolve.
Ever since Romeo first saw me on the street a week ago, he has come early each day to wait before the portal, as I have denied him entry to my residence and refused each of his invitations for various engagements.
Today was the first occasion upon which Yseldra appeared.
"Naevia!" Yseldra called. She drew her golden cloak tightly about herself, a faint shiver passing through her as the cold lingered from the heavy snowfall of the previous night.
"Lady Naevia!" Romeo beamed, his smile so bright that a passing lady nearly swooned at the sight. "I have secured a reservation at a nearby restaurant. If it would please you, might you join me?"
Yseldra's gaze snapped toward him at once. "Who in the bloody hell are you?!"
"Oh," he said, untroubled, "are you acquainted with Lady Naevia? It is a pleasure to meet you." He bent slightly and extended his hand toward her. "Baron Romeo Lake. I am Lady Naevia's pursuer."
Yseldra's countenance darkened. Perhaps Charles would have to pray for Romeo this day.
I walked past them and made my way toward the House of Gab. The moment I arrived, I withdrew to my office and changed into my habit. I had considered wearing it outright when I came to work, yet with Aelunira gone, Lyda found herself with little to occupy her time. Each morning, she attended to me with such eager devotion that I could not bring myself to deny her that small purpose.
Once I had changed, I stepped out and went to see the children. At this hour, they would all be gathered within the dining room.
"Good morning, Sister Naevia," Katelyn greeted with a smile as she wiped food from Amanda's cheeks. The child was but three years of age.
"Morning," I replied softly. "I shall tend to her."
Katelyn yielded the task and moved on. I took the seat she had vacated and lifted a spoonful of stew, guiding it gently toward the child's lips.
"Mama!" she giggled.
A sharp pain struck through my chest. My hand trembled and the spoon faltered, spilling its contents upon the child's dress.
I remembered that day Aelunira first called me that name.
"Sister Katelyn," I called, rising too quickly. "I am… unwell this morning. I shall leave the duties here to you."
Without awaiting a reply, I turned and fled the building, my steps carrying me swiftly toward the portal. At last, I understood this feeling that had taken hold of me. It was longing. It was the ache of absence. I was missing Aelunira.
It has been a month since I left her in the care of Yseldra. Only last evening, I stood for a long while within her chamber. It was empty, yet I felt her in the quiet even more. Now, I understand why.
I miss her.
Since sending that letter, I have made efforts to think of her at least five times each day. And the more I forced such thoughts, the more they came of their own accord until she filled the spaces of my mind without my command.
As I neared the portal pavilion, I expected the usual sight of travelers vanishing into one gate and emerging from another. But the scene before me was altered in the most alarming manner. The portals were still in use, yet all attention had shifted elsewhere.
There stood Yseldra with a dagger in hand, and opposite her, Romeo, bearing a sword. A crowd had gathered in a wide circle about them. Some even called out wagers, their voices eager.
"Whoever loses this duel," Romeo declared, "must cease their pursuit of Lady Naevia."
Had they both lost their senses?! I had long known Yseldra to be reckless, and now Romeo as well?
Yseldra held the dagger as one might a common kitchen blade, then in a single motion turned it, the edge now angled downward beneath her fist. She lunged forward with startling speed, and I found myself holding my breath. There was no hesitation in her movement. She did as though she had done so many times before. I had never known her to possess such skill.
Romeo raised his sword and met her strike, steel ringing as he parried, then returned a swing of his own. Yseldra evaded it with effortless precision. They pressed on, exchanging blows in swift succession. She evaded, he deflected. The crowd grew louder with each passing moment.
Romeo held the advantage of strength, yet there was a heaviness to his movement, as though his own build hindered him. Yseldra, by contrast, was light and swift.
That sight drew my thoughts back to the moment she fell into the river to save me. She could wield a blade with such assured mastery… but she could not swim?!
Yseldra's eyes found mine, and in that instant, she stilled. It was but the briefest pause, yet it proved enough. Romeo seized the moment. His blade swept forth and grazed her right arm, drawing blood before he leveled the sword toward her. "I have won," he declared, a proud grin upon his face.
My heart struck violently against my chest. Even from where I stood, I could see the crimson.
In the very next moment, Sir Lorcan's fist met Romeo's face with brutal force and he fell to the ground with a groan.
A gasp rippled through the crowd.
"Kneel before Her Majesty, the Queen of Dunverra!" Sir Lorcan commanded, tearing a strip from his cloak as I hurried toward them.
The crowd dropped to their knees as Romeo stared in disbelief, his nose crooked and bleeding.
"Yseldra!" I shouted, my hands trembling as I took hold of her arm and examined the wound. It was not deep, yet far from slight. "Are you mad?!"
She smiled. "I am always without reason when it comes to you."
"You could have been gravely injured!" I continued, my voice rising more. "That man is enormous! You do not even near his size! The duel was absurd! Are you a child?!"
The words would not cease. They tumbled from me in disarray. "Why would you choose only a dagger?! He bore a full sword! And you stand here in a dress! It places you at a clear disadvantage! Why is it that you cannot swim?!"
Before I could draw breath again, she yanked me into her embrace. "You still care for me," she murmured against the curve of my neck.
My heart trembled at her words, faltering in a way that frightened me more than the duel itself.
"Pardon me," Sir Lorcan said. "Allow me to bind Her Majesty's arm."
I withdrew at once, my pulse unsteady.
Four Cassinee guards approached in haste. "What is happening here?"
Sir Lorcan stepped forward after wrapping Yseldra's arm, his presence imposing. "Show your respect to Her Majesty."
Yseldra seized my hand and drew me toward the portal. "Valmoria."
Such is the manner of these gates. One must speak the name of the desired place, and it shall carry you there.
She drew me through the portal, and in the next instant we emerged within the city of Valmoria. Nearby stood her royal carriage, attended by five of her men. They must have concealed themselves well, for I had seen none of them when I passed through earlier.
One of them hastened forward and opened the carriage door as she pulled me toward it. I unconsciously resisted but her grip did not loosen. She pulled me within and took the seat beside me. When the door closed, she encircled my waist with the arm that was not wounded.
"I have not come to you of late," she said softly, "for I was occupied in winning our child's affection. Now that I have, I shall devote all I possess to having you as well. You do care for me. Why do you continue to turn me away?"
I found no answer.
"Say something," she pleaded, as the carriage began its slow movement.
What could I say, when I did not understand my own heart?
"My kingdom calls me back, yet you remain here," she continued, her voice touched with strain. "What must I do to have you return with me? You still love me. Your actions have already proven it. Why do you push me away? Why will you not admit that you still love me…"
In the very next breath, a pained sound escaped her, and she released me. "Call a physician," she shouted.
"Sir Lorcan has already sent word, Your Majesty," one of her guards replied.
I remained silent, my fingers smoothing the folds of my habit as I turned my gaze to the window.
"Why are you even wearing that?" she asked.
"A child at the orphanage under my care fears nobles."
"Who is that Romeo bastard?"
"I do not know him well."
"How did you come to meet him?"
"He saw me on my way to work and began a conversation. He has followed me since."
"Have you reported such conduct to the authorities? That is called stalking."
"It is of no consequence. He poses no threat."
"That bastard is scum," she muttered. "In a proper duel, blood is not meant to be drawn. He must have grown envious of my skill."
"I did not know you could wield a blade…"
"Every child who bears the Valebrinth blood is taught. We begin young. I was first given a sword. I despised it. My master then placed a dagger in my hand, and I found I preferred it far more. I have begun teaching Aelunira as well. She favors the spear, which pleases me. It keeps distance between her and danger." She paused, then added, "Naevia, she told me she has never held even a wooden weapon before. Why have you not engaged a tutor for her?"
At that, I fell silent. How was I to know that every Valebrinth child was trained thus? Was such a custom so widely understood? And if it were, Aelunira had been an Ashcroft before Yseldra came.
"Forget it," she said. "Since you are finally speaking to me, will you tell me why you continue to push me away?"
"I do not know…"
"Naevia, look at me."
I turned toward her and in the next instant her lips met mine. I started at once, a sharp jolt of surprise passing through me.
She withdrew quickly, a pleased smile touching her lips. "As I have said… I shall never give up on you."