Blinding Beauty, page 15
Memories of that depression, the deep hole she’d fallen into for months kindled a fire in Launce. It was a dangerous fire, for when lit, it didn’t take into account how strong Everard was, nor how he was the greatest soldier known to the northern kingdoms. It simply knew that somehow, Everard had caused his sister pain, and if Launce wasn’t careful, he would act very foolishly upon that anger. No, it was far less dangerous to watch the foreign knight torment the princess. At least that situation he could have a bit of fun with.
The princess was stabbing at the final pieces of roasted fowl on her plate as Absalom talked incessantly. He was actually daring to whisper in her ear. Launce gawked, first at the odd couple, then at the king, then back at the odd couple. The princess was clearly uncomfortable, cringing when certain words were too loud, and particularly when he made the s sound. But the king was too busy to notice his daughter’s discomfort, too busy boasting about the holy man’s great plan to Everard, who wasn’t even pretending to listen. Launce suddenly had a wicked idea. He hoped the princess would catch on.
“You know, Sir Absalom,” Launce spoke loudly. The princess and the knight both looked at him, her expression grateful, and his vexed. “The way to a girl’s hand is through her mother’s heart.”
“Really? And pray tell, young man, how did you come upon such enlightening wisdom?” Absalom’s voice was practiced and smooth, but it had an edge to it.
Launce widened his eyes innocently. “My brother-in-law.” He gestured to Everard two seats over. “He always brings my mother a new baking spice when he travels to other lands. Perhaps, if this mystery rider chooses not to reveal himself, you might have a chance at wooing her mother.” As he spoke, Launce kept an eye on the princess, and his relief, she was already struggling to smother a smile. The knight, however, was staring at him. Launce could see him weighing his options, and in the end, it seemed that suspicion would win, until Absalom turned and looked at the princess.
Launce nearly pitied the man. It would be difficult for any male staring into those warm, chocolate eyes to deny her sincerity. And with a start, Launce wondered if the princess might not be a more practiced opponent than her father in a battle of schemes and wits.
“It’s true,” she told the knight with large eyes. “However,” she turned to glance at her parents, “my father is the one who would most need to be impressed.” She gave an adorable giggle before leaning in to say in a voice Launce could barely make out, “If you truly want to impress my father...” She continued speaking, but Launce could no longer hear her. As soon as she was done, Absalom pulled back in surprise, his thick eyebrows knitting together as he looked back and forth from princess to the king.
Launce was dying to know what she had told him. As he couldn’t ask from across the table, he had to content himself with watching the knight stare vacantly at his food for the remainder of the meal, occasionally glancing up at the princess now and then. Whenever he did, she would catch his eye and send him the sweetest smile Launce had ever seen. If it hadn’t been for the amused, fiery looks she would flick his way every now and then, he might actually have been convinced that she was taken with the imbecile.
Supper was finally finished, which to Launce’s great relief meant he was closer to escaping the silent battle being waged beside him. But first, they had to live through the same introductory dances he’d watched the first night they’d arrived at the palace. The king and the princess, followed by Rafael with Queen Monica, and Isa and Everard. Rafael and Monica were perfectly decent dancers, but Isa and Ever put them to shame. They moved as one, as though the music itself came from them instead of the musicians.
But they were too perfect. Isa’s smile was overly brilliant, her eyes too bright, and Ever’s powerful frame moved like a great animal’s, savage and agile. The cheers at the end of the dance were wild and real. They had been flawless, but to Launce’s surprise, an unexpected sadness filled him. As little as he approved of his sister’s husband, it hurt Launce to see her like this. At their wedding, he had seen the blue fire that flitted upwards from their feet and swirled about them as they moved. It was wrong that the others, particularly the catty women present, couldn’t see what his sister was truly capable of. What she had become. But then, not even she could see that.
Much to Launce’s relief, other couples began to fill the dance floor, which meant he was free to move about the throne room. His first inclination was to hide behind the hors d’oeuvres tables again, but a flash of red caught his eye. The princess was spinning, to his dismay, in the arms of Sir Absalom.
“What are you waiting for?” Everard’s harsh whisper made Launce jump. He turned to look at his brother-in-law with disdain. Did the man ever stop watching him? It wasn’t as if he was without his own problems to solve. Everard inclined his head towards the princess. “You won’t get anywhere with the girl by gawking at her.”
Launce scowled at him outright. “I have enough problems with royals as it is. I don’t need another one complicating my life.”
“Cowards never—” But before Everard could finish his thought, Launce stormed off to stand somewhere else. Of course, that didn’t mean he was done watching the princess. But he was merely interested in protecting her from the likes of the horrid knight, he assured himself. She seemed as miserable as he was at this event. Surely it was only natural to feel a certain camaraderie in such a situation.
When Absalom claimed his third dance, Launce’s resolve to stay hidden dissolved. The princess’s panicked look was more than he could stand, and the knight continued to move closer and closer with each turn. Launce just hoped his action wouldn’t be interpreted as pursuance. As he walked out amidst the twirling couples, he knew his saving grace would be his status. She couldn’t expect a commoner to aspire to kingship.
“May I cut in?” Launce tapped Absalom’s fine silk-covered shoulder, interrupting the couple mid-twirl. Absalom glared at him, but stepped aside as etiquette required, and for once, Launce was thankful for the stiff formalities Everard had hammered into him during their preparations at the Fortress.
Launce took the princess’s arms, but once they began dancing on their own, was shocked to find her frowning at him.
“Did I do something wrong?” He glanced back at the knight’s retreating coat.
“I nearly had him,” Princess Olivia sniffed.
“I’m confused. If you want me to go—”
“No, you ninny. I just meant that he’s getting desperate to impress my father. I almost had him ready to try. Besides,” she arched one of her perfect eyebrows. “What took you so long?”
“I was under the impression you were enjoying the sweet little nothings he was whispering so tenderly in your ear. Ow!” Launce’s foot throbbed as the princess continued to move lithely through the crowd of dancers with an ease that made Launce wonder how often she had practiced stepping on her partners’ feet.
“That’s for taking so long.” She smirked. Launce limped to keep up as she twirled away again.
“You certainly play both sides,” he said, wondering how he had mistaken her for a pitiful, helpless damsel just the day before. Everything about her was spirited and lively. The ruffled dress she wore snapped back and forth as though it were stepping forth for a challenge with each sharp move she made. Her dark, shiny hair had just enough curl to fly upwards even when she was still. The flush of her cheeks and the red of her lips contrasted beautifully with her olive skin.
Actually, Launce realized, she was quite beautiful. He had to focus on keeping his eyes on her face while they danced, for her figure was graceful in its generous curves as she moved, and her dress had been cut to pronounce those curves quite expertly. As this revelation dawned on him, he also realized she still hadn’t answered. A dark shadow had come over her face instead.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice soft enough to keep most busybodies unaware of their conversation.
“I wasn’t always like this,” she whispered, then let out a shaky chuckle. “Well, I mean, I’ve always enjoyed pranks, but...” She took another deep breath. “It’s my father. He’s changed over the last few years. Ever since the holy man came—” With a start, she stopped dancing, clapping her hand over her mouth. Launce glanced around furtively, as he took her hand from her face and continued dancing. Hopefully no one had seen her slip. Well, Everard had, he noted, as his brother-in-law continued to watch them with eagle eyes. But when was Everard not watching?
“That’s what my sister’s husband tells me,” he whispered in her ear. A small, smug part of him rejoiced when she didn’t cringe at his words the way she had for Sir Absalom’s. Instead, she stared up at him, dark eyes wide on her smooth face as she spoke.
“He never ordered me around so before. He was considerate, and always asked me what I thought. But now…” She shook her head and lifted her chin a bit, defiance gleaming in her eyes. “He’s obstinate, pompous, and doesn’t listen to anyone but the holy man.”
Launce opened his mouth to ask, but was interrupted by Rafael’s shout.
“Sir Absalom, put your trousers back on this instant!”
Launce turned to see Absalom standing at the top of the main staircase. The foreign knight swayed a bit, but that wasn’t what caused the gasps from the ladies or the shrieks of laughter from some of the children present.
“Your Highness!” Absalom shouted in a warbling voice. “I am bold! I am brave! And I am not afraid to stake my claim to your daughter! With or without trousers!” He hiccupped the last word.
“You will pull up your trousers, and you will not make any such claim! Now get back to the stables before I return you myself!” The laughs and titters that ensued from the crowd created a slight roar as two guards appeared at the knight’s sides to guide him.
“Father is going to be upset the rest of the evening now.”
Launce turned incredulously to look at the princess as she stifled more giggles and stared at the king.
“That was what you told him? To take off his pants?”
“I merely told him my father appreciates men who are brazenly bold. I just didn’t expect so much wine to be involved.” She chuckled. After a moment, she added more seriously, “I suppose your sister had an easier time finding her husband without interference from a father who was slowly losing his mind, as mine seems to be.”
Launce laughed without humor, and it tasted bitter. “You really haven’t heard how they met?”
“Rumors float.” The princess shrugged. “I choose not to believe them until I find a source of truth, though.” She didn’t ask the question aloud, but Launce knew what she wanted to know.
“Not here,” he said. “Too many ears.”
“Well then,” the princess said. “I expect an answer when we’re a bit more secluded. And,” she sighed, “apparently that will have to be tomorrow or later. My father is calling for me.”
Launce stepped back and bowed. “Until next time, Princess.”
“One more thing. Call me Olivia.” Then, with a nod and a twist, she was gone, and Launce allowed himself one small smile, although he couldn’t tell whether it was more because he’d spent most of the evening dancing with the princess, or because she wanted to see him again.
Seeing no reason to torture himself any longer than necessary, he excused himself from the festivities and returned to the stables, hoping to get a little bit of sleep before curfew was called. With the final race the next morning, Launce had the feeling he would be up on the roof for one more night.
As he laid down and tried to ignore the straw that poked him through the rough mattress, he smiled to himself. It had been more than slightly brazen for him to imply that there would be another chance to discuss Isa’s marriage. But the princess had not objected. Cowardly was a word Everard could never use to describe him again.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Doubts
Isa took Ever’s arm when he offered it, but he could feel her stiffness beneath the lace that draped so delicately around her wrist. When he dared to peek at her face, her expression was tense, almost fearful, and the sinking feeling that had lived at the pit of his gut all night grew even stronger. Whatever she wanted to talk about must be a difficult topic for her to broach for her to appear so nervous.
And if it was difficult for her, it would be next to impossible for him.
Unfortunately for Ever, Rafael was still babbling on about his plans for the kingdom, how the holy man would make all the difference in putting a final stop to the rebels. Ever was trying to nod and comment in all the right places, but his growing dislike for his father’s old friend was becoming nearly too great for him to stand. Still, he’d reminded himself all evening, it would get him nowhere to treat the ungrateful king as he truly deserved. It would be better to play along and see which webs Rafael had ensnared himself in. As a result, the entire banquet had been spent watching Launce unknowingly flirt with the princess, trying to guess at Isa’s source of unhappiness, and putting up with Rafael.
All he wanted to do was go to bed.
Before he could finish fantasizing about sleep, however, the sound of a staff knocking on the floor brought him to his senses, and he realized Rafael had risen from his throne, and was standing behind the herald.
“His Royal Highness, King Rafael, wishes to make an announcement!” When the ballroom was finally quiet, the herald turned and bowed to the king before slipping off the dais so the king could step forward.
“My friends,” Rafael said, a patient, rather irksome smile upon his face. “I have told you little by little of how the holy one, our builder of the glass hill, has plans for this kingdom. Now I can tell you that he not only has plans for Cobren, but for the good of all the northern kingdoms!”
Ever tensed. What did he mean all of the kingdoms? But the king continued.
“I know these new signs from the Maker can seem a bit overwhelming after being silent for so long, so as a symbol of promise to promote peace between all lands, the holy man has asked me to give you these gifts as a token of his good will towards you all.”
As he spoke, he gave a little wave with his right hand, and simultaneously, a servant came to stand before each visitor or party of visitors, removed the covers from the silver platters. When the servant standing before Ever and Isa lifted the cover from the platter he held, Ever felt his heart stop as Isa gasped in delight.
One delicate glass flower, the Isabelle rose, and a miniature glass fortress, exactly like the one he called home, rested on the tray, neither piece longer than the span of his hand. The rose was a light shade of pink, and the glass fortress was blue. They weren’t cloudy, the way most glass objects in the markets were, but sparkled as clear as water and as detailed as their originals themselves. Ever looked up from the tray and searched the room until he found Kartek, and her look of horror mirrored the one he knew he must be wearing now.
“Each of these gifts has been made specifically for you,” Rafael continued after the crowd’s elated murmurs died down, “so that you will know the Maker knows exactly who you are and what you need. Through these, and the future actions of the holy man, you are to know that He is watching over you, always.”
The servant held the tray up closer, and panic filled Ever as Isa reached for the rose. Before she could touch it, he snatched both the rose and the miniature fortress and ground them to pieces in his hand. As the pink and blue dust fell to the floor, Isa’s face went from glowing to crushed, and he suddenly hoped desperately that she wouldn’t make a scene. Remorse filled him as she stared at the ground where her rose pieces lay. When he’d touched the glass, he hadn’t felt any power emanating from it as he’d feared he would. But he’d been so filled with fear in that instant, that the overriding need to protect her had pushed away all other thoughts.
Thoughts such as: was the glass truly unsafe, or was it simply something pretty?
“We need to talk.” Isa’s whisper was low and dangerous, and though she didn’t raise her head to look at him, he knew the pained expression was long gone from her face. Without waiting for him to respond, Isa began to walk away from the king’s dais, where they had been standing, and towards the hall that led to their chambers. Without a word, Ever followed her. Since they’d been married, she had never spoken to him that way before. Her silver cloak billowed out behind her as she walked. She held her chin up heroically, but he didn’t miss the tremble of her jaw.
Before Isa, Ever had never struggled with being direct. His father, King Rodrigue, had been insistent about speaking the truth as plainly and candidly as possible. It disallowed confusion, he always said, making communication efficient and useful. Ever had learned to speak the same way with his generals and soldiers, and they with him. But since Isa had come into his life, Ever had struggled with words in a way he never had before. It wasn’t that he wanted to hide the truth from her. He simply didn’t know how to share it in a way that didn’t sound callous or brash. She wasn’t one of his military officers, nor was she a servant to be ordered about. She was good and kind and ethereal in a way he’d never known anyone to be before. Speaking boldly and directly with her felt as though it might break her, as though she were made of glass. It was the reason he had not been able to speak of her struggle with her power yet. It was why he couldn’t bring himself to tell her how great a threat the enchanter was to them all.
Isa approached their door and stood silently as Norbert opened it for them, and the surprise in the old guard’s eyes told Ever that the difference in Isa’s countenance was not imagined on his part. As soon as the door was shut behind them, Isa turned to face him. Her eyes reflected the light of the single lit candle in the room, making them look like those of a large cat.
“Why would you do that?” Her voice was still pitched low and menacing, but the slightest quiver gave her away.
