Blinding Beauty, page 5
“This is why I wanted you to come,” Isa muttered to her brother. “It’s going to take me a while to get used to this.” Launce’s response was cut off when the second course was announced, candied beets with nuts and sprigs of mint garnishing the plate. Isa turned her focus back to using the correct utensils, and as she did, King Rafael’s voice caught her attention once again.
“-About time we found a new path to choosing a successor.” He sounded proud as he dug into the beets.
“How were successors chosen before?” Isa asked.
“Like your Fortress, a child of either sex can inherit the throne here in Cobren,” Rafael said, a piece of food falling out of his mouth as he spoke. “I don’t know if you are aware of it, Isabelle, but our two kingdoms are the only ones in the northern realm that allow daughters to be crowned as sovereigns.” When Isa nodded, he continued. “Anyhow, the hopeful successors, mostly royals, second born and such from other kingdoms, and nobles from our own court, would face a series of interviews, tests run by the king, queen, and their advisors. All tedious, trifling affairs, I can assure you.”
“What changed?”
The king leaned forward eagerly, this time speaking again to Ever. “As much respect as I have for you, my old friend,” he whispered gleefully, “the Fortress and its inhabitants are no longer the main instruments the Maker will be using in the world.” Then, leaning in even closer, he said, “The Maker has sent us a special holy man to divinely appoint this heir.” Alarm shot through Isa’s body as the king sat back and grinned, although she wasn’t sure why. Ever had frozen completely, the rings of fire in his eyes burning more intensely than Isa had seen since the Fortress curse had broken. Even Launce’s jaw had dropped. It took a moment, but Ever was the first to recover his voice.
“And how is this new method to take place?”
“Ah, you’ll have to wait to find out,” the king answered mischievously. “The same as everyone else.” Then the king’s gaze fell upon Launce. “You should try though, lad! Anyone can enter.” Launce sent a petrified look to Isa and then Ever, and Isa almost dropped her spoon when Ever responded that they would think about it.
As she looked in shock at her husband, Isa sensed that he was keeping something from her, something important, and she resolved immediately to find out what.
CHAPTER SIX
What Men will Do
By the time the king declared everyone should dance, Isa’s head throbbed as though a mason had laid a stack of bricks upon it. Ever offered her his arm, but his eyes were distant. Launce looked sick, though Isa guessed that was due to the many piles of rich food he had just consumed, and not the dancing itself.
Despite her party’s current state of mind, Isa was relieved to have reached the final part of the opening ball. In secret, she had looked forward to it, relishing the anticipation of dancing with her husband. Her desire to dance with him grew even stronger when she noticed just how many women’s eyes were trained on his fine form. And though she often struggled to harness the strength from the Fortress within her, it was so strong now that she had to flex her hands a few times to keep it hidden, heat building, threatening to burst from them as many of the ladies openly gawked. Frightening them with a little display would do little to improve their opinion of her, she chided herself... even if they did deserve it.
Ever led Isa and Launce over to the far center of the throne room, the same one they had been introduced in. From the front of the crowd, near the two golden thrones, they had a good view of the dance floor, which had been cleared for the ceremony.
A large group of musicians set in a corner began to play, a melody of sweetness and sorrow. As the music began, the king led his daughter out into the center of the floor. The smile the princess gave her father was lovely, her dark eyes gazing into her father’s face. Isa noticed for the first time that the princess’s skirt was a bright salmon color, and unlike her own complicated gown, looked as though it had simply been made to twirl. With each step, the fabric fanned out gracefully, making the princess resemble a flower in bloom. A movement to Isa’s side made her realize Launce was watching, too, his eyes more unguarded than she’d seen them in a long time, and it made her smile.
The sweet dance was over soon, and Isa’s stomach fluttered with excitement as she looked up at her own dance partner. The night before, as Ever had explained the order of events to Isa, he’d made it clear that this was to be an important dance.
“As we are the guests of honor, the second dance will be for the king and queen and us,” he’d said.
“Everyone else will be watching?”
“It doesn’t matter.” Ever had smiled and tapped her on the nose. “Surely you’ve had enough practice.” At that, she’d blushed a bit, and he’d gone on to explain. “This is the first chance most of our peers and their nobles will have to see us together. It’s important for them to see a united front, and that you are truly the queen the Fortress has chosen.”
When she looked up at him now, Ever seemed completely unaware that the people around him were staring. Even the musicians hesitated, waiting for the guests of honor to join the king and queen on the dance floor.
“Ever,” she whispered, tugging discreetly on his arm. After a moment, his eyes finally rested upon her, and he gave her a polite smile as he seemed to realize what they were supposed to be doing. Even when they were out on the dance floor, however, as soon as the music began, his eyes resumed their search of the crowd.
The dance was slow, one Isa knew well, but it failed to bring the feelings of peace she’d look so forward to. His calloused hand held hers loosely, and his movements were just slightly behind the music, not enough for the spectators to notice, but Isa could tell. As they turned, she watched his face miserably, wishing with all her might that he might look down at her just once. His fiery eyes were occupied, however, and his jaw was set tightly in a line Isa knew well.
For all Ever’s talk of showing everyone the Fortress’s chosen queen, it suddenly appeared to be of little importance. Isa didn’t even bother to glance at her feet, for she could feel that no blue fire whirled around them now, though from her husband’s lack of attention or her lack of ability, she couldn’t tell.
As soon as the dance was finished, Ever didn’t hesitate, but immediately led them off the floor. The crowd began to rearrange itself, some people going to dance while others forming clumps. Somehow, Ever found the very group of women that had stared at her during supper.
“Isabelle,” Isa nearly cringed as he used her full name. She hated that royals didn’t use nicknames in public. “This is Lady Beata, Lady Jadzia, and Princess Damira.” He slightly bowed to the three colorfully adorned women. Each woman curtsied in turn. The one who had glowered at Isa earlier responded to the name of Jadzia, and her eyes never left Ever’s face as he spoke, not even when he introduced his wife.
“I would like for you ladies to become acquainted with my wife. Isabelle, I have some business to attend to. Please enjoy yourself.” Isa watched him incredulously as he stalked away. Was he really leaving her alone with them?
“Queen Isabelle,” the one named Princes Damira began. Her hair was the color of acorns, and it was worn long and straight with jeweled pins scattered throughout it. Isa envied the princess as her own head throbbed worse than ever with the weight of her hair. “It is wonderful to finally meet the lucky queen.”
“Luck had nothing to do with it,” Lady Jadzia reminded her companion. “She was chosen.” Lady Jadzia’s pale eyes glittered as she spoke, and her ruby lips pulled up at one corner.
“How is your family doing?” Isa did her best to ignore the jab by looking at Lady Beata, suddenly very grateful that her tutor had forced her not only to memorize all of the royal and noble names of their neighboring lands, but their current affairs as well. “Has your family repaired the damaged wing of your home yet?” The young woman looked as though Isa’s personal question had surprised her.
“They’ve started...” she began, her composure melting away a bit. “The fire did more damage than we had originally thought though.”
“So how have you and Everard been spending your time since the wedding?” Jadzia asked. Isa noticed the woman eyeing her shoulders, and was immediately very aware of her own sun-tanned arms which, thanks to Gigi, were on display for the entire ball to see through her thin sleeves.
“We have both been kept busy,” she began, wondering at the woman’s audacity. Even her commoner parents had taught her such questions were beyond rude. But before she could finish her answer, however, a movement caught Isa’s eye, and she realized she’d been unconsciously searching the crowd for her husband. Launce was off in a corner hiding behind a platter of dried fruits, but it took her a moment to find Ever, and when she did, she felt her heart beat unevenly.
He was talking animatedly to a woman in the clothing of one of the southern kingdoms. If her dress hadn’t given it away, her appearance would have. The woman held a proud posture, the fine curve to her neck and straightness of her back exactly what Isa’s tutors had been trying to teach her for the last five months. The woman’s skin was the color of almonds, and her eyes were alight as she listened carefully to whatever Isa’s husband was saying. As Isa was studying them, however, the woman’s gaze shifted directly to Isa.
Immediately, Isa wanted nothing more than to hide, suddenly unable to add anything to the pointless conversation she was now a part of. She might have had the energy to handle the catty women that morning. But seeing the excitement on Ever’s face as he spoke to the woman, whoever she was, was too much. He hadn’t spent that much time talking with her in over a month. Besides, her head felt as though someone were beating it from the inside with a mallet.
“I am going to get a drink,” she excused herself in a weak voice, not waiting long enough to remember that royals did not get their own drinks, but raised their hands for them instead. And at the moment, her faux pas didn’t matter. She just needed to get away.
After grabbing a drink off the first servant’s tray that she could find, Isa took a long sip and sighed. The wine was exceptionally good, and a rebellious part of her wanted to grab another goblet and just run back to her chambers with it. But she ignored that desire with the shred of self-control which she still possessed, and began trudging back to the group of women. As she moved through the crowd of wide skirts and swishing capes, she could hear the women before she rejoined them, and what she heard made her stop in her tracks.
“Did you see how little attention he paid her even during the dance?” Princess Damira’s voice had an amused edge to it.
“He made his choice. Now he has to abide by it,” Lady Jadzia said. She took a sip of her own wine, no doubt acquired through appropriate means.
“You don’t think she broke the curse?” Lady Beata asked. Lady Jadzia gave a delicate snort.
“I’ve heard rumor that she doesn’t possess any of that special power, if that’s what you mean. It’s really a pity.”
“Why did he marry her then? I thought Everard wanted his queen to be something special.”
Lady Jadzia’s reply was icy. “I heard that the man was imprisoned in a building alone for months, according to my sister. It’s amazing what lonely men will promise to anything with a pretty face.” Then Lady Jadzia stopped and placed her hand over her upper chest. “Good gracious,” she said in a faint voice. “I... I feel quite awful just now.”
“Perhaps it was the beets,” Lady Beata said, her brows knitting together in concern. “Take some more wine for your stomach.”
“No. No, it’s not that. I feel—” But before she could finish answering, Lady Jadzia broke down in tears. “I just feel terrible, as though a great weight has been placed upon my soul!” she sobbed. “Please make it stop!”
A strange sensation had come over Isa, but she didn’t know what it was until someone cried out and pointed to her hand that clutched the goblet. Looking down, she realized bright blue flame was coming from her hand. People scrambled to back away, yet all Isa could do was stare stupidly at the fire in her own hand as her head pounded harder than ever, and treacherous tears threatened to spill down her face. All the while, Jadzia continued to blubber about how wretched she felt.
The blue fire began to climb, and was almost higher than the rim of the cup when two cool hands took hold of hers. It wasn’t until Isa looked up that she realized Ever was standing before her, gripping her hands and saying her name out loud. The woman he’d been speaking with stood behind him, her eyes troubled as she watched.
“What are you doing?” Ever’s voice finally drew her into focus. It took another long moment for Isa to find her voice and the words with which to reply. Finally, under his steady gaze and cool hands, Isa’s head cleared enough to respond.
“I... I don’t know...” her voice trailed off as she looked around to see the entire court watching her with wary eyes. Princess Damira, Lady Beata, and Lady Jadzia were all huddled in a group, staring as though she’d turned into a monster. Seeing them made Isa remember why she’d been upset in the first place, and once more, briefly, power pulsed through her. Ever’s eyes widened as he felt it move, and quickly followed her eyes as they settled on the women he’d left her with.
“Isabelle,” he said in a low voice. “What happened?” Isa looked into his eyes, but to her shock, where she had expected to see comfort and concern, she saw frustration and impatience. Suddenly, it was all Isa could do not to burst into tears herself, or shout at the top of her lungs that her head hurt, and this entire ball was a waste of time, and that Ever was in no position to judge her after leaving her alone with such vipers.
“Everard,” the woman behind him said chidingly, her low voice melodic. “Your wife obviously is not feeling well.” As she drew closer, Isa realized with a start that she sensed power seeping from the woman as well. Much to Isa’s relief and annoyance, her husband finally looked concerned.
“Is it true?” he asked her in an even softer voice, his gray eyes searching her face. Almost too angry to speak, Isa could only bring herself to nod. She was fully aware that the people around them were still watching.
“I don’t know why my power—”
“Not here,” he whispered urgently. “You never know who might be listening.” He pried the silver goblet from her hands and held it out to the nearest servant. “Launce,” he called. There was no need, for her brother was already there. “Take your sister back to our chambers, then return here to me.” As Launce took her arm, Ever leaned in once more and whispered, “I will join you soon. Try to get some sleep.”
As Launce led her away, the music began to play again, and people chatted once more, but the sister and brother were given a wide berth as they made their way to the closest hallway.
“King Everard and Queen Isabelle’s chambers?” Launce asked a nearby servant uncertainly. As they followed the servant back through winding halls and many turns, Isa felt herself relax against her brother’s steady arm. She could feel him studying her as they walked.
“I’ll be fine, I promise,” she said. “It’s this confounded hair that’s been giving me a headache. I never knew I had this much hair.” To her relief, they had finally reached the familiar arched door of the room she and Ever had been given.
“Something else is wrong,” he said, crossing his arms and staring down at her after the servant had gone. “This isn’t just a headache. What happened back there with your power?”
Isa sighed. “I don’t know, Launce. I really just want to go to bed—”
“You drag me down here to this blasted ball, then you won’t tell me anything—”
“I promise!” Isa’s threw her hands up to her aching head. “I will tell you later! Just let me go to bed!” She felt a stab of remorse though as his face fell and he looked at the floor. For a moment, he looked just like the little boy that had once faithfully followed her about on her horse. “I’m sorry.” She reached out and grabbed his sleeve. He looked back, his eyes injured, and she sighed. “I really do have a headache, and it’s hard to explain. I just don’t have the words right now.” At that, her brother looked slightly mollified, and he nodded once before leaving.
As soon as Isa was back into her room, Cerise was hovering over her, trying to pull the pins out of her hair. Apparently, news traveled just as fast in King Rafael’s palace as in her own. Isa counted it a blessing though in this instance. In less than ten minutes, Cerise had changed her out of her silver gown, shoved a cup of tea into her hands, and had her in bed, Isa’s long hair free and spread out wildly around her.
It would have felt lovely, had Isa not been so angry with her husband. After treating her like a soldier waiting for an inspection, then ignoring her their entire dance, he had left her with the cruelest women alive, all so he could search out the stranger from the south and speak to her... without Isa. And it was only because of the woman that he had noticed she was in distress at all.
And he hadn’t even bothered to escort her back to their chambers himself.
CHAPTER SEVEN
The King's Mead
“You should go to her,” Kartek murmured as they watched Launce lead Isa away. Her voice was kind, but there was a reprimand buried in the soft words.
“I need to talk with Rafael first. He’s having his third round of mead now. Then I’ll see how she’s doing,” Ever said, although he knew deep down that he was trying to convince himself as much as he was trying to convince his friend.
Kartek nodded thoughtfully, the large golden hoops in her ears jangling melodically. “I am surprised Rafael invited me at all,” she said as they watched the couples on the dance floor twirl about. “Rafael rarely bothers to meddle in the affairs of the south.”
“I’m glad he did, although I can’t say I’m surprised from the tenor of his invitation. It seems he wants the whole world to know about this contest. I suppose he hoped you would spread the word to the rest of the southern kingdoms.”
