Extol of Agnatic Dreams (The Extol Series Book 1) (15 page)

T
he morning came and still Wick had not given Evangeline any answers. The poor communication of their first night was over and Evangeline woke with sticky tear stains still on her cheeks. She had cried herself to sleep, and it seemed she had barely slept at all. Evangeline had not been expecting an answer from Wick but she had been hopeful. Being denied, even the smallest of recognitions, had still hurt her. On top of her already stressed emotions, it had been enough to ruin her mild pain and let Evangeline fall into a troubled sleep. She was starting to realise that some of the Braykith rumours were indeed true. This was a place where hope did not belong.

Wick had dressed her, still in silence with was deafening as she moved around the room and assisted Evangeline in layering her garments. Today she was in a soft lemon, the fabric falling off her shoulders and covering her arms in loose ruffles. The bodice was tight, and while Wick appeared far too frail and weak, she had managed to tighten the laces to make the illusion of womanly curves that Evangeline just did not have. Wick had broken into a fine sweat as she completed her corset but Evangeline was satisfied with the end results.

Jewels decorated the bodice, drawing the eye towards her breasts, even though they generally lacked volume even after Wick had tightened the bodice. The sleeves ruffled perfectly and stayed symmetrical even after a couple of swings to test it. Whoever had made this dress had been quite the seamstress. Evangeline wondered again if she would ever meet this person. The hems swept the ground with each step and yet there was never fear of tripping over herself. A true talent in this world.

Wick fixed her hair down, as was the law, and decorated her hair with what appeared to be free strung diamonds. Evangeline did not know how they stayed where they were left. However, she did like the effect they made. To her, they seemed to be tiny pieces of broken glass. They made her feel dangerous and perhaps that false ambition was all that would get her through today. Once her look was completed, she was once again pushed from her doors by Wick. She had been told that Wick had appointed herself to the station and yet it seemed that she valued the times they weren’t together the most.

Evangeline didn’t understand it and yet no answers were coming from Wick. The only answer Evangeline had was that she must be older than she had originally thought. With her distorted appearance, Evangeline had thought that Wick was barely fourteen. It wasn’t only how high she could stand but the way she conducted herself. Besides her intelligent eyes there seemed to be something youthful about her. Something unworldly and innocent. It wasn’t easy to explain it beyond that.

Finding out of her shared past with Glais meant that Wick had to be closer to his age of twenty-two. It meant so little in the grand scheme of things, but it was a clue to the final puzzle and Evangeline prized it ever so much more. Those were the thoughts that consumed her as she approached the breakfast table that morning. This was only her second breakfast, but Evangeline was more anxious than she had been at the first. Entering the room, she did nothing to draw attention to herself. Evangeline did not greet anyone even as Baxter rose to pull her chair out for her. She sat, ignoring the food and stared somewhat directly in front of her without making eye contact.

Glais sat to her left, dressed in head to toe in black. It seemed he had decided the best course of action was not to react to her either and so it was stony tension between Evangeline and Glais. Though she barely looked at him, Evangeline did admit that he was good looking and she was not surprised to see that his clothes were made with the same attention to detail as her own. Everyone at the table wore their finest, Adeline and Kyleigh showing off their unique crystals and diamonds while the men were formidable even without their armour.

“We missed you at dinner,” Adeline said although she gave her parents a worried look as if she wasn’t sure if she had permission to speak. Kyleigh just smiled while Quintus was looking between Evangeline and Glais as if the answer was somewhere written between them. Adeline’s demur attitude towards her warmed Evangeline’s heart and she realised while Glais and his adultery had hurt her, it seemed childish to take that pain out on his family who had been just welcoming to her.

“I fell asleep in the sun by the barn. I am afraid that it made me very uncomfortable.” Evangeline apologised.

“We are glad you could be with us now.” Quintus was addressing Evangeline but his eyes were on Glais. His son gave him nothing back. His gaze was blank, and if it had not been for her two days with Wick, then Evangeline might have thought it was impressive. Instead, she knew that people were capable of further composure than what Glais was showing his father.

“Wick had some kind of healing balm,” Evangeline answered as Glais offered nothing to Quintus. Did they know about the barn? Had someone done the confrontation that she had not been able to do herself? Evangeline did not dare ask, half sure that it was still a small family mystery and she would be offering gossip that did not need to be shared with their other two children. “I am feeling much better now.”

If it had been handled privately before, it was obvious that this was not over and in there would be a discussion in Glais’ future. Evangeline was both terrified and enticed by the idea of witnessing it. “I heard you were interested in one of the horses.” Kyleigh took her husband’s hand and he seemed to back down a little on Glais at the simple gesture.

In her grief and silence, Evangeline had forgotten about the dapple grey horse from the stables. “Oh yes. I was told though that someone may have claimed her.”

Kyleigh shook her head. “No dear, that horse had been brought into the stables for you.”

“For me?” Evangeline asked, trying not to sound as shocked as she was sure she looked. With all the emotional distress, it is possible she had heard Kyleigh wrong. “That must be a mistake.”

“You do not want her?” Quintus asked, with just enough teasing that Evangeline recognised the same tone which often came from Baxter. It continued to be difficult to picture Baxter and Glais as his sons when he seemed much more like a brother. “Is there a defect to her being that we missed?” This was a treat to see where Baxter learnt his ways from. It was also nice to be reminded that not all Evangeline had discovered about the Royal family in her first visit had been for show. Quintus seemed almost jovial.

She shook her head quickly, eyes wide at the very idea that there could be something wrong with the beautiful creature who had shielded her so perfectly last night when she needed it. “It just seems odd that the horse meant for me is the one I chose.” Evangeline tried to explain herself in an attempt to keep from offended anyone who had a hand in this decision.

“Some would call that fate.” Kyleigh same, stroking the back of her husband’s ageless hands. They shared a look which quickly became a polite kiss. Evangeline was struck by how opposite they looked when together. Kyleigh had all the markings of a Queen, and should you ignore his physical features, Quintus was the perfect example of a King. Fair rulers, and yet Quintus seemed to be barely old enough for all the knowledge he had for the land. Kyleigh looked good for her age, but she was indeed looking her age.

For the first time since meeting Kyleigh and Quintus, Evangeline forgot all of this and noticed the love between them. She didn’t even have such evidence of devotion from her own parents. They would never kiss in front of their children or touch each other in such a matter. They loved each other, Evangeline did not question that in her parents but they were far more discreet in showing it. She wondered if she could have these kinds of relationships with Glais, the kind where love mattered. It gave Evangeline a new spark, a different fight for her relationship. It did not need to be over simply because of one thing she had witnessed.

She would prove to Glais that she was worth staying loyal to and her love and respect was worth more than any other harlot within the castle that would lay with him. She did not know exactly how to prove this to him but she would find a way. Evangeline would put herself into his life and force the man to take notice of her in ways his father noticed his mother. She was not a loss to him, but rather a powerful partnership could be formed if they both gave it a fair chance.

She could not just take his hand, as it seemed like she was being to forward and she had no desires in creating more distance between them. Instead of forcing him to move to accommodate her, Evangeline put her hand next to his and allowed the back of her palm to rest against him. Glais stiffened and looked at where their hands touched but he did not pull away and neither did she.

“Do you know how to ride?” Quintus asked, just to be polite and move the conversation forward since it appeared everyone was busy staring at Evangeline touch Glais.

“I can ride a regular horse just fine.” Evangeline offered after a moment hesitation. Just seeing the Braykith animals up close, she knew that there was bound to be a new way of learning when it came to taming these beasts. She hoped the difference would be minimal and include no more than learning not to fear the fall from such a height.

“There is no side saddle riding I am afraid.” Kyleigh apologised but Evangeline was not to bothered by that. It seemed obvious that the only way to handle such an animal would be to control it as a man would.

“Glais will teach you.” Quintus offered, and it clearly was not a question.

Glais seemed to think it was something he could deny, though, and he promptly did. “I am busy with the investigation. A threat against Evangeline was made and it is more than a random attack or a fight of convenience.”

The way Glais dismissed this opportunity for them made Evangeline’s heart sink. There was no emotion in his voice and there seemed to be little change in her demeanour as he looked at his father and ignored everyone else at the table. It broke her heart to witness Glais being like this. She took her hand back and he barely noticed it. Seemed like it was too early for Evangeline to make the right choice.

Her determination did not falter and if Glais was already locking her out after one small incident, she was only more persistent to bring him around to seeing her in a way she wished to be seen. Evangeline just needed to try harder and not allow him even small allowances, but rather bring Glais to understand that his choice to live without her was the wrong one. It would not be an easy mentality to turn around.

“Glais.” His name coming from his father’s lips was a warning, one heard by all and even Glais responded to it. Subtle, but still there as he shifted in his seat but did not give in to his father’s wants. He could not understand the kind of conflict Glais felt he was battling right now. The men stared at each other but the silence didn’t stay for long.

“I can show her.” Baxter’s offer was the last thing that Evangeline wanted to hear. While it seemed that he spent a lot of time at the stables, his attention to Evangeline made her uncomfortable. There was nothing wrong with Baxter, and for someone else she was sure that he could make an excellent husband. As stylish as his father and his brother, Baxter managed to make an impressive statement all on his own but he had turned her against him quickly since they met.

Glais didn’t seem to care. “Fine.” Evangeline was shocked but she tried to hide it this time.

“Tomorrow then?” Baxter offered and Evangeline was surprised at how well she seemed to act normal. Nodding she agreed with his offer. Baxter was already reading into her simple interaction far too much. He was confident that he could win her over, and once Evangeline agreed to be his wife, then it would be definitive proof of who the better son was. He imagined that by offering to teach her the proper way to ride would be some real time where he could be alone with her and woo the woman away from his brother and into his bed.

“I might go and visit her today, if no one will object?” Evangeline asked the table, looking for their advice on how best to approach the staff of the stables.

It was Baxter who answered her. “The boys down at the stables are quite flexible with visitation.” Adeline giggled at Baxter, but she was the only one who acknowledged his teasing.

“Does she have a name?” Evangeline would not be giving Baxter more fuel for his imagined fire. She had a feeling that merely agreeing to go to the stables tomorrow was stroking his ego far more than she imagined it would.

“Tempest,” Quintus answered her, rising from his seat as he did. “Since you seem concerned with furthering your investigation Glais I think it would be best we get started.” A sharp chill clipped his voice, and Glais seemed to think better of speaking back just before he opened his mouth.

They left in an odd silence and Evangeline counted slowly to ten before she made her own excuses to leave the breakfast table.

A
lthough the sting and bright colour of her skin were indeed gone with many thanks to Wick and her paste, Evangeline was not quick to forget about the sunburn. She would need to take extra care of her exposed skin, and since the dress she wore showed even more of it, she felt extra cautious. With no plans of being caught out in the yards, that day Evangeline resumed exploring the castle.

She did not get very far, though. Turning right and away from her own rooms, Evangeline checked the first few doors to find nothing of much importance. On her third door, Evangeline was in the library. Dozens and dozens of books lined the walls with titles that she had never seen before. Evangeline had always enjoyed the library at her own home in Crimah, but this was an estate in comparison to the small dedicated room at the manor.

She had already spent hours just looking around and enjoying the space before she found a book that caught her interest enough to bother taking it from the shelf. There were very few works of fiction here. Most of the space dedicated to the Kings manuscripts, religious texts and maps. She wondered if she was even allowed to be in this room but since the doors had not been locked and Quintus had pointed out several times that she was family. She had to assume that her permission was granted.

Like any good library, there were luxurious and comfortable chairs located just for sitting and reading. Losing her shoes and curling up on her own she devoured the pages, reading the detailed adventures of a wild man and the lovely lady who calmed his heart. She did not want to see the parallels between this work of fiction and her own life. Glais was not a wild man. If anything, he was not wild enough. Calculating and cold, a deep voice that chilled her to the core and warmed her spirit at the same time.

Glais confused her, Evangeline not able to understand just how could he be this way with such examples in his life surrounding him. Apparently his father did not hold back, and Baxter and Adeline were further proof that the combined parenting skills of the King and Queen were not detrimental to the child. Even Adeline the youngest had better manners than Glais, and yet it seemed that everyone made special allowances for him. Should he maintain this attitude once he is King, Evangeline feared the backlash from the people. People only followed a man worth following. Glais would give them no positive attributes to believe in. However, it had come to pass, this was Glais. The black sheep and upcoming King of Braykith. Evangeline desperately wanted to find a way to love him, to ensure both their futures were prosperous.

The door to the library opened and Evangeline was surprised to see Glais standing there. As if her thoughts somehow summoned him to her, he had appeared without invitation or warning. Unlike her hopes, it seemed that his attitude had not changed in even the slightest because Glais did not smile at her or even greet her as he closed the door and approached. If anything, he looked broodier than ever. She had to guess that Quintus had spoken to Glais at length about his attitude. She hoped so because it was not her place to say it.

Evangeline set her book aside and sat up, sliding her shoes back on because even with Glais it was not proper for her to be in any state of undress. “I have told no one if that is what you are afraid of,” Evangeline said as Glais took the chair opposite her.

“Tell them what?” Glais asked, and while his voice stayed dangerously neutral there was a slight toying edge. He was daring her to call him out. Evangeline looked at him. Being greeted by his cold attitude, she quickly realised that he would not be talking about the stables, the girl who had found him, or the state that Evangeline had put herself in. She nodded understanding and reached for her book.

“I came to talk to you about the attack on your carriage.” Glais told her but his tone was bored and Evangeline was finding it tough to look at him because he was proving to be impossible. Remembering her promise to herself to make this relationship successful she engaged with him and hoped he would do the same in return. Their whole lives could not be only a farce. She hoped with time they could be genuine with each other. Until then they would create a false peace.

“What did you discover?” Evangeline tried to sound encouraging as if she wasn’t mad at him or attempting to remind herself that he had been with that terrible excuse of a woman only hours ago.

“It appears that we have someone working from within Braykith or Crimah, someone who is not loyal to the Alliance and is working for the enemy. I do not believe you were ever told the great length we went to just to ensure that your leaving was secret.” Glais shrugged as if the details did not matter but they did matter to Evangeline because this was all news to her.

“Why would it be so dire to conceal that?” She asked. She assumed that her marriage to Glais was quite publically known. “I remember the weeks leading up to that day and there was no grand secret. I have been raised to be your wife Glais, and people within the manor prepared me for that duty.” To his credit, Glais didn’t laugh at her confusion but instead only answered her.

“Our marriage is well known yes but the precise day and time of your departure was not. It would have been obviously plain to anyone paying attention that the dates and times we were letting loose were not accurate. But it would have been harder for them to know the truth with enough time to organise an attack against you.”

Evangeline had barely heard him. She was too miserable at how he fleetingly said our wedding as if it was barely a thing worth considering. Whatever explanation he had, it paled in comparison to those two words. She struggled to even realise he had paused waiting for her to speak. She could only nod and so Glais went on.

“You have been told of the takeover that happened when we were children?” He asked and Evangeline nodded again. “Zorelian was quite simply foolish in challenging your father and his authority. They should have realised that putting a man into a desperate corner would force him to attack. Violently if it was to ensure a future for his family. I was only very young myself when his letter arrived asking for the alliance between our families but I have since been given the liberty to knowing much more of the details.

“No one can call your father an innocent man Evangeline.” Her eyebrows were drawn together at the accusation but Glais ignored her reaction because it would not change his mind. “To be fair, your father did a very dangerous thing to take on The Kingdom of Zorelian. While the way he went about it did save many of his own people and used our borrowed resources well, it was not kind on those who lived in Zorelian. His province was not great and Braykith had not shown themselves to be trustworthy. It was a risky bet that paid off. I am sure that you were never made aware of the truth that most of his tactics were not honourable.”

Glais put his hands up in surrender because Evangeline looking like a coiled snake that was ready to strike. “I hold nothing against him and our aligned destiny stands still intact. You would not be here if there were any doubts but you cannot blindly forgive a man who burns crops to the ground, destroying the earth of Accila and another man’s livelihood. I understand it was a message.” He lowered his hands as Evangeline relaxed just a little.

“The people of Zorelian are far less willing to accept his rulership over their lands, that hate stemming from the acts of war he ordered against them. To take his daughter would be a great prize for the rebels. No ransom would be too high a price, I am sure.” Evangeline was not sure how she was meant to feel about this news, and having Glais stare at her was only adding to her discomfort.

“I was aware that there was a rebellion but it never sounded quite that serious,” She admitted. Had her father deliberately shielded her from the ugly reality? She remembered so little of those times but the stories she heard made her father sound like a saviour of the people. The light Glais painted him under now tainted those memories, or, at least, made her question them. What else had been hidden from her? Only yesterday she had been chiding Adeline for being so naïve where it seemed now that Evangeline was hardly rehearsed in understanding her own history. She couldn’t begin to know, and she suspected she never would.

“Well they wouldn’t want to scare you but let me assure you now Evangeline that there is a close rebellion and that men are looking to hurt both of our families. Our union is not wanted by them and you need to stay within the castle estate unless you are guarded. I don’t see you wandering away to see the markets just yet but I am sure the desire will arise eventually.”

“Eventually.” She agreed. “Do you know who is telling the rebels our plans.”

“Now that is a mystery worth looking into. And I shall, of course, ensure that the person is brought to justice before the court. Not before they tell me in depth the details surrounding the rebels. They are organised which means they have a leader.” Glais was excited for the chase, intrigued by the challenge but Evangeline could not get excited about it herself.

“I’m sorry I saw you at the barn.” Evangeline made the apology before she could stop herself and one look at his face told her that he also wished that she had not said anything. He rose to leave, finalising the discussion before she could start it. Evangeline’s eyes dropped to her knees and she listened to Glais as he left the room with determined strides. He didn’t bother looking back and when he slammed the door closed behind him, Evangeline gave an involuntary shout of alarm.