Blinding Beauty (8 page)

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.”

At this, Kartek raised her chin
and snorted delicately. “If that was his desire, he shall be
disappointed. I did not speak a word of his invitation to my
neighbors. I could not see a reason to share such foolishness until
I had seen it for myself.” She shook her head at the king as he
raised his goblet a fourth time. “Look at him. Have you ever seen
him like this?”

“
He’s worse than I thought.” Ever
shook his head. “Someone else has a hand in this, but what I cannot
work out is who might want to alter his temperament so
greatly.”

“
Do you think dark power is
involved?” This question was whispered, but Ever still glanced
about to make sure prying ears weren’t nearby. Kartek continued, “I
can’t feel any, but your senses were always stronger than
mine.”

“
Not yet.” Ever unhappily studied
Rafael once more as he laughed raucously with one of his nobles.
“But empty praise can do just as much damage as dark strength. And
I fear we might have both at play.”

“
Here comes your younger
brother.”

As Launce made his way over to
them, she lowered her voice even more and leaned in close, the
scent of dates hitting Ever as she did. “I am serious though when I
say you need to take care of your wife, Everard. You are right to
be mindful of whatever is at stake here, but do not forget the
woman the Fortress gave you. Something tells me she is not as
delicate as you think.”

“
You saw how tonight went,” he
groaned quietly. “She may never want to come out in society
again.”

“
And it would not be her fault.”
The southern queen arched a dark brow. “You threw her to the wolves
without even an apology.” She turned to shoot a glare at the three
women that stood not far behind them, keeping eye contact long
enough to make even Lady Jadzia look away. “The red-haired minx has
not looked away from you since you arrived. It is as if she does
not count you married.”

“
I know, I know,” Ever said.
“Isa’s come so far... I was hoping that speaking with her in person
would convince Jadzia to leave the matter be. I didn’t expect
that—”

“
She has a headache, but she
refuses tell me what else is wrong,” Launce announced as he joined
them. Though his voice was quiet, the resentment in it was obvious,
and for once Ever couldn’t blame him. Still, he wished Launce would
at least attempt to follow formalities in the company of other
royals, if not in his own palace.

“
Queen Kartek.” Ever frowned hard
at his brother-in-law, willing him to remember even a vestige of
his manners. “This is Isabelle’s brother, Launce Marchand. Launce,
this is Queen Kartek, ruler of the southern kingdom, Hedjet.”
Launce had the sense to at least color when he realized his
rudeness before the queen. To Ever’s surprise, however, she graced
the young man with one of her rare wide smiles.

“
You care much for your sister, do
you not?”

“
I do, Your Majesty,” Launce
mumbled, still clearly embarrassed. The queen took the young man’s
chin gently in her right hand and turned his face from side to
side, examining him closely. Launce seemed surprised, but didn’t
resist. Whatever she was looking for, however, she seemed to find,
for when she eventually let go of him, she nodded once to herself
and smiled again.

“
You... you have the strength as
well!” Launce whispered.

Ever felt his own surprise
reflected on the queen’s face at the boy’s statement.

“
You can tell?”

“
I’m around Isa-Isabelle-enough
that I know what it feels like,” Launce mumbled again, this time
looking at the ground.

“
Do not underestimate this one
either, Everard.” She turned to him. “He may be wild, but his love
for his sister strengthens him.” Then to Launce she said, “Yes, I
am gifted by the Maker as well. My power is not nearly as strong as
your family’s though. Now, I must speak with my guard. Both of you
take care. I will see you tomorrow.” And with that, she turned to
go, her colorful skirt creating its own breeze as she moved
gracefully away. Launce finally turned back to Ever, his eyes full
of wonder.

“
I will explain later,” Ever said.
“For now, I need your help with the king.”

“
The king?”

“
I need you to accept his
invitation to compete for the princess’s hand in the
contest.”

Launce’s eyes looked as if they
might pop. “I’m not a royal! I—”

“
Anyone can compete. Besides, I’m
not expecting you to win. I just need eyes in that stable. I need
to know more of what is going on.” He didn’t miss the scowl Launce
sent him when he mentioned his lack of expectations for the boy,
but he ignored it and continued in a lower voice. “Isa has enough
to worry about with controlling her power and adjusting to her
place as queen. If you do this, we will be sparing her one more
worry.”

Launce held his gaze unhappily for
a few long moments before slowly nodding his assent. With that,
Ever turned and led them up to the platform where the king lounged
in his throne, his wife sitting stiffly at his side. Rafael was
holding out his goblet for yet another round of mead when they
approached him.

“
It’s a sweet variety, Everard!”
Rafael raised his drink to his friend, nearly falling out of his
chair in the process.

“
It should be,” Ever answered
dryly as he helped right the king. “I brought it.” At this,
Rafael’s eyes grew wide and even more joyous.

“
Just one more reason you’re my
guest of honor!” He laughed and took another swig. Ever felt almost
guilty for knowingly taking advantage of his old comrade in such a
way, but in light of the change that had come over Rafael,
exploiting his greatest weakness seemed the only way to save him
from himself. Ever had packed the barrels of his best mead as a
gift for the celebration, one he knew the king wouldn’t be able to
turn down. And he had been right.

“
Launce has something he wants to
tell you,” Ever said, deftly moving to block the king’s view of a
young servant woman as she refilled the king’s empty vessel. In his
right mind, Rafael would never have considered such a conquest, but
he seemed drunker tonight than Ever had seen before. Queen Monica
sent Ever a grateful look as he gave Launce a slight shove
forward.

“
And what would that be, lad? I’m
in the mood to grant all sorts of boons.” Rafael laughed, his
flushed face shiny with sweat.

Launce glanced at Ever warily
before stepping closer to the king. “I would like to join the
contest for your daughter’s hand, Sire.”

“
Ah, that’s fine! That’s fine,
boy!” The king leaned forward and surprised Launce by slapping him
on the back. “My servants will bring your things down to the
stables immediately!”

“
He won’t be sleeping in his
chambers then?” Ever asked. Isa wouldn’t be pleased.

“
No, no. The contestants share
quarters in the stables.” He gave them a drooly smile and then
gestured for Ever to come closer. As he leaned in, Ever had to keep
his face straight as he was hit with the king’s rancid breath.
“That’s what the holy man said they should do! So he could keep an
eye on them!” Ever nearly smiled when the king uttered the words
he’d been waiting for all night.

“
So when did this holy man come to
give you such good news?” he asked casually.

“
The storm was so great the night
he came!” The king held his hands out above his head unevenly to
show the size of the storm, nearly falling over again in the
process. “Boom went the lightning! I’ve never seen the like of it!”
He stopped and rubbed his head, before proceeding. “He says that
the Maker told him He was watching the quarrels of the land, and it
is this holy man’s job to mend it!”

“
If you’re speaking of the
rebellion in your own land,” Ever frowned, “we ended that years
ago.” But the king waved his hand as though he were slapping away a
gnat.

“
Fa! Disloyal subjects and spies
stay on. You know that!” His words were beginning to slur so badly
that Ever had to work to understand them. He wagged his finger
wildly at Ever with a rebellious smile. “You will see soon that our
holy man’s power rivals even yours.” Then he laughed, as though
he’d said something quite funny. “The holy man alone carries the
plans for the great structure. And the Maker gave him the power
alone to create it!”

“
Plans for a structure?” Ever
pressed, hoping Rafael wasn’t uttering the gibberish some drunkards
were accustomed to doing. Still, a part of him hoped the king’s
chilling words were nonsense.

“
Yes! For the trials!” Rafael
moved closer, sending his foul breath towards Ever once more. “The
impossible trial will be for only the one who miraculously receives
the means to pass it! And only the holy man will know who the Maker
chooses!” His eyes grew wide and he stretched his arms to indicate
the size of the crowd present. “It could be anyone! Even a
commoner!” He pointed at Launce in awe with a dramatic jab of his
finger. “Even you!” Launce’s jaw twitched in annoyance, but to
Ever’s relief, he said nothing.

After such a revelation, Ever knew
they would get nothing else coherent out of the king. He politely
bid the king and queen goodnight, pitying the queen and princess as
they stayed behind with Rafael, not missing the look of disgust
Princess Olivia was giving her father as he yelled for another
goblet of drink.

“
How long have you known him?”
Launce asked when they were well on their way back to their
chambers.

“
All my life. He and my father
were like brothers.”

“
Does he do that
often?”

“
No,” Ever answered grimly.
“Though he’s always had a weakness for wine, he has generally been
careful to guard himself.” He shook his head. “Someone has been
manipulating him, and I intend to find out whom. Now,” they stopped
before Launce’s chambers, “the king will not remember to call a
servant to show you to the stables, so call one yourself, and if
the stable master does not allow you to bunk there, direct him to
me.” Launce nodded unhappily before opening his door.

“
And remember,” Ever stopped the
door just before it closed. “This is for Isa.”

“
I wouldn’t be doing it if it
weren’t,” came Launce’s reply. Ever itched to remind the boy that
he had promised to obey him, whether he liked it or not, but for
the sake of peace, chose to let it go. Allowing the door to shut,
he turned towards his own chambers, suddenly more than just a
little apprehensive of what he would find there.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Apologies

A single
candle still glowed on the nightstand between the window and Isa’s
side of the bed when Ever returned, although the large floor mirror
made it look as if two candles shone throughout the room. He
immediately felt a stab of shame as his eyes adjusted to the dark,
and he took in Isa’s sleeping form. It was as far from his side of
the bed as possible. Her auburn hair flowed around her like a sea
of dark amber, and her face looked sad. Ever rubbed his eyes, guilt
gnawing at him from deep inside. He hadn’t meant to stay out so
late.

As quietly as he could, he changed
out of his ball clothes and slipped into the bed beside her. As he
did, he could hear her stir. Ever paused, waiting to hear her
breathing return to normal. Instead, he heard sniffles.

“
Isa?” Reaching out, he gathered
her hair away from her face, not entirely sure what to say. He
hadn’t expected her to cry, and wanted to kick himself for it.
“Isa, please, tell me what’s wrong.”

The sniffling only grew louder.
Then, after a pause, she asked in a shaky voice, “Don’t you mean
Isabelle?”

Ever closed his eyes in
frustration. He’d known she was upset, but nothing to this
extent.

“
Isa, I’m sorry.” He drew a deep
breath. “I should have paid more attention. It’s just been a long
night—”

“
You’ve had a long night?” At
this, Isa sat up, angrily shaking her wavy hair out of her face.
“You seemed to be just fine, spending our entire dance looking for
whoever she was, before dumping me with that brood of vipers! And
then, when I needed you most, you sent me to my room like an unruly
pet!” Ever was speechless as she put her head in her heads and
moaned. “And this blasted headache is still here!”