Castle Coeds 10, page 7
“Hello, Lord Isaac,” she said, and her cheeks turned a brighter shade of pink.
She had delicate features, with wide, full lips that seemed to naturally curve at the corners. Her cupid’s bow was pointy and defined, and she had high cheekbones that seemed permanently rosy. A wavy strand of dark hair escaped her pinned braids and fell on either side of her heart-shaped face.
“You didn’t tell me you were Owain’s sister.” My tone was light despite the reprimand.
“You never asked,” she said with a slight shrug.
“Why didn’t you say Ellie was your sister?” I turned to Owain with an accusatory look.
Owain’s eyes were wide with shock as he looked between his sister and me, and a ruddy hue crept up his neck to his cheeks.
“I thought you knew!” he exclaimed in surprise. “I promise it wasn’t another trick!”
From Owain’s bulging brown eyes and slack jaw, I believed him. He’d lied to me once when he’d taken me to Brund-Upon-the-Waters to meet his father, but I trusted that it had been the last time. He’d been very apologetic afterward, and it was obvious his intentions hadn’t been malicious.
“It’s easier for me to be incognito as Ellie,” Lady Ellaria said. “I apologize for misleading you.”
I stared at the beautiful woman for a heartbeat. Despite her men’s clothes, her slender figure and natural poise exuded a feminine elegance that couldn’t be taught. Her defined and dramatically arched brows curved over the bridge of her nose in an apologetic manner.
I wasn’t sure what it was about the woman, but even though she’d technically lied in our first conversation, I trusted her. I was instantly compelled to protect her, and a new wave of anger toward the emperor washed over me.
“Well,” I said with a smile as I took the seat in front of Ellaria, “it’s nice to officially meet you.”
I motioned to the four women who took the empty seats on the bench next to me.
“You’ve met Andamora,” I introduced, “and this is Asha, my second-in-command, and my other advisors, Gwen and Arden.”
Ellaria’s eyes lit up like stars at dusk. She’d worn the same look the last time when we’d mentioned the women’s titles. I felt a pang of sympathy for the woman who just wanted autonomy and a purpose, but was forced to be shipped off to be married.
Ellaria’s face turned serious once we’d all settled in our seats. She glanced over at her brother, who watched her expectantly.
“King Brunard has confirmed that he will offer his personal fleet.” Ellaria’s tone was business-like, and she clasped her hands together on the table.
She didn’t wait long to cut right to the chase, and I approved. As much as I’d love to chat with her and get to know her better, we hadn’t traveled two straight days for pleasantries.
“That was fifty ships, right?” I asked.
“Yes.” Ellaria nodded. “Along with the three hundred from across Lydmark’s ports and a couple thousand soldiers.”
“You mentioned that King Brunard would speak with the ruler of the Isle of Myyn,” Andamora prompted.
The Castilan woman sat at the end of the table and leaned forward on her elbows. Her curly hair was a bit windswept, and it made her look wilder than usual. Her hazel eyes watched Ellaria intently, but her eyebrows rose with curiosity.
“Do you have any news on the meeting?” Andamora asked.
“Yes.” Ellaria nodded. “The Isle of Myyn can provide two hundred and fifty soldiers, and two ships.”
Owain’s sister pursed her full lips and gave me an apologetic look.
“They are a very small island,” she explained.
“That’s okay,” I said. “Everything helps. I’m grateful they agreed to send anyone.”
“I can still offer you five hundred ships,” Owain added. “I’m sure with the help of Castilan and the others, we will have plenty to take over the emperor’s island.”
“I agree.” Asha nodded, and there was a passionate fire in her dark eyes.
“I believe in us, but we need to have everything settled before we sail off,” I said.
“What are you thinking?” Owain asked.
He sat next to his sister and scratched his thick beard pensively.
“I got a letter from Constantine,” I said, and I plucked the card from my pocket to hand it over.
“Why did you not lead with that?” Owain’s tone had risen in pitch from his surprise, and he took the square envelope from my hand.
Owain and his sister huddled together to read the invitation and then the ominous note that had been written at the back. Ellaria pursed her lips, and her nose scrunched with distaste.
“It seems like he is marrying himself,” she scoffed. “I cannot believe I will have to marry such a vile man.”
“You won’t.” I shook my head.
I had to hold back from reaching across the table to take her hand in reassurance. It would have been inappropriate, and I wasn’t sure why the urge had even come over me.
Ellaria stared at me with concern, but she gave a faint, grateful smile.
“I am set to sail off at the end of the month,” she reminded me.
“I know,” I said, “but I have a plan.”
She raised one of her perfectly plucked eyebrows and tilted her head to the side. Owain grinned at me and nodded his head with encouragement.
“This is why you are leading this operation,” he said. “What do you have in mind?”
“For one, I’ll be attending the wedding.” My tone was matter-of-fact as I locked eyes with both of the Brixton siblings.
“So, there will be a wedding?” Ellaria’s voice hitched with worry. “I thought you said that there would not be one.”
“I said that I won’t let you get married,” I clarified, and it was my turn to give her a sheepish grimace. “But I’ll need you to head to the emperor’s palace as if everything is normal. Are you okay with that?”
“Do I have a choice?” Ellaria asked, and there was a hint of bitterness in her voice.
Her pretty features melted into a saddened expression, and I sensed the bite in her tone wasn’t directed at me.
“You always have the choice,” I assured her. “But I will do everything in my power to protect you.”
Ellaria watched me with gleaming, light brown eyes for a couple of heartbeats. She chewed the inside of her cheek as if pondering her options. Her gaze darted to Asha and Gwen, who were sitting on either side of me, before she took a deep breath and nodded her head slowly.
“I trust you,” she finally said.
“I won’t attend empty-handed, of course.” I continued with my plan. “I’ll obviously bring a gift.”
“The bad kind,” Arden interjected with a raised finger as if the others might have thought otherwise.
“We’ll offer the emperor a ship,” I continued, “but what he won’t know is that it’ll have soldiers hidden inside.”
“Like that,” Asha added, “we can attack them from inside.”
“That is brilliant!” Owain’s jaw dropped, and his eyes bulged. “A raid in disguise. You are a genius!”
I debated telling him that I hadn’t come up with the Trojan horse idea, but decided it wasn’t worth going off-topic.
“I can get in contact with Keith,” Ellaria said.
“Who’s that?” I asked.
It was the most Earth-like name I’d encountered since arriving in Tullia, and I couldn’t stop my brain from thinking of that one Family Guy skit.
“He infiltrated the emperor’s guards decades ago,” Owain explained.
I hadn’t realized there was already someone on the inside, and I was grateful for it. If Ellaria’s contact checked the ship out, he would never reveal to Constantine that there were a few hundred soldiers onboard.
“And he’s been in contact with King Brunard’s generals,” Ellaria added. “Emperor Constantine will have one of his guards inspect your gift to make sure it’s safe. I can have Keith do that and reassure the emperor that nothing is amiss.”
“That would be perfect,” Asha said from next to me.
“Our fleets can wait nearby,” I said. “Just out of sight from the emperor’s palace, but close enough to come to our aid.”
“There’s a nameless island near the palace, to the west.” Owain rubbed his beard as if in thought. “We could head there a day or two early. I will also attend the wedding with my father, so I will have my guards on board the Sláine.”
“I know the one,” Andamora nodded, and a spark of recognition lit up her hazel eyes. “It should be less than an hour from the emperor’s palace. I saw it from our ship on one of Nuno’s visits.”
“Wait…” Arden frowned. “You’ve met the emperor?”
“No,” the Castilan advisor said and shook her head. “Nuno believed I wasn’t ready to meet such ‘an elite man.’”
Andamora made air quotes with her index and middle fingers, and she rolled her eyes.
“We can use this small island as a base,” I said. “I’ll let the others know, and we could reconvene there.”
“King Lavino’s fleets are setting off from Armedus, correct?” Owain asked.
“Yes.” I nodded.
“Hmm.” Owain pursed his lips and tilted his head to the side. “I will join you in Armedus, instead, but I will have my guards join my father’s party. Lord Brixton will be unaware, of course. He will sail off earlier to spend time with the other nobles attending the wedding.”
“Good idea,” I said. “We can travel with you on the Sláine.”
“What should I do?” Ellaria asked with raised eyebrows.
I looked at Owain’s sister with empathy. She was being sent off to the lion’s den and had to wait around for the others to come save her.
“The best you can do, unfortunately, is… play nice.” I hated myself for even uttering the words, but it was the truth.
Ellaria couldn’t show any signs of resistance, or the emperor would be on to us. I had no idea how bad he’d retaliate against Ellaria, but based on his past, I knew there wasn’t a line he wouldn’t cross. It was safer for her to pretend everything was okay between them and that she was oblivious to his character.
Owain’s sister bit her lower lip, and a mixture of annoyance and defeat etched itself on her expression. She analyzed my features with her light brown eyes for a second before releasing a long exhale.
“You are right.” She nodded with pursed lips as if it was a partially reluctant response. “I hate to have to be cordial, but I must.”
“Thank you,” I said. “Then I’ll get you off that island, and you’ll never have to see Constantine again.”
“I look forward to that.” Ellaria let out a soft chuckle.
Owain glanced over our heads at the guards, and a dark look swept over his face. When he looked at me again, he wore an apologetic expression.
“I don’t want to cut our meeting short,” he said, “however, my father’s meeting is ending soon.”
“Already?” Ellaria’s brows arched together, and her prominent cupid’s bow flattened into a thin line of disappointment.
“Lord Brixton is here?” Gwen asked in confusion.
“It’s the reason why Ellaria could meet here,” Owain said.
“There is a lord who lives in a manor outside of town,” Ellaria explained, “and our father loves to spend the day, and sometimes night, gambling with him.”
No wonder Lord Brixton senior was always looking for a way to make more money. He was probably losing all of his money in poker.
“Thank you for taking the time to see me,” I said to Ellaria.
“I will always make time for you.” Her smile was shy, and her cheeks turned a deeper shade of pink.
Her words warmed my insides, and my brain lost any possible response. Why did I lose my words when I was around her?
Owain and Ellaria stood up and headed to the door, and we followed them out. The siblings gave their rushed goodbyes before they disappeared into the crowd of patrons.
The tavern felt sweltering compared to the storage room, but the noise had thankfully quieted since we’d arrived. Their rowdiness had subsided, and the only ones left were speaking at reasonable volumes. I wondered where all the drunks had disappeared to, but I was too hungry and tired to care.
“You’re back!” someone exclaimed.
Carl’s booming voice startled me, and I jumped. The bartender grinned and headed toward us. His arms were so thick that they seemed to permanently hover away from his sides. He walked with his shoulders, and they swayed with each step.
“I saw Owain and Ellie rush off,” Carl said and wagged his brows. “I suppose their old man ran out of gold.”
He was familiar enough with the siblings to use not only their proper names, but Ellaria’s nickname, too. I wondered how they’d met Carl and how they’d gotten so close.
“It’s getting late, and I imagine you’re in need of some grub and a bed,” Carl said in a friendly tone.
“How did you guess?” I laughed.
“A barkeep can always tell,” the bulky man said matter-of-factly.
Within minutes, Carl had cleared up a table by the fireplace and had brought over five clay mugs that overflowed with foamy ale. It wasn’t long after I’d taken my first sip of the bitter pour that Carl set a large platter of roasted lamb and vegetables in the middle of our table.
He’d given us small plates and cutlery before heading back to the bar to serve other customers.
“This is mouth-watering,” Arden said with a sigh, and her jaw dropped.
“I hadn’t realized how hungry I was,” Gwen said as she handed out the forks and knives.
I sliced the roast and plated it for the women before we dug in like ravenous wolves. Other than the occasional hums, we were silent.
“Bah,” someone scoffed from the table next to us. “You really think that poor woman will last a week?”
“You don’t think…” another said in shock.
“He is obviously not marrying for affection,” a woman interjected. “It must be some kind of sacrifice.”
“Some kind of anti-aging witchcraft,” the first man agreed.
I froze with my fork inches from my gaping mouth, and my eyes darted to the side to catch a glimpse of the trio.
“She was such a lovely lady, that one, too,” the first man sighed.
I slowly thawed out and chewed on my potatoes with deliberate bites. I placed my fork on my plate and leaned back as casually as possible to get a better look at the three of them.
Two men and a woman sat at the table next to us and seemed to be in the middle of a heated discussion. The first man gulped down some ale before smashing the mug on the table.
“I can’t stand that Constan–” his tone was harsh, and his words slightly slurred.
“Shh!” The woman’s eyes bulged out, and she waved her hand over his mouth in warning.
“Please.” The second man looked twenty years older than the other two, and he rolled his eyes. “None of his men are here. The emperor doesn’t care about us common folk.”
“His guards might not be physically here…” the woman said in a hushed voice.
“They do say he has ears everywhere.” The younger man nodded vehemently. “Warlocks always do.”
“He’s not a warlock,” the older one scoffed.
“Of course he is,” the woman urged.
She was leaning so far over the table that it looked like she was trying to lie down on top of it.
“That is how he has lived for over a millennium.” Her whispered tone was urgent, as if they were tight on time and would have to flee at any moment.
“Those are only legends, dear,” the older man said.
My nerves were jittery as I glanced around my table at the women who stared back at me with mirrored, surprised expressions. I hadn’t realized there were stories of Constantine and his questionable age and power.
The trio’s conversation shifted gears. They started bickering about the prices of produce and leather, and I quickly lost interest completely. Once we’d finished our dinner, Carl cleared our table and led us upstairs to our rooms.
“You’re in luck,” he said as he pushed the tavern’s door open and stepped outside. “We have a few rooms available.”
The stairs to the inn were attached to the side of the building like a rickety, wooden extension. Each step made the planks creak under my feet, and I prayed the whole structure wouldn’t topple to the ground.
“See you at breakfast!” Carl called out from street level before he returned to the tavern.
“Let’s hurry upstairs before these stairs give in,” I said and quickened my pace.
“Good call,” Asha said from close behind.
We stumbled into our respective rooms, and after crashing into my bed between Arden and Asha, I was swept into a deep sleep. In the morning, I was woken up by a knock on the door from Gwen and Andamora, who were already dressed and ready for the day.
“We thought you needed the rest, so we waited to knock,” Gwen said with a smile.
Asha and Arden were putting on their boots and gave me a sheepish shrug.
“You were too cute to wake up,” the petite woman said.
We quickly packed up, had breakfast, and returned to our horses before heading out of Bencullen. In the bright morning light, the area looked expansive.
The towering mountain that loomed over the village rolled out into a grassy field that stretched to the lake. Loch Lynn’s deep blue water sparkled under the sunlight, and the mountains and trees lining its bank were crisply mirrored on its surface.
“This place is stunning,” Gwen said.
She was sitting on Mr. Clip Clop and loosely holding his reins.
“Oh, my god!” Arden shouted.
My heart shot into my throat with sudden fear, and I whipped around to stare at the petite woman.
“Look!” she yelled out.
Chapter 6
“There’s a horse!” Arden gushed in excitement, and her delicate hands shot up to her gaping mouth.
My heart stammered before settling back down inside my ribcage, and I let out a long sigh of relief. My fight-or-flight instinct had spiked, and I’d been expecting a creepy monster or evil witch I’d have to fight.
