Chapter 26
The carriage did not cease its motion throughout the entire night. It was only when the first golden light of dawn began to spill over the hilltops that the distant silhouette of the capital unfurled before my weary eyes. The horses slowed to a gentler gait, and the wheels no longer beat the earth with such violence.
The cloth I had pressed against dear Nerissea's rear had long been flung to the side, tangled amongst my discarded coif and veil. The curtains had fallen open at some point, casting a pale light across our disheveled forms. My hair had undone itself entirely, flowing in unruly waves, and my heart was in yet greater disarray. I trembled still.
Nerissea and I remained upon the floor, curled together upon our sides. I had embraced her from behind. When the carriage rocked less and slowed further, I dared at last to loosen my arms about her waist, believing the worst of the journey to be over.
I sat up and peered through the open curtain. Outside, the city stirred to life. Merchants arranged their stalls, washerwomen carried their loads, and men tipped their caps as the royal insignia upon the coach caught their eye. I shut the curtain with a snap. Some small, cowardly part of me wished I might leap from the moving carriage and flee back to the temple.
The wheels rolled onward for what felt like an eternity. I remained beside Nerissea. When the carriage finally came to a halt, I startled. The door opened and in stepped a soldier, his armor smeared with blood. I averted my eyes. I could not tell if the blood belonged to him or another. The sight made my stomach flutter most unpleasantly. He stepped in further and slid one arm beneath Nerissea's legs, the other beneath her back, lifting her with ease.
"The Princess's carriage arrived ahead of ours, Lady Naevia. Kindly follow me within," the man said as he climbed down.
I stumbled forth, nearly tripping on my own feet. The moment I stepped down, my gaze was seized by the splendid castle of ivory stone, adorned with gardens like embroidered lace along its feet. But I could not admire it. My eyes saw its beauty, yes, but my mind could not hold it.
We ascended the grand steps, and the wide entrance doors were opened before us. The staff and slaves greeted us as we passed. I offered a tiny nod in return, though I fear it may have looked more like a nervous twitch. From down the corridor, a man came hurrying toward us. He appeared to be a middle-aged nobleman.
"What in heaven's name has happened?" he exclaimed, reaching out and receiving Nerissea from the soldier's arms. "Why is she in such a state?"
"The Duchess's work," the soldier replied tersely.
"Send for the physician to the princess's study at once," he ordered, then glanced at me and immediately added, "Fetch two. Lady Naevia, please come with me."
He turned and strode ahead with remarkable speed. I had to run a little to keep up. We turned a corner, and then another, and then there were stairs, and more corridors, and turns again, and at last, he opened a grand pair of double doors.
The moment we stepped into the chamber, Princess Yseldra rose from her place and rushed toward us.
"What happened to her?" she ran directly to Nerissea, her eyes flickering between me and the bruises marking Nerissea's neck. "Summon two physicians. Now."
"They have already been summoned, Your Highness," he replied. He carried Nerissea across the room to a large, snow-colored sofa and laid her upon it. Then he turned his back and gave Princess Yseldra space. His manner was swift and professional.
Her Highness seated herself at the edge of the couch, her fingers already working with haste as she undid Nerissea's dress. Her eyes moved over each bruise.
"The Duchess is quite unrestrained, Your Highness," the gentleman said grimly.
"That depraved woman," Princess Yseldra muttered with disdain. "She had the audacity to keep Nerissea's drawers as well."
She gently lifted Nerissea's thighs and parted them. "She is bleeding. It appears rather severe."
"Your Highness, preparations for your coronation cannot be delayed further. We are already falling behind schedule."
"Administer the pill infused with that new magic powder the alchemists devised. She must be entirely restored by week's end," she said, already crossing the room to her desk. "Come here, Naevia," she added, casting her golden eyes upon me as she drew out a sheet of parchment.
"Y-your Highness," I stammered, "what is happening?"
"Come here," she said again, gently this time. I moved from my place and went to her side.
"Sit," she instructed, indicating her chair.
I lowered into the seat, gripping the fabric of her gown with both hands. "Your Highness, what is going on?"
She placed the blank parchment and a quill before me. "Write to your family and inform them you have arrived at the palace safely. Assure them that I shall care for you most attentively."
"W-why must I write to tell them so?"
"So that they will not be distressed when they learn you are no longer at the temple," she said with a soft smile, and my anxious heart grew calmer.
"I do not understand."
"Naevia, I learned but yesterday that Duke Piers Draymoor meant to seize you, and so I had to bring you away before he could act. You shall remain here until all is settled."
My eyes widened in terror. "W-why would he wish to take me?"
"He seeks to force your family to his side. He would have used you as his hold upon them."
The very thought made me shiver.
"Do not be troubled," she said. "Stay here with me. I shall not let harm touch you."
"Your Highness, might I write to my family and ask them to pledge their loyalty to you?"
For a moment her expression darkened, yet it passed quickly.
Had I imagined it?
"That is not needed," she said, her fingers combing tenderly through my tangled hair. "What I care for is your safety, Lady Naevia."
The King and the Duke might wish to take me only to make use of me, but my princess thought nothing of that. Her only thought was for me. My fear melted away, and in its place came a warmth that filled my chest. She was always so good to me.
"I shall return in the evening," she said, cupping my face within her hands. "The palace is well guarded by my soldiers, so you may wander freely within these walls. Be not afraid, for the Duke shall not come within reach of you."
Tears pricked at my eyes. Oh Ombrithar, I am not worthy of such a heart as hers. Yet from the depths of my soul I thank You, that You have allowed her to love me.
"You are such a little cry-baby," she said with a light laugh. Her voice and her easy mirth drew a smile to my lips.
"And I must tell you, you look most adorably pretty when you cry," she added, her smile radiant.
"Your Highness," came the man's voice.
"Very well, I must be off, or Faelor Blightmere over there will wring my neck," she said playfully, giving my cheeks a few gentle squeezes then she returned to Nerissea.
She lifted the folded blanket near Nerrisea's feet and drew it over her body up to her neck. Then she bent low and laid her palm against Nerissea's cheek.
"Nerissea…" she murmured, her gaze fixed upon her face.
I could not see her face from where I stood, yet her voice told all. There was no falsehood in it. She was truly grateful for Nerissea's sacrifice. She perhaps even cherished her as she cherishes me, yet the crown had forced her to surrender her. My heart ached for the cruel burdens both were made to bear in service of the throne.
"Your Highness," Mr. Blightmere called.
She lingered a moment more, then drew back from Nerissea and departed. He followed close behind.
One thing left me in wonder. Why is it that they called me Lady, when it is plain to all that I am Sister, and my very habit makes it so. Puzzled, I turned my gaze to Nerissea. I stepped to her side and knelt beside her, quietly looking at her like Her Highness did earlier.
The lady physicians arrived not long after, both appearing to be in their fifties. One of them came to my side and began her examination, whilst the other tended to Nerissea upon the opposite couch.
Moments later, a gentleman entered. He was of advanced age, perhaps a noble, for he carried himself with a self-important air. Yet the moment his gaze fell upon Nerissea's exposed form, a discomfort stirred within me. His eyes drifted most indecently across her nakedness, and when they settled between her parted legs where the physician was applying ointment with a tool, I saw him swallowed. I bit my lip in silent distress. I wished to cry out and shield her, but my courage had not yet fully blossomed.
"How dare you neglect to greet Lady Naevia, daughter of Viscount Ashcroft," the physician beside Nerissea said sharply, casting him a disapproving glance.
At once, he turned his gaze downward. My heart gave a peculiar jolt. That is right! I bore a title now, at least according to them. Perhaps I might lean upon it. Ever so lightly.
"I-it is most improper to stare so fixedly at a patient," I said timidly.
He bowed deeply. "I offer my greetings, Lady Naevia. I am Magister Malvior Palahen, leader of the Royal Alchemists' Guild. I most humbly apologize for my lapse in decorum. It shall not happen again."
The physician beside me gave an audible scoff, though she did not look up.
Magister Malvior cleared his throat and continued, "I have come to deliver the healing medicine prepared for Nerissea." He stepped forward and placed a small velvet pouch upon the low table before me. "Please have her consume it once she wakes. It is a fast-acting restorative."
This must be the pill Princess Yseldra had spoken of earlier.
"Thank you, Magister Malvior. I shall attend to it personally."
I saw him shift slightly, perhaps intending to sneak one final glance at Nerissea.
"Leave now," I said suddenly, my voice quivering as my chest fluttered with panic. It was the first time I had ever given an order.
He quickly bowed and swiftly left.
"That old man is a wretched lecher," muttered the physician attending to Nerissea as she wiped down her instrument with brisk strokes. "Lady Naevia, it is most fortunate that you dismissed him when you did. I was dreadfully close to hurling my tool straight at his eye. Poor, poor Nerissea."
The physician seated beside me spoke next, her fingers once more resting lightly upon my wrist. "Lady Naevia, your pulse remains dreadfully quick. I shall prepare a soothing tea for you. When you ordered that man to leave, I could feel your heartbeat nearly leaping through your veins. Such agitation is ill-suited to one so young. You must learn to breathe and rest."
I lowered my gaze, ashamed to have caused her worry. "I do apologize."
They both released weary sighs, though neither was unkind. They dressed Nerissea in a soft nightgown of pale and made certain she was settled with dignity. When all was done, they bowed to me respectfully and departed the study.
I moved to Nerissea's side and seated myself beside her. I looked down at her pale face. I had not known Nerissea long, and yet my heart was already burdened with the need to protect her. She had suffered too much, and I had witnessed it. Now that I resided in the palace, I resolved with determination to continue teaching her how to read and write in secret. I was a poor instructor, but Nerissea was ever so clever. I believed with all my heart that it would work out.