Page 43 of The Time Of Queens

“Why?” Draven asked again, making me sigh.

“I will soon be travelling to the Americas to meet what little family I have left there,” I told him, knowing I was somewhat telling the truth.

“Ah a long journey you will have ahead of you, Miss Williams, you must be excited,” Vincent said, as if trying to get me to speak more about leaving. However, his now brooding brother had other thoughts on the matter.

“What family?” he asked in irritation.

“A sister, my Lord,” I replied, and the pained expression of his, was one I couldn’t linger on for long, as the guilt started to eat away at me. So, I concentrated further on my soup.

After this, the conversation moved on to local business, but it didn’t seem as if Draven was interested in participating in that one either. No, his eyes continued to search out my own at any opportunity, sometimes being accusing in nature. As if to silently ask why I didn’t tell him this. The other times, it was as if he were asking,

‘Do you have to go?’

“Where does your sister live?” Draven asked suddenly, clearly not ready to let this go.

“Boston,” I said, randomly picking a state that was anywhere but Maine.

“Where in Boston?” he asked again, and I swear it was like a quick-fire round at a pub quiz. Even Sophia rolled her eyes, pausing mid-way to bring the spoon to her lips. As for Draven’s own food, he hadn’t touched a bite yet, clearly getting his liquid diet from the wine.

“Erm…”

“Charlestown… wasn’t it?” Pip added, promptly saving me.

“Yes, you are correct, Miss, for your memory once again is far better than mine,” I answered, making her wink at me. Something no one thankfully thought odd, as this was Pip we were talking about.

“When?” Draven snapped, as clearly he was struggling with this.

“Brother,”Vincent said, laughing as if to try and ease the tension Draven was inviting to the table.

“Once I have enough funds to get there, Sir,” I replied, making him grit his teeth even harder.

“And are you close, Miss Williams?” Lucius asked, but before I could answer he dipped his head closer and added,“For I believe there are those around this table that will surely miss you.”

At this Draven actually bent his spoon as his fist clenched around it. However, before anyone could say anything more, there was a commotion by the dining room door, and someone burst in along with the steward who said,

“I am sorry, my Lord, but he would not wait.”

“No, as I was told not to, for there is news on the girl you have been searching for. She was spotted not far from here.”

At this I gasped, but it went by unheard as Draven was suddenly out of his seat with a clatter of cutlery.

He then declared in a stern voice,

“Dinner is over!” Then he stormed from the room and this time,

It was without…

A single glanceback at me.

17

FATED CHOICE

DRAVEN

Istormed from the dining room in my foulest mood yet, issuing orders after I had declared the evening over. Lucius, Zagan, Adam, and my brother all followed me to my office so as we could make a plan. The rider with the information on the girl was waiting, and he explained quickly of what he had been told.

A woman dressed in a cloak had been spotted coming and going into one of the farmer’s barns at night. He had been about to scare her off, when a conversation was overheard by one of my men, preventing him from taking action. His fear, and rightly so, was that she would run the second she thought that she had been discovered. The rider assured me that my men had the place surrounded. They were waiting on my orders and would not approach unless she was seen leaving.

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