Page 47 of Glass and Bone
“I’ll see you soon, okay?” He tries to reassure me, but I don’t want to be alone. If he comes back, I don’t know if I can stop him. Standing on my toes I kiss him fiercely, hoping that this will be enough to get him to stay. His tongue finding mine as he pulls me against him.
“Please.” I whisper into his lips. I tangle my fingers into his hair and pull him as tight as I can against me, begging for him to stay.
“I have to go check on him, Elaenor.” His voice is stern this time. When he finally pulls back, he looks conflicted. “I’m sorry.” He gives me a sad smile, before pulling out of my embrace and leaving.
I stare after him for a moment, frozen and numb. I reach up to wipe my tears when cold, frail hands touch my face. Lydia is looking at me with pity as she wipes the makeup smudges away.
“Let’s get you ready, Your Grace.” I nod as she takes the diadem off my head and leads me to the chair.
Chapter Twenty
It didn’t take long for Lydia to clean up the mess I was. With my dress straightened, and my makeup touched up, I am led down the hallway to the throne room. My head is throbbing, and I can still taste the blood in my mouth, no matter how many times I rinsed it out. My stomach is in knots about what has now been two encounters with Evreux this week. Tobias was keen on protecting me, but how far would he be willing to go?
I can’t endanger him for my own selfish well-being. I can’t do anything but wait. Evreux is sick. I just need to withstand his torture for a few more days, or until his sickness overpowers him. If I can just stay with Tobias, or anyone who would protect me while we wait out his sickness, maybe I’ll be safe. But I know that I’ll only be safe if he’s gone. Tobias said he’ll make this better, that he’ll make this okay. I have to believe him.
Standing right outside the throne room with my ladies, I wait for my cue to enter. I allow myself to take a deep, steadying breath. This is it. After today, I will no longer belong to myself, not that I ever have. While I am the Princess of Chatis, I will also be the Princess of Noterra. With that title, comes responsibility and a little bit of power. Power I will hopefully be able to utilize to gain protection if my husband isn’t able, or willing, to provide it.
After today, I need to gain allies. That’s my first job as princess, create a council of my own. I have no idea what Tobias has planned, but with Evreux’s increasing need to torture me, the need for trusted friends grows. While a queen has a council and trusted advisors, I need to find a way to make that a possibility as a princess. I will not allow myself to be a prisoner here. I will not allow Evreux to win. I am grateful for Erik’s presence at court. I know he is still recovering, but knowing I have someone who is faithful to me and not to Noterra makes me feel a little more at ease.
The music is still playing, but my cue to enter hasn’t appeared. The guard standing at the door looks over at me, nervous. I look back at Lydia just as the music stops abruptly. My ladies, who are just as confused as I am, step aside as people begin quickly funneling out of the throne room. Temporary relief washes over my body, which leaves me confused. I step to the side as well, to allow everyone to exit as I look for Tobias. Master Pakin walks out with a nod and hurries off down the hallway. Tobias is next to exit, and I can see his panic as he looks around for me. Once his eyes meet mine, I push my bouquet of roses into Lydia’s hands and rush over to him. He wraps his hand around my arm and starts to pull me down the hallway.
“Something has happened, Ela.” His voice is strained, panicked.
“What is it, Tobias?” I whisper as I search his eyes for any clues. His face is stoic, but I can’t tell if something is bothering him.
“It’s my father, we have to go.” He tightens his grip and pulls me down the hallway in the same direction as Master Pakin. I try to keep up with him, but the heels and dress weren’t designed for fast paces.
“Tobias, slow down,please!” He stops abruptly and turns to face me, releasing his grip. His eyes are filled with fear, and I can tell he’s terrified. “He was fine when he left us, what happened? I thought you went to check on him?”
“He was found at the bottom of the stairwell, Elaenor. He’s dying.” A single tear runs down his cheek. He’s pale and his hands are shaking. I hate the sense of relief I feel for his death.
“You knew he was sick, Tobias. It’s alright.” I don’t know what to say, how to reassure him. I never had anyone there for me when my mother died. I don’t know what people usually say in these instances. I reach up and brush the tear from his cheek.
“I am not afraid of him dying because he’s my father. I am afraid of what this means for me. I am to be king.” His voice is soft, he once again sounds like the little boy I met 10 years ago. I wrap my arms around him and rub his back with my hand. This man, who has shown nothing but strength, is breaking down right in front of me. Terrified that he is just a few moments away from being crowned.
“I will be right there with you, Tobias.” I pull back and give him a soft smile. “You are not alone in this. Despite feelings we may or may not have for each other yet, I am to be your wife, your queen. I will be by your side as you are crowned. I will be by your side while we rule over Noterra. Everything will be okay.” He gives me a sad nod, but I can tell he isn’t hearing anything I am saying. He takes my hand this time as he pulls me down the hallway again.
I don’t know where this version of Tobias has come from, but he’s different, less arrogant, and more human. He looks like he doesn’t want to be king, or possibly he never imagined he wouldbeking. He had to know this was coming. His father has been ill for some time, but maybe he was convinced this day would never come.
I allow him to pull me into a large room, almost triple the size of ours. The walls are lined with windows and crimson curtains. The largest bed I have ever seen sits in the center of the back wall. A seating area, couch, writing desk, and a large table with several chairs fill the empty space. The marble walls are bright but decorated with various shades of red and black. These are the king’s quarters. A huge contrast to the room I have been sleeping in.
Laying in the bed is Evreux. His eyes are open as he listens to Master Pakin speaking softly to him. His skin is pale and gray, nothing like the man I saw a few short moments ago. He is tucked under several blankets and his hands rest on his stomach. Evreux’s eyes glance in my direction before nodding. Master Pakin steps back and beckons for us to step forward.
“Father.” Tobias whispers as he kneels next to him. I rest my hand on his shoulder and my eyes meet Evreux’s. His face is soft, weak, a stark contrast compared to the man who was just forcing himself on me. I find myself wondering if this was a trick, if he is really feeling this ill, or if he is trying to garner sympathy. Or maybe the incident before truly was just a symptom of the illness he is suffering from. I find myself pitying him. This once strong, warrior king is now lying in a bed at such a young age, dying. I give him a genuine smile as I realize the fear that must be coursing through his veins.
“Son, do not destroy what I have built.” Evreux whispers, his voice strained. “Rakushia is under attack, you need to send the militia. You need to regain power–” He coughs loudly, and my eyes widen as blood trickles down the corner of his mouth. Master Pakin returns to gently wipe it away with a cloth. I can see the ring of dried blood on his nostrils and the tiny cuts peppered over his face from the shattered mirror. “You are strong, you will be a good king.” He coughs again and I look away.
Tobias’s eyes are wide, and his face is proof that this is the first time Evreux has ever said anything that resembles kindness to him. Maybe Tobias’s strong and arrogant demeanor is a mask as well, that he is truly a decent man who has been beaten down by his father over time, much like me.
I see movement in the corner of my eyes and catch Theo standing in the doorway. He doesn’t look sad; he just looks angry. Instead of looking at his father, his eyes find mine. He looks at me, truly looks at me, and I can see sadness break through the cold exterior. My pulse skips and my lips part as I feel his eyes staring into my soul. “Elaenor, come here.” Evreux’s voice cuts through my thoughts and I tear my eyes away from Theo’s to look at him. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I hesitantly grasp one of Evreux’s cold hands as he reaches out for me. Despite the terror he has inflicted, no one should die alone.
“It’ll be okay.” I whisper reassuringly. He nods at Tobias who gives me a wary glance before standing and leaving us. He doesn’t go far, he just stands off to the side, speaking with Master Pakin.
There is nothing he can do right now, Elaenor. Just breathe.
I force my pulse to steady.
“Elaenor. He is strong, but he is misguided. Don’t let him make the same mistakes I did.” My eyes leave Tobias’s and find Evreux’s.
