Blood Price (Noble of Blood Book 1) (5 page)

Dartein was pacing his bed chamber nervously when he heard a knock at his door.  Rushing to open it, he had hoped Victor had finally returned.  He had read much of what was in the history book of where the chambers were buried and needed the map to try to reference it to the current times.

The area was near an abandoned village, and that is what stumped him.  He knew of no abandoned villages... all the villages around them prospered and flourished under the guidance of the Noble Court.

Dartein swung the door open, his hopeful face quickly falling as he registered that the person beyond the doorway was indeed not Victor.

"Anton, what can I do for you this evening? Has Josaleene summoned you?"

"My Prince, the carpenter your Chosen has commissioned for some sort of furniture arrived a few moments ago.  He wanted to deliver the furniture personally.  I did not let him beyond the foyer of the Main Hall.  He waits there for further instruction."

Dartein was a bit surprised at this news, until Josaleene came up behind him laughing.  "My Dear, I had some baby furniture crafted especially for our little one.  Let me go and thank the craftsman for delivering it ahead of schedule!"  She kissed Dartein lightly before exiting the room.

Anton nodded his head towards the Prince and followed quickly behind her.

Dartein sighed.  He just could not believe how okay she was with the thought of not living past their child’s birth.   Or did she even think of it anymore?  He wasn't sure.  As long as she was happy now, he would not question her and continue to bring up the inevitable.

He exited their room and walked down the long hallway of the north wing.  Just as he stepped to the railing of the balcony there he saw Victor ride into the courtyard.  He was suddenly very excited to see what the guard brought and couldn't bear to wait for him to bring it in.

"Hail, Victor!"  He shouted down.  "Wait there."  Grabbing the rail with his right hand he swung himself up and over and landed lightly on the cobbled yard below.

Victor raised an eyebrow at his Prince.  Landing like a cat from such a height was fairly amazing.  Even for a Noble.

Dartein didn't think twice about what he had done.  He jogged over to Victor who was untying the bags from his horse before releasing it to the stable hand.  He eyed the bulging bags nervously.  Will they have what he needed?

"My Prince."  Victor bowed to him.  "I was most fortunate in my findings.  You see, the old mapmaker had recently funded an expedition to the Northern Reaches.  Mainly out of old man's curiosity he said.  The crew he sent had come under attack while up there, and only two returned with their lives.  And these maps."  Victor drew two tubes from the bag and held them up.  "It seems that a few of the Noble Rangers came upon the remaining two persons of the party and saved them.  The old man was more than happy to provide copies to the Noble Prince as a gift.  But knowing how important these are to you, I made it very worthwhile and paid almost double to him what he paid out to run that expedition." 

Dartein took the tubes from Victor.  Knowing that people basically died for him to get the information he so needed was a very heavy knowledge.  He ran a finger along the engraving on the golden tubes.  The mapmakers mark was etched into the side and the top cap.  The tubes were light but solid built.  Probably the best ones the mapmaker had.  The old man must have been very grateful indeed.

"Victor, as always you have done me great service.  Please take the night to rest my friend."

"All I did my Prince, was ride there, pay the old guy and ride back.  But I won't argue with a night off."  Victor bowed deeply before turning on his heel and heading to the butchery.  Dartein knew it was more than simply riding there and back.  The loyal guard had probably darn near starved his-self to make the best time in getting what his Prince needed.

He looked back up at the railing remembering how he got down there and decided he had better take the main entrance to get back inside.  

When he walked into the main entry he noticed the Carpenter was gone already.  He hurried on to his room to finally look at the maps he carried.

Josaleene was humming a low tune when he came in.  He saw the new crib she had commissioned near the window, and a matching bassinet next to their bed.  He stopped abruptly in his path as it actually hit him that he was going to be a father!  He had been so wrapped up in saving his lady love that he had not truly registered that there would soon be a child, a tiny life, that belonged to him.  The thought excited and scared him at the same time.  He had no idea what a baby required.  He surely did not think he could do it alone.

Josaleene peered sideways at Dartein, seeing the look on his face.  She came to his side and wrapped her arms around him, waiting for him to speak.

"I am really going to be a father.  I, a Noble.  I do not know how to be a father, or how to take care of a baby.  I cannot do this without you, Josee.  I cannot lose you."  He turned in her arms and then wrapped his around her.  Breathing her in, he was amazed and scared at the same time.  He knew he needed to look at those maps.  But he just couldn't bring himself to let her go.

The whole palace was now keenly aware of Josaleene's condition.  Not only could any Noble see the light of life within her, but her pregnancy was now very evident.  Even though she dreaded leaving their rooms on some days, she never let the harsh looks penetrate the wall she had erected.  Her wall comprised of a smile and pretend ignorance of the Nobles around her who seemed to think that she was more of a doom-bringer than a life giver.

She was determined to have everything perfectly ready for their child, ready for Dartein to take care of the baby.  If she was not going to be around she wanted everything to be just right as her final gift.  To everyone else around her it merely looked as though she was retaining her human instinct to "nest".  No one else beyond her, Dartein, The Patriarch and their trusted guards Victor and Anton knew the possibility of her predicted, and poorly timed, demise.

She caught herself before she dared to let hope spark in her mind.  She knew in the pit of her soul that she would die.  But she also knew with every bit of certainty that her destiny was to bring forth this child.  Of course any mother felt that way about their child.  But the circumstances made her sure of it.

This surety was her reason for being out so early in the evening.  The sun had barely set by the time she was in the yard waiting for a horse to be saddled and brought to her.  Victor waited with her only a foot behind and to her right side.  To be honest she was very glad for the guard always shadowing her.  She was feeling less and less secure around the palace.

As she waited for their horses, she watched as Juron and his newly Chosen lady emerged from the palace.  She saw his lady, Cece he called her, jostle his arm and look very pointedly in her direction.  Josee's irritation turned to apprehension when she saw the couple change course and walk toward her.  Victor bristled at the couples approach.  He disliked Juron very much.

"Josee, you are out early."  Juron addressed her too familiarly for her liking.

Cece shook Juron's arm. "Tsk Juron!  Princess Josaleene, I beg your forgiveness for my beloved’s brusqueness.  He is so used to speaking business that I am afraid he is not used to formal conversation.  What I am sure he meant to say is that you look positively radiant.  You always seem so lively and completely unencumbered by your condition.  Isn't that what you meant my dear?"  Cece fluttered her lashes at Juron.  She was completely enamored of the man.  Josee couldn't see how.  The man was as interesting as a horse shoe.

"Mmm yes dear, you know me so well already."  He patted the hand that she had on his arm, and peered at Josaleene with shrewd eyes.  "It does seem as though you possess some internal power that is filling you with strength.  It is curious."  The way his eyes raked over her abdomen made Josaleene cringe inside.  She wouldn't dare show him any fear on the outside, though.

"Yes, it does seem that is exactly what is happening isn't, Dear?"  Cece said distractedly, quickly glancing from Josee's face to her stomach, taking a small step forward as if to reach out and touch her.

Victor cleared his throat and announced "Our horses are arriving, my Princess."  The large guard glared towards the unwelcome couple willing them to leave.  He could not tell them to leave however, since Juron was a council member and had rank over him. 

The couple seemed to take the hint, or at least Juron did. 

"Cece my sweet, please bid the Princess farewell.  We have palace matters to attend to."  Juron tugged lightly on Cece's arm startling her out of the intense gaze she was leveling at Josaleene's stomach.

"Oh yes, of course."  She said very distractedly.  "Fare thee well, Princess."  Cece dropped a small curtsy and turned away.

Juron did not bother to bow to Josaleene before turning and striding away. 

Sighing, she turned to the guard and the approaching groom leading their horses.

"I have high wagers that that filthy councilman has ill plans for you, my Princess."  Victor was shooting daggers into the couple backsides with his glare.

"He would not dare cross Dartein openly.  Now let's be off into town before the shop I want to visit closes."

Victor insisted on lifting her to her saddle, something she did not openly enjoy but since it made her guard feel better she let him do it.  She was fine doing everything on her own but her Prince fretted about her nonstop and made sure their guards treated her as he would. 

She slowed her walk as she approached the street the theatre was located on.  Catching her breath she schooled herself to walk casually towards the ticket booth.  Shivering suddenly after slowing, she realized she left her fur shawl back in her quarters.

'Foolish!' She thought to herself.  It seemed as though every step she made tonight was a misstep.  She had already muddied a shoe in her rush to get here before curtain open.  Thankfully her dress was long enough to cover it.  She would just have to be careful when sitting to tuck her foot back and not let it show. 

And now her shawl.  She would be frozen on the walk home. 

'You need to meet someone tonight, Josaleene.'  She was worried her impatience would make her too careless, but she was running out of time to find someone.  She was running low on the coin her mother had left her as well.  The velvet purse in her hand was very light.  She probably did not have enough for another trip to this theatre.

She had been coming semi-frequent to this venue for several weeks now.  The place wasn't the highest class, but it was just attractive enough to certain lesser lords that she may have a chance of gaining favor with one of them.  She then hoped to gain access to the parties the Nobles attended and win one of them over.

There had been no Choosing in the last few years and she needed to be the next one.

She approached the ticket booth and the old man inside greeted her warmly.

“G'd evening miss.  Pleasure to see you back here.  Tonight's show promises to be grand!”  He smiled at her showing the gap where his two bottom teeth had been years ago.

Smiling at him, she opened her purse to dig for the coins she needed.  Just as she was about to upend the entire contents into her palm, a hand was laid on her shoulder from behind.  Gasping as she jumped, she swung her head around to see who was behind her.

“My dear lady, you looked frightfully cold there in front of me.  And touching your shoulder confirms that.  Do you not have a coat?”  The man's voice was rather nasally, most likely due to the fact that his nose sat slightly crooked on his face. He smiled down at her, making an obvious effort not to stare down at her cleavage.

“My Lord.”  Josaleene curtsied.  “I am afraid I dashed out of the manor without it.  And I insisted my lady in waiting stay at home tonight.  Frightfully shortsighted of me, as she would have reminded me to dress a bit warmer.”  She turned back to the old man in the booth and began to dig in her purse again.

Once more a hand laid upon her shoulder, this time not moving away as she turned back around.

“Here good sir, fare for both the lovely lady and myself.  It would be rather rude of me to just stand here and watch her catch a chill as she fidgets with her purse.”  The crooked nosed man passed over several large coins.  Winking at her he says, “Keep the change old timer.”

Still with his hand on her shoulder he nudges her towards the door.

“Thank you kindly, My Lord.  I greatly appreciate your generosity.  But you needn't worry about me.”  Josaleene was a bit perturbed at this man, who presumed to pay for her without asking.

Taking in a deep breath, she calmed herself.  A proper lady would not worry about those things.  A proper lady would graciously accept his attempt at being a gentlemen.  She did need to find a Lord to gain access to the parties that would lead her to a Noble. 

Placing her hand upon the one that was still on her shoulder, Josaleene looked into the man's eyes.

“Pardon my manner.  You are most generous to a forgetful soul.  I pray you would accompany me for the show tonight?”  She smiled coyly, batting her lashes at the man.

“I would be honored if you would join me in my box.  It has a splendid view.  By the by, I have not heard yet your name.  What are you called, my dear?”

“Josaleene, My Lord.  And may I inquire of your name?”

“Lord Waylan Roughby.  But please, just call me Waylan.”  Lord Roughby took her hand and after kissing the back of it placed it into the crook of his arm, and led her to the stairs up to his box.

During the show, she tried to be as polite as possible without making it seem that she was desperate to keep his company.  She passed him shy smiles and patted his hand a few times during conversation to keep physical contact.  It was hard for her though, as the man was obviously shooting her lewd looks the whole time, his eyes roaming all over her.

This was the first time she wished she hadn't ripped the lace from the cleavage of her dress.  She practically felt naked next to this man, the way he was eying her.  Concentrating on the show, she was very near the verge of tears as she felt his hand come down upon her thigh.  She had to stifle a cry as she jumped slightly at his touch.

“My dear, are you alright?”

Clearing her throat she said, “Yes, My Lord.  These operas always make me misty eyed.  The passion of the singer cuts through my soul.”

His fingers tightened on her thigh, making her breath catch.  “Yes, I do know what you mean about passion.”

Shutting her eyes momentarily she wished she had chosen better wording.  Improvising and running forward with the moment, she breathed in and mentally prepared herself for the next step of her plan.

“Yes, our passions are our rulers, are they not?”  She opened her eyes and peered at him shyly.

He reached over with his other hand and stroked her cheek.  “I wish to leave now, but I must insist on seeing you out of this place as well.  There is a late party happening at a friend's estate, should you wish to join me.”

Trying to ignore his hand on her cheek she took in a deep breath.  This could be her chance.  If it was a late party it had to have Nobles in attendance.

“My Lord, Waylan, I would love to join you at this party.  May I presume we are to leave at once?”  She did not want to rush the man, but she needed to get out of the dark seating area she shared with him.

“Well then.”  Waylan said as he eyed her lewdly once more “Let's begonia straightaway.”  After she rose, he placed his hand on the small of her back much too familiarly for her liking.

Outside the venue Waylan waved for his coach that was parked slightly down the street.  The coach came to a stop in front of them and he held the door open for her.  Holding her hand as she climbed in ahead of him he took the opportunity to feel her leg some more until she was out of his reach.  He sat beside her with his hand on her knee the whole trip. 

It felt as though the ride took forever, even though it was only a few moments.

They pulled up in front of a massive estate house with an enormous manicured lawn that sported lengthy ponds all around.  Josaleene could hear the music coming from inside, low enchanting melodies that were much, much different from the bawdy tunes that filled the tavern where she worked.  There were Lords and Ladies walking the grounds of the estate, waiting for carriages to arrive or to simply walk off the wine they had obviously drank too much of.

After she exited the carriage she was ushered to the large doors on the estate.  The doors opened and the greeter announced their presence to the crowd.  She made the assumption that Waylan was a very minor lord since only a few people of the couple hundred in attendance turned to look. 

One man did look their way though, and held her in place with his stare.  He was very richly dressed, his suit made up of mostly black but cut with a deep red sash.  She couldn't help but to think that his color of clothing very much matched hers.  But as she held onto his stare the thought of their manner of dress was fleeting.

“Darling Josaleene.  Do not stare too much at the Nobles, they get upset easily.”  Waylan turned her toward him, and cut her view of the man off.  “Let us dance our way across the floor and towards the refreshment tables, shall we?  I could use a drink.”

Before she could protest, he took her hand in his and wrapped the other hand about her waistline and whisked her onto the dance floor.  For a few brief moments she forgot all about Waylan's lewd stares and annoying nasally voice and just enjoyed the fluid movements of the dance.

They stopped abruptly and Josaleene looked up to see what the source of interruption was.  She came to stare upon the face of the man who had caught her attention earlier.  He was even more beautiful up close.  He smelled wonderfully dark and his alabaster skin was smooth and unmarred by wrinkles.  He had deep eyes, dark as the midnight sky.  There was even a twinkle of light in them that was more than just the torch lights casting their beams around the room.

She couldn't look away, she couldn't breathe.  All she could do was stare as this man's aura wrapped around her and claimed her as his.

Waylan clearing his throat brought her back down to earth.  She looked over to see him bowing low.  Distractedly she dropped a curtsy, not sure exactly what to do in this powerful man’s presence. 

“My Prince.  It is such an honor to have you here.  I hope that your endeavors this night find for you exactly what you are looking for.” Lord Waylan Roughby spoke in a reverent tone that was obviously strained.

Still staring at Josaleene, the Noble Prince said “Yes, good sir.  I believe that it already has.”

The Prince bowed to her then nodded to Waylan without looking at him.  He then turned and made his way across the room and up the staircase in the back.

His presence now withdrawn from her, Josaleene suddenly felt very alone.