Extol of Agnatic Dreams (The Extol Series Book 1) (10 page)

The girl considered it for a moment and flexed her fingers. Evangeline released her, feeling defeated but unsure how to proceed without doing something she didn’t want to do. The girl went back to brushing Evangeline’s hair and so silence filled the room again. Seemingly satisfied with the end result, the girl handed Evangeline the brush and left the room. Evangeline watched her leave, feeling sorry for her actions and made to rise to follow her when she returned with an unlit candle in her hands.

She touched the blackened wick and then pressed her palm against her sunken chest all while giving Evangeline a thoughtful look, willing for her to understand what she was saying without the words to make it obvious.

Evangeline frowned, setting the brush aside as she watched the girl touch the wick again and follow through with including herself in the mime. She was conveying a message, and Evangeline was slow to respond because she didn’t want to offend.

“Your name is candle? Flame? Heat? Light?” Evangeline listed the words one after the other with a pause between them. She waited for a response and when she got nothing she would take another guess, following the same pattern. Evangeline frowned, almost out of guesses to offer. “Wick?” It was desperate and thrown out there because she had nothing more. She didn’t think it was possible for a girl to be named Wick, but she nodded. Again slight, uncertain and not repeating herself Wick confirmed the least likely of all guesses.

Evangeline smiled. “Wick.” She repeated, but there was no response from her as Wick quietly went about replacing the candle from the other room and returned promptly to continue her job. Evangeline laid her hand on the other girls to get her attention. “Thank you for sharing your name with me. You are an excellent attendant.”

Wick contributed nothing. Not a smile or a nod. Her face was blank, her eyes too intense for the lightness of their conversation. Finally, Evangeline sighed and let her get back to work. She had no further questions. It was hard for Evangeline not to feel offended by Wick, though. She was now sure that this had not been some kind of punishment set upon her by Quintus. Evangeline was embarrassed ever to have thought such bad things about the man who had done nothing but strive to make her life more comfortable.

It was just a hard reality that she needed to grow accustomed to. She had been warned that living in Braykith would not be like living in Crimah, and yet Evangeline had never considered this kind of confrontation. She tried to get lost in the scenery of her bedroom, to take in the sights that had so obsessed her mind only moments ago but couldn’t keep her motivated now. It seemed the beauty had lost some of its glow and ambition.

Seeing the garments that Wick had collected for her, Evangeline finally broke the silence. “Are you sure this is appropriate for breakfast?” she asked, not offering to get undressed in the vain hope that maybe Wick would speak. Surely Wick had words that would make Evangeline feel more comfortable with what she saw now. The dress seemed to be designed for the evening, and Evangeline was so sure that compared to the regular inhabitants of the house she would appear overdressed.

Wick did not answer her. No words were offered, and she did not even soften her expression as she watched Evangeline watching her. She had nothing she could say, and so Wick was patient in the face of Evangeline’s strength until finally her shoulders slackened. Under normal circumstances, this victory should have been celebrated with a phrase, at the very least a smile but Wick did neither of these things.

Whatever had prompted Wick to convey her wishes earlier was gone now and considering the aura of her attitude, Evangeline did not think it would return anytime soon. She was trying not to take it personally as her robe was removed and the underskirts secured to her waist. Evangeline was well versed in the layering process, even if she never had to handle the procedures alone. It was the silence that was making her skin crawl and the way Wick would watch her with such knowing understanding and yet offered nothing to her. It was louder than any scream Evangeline could conjure.

Sighing, Evangeline was silent in her confused fury, and Wick seemed not at all offended by her moods. Which perhaps only fuelled Evangeline further. The black overlay was added to her body and cinched at her waist without so much as an approving nod. There were no comments on the colour and the compliments she would have expected regarding her skin tone in this dress. Wick offered her no critical advice how the belt allowed her body to take shapes that were not natural.

Teagan would have announced how the creamy dark colour of the dress affected her stony skin tone, bringing out the often hidden warmer hues on her face. Black did not usually compliment her, however, the tone only added to her beauty and not distract from it which was a hard thing to do convincingly. Viviana would have waved off Teagan’s silly poetry and called the colour black and not creamy night to start with. She would have agreed with the cinched waist, though, Viviana never needing to use such things to create curves because she had them naturally.

Teagan would have had some gossip concerning the kitchen staff; those were her favourite group to speak quietly about. Viviana would have scolded Teagan for spreading such things, dismissing it all as a wild story while Evangeline would have hoped every word was true. They would have had fun together, Viviana borrowing a ring or a necklace, and Teagan is not daring to ask since she had lost the pearl earrings Evangeline’s uncle had sent three years ago for her birthday.

Evangeline sighed, a wistful smile on her face as again she was forced to consider the startling differences between her life here and the one she had been forced away from. In Braykith, Evangeline felt like a doll, standing still as Wick walked silently around her and added yellow diamonds to her ears, a matching bracelet dangling from her left hand. Evangeline had been dressed by others her entire life. But never did she feel like this. There was no life in the room. Instead, it seemed to suck the life out of her. She wondered if she could endure this for the rest of her life.

Wick’s fingers clasped around the ring Glais had given her the night before, and Evangeline yanked her hand back quickly. “No.” she snapped at Wick. “That ring stays.” The vibes of the room were affecting her more than Evangeline wanted Wick to know. Perhaps she could have contained herself better if Wick was showing the same strain but instead, she was blank in her expressions, not at all apologetic or deterred by Evangeline’s actions. It was like nothing had happened, the indifference feeling harsher than any other reaction Evangeline could imagine.

She knew the ring did not match the rest of her outfit, but she would not remove it. Teagan would have argued with her and pointed out all the obvious flaws of wearing the ring. The gold band was polished to perfection but the band was thick and seemed to mock the delicate gold of her bracelet. The stone was set firmly, not intricately cut but rather left to a more natural shape, unlike the coloured diamonds that caught the light and reflected it back deliberately. The onyx on her finger sucked in all of the light around her and left nothing behind.

The dress was luxurious, the fabric unknown but it felt good against her skin and the skirts did not scratch at her legs like some of her skits did back home. The colour was somehow warm and inviting, never a colour she would choose for herself and while it worked well with the gold, the black onyx stone was too masculine to go with any dress. No one would ever think the ring was made for a woman even though it sat on a delicate and feminine hand.

Everything about how Evangeline was styled was soft and romantic. Her hair around the crown of her head was twisted, the tiara sat there now and while it looked fragile, it had been expertly decorated with Evangeline’s hair in ways that it was indeed quite secure. Whatever instruction Wick was under it seemed to rebel directly against Viviana’s surety that Evangeline needed to show a strong and powerful image to the Braykith citizens. She supposed it was because right now she was just the woman to marry Glais. The power costumes would come in time. When it was that time, the ring would look more dignified on her hand. Evangeline did not care. She would wear it until the end of her days. It was a gift from Glais; the first real gift Evangeline had ever received from him.

She had imagined the gift had been made for him originally and a prized one at that. The ring was necessary, marked a milestone in his own life many years ago or perhaps a gift from his parents. This was all speculation, stories that Evangeline had concocted while trying to find sleep. For Glais to present her with this token meant to her that he was offering something of himself to her. Evangeline loved it, and to remove it would be such an insult to their relationship.

Shoes secured to her feet; Evangeline was dressed and apparently adequately prepared for this breakfast she was supposed to attend. So many people had mentioned it to her that Evangeline knew there was no getting out it. Her stomach was already in knots, the altogether familiar sensation that accompanied any stressful situation. Her reaction to stress was quite well known back home, but here, Evangeline was unsure if anyone had bothered to tell the royal family of Braykith. They were about to be introduced to her odd eating habits.

“Where is this being held?” Evangeline was sure this was pure ceremony and not a regular contact that she was expected to be at each morning. One day and she could go back to avoiding food at the times where it seemed her body was not willing to accept it. Of course, if she did eat Evangeline would then feel sickened as she would anxiously wait for hours that she might have a terrible reaction. “For everyone who mentioned breakfast to me, no one said that where it was.”

Wick walked her to the front doors of Evangeline’s chamber and gestured down the hallway.

“Thankyou.” Evangeline appreciated every small moment of communication that happened to pass between them. Wick seemed so shy and an expert on keeping even the smallest of nonverbal communication out of sight so no one could guess at what she was thinking. After hours together Evangeline had two nods, a mimed performance, and now this simple gesture. It was barely enough, and yet Wick would not bend to sharing more with Evangeline so she as stuck with making do with the materials left available to her.

E
vangeline had been shut out of her room. Wick would not be joining her for this breakfast, and Evangeline did not like her chances of surviving more hours in Wick’s presence. It gave her very few options to consider, and so the decision to move in the direction that Wick had pointed was quickly attained. Where else could she go? It would be rude not to make an appearance at this meal in her honour, and that was the thing that fuelled her footsteps.

The hallway was empty of life. It had taken longer than a moment for her eyes to adjust to the room, and even when she felt more confident it as became evident that there as some kind of distortion in the air that seemed to be stopping her from seeing clearly. She had assumed it was the night. While some of the shadows were clearly at the fault of the moon and the poor lighting it had offered, this could not be so easily explained away. Her own rooms seemed so bright in comparison to the hallway.

The fog or whatever was making this part of the building look so dark and oppressive didn’t lift, but slowly Evangeline did manage to adjust to it, so she wasn’t feeling so blind. It was a real shame that the halls were so dark because they seemed as breathtaking as her own rooms had been. The bottom of her dress swept along the carpet that lined the centre of the halls although she didn’t stay centred for long. She was sure the carpet was there for reasons, but Evangeline couldn’t help but be pulled to the bricks that made up the walls.

Running her hands along them, she noticed the different textures and wondered just how many other hands had moved along it just like she was doing now as she wandered forward in search of this breakfast she was supposed to be at. There was no rhythm to the placement of the different bricks which created the solid walls of the castle. Some ran smooth while others scratched at her fingertips. It seemed her hands were more attracted to the bricks that hurt her since Evangeline managed somehow to pass every single one and collect a series of scratches on her fingers.

She felt like so much was being hidden from her, the darkness hiding scars in the bricks that might fill in the gaps of her lessons about Braykith. She sighed, feeling so lost in her own thoughts and struggling with just accepting that this Kingdom was not mystical or wild. The bricks were only bricks, and nothing would ever change that harsh reality. She needed to stop looking for excuses to miss this breakfast. She would just arrive and hope not to embarrass herself.

The soldiers were not demons, and the chanting of devil worship was not rising from the gravestones. Those stories had been around all through her youth. Her parents had been very careful when she was young to keep the worst of the rumours from her, but Teagan was not so minded of her feelings. Evangeline had been prepared to be met with all she had heard about and more, and now she was here it seemed that the reality was nothing like the stories.

She stopped by the next window, using the fleshy part of her hand to clear some of the dust and grime that clouded the view. Squinting, she peered out into the courtyard. Colours were popping to life, the flowers in mythical shades of colour that seemed otherworldly. From her little window, Evangeline witnessed the beginnings of life and swore to be an activist in protecting its existence. This beauty needed to remain to fight the deadly rumours outside the castle walls.

However, there was no evidence of a dragon. Witnesses had sworn to her father that a giant creature existed that spewed fire onto the Braykith enemies that only Quintus could command. Further proof that Braykith was not the scary doomed location that people had often told her. Although if Evangeline was honest, she had been quite excited by the prospect of a dragon. She had supposed it would be less like the actual definition of a dragon and more of a contraption, but still it excited her. Smiling to herself, Evangeline followed the hall attempting to shrug off the unease from earlier. With time, she would come to accept the truth of her new home and learn the real secrets of Braykith. In time perhaps she could even cultivate a few of her own. Evangeline, owner of a pack of evil pixies. She chuckled to herself, sighing at the very idea of it.

Finding breakfast was easy once she caught the scent of baking bread in the air.

A door was open, soft talking coming out to greet her. Evangeline had taken a breath before she poked her head in to make sure this was the right place. She was greeted at a rather small table and only just enough space for the chairs that sat around it. It actually seemed a little dull and like a place where the servants would eat and not the royal family. However, she spotted Kyleigh sitting to the left of the head of the table dressed in a swirl of red and blue colours and adorned with jewels.

Baxter was opposite the Queen in clothing similar to what she had seen him in last night. Although she could see the details much better now. A heavily embroidered dark blue tunic style shirt was cinched at his waist, his sword hanging at his side and Evangeline suspected correctly that he knew how to use it should the need arise. Fitted but not restricting pants covered his legs and ended the outfit with polished leather boots. The third person at the table was not someone she knew, and Evangeline guessed this must be Adeline, the youngest child, who sat beside her mother.

The young child sat with the tell-tale signs of her age. Only thirteen or so and Adeline was rebellious as much as she dared. Evangeline recognised the same kind of spirit she once had. There was a time when the idea of becoming the Queen of a Kingdom did not seem thrilling in the slightest and Evangeline would take all opportunities to be sloppy. Evangeline’s mother Thea had paid her no attention and the phase had passed with time. Just as it would with Adeline.

She had inherited her mother’s hair although it was brighter than Baxter’s. Natural soft curls framed her face, all the women following the Braykith rule for leaving their hair down. Sections had been chosen and pulled back in a style similar to Evangeline’s own hair except there was no tiara on her head. Adeline was a thin girl who appeared light and effortless. She came from good parents, and it showed, her clothes only adding to her overall presence in the room.

The dress made Evangeline envious that she had never owned anything quite so beautiful just to have breakfast in. The richest hue of green that complimented Adeline’s skin tones in ways that Evangeline wouldn’t understand. By all accounts, the colour should clash against her beauty, but it didn’t. For a moment, Evangeline had forgotten her own wardrobe was just as elegant as those sitting at the table. She was momentarily intimidated by the scene.

The delicate way Adeline reached across the table for the bread though confirmed something to Evangeline, a disturbing realisation that broke her self-conscious tirade. Adeline had no life skills. She didn’t just look light but she seemed delicate and Evangeline was betting the girl did not go anywhere without armed guards because she surely could not defend herself in the slightest. Did Quintus have that much belief in his own reputation that no one would dare attack her, or was it the usual expectations for a princess to not know how to defend herself, even if it was just a little. Evangeline was proud of how she had handled herself during the attack on her carriage. She was sure Adeline would not have been so prepared with such limited available weapons.

Evangeline was saddened to see that Glais was missing from the gathering. He was the only reason she had really bothered to show up here at all. Even as she thought those excuses she knew that wasn’t true. She would have accepted the invitation because her parents had raised a sensitive and sweet girl. Any defiance against the expected response from her station was all wishful thinking and nothing more. Quintus was also missing; two empty chairs still sat at the table to represent them.

“I apologise for my lateness.” Evangeline said but was glad to see that most of the food was gone. Maybe she could be polite and not be forced to eat a thing. She had all eyes on her as she met the table, taking a chair and seating herself. Evangeline tried not to shift uncomfortably in her seat since those eyes belonged to her new family. She shouldn’t be so tense with them but Quintus insisting the familiarity did not make it instant, on her side at least.

“It is quite alright dear. You are with us now. Although I suppose I should warn you that Baxter here has quite an appetite, so the delicacies often disappear quickly.” Although she did appreciate Kyleigh’s warning, her anxiety made Evangeline doubt her desires ever to arrive early enough to take advantage of this new information. She followed Kyleigh’s line of sight, but it seemed that Baxter was not at all offended by what his mother had said. He seemed to have the opposite reaction and looked smug as he spread butter on his bread.

Trusting her knowledge of her own body and how it worked, or in some cases didn’t work, Evangeline warred between illness and looking offensive. She took a roll from the closest place in front of her and started picking it apart onto her plate. “I will try and keep that in mind in the future.” She offered Kyleigh something so the woman would be content, and seemed to have worked as the Queen settled into her chair and sipped her wine.

“Did you get lost?” Baxter asked his expression still teasing, and Evangeline was still feeling confronted by this kind of behaviour. Thomas, she had forgiven, but Baxter was a prince. He should know better about making polite conversation. The question seemed innocent enough, but it was the mockery that tainted his voice that made Evangeline uncertain. “I have heard those straight lines are quite involved.” He continued teasing her.

Baxter was not shy to point out her lateness, and Evangeline had no excuse ready fast enough. The dining room was only down the hall from her room, in a straight line as Baxter had been so generous to point out. With no lie, she went with the truth. “I was looking for the dragon.” She reached for her own glass of wine, picked it up by the stem but set it down again without consuming even a mouthful.

Kyleigh smiled but Baxter just looked at Evangeline confused by her response. She was glad she could stump the boy. The look on his face made facing him easier than before. It was Adeline who spoke up. “We don’t have a dragon.”

Evangeline chuckled at the girl’s confusion. “I am quite sure that you do.” Evangeline pretended with all the authority she could muster that she did indeed know the creature was real even as Adeline continued to think she had lost her mind. “Men have sworn to my father that Braykith houses a monstrous beast that breathes fire and devours the soldiers of war on your father’s wishes.”

Adeline turned to her mother in silent demand and for a brief second Kyleigh considered going along with Evangeline’s teasing but ultimately decided not to. The idea of such a thing would give her daughter nightmares; she was such a sweet and sensitive soul. “All lies and rumours,” Kyleigh assured her daughter. “There is no dragon.”

“I was saddened to see no trace of it.” Evangeline went along with Kyleigh’s approach, all while she continued picking her at her roll. “Where is Glais?” She tried to sound casual in her question although she suspected that they were expecting her to ask. She was sure that Baxter has blown her a kiss from the corner of her eye and Kyleigh as smiling from behind her glass.

“Glais and Quintus are investigating the attack on your carriage,” Kyleigh answered, passing a plate of sausages towards her. Evangeline took the plate but set it down. She was not tempted by any of the food. Sitting this close to it was enough for Evangeline’s sensitive stomach to flip flop. “They should have returned before dinner,” Kyleigh explained, not commenting on Evangeline’s food habits, for which she was grateful.

Baxter laughed under his breath. Evangeline shot a look at him, a silent demand for answers. She wanted him to explain his snickering. “They find excuses to miss most meals,” He commented, meeting her gaze directly and apparently feeling nothing. Whatever look she had mastered against Thomas gave Baxter no pause. Kyleigh frowned at her son but said nothing and Baxter seemed just as unaffected by her look as he had been by Evangeline. Considering the male privilege in Braykith, his reaction did make some sense.

Evangeline was quickly learning that Glais’ brother was not worth interpretation because what he said was hardly more than teasing comments meant to stir a reaction from her. “I do not understand; you often eat together?” Evangeline asked Kyleigh since Baxter was still gloating on his answer as if it meant something more than it seemed to.

“Yes,” Kyleigh answered quickly hoping to draw the conversation back into a place where she could control the direction it was going. There would be a time when Evangeline would need to know the intricate details of her future husband, but Kyleigh was hoping Glais would have that conversation with her. It was not her place to tell such things, and certainly not here like this. “There was a time when we didn’t. However, as Glais grew older and then Baxter came along, I realised that it would not be long until he was on his own. I needed some traditions to keep them close.”

Evangeline nodded as if she understood although she really did not. This was further proof that Braykith was not Crimah, and even how these parents showed affection to their children differed to how her parents had taught it to her. “With all his education and training,” Kyleigh explained, “my time with Glais was limited enough. Soon he would not be interested in seeing me at all. I expect unless a real emergency demands their attention elsewhere, that my children join me in the morning and evening for meals. I enjoy hearing about their experiences, and I miss them. Baxter is known to be quite the wanderer these days.”