Extol of Agnatic Dreams (The Extol Series Book 1) (3 page)

Although all three women were similar in ages, simple hierarchy had been established some time when Evangeline was ten. No one would dare believe the three girls were related by blood in any way. Viviana’s hair was the colour of dark straw and her body slightly plump. She had curves that both Evangeline and Teagan lacked. She came from strong stock and it showed in her facial features. A handsome woman some would say.

Teagan was in the other direction. Large childlike eyes the colour of well-polished jade and small in stature, she weighed next to nothing and most of her clothes had to be altered simply to adjust for her frame. People called her simple and this also lead to Teagan often getting away with being inappropriate because of her high spirits. Her hair was the darkest, barely lighter than black although she claimed it as brown and the shortest of the three, easy to manage.

Evangeline had the longest hair, the brown tresses falling in light waves down her back and took far too long to tame most mornings. She had seen many sunrises just to accommodate her hair but she refused to have it cut. Her hair was her favourite feature and when the sun found it, it looked like red gold. For all their differences, there was a universal sisterhood approach to the girls. They had grown up together, Viviana and Teagan daughters of faithful and devoted servants, little playmates for Evangeline within the safety of her home. They then became her ladies in waiting, but Evangeline counted on them as her best friends.

Viviana was the older sister that Evangeline never had. Although she was seven months younger by birth, her natural no foolery attitude had graduated her from any other role. Teagan was clearly the baby and that made Evangeline the middle child in their group. Following the orders from her big sister, Evangeline finally found the excuse to leave her tea alone. It sat cold and untouched now, and there was no remorse for that decision. “Is that my dress?” she asked the obvious question.

“It was very close in not being it,” Viviana said from under her breath. Without any communication, Viviana and Teagan undressed Evangeline and slid the dress into place without much of a fuss. They had been dressing her for years, and by now Evangeline was sure they could complete such transformations blindfolded. The dress was a dark forest green, form-fitting to her figure until the skirt fell from her hips to the ground. The sleeves were long, and the fabric was luxurious not only to look at but to experience. Evangeline was glad for the extra coverage until she spied a look at her chest. The line was rather low, displaying far more skin than she would usually be comfortable with. Was this the look of modesty and humble beginnings that made a good wife? She doubted it very much.

Before she could state her opinion on the dress, a corset was added over the top that was more fashion than real use. Delicate pearl details that were distracting as well as beautiful matched the few discreet pearls that were added to the hemming of her dress. The corset was the colour of rich cream that faintly matched the lace she had been so concerned for this morning. Wondering if it was coincidence or design, Evangeline held herself as naturally as possible while Viviana tightened the laces. She never quite knew how it worked, but her friends pulled her in correctly until somehow her garments gave the illusion of having a womanlier figure than she had.

“This seems exceedingly extravagant for travelling in,” Evangeline commented, finally free from their fussing hands to get her opinions out. She knew there was no talking them out of the dress designs. It was far too late for her to wear something new, and even then Evangeline might never be satisfied with any effort to delay her departure. Although it seemed her worries fell on deaf ears. As was often the case, Viviana had an answer for that.

“Under normal circumstances Eva, I would agree with you but this is no ordinary trip.” As if Evangeline needed to be reminded of that fact. She hid her face behind her hair as Viviana sat her down so they could get started. “This is the first real impression you can give Glais and his people. You are the future Queen of Braykith. We need to inspire them with confidence. A little comfort is such an easy thing to dismiss for the greater good.”

Evangeline nodded, understanding the need but also feeling quite uncomfortable in her skin. In another life, they would have said she had a dancer’s body. Her long arms, which seemed even longer somehow with the fabric concealing them, and legs, carried her with effortless grace now Evangeline was an adult. There had been a time in her youth when she had been a walking disaster. It was kind to compare her to a newborn horse rather than the clumsy child Evangeline had been, and in fact, many people did.

She doubted she would ever inherit the commanding footsteps of her mother. Any hopes had been dashed quickly when Evangeline was young, and the older she got, the less freedom she seemed to have over all aspects of her life. From the meals she ate and interactions around the castle, Evangeline had been educated and isolated. During that isolation, she had learnt how to control her body so she could be left alone to walk.

“You can admire the intricate work in the carriage,” Viviana said offhand, Evangeline nodded, although she doubted she would. Evangeline doubted she would be doing much except trying to breathe and not lose her dinner from the night before. She did not travel well and the anxiety of the destination was causing all kinds of havoc on her. “Did your parents tell you of the strange requests left for you?”

Evangeline rose an eyebrow, not daring to move more than that as Viviana separated her hair into more manageable sections. There was a pattern to it, and Evangeline recognised straight away the kind of style that Viviana was hoping to achieve today. “What kind of additional demands?” She asked, hoping that none of them made her heart flutter in distress more than it already was. She was nervous enough about this exchange.

Teagan was busy choosing jewellery and so Viviana took the lead. She probably would know more about it regardless. People around the province knew better than to trust Teagan with details of any kind. “Most of it was common. Travel light as all clothes will be provided for you. The general announcements to the citizens on trust and moving forward after the fall of the
Zorelian. They also made it clear there was to be no silver jewellery.” Teagan groaned and without ceremony dumped a handful of silver back into the keepsake box.

“None at all?” Evangeline asked.

“None. You are not to wear it or bring it with you.” Viviana didn’t seem to know more than that. Evangeline was sad with the news, although she would survive. She preferred silver, finding the colour looked cleaner against her skin. The brassy tons of gold made her skin appear blotchy and uneven in spots. To never wear silver again would be quite hard to get used to. “The other request was for you to wear your hair down.”

“This is not a terrible thing.” Evangeline’s mood was lifted since she did prefer to wear her hair out and free. She rarely had the opportunities to enjoy that feeling in her life. So much of her life was already planned ahead for her, and the time in between was ensuring her future would come to pass with little disruption. At least, her hair could find freedom.

“The fact they made that stipulation at all is the odd thing Eva, not the agreeance it has to your personal style.” Viviana grabbed a brush and started working with the limitations they had been assigned. “We will see how you like your hair length when it is free to tangle and weave itself into disaster.” Viviana was grumbling under her breath but Evangeline ignored her.

Evangeline went silent in her chair, knowing she was missing the very valid interpretation that Viviana had just given her. “Do you suppose this is just an example of what my life is to be? To never enjoy the things I desire for their own sakes?” Her voice was quiet, and she half hoped her question would be ignored. Or better still not heard at all. It was not the best way to start her relationship, already questioning his intentions. There was very little she could hope to change in him now that Glais was a man.

“You knew their ways were different from ours,” Viviana said gently as Teagan placed a heavy necklace around her neck and covered some of the skin that had been so offensive. Evangeline had been putting so much of her assumptions into the facts she knew about her own parents, but every moment that passed proved just how unique her mother’s situation was. Perhaps these requests were what they expected for a Queen and the freedoms Thea experienced were unique. Evangeline did not know, and it did not matter since it was the demands she needed to follow and that was not affected by their intentions.

Viviana stood back for a moment, her eyes going from critical to soft as she gazed upon Evangeline. In her memory she saw Evangeline at every stage, remembering their relationship and the blossoming of friendship that actually did seem eternal. Once, Viviana could believe that their friendship could survive anything. Looking at Evangeline now, Viviana was sure she might have been a little naive in that long-held belief. Their friendship would not survive this. As much as they had promised this was not going to ruin them, it would never be the same and the differences between them was evident today.

Evangeline was dressed in the best that Crimah could offer. The green and cream had been chosen for her, the cut of the fabric was for her figure to ensure that it was shown at its best angles. Evangeline looked mature and beautiful, even if she was slow in seeing it herself. Viviana and Teagan were dressed in clean but simple dresses. Never would one suggest that they were dressed in uniforms of any kind but there was no intricate beading to accent their clothes.

Evangeline was never truly one of them. Viviana had always known of course but never had she seen it so plainly before her. In the room now, the crackling of the fire interrupting her thoughts, Viviana saw things for what they were. Evangeline was someone special. The daughter of a mighty Lord, yes that was obvious. However, this was more than that. Even if she had been born in the sty, Evangeline would have been someone important. She had a spark within her soul that played the universe in ways that Viviana could only hope and Teagan could never dream.

Realising that she was staring Viviana shook her head, wiping her eye with a hand. She was strict and bossy most of the time but that didn't mean she was without emotions. Right at this moment she felt foolish for ever thinking she could be what Evangeline was. They had been raised together, had played and grown together, all of that was mere fact but neither of them would ever be Evangeline. She shone brightest, and her bloodline made the world easier to navigate than most.

"Oh, Viv..." Evangeline rose from her seat, not suspecting for a moment the truth of Viviana's thoughts. Evangeline meant to comfort her but Viviana rejected the support with a firm shake of her head. Just to make sure Evangeline didn't try and touch her, Viviana held a hand out but they knew each other well enough by now for Evangeline not to bother attempting to extend the contact. Viviana was not too physical, even when things were dire.

The women stood apart before Teagan's cry broke the standoff. At the same time, Evangeline and Viviana looked at Teagan, Viviana reacting first with the practical thing of lifting the jewels out of her hand before Evangeline could swoop in and hug Teagan tight enough for the both of them. Carefully, and deliberately slow so she could skip out on this part, Viviana started replacing the jewellery back to their spots. Never had the jewels been placed with such slow precision and care.

Evangeline spoke softly and for Teagan’s ears only. She knew that Viviana did not want to be part of this kind of closeness. They all had their strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes they needed the stoic Viviana to keep them level headed. Sometimes you needed that honestly, and mostly they needed to be close. “Teagan, I am not ill. I am not to pass from this world.” Evangeline tried to soothe but it seemed that Teagan could not hear her.

In response, Teagan only grabbed Evangeline tighter, squeezing her close as if she believed that this act alone could keep Evangeline from leaving them. “We are never going to see you again.” Teagan’s voice was muffled, her words taken from the room by Evangeline’s hair as the girls hugged. Viviana could barely hear her, but she did not care to know what Teagan was struggling to say. Anything she had to say now meant nothing. It could not change what was to happen and in a few months, no one in this room will remember the particulars that were said.

Whatever emotions that had been guiding Viviana a moment ago were gone. “We knew this day was coming Teagan.” She was trying to reason with her but experience told them both that Teagan could not be reasoned with, not really. She was a girl that gave into all emotions with all she had. She was never just happy; she was ecstatic with joy. Her sadness was a profound depression. Still, Viviana was trying and Evangeline let Teagan hold her for as long as Teagan felt she needed her.

“I will write all the time.” Evangeline promised but even to her own ears she could tell that it didn’t sound quite as convincing as it used to. She had the intent, but who could really judge what would come of her life once she settled within Braykith? While Evangeline would gladly stay with Teagan until she calmed down, she knew by a single look that Viviana was getting tired of Teagan’s childish behaviour. Evangeline didn’t yet let Viviana pry the girl away from her.

Honestly, Evangeline was a little bit more sympathetic to her reaction to the girl’s tears. She had cried them all herself several times over. “I am almost certain it will not be impossible to organise visits to my new home.” She couldn’t imagine why Glais could deny her such a simple request. Once all the official business was done and her new routine settled of course. Evangeline had no illusion that this would ever be a simple transition but there was no reason to suspect delays.