Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
JADEON
Hungover and dizzy with pleasure, Alex saddled his horse in the stables and rode home.
He admired his new mare with her ease of stride, still in awe of such a generous bestowal.
He knew she was as fine a horse as mine.
He was well aware that it was wise to inform Father immediately of the new equine boarded in the castle’s stables.
Lord Artimas had taught his sons etiquette if nothing else, and Alex intended to request an urgent appointment with him first thing in the morning to inform him of the circumstances of his gift.
On arriving home, Alex was informed by Arthur, our father’s private secretary, that approximately ten o’clock that morning would be convenient to receive an audience.
Alex then ran to my room. On not finding me, he searched the castle in the usual places and eventually found me in the vast reading room, our father’s main library.
It was here the servants were encouraged to take reading lessons, though few took my father up on his offer.
I sat at the large mahogany table surrounded by various books.
The athenaeum had one of the most comprehensive collections in the county, shelved in their hundreds along the lofty four walls of the room.
This was another of my favorite places. I often sat in here alone exploring the extensive collection that could never be read in one lifetime.
“Good morning,” Alex greeted me.
“Excuse me sir, this is a private reading room,” I jested.
“Jadeon, don’t be so—”
“Oh, it’s my younger brother. I did not recognize you.”
“I know we have not seen much of each other lately, but you have been your usual self-absorbed self and I have been my usual social, have-a-wonderful-time-and-live-life-to-the-fullest self.”
“Ouch.” I held my hand to my chest as if wounded.
“Sorry, but you know how you are.” Alex took the chair next to mine and looked down at the many books strewn upon the table. “I have to see Father. Lord Daumia gave me—”
“A new horse, yes. I heard the rumor. He must be fond of you.”
“I just hope Father lets me keep her.”
“Of course he will.”
“What are you doing then?” Alex said.
“Well, Father was even more serious than usual the other night at dinner and said he had something very important to tell me, something about some kind of ceremonial tradition. He has made me come in here for the last six nights to read these.”
I had in fact ignored my father’s instructions and had soon found other stuff to read. I fully intended on glancing at the material but thought that I would wait until the last minute and hoped to get away with it.
Alex picked up and opened the heavy leather-bound books one by one. “Am I also to carry on the tradition?”
I lowered my voice. “Look, I’m not even meant to be telling you any of this, so keep it very quiet.
You know how Father gets. Apparently it’s something to do with being the eldest. He told me that I will be informed of the honor and initiated by ceremony, as tradition dictates, on my twenty-sixth birthday in two weeks. ”
“Of course, your birthday.”
I hated birthdays. I loathed getting gifts and opening them up only to have the giver stare wide-eyed, hoping I liked it, and having to do my best to convey that I did. “I haven’t celebrated a birthday in the last two years, and now—”
“Father has lost it,” Alex said. “Look at this subject matter—witchcraft—and, oh my goodness, what is this Nightwalker Lore penned by Fabian Snowstrom? What kind of name is Snowstrom? On the other hand, is it you who is delusional? What is a nightwalker anyway? Can I come to the ceremony? I am surprised there isn’t something among all these about Frenchmen.
You know how Father is about foreigners. ”
We laughed hysterically.
“This is folklore,” I reasoned. “Nothing real.”
It made no sense.
Arthur interrupted us. The old well-dressed man appeared agitated when he glimpsed the titles on the table. Obviously they were for my eyes only. Arthur glared at me with disapproval.
I glared back until I had forced his disgruntled gaze toward Alex.
“Your father can see you now, sir. He canceled an appointment for you. Go immediately to his office and present yourself,” he said.
Alex looked at me for support, and I gave him an encouraging wink. He leapt to his feet and obediently headed for his appointment, closely followed by Arthur.
I opened up the book titled Nightwalker Lore and a card fell out from between its pages. I read the faded note aloud. “Jadeon, consider the coincidences that you do not see.” Fabian Snowstrom had signed it. I flicked through the book and read a few lines.
So boring.
I threw down the book. Well, Father, if you’re trying to confuse me, you’ve succeeded. I headed toward the kitchen, hoping to find a mid-morning snack.
After I had eaten, I made my way to my father’s office to make sure Alex had been well-received, and on hearing silence, I waited outside in case needed. I could join him if things became heated.
I imagined Alex waiting patiently before Lord Artimas, who probably sat at his desk reading intently. For a long while he seemed not to notice Alex—his usual way. After several minutes Father would peer up, his expression stern.
“Pray tell me, Alexander, why was there a new mare in my stables this morning that neither I nor my veterinary surgeons have permitted to board?”
“Father, that is why I requested to speak with—”
“What if the animal has a disease and infects my stock?”
“The horse was a gift from Lord—”
“And what did you do to deserve such an animal?”
Alex tried again. “Lord Velde saved my life, Father.”
“I am quite aware of that. So why is it not you giving him a horse? Why does he bestow such a gift upon you?”
“I do not . . . I cannot say. We have just—”
“In what manner have you become acquainted?”
Alex blushed.
“Well? Is it business? What kind of arrangements have you made with him?” Lord Artimas placed his hand against his chest. He was silent for a moment, as if trying to regain some composure.
“I apologize if I have offended you, sir,” Alex said.
“Alexander, you must understand, I have enemies that would destroy this family. We must be more guarded. You must be more guarded.”
“Surely those were the old ways?”
Lord Artimas glared at Alex.
“Father, Lord Velde is of noble birth. A gentleman of Spanish Royal decent. And he is a good man and of the highest order.”
“I have heard of his family. He is indeed of noble birth, but I would like to meet him for myself. Two weeks from today I have instructed for a grand function to be arranged. This ball will celebrate your brother’s birthday.
Perhaps we can marry him off after all. And be forewarned, you will be next.
You will extend an invitation to Lord Velde, and he will accept.
If he does not, you will break this liaison off immediately. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Father. I have already extended your invitation to Lord Velde and—”
“Check with the stables. If they destroyed your horse, it was for the best.”
Alex struggled for air.
“Alex,” Lord Artimas said. “If I seem harsh, it is because I have your interests in mind.”
Alex lingered, hoping for some sign of affection or approval.
“You may go,” Lord Artimas said.
Alex searched for words.
“You are still here?” Father inquired.
I hurried toward the stables to make sure Alex’s horse was well cared for.
Soon afterward, I found my brother down by the water’s edge and stood behind him, holding a bottle of rum and two goblets. “All is well. Turns out you now own the most expensive and well-bred horse in the stables, and mine has been demoted to mule!”
“And she can stay?”
“She can stay. I warned the grooms and stable workers that your horse was to receive the finest care.”
Alex sighed. “I’ll take that drink now.”
“And talk?” I sat down beside him.
“And talk,” he said.
I poured two large cups of rum and handed one to him.
Alex relayed his experiences with Lord Velde, leaving out any information that would indicate they had ever shared an intimate moment.
We sat and talked into the early hours of the night in an attempt to catch up on all the time we had lost over the last few months.
I reassured him I would do everything in my power to encourage our father to be welcoming to Alex’s new acquaintance, expressing my delight that I would soon be meeting with the man that my brother had spoken of so highly.