Chapter 19. Harmless.
Francis’ study buzzed with uncertainty when I entered; my sword secured to my belt, a dagger in my boot.
Though I supposed, no matter my weaponry, I could not stand against Barren’s army were he to order my end.
Human or not—their numbers were a threat; we were walking straight into whatever they had prepared for us.
I drew a small breath, my hand playing with the Royal stamp that I’d hid in my pocket before leaving my room, as I settled on the corner of a settee Florence had occupied. She glanced at me, shifting to the side, creating space for me as her lips shook into a smile.
“Are you all right?” I asked, my brows furrowing at her odd expression.
“Yes!” she exclaimed, her fingers toying with the sleeves of her burgundy—a color I had never seen her wear before—dress. “I still don’t fancy human Royalty—” Her face turned sour. “Sorry.”
“That’s all right.” I smiled, yet my own fears clawed at my lungs anew.
I wished Florence wouldn’t have to go, wouldn’t have to struggle.
Especially when danger might come because of me.
“Perhaps you both could stay behind,” I told Roxanne as she entered the study.
Her eyes planted on Florence's worried expression when I continued, “Surely Francis and I could meet with William ourselves.”
Florence’s eyes grew bigger, though she refrained from saying a word. Roxanne’s lips turned into a thin line: watching her beloved struggle so much, she certainly considered my offer.
It was Francis who spoke in disagreement, “We are all going. End of discussion.” He walked into the study, swiftly packing a stack of parchment into a satchel.
“It is too dangerous to split up when the Wurdulacs have gained so much power. And we need numbers entering the Barren’s duchy: the more the better.
” He moved the curtains aside, glancing out the window: the freshly risen Moon glared down into the poorly lit room.
“Simon and Ash should be here any moment.”
“Simon and Ash are coming as well?” I frowned, hearing of it for the first time.
“As I said, we need numbers for our proposition to be taken seriously.” Francis closed his satchel, letting it hang over his shoulder. “Barren will not be alone, given that every survivor of the palace’s attack fled there. We will need numbers.”
“How many humans will be there?” Florence’s voice shook as she swallowed.
“I don’t know.” Francis’ lips turned into a thin line. “But it is safer there with us than staying here alone,” he added.
The confidence slipped through my fingers as the realization of what I’d suggested all these nights ago slowly settled.
I’d convinced Francis it was safe to enter into a meeting with Barren, convinced him it was our only choice.
Now I wasn’t so sure—not when so many people would be at risk by association: not when I’d have to convince not only Barren, but whoever he had by his side.
“Can I have a moment with you? Privately,” I asked Francis, exiting the study. He sighed, following after me.
“Did you change your mind about the necessity of this trip?” His brows flew up. “Did you just now realize the madness we are about to walk into?”
“There is no reason for so many people to go,” I whispered, glancing back at the study. “I killed Timothy.” I faced Francis. “If they know they will set me on fire the moment I set foot onto his estate; all of you will follow in my steps.” I swallowed. “I should go by myself.”
“Absolutely not. You are not going there by yourself.” Francis shook his head. “We either go together, or not at all. You do not stand a chance at this by yourself.”
“But—”
“Either all of us, or none of us.” Francis shook his head, sheathing his daggers.
“There is no reason for Florence to go,” I hissed. “She is shaking like a leaf.”
“And she can handle herself,” Francis’ stern tone reached my ears. “She knows how to fight, and above all, she is a vampire.” He sighed. “For the last time, for this to work we need numbers.”
I closed my eyes, drawing a deep breath. “I don’t want anyone else to die on my behalf.”
“No one is going to die.” Francis’ thumb brushed over my chin. “I would never let that happen. I would never agree to this if I thought the risk was too high.”
“As I recall, you were quite against this trip.” My eyes met his.
“I was against this because I believe our time is better spent gathering weaponry, not because I was afraid for the safety of my family.” Francis sighed. “I would not let us all walk into jeopardy, Cordelia. I do think through my plans, remember?”
“Everyhing will be well.” Roxanne rolled her eyes, walking towards us; Francis dropped his hand, his thumb parting from my chin. “The three of you are so dramatic. It’s just a bunch of humans playing Royalty. They are harmless,” she added, putting a cloak around her shoulders.
I envied her confidence.
“He has the whole Royal army in his possession currently,” Francis mumbled, walking towards the window by the main door. “But sure, they are just harmless humans.”
“Please stop speaking of it.” Florence shook her head. “Before I get ill.” Florence followed Roxanne’s suit and set the cloak atop her shoulders. “And we won’t leave you, Cordelia, even if it means all of us die,” she added.
I guessed they’d heard the whole conversation then. So much for privacy...
“Eavesdropping is impolite.” Francis passed me a cloak, putting his own on.
“No one is going to die, dear Moon.” Roxanne rolled her eyes at Florence, glancing out the window. “Simon and Ash are here, we must be on our way.” She opened the main door as we all followed her down to the stables.
Snow veiled the bare branches of the forest, keeping the resting trees warm in its embrace. Bright stars decorated the dark skies; the crescent Moon proudly hung in the center of her realm as we walked through the labyrinth of the night woods.
My hand tightly wrapped around the reins when the frost made its way down the tips of my fingers, my other hand played with the stamp in my pocket. A tremble journeyed down my spine as a few snowflakes landed on my lashes.
“Winter is rather cold this year,” Ash noted, riding their horse alongside mine.
“It is indeed,” I agreed, watching Francis and Simon ride a few yards in front of us: deep in an argument about wine. “I am sorry we didn’t get to properly meet last time.” I turned to Ash, remembering my abrupt departure on Francis’ birthday.
“No worries.” They smiled. “I had to leave shortly after you.” Ash shrugged.
Annabelle reached for a nearby branch despite my best attempts at keeping her upright; the branch snapped into two as she chewed on it.
Roxanne and Florence rode past me before I managed to turn Annabelle back onto the path. Shaking my head at such disobedience, I caught up to the rest of my company.
“I hear you play the violin.” Ash waited on the path for me and Annabelle, glancing at Francis who shook his head at something that Simon had said. “I hear it is the sound of heaven.”
“That is hardly true,” I chuckled. “Whoever told you that must be a fool.”
“I highly doubt that; Francis rarely praises anyone.” Ash winked, the corners of their lips tugging upwards. “I used to play too.” They nodded. “But when the Crimson War started in the East, we had to flee, leaving everything behind.”
My heart skipped a beat at the reminder of the horrors that erupted in the East, the horrors that took my brother away from me. “Where are you from?” I cleared my throat.
“Here and there.” Ash shrugged. “My human father was a sailor, so I am not even sure where I was born,” they tittered. “But I spent the final years of my human life in the East—in the city of Vel’mi, that is where my mother was from—until the Wurdulacs came to our home seven years ago.”
Vel’mi.
“I am very sorry.” I swallowed.
“I’m sorry too.” Ash nodded.
“Brian—my older brother—loved Vel’mi.” A sad smile tugged on my lips. “His letters were always filled with appreciation for Vel’mi’s charm.”
Ash sighed, their eyes searching for the crescent Moon. “It is in ruins now,” they whispered. “No one cared to rebuild it after the war. Everyone who lived there is either dead or fled that day to places that won’t be found on the map.”
Annabelle halted, forcing my attention before me. The woods thinned in the distance, the Barren’s estate peeked through the forest.
“Let’s leave our horses here.” Francis pointed at a willow tree peacefully collecting the snowflakes onto its glorious branches.
“The rest of the trip we’ll make on foot, it’s not far,” he told us, meeting my gaze for merely a second before dismounting his horse and adjusting the satchel around his shoulder.
I dismounted Annabelle; my boots touched the freshly fallen snow as my fingers rushed to tighten the reins around the willow tree.
“What is in your satchel?” I caught up to Francis, who walked towards the castle with no care in the world.
“Documents.” He shrugged, staring straight ahead.
“What kind of documents?” I persisted, fixing the sword at my belt that was there more as an accessory than an actual weapon, given that I hadn’t trained in ages—something I had to fix before the Wurdulacs made their way back to Faris.
“The kind that might help us today.” Francis looked me in the eyes before averting his gaze to the, growing in the distance, estate.
“Francis.” I crooked my head to one side, rolling my eyes. “I need to know.”
“So you need to know of my plans, but I can’t know yours, huh?” Francis smirked.
“You know I am the only person who can do this.” I walked faster to keep up with him. “And I told you my plan.”
“Vaguely,” Francis countered.
“What is in your satchel?” I grabbed his hand, pulling him to slow down.
“The list of everyone in Faris who wants to fight,” he sighed, looking at our joined hands. “Along with the amount of weaponry we possess. As proof of our competence and reliability.”
“A scrabble on pieces of parchment without the official stamp is hardly any proof,” I scoffed. “But you will be making a mistake by exposing such intimate information. Besides, it won’t be needed: William is a coward that always falls for my bluff. I have a plan.”
“And what if he learned after your last trick with compromised letters,” Francis said.
Before I could argue, he added, “But I will let you do what you’ve planned, Cordelia, because I trust your judgement.
” He pointed at the satchel. “This is merely a precaution. There will be more than just him we have to convince tonight.”
To that I had nothing to say, and I didn't need to, for our company halted at the abrupt end of woods, staring straight at the armed castle.
“Well, they are certainly prepared,” Ash noted, glaring at the dozens of guards standing by the gates.
“Let’s not waste time.” Roxanne charged towards the closed gates; all of us fell into step after her.
The gate opened almost immediately at our arrival, the guards didn’t bother asking why we were here: the guards didn’t bother treating us as invaders like they had last time.
Barren was desperate indeed. So desperate that he cared not to show otherwise, though I was sure he would give me a run for my coins once we were in private.
I did not expect anyone to bow this time as we walked through the citadel, towards the main doors; I did not expect any recognition at all, yet most still bent their heads in respect that I certainly did not deserve.
Their eyes shone with pity and tenderness I was not pleased by.
I was not weak as they seemed to think of me. I needed not sympathy.
My chin rose high as I strode through the open area. The mask of indifference—that no longer felt natural—slipped onto my face out of a habit I was glad I still possessed. Without waiting for the guards to open the doors for me, I yanked on the handles, allowing myself entrance.
The strong smell of sweet irises and frost hit my senses as usual, forcing my mind into obedience before my own shadows.
Yet there was no pain: not anymore, for I knew the one responsible for my sufferings was long beneath the ground, rotting in soil and dirt.
And I was the reason for his deserved end.
Our steps echoed through the empty halls as I led my company to the center of the estate, Barren's favorite room—the courthall he often used as his personal study.
Two guards stood adjacent to the closed doors of our meeting room, their eyes narrowing on me with suspicion.
“Tell His Grace we have arrived.” Francis winked at the guards; a familiar smirk stretched his lips.
The guards glanced at each other—their eyes growing bigger—before one of them awkwardly nodded, slipping through the door of the courthall. Simon struggled to contain his laughter at the exchange: covering his mouth, he pretended to cough.
“Stop it, both of you,” Roxanne hissed as the doors opened wide, allowing us entrance.
Odd calmness spread through my veins when I took a step into the hall, confidence growing from the depth of my soul.
Little did I know, it wouldn’t last long.