Demon Within (4 page)

‘I think you should meet with Kai of Darkmide, at Blackhill.’

Caster’s eyes widened. ‘Are you mad, woman?’

‘Maybe it’s time for you to make peace and suggest an alliance with everyone. If Kai does marry Garlan’s daughter, then he’s already in the agreement. You can request to join.’ Ellanor paused. ‘I know you think I’m mad, but I believe this will be good for everyone.’

‘You’re right, I do think you’re mad, but for different reasons.’ He chuckled. Ellanor tugged at his beard for his jest.

Caster thought for a moment. He would introduce himself to Kai, and let him know why he was feuding with Garlan. But not tell him everything, and wait for confirmation that Kai is marrying Garlan’s daughter. Caster would see how the land lies at Blackhill, before jumping in feet first.

Hazel eyes narrowed together with a side grin. ‘I knew there was a reason I married you.’

Ellanor sat upright, showing her profile and looking down her nose, with a humorous glint in her eye. ‘You mean, aside from my beauty and brains?’

‘Yes.’ He chortled.

‘If you keep flattering me like that, we won’t leave the bedroom for supper, let alone lunch!’

Caster rested his finger to his chin, feigning thinking for a moment. ‘My wife, there is no one more intelligent, witty, beautiful, humorous…’

Ellanor sighed against his forehead and sealed her lips over his, interrupting his barrage of compliments. She loved they were still friends and lovers, after all the years they’d spent together. He listened to her opinions, and didn’t always agree with them, but it didn’t matter.

Caster’s arm slipped around her waist. ‘Ellanor, you are a beautiful woman with a gentle soul. I’d be lost without you.’

Ellanor could feel the moisture start to pool in her eyes as he continued.

‘I love you.’

‘And I love you my husband, always.’

Embraced in silence for a moment there was nothing more he needed to say. Ellanor would accept whatever decision he made, the fact he listened to her was enough. Turning to look out the window, she cast her gaze over the hills and green fields. Touching the gold pendant that rested against her chest, she raised her eyes towards the heavens, and thanked her guardian angel for her blessed life.

The sun was barely up yet; Eloise huddled around the fire with the cook while having breakfast.

‘Thank you.’ Eloise accepted the plate from Dori with a smile.

Taking a delicate bite of the sweet bun, but unable to continue eating, Eloise had lost her appetite. Nerves had the better of her and she smiled forgivingly at Dori as she handed back the unfinished pastry.

‘Sorry Dori, I’m not feeling hungry.’

‘Not to fret my Lady, here, drink this. It’ll settle your stomach.’

Dori had made a fruit tea with berries and herbs to warm her bones and ease her aches.

Taking a small sip, and surprised at the flavor, Eloise drank more.

‘It's not good making you travel all this way. It’s not fitting for a lady…I mean Princess.’ Dori quickly corrected herself, ‘He should be coming to meet you at the castle.’

Dori was right in some respects. But Kai refused. Insisting they met halfway, it was the only option he offered.

Sneezing, then apologizing to Eloise, Dori shivered and added more wood to the fire.

‘Are you un-well Dori?

‘I’m good, I’ve just got a bit of a chill, don’t worry, I will be fine. Drink your tea before it gets cold.’

Eloise frowned at Dori’s large frame and could see she was trembling from cold; she started to remove her cloak despite Dori’s protests.

‘What are you doing? You’ll catch your death!’

‘You need it more than I do. Where we would be if you fell ill? We’d all starve to death.’

Eloise chuckled then placed her cloak around the cook’s shoulders. It didn’t fit, but it sheltered her well enough.

‘You’re very kind my Lady.’ Dori was humbled. In her mind King Garlan had made a mistake giving his daughter over to the former slave; it broke her heart that a delicate beauty was forced to marry a man with a cruel reputation. Eloise saw the change in the cook’s expression.

‘What are you thinking?’ There was silence as she put her hand on Dori’s shoulders. ‘You can tell me, I’m a good listener.’

Eloise's’ gentle words made Dori smiled so wide it made her ruddy cheeks puff up.

‘I hope you’ll be alright my Lady. After you’re married, I mean.’

Eloise swallowed, forcing a smile, ‘I’m sure everything will turn out for the best.’

‘I hope so, because after what this… slave did to everyone at Darkmide, I don’t know what your father is thinking.’ Quickly raising her hand she covered her mouth. ‘Forgive me, I shouldn’t be speaking against your fath…the King.’ Her eyes widened.

Eloise realized this was her opportunity to learn more about Kai. She encouraged Dori.

‘Don’t worry; this is between you and me.’ Eloise patted her hand. ‘What happened at Darkmide?’

Dori was the first person willing to tell her something about Kai of Darkmide. Whenever Eloise asked Nissa or Leon for details about him, they only gave her general information. She knew nothing of Darkmide, or what happened there.

She handed her tea to Dori. ‘You should drink this; it will stop that chill before it gets worse.’ Eloise pulled the cloak tighter around Dori’s shoulders and encouraged her to continue.

‘You were saying?’

Dori thanked Eloise for her kindness and forgiving nature, she didn’t want to overstep, and thought for a moment before she continued with her story about Kai. Dori enjoyed the caring attention Eloise gave her, and feeling brave, she told her what she knew.

‘Well, I’d heard that after he’d broken free from his cell, and freed the others, he chained all the slavers down on the floor.’ Her eyes widened with excitement at the storytelling. ‘Using hot tongs from the fire, he disemboweled them, one by one.’

She paused to take a sip of the tea, hearing Eloise gasp, she continued.

‘Oh, that’s not the worst of it my Lady. While they were still alive, he had the cauldron from the fires brought over and poured liquid gold into the open cavities.’ Dori covered her mouth as she glanced to Eloise, but she couldn’t stop the horrifying details from pouring out of her lips. ‘The screams were heard for miles.’ Nodding her head, ‘He left them to suffer in agony. It took a long time for them to die, is what I’d heard.’

Dori’s excitement got the better of her, but Eloise’s tears indicated she had overstepped her mark. Her expression was pure disbelief and she gasped, trembling, while her thoughts turned to her father. This man, no-not a man, a barbarian, was going to be her husband, and her father had arranged it. Tears fell onto her cheeks; she didn’t even raise her hands to hide them.

‘Oh my sweet child, what have I done?’ She moved towards Eloise but Nissa’s sudden appearance interrupted them.

‘What are you doing?’ Nissa scowled. Having heard the tail end of the conversation, she quickly stopped her ranting.

‘Dori! Shut up!’ Crouching by Eloise’s side Nissa wrapped her arms around her trembling shoulders.

‘Don’t touch me!’ Eloise snapped to Nissa’s surprise.

‘You knew about this, didn’t you?’ Her words came out broken while she fought back tears and anger. ‘Tell me Nissa.’ Her tear-filled eyes stared hard at her guilty expression, ‘did you know?’ Needing no answer, Eloise pushed her away and stormed off to the caravan. Running after her, Nissa called out.

‘Eloise! Wait! I did it to protect you!’

‘Protect me?’ Eloise halted when she reached the caravan and spun around to face Nissa. Anger blazed in her eyes.

‘Please Eloise; I didn’t want you to hear those horrible things. They’re rumors, and I know, are wildly exaggerated.’

‘And how do you know that?’ Eloise spat out.

Nissa didn’t know for certain. She wanted Eloise to understand how the facts always became exaggerated. People reveled in storytelling of a man so wicked and evil; he turned into a demon while he killed his victims? It was all fantasy and storytelling for sure.

‘Eloise.’ Nissa tugged on her dress. ‘Please Eloise; I didn’t want you to worry any more than necessary. Please understand, I never meant to hurt you. I love you too much.’

Wiping away tears, Eloise tried to compose herself. The detailed images that played in her mind made her balk. Wishing just once, someone would tell her what they knew instead of keeping everything a secret, she scowled at Nissa.

‘Tell me something you know about Kai, and don’t say you don’t know anything Nissa!’

Nissa chewed her lower lip and thought about a conversation she’d overheard in the kitchen back at Brightstone between Dori and one of the other servants.

‘His mother sold him to slavers when he was six, and after that, he was trained to fight. I think...’ she swallowed before continuing. ‘The rumors are that he was wild and… that he was one of the youngest to ever win a fight in the pits.’

It was hard to believe that a mother would sell her own child.

‘Why would a mother do that?’

Nissa shrugged her shoulders.

‘I can’t imagine what it was like…it’s horrible.’ Eloise took a deep breath. ‘Thank you, although I’m sure you know lots more, but we’ll talk later.’

It started to make Eloise wonder what Roulan and her father knew about Kai, she couldn’t help feel betrayed by them, they must know more. Nissa’s hands clung to Eloise’s dress while tears ran down her cheeks. Eloise knew in her heart, she’d never meant to hurt her. The taste of resentment swelled in her mouth for her father; she thought about what he was doing, practically selling her off for his own gains.

‘He’s never loved me.’ Softly spoken words fell to Nissa. ‘All my life, I’ve tried to get his attention, but it's been a waste of time. I know this is revenge for what happened to mother.’

Nissa frowned. ‘Eloise no, I’m sure that’s not true.’

‘Don’t Nissa, don’t you dare stand up for him.’

Her bitter words surprised Nissa who shuffled on her knees to find a less uncomfortable piece of ground. Narrowing her eyes at Nissa, Eloise reached her hands to the balled fists clutching her dress and pulled her up.

‘Get up Nissa. You don’t have anything to beg for.’

‘I do.’ Nissa simpered. ‘I should have told you, I’m sorry, truly I am.’

Eloise pulled Nissa to her feet and hugged her. She was only trying to protect her, and Eloise felt guilty now she’d realized. ‘Forgive me Nissa. I was angry, and-’

‘Don’t Eloise.’ Nissa interrupted. ‘Let’s not ruin what we have together.’

‘You’re right. And I’m going to miss you very much.’

Nissa frowned. She’d not thought about her own future. Could she still live and work at Brightstone after Eloise left? How stupid she’d not realized. ‘I want to come with you.’ Nissa blurted out.

‘What?’

‘Eloise, I want to come with you. You can ask your father to insist its part of the agreement.’

‘You would want this? Knowing all that you know?’ Puzzled at Nissa’s request, she couldn’t let her follow her. Interrupted by Roulan, Eloise and Nissa hadn’t seen him approach and jumped at his words.

‘What are you two doing?’ Staring at the tear-stained faces, he sneered. ‘You’d better not let father see you looking like that. Go and get ready, we’ll be leaving soon. If you keep sniveling you’re going make your face puffy, and we don’t want that do we?’

Nissa grabbed Roulan’s jacket and started shoving him. ‘You’re a pig! I hate you!’

‘Be careful Nissa!’ Roulan wrapped his hands over hers and pulled them off him. Squeezing tight he held her fists and continued. ‘You’ll be needing work after Eloise has gone, be careful you don’t say something you’ll regret.’ Shoving her forward, he released her hands.

Roulan turned and marched towards the horses. He’d press his father after Eloise was married to have Nissa remain in service as housemaid; she’d be sorry she’d lashed out.

Nissa took a deep breath as she watched Roulan leave; there was no way she wanted to remain at Brightstone Castle if Eloise wasn’t going to be there. ‘You should go and speak to your father.’

‘Are you sure Nissa?’ She knew she’d never liked her brother, and worried now he might take advantage of her after she’d gone. But, what would be worse for her? Wouldn’t it be better than what waited for her in Blackhill?

‘Yes, I am. Please, go now. He’s with Leon by the second carriage. I saw them before I came over to find you.’

With a final hug before she left to speak with her father, Eloise regretted her anger towards Nissa. Too late to take it back, her only redemption was to convince her father to let her stay with her. Taking a deep breath, she gave Nissa a smile.

‘How do I look?’

‘Terrible.’

‘I’m glad you’re not holding back Nissa, thank you.’ Wiping her face with the sleeve of her dress, she tried to look presentable. Sly looks from Nissa confirmed her futile attempts to hide her upset were impossible.

‘I know! You don’t have to say anything, I’m going!’

Raising her hand before Nissa could speak; Eloise turned and marched towards the other carriage. Talking to herself the whole time, trying to convince herself she could be brave. It hadn’t worked; as she approached her father and Leon, her stomach lurched. Leon turned as he heard someone approaching, and surprised to see Eloise, he gave her a warm smile and a friendly greeting.

‘Good Morning my Lady, I trust you slept well?’ Giving a gentle bow, Leon’s eyes never left her face. Before he spoke further, Garlan chipped in.

‘You look awful! What the hell have you been doing?’

‘I haven’t slept and I… I had something in my eye.’

Garlan narrowed his eyes and stared hard. ‘It looks to me like you’ve been crying.’ Removing his glove, he tucked it under his arm. His hand reached to her chin and pushed it higher to get a better look at her face. ‘You’d better see if Dori has something to take down the puffiness around your eyes.’ Eloise lowered her head to the floor. ‘It won’t do Eloise. This is an important day, what do you think Kai is going to think when I present you?’

Slowing her breathing, she remained calm. ‘Forgive me father, I’ll make you proud of me, I promise.’

The trembling in her voice caught Leon’s attention. Something wasn’t right, suspicious Roulan had something to do with her distress; he encouraged her to speak further.

‘I’m sure you will look your best my Lady, as always.’ His smile and gentle words made Eloise relax.

‘Thank you Leon, you’re very kind.’ Eloise hesitated then addressed her father. ‘If you would be so kind, I would ask a favor.’

‘Go on.’

‘Would you allow Nissa to stay with me, after I leave Brightstone?’

Garlan thought for a moment. His only concern was Kai, although he didn’t see how it would be an issue, he’d be getting another woman in the deal.

Garlan valued Leon’s input. ‘Do you think it would cause any problems?’

Before Leon replied he glanced to Eloise, who waited patiently. Her trembling implied this was important to her.

‘I think it could only aid the proposition Sire.’ Casting a sideways glance back to Eloise, he saw the relief in her eyes as he answered.

She knew her father always listened to advice from Leon and gave a hint of a smile back to Leon.