Chapter 75
"This temple is rather small," I remarked as the carriage came to a halt before a modest structure set deep within the forest at the outskirts.
Yseldra opened the door and took my hand, guiding me down. "Nerissea chose this place of her own will. She has not spoken a word to me since she recovered from the poisoning. Yet she answered your letter, so perhaps you may succeed where I have not."
I nodded. "I would have her present at our wedding."
"I share that wish," she said. "I shall remain here and wait. When we depart, I would prefer that three women sit within this carriage, rather than two."
I stepped forward, only for her to pull me back at once.
"You are not to fall in love with her again," she said, her tone stripped of all jest. "I would not take kindly to it."
"Oh, who can say…" I replied lightly, a hint of teasing slipping through as I withdrew from her grasp.
The corner of her eye gave a faint twitch.
"Very well, very well," I said at once.
She returned to the carriage and shut the door with notable force. Sir Lorcan, mounted on his horse as ever alongside the other guards, quietly drew back a distance, and even the coachman descended from his seat and retreated with them.
Was she truly so formidable when angered?
I stepped into the temple. It was smaller than I had expected. To the left of the nave stood three short rows of pews, each scarcely able to seat five souls, and the right mirrored the same. Before the altar, a lone nun knelt with her back to me, so deeply absorbed in prayer that she did not stir at my entrance.
"Pardon me," I called, my voice carrying through the quiet space. "I seek a Sister named Nerissea."
At once, the nun rose and fled through a side door. I hastened after her. It could be none other. She was avoiding me.
She ran into the forest, and I followed, gathering my skirts as I strove to keep pace. When she stumbled upon a fallen branch, I caught her, bringing us both to the ground.
"Nerissea," I said, meeting her gaze. Her eyes glistened with tears.
"Why have you come?" she asked, her voice as soft as I remembered.
"Do not weep," I murmured, lifting my sleeve to wipe at her tears. "You must release what lies behind you."
I rose from her and helped her sit beside me. Determined, I removed her veil and coif. This life did not suit her. Her pale pink hair fell free behind her, longer now, and more beautiful.
A smile touched my lips as I brushed through it. "Yseldra has grown a touch older, and yet you remain unchanged. How is that so?"
"Why are you not angry with me?" she asked, her gaze lowered.
"I was never truly angry with you, Nerissea."
"Why?"
"To be bound in servitude for life was burden enough. Yet you were also tied to Yseldra in body, and subjected in secret to the violations of an aging king. How could I truly hold anger toward you? I was but a stranger to you, so my house was the most fitting instrument for your design. I forgive you, so forgive yourself. Hm?"
We remained there in the quiet of the forest for some time. Birds sang softly above us, and nearby, two small turtles moved through the mud. The stillness brought to mind that white greenhouse where we had once visited together.
"I wish to see that white heaven with you again," I said. "Will you come with me?"
"I do not deserve such beauty," she replied. "I ought to remain here, apart from all others."
"That is not so," I answered as I rose and extended my hand toward her. "You are deserving of far more than you allow yourself. Come with me."
She stood as well, yet did not take my hand. Still, I smiled, for she had not turned away.
"If you are truly remorseful, then leave this place and return with me."
Her eyes trembled.
"And if you feel no guilt," I added, turning from her, "then remain."
I returned to the carriage, and there sat Yseldra in the corner, arms crossed, her expression drawn tight with displeasure. I exhaled and took my place beside her. No sooner had I settled than she wrapped her arms about my waist with possessive insistence.
"I gave you my word that I would not fall in love with her again. Why, then, do you remain so vexed?"
"I cannot help it," she snapped. "The mere thought of another fingering your cunt puts me in a foul temper. I did not relish sharing you with Nerissea before, and I shall not endure it now. And I am certain you both fucked a ton."
"Only once. And if it brings you comfort, I was the one who fingered her," I replied calmly.
"Ugh. Speak no more of it. So we depart without her?"
"Wait."
"For what?"
"She will come."
"And you are so certain of this?"
"I am."
She hesitated for but a brief moment, then took hold of my shoulders and met my gaze with unwavering resolve. "The true reason I did not condemn Nerissea for her crime is this. My father and mother were monstrous, and in the most vile manner. I investigated it thoroughly. My father forced himself upon her when she was young, and my mother… stood by and watched."
"I know."
Her expression faltered. "What? How?"
"She told me, years ago."
"I had believed you knew only of the enchantments upon her contract," she said, a trace of offense rising in her voice. "So she simply confided that to you? How curious. It took me considerable time to uncover that truth, yet she spoke it to you so readily."
She released me with a quiet exhale and leaned her head against the window. "I cannot help but feel that you two shall fall for one another again. I do not like it."
I rested my hand on her back, offering gentle rubs. "Compose yourself. You are behaving like a child."
"I have every reason to feel as I do. It seems you share secrets with her that are kept from me."
"Then shall I share with you a bigger secret?"
Her gaze lifted to me. "What secret?"
"She was the one who aided my escape," I said plainly. "Through the hidden passage within the palace."
She rose at once. "Pardon? How could she possibly know of that place?"
"She claimed you told her."
"I most certainly did not."
"She said you likely do not even recall telling her so. I am inclined to think she is correct."
She pressed a hand to her temple, as though searching her memory.
"But you must not tell her that I revealed this to you," I said, drawing her back down beside me. "Now we possess a secret of our own. There is no cause for jealousy. Be at ease."
There. That should settle her.
"Very well," she muttered.
"You are a thief."
Her brows drew together. "And what prompts this accusation?"
"You stole the final page of my journal."
At once, her displeasure vanished, replaced by a bright cheer. "Did I not promise you? That whatever you set to paper shall become my chosen treasure within the royal gallery."
Top of Form
Bottom of Form
We exchanged words for near half an hour. Then, as I had said, the carriage door opened, and there stood Nerissea.