“Brielle has always been kind and treats the servants with the utmost generosity, as you can see with Lucinda.” Lord Treveon said.
There it was. A moment too late. Prince Ira’s lip curled up, but there was a flash in his eyes that he quickly hid behind impeccable manners.
“Please, sit,” he said as if it were his home.
Wondering if she could will herself to die, Luci took the seat between Brielle and Prince Ira, who had his body angled towards her, threatening to brush her knee. Every muscle in her body tightened, protesting the closeness.
“I’m sure, Lucinda has other-.” Lord Treveon began.
“I am told you are particularly gifted in herbology.” Prince Ira said.
Luci chanced a glance at Lord Treveon whose face was now a color similar to aneggplant. Light above, he was going to kill her.
“I manage,” Luci said, remembering too late that she should have thanked him for the compliment.
“I’ve never had to send for a healer thanks to her potions. She even found one that eases hay fever.” Brielle said, a wide smile gracing her lips.
“Is that so?” Prince Ira said. “I would be interested in learning your methods.”
“It would bore you, I’m sure,” Luci said, teeth grinding together.
“Lucinda, would you ask Mrs. Blakesley to arrange for more firewood to be brought in?” Lord Treveon said.
If words could smite down innocent women, his would have. As it so happened, she was inclined to allow it, but before she could stand, Brielle squeezed her hand.
“Actually, I was happy you could join us, Luci.”Prince Ira said.
The world seized around her at her name on his lips. Her real name. However, it was nothing of consequence to him. After all, she was just Brielle’s companion, and this was the first time they had ever met. A sharp stab in her heart told her the truth she had fought against since the moment she learned he was coming to Blythe.
Despite everything it would have meant, Luci had hoped he would recognize her beneath the mask. That her voice, herpresence, would have made him realize it was she who had danced with him. She who had been thrown into mortal peril by him. That may have been dramatic, but the scars on her hand were at least deserving of recognition.
“I have asked Brielle to join me at the castle in two days' time to officially announce our engagement. I was hoping you would be able to join us,” he said.
There was a heaviness to her that hadn’t been there when she stepped into the room. Glancing at Brielle, she found her friend smiling, but whatever she saw in Luci’s face dropped the corners of her lips, her eyes flashing with concern.
“I’m sure-.” Lord Treveon tried.
“I can’t do without you, Luci. Please.” Brielle said.
It was the one weapon she could never withstand, and Brielle knew it. There was no place in her heart to refuse her. It was a truth that had been tested and tried the night before. The very reason this scenario existed.
“Of course, I’d be happy to,” Luci said, ignoring the lump in her throat. “Now, if you will excuse me, I will see to the firewood.”
Firewood in summer heat. For reasons that were inexplicable to her, as Luci closed the door to the parlor, doing her best to acknowledge the polite dismissals, her soul felt a weariness that no sleep could cure.
*****************************************************************************
Luci had always known one thing to be true- Brielle Treveon was her home. Rain or shine, night or dark. Healthy or unhealthy. The light in her mind would always point her to Brielle. Yet, sitting on the edge of the bed they shared with her head in her hands, all she could think was how much she wanted to kill her.
Maybe not that dramatic, but she was certainly more frustrated with her than she had ever been. The moon had crested over Blythe, keeping watch three hours ago, and Brielle was still downstairs, swooning for Prince Ira. It was like she had never known her before this moment. Except for what she had said in the field not that long ago. Where she had wished for more from life. A husband, a family, purpose. Maybe this was what she saw in Prince Ira.
The door opened, and Luci jumped up with a speed she hadn’t thought capable. Calcifer, who had been half purring, half wheezing beside her, gave her an indignant glare as if she were the problem.
“You woke up Calcifer,” Brielle said.
Walking over to the edge of the bed, Brielle knelt down and petted the orange furball, murmuring apologies and telling him how Luci was sorry, which she was not.
“Have you lost your mind?” Luci asked, feeling thoroughly ignored and half sane.