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  She had watched Eliza in wonder upon her awakening and inquiring eyes. Her daughter, mentally mature in every manner for her age, had taken the news with as much grace as any experienced woman of court. It had broken a sliver of Janice’s heart to know her daughter had a general grasp of the importance of the moment and broken it nearly completely when Janice’s disillusioned beliefs were shattered shortly after. She had come upon Eliza and her friends during their lunch and heard the girls giggling and discussing Eliza marrying the man who was widely known and accepted as the most handsome and most eligible bachelor within their great kingdom.

  Yes, they are absolutely children, Janice thought once more as tears dotted the corners of her eyes. She was threatened again by the maternal instincts that were mentally tearing her apart. Janice could only count her blessings that no one could see her feelings externally; it would have made even the most composed natures fall victim to a fainting spell.

  “This will be yours all too soon, Eliza.” Effren sat forward, taking their daughter’s elfin hands in his own. Their eyes, the same color, reflected in one another; she was far too like her father in her nature. Calm, collected, but an underlying ability that had been implanted early on to be hard. “You must take care of yourself to protect those you love. Do you understand what this means?”

  “You need me to marry Lord Reegan for our own security and not do anything to put either side at risk?”

  At that, Effren took her hands and kissed them firmly. He knew he faltered a moment too long. She still smelled of their home; she was still but a child whom he wanted to see grow into the woman she would one day become. Undoubtedly she would be as beautiful as her mother, as sharp as himself and his top advisors, but kind and gentle. He silently prayed she would never lose that gentle nature, the one that took in every animal she happened upon and worked vigorously to bring back to perfect health. Deeper within he cursed his cousin, the king, for forcing his hand in such a matter. He cursed and damned the king’s advisors who were spineless and growing fat and wealthy by taking advantage of a fearful people and the king’s disintegrating sanity. He held firm the twisted smile that threatened to break through all other emotions of the moment.

  They will all pay and answer for their crimes, he thought, brooding a moment on the nefarious deeds he had instructed Jerisen to carry out just the week before. Though it never settled well with Effren that Jerisen brought his young son along, Effren knew it was their way, and Jerisen would not listen otherwise.

  “Father,” Eliza’s young voice squeaked, bringing him back from the darkness that had slithered into his thoughts. “You’re hurting me.” Effren let go of her hands swiftly but recaptured them immediately to kiss them quickly, gently.

  “My apologies, my dear, I fear I lost myself in thought a moment. I should leave such reflections with my trusted advisors.” Offering an apologetic smile, he released her hands, finding the white lines of his own fingers lacing over her hands.

  Eliza slowly pulled her hands back and responded with her own small, nervous smile as the carriage slowed and stopped. The moment before the carriage door opened held time its prisoner, suspending the trio in the excited, almost reckless, energy that charged them all to a new level of awareness. Reality struck when sunlight split the carriage in half as the door was relieved of its position, dividing Eliza and her mother from her father seated across. A cool breeze took its chance to breathe new life into the confined space, and Effren made the first move to accept the fate he had brought them all to.

  Stepping out into the brilliance of the day, Effren took a moment to allow his vision to fully adjust to the sunlight that poured over the land. He took a half step forward before turning around and offering his wife his hand, watching as she hesitated before entrusting her own to his and stepping out. Smoothing her skirts and, most gracefully, stretching her legs after the arduous journey, Janice took a moment to review the castle before her. The stone, appearing almost white, rounded on two sides, providing a dual set of stairs to the entrance. It was much cooler than she had expected; a breeze seemed to constantly shift across the land. She marveled at how far the sun seemed, though she had believed they were closer than her coastal home. Servants stood at the ready to either side, six on each, with two waiting patiently at the doors atop the grand entrance. The servants stood in almost all white garments, with only an offset of hunter green on their coats and silvered buttons. A solid oak gate stood directly before her with rose bushes nestled into the semi-circular stair walls. The roses were the reddest she had ever seen, curiously in full bloom for the weather. She turned herself about to face the carriage, the fear and awe creating a more severe reaction than she could bear.

  This is not meant to be, Janice considered. Her intuition was rattling within the confines of her caged mind when her heart skipped several beats as a baritone voice cut across the open expanse from where she had just turned away.

  “It seems the countryside suits you well, Lord Charan!” The voice carried a command and placement that was clear: master.

  Janice had just been watching Eliza exit the carriage after her, heart in wild palpitations that could not be tamed. It was, undoubtedly, Lord Reegan. Flustered, Janice popped open a fan that had been hanging loosely around her wrist and fanned herself, hoping to somehow force her heart back into a steady rhythm.

  As Effren finished helping Eliza from the carriage, her petite childlike hands in his extended from the long, belled sleeves, he took courage in the squeeze she provided as she looked to his eyes. Her eyes the same as his, her hands holding warmth and assurance that a girl her age should never have to harbor.

  She’s stronger than either of us. Is it because she does not fully grasp the sacrifices being made, the risks we are taking with her life? Effren’s heart tightened as though a snake had coiled its way around it to squeeze, draining the last efforts of its beating. One last look at his daughter made his jaw clench and quiver. Pale skin, crystal clear eyes, her white-blonde curls dancing in the carrying gust of wind that whipped between the two, and the dress of almost silver fitted from shoulder to her immature waist, flared to a long skirt flowing out and down, settling at the tops of her feet. Still not a womanly figure, but slight changes were imminent. Precious, innocent lips and cheeks that were beginning to pink as she turned her attentions to Lord Reegan reminded Effren their path was set, solid. Unchanging and the most secure route for his coastal refuge and family.

  Effren turned only a quarter of the way to see Janice in a dress of similar fashion, but hers was colored in periwinkle with lace details about the bust, sleeve ends, and dress bottom. Both of the women in his life had clarified, “No, father, not blue! Periwinkle! See the undertone of purple?” Eliza had laughed and Janice said, “Come now, have we not taught you any better?” She had smiled nervously, that cattish grin he knew too well, trying to make light of the moment.

  “The air is so light here, Lord Reegan. I can hardly believe anyone could not benefit.” Effren turned his full attention towards the approaching man. Janice watched, considering how her husband was still handsome in a way Lord Reegan could never be. He smiled, but it never quite reached his eyes, leaving the social interaction cold. This man, Janice knew, could never be a true leader of men with such a lack of earnest expression. Deceiver, her heart whispered.

  “Lady Janice.” Lord Reegan reached out, taking her extended hand and kissing across her knuckles gently as he settled a fixed gaze upon her.

  “Lord Reegan.” She provided a slight curtsy and dip of her head in response, her eyes firm but expression fixedly pleasant. A smile reserved solely for her crossed his face, a bitter twisted, chilled expression, before he abruptly stepped back and turned to greet Effren and Eliza.

  “Lord Effren Charan, and the lovely Eliza Charan.”

  Janice tightened her jaw, teeth pressing in upon one another as she heard the charm dripping in his voice, confidence exuded without much effort.

  “Eliza,” Effren gen
tly placed a supportive hand upon the backside of Eliza’s shoulder, signifying her to follow her mother’s example in manners.

  Eliza, though the prospective bride, provided a deeper curtsy than her mother, in consideration to her age, and bowed her head lower. Chin to chest, she did not look up initially, until she felt her hand being taken and a kiss placed upon the top of her hand. Her face shot up in surprise, Lord Reegan precariously closer than she felt comfortable. With a brief smile, he stood and greeted Effren fully. Both men embraced hands, placing one upon the other, and shook, affirming the present union and acceptance.

  “No doubt you have had a long and arduous journey, though I hope you found the scenery beautiful.” Lord Reegan baited them, “But I imagine you ladies would like to freshen up before we settle down for dinner.” His eyes turned to Eliza, lips smiling.

  The feeling of admiration arose but the suggestion of caution swirled a moment within Eliza’s mind and stomach. She could find no words to answer in proper respect.

  “We would most appreciate such a reprieve, Lord Reegan.” Janice stepped up to Eliza, gently hooking her left arm with Eliza’s right and guiding the child forward.

  Lord Reegan signaled to two male servants, and each clambered into motion, gathering the bags, with one woman stepping forward and providing her own proper curtsy to the two ladies. “This is Miss Swarnson. She will guide you to your rooms and attend to your every need.”

  Janice and Eliza smiled and thanked Lord Reegan before following after Miss Swarnson, her frock no less refined than that of a proper lady in their own court back home.

  The rest of the evening was spent situating the guests in their appointed rooms, freshening up, and taking a personalized tour of the castle with Lord Reegan himself.

  “How does the castle appeal to the lady?” Lord Reegan turned a pleasant enough smile Eliza’s way.

  She had remained silent throughout the tour, but her eyes were bright, sparkling in the vast grandeur of her new home. “It is fine, Lord Reegan. Most agreeable in every way…” Eliza hesitated a moment, long enough for Reegan to notice the pause.

  “Yet, you hesitate. Is something missing, something more the lady expected?”

  A heavy blush fell into Eliza’s pale cheeks. Trained as she was to know how to address all forms of royalty and upper class, she was still green to knowing how to speak to a man so terribly handsome. Mentally she scolded herself for not ending her comments with finality, for not speaking even now.

  Effren produced a loud laugh, startling Eliza and her mother as the two stood next to one another, jumping in sync. “A library is what she seeks, Lord Reegan.” Effren smiled reassuringly at Eliza, comfort and security beaming from his expression.

  “Ah! I had heard the lady enjoys reading. Come this way.” Reegan had returned full circle to the front of the castle, making his way up the stairs on the right hand side. “I can show you this briefly before dinner time is upon us!”

  Up they went and down the hallway to the very end where Reegan opened a door. Fading sunlight lit up a massive room lined along all the walls with books, cases standing upright filled on every shelf. It appeared as liquid gold with burgundy, deep greens and blues, and blacks and tans making up the decorations. Eliza felt herself gasp; their library back home was large, but this room could contain their palace library and the university library.

  “How long it must have taken you to collect all these books, Lord Reegan,” Janice remarked, her own awe overpowering her better judgment.

  Reegan let out a slight mocking laugh. “I do appreciate being well read, Lady Janice, but this is my family’s collection over many generations. Not something I can take much credit for, personally.” Turning his attention to Eliza, he stood watching a moment. “This place is yours, should you wish it to be.”

  Coming back to their senses, both ladies blinked away the enchantment of the room, leaving Eliza to a quick nod and smile. Reegan noted her still guarded face, but for a moment he had seen she was still young indeed. He was almost envious of her naivety, if he weren’t so pleased as to its implications when seeing her mother with the same expression.

  “Shall we?” Reegan had made his way back to the door, extending his arm as a guidepost on how to exit the massive library.

  Dinner proceeded in simple fashion, nearly a casual affair until the conclusion of the meal and a gathering in the sitting room brought about the discussion Janice, and Eliza, had been dreading.

  “The wedding will be held in one week’s time,” Reegan had announced. It hit both Janice and Eliza as stakes to their hearts, though he stated it as easily as saying the sun was hot. “Though this wedding will be official on paper, it is at this point only an alliance between our families.”

  “So soon?” Janice wavered, her voice quivering a moment. Eliza looked to her mother from where they both sat.

  “Janice, this has been planned for some time now,” Effren scolded lightly.

  Nodding, Janice stood with as much dignity as she could gather. “Yes, of course. You men know best,” she chided. She could not stop herself.

  Lord Reegan glanced from Janice to Eliza, reading the distraught expressions on both faces before turning to look out the window.

  “I think it time to rest for the evening.” The fatigue of the anticipation had been quickly whittling away Janice’s composure. She looked older than her age, worn and drawn out.

  “Perhaps we should all get our rest before discussing such matters any further.” Reegan turned away from the window where he and Effren had been reviewing the landscape the moonlight had uncovered in patchy plots. Taking his free hand, he guided Effren away and towards Janice. “You two have much to discuss.” The two men exchanged knowing nods and the room cleared, Eliza in tow to her own room as Reegan waited patiently.

  “And Lord Reegan and I discussed earlier how difficult this would be on both you and Eliza.” Effren was rushing the words out to try and calm his wife before she broke. “Lord Reegan has agreed for you to stay here for the next two months, should you agree.”

  Their room had been chilly upon entering; each of them quickly changed and hurried into the bed. As the two lay under the covers with arms wrapped around one another, it gave Janice the privacy to hide her tears.

  “And you?” Her words were strangled as they came out.

  “I must return home during that time. No lord should be away from his people for too long. Two months is just the right amount of time to ensure Eliza settles into her new life and you can help her find her friends, true friends, here.”

  No amount of comforting words could hold Janice together as she silently cried for the now present loss.

  Effren asked, “Will you stay, or will you return home with me?”

  Turning away, pulling out of his arms, Janice angrily wiped away the tears. “Of course I must stay. We have the rest of our lives together,” she retorted bitterly.

  “Then that matter is settled.” Through the darkness of the room, Effren reached across the expanse of the bed and grabbed Janice’s shoulders, pulling her to him. “He will not take her as a true wife until she fully reaches womanhood.”

  He was trying to provide some solace, Janice knew, but it only infuriated her and the short temper she had developed as of late. “How gentlemanly of him!” She scoffed, “So what does that mean? He plans to wait until she’s eighteen?”

  Only silence followed as his arms stiffened around her shoulders. Janice shifted, turning partially. “Effren,” she prodded, a sudden dread filling her. “Say something.”

  “As I said, when she fully reaches her woma—”

  A sharp elbow found its way to his stomach. Janice had always been quite able in her physical abilities. “No” was all that she issued.

  Effren coughed a moment, trying to ignore the pain in the pit of his stomach. He gasped a moment. “You know.”

  Janice leapt from the bed, immediately grabbing her robe from the foot, and began pacing at its end. “Wit
h her first flow? She could have that even now, Effren!” The voice in the darkness did not sound of his wonderful wife; she sounded as a wraith taken in her place.

  “I believe that highly unlikely—”

  “I had mine at her age!” Janice hissed the whisper at Effren, afraid of who might hear, even though she desired to yell at his ignorance. “Did you not think to consult with me on such an agreement?” Janice ripped back the heavy curtains that had hidden the patchwork moonlight.

  “This is not a subject I, or we, truly had a say in, Janice.” Effren had gotten himself out of the bed and strode towards his wife, grabbing her arm and firmly turning her to face him directly. The bone-white light exposed her wild expression, frenzied and shocking to Effren in that moment.

  “Know this, should anything happen to our daughter, any harm come to her, I will make you suffer, Effren. I may love you as my life, but Eliza is my soul.”

  The bold statement left Effren in a state of wonder, numbing his view of his beautiful wife. “Should any harm come to her, do you honestly believe it would not affect me? That I would not take up arms to save and defend our precious daughter?” His own rage bubbled up.

  “You are the one who offered her up as some trading commodity, like a whore.” The word came out in a weeping sound, but it meant nothing.

  For the first time in his life, Effren drew his hand back to strike his wife but held fast at the display of emotions that cycled across her face: fear, hurt, anger, malice. She had her own strengths, and he knew he would never live through it should she choose to unleash the dark power. Witch, his mind echoed the memory in bitter terms before correcting, no, priestess, powerful priestess. It sparked a question that had not occurred to him previously: What if Reegan finds out? What if he knows about Janice, her powers, and suspects Eliza has the same…but to what end?