Part 16 (2/2)

”And how would that conversation have gone, Frey?” I asked. ”Perhaps the first time you accused me of treason, I should have played that card by playing on your sympathies. 'Oh, but Frey, I'd never do that, not because I'm a Drakkar and it'd be foolish beyond reason. But because, poor little me, my father is fond of a lash and has been since I was wee.'”

”Derision is no longer a weapon you need to use, Franka,” he shared.

”It's served me well much of my life. I've honed my talent with it quite keenly, so if it's all the same to you, I think I'll keep it,” I rejoined.

I could not make his face out well in the shadows and firelight, but he didn't seem to be getting annoyed.

If my eyes didn't deceive me, it seemed he was smiling.

”As you wish, cousin,” he murmured. ”Understanding what lies beneath the mask, it will surely cease to be irritating and prove quite enjoyable.”

Things seemed to continue to get worse.

”I can call the elves, Franka,” he said low. ”Ask them to see to your back.”

The elves of our realm had healing powers beyond comprehension, as evidenced by the fact they'd brought a dead Lavinia back to life. It was lore the dead person needed to be freshly dead for this to prove a successful, rather than a highly disturbing endeavor (and thus the elves no longer did such a thing). Luckily, Lavinia was only in that sad state for a few hours.

And Frey had command of the elves.

But I thought not.

”My back will heal,” I declared.

”It will, but they can-”

”They're mine,” I bit out. ”I earned them in a way you can't comprehend and I'm keeping them, Frey. And with respect, that's the end of that discussion.”

He was silent for a moment and I felt his contemplation.

But fortunately, he let that subject go.

”Do you need anything before I return to Finnie and send Noc back to you?” he queried.

”I need you not to send Noc back to me,” I answered.

There was a timbre to his voice that betrayed his amus.e.m.e.nt when he returned, ”Yes, I see this is going to prove quite enjoyable.”

I fought gnas.h.i.+ng my teeth.

Frey stood.

”Rest well, Franka. I'll poke my head in after the wedding tomorrow. See how you're faring.”

”I await this visit with bated breath, cousin,” I murmured sardonically.

”Yes,” he whispered. ”Most amusing.”

I did not look but I feared he stood, grinning down at me for a long moment (because he stood by my bed for a long moment) before he finally bid me goodnight and took his leave.

There it was.

Proof.

The G.o.ds had forsaken me.

I understood that from a wee girl but it seemed since then I'd held on to a vein of hope.

That hope was dashed.

My cousin Frey liked me and found me amusing.

Him and others besides.

I was a disgrace to my House.

Blast.

Chapter Five.

Get with the Program Franka ”Is everything all right, my lady?” Josette asked.

I turned my head from my contemplation of the view outside the newly-installed window, in font of which my chair was resting, and looked to my maid, trying not to be annoyed at her hovering concern.

”Everything is just fine, Josette. Except perhaps you can bring me my book?”

She jumped as if she'd been asleep and just awoken before she dashed to the book sitting on the nightstand, like procuring it was of grave import. Once this crucial task was accomplished, she dashed directly to me.

”There you go,” she said, offering me the slim volume.

”My appreciation,” I murmured tightly, taking it.

”Anything else?” she inquired. ”Do you feel pain? Would you like me to brew some willow tea? Are your dressings chafing? Would you like me to a.s.sist you back to the bed?”

”I'd like, my dear, some quiet and peace in order to read,” I replied with forced composure.

”Yes,” she returned swiftly. ”Of course. I'm just in the other room should you need to call.”

As she had been for the last three days, only a slight raise of the voice away.

I watched as she made her way to my dressing-room door, a small antechamber of that room where her narrow bed was located, but I stopped her before she vanished behind it.

”Josette?”

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