Chapter 6
Three days later
The chamber was quiet save for the rustle of silk Eleanor stood before the mirror, alone, clad in the trial gown meant for her betrothal ceremony
Night had long fallen. As she stepped out into the corridor, a shadow fell across her path
A rough hand clamped over her mouth and nose
The sharp stench of chemicals flooded her senses. She struggled but only for a heartbeat
Then darkness
When she came to, everything was black.
Not the soft black of night, but the suffocating, stifling dark of a blindfold
Her wrists were bound tight to the arms of a chair with coarse rope that bit into her skin. Her limbs refused to move Even the air felt heavy
Crack!
The first lash struck without warning. Pain exploded down her spine
Her body arched against the restraints, a silent scream lodged in her throat. She bit her lower lip so hard, she tasted blood-just to keep from crying out.
“You’ve made enemies you should not have crossed.”
The voice was distorted, muffled, as though echoing through a deep tunnel
Then the whip lashed her back like a thunderstorm in hell. Each strike whistled through the air with
a shrill hiss, then landed with a wet snap against her flesh
She didn’t scream. Not once.
But her mind reeled.
Who?
Who would dare do this to her?
Grand on the flogging went. Her breath came in gasps. Her thoughts fractured, scattered, spiraling
Into the abyss. Just when consciousness began to ebb, the punishment ceased
3 done, Your Grove, anian said, respectfully
A familiar voice, deep and epol as a winter stream, answered “Good. Return her
Three words, sharpas a blade
Roland
His command struck her like a blow For striking Cecily once, he had ordered this ninety-nine
lashes in rent ilsution
Pain and cold surged throughther, twin daggers piercing her core: She could hold on no longer
Darkness claimed her
At Willowshade Court, Eleanor lay face-down on her bed, her back ablaze with pain
Outside her chamber, maids whispered in hushed voices
“Six Roland is so gentle with Lady Cecily.. like she’s made of glass.
“Mm, and look at Lady Eleanor-covered in wounds, not a soul tending to her
Gritting her teeth, Eleanor pushed herself upright. Every motion sent fire licking down her spine
Bracing against the wall, she forced herself to walk.
She made her way to the pavilion
And there, beneath the carved eaves and lantern glow, she saw him
Roland sat with Cecily in his arms, holding a teacup to her lips with painstaking care
She murmured something, and he smiled, brushing a drop of tea from her mouth with the pad of
his thumb
So gentle So tender, he might as well have been touching a sacred relle
Eleanor leaged against the doorway. Her vision blurred
She’d sworn to let go. To cut herself free So why why did her heart still ache like this? Why did it feel nke saprine was carving it out, one slice at a time?
“Din’t cry, Eleanor,” she told herself firmly Because no one would care
It wasn’t until her wounds had nearly healed that Roland finally returned
Their eyes niet Neither spoke
And yet
in the silence they saw too much
Soon after, Baldwin summoned her
“Tomorrow is Cecily’s name day celebration,” he said, his tone brooking no refusal “She’s been weeping to me constantly, saying all she wants is to feel like a true sister to you expect you to
attend
Eleanor’s smile was cold. “I won’
“You’re being childish,” he snapped. “This might be your last time together. The Wolvestons have already agreed to the marriage Once you’re married.
She didn’t stay to hear the rest
Spinning on her heel, she spotted Roland standing half-shrouded in the shadows beyond the
doorway
“What say you?” she asked coldly. “Should I go?”
His jaw was tight, his profile chiseled in the lamplight. He hesitated. Then spoke low and firm, “You
should
A bitter smile curved her lips. “Very well, as you wish.”
Cecily’s name day celebration was in full swing by the time Eleanor arrived, garbed una
gold-threaded peony gown The drawing room was full of laughter and light Nobles clustered in
groups, bearing gifts and praise
Cecily, adorned in crimson kirtle, moved among them like a favored star in the royal firmament
#Eleanor!” she squealed with delight, rushing over to take her armi
Eleanor stepped aside, dodging the contact with practiced grace
Her gaze swept the room
Upon the velvet draped table sai Baldwin’s gift in Ceelly a strand of St
to have been blessed by the Abbes herself after ninety nine days of
solemn pilgtunge and prayer. A sacred relic rarely bestowed and never lightly given
I lato’s Rosary Beads
“She’s always been my most precious daughter,” Baldwin sald warmly, standing at Cerily’s side 1ke a proud father before the court
Just like he once stood beside her mother
Eleanor remembered it all
The laughter. The games. Baldwin lifting her high into the air, while her mother watched with siniling eyes
But those days were ash in the wind
After the feast, the guests began to drift into smaller groups, charting in low voir es
One of Cecily’s companions whispered, “So many young heirs here tonight. Do you suppose yout father is choosing your match?
“But didn’t the betrothal to the Wolvestons already happen?” another murmured
Cecily giggled and cast a meaningful glance across the hall-toward Eleanor
“Oh, that arrangement? It’s long since dissolved.”
“Thank heavens!” the friend laughed, lowering her voice.”I heard the man’s half in the grave already. Who wants to marry into widowhood?”
“Exactly,” Cecily said, cheeks pink with mock shyness. “But if I had to choose…”
The girls leaned in, breathless with curiosity
“Well, first,” Cecily began, ticking off her fingers, “he must love me. Truly love me. The sort to
carve my name across his heart.
“Secondly, he must be brave. They say a Starbloom Rose blooms once every century on Starfall
Crag. He must dare to fetch it for me
“And third —
The heavy doors of the banquet hall flew open with a crash.
A herald stepped forward, his voice ringing loud and clear
“His Grace, Prince Roland of House Thorne, comes bearing gifts! May Lady Cecily’s name day be blessed with joy and fortune?”
