Chapter Thirty

Surrounded by Lionel’s escort, Lilyrose rode with Henry on one side and her father on the other. This was the first time they were making the journey to Edmund’s castle in the spring instead of the summer.

This year was different. This was the year of Lilyrose’s sixteenth birthday, the year of the curse. In an effort to confound the curse, it had been decided that Lilyrose’s birthday would be a quiet celebration at Edmund’s.

As they conversed, Lilyrose glanced around then shook her head slightly. It had already been a few months, but she still expected to see Margaret close by.

It was Alice’s patient persistence which had eventually succeeded in mending the rift between Lilyrose and Margaret. Lilyrose sometimes wondered if Alice knew how big a debt of gratitude the princess owed her.

It felt strange to be celebrating her birthday without Margaret. Her mind returned to the moment her cousin had told her…

“But Margaret–”

“I’ve made up my mind. Nothing you say will change it. I thought I’d be able to, but I can’t bear the thought of seeing him, being near him, all the while pretending.” She stopped, shrugged.

“Ronal,” said Lilyrose softly. “That’s the reason you didn’t come with us last year. And why you’re not going to come with us again.”

She tucked the ends of her straw blond hair into the bun, securing it with a pin. “I’m not going because I won’t be here, that’s why.”

“You could go later.”

Turning in her seat to face Lilyrose, her hands crossed on her lap, Margaret shrugged. “I could. But there seems little point. And I don’t want to give Lady Angela the impression that I’m not that bothered about being one of her ladies.”

Lilyrose hugged herself. The thought of not having Margaret around left her with a heaviness in her stomach. “To go so far,” she whispered.

“Lady Angela’s castle is not that far,” said Margaret with a loud laugh.

“It’s almost a whole five days’ travel.”

Her posture slumped as her gay demeanour faded. “I-I don’t know what else to do.”

Instantly berating herself for being selfish, Lilyrose knelt before Margaret, smiling up at her. “I’m sorry, going on like it’s the end of the world. It is exciting. To be accepted by Lady Angela as one of her ladies is a true honour. Everyone knows how fussy she can be.”

Margaret smiled, squeezing Lilyrose’s hand. “I’ve admired her for so long. A lady in charge with no man to answer to, managing so well after her husband’s death.”

“If this makes you happy, my dear cousin, then I will be happy too.” She hugged Margaret. “I will miss you, though.”

“And I you.”

“Lilyrose, your mother is calling you.”

Lionel’s voice snapped her back to the present.

Blinking rapidly, she shook her head and turned her horse towards the carriage. “Sorry, Mama, I didn’t hear you.”

Eleanor still travelled in the carriage, along with Sarah and Alice. “Daydreaming?” Raising a brow, she smiled widely.

Lilyrose bit back her reply, not wanting to mention Margaret for Sarah missed her daughter terribly; the mere mention of her name was enough to bring the woman to tears. And she knew her mother enjoyed teasing her about Arthur. So she returned Eleanor’s smile and blew her a kiss.

“Are you warm enough? Having removed your overcoat–”

“It’s getting warmer. And I still have my cloak.” She looked up at the sky. “Have you ever seen such a bright blue sky? I prefer it like this. The summer is always so hot.”

“But it’s so hot now,” said Sarah, her voice muffled in the carriage. This was her first time at Edmund’s castle. Eleanor had insisted, not only because it was for Lilyrose’s birthday, but she didn’t want her sister left alone, not with Margaret having recently gone.

“I was thinking the same, Lady Sarah,” said Alice, accompanying them also for the first time.

“You’ll feel better when we’re out of this and at Edmund’s,” said Eleanor.

Not for the first time, Lilyrose was glad she no longer had to travel in the carriage.

With a promise they would not go far, Arthur and Lilyrose went for a ride. As usual, Hero dwarfed Lilyrose’s chestnut gelding. Powerful muscles rippled under the horse’s grey-white coat as he picked up the canter. Not wanting to be outdone, Lilyrose urged her mount, Miles, into a canter that was almost a gallop.

At Arthur’s indignant shout, she burst out laughing and kicked Miles into a gallop. They went flying towards the forest. She leaned close to his neck, squinting against the wind, which whipped her breath away. As they neared the forest, she heard the pounding of Hero’s hooves as he drew closer. She caught a glimpse of him out the corner of her eye before he edged forward and flew past her.

They came to a stop just inside the tree line, Arthur grinning triumphantly.

Lilyrose’s frown soon disappeared. “You didn’t have to win,” she said, breathing hard.

He raised his brows. “And allow you to win? Why?”

She opened her mouth, looked around as if searching for a plausible reason, then shrugged. “Because, it’s my birthday soon?”

Laughter was his only reply as he dismounted. He held Miles’ reins as she started to dismount. They walked their horses out of the forest.

“Why doesn’t your father like us going in?” In all the years she’d visited, she’d never entered the forest. Edmund discouraged it, giving no reason. “I mean, it’s where you go hunting so you do enter it. And it’s where he found you.”

“I don’t know. He doesn’t stop Ronal and me going in, though we don’t tend to. Apart from hunting, none of us really do. It’s as if the forest should be left to itself. When this becomes your home, we’ll ride there, if you want.”

Her breath caught as her forehead wrinkled with the thought that, in barely two years, this would be her new home.

“Lilyrose?”

Realising she must have shown her apprehension, she looked up at him and smiled. “I was thinking, two years doesn’t seem that long a time when I will leave my home and call this home.” Her gaze was on the firm, secure castle, lit by the late morning sun. And I intend to leave it, she continued silently, alive and completely free of that wretched curse. She started as Arthur laid his hand on her shoulder.

“What are you thinking?” he asked softly. “You look like you’re ready to fight.”

A warmth crept over her face as she ducked her head.

“Is it the curse?”

Mouth open, she stared at him.

“Ronal said it worries you. Even though you hide it.”

Not knowing what to say, she turned and walked, Miles’ reins slipping from her grasp. Feeling vulnerable, exposed, she hugged herself.

“I’m sorry I never asked, never made sure you were alright.”

“I didn’t want anyone to know. I didn’t want to talk about my, fear. Of dying,” she finished in a whisper. Despite the warmth from the sun, she shivered.

“Lilyrose–”

“No.” She pulled away when she felt his touch on her arm. “I was scared. I’m not scared anymore.” She kept her back to him, knowing he’d see the lie on her face. “So, there’s nothing to say.” When he didn’t respond, she glanced over her shoulder to find him watching her, a frown wrinkling his brow. Crossing her arms over her chest, she dug her heels into the ground to stop herself running away.

“You’re safe here,” was all he said, his voice soft.

She snorted. “How do you know? Besides, it doesn’t matter to you, does it?” Her heartbeat pounded in her ears as she turned to face him.

“Of course it matters–”

“You don’t want to marry me.”

Arthur stiffened as if she’d slapped him. “What-why would you–”

“That’s the only reason you want to set aside our betrothal. You kept asking and asking, pretending it was for my benefit when the truth is you don’t want to be tied to someone who. Someone who’s fated to die.” Jabbing herself in the chest, her voice had risen as heat swept through her body. Breathing hard, she blinked against the tears that stung her eyes.

Arthur kept shaking his head, eyes wide before his body seemed to crumple in on itself. Jamming his fingers in his hair, he squeezed his eyes shut. “I am such a fool. I never once thought you’d believe this was about the curse. Lilyrose.” He opened his eyes, filled with anguish, and reached towards her then pulled his hands back, holding his arms against his body. “It’s because of me, my selfish fears.”

“What fears?” Her voice uncharacteristically harsh, she wondered what he could be afraid of when she was the one with the curse hanging over her.

Swallowing hard, he lowered his head. “Everyone I care for, something happens to them. My, real parents, my mother. That I may lose you. I can’t even bear to think it. I’ve tried so hard not to care for you, not to, love you…” His voice faded. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry I made you believe you were to blame.”

Lilyrose’s hands stole to her chest, covering her heart. Slowly, she walked to him and took his hand, trapping it in both of hers. “I’m sorry too. So caught up in my own fears, I never thought you’d have fears too. Arthur.”

He raised his gaze.

“This is the first time you’ve said, you love me,” she whispered, smiling. He opened his mouth; she placed a finger against it. “That makes me happy because.” She could feel a flush creep up to her face, this time a pleasant sensation. Looking him in the eye, she swallowed and said, “I love you also.”

They gazed at one another, surrounded by nature’s medley of horses nibbling the grass; birds calling; the whirr of insect wings.

Her lower lip quivered as she sucked in her breath. Feeling an inexplicable flutter low in her belly, she pushed up on her toes, seized by wanting to know the feel and taste of his lips.

Leaning forward, Arthur’s lips brushed hers; her eyes slid shut. She felt his arms around her as he pulled her close. The only sound she was aware of was the drumming of her heart, like the pounding of her horse’s hooves.

Wherever his lips touched, her skin tingled. He kissed the edge of her lips, her cheeks, her eyes… then her mouth. Warmth spread through her body as she felt his lips soft on hers.

Reluctantly they moved apart but only slightly. Lilyrose reached up and fingered Arthur’s tousled auburn hair. His gaze holding hers, he took her hand and kissed her palm. She drew a shaky breath as more tingles burst like bubbles on her skin.

The sound of Hero cropping grass close by them intruded, breaking the spell. “I suppose we should return,” said Arthur.

Half-heartedly, she agreed.

Back on their horses, they walked their mounts back to the castle, seemingly unable to tear their gazes away from one another.

In the courtyard, as Lilyrose was about to dismount, Arthur told her to wait as he jumped off Hero. By her side, he held his arms out for her. She laughed. “Arthur, I can dismount on my own.”

“I know.” He remained where he was.

Leaning to the side, she put her hands on his shoulders and allowed him to swoop her off the saddle. The sounds of the stable hands taking their horses, of servants calling to one another and the general bustle of the castle fell away as they remained caught in each other’s gaze.

A strident shout from the gatehouse cut through the enchanted moment. “Rider approaching.”

A group of soldiers ran past them towards the gate. Arthur started after them. “Wait here,” he said.

Frowning, she followed him instead.

The lone rider, hunched in the saddle, slowly walked his horse up, leading, almost dragging, another. His clothes were mud-splattered as were both horses. All three had seen better days. When he stopped at the gate, the horses’ heads hung low. “Is this the castle of Edmund of Beckdon?” His accent was foreign.

“Yes,” said Arthur. “Who are you, traveller? You look like you’ve had a hard journey.”

The man glanced skywards, briefly closing his eyes. He tried to smile but failed. “I come from the north. I beg leave to speak to your lord.”

Lilyrose started as did Arthur.

“Lord Edmund is my father.”

The man stared then started to dismount, almost falling off. He steadied himself against his unsteady horse. “Forgive me, my lord.”

“You’ve come a long way. The journey from the north is not without danger.” Arthur had taken a step closer to the man, flanked by two soldiers.

Nodding, the man’s face crumpled. “There were two of us. My companion did not survive.”

Hands covering her mouth, Lilyrose sucked in her breath.

“I’m sorry,” said Arthur.

“Robbers, I think. We escaped, but he had an arrow wound and I have little healing skill. He sickened.” Looking down, he shook his head.

“Please, come.” Arthur held his hand out, indicating for him to enter. Glancing over his shoulder, he said to the soldier, “Take the horses, make sure they’re well cared for.”

By now, Edmund and Lionel had appeared at the top of the steps leading into the castle. Arthur and Lilyrose led the newcomer up.

“We have a visitor, Father,” said Arthur, “from the north.”

“I am Edmund, this is my home.” His tone was guarded. “I bid you welcome with peace in your heart.”

The man bowed. “Gracious lord. I am Sweyn, first man to Chief Hagen.”

Lilyrose slipped her hand into Arthur’s.

“I come seeking your help.”