I know, I know, I'm super lousy for not updating for...well ages. To be honest I lost my mojo for writing and just could only get bouts of inspiration here and there. I can't make any promises about there being a solid plan for this story, but as of now I have renewed my sense of where I want this to go. I hope I don't disappoint and I do owe a massive thanks for every review, favourite and follow I have received, I promise they are what encouraged and pushed me in the end. So without further delay...
CHAPTER 7
TREASON
I did not comprehend my situation when I awoke, I felt hands roughing me, grabbing at my nightgown drawing me to my wake. Clouded vision grasped onto softened features as I looked upon Lily her eyes drowned in urgency.
"Mi'lady!" Alarm coated her voice in a thickness that drove me to realisation in a second.
"Lily?" My voice was raspy, still dry and my lips parched.
"There is dire news, and there isn't much time." Lily rushed me to get dressed, practically pulling me from my bed, rousing me to put on the first dress she had pulled from my wardrobe.
The events from last eve had plagued me in my dreams, my thoughts scrambled and thrown into a mess with all the rushing. We had not consummated, let alone even kissed, perhaps that was considered a sacred sin in a married life, a woman is due to serve her husband and bare an heir. But not I, not silly old Leanna who can't even undo a robe without knotting it into a flurry. But then I remembered, his eyes, their gentle caress so carefully observant and his callous nature laced with something akin to kindness.
The reverie was broken as Lily slipped me out of my nightgown, my body bare to the world, my porcelain skin glittering in the fresh morning dew, my breasts standing to attention as the cool air dusted goosebumps across my flesh.
"A hot bath sounds amazing right now." I sighed as I glanced to the window.
"There is no time Mi'lady." Lily fervently grabbed today's attire, briskly suiting me. Her urgency now began to worry me.
"Lily, what is it?" I held her still, looking into those trembling eyes.
"Something bad has happened...and I'm afraid you will be caught up in the forthcoming Mi'lady." Her hands hurried to fasted the hooks to my corset.
It was then I heard it, the faint sound of horses trampling across the land, growing ever louder and ever closer.
"Oh Gods, they're here!" Lily was hysteric as she dropped my emerald green skirt.
"Who Lily, who's here?" I didn't dare look out the window, the armoured men proceeded to bang upon the door to Narcisse's residence, the loud booms resonating throughout my chambers.
Another knock at my door caused me to jump from my skin, the door creaking open to reveal a stricken face.
"Good you're dressed. We must leave, now." Stephane's voice was urgent and rushed. He didn't hesitate to grab my hand and pull me from my room.
"Wait, my Lord, what is the meaning of all of this!?" I raise my voice in confusion as we both wind through the corridors, the sickening sound of an axe cracking against wood causing alarm to rush inside of me.
"Just trust me, please. Whatever you hear, don't believe a word unless I say it's true." He doesn't turn to face me, I only receive his back once again.
I find myself only managing a nod, as we reach an impass. Narcisse presses what looks like an ordinary brick, but instead reveals a darkened passage, secret to the outside world.
"Through here." He mutters under his breath. We sully into the darkness, our eyes dilating to grab any residual light in order to manoeuvre the blindness. I grip his hand tighter while my other feels the length of the walls, divots bumping across my fingertips. Then I hear it, the faint shouts of authoritative men, the words treason and murder echoing through the cloisters. I don't dare speak for fear of being heard, and neither does Narcisse, we both take comfort in each other's silence.
Time seems to move in a blur as the tunnel seems infinite, my fingers grow dry from the roughness of the wall and my skirts damp from the water-logged floor.
"We're here." Stephane's voice seems so loud in the darkness but it is but a breath.
Something clicks and suddenly light cascades in, temporarily blinding me as I shakily step out into the mud clad ground. I try to grab my bearings as we begin a brisk pace onward, Narcisse never seizing to look back.
"We must hurry." His pace quickens. I feel myself practically running behind him, my skirts catching on stray tree roots and mud coating the bottom hem.
I feel myself losing to my inner demons. I snatch my hand from his and proceed to stand in place. I know we're not safe and I know now is probably not a good time, but Gods, I have not a clue what is happening right now and what I am a part of.
"Stop! I need...to stop." I breathe out heavily, my corset pressing tightly against me. He reaches for me, lunging at my hand once more.
"Now is seriously not the time." His voice was stern, but I pulled my hand fast.
"Treason! Murder! What on Earth is going on!?" I know I'm panicked, but I want no part of this, just because I married him does not mean my life ends with his.
"There is no time to explain, but I promise once we are safe to tell you everything." His eyes dart between me and the surrounding trees behind me. Then there is immediate alarm as we both here the one thing we willed not to.
"They're over here!" A guard shrouded by trees gleamed at his success as he descended upon them. Narcisse grabbed my hand once more, this time there wasn't the will to run he knew we were trapped and the squeeze he gave me was a sure sign that I had royally messed up by delaying us with unnecessary questions.
"I do believe Lord Narcisse, you are caught." The coated guard bellowed as he taunted us with his drawn sword swaying at his side.
"I didn't-"
"No, you didn't." The guard shook his head. "You really didn't think this one through did you Lord Narcisse."
"Stop spewing poison!" Stephane spat through clenched teeth, his voice fighting the roaring river that raged behind us.
"Treason, murder, I knew you were sly, but not King slayer sly." The guard lifted his sword to point at Narcisse.
No. I froze in terror, looking at him in horror as the realisation hit me.
"That's right girl, you're married to the very man that killed our beloved King Francis."