Black Rose (30 page)

           
Mara sat up beside him, pulling her gown up high enough to cover her breasts.
She placed her hand on Edward’s upper arm. “Please, Edward,” she spoke firmly,
“don’t apologize.”

           
“But I hurt you. I am always hurting you.”

           
Mara felt her lips tremble as she stared into Edward’s broken eyes. “Not half
as much as you will hurt me if you apologize for what just happened.”

           
“But I forced—”

           
“You did no such thing!” Mara rose to her knees, moving both hands to opposite
sides of Edward’s face. Struggling to control her voice, Mara focused her
attention to the man in front of her.

           
“She is gone,” Mara said slowly. “Liza is gone. There is nothing in the power
of men or Gods that can return her to you. I would give my blood, my life, my
very soul to bring her back, but I can’t, Edward. No force in this world can.
But, Edward, I am here.” She paused, forcing herself to draw breath as she lost
her battle and tears began to gather in the corner of her eyes. “I love you,
Edward. I love you, but you’re not here.” Her hand caressed his cheek in an
involuntary act. “You’re gone and it breaks my heart every time I look into
your eyes.” She leaned forward and kissed him. “You once said that you would
always come for me, Edward. Now, I am begging you, please, my love. Come back
to me.”

She
stared at him across a vast abyss that could not be seen, only felt. She stared
through several deep, trembling breaths before finally speaking in a resigned
voice. “I will wait,” she finally stated, “until I draw my last breath.” She
gathered herself from the bed and walked slowly towards the large stone doors.

A
few days later the Royal entourage arrived. Mara rode with Garreth on the five
hour journey to the edge of the kingdom where they awaited the arrival of the
Prince of the Muir Court. There were fifteen members of the guard in their
welcome party, and would be joined by members of the Prince’s own honor guard upon
their arrival. Meetings such as this one tended to occur once every five years.
It was a way for the two courts to appear on good terms while privately
scheming to overthrow each other the moment the meetings were over. It was a
game they had been playing for over a thousand years.

The
line between kingdoms had been drawn along the edge of a large forest. It took
a half hour before the other party materialized, emerging from the large, lush
forest. Astride large black stallions, Mara and Garreth moved their respective
mounts several paces ahead of the general entourage. From across the field, two
members of the Muir Court did the same.

The
Crown Prince of the Muir Court was easily recognizable. Tall with blond hair
and deep blue eyes touched by the sea, he portrayed a level of power not easily
mistaken for anything but one of royal blood. Astride a white horse, the Prince
was garbed in a black, long-sleeved shirt under a full-length dark blue coat
with silver trim. Beside him rode his Captain, Erik, in a blue shirt which was
a perfect match for the black outfits worn by members of the Ciar Court Guard.
The riders slowed their pace as they approached the center of the field,
eventually pulling their horses to a complete stop. 

“Greetings,
Prince Nicholi,” Garreth said to the Royal.

“Greetings,”
the Prince replied, eying the two riders. “I see the Captain did not see fit to
come himself.”

“The
Captain of the Queen’s Guard belongs by her side,” Mara answered quickly.

Nicholi
gave a nod. “Well, at least he sent his prettier half. How are you, Princess
Mara?”

“That
is not a title to which I answer, your Highness. As you are well aware.”

“Ah,
but it could be.” Nicholi gave a small chuckle. “Or even Queen if you prefer,
once I am seated upon my father’s throne.”

“Sub-Captain
or Lady will suffice.”

The
Prince stared at her intently for a moment, then he shook his head with another
small laugh. “As stubborn as ever. The man between your sheets must be a lucky
one indeed.”

“Luckier
than you.” She offered a tight smile.

“Ha!
Yes, indeed.”

It
was here that Garreth interrupted. “Shall we move this conversation closer to
the palace? There is still a bit of a journey ahead of us.”

“Of
course, Sub-Captain,” the Prince replied. “Let us not keep your Queen waiting.”

Mara
turned her horse and took a position just to the right of the Prince, her
rightful place as one of the chosen Royal escorts while Erik and Garreth rode
on his left. They rode at a steady pace for several hours, reaching the palace
grounds as night was just beginning to drown out the colors of day. They were
then greeted at the door by Phillip who informed the tired party that
refreshments had been prepared for their arrival and that the guest chambers
had been prepared to receive the courts visitors.

“Good,”
Nicholi smiled. “I am much too exhausted to deal with matter of state tonight
anyway.”

“Yes,”
Phillip replied. “The Queen imagined that might be the case. She has asked that
you enjoy yourself for the night and said to tell you that she shall call upon
you at first light.”

The
Prince nodded and moved toward an escort who was to lead him to his prepared
chambers, when he suddenly stopped and turned back to where Mara stood several
paces to his right. “Care to join me?” he asked with a crude smile. Mara
remained silent until he gave a wink. “Well, you know where I am if you change
your mind.” Then he turned and, soon after, vanished into the hallway beyond.

“Bastard,”
a voice said unexpectedly. Mara turned in surprise to see it was the Prince’s
own Captain who had spoken. “It’s true. If you had any idea…” He shook his
head. “Steer clear of him, Mara.”

“These
hallways have ears,” she cautioned him. “But then again, I have a feeling you
already know this.”

“Still,
my warning remains the same. Be careful, my Lady.”

She
drew a deep breath and then stated. “Thank you, my Lord. I have no intention of
doing otherwise.”

Mara
rose early the next morning, before dawn, and went to find Phillip. However,
when she finally reached his chamber doors, it was to find him still in bed.
“Phillip,” she called, entering his chambers without bothering to announce
herself. “Did you oversleep?”

“What?’
he mumbled groggily. “I’m not on duty today.”

“What
do you mean? The Prince of the Muir Court is here. Edward ordered us to stay by
the Queen’s side at all times.”

“Hmmm.”
He forced his eyes open. “Did he change his mind again?”

“His
mind?”

“Edward
told me last night that he was going to take the shift himself.”

Mara’s
heart skipped a beat. “He what?”

Fully
awake, Phillip rose to a seated position. “Edward said he was going to watch
over the Queen today.”

Mara
stared at him incredulously

“I
know, it surprised me, too. But, well…he is the Captain.” He leaned closer to
where Mara stood. “What is it?”

She
stared at him for several moments and finally asked. “Do you trust me?”

“Of
course. Mara, what is going on?”

“Get
dressed,” came her response. “Stand on the Guard detail anyway.”

“I
knew it! Something happened when you went to see Edward. Brendan said he thought
he heard you yelling.”

“Brendan
should learn not to report on his superiors,” Mara answered curtly. “Are you
coming or not?”

“Well,
since I am already awake.”

Mara
turned to leave the room when he called after her. “I’ll only ask this once. I
don’t know what you did to get Edward out of that room, but…are you okay?”

She
stared back at him and finally said, “No,” before stepping quickly from the
room.

Less
than an hour later, Mara was standing along the outer doors of the Queen’s
private chambers. Normally, she would be inside receiving last minute
instructions, but today that task was Edward’s. “Strange, isn’t it?” Phillip
asked from beside her. “To not be the one bound to her side.  Almost feels
like a demotion.”

“A
relief is more like it,” she replied for him alone.

“Then
why don’t you look more relaxed?”

“Do
I not?” She attempted to concentrate, but her mind kept flickering to the last
time Edward has been brought before the Queen

“Mara?”
Phillip interrupted her thoughts.

“Sorry.
What did you say?”

Concern
crossed his features. “My Lady, why don’t you take the day off instead? I will
help Edward with the Queen and there is no need to have three Captains in the
room. Two will more than suffice.”

“No,”
she answered far too quickly. “I am fine.”

He
searched her eyes. “I am not certain that you are. Should I make your dismissal
a command?”

“Don’t.”
She drew a sharp breath. “Please, Phillip. I need to be here. I have to.”

He
considered her for a moment, then nodded. “All right, but watch yourself today,
my Lady. The Queen will be on her best behavior with the Prince here.
Everything will be fine.  I…”

“Don’t
promise. Just…don’t.”

“Okay. 
No promises.”

They
turned to silence as they waited until, finally, the door opened and Edward
emerged. “Phillip.” He addressed the older man first. “I thought I gave you the
day off.”

“Yes,
Captain. However, I thought, given the company to be received today, that the
appearance of another Sub-Captain would not be deemed inappropriate.” Edward
nodded, seeming to accept this answer before turning his gaze to Mara.

“The
Guard is ready, Captain. They await your command.”

“Thank
you,” he replied, but did not meet her violet eyes.

A
short time later, the Prince arrived with several of his guardsmen and Royal
advisors. “Ah,” the Prince said as he approached. “The long-lost Captain makes
his appearance at last, and with my future bride by his side.”

Mara
felt herself visibly stiffen. “Tell me, Princess, was it for the ability to
carry a sword you surrendered your crown? Or was it instead for license to
stand between two such as these?” He motioned to the men who stood beside
her. 

Mara
did not answer, but instead allowed Edward to take the lead. “The Queen awaits
you in the study, your Highness. If you would follow us this way.” He turned,
leading the Prince through a set of doors to their right and into the Queen’s
private study. It was a large room lined with rows of books and old rolls of
parchment. A large fireplace burned against the far wall where multiple chairs
had been placed for the honored guests. The Queen stood a few paces in front of
them, dressed in a full length gown of black velvet with a scooped neckline and
silver trim. A matching silver crown graced her brow and her long dark hair
laid straight down her back. Sometimes it still amazed Mara how young and
beautiful her Aunt appeared; and how strikingly similar to Mara’s own
reflection.

Mara
took her place beside the door as the Prince stepped forward to bow before the
Queen. “Greetings, your Majesty. May the blessings of the Muir Court be upon
you.”

“The
same to you of the Ciar,” the Queen replied before motioning to the chairs
behind her. “Shall we sit and speak together?”

The
Prince nodded his consent before moving to take the offered seat. The two
royals exchanged polite pleasantries until the conversation eventually shifted
to matters of state. Edward, who stood on the opposite side of the room only a
few paces from the Queen, stood as still as Mara had ever seen him. There was a
tension to his frame, a tightness in the way his hand clutched the top of his
silver blade. He caught her gaze and she suddenly found herself unable to look
away. When was the last time he had looked at her like that? Was it before Liza
had died? Or perhaps before that, before Liza had even been born? Liza had
changed him—had changed them all really. Made them softer, more gentle. Now,
that softness was but an ancient memory.

She
forced her eyes back to a forward glance to the far wall which she maintained
throughout the remainder of the meeting. Their talks were a quiet affair, at
the end of which the guards were dismissed with simple instructions to return
the next morning. And so it went continued throughout the rest of the week, day
in and day out. Then, on the last day, a banquet was held for the nobles and
Mara cautiously added Brendan and Jacob to the roster of the Royal Guard. The
Royals drank and made merry until well into the night when suddenly, Erik
stepped forward. “May I have the honor of a dance, Lady Mara?”

Startled,
she raised her gaze to Phillip, who shrugged as though to say,
your choice
.
Then she turned back to the Captain of the Muir Court. “I am flattered, my
Lord. But hardly dressed for the…”

“You
look ravishing, my Lady. Please, grant me this honor.”