She was still determined to return to the South and marry Loys – although for different reasons than she’d had when she’d first left. But how was she to explain everything to her family, now? One day, they would meet Loys Mortain and he would certainly not live up to the description she had once given them. But relieving to her mother how not only had James Garin kidnapped her, but disguised himself as the Warden of the South and then stolen from her, would certainly not help his case.
Perhaps one day, she would tell them – when James was free and far from here – but for now, she would say nothing.
“No, I want to go back to the South,” She said, determined, “As soon as –” Had it not been for James, she would have left as quickly as it could be arranged. But his fate was uncertain and she realized that she could not leave him. “– as soon as I am strong enough.”
Her eyes followed James as he was taken away, “What are they going to do with him?” She asked. “Do you forget, that you gave him your word? Does that mean nothing? Mama, you must pardon him! He should not have taken me, but he meant no harm. He needed the ransom to return to his brother. Wouldn’t have either of us done the same, if we had been in his position? I would do anything to return to you and my sisters.”
She wearily followed her mother inside, eyes scanning over her home – a sight so familiar and yet she felt as though she was seeing it for the first time. She’d never considered the luxuries she was so used to until she was forced to live without them. As soon as they moved into her mother’s chambers, already food and wine was being brought to them. It was a small feast - with all of her favorites. They would hardly eat enough of it to show any sign that they’d eaten at all, before it was cleared away. She thought of the starving mothers and children she’d seen in the towns they’d ridden through and she felt sick.
As soon as she was seated, her mother waited expectantly for her to begin. She knew not how. She could not tell her all – she would not tell her all. Somehow she didn’t trust her enough to bring up all she had seen and all she had been told. It was a new and strange feeling: once she would have said anything to her mother, but now she treaded with care.
“We had only been traveling for three days. I admit I was scared when I woke up and I’d seen what had happened. But even then, I never doubted that I wouldn’t make it home. I was worthless to him if I did not return home unscathed. He treated me as well as he was able, given the circumstances. The first hour or so, my hands were tied, but he freed me from my bonds when I promised not to run. And from there, he led me safely back.”
She said nothing of their stop in the town, or the robbers they’d encountered, or the things he’d taught her to do on the way.
And she dared not to mention the kiss.
Avelina felt an odd shock of regret as Celia expresses her continued desire to return to the South and wed its Warden. Oh, certainly this was a dynastic boon in terms of Lynessa’s hopes, but Avelina realized some frail part of her had longed for Celia to stay with her, instead. “My brave girl,” whispered Avelina, gently touching Celia’s face. In a way, Avelina supposed, Celia was the most courageous of her daughters. After all, unlike Lynessa, she did not know what was coming: only that she must persevere. But then, perhaps that in itself was a blessing, too. Either way, her daughter was exhibiting boldness and, as much as she hated parting with her once again, Avelina was proud.
“Loys must be worth his weight in gold,” she teased softly, tilting her head in an inviting way, arms linked once more with her daughter. “You need fear nothing more. You are safe here and your sister has secured your safety in traveling once more. These new guards are the sharpened warriors of the North, all the way from Valles’ territories. They are crack troops with none to equal them besides Loys’ own most elite forces.”
The North and South both bred survivors. But in the North, these men were stalwart and disciplined. In the South, one was more likely to encounter ill-fated adventurers, such as this Garin character. It was no coincidence that the Godivas had arisen with the rebellious South, while House Arrington found its support in the unflinching North.
“Of course,” soothed Avelina, finding herself relieved. She rubbed her daughter’s back. “All the time in the world is yours. And, if you’d prefer, we might invite Loys here to wed you and return with you, after a time. I understand Lady Mortain is engaged to wed Lord Moran, which will be bringing Loys with some contingent this way in a few months’ time. But naturally, we need make no decisions of that kind today,” she added, quickly, not wishing to place undue pressure on Celia. She had been through much and more already, Avelina was sure.
Avelina turned to Celia with confusion, touching a hand to her heart. The heat of surprise washed over her in a current and she stopped in her tracks to hear her decision questioned by her own daughter. There had been more and more of this of late, unfortunately, first with Evie about Alexandir, now...her own Celia. Avelina forced a smile she often wore when reasoning with the disapproving.
“My own sweetheart,” she said, reaching out and taking her hands, but then a sudden fear clenched her heart. “Surely...surely you have formed no attachment with this,” Avelina cast a glance towards the swearing pirate who, despite being shackled, was punching one of her men in the face. Avelina began to walk again, picking up her pace. “Roguish, unattached thief.” She was grateful to gain the inside of the castle and closed - and bolted - the door behind them. “Whatever has he filled your mind with?” Gathering her daughter to her, Avelina rocked her for a moment, running fingers through her hair. “You must know he is no true friend to us.” Anyone who is not us, she had warned, often. Is against us.
Releasing Celia, she looked into her face. “I am, I assure you, fulfilling just what I told him. I promised that he would get all he deserved for stealing away my daughter. This is the penalty for that, Celia. And, yes, certainly I confess, I made it sound as if I meant a reward rather than a punishment, but I was afraid for your safety, should he begin to think he might gain nothing from the transaction. And, certainly, I could not give him anything. If I did, every young lady who ventured onto the road would be snatched up by some hoodlum looking for gold. This Garin may not have harmed you, but those who emulated him may not have shown so much restraint. That precedent could not be set, lest no lady ever be safe upon the road again. Not you or your sisters or, my own sweet darling, even the Queen, herself! Villainy must never be tolerated.”
Avelina nodded slowly as Celia asked what would be done with him. “I will turn him over to the Queen’s justice, of course,” she replied. “Stealing away one of royal blood is a crime whose punishment must be meted out by your cousin, alone. What that will be...” Avelina shook her head as though she did not know, though that too was misleading. “We will discover soon enough.”
As Celia said she would do the same to return home, Avelina rounded quickly. “I do not believe that you would put another life in jeopardy to do so, which is precisely what this fellow did, both to you and to the men who guarded you. He has displayed a reckless disregard for all others that I find, frankly, disturbing. Avelina sank, emotionally exhausted, into her chair by the fire.
When the servants had poured the wine, Avelina raised a glass to her lips. “My darling, these are troubling times. There is much and more that has happened here which...may not have reached your ears.” Reaching out, Avelina took one of Celia’s hands in her own. “During your absence, both of your sisters became engaged. Lynessa was betrothed to Jon Valles and, at their very wedding...he was ruthlessly murdered by your other sister’s fiancé: Alexandir Godiva. This only goes to prove that the foulest of intents can lurk in hearts that appear for all the world to be good and pure. Who could have suspected?”
Avelina began again. “Lynessa is in such a state, Celia, it is...” Avelina blinked back tears, though in truth they were more of relief for Celia’s situation than any grief for Lynessa’s. “Truly heart-wrenching to witness. In days like these, one may present a fair face but their heart may be blackened with wickedness. For all his mighty deeds, we know now that Alexandir was no true friend of Aragoth’s or ours, though he looked to become a part of our family. Whatever this James character may have said to you,” Avelina glanced away and back again. “We know now that not everyone is to be trusted.”
Touching a hand to her mouth, Avelina shook her head. “Oh, my sweet girl,” she murmured. “You must have been terrified!” It horrified her that any thing should happen to her own daughters and anger blackened her heart. That her own Celia, who brought only joy to those around her, should be thus treated...Avelina wanted to scream.
“Clever girl,” she commented approvingly, squeezing one of Celia’s hands in her own, when she mentioned how she had known he’d not truly harm her. Avelina’s nostrils flared with renewed ire to hear that her daughter had - for whatever span of time - been bound. “That blackguard! Thinking to could cow you, an Arrington! Daring to bind these sweet hands,” Avelina kissed her wrists, where she imagined the ropes must once have been. “My Celia is no man’s captive! Happy am I that you were born to a rich family! I tremble to think what might have happened had he come upon a poor girl with no ransom to offer.”
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