𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐄.
chapter thirty-four; Wedding Night
" You inspire it, Elspeth. It is not something that is meant for you. It is something that you make. "

  AS SOON AS Elspeth received word that Sebastian and Francis had returned, Demetre escorted her through the most discreet corridors of the French castle.

  She arrived at the room, entering without her escort.

  "I'm glad to see you both unscathed."

  The brothers turned from the fire, greeting her with warm smiles. Elspeth took a seat beside Sebastian, the man lifting an arm to pull her under it.

  "So, did you find the Darkness?"

  "Not. . . quite."

  Elspeth deflated.

  "We will still leave, tomorrow at dawn," Sebastian said, "You were right. And, as much as I hate to admit it, so was Demetre."

  She looked up at him.

  "I will be better," He whispered, "For the both of us."

  Elspeth smiled, only sinking further into Sebastian's side. Perhaps there was no decision, after all. Perhaps this was it for her; Sebastian was not a perfect man, but such a thing did not exist. And Elspeth was willing to work through whatever they needed because she loved him.

  "How has it been for you?" Elspeth questioned, looking to Francis, "Two months of marriage, I mean?"

  "Ah," Francis smiled nervously, "It has been. . . good. Not easy, by any means. . . but we spent a while, just the two of us. I think that was good. To sort out everything."

  "I'm happy for you," Elspeth said, smiling genuinely.

  "Thank you, Elspeth. I only hope the two of you--"

  "Ah, Francis."

  The brothers stood at attention, Elspeth jumping to her feet alongside them.

  Henry entered carelessly, eyes wide and wild as he stared at the trio.

  "Why did you release Sebastian from the dungeon?"

  "You were in the dungeon--?" Elspeth blurted before thinking.

  "I just needed his help," Francis said, attempting to control the situation just slightly.

  "Well, now that he's here," Henry said, "We need to finish this, once and for all."

  "Finish what. . ?"

  "Bash," Henry said, approaching them, "When I told you to forget about the crown, I hoped you would listen to me. But when I looked into your eyes the night you left, I saw the truth. You will always covet what your brother has."

  Elspeth gripped Sebastian's hand.

  Nothing Henry was saying made sense. Sebastian had never wanted the crown or the title of king. Not once had he claimed to, or even seemed happy about the proposition; either publically, or privately.

  She had said it two months ago before leaving, but Elspeth knew now. Henry had gone mad. Entirely. Reality was something he spun in his mind, no longer the things happening around him.

  "Father, did you speak to my guards the night that Bash and Elspeth left?" Francis questioned. "Did you order their executions?"

  "Sacrifices must be made."

  "What has happened to you, Father?" Francis questioned, "Have you lost all sense?"

  "Do not question me!" Henry shouted, "Mark my words, he would strike you down to take what is yours. And his plaything would help-- you've seen her, conspiring with Catherine, she would--"

  "Elspeth has not done--!"

  "If they are a threat to you," Henry continued, undeterred, "Then they are a threat to everything I want. Scotland, England, a peaceful France."

  Henry drew his sword, both brothers quickly holding out their hands and attempting to calm him, shielding Elspeth behind them instantly.

  "Father, stop this!" Francis said, "They're leaving, they're leaving for Scotland at dawn--"

  "They said that before, and they're both still here," Henry said, "You refuse to let it go. You haven't listened to your king. When people don't listen to their king, when they've wax in their ears, drastic measures are needed."

  "Father, you're wrong," Francis urged, "He has let it go, he saved my life today. And Elspeth has never once stood against me-- she has supported me since her arrival."

  "Don't get sentimental," Henry said, "You must cut down any threat. . . like a weed."

  Henry lifted his sword higher.

  "No, I've just explained to you," Francis said, "Your son is a friend to your realm."

  "Francis, don't anger him," Bash warned.

  "He saved your heir's life and pursued your enemies. If you harm this man. . . your son. . . you harm yourself. And Elspeth, harming her is harming an innocent and loyal subject to the crown."

  Elspeth wouldn't necessarily count herself as 'loyal to the crown' but now was most certainly not the time for that interjection.

  Henry lowered his sword, taking a few steps away from the three.

  "I am pleased to see you two getting along again," He said, "I know just the thing to preserve this lovely harmony. If it doesn't work, this sword will take two lives tonight."

↬

  Elspeth was sent away while Henry spoke with Sebastian. She wasn't exactly thrilled with the situation, but it was clear she didn't have much of a choice.

  "Waiting for something?"

  She should have known Demetre would be the one to find her, lingering in the corridor like a lost child.

  "Yes, but I've no idea what," Elspeth admitted.

  She explained the brief interaction with Henry, and her nerves were clear as day.

  "Let us hope he is feeling uncharacteristically generous on this day," Demetre blew out a breath. "One would hope he sees reason that--"

  Demetre's words died in his mouth as he spotted Francis, Mary, and Sebastian hurrying down the corridor.

  "Here comes some kind of news," Demetre muttered, "Bash."

  And then Elspeth saw his grim expression.

  "What?" Elspeth demanded, approaching the trio, "What happened?"

  "Elle. . ."

  "Just tell me!"

  Elspeth's blood ran cold.

  She knew Henry had gone mad. She'd know that before she left the French Castle.

  But to try this now, again, for nothing at all-- Elspeth had never been so angry in her entire life.

  When they entered the throne room, five in tow, Kenna was already present wearing a white dress, a small lace veil covering the top half of her face, and her hands were trembling. She was already crying.

  Sebastian was arguing the moment they arrived. He was trying, very loudly-- but Henry had raised his sword more than once, and it was clear he had no issue in using it.

  So Sebastian had fallen quiet. Along with the rest of the room. Along with Mary and Kenna and Francis and Demetre.

  "No."

  Until a voice cut through it all.

  "What did you say?"

  Elspeth stared into the quiet anger of a king and did not flinch.

  "I said no," She reiterated, stronger, "Sebastian is engaged. To me. He cannot marry another woman—"

  "He can and will, no law is binding the two of you together," Henry seethed, "How dare you disobey your king—?!"

  "He will not marry—!"

  "Silence!"

  Henry stood from his throne as everyone stood with bated breath. He approached the girl slowly, growing more and more furious at her high-held chin.

  Demetre's heart lurched, Sebastian jerked forward-- he was there, with a sword, approaching a girl who would not back down.

  "Your Majesty," Demetre warned.

  But Henry's eyes stayed on Elspeth. Even as Demetre rested a hand on his own sword, even as Sebastian positioned himself in front of Henry-- the king only stared at her.

  "You. . ."

  "Father—"

  "I said silence!"

  Henry shoved Sebastian to the side harshly, closing in on Elspeth.

  "You have no say. You hold no power. Your engagement is off and Bash and Kenna will be married—"

  "No, they will not!" She argued loudly, "You gave us your blessing, we were meant to be wed months ago before you attempted to have us—!"

  Elspeth's head snapped to the side before she felt the sting on her cheek.

  Everything moved very quickly from there.

  Sebastian lurched into movement, shielding Elspeth with only himself,  cursing his father for all to hear.

  "How dare you?!"

  Elspeth was already being pulled away, she heard Demetre and Sebastian shouting, she heard Mary's words to intervene, and she even heard Catherine's attempt at speech from the sidelines.

  But what cut through it all was Henry.

  "I will have her executed for treason if you do not do as I say!"

  Elspeth froze. Realizing only now that it was Demetre's arms encasing her, pulling her away from the spectacle, shielding her from the sight.

  She gripped onto his forearm, halting her footsteps at Henry's threat.

  Elspeth blinked back tears as Sebastian looked at her. Kenna lifted a hand to her mouth, attempting to stifle her sobs.

  He was being stolen away, once again. For good this time. Forever.

  Elspeth let her weight rest on Demetre, for she was far too tired to carry herself any longer. She stayed for a moment, taking in the sight of Sebastian one last time. Allowing herself to look at him with love for one last time.

  If things were different, he would have been wonderful to love. He would have been safe and warm and they would have gone on that grand adventure. Living in Scotland, on her family's land, with their own freedom and forever together. Perhaps they could love one another in another lifetime.

  She only wondered why she couldn't love him in this one.

  "Now--!"

  Sebastian jerked as his father stood again, his own tears pooling as he grabbed Kenna's hands.

  "I, Sebastian, take this woman to be my lawful wife. Under the eyes of God, from this day forward."

  Elspeth squeezed Demetre's arm, peering up at him through glassy eyes.

  "I'd like to go now."

  Demetre's face was stony, but he only pulled her closer, ushering her out of the room as Kenna's shaky words mirrored Sebastian's.

  "Nostradamus will see to your cheek tonight," Demetre said, his voice tight.

  Elspeth looked up to him again as they walked down the lengths of the French castle, clinging onto one another as if it were normal.

  "It did not hurt."

  Demetre slowed, looking down at her. His expression softened, hesitating before he spoke.

  "His ring cut your cheek."

  Elspeth lifted a hand, lightly touching her cheekbone, only to see a spot of blood on her finger.

  "Oh."

  Demetre said nothing, staring down at her with an expression so soft it begged danger, before starting their stride again. They came to the place Elspeth had become familiar with, empty of any patients.

  The man led her to a bed, ensuring she was comfortable before kneeling in front of her and speaking once again.

  "Nostradamus will be here soon," He said, "He'll care for you, and I will return to walk you to your chambers for the night. This will be sorted, Petal. One way or another."

  Demetre stood, looking over her once again before starting toward the door.

  "What are you going to do?"

  Demetre looked to the woman, to the bleeding cut on her cheek and the tears still welling in her eyes.

  The man of legend appeared again, stealing away the warmth and familiarity of Demetre. His eyes darkened, jaw tight; once again, he became the man Elspeth had heard stories of. Not the man who slayed the Grim, but the one who had become it.

  And looking at him, filling the doorway with his frame, Elspeth understood how people looked at him and saw a harbinger of death.

  "I am going to ensure no man lays a hand on you again."

  Nostradamus had arrived a few short moments later with Catherine De Medici. He explained to Elspeth that the queen was still woozy from a potion that had been slipped to her, but it was clear she was coming back to herself quickly.

  Elspeth winced as Nostradamus touched a piece of cloth to her cheek, attempting to clean the wound.

  Something about this made her tears well again.

  She couldn't bear it. Any of it.

  "I apologize I cannot take the sting away if you--"

  "It's not you," Elspeth whispered as Nostradamus halted his work, "It's. . . everything else in the world."

  Nostradamus frowned but began again. And he worked carefully, to his credit. Elspeth could feel the pity radiating off of him as he cleaned the cut on her cheek before applying a bandage that covered the gash.

  He took a seat beside her, cleaning his hands as he did.

  "I've lost them both, haven't I?"

  Nostradamus slowed his movements, looking at the girl who watched the floor emptily.

  "There is no one who can stop him," She continued quietly.

  "I'm sorry, Elspeth. You do not deserve the wrath of a king gone mad."

  The first tear fell to the stone ground, splashing as it did.

  "I tried," She whispered.

  "Take pride in that."

  Elspeth looked to the man, his soft expression comforting her even if only for a moment.

  "You saw something in my future," Elspeth said, "The first thing you ever told me. 'Defiance to love will be your downfall'. . . I have not defied it. I have accepted it. Fought for it. Longed for it. Struggled and ran for it, Nostradamus."

  "What I saw of you was something I see in few others'," He said carefully, "It is not set that you will defy love and this will cause your fall, Elspeth Liens. . . What I have seen. . . is two paths before you. One, if you chose to walk down it. . . is painful and long. At its end, there is a family. A happy future with the one you will love. The other is short. A swearing off of romance, where you die as you lived. Free, but scorned and alone."

  A tear ran down her cheek, caught by the fresh bandage on her face.

  "I want to love," She whispered, "But what if it is not meant for me?"

  Nostradamus thought before he spoke. He thought about the glimpses he had gotten of her life. About what he had learned in the time she spent with him.

  And for the briefest moment, he gave her something very few others had.

  "You inspire it, Elspeth. It is not something that is meant for you. It is something that you make."

  He gave her hope.

  Elspeth Liens stayed there that night. In the quiet dark, even after Nostradamus brought Catherine back to her chambers, even after he went to his own bed.

  She only left when morning began to crest, hoping to avoid any passersby as she made her way to her own chambers.

  And as soon as she entered them, the moment she closed the door, everything came crashing down.

  She had worked so hard. They both had. Fought and ran and hunted and scavenged. They had been hurt and healed and broken and re-formed; if anyone deserved a peaceful life, it was Elspeth and Sebastian.

  But it had been taken. Again.

  Catherine De Medici had woken up with a clearer mind and the moment she recalled the night prior, quickly made her way to the only place she cared to be. The woman opened the door quietly, pausing in the doorway at the sight before her.

  Elspeth Liens was slowly unraveling. The girl, because no matter what she said or how she acted she was still but a girl, paced quickly around the room, sobs echoing in the hollow loneliness that was caving in on her.

  "Elspeth, you must calm down."

  "You, out of all people have nerve walking in here," Elspeth seethed, pointing an accusatory finger at the woman, "Why didn't you stop him--?!"

  "You know why, now stop blubbering-- you're smart but you aren't acting like it--"

  "I was engaged to him!" Elspeth's voice turned to a sort of raw scream in cutting Catherine off, making the queen's eyes widen in surprise, "I love him-- I was supposed to marry him! That was supposed to be me! We talked about a future it's all been torn away by your husband for a second time and you're telling me to calm down?!"

  Catherine buried her shock-- this was not Elspeth. Not the one she had come to know.

  A bandage covering her cheek, her hair unraveling on itself, curling and frizzing, her skin had become pale and splotchy, deep red rings around each eye and beneath her nostrils.

  She was not a girl, Elspeth Liens had become much more dangerous in the past few hours, as she had turned into nothing but a wounded, cornered animal.

"Child, please," Catherine tried again, this time calmer as she approached the girl, "Hope is not lost-- I have no doubts an annulment would not be difficult--"

"He threatened my life!"

"Yes, and Demetre has taken well care of those empty words," Catherine urged, "Word will hardly break of their marriage before it will be annulled and you can be wed to Sebastian. Kenna will find another--"

"But that's the point!" Elspeth cried, "What about Kenna?"

Catherine didn't bother hiding her distaste.

"What about her?" The queen asked disgracefully, "She is in your way, she has a habit of doing that to others. We both know it will only be a matter of time before she falls for Bash-- though, that won't last long-- she doesn't hold marriage in a very high place, Elspeth."

"But she's my best friend. We grew up together-- she loved me before I knew the meaning of the word, before court and riches and tragedy. . . she was at my side when I was nothing but the dirt-covered daughter of a Duke," Elspeth said, the sobs turning into a quieter version of tears, "Maybe it's better this way-- because now Kenna is married and Bash won't use that to any sort of advantage, and you've said it yourself, no marriage at court is truly about happiness. . ."

Catherine was eating her words at the moment, pursing her lips as the girl came down from her manic state. Elspeth took a gentle seat at the end of her bed, wiping at her still rosy, tear-soaked cheeks, and didn't put any space when Catherine took a seat beside her.

"I am so sorry for the harm my husband has inflicted in your life," Catherine spoke quietly as if hoping no one else heard, "I can't say I'm sorry for Kenna, or Sebastian. But. . . I am truly sorry that you are caught in it all."

Elspeth felt a new wave of tears coming, and the only thing that reassured her as sobs wracked her body again, as odd as it may be, was Catherine De Medici cradling her head to her shoulder, gently tugging out knots in her unruly hair until all the tears were gone.

( AUTHOR'S NOTE. )
this feels like a pretty
big turning point
in this book so sorry that
it's such a long chapter hehe
also sidenote, kind of love
Ellie and Nostradamus being
close while Catherine
was unaware Ellie was in
the castle <3