Dark Enchantment

Chapter 5

When she reached the stables, she saw Lynden waiting for her. 

"Good evening, Lady Eira," he said with a bow. "Are you ready to begin your journey?"

Eira hoisted her bags in response. "Yes, I'm ready. Where is the carriage?"

Lynden gestured towards a discrete enough carriage that was waiting just outside the stables. A horse was already hooked into the reigns, and a man awaited her entrance into the carriage.

"There it is. Inside, you'll find everything you'll need for your journey. Supplies, food, water, and some books to keep you entertained."

Eira was surprised by his response. "Books? I didn't expect that. What kind of books?"

Lynden smiled. "All kinds. Histories of the kingdoms you'll be traveling through, maps, tales of adventure, and romance. You'll have plenty to keep you occupied on the long journey."

Eira was impressed, despite all that he had done already. "Thank you, Lynden. You think of everything, don't you?"

The elf shrugged. "It's my job to make sure you're prepared. Now, I have one more thing for you." He handed her a small pouch. "Inside, you'll find some herbs and remedies to keep you healthy and ward off any illnesses or injuries. Use them sparingly, and only when you need to."

Eira took the pouch and stowed it away in her pack. "Thank you, Lynden. I appreciate everything you've done for me."

Lynden bowed, then rose, regarding her. "I must ask you one more question before you leave, Eira."

Eira paused before the carriage. "What is it?"

His smile was lazy. "Who else knows? Aside from the twins, of course?"

Her heart stopped. Not now, not now, not now. Not ever. She never wanted to deal with this.

Eira schooled her features into confusion, trying for a confused laugh. "Lynden, I have no idea what you're talking about. I have so many secrets to keep track of, it's ridiculous. You said yourself how complex court is."

"You know exactly what I mean," Lynden's gaze bore into her, before he dropped into a kneel before her, two fingers raising to his forehead. "Crown Princess."

The tension in the air was so thick that Eira could almost feel it clinging to her skin. She took a step back from Lynden as she felt the weight of his suspicions bearing down on her. Her hand instinctively reached for her pack, ready to flee at a moment's notice if necessary.

The wind picked up suddenly, sending a flurry of leaves swirling around them. Eira took a moment to consider her options and her best move forward. She knew that Lynden was not a man to be trifled with and that he would not let this matter drop easily.

As she spoke, she could feel the weight of Lynden's gaze on her, like a physical pressure bearing down on her shoulders. She tried again for deflection: "Lynden, surely you must be mistaken. The Crown Princess died over 10 years ago, along with the Queen. Everyone knows that."

But Lynden was not so easily deterred. His head rose, and Eira could see the glint of determination in his eyes. "And yet, the corpse of the child was never verified by the mortician. They had claimed it had been unrecognizable, the only sign left behind her tiara. Do not think I missed that detail, princess. I never understood why the princess had fled the palace, though I suppose I always assumed fear drove her away. I almost did not recognize you with your white hair. But you look just like her."

Eira's gaze turned icy, and she clenched her fists at her sides. After a moment, she growled, "It was not fear that drove me from this country. I had no other choice."

As she spoke, she could feel the wind picking up around them, as if in response to the intensity of their conversation. The leaves rustled and danced at their feet, and Eira could feel her hair whipping across her face. She raised her chin defiantly, staring down Lynden even as she fought to control the tremble in her limbs.

For a long moment, the two of them simply stood there, locked in a silent battle of wills.

"I'm sure you can enlighten me when you return, Princess."

Eira glanced at the carriage, at everything Lynden had done for her. "Why help me? There is a chance I will be caught, killed, or used as a bargaining chip against Caladrielle."

When she met his eyes again, respect showed in his features. "I spoke true earlier. You are the only one who can complete this mission. Tárieldor. There is no one else but you, Princess."

Finally, she spoke quietly. "I won't forget what you've done for me."

Lynden dipped his head, his expression unreadable. "Just be careful," he said, his voice low. "And remember, if you need anything, anything at all, do not hesitate to contact me."

Eira smiled a small, almost sad smile. "I won't."

She glanced at him once more before climbing into the carriage, taking one last deep breath before the door closed. The carriage began to pull away her gaze fixed on the disappearing landscape. She watched the familiar buildings and streets slip by, her mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead.

For a moment, she forgot about Lynden, about the tension that had filled the air only moments before.

But as the carriage turned a corner, Eira caught sight of him again. Lynden was still there, kneeling on the ground, his eyes following her as she disappeared from view. She felt a pang of sadness in her chest. Lynden had known who she was and he still had sent her away.

Just like her father. No, that wasn't fair. This was their only option. But wasn't that what he had said that day, so many years ago?

Eira turned to face forward again, taking another deep breath to steady herself. She knew what was at stake, and she was determined to see it through. As the carriage continued down the road, she heard the wind pick up around the carriage once more, as if reminding her of all the risks she was taking and all the promises she had to keep.

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Well, well. Seems like Eira has some secrets she's been keeping! I was toying with the idea of keeping it a secret the entire book, but I thought it would be more fun as a reader to follow along with Eira as she tries to hide her lineage. Let me know what you think of this chapter!