As she closed the door, she heard a cry of victory followed by a loud thump.
On her way back to her chambers, Iago found her and handed her a small stack of envelopes.
When she had sent her first letters, Fiza had suggested she provide her friends and family with an address they could use to reach her, and had given her the name of a place in Veridas that Caspian used for correspondence.
Elizabeth held up a letter from her mother and grimaced. The envelope was thick. Could her day get any worse?
Her father had also written back to her, as had Charlotte. She debated whether she wanted to read Charlotte’s letter first or last, convinced that her parents had both written to tell her exactly how she had disappointed them and ruined the family.
With great trepidation, she ripped open her father’s letter.
Dear Elizabeth,
I am conflicted with you leaving, because, though you have embarrassed me greatly, I miss your presence at home and have been worried sick you have died or hurt yourself. You have dishonoured the family and brought shame and ruin upon us, but you are my daughter, my only child. You have tarnished our good name with the queen and severely impacted our coffers for the coming year. How you thought to leave in the dead of the night after agreeing to go through with the engagement is beyond me…
Elizabeth didn’t read the rest. It was just like her father to be stubborn beyond belief and delude himself into believing she had actually agreed to the engagement.
Her mother’s letter was much the same.
Charlotte’s letter was much more positive. Her friend was delighted she was off on a grand adventure. Charlotte revealed outright what her parents’ letters had only hinted at—that the news of Elizabeth Ashcroft having run away from home had taken off in the court. As a consequence, her family had been thrust from royal favour. Apparently, Duke Howard was furious with her father and demanded compensation for the smear on his name.
Rumors were so bad, Charlotte advised her to steer clear of Rhodea for a while—at least for a few months—or until there was a new scandal for the nobility to obsess over. Charlotte also requested that Elizabeth tell her immediately if anything else happened with her mysterious saviour and implored her to stay with her family when things at court calmed down. Aside from the updates, Charlotte’s letter was filled with love and encouragement.
Elizabeth squinted to read the footnote Charlotte had scrawled at the bottom.
P.S. I hear troubling rumors from the east. Wherever you wander, steer clear of Faina. The queen is livid. There have been several uprisings in the Fainan labour camps, and the commoners chant for rebellion. The queen sends her soldiers out as we speak to re-establish order. However, that kingdom perhaps remains unsafe for travel.
Elizabeth threw herself on the bed and stared at the ceiling, contemplating what she had just read. It was troubling to hear there was more unrest in the east. Elizabeth fretted, wondering if the rebels would move against her family next, or Charlotte’s. She hoped the attack on the queen was the last they would hear about the rebels, but something told her that wouldn’t be the case.
Shaking her head, she tried not to think about it too much. There was nothing she could do from here anyway. Her parents and friends back home would just have to look after themselves.
Quickly, Elizabeth cast around for a quill and ink and penned Charlotte an equally long and detailed letter back. After some hesitation, she made a small request and sealed the letter with a flourish.
***
Later that evening, Elizabeth heard a knock at the door and was surprised to see Caspian standing there. She had forgotten it had already been a week.
Just what she needed, a murderous demon to drink her blood and make her feel even worse about herself tonight.
The letters from home had left her feeling self-conscious and bitter.
Elizabeth smiled grimly and wondered if there would ever come a time when she would regret throwing away her title and fortune.
“Hello, Elizabeth,” said Caspian, leaning against the doorframe and gazing down at her with hunger in his eyes.
The broad planes of his chest, and the chest hair peeking above the V of his tunic, snagged her attention before her gaze snapped up to his face. Their eyes locked.
“Are you ready for me?”
She hesitated. “I don’t think we should do it like that again,” she said carefully. “Can’t you just drink from my wrist? Please?”
His eyes bored into hers. “Why, Elizabeth?”
“Whatever happened last time, I’ve since come to my senses,” she said haughtily. “Besides, I’ve been here for several weeks now, and you’ve hardly said a word to me. I’m not being courted, so my answer isno.”
“Allow me to rectify that then,” he said smoothly, “and spend time with you properly.”
“I don’t think so.” She tried to keep her voice firm. “Why does it even matter? Our agreement is blood. Why must you kiss me anyway?”
