Claiming The Remnant

Chapter 85

[ Ethyn ]

“Is she usually late?” I peered down the length of the grand dining room for the upteenth time. Ye Gods, Earth and Sky bless me, I was so nervous. It had been only a handful of hours since I’d seen her last but it felt like a lifetime.

“Who, Brother?” Noémie queried from across the table.

“Lady Esther.” I couldn’t help but look at the doors again.

“She was late last time. Father let her sit in your chair.” My little sister's disapproving tone was plain to all.

“Noémie.” Father warned.

“And she is welcome to sit in it again…” Right on my lap. My tone and my smile conveyed the unspoken implication.

“Ethyn.” Father turned his disapproval to me.

“My apologies, Father.” I tried to sit still at the table but it was just making my skin itch. Mon foudre was late to dinner. It was stressing me out. What if she had succumbed to the call of the forest and fled? What if she were ill again and needed me? What if she had remembered who she was and had escaped?

Breathe Ethyn, calm yourself. You are being ridiculous. Perhaps I should check on her. Yes, that was exactly what I should do! Just as I was about to say as such the door opened.

“Your Majesty, I present Lady Esther. Accompanied by Joseph.” The servant announced. Interesting that Jo had come to dinner as Joseph. I approved, of course, that they came as themselves but Jo had always come across as lacking confidence in their truth so I’d expected them to attend as Josephine. It would have been the easier course. Especially with Noémie here. She was my little sister and I loved her. However her behaviour was rather unpalatable. It seemed she thought being a Princess meant she could do and say whatever she wanted.

Joseph and mon foudre stepped into the room, forcing my heart to expand in my chest. Her hair was up, forming a loose bun atop her head that cascaded soft curls. Her milky shoulders were exposed, so thin and delicate. The dress she wore was stunning. Silver lace halterneck over a dark blue silk bodice, a colour hovering somewhere between navy and cobalt. The skirt was A-line in the same hue as the bodice but without the silver overlay. She was a vision.

“A little over dressed for dinner, isn’t she?” Noémie snickered childishly.

“She didn’t dress for dinner.” I told my Sister. As if in a dream I rose. The guests, bar my Father, rose also. “She dressed for me.”

Esther approached. A small blush adorned her cheeks.

“My apologies for keeping you waiting, Your Majesty.” With a curtsy she addressed my Father, apologetic but giving no explanation. Joseph bowed beside her.

“Glad you could join us, Lady Esther. Joseph, you are looking well. Please, both of you, be seated.” Father graciously hurried things along. I, however, fussed over mon foudre. After pulling out her chair, I almost forgot what I was doing. Her back was entirely bare. Images of my fingers skimming down her spine were playing through my head. So much so that I could almost feel her flesh beneath my finger tips.

While I fantasised the rest of the table was forced to continue standing. Ignoring protocall I pushed her chair in forcing her to sit. There was a blush creeping up her neck. How beautiful. I wanted to kiss it.

“Brother…” Noémie whinged.

“Son, please sit.” My Father chuckled at my lovesick behaviour.

“Of course, sorry everyone.” My seat reclaimed, the other guests did the same. Before the servers could even step towards the table I was reaching for the jug of water to pour mon foudre a glass. My eyes were only for her.

“Prince Ethyn… everyone is staring.” She whispered.

“Sorry, Lady Esther.” I sat back feeling rebuked by her use of my title. The servants stepped in, filling glasses and placing the first course.

“Lady Esther,” My Sister called her from across the table, “I hope dinner is more to your liking this evening. Last time you barely ate and still managed to throw up in the hallway.” Material rustled as the guests turned to witness how Esther would respond to Princess Noémie’s jibe. Mon foudre’s attention was diverted, she was shyly looking at my sister, clearly trying to scrape together a suitable response and so she didn’t notice the server reach between Joseph and herself. I did though. I saw them swap the glass of water I had poured her for another.

“What are you doing?!” Without thinking, I grabbed her arm. The servant, a young lass with covered hair, dropped the full glass of water. It shattered against the floor, bringing in anyone whose attention had not been drawn by me seizing this server’s arm. She panicked, pulling back, eyes flicking desperately to my Father. The eyes were brown but red magic was trying to, or perhaps trying not to, stir.

“P-please…” She stammered, desperately trying to yank her arm out of my grasp.

“Son - let go of Sami.” Father was stern but, Ye Gods, I wasn’t letting go until I knew why she had swapped one perfectly good glass of water for another.

“No.” I growled, squeezing harder as she wriggled. Red danced in her eyes along with tears as she tried to control herself. “Why did you swap the water? Answer me!” I raised my voice.

Sami cried, fruitlessly tugging her arm but didn’t answer.

“Ethyn! Let go of her this instant.” My Father commanded.

“It is curious…” Noémie stood. “Why did she switch the glass?” There was the sound of stone grinding. Looking down I saw the floor rising. Stone melded itself to my sister's will, consuming Sami’s feet.

“Ss-top.” The lass begged, her magic flared. Bright red eyes sent calm washing over me. What was I doing? I was doing exactly what Garrett had been explaining was wrong with the system. I was as bad as the rest of them, attacking this poor lass with no reason. A question was enough. There were guards if she tried to run. I let go but it made it worse. With her feet held in place by stone Sami couldn’t adjust her footing so she fell. On the coldstone floor the young lass sobbed.

Fuck.

Ethyn, what have you done? This isn’t Princely behaviour. Not even basic decency.

“Noémie, let her go.” I asked my Sister.

“No. She will answer the question.”

“Noémie, I overreacted. Look, no guards have moved to intervene…” My brain raced. “Therefore there must be a reasonable explanation.” Noémie ignored everything I was saying, turning her bright yellow eyes to the crying servant.

“Why did you change the glass?” Noémie demanded.

“Daughter, that is enough.” Father hissed.

“Answer me!” My Sister yelled. Sami shook her head in response. Noémie’s face scrunched up in anger. There was a crunch. Sami screamed. Shock painted my Sister’s face. I don’t think she had expected to cause injury but, regardless of any regret she might have, Noémie covered it with an air of superiority.

“Noémie!” My Father and I called at once. Noémie smirked, her eyes blazing, glowing with her shade. Sami sobbed hard, clawing at the stone. Stone that was crushing her feet.

I didn’t know what to do. Joseph had his arm around Esther. Esther was trembling. The other guests seemed to have disappeared which was confusing. Father stood. His presence filled the room with authority.

“Princess Noémie Clara Lystra, you will stop this instant. Release the lass.”

“Sorry Daddy.” She said sweetly, looking through her lashes and swishing her dress. Her eyes ceased to glow with magic, returning to their natural yellow hue. The stone encasing Sami’s feet did not retract.

“No, there will be none of that. Go to your room. We will discuss this later.” Anger and disappointment filled his face as he looked at his daughter. Shortly, that look would be for me. “Zach, bring a Healer.” Father called out as Noémie stormed out. “My dear guests, apologies for the disruption, but please, follow Krin. Dinner will be served in the private dining room. Thank you.” I looked around but still couldn’t see the other people. Joseph glanced at me. His eyes were glowing. Joseph’s magic was cloaking the scene. “Zach?” My Father tried again but Zach did not materialise. “Reeson, fetch a Healer. Quickly.”

“Your Majesty.” The guard wasted no time, giving a simple affirmation along with a dip of his head before running full pelt out of the room.

“Lilana - I need someone with a yellow Shade to clear the stone.” Father gave out orders without hesitation. To think I had been questioning his Kingship when I wasn’t even fit to sit at his table. This calamity was my doing but I was lost. My Father didn’t just know what to do but he knew everyone’s names and was calm. There were no thoughts of resolution in my mind, only fear. Ye Gods, Ethyn, you are so stupid.

Stupid.

A stupid, useless Prince.

Sami sobbed.

Esther, still trembling, moved from the table and knelt on the cold stone floor. Sami didn’t notice until mon foudre reached out, taking one of the lass’s hands. The child's small hand was bloody, the nails split and broken, from clawing at the rock that not only locked her feet to the floor but also had crushed them.

“N-n-oo, p-please.” Sami tried to tug her hand back but Esther shuffled forward on her knees.

“Ssshhh, Sami? That’s your name right?” Esther spoke gently. Sami nodded. Large tears like summer raindrops rolled down her face. “My name is Esther.” She smiled ever so sweetly, albeit a little sadly, while slowly bringing Sami’s hand closer to her chest. “I’m going to help you, Sami. My necklace is special. Just put your hand under, that’s it. Better?”

“Mmm-huh.” The young lass affirmed. Her damaged hand rested against Esther’s pale neck but under the necklace’s chain. Despite the horrific nature of the situation I had caused I was pleased to see the necklace did, in fact, do what Esther thought. Sami, no longer in pain, looked at me nervously. She had used her magic on me. Magic in the widely despised Shade of red. There was no way I would condemn her but equally I could find no words that I thought would bring her relief.

“She is quite extraordinary.” Father told me in a hushed voice as I watched mon foudre soothe the servant I had accosted. “And so are you my Son…” His amazement was clearly in a different vein towards me.

“Father, I…”

“You do not know what came over you…” Finishing my sentence he sighed. Maybe with disappointment, perhaps it was anger but there was most certainly exasperation in the sound. “I know she is your Mate, but my Son, you must find some control. The water was swapped for a medicated glass.” He revealed with grave matter-of-fact words. “Esther isn’t aware but she is given a dose before each meal to calm her stomach.”

“Why hide it?” I whispered back while watching Esther with Sami. She was wiping the lass’s face with a napkin Joseph had passed her. I was thinking about our afternoon tea. Was that why she had no appetite? I should have given her medication first?

“Things were tense in the beginning. It seemed prudent at the time.” He pulled at his beard thoughtfully. “It seems my actions are catching up to me. Too many lies and hidden truths.”

“I don’t think Noémie meant to take it so far.”

“No, she did not. She let her anger rule her magic but she should never have started to begin with. There will be serious consequences. Her behaviour has been most unsatisfactory of late - last thing she needs is to be vindicated by her older brother. Noémie looks to you. How can you expect to lead a Kingdom when you can’t even set a good example for your highly impressionable Sister, humm?”

“Perhaps I shouldn’t, Colette…”

“Colette would make a fierce warrior Queen, but Lystra doesn’t need a warrior. They do not need her sword or her fire everyday. Should there come a time when the Kingdom needs such protection I have no doubt that she will stand proudly, victoriously, on the battlefield, but that will be for a time and a time only. What they will need is a ruler that is patient, kind, fair, thoughtful and considerate regardless of Shade, social standing or situation, each and every day. You will be that King, Ethyn and by the looks of it Esther will be that Queen. Just, for the love of the Earth and Sky, try to think before you act.”

“Yes, My King.” I took on the admonishment whole heartedly. After the way I’d behaved I felt undeserving of his understanding but it was an exemplary demonstration of his expectations of me.

“It’s been a while since I’ve had to wait around like this. How did we even function before Zach?” He chuckled next to me. “Ahh, here we are.”

Lilana arrived with an older gentleman. A bright yellow line went straight from the back of his head, over the top, down through his brow, mustache and beard. There was no kindness in his eyes as he returned the floor to its original state. Once Sami was freed, the old man bowed and left the room.

Father took a few moments speaking to Sami while I contemplated how everything had spiraled into disaster.

“My King, I have arrived.” Head Healer Asperonin swept into the room, his long blond hair displayed straight and perfect down his back. The tunic he wore was extravagant, golden of course, with glass bead trim. Immediately Asperonin took action. Affixing his gaze on mon foudre he took quick steps with concern in his eyes.

“Healer Asperonin I think you will find Lady Esther is feeling quite well.” My Father told the Healer as he went to lay hands.

“Ah, indeed, Your Majesty.” The Healer looked perplexed for a brief moment before turning to the young servant. “I surmise that I’m here for you then. Quite the surprise really.” He placed his hands on Sami before whispering to Esther who ungracefully climbed to her feet. Immediately her endlessly blue eyes sought mine. Embarrassed and ashamed I looked away.