Bonds of Loyalty by Jennifer K. Clark & Stephonie K. Williams

Author:Jennifer K. Clark & Stephonie K. Williams
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: medieval, princess, love, triangle, monarchy, fantasy, prophecy
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
Published: 2014-07-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

Margaret placed the tray containing some bread and a bowl of broth on the side table. “One of the kitchen maids brought you some food.”

Sarah sat expressionless in her bed, not responding.

Margaret nudged her. “Come, you must eat something.”

“No.”

“Would you like me to have the physician bring another sleeping draft?”

“No.” Sarah stared at the wall. The first draft had not worked well. She had slept fitfully for only a couple of hours, and when she awoke she felt as though the seasons had changed. A definite shift had occurred in her mind. There was a heaviness in her chest, and her stomach felt hollow, as if every feeling had been removed. She wanted to see Luther. She needed to talk to him. She wasn’t certain of her feelings for him, but she knew he cared deeply for her, and perhaps that was enough. At least he had offered her another option, and right now it was the only direction that made sense.

“Try to eat something,” Margaret coaxed. “You have such a grave expression; the food will help lift your melancholy.

“Margaret,” Sarah said without blinking, “please start packing my belongings.”

Margaret gasped. “You . . . you plan on leaving?”

“There’s nothing left for me here. I’ve seen my family. I have nothing to offer these people.”

“You would return to Calibre with no other explanation?”

She didn’t answer. She didn’t want to admit that she wasn’t planning on going back to Calibre. She couldn’t—not like this—defeated and unworthy. Her heart ached, and the hollow feeling deepened. She had nothing left to give to either country, nothing to offer Alex. She felt as though she had endured a long and complicated dance; now it was over, her energy spent, and she simply could not go on. She would’ve had nowhere to go if Luther hadn’t given her another choice. She would take his offer and go with him, abdicating her position. The attack on her earlier had made her realize that it really was the best plan.

Margaret was standing with her hands on her hips. “Have you forgotten who you are?”

Sarah lifted her head. “I don’t think anyone knows who I am. In Calibre, I’ve tried to get involved as they wished, but it has all come to naught. All I have accomplished is to become fodder for prattling old biddies. Here in Kyrnidan, I have tried not to get involved—just as they wished—and I have failed miserably at that as well. My interference at the council meeting very nearly cost me my relationship with my brother and landed me in bad graces with my uncle. I don’t fit into the politics here, and it nearly cost me my life.” Sarah felt her despair radiating out, pulling at Margaret, and bringing her down. “I have no desire to die for a cause that I shouldn’t even be involved in.” She didn’t specify, but her statement applied to both countries.

Margaret walked to the corner table where her satchel lay. She picked it up, pulled out a handkerchief, and dabbed her eyes before sneaking a drink from her hidden bottle.

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