Endure
Franka
I sat curled in an armchair by the fire in my room wearing my silk nightgown, my lacy-knit wool shawl held tight around my bared shoulders, staring at the fire, thinking that Kristian’s home was an eight-day sleigh ride from Fyngaard, where the Winter Palace was located.
A long, cold ride for me and Josette, but as much as I wished to get to my brother, I would savor it, for it would likely be the last time I’d sled over my Lunwyn.
Over a lonely day and a lonely dinner, I’d made my decision.
I was going to Airen, across the Green Sea. I’d heard the sky city was marvelous. Dark and austere, but it opened onto a bay with stunning views, and the Sky Citadel was made of the glinting black stone that could only be found on that continent, but I’d heard it was extraordinary.
And I’d heard Firenze had barely taken its first steps into the civilized world, but their city of fire, and the barbarians who lived there, might be to my taste, if only to see one (or several).
Not to mention, there was the magical sisterhood of the Nadirii, who lived shrouded by enchantments, a warrior class of women who dwelled solely amongst their own, using males only for purposes of procreation…and pleasure.
I was no warrior. But I had other attributes and no need for male companionship. Not anymore. I’d never been good at being a member of the sisterhood. But facing a new life and new adventures, it was worth a try. Perhaps they’d allow me behind their enchantments.
Therefore, even if I couldn’t talk Kristian into going with me, I was going.
And perhaps I could find a way to dull the pain through adventure.
Before I left, however, I’d give my brother plenty of jewels and coin to make him safe. He loved his wife, his son. He might not be as sharp-witted as most of the Drakkars (a boon for him, for without that sharp wit he also did not have sharp claws, and that was something of a lovable anomaly for our House—none of this, of course, I’d ever told him, or ever would), but he’d definitely desire to have the means to keep his family safe.
I’d sent a bird to share I was arriving so he’d know and could prepare.
I just hoped the bird made it.
I didn’t like communicating by bird. It obviously took much less time to do so than sending post by land or sea. But it was easy to intercept a bird, or other things befell the creatures, and half the time they didn’t make it to their destination.
And alas, for Kristian, after what had befallen him when he’d helped me with my traitorous plans, my arrival would not be a pleasant surprise.
Therefore I decided to send another bird prior to my departure in the morning, just in case.
The door to my dressing room opened and Josette moved through it.
“All’s packed and ready for our departure on the morn, milady,” she said, moving toward me.
“Thank you, Josette,” I replied.
She stopped several feet in front of me. “Is there anything you need?”
I shook my head, turning my attention back to the fire. “No. You may seek your bed.”
To my surprise, moments passed and I didn’t feel her presence leave.
I turned back to her.
“Is there more?” I asked.
“He’s alone, back in the morning room.”
I knew to whom she was referring and at the thought I felt a warmth hit my belly at the same time a cold chill slid over my skin.
“I think…well, milady,” she went on nervously, “I think he might be there waiting for you.”
Providing Josette with an elevated salary was not only because she was very good at doing what she did. It also didn’t solely have to do with the fact she did the job of three lady’s maids.
It was because no one knew what was happening in a house better than the servants.
For years, Josette had been my eyes and ears in places I’d never be privy, providing information I’d never have without her, much of it of great use.
She was not the only lady’s maid who offered these services. Indeed, I suspected they all did if they were any good at their jobs.
But she made a point of ascertaining all I might need to know (and some I didn’t but it didn’t hurt to hold the knowledge) and sharing it with me.
Yes, she earned her elevated salary in a number of ways.
Therefore, it was not surprising that, even though I didn’t share with my maid what had transpired with Noc the night before, she would know.
However, now, as I gazed up at her, I did not see the usual. A petite, pretty, plump, ash-blonde girl with blank, hazel eyes looking down at me and awaiting my response because she was doing her job.
I saw a pretty girl with kindness and concern in her hazel eyes, looking down on me, knowing all I’d lost and that I had not one, single true friend in the world.
That look only made me feel warmth.
Touch her hand, mon ange, show her what her compassion means to you.
Antoine’s voice sounding in my head made me blink and lose focus.
“Lady Franka,” Josette called, and I forced my attention from waiting to hear more in my head from my dead lover to my maid. “I’m happy to assist you back into your gown.”
Noc sitting alone in the morning room very well might mean he was waiting for me. That he’d enjoyed our time together (which I knew he did). That he wanted more before I was to leave.
Or perhaps it meant he wanted an explanation of what transpired earlier in the queen’s study.
Either way (especially the latter), I would not go to him.
It would be better he leave this world when he eventually did with nary a memory of Franka Drakkar of the midnight soul.