The Bride Tournament (Hexed Hearts Book 1)(29)

A frenzied knocking sounded at the front door. She whispered her thanks to the wondrous timing and unlatched the thick bolt. Rufus’s worried face appeared.

“What is it?” Ellie gestured for him to enter. The wizened man shook his head.

“Isn’t safe.” He peered around her into the darkened manor, and broke his frown to smile at Rachel. “Come to Meera’s, soon as you’re able.”

“We can come now.” Ellie bounded to the wardrobe at the side of the front door and withdrew cloaks. “The ladies have gone into town to get ready at a ladies’ parlor with their friends. We won’t see them until they return from the competition tonight.”

Rufus led the two onto the drive where a horse-drawn cart waited. “Meera will explain when we get home.”

Nervous, Ellie and Rachel locked up and stayed silent on the ride to the Tea Emporium. Meera burst through the storefront as soon as the clatter of hooves sounded.

“Good, you came at once.” She ushered the girls inside with a quick kiss for her husband.

“What is it, Meera?” Rachel set their heavy wool cloaks on a stool and headed behind the counter to pull out tea cups and scones.

“Sit.” Meera ushered her toward a booth in the corner for privacy. The Bride Tournament brought wealth from the lower towns, and many spectators gathered in the Emporium for gossip and good, cheap food.

Rachel wound her way over carrying a tray laden with buttered pumpkin scones and chai tea. “Drinks and snacks have arrived.”

Meera sipped the brew forced upon her fretting hands. Her brows drew together. “I’ve heard from a friend who works in the palace.”

“Heard what?” Ellie prompted. The cup of tea warmed her chilled fingers.

“The two girls from last night, the ones we worried might fall prey to Dame Lange and Lady Olivia—”

“Yes?” Crumbs tumbled down Rachel’s gown.

Meera gripped Ellie’s wrist. “Both girls have succumbed to the pox.”

***

A butler strode into the room and deposited a scrap of parchment in the queen’s velvet-clad lap.

“Brother, your brooding is eating up all of the sexual tension in the room.” Pierce jabbed a fist into Gerard’s rib.

He barely registered the hit.

“I don’t see why this is important.” Gerard frowned and picked at the biscuit on his plate. A plate so small his palm eclipsed the painted china.

“Ladies,” the queen called, interrupting his irritation.

The tea-time invitees ranged from elderly matrons—several times over—to so young that he doubted they were allowed spirits.

The hum quieted to a pensive whisper.

“Two of our contestants have succumbed to the pox. Please head back to your own quarters. Our physicians will be around soon to check you for symptoms.” The queen stood and set her plate on a tray, dismissing the audience.

He followed his tense mother into the hallway, Pierce on their heels.

“I thought you would have stayed behind to capitalize on the scared ladies?” Gerard raised his brows at the visibly shaken Pierce.

“Ha.” Pierce rested a hand on his mother’s arm in comfort. The queen closed her eyes and her pinched expression melted into fatigue.

I remember when I used to have that effect. Since leaving home, he had lost the emotional connection to family and friends, something he doubted would ever repair itself.

“What is it, Mother? Who is it?” Worry beat under his skin. Please don’t be Ellie…

“Ladies Veronica and Marie.” The names rushed from the queen’s mouth. “The chief physician informed me of their condition this morning and he’s only just confirmed a hunch for me.”

Relief flushed through him, his muscles relaxing. Ellie was okay.

“No.”

Gerard turned at his brother’s tone—dispossessed, haunted. A pale pigment tinged Pierce a sickly gray-green.

“Did you know them, dear?” the queen asked, focused on her younger son. Gerard placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. She pinched his fingers in thanks.

“Veronica. How is she?” Pierce stuttered.

He seems…concerned. Gerard wrinkled his brows at his brother’s sudden flip in demeanor. He hadn’t expected Pierce to feel such worry over a slip of a girl, no matter how captivating her smile and how scarlet her hair. However, he hadn’t been home in six years. Were his brother and Veronica involved?

“She’s stable. The physician’s seen her.” The queen led her sons to her private chambers. She closed the door and it clanged behind the trio.

“Can I see her?” Pierce asked.

“Of course, dear.” The queen slid into a chair and patted the armrest for Pierce to sit.

“Where’s father?” Gerard paced.

“In a meeting with his councilors. There are so many politicians in town he’s being pestered every waking moment to sign treatises.” The queen sighed.

“Isn’t the pox infectious?” A decade ago, an epidemic had swept across a neighboring kingdom. In his travels, he had seen the aftermath for himself. Scarred young people, peppered with the remnants of the disease’s signature mark: a diamond-shaped emblem, no wider than a pinhead, crusted and crimson. Many died.

“Very.” His mother bounced her heel on the stone tiles.