When Sylvain returned with the cloaks and laid them before me, I tore my eyes from the vest.
“Good, now I will work until the sun rises. You should go to your bed, Sylvain. I will finish this alone.”
“I shouldn’t sleep if I left you, but lay awake in anxiety. No, I stay and I will help you until day breaks.”
Before I could protest, he took up the stool next to me and cleared away the remains of the purple velvet.
If the clock is a cruel master, the dawn is an even nastier mistress. The sun broke the grey of night like a beacon shatters the mist on the sea. Both my brother and I flinched upon its arrival. Though he couldn’t see it, he heard the crow of a nearby cock and I saw his shoulders droop under the strain of having sat up the entire night.
“It is morning,” he said wearily and stood. “I shall go and make our meal.”
I made no reply, but continued at my task. There were only a few more stitches left to be done on the cloak I would give to Seton.
“The job is done and done well. Will you not sleep for an hour at least before you return to Duir?”
I made no reply. My hands worked on the thread and needle for so long, I no longer felt attached to what I did, but an observer of some majestic chore. I could have been delirious and my hands, fingers, and arms knew the task they needed to do. It was part of my gift, this ability to work without thought and I was grateful for it.
I heard Sylvain sigh tiredly before he left. His sigh ate at my heart. I’d burdened him with my secret, but only partially. I could never tell him of Cale’s brutality, I would die before he should know.
The final stitch was made as a second cock, closer and more distinct, heralded the coronation day. I stood and went to the window. From here I could see the pond illuminated in the faint orange of the coming sun.
I thought of Seton and how I longed to be near him. But had he made it through the night? I’d left the castle in haste, the shock of the event had overwhelmed me. Even now, it was held only by the frail hope of my escape from this place. But had he survived? Had Cale dare tell what he’d guessed was between Seton and I? If he had, it would have meant the dungeons for my lover and it would mean I was walking into a trap.
“Let him be well, let it all be well,” I repeated this until I heard Sylvain’s voice behind me.
“Come and eat, Brother. Be comforted, your work is done, and all will be well.”
Sylvain stood at the worktable with two bowls of what smelled like porridge in his hands.
I smiled, kindly. “If you say it shall be, this time I will believe you because I must if I hope to make it through this day.”
Chapter 13
Before I left the house I clasped Sylvain to me in a hug. “You have been more than family to me this past day. I could not have accomplished this task without your aid.”
“It is only as it should be,” he responded when we broke apart. “Now you must go and do what must be done. I will find you later.”
“I will be glad to see you at the celebration, Sylvain. Fear not Duir’s notice. He will be drunk and paying no attention to anything aside from ale and women.”
“Power is a far more powerful seduction than ale and whores, Brother!” Sylvain yelled out as I made my way from him to the gate.
“Ahh, but I can think of others!” I shouted over the sound of an approaching carriage. The streets were coming alive and I paid the carriage no mind until it was nearly upon me. Sylvain stood in the doorway.
“Virago?”
I heard Sylvain calling my name. Before I could answer, another voice replied.
“Aye, Sylvain, how long it has been since we have seen you!” Auberon’s voice was mocking.
It was folly for me to have not left even earlier. I should have left before the cock crowed to avoid the menace of riding with Auberon to the castle.
“So it has,” my brother shouted and stepped from the door. “Who is with you?”
I could already see Briar sitting on the other side of Auberon. Neither man answered, I could see them both beginning to laugh. They would sit and wait for Sylvain to repeat the question and make up some falsehood to try and confuse him.
“It’s Briar, Sylvain,” I said as loud as I could.
“Oh,” Sylvain answered.
I could hear knowingness in his voice. He was familiar with this game and it hurt him each time, though he would never show it.
“Be well, Sylvain, I will see you later!”
I gathered my pack closely to my side, took a breath and joined Briar and Auberon in the carriage. I watched as Sylvain made his way inside the house.
“Why must you mock him?” I chastised as we rode away. “It is not as if he does not know your game.”
“We mean no harm, Virago,” Auberon answered, his amused face breaking into a smile.
“You are pitiless and derive satisfaction from my brother’s torment. I’ve grown weary of such childishness,” I retorted and clasped the pack even tighter to my side.
“Easy, tailor. What side of the bitch did you crawl out from this morning to be in such a temper?” Briar joked and kicked at my leg with his booted foot.
“I have been up all the last night finishing Duir’s vest. I am weary and long to find sleep. Pay no attention to me, My
