Garrick grinned in response. “Lady Imelda, it would be my pleasure.”
Chapter 31
Greenswatch
Alyssa paced the drawing room like a caged animal, trying to calm her anger. Simeon was insufferable. If he thought he could keep her locked up, he would be mistaken. And that new councillor of his, well!
The lock clicked, and Simeon entered the room followed by the councillor, Meritas. He was a dark shadow behind Simeon’s shoulder with glittering black eyes that drew her attention. She tried to ignore him.
Alyssa gripped her hands together, ready to pounce on her brother. “Where have you been? How dare you lock me in?”
“You bring it upon yourself by this unbecoming behaviour. Our guests do not want to see you so distraught. Before you make yourself ill, Councillor Meritas wishes to speak to you. He will help you overcome your unnecessary distress. I recommend you listen. It would be easier for you in the end. Now sit.” Simeon pointed to the chair.
“No, I will not sit, and I will not listen to either of you. You will let me out.”
“All in good time,” the smooth voice of Meritas interrupted. “Please, I mean you no harm. Sit, and we can begin. My lord, why don’t you return to your guests; you will be missed. Keep them there. I will be along shortly,” he instructed.
Simeon inclined his head and left the room.
“What have you done to my brother?” Alyssa moved behind a chair, her fingers curling like claws around the rigid back, determined not to look at him.
Meritas shrugged. “Nothing that will harm. Just helped him find the true path, as will you. Look at me, Alyssa. Such a pretty name. Look at me and listen, listen to my voice; it will help you relax and free you of these anxieties.” His voice droned, a continuous stream as he circled the room, closing in on her.
Alyssa shook the intrusive buzz out of her head and moved away from him. She chanted the Lady’s Oath under her breath, concentrating on the words. Dear Lady, she beseeched, help me. She moved in counterpoint to the man who was slowly backing her into the corner. She knew what he was doing, but she couldn’t see a way out, the chair between them her final barrier.
“That’s right. Listen to my voice, you know you want to, my voice is the door to all you need,” Meritas crooned as he moved forward. His eyes glinted as he cornered her. Lunging, he brushed the chair out of her hands as if it was matchwood and pinned her against the wall. He lifted her chin. “Stare into my eyes, and sink deep, deeper, you are feeling relaxed, and at ease.”
Alyssa struggled against his relentless grip. “You are relaxing, as you sink deeper and deeper.” He muffled her mouth as she attempted to bite him. “You are tired. It is time to sleep, Alyssa, time to close your eyes and sleep.” Her struggles lessened as she stared up into his severe face.
“Is that how you always get your women?” A sharp voice broke the spell. “It doesn’t seem very honourable to me. Does it you, Tagerillion?” Jerrol raised his brow at the tall Sentinal standing beside him.
“No, he must be taught those manners that he seems to have mislaid.” Tagerill stared at the man. “Most unseemly behaviour.”
Before Meritas could react, Tagerill crossed the room and slammed him against the wall, forcing him to release Alyssa, who gasped as she slid out of his grasp.
Jerrol was by her side in an instant, helping her to a nearby settee. “Lady Alyssa, are you alright?”
Alyssa sniffed and rubbed her face. “He was trying to make me go to sleep. His voice,” she shuddered, “it was creepy. I was struggling to ignore it. Captain Jerrol, Tagerill, you arrived just in time!”
“Who is he?”
The man struggled against the grip that pinned him against the wall, his feet dangling as Tagerill whispered in his ear. The man’s face blanched.
“He is the new councillor, Meritas. Apparently, head councillor, as he performed the confirmation ceremony, if you can call it that. I’ve never seen him before, but the rest are in thrall. He has done something to Simeon, I am sure of it.”
Jerrol helped Alyssa rise. “I need to have a quick chat with him. Do you think you can return to the hall and pretend to be in thrall too? Just agree with Simeon or Aaron, appear docile? I’ll be along shortly.”
Alyssa leaned on his arm. “Thank you for saving me, and thank you for saving Greenswatch, Captain.” She kissed his cheek. They both felt the Lady’s thrill as they touched. “I will help in any way I can.”
“Well, we haven’t saved it yet. But Lady willing we will. Don’t be alarmed when you pass the guards who appear to be sleeping on duty. We will help them later.”
Alyssa chuckled with delight, a little colour returning to her cheeks. Tagerill winked at her impishly, making her smile broaden.
Jerrol escorted Alyssa to the door, opening it quietly to check the corridor. “All clear.” He opened the door wider. Alyssa slipped through the door and lifted her chin, assuming a vapid expression on her face. Casting a saucy glance at Jerrol, which made him grin in appreciation, she skipped down the corridor. Shaking her head in disbelief, she passed the slumped body of one of her brother’s guards.
The strains of a waltz grew louder as she approached the doors of the grand hall. She smiled at Birlerion, who stood guard outside the door. He grinned back at her and opened the door, allowing her to slip in and shutting it behind her.
Jennery and Bryce were skirting the dance floor, looking alert. She cast them a vapid look before approaching her brother. “Simeon,” she said. “It’s ages since we last danced. May I have the honour of
