I stare at Lady Elspeth’s cool expression for far too long before I finally comprehend the meaning behind her statement.
“Oh, yes!” I cry a bit too loudly, but my ears are ringing from the echoing sound of the chandelier shattering. “I welcome you into court, into Kreuzschlafen, into my own chambers. Anywhere I’m granted access, there you shall be also. You are welcome by my side forever.”
At this point, I’m not even sure what words are, except that they must be the things flowing out of my mouth without restraint.
Lady Elspeth blinks at me, confusion twisting her pretty face that looks absolutely breathtaking at this proximity. I could stare at a face like hers for my entire lifetime and never tire, even if I was granted an elvish lifespan rather than mortal.
Then, suddenly, that face is moving further away from me as Elspeth is pulled off me.
“Hey!” I cry, reaching for her, but then too many people are surrounding me. The court physician, Elder Bendix, is kneeling beside me, checking my limbs for breaks.
I crane my neck to see around him, to where Elspeth is shaking away guards’ hands that never should have touched her, even if it was just to set her upright.
Suddenly, Lady Meredith is beside her, checking her limbs with far less focus than the court physician.
Then Heinrich’s face is in my way. “Otello! Are you well?”
I push them all away enough to sit up. “I am, thanks to the Lady Elspeth.” I look for her again, and find her being led back out of the hall.
There is nary a limp in her walk, which is a great relief. She doesn’t so much as glance backward at me, which is less of a relief.
Elder Bendix places his hand over my hair, looking for any spillage of my sacred blood.
I push his hand away. “Go attend to the Lady Elspeth. I am well.” I push myself to my feet, tottering slightly until Heinrich steadies me.
My physician frowns. “My prince, I should conduct a full examination of you after such a close call.”
We both glance toward the shattered chandelier where Gerrard and several of his men are investigating.
Then I glance back for one last view of Elspeth before she retreats from sight. “I have more important matters to attend to.”
“My prince,” Elder Bendix protests.
But I turn to Heinrich. “Take me to Uriel. Posthaste.”
* * *
I have quite the entourage following me to the palace library where Uriel spends most of his days. Honestly, it’s a bit or a relief, because walking feels more like being a ship tossed in waves at the moment.
The library doors swing open without my requesting them to be, and I turn to everyone. “Leave me.”
The servants and guards stare back at me in befuddlement, as though I’ve never given them such an order before.
I shake out of Heinrich’s grip and prove I can stand on my own as risky of a game as that is just now. Then I stride in, noting Uriel by the wall made entirely of glass, three stories tall, and the only wall that is not completely comprised of brimming bookshelves.
With a glance back, I witness the library doors close, with none of my attendants having followed me inside. Then I turn back to my tutor. “Uriel, what do you know of Lady Elspeth of Roden? She is one of your kin-folk. Have you heard of her?”
Uriel turns to me, a book open in his hand. “I know of an Ephraim and an Eden of the foresting lordship of Roden. Mayhap Lady Elspeth is their daughter?”
“She must be, for she was only just presented today.” A thrill races through me at just the thought of her, and I can hardly contain my excitement. “Oh, Uriel, she was the fairest maid I have ever seen!”
Mayhap I have not seen many maids in my lifetime, but I know that as undeniably beautiful as Lady Valda was and as inescapably charming Lady Meredith presented, there was something about Lady Elspeth that stood out.
Mayhap it is because not only was she fair, but also, she was my destiny.
Uriel blinks at me, long and slow. Then he closes his book with a decided thump. “Yes, I am sure there were many lovely maids today . . .” His gaze slides toward the sundial next to the window. “And many more still to be presented. Why are you not in the throne room?” When his eyes return to mine, there seems to be something he’s trying to say.
But I have something to say as well as I stride toward him, gripping a table subtly to keep from tipping over. “Because I had to tell you posthaste. You see, Uriel, she is my Blood-Bound.”
Uriel’s book slips out of his hand. I’ve never seen him be so careless with a book before.
Diving forward, I catch it and then hold it up to him with a grin at being able to accomplish the feat when the world spins so. But I have a Blood-Bound, so anything is possible.
My tutor gazes back with horror etched on his expression, even as the door opens and closes.
I turn my head. “Who else was here?”
“Adalbert,” Uriel mutters vehemently, as though his very name is a curse.
The book almost topples out of my hand. “I do not want him to know of my Blood-Bound.” My father may trust him implicitly, but I do not. How could I trust someone who makes my skin feel as though it would desert my skeleton if only that would aid it in its escape from him?
“Not to fear, I will find your Lady Elspeth and judge her worth.”
I frown. “It is not her worth I doubt, but mine. She is the one who saved my life within moments of meeting me.” And I’m the one who got tied up with my own tongue.
Uriel turns to me in confusion, but his legs are already carrying him toward the doors, his speed creating a breeze that carries the scent of ink and leaves.
He leaves the doors open, revealing the wall of guardsmen and servants standing there, waiting for me.
Smiling at them beneath my veil, I remember they can’t see it, so I lift my hand in a wave.
Then the room tilts strangely and I fall toward the floor, which seems to race the darkness for which can consume my vision first.
Oh, dear, I do believe I’m swooning.