The Art of the Corset (2017)

Chapter Thirty Four- How to Live Now

Feeling her throat become tight as thick fingers wrapped around her neck, she tried to scream but found a raspy wince to escape instead. Using her nails, she tried to dig into his skin, but found it was impossible to loosen his grip. Her gaze froze onto Adams as he gave a her a sinister smile before drawing a blade to her neck. The strength in his grasp was surprising, yet, horrifying as her vision began to alter from fuzzy to clear. Her heartbeat could be heard in her own ears as she felt the pressure being placed on her neck.

She awoke. Jolting just enough to cause a gentle commotion in bed, she withdrew herself from the sheets and moved to the window. Seeing an array of small boats leading towards her shore that were illuminated with paper lanterns, she gave a smirk before hearing a groan behind her.

"Darling...what is bothering you?" A British accent that was heavy with exhaustion spoke as she moved to him and placed a sweet kiss on his head.

"Nothing, my dear. Admiring the water."

Groaning and taking no consideration of her true reason for being awake, the man turned his back to her and pulled the covers over his body. With her attention back onto the water, she adored the lanterns until hearing a snore come behind her. With great stealth, she moved to the shore line with her nightgown dipping into the water, she pulled one of the lanterns from sight and stood on the shore, looking into the distance. With a gentle inhale, she pursed her lips and gently blew on the candle inside, forcing it to become dark. When her gaze moved back to the water, she saw a figure standing on the other side of the lake. Positioned with just enough visibility to know who he was, she lingered for a moment before then returning to her chambers. Looking into the window one last time, she saw the figure blow out his own lantern before she then slid back into her bed and was able to slumber a few more hours.

After dressing the next morning and making her way down the stairs for breakfast, she found her bedfellow to be hiding behind a large map with his uniform placed proudly on his body. When hearing her, he moved his view from the object of his attention and focused onto her.

"Have the nightmares returned?"

"It was the first night in some time..." She spoke honestly before he walked to her, placing his hand onto her cheek.

"I fear that your experience has not allowed you to continue your life...you seem captive to it..."

"The past is that, Marcus...I assure you." Stepping on the tips of her toes, she planted a swift kiss on his lips before then turning into the hall and finding Julianna in the kitchen. Kneading dough as she used the back of her hand to wipe sweat from her forehead, she greeted Evelyn with a large smile.

"Good morning, m'lady."

"Good morning Julianna. How is it that you are this day?"

"Very well, thank you. Yourself?"

"Finding sleep to be a luxury I do not deserve."

"Hmmm...is it because of Adams?"

Evelyn looked to the counter in front of her before Julianna abandoned her task and came over by her.

"I know you lost quite a lot. But my brother will not allow anyone to harm you." Seeing the vacancy in her eyes, Julianna folded her arms across her chest before then lowering her voice. "Do you miss him?"

Evelyn instantly flashed her look towards Julianna.

"Of course. But there is nothing to be done now. The choices have been made-"

"You can speak to me if you wish-"

"I do not." She said quickly before gently shaking her head. "Forgive me, Julianna. Marcus is the perfect gentleman...but the conversation regarding the past...is not one I wish to ever have."

"I understand. Do not allow me to upset you. You have endured too much already." Julianna then moved back to her task as the sound of heavy boots rounded the corner and ceased directly in front of Evelyn.

"My love, I am to meet General Whinestadher and will return by dinner." Kissing her quickly with no passion, he then disappeared into the foyer and then eventually at the door as her gaze followed him.

Removing herself from the house without explanation, she made her through the forest and eventually took refuge on a large log that had fallen from a recent storm. Hearing a stick break behind her, she jumped to her feet and let out an easing sigh when she realized it was Marth.

"Forgive me for startling you. I only came to see how you are doing..."

"What if Marcus had been at the house? Or had accompanied me here? Or if Julianna had?"

"I am careful on the placement of myself."

"You must be, as you are the king."

"A title, I do not believe I will ever find comfortable."

"To end your worry, I am alright. Thank you for lighting the lanterns."

"Of course. It was our promise to Rose."

Evelyn's eyes filled with tears as she remembered the feeling of Rose's soft cheeks under her gentle caress and the sound of her laugh as she was played with by her parents.

"I miss her as well. More each year."

As he tried to console her, she removed herself from his touch, and stood on one side of the log, as he stood on the other.

"Forgive me, your highness...I have misplaced my feelings too harsh upon you."

"You do not have to speak so formal, Evelyn-"

"Due to everything, I must."

"Our daughter-"

"Marth!" She snapped before wiping a tear from her cheek. "I cannot see you again. It is too painful to relive everything when my eyes fall onto you. I can feel my heartbreak approach and the thoughts of Adams-"

"He is gone. He will never harm you again."

"And what of you? Can you promise to never harm me?"

Silence fell between them as she turned and moved back towards the home she shared with Marcus. He tried to call out to her, but she ran through the woods and back into her chambers. A gentle knock came at her door as Julianna was allowed access by Evelyn's verbal entrance agreement.

"You saw him..."

"I do not wish to speak of it." Evelyn said with obvious signs of crying, although she tried to hide it.

"Everything happened so painfully, you must speak to someone."

"I must tell someone how I was betrayed by the one person I love above all else? Forced to marry another due to my child who ended up dead by the hand of Adams and nearly me as well! The only reason Adams had been there was due to Marth protecting me...Terrah wrote to Amelia and they conspired to have me and my child killed-and accomplished one of those assassinations."

"And will never harm another-"

"That does not stop the sight of my child...knowing my one priority to was to protect her. And not only this, but to see Marth across the water with the same damning eyes and seductive glare."

"Mistakes are even made by saints...you have been unhappy for so long. Perhaps you should speak to Marth-"

"What purpose? He should speak lies to me...although my heart does not belong to Marcus, my trust does. Something Marth will never achieve."

Her gaze fell to the side as she began to remember the events that led to this...

*I THOUGHT I WOULD CHANGE IT UP A BIT...WHAT DO YOU THINK?