Blood Ties

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

        That evening, Duchess Rosalyn requested that both of her esteemed guests dine with her. The summons didn’t come as such a surprise to Star, though she could tell that Marco was very displeased. She couldn’t figure out the reason besides that she didn’t really feel well enough to dine with them. She only became surprised when she found herself being forced to go.

        Faith mumbled apologies under her breath as she helped her dress, her face pink. Wonderingly, Star went along with whatever was going on, realizing she wouldn’t know until the reasons behind this were obvious.

        She entered the dining room leaning heavily on Marco’s arm. His face was unreadable and unruffled, while hers, she knew, was an open book. She was confused, and she wasn’t afraid to show it.

        Star was seated to the left of Duchess Rosalyn, and Marco to her right. The table they sat at was not large, and the array of food was simple and sparse. In fact, the entire dining room, while just as tasteful as the rest of the house, seemed oddly bare.

        “Ah, how good of you to join us, Princess Star,” the duchess murmured, her voice sounding almost kind. One glance into her sharp blue eyes suggested everything other than kindness. A smile played around the edges of her lips.

        Star colored and said in a hesitant voice, “I, um, I didn’t think I had a choice?” She trailed off at the end, the statement coming out as a nervous question.

        The lady’s eyes darkened, but her smile grew. She waved an elegant arm, laying her hand on Star’s shoulder. “Oh, of course, it was optional! I just anxiously wanted to see how you were doing. If you still feel unwell-”

        Marco searched Duchess Rosalyn’s face, his brow drawn, and interrupted, “She’s fine. Much better, actually. Everything is under control.”

        “Is she?” The lady’s grip tightened around Star’s shoulder unpleasantly. “Is she really?”

        Star gasped, jerking away in surprise. The sudden movement caused her to feel dizzy, and she cursed, trying to ward off the darkness that was soon to follow. The duchess watched her in interest, her eyes narrowing in her focus.

        Marco leapt to his feet, yanking Star out of her chair and dragging her towards the door. “Her fever is coming back, she needs rest,” he tried to explain.

        Duchess Rosalyn stood as well, snarling, “Halt right there, Snow.”

        Star moaned, her legs giving out beneath her. Marco caught her as she fell, gently lowering her to the floor. “Star, no…”

        His voice faded, as did all noises around her, and soon she was pulled into yet another vision.

        “The castle is under attack!”

        She huddles by the windowsill, too afraid to stay, too afraid to flee. She waits for her inevitable rescue, or equally inevitable demise. The smell of heavy smoke chokes her, and she coughs, wishing she could cry out for help but knowing that someone hostile might hear her.

        Someone raps on her door, calling her name frantically. Nearly ready to weep with relief, she flings it open and jumps into his arms. Behind him, three knights enter, shifting nervously on their feet.

        “Marco,” she gasps, clinging to him, her hands clawing at his sleeves. He flashes her a weak smile, holding her securely in his arms.