G R A C E L E S S

Poisoned Posies

Darkness engulfed her apartments with a cold air of grief.

The once burning candles had gone out with the vanishing sounds of feet. Along with it, all semblance of warmth.

It was in the early morning hours when her spy had visited her with news from England.

His presence alone made her become restless.

News had reached Lord Devonshire's ears four days previous that the Dowager was sending people to assassinate the two year old boy.

He had rushed from England to deliver the news to her as soon as he could.

As a loyal friend of Edward, he vowed to do everything in his power to protect his son from harm. It only saddened him that he could not stay to comfort her, but he needed to return as swiftly as possible to avoid suspicion.

Of course, she was no stranger to death as a handmaid of a Dowager Queen. The old witch would surely strike at him without hesitation if his loyalties ever became public. She wished it not upon such a loyal friend of Edward.

It was therefore that she pretended to be alright for his sake. It was kinder in her opinion to ease his mind of any woes before he left.

Isabeau watched the constellations from her window. As a girl her uncle had taught her how to find and navigate them. It had always served to calm her during times of difficulty.

Not tonight, though.

She couldn't stand it any longer.

If her friend was correct, she didn't have much time before they would attempt something. For all she knew they could already be in the castle.

That thought made her mind up for her.

Wrapping a blue cloak around her shoulders, she made her way down the passageways of the castle.

The de Martels would not be able to keep them safe as they had promised Robert. It fell upon her own shoulders to protect her son. For who would recognize a spy?

Isabeau took off running. She did not care that it was unseemly for a lady of her station.
The heavy velvet material of her cloak barely touched the ground as she fled down the hallways.

Thoughts of her enemy sent her heartbeat into wild thros and spun her head dizzy.

Her heavy hair braid became undone as she turned around the corner towards her son's chambers.

The ringing in her ears was becoming unbearable.

She would request him to be moved in the morrow, but for now she just needed to see him.

His green eyes and fair hair would comfort her.

His heartbeat would calm her and assure her that he was safe.

"Your Grace," a voice interrupted her inner ramblings, causing her to halt to a stop. Her chest rose and fell heavily.

She had no time to spare and turned around with an annoyed expression.

Elijah could hear her heartbeat from across the castle and came as quick as he could to assure himself that none of his siblings was hunting the girl.

"Are you alright?" He asked gently.

She shook her head, not having the breath to answer, before taking off again. Ignoring his following footsteps that resounded from the walls.

The woman reached her desired destination, knocking against the door with determination that could unseat rulers from their thrones.

"Marie, Marie are you awake?" She cried desperately.