Duty

Chapter 11 A touch of steel

“It is my understanding that the lady Vara is friends with that village girl,” Torcan said calmly. He poured Darius a goblet of wine and handed it to him before pouring one for himself.  “It would explain prince Cyrus’ actions. She is his sister after all.”

“It doesn’t explain why he needed to return home all of a sudden,” Darius growled, “he sent for his physician. That should have been enough. There was no reason to go back. He made a promise to my sister.” His hand clenched around the goblet. This Cyrus didn’t take this alliance nearly as serious as he should. No matter if this was a political arrangement, the Tirzé name was at stake. He wouldn’t let anyone make a mockery of his sister’s marriage.

Torcan sighed. “I know that look. Don’t do anything foolish, Darius. Please. We do need this alliance. You cannot insult king Aurelios.”

“I am no fool, Torcan,” Darius growled, “I don’t need you to tell me what to do, nor how to be diplomatic.”

“Forgiveness,” Torcan muttered. It was rare for him to be on the receiving end of Darius’ anger. The prince had a long way to go before he was ready to take his father’s crown. A kingdom didn’t need a king that lost his temper over every little thing.

Darius put his goblet down and stood up. He stared out of the window of his chamber. “This wedding needs to take place as soon as possible,” he stated. At least when they were wed, it was irreversible.
He glanced at Torcan. “We need to speed things up.”

***

“The best you can do is make her as comfortable as possible. Feed her. Give her water. Speak to her. I have seen this before. There is nothing I, or anyone else, can do.”

Vara bit her lip and fought her tears. The physician’s words played over and over in her mind.

“Nothing to be done.”

A stroke, he had said, a damage to the brain. No one knew why these things happened.

Was this it then?

The thought that Eunice’s mother might die caused a knot in her stomach. Antonia was very dear to her too.

The door opened and closed and Eudemas walked into the room. She was carrying a tray that held a goblet. Quietly she set it down on the low table next to Vara’s chair. “I warmed up some spiced wine for you,” Eudemas said softly, ”it will ease your stomach and your mind.”

Vara offered her a faint smile.”Thank you, Eudemas. That was very thoughtful.”

Eudemas answered her smile with a sad one of her own. She kneeled in front of Vara’s chair. “Is there anything I can do for you?” she asked quietly.

Vara shook her head. “No thank you. Don’t mind me. I will be fine.”

“It must be really hard, to be unable to do anything to help your friend,” Eudemas said.

Vara nodded. “Yes, it is. It’s just all so sudden.”

“Vara?” There was a soft knock on the door.

Vara stood up and wiped her tears and nodded at Eudemas to let Cyrus in. He walked up to her and gently took he shoulders. “Are you alright?” His eyes were filled with concern.

She knew she should step away from him, keep her distance. She shouldn’t let him come so close.
But she wanted to be comforted.

Before she knew it, she had buried her head in his shoulder. Immediately, Cyrus locked his arms around her and held her tightly. “Shh, it will be alright,” he whispered in her hair. His hand rubbed her back in a soothing manner. “I’m here,” he whispered and he placed a soft kiss in her hair.