"L-Lucian's sister?"
"Indeed," Natalia replied, appraising her carefully.
"Ahem, um, yes, of course – I thought – yes, I thought I recognised her," Evelina said, grasping at some kind of explanation that would allay her aunt's shrewd observation.
Natalia raised her eyebrows. "You've always been a poor liar, Evie. You've never heard of Lady Isabeau before today, let alone met her."
Evelina tore her eyes away from the Lady at last, meeting Natalia's deep amber gaze instead.
"No," she admitted, "You are right. If I'd seen her before, I would have remembered…" She drew a breath, seeking a deep inner calm. "The Lady Isabeau is an attractive woman, that's all – her beauty is quite foreign from the Ladies of our region, which is perhaps why it caught me by surprise. But it is incidental, anyway – unimportant, to be sure. Lucian, however…" – she paused, forcing a smile to her lips – "he looks like quite the soldier. No doubt he will fare well in the trials to come, and, as you said, he would make a fine match."
Natalia opted to allow her explanation. She'd long suspected her niece's attractions lay elsewhere, even if the young woman had not quite realised it herself. But, Evelina was the Queen of the Dawn Kingdom, and she knew what was at stake.
"Indeed," Natalia said at last, "I trust you will curb whatever curiosity stirs within you, my love. The other Houses would not be pleased if you set aside their Champions in favour of a woman."
Evelina blushed. "Oh, Nat! It's not like THAT!"
"Of course not," Natalia agreed lightly, pushing to create the statement as a truth. She let it rest, then, sitting back as a timeous steward leaned around her to deposit a platter of delectable food. "Ah, finally – dinner is here!"
Evelina welcomed the distraction, selecting a sample of each of her favourites from the trays set before them, though she found herself with little appetite. She was mortified that her aunt had seen so clearly through her roiling emotions, irritated that the Lady Isabeau had had such an effect on her in the first place, and determined to quash the unwarranted surge of heat that the Lady's presence had left in her wake. It was ridiculous, anyway – simply her nerves getting the better of her, lending her strange fancies and wayward thoughts. She settled her gaze upon Lucian – carefully ignoring Isabeau beside him – and watched as he laughed and joked with the others at his table. His blond hair, cut long and braided back, caught the light from the myriad candelabra, and his smile was wide and kind. Strong hands gripped a mug of ale, and muscles across his shoulders rippled beneath his silk shirt – he had changed out of his armour at some stage without Evelina's notice, and now sat in much lighter clothing that accented his powerful build. He definitely looked like a warrior, Evelina thought, but also a little like a dancer… It would be interesting to see how he fought.
For the rest of the evening, the Queen picked at her food, leaving the majority of her courses untouched as she struggled with a strange melancholy. At last, as soon as it was acceptable, she pushed her plate away and turned to her aunt.
"I think I'm going to retire."
Natalia nodded, her cheeks flushed with merriment, and her niece's earlier unusual behaviour quite forgotten. "Of course, my darling. I shall stay a little longer."
Evelina stifled a wry smile, noting the handsome Lord who had somehow ended up seated beside Natalia. Her aunt was widowed, entirely free to pursue whatever delights took her fancy, and often did so.
"Enjoy the rest of your evening," Evelina quipped, rising.
A steward pulled out her chair for her, and she made her way off the dais. Lords and Ladies nodded cordially as she crossed the room, and Lucian graced her a gorgeous smile when she couldn't avoid his table nearest the door. Evelina almost dipped her gaze as she passed the person beside him, afraid lest she was lost within deep emerald eyes, but then realised with an unpleasant jolt that it was no longer Isabeau seated there. Without meaning to, her gaze swept the table, but the Lady was definitely nowhere to be seen. She swallowed; how had she not noticed her leave?
Strangely disconcerted, Evelina found it took more effort than usual to command her legs to carry her out of the Hall, and when she was finally beyond the great doors, she paused to lean against the wall. As a soft sigh escaped her, the Herald poked his head around the door with a concerned expression.
"Your Majesty? Are you hale?"
She pulled herself upright. "Yes, yes. Everything is fine. A good night, Herald."
"And a good night to you, Your Majesty," the man said softly, turning away.
Evelina proceeded down the hall with regal steps and a stiff spine, aware of his gaze still lingering on her back until, at last, she turned the corner. Out of sight, she slowed down to meander along the passageways to her own apartments, and was pleased to meet no one else along the way. Sometimes, it was damned exhausting being the queen.
Finally, she turned into the last hallway before safety, and jerked to a surprised halt as she almost collided with someone in the half-dark.
"Oh! Excuse me!" said a soft voice, as the stranger turned to face her.
Evelina went weak at the knees, for the bright eyes of the Lady Isabeau caught her beneath their spell.
"Your Majesty!" Isabeau said quickly, "Forgive me, I…" – she bowed her head, in a way so endearing it set Evelina's heart to racing – "I'm quite lost, I fear. The Palace is so big, and in the dark it's hard to tell which way is which – I'm… looking for the East Wing, for my chambers, I, um…"
She trailed off, but her rambling had given Evelina a small chance to compose herself.
"This is the West Wing," she said. "You are well off-course, I'm afraid." Compulsively, she added, "Would you like some wine, to fortify you for your journey to the other side of the Palace?"
"Oh…" Isabeau hesitated, her previous cool demeanour appearing to have abandoned her in the sudden proximity of the dark and mysterious Queen. "Why, yes," she said at last, "Wine would be lovely, Your Majesty."
"This way," the Queen replied, careful to keep the strange giddiness out of her voice. "We are almost at my apartments."
She led Lady Isabeau to the door at the end of the hall, unlocked it, and gestured for her to enter. Inside, Isabeau paused to take in the tasteful trappings of the room, and Evelina filled two goblets from the decanter beside the cheerful fire. She gave one to Isabeau and took a large draught of her own, wondering what the hell she was thinking.
She sank into the closest plush armchair, kicking off her heels to free her aching feet, and curled her legs up beneath her.
"Take a seat," she suggested, gesturing to the other chair.
Isabeau hesitated for the barest fraction, sipped from her cup, and then complied. "Thank you, the wine is lovely."
"Summer vintage, from Kairos," Evelina said, "One of my favourites."
"You have fine taste, Your Majesty."
"Call me Evelina."
"As it please… Evelina."
The Queen trembled at the way her name rolled off Isabeau's tongue, captivated by the lyrical quality the Lady's lovely voice leant it.
After a moment, she quietly asked, "What are you doing here, Isabeau?"
Isabeau fixed her with a steady regard. "I came to watch my brother, in the tourney."
But Evelina was not satisfied. "I mean here."
The Lady tilted her head. "In your apartments? You invited me."
"Yes, but you did not refuse."
"It is quite difficult to refuse a Queen, Evelina." Isabeau met her gaze, held it, and emerald danced with amber. "Especially one as remarkable as you."