NOVEL NEXT Chapter 33: Spellbound
'I don't like where this is going,' Jovana thought to herself, and then said to Falcon, "Does it make any difference? I'm just glad I was there for you."
"As I said, I don't want you to take this the wrong way. I'm glad you were there. But there are a few things that don't quite add up," Falcon said, and Jovana's heart raced as she thought, 'Did he see right through all my cover-ups?'
Falcon continued, "For example, at Xena's birthday party, you demonstrated knowledge far in excess of even the most educated ladies. And even at the Academy, you were more interested in literature and science than in finding a suitable husband."
"I didn't know knowledge was a sin, Falcon. Are books only for men?" Jovana said, looking calmly at him.
"No, no! Absolutely not," Falcon replied, shaking his head.
"Are you sure? Because it feels like you are judging my choices."
"I'm not judging you in any way. I was just caught off guard by your question, and I can't help but think that you are hiding something from me," Falcon said, while Jovana sighed as she thought, 'Why, of all people, do I have to keep secrets from the best spy in the kingdom and the smartest man in the world? It's like trying to hide in an open field at noon.'
Falcon continued, "And in my experience, I'm generally right about situations like this. So, at this point, I can't avoid asking how devoted you actually are to our beloved King." Falcon looked at Jovana; his eyes were clear and friendly, but Jovana knew he was expecting an honest answer from her.
Jovana took a deep breath and calculated in her head, her thoughts racing. 'If I let him think a little more, he will certainly get to the bottom of my secret. I'm not ready to tell him everything, but I don't want to lose his trust. He's truly wonderful and a powerful ally.' Jovana met Falcon's gaze and said, "Well, Falcon. Sometimes, I really envy how other ladies can drink their wine and go to their parties, ignoring the reality of our borders. I would love to be blind to the constant urge for war extended by the crown, but I can't. My father died in a war we didn't need, and my brother could follow him at any moment, drowning in a river of blood." Jovana closed her eyes for a second, taking a deep breath. "I looked around, and I saw only people tired of war and death, except for one. And that person is the only one who can decide to stop. But he doesn't want to stop. He wants more because he doesn't care about life, and he doesn't care about families. All he cares about is himself!"
Jovana looked at Falcon, taking a deep breath and pursing her lips as she hissed, "And for a man like that, I can have nothing but hate. Does that answer your questions?"
Falcon looked at Jovana with deep sorrow in his eyes, and he nodded slightly. "I'm sorry, Jovana. I didn't mean to force you to say such things out loud. I care about your safety."
"I know, and it's true that it's dangerous to talk about certain things. But it's more dangerous to pretend they're not there," Jovana said, while Falcon nodded at her.
"I couldn't agree more. Come, let's get out of here. I need to go back to the Academy," Falcon said, as they both left the room together.
******
All alone, Caspian walked through the corridor of the Symphony Hall as his thoughts swirled in his head. 'Ridley couldn't have chosen a worse time for his rebel act! The King is hungry for new lands to conquer, for true power, as he calls it. Not to mention Jovana, tagging along with him and catching the King's eye once again.'
The long steps of the Duke echoed in the corridor. 'And now I owe the King. I don't know what it is with that girl, but every time she's involved, all my principles don't seem that important anymore,' Caspian mused, as he looked around the empty hall and kept walking like a shadow behind the scenes that pulled the right strings to keep the show going. 'I just can't let her become a political wife to one of the King's scumbag lords.'
Jovana was returning to her box and was about to lift the curtain from the box when someone grabbed her elbow and dragged her around the corner of a secondary corridor. Before she knew it, her back was slammed against the wall.
"What the heck?" Jovana exclaimed, and she gulped as her gaze met the steely eyes of the Duke. He had the usual impenetrable expression, but this time Jovana could tell it was just a mask.
She could feel that he was boiling under the surface. "That wasn't very smart," Caspian chided, an angry note in his voice, but his eyes revealed a good degree of annoyance and frustration.
Jovana took a deep breath and gathered all her inner strength to face the big bad wolf. She raised her chin as she uttered, "I did what I had to do. I couldn't stay put and watch the King sacrificing Falcon's life for no reason. Who would have been next if we allowed things like that to happen?"
Caspian looked at her. Jovana could see all the thoughts gathering behind his eyes, but before he could say anything, Jovana kept talking.
"But… you can't imagine how grateful I am for not mentioning my involvement at Xena's birthday party. And for playing along with the fact that my presence there was an accident, even if you knew it wasn't." The Duke didn't say a word, but it was clear that he wasn't expecting such blunt honesty from her. "I'm sorry if I disappointed you."
Caspian took a deep breath and, without removing his eyes from Jovana, said, "I am not disappointed. I understand your principles and admire your bravery. But bringing justice to the King can have a high price." Then Caspian brought his hands forward and used his thumb to pinch Jovana's cheek, his eyes burning with an unreadable emotion. "You risked a lot today! Is Ridley so dear to you?"
Jovana's heart pounded in her chest as she felt the intense gaze of the Duke leave her spellbound. At that moment, she realized that while wanting to be close to the Duke and keeping him away from her secrets, she hadn't taken the necessary measures to protect her heart from him.
She had fallen miserably in love with the Duke of Veridian. She kept her eyes locked on him, her lips trembling as her throat closed, but Jovana said the words anyway. "Only you are dear to me."
Jovana looked down, fighting the tingle that threatened to water her eyes. "But what's the point, Caspian? What are we even doing? Don't we know how this is going to end? Should we keep pretending that you won't just play with me for another season and put me aside at the next Debutante Ball? Should I keep telling myself that I'm special when I don't mean anything to you?"
Jovana felt his hands on her cheeks, a delicate, warm touch that for a second pushed away sadness's cold claws. "If you only knew the things I'm willing to do without question when you are involved," Caspian uttered, his bleeding heart screaming its pain through his eyes. He stepped forward and pressed his lips over hers in an intimate and desperate kiss.
After a while, he pulled away, leaving Jovana breathless. "Keep thinking with your heart, Astra. That's what's special about you. But remember to keep a piece of your heart just for yourself. It's hard to survive without one." With those words, Caspian turned his back to her and walked away.