Princess Avenger - Brightcastle Saga Book 1 (30 page)

Benae placed her right hand on the man’s
forehead and closed her eyes. There was almost nothing left of him.
She sank through the layers, delving deep into his body and spirit,
questing for the hurts and the hope. She found none of the latter.
The delving left her chilled and she shuddered.

“His wound is taken over with foul humors.
It will not be long before he leaves this world and continues his
journey.” Benae closed her eyes again and wove a net of peace then
let it fall. Finus settled and seemed to sleep.

“Another of Anton’s legacies,” Ramón said,
“though I never had much time for Lord Finus. At least he is calm
now.”

Benae withdrew her hand but the foulness had
seeped into her very soul. She turned from the patient to find
Ramón’s intense gaze upon her.

“Are you well, lady?”

“I can never abide suffering and death and
there has been so much lately.” She turned away and rested her
forehead on the bedpost. The wood was cool against her skin.
Several deep breaths had her emotions back under control.

There was a sound from Lord Finus and his
breathing became a gasping struggle. As they both beheld the
skeletal form on the bed, the lord gave one last tortured breath
and lay still. Benae’s chest tightened and a sob rose to her
throat.

Ramón grasped her hand. “His passing has
upset you.”

Benae struggled to meet his gaze.
What is
happening to me?
Why couldn’t she conduct herself with her
usual aplomb? “I lost my brother recently and before that, my
parents. Death always reminds me of them and of how they suffered.”
And I could do nothing.

“You are on your own in the world?”

“I am.”

“That is the reason you entertain this
‘arrangement’ with the prince?”

Again she felt that Ramón was disapproving
of her quest for marriage. Well, he could keep his opinions to
himself. “That is none of your business.” Had her voice ever
sounded so cold?

She turned to Lord Finus’s corpse. “We must
take steps to prepare him for burial.”“Return to your suite, Lady
Branasar. I will summon a woman who will wash the body and dress
the lord in his ceremonial robes. Tomorrow he will begin the
journey back to his family estate where he will be buried.”

Benae stared at Ramón. He could be so
commanding when he desired. There was a wealth of authority hidden
deep within this man and when that power broke free, it would be
like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon. She nodded at Ramón, took
one last look at Lord Finus and swept from the room.

Ramón left the body of Lord Finus with the woman who
would wash and dress it and returned to his chambers. Benae
Branasar was not his concern and neither were her motivations. Why
should he care if she offered herself to the prince? To Ramón’s
mind she was little better than the prostitutes who sold their
wares on the street. He had thought that loneliness was her
motivator, but, judging by her reaction, she was embarrassed about
the situation. Did she feel that her reasons would not stand up to
his scrutiny? Did she even care what he thought of her?

Of course she doesn’t care.
What was
wrong with him anyway? He would seek his rest and to hell with Lord
Finus and the Lady Benae Branasar. It had been the longest day with
the arrival of more guests, his sword practice, forest run and then
the bedside vigil. He did not regret it though and hoped that
someone would sit with him when it came time for him to pass to the
other life.