Reign Queen

by L. Darby Gibbs

Russal squeezed her hand. “We’ll have a receiving line first, and then we will dance for Kavin. Let’s continue to the crossing of the aisles and stand to receive our subjects.”

  It was a long line, and Kambry was near hoarse by the end. Even her family had to hurry along, stopping only for a moment to hug her before turning to take the green aisle back to their section.

  When the last individual stepped away, the pipe sounded and then was joined by a deep drum along with a sound she could not assign to any known instrument. It made her think of leaves or wind, even the lapping of water at the edge of a bank.

  Russal said, “May I have this dance, my love?”

  “Is this another promise?”

  “This is a vow.”

  His soft words filled her with joy, laced with a loving timbre, his eyes only for her.

  The music was instantly familiar. The dance they had shared at the Grand Review. “Do the king and queen always dance at Grand Reviews?”

  Russal grinned. “I may have jumped the line a little when I had you dance with me. But there were shoes, so it became a promise.”

  He lifted a foot. “But today, no shoes.” His face grew solemn. “Will you accept my vow to always love you, Kambry do Runiya, Queen of Greater Kavin?”

  “Every day. You don’t even have to dance with me.”

  The last note before they must step into the dance sounded.

  “You’ll still dance with me today, though?”

  “Just try to stop me.”

  Chapter Three

  While their dance during the Grand Review had been tentative, Kambry’s steps always just behind Russal’s, this time Kambry anticipated the changes. The cool stone of the audience chamber floor grounded her as Kavin’s magic flowed around her, providing a gentle prompt from a swirl of breeze at her shoulder, the heel of her foot or the small of her back whenever Russal wasn’t there to guide her. Through it all, Russal’s loving blue eyes shone back at her. It was as if everyone in the hall had left. Only the dance filled Kambry and Russal.

  She saw the beat of the music and the movements that accompanied it as a story. There were times Russal was out of reach, almost in a dance of his own, she in a similar twirl of motion, and then they would reunite. For moments, she felt bereft. But the piping and its accompaniment would bring them back together.

  A second pipe joined the first, a more mature sound, somehow deeper and more vibrant. Their future?

  Russal guided her into the first quadrant, his brown aisle to their right, the central purple aisle in front of them. They paused, and Kambry gazed into the Paddlyrun quadrant. Mom and Dad had joined the dance, their friends and family standing behind them.

  Her heart welled. She gazed up at Russal as he guided her into a whirling rush and then a pause, facing each other.

  Tears slid in quiet lines down his face. But he was smiling as if he didn’t notice the tears. “If they had been here, my parents would join the dance, but your mom and dad agreed to take their place for today. It is the finest gift they could give me.”

  “Oh, Russal.” To her right, Amily and Tomo stepped into another empty quadrant, taking up the steps of the dance. The Laurents took the fourth.

  Kavin seeped into her, so fully she thought she would break open and lie like petals about the floor. Before her emotions could engulf her, Russal guided her through the steps of the dance and a set of twirls that sent her dress fanning out behind her.

  “You told me we would dine after the ceremony,” Kambry said when they came to a stop, their breaths coming fast and her legs enervated.

  “It is a minor affair.”

  She looked around at the crowd joining them on the dance floor at the instigation of a new melody. “This is not a simple gathering.”

  “It is tradition to meet with the family for a meal before heading to the royal apartment.” His eyes gazed at her playfully. “Or did you want to skip dinner and race back to our rooms?” Russal’s fingers slid along her waist, pulling her close. “We’re already barefoot.”

  She ran her fingers along the shoulder of his brocade jerkin, hiding the trembling in her hands. Her toes curled. “Amily and Tomo are probably hungry.”

  “And your parents, Stahn, Tia, Lord and Lady Laurent: they are our family. Related to us or not, each has played a part.”

  “When is this dinner?” She rested her hand at the back of his neck, keeping her eyes focused on anything other than his face.

  He slid a finger under her chin and pressed her to raise it until their gazes locked. “Are you nervous?” She shook her head, and he rolled his eyes. “I’ll let you bring that little knife you keep in your scribe box if it will make you feel better.”

  “I don’t want to fight you.” She stared off over his shoulder, worried he might see just how nervous she was.

  “That’s a relief. You’re much better skilled than you were the night I snuck into your bedroom.”

  Her cheeks flushed at the memory of waving her small blade at him and the kisses they had shared.

  He whispered in her ear. “Maybe we will skip dinner and visit with the family in the morning.”

  Her blush deepened, the heat of her cheeks rising under her hands.

  “Russal,” a shrill voice announced from behind her. “You have a lifetime to annoy the girl.”

  “Lady Laurents, aren’t you too tired to have such energy?” Russal chuckled. “Let me call you an escort to see you on your way to your chambers.” He raised his arm as if to call a servant over.

  “I have every intention of enjoying myself this evening at the family dinner. I’ve waited a long time for a queen to set you in your throne.”

  “You say that with a smile, but your voice is sinister.” He shook a finger at her. “Have you arranged for Kambry to treat me with cod-liver oil or one of your other remedies to ensure my good health?”

  She swatted his shoulder with a fan. “I gave you cod-liver oil once, Russal. Let it go.”

  “What about the nut muffins?”

  She glared at him for half a second and said in a voice devoid of warmth, “You loved those nut muffins.”

  “If you knew that, why did you stop making them for me?”

  “Russal, you are exasperating.” Lady Laurents pulled a sympathetic face, the most emotion Kambry had seen her display, and stared in Kambry’s eyes. “He’s all yours.” She huffed and walked away.

  “You are in a fine mood, Russal.” Kambry swatted his other shoulder.

  “And now you are giving mixed signals, Queen Kambry.” He rubbed his shoulder and looked around them, found what he was looking for, and said, “I need to go tell the regiment our next move. I’ll be back in a moment, my queen.” He gave her a bow and a saucy eyebrow raise before heading away.

  She shook her head and gazed about her, a smile of contentment on her face. A regiment? Really.

  A breeze slid over her cheek and then pressed her to look to the left. She allowed it to guide her and perused the faces in view. A flash of red caught her eye, and she held her gaze in place, taking a moment to catch up to why the glimpse of red stood out to her. The shoulder of a doublet, a slash of dark brown hair. The individual turned to face her, revealing brownish-green eyes, and then a couple danced in the way. When they passed, a woman in lavender filled the space. Felip Covey?

  An arm curved over her shoulders, and she flinched. Russal looked at her, concerned. “What is it, Kambry?”

  “I thought I saw something.”

  “It startled you.”

  Burty joined them. “We’re ready to escort you to your chambers, Your Majesties.”

  Kambry braced herself and snapped a playful glare at the marshal. “Burty, not you, too.”

  “You don’t wish to leave yet, Queen Kambry?” he asked, grinning.

  Russal laced her arm through his. “Let’s talk as we walk. Tell me what disconcerted you.”

  Burty leaned in. “Should I eavesdrop?”

  Kambry looked toward where she had
seen the flash of red and those green eyes. It had happened so fast she hadn’t been able to confirm it was Covey. “I thought I saw Felip Covey for just an instant.”

  Burty straightened, gave Russal a quick nod, and marched away. Kambry saw him stop next to Guardsman Drew. They spoke for a moment, and then Burty returned. “I think heading back to your chambers is best. I’ll notify the steward there will be a change in venue for the traditional coronation meal. Drew will see that the guards make a quiet search among our visitors and anyone coming in or going out.”

  Burty paused and gazed out at the crowd of people, seeming to look for someone. “I’ll locate Lord and Lady Jickon and ask about their contingent of guards. That family goes nowhere without a few of their own close by. The bright red of their uniforms may have been what surprised you. I thought I had convinced them they would need no further protection than our own guards, but perhaps Jickon still included one or two without telling me.” He directed a contingent to file in behind Kambry and Russal. “I’ll break the throng ahead, Your Majesties.”

  Kambry, determined not to let a confused glimpse of Covey ruin their perfect night, said, “Is this a throng in Kavin? Paddlyrun assigns throngs to greater numbers.” They ambled toward the curtain wall that ran behind where the throne normally sat.

  “It seems only fair that the queen’s hometown have at least one achievement greater than Kavin Realm; throng numbers seem appropriate.” He guided her by a tight group of women whose attention to one of their own number kept them from being aware of their approach.

  One tall woman turned, her dark eyes flashing at Kambry. She nodded and returned to the conversation.

  “Just in throngs? You’re a rather stingy king with your praise.”

  He pressed her hand between his ribs and elbow. “I am considering adding dance to the list of Paddlyrun achievements.”

  “Dance?”

  “Your parents learned Kavin’s Covenant Dance in short order.” Russal slowed as they mounted the low dais. “I only asked them a few days ago if they would mind taking part. They put their hearts into it. The rest of our Paddlyrun visitors have kept up as well.”

  “There are steps to that dance?”

  “You didn’t need teaching. You’re a natural.”

  “You mean I have natural assistance.” Kambry grinned. Perhaps Paddlyrun society lacked a bit of grace in their dance steps, but they more than made up for it in enthusiasm. “My disappearance may have cut their spring celebration short. We always have a series of community dances. I think our celebration here made up for it.” They had reached the curtained wall and turned to survey the chamber. Russal nodded at Burty, and the guards spread out on either side of them, along the wings of the dais.

  Burty gestured to the lead piper, who ceased at once, his fellow musicians silencing only a beat behind him. He raised his pipe to his lips again and sounded three pips.

  Russal raised his voice, calling out in strong, controlled tones, “Citizens, lords and ladies of Kavin Wood, visitors from Paddlyrun and Konright, please remain as long as you wish to dance, visit and make yourselves free with the refreshments. It is tradition for the king and queen to dine with close family following a coronation and nuptial.” He gazed at Kambry a moment, a thrill running up her spine at the tender look he gave her. “Thank you for joining us.”

  The Paddlyrun and Konright visitors seemed surprised, but those of Kavin nodded, some waving, but all turning back to their activities after acknowledging Kambry and Russal with respectful bows and curtsies.

  “That was rather simple,” Kambry said. “No long goodbye or lineup for individual chats.”

  “Kavin is a simple realm.”

  Kambry rolled her eyes.

  “I will meet with them all tomorrow.” He paused, his eyelids dropping to cover his eyes halfway in a demonstration of fatigue. “We will meet with them all, a family at a time or some other division. It will be later in the day, giving us all time to rest up. But it is tedious all the same.” He tapped her chin. “At least, I won’t have to do it alone.”

  Facing the curtain wall again, they exited the audience chamber, leaving the music and low roar of chatter behind. Kambry examined every lit corner as they passed through the back meeting rooms. She would never be comfortable entering those rooms. Even the stone beneath her feet felt colder. They would always remind her of Felip Covey stealing her away the night she and Russal danced for Kavin. From a glimmering promise of love to a night of fear and betrayal. Or what had seemed to be betrayal.

  She stilled, remembering Sybil’s order that she keep Covey and Russal apart. What if they found him and brought him to Russal? Should she say she must have been mistaken?

  “You are quiet, Kambry.”

  They stepped into a long hallway, out of the congestion of the meeting rooms. The guards marched alongside them and streamed out behind them in quiet alertness. Burty lead the way.

  “I don’t like those rooms.” She had yet to find out who the false prince and his lady were that Covey had fooled her into believing Russal was unfaithful. A mystery she may need to leave to the past. There were other intrigues for her to deal with.

  “They have no windows, but that is the nature of an old castle buried within a newer one. That maze of rooms were once the castle proper. Dingy, but they serve a useful purpose.” The tight corridors pressed close.

  “Don’t you find it difficult to enter them? Someone killed your parents in one of these rooms.”

  “One might argue that all rooms of the castle have had a death or injury occur in them. But it isn’t the room that attacks the victims. It has always been a person who acted against another in selfishness, retribution or greed. I won’t blame the room. For me, blame lies squarely with Felip Covey and whoever killed my parents.”

  She breathed more freely when they entered the wider corridors of the newer castle walls. “Do you think I saw Covey? Maybe it was just some flamboyant lord.” Surely Felip Covey wasn’t so arrogant as to believe he could walk among all Russal’s supporters and no one would notice.

  Russal leaned in close and spoke low, so only she heard his question. “What made you look?” They still held hands, their shoulders softly bumping as they tread the carpeted corridors to their chambers.

  She thought a moment. What had caused her to gaze that way? Russal had stepped aside to talk to Burty about the regiment. She grinned at the memory despite her worry. But something had made her look. A breeze, it had pressed her face, urging her, perhaps, to gaze left. That was when she had seen the flash of red. She whispered into his shoulder, Russal bending to gaze closely at her. “I think Kavin wanted me to look. There was air pressed to my face.” She touched her cheek. “Here. When I looked out, I saw a red shoulder, brown hair. The man turned. He had brownish-green eyes. People danced into view and when they passed, he was gone.”

  “So you are certain you saw Covey.”

  “No. It was too quick. I’m less certain about it the more I think about it.”

  His hand gripped hers, and she felt the press of the ring he now wore.

  It provided a change of topic. “Russal, where did this ring come from? If you had an extra king’s ring, why didn’t you wear it before? Wouldn’t that have helped guard against Covey?”

  “It’s old. I went to the royal vault for the wedding jewels and found this ring.” He twisted it back and forth, and they looked at the whorled ring, the hint of green glow lighting the skin of his thumb. “I remembered a story my mother had told me of the original Kavin Wood ring. I’d forgotten about it, but realized it could stand in for the one that is missing. When I put it on, I connected to Kavin’s magic.”

  She twisted the silver ring on her own hand. “Is there a spare queen’s ring?”

  Russal shook his head. “My mother never said. I barely remember the tale she told, except that this is the first ring of covenant worn by a monarch of Kavin.”

  “Is it just as powerful?”

  “It feels
a bit subdued. Same green glow, but that is proof that it accepts me.”

  “But mine has always glowed purple.”

  “I think Kavin knew you were its queen before I did.” He rated the ring around his thumb. “We’ll be stronger together now, sharing the power of the king’s rings.”

  Burty slowed his pace.

  “That’s comforting,” Kambry said.

  “It was always Mother’s gift to see where people were, no matter the location. My father and I always need to be in the open air, and then it only shows us what’s outside the castle. At least, that is how I understand it. I suppose my father thought he had plenty of time to fill me in on the details.”

  Up ahead, she could see the entrance to the royal chambers. Russal kissed the back of her hand and nodded at Marshall Burtram, who had stopped to talk with the guards waiting by the door.

  Gordy marched out of line and with a flourish opened the door. Cole and Lessa entered ahead of Kambry and Russal, and the remaining guards streamed in behind them. Would they have their company throughout the family visit? What about later? Kambry blushed at the thought of being alone with Russal after their family and friends left.

  She was queen in name and fact. Russal was her husband. The thought sent a thrill up her back. There had been many dinners and lunches in Russal’s chambers and out on the balcony, but this time she was entering as the queen. These were her rooms now. The green, tufted lounging couch where she once sat cringing and wringing her hands was hers to stretch out on and sketch. The sitting area with its delicate furnishings where she had once paced in angry frustration because Russal was accusing her of meeting a traitor in her bedroom. These rooms had memories, but they also carried a future she could imagine spread out before her. Her hands and shoulders tingled and trembled.

  “Cold?” Russal pulled her close and caressed her face.

  She looked around, eyeing the guards methodically checking the various rooms of the apartment. Lessa searched behind curtains and furniture. Cole canvased the balcony.

  “They won’t all remain,” Russal said, catching her watching the guards. “Knowing Covey could be wandering about, they’re being thorough.”