Kambry stepped away from Russal and toward the balcony doors. “Where is this sumptuous spread I interrupted Stahn’s lost heart for?”
Stahn gazed over her shoulder. “There are tables outside.”
Before any of them could turn, the door to the chambers swung open. Three rolling carts trailed in one after the other, servants pushing and making a beeline for the balcony.
The aroma drew rumbles from Kambry’s stomach. She turned to Amily. “How will you two eat with those sleepy handfuls?”
Amily grinned. “We’ve both gotten very good at eating one-handed.”
Before long, everyone was picking up a small cream-colored plate and piling on all the fruit, vegetables, custards, compotes, breads and cheeses they could and strolling to the chairs arranged in pairs in a circle. Amily filled Tomo’s and he hers as they took turns holding a plate and picking from the elaborate creations on the tables.
Lord Laurents told a story about a night he’d taken Lady Laurents to visit Strom Castle and they got lost, spending the night in a barn because Lady Laurents refused to waken the homeowners and request hospitality. Lady Laurents wore a pinched expression throughout the story, and Kambry kept her amusement down to a snort. She suspected everyone had contained their mirth, as it was quite a funny story at the lady’s expense.
Most of them had already filled their plates twice when Tia skipped to the balcony wall and pointed. “Stahn, the garden is lit up like a birthday cake. Come see!”
Amily gave Russal a quick look, her lips turned up in delight. “Russal, did you have them open the garden for night strolling?” Patting Samel’s shoulder as he slept, she joined Tia, and the two waved at those still seated to come see.
Kambry, curious, left her seat. “Oh, Russal, it’s lovely.” Lanterns stood throughout the garden, splashing yellow brightness among pathways and around cozy seating under canopies of tree limbs and fanciful bushes trimmed into playful figures. Even the maze was illuminated.
Russal leaned beside her. “Do you like it?”
She squeezed his hand in response. “Is the maze complete? It looks finished from here.”
“Konnelby and I have been busy. The shrubs are still shorter than desired, but tall enough to create a good labyrinth. I thought our guests might enjoy an evening stroll through it and the garden proper.”
Tia bounced on her toes. “Can we go down? I’ve never been in a maze. Or a garden this size.”
Russal looked uncertain.
Dad said, “Wouldn’t it be safe?”
Kambry could see Russal warring with his caution. “It should be. I have guards everywhere, and it’s lit to nearly daylight.”
“Russal.” Amily touched his arm. “Don’t let him take what is yours. This is your realm, you rule it.”
He slid his arm around Kambry and drew her to his side. He whispered into her ear, “You’ll stay close?”
She snuggled under his arm. “Just don’t let go.”
Eyes staring into her own, Russal said, “Never.” He turned to face the expectant group. Even the Laurents looked hopeful. “Let’s go down. Most of our guests have headed in. I’ll send word to Marshal Burtram to alert the guards.” He took a breath, hugged Kambry tighter. “Let’s go for a stroll. Ladies, grab your wraps if you think you’ll need them.”
Kambry doubted the guards would need notification. She couldn’t move outside the castle without a contingent of runners keeping every guard informed. There were enough shadows below to hide a regiment. Perhaps that was what bothered Russal. She watched him herd everyone to the door. He seemed as pleased by the jaunt as any of them.
Tia grabbed Stahn’s hand. “I have all I need. Join me in the garden.”
Stahn’s eyes widened. He nodded slowly, keeping his gaze on Tia.
Kambry shook her head. Did she look like that when she looked at Russal? Goodness, she hoped she wasn’t that obviously lost to loving him. His fingers pressed her thin gown to her hip and tingles ran up her spine. Bother, she probably was just as bad.
Amily and Tomo stood apart, their babies sound asleep in their arms. The two had eaten slowly, giving their attention to their children more than the company. “We’ll be heading to our chambers,” said Amily. “We’ve walked the gardens enough times over the years.” She chewed her lip, looking uncertain. “I suppose the new maze would be interesting.”
“We’ll visit the maze tomorrow.” Tomo took Amily’s hand.
Kambry hugged them both. “We’ll see you at lunch.”
Though they entered the maze as a group, each pair headed off in different directions. Russal drew Kambry to the right almost as soon as they entered. She had a moment to check the stones at the base of the corner and assure herself of the path leading to the center of the maze before he guided her onto a side path.
“Russal, this isn’t the way.” She peered off toward the turning she was certain was correct.
“I know.” He winked and took her by both hands, walking backward into a dead-end, lightly illuminated by a lamp on a post at the corner. “I’m going to have some time with my new queen when I know Amily won’t be interrupting.” He stopped, and a mischievous grin lit his face. “We could sneak back to our chambers, and no one would know.”
Kambry looked away and bit her lip. A thrill shook her shoulders at the thought of being alone with Russal. She couldn’t tell if it was excitement at the notion they would be alone together or trepidation that they would be alone together. He fetched her up close to him, releasing her hands and caressing her waist, his palms sliding along her back.
Some of her trepidation wafted away, replaced with a desire to lean into him. Giggles on the other side of the hedge made Russal still, and he set his forehead on her shoulder with a sigh.
Stahn’s deep voice carried over the rustling foliage. “Tiiiaaa.”
Russal nuzzled his face into her neck and whispered. “Guess we’re going to have to find another spot.” He turned them around and headed back to the entrance, then deeper into the maze. Kambry trailed behind him, a silly grin rising on her face. They entered one side route only to find a pair of guests snuggling.
Russal huffed after they tiptoed out again. “Whose maze is this, anyway? Can’t a king have his private corner with his queen?”
“You shouldn’t have invited so many people,” she teased.
Russal looked ready to chide her, his finger raised in front of her nose. He paused. “It’s a big maze. Come along.” He headed off again, her hand in his pressed to the small of his back. The silk embroidery on his tunic made her fingers tingle.
“Russal, I bet the center is probably the emptiest place in the maze.”
He had them turned about again in a trice. He stopped periodically to check the telltales the gardener had left for him. Kambry watched for the pale-green rectangular chips of stone embedded in the design that ran along the bed of the hedges and confirmed Russal was now taking them to the center of the maze. With only a few pathways leading there, it was a better bet they would find it empty. Every ten paces another lantern hung, illuminating two sides of every hedgerow.
Voices to their left made Russal stop and wait until it was clear the chatting was on another pathway. It was several minutes before he sounded an excited, “Ha,” and pulled her into his arms.
One lone lantern spilled light on the other side of the fountain that marked the maze center. The tall weathered stone left a shadow pointing toward the opening in the hedge they had just passed through.
“Kambry, love.” He ran his hands up her arms, bringing goosebumps to her skin. “You aren’t cold, are you?”
“No, Russal.” Cold was the last thing on her mind. Nervousness made her shiver and heat filled her chest. Being alone with Russal excited her, which didn’t explain why she also felt better remaining in the maze rather than heading back to their chambers.
He guided her hands around his neck and leaned down toward her upturned face. The light behind her reflected in the blue o
f his eyes. He pulled her closer, and her dress rustled between them.
Her fingers of their own accord, wove together behind his neck, pulling his lips closer to hers. The ring on her thumb caressing his check glowed a soft purple.
When his lips touched hers, much of her nervousness dashed away. She leaned against him, pulling him tight.
He sighed, and she lost all sense of uncertainty.
Out of the warm night, a yell of surprise and fear turned them both toward the path behind them.
Another voice broke the frozen moment, deeper tones, but tinted with strain.
Metal clashed.
Another yell, a woman’s.
“Russal, that sounds like Lady Laurents. We have to go help her.” Kambry started for the path, but Russal pulled her back.
“No, stay here.”
“Here? I’m not staying here!” She jerked free of his arm and hurried to the separation in the wall of shrubbery. If Covey was the cause, she needed to be there to keep them apart.
He looked about and yelled, “Guards, to me now.”
Seconds passed and hedges jostled and leaped as if someone was yanking them up by their roots or diving between them. Kambry thought perhaps both. Soon the center of the maze contained four guards. Russal pointed at Cole and Lessa. “Stay with the queen. You two with me.”
Off Russal ran, Drew and Marshal Burtram a stride behind. Three more dithered by the taller hedge of the original part of the maze. After a moment, two followed Russal out the north entrance and the third joined Cole and Lessa.
Kambry snapped her fists to her hips. Did he just leave me? “I’m not staying here.” She raced off after Russal, reaching the exit in the palely lit courtyard just as Cole stepped in front of her and Lessa marched to her right.
“Kambry, you’re staying here, just as the king ordered.” Cole folded his arms across his chest.
The clanging was not the steady flow of strike on strike. Metal slid across metal. Someone was only blocking the steady blows of someone with a sword. Who could have a sword in the maze? A guard? And who would he or she be fighting?
Kambry bounced on her toes. “And now your queen orders you to step aside,” she said. “I’ll not stand here wringing my hands while my new husband and the Laurents are in danger. Get out of my way, Guard Cole.” She’d never used that tone or addressed him in that way before, and his sudden uncertainty gave her greater determination. “I’ll not ask again.”
“Kambry,” Lessa wheedled. “Our job is to protect you.”
“Queen Kambry or Your Majesty,” she corrected. “How about this? Come along and join me. I’ll save six marauders just for you.”
Cole shook his head. Lessa laughed. “You always seemed a bit selfish, and now it shows. How many are you going to give Cole?”
“None, if he doesn’t step aside.”
Cole gazed a moment at Lessa. Kambry watched the two decide. He drew his sword and turned, calling over his shoulder, “I lead; you follow. Lessa, watch the queen’s back.” He pointed the tip of his sword at the third guard in their company. “You, behind Guard Veed.”
He led them toward the sounds of shrill metal. They didn’t go far before he came to a stop. The path ahead diverted both left and right.
Kambry fingered her scabbard and imagined the layout of the maze. She had walked it in daylight, following the telltales. Slowly, she oriented herself by where the castle stood in the distance. Listening for the sound of the fight and estimating the likely pathway, she called out, “Right, then right again.” Excitement and worry vied for control of her heart. She needed to be by Russal’s side if she was going to interfere with him facing Felip Covey. Kambry pushed Cole forward.
Cole dashed around the corner and held a quick pace to the next right. Two guards stood, pulling at the hedge before them. “What are you doing?” he shouted.
“The king went this way, the hedge splitting to allow him through. Drew and Burtram followed, but it closed up before we could.”
Cole turned to face Kambry. “What can you do, Your Majesty?”
Chapter Five
Kambry drew the magic of Kavin toward her, a breeze instantly rising around her and moving in a slow turn about her body. Kavin, help me reach Russal. The hedge shook, the leaves sliding like a whisper against each other. A cleft in the maze wall formed and deepened, and sections of the pathway beyond came into view.
A scream rent the air. Kambry dropped her control of Kavin, the hedge half separated, stiffening. “Mom! That’s my mom!” But it had come from a different direction. Russal was straight ahead, but Mom was off to the right. The next sound was an impact, a dull thump, like metal hitting something with give to it.
Kambry grasped the magic and rent aside the green wall on her right. She ran through, Cole yelling behind her to wait. She could hear footfalls in her wake. Good enough. She split another barrier of greenery and winced at the thought of how Gardner Konnelby would feel about her tearing his maze to pieces, before flinging the thought aside and focusing on the sounds of struggle ahead.
“Mom!” she yelled. “Dad!” Another hedge fluttered its leaves before two mature shrubs leaned apart. A small courtyard lay ahead. Two men struggled against a third, trying hard to pull away from them. He fell from their grasp, the hood of his robe falling backward. But he was in shadows and other than seeing that he was a man, his features remained unclear.
The intruder rolled to the side and was out through an opening before the two others bent to clutch at him again.
Kambry stood, uncertain who stood before her until they both turned to face into the lantern light at her back. “Dad!” She rushed to him and blinked at the man who stood beside him. “Mr. Konnelby?”
Cole squeezed by her and dashed out after the fleeing man.
“Your Majesty.” Konnelby bowed deeply.
“Where’s Mom?” She grabbed Dad’s hand.
“I’m over here, dear.” From the shadows, Mom rose to her feet.
“You and Lessa, take a perimeter,” Kambry said. She watched them respond instantly. The additional guard’s eyes widened.
Lessa grinned.
“Now what happened here?” Kambry tugged at Dad’s hand, giving both her parents a quick perusal. They were both unharmed.
In the silence before they spoke, she realized the other battle was over as well. No more sounds of clashing steel broke the evening quiet. Was Russal safe?
Dad pointed at the route the man had escaped through. “That fellow burst out at us and grabbed your mother. Before I could even react, Mr. Konnelby here arrived swinging a shovel.”
Mr. Konnelby picked up the garden tool laying at his feet, his stance reminding Kambry of a knight grasping a pike. He looked quite pleased with himself. She gave him an acknowledging nod.
Dad continued, “Together we held him, but your arrival startled me. I thought we had more trouble to deal with, and I suppose I loosened my grip on him.”
“Why would someone go after Mom?” Kambry put out her hand, reaching for her mother, who stepped to her side. “Are you okay?”
“He quite disconcerted me.” She held out her hands. “I’m still shaking, but I’m fine. I’d like to know why I was his target, too.”
Cole returned through the hedge opening. “He got away, Your Majesty. I saw him take a corner, but once I reached the turn, he was out of sight and no sound gave away his course.”
Lessa touched Kambry’s shoulder. “We should get everyone back to King Russal. He’s going to be worried to find you gone from the center courtyard.”
Kambry knew what she was leaving unsaid. He would wonder why his guards didn’t follow his orders and keep her there. She was going to have to chat with him about what orders he may give regarding her. For now, she needed to get her parents safely back into the castle and a detail of guards assigned to them. She had a spare twenty about somewhere. She could assign a group herself if she could get them to show themselves. What had Russal yelled? “Guards, to me
,” or something like that.
“Guards, I want a detail of five in line, here, now!” There, that sounded assertive and queenly.
Uniformed men and women stepped into the light of the lone lamp, a straight and meticulous line forming at once.
“Who’s your senior?” she addressed the five guards.
One stepped forward. “Justinia, Your Majesty.”
Justinia was a formidable woman in her forties with broad shoulders and black hair worn tightly cropped to her head. She held a pike, and Kambry ogled it, amazed she had kept it out of sight among the hedges.
Smoothing her features and turning her gaze to look into the experienced eyes of Guard Justinia, Kambry gave her orders. “I now assign you to the so Kon and do Runiya. See them safely to their quarters, ensure the room is secure and arrange for round-the-clock protection. You will report to me twice daily.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I’ll inform the marshal of the change in our orders.”
Kambry appreciated the woman not asserting she couldn’t countermand the marshal’s prior assignment. “Of course. Do not let the action impinge on your protection of my parents.”
“Your orders stand above all others. It will be as you state.” Justinia stepped back into the line.
Kambry turned back to her mom and dad. “I want you both to return to your quarters until we get everything sorted out.” She caught their worried glances. “I know you’d rather stay close and assured I’m safe. Don’t worry. I have guards hanging about in trees, under rocks and stuffed into other strange little spaces everywhere about.” She gazed suspiciously at the hedges. Justinia’s mouth twitched. Her queen amused her, apparently. “I’ll feel better knowing you are safe. Please go with Justinia and her squad.”
Dad looked ready to balk, but Mom took his hand and said, “I think that would be best. The fewer targets about, the more the guards can focus on Kambry and Russal.” She squeezed Kambry’s hand. “See us before you head to bed tonight. We’ll sleep better knowing you’re safe, too. If safety is possible.”
Mom’s last words made Kambry pause. Was safety possible when Covey and his unknown supporters could move freely about the castle grounds attacking people with impunity?
Reign Queen Page 6
