Reign Queen

by L. Darby Gibbs

  He dragged her a few feet to the stairwell wall and leaned back. “That’s better,” he said, and it was more comfortable for her as well, not pressed forward by him.

  He didn’t let her pull away from leaning on his chest, and she forced herself to relax. There had to be a way to thwart him and make him let go longer enough for her to yell for the guards. Why hadn’t she yelled sooner?

  Her throat tightened, and another tear of frustration escaped.

  “He was with Tomo and Amily in the garden. They were playing Willow and Rock. Have you heard of that game? One can only hide behind objects of the natural world, such as trees and boulders.” He snorted. “Tomo thought that would limit Russal’s ability to find him. Ha! It gave Russal all sorts of advantage. You can imagine, based on your own recent skills. How well can one hide from you in the woods, the garden? You can ask Kavin to find anyone, trap anyone.”

  Kambry blanked her mind. She didn’t want to imagine where this story was going.

  “He trapped Tomo. Of course, Tomo just thought he had wandered into a rosebush by accident. He didn’t see it turn and climb up his legs before tightening when he took a step. Down he went. His kicking seemed to only entwine him more in the thorns until he was screaming at the cuts to his skin. Russal stood and watched. It wasn’t until Amily begged him to remove the rose’s stems from Tomo that he let go and walked away. Amily had to unwind each thorny stem.”

  Kambry tried not to see in her mind what he described. But it hung there in her vision until she realized Kavin had threaded the image past her efforts to not see it. Why?

  Tomo had been hysterical with fear. A boy trapped by a plant that seemed to delight in tearing at him. Russal had just stood there looking down. Amily tore at the rose stems, her hands growing bloody.

  Kambry begged Kavin to withdraw, and the image faded.

  “That is the man you think you love. He would do such a thing shortly after the death of his parents. What atrocities is he capable of now?”

  She shuddered. His arms seemed to hug her, not the binding pressure they had been.

  “Kambry, please come away with me. Please don’t stay with him. Tell me you’ll leave with me.”

  She shook her head and growled out, “No.”

  He dropped his forehead to her shoulder. “I’ll leave, but I’ll be close by. My mother has plans I need to protect you from. And there’s another equally dangerous, no loyalty at all.”

  He adjusted his legs crossed over hers. “Did you know I watched you run across the field?”

  The field? Then she remembered the door latch clicking just as she’d had climbed out the window. He’d been the one to enter the room when she’d escaped the farmhouse through the chicken wire nailed across the window. Why hadn’t he called the alarm?

  “I was coming to get you. You needed to be out of that house so I could keep you safe. It seemed best to let you go. I assumed I could track you down after I got the search parties headed in another direction.” He sighed. “I’ll be here watching over you. Call out when you need me.” He kissed her gently on her cheek. “I’m sorry, Kambry.”

  His hand rose to cover her nose. And she couldn’t get a breath.

  Fighting all she could, twisting and attempting to kick out her legs accomplished nothing. He was a cage and muffled her every attempt at getting air or breaking free. Was he trying to kill her? She fought harder.

  “You’ll awaken after a few minutes. Stop fighting me.”

  Blackness edged at her vision. Her head pounded. Her lungs screamed for air. Whimpering, she felt her limbs weaken, and she slumped.

  Covey waited another few seconds. Then released her to lay her gently on the floor.

  Kambry held her crumpled position, imprisoning her own lungs against their will to draw air. When he released her, and she heard him rise, she dragged in a breath and screamed shrill and loud.

  He kicked over the lamp, and it winked out. Doors slammed, and only a moment passed before someone gathered her in his arms and carried her to a couch.

  She just kept screaming, arms and legs thrashing.

  A voice tunneled through the narrow shaft of thought still left her. “Your Majesty, it’s Drew. Guardsman Drew. You’re safe.”

  Light filled the room. Lamps took up space on tables and counters.

  She clutched at him, and he patted her head.

  “Get Veed or her mother,” he ordered.

  “The cook?” another voice said.

  Drew’s voice rose with exasperation. “The so Kon and the do Runiya. Now go.”

  Kambry pushed him away, and he released her and crouched beside the couch.

  “I’m fine.” She drew in air, her lungs loosening with each breath. As she stood up, she grabbed his shoulder, ready to topple to one side. Deep breaths, she told herself.

  Drew stayed down, willing to be a piece of furniture if she wished. She squeezed his shoulder and then let her fingers rest there as her head cleared. “I wasn’t sure who was here. Lessa said I should scream and kick the next time Covey approached me and not to stop until guards surrounded me.”

  “You followed her guidance well.” He stood and rubbed his chin where a welt was rising.

  “Not well enough. I had to wait until he nearly suffocated me to get my chance.”

  Lessa stormed into the room. She squinted at Kambry and marched up the stairs. A moment later, she returned holding a robe. “Your Majesty, let’s get you covered up.”

  Great, standing in my nightgown, one chosen especially for Russal, surrounded by guards. “Thank you.” Kambry finished putting an arm through and tied the sash around her waist.

  Lessa adjusted the shawl collar. “A guard informed the king, and I believe your parents are on their way.”

  Kambry put her hands to her face. They shouldn’t have been told. Now they won’t sleep tonight or any night, fearful that Covey has entered and stolen her away. “What did you tell them?” Maybe she could convince Dad and Mom she had suffered a nightmare.

  “Just that you needed them,” Drew said.

  “Fine. I had a nightmare. Do you understand?” Kambry looked at each guard until they nodded assent.

  “Of course, Your Majesty. Your evening out was eventful.”

  “Kambry?” Mom called from the other room. Dad and she came around the corner, both hastily clothed. Dad’s tunic hung awry, and mother had an overdress pulled on over her nightdress. Her hair lay plaited over her shoulder, mussed from sleep.

  “I’m okay, Mom. I worried about the two of you and had a bad dream.” She hugged them both, finding their closeness comforting. “I’m sorry they pulled you out of bed. Everything is fine. Won’t you both go back to your rooms?”

  Dad looked bleary-eyed, but a frown marred his forehead. She doubted she would get them on their way for at least half an hour.

  “Maybe some warm milk,” Mom said, looking around the room as if there might be a pitcher close by.

  “Where’s Russal?” Dad said, his countenance gaining perceptiveness. “Why isn’t he here?”

  “He wanted to check on security in the castle,” Kambry said as she guided her parents to the couch she had just been lying on. “I believe he’s with Burty.”

  Mom dropped quickly onto the couch. Dad remained standing, his gaze catching on Drew. “What happened to you? Were you in the ruckus at the maze?”

  “Yes, sir. I was. My job is to be where the ruckus is.”

  Dad’s eyes squinted.

  “Drew is one of my regular guards, Dad.” Kambry noted his suspicious gaze. “I encourage them to be free with their humor. It helps lighten the mood, don’t you think?”

  Drew straightened. “I meant no offence, so Kon.”

  “Of course, you didn’t. I get a bit disconcerted when my daughter is surrounded by guards after having a nightmare, and they are flippant.”

  Something in his voice told Kambry he didn’t believe her excuse. “They are rather protective. It’s a wonder my door isn’t ha
nging off its hinges.” She looked at Drew. “It isn’t, is it?”

  “No, Your Majesty. We’re rather well skilled with locks and bolts. His Majesty takes issue at broken doors which we can enter more swiftly unlocking than breaking down. They’re quite stout.” He rolled his eyes. “I don’t mean to babble.”

  “Dad has that effect on people. Hard to believe when he is so mild-mannered.”

  Dad’s lips quirked. He tugged her under his arm. “I don’t like it when my daughter is unhappy.”

  “But Drew was not responsible for that unhappiness.”

  “Pardon my annoyance.” His gaze at Drew didn’t soften, though his voice had.

  Kambry was going to have to talk to him about that. Dad had a sixth sense about people. Why would Drew annoy him with such a minor offense?

  “Brode, perhaps we should head off to bed.” Mom reached out and lay her hand on his arm. “Kambry is okay, and it’s late.”

  “I’d like to wait for Russal.”

  “He’s not at fault either, Dad.” Her shoulders grew tense. Was Russal to blame? Ridiculous. She was letting Covey’s twisted words get to her. They had gotten to her. She hoped Russal returned soon.

  Dad massaged her neck. “Don’t worry about Russal. He’ll be here shortly, I’m sure.”

  Worry, of course, I’m worried about Russal. What delayed him?

  Voices rose in the main room, and then Russal bounded round the corner.

  He tugged her from Dad’s arms, laying his hands on either side of her face. His worried gaze stared down at her. “Kambry, what happened? They said--.”

  Kambry lay her hand on his lips. “A nightmare. Nothing more.”

  Russal held still, the worry deepening the tension around his eyes. “Okay.”

  She turned out of his grip. “Mom and Dad were just waiting for you to arrive. They didn’t want to leave until you were here.” She reached out to them, grasping a hand from each of them. “Everything is fine now. Please, go back to bed.”

  “Russal’s here, dear.” Mom hugged Dad’s arm. “Let’s go.”

  Dad pulled Mom from the couch, nodded at Russal, and turned, exiting with Mom whispering in his ear.

  Chapter Seven

  Kambry moved out of Russal’s grip. “Well, it’s time everyone headed back to bed or sentry duty, whichever applies. The king is here, and all is well.”

  Nobody moved.

  Kambry gazed at each of the guards detailed to her. “You may go now.” She enunciated each word carefully, waving her hands at them as if they were wayward children.

  Burty stood at the wall, his hands folded behind his back. Each guard gazed first at him, then at Russal.

  Kambry clenched her teeth. “Now,” she said, her voice sounding hard and out of patience. Covey was likely long gone. And she needed to keep it that way if she was going to keep them apart. Drew gave a quick bow and left the room, followed by those Kambry had picked out. Lessa lingered to the last, giving Kambry a worried glance before slowly stepping out of sight.

  Burty and seven other guards remained.

  Kambry folded her arms and tapped the fingers of one hand along a bicep.

  Russal stood still, his eyes shifting from Burty to Kambry and back. “I would like them to search our chambers.”

  “He’s not here anymore.” Kambry waited, her face devoid of emotion.

  “How can you be certain?” Russal frowned.

  “You left me here alone. I assume that means you consider our chambers perfectly safe.”

  Russal winced. “They should have been.”

  “What exactly would they search? Do you see any place in this room where Covey could crouch out of sight? Are there hidden passages perhaps your guards will scour?”

  “He could be upstairs.”

  She noted he hadn’t said there weren’t any passages. “He didn’t go upstairs.”

  “You were down here with him?”

  “I needed a new area to pace.”

  Burty stepped forward. “Your Majesties, perhaps you would like to head upstairs while I and my squad check down here.”

  Russal gave Kambry a questioning glance. He raised his brows, perhaps using them to point toward the stairwell. She assumed that was his intention.

  “Good night, Marshal Burtram.” Kambry strode away from Russal and took the steps slowly. The enclosed space gained just enough light from the lamps below and those above for her to see her path, though her shadow left her feet in darkness, and she felt that a proper metaphor. She had no idea what she was standing on. Moving forward was her only course of action. First she had to deal with Russal leaving her.

  Russal’s footsteps followed her.

  Upon entering their chambers, she angled toward a pair of chairs, a small round table resting between them. She sat, her hands folded in her lap. The chair’s fabric was a pretty blush color, textured and soft, yet they were stiff chairs with little padding. The decorative round back displayed the same fabric and stiffness. Good. Russal would be as physically uncomfortable as she felt.

  “It’s late, Kambry. Wouldn’t you like to go to bed?”

  “No. I would like to know where you were and what you were doing all this time.”

  His blue eyes glanced about the room. There wasn’t any sign of the passionate embraces that had occupied their earlier time together. Kambry wasn’t even sure those embraces had occurred. They seemed almost a dream.

  “I was with Burty and Tomo.”

  “Sit down, Russal.”

  He sat on the other chair and rested a forearm on the table separating them. It was a delicate table, and there wasn’t room for his entire arm. His hand hung over the edge. He drew his arm off the table slowly and leaned back.

  She faced round in her seat, knocking her knees against the table leg. She ignored the flash of pain and kept her hand from rubbing the sore spot. “So you were with the marshal and Lord Strom for over an hour. I waited for you.”

  “I’m sorry. It took longer than I expected. I went to see the injured guards.”

  “How are they?”

  “One should be well enough to return to his assignment tomorrow. The other will be out for a few weeks. He’s suffered a blow to the head and is still unconscious. The guard’s surgeon feels he’ll make a full recovery with care.”

  “So you saw them and spoke to Baraby, then what?”

  Russal’s gaze twisted to her. “You know Baraby?”

  “He treated my shoulder after they accused me of attempting to assassinate you in the archery range.”

  “Oh, yes. I’d forgotten.” His gaze toured the room again. “How is your shoulder?”

  “It’s been months since then.”

  “Kambry, you’re angry with me for taking too long to return. I’m sorry, darling.” He stood.

  “That is not why I am angry.”

  He peered at her and returned to the seat. After a moment, he took a breath and shook his head. “Then I don’t understand what this is about.”

  “That is obvious.”

  He looked slapped, and she almost apologized for her tone. He had to understand she hadn’t married him so she could sit in a cupboard only taken out when it was convenient or interesting for him. Was that Covey’s opinion or her own? She had been angry with Russal before she’d discovered Covey below. Had Covey echoed her thoughts?

  “I’ve never had a queen at my side, Kambry. Forgive me for being obtuse. What have I done wrong?”

  “I was not at your side.”

  His eyebrows creased, and he shook his head slightly.

  “You relegated me to this room, deliberately left me behind.”

  “Kambry, there was nothing you could do.”

  She stood, paced toward their bed and back to where he sat. Her hands curled into fists.

  “You did not give me the choice to determine what I could do. You took it upon yourself to decide for me. What could you do? Did you treat your guards, search the palace, discover any intruders? What did y
ou do that I couldn’t do?”

  His face softened into a grin. “You are so lovely, even in anger.” He rose, reaching for her hands.

  “I am not just here for you to admire or run your hands over.”

  “I see both your anger and your beauty.”

  “You are an idiot.”

  He rocked back on his heels. “Kambry?”

  “Do you think I married you to garnish a pretty room, so you could admire my beautiful wrath, my desirable features? Is that all I am to you?”

  “No. I am not that foolish.” He looked away. “But I see that I have been foolish.”

  “You keep pushing me into a tiny space, Russal. I once fit in such a space. Not anymore. Not after all that I have experienced.” She walked away, putting distance between them. She had friends now. People who expected more from her than scribbled words in a village record book. She wasn’t hiding, afraid of what people would expect from her. Queen of Kavin. That could not be the same as Kambry do Brode of Paddlyrun. If it was, she was grossly misinformed. Lady Laurents would be livid if Kambry accepted such an interpretation. Had she slipped out from under Stahn’s brotherly protection only to shelter behind a husband? She stamped. She would not stand for that.

  “I’m still learning what it means to have someone in power with me.”

  Kambry spun around, her gaze intent on his confused face. “Your mother was a subservient queen?”

  “No!” He shook his head, nonplussed. “She was strong. My parents ruled together.”

  “Then how am I different? Why do you expect so much less from me?”

  “You have little experience.”

  “No, I have little opportunity. What did you think I did while you searched for Amily?” She marched to the room that held weapons sized for her. Russal strolled slowly after her, and she glared back at him from the doorway before striding inside and grabbing a small sword. She turned to find him just entering the room.

  She held the sword out, her grip sure. Gordy had trained her with one similar, though far more worn. “Is this a toy? Was it prepared for me to pretend with?”

  His gaze shifted about the room. “I thought we could train together.”