“You cost us good gold you pompous prick,” Morgan hissed between his teeth as he put a boot into Kane’s ribs. Then he spat a wad of tobacco on him, “Get him gagged and bound, and put a hood on him.”
“You murdered my niece!” Henry still couldn’t believe what had happened. Lea was lying in the road, stone dead, her eyes wide and staring and blood pooling beneath her.
“Aye.” Morgan trudged over, wiping a cut on his cheek, and looking less than pleased. “I did.” He gave the slightest of nods and Henry cursed as his men were murdered around him with axe and blade and left where they fell.
His bladder let go and fear stole his tongue as strong arms dragged him to his feet.
“Can’t be no witness, Milord,” Morgan said, anger in his eyes. “So you should have been a little firmer with the girl and got out of here when I gave ya’ the chance. Then none of this would have been necessary now would it? So fuck you, too.” Morgan spat and drew his blade.
Henry felt the knife run across his throat but not the axe that cleaved his skull.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
James sat beside Danielle at her father’s table and quietly ate his soup. Most of the chairs around them were empty. It was the way the king had wanted it, just family, just himself, his two sons, Joseph, James and Kimberly. Faith’s chair, like that of the queen and now Kane’s as well, stood empty. But the places were set, as was the custom at this table.
The servants had brought in fish chowder and several cane-baskets full of fresh bread, as well as three jugs of rich red Arkaelyon wine, before leaving to let the royal household eat in peace. Barely a word had been spoken during the first course. James had noticed those at the table glance at the empty chair beside Eden, where, he understood, Kane had once sat.
“Dee, you must eat. I know you love fish chowder,” the king said.
“I’m not particularly hungry, Milord.”
“Even so, it would be wise to take a little.”
She complied, dipping her spoon into the soup and lifting it to her lips.
“Your favourite cod, you’ll notice. Not half bad?”
She made an effort at polite gratitude and took another spoonful, though she still had a faraway look in her eyes. James buttered a piece of bread and placed it on her side plate before refilling her glass with wine, but as she had all afternoon, she ignored him.
The king considered his daughter from the far end of the table as he tore a chunk off a loaf of bread. “After talking to you earlier, I have decided that the announcement regarding yours and James’ marriage should be made before you leave for Amthenium. I would like the wedding to follow in the next month if that is agreeable to you. If Lord Cargius gets you with child, I want her protected. No grandchild of mine will be called a bastard.
“If you think it wise, father,” Danielle said with little enthusiasm.
“And you accept these term, James?”
“Of course, your majesty,” James said. Joseph had informed him that this decision had been made just before dinner. He was also relieved to see that Danielle had slipped his ring back on her finger before coming to dinner.
“Good. A letter has been sent to your benefactors. Unfortunately I understand that neither Wyatt nor Glomar will be able to be here for the engagement celebrations with it so soon, but you will both get to see them after our visit to the Lunwraithian Anniversary. You are no doubt looking forward to seeing Wyatt and Glomar again, Danielle?”
“Of course, father.”
He considered her a moment and then said, “It would be nice to see you smile a little, lass. You are going to have to learn to take happiness while you can.”
“I know.”
Feeling somewhat awkward, James said on Danielle’s behalf, “It has been a difficult day, your majesty.”
Danielle glanced at him, her face calm but anger in her eyes. “Thank you, James, but I am more than capable of speaking for myself.”
They ate in silence for a short while before the king said, “It pains me to say this, but I think it will be easier for both you and Kane if he is made to wear a hood.”
“If you think it will help, father,” Danielle replied, her gaze not lifting from her soup.
Eden said kindly, “You’re not alone, Dee. We all feel this as keenly.”
“I know. I keep thinking that this time tomorrow there will be one more permanently empty chair at this table. Mother and now Kane.”
“It’s not my place to speak at this table, but perhaps it would help if we considered why this is necessary?” James offered.
Danielle rounded on him, her voice taut with anger. “You’re right, James, it is not your place to speak at this table and I will thank you to remember that.”
James went to apologise, but the king got in first. “That is particularly unkind. And I would think, that since this is my table, I should say who can speak and who cannot?”
“Of course father. I’m sorry. I forget that James is not my dog to kick.” Her eyes flashed at him.
“Danielle, that is enough…”
“Why?” she asked, “Is it not true? His loyalty is to his warrant as protector not as husband.”
“The two are not incompatible.”
“A leash is a leash whatever name you give it.”
Her father eyed her across the table. “Really? That is particularly unkind given that James saved your life earlier today, and not because of some warrant or loyalty to me. I think you owe your fiancé an apology.”
Danielle nodded regretfully and there was honest regret in her eyes as she glanced at him. “I am sorry.”
Before James could say that was unnecessary Joseph cleared his throat and said, “Regarding Kane and his place at this table, James’ observation is correct. You might be twins, Danielle, but there has never been any love lost between you and I think we now understand why. And that chair has been empty for some time …”
“Perhaps that’s what pains me the most,” Danielle countered. “Kane did not ask for this any more than I.”
“Your point?” Eden asked.
“It isn’t fair that fate should determine our actions. That we be mere puppets on strings.”
“I think there is more free will in this than you realise, Dee.”
“If it were so, Joseph, my will would be to have my mother and brother returned to this table whatever our differences, and my husband as my own. And I would not be Druid’s Bane,” her voice quivered and she broke off and lowered her head so they could not see her misery.
“We all wish it could have been otherwise, lass, but tragedies befall all and sundry and wishing will not change what must be done,” Joseph said. “This is not a time to let feelings guide your actions; that is what I am saying here. They’ll only drain your strength and resolve, which is one of the reasons why I don’t think it is wise that you attend the funerals for the men we have lost in the last few days. Leave it to one of your brothers.”
Danielle looked up sharply, her eyes shining with tears. “I will not. And how could you even suggest such a thing. These men and their families deserve our respect and sympathy.”
“Yes, and they have both in full measure. But there is also the matter of your safety, my dear.”
“Safety? There will be more loyal swords in attendance than guard me here at the palace.”
“Enough,” her father said. “Joseph’s point is that you need a clear head and steady hand in the coming hours and days, and the pain, the loss, the grief, we all feel, should not be dealt with right now, and certainly not by you. There will be time enough for them on the morrow. For now, you need strength and courage, so please, eat your soup.” Her father glanced at Joseph, adding, “I expect we’ll have word of your brother’s arrival soon and there are other matters we need to discuss before that ghastly business is forced upon us. Matters, I hope, might please you, even help you do what you must.”
Joseph’s sideways look at the king at the last comment was telling. James wondere
d what had been discussed that Joseph had not mentioned to him.
Suspicion swept across Danielle’s face. “Other matters?”
Her father put his spoon down and tossed his napkin onto the table. “Cargius will visit you again in Amthenium, correct?”
“Yes,” she said wearily.” I have already told you, every second week we must meet until the ritual is complete.”
“Are you sure you’ll be safe?”
“We had this discussion this afternoon. I will be safe.”
Her father nodded with little conviction and chewed his lip, as if getting at something between his teeth, before saying, “Well, as that maybe, after your duties at the Grand Assembly and the Lunwraithian Anniversary are concluded, you will return here to Illandia for your wedding, then I want you to take a break from your courtly responsibilities while you sojourn at Lord Sydney’s estate in Noren. It’s secret and out of the way, and with all you have to cope with I think the seclusion is necessary.”
Danielle was appalled by the suggestion but obviously not surprised. “But I’m just returned from a long convalescence. Father. I am eager to begin my apprenticeship as Madam Protector. I want to serve the realm.”
“You are serving the realm! After all, and as much as it troubles me to say this, there will be no Madam Protector unless you are successful as Druid’s Bane, first.”
“And it has not occurred to you that you might help me more by letting me fulfil my duties as the former?”
“The decision has been made.”
She swallowed her grief at hearing this and bowed her head. “If you say so, Milord. Pray tell, how long?” she said briskly.
The king looked troubled by the question. “Until it is done.”
Danielle gaped at him again. “Six months?” She snickered and shook her head, tears glistening in her eyes again. “Are you sure this is for my safety and not yours and Arkaelyon’s father?”
“What on earth is that supposed to mean?”
Her eyes filled with tears. “If you fear that O’Brooke’s account is truth, and you want me as far away from Arkaelyon as possible why not just come out and say it. It would be less cruel.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” the king said.
James noticed he did not meet his daughter’s gaze as he said this.
Clearly angered beyond words, Danielle politely excused herself and got up from the table to leave the chamber.
“Danielle, come back here,” her father demanded.
She stopped in the doorway. Kimberly was rising, but Danielle kindly waved her away, and her attention fixed on her father.
“Will you please sit yourself down,” her father said.
“I can’t. I do not begrudge you your decision to send me away. I understand why it is necessary and I will do as you command me, but I will not pretend that all is fine.”
When she turned and disappeared out of the chamber, James excused himself and gave chase. As he emerged into the grand vestibule outside the king’s private suite he found Danielle half way across the cavernous hall, her voice ringing off the vaulted ceiling as she demanded that her guards leave her alone.
“We can’t do that, Milady,” Sergeant Raynil was saying, trying to placate her with little success.
She drew her sword. “Get away from me. All of you.”
The sergeant shut his mouth and backed away from the princess’ fury, as did his men.
“Hold your ground,” James called out as he padded over. “Where you going?”
She eyed him as if she’d like very much to cut his throat. “The palace cathedral.” She’d mentioned to her father that she intended to spend the night there until Kane was caught and brought to the palace. Other than her chambers it was the only other place she was allowed to be alone. And with what this night was to bring, it was wholly understandable that she would seek comfort there among the gods.
“Let her go.”
“Alone, sir?”
“Yes, alone.”
“But, sir …”
“Sergeant, inform the king where his daughter can be found. That is all.”
Danielle’s fury ebbed a little, but there were no words of thanks as she sheathed her sword and set off down the stairs at a fast walk. James waited until she was out of view and then followed. When he reached the entrance to the cathedral he found the doors closed and barred. The guards confirmed the lady was within, and quite alone, so James had one of them let him in through a side door. A few torches burned in their iron holders, casting a pitiful light that barely touched the enormous expanse of the vast sanctuary. Danielle had lit two candles and was kneeling before the altar. Her head was bowed. The hint of her whispered prayers echoed back from the gloom. Not about to disturb her, James went over and sat in the front pew, to wait. She had locked him out after his indiscretion during the afternoon, and if he’d learned anything during their two-year romance, it was that it was best to let her come round in her own time. As to the matter of his indiscretion, he wasn’t quite sure how to remedy it; how could he keep her safe without adding to her burdens? He honestly wished he knew. Then there was the anger he felt. Anger that the gods would be so callous and uncaring as to place this weight on the shoulders of one who already carried far more than her share of responsibility.
Her prayers suddenly stopped and he heard the rustle of material. James opened his eyes and found that Danielle had sat back on her haunches and was looking at him. He couldn’t see her face, lost in the shadow as it was, but his heart skipped a beat and he sat up expectantly.
“They fear me, don’t they? They fear O’Brooke might have the truth—or at least partial truth of it and they want me as far away from Illandia as possible.”
The grief in her voice was difficult to bear, but as he stood to go to her, she recoiled slightly and put up a hand. “Please don’t. I just want someone to be honest with me.”
James sat back down and nodded. “I guess there is that fear. We know so little.”
“James, O’Brooke was a spy! A Larniusian Spy. Yet my father prefers his view to that of his own daughter.”
“They don’t prefer it. They fear it. And the contrary view is not yours, it’s Lord Cargius’.”
“They don’t trust me.”
“Yet your father has acquiesced to Cargius’ demands, because of your request. How is that not trust?”
“My father has acquiesced out of necessity. Joseph said so himself.”
James shook his head at her reasoning. “Can I speak plainly?”
“I would prefer that you left me alone.”
He ignored her request and said, “If truth be told, I suspect there’s not another person in the realm that your father and certainly every commoner would trust with this difficult task or the considerable power this transformation will afford you. You’re our hope, Dee. You are the light that will drive away the darkness that is gathering against us.”
She laughed again at his words. “That’s rich coming from you.”
Her stubbornness raised his hackles, but James swallowed the barb and said. “I’m one of those peasants, Danielle, and like everyone of them, I would follow your banner to the gates of Vellum if you asked. And you bloody well know it.”
“Yet you countermand me!”
“Yes, I countermanded you!” He licked his lips and climbed back to his feet. “You want the truth?”
“That would be a nice change.”
“What I fear and I suspect your father shares the same sentiment, is your propensity to put yourself in unnecessary danger. It’s you who is too distrusting. You’re the proverbial lone wolf, Dee. Yet you know damned well that wolves find their strength in packs.”
“That’s all well and good, but please tell me how I am supposed to be part of this pack, when the pack keeps putting me on the leash or banishing me to some kennel!”
“You are not being banished any more than me. The pack is looking to your safety because of your importance for its survival.”
>
Their furious but hushed voices whispered back to them from the rafters.
“Perhaps, but it doesn’t change the fact that you all think I’m too trusting of Cargius; in short that my judgment in this matter is lacking.”
James sighed and approached her. Her eyes warned him he had better not touch her. “Okay, true. I spoke out this afternoon, because I thought your judgment was poor. Because you can’t carry this alone. Not because I believe O’Brooke’s account.”
“Yet, I feel I must, because I cannot trust you to support me.”
James sighed and closed his eyes hard before saying, “I just wish you would not trust Lord Cargius as easily as you do.”
“Why James? Because I am likely to have his child?”
“That has nothing to do with it.”
She feigned confusion. “Yet you trust me implicitly not to become the monster O’Brook wrote of, so what then?”
“I’m sorry, this was a mistake.” He turned to go. Danielle bolted up after him. “When I returned to the ship, I saw it in your eyes.”
“Saw what?”
Her glare held him where he stood. “Despite all your kind words, you’re not at ease with this, and certainly not with the possibility of me becoming pregnant by another man. Well that child would be mine as much as Cargius’. She will be part of who I am, and I’ll protect her with my life.”
He nodded wearily at her accusation. “Perhaps I’m not entirely at ease, but not because of the possibility of a child. My promise to love her as my own is unwavering whatever you might think. It’s the way the man treats you with such disregard that troubles me. And the way you allow it and prevent others from defending you.”
“Yes, which makes all this so much more difficult for me. How can I possibly spend six months at your father’s estate with Cargius visiting me every second week, and you feeling this way. You’ll end up at his throat for sure, and I fear what he might do to you.”
The thought of being bettered by a man such as Cargius struck the quick of James’ peasant pride. “So what do you want from me?” he said curtly.
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