Sins of Basilia (Shrouded Thrones Book 4)

by Jeanne Hardt

  “Then, all of us shall eat.” Heart thumping, Donovan crossed to Coreen and laid a hand on her shoulder. “Let me move your chair to the table, so we might dine together.”

  Coreen tipped her head upward and her vacant eyes seemed to search him. “I would very much like to.”

  Mirella softly giggled, but quickly stifled it.

  Donovan’s cheeks heated like those of the lovesick boy he was trying to lay to rest. It was ridiculous to feel this way. Yet, he could not deny that regardless of whether or not Coreen was a prostitute, she had captured his heart, and he wanted her solely for himself.

  Why could she not have refused Roderick? If she loved him, as everyone seemed to believe, could she not keep herself to him alone? Being Issan, it was probably unlikely, and he doubted it would be wise to ask it of her.

  He took Nara from her, then helped her to her feet.

  Mirella left her position at the fireplace, grabbed Coreen’s chair, and set it at the table. With a much softer grin, she returned to the pork.

  “Thank you, Mirella.” Donovan guided Coreen to the chair. Even touching her in a non-intimate fashion set his blood on fire. Of course, the thin gown she wore had a great deal to do with it. Her shapely form was more than visible.

  “Once I am finished here,” Mirella said, “I plan to pick berries. May I take Nara with me? She might enjoy some fresh air.”

  Picking berries had taken on another meaning entirely. He knew the girl was giving him the opportunity to be alone with Coreen. “That is kind of you, Mirella.”

  “Yes,” Coreen added. “Very kind.”

  Donovan took a biscuit from a basket at the table’s center and set it in Coreen’s hand.

  Her beautiful face brightened. “You are so thoughtful, Dristan.”

  He loved how she said his name. He wished she could see and could not understand why God would curse anyone with loss of sight.

  “Dristan?” She tipped her head to one side. “You have avoided me for many days, and I know you are troubled. Where do your thoughts lie?”

  “It astonishes me you can so easily read into my behavior. You have claimed you hear a change in my breathing, and I find that incredible.” He bolstered his courage. How it was that she transformed him into a sheepish boy bothered him, but whenever he was near her, he turned into putty. “Forgive me, first and foremost, for my recent behavior.”

  “There is nothing to forgive.” She nibbled on the biscuit.

  “Very well, then. Truthfully, in the moment you asked me of my troubles, I was wondering how you lost your sight. I have been hesitant to ask, fearing it might pain you to speak of it.”

  Mirella came to the table and placed the cooked meat onto a plate. “It is hot, so take care not to burn your mouths.”

  Coreen gazed vacantly in her direction. “Thank you, Mirella.”

  “Yes, thank you,” Donovan added.

  Mirella dipped her head, then reached for Nara. “Will you mind if I am gone for half an hour? Perhaps longer? I promise to take good care of Nara.”

  “It need not be said. Your care of my child is impeccable.” He passed her over.

  “Enjoy your breakfast,” Mirella cheerfully said. With an unending smile, she took Nara out the door and left him and Coreen alone in silence.

  Coreen coyly tilted her head downward. “Will an hour’s half be long enough for us to say all that is necessary?”

  He stared at her, thoughts tumbling. “Do you mean in regard to how you lost your sight?” It seemed safe to say.

  She lightly laughed. “I adore you, Dristan. You have an enormous heart, as well as a magnitude of passion, yet you fear it and try to ignore it by bringing up something far less important.”

  “Your loss of vision is not unimportant.”

  “I agree, but is it truly what you wish to discuss?”

  He stood and moved his chair closer to hers, then took her hand. “If you are able, tell me first how you lost your sight, then we will advance to other things.” The image of Roderick standing naked over Coreen remained at the forefront of his mind, and he did what he could to dismiss it and concentrate on her.

  “I was eight when I grew horribly ill. I overcame the sickness, but it left me blind.” She spoke matter-of-factly, with no emotion whatsoever.

  “I see.” He smacked a hand to his forehead. “Forgive me. That was horrid of me to say.”

  She laughed and shook her head. “Do not chide yourself.” With a much softer expression, she shifted in her chair and faced him, then released his hand and touched his face.

  The way she stroked his skin pounded his heart.

  He cupped her delicate fingers into his palm, then kissed each one. “Do you fully comprehend my feelings for you?”

  “I have known many men. None have affected me as you have.” She swallowed hard. “Do you love me, Dristan?”

  Each time she uttered his newly made name, a realization struck harder. Not only did he have a new title, he had become an entirely different person since bringing Mirella and Coreen into his dwelling.

  Donovan could very well be dead.

  He stood silently for several moments, simply admiring her lovely face. “We have been together such a short while, yet I feel as if my heart has always been bound to yours. From the moment I saw you, I wanted you.”

  Her shoulders dropped. “Because you knew I was a whore meant to lay with men?”

  “No.” He inched closer, then dotted kisses across her cheeks. “I thought you were the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. And yes, I hungered for you as any man would and eagerly took the opportunity to bed you, but my feelings have grown into much more. I do love you, Coreen, and I selfishly pray you feel the same and will no longer lie with anyone other than me.”

  She released a staggered breath. “In Issa, even with a proclamation of love, we are not bound to one individual alone.”

  He frowned and nodded, but of course, she could not see his action. Even so, he could not bring himself to utter a word.

  “Dristan…” Once again, she reached for his face and pressed her hand to his cheek. “I am not saying I desire anyone other than you, yet when Roderick returns, it would be wrong of me to deny him his pleasure.”

  “Then I will insist he stay away forever.” He grunted. “When I think of his hands on you—”

  “Stop.” She drew him close and kissed him. “I love you, Dristan, and you alone.”

  Their kisses grew in intensity and his appetite rapidly changed. No longer did the pork hold his interest, and it would seem she felt the same.

  Her hands glided across his chest, then descended lower—her skill undeniable.

  “Too many days have passed without you, Dristan,” she breathed into his ear. “Waste no more time.” She stroked him across the fabric of his trousers.

  God bless Mirella.

  Donovan assumed she would linger outdoors for a great while, allowing him to take his time with Coreen and make their encounter as pleasurable as possible.

  He lifted her into his arms and carried her the short distance to the bed, then hastily shed his clothes.

  Though her gray eyes faced him, he could tell she took in his actions through her ears, listening to the sound of him discarding every item. With each one, her smile broadened.

  He advanced toward the bed to aid her with her garments, but abruptly stopped, again envisioning her coupling with Roderick. The disgusting thought turned his stomach.

  “Silly man,” Coreen whispered. “I have cleaned myself more than once since being with Roderick.”

  “Do you now read thoughts?”

  “Perhaps.” She moistened her lips. “Please, lie with me.”

  “You should not have to beg. Forgive my hesitation.” He kneeled on the bed beside her and assisted lifting her gown up and over her head. Her undergarments rapidly followed.

  Now fully bare, he pressed his flesh against hers. “You speed my heart. My love for you is limitless.”

  S
he rolled onto her back, pulling him with her, then wrapped her legs around his. “If it will ease you, I will refuse Roderick and bind myself to you alone.”

  “Truly?” He stared into her face, searching for assurance.

  “Love me, Dristan. I am yours.”

  He covered her mouth with his, then joined with her, body and soul. Her proclamation calmed every fear and he allowed himself the freedom to love again. Even Justine had not brought out such devotion.

  He thought he had loved Olivia, yet nothing in his memories of her reminded him of these intense feelings. She had been a means to power, and they had been pushed together by his father and her mother.

  No. He knew not of love…until now.

  Many minutes ticked by, but he ignored their passing and focused solely on his lover.

  His heart swelled with happiness and his body became enraptured with pleasure.

  Chapter 21

  “Mother?”

  As Olivia crept into her chamber, shame washed over her. When she had previously been here, she had behaved horribly. She doubted her mother would be as forgiving as Rosalie.

  Lady Margaret cautiously approached. She shifted her gaze to the floor the moment she reached Olivia. “Your mother is sleeping, Majesty.” She whispered the words and never once lifted her eyes.

  Her mother’s ladies used to adore her, but Olivia’s wrath had harmed everyone. She gently placed a hand under Lady Margaret’s chin and with great care, raised her head. “I wronged you, and I seek your forgiveness.”

  The woman stared at her as if not fully comprehending what was said, then ever-so-slowly, her eyes glistened with tears. “If I lost Gerard—or our sweet little Seth—I am certain I would behave poorly.” She looked behind her, then faced Olivia again. “Your mother grieves. It is she who needs your apology, but more importantly, she requires you yourself. Her heart has become a lonely void.”

  A slight whimper came from the bed.

  Olivia peered around Lady Margaret. “My mother stirs. I must go to her.”

  “It pleases me to hear it. In her grief, her health has suffered.” Lady Margaret curtsied. “I will leave you to your privacy, Your Majesty.” She hastened from the room, sniffling.

  A full month had passed since the death of Olivia’s father. Her neglect of her mother was inexcusable, and if it led to her death…

  “No.” Olivia tightened her fists, internally fighting the horrid thought. She wasted no more time and hurried to her mother’s side.

  Instead of sitting on the chair beside the bed, she climbed atop it as she had when she was a child. She lay down and curled up next to the woman she respected more than most anyone.

  “What?” Her mother’s head turned and she looked at Olivia with half-shut and swollen red eyes. “Olivia?”

  “Yes, Mother.” Tears bubbled up and streamed down Olivia’s face. She stroked her mother’s hair. “I am here for you, just as I should have been long before now.”

  The dear woman opened her eyes wider and gazed lovingly. “Something has come over you. I see the daughter I once knew.”

  “I was broken.” Olivia openly cried. “It took a dream of Amina and an encounter with God to bring me to my senses. My hateful anger left me the moment I awoke from the blessed night’s vision.”

  “Tell me.” The earnestness in her voice held hope.

  Olivia sat up and wiped her face, forcing herself to stop crying. She shared all she had told Rosalie, and chose to tell even more, since her mother was well aware of the spite she had felt toward God. “Amina pointed to a pillar of light at the edge of the field. It burned without fire and spoke to me. The Light was unquestionably God. He told me to stop fearing and that I must be patient. He assured me, that in time, all would be made known.”

  Her mother eased up onto her elbow. “I understand now why your anger fled. You have accepted God’s love and no longer blame Him for the tragedies that have fallen upon you.” She pushed herself fully upright and placed a hand on Olivia’s back. “Ever since you were a child, you had visions that came to pass. You often saw it as a game, but your father and I knew it was much more.”

  “I wish he were here!” Olivia flung her arms around her mother, and they both wept. Something long overdue which they needed to share.

  When they both finally calmed, they grasped one another’s hands and simply sat there, taking each other in.

  “We are quite the pair.” Her mother broke the silence. “Both heartsick and shattered, yet I see strength in your eyes. Have you reconciled with Sebastian?”

  “Yes.” Olivia released a small unexpected laugh. “He wishes to farm.”

  “Farm? Has he forgotten he is a prince?”

  “No, and of that I am grateful. His counsel is invaluable. However, he has grown bored and wants to make things grow.” Without thought, she rubbed a hand over her stomach. After last night’s coupling, he could have very well planted his seed. “I suggested he seek out Baylor, and that is where he has gone. I myself, have other matters to tend, but you were the most important.”

  Her mother breathed deeply and stretched. “I have been abed long enough. It is time I start acting like a queen.” She patted Olivia’s hand. “My daughter has taught me much.”

  “All has come full circle.” She eased onto her feet.

  “When you leave my chamber, Olivia, please inform Lady Eloise that I would very much like a bath prepared. The warm water should ease the ache in my bones.”

  “I will happily tell her.”

  “Then perhaps, while you go about your business, I will make a better attempt at acquainting myself with Queen Helen.” Her mother’s face held a surprisingly warm glow. She flipped her blankets to the side and sat at the edge of the bed. “She could very well become the friend I need.”

  “Your eagerness is commendable, but please try not to overdo on the first day from your chamber.” Olivia smiled. “That being said, you and Helen share similarities. Not only in your losses, but you are both strong, capable women. I, too, will try to establish a closeness with her. Not today—of that I am not quite ready. Eventually, I shall be.”

  “One’s mother by marriage is always a complexity.” She stood from the bed, hugged Olivia, then kissed her on the cheek. “If you see Quirin, tell him I no longer require his potions, and that my daughter has cured my ailment.”

  “I will.” Olivia returned her kiss, then walked from her chamber and went to that of Lady Eloise, who was thrilled when Olivia shared her mother’s request.

  The absence of Amina continued to tug on Olivia’s heart, but hope abounded.

  She walked from the castle and into the sunlight, then continued on to the spot at the wall where she used to dream of crossing to the other side. She stood on her toes and peered into the gorge. The charred remains of the bridge rested far below at the bottom, partially covered by the flowing river.

  “We have done as you desired, Father.” She shut her eyes and pictured his sweet, chubby face. “I swear to you, Padrida will flourish once again. I will not let our realm fall.”

  A flock of birds flew through the depths of the canyon, then soared to the other side and into the forest. No longer did she desire to join them. She had seen enough of the outside world.

  “Amina, wherever you are, know that I love you.” She kissed the tips of her fingers and held them up high. A cool breeze dusted her skin, then warmth flooded over her.

  Smiling, she spun on her heels. She had much left to do.

  Regardless of the fact Sebastian had told Jonah he was not needed at present, the man stayed at his heels. “Has separation from the other realms made you mad?”

  Sebastian kept briskly walking. “I have never felt saner. I want to work the land.”

  “Does Padrida not have enough farmers? You are a prince, for God’s sake. You should be doing princely things.”

  “And what might they be?” Sebastian stopped and faced him. “Here, I do not rule, nor will I be required to go to war, so
swordplay has become for enjoyment alone. I am a man with little purpose and only wish to change my condition.”

  “What of me?” Jonah smacked himself on the chest. “I have no army to train and unlike you, no wife to occupy my days. Am I to resort to shoveling manure and digging in the dirt?”

  “If you so choose.” With a curt nod, Sebastian continued on toward Baylor’s cottage.

  “Did you not hear me?” Jonah shuffled after him. “I said, I have no wife! When can I expect that to be corrected?”

  Again, Sebastian stopped. “It is you who does not listen. Did I not tell you your marriage to my sister will be allowed on her sixteenth birthday? You have but five more months to pine. Until then, rather than whining over what you do not yet have, perhaps your time would be better spent shoveling manure.”

  “Whining?” Jonah jerked his shoulders back. “I am a grown man and never whine. However, can we not expedite the nuptials? What is a mere five months compared to one’s entire life?”

  Sebastian pointed a finger at him. “You whined just now.”

  “Ugh!” Jonah shook his fists in the air. “Fine. Go dig in the ground and be gay about it! I intend to seek out Severin and make certain Mathar is not giving him difficulties. Someone in this realm must take responsibility for matters of importance.”

  Sebastian chuckled. “It pleases me to see you behaving more like yourself. I want you to take charge of the men. Continue training them, and the younger men of Padrida as well. Olivia and I discussed the unrest in the realm, and tonight at the evening meal, she will be sharing her thoughts. To ease the men’s fears of possible incursion, she intends to ask that they focus on their normal labors, but in their spare time, continue their swordplay.”

  Jonah puffed up taller and smirked. “So, it would seem, unlike you, I do have a purpose.” He stepped closer. “You knew this all along, and you were merely toying with me in regard to the manure, were you not?”

  Sebastian put an arm around his shoulder. “I, too, am feeling more like myself. Olivia’s joy has returned, and I feel exhilarated.”

  His friend’s eyes narrowed. “Now, it all makes sense. You finally bedded her again.” He grunted. “That explains everything.”