by Jeanne Hardt
“Lukah,” the other guard fearfully said. “There is blood trickling down her leg.” He pointed a stiff finger.
Lukah grabbed his arm. “Go at once and bring her healer. Tell Denali it is urgent!”
The boy sped from the room.
Angeline clutched onto Lukah. “I did not intend to kill him, but I had to protect my baby!”
Lukah pulled her closer and stroked her hair. “You did what had to be done. He should not have touched you!”
“He…he told me his father—King Imran—has died, and that he is now king. He wanted me and the high throne.”
Lukah pushed heavy puffs of air through his nose. “Issan bastard!”
“They are ungodly. How could he think I would want him?” She pushed away from him and stared at her blood-stained hands. “Look what I was forced to do.” She bawled harder.
He guided her to a chair by the window and helped her sit. “Shall I call for your maid to help you clean yourself?”
Sniffling, she shook her head. “First, let Denali see me this way. He must know what was done to me.”
“Very well.” He walked to the open doorway and craned his neck, peering down the hall. “I believe I hear them coming.”
Denali was about to be overjoyed. The final king had been defeated.
Instead of the young guard, Eckhardt accompanied Denali. Both men entered the room with horror-filled eyes. Denali rushed to her and took her in from head to toe. “Are you pierced?”
“No. Not exactly.” She scrunched her face tight, gestured at her bloody thigh, then turned her head.
Denali pointed at the doorway. “Leave me to examine her.”
Lukah and Eckhardt both looked her way, and she gave a small nod. They dutifully left and closed the door behind them.
Denali’s wide eyes continued to roam her form. He truly seemed frightened. “What happened?” He glanced at the bed and Yakar’s lifeless body. “Is that Prince Yakar of Issa?”
“It was,” she said, grinning. “He came to inform me he had become king. It seems his father ate something disagreeable. Of course, I could not allow Yakar to live. We need no new kings muddying our plans.”
She calmly stood and approached the bed. “I will claim he molested me and his brutal attack dislodged my child. You will attest to it.”
“That is brilliant.” He eyed her thigh. “Shall I assume your monthly flow is upon you?”
“That it is. God perfectly orchestrated everything.”
Denali rubbed his chin. “What of the repercussions for Issa?”
“Issa will pay for Yakar’s actions. He has deprived Basilia of a future king.” She looked Denali in the eyes. “I have changed my mind in regard to the laws. As you suggested, I will keep them as they are and grow the respect of my people. I will rid the realms of evil, starting with Issa.”
His face lost all expression, appearing almost stunned. “You are the prophesied queen…” he mumbled and held a hand to his heart.
“You say that as if you once questioned it.”
“Perhaps I did.” He wandered to the window and gazed outward. “When you were so eager to change the laws, I found it difficult to believe Masa would prophesy a savior who would promote immorality.” He turned toward her. “My doubts are fully dismissed.”
She crossed to him, smiling. “Good. Now, bloody your hands and go tell my guards what your examination concluded.”
He carefully kissed her, obviously avoiding the specks of blood on her face. “Brilliant.”
Blood was easy to come by, since it kept oozing from Yakar. Denali dipped his hands in it, wiped a small amount on his tunic, then went to the door.
“Guards!” he called out. “Come in at once!”
The door flew open and they reentered, looking ready to take someone’s head off.
Exactly how she wanted them.
Denali held up his stained hands. “Yakar of Issa is responsible for the death of the queen’s child.”
Lukah stalked over to her, where she remained sitting in front of the open window, tears streaming. “What will you have us do, my queen? Issa must pay.”
She shut her eyes and lowered her head, then pivoted toward him. The eagerness in his eyes affirmed he would not question anything she asked.
She smeared a hand across her face, mingling her tears with Yakar’s blood. “Burn Issa to the ground.”
He jerked his head in a single nod. “And what of the people?”
“Unless they attempt to fight, spare them, but take all they have and leave them to suffer.” She clutched her belly and moaned in pain. “Return Yakar’s body to them and rid me of him forever, then leave me to grieve.”
The men did as she demanded, and soon, she was alone again with Denali. He had not stopped staring at her, as if he had just realized her significance.
She stood and bade him close. “You must start the whispers at once. Go to Lukah, before he departs for Issa, and tell him your suspicions of the prophecy and my role in it.”
“Very well.” He stared blankly at her and did not move.
“Are you feeling poorly?”
“I am overwhelmed. Before me, stands the greatest queen who will ever reign.”
“One covered in blood, who desperately needs a bath.” She smiled wickedly and playfully smacked his chest. “I am still your Angeline. Now go and make me proud.”
He bowed to her with more genuine respect than he had ever shown before, and backed from the room.
The greatest queen who will ever reign.
The words resounded through her mind. She would never tire of hearing them.
Tesher nibbled on a piece of bread, more interested in watching Estelle than he was in eating. She had made substantial progress over the past weeks, yet he still had not felt comfortable discussing his mother or the ordeal of Eural’s loss.
Aside from that, things had been quiet, and almost too ordinary. He had sat in on the lengthy discussions Carmela had with Darius and Audun. Ultimately, it had been decided that they would keep their men in Thanwine and further train them to prepare for a possible attack. But they would not venture to Oros and strike them.
Carmela had been proclaimed queen at the town square in a less-than-celebratory fashion. Being that it followed the funeral rites of Talman and Varlan, it made sense. The people of Thanwine were hurting. They not only grieved the loss of their king and prince, but also the men who perished at the Crenian ruins. Many families suffered losses.
Their acceptance of Tesher as Carmela’s husband went off amidst a vast amount of rumblings, but she vowed his loyalty to Thanwine, and even suggested he might be used to establish peace again between the realms.
If only that could be…
Carmela patted his leg beneath the table. “Something is troubling you,” she whispered.
“Everything troubles me.” He shifted in his seat to face her. “I cannot stop thinking about my mother.”
Estelle whimpered. “Nor can I.”
He had not meant for her to hear. Since she had, perhaps the time had come to speak of it. He readjusted in his seat and leaned forward. “Can you tell me more? What happened to my mother that day, and why were you separated from her?”
Estelle lowered her eyes.
“I can tell you,” Becca said. “Your mother was devastated when she watched your father die. And when Eural…” She glanced at Estelle, then took a large breath. “When he also died, your mother fainted, as did Estelle.”
“So, Mother was unconscious when you left her?”
“Angeline nudged her, and she did not move. Then a Basilian guard insisted we go with him. He said to leave Queen Leda to her people. I challenged him that Estelle was also her people, but he proclaimed us to be more Basilian than anything else. He hurried us away with Angeline so quickly, it was all I could do to get Estelle from the ground and take her with us. I could not manage your mother as well.”
“So…” Tesher rubbed his aching chest. “My mother could be dead.”
Becca’s forehead wrinkled with concern, and her eyes held pity. “I doubt that very much. The men were warring with one another, but no one was striking women or children. When the Orosians finally left the field of battle, I am certain they took her home.”
“Broken beyond measure,” he whispered. His appetite had completely left him, and he tossed aside his bread.
“Perhaps when things calm,” Carmela said. “We can send someone to Oros to inquire as to her wellbeing.”
“What Orosian would permit a Thanwinian’s entrance into their realm to make such an inquiry?” Tesher sat back, shaking his head. “Perhaps I should venture there myself.”
“No.” Carmela grabbed his hand. “Not now. It is far too dangerous.”
Loud chattering and multiple footsteps turned every head at the table. Within moments, the faces of frightened children filled the great hall.
Carmela shot to her feet. “Dekker!” She flew across the floor to the disheveled-looking man, then one-by-one brought the children into her arms, offering hugs and kisses to their tear-smudged faces.
“I did as you asked,” Dekker said. “I brought Mesha’s youngest children. I wanted to save everyone, but I could not.”
A few more Issans stumbled in, disoriented and afraid.
“Pasha!” Tesher shoved his chair back and rushed to her side. She clung to him and wept.
Carmela’s eyes darted about the room as though she was uncertain what to do next. She motioned to her maid, Glynn. “Have Clarinda prepare more food, and bring warm blankets for the children.”
Glynn hurried off, and Tesher focused his attention on his bereaved sister, who was oblivious to the commotion around her.
With a pitiful moan, Dekker dropped to his knees, appearing utterly spent. “Issa is lost.”
Estelle and Becca seemed to have forgotten their own difficulties and put their minds on the little ones. They gathered the children and led them to the table, where they eagerly grabbed whatever they could get their hands on to eat.
Carmela knelt beside Dekker. “What do you mean, Issa is lost? Where is King Imran?”
“He is dead, along with Yakar.”
Pasha wailed and Tesher held her tighter.
His sweet wife displayed no signs of grief at the revelation, as if she expected it. Stone-faced, Carmela helped the man to his feet and guided him to a chair by the fire and away from the dining table. “Tell me all.”
Wanting to hear everything, Tesher led his sister to a bench close to them and sat with her. She buried her head into his shoulder, silently crying.
Dekker wrung his hands. “King Imran died ten days ago. He suffered after eating tainted meat.”
“Tainted or poisoned?” Carmela eagerly asked.
“Poisoned?” Dekker looked completely confused. “Who would poison him?”
Carmela huffed a breath and shot a glance at Tesher. No doubt, she thought as he did. Angeline’s hand was in this.
“Go on,” Carmela said. “Did Yakar become king?”
“Yes, and soon after, he went to Basilia seeking the high throne.”
Tesher’s heart sunk low. As much as he despised Yakar, no one deserved to be caught up in Angeline’s web. That in itself made it less surprising to hear he no longer breathed.
“So,” Carmela said. “I assume he met with Angeline?”
Dekker’s features hardened and he tightened his fists. “The foolish boy molested her! In her own defense, she slit his throat and killed him, but her child was lost because of the incident. Basilia brought their wrath upon Issa and burned it to the ground! The castle is all that remains, yet they pillaged all within. They left our people with nothing!”
Dekker eyed the table, where the children sat huddled together. “The Basilians knew Issa had no army, and we could not defend ourselves. There were only a half-dozen king’s guards who attempted to defend the castle, but they easily fell. It troubled me to leave them, yet I had to honor my vow and bring the children to safety. Was I wrong in doing so?”
“No. You did exactly as I requested.” She turned toward the table and looked as if she was mentally calculating their numbers. “What of the older children? Wynne and Flint? And the queens? Did they remain in Issa?”
“Udelle fled with her baby to Oros, along with Queen Zela, and every one of her eight children. I know not what became of Wynne or Flint. Many of our people intended to go to Oros seeking refuge. Though Thanwine is closer, they feared the mountains and the cold, and they certainly could not go to Basilia.”
Tesher lifted his head. “The people of Oros will welcome them.” He tenderly rubbed Pasha’s back. How much more pain could they endure?
“There are no more kings,” Carmela whispered.
“Not one,” Dekker said. “As I fled with the children, I heard mumblings amongst the people. The Basilians are claiming Queen Angeline to be some kind of prophesied queen. I know nothing of their beliefs, but they were heralding her as a savior.”
Carmela lowered her head. “It has begun.”
“Begun?” Dekker questioned with his eyes. “It seems to me we are finished.”
“We are finished,” Tesher muttered.
Silence hovered around them.
Though glad to be with the woman he loved and to have his sister in his care, he doubted the wounds of their world could be repaired.
They needed a miracle, not a demonic queen disguised as a blessed savior.
Chapter 26
“My dear, Sebastian.” Olivia carefully lifted his hands to her lips and kissed each palm. “It has been a month. I would think you would have formed better callouses by now.”
“Managing hoes and shovels is far different than wielding a blade.” He poked at one of his blisters. “But I am determined. Baylor says I am proving to be a capable farmer. Yet, he still laughs at the way I pitch manure. He says I make awful faces, which he finds to be humorous.”
“As would I.” Lightly laughing, she helped him fasten the laces on his tunic. “Aside from your hands, you look quite handsome. Almost as fine as you did on our wedding day.”
“And you are more beautiful every time I see you.” He kissed her lips. “We best hurry to the courtyard. Jonah will be pacing.”
A sharp knock came to their door. “What is taking you so long?” Delana yelled. “Jonah is pacing!”
Sebastian and Olivia both laughed.
She went and opened the door. “Go and tell him we are on our way.”
Delana beamed. “Allana is stunning! I still cannot believe you allowed this, Sebastian. Father would never have approved.”
“He may have surprised you.” Sebastian joined them at the doorway. “Father was fond of Jonah, and in these circumstances, I believe he would have been agreeable to an early union.”
Catrice ran toward them, grabbed Delana’s hand, and tugged her in the opposite direction. “Everyone is waiting!”
The girls ran off.
“You heard my sister,” Sebastian said. “Everyone is waiting.”
He extended his arm, and Olivia happily took it. They made their way down the hallway to the exterior of the castle.
She had been right believing a wedding would help the kingdom heal. The joy surrounding her proved its effect.
The scribes would record the union and add it to the vast historical records in their library. With no priest, normally the king would perform the rite. Yet without a king, the responsibility fell to her. She chose to pass on the task to Sebastian, and he eagerly accepted. His absence was likely the reason Jonah paced.
Everyone in the realm gathered in the courtyard at the center of Padrida. Not since the last crossing celebration had they been so joyful. Not a single cloud floated above in the endless blue sky, and birds sang happy tunes as if they, too, celebrated.
Although Orman had been spending his days in the castle under the guidance of Quirin, he had helped Dane and Rosalie prepare cakes and other assorted pastries for the affair. Padrida’s brewer
brought out the finest wine, and their minstrels perched with their instruments, ready to play upon the conclusion of the ceremony.
All was in order.
Olivia joined her mother and Queen Helen at the front of the crowd, along with Delana and Catrice. Sebastian stepped up onto a small platform and faced Jonah and Allana. Delana had not lied, Allana truly was stunning, dressed in pure white. Her hair had been braided and laced with bluebells, and her golden locks shimmered in the sunlight.
Jonah stood proudly beside her, though his left leg oddly shook. The poor man appeared to be quite nervous, yet regal. He wore a fine forest green tunic, embroidered with gold trimmings, and dark-colored trousers.
Sebastian held up a hand to silence the crowd, then smiled at the couple before him.
Delana tugged on Olivia’s hand, then bade her close, in order to whisper. “Will they have to produce their bedsheet?”
Olivia drew back, stunned by the question. Yet, being that it was their custom, it should not astonish her. She bent to Delana’s level. “No. That is not done in Padrida. We consider what happens between men and women in their bedchamber to be private. Besides, Jonah is no prince, so therefore, even in your own realm, it would not have been necessary.”
Delana smiled. “This is my realm now.” She returned her gaze to the front.
Olivia stood tall and smoothed her hand down the girl’s hair. It pleased her to have Sebastian’s family so readily accept living in Padrida, though his mother often expressed concern for her oldest daughters. All they could do was pray they were well.
“We have gathered today,” Sebastian said, “to join Princess Allana with Jonah of Basilia.”
Jonah loudly cleared his throat. “If you do not mind, I would prefer being called Jonah of Padrida.”
The people whispered to one another, but seemed pleased with his remark.
“Very well.” Sebastian smiled. “Jonah of Padrida.”
The crowd cheered.
They had made a great step forward in becoming a part of the kingdom.
“Are there any objections to this union?” Sebastian peered out into the gathering, but no one uttered a word. “Since none are voiced, I shall proceed.”
