by Nora Roberts
She smiled prettily. “You are very kind, sir.”
The two moved off, arm in arm, in perfect charity, each feeling as if he or she had known the other for a long, long time.
It was the most beautiful day anyone could remember in years. Sunlight glittered in the clear air, and a fragrant breeze ruffled the meadow beneath the cloudless blue sky. Up on the platform Tressalara stepped forward in full regalia, a queen accepting homage from her people. Her gown of iridescent silk was spangled with diamond brilliance, so that she sparkled with the slightest movement. The emerald crown of Amelonia rested upon her head, the matching seal of state upon her finger, as the cheers resounded.
The great Andun Stone stood upon a pedestal beside her, the three pieces united into one as if it had never been broken. Tressalara held it aloft for all to see, proof of her right to claim Amelonia’s throne. A wondrous light shone around her, banishing every shadow. She was a living embodiment of the Andun Stone and the peace and plenty that it would bring.
The origin of the marvelous crystal might never be known, but its powers were manifold. Famine or feast, war or peace, plague or health—death or life—the great stone could bring either. And therein lay its secret. It made and unmade. Did and undid.
Cador’s shard, and Rill’s as well, were part of one motto. It was only when the two were placed on either side of the Andun Stone that the legend could be read in its entirety.. So simple when one understood its message:
The people came forward to greet their monarch. Cador was the first to bend his knee. Sunlight turned his hair to spun gold, and his eyes were bluer than sapphires. He had never looked more virile and handsome. She held out her hand with the ring bearing the great seal of Amelonia. Her fingers shook slightly, and she prayed that he would clasp her hand in his. But the differences in their estate had built a wall between them, one that he evidently had no intention of tearing down.
Cador’s eyes didn’t even lift to meet hers. Since that miraculous night in the great hall he had not touched her once, or even spoken with her privately. His demeanor was always aloof and proper, that of a simple knight to a reigning queen. She bit her lip to keep it from trembling. It was a great moment for Amelonia, but without Cador’s love, it was hollow.
Cador, the brave warrior of Kildore, was as nervous as she was. He wanted to speak the oath of loyalty, but his mouth was dry. Just looking at her made his throat constrict with love. She had risked everything for him, including her life. And he had treated her like a servant in his camp, then seduced her. He was not fit to kiss her dainty slipper.
Never, by word or glance or gesture, would he refer in any way to their time together, although he would treasure each memory like a precious jewel. He wished he could turn his back upon her, forget he’d ever loved her, and return to his lonely aerie in the rocky highlands of Kildore. He was not equal to the task. But although they were forever separated by her high estate, he would spend his life protecting her. Tressalara, his queen. His beautiful, forever lost, love.
He bowed over her hand, kissed the emerald ring of state, and uttered the same words he had said to her in the rebel camp: “All I have and all I am I pledge to you, lady. I vow that I will dedicate both my sword and my life to your cause. Will you accept my service?”
Tressalara lifted his chin with her fingertip, forcing him to look square in her face. Now was the time to show her queenly courage. Her heart gave a little leap of joy. It was not too late. Not if the bleakness in his eyes was any reflection of what was in his heart. She took a deep breath and threw her own pride to the winds. “Aye, I accept your offer of service to the crown of Amelonia. But I demand far more—of you. But only if you are willing to make the sacrifice. Rise, Cador of Kildore. You, who have shared the power of the Andun Stone with me.”
Her eyes were shining with love for all to see. “Rulership is a lonely thing, my lord. I do not wish you to kneel at my feet—I want you by my side as husband and king, ruling jointly with me over this great country. With the heart and courage and wisdom you have shown in our fight for freedom, you have earned the right.”
While he stood, more shaken then he had ever been in battle, a roar of approval went up from the crowd. “Long live Tressalara! Long live Cador! Long live the King and Queen of Amelonia!”
A dimple played at the corner of her sweet mouth. “Do you, Cador of Kildore, accept this last, perhaps most difficult task?”
She waited for his answer for what seemed like a lifetime. Then she was pulled into his arms and soundly kissed, as if she were a bonny farmer’s maid encircled by her lover’s arms on a sunny summer’s day.
A cheer went up from the throng again and again. When he finally relinquished her lips, he kept her fast in his embrace. “One thing. If you wish a biddable husband, my queen, you must look for another. You have stated repeatedly that you would never tolerate a man as pigheaded, overbearing, obstinate, and domineering as I. Are you sure you can put up with me?”
Tressalara smiled up at him. “A queen must be willing to make sacrifices for her kingdom.”
Cador kissed her again. They stood heart to heart, feeling the strength and love flowing between them, more powerful than any sorcerer’s magic. More powerful even than the mighty Andun Crystal.
As they turned to accept the cheers of their people, Cador leaned close to Tressalara’s pretty ear. Without realizing it, Cador’s next words washed away the last shadow over Tressalara’s coronation.
“I wish your father had lived to see this day. How proud he would be of all you have accomplished!” He pressed a light kiss against her temple.
“Although you are as brave and capable as any man, I must admit this to you, love: I am heartily glad that King Varro’s only child was a daughter!”
He swept her into his arms and kissed her again.
Some say that on Tressalara and Cador’s wedding day, rebels and nobles danced together, and many a happy match was made. Still others say that the Andun Stone rang out like a great golden bell or the voice of an angel and was heard in every corner of the Four Countries.
As in all good fairy tales, Tressalara and Cador ruled Amelonia and its people long and wisely. They raised many merry children, some sharing their mother’s amethyst eyes and auburn hair, others exactly like their father with sapphire eyes and golden hair. And, of course, they all lived happily ever after…
