The King of Anavrea (Book Two of the Theodoric Saga)

by Rachel Rossano

  The last statement came out as a low growl. Trahern nodded with a knowing glint in his blue eyes and a grim tightness to his face.

  “She has not been conscious since yesterday evening. Eve and I grow concerned.”

  Trahern turned back to his perusal of the book. “What is the news from the council regarding Han's request?”

  Thankful for the change in topic but not his brother’s choice of distraction, Ireic leaned forward and settled his elbows on his knees.

  “They are the most pigheaded, arrogant men I have ever known.”

  Trahern looked up at his brother's frustrated tone.

  “I take it they said no.”

  Ireic shifted restlessly. “Not only did they say no, they tried to tell me that if they married, I would have to remove any of Yulanda and Han’s children from the royal line. It is my duty, I was told, to 'protect the throne of Anavrea from threat of the non-royal blood.'”

  “I am sorry to hear they feel that way.”

  They sat in silence for a moment before Trahern's expression changed to concern.

  “They are not going to let you marry Lirth.”

  “I know.” Ireic came to the same conclusion when he first realized his betrothed would never be able to look on his face. “I am not sure I want to marry her either. But I need to make a decision one way or the other before the council gets wind of her lack of sight. I don’t want a war with Sardmara. But I am not going through another treaty negotiation if I can prevent it. She has nowhere to go if I abandon her. But what will I do with her if I don’t marry her. Either way, her lack of sight presents difficulties I wasn’t prepared to consider. An arranged marriage comes with its own difficulties, which I expected. However, I chose to marry a princess. The necessity of holding her hand through every new experience didn’t come into the picture.”

  “I will look into your options. Have you passed any laws since the council's fall session?”

  The Anavrean King could establish laws without the council's approval, but tradition pressured the King to wait for the biannual council sessions of three months in the spring and fall.

  Ireic shook his head. He had been so busy with the treaty and his betrothal that he had neglected affairs of state.

  “Good, I will not need to update our records before I begin searching.” Trahern rose as his brother stifled a yawn. “Go to bed, Ireic. You need your rest. I will see what I can find in the school's law archives.”

  Obediently, Ireic pushed himself out of his chair, but he paused before turning to leave. “Do not wear yourself out, though. Eve still needs you even though she hates to admit it.”

  Trahern smiled slowly. “I know.”

  Taking his time to reach the door, Ireic turned back before closing it behind him. Trahern contemplated the air before him. Although Ireic’s brother never complained about the missions that were occasionally asked of him, it was hard on both Trahern and Eve to be apart. Hopefully this would be the last, at least for a long time.

  ~~~~~~

  A large calloused hand covered her mouth so that she could not even whimper. Drawing in air through her nose, she tried to scream, but could manage only a weak squeak. Listening, she prayed, but to no avail.

  “Lirth!” Joman called her name.

  “Lirth, where are you?” Aarint's voice was even closer than Joman's.

  “Silence, Brat,” an oily whisper instructed Lirth. Her captor's foul breath flooded her senses. The mixture of bad cheese and fish made Lirth’s stomach turn. If she lost her lunch now, she would drown in it. There was no way this man would release her mouth with her brothers so close.

  “If they find us because of you, Brat, I will kill them.” The rasp of the man's voice and the stench of his sweat blocked out anything Lirth might have heard or smelled. “Don't doubt that I will. I am only going to get paid for fetching you.”

  Carefully, she swallowed the lump in her throat.

  “To single handedly wipe out all the heirs to the throne would be quite a feat, wouldn't ya think?”

  Lirth could not control the shiver that gripped her spine.

  “Maybe she headed home!” Lloyden, her middle brother, finally suggested. “If she was anywhere near, she would have heard us by now.”

  “Wait!” Aarint's voice was so close Lirth felt she could touch him. “I think I see something.”

  Her heart fell as she heard the others approaching.

  “No!” Her heart screamed in agony as she heard the branches part. She felt the man shift his weight. He was going to kill her brother! She struggled but could not move. “No!”

  __________

  Chapter Three

  Ireic scrambled to his feet and made it halfway across the room before he was fully awake. Another scream came from the bedroom. Out of habit from his military days, he grabbed his knife from the lamp table where he set it hours ago. Then he continued toward the double doors that led to the inner sleeping chamber.

  Pushing through the right hand door, Ireic scanned the room. Nothing was out of place. Padding toward the bed, he instantly spotted Lirth thrashing about on it.

  A bad dream or the fever? Either way, she needed to be quieted before she hurt herself. He sheathed the knife and approached the bed.

  Suddenly Lirth sat up straight and looked directly at him. For a moment, Ireic almost believed she saw him, but then he realized she was focusing on something slightly behind him. He almost turned to look. Could she see after all? The thought lasted only a second before she eliminated any possibility of deception. She dove headfirst out of the bed.

  By the time he came around the bed, she had risen to her knees and was about to gain her feet. If he did not stop her now, he was not going to get another chance before she did herself injury.

  ~~~~~~

  Her heart was in her throat again, but this time it was not her dream. She did not know where she was. The floor was not cold enough, or even the right texture to be her small tower room. The bed was not her cot. Not even the clothing on her body was hers. They were too warm and the fabric much too thick. Waking from that dream always disturbed her; it usually kept her jumpy for days. Panic pressed at her throat. Concentrating, she tried to breathe deeply and calm her pounding heart. Slowly she pushed herself up onto her feet.

  Now to find a wall...

  Out of nowhere, someone grabbed her and pushed her to the ground. She would have screamed, but all the air in her lungs rushed out in a futile gust. Kurios help! She couldn’t breathe, but she could cry.

  “Lirth.” A male voice came from the person above her. “Are you all right?” He sounded genuinely concerned. Stunned by the revelation, Lirth grasped to put a name to him. “Lirth, do you hear me?” He definitely was not her usual guard, Waren.

  She managed a slight nod.

  “Good.” He shifted, and Lirth became very aware of how much larger he was than her. She guessed he raised himself up on his elbows because his voice came from farther above, but he still pinned her legs to the floor. “I will release you, if you promise to not start running again.”

  “I was not going to run.”

  “I am sorry, then.” He must have taken her reply as an agreement to his terms because he moved. “Can I help you stand?”

  Carefully, Lirth sat up. At least she thought she sat up. A set of warm hands steadied her.

  “Not so fast, Princess. You have had a rough past few days.” She almost heard his smile. “I must say I would not have pushed myself quite as hard as you just did. Here, let me help.”

  He lifted her into his arms and carried her. Instinctively, she tucked in her head. She was not about to have her head cracked if he decided to go through a doorway. The man took about five steps and deposited her on the bed.

  “I would guess that you are full of questions.” His voice moved as he walked around something and then back to her side. “I will answer any you want to ask, but only if you promise to stay in bed while I fetch you some food.” On cue, Lirth’s stoma
ch clenched in hunger. She was not sure if the sensation was new or she just was noticing it for the first time. “Is it a deal?”

  Lirth nodded.

  “Good.” He pulled the blankets up to cover her legs and waist. “I’ll be back.”

  Lirth listened as he moved almost silently across the room and let himself out a door directly opposite the bed.

  At least I know where the door is now. Lirth pushed back the covers and started to explore the limits of the bed. She had no intention of breaking her promise, but she wanted to know more about her surroundings.

  Kurios, she silently asked, who is he?

  Lirth brushed her fingers over the smoothly polished wood of the footboard. The bed could easily accommodate at least four or five of her. She retraced her movements and tucked herself back under the covers.

  She savored the warmth the thick blankets offered and tried to think back to her last memory. She had been dreaming for weeks that someone would deliver her from the baron. Then he came. Ireic. She sat up. Her head swam, driving her back down to the pillow.

  She slipped into half slumber, still too on edge to completely relax into sleep again. Lirth’s nose smelled Ireic’s approach with the food before she heard him. Her stomach immediately told her it had been too long since it last had something to eat.

  ~~~~~~

  “Ireic?” Her voice was almost too low for him to hear.

  Ireic crossed to the bed. “I am sorry it took so long.” He slid the tray onto the bed as he spoke. After lighting the lamp from the candle he carried up, he turned to her. “I don’t know where items are in Eve’s kitchen as well as the one at home. Here.”

  He held out a roll toward her. Realizing his mistake even as she raised her hand, palm up, Ireic felt his face warm. Her slender fingers hung mid-air a foot away from his.

  “Please, may I have some?” She smiled shyly at the spot where her feet made mounds under the quilt. “I am very hungry.”

  He placed the bread into her hand and then busied himself with the tray.

  “Oh.” Ireic realized too late that he spoke aloud.

  “What is it?” Lirth looked over at him and seemed to fasten her eyes upon his face.

  “I brought up some stew from supper.”

  “Sounds wonderful.”

  Ireic blinked. Anyone on the receiving end of that smile would give her anything she asked. He doubted he would ever be unpopular as king if they married and he could keep her smiling like that.

  “But how are you going to eat it?”

  “Oh.” She dropped her chin slightly.

  “How do you handle soups?” he asked.

  “I manage beautifully usually, but…” She held up her hand. It trembled like a branch in the wind. “I am afraid, if I should try now, I would ruin the bedding.”

  “I will have to help then.” Pushing the tray farther onto the bed, Ireic took up the bowl and stepped toward Lirth.

  Lirth’s eyes widened, her chin dropped as her shoulders came up, and her already pale face faded a few more shades.

  Ireic stopped so abruptly hot moisture licked his fingers.

  “Lirth.” He set the bowl on the nearby table and sat on the bed facing her. “Are you listening to me?”

  She jumped a bit before nodding. A long dark curl fell over her face. Her white-knuckled hands clenched the roll in her lap.

  “I thought we established I mean you no harm.”

  She didn’t move.

  “I am going to tell you about the Theodorics.”

  Confusion creased her forehead. A frown tugged at her mouth, but at least she was paying attention.

  Leaning against the bedpost behind him, Ireic lifted his long legs onto the bed. “We were originally robber barons. My great, great, great grandfather controlled most of the wild western peninsula.”

  Lirth’s thin fingers loosened their grip on her roll. Ireic swung his legs down and gathered up the bowl and spoon from the table. The whole time he continued talking.

  “It all started when he inherited his father’s title and lands. It was a small barony in the depths of the western forest wilds.”

  Carefully, he approached Lirth again. She stiffened, but did not retreat. He filled the spoon and then gingerly transported it to her mouth. With great reluctance, she accepted it and swallowed. After the second delivery, he continued his monologue.

  “Grandfather was a second son. With expectation of inheriting, he sought a living at sea instead. Recalled from his berth aboard a merchant ship, he returned home to find he ruled over more trees than men. The castle was crumbing into ruins. The coffers barely covered the regular damage to crops and holdings. Bandits drained the land and people of hope.”

  The broth was almost gone. Ireic tipped the bowl to gather a full spoonful.

  “Angered at the waste, my ancestor decided to beat the robbers at their own game. Collecting and training a band of young men, he set them to finding and raiding the bandits. He set tolls for safe passage on the roads through his barony and armed his farmers. Over time, the bandits lost hope themselves and either left or joined the honest citizens. Within a decade, the barony gained the reputation for being the safest on the peninsula.”

  “You want to do that for Anavrea?”

  Dark blue eyes were gazing at him. She was captivating when she looked at people so accurately. He would have to ask her later how she did it.

  “Yes. Our people are edging toward revolt. They grow uneasy beneath the changes my father enacted in the last year of his reign. High taxes on necessities, corruption in the upper reaches of the nobility, and lack of food are straining their already weakened patience.”

  He placed the now empty bowl on the table to his left. “I have plans for reforms, but I need all of my energy just to battle the council to endorse them.”

  “Do you have to go through the council?”

  “That is the crux of the issue. Legally, I can create laws without the council. Politically I need to appear as though I am accepting ‘council,’ regardless of its quality.”

  She fidgeted with the bedcover, creasing and smoothing it. He cautiously sat on the edge of the bed again. She stiffened, pushing back into the pillows behind her.

  “I am not going to hurt you, Lirth.”

  “I know.” The fear in her soft statement negated her reply. She tried to stifle a small yawn.

  “It is late. My story can wait for later, but I want to know how you ended up in that tower. I cannot help until I understand your situation better.”

  “What if I do not want help?” Her voice wavered slightly above a whisper.

  “You no longer have a choice.”

  Her chin went up and her eyes spit fire. “There are always choices.”

  Thankful that she could not see him, Ireic smiled at the reemergence of the spirit he had seen in the tower. “You are right.” He reached over and caught her face between his hands. “Are you going to fight me or not? Those are your choices.” He firmly turned her head to face him. She closed her eyes and her chin raised a bit more. “I will help you, whether or not you want me too.” He lowered his voice. “That decision has already been made.”

  She trembled. Exhaustion left black smudges beneath her eyes. He would save the battle for another time. He stroked her cheek before releasing her head.

  “Good night, Lirth.”

  Rising, he turned and picked up the bowl. Placing it on the tray, he lifted them both up. He looked back to the bed. She sat exactly as before, except her dark eyes were open and following the sounds of his movements.

  She looked so small and helpless in the huge bed. I hope I do more good than harm.

  “If you need anything, just call me. I will be in the next room. Good night.” He took the lamp he brought with the tray. They both needed their sleep.

  ~~~~~~

  The door shut with a soft click. Releasing a breath she did not remember holding, Lirth shuddered. She suddenly felt very cold and very alone. She wriggled dow
n farther under the covers and curled up into a ball. Tucking her head down so her mouth was below the covers, she pulled her thoughts together.

  He and I are betrothed. The Kurios was there as He always was. That means there is going to be a wedding and then he will be my husband. Can this be true? A man willing to accept all the complications that come with a blind wife seems too good to be true. How can I trust him? The Kurios remained silent, but Lirth understood. If I learned nothing else from my stay in the tower, I have learned patience.

  The area near her torso warmed with her breath, but her hands and feet still ached from cold. For a fleeting moment, she considered calling Ireic. Squashing the thought, she pulled at the bedclothes until they tucked tightly around her legs. Comfort would come and sleep would follow.

  They did not keep her waiting long.

  ~~~~~~

  “Eve!”

  Ireic turned to see his brother stride across the front hall before he bellowed again.

  “Eve!”

  Children poured in the front door at the same instant Eve appeared at the head of the stairs. Trahern spotted her and waded through the throng heading for lunch. The echoes of laughter and thundering feet bounced off the hall’s high ceiling, creating a deafening scene of pandemonium. It was so loud Ireic did not notice Lirth until she touched his arm.

  “What is going on?” She covered one ear and held onto his sleeve with the other hand. As he looked down at her wincing face, Ireic noted the paleness of her skin.

  He spoke above the ruckus. “Lunchtime.”

  She stiffened and attempted to retract her hand. He caught her fingers as she released his sleeve. After allowing her to avoid him for days, it was past time they spoke of the unstated truth between them. They needed to decide her fate. He wrapped her arm around his and stepped closer to her.

  “You have been avoiding me.”

  “What if I have?”