Princess Galena Sebesta greeted the three of them hospitably in her private sitting room before dinner. She was very solemn and wore all black, but it took little conversation before Anton realized he probably had known Kendryk much better than she had. Most of her experience with him had come at formal occasions, and when he was a little boy, though he’d been a diligent letter-writer.
“There’s something you must know,” she said, once Trystan had confided their mission. “I’ve already sent a rescue party to free Braeden Terris.”
Suddenly hopeful, Anton jumped to his feet. “When?” He sat back down again, self-conscious. “How?”
“The party has been gone for a week. As to how, I was approached by a priest who pretended to serve Princess Viviane while actually working for Edric Maximus.”
“But Princess Viviane is a Quadrene,” Trystan said.
“Only openly.” Princess Galena shook her head. “I worry she’s false in other ways. The priest implied as much, though I’m sure he couldn’t divulge all in his letters.”
“So it’s possible Braeden Terris has already been freed.” Trystan kept his head, as usual. “Will he come here after?”
“He may. I extended the invitation, and he’s welcome to take refuge here as long as he likes. I know Braeden Terris quite well, and I’m certain he didn’t kill Kendryk. The very idea is ridiculous.”
“We agree,” Trystan said. “Which is why your news makes us much happier. Still, I should like to go that direction without delay, in case your rescue party has any problems.”
“That’s wise. When you reach Isenwald, I’d appreciate it if you could find out what really happened.”
“I’d like nothing better,” Trystan said.
Maryna
A great deal of time passed and Maryna’s nose stopped bleeding. She struggled to sit up, but Count Vega stopped her.
“You must go slowly,” he said, “You’ve lost a great deal of blood, and your head is black and blue.”
“And I have a splinter in my palm.” Maryna lifted her hand to show him.
Vega shook his head. “I can’t think where the Maxima has gone. Perhaps I ought to search for her.”
“Oh, please don’t leave me here.” Maryna whimpered and clung to him. “I couldn’t bear it.”
“I won’t leave you, though I worry about the Maxima.” But even as he said it, he settled back against a stack of ropes and pulled Maryna close to him.
She snuggled into the crook of his arm and smiled up at him, hoping she didn’t look too ghastly. Judging by the look in his eyes, she didn’t.
“Oh, I’m sure she’s forgotten where she packed it. I’m afraid the Maxima is very disorganized.” Natalya had brought no kind of medical kit, she also had no baggage to speak of, and was organized in the extreme.
Maryna just hoped Vega realized none of that though she wished Natalya would hurry. She was so persuasive; surely it wouldn’t take her long to convince the captain?
“Disorganization isn’t a good quality in a high cleric.” Vega’s tone was disapproving, but then he chuckled. “Still, I don’t mind having a little time alone with you. You’re a lovely young lady. I’d ask how old you are, but I know it’s too young for me.”
“I’m seventeen,” Maryna lied. She’d have to ask the gods’ forgiveness later. “And I’ve always liked older men.” That at least was true. Magnus was older, wasn’t he?
“Gods help me, you’re so charming,” Vega whispered. “But I’m frightened of that Maxima. I fear if I so much as touch you, she’ll make me wish I hadn’t been born.”
“You are touching me,” Maryna said, “and you don’t have to worry about Natalya. She’s so kind.” She beamed up at Vega, whose dark eyes had grown soft, but their little idyll was interrupted when Natalya rushed toward them.
She looked rather disheveled, though triumphant, as she raised a small roll of cotton cloth. “I couldn’t find my medical kit, but the captain was kind enough to give me this.”
“I can’t imagine what you can do with that.” Count Vega sounded resentful. “And besides, the duchess stopped bleeding quite some time ago.”
“I have a splinter,” Maryna said plaintively, offering her hand to Natalya, who tutted over it.
Maryna looked at Vega from under her lashes. “Thank you for taking such good care of me.” She made a show of pulling away from him reluctantly, even as she thought it had felt rather nice to be held by a man.
He sighed and shook his head, then got to his feet. “Is there anything I can do to assist, Maxima?”
Natalya beamed up at him. “Not right now, but thank you so much for watching over the duchess. You were a great help.”
“Hmph,” he said, and stalked off to the opposite rail, walking as though his leg had fallen asleep.
“Weren’t you two cozy,” Natalya said, raising an eyebrow. She had long nails, and used them to pinch and pull the splinter from Maryna’s palm, then wrapped it with the cotton cloth. “Quite the little actress you are.” She chuckled. “You did well, even if you laid the shrieking and moaning on rather thick.”
“It hurt, but it was fun too.” Maryna kept one eye on Vega, still at some distance, facing out to sea. “Did you talk to the captain?” she whispered.
“I did.” Natalya smiled in an odd way. “I convinced him to help us, though he’ll need a little time to make the arrangements. I hate to ask this of you, but do you suppose you could invite Vega for a little cozy time alone with you? All above deck, of course,” she added hurriedly. “And don’t let him take liberties, though he can talk as sweet as he likes.”
“I doubt he’ll take liberties,” Maryna said, unsure exactly what that meant. Perhaps she ought to ask Natalya later. “And I don’t mind spending time with him. He’s nice, and he smells like oranges. But you needn’t worry. He’s rather frightened of you.”
“Good.” Natalya looked amused. “I must meet with the captain at least one more time to work out the details of our escape. It’ll be tricky with so many guards, but he has a plan for subduing them.”
She made Maryna lie down until dinnertime, so she missed all the rest of the Selan Islands.
Dinner itself was awkward, with Vega the only person not privy to the secret, and the captain acting most familiar with Natalya. While he was telling her a joke Maryna knew she oughtn’t listen to, she leaned toward Vega.
“Thank you again for helping me. I was hoping maybe tomorrow we might talk a little more. Just the two of us?”
Vega looked surprised, then bit his lip. “I’d love to. But I’m not sure we ought to do it unchaperoned.”
“I’ll ask Natalya. I’m sure she trusts you.”
“Oh, I doubt that,” Vega said, “though I don’t mind. The question is...” He leaned his head close to hers. “Do you trust me? That’s all I care about.”
“I do.” Maryna gave him her most earnest look. “I realize you’re supposed to keep us captive, but I know you’d never hurt me.”
“You’re right. I wouldn’t do such a thing, no matter what.”
“That’s what I thought, though I’m glad to hear you say it.”
And then Natalya was quickly getting up from the table and Maryna had to return to the cabin with her.
Gwynneth
Now that her children and Braeden were safe, Gwynneth could turn her attention to the fight for the palace. Her own troops had cut through Princess Viviane’s like butter, while the Estenorian and Oltenan companies offered reinforcement for the attack on the palace itself.
She hoped Princess Viviane would turn over the treacherous countess rather than risk her home’s destruction, and she was right.
When the sounds of fighting died down, Major Silberg said, “Let’s approach the palace, Your Grace.”
Gwynneth agreed, though she insisted on leaving her children behind, surrounded by a detail of sturdy Estenorians who appeared unimpressed by Devyn’s impending tantrum.
She asked Braeden and Elektra t
o accompany her, hoping their presence would make an additional impression.
As they neared the palace, the torchlight revealed a fair amount of carnage. Gwynneth was glad it was still dark so she could pretend to be unable to see the bodies scattered across the palace grounds.
She was sorry for those killed and wounded, but after her conversation with Princess Viviane and Elektra’s revelation, was convinced the princess was lying about her involvement in Kendryk’s murder. She intended to get the truth.
By the time they approached the palace’s great double front door, Princess Viviane stood before it, flanked by Gwynneth’s soldiers. Two of them pulled forward a tiny, struggling, screeching figure.
Gwynneth smiled. She had her prize. “I’m afraid we’ve never been introduced, Countess,” Gwynneth said, “but I believe I know everything I need to.”
She turned to Braeden. “Can you verify this is the same woman who’s served as a close adviser to Teodora Inferrara for several years at least?”
“I can.” His eyes narrowed. “She was also present at Prince Kendryk’s murder, and not to stop it, if you take my meaning.”
“That’s good enough for me,” Gwynneth said. “Tomorrow, Countess, you’ll be taken to the Kronfels market square and executed. Unless you wish to deny that you caused Prince Kendryk’s death?”
“I wish to deny it.” The little woman took a step forward, somehow dragging her captors a few steps along. She was breathing hard, but no longer screeching, making it easier to understand her. “In fact, I wish to accuse Princess Viviane Kasbirk of planning and carrying out Prince Kendryk’s death.”
“Is this true?” Gwynneth turned to Princess Viviane.
“Would you believe an agent of Teodora’s?” The princess was keeping up her haughty act, though she had lost her hat, and looked rather askew.
“Perhaps,” Gwynneth said. “I didn’t want to believe it, but considering how you’ve behaved today, I’m wondering what you’re truly capable of.” She smiled. “How would you feel about a trial? That way you and the countess can fling accusations at each other. I might rather enjoy that.”
“You wouldn’t dare.” The princess huffed. “You have no authority.”
“I don’t need it,” Gwynneth said. “Just like you felt you didn’t need it to make a treacherous agreement with the empress in exchange for murdering my husband. I suppose Terragand was too tempting a prize to keep your scruples.”
She was just guessing about the agreement and the rest, but the look of shock on the princess’s face didn’t lie.
“Clever of you to guess,” the countess said rather eagerly. “I’d be happy to give you all of the details in writing, if you’d be willing to make a deal.”
“Oh, I would.” Gwynneth turned to Major Silberg. “Send someone reliable into the palace to secure all of the princess’s papers. And for good measure, please do the same for the countess. I’m sure we’ll get to the truth soon enough.”
She paused, and plumbed the well of her anger. “And when I do,” she said, fixing her gaze on the princess, “ I’ll get justice for my husband’s death.”
At the order to secure her papers, the princess had turned pale and was forced to lean on the arm of one of her captors.
Gwynneth was pleased at how this was going, but now she had a larger problem on her hands. She needed to organize a trial, and install someone here to rule Isenwald should Princess Viviane should be found guilty.
She also didn’t know what she’d do if the citizens of Isenwald objected. It went without saying the other Kronland rulers would be outraged. But she would avenge Kendryk, even if she pulled the entire empire down on her head in the process.
“Take the princess.” Her voice rang out over the gathered crowd. “And put her in the temple dungeon.”
She didn’t want to take a chance with Braeden’s apparently rickety prison, and Antonia Maxima in Kronfels was a devoted adherent of Edric. “The countess too, in separate cells.”
Then she turned to Major Silberg. “I won’t ask you to stay for the rest of this,” she said, “though I might have need of the archduchess a bit longer.”
“Then I’ll do as the archduchess wishes.” Silberg inclined his head.
Gwynneth turned to Elektra. “What do you say? I’ll write to Lennart and tell him what’s happened, though I won’t keep you if you wish to go.”
“I’ll stay,” Elektra said, with only a little hesitation, after glancing at Braeden.
Next, Gwynneth looked at Colonel Destler. “You are welcome to return home, though I would appreciate it if you served as a distinguished witness in the days ahead.”
“I’ll stay,” Destler said. “At the very least, I know the prince will want a detailed account of everything that’s about to happen.”
“Thank you. I extend the same invitation to you,” Gwynneth said to the Oltenan commander who’s name she’d already forgotten.
“If you don’t mind, I’ll return home, since Princess Galena will be anxious to know if we succeeded in our mission. Though I’m sure she’ll appreciate you keeping her up to date.”
“Of course,” Gwyneth said, “And thank you for your help.”
Now only Braeden remained, but before she could say anything to him, he growled, “You’d have to drag me away from here like the little countess. I’m not leaving Kronfels until I see the two of them dead.”
Teodora
Once Rykter assured her he’d take no bigger action in Tirilis until she returned, Teodora headed for Arcius. Princess Alarys wasn’t bright, but she’d always been a reliable ally, so Teodora was more than a little shocked to see a considerable force camped near her palace. Her misgivings became extreme when she learned the troops belonged to Brynhild Mattila.
“Is she here?” Teodora asked the captain of her guard after she’d investigated.
“Yes. She’s been staying with the princess for the past week.”
“Bring me to the princess,” Teodora ordered, her heart in her mouth. If Mattila meant her harm, her guard was far too small. She ought to have brought everyone.
But Princess Alarys was steadfast, and Teodora would be surprised if Mattila swayed her against her rightful ruler. Best to nip any intrigue in the bud. Teodora wished for Livilla in a moment like this, but she had been empress for nearly a decade now, and could manage on her own.
As she was handed out of her carriage at the front door to the palace, she ran into none other than Jozef Mattila.
“Your Highness!” He looked shocked. It had been difficult to upset his equilibrium during his stay in Atlona, but she’d managed it now.
“Baron Mattila.” Teodora beamed and advanced on him, her hand extended. He wasn’t getting away so easily.
Once he’d taken it and bowed she said, “It was so rude of you to run off the way you did. And after I’d seen to your comfort so carefully.”
“Er,” Jozef said. He was looking handsome, dressed for the hunt in a long coat and fur hat. “Prince Aksel talked me into it, I swear.”
“I believe that.” Teodora chuckled. “I would never have expected you to pull it off on your own.”
Jozef frowned, possibly insulted, then asked, “Is Prince Aksel all right? He didn’t seem to mind being caught as long as I got away. I feel bad about that. He’s such a nice chap.”
“To you, maybe.” Teodora enjoyed watching the idiot squirm. “To me, he’s been nothing but trouble. I was so pleased to have an excuse to throw him in the Arnfels again.”
“Oh gods.” Jozef’s rosy cheeks turned pale. “How long do you plan to keep him in there?”
“The rest of his life.” Teodora shrugged. “Which probably won’t be too long. Winters in the dungeon can be harsh.”
Jozef flung the riding crop he’d been holding on the ground and stamped a finely-booted foot. “I won’t have it,” he said, his eyes flashing. “I’ll tell Mother, and she’ll make you free him.”
“Brat.” Teodora tossed her head. “In ca
se you haven’t noticed, your mother and I are not on good terms. It’s unlikely I’ll do anything she wants.”
At that, Jozef had nothing to say. He stood there gaping like a particularly stupid fish while Teodora swept by. It occurred to her that handsome men didn’t impress her if they possessed no wit. It was probably why she’d lost interest in her husband the moment he first opened his mouth, some twenty years ago.
By the time Teodora reached the front door after this interlude, Princess Alarys stood waiting for her. She moved quickly for someone so fat. “Your Highness.” She gasped, while dropping into a curtsy. “We did not expect you here.”
“I know.” Teodora smiled, then offered the princess her hand. Hopefully she wouldn’t lean on it too much while she heaved herself back up. “But I wanted to take the fight to Lennart, and thought you might want to help. You must be so uneasy while he rules the kingdom next door.”
“Oh, yes.” The princess had straightened up and was trying to compose herself. She took a deep breath. “And that’s the only reason I’m entertaining General Mattila. I had no wish to oppose you in any way, but I worried you had your hands full taking care of the capital, and felt I should look to my own defenses.”
“Of course you should.” Teodora offered a gracious smile while unwrapping herself from her furs. “I don’t fault you at all. In fact, it’s time General Mattila and I had a chat.” From the moment she’d heard Mattila was here, an idea had been forming.
“Yes, yes, my thoughts exactly,” the relieved princess said. “Would you like to see her now? She knows you’re here.”
“Certainly. Why not?” Now that Teodora had decided on a course, it was best not to delay. She doubted she’d lose her nerve, but didn’t want Mattila to have time to formulate her own plan.
Princess Alarys led her down a high-ceilinged corridor that looked like it might go on forever. Teodora insisted on a leisurely pace, and looked over everything carefully. In spite of her gross looks, the princess had exquisite taste and her palace was always decorated in the latest, most elegant styles.
Winter of the Wolf (The Desolate Empire Book 4) Page 33
