by L B Keen
“Did you give the king my letter?” she asked, still not looking at him. Instead, she watched the rustling leaves above.
“Yes, princess.”
“And what did he say when he read it?”
“Shocked, at first… but then he called for another male, and the two spoke in hushed whispers in the corner of the room.”
She nodded at this. Turning, she fully faced him. “So… did he accept my offering? Or was my offer rejected? After all, his greatest wish is to keep those of the Echimedes house from the throne. Nothing less and nothing more. I am giving him a way to ensure they will not be able to take the throne.”
The weight of her stare weighed on Dua’s back. He couldn’t say that the king had not accepted her offer for the man had eagerly agreed, but with a stipulation that Dua did not wish to speak aloud. But, gardening his loins, he did so. “My princess, King Malic did accept your offer, but… with an added caveat that we did not foresee.”
“Oh, and what is this added caveat?” Bird did not bother to hide her curiosity at what the king demanded. She did not know the man well, but she knew his greed and desire to keep the royal family under the Tudor name. The Tudors were not open for change.
“He wishes to add that if the child you bear is not a boy, that if you instead bear a girl, she will be affianced to the male of Duke Asher’s family in order to tie the two families together.”
Bird’s eyes immediately narrowed on Dua. “What?”
The instant shift of mood as her eyes darkened with anger. “He wishes for me to tie my daughter to a house he would not trust with his kingdom?!”
“He says that it would be the best second option for him. It would keep Duke Asher’s demands at bay and would prevent any further animosity between them. Your daughter’s child would not be able to gain the throne and would be of your blood, maintaining the political connection with the Katari royal family. It would seem a boon to Duke Asher.”
Bird smirked, her eyes filled with amusement. “Why does he think a daughter of mine could not take the throne?” She shook her head. “It does not seem that any of his other sons will be having children.” She blinked with Essa coming to mind. “Well, not within the next year or so.”
After a moment of thought, she gave a sharp nod. “Yes, I will allow it, but… if my daughter finds another man worthy of her love, then I will not deny her wish to reject the proposal. And, she is not to be expected to marry till she is of the age of twenty-one moons.”
Dua gave a short nod and stood, melting back within the garden’s shadows.
Watching him, she turned. Returning inside, she navigated her way back towards the steps, only to pause when she saw Talon standing at the top of the steps.
“You went to the garden.” It wasn’t a question. He slowly descended towards her. “I believed you no longer held anything for Fitzwilliam within your heart.” He stopped right before reaching the landing, his cold eyes searching her face. “Do you still desire him?” Sharply, he lifted his arm and gripped her chin in his hand, his fingers digging into her cheek. “Do you…” His mouth worked as he dropped his gaze before he jerked his narrowed gaze to her. “…love him?”
Not wilting from his treatment, Bird’s lips quirked. “If I am not mistaken, Prince Talon, you appear jealous.”
His fingers tightened on her jaw as his eyes brightened before, with a sudden expletive, he released her chin, only to grab her arm and jerk her forward, his left hand coming up to grasp her throat.
“And if I were,” he whispered harshly, his eyes lowering to her lips. “How would you prove my worries false?”
Smirking, Bird lifted her hands and brushed along the opening of his robes. “I wonder, how would you like for me to show innocence?” Her eyes still on his, she reached within his robes. “How would my vampire wish to be pleased?”
Cursing, he jerked her forward, taking her lips in a harsh, wet kiss. Her hands gripped the sides of his robes as she closed her eyes in the thrill of his force. She melted into his hold, her body reacting naturally to the aura of power he released in his excitement.
It was a good thing the servants were abed or they would be dealing with far more than their own lust and need.
Talon’s eyes opened as he met his own dark stare in the mirror.
He couldn’t shake the feeling of jealousy from his blood. The only way he could be assured that Fitzwilliam and Bird never formed another bond would be to remove the man from her reach. Only then could he assure himself that the two would never love again, and Fitzwilliam would never, ever think to claim her.
With those thoughts, he released a growl. Bending down, he lifted her up and ascended the stairs to return to their chambers where he desperately whispered his love for her over and over till he had convinced himself of her own love, and she whispered it back.
Even though when the morning came, he was filled with doubt once more.
The next morning, Bird sat in the solar, a letter in her lap as she stared out the window. She’d opted for a soft yellow gown as she waited for the writer of the letter. She sat stiff-backed and anxious, though she tried to hide it.
The doors were jerked open suddenly and she jerked her eyes towards the door.
Standing there, older and rounded belly once more was her dear friend. A friend she had missed dearly over the months she’d been gone.
“Bird,” Stacia whispered her name, her eyes turning misty as she jerked her hands up to cover her mouth as she stared at Bird with mixed emotions.
Standing, Bird set the letter aside and smiled, her throat tight. “It has been too long, my dear Stacia.” She cleared her throat in an attempt to not lose her composure.
Stacia dropped her hands to her side and nodded. Clearing her throat, she finally spoke, not daring to take a step forward. “Well, I should say so. To be blunt… I-I had thought you dead,” she said abruptly, her fingers playing awkwardly with the ends of the scarf. “My husband refused to allow me to leave to confront the bastard…” She paused, her words stopping short.
Bird move forward, stopping before her. She opened her arms and smiled. “It is good to see you, too, friend.”
Releasing a short sob, Stacia rushed forward and wrapped her arms strongly around Bird. The force of her hug took Bird aback. Slowly, she lowered her arms and hugged her back. No longer feeling awkward as she felt at first.
Stacia pulled away from her abruptly. Glaring at her, she snapped, “How dare you disappear without word? Do you not know how worried I was? Very!”
Shaking her head, she removed her arms from around Stacia and took both her hands in hers. “It wasn’t by my choice that I did so.” She fondly stared at her friend, glancing down at her stomach and chuckled,. “But you seem to have been occupied in my absence.”
“Oh!” She slapped at Bird’s shoulders before, after a beat of silence, her expression sobered. “Bird, are you happy?”
Dropping her gaze, Bird nodded. “Soon, I will be.”
Hearing this, Stacia gave her a suspicious look. “What does that mean, ‘you will be’? Is there something going on that you did not tell me in your letter?”
Not saying anything, Bird motioned to the settee behind them. “Shall we sit?”
Releasing, she moved over to it. Taking a seat, she watched as Stacia followed her example.
Staring at her with narrowed eyes, Stacia insisted, “What is it you are about, Bird?”
Simply shaking her head, she reached out and covered Stacia’s hand with her own. “I’ve nothing planned. I did not expect you to send a visiting card so early. I am leaving soon with Talon for the Buckingham Palace. We are to meet with his father.” Both she and Stacia tensed when the door to the solar opened. Talon stood in the doorway.
He gave a short bow to Stacia, who reluctantly nodded in return. Though it would have been expected for her to stand and curtsy, Stacia hadn’t yet forgiven the prince for his treatment of her closest friend and in the near future, with allowance, she
would prove that she was very able in holding a grudge against him.
His gaze immediately landed on Bird. “It is time we leave.” His words held a wealth of meaning.
She gave a smile. Silently acknowledging his words, she stood, Stacia following her example. “I must go, but I hope you will visit often in the future.”
“Of course, I will,” Stacia exclaimed, her expression eager. “You would have to bar me from the doors before I, myself, chose to not visit. You are, and forever will be, my closest friend. I’ve failed you by not being there when you had great need of me, but… now, I will never allow anyone to harm you, and idly stand by and do nothing.” She sent a meaningful look towards Talon. “No matter the enemy or source of pain,” she returned her sincere gaze to Bird, “I will stand by your side and fight.”
Chuckling, Bird patted her hands as she led her towards the door. “I am grateful to have such a warrior as a friend, but I assure you,” she said, stopping by the door, “I am in great hands.” She glanced at Talon and did not pull away from him when he rested his hand on her shoulder. “Trust me, I am no longer as innocent as I was before.”
After her words, the familiar dark brown eyes that Stacia knew so well slowly became a bright purple. “If anything, I think I’ve become a little like you, a warrior.”
Speechless, she retreated a step and was surprised when another voice spoke.
“Lady Stacia, your carriage awaits.”
“Thank you, Pinwin.” Returning her attention to Stacia, she released her hand and let it rest by her side. “Forgive me, but I will not be able to escort you out. I will see you soon, I swear.”
Looking from Talon to Bird, Stacia eventually turned and left the solar, wondering silently to herself if she had imagined the dangerous, cold air around her friend. Something integral had changed within her friend, but she couldn’t place her finger on what.
Chapter Fifteen
Buckingham Palace was the same. It had not changed since her last visit, the visit that had led her to Talon’s doors. Bird allowed the servant to help her as she alighted from the carriage and watched as Talon moved forward without her. She’d noticed a difference in his behavior, a coolness. A wall had risen between she and him, but she had no desire at the moment to bring it down.
She was focused completely on the battle she would be forced to fight once they gained their audience with the king. Her entire life would be decided on the whim of a man she barely knew. She felt a silent amusement at this realization. Her entire life seemed to have been dictated by a man she barely knew. First, by Fitz, then Talon, and followed closely by her own father, Alma.
Ascending the steps, she stopped short at the first door and allowed the servants to take her coat and gloves. She brushed a hand down the front of her gown. She’d thought it best to arrive looking more English than Katari. The earrings Talon had given her to wear before they’d left swung slightly, catching the eyes of servants and others who appeared to be awaiting a meeting with the king as they passed by.
She’d had her hair pulled back in a simple chignon so that her delicate features would be displayed at their best.
Talon finally came to her side and taking her hand, he leaned down and whispered in her ear, “You look lovely, my dear.”
Taking joy in his compliment, she merely nodded as he led her away from the first door and into a high-ceiling hallway where the marble floor shined as if freshly scrubbed, reflecting the daylight and their own reflections almost better than glass.
They continued in a companion like silence. When they came to the end of the hallway, two doors carved from white wood stood before them. The palace guards stood on either side, holding nothing but simple rifles at their sides. Bird let a single brow raise. Her countrymen still used swords and the like. She would have to speak to her father about it at a later time. She was sure the rifles were merely for decoration.
“Are you ready?”
She turned and met Talon’s weary gaze. To put him at ease, she nodded. “Win or lose, you have proven yourself more than capable of providing for your mate.”
“But, I must pay you the full price for your heart. Was it not a crown for it?”
Bird decided not to answer and merely observed his dark gaze. The doors opened inward, catching both their attention. Turning, they fully faced it, and once it was wide enough, the two of them moved forward.
**
Despite it being inside the palace, the room they entered was limited in its decoration. Only a few seats were inside, all posed before a simple desk. The bay windows that lined the wall allowed in enough light as the morning sun was swiftly growing brighter, pushing away the grey clouds that wandered above.
The other members of their family had already arrived. Jorin sat next to his mother, who kept her hand firmly on his. It wasn’t surprising. Talon had acknowledged the woman had indeed loved her sons. Even if he personally believed her an evil witch, it did not obstruct his ability to see it.
Jorin was the most like her in temperament and manner. Only, since his life of slavery and near death, Jorin had lost much of English polish he’d had, and even now, despite having been cleaned and dressed in the fashion of a prince, he still appeared wild and restless.
When Jorin spotted them, he greeted them both with a wordless nod but did not rise.
Bird spotted Fitz immediately where he stood, facing the window. From his stiff posture, she could tell he was not eager to be here, nor were any of them. The queen had sent such an ugly glare Talon’s way, she would not be surprised if the woman jumped up and stabbed him before them all.
Talon moved over to the chair closest to the desk and helped her sit and stood in simple silence beside her, his hand coming to rest on her shoulder. She was comforted by his touch and felt she should enjoy it while it lasted. After all, she wasn’t sure he would do as she hoped. Her offer to the king through Dua would make him very angry, but it would give him some of what he desired.
With a sudden round of movement, the door to the left of them opened with a bang and King Malic entered. He was not the confused and thrown off king of yesterday. The man who entered was full of tight control and held his power as a cloak; it rested upon him well. As his long stride brought him to the next quickly, behind him stood a male servant that Bird hadn’t seen before.
“Leo,” King Malic spoke the other male’s name and lifted his hand out. A rolled-up parchment was sat in his palm. “Thank you, you may leave.”
The Leo male bowed at the waist and made his exit, closing the door behind him.
Releasing a sigh, King Malic took a seat. He appeared tired but determined as he faced them all. Bird noticed that Fitz had finally turned around to face his father, and she inwardly winced at his mused and pale appearance. It was clear he’d not gotten enough sleep and it was also clear he’d been drinking.
“Despite my demands that I be left alone to think on my decision,” he drawled, his tone clearly annoyed, “many of you still attempted to speak with me. Luckily, some of you had deeper thoughts to share rather than the continued whining over my throne.”
Leaning back in his chair, he observed them all silently for a moment before he lifted the parchment. “This paper holds my will and testament. It is already signed by those of parliament and me. It contains the mention of who I wish to be next to take the throne, but it does not yet bear a name of who that may be. The one who will be able to take my seat is the one who can meet my demands on this day and no other. Deny me on this day, and you will forever be barred from the thought of one day becoming king… understood?”
No one spoke, and in truth, not one person had anything to say. Bird could feel her skin prickle in anticipation. She lowered her eyes and pressed her lips together to keep from smiling. Many could think her cruel for what she was doing, but she was only doing what was within her power so she may remain happy.
Shifting, King Malic turned his attention primarily to his sons, causing them all to tense. Queen A
nne tightened her hold of Jorin’s hand and narrowed her yellowish eyes on Malic. She’d planned so much and had been ready for her self-declared victory, and yet, her husband now held the power. She narrowed her eyes. No matter what, she would find a way to prevail. Even if it took her entire lifetime, she would succeed where her cousin had not.
“Fitzwilliam, you will marry the Lady of Carthage as you have drunk from her and ruined her. If you have any desire to rule Britain and wear my crown, you will do so immediately. If you refuse, you are to be banished as of this day to Wales to never darken our doors again until it is proven that your seed did not take root within her. If it has, you will be married through a proxy and you will remain beyond the gates of this palace until your dying day.”
The very air had been sucked out at the king’s proposal. Bird was surprised herself. She lifted her eyes and glanced at the third prince. His hands were curled into fists at his side, his eyes bright with an unnamed emotion. Surely, the king wouldn’t be so cruel to him, and yet in his stony silence, Malic did not budge. No one was able to speak up for Fitzwilliam as the king had made entirely clear he would not change his mind on his demands.
With a taut voice, Fitzwilliam merely spat out a few words. “I… refuse.” And with that, he turned on his heel and marched out of the room, only to stop at the door at the sight of two men who bowed to him before speaking loud enough for those within to hear.
“We will escort Your Highness to the ship that awaits you.”
Jerking his head up at this, Fitzwilliam half-turned, sending his father a heated look before he turned back around without words and followed the guards from the palace.
He would go to Wales and he would remain there, for he would never hold the hands of the woman who’d merely used him for the throne. At some point, he’d been willing to be by her side even if it was merely the crown she sought, but after yesterday’s events, he had lost the desire and had also lost his desire for life. Yes, he would go to Wales, and there he would rot.
