by Jane Henry
“No, my lord — I - I mean yes, my lord,” I stammer, not sure how to respond.
“Come join us for tea?” He smiles, a wicked grin. “I wish you to join me.”
“Yes, my lord,” I say, casting my eyes down, not only to behave demurely, but because I wish to avoid any further contact with King Aldric’s staff. My husband leads me by the hand to a small circular table near a window. Aldric sits by Gregor and Carina. Idan gestures for me to take one vacant seat near Carina, and he sits next to me. Upon the table lies a tray with small, square-shaped cakes, decorated with spun sugar and dotted with chocolate. My mouth waters. The fragrant steam from the teapot rises.
But I am out of my element. I do not belong here. I sit with my hands in my lap, wishing I had never sought to marry a warrior of the Hisrach. Why did I think I could trick the Avalerians? How did I ever think I would be worthy to join these men at table, who command the entire planet surrounding me? I jump, startled as my husband squeezes my thigh. I look to him, and his eyes again are storm clouds.
“Twice now I’ve spoken to you, Svali,” he whispers in my ear. “We will discuss this when we get home.”
I swallow, blinking at him, before I hear Carina’s sweet voice to my right. “We were wondering how you liked your new home, Svali. Overwhelming, at first, isn’t it?” She fixes Idan with a pointed look, but he focuses on piling cakes on his plate.
“I suppose,” he mutters.
I clear my throat, swallow, and nod before speaking. “Yes, my lady,” I say. “Very overwhelming. I hope I can accustom myself to — oohhh!”
While I have been speaking, the servant in my peripheral vision has lifted the pot of tea to pour me a cup, and she has stumbled. Scalding tea pours onto my lap, burning me. I lift the sodden fabric that clings to me, the heat of the burning tea searing my skin as I try fruitlessly to prevent the burn. Idan and Carina stand. Idan snatches the fabric napkins from the table and shoves them between my bare skin and the hem of my tunic. He lifts me straight into his arms and takes me to the hall.
“Your room, Carina,” he orders. “We must change her clothing.”
The queen moves as quickly as her swollen abdomen will allow, and I hear Aldric’s harsh tone in the background, scolding the woman for her carelessness. I try to swallow the lump in my throat, my legs throbbing with the pain of the burn, eyes swimming with tears of embarrassment and misery.
“I am so sorry, Svali,” Carina apologizes, as both she and Idan hasten to help me. “She is never so careless!” And, as we move into her room, I do not reply. It was not carelessness that caused this. I wish to be away from here and back to safety, even if that means back to squalor on Kleedan.
I do not belong here.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Idan
I strip away the steaming hot, sodden tunic of my new wife, and dry her with the soft cloth Carina has fetched. Svali squirms in discomfort when bared, but Carina averts her gaze, and I whisper in Svali’s ear. “Stay still while I dress you.” My voice seems to calm her, and she stills as I draw the soft cloth over her head. She exhales, clearly more comfortable now that she is once again dressed. Carina stands to the side, wringing her hands.
“I am so sorry,” she says. “I don’t know what came over her. I’ve never seen her make a careless mistake.”
“I do not blame you, my lady,” I assure her, but I do not excuse her servant. This was not accidental. My wife became mine through deception, and though I have punished her by my own hand and will now do my duty to her as her husband, I wonder if it is her past that has aroused suspicion. “Do you have the salvete I may use?” The salvete, unique to Avalere, is a precious commodity, but I know Carina will understand the urgency.
“Certainly, Idan.” Carina bustles out of the room to fetch the soothing lotion unique to Avalere. It will heal the burns upon Svali’s tender skin. When the door shuts, Svali turns away from me, covering her face.
I wish to hold her to me, to comfort her. “In just a moment, you will be good as new. It must hurt, but I will treat your injury and help heal you.”
She does not respond.
“Svali, is there something you wish to tell me?” I ask. Perhaps she feels vulnerable here, injured and at my mercy, for I see longing in her eyes.
“The woman knows my past, my lord,” she whispers. Anger coils in my belly, my fists clenched at my sides. How dare this woman hurt my wife? But, a moment later, a slight knock on the door indicates Carina’s return and we are interrupted.
She enters, holding the small silver bottle of salvete, the tiny vial containing the medicinal potion that will heal my wife. I take the proffered bottle, gently pushing Svali’s shoulders so that she lies flat on her back on the bed. She obeys as I tip a small drop of the gleaming silver liquid onto my palm. I warm it in my hands before touching her thighs. She sighs in relief as it works instantly, the reddened skin turning pale and creamy ivory again, no longer an angry red.
“Better, Svali?” I ask sternly, still angry she was injured this way to begin with.
“Yes, my lord,” she responds, still not meeting my eyes.
“I am glad,” Carina says. “Perhaps Svali would like to join me in the anteroom with a cup of tea while you and Aldric finish your meeting?” She smiles. “I have no wish to listen in on the counsel of men. Do you?”
Svali smiles, but the smile does not reach her violet eyes. She looks to me for permission.
Good girl. Her deference pleases me.
“You may go with Carina, if you remain in my sight.”
Carina chuckles to herself, but does not respond as she takes Svali’s hand and leads her out of the room. The two walk ahead of me as we rejoin Aldric. He rises when we enter.
“All better?” he asks. I nod, and Carina leads Svali over to a small nook in the corner of the room, where the light gleams on rows of books and a small fireplace. There are comfortable chairs and a hand-woven rug, a place where guests may join them to visit after a meal. Svali sits, and her eyes meet mine across the room. Carina chatters away, while Svali smiles at her.
“You watch her as if she might vanish at any moment, her presence here a mere trick of light?” Aldric says, one brow raised.
I grunt in return.
He gestures to the servants who stand by at a respectable distance. One approaches, but she is not the one who scalded Svali.
“My lord?”
“Two pints for me and Idan,” Aldric orders. He knows a bracing drink will suit me better than the tea that still sits upon the table.
“My apologies for your wife’s accident,” he says. “Did you find the salvete and apply it?”
I take a long pull at the cold, bitter brew. “I did. The injury may not have been accidental, though, my lord.”
Aldric swallows his drink, implacable as always, as he waits for my explanation. I continue. “Your servants know my wife’s history, or at least part.”
Placing his drink down, he eyes me thoughtfully. “And what might that be?”
I take another sip before I reply, keeping my voice low. Though I’m aware his servants may know her past, I still do not wish to publicize it for all to hear. “She was a woman of the night. I have not yet determined why or how she came to be in the circle of women, but it was not by way of honesty.”
Aldric frowns, and he looks toward Svali. “She tricked you?” he says. “And you have not yet deciphered the truth?” When his gaze returns to me, his jaw clenches. The deception appears to anger him. I cannot blame him.
“I have deciphered part of the truth, my lord. She disguised herself in the ring, and I did not see her true form until after we were joined.”
Aldric’s eyes darken. “Did you punish her for her lies?”
“Yes, my lord,” I say, anger rising as I remember that the very woman he would have me punish faced pain in his own home. “Will you punish the woman who harmed my wife?”
Aldric raises a brow. “You have my word I will not let the transgre
ssion go. Do you wish to protect your wife?” He pauses, a smile playing at his lips. This pleases him. “You are sure she poses no real threat to our kingdom, Idan, or to you?”
I take another sip from my mug before I continue. I wish to word my reply carefully. “I have used everything I know to read her,” I explain. As a trained soldier capable of deciphering one’s prana vitae, the life force that draws blood through the soul of a being, I know when a person has malicious intent and when one does not. “Her dishonesty was not malicious, my lord. I have not yet discovered everything about her, but I know from my understanding of her and the intimacy we have shared that she acts out of fear, not ill will.”
“Fear?” Aldric asks.
“Yes, my lord.”
“Fear of what, Idan?”
I shrug. “I am not sure. But there is good in her, my lord. Goodness and strength of character. She will prove a fitting mate, once we have established the natural order of things, and she learns to be honest. Inside her lies a good woman, and I believe she will prove a suitable mate.”
Aldric nods. “You will forgive me for my hesitation, Idan. News of what brews in Avalere colors my perception of your union.”
I place my mug on the table and fold my hands upon my knee as he has garnered my attention. “My lord?”
He inhales, his broad shoulders stretching as he sits up. “Yesterday, after you and Gregor chose your mates, the Avalerians celebrated with feasting and dance. This you know. The remaining men of the Hisrach not paired with their new women celebrated with drink. And during their celebration, a woman approached them. She spoke with the authority of a seer, Idan. And she said a prophecy would soon be fulfilled.”
The hairs on my arms rise, a prickle of apprehension rising along my neck. I have not forgotten the shooting star from earlier today. “My lord? What is this prophecy?”
“The woman would not say it aloud,” he said. “She alluded to the second throne of Avalere being fulfilled. The problem was that because I had not yet announced the second throne being filled, unrest began, and the old Avalerians dedicated to the restoration of Old Avalere began to fight.”
I blink. “Fight, my lord?”
Aldric sighs. “Yes. It grew heated, and though my men present tried to stop it, blood was shed, and two ended up killed.”
“My lord! Two murdered over a silly prophecy?”
Aldric’s unblinking gaze meets mine as he takes another pull from his mug. “Silly prophecy, Idan? Have you no faith in the power of divination?”
I snort. “Prophecy holds no more weight than the tossing of dice at a table. There is no skill, wisdom, or intellect involved. It is mere chance.”
Aldric peers at me. “Is that so?”
I shrug. I will not argue with him.
“Do you not wish to see the woman yourself and hear the prophecy?” Challenge lies in his dark eyes, his lips thinned as he watches me.
“I will listen,” I say. “Though I make no promise about believing the validity.”
He nods, turns to the servant to his right, and lifts a hand as a signal. The servant leaves and returns with a small woman with long silver hair, the edges of her eyes wrinkled with old age. Her skin, tanned and creased, bears upon it years of wisdom, her shoulder stooped with old age. She ambles toward us with a stout stick to hold her up, hobbling to a vacant chair at the table. She bows to both of us, and Aldric invites her to sit.
“No, thank you, my lord,” she says, her voice strong. “I will tell you what I must, and then I will take my leave, if you allow. Your warrior does not believe in prophecies, and I do not wish to stay and discuss the merits or validity of that of which I speak.”
Aldric raises a brow at me. The woman was not here when I spoke of my disbelief, and yet she seems privy to my feelings on the matter already. I sit, awaiting the news.
“Thank you,” Aldric says. “Please share the prophecy with us.”
She bows her head. “Yes, my lord.” She turns to me. “Rarely do the words come to me as they have, but when they do, I cannot deny their import, and I would fail in my duty to the Hisrach if I did not share what I know.”
Of course, whatever she must say bears no real import, but I must listen. “Go on,” I say, doing my best to keep the irritation out of my voice. Aldric’s lips turn down in silence.
The woman holds her head erect. “The second throne of Avalere brings with it great strife, when two moons become one as the lord takes a wife. Upon the land of Avalere, the leader will be tasked. But when all thrones are fully filled, our land becomes unmasked.”
I listen, unmoved. “Is that it?” Avalere is as it has always been, and the moons of Avalere remain apart. I have no patience for silliness such as prophecies but cannot dismiss the woman.
“Yes, my lord.”
“Thank you,” Aldric says. “We will make our decisions going forward keeping in mind what you have told us.”
She bows her head and goes to rise. “You will, my lord,” she says, and then she looks at me before she leaves. “He will not. But preparation does not impact that which I have said.”
Aldric nods his thanks, and gestures for his servants to see her to the exit. Heat rises in my chest, anger surfacing. How dare she? I take another pull from my tankard to steady my temper, and avoid looking at the king. Do I really need to heed such hogwash?
“You do not put value in the prophecy?” Aldric asks.
I shrug. “To what end, my lord? There are two moons on Avalere, not one. And soon, yes, I will take the second throne, and I do not envision any future unveiling or unmasking or whatever the case may be. I will lead as I have always led — with my eyes wide open, aware of my surroundings. I will be fair but never fail to follow through with justice when necessary. The prophecy bears no impact on my ruling.”
I try my best to keep scorn out of my voice.
Aldric’s gaze does not leave mine. “Yes. Your dedication to mercy, justice, and sound leadership caused me to appoint you to the throne to begin with. I have announced your new role to the Hisrach, and now the Avalerians will be told you are Duke of Avalere, assuming the second throne with your new wife. People have, of course, noticed that you and Svali have gone to your new home, accompanied by servants. Word spreads.”
“Yes, my lord,” I say. People are aware of my role and will witness what is happening.
“I wish for you to be in constant communication with me regarding any difficulties you may have. Any unrest, discord, whispered rumors, or the like, and you send word to me immediately. Your transition to the throne should be seamless and not fraught with danger. Am I clear?”
I nod. “Certainly, my lord. Thank you.”
“And Idan? It will begin soon, as you two get to know each other.” I look at him with curiosity. What does he mean? “As the days unfold, and you master your new wife, the binding will happen. Separation will become difficult, and she will see you with new eyes.” He frowns, and I know he believes what he says to be true. “You will find, as your dedication to Svali increases, your heart will be intent on protecting her above all others. Be sure to keep your head about you regarding your duty to your throne.”
I barely temper my desire to laugh. Pretty though she may be, does he truly think that I would ever allow the attentions of a woman to sway me from my duty?
The door to the hall opens, and in walks a female servant, her eyes bright, her step quick as she approaches the table. Servants are not welcome to interrupt any meeting of the Hisrach unbidden, so either she’s made a grave error or has a pressing errand. Both Aldric and I look to her. She bows her head as she reaches us and stands just a few feet away.
“My lord,” she says, focused on Aldric. “I apologize for the interruption, but it is of great urgency.”
“Yes?”
Her eyes, still wide, look at him imploringly. “Your wife, my lord. My lady. Her waters have broken. The time has come, King Aldric, for your baby to join us.”
⊱⟢⋯⟣⊰
I have seen Aldric at times of great peril and danger, when the wellbeing of our companions and loved ones, and, at times, even the population of all of Avalere, hung in the balance of life and death. I have seen him rescue those whose lives were at stake. I have seen him ruthlessly end the lives of those who posed a threat to those under his protection. He has faced certain death and misery and never faltered, riding into battle fearlessly, earning him the title of Warrior King and ruler of all of Avalere, earning my devotion and service. But, now, my fearless leader looks, for the first time ever, panic-stricken.
He leaps to his feet, knocking his chair back, then marching to the exit of the dining hall with large, purposeful strides. I follow him, ready to do his bidding.
“Where is she?” he asks, throwing open the doors to the Great Hall, his voice thunderous, brows drawn together.
The young servant who has approached from before stands before us, wringing her hands. “In her chambers, my lord,” she says.
“Has the midwife been summoned?” he asks.
“Certainly, my lord. But please, King Aldric, understand as this is the first child, it will take some time —”
“Is she comfortable?”
I temper a smile at his impatience.
The young woman nods her head. “Of course, my lord.” She opens the door of Carina’s chambers where earlier I dressed Svali and ushers us in.
Carina stands by her dressing table, her fingers cradling her swollen abdomen, and my Svali holds her hand. Carina’s face contorts, her knuckles white as she grasps Svali. Aldric rushes to her side, and Svali releases her. He bends and kisses Carina’s forehead.
“Carina. Is it time?”
The spasm seems to fade now as her face softens. “Yes, my lord,” she pants in the aftermath of pain. “My waters broke, and labor has begun. The contractions are still minutes apart but increasing in intensity. Svali has been helping me walk, and the midwife is coming.” She smiles. “Our little one will join us soon.” Svali looks as Aldric takes Carina to her bed, his hand upon the small of her back.
