The Darkest Night

by Emma V. Leech

  “No.”

  Ameena sat up and kissed his jaw, one hand smoothing over his cheek and turning his face towards her. “She ruined your life, Bram. I have a right to know what happened.” She leaned down and kissed him, seeing the worry in his eyes. “I know I’m not your first love or anything, so you don’t need to worry about upsetting me. I want to know, though, I want to know everything about you.” She grinned at him. “All of it. Warts and all.”

  He made a disgusted noise and rolled his eyes at her. “I knew I shouldn’t have let you speak,” he grumbled. “Honestly, woman, is this the safest subject you could think of?”

  “Oh, who wants to be safe?” she said with impatience, prodding him to get on with it. “Far too dull. Now come on, tell me everything.” She sat up in bed and crossed her arms, waiting. Bram pursed his lips, his eyes lingering on her breasts, which were now rather on display. Ameena huffed and pulled the covers up. “Not until I’ve heard what happened.”

  He pouted at her, muttering under his breath, but sat up beside her nonetheless. “Gods, Ameena, do I have to?” he muttered, rubbing at the stubble on his chin with irritation. “It’s damned embarrassing.”

  “Spill,” she insisted, scowling at him.

  Bram folded his arms, scowling. “Oh, fine,” he said, looking mutinous. “Her name was Lady Leola Brigh and she comes from a very ancient, noble, and powerful family.” He glanced at Ameena and sighed at her puzzled expression. “All lords are not created equal, Ameena,” he said. “I’m nobility, it’s true, but my family are neither wealthy nor especially powerful. I’m just lucky enough to have fallen in with Corin when I was young. His friendship gave me access to rather more glamorous circles than I might have otherwise entered into. Anyway, Leola was far above my station. I was a bloody fool to even look in her direction.” He crossed his arms, looking like he’d said all he wanted to say.

  “She was obviously very beautiful?” Ameena pressed, wondering why she would torture herself so.

  Bram shrugged and then sighed as she raised her eyebrows at him. “I thought so at the time, and she is generally acknowledged to be a great beauty, yes … but ...”

  “But?”

  His expressions softened and he smiled at her. “In truth, I just don’t know now how I could have been so blind. Corin tried to warn me about her, Laen, too. They could see what I couldn’t, but I just got angry with them. Gods, I even accused Corin of wanting her for himself. We damn near fell out over it.”

  “What happened?”

  “Corin forgave me for being an idiot, and then, everything went to hell.” He looked at her and took a breath as he obviously realised she wasn’t going to stop until he’d told her everything. “I had been meeting her in secret and I was stupid enough to believe that she really cared for me. In truth, she just enjoyed having a devoted little puppy that she could kick and still have run to do her bidding. Sadly, I couldn’t see it. I decided to ask her to marry me,” he said, and Ameena felt a surge of anger at the flush in his cheeks, at the embarrassment he felt for having been so taken in. “And then the Marquis of Dresfell came along. I didn’t know at the time that she was seeing another man, but she stopped turning up to meet me. It turns out that the possibility of snaring a wealthy marquis was too delicious an opportunity, and I was dropped like a hot brick.”

  “Oh, Bram, I’m sorry.” She moved closer to him, linking her arms around his and laying her head on his shoulder. “Actually,” she amended, lifting her head and glowering as she thought about it. “I’m not a bit sorry. If it hadn’t happened, you wouldn’t be here.” She smiled and gave his shoulder a kiss, smiling a little by way of apology. “I am sorry you were hurt, though.”

  Bram snorted, amusement in his eyes. “Anyway, there was a ball at her house the following weekend, and I determined to confront her and discover what was going on. I was still so bloody deluded that I wouldn’t believe it, not until she told me herself. She evaded me for the whole evening and I was losing my damn mind. I was so far in denial that I was sure that once we were married and settled, everything would be fine, so I crept into her bedroom and waited for her.”

  “Oh, Bram!” Ameena exclaimed, staring at him in horror.

  “I know, I know, it was idiotic!” He groaned and put his head in his hands. “Gods, Ameena, I have had many years of living in the wilderness and a price on my head to come to terms with that fact.”

  She sighed and leaned into him again. “So what happened?” she pressed, taking hold of his hand.

  “I waited for damned hours, or so it seemed, but eventually she came back to her room and she seemed pleased to see me.” He hesitated, clearly wondering how much detail to give her. “She kissed me and ...” Ameena raised her eyebrows and he cleared his throat. “Well, she was pleased to see me and things seemed to be going well, so … so I told her that I loved her and asked her to marry me,” he said in a rush.

  “And..?”

  “And ... she laughed in my face,” he said, his voice bitter. “She said she was never going to marry me, that I had just been an entertaining diversion, and did I seriously think she would give everything up to marry so far beneath her?”

  Ameena could still hear the hurt and humiliation in his voice and determined that if she ever came across Leola Brigh, she would teach her a lesson she wouldn’t forget in a hurry.

  “Anyway,” Bram continued, unaware of Ameena’s violent train of thought. “The long and the short of it was that we rowed and the family heard the ruckus. The next minute, I was being dragged away with Leola screaming that I had been stalking her for weeks and that I’d broken in with the sole intention of raping her.” Ameena gaped at him in horror and he shrugged. “Well, like I said, they are a powerful family. They took one look at her, half-dressed, and that was the end of me. They bayed for my blood and would have beheaded me there and then, but thank the gods Corin begged for clemency, and instead I was to be imprisoned for two hundred years. Between him and Laen, guards were bribed and I escaped, and spent the next twelve years living in the shadows.”

  “Oh, my poor boy,” she whispered and held him close. She had caught a glimpse of the laughing, carefree soul he had once been, and it broke her heart to know the woman had taken so much of that from him. “Did no one ever discover the truth?”

  He shrugged, acting as though it didn’t matter anymore and not fooling her one bit. “Corin and Laen believed me, and even Dannon stood up in my defence, but the family wouldn’t have it. With the evidence stacked against me, even the queen couldn’t dismiss the allegations, though I flatter myself by believing that she wanted to. Anyway, it was my word against hers, and she was seen to be an innocent.” He paused and let out a breath, turning his head to kiss her. Ameena held his gaze, hoping he could see that she believed him, every word. The idea of Bram being capable of forcing a woman to do anything was so ridiculous it was hard for her to see how anyone who knew him could even consider it. As though reading her thoughts, he carried on. “Although I was never really viewed as one of the wolves, like Corin and Laen and Dannon, my reputation was bad enough from my association with them. So as far as the establishment were concerned, I was a womaniser and a rake. The fact I was in her bedroom was damming enough on its own, add that to her beautifully tearful breakdown and the details with which she embellished her little tale, and I was a dead man,” he said, the anger in his voice unmistakable now.

  “But Corin has cleared your name now, you’re no longer on the outside?” she said and then frowned as he laughed.

  “Corin can say I am innocent until he is blue in the face, but everyone knows he is my friend. Mud sticks, Ameena. My family still won’t receive me, and I am still snubbed everywhere I go. The only reason I get in at all is because I have built a reputation and they are too afraid to refuse me. The only way I’ll be free of it is to get a confession from Leola, and that is clearly never going to happen.”

  They sat in silence for a while and Ameena cuddled up to him, wishi
ng there was something she could do. “We have to find a way to make her tell the truth,” Ameena said, thinking out loud. “A way to trick her into it somehow.”

  Bram nodded, but his expression wasn’t hopeful. “Claudette agreed to help me to try and do just that. Leola is the worst kind of social climber, just as Corin warned me. She would be dazzled by the idea of being intimate friends with the future queen.”

  Ameena sat up, excitement bubbling up as she realised a way that they could do it. “Well, that’s it then. We set her up.”

  Bram smiled at her, obviously pleased that she was so desperate to help him. “It isn’t as easy as that, my darling girl. Claudette has had a lot on her plate, we cannot just ask her to drop everything and do this for me.”

  “Yes, we can,” she said, determined now. Bram had rescued Claudette’s brother for her, she owed him. “She has already agreed to help you in any case, all we need to do is help her find a way.” Ameena leaned forward and kissed him. “We’ll ask her. I’m sure between us we can come up with a plan.”

  ***

  Corin shifted and lifted a hand to his neck with a grimace. He was cold and his head was pounding with an all too familiar sensation. Falling asleep in a chair after draining a full bottle was never a bright idea. Served him right.

  A clattering noise at his feet had his eyes opening, and he blinked in surprise to see Laen crouching to put more wood on the fire before he lit it. Corin flicked his fingers and flames erupted, sending Laen back on his heels and cursing.

  “Damn it!” He looked up at Corin and sighed. “You’re awake then?”

  Corin groaned and clutched at his head. “Sadly, yes.” He squinted at the empty bottle Laen was holding aloft with an accusing expression. “Ugh.” He closed his eyes again, laying his head back against the chair. “What time is it?”

  “Not yet seven am.” Laen got to his knees and rang the bell by the fireplace.

  “What the devil are you doing here at this hour, anyway?” Corin grumbled, scowling at him. “You know I never see anyone before nine.”

  Laen gave him a disgusted look. “I am not anyone, for starters,” he said with dignity as Corin snorted. “And secondly, I took one look at the dismal weather and knew you were in the doghouse. I thought I had better find you and see what trouble you were in now. What did you do this time?” he demanded.

  Corin massaged his forehead, his eyes screwed shut with pain. “You know as well as I do.”

  “Ah.” Laen nodded and sat in the chair opposite. It made a tortured sound as his bulk made itself comfortable, and Corin shook his head.

  “Remind me to have the furniture in your rooms reinforced, will you?” He watched in amusement as Laen scowled at him.

  “It was one chair,” Laen muttered with indignation in his eyes. He folded his arms and glared at Corin. “And stop changing the subject. Did you tell her or did she figure it out?”

  There was a knock at the door and Malen stepped into the room at Corin’s invitation. It was at least nice to see some familiar faces as his staff arrived at Aos Si.

  “You rang, Your Majesty?” he enquired of Corin.

  Corin shook his head. “No,” he said closing his eyes. “He did.” He pointed at Laen, shading his eyes as the daylight seemed to be growing fiercer despite the lack of sun.

  “Could we have some breakfast, Malen?” Laen asked, leaning forward in his chair. “Eggs, ham, sausages, tomatoes, and lots of toast, and is there any medlar jam?”

  “I will make enquiries in the kitchen, Your Highness,” Malen replied with a nod.

  “Excellent,” Laen replied, sounding satisfied before adding, “Oh, and if there are any spice biscuits, perhaps?”

  Corin groaned and Laen exchanged a glance with Malen.

  “Coffee?” Malen suggested with the slightest lift of one eyebrow.

  Laen grinned and nodded. “I think so.”

  “Malen,” Corin said, reminding himself it was his own damn fault and that he wasn’t supposed to do this kind of thing anymore. “There is a small blue bottle. You’ll find it in ...”

  “If you will forgive me the interruption, sire, I took the liberty.” The butler stepped towards him, holding a small blue bottle out to him.

  Corin sighed with relief, looking up at his butler with real affection. “Malen, you really are the most wonderful man, and you have my undying gratitude. Remind me to tell you more often, will you?”

  “As you wish, sire,” Malen replied, looking rather pleased with himself. “Will there be anything else?”

  Corin glared at his friend, giving him a look of misgiving as he uncorked the little bottle. “Well, Laen? Do you wish to torment me further?”

  Laen pursed his lips, looking thoughtful. “No. Not for the moment, thank you, Malen.”

  The butler bowed and closed the door quietly behind him, and Laen grunted in amusement at the look on Corin’s face as he downed the contents of the bottle and made a sound of disgust.

  “Mother of gods,” he shuddered as the revolting liquid slid down his throat and made him want to retch.

  “I’d say that would teach you, but sadly there is far too much proof to the contrary.” Laen gave him a wicked grin and reached for the poker, moving a log further into the flames and making as much noise about it as possible.

  Corin stared at him with reproach. “Laen, did you come to lend me support, or simply to revel in my misery?”

  “Oh, both,” he replied with a grin. His face softened a little as Corin huffed at him, and he sat back, his tone serious now. “So then, how did Claudette take the news?”

  Corin shrugged, unable to hide his disappointment from Laen.

  “Oh,” Laen said, sympathetic now. “I’m sorry.”

  “She was very calm,” Corin said, remembering the sound of her crying her heart out. “She said she understood and that she didn’t blame me.” He paused, staring into the fire that was blazing merrily between them now. “She said she loved me and would love my child just as much.”

  “Well, that’s good, isn’t it?” Laen asked, looking a little perplexed.

  Corin nodded. “It would be, if it wasn’t for the fact that when she asked me for some time alone, I heard her crying as though her heart was breaking the minute I closed the door.”

  “Oh.” Laen sighed. “Well,” he said, obviously struggling to find the right words. “It must be a shock for her. I’m sure she meant what she said, though, she’ll come around.”

  Corin looked up at him, unable to feel quite so reassured. Worry and guilt lay heavy in his heart. “You really think so?” He sat forward, putting his head in his hands. “Oh, gods, Laen. I just feel like such a bastard.”

  Laen moved closer to him, sitting on the edge of his chair and looking sympathetic. “Look,” he said, his tone serious. “If there is one thing I know about pregnant women, it is that they are at the mercy of their hormones. They will cut your heart out with a spoon one minute and the next weep like you’ve beaten them if you so much as try to make a joke out of their condition, no matter how innocent your intentions.” He sounded so indignant that Corin felt he really did speak from experience. Laen spread his arms wide and gave him wry smile. “Welcome to my world, old friend. Just accept the fact that you will never be right for at least nine months.”

  There was a knock at the door and Malen came in, followed by three serving maids bearing loaded trays. The smell of sausages and spice biscuits fresh from the oven was too much for Corin, who paled and swallowed hard.

  “Laen, you bastard, I do hope you are satisfied,” he said in disgust as he pulled himself to his feet and rushed from the room.

  ***

  Claudette raised her hand to the door and knocked, hoping it wasn’t too early.

  “Your Highness, I mean, Majesty, I mean … oh!” Carla flushed and ducked a curtsy. “I’m afraid I’ll never get used to it.”

  “Me either,” Claudette said, giving her a tired smile. “Please, don’t worry. Claudette wi
ll do just fine. Is … is Océane here?”

  Carla nodded and ushered her inside just as Océane walked in from the bedroom. She looked up as she saw Claudette come in, smiling broadly until she took in what Claudette was well aware were bloodshot eyes and an ashen face.

  Claudette tried to smile in return, but when she saw the concern in her friend’s eyes, her face crumpled and she burst into tears.

  “Oh, Claudette!” Océane engulfed her in an embrace, nodding to Carla, who slipped quietly from the room to give them some privacy. “You know, then?”

  Claudette sniffed and nodded, and Océane led her to the sofa, where she sat down beside her, grasping her hands tightly.

  “I found out last night, but …” She stopped in her tracks, staring at Océane in alarm. “How did you know?”

  Océane sighed, shaking her head. “I guessed, when you said how you were feeling?” she shrugged, looking apologetic.. “I couldn’t tell you, love. I wanted to, but I couldn’t.

  Claudette sucked in a breath, feeling more foolish than ever. “Does Laen know, too?” she demanded, suddenly angry. Océane bit her lip but didn’t say anything, and Claudette gave a bitter laugh. “How stupid of me to be the last to know.”

  “Oh, darling, no!” Océane cried, squeezing her hands before Claudette could pull them from her grasp. “It wasn’t like that. Laen was with Corin when he realised you were pregnant. Corin didn’t tell him, Claudette, but he couldn’t hide his reaction, and so … well, Laen guessed, too.”

  Claudette looked at her as tears slid down her face. “He was happy, wasn’t he?” she whispered.

  “Yes,” Océane nodded. “According to Laen, he was overjoyed.”

  Claudette smiled and twisted the fine fabric of her dress between her fingers. “I want to make him happy, Océane, more than anything.”

  “I know,” Océane said, her voice sympathetic. “And I know you don’t feel ready yet, but it’s not like you’re a single mother. You’re his queen, you’ll have every advantage. It’s really not so bad.”

  Claudette nodded. Although she was still scared to death and far from ready, this much she had accepted. But that wasn’t all that she was frightened of. “But I want to keep him, too,” she said, feeling the tears prickle in her eyes again as Océane frowned at her.