“I swear on the gods that I shall not take up arms against you, and that you are my true sovereign. I will fight to protect you.” He cleared his throat. “Majesty, I would die rather than betray my word.”
The rattle of chains echoed down the line, and to a man, they all bowed before Thalia, pledging their loyalty.
Thalia wanted to look away from the hope she saw etched on the faces of these broken men. “Lord Parinez, see that these loyal citizens’ wounds are treated and they are given food and drink.” She turned to her husband. “As the commander of my armies, you will decide if these men continue to fight or if they are allowed to go home.” She nodded at the young lad. “Except for him—he must be allowed to return to his home where he can grow into a man.”
It was a stunned group of men who watched the small queen move away. None of them spoke, fearing they had not heard her correctly, or that she might change her mind.
Ashtyn watched tears gather in the eyes of many of the hardened fighters who had served Sevilin.
And Ashtyn saw more—those men were completely captivated by a queen who showed them mercy.
They had not expected it, but Ashtyn had—he knew his wife well, and today she had made the wisest choice she would ever make as queen.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Thalia sat motionless on the edge of her bed, staring at nothing, trying not to think. Today she had become vividly aware of the hateful side of war—men who were not only scarred in body, but also in their souls. Or were they merely misled by their devotion to Sevilin?
At the time she had pardoned the prisoners, it had seemed the right thing to do, but now she wrestled with that decision.
Queen Cleopatra must struggle with these kinds of decisions daily—but she had been raised to accept such responsibilities.
Thalia glanced toward the open doorway that led to the garden. It was growing late. Why had Ashtyn not come to her? Perhaps he felt he had already fulfilled his obligation as her husband.
Thalia sprang to her feet with the intention of going into the garden when she heard the door open. Ashtyn stood there, gazing at her with growing intensity, and she could not look away.
“I would have been here sooner, but I had matters to attend, and then I bathed before I came to you.”
Thalia’s voice sounded strained even to her own ears. “I imagine a great general has many duties to occupy his time.”
“There was nothing as important as seeing my queen,” he said, moving toward her, then stopping within her reach. “Nothing.”
Thalia searched his eyes. “Did I do the right thing today by giving those rebels their freedom?” she asked, uncertainty in her voice.
Ashtyn saw her stricken gaze and paused. “For a queen, there is no right or wrong decision. Your word is law, and few will question it.”
Tears of uncertainty clung to her lashes, and she was still unsure if she had been just. “But was it honorable?”
“I will answer you thus, even though it may seem a contradiction. Ask yourself how you can punish those who brought so much grief and sorrow to the people of Bal Forea. And answer yourself thus—all those fighting are Bal Foreans, some misguided perhaps, but citizens of your realm nonetheless. When you took up that crown, even the rebels fell under your protection.”
“I could not have sent them to their deaths.”
“I never thought you could.”
Thalia stared down at the toe of her sandal, then suddenly glanced up at Ashtyn, catching him unaware; the softness reflected in his eyes took her by surprise, but with the flicker of his lashes, she watched his expression change to indifference.
What had he been thinking?
Before Thalia had time to react, she found herself swept into Ashtyn’s arms and felt his mouth touch the side of her face.
“Have you missed me as I missed you?” he asked, his grip tightening. “Have you?”
Thalia’s heart was racing, and she was hit by so many emotions, she couldn’t put them into words. She turned her face up to Ashtyn, allowing him to read the answer in her eyes, and then watched his gaze drop to her mouth.
“My sweet wife,” he said, gathering her closer and planting a kiss on her mouth. “You inflame my blood and I ache for you day and night, even after a long battle has left me exhausted.”
With the troubled world swirling around her, joy burst through Thalia at the sound of her husband’s seductive words. Ashtyn’s heart might belong to another, but at this moment, his thoughts were of her.
In dazed astonishment, she cried out when he lifted her in his arms and laid her onto the bed. Hardly giving her time to catch her breath, he came down to her, holding her against his body.
His lips touched each eyelid and then brushed her mouth, lingering as if he could not pull away. “It has been so long since I have been with you. Forgive my roughness.” He pulled back and looked into her eyes, his hand moving over her breast. “It’s just that I need you.”
Eagerly her mouth sought his as her heartbeat quickened. Her mind merged with his as he removed her gown, and she tore at his clothing. Wild abandon drove them both.
Ashtyn’s mouth ground against hers, and his body strained to get closer. She closed her eyes as he slid into her, and met his forceful thrusts. Through a mist of passion, she whispered his name.
Ashtyn drove deep inside Thalia, and she rolled her head, moaning in pure pleasure. She laced her hands through his dark hair and met his gaze. Oh, aye, the other woman might have his heart, but his body craved hers—she could not be wrong about that.
Thalia’s body shook and trembled, and her arms tightened about his wide shoulders.
He murmured her name as his body quaked, and he gripped her tighter.
Later, when the breeze from the garden stirred and cooled their overheated bodies, Ashtyn made love to Thalia again, this time slowly and lingeringly.
Afterwards, Thalia tried to hide the tears that formed behind her eyes by burying her face against his shoulder. How safe she felt when she was in Ashtyn’s arms. And how she dreaded the moment they would be parted.
Ashtyn’s hand moved up and down her arm, and she could tell he was deep in thought. “When must you rejoin your troops?” she asked.
“I told Captain Darius to look for my return in two days’ time.”
She despised the war that had torn this land apart. “When will we see an end to this war?”
“One can never be sure. The fighting has gone on so long, some of the younger men have never known peace.”
Although Thalia made the attempt, she could hardly speak above a whisper. “ ’Tis a pity.”
He placed his hands on both sides of her face and made her look at him. “Does your heart still long for Egypt, and the family you left behind?”
She nodded and tore her gaze from his. “I love Egypt well. And I miss my family.”
“I received word that eight Egyptian galleys were taking on stores and loading troops, making ready to sail from Alexandria. I have no doubt they will set their course for Bal Forea.”
“It is my brother!” Thalia exclaimed, happiness building in her heart. She raised up on her elbow, thinking she would soon be rescued. But that thought brought her no joy. “When will they arrive?”
“It depends on the wind. Our small ship carrying the news arrived only this afternoon. The War Hawk was built for speed and carries very little bulk, so she will have arrived well ahead of the Egyptian fleet.”
“Ramtat will come with Badarian warriors and Egyptian troops.”
“Aye,” Ashtyn said dully.
“He will also bring food and grain for the people of Bal Forea.”
Ashtyn looked into her eyes as if he were trying to read her thoughts. “You cannot return to Egypt with your brother. You are needed here.”
She closed her eyes. “Ashtyn, you are far more capable of leading this country than I. I do not belong here—I never have. You are my husband, and it is within my power to set you on the thro
ne.”
He rolled to a sitting position. “What nonsense you talk. You forget you must have a child.”
She touched him on the shoulder. “I am with child.”
Since his face was in shadows, she could not see his expression, but his hand went out to her, and he pulled her across his lap, cuddling her close, raining kisses on her upturned face. “Why did you not tell me sooner? I would have gentled my lovemaking had I known!”
“I wasn’t sure how to tell you. I know the people of this island are awaiting such news, and I wasn’t sure when they should be told.”
His hand moved gently over her stomach. “Few rebels will raise a weapon against your troops when they learn of the child, for he will be their future.”
Thalia sighed. “Then I shall never be allowed to return home, even should I desire it. You must know I would never leave my child behind, and I will not be allowed to take the child with me.”
Ashtyn was quiet for several heartbeats. His tone was deep with meaning when he said, “Nay, you cannot take the child away from Bal Forea.”
Her words were bitter and spoken with irony. “I have had no free choice since the night I met you in my mother’s garden.”
“Nor have I.” He bent and touched his mouth to her breasts, feeling the fullness of them in his hand. He gently eased her onto the bed, touching his mouth to each breast and then to her stomach, which was still firm and flat.
“I am to be a father,” he said in wonder. “Before now, I have not thought of the child as—” he paused as if he could not go on. “—as mine.”
“You are the father of the future ruler of Bal Forea,” she told him.
His hand moved lower, and he smiled when he heard her gasp.
“Thalia, I need to be inside you,” he whispered. “This time I shall take great care.”
Thalia closed her eyes as Ashtyn positioned himself to enter her, and she felt him hesitate. “You are very virile, Ashtyn. I have little doubt the deed was accomplished on our wedding night.”
He was impatient to have her. He tried to control the rage of his passion, but it was difficult when his body hungered for her so.
Thalia flirtatiously swivelled her hips and arched her back, inviting him, enticing him, to take what he wanted. With a deep growl, his hot gaze moved over her nakedness.
“You fill my heart,” he told her. A slight smile touched his lips, and he rubbed his chin against her cheek. “I would have you every moment of the day, were it possible.”
“A provocative thought,” she told him, needing him in the depth of her heart. Her hands slid down his back, and she arched her lower body upward, issuing another invitation.
Ashtyn was beyond thinking as he slipped completely under her spell. He gripped her hips and slid slowly into her moist heat.
Thalia touched her lips to his and took his groan into her mouth. She closed her eyes, feeling as if she had always loved this man.
The passion that held them in its grip erupted, and they clung to each other, trembling from the intensity until it passed.
Thalia pushed her fingers through his dark hair and touched her lips to his strong jaw.
When he rolled her over, holding her away from him, he watched her face. “Are you happy about the child?” he asked.
“What woman would not be happy to have your child? But much is expected of this poor infant who has not yet drawn breath. I wish it were otherwise.”
His voice sounded distant. “I wonder if you have considered that you will have power on your side when your brother arrives with his army. Bal Forea cannot stand against Egypt’s might. Will you ask him to take you away?”
“I don’t deny I thought about it when I sent Ramtat word of where to find me. I have to weigh my own feelings against what is best for the people. I am learning a queen cannot always choose as she wishes.”
Ashtyn remained silent for a long moment. At last he drew a breath and said in a deep tone, “Be angry with me if you must, hate me if you will, but never deny me your body.”
She felt the pain of his words deep inside. “This is not how I imagined marriage.”
“How did you imagine it, My Queen?”
“My brother, Ramtat, and his wife, Danaë, have great love for each other—it is a joy just to be near them. Marcellus, Adhaniá’s husband, loves her so much he cannot take his eyes off her when she is in the same room with him. I always supposed that was what marriage was like.”
He rolled off the bed and stood. “Duty calls. May I come to you tonight?”
She was hurt by his coldness and struck out at him. “Of course. Is not servicing her husband a wife’s duty, be she queen or slave?”
“If that is how you feel, I shall not trouble you again.” Ashtyn reached for his tunic and pulled it over his head while she watched. She could tell he was angry by the force he used to lace his boots.
He stood, gazing at her. “I will send you reports of the war when I can.”
Thalia knew one word from her would bring him back to her bed, but pride would not allow her to do that. “You are leaving?”
Ashtyn’s voice was devoid of feeling when he said, “I feel I must. Look for me when the sails of Egyptian ships are spotted.”
With closed eyes, Thalia listened to his footsteps recede and fade. She wanted to run after him and beg his forgiveness for her cruel words. Instead, she rolled over, placing her hand on her stomach, loving the baby because it was a part of Ashtyn.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
The hour had taken a turn toward morning as a cloaked figure carrying a bundle of clothing moved noiselessly down the palace corridor. Dodging past lighted torches, the person attempted to stay within the shadows and finally slipped out a door into a garden. After avoiding the guards and climbing over several garden walls, the figure came to the queen’s private garden. When two guards passed nearby, the person flattened against the wall, waiting for them to leave.
Pausing at the archway that led into the queen’s chamber, the intruder quietly stepped inside. The person’s gaze flew about the room, making sure the queen was alone. Cautiously, the individual moved forward, and slowly pulled back the curtains to stare down at the queen.
Thalia had not slept the night before. Overcome with doubts, once again she’d spoken her mind and made Ashtyn angry. Lord Parinez informed her Ashtyn had left that morning and he was not sure when he’d return.
If only Ashtyn had come to her before he left.
A slight sound caught her attention, and she lay still, her eyes only half-open, trying to see who it was. Her heart pounding with fear, she was about to call out to the guards posted at her door when a hand landed on her shoulder, and she heard a woman whisper.
“Majesty, it is I, Eleni.”
Thalia threw back the cover and slowly rose, trying to shake the fear she’d felt only moments ago. “Eleni? What are you doing here?”
The young woman dropped to her knees. “My Queen, I have come to you with a message, and this was the only way I could reach you.”
Thalia pulled on her green wrap, her fear subsiding, but she was still puzzled by Eleni’s strange reasoning. “What is so important you come unannounced in the dead of night?” Sharp moonlight spilled across marble floors, and Thalia could see Eleni’s careworn face. “I would have seen you if you had asked it of me.”
“I did ask for an audience with you, and it was denied.”
Thalia frowned. “By whom?”
“The guards at the palace steps. This place is like a fortress.”
“And yet you managed to reach my quarters.” Thalia was beginning to become agitated with the woman. “Who sent you with a message?”
Eleni glanced at her through lowered lashes. “ ’Tis Lord Sevilin who begs to speak with you.”
Thalia spun around and stared at Eleni. “You dare come here to speak for that man? I thought you were to be trusted—I thought you were my friend.”
Distressed words spilled from Eleni’s lips. �
��You can always trust me, Majesty. Lord Sevilin came to me because he knew I cared about your welfare.”
The first inkling of suspicion tingled inside Thalia. “What can that man possibly have to say that I would want to hear?”
“Lord Sevilin said the war is lost, and his mother fears for her life. He wants to surrender, but only to you. He has asked if you will allow him and his mother to sail away without harm.” She looked dejected. “That is all I was told—I know nothing more.”
Thalia placed no trust in the leader of the rebels. “How did Lord Sevilin approach you?”
“Through a man called Turk. I am to remind you that Turk kept his word to you, and you came to no harm from him. He asks that you trust him.”
Thalia paced across the chamber and back. “That man is no friend to me, nor do I trust him.” She paused thoughtfully. “You may return to Turk with this message: Lord Sevilin and his mother will be given safe passage here to the palace. I will hear their terms of surrender and make my decision at that time.”
Eleni rushed to Thalia, then went down on her knees. “I was told to show you this if you should refuse to meet with Lord Sevilin.” She reached into her sash and withdrew something small and gold and handed it to Thalia.
Thalia’s face froze, and she stared at the signet ring with a gold arrow through a red shield. “That is my husband’s!”
Tears rolled down Eleni’s face as she clutched at Thalia’s gown. “I was not supposed to tell you Lord Ashtyn was their prisoner unless you refused to see Lord Sevilin alone.”
Thalia clutched at the girl’s arm and made her rise, searching her eyes. “How can I know what you say is true?”
“Turk said he’d captured Lord Ashtyn a day ago while he was on his way to rejoin his men.”
“I don’t believe him. My husband would never allow himself to be captured by rebels.”
“Then how did they get his ring, Majesty?”
Thalia clutched the ring so tightly in her fist, it cut into her flesh. Staring at the golden gong just over Eleni’s shoulder, Thalia wrestled with the thought of calling the guards to her. “Then I shall send a man to wake the soldiers in the barracks so they can accompany me to rescue my husband.”
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