by Marie Hall
"Oh God," Xavier muttered, then put his head in his hands.
"What would you have, Lord Brice? How would you expect I might act after such a declaration?" Io laughed harshly. "Oh, but fool me. I actually waited. I waited two full days for you to come back to find me to tell me you misspoke. I waited two days with hope. But as it will, hope dies. And still I waited one more day before I sent the message." She walked back to him. He still knelt in the grass holding his head in his hands. "Even when you did return, you had nothing to say to me. You know as well as I your preference is for that woman. I do not blame you. Truth your only mistake was not listening when I told you I could not ever be a lady like you wanted. You thought you could change me enough to fit your need." Io looked up and saw people rushing towards them. She recognized one as Lucas. It was time to end this and go. Standing up to Xavier was hard enough. If the other started in on her, she'd go from here with open wounds. "I told you, the creature you were with was all I could be. I would not change to suit you, I could not change that much and remain anything of myself." Turning she started away from the approaching group. "It is over. You are free to be happy."
"Oh God, Io, what did you do?" She heard him ask again and could almost swear there was sorrow in his voice. She didn't pause to confirm it though. She was well on her way back to the house when she heard a cry like she'd never heard before. She shuddered for verily it was the sound one might hear if a soul was being ripped from a man. Wrapping her arms around herself she bowed her head and ran for house. It was done. It was done and soon Xavier would move on. He'd forget about her and the trouble she caused him. It was, after all, her curse to have such a good memory. She'd soon be the only one to remember a time when she was happy. She knew too it'd be her curse the memories would never be enough.
* * *
Xavier dropped his feet from the desk and scrubbed his hands over his face. The thick rough stubble itched more than he remembered. Io didn't care for whiskers no matter how fashionable they were considered. He shaved more often than needed for his wife. Now though he'd no reason to put a blade to his chin. His neck maybe, but not his chin. The knocking that prompted him to move started again. He'd no desire to see anyone. He'd nothing to say and heard everything that could be said.
Io had given up. She didn't trust him, she refused to open up to him, to anyone at all. Everything he said to her about what she meant to him, how he wouldn't ever set her aside, wouldn't ever fail her, she dismissed. She wasn't willing to speak to him about any of it. Every time he tried, she threw in his face his very unfortunate choice of words from the market. Those few words spoken without thought made everything that came before worthless.
He'd not known she was there, but he should've been suspicious when his mother said she wanted to go. Xavier escorted the women with the intent of seeing a jeweler, having a special piece made for Io to celebrate their year together, the contracting and other things he'd not managed to celebrate with her with his mother present. The man delivered the necklace three days ago. He'd not been able to approach her to give it to her so now it sat in the box on his desk. That box contained nothing else now. All the parchment and ink he'd used trying to write a letter that might counter what Io wrote. But every time he started to write, he couldn't put the words down. Every time he started to say it was a mistake, a misunderstanding, he stopped because he fully understood it wasn't as simple as that.
Something more was behind this. He had to consider maybe Io didn't want to be his wife. Maybe she didn't care for the responsibilities or restriction he imposed on her. He'd not thought he so limited her freedoms she could find no happiness in anything. But he couldn't deny she'd claimed to be little more than a prisoner. All he'd wanted was to give her a home. To give her the safety and security a home offered. He'd not meant she should change and be something different in order to have the home he gave her. He hadn't in all honesty thought any of what he did ask of her changed who she was. He only wanted her to know there was more to be had than mere survival.
He stabbed his fingers through his hair. He wouldn't allow her to go back to that life. If Io was granted her annulment, Xavier would send a message seeking an assignment. Perhaps he could sign on to go to Anatolia. He could take a few men, leave the rest with Io, and go. She'd have her home and everything she needed. If the king didn't have plans for her, if he didn't send another man to be her husband… the thought made him sick with grief. He wouldn't take another. Io would have his holdings. They could sustain her, her life through.
There were always fights to be found, booty to claim. Xavier could go back to his mercenary ways. Io was more than capable of holding the house. She did everything but conduct training. The men he left would do that. He could even have one of the men, perhaps Gerald, come stay with her. He'd not call on any of those men to come. They'd stay with Io. They'd do what he failed to. The knocking continued.
With a resigned sigh he called out for the person to enter. He didn't look up to see who it was, he didn't care.
"Xavier." Lucas peeked in. Undoubtedly cautious after the few rages Xavier engaged in over the last few weeks. Xavier turned his head to look at the man. "Spotters say riders are approaching. They bear the king's standards."
So today would be the day. By tonight he might well find himself again a bachelor. He nodded and Lucas backed out closing the door. Standing, he straightened his clothes and headed out to prepare the house to greet the royal envoy.
* * *
Xavier stood as the six men entered his hall. Shame brought a flush to his face. He knew these men personally. The king didn't just send messengers, he sent a personal message. These men would take back word of what they saw and heard. Between Io's letter and their reporting, perhaps he wouldn't get to meet his end in battle.
"Xavier Brice." Richard Howard stepped from the group and held out his hand. "It has been a good while, man."
Xavier took the man's hand. "Yes, awhile." Xavier couldn't muster any emotion that might be considered welcoming.
"We heard you wed. We cannot wait to meet the woman who has chained you to the house." The man's light tone was like a knife in his gut. "She is here?"
Another man, Michael Toss, stepped up and shook Xavier's hand. "Our visit is not expected to be long but I would enjoy a chance to take back the gold I lost to you at our last meeting."
Xavier only nodded. The casualness of their greetings only served to unnerve him. "You are here, with some message from His Highness?" Xavier asked as servant brought the men drinks and trays with food.
"Yes, yes." Richard said a smile only barely hidden behind the cup. "Your wife?" He looked around the hall.
"Lucas is bringing Lady Io now." Seth stepped up beside Xavier.
"Then we will proceed when she arrives."
Several tense moments passed as they waited. The look on the men's faces announced her arrival before anyone spoke or Xavier could turn and see her. That they all clearly appreciated Io's beauty angered Xavier. He'd never experienced jealousy before, but with Io about to be free to be pursued by any of these men, his desire to draw a weapon and end them all was strong. It only increased when he noted the way Io's eyes roamed easily over each of them. Lucas escorted Io to Xavier's side then briefly greeted the men.
"Lady Io," Richard stepped forward for a formal introduction.
"Io, I care not for your titles." Io announced.
Richard chuckled, took Io's hand and lifted it to his lips. "Yes, I heard that about you."
The claim clearly startled Io who pulled her hand away. "You are here with some purpose, sir?" Io's voice shook a bit and Xavier could tell she was fighting the urge to step behind him for protection. She resisted every habit he'd worked so hard to instill in her.
"Direct," Richard commented. "We heard that about you too." Richard glanced to Xavier then away.
"Sir, I care nothing about what you may have heard about me. I have little hope any of it is flattering. If you will simply get on with you
r purpose. There are people here who have business to be about." Io's sharp words didn't seem to affect the man although he did catch Xavier's eye again.
"Very well, Io Brice, we will get to our reason for being here." He turned and took a sheet of parchment held by other.
"Io Desmond," Io corrected with a whisper.
"From the hand of his Majesty, Our King on this day we bring to you this message," Richard read from the partially formal announcement and Xavier wondered at the lack of strict formality. "To the request of annulment put forth by the Lady Io De' san Moud," Richard went on even as both Xavier and Io started at the pronunciation of her name. The first real clue either had to her past and family line. "And with evidence presented that dissatisfaction of the union exists, we give you each our answer." Richard finished handing Xavier a thick letter and then Io a much thinner one. "We have been told to wait your formal reply."
"I will take them to a room to rest." Lucas volunteered. A moment later, Xavier stood beside Io as they each stared at the letters in their hands.
"I do not understand, Lord Brice," Io whispered.
"You do not have to Io." Xavier spun on his heal and headed back to his cabinet. The privacy of the reply suggested the king's answer was not going to be a simple yeah or nay. While he'd some hope Io would remain his wife, he was unsure if it was what she wanted. He wouldn't force himself on her. Even if they remained wed, if she couldn't be happy with him, he'd send the request to join the fights near the Mediterranean Seas. Taking a seat and a deep breath, he broke the seal on the letter.
* * *
Io looked up at the sound of footsteps. She sighed and shifted to face away when she saw it was the man from the hall. It must be the singular trait all the king's men shared. The ability to walk up on a person without sound, Xavier was better at it. He could get right next to her if he tried without her hearing him. This man was several steps away.
"My Lady, I beg pardon for the interruption of your privacy."
Io snorted. "I do not believe you. And my name is Io. I care not for—"
"Titles," the man interrupted with a laugh. "Yes, I know. May I?" He gestured to the space on the wall where Io sat.
"If I say no?"
Again the man laughed. "You are pricklier than I was warned. No wonder Xavier was selected. He has a thick skin. Still you have managed to draw blood. I know of no other who has been able to do the same with words or blade." Again he pointed to the wall.
Io sighed. She didn't really have a choice. The man was here to say something; she'd have to hear him out. She nodded and the man sat down beside her.
"You have read His Majesty's reply." He pointed to the open letter in Io's lap.
"I do not understand." Io wiped at a tear with the back of her hand. "Why does he insist on keeping Lord Brice—"
"Xavier," he corrected.
Io sighed again. "Why does he want Xavier to be miserable? For more than a year I have been told by everyone he is a favorite of the crown."
"He is the favorite, Io."
"Then why this?" She picked up the letter. Just three sentences. "Why me? He should have what he wants, what will make him happy and insure his success." She wiped at her eyes again.
"You worry over making him happy?" Io nodded and saw the man rub his temple. "Well, you are a different sort of creature."
Io glared at him. "What does that mean?"
"It is no insult, my lady. I would not be so stupid here in Xavier's own home."
"It is hardly a matter, sir. Insults cast at me are the common way of things." Io shrugged. "You are too late to be witness to some of the harsher of them."
"I doubt they so terrible. Xavier surely would not allow such—"
"Xavier did strike at me with much bitterness. He is unhappy in our union," Io snapped.
"Ah yes, for you it is a matter of his happiness."
"What should it be a matter of? What matters to anyone but their happiness?"
"And yet it seems it is not your own happiness which concerns you. This makes you vastly different," the man grumbled.
"Different in what way?" Maybe if she knew her difference she could change and Xavier would be happier with her. She wouldn't now be facing a life where misery would be all she knew.
"I know no wife, very few women for that matter, who are concerned for a man's happiness."
"What should I be concerned with? Lord Brice has seen to my welfare."
"I do not mean to say your concern is wasted, Io. I simply mean most wives are concerned with their husband's income, his ability to provide."
"Again, Lord Brice did not fail to provide for me." Already she'd created a complicated situation with her letter. She didn't want Xavier's reputation harmed because of her. He didn't choose this for himself. The king forced their marriage. No one needed to tell her these men would go back to that king and speak. She wouldn't have them speak ill of Xavier. He didn't deserve that. He was a good man. He should have a good wife, but…
"Io, I believe you. Xavier would not fail to provide for you be you his wife or not. But the wives I speak of are not concerned with food or safety. Their concern is for how well they are presented, dressed and bejeweled. They worry over what others think of them. What status their men can gain for them." The man paused and looked around. "That you want Xavier to be happy says more about you than everything I have heard."
"You say you have heard things, from whom? I know no one who would bring word of me."
"You do not know? Xavier has written His Majesty at length about you. Always praising and boasting. Until your letter arrived no one knew the both of you were anything but content."
Io flushed. "I did not know he spoke of me." She fingered the letter. "I think for a time we were content. Lady Charlotte…" Io shrugged. "She… Xavier was reminded… Lady Sabrina is a fine lady."
"Xavier's mother disrupted much."
"She only brought to the light what was there. I am no fit woman for a man of Xavier's status. He needs a lady of breeding. One with the correct manners and behaviors. One who does not shame him."
"Are these words you heard from Xavier." The man sounded less than impressed with Xavier's mother.
"They are not far off." Io shrugged again. "Lady Brice has selected a lady of breeding and training. She wants what is best for her son. She does not think I am. Others agree."
The man cleared his throat. "I will refrain from comment on Charlotte Brice because I respect the family. I only know in all the many letters, Xavier repeatedly states his gratitude, honor and joy that you are his wife. Perhaps you should speak with him in more depth on the matter." He stood and took her hand, brought to his lips. "You are, Io, most definitely a very fine lady."
Io watched him go then looked back at the letter.
No, you will remain his wife. He is what is best for you and the realm. You will not make such a disagreeable request again.
She could almost laugh at the words. Not only were they similar to how Xavier might have scolded her, Io wasn't sure how her being wed to Xavier was best for anyone. Even if she could be a lady the way Xavier needed, she wasn't who his family wanted him wed to. His family should be happy as well. His mother wanted what was best for him. Didn't she? Isn't that why she'd brought Lady Blake here?
Io sighed, how was he supposed to be satisfied with her now that he'd spent all that time in the company of Sabrina? After Io had spent so much time putting distance between Xavier and herself, how would they ever have back what they had?
* * *
Xavier looked up when, without even a knock, the door pushed open. He didn't bother to get to his feet or even put the large cup aside. Richard wouldn't expect him to, and if he did, he was going to be disappointed.
"Why are you sitting in here?" The man said moving to the cabinet where Xavier stored his more potent drink. He was liberal in the amount he poured himself.
"Where would you have me be?" Xavier asked and watched the man move easily to a chair and sit
down.
"Perhaps with your wife," Richard said, then took a long drink.
"My wife does not care for my company these days." Xavier leaned back, drinking what he'd poured for himself.
"Your wife is a different kind of woman." Richard couldn't quite hide his smile.
"Different?" Xavier set his cup aside and drew his hand across his face. "Yes, Io is different."
"You are not disappointed you are to remain her husband are you?"
Xavier's eyes went to the parchment spread across his desk. The king had put his answer down in the first two sentences. The entire rest of the letter he'd made it more than clear his complete dissatisfaction with Xavier's handling of Io.
Whatever Io wrote in her letter, she gave the impression Xavier spent the last year making sure Io knew she wasn't good enough for him. He could consider she wrote her letter just after the incident at the market. And he couldn't deny that, of late, he'd said things that Io took as personal criticism. He'd been sure though, that he'd told her often enough, strongly enough she was the only woman he could ever want or need.
"Xavier? You do not want the annulment do you?" Richard sat forward and set his cup aside.
"I want what I have always wanted. Io to be safe and happy. She is not." He leaned back to stare at the ceiling. At the sound of laughter, he turned his head so he could look at Richard. "You find it amusing, Io's unhappiness?"
"No, no." The man waved him off. "I find it amusing the two of you want the exact same thing. When I spoke to Io she said she wants you happy."
Xavier started. He hadn't expected to hear Io willingly spoke to anyone. Perhaps that she discussed the matter with Richard was a hopeful sign. "She said that?"
"Yes, she doesn't understand why His Majesty wants you to be miserable." Richard tipped his cup back then stood and moved to refill it. "She thinks she is not a lady?"
Xavier actually chuckled. Sitting up, Xavier leaned forward over his desk. "Io is not a lady. Not in the sense we know them from court. She is disagreeable, unpredictable, loud and rude and she can challenge a saint. She is also kind and giving and helpful. She treats no status with indifference or disregard. She is not a lady but I would not have her be different."
