The Lystian Queen allowed herself a little more wine, and then cut herself off. She was already feeling a little too inebriated, and needed to hydrate. A plate of fruits was brought in, but she was still so full from dinner and wine that she could only nibble on the fruit.
“So tell me, Your Highness,” Tinaya said. “Where are all of your ladies-in-waiting? I see only one in your service, which is decidedly uncommon for a woman of your position.”
Silvia met the woman’s gaze directly. “Maura is all I need for the time being. She does her work so well that I really have no need of another lady assisting me.”
“Ah, but she is getting on up in her years. You will need someone else before too much longer. A queen needs several ladies-in-waiting; it’s customary. For a queen to have only one is quite odd.”
Silvia glanced over at Maura, who was patiently standing over in a corner with other servants. As much as she truly didn’t want to admit it, Tinaya was right. “Perhaps soon enough I shall acquire more.”
Tinaya nodded, and gulped her wine until her goblet was empty.
The ladies around them gossiped terribly and kept trying to prod her about Lystia and about the decision she’d made of going to war. She answered by giving as little information as possible, barely answering most of the questions. She simply didn’t feel like being hounded after such a long journey. The Duchess watched her silently, asking nothing. Eventually, she decided that the ladies had badgered the young queen enough and spoke.
“Ladies, how about a little more entertainment now that our food has begun to settle?” she said with a sly smile.
Many of the ladies clapped and giggled in high pitched voices, and begged her to go on. From their expressions, it was obvious they had attended her parties before and knew what was in store.
Tinaya smiled. “Very well, then.” She clapped three times loudly and the double doors to the room swooshed open.
A group of people entered, men and women both, all dressed in flowing clothes. A violinist followed and sat down near Silvia as the doors were closed. The queen stared in shock, realizing it was yet again the same girl who had played the harp, and who had participated in the fighting demonstration.
“Your lady is quite gifted,” Silvia told the duchess. She was very impressed.
Tinaya agreed, saying, “She is a jack-of-all-trades, that one. She plays many instruments and writes all of her own music. The warrior skills are a nice touch as well. I could not ask for a more unique servant.”
“How did you come about her?” Silvia knew the girl could hear every word they spoke, but she never looked towards them. She also noted that the girl was decently dressed instead of wearing another sheer garment.
“I came across Brielle in a most unusual way,” Tinaya said. “She was a part of a traveling group of performers. I learned she was an orphan by way of war from some far off place—I don’t know where, nor do I really care. But she had these amazing abilities, and they were ones that you simply don’t see that often. Unfortunately for her, she was more or less the slave of the troupe leader and he used her in many ways that are not acceptable for a lady. Whilst they were here in Nillias, he had it out with her. They fought like dogs in the street, and she killed him. She stabbed him with her boot dagger right between his legs and ran her knife the whole way up his front side. I can’t say that I blame her for it; the man had a horrid disposition and he didn’t know how to treat women with any sort of dignity or respect—no matter their station. Afterwards she was taken into my custody for a decision on her punishment. I couldn’t let the opportunity pass to keep her within the walls of our little court. I paid the troupe off to keep their silence and took her on here as one of my servants and performers. She gets a nominal pay, but she doesn’t have to worry about being forced into anything she doesn’t wish to be a part of. Here, she’s safe.”
Tinaya gazed at Brielle with what looked like fondness, and Silvia’s perception of the Duchess softened.
Brielle adjusted herself on her stool, once again ignoring everyone around her. She closed her eyes, raised the bow, and pulled it across the violin strings delicately. The soft, sweet sound flowed through the room, and the conversations among the women evaporated.
Silvia’s eyes went back to the other men and women who had entered the room, for they started to dance. The movements were partnered and seemed innocent enough at first. But little by little, their movements began to get a bit more provocative. The men began to take off the women’s garments, one by one, as the dance continued. They disrobed as well, revealing chiseled bodies that were beginning to glisten with sweat. The rhythm of the music changed, becoming more sensual. The dancers changed their dance to mirror the lulling music.
Silvia started to feel uncomfortable, for she believed she knew where this was going. A hand squeezed her shoulder gently. A quick glance told her it was her most faithful servant, as there was no one to be seen behind her.
His voice spoke in her mind so softly that she almost couldn’t hear him. This was what we tried to warn you of milady. The Duke and Duchess are known for these sorts of things and often take on the dancers as lovers.
The Queen frowned and saw Maura watching disapprovingly from across the room.
Before them, the dancers finished disrobing each other and had progressed to more intimate actions. Most were kissing, but one man had knelt before one of the women, holding her buttocks firmly with his hands while his face pressed into her womanhood.
“Your Grace, I have thoroughly enjoyed this evening with you and your husband, and I am eternally grateful for the food and wine you have bestowed upon us,” Silvia said to the Duchess. “However, I am beyond exhausted and must take my leave from your presence for the night.”
Tinaya regarded her with a surprised expression. “Are you not entertained by these fine young men and women?” She gestured to the scene in front of them. “Are they not beautiful to watch?” she asked, as one of the men mounted a young lady and began grunting in pleasure.
“To be truthful, Duchess, this is not exactly my kind of enjoyment. If it is yours, so be it, but I cannot call myself a lady as I sit here and watch people do the most intimate acts of love before me. This is a private sanction, not a public one. If you’ll kindly excuse me?”
She stood up and walked towards the doors, Maura rushing to open them for her. She dared not look behind her towards Tinaya, for fear of what other things she might see. Holding her head up high she calmly, but quickly went out into the hall. Maura bowed to Tinaya, giving Quentin time to go out the door as well, and then followed suit behind her queen.
Keelan had grown bored of the card games. He rose from his seat, throwing down his hand. “I give in. You gentlemen can continue this purse-robber of a game without my presence,” he laughed. “I shall retire for the evening.
“So early?” Byarne said. “Why, we’ve only just started!”
“My dear man, it seems like we have been playing for hours,” Keelan replied. “Do forgive me, but I am tired from our travels and my body craves a rest. I bid you a good evening.”
Hans escorted him out, and walked with him towards their chambers. “You don’t much like cards, do you, Your Majesty?”
Keelan grunted. “Was it that evident?”
“Quite,” Hans replied. “I feel the same way. There are a few card games that I don’t mind playing with Maura but most of them I could do without.”
They fell silent as a small group of scantily clad women passed them in the hall, heading towards the dining hall.
Keelan arched an eyebrow at Hans as they began walking again. “Glad we left when we did.”
They turned a corner and saw Queen Silvia and Maura heading down the hall before them.
“My ladies, you both look so lovely this evening,” he called out.
Silvia turned with a dark look that faded as she saw who spoke. She curtsied and replied, “My King, what brings you this way?”
Keelan and the manserv
ant picked up their pace to catch up to the women. “We grew weary of the cards and were going to our rooms. Was the ladies’ gathering not to your liking either?”
His wife frowned. “I’m afraid not, other than the music. The rest of it was too extreme for my tastes.”
“I know what you mean,” the King replied, thinking of the women who had just passed them in the corridor. “Was Quentin with you? I haven’t seen him since before dinner.”
His brother appeared next to them, flipped back the cowl of the robe, and bowed. “Yes, Your Highness, I’m here.”
Keelan smiled. “I was wondering where you were.”
“Always nearby, brother. And I’ve been with her the whole time. We cannot be too careful in a place where our enemy is not known to us.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Maura asked. “Do you know something that we do not?”
He shook his head. “No, madam, I do not. I am merely implying that we are in a strange city and asking them to ride with us to war…we do not know if Rohedon and his wives have friends here at court. Nor do we know how these people will react to us when we put the question on the table. It’s one thing to get a message from an eagle, but another to physically show up and ask them to join us in the fight. They may not take kindly when the time to talk arrives.”
“Milady?”
Silvia whipped her head around to look behind her. To her surprise, she saw Brielle hurrying towards them, carrying her violin. She waited for the girl to catch up.
“May I help you?”
The girl’s expression was a hard one to read. “I’m not sure, but I intend to find out.”
The Queen lifted an eyebrow. “And how do you think I can help you?”
Rosy spots appeared on the girl’s cheeks, but she held her own and didn’t look away. “I heard mention that you are here to take us to war.”
Silvia nodded. “This is true, for those who want to come. We are not here to force anyone’s hand.”
The girl dropped to her knee so quickly that Silvia stepped back, ready to shift into her dragon form, and Keelan and Quentin drew their swords.
“Take me with you, Your Highness!”
Silvia motioned for the men to put away their weapons, feeling somewhat foolish for being so jumpy herself. “Why do you wish to go?”
“I only wish not to stay here,” said Brielle. She lifted her face to look up at the beautiful red-headed queen. “This place…it does not suit me. I am not happy.”
“Your master said that you’re better off than you were before. Is this not true?” Silvia asked.
“In some ways it is, and in some ways it isn’t,” Brielle answered. “I only know that my destiny does not lie within these walls. I was made to fight, Your Majesties. I was made to travel, and see new places and new things as well, but my fighting instincts are always the strongest forces within me. Please, milady…free me of this place. Allow me to do what I was created for.”
Silvia bent down and helped Brielle to her feet. “As much as it would please me to have you with us when we leave Nillias, I would first have to obtain permission from Duchess Tinaya and Duke Byarne. They must release you to me.”
“I doubt they will ever let me go,” Brielle said with a touch of bitterness. “I told you I didn’t know if you could help me. Now, I plainly see that you cannot.” She rotated around and walked away.
Keelan put his hand on Silvia’s back. “Come on, dear. Let’s leave her be. With her skills you know they wouldn’t let her leave.”
Silvia looked after the girl with resolve. “Well, we’ll just see about that.”
“Your Majesties, shall we get out of the hallway and go to one of your chambers?” Hans suggested.
Keelan nodded and guided his wife towards his bed chambers. Quentin went in first to check the room before the rest of them went in. Once the king and queen were settled in, Hans and Maura left them to be alone, and Quentin waited outside the room to give them privacy as well. He did not go far, for he stood guard so that no one would enter.
“I’ve had quite a bit to drink this evening, but if you’d like I can fix you something from the decanter,” Keelan said.
Silvia waved the offer off. “I think if I drink any more I might be sick. I’m just now starting to feel a little more stable.”
They sat next to each other on the couch. He grasped his sapphire and slid the necklace off, tossing it behind them. He gazed at her expectantly until she, too, removed hers and threw it towards his. Now, they were completely alone with no one to listen to them. He smiled and picked up her hand to kiss it.
“I just want you to know that nothing has changed in the way I feel about you, my love.”
Her cheeks reddened. “Are you so sure of what you feel right now? I heard what you told that woman…that she’d be your second queen.”
Keelan took her face in his hands firmly. “I don’t know what kind of spell she put upon me, but I was not myself, Silvia. I care nothing for her and I do not want her. You are the only one that I want. I love you. Can you not see that? I strive to prove this every chance I get.”
She sighed. “Yes, I do see it, husband. But what you did was wrong, and you did it twice. Not once…twice. How forgiving do you expect me to be? Every time I look at you I think of the things you said to her, and of your body being inside hers.” It shamed her to come to this admission, but she needed to speak her feelings. Her cheeks were aflame from her emotions.
His hands dropped. “I understand, and I do not blame you.” He sat back and stared at the floor in deep thought. “Silvia, I want to make it better between us. I want things back to how they were before. I know we can get there if we try and we can be stronger than ever. But I also know that what I did was filthy and inexcusable. I hate myself for it more than you ever could. I know that two wrongs do not make something right, but…damn the Dark Moon, this is hard for me to say. If you sought solace in the arms of someone else to make it even between us, I would not blame you for it.”
Silvia’s jaw fell open. “Keelan, how could you say that? Why would you even mention me doing such a thing?”
Aldoa’s prophecy blurred his vision and he closed his eyes from the pain. He couldn’t bear the thought of another man being with his wife. But if the prophecy Aldoa had read in the stars was important enough to alter the state of his city and his marriage, then he must risk his pride. If it could save their marriage, it would be enough…
“Consider it an option for you. Call it a truce, if you will. I…I just want to make things right. I can’t bear to be without you in my life. Silvia, if I cannot live within your heart…I will die. But at least I would die fighting for you.”
Her fingers reached out and pulled him to her. Their lips found each other and for a few moments, nothing else existed and the world held its breath around them.
When her lips parted from his, she whispered, “I could never love anyone as I have loved you, Keelan. And I will continue to love you no matter what we go through. I must ask you a question though: what will you do if you see her again? What if she comes back?”
“If she dares to return I will kill her on sight. The only way I ever want to see her again is to put my sword through her black heart.”
“That’s such a hateful thing to say, King Keelan.”
The king and queen jumped up and turned to look behind them at the open window. Natosha stood there glaring at them, wearing a garment with such little fabric that nearly her entire body was exposed.
“You should be nicer when you speak of the mother of your unborn child.” Natosha smiled wickedly at the pair as both of their mouths dropped open in shock. “Well, aren’t you happy to hear the news?”
Keelan’s throat moved as he swallowed. “You’re not with child, Natosha.”
“It’s been weeks, dear Keelan.” Natosha let her voice fill with venom. “When you are familiar with a man without the comfort of clothes upon your skin that’s what happens. You should be thrille
d, but instead I walk in to hear you speak of running a blade through me.”
“You should come a little closer and let my blade speak for itself, heathen.” He drew his sword to accentuate his point.
Natosha chuckled forebodingly. “You wish not to mess with me right now, my Lord.” She moved her eyes to take in Silvia. “I see you are now back together with the opposition.”
“I am no one’s rivalry when it comes to other women. I am his wife, and his only true wife. You are nothing more than a scandalous harlot who envies what she cannot have.”
“Tsk, tsk,” the other woman clucked with her tongue. “You’ve got lessons to learn, little girl.”
Natosha’s eyes were drawn to something shiny in the floor. She quickly swooped down and picked up two long necklaces. She instantly recognized Keelan’s sapphire, and there was one that matched it.
War Against the Realm Page 3