Danielle closed her eyes, beaming with joy.
“Good news then?”
James’ voice startled her. She opened her eyes to find him standing in the doorway, grinning. “The best news,” she said. “It’s from Joseph. Father is going to be fine and Naratha’s brethren are protecting the palace, or so I can gather.”
“It means Naratha can be trusted to keep his word. That should give you some comfort? Maybe you’ll be able to get some sleep tonight eh?”
She smiled at that. “It does, and yes.”
Danielle got up and crossed the cabin. She closed the door, took James’ hands and led him over to the window seat and sat down with him. It was clear he was waiting with bated breath for what she had to say. She laced her fingers between his and looked up into his hazel eyes. “What did Faith tell you?”
“Only that you were ready to speak with me?”
Danielle could see how much the events of yesterday had affected him, and she felt a pang of regret and guilt that she had not done this earlier.
“I’m sorry. I’ve been distant and preoccupied …”
He gently squeezed her hands. “Don’t apologise. It’s been a rather difficult week, particularly yesterday. I can understand that you might need some space to clear your head and think things through.”
“Thank you. But this has been difficult for all involved, not just for me. I know if it had not been for Faith and you and a great many others, I’d still be a prisoner,” Danielle said. The harrowed look in his eyes as he’d entered the inn yesterday morning would stay with her for a long time.
He smiled and gently combed a tress of hair from her face. “I’d do it all again if I had to.”
“I know you would.” She kissed him and then broke off and took a deep breath, forcing herself to say what she must. “There’s something you need to know.” She squared her shoulders and looked him in the eye. “I’m carrying Cargius’ child. Naratha told me yesterday at the inn. She is the reason why I am able to continue the path of enlightenment.”
He went to speak but she put her hand over his mouth, quickly saying, “There’s something else as well … we can’t be together, I mean intimately, until she is born. Eight whole months.”
His forehead furrowed as if he expected more. “Is that it? I feared you were going to suggest something a little more permanent.”
Danielle was not sure whether to be relieved by his reaction or annoyed. “James, please don’t make light of this. I turned into a dolphin yesterday and there is no telling what I’m going to be when this ritual is complete. And you know it isn’t going to end when this prophecy has been dealt with. I will have to give up my protectorship, and a great deal more.” Grief was welling up inside her and she broke off and bowed her head.
James slipped his arms around her and drew her against his chest. “I think you are wrong. When all this is done, there will not be a man, woman or child who does not know that their freedom is a direct result of your noble sacrifice. Dee, you will be Arkaelyon’s next protector… just in more ways than you realised. And frankly, you could turn into a scorpion and the peasantry would still love you, perhaps even more so because you could sting the nobles harder than you already do.”
Danielle laughed through her tears at his crass humour and looked up at him. “Are you sure you want this?”
“I want nothing as much as I want you. And I promise that whatever happens, whatever the future has in store for us, I’ll never leave you.”
Greatly relieved she snuggled in against him. Having James near, hearing those words from his lips… right now, it was enough. “I’m thinking we should wed as soon as possible for the baby’s sake. I suspect Lord Oxley has a private chapel on his estate we can use and I’m sure Joseph will happily perform the ceremony.”
“I’m not going to argue with that,” James said, gently stroking her arm. “Have you thought of a name for her?”
“Faith suggested we name the baby after her.”
“Abbagay?”
“That’s not even funny.”
James chuckled, and then said, “What about Samantha, after your mother?”
“I like that.” She kicked off her soft leather shoes, swung her feet up and lay down so her head was in James’ lap and her legs were stretched out on the window seat. “What about your mother? Do you know what her name was?”
“Marie. But I’m sure there will be plenty of opportunity later to use her name.” His grin was telling. Danielle smiled and reached up and lovingly touched his face. “I do hope so. Gods forgive me, but eight months, how are we going to last?”
“We’ll manage.” He kissed her hand and then, with their fingers laced together, gently laid them together on her tummy. “Samantha it is then. She’s going to be as beautiful and smart as her mother.”
“And probably have gills,” Danielle said sleepily.
They both laughed, as much from fatigue as humour and then fell quiet, comfortable and content in each other’s company. Danielle had her eyes closed and with the warm afternoon sun on her face, the motion of the ship and James gently caressing her shoulder, she couldn’t remember when last she had felt so relaxed and at peace. It was the lull before the tempest, but for now she was going to enjoy it. And with that thought she managed what had eluded her for days; she fell into a restful sleep.
Coming soon ….
Larnius’ Revenge
Book Three
Of
The Arkaelyon Chronicles
PHILLIP HENDERSON
Acclaimed Books
www.acclaimedbooks.com
Also available from Acclaimed Books Limited
Rachel’s Shoe by Peter Lihou
The Causeway by Peter Lihou
Guernsey by Peter Lihou
Passage to Redemption by The Crew
A Covert War by Michael Parker
North Slope by Michael Parker
Roselli’s Gold by Michael Parker
Stretch by Brian Black
Last Mission by Everett Coles
1/1 Jihad Britain by Everett Coles
Merlin’s Kin by Everett Coles
The Faces of Immortality by Everett Coles
The Last Free Men by Everett Coles
Venturer by Everett Coles
To Rule the Universe by Everett Coles
The Tourist by Jack Everett & David Coles
Druid’s Bane by Phillip Henderson
Maig’s Hand by Phillip Henderson
The Arkaelyon Trilogy by Phillip Henderson
Coming soon…
Larnius’ Revenge by Phillip Henderson
Book by Peter Lihou
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