“Yes. That makes sense,” Tanvir replied.
Striding back to the table, Jess picked up a quill and drew a grid over the forest. “We’ve covered these sectors at least once, these two or more times,” she said, using dots and hashes to differentiate. “With additional scouts we can widen our search, move beyond the perimeter I had originally established.” She drew more lines on the map, expanding the grid.
“That’s quite a distance, Your Highness,” Lady Rahman pointed out. “If there is a secret entrance that far away, the tunnel would be very long.”
“True, but we cannot discount the possibility. Have we had any word from King Mallaric on how much he knows about Skyhold?”
“He says he knows little,” Lord Weymarth told her. “The Reykstends built Skyhold, and no one has ever before taken it. He could provide no more than rumor and supposition.”
“Then we’ll have to see if there’s anything to the rumor and supposition,” Jess said.
“Agreed,” Tanvir said. “Lord Talmar and I will continue with the siege of the tower. Since Lord Weymarth has some information, he should join you in your search. And since Lady Rahman advised you on your raid of the Carpesian Forest, her insight would be valuable.”
“I agree,” Jess said.
“It would be my honor, Your Highness,” Lord Weymarth said, folding his arm across his chest and giving Jess a slight bow.
“And mine as well,” Lady Rahman said.
“We’ll divide the forest into three zones,” Jess said, drawing lines to indicate where they would fall.
“What information I’ve been able to glean concerns this area,” Lord Weymarth said, pointing at the map.
“Very well. Lord Weymarth, you will be in command of searching that area. Lady Rahman, you will search this area, and I will take the last.” Jess moved around the pieces that represented the three of them.
“We should set up command posts, that way we may each send multiple parties out but still have a central location for communications with the other parties, as well as with Prince Tanvirous and Lord Talmar,” Lady Rahman said.
Jess nodded. “That’s a good idea.”
They spent some time discussing which troops each would take along with them. Jess wanted small numbers for the sake of secrecy. The tower guards might already have surmised that they were trying to find a way in, but Jess wanted to maintain the illusion that their strategy was to starve everyone out of the tower. If they thought Jess and Tanvir were trying to find a way in, it might make them desperate, and Jess wasn’t willing to risk causing desperation amongst a small number of guards who’d spent a week trapped inside a tower with the enemy at its door.
To help provide additional cover and more of a distraction, Lord Talmar proposed leading small teams in strikes against the tower, to keep the defenders on edge and fixated on the army outside.
“We’ll lose troops,” Tanvir said, looking like he was weighing their options. He didn’t seem pleased by Lord Talmar’s proposal, but Jess knew he could see the merit in it, as did she.
“We will,” Lord Talmar agreed. “But these men and women have agreed to give their lives for Prince Devaran and, truth be told, some of them have grown a bit restive. They see the wisdom of the plan we’ve executed, but I know they would be glad for some action.”
“I want only volunteers,” Tanvir said. “Make sure the troops understand the risks.”
Jess and Tanvir dismissed the lords and lady. When they were gone, Jess looked at Tanvir. “Be honest with me: what’s your assessment of this situation?”
Sighing, Tanvir settled in a chair and twirled an empty wine goblet. “I think there are men and women eager to distinguish themselves and, therefore, content to volunteer for what may be a suicide mission.”
“Those were my thoughts as well,” Jess said, sitting down across from him.
He pushed the goblet aside and looked at Jess with weary eyes. “I pray this will not all be for naught.”
Though he wasn’t saying anything she hadn’t already thought, his words sent a bolt of icy fear through her, and she had to look away, clamp her mouth shut against the scream that tried to force its way out. “It won’t be enough for me to know that I’ve helped secure the Five Realms, not if it comes at the expense of Dev’s life,” she confessed, unshed tears stinging her eyes. “I know that as a princess and the future queen of Lyrane, I should—”
“The gods take what you should and should not feel as the future queen of Lyrane,” Tanvir said, his voice heated. “You’re also a woman. A woman who’s afraid of losing the man you love. It’s all right for you to think about that too.”
Reaching across the table, she took his hand. “And it’s all right for you to fear losing your brother.”
“We must have faith, Jess. Without it, we’ll have nothing.”
She nodded, trying not to shiver at the truth of his words.
Chapter 39
The castle’s servants tried their best not to gape as Jess and Dev raced down the corridors laughing and holding hands. It was still too early for the court to be active, but they did startle the occasional squire or page. Within the hour, word of their behavior would be bandied about the castle. Dev knew and he didn’t care. He was consumed by a heady sense of euphoria, and he kept looking at Jess, not quite believing his good fortune.
Her smile was radiant and, as eager as he was to share their news with their parents, he wished they could run back into the gardens. Or, better yet, that they could run back off to the lodge, spending the day alone. While a part of him wanted to shout of his love to everyone who would hear, another part of him wanted to disappear with her, to wrap himself in the cocoon of their love.
“What do you think your parents will say?” Jess asked as they approached her quarters.
“I think my mother will weep for happiness that her son is finally taking on some responsibility and acting like a man grown,” he said with a grin.
“If she doesn’t faint away in disbelief,” Jess teased.
“That’s a distinct possibility.”
“And your father? Tanvir?”
“I think my father will be happy for me—and my mother too. They’ve always valued your parents’ friendship, and I’ve heard them praise you many times.” He didn’t say that his mother had sometimes drawn unfavorable comparisons between himself and Jess as to their suitability for the thrones they would one day sit, but he didn’t have to tell her.
“Your mother loves you, but she underestimates you,” Jess said, pressing her lips to his cheek. “She’ll see that someday.”
“Thank you, Jess, for believing in me.” The words came out with more fervor than he’d expected, and he was struck by just how much her support meant to him.
“And thank you for putting up with me, even though there have been countless instances where I provoked you to do something that might have gotten you killed.”
“That’s why I’m marrying you, you know,” he said in a voice of false gravity. “It means you’ll have a lifetime of marriage to make it up to me.”
“Oh, I intend to. I’m extremely grateful that all of my efforts proved unsuccessful.”
He laughed and she kissed him, swallowing his laughter. For once he thought about propriety and took a quick glance around to make sure no one was watching. Then he decided propriety could go stuff itself, and he wrapped her in his arms and gave her a kiss that would have scandalized the lustiest members of their courts.
“And I’ll have a lifetime of marriage to enjoy kisses just like that one,” Jess said, her voice low and so seductive that the isolation of the lodge was more appealing than ever.
“And many other things,” he promised, giving her one last kiss.
“You never told me how you think Tanvir will feel.”
Something in her voice halted him and he looked into her eyes, realizing that she was worried about what his family would think. Smiling, he gently stroked his knuckles over her cheek. “I ima
gine he’ll spend hours trying to craft the perfect words to be entered into the annals of history.”
Jess laughed. “That sounds about right.”
Dev looked at the amazing woman before him, the woman whose touch, whose kiss overwhelmed him. “They’ll all be happy for both of us. My family thinks very highly of you. I’ll bet the only reason my mother didn’t put your name on one of her cursed lists of eligible women was because she thought you were too sensible to have me. I’m lucky you’re such a fool for me.”
“I am a fool for you,” she said, her voice solemn. Smiling, she touched his lips, his cheek. What he saw in her eyes matched what he felt in his heart, and it made him marvel.
“And I’m a fool for you. The bards will sing of the besotted king of Estoria, who could never get enough of his lady queen.” She pulled his face down for another long kiss that left every inch of him aching for her. “If you keep doing that, they’ll sing all sorts of other songs about us as well.”
Clasping his hands, she smiled and took a step back, moving toward her door. She took another step backward and then another, her fingers gradually slipping from his grasp. Tightening his grip, he stopped her. Nervousness shot through him and he had trouble swallowing.
“What will your parents think?” he asked.
“They’ll think, ‘Thank the gods—Jessmyn is passionate about something other than horses, training troops, and war games.’” He tried to smile, but it must have looked rigid, for her expression softened and she stepped back to him, putting her arms around his neck. “They’ll think exactly what I think: that I’m fortunate to have such a wonderful man who respects me and loves me for who I am, despite that I have been nothing but trouble for him his whole life.”
Sweet relief washed over him and he smiled, drawing her into his arms for another kiss. “Promise you’ll continue to be trouble.”
“You couldn’t stop me if you tried.” She smiled and raised her lips to his for one last kiss before she pulled away and slipped through her door, her eyes on him the entire time.
“Ah, Dev, there you are,” his mother said as he entered his parents’ chambers. She was still wearing her morning gown, and his father and brother were there as well, all of them sitting down at table to break their fast. “Now, Omar has arranged a hunt today, and I have it on good authority that Lady Pierce’s daughter will be—”
“That won’t be necessary,” Dev said, raising a hand to ward her off.
Annoyance flickered over her face and he could see her preparing for battle, but before she could say anything, Tanvir frowned and asked, “Where were you yesterday? Did you forget that you and I were supposed to meet the weapon master in the yard for a session? You told me you heard she’d developed a new technique for light blades and you were eager to see it in action.”
“I was?” Dev asked, fidgeting. “It, uh, it must have slipped my mind.”
Adar fixed Dev with a penetrating stare. He flicked his eyes in his wife’s direction, a questioning look on his face, and Dev knew his father wanted to know if whatever he had to say was something that would set his mother off. Her face was closing, her lips tightening, and he decided he’d best not keep them in suspense any longer.
“I have some news,” he told them.
“What sort of news?” his mother asked, her voice wary.
“Well, Mother, I’m quite certain you’re going to like this news.” He couldn’t contain the smile that spread over his face.
Her hands flew to her mouth and she turned to look at her husband. “I don’t believe it! It can’t be—is it Lord Neha’s daughter? Lady Simone’s? No, no, it can’t be either of them. Lord Drohar’s daughter. I’ll bet it’s her! I’m right, aren’t I?” She looked triumphant as she turned her attention back to Dev.
“No, I’m afraid it’s not any of them.” Dev couldn’t help but laugh at his mother. All at once the blinders fell from his eyes, and he saw how concerned she had been for him—overbearing, but still concerned. He’d always known she loved him, but now he understood that she’d only wanted his happiness, despite all the trouble he’d given her.
“It’s Princess Jessmyn, isn’t it?” his father asked, his voice quiet.
Dev was so shocked he stumbled a step back. “How did you know?” Had someone seen them yesterday?
“Why didn’t I see it before?” he asked, shaking his head. “There was something different between you two in Moritan, I could see that, but I couldn’t put my finger on what it was.”
“What! Why didn’t you tell me about this?” Nishana cried, leaping from her chair and turning an accusatory glare on her husband.
“Peace, my dear,” he said, holding up his hands. “I hadn’t known what to make of it, and even if I had, it was Dev’s to tell.”
“Is it true?” the queen asked, rounding on her son.
“Yes,” he said, trying not to cringe. He couldn’t tell if she was angry or surprised.
“Princess Jessmyn!” she exclaimed, the wide smile that overtook her face accompanied by a dreamy expression. “Yes, she’s perfect!”
“I think so too,” Dev said, sagging in relief.
“Jess?” Tanvir asked, looking confused.
“For once in your life, little brother, your brain is a bit sluggish.”
Tanvir shook his head. “I never thought you saw her that way.”
“If you looked up from your books every now and then—”
“Don’t harass your brother,” Nishana interrupted. She looked like she wanted to burst into song and sweep one of the servants around the chamber in a joyous dance.
“Has she spoken with her parents yet?” Adar asked.
“She should be right about now.”
“So she knows how you feel about her? And she returns your feelings? Are you sure?” the queen asked.
Dev would have been insulted if he hadn’t known her heart was in the right place. “Of course,” he said, unable to hide his exasperation. “I just asked her to marry me, and seeing as how she said yes, I’m quite sure she’s telling her parents right now.”
“Oh, what a wedding this will be!” Nishana said, her eyes going unfocused as she dreamed up what Dev could only imagine were elaborate scenarios of the wedding celebrations.
“Please, Mother, I hope you enjoy letting your imagination run away with you, I truly do. But I must insist on one thing.”
“Yes?” she asked, looking reluctant to tear herself from her daydreams.
“I insist on choosing my own wedding clothes.”
Bursting into laughter, his mother flew at him and threw her arms around him, hugging him with an exuberance that almost suffocated him. Dropping a noisy kiss on his cheek, she took his face in her hands and looked at him with a serious expression. “I’ve always loved you, my dear Devaran. You’re a delightful man, but I do hope Jess knows what she’s getting herself into.”
“Having you as a mother-in-law, you mean? And Tanvir as a brother-in-law? I know. It won’t be easy for her, but—”
Letting out a shout of laughter, his mother took a playful swat at him and hugged him again. “Jessmyn is wonderful. I’m so happy for you.”
“As am I,” his father said, waiting patiently for his turn to embrace his son. “You and Jessmyn have always been such friends. I can’t imagine a more perfect match for you.”
“Neither can I,” Dev said.
“So Jess is to be my sister, then?” Tanvir asked, the corners of his mouth quirking under his beard. “I can’t believe I’ll have to put up with the both of you.”
“With any luck, not for long. Now that Mother will see me safely married, I’m sure she’ll be more than happy to make quick work of finding you a wife.”
The horrified expression on his brother’s face made Dev laugh long and hard.
Chapter 40
On the third day of their expanded search, they caught a break. Lady Rahman’s scouts found a small, well-concealed cave, its entrance obscured by a thick growth of bra
nches and vines. An hour’s exploration revealed only that the cave seemed never-ending, and they were on the verge of giving up when they stumbled on stairs carved into the rock wall, descending into a profound darkness. They ceased their search, not wanting to tip their hand to those inside the tower, and returned to Lady Rahman’s command post with news of their find. Lady Rahman alerted Jess at once.
“We must take this information to Prince Tanvirous immediately,” Jess said, hurrying to her horse.
Lady Rahman left one of her captains in command of the post and hurried after Jess. The two women rode to Lord Weymarth’s post at a gallop, pausing just long enough to allow him to mount up and accompany them, before they made for Tanvir’s tent. Tanvir was out on the field overseeing the attack on the tower, and Jess impatiently shuffled the wooden models around on his map while she waited for him.
“You’ve found a way in?” Tanvir asked as he stepped through the tent flap. He was out of breath, his brow damp with sweat, and he yanked off his gauntlets and thrust them at his squire. Lord Talmar hurried in after Tanvir.
“Yes, I believe we have,” Lady Rahman said, telling him about her scouts’ discovery. She grabbed a quill and marked the cave’s position on the map. “My scouts ventured only as far as the stairs before returning.”
“That was wise,” Tanvir said, swiping a forearm across his brow and leaning over the map, studying the area surrounding the cave.
“It’s deeper in the forest than we ever ventured,” Jess said, immeasurably thankful they had modified the plan. Without the assistance of Lady Rahman and Lord Weymarth, she might very well have wandered the forest forever without finding a thing. “And the additional manpower allowed us to comb areas much more meticulously. This was excellent work on your part, Lady Rahman.”
[Fairytale 02] - Asleep (2013) Page 23