Cassandra spent most of the day in solitude, occasionally standing to pace the floor. She refused food and drink. Angelique and Cook watched from the side door, concern written on their faces. Cassandra shot up in her seat as Otto walked in late in the afternoon.
“Matthew,” Otto called. He stopped short as he found Cassandra sitting on the throne. “Cassandra. I am sorry. I thought since court was in session, maybe…”
“It is all right. What do you have to report?”
“We have captured most of Gorgon's army. Those we have not caught are fleeing.”
Cassandra paused for a moment as she thought. “Do you have any soldiers who did not fight?”
“Yes, the remnant we left in the north. They have just returned.”
“Take them and capture those that have escaped. End this war, Otto.”
Otto bowed. “Yes, your majesty.”
“One more thing,” Cassandra added. “I want Gorgon and Victor brought before me. Alive or dead, I do not care which.”
“Yes, your majesty.” Otto rose and departed. Cassandra sighed miserably as she began to pace again.
Night fell silently on Savon, leaving its queen in anguish. She pushed to her feet again as Joseph appeared at the door. “Yes?” she begged.
Joseph took her hands gently. “Do you have anything? Anything at all?”
“No.”
“I am sorry, Cassandra.” Tears flooded her eyes as she pulled her hands from his and pressed them to her lips. Joseph continued, “He is asking for you. The physician is bandaging his wound then will clear everyone from the room. That way you will have some time alone together before…”
Cassandra nodded, stunned. “Thank you.”
“You are welcome.” Joseph bowed his head before slowly walking to the door.
Cassandra stumbled to the battle room as the tears burned her eyes. She ripped a map in half then grasped a quill in her hand, jotting a message quickly on the aged parchment. Pushing through the heavy wooden doors, she stood on the top step outside.
“Eliezar!” Cassandra called urgently, clenching the note in her hand. “Eliezar!”
Cassandra jogged down the steps as she searched the night sky, her heart aching to see the tiny falcon. Her slippered foot caught in the hem of her gown. Cassandra tumbled to the ground, staring as the piece of paper blew away in the breeze. Covering her head for several moments, she sobbed loudly in the dirt.
Finally, she stood and returned to the palace entrance. She slowly climbed the stone stairs, crossing the balcony. She pushed open her bedroom door then stepped inside. Cassandra watched for a moment as her husband slept, his face pale and hollow. Then he opened his eyes to dim slits. “Cassa,” he breathed.
She ran across the room, kneeling on the bed and burying her sobs against his chest. Matthew wrapped his arm around her weakly. “Cassa, do not cry.”
“Please do not leave me,” she whimpered.
“I must, my love. I do not want to. I want to stay with you, to love you. But I have no choice.”
Cassandra looked into his eyes, her own swollen. She pulled from his arm then rose to her feet. She crossed to the cradle and picked up the velvet blanket nestled within. She stepped to the balcony rail, draping the blanket across her arms and stretching them to the star filled sky.
Closing her eyes, she began to chant. The words commanded a shower of golden sparks from the sky. When they subsided, she wrapped the blanket around a bundle in her arms.
Cassandra turned to Matthew, crossing to her side of the bed. She held her arms to him as she bowed her head. “Your son, my lord.”
Matthew gazed at the sleeping infant sucking contently on his fist. “Oh, Cassa. He is beautiful.”
She gently laid the baby against Matthew’s arm then wrapped hers beneath his for support. Matthew cradled the child to his chest, his pride and his heart break equally evident on his face.
“You need to name him,” Cassandra urged.
Matthew stared at his son. “Samuel. After your father.”
Cassandra smiled through her tears. “Then Samuel it will be.”
Matthew cuddled his child close to him for several moments. Then, he suddenly spoke, “Cassa, take him. My arm grows weak, and I do not want to drop him.”
Cassandra took Samuel from Matthew and laid him on the mattress between them. Lying across the pillows, she wrapped her arms around Matthew’s neck. “Please, do not go,” she begged.
“Cassa,” he rebuked in a whisper.
“Then let me go with you. I will stay by your side.”
Matthew took her hand and held it tight. “No, Cassa. Who would care for Samuel? He needs you.”
“But—”
Matthew touched Cassandra’s face. “I will wait for you. It will not be long before you join me. Please, though, give me one last wish?”
“Anything.”
Matthew smiled through his pain. “Lay down beside me. I want to leave this world at peace, and I know no greater peace than watching you sleep. Please?”
Cassandra looked into Matthew’s eyes as she palmed his cheek. “I love you, Matthew, more than my life, more than my son. I am blessed we had a son because he will be the only child from my womb. No other man could possess my heart. You possess my mind, my body, my heart, and my soul, both now and forever. I love you my lord, my husband. I love you.”
She pressed her lips to his, feeling them grow cold. “Good night, Matthew.”
“Good night, Cassa.”
Cassandra slid down as her eyes etched Matthew one last time into her memory. Before long, the events of the day overwhelmed her and she drifted off to sleep.
Chapter Sixteen
Cassandra laid still, her eyes closed and her body frozen even though the sunlight filled her mind. Samuel stretched beside her, his small voice crying out in hunger. Even with his impatient pleas, she refused to move. She could not face the scene lying next to her—the lifeless body of her husband.
Her heart ached for him. It was an ache she knew would never be satisfied. As much as her son needed her, she could not lay her eyes on her dead beloved.
Cassandra felt fingers brush the stray locks that fell free from her braids. It is probably Cook or Angelique trying to offer comfort. I want none. I want my husband. The fingers traveled across her face gently then grasped her shoulder. They shook her lightly.
“Cassa, wake up. I think Samuel is hungry.”
She caught her breath. Can my misery be so deeply ingrained in my heart that it has driven me mad? She began to tremble.
“Cassa, wake up, my love.”
Blinking her eyes open, she gazed into the laughing, smoldering eyes of her husband. She swallowed hard. “How?”
“I do not know myself, love. I guess in our family, I am the last one to ask.”
“You are a demon,” she breathed.
“There is only one way to find out.” Matthew descended against her and buried his lips against hers. She pried his open with her tongue, lapping frantically to taste him. He gently caressed her as he stilled her furious kiss. He pulled away, smiling at her. “So?”
Cassandra stared dumbfounded for a moment. Then, she raised herself up on her arms, wrapping them around his neck. She drove his mouth apart with her own, reveling in the soft, wet embrace she thought she would never experience again. He held her body tight against his.
“You are alive,” she whispered.
“Aye, love.” She sighed as she touched his face, her words caught in her throat. Matthew turned his head, distracted by the squirming, mewling infant. “Cassa, the baby,” he urged.
Cassandra nodded as she gathered the child and cradled him in her arms. She unlaced her bodice and dressing gown. Matthew laid his head on her shoulder, watching contently as Samuel sucked hungrily at her breast.
“How did this all happen?”
“I do not know,” Matthew replied. “I fell asleep, and I could see my father and a couple waiting for me. By the appearance of th
e woman—she resembled you—I knew they were your parents. I walked towards them then suddenly they vanished.”
“You were healed?”
“Aye.” Matthew grasped the hem of his shirt and lifted it, revealing his unscarred flesh. “But then, so are you.” He handed the silver mirror that set on the table next to their bed to her. She gazed at her reflection. Her bruises and the gash on her forehead were gone.
“Your magic has returned,” Matthew suggested.
Cassandra touched the roses gathered in a vase on the table. She found one that was withered and brown. Gently wrapping her fingers around the bloom, she held it for a moment as she closed her eyes. When she released the petals, there was no change. “It was not me.”
“Maybe your grandfather was here.”
“No.” Cassandra shook her head. “We would have known.” Matthew sighed as he brushed his son's hair. After a moment of silence, he laughed. “What is it?” Cassandra asked.
“I was just remembering when I fell in love with you. It was when you performed the spell with my book. You captured my heart. It was yours at that very moment. The golden shower of sparks last night reminded me of then.”
Cassandra kissed Matthew’s cheek as she handed him the sleeping infant. He buried his face against his child's. “My son. My sweet son.”
Cassandra pushed away the raven locks that fell across Matthew’s brow. “You are a father.”
“I wish I could have been there, Cassa. It must have been horrible by yourself, under Victor's hand.”
“I wish you would have been there also.” Cassandra held Matthew tight as she kissed his cheek again. “I love you, Matthew. You will be such a great father.”
“Aye,” Matthew breathed. He held Samuel quietly for several moments. Suddenly, he gasped. “The book.”
“What book?” Cassandra questioned.
Matthew looked at her. “My book. When you cast the spell then, your magic left you. Then when you performed the counter spell, your magic was kept in my book. It began to read to us. Now you still do not have your magic, so that must mean it is in…”
They both looked down at Samuel as he slept peacefully against his father's chest. Cassandra took a fallen petal from the dying bloom and pressed it inside Samuel’s tiny palm before pulling it away from his fingers. The petal was now soft, white, and new. She caught her breath. “He knew you were dying. He healed you,” Cassandra murmured, amazed.
“Will he hold your power now?” Matthew asked quietly.
“He cannot. He is too young. But I do not know how to retrieve it.”
Both Matthew and Cassandra glanced up suddenly as two birds, a falcon and a gray eagle, glided into their bedchamber. They watched in anticipation as the flash of light transformed the eagle into a tall, aged sorcerer.
“Cassandra,” Malicar chided. “What did you do with the book that broke the spell?”
She looked into Matthew's eyes. “I kissed it.”
Cassandra pressed her lips against the baby's forehead, feeling the sudden rush overpower her. After a few moments, she sat up, reaching to the bed stand to grasp the browned rose. Instantly, it re-bloomed from its decayed state into a white, fragrant blossom.
Slipping from the bed, she rushed to her grandfather, clasping her arms around his thin, fragile waist. She laughed as she found her note protruding from the pocket of his robe. Matthew also rose and crossed carefully to Malicar as he held out his arms. “Your great grandson, my lord.”
Malicar cradled the infant to him. Samuel awoke sleepily, blinking at the ancient man with newborn blue eyes.
“He is beautiful,” Malicar said as he smiled proudly at the baby. “He will be a great leader like his father.”
Matthew wrapped his arms around his wife, holding her tight as they watched Malicar and their son. They turned suddenly at a knock at the door. “Cassandra?” Joseph called quietly. “Cassandra, are you alright?”
The couple looked at each other and smiled. “He does not know,” Matthew whispered. Cassandra pulled from his arms then crossed to the bedchamber door. She unlocked and opened it, peeking out at the prime minister.
“Are you alright?” Joseph asked gently.
“I am fine, Joseph. All is well.”
“You are being brave, my lady,” Joseph commented softly.
“There is no need for her to be.” Matthew laughed as he appeared behind his wife. Joseph stared at him in frightened shock. Matthew lifted his shirt, showing the flesh where the scar was once embedded. He continued, “I told you she was the right woman to marry.”
Joseph chuckled. “This is wonderful news.”
Cassandra took his hand. “There is more. Come in.”
Cassandra led Joseph inside. He gasped as his eyes rested on the baby in Malicar's arms. The sorcerer crossed to him, giving the child to Joseph. “Is this?”
“His name is Samuel. He is our child and the Prince of Savon,” Matthew answered.
Joseph gazed at the new parents then at the infant as his face glowed. “What a blessed day.”
Cook and Angelique slipped in the bedchamber door, gasping at the sight of Matthew alive. Tears filled Cook's eyes as she swept to Joseph's side and took the child from him. “Cook, this is…” Cassandra began.
“No need, my lady,” Cook breathed as she held the boy to her shoulder. “I know who this is.”
The couple beamed at each other. Joseph clapped his hands. All the occupants of the room turned towards him. “I propose we prepare for today. This should be Prince Samuel's first day at court, and we should also announce the health and wellbeing of our king.” He looked at Matthew.
“Of course,” Matthew agreed.
Joseph smiled. “I will get everything ready then. This is a great day.” He swept from the room, shouting orders along the way.
* * * *
Servants bustled in and out of the royal bedchamber as Cassandra contentedly nursed Samuel on her bed, gently stroking his cheek as he sucked happily. She trailed her fingers to his velvet gown, the crimson fabric as soft as his infant skin. Pulling her bodice tight around her, she gently handed the child to his nurse. She quickly laced her dressing gown and her crème gown then stood.
Angelique motioned to Cassandra to sit at her mirror then began brushing her hair, braiding and pining up the locks. As Angelique began to set the small, gold crown on her queen's head, Cassandra grasped her hand. “What is this?” she demanded as she caught sight of the sky blue ribbon tied to Angelique's finger.
“Henry has asked me to be his wife,” the maid answered timidly.
Cassandra rose to her feet, hugging Angelique to her ecstatically. “Oh, that is fantastic! When is the wedding?”
“We are thinking of next spring.”
Cassandra spun towards the door as Matthew entered, catching her breath as she gazed at his dark, mystical handsome features clothed in his royal crimson coat, linen shirt, and black trousers. She excitedly held Angelique's hand out to him. “Henry has asked her to marry him,” she announced.
Matthew took Angelique's hand and placed a chaste kiss against it. “Congratulations.” Angelique blushed as Cassandra clasped her other arm. “You should marry in the garden. It would be beautiful.”
“Cassa,” Matthew chided as he pulled his wife away and wrapped her in his embrace. “Let them plan their day. You have your own matters to attend to.”
“You?” Cassandra laughed, touching Matthew’s face before wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders. Matthew grinned before he drew her closer and enveloped her lips in a deep, warm kiss. She surrendered in his arms, her fingers brushing back his hair as they grazed the gold and precious jewels of his crown. They broke away as the door opened.
“Good morning,” Otto greeted. “Cassa, the troops have returned. All of Gorgon's men have been captured.”
“And my prisoners?” Cassandra demanded.
“Both are alive and ready to be presented.”
Cassandra's expression turned to
stone. “Very well. Bring them before me.”
“Yes, your majesty.”
Cassandra took her crown from Angelique and set it on her head. She threw open the door, storming across the balcony and down the stairs. Matthew jogged to catch up with her. He grasped her hand, “Cassa, what is going on?”
Cassandra glanced at him for a moment before she nodded to the courtiers. They threw open the doors to the throne room. Cassandra breezed down the aisle with Matthew following. She ascended the steps, spinning around to face the assembly. “Bring them in.”
Otto entered, leading Gorgon and Victor in shackles. The older man strode proudly in as the younger stumbled behind, clinging to his life weakly. Matthew turned toward his wife to find a cold look of disgust in her eyes.
“You traitors. You murderers. You deserve the worst possible punishment imaginable and that is what you will receive,” she spat. She rubbed her hands together behind her back, forming a hazy lilac purple cloud between her rotating fingers.
Matthew touched her wrist. “Mercy, my love,” Matthew whispered. “Deal mercy.”
Cassandra looked at him in disbelief. “Very well then. You judge them. I would not want my weak, feminine heart interfering.”
Cassandra strode to her throne and sunk into it, crossing her arms over her chest. Matthew knelt on his knee next to her. “Cassa, do not do this,” he pleaded.
“Do what?”
“Let this make you hard. Let me grow hard, my love. Let my heart grow cold. You need to stay warm and loving and beautiful.”
“He killed your father. He nearly killed you,” Cassandra objected as tears filled her eyes.
“But he did not kill me. I am all right.” Matthew smiled as he reached out, caressing her face. “You need to keep a warm heart, my love. You are the best part of me. As long as your heart is full of love and hope, my heart will never turn to stone.”
Cassandra smiled at Matthew through her tears as she softly kissed his palm. He helped her to her feet and waited as she carefully took Samuel from Angelique.
Matthew motioned to his commander. “Take them away, Otto. I will judge them another day. This is too wonderful a morning to mar with this. The war is over.” He looked into Cassandra's eyes. “My wife and son are safe beside me, and today is Prince Samuel's first day at court. Please take them away.”
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