Otto motioned them from the room, herding them out with the hilt of his sword. Victor turned and stared at the royal couple with dim, weak eyes. He sighed in final defeat.
* * * *
Matthew rubbed his eyes tiredly as he sat on the step ascending to his throne. He slept very little during his first night as a father, waking each time Cassandra rose to tend to Samuel. She had tried not to disturb him. However, excitement woke him each time they stirred.
His heart twisted with the task at hand—the final judgment of Gorgon and Victor. It burned in anger over the death of his father and the brutalizing of his beloved. It trembled in fear over the men who had instilled nightmares in his mind. It even broke in sorrow to judge the man whom he had loved as his brother since birth.
Matthew scrambled to his feet as the door opened. He smiled at the pair of hazel eyes that peeked around the edge of the door. He sat on the step again. “Where is Samuel?”
“Sleeping,” Cassandra answered. “The nurse is sitting with him. I thought you could use some company.”
Matthew reached out for her, wrapping her in his arms as she slid against him. “I could. Thank you.”
He held her in silence, feeling his strength grow with every moment. Their quiet bliss ended as Otto appeared behind the door. “Ready?”
They stood and climbed to the upper step. “Bring them in,” Matthew ordered.
Otto opened the door and ushered his prisoner forward. Matthew stared at Otto. “Where is Victor?” he demanded.
Otto paused before answering. “He died last night in the prison.”
Matthew gazed into his wife's eyes, finding a sudden rush of tears flooding them. His heart shattered along with hers. He hugged her for several moments in silence. “Banishment,” the king suddenly announced. Cassandra stared at him through her tears.
“Excuse me?” Otto asked.
“Banish him. Take him as far away from Savon as possible. I do not care where, as long as it is far from my family. Send orders, that if he is ever seen inside our borders, to kill him. Have it carved into Victor's tombstone that he was killed by his own greed.” Matthew smiled warmly at Cassandra. “See? I told you that you are the better part of me.”
Otto bowed to Matthew. “Very well.”
He led Gorgon out in chains, both taking a final glance at the courageous king standing tall, holding his precious queen in his arms. Otto smiled as he closed the door behind him.
That afternoon, Cassandra clung to Matthew's arm as he led her through the courtyard. He glanced around at the black-clad prisoners being shackled together. Otto strode proudly on the other side of him. “What will happen with all these men?” Cassandra asked timidly.
“Slave trade,” Matthew answered quickly.
Cassandra shot him a stunned look. Matthew shrugged. “I am against slavery. That is true. But what else is there to do?”
“What about their families?” Cassandra demanded.
“They have none, Cassa,” Matthew explained. “That is rule one in Gorgon's camp. Many of these men killed their wives and children to join his side.”
He smiled as she hugged his arm tight to her. He couldn’t understand how a man could hurt the woman he loved. Matthew couldn’t harbor a violent thought toward Cassandra, much less harm her.
He stopped as she came to a sudden halt. She sighed and tugged on Matthew's hand as she pointed to the bruised, broken man. “Please release him,” Cassandra begged.
Matthew looked at her in shock. “Do you realize what you are asking?”
“Look at him. He has no weapons, does he? He is a physician.”
“How do you know?”
Cassandra gazed into Matthew’s eyes. “He was kind to me. He was the first to hold your son in his hands.”
Matthew turned to the physician. “Are you sure, Cassa?”
“Yes. Please?”
Matthew stared at Cassandra intently then raised his head. He pointed at the physician. “Release him and tend to his wounds,” he ordered.
“I will tend to him,” Cassandra volunteered.
Matthew strode behind as Cassandra walked to the back door of the palace. The guards followed behind her restraining the physician. He fell to the ground before her. “Why do you show me mercy?” the physician asked.
Cassandra smiled warmly as she knelt before him. “You were kind and gentle to a little girl in her darkest hour.” She closed her eyes and placed her hands over his wounds to heal them. Matthew stood behind her, meeting the physician's eyes warily.
The nurse pushed the back door of the palace open. “Your majesty, he is awake,” the nurse summoned.
Cassandra rose to her feet and ran up the stairs joyfully to take her son. Matthew followed her, pulling her close as she cradled the baby.
“Look at him laugh, Matthew,” Cassandra cooed as she touched the infant's face. Matthew kissed his son's forehead then kissed his wife.
“Your majesty, the prisoner?” the guard questioned.
Matthew turned towards him. “Give him a change of clothes and send him on his way,” he ordered.
The guard nodded as he pulled the physician to his feet. The doctor bowed his thanks before being led away.
Epilogue
The bright, warm, spring morning caressed the green fields around the palace of Savon. Four young men emerged from the giant entrance door, laughing and conversing after enjoying a large breakfast.
One quieted the others as he motioned to the garden. Four maidens breezed through the already decorated plot as they picked new blooms to adorn their hair and gowns. Each wore a different shade—one blue, one lavender, one rose, and one crème. They giggled to each other in the warm sunshine as they waited excitedly.
The men watched them in silent awe, never hearing the door open and close behind them. “There is not a more beautiful sight in the world on this lovely morning, is there gentlemen?” a voice questioned.
The four men spun around to find the bishop behind them, clothed in his common robes. He grinned as he clapped Henry's shoulder. “Are you ready, young Henry?”
Henry glanced over his shoulder to Angelique, clad in the delicately embroidered crème gown and surrounded by the other women. “Yes, my lord. I am.”
“Do any of you three have any advice for Henry before he takes his vows?” The bishop paused. “How about from one who knows the bliss of marriage? What do you have to say, Matthew?”
Matthew looked over to the rose-clad beauty, his wife for nearly a year. He smiled as his eyes met hers. Cassandra returned it with one of her own, her mischievous hazel eyes twinkling lovingly at him.
“Love her,” Matthew breathed. “Love her more each day because the more you love her, the easier the most difficult task becomes. She is the balm for every woe. Just love her.”
The bishop nodded. “Wise words, gentlemen. Now, shall we join the ladies and begin?” The men followed him to the waiting women. He motioned Henry and Angelique before him and began the ceremony. The words became muted to Matthew as he watched Cassandra listening intently to the clergyman's words.
She glanced to him, smiling slyly before turning her attention back. His heart yearned to hold her and to feel the bliss of her in his arms, a pleasure that over the past year that he needed more and more each day. His love for her grew each moment, as did his love for his son. He was amazed by how quickly Samuel had grown. The kingdom lived at peace. Life had never been so happy for the young king.
Matthew turned his attention back to the ceremony as Henry drew Angelique to him, sealing their eternal bond with a deep, sweet kiss. The gathering applauded then hugged and congratulated the young couple. They all turned toward the gate of the palace wall as the first carriage arrived for the Spring Festival. Cassandra took Matthew's hand. “We should all get ready.”
The rest of the assembly nodded. They all quickly skipped up the steps and into the palace. It did not take long for the royal couple to prepare for their guests, with Cassandra donning
her crown before scooping Samuel from the arms of the nurse and rushing outside to meet the lords and ladies. Matthew followed soon after, calmly slipping on his crimson jacket and crown before trailing behind.
Matthew watched Cassandra as she spoke with the ladies of Savon, his heart aching to touch her. He was oblivious to the lords’ words as he sipped his brandy. His eyes never drifted from his wife as she danced merrily around the maypole.
He excused himself quietly then pushed his way through the throng as she released her ribbon and gazed proudly at the dancers' accomplishment. Matthew took her hand captive as he spun her to him and embedded a warm soft kiss against her lips. Cassandra pulled away, her eyes shining in a mischievous gleam and a teasing smile beaming from her face. He heard her laugh as she disappeared into the crowd, leaving him wanting.
His desire for her grew into an uncontrollable blaze throughout the day as she danced with him, conversed endlessly with their guests, and fluttered in and out of his arms. He gasped in awe at dusk when she flicked her wrist, causing explosions of white and gold stars in the night sky above the festival. He gazed at the reflections in her eyes. His life would never be the same with this magical woman. Nor would he ever wish it to be.
* * * *
It was nearly midnight when Cassandra slipped out of the entrance door. The guests had left hours before and the palace had gone to bed. She breathed in the cool, spring, night air before entering the garden in search of her king.
She glanced around the grounds to see the mess of the Festival earlier that day nearly gone. She smiled as her mind rested on her beloved servants. Pushing the rusted latch of the garden gate open and looking up to the oak tree, she found a figure lying in the grass and staring at the stars. She quietly approached.
Matthew gazed up to her. “Samuel?”
“He is sleeping,” Cassandra replied. “The nurse is with him.” She knelt beside him then looked up into the sky. “This must be a difficult task. It is too dark to see the clouds clearly.”
“I am thinking.”
“Of what?”
“This tree and its faithful service.”
Cassandra laughed. “How?”
Matthew reached up and touched her cheek. “By bringing me you—all of our hours of play, all of our cloud watching.” He brushed her lips with his fingers. “Our first kiss was beneath its brother in the woods.”
Cassandra lowered her head and softly pressed her lips to his, obediently opening them. He brushed her hair with his palm as he softly growled. “There is only one act we have not indulged in under this tree.”
Matthew laid her down with him as he resumed his kiss, his tongue gently caressing hers. He unlaced her gown and dressing gown, tugging her breasts free of the material. She clenched his raven locks in her fingers as he left a trail of hot, wet kisses against her skin.
“Matthew,” she protested. “The house.”
“Everyone has gone to bed, and the guards do not come this far outside the wall.”
Cassandra gasped as he worked her clothes free then sat her up to pull them off. She grasped his linen shirt, fumbling with the buttons until she could peel it and his jacket from his body. He laid her down again in the soft grass.
Matthew gazed into her face as the moonlight illuminated her naked skin. “Oh, my sweet love,” he whispered as he lowered his lips against those of the woman he loved. She fervently replied with kisses of her own for the king who would rule her heart forever.
* * * *
The rays of the autumn morning shone brightly through the windows of the palace. Cassandra breezed down the hallway as she rested her hand on her swollen belly. Angelique walked beside her, as pregnant as her mistress.
“You look tired,” Angelique observed. “Did the baby keep you up last night?”
“No,” Cassandra answered. “It was not that.”
“Do you know what you are having?”
Cassandra brushed her fingers against her stomach. “No. I told Matthew I could ask Grandfather's book, but he wants to be surprised.” She looked at her friend. “And how are you feeling?”
“All right,” Angelique answered. “A little awkward.”
“And Henry?”
“Ecstatic. Excited. He is beside himself.” Cassandra laughed. Angelique continued, “Would it not be wonderful if we both had boys, or both had girls? They could play together.”
Cassandra smiled slyly. “What if you have a boy, and I have a girl…or if it were the other way around? They could fall in love.”
Angelique gasped. “That could not happen. My child has no royal blood.”
“It has happened before, you know,” Cassandra chided.
“True. That is true.”
Cassandra looked over the stone balcony as a courtier pushed open the entrance door. A toddling, raven-haired boy rushed inside haphazardly, racing on bowlegs toward a vase stand in the corner. Alarmed, Cassandra waved her hands to raise the stand and many other fragile items in the room.
The child looked up to her and reached out towards her. She lowered her hands to set the objects back in their place then waved them again. He rose into the air into her waiting arms.
The boy clasped her cheeks in his tiny hands and pressed his baby lips to her own. He laid his head on her shoulder. She held him tight to her heart. He was one of her wildest dreams come true.
“Mama,” Samuel crooned.
“Good morning, Samuel.” Cassandra smiled contentedly as she gently rocked him. “Where is Papa? Did you leave him outside?”
The little boy raised his head and nodded. She brushed the black locks from his forehead as she stared into her own mischievous, hazel eyes radiating from his tiny face. He giggled in response, squiggling in her arms.
Cassandra looked up to see Cook at her side. “Good morning, my lady. If my little majesty is ready, his breakfast is on the table.”
The queen laughed as she passed Samuel to her. “Thank you, Cook.”
Cook balanced the giggling little boy on her hip. “Come on, you little rascal,” she said to him as they descended the steps and swept through the door to the dining hall. Angelique bowed her head to Cassandra, whisking back to her tasks.
Cassandra leaned against the stone rail of the balcony, losing herself in her thoughts as she watched the birds in the trees outside. She stood straight as the door opened again. She smiled warmly at her husband, her warrior, and her king. Matthew gazed back at her in awe for a moment as if she were a goddess before ascending the steps to her.
Matthew brushed Cassandra’s face with his fingertips. “You look tired. The baby?” he whispered.
Cassandra caressed his cool, flushed cheek. “No. Over amorous husband.”
Matthew chuckled as he drew her near. “Who? Me?”
Cassandra laughed as she looked into his dark, smoldering eyes—her second wild wish come true. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, holding him tight.
“Good morning, Cassa. I love you,” he murmured into her ear.
“Good morning, Matthew. I love you,” she whispered back.
There—on the very spot a frightened young prince stared down at the magical, mischievous, hazel-eyed creature holding his father's hand—a king now held his bride, possessing her heart and soul as she did his.
He pressed his lips to hers to seal the bond that began when they were children, forged and fashioned into the perfect love they now shared. He lovingly gazed into her eyes as they parted, the sudden realization of dreams come true above their beautiful children and the peace of their kingdom—the bliss of eternal love.
*THE END*
About the Author
Tricia Andersen lives in Iowa with her husband, Brian and her three children – her sons, Jake and Jon, and her daughter, Alex. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts in English and from Kirkwood Community College with an Associate of Arts degree in Communications Media/Public Relations.
Along with writing (which she loves t
o do), Tricia practices mixed martial arts, coaches and participates in track and field, reads, sews and is involved in many of her children's activities.
Other Books by Tricia
Black Irish
Heartland
The Troubles
Trial By Fire
The Assassin
Breaking the Cycle
The Heartbreaker
Innocent ‘til Proven Guilty
Queen of Savon Page 20