The Steel Queen (The Silk & Steel Saga Book 1)

by Karen Azinger

  The prince sat alone in front of the fire, finishing his brandy. The counselor was infuriating, but he had his uses. Danly would repay every insult and settle every score once he sat on the Rose Throne, even scores that stretched back to childhood. Dealing with his royal mother would be especially sweet, but first he needed to claim the throne. He felt his manhood stiffen with anticipation. All of his dreams were full of crowns.

  59

  Jordan

  Jordan had always loved the Feast of Midwinter, the celebration of the solstice, when the Lords of Light conquered darkness and the days became progressively longer. Lanverness celebrated Midwinter in much the same way as Navarre, with evergreen trees, yulecakes, presents, and feasts. Jordan cajoled her siblings into setting up a small pine tree in their common sitting room. Decorated with strings of popped corn, ribbons, and ornamental pinecones, the evergreen tree was a delight to the senses. A few well-wrapped presents glittered beneath the lower branches. An odd shaped package wrapped in gold looked particularly tantalizing but Jordan refused to investigate. She suspected that Justin put his presents out early to tease his sisters. The temptation was hard to resist but Jordan refused to give her brother the satisfaction. Despite her burning curiosity, she resolved to wait till Midwinter morning, besides she had other things on her mind. Her presents for Jemma, Justin, and Duncan were already wrapped and hidden in the trunk in her bedroom, but the most important present, her gift for Stewart, was not yet finished. The jeweler had promised to have it done today and Jordan was anxious to pick it up.

  The snow-dusted streets were busy with merchants hauling their wares and shoppers carrying baskets laden with packages. The city of Pellanor never slept and the variety of goods available in the markets and craft shops was astounding. Jordan had enjoyed exploring the city searching for the perfect Midwinter gifts. In a musty shop off of a side alleyway, she found an old scroll with the works of Xel, a master harpist from the Age of Magic. She was sure Justin would be delighted with the rare find. For Jemma, the fashion maven, the choices in Pellanor were limitless. Jordan finally decided on a bolt of blue damask silk worked with a rich pattern of silver thread. She purchased the whole bolt, avoiding the thorny question of what was ‘in’ or ‘out’ of style.

  As to Duncan, the man was always hard to shop for, but the markets of Pellanor proved equal to the challenge. Since Duncan was the companion for her Wayfaring, Jordan wanted to get him something special to mark the start of her traveling years. The taciturn archer liked things that were practical, but he also had a weakness for excellent craftsmanship. His taste for excellence held the key to Duncan’s present. Knowing it was a waste of time to shop for anything having to do with archery in Pellanor, she’d settled on the idea of a new pair of boots. She’d overheard the infantrymen in the Rose Squad talking about a cobbler who made boots using the hide of an exotic lizard found only in the great southern swamps of Radagar. Boots made of this rare hide were said to be water tight, light of weight, comfortable, and durable enough to last a lifetime. From the soldiers’ description, they almost sounded like the fabled ‘boots of walking’ supposedly worn by the wizards of old. Curiosity alone was enough to get Jordan to search out the shop. The wizen old cobbler wanted a small fortune to make the boots, claiming the exotic lizard was a man-eater, making the hide doubly rare. The price was prohibitive but Jordan was hooked once she fingered the supple smoke-gray hide. The boots would be perfect for Duncan.

  With her shopping for Duncan finished, that left Stewart. She’d put a lot of thought into Stewart’s present, wanting her gift to reflect Navarre. Making the rounds of the shops on Gold Street, she finally found a jeweler who would accept her unusual commission. Jordan hurried though the back streets, eager to see the finished product.

  The bell on the shop door rang as she entered. Looking up from his work bench, the hunchbacked goldsmith flashed a smile. “The piece is finally finished and I think you will be pleased.” He opened a locked cabinet and removed a small handful of cloth. “I’ve never worked with this combination of materials before. Your commission was challenging and the piece is quite unique. I hope you are happy with it.”

  Jordan held Stewart’s present to the light, carefully examining the design. The piece was beautiful, the workmanship exquisite, but the proof would be in the listening. Holding her breath, she held it to her ear. A smile spread across her face. It was perfect. She paid the man his price while the jeweler wrapped the piece in a checkered red and blue silk handkerchief, the colors of Navarre. She tucked Stewart’s present in her pocket and headed for her last stop.

  Jordan loved the tradition of yulecakes. Individual gingerbread cakes, no larger than the palm of the hand conveyed a heartfelt wish for the new year. Yulecakes came in four shapes, a diamond for wealth and prosperity, a circle for peace and harmony, a star for fame and success, and a heart for love and happiness. The cake’s shape expressed the wish and the coin baked inside expressed the nature of the relationship. Copper coins were used for new friends and acquaintances while silver coins were meant for good friends, light lovers, and distant relatives. Gold coins were reserved for close family members and life-long friends. Gold coins also symbolized true love. A nervous flutter ran through her. This year she needed her cakes to be perfect.

  Having sampled the different bakeries across the city, she’d found a shop that made the most delicious gingerbread and then wrapped them in bright shiny foil. Her last errand was to pick up her order before returning to the castle.

  The bakery was mobbed. When her turn finally came, Jordan inspected the cakes, quizzing the baker to be sure the hidden coins were just as she’d ordered. Satisfied, she paid for the cakes and threaded a path out of the crowd. The cheerful smell of fresh baked gingerbread clung to her cloak as she made her way back to the castle.

  By tradition Midwinter day was spent with close family members but the eve of the solstice was reserved for good friends and lovers. Jordan was especially looking forward to the evening. Stewart had invited her out for a private solstice eve dinner. He’d offered to take her anywhere, but the only place she wanted to go was the Bear’s Den. The cozy, casual intimacy of the Den suited Jordan perfectly. She couldn’t imagine a better place to spend her first solstice eve with Stewart.

  Returning to her bedroom, Jordan was surprised to find a steaming tub of hot water waiting for her. On a table next to the tub was a small package with a note. The note was in her sister’s handwriting. ‘Dear Jordan. An alchemist in the old part of town swears by this secret concoction of herbs and spices. Sprinkle it in your bath and you’re guaranteed to find true love! I suspect the old alchemist is a bit of a fraud but the mixture smells wonderful. Enjoy your solstice eve with Stewart. I won’t be waiting up for you. Love, Jemma.’

  Half embarrassed and half amused, Jordan picked up the package and sniffed its contents. Rich aromas of sandalwood and cinnamon evoked a hint of the mysterious. Jordan didn’t believe in love potions but the powder smelled delightful. She dumped the contents into the tub and slipped into the heated water. Fragrant swirls of steam danced across the water. Succumbing to the heat, Jordan considered her plans for Midwinter. Her solstice eve with Stewart would be special. Outside of her parents, she’d never given anyone a heart-shaped yulecake with a gold coin inside. Jordan wondered if she was being rash, but her heart was sure. For once she would let her heart lead.

  Climbing out of the tub, she toweled off in front of a blazing fire. She’d given a lot of thought to her choice of clothes, determined to be herself. In the end, she settled on a combination of new and old. For the old, she pulled on her favorite pair of black leather pants and knee-high boots. For something different, she put on a cream-colored silk shirt with puffed pirate sleeves and ruffles around a low-cut v-neck. Over the silk shirt, she wore a dark blue suede jerkin that conformed to her slender waist and small breasts. Pleased with her reflection, she swirled her checkered cape around her shoulders. Placing her Midwinter gift and yulecake for
Stewart in a small leather pouch on her belt, she gave herself a final check and then headed out to meet her prince.

  She found him waiting at the castle’s southern gates. Their embrace was full of unspoken emotions. With arms linked and heads nearly touching, they walked through the streets of Pellanor, taking a familiar path to the Bear’s Den. Under a light frosting of snow, the city looked magical. The night held the promise of a perfect solstice eve.

  At the Bear’s Den, they were shown to their favorite table, tucked away in a private nook next to a roaring fireplace. Jordan ordered a creamy clam chowder while Stewart ordered his favorite lamb stew. The mere thought of the simple but savory fare made her mouth water. When the serving girl left with their order, they both leaned forward across the table, holding hands and talking about memories of favorite Midwinter Feasts from childhood days.

  They were both surprised when the girl returned. After serving large bowls of soups and pouring mugs of mulled wine, the girl ceremoniously placed a platter of fresh-ocean mussels cooked in a garlic butter sauce in the center of the table. Jordan stared in amazement. The dish was unheard of for land-locked Lanverness. It was also Jordan’s favorite. “I can’t believe you did this!”

  “I wanted to make this evening special.”

  Blushing, she replied, “You’ve certainly done that.”

  Their eyes locked and the food was momentarily forgotten. Giving her a soft smile, Stewart said, “Try them and tell me if they are as good as the ones you get from home.”

  Anticipating the taste, she pried a succulent morsel from a black shell. Swirling it in the buttery sauce, she popped it into her mouth. Closing her eyes, she savored the taste. The tender mussel gushed with juices full of garlic and butter, a small bite of heaven. Opening her eyes, she laughed to see the way Stewart was staring at her.

  With a shy grin, he explained, “It’s amazing the way that you get so much pleasure out of such simple things.”

  Blushing again, she laughed, “My mother always told me that the secret to a happy life is to savor the small things. The small things in life often bring the greatest joy.”

  “Your mother is a wise woman.” After a short pause, Stewart added, “I would like to meet her some day.”

  “Mother will love you.” Realizing what she’d said, Jordan added, “You’ll have to come with me to Navarre sometime. There is so much I want to show you.” Selecting another mussel, she leaned across the table and offered it to Stewart. “Have a taste of the seaside kingdom.”

  Stewart seemed to enjoy the delicacy almost as much as Jordan did. They shared the mussels, wiping the last bit of garlic sauce from the platter with torn pieces of crusty bread. Between morsels they traded stories from their childhoods. With six siblings, Jordan had plenty of tales to tell. They were laughing over one of Justin’s pranks when the serving girl came to clear their table. After removing the dishes, the girl placed a traditional bayberry candle and flint striker in the center of the table.

  When it was just the two of them again, Stewart handed Jordan the striker, indicating she should do the honors. The gesture touched her heart. By tradition, the oldest male at the table lit the candle. By handing her the striker, Stewart proved he considered Jordan his equal. Perhaps all men should have strong queens for mothers. She lit the candle, saying the traditional prayer. “We are only mortals, but we do what we can to aid the Light. May this candle join with all the other candles of Midwinter to light a blaze that pushes back the Darkness. May the peace of the Light reign across the land.”

  The mood changed between them, both reminded of the heavy responsibilities of future crowns.

  Stewart reached across the table to take her hand. “So which shall it be, my lady? Will you have your Midwinter present first or will you start with your yulecake?”

  By tradition, the yulecakes were exchanged first, but tonight the small gingerbread cakes were more important than the presents. Suddenly hesitant, Jordan said, “The presents first, I think.”

  Smiling, Stewart reached for a large sack. She’d eyed the sack on their walk from the castle but the contours of the bag gave nothing away. The sack yielded a long rectangular box wrapped in gold paper. “I hope you like it.”

  Overcome by curiosity, she tore the paper from the box. Inside, she found a straight infantry sword in a scabbard. The scabbard was magnificent. Made of tooled red leather, it was embossed with soaring osprey eagles, each clutching a bouquet of roses. Running her hand across the details, her fingers lingered on the combined heraldry of their two houses. Her heart beat faster at the meaning behind the design. Before she could say anything, Stewart said, “Draw the blade.”

  She drew the blade, noticing the maker’s mark, an anvil within an octagon. Jordan gasped, the smiths of Castlegard were renowned for their blades. With the exception of blue steel blades, there were none better in all of Erdhe. She did not know how to thank him.

  “I want you to have the best sword at your side.” Dropping his voice, he whispered, “May it protect you when I cannot.”

  Her heart melted. Leaning across the table, she kissed him. He deepened the kiss, sending a searing heat through her. Cradling her face, he whispered, “Now that was the perfect Midwinter gift.”

  Jordan flamed red. They broke apart, pausing to catch their breath.

  Still recovering from the kiss, Jordan produced a small package wrapped in checkered silk. “I hope you like it.”

  He took his time opening it, nearly driving her to distraction. Finally the silk fell away, revealing the broach. Circular in design, the top half was a golden sun setting on a sea of turquoise. A speckled cone shell was mounted midway between the sea and the sunset. Leaning across the table, Jordan explained, “I wanted to give you something of Navarre. This little cone shell is one of the few things I brought from home. If you press the shell to your ear you can hear the sound of the ocean waves.” Pausing, she added, “I had to find a jeweler who could make it without ruining the magic of the shell. Press it to your ear and listen.” She knew Stewart had never experienced the wonders of the ocean. By giving him the broach, she hoped to give him something of her home. She held her breath as he pressed the broach to his ear.

  “So this is what the ocean sounds like!” Puzzlement transformed to wonder. “How amazing! So much sound from such a little thing.” He pinned the broach to his cape. “My Lady of the Seashell.”

  Suddenly shy, Jordan knew it was time to exchange the yulecakes. Her heart pounded with trepidation. She’d be crushed if her yulecake from Stewart did not contain a gold coin. Swallowing her fear, she shyly handed Stewart a foil wrapped cake in the shape of a heart.

  Stewart accepted the cake and gave her one of the same.

  Jordan held the fragile cake with shaking hands. She carefully removed the wrapping not wanting to incur bad luck by pre-maturely breaking the heart-shape. As tradition dictated, she nibbled a small bite of the gingerbread but she couldn’t taste a thing. Taking a deep breath, she broke the cake open. A gold coin winked from the center. Jordan rubbed her eyes, trying to hold back tears of joy. Stealing a glance at Stewart, she saw that he’d discovered his own gold coin. Their hands met across the table. A hungry intensity filled their touch.

  In a throaty voice, Stewart said, “I don’t want this night to end.” He voice dropped to a whisper. “Will you come with me to a nearby inn…or should I walk you back to the castle?”

  They were both acutely aware that Jordan’s time in Pellanor was coming to an end. A deep hunger grew within her. She’d never done this before, but she wanted it more than anything. “Let’s find a room…”

  He squeezed her hand and then fumbled with his purse to pay the bill. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he guided her out of the Bear’s Den and into the snow-covered streets. She couldn’t remember the walk through the streets, only the urgency to get there.

  They took a room at one of the capital’s better inns. Stewart fumbled with the key at the door. The furnishings were ric
h and a blaze roared in the fireplace. There was a large four-poster bed but Jordan spied the lush fur of a snowcat’s skin spread before the fire. Stewart swept her into his arms to carry her to the bed but Jordan gestured toward the snowcat. Laughing, he gently laid her on the lush white fur. Resting his full weight on top of her, he kissed her deeply. His fingertips caressed her face, running through her sandy hair. His touch was slow and gentle as he gazed into her eyes. Without speaking, he asked if this was what she truly wanted. His look alone woke an ache deep within her…an ache she’d never known before. Closing her eyes, she met his lips, answering him with a kiss. Their kisses deepened and a blaze of heat swept through them. Their clothes became too much to bear. With a mixture of tenderness and laughter they stripped away the encumbering garments. When she finally saw him naked she gasped. Stewart was hard and beautiful. Her hands reached out to trace the contours of his body. With hands and lips they explored all the differences between them. Tenderness gradually gave way to urgency. Jordan could tell that Stewart was trying to wait, but she urged him on. The ache within grew unbearable. She arched her back with need. In a blaze of love and urgency, Stewart succumbed, joining with her in the shared ecstasy of two becoming one.

  In a small corner of her mind, Jordan knew the first time was supposed to hurt, but it didn’t. Stewart was wonderful. He filled the ache within her…until it came back with an even more powerful surge. Letting their bodies follow their instincts, they rode each wave of passion until they collapsed spent on the soft white fur. Jordan twined her fingers in Stewart’s dark hair, wishing the night would never end.

  60

  Liandra

  The queen contemplated the chessboard. The game had reached that critical stage when major pieces on both sides would be sacrificed for the sake of strategy. The game was about to get bloody. Staring at the board, Liandra discovered a clumsy trap and a clever feint, both designed to screen red’s attack on her white knight. Mentally playing both sides of the game, she anticipated the future moves of the Master Archivist. A smile played across her face as the master’s strategy became clear. Having learned the game of princes at her father’s knee, the queen was well versed in the two keys to victory: using layered strategies and always seeing more moves ahead than your opponent. It was a philosophy the queen applied to many things besides chess.