Layton stared at me for a moment. “I suppose there was a reason your ancestors were advisors. When I take the throne, I would have you continue to act as one of my council.”
I blushed. I was pleased. Perhaps I will be of some use in this new kingdom.
The day came at last when the magiker thought me well enough to visit Johai. I was allowed about under the strict precaution that I did not overexert myself. I half ran to his chambers, despite the magiker’s warnings. I could not wait another moment to be with Johai. It was not far from my own, and he was given a place of honor among the royal apartments. When I entered the chamber, he lay still as the dead. His hands were palm down on the coverlet, which was pulled up onto his chest. His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, the only indication that he yet lived. His white hair was fanned out across the pillow. Tears leaked from the corners of my eyes as I approached him. I kneeled down beside his bed. I touched his cheek; it was cold. His eyelids were veined and blue, and his skin was clammy.
“He sleeps an endless sleep unless you wake him.”
I glanced up. My mother was standing above Johai. When I blinked, it was not my mother but Elenna. She wore a cloak pulled forward so that I could not see her face, but I recognized her honeyed voice.
“Where have you been? I thought you had left Keisan. They want you to stand trial for Adair’s death.”
She hid her hands in her sleeves. “I have been waiting for you. I will leave the palace soon and return to our people.”
“Why did you not seek me out before? I have been worried for you.”
“I dared not go to you. No one comes here but the maid who tends the fire. They think he is dying, but he is sleeping, waiting for you at the gateway. The power was too much, and you have not awakened him fully yet. I knew I had to guide you to complete the task.”
“Why did you kill Adair? I know now that he could not have been the one to take the specter. It had to be a daughter of the blood who took the specter beyond the veil.”
“His death was necessary. The kingdom could not heal until he was gone.”
“You planned to take my place beyond the veil; why?”
“Because I thought it was my destiny. Your mother spoke to me in my dreams back in Sanore after that first time I saw you in the theater. She told me that I had to lead you, help you learn about your powers and your past. I was meant to lead you to the Sea Chamber, where I was to take the specter beyond the veil. I did not know that she was going to use me as her avatar.” She lowered her head.
“I don’t even know how to thank you.”
“There is no need. I did what was necessary to protect our people.”
She turned to walk away. I stood up and called out to her, “Wait. What do I do now?”
“Wake him. Bring him from the dream world.”
Elenna slipped into the shadows. I did not even hear her footsteps fade away. A chill crept up my spine. Perhaps I imagined it. I sat down on the edge of Johai’s bed and looked down at his face. I brushed the hairs from his temples and felt the thrumming of his heartbeat. I did not have the herbs I would use in a traditional reading, but our connection went deeper than that. I matched his heartbeat, and for a space of time we were one body with two hearts.
I opened my eyes in the dream space. We were standing in the hallway, the same one where I had battled the specter for the last time. At the end of the hall, there was a small child crouched down. His knees were drawn up to his chest. I went over to him. He looked up at me as I approached. He had bright blue eyes that were wide with fear. His hair was golden and framed his round face.
“Hello,” I said as I squatted down beside him.
“Are you the monster?” he asked.
I arched a brow at him. “Do I look like a monster?”
He looked me up and down. “No, you don’t seem like a monster.”
“Good. Have you seen a monster? Is that why you’re hiding here?”
He nodded.
“Can I hide with you?”
He nodded again.
I sat down on the ground beside him and arranged my skirt to cover my feet. “What does this monster look like?”
He looked at his hands laced around his knees. “Like a beast, with fangs and white fur and red eyes.”
“That sounds terrifying.”
“Yeah.”
“Do you know the best way to defeat a monster?”
He shook his head.
“To face it head-on.” I jumped to my feet; in the dream I was not limited in my movements by my pregnancy.
A roar echoed down the hall. The child-Johai screamed and covered his ears and closed his eyes. “Get down. He’s coming.”
“There’s nothing to fear; I am with you now.”
The monster roared again, and then a lumbering shape came around the corner. Its shadow was long, but I could see the teeth and the claws. This is a creature of his own imagining. He has to face it to break free of the dream world. This is the place where the specter trapped him. It is up to me to free him.
When Johai looked up at me again, he was a man grown. He took my hand, and together we faced the monster. It came roaring towards us, all slavering jaws full of sharp teeth. Red eyes burned like coals, and the fur was pale as fresh snow.
“Maea, run,” he shouted.
I held his hand and refused to move. The monster came within an inch of us. I felt its hot breath upon my face, but it came no closer. It stayed at a distance, not coming nearer, just pacing back and forth in front of us.
“This is it?” I laughed.
The monster roared in response. It reared on its hind legs, and when it came to the ground, the floor shuddered.
I laughed again. “I have faced worse than you. Leave us.”
Johai was watching me. And then he, too, laughed, long and loud. The monster roared, reared a final time, and fled from us. When the creature left, Johai and I were left alone. Light began to fill the hall, and Johai touched my face.
“I thought I would remain here in the darkness forever.”
“I would never have left you behind,” I replied.
I leaned in to kiss him, but as I did, the vision faded. I opened my eyes, and I was leaning over Johai. His eyes were closed still, but he was stirring. I saw his eyes rolling behind his lids. Then his eyelids flickered open as he looked up at me.
“Maea?” His voice cracked from lack of use.
I burst into tears and kissed him. I kissed him as if it was the last, first and every kiss in between that we had been denied. I had saved him. I had stopped the ultimate evil from walking the earth. I had the man I loved.
I pulled back and looked him in the eye.
“Is this a dream?” he asked.
I shook my head and rubbed the tears from my eyes. “No, my love, this is our life.” I grabbed his hand and put it upon my stomach. “And this is our child.”
Chapter Twenty Four
There was still much left to do once Johai and I had been relieved from our bed rest. Terms had been settled on for the treaties between the three nations, and everyone left with some measure of disappointment. No one had taken more than the others; all had to compromise. Layton had promised ships to Arlene, which could be used to distribute goods more quickly between Jerauch and Neaux by rowing up the river from the sea. The Stone Clan was given some open land along the border between both countries, which until now had been a largely unincorporated part of the land bordering Duke Nanore’s region. The taxes to be paid made Duke Nanore happy, and he found a use for otherwise unused land. Danhad had asked for little in the balance other than renewed peace. Given Adair’s sins, I thought it a wise choice. The terms of the renewed treaty between Danhad and Neaux surprised me. Arlene had agreed to acknowledge Prince Leonel, Sabine and Adair’s son, as her heir in the event that she had no children of her own. When I had been in Sanore, she was adamant against giving her sister’s son the throne after her. I wondered what had swayed her. Did Damara convince
her in the end?
I went to the ceremony of the treaty signing as a member of the council and the peerage. I was given a place near the front, and I could see everything. The council of twelve was arrayed to one side, each wearing their house colors. Sixton in purple and silver, Nanore in green and orange, Magdale in black and maroon, and my father, Duke Wodell, wore black and white with the white thorn embroidered on his doublet. Each was there in representation of Danhad and their old and noble houses. Layton stood in front of them. He was dashing in the sky blue and yellow of House Florett. He looks every inch the king he is meant to be. I wore a gown of violet, and the swell of my child was great. Johai stood beside me. He was not one for displays of public affection, but he held my hand just the same. We were inseparable. Though we did not sleep in the same chamber, ours were next to each other so I could feel him close to me. We talked about our daughter and our future. It was a marvel to think about. Until now we had never considered the future, and now it lay open before us, full of possibilities.
There were those that remained at court who would question the paternity of my child, and even more who might whisper about me and Johai, but I did not care. None of them know me or what I have done for them. It does not matter. We are one, and we are happy.
The procession began. First came the Neaux, and Arlene led them into the audience hall. She wore the garb of a man once more. Her doublet was the color of dark blood. She wore on her head a crown inset with rubies. Over her shoulder was a golden cloak, which dragged across the ground. At her back were Neaux representatives. There were those among them that I recognized, members of her council and those who had been close to her. I had half hoped to see Damara among their numbers, but I was disappointed to see she had not joined us in Danhad. If Arlene agreed to her terms, then Damara will be exiled to Neaux.
After the Neaux came Aland and members of the Stone Clan. He wore the long tunic favored by the Biski people. His party was a mix of elders from the tribe and his first wife. There were younger men amongst their number, who I assumed were Aland’s sons or nephews. I spotted Aland’s daughter amongst the crowd, the one who had been Johai’s lover when he was possessed, and I felt a ping of jealousy. Johai had not been in control of his body at the time, but I could not fully suppress the feelings it invoked in me.
A table was set at the front of the chamber, and it was here that all those involved stood around. Seeing the commingling of leaders left me with a feeling of both pride and apprehension. The tension remained, and I was under no delusion that this would be a lasting peace. Something will happen, and the peace we sign here will crumble. Aland and the Biski like him will never be happy until they take back their homeland and regain their sacred places that we destroyed when we came to this land. Arlene will never be satisfied; she is too distrustful and fearful. While her mother remains at large, she will suspect Danhad even though Adair is gone.
Adair had been killed, but the Order of the Oak remained at large. Many of its members had fled, fearing punishment now that Adair was gone. My father and Layton knew many of the members and the threat of retribution would be enough for now to keep many complacent. However, the Order’s reach was far, and to find them all would be a difficult undertaking. Trying them for treason would be equally complicated, because so many of the Order members remained on the council, including my father and Layton. A majority of them had not committed any treason other than joining the Order. They would kill too many and create instability to accuse everyone. For now we are safe because Adair is gone, but one day someone will rise in his place. I have no doubt the Order is not done with their work here.
The court crier read off the terms of the treaty in a sonorous voice. Once the terms were read for the court to hear, the three parties walked up to sign. Layton went first as the chosen representative of Danhad. He signed and bowed to the other two before stepping back for Arlene to sign. She took her time, and I could see the size of her signature was twice that of Layton’s. Aland went last. He made his mark hesitatingly, but it was there, if a bit shaky. The court crier held up the document for the court to see, and a great cheer rose up to the ceiling, bouncing off the columns that lined the chamber.
A fete was held after the signing, and the banquet hall was alive with the tongues of different nations. I hung about the edges, watching as people cavorted about. Johai did not stray far from my side, for which I was glad.
He laid his hand on my stomach as he leaned in to whisper, “Shall we retire? I do not want you to overexert yourself.”
I smiled at his concern while my heart beat a little faster feeling him this close to me. Even after everything that had happened, he still set my heart pounding. “I want to stay a while longer. I am not tired.”
He inclined his head in acknowledgement.
We had a string of visitors, old friends and some potential enemies. Adair was dead, but the court had not become any more of a friendly place. With the coming election, many were currying favor. Half a dozen potential candidates had come forward claiming birth ties to the House of Raleban by their mother’s line. In Danhad it was the woman’s line that determined eligibility. If a man’s mother was born of the House of Raleban or her mother’s mother, then he could be chosen to be king. In times past, the kings had chosen their heirs from their sister’s sons, thus continuing the tradition without a need for election. Because Adair had died without a clear heir, we were forced into an election. The royal archivists were sorting through birth records and genealogies to confirm the claims. Those who came to me were looking for my vote, since I had been reinstated to the council. None could remove me but the king once he was elected. The new king would be chosen by the council.
Johai’s position as Duke of Slatone was returned to him. The council had voted on his apparent treason, and with the priest of Mrawa as witness, he was absolved of all crimes. It was decided that none of his actions were his own that he had done while he had been possessed.
“I would have a crib made for the baby,” a minor lord was telling me. “If she is a girl, I am sure she will be as beautiful as her mother, though it would be difficult for any other to be as beautiful as you, your grace.”
Johai scowled at the man as he flattered me. I rested a hand on his shoulder. “Thank you, Lord Neleton. I appreciate the offer.”
I spotted Arlene in the crowd, cutting her way towards us. She had two soldiers at either shoulder. I excused myself from Lord Neleton and went to greet the queen. I bowed down to her. She waved for me to stand with an impatient gesture.
“I would speak with you in private,” she said.
We were close to a hallway that I knew led to several adjoining chambers. “This way.” I led them out of the banquet hall and into the chambers beyond. The chamber we chose was a plain one, with a desk and an empty fireplace. Johai pulled out a chair for me to sit down. He held my hand as I lowered myself into the chair. My pregnancy was well advanced, and soon enough I would need to go to my lie-in, but not yet while matters were left undone.
“How can I be of assistance, Your Majesty?” I asked.
Arlene did not sit but stood before me with her hands folded behind her back. “You heard today that I chose my sister’s son as my heir.”
“I did. I must admit it came as somewhat of a surprise.”
“Yes, well, certain matters pressed my hand. You may know that my sister, Marie-Celeste, was of ill health?”
I nodded.
“Well, she lost her battle with the sickness and passed away this winter past.”
“I am sorry for your loss,” I replied. What is she getting at?
“I will be blunt and say a half-Neaux king does not set well with me. I would have chosen a cousin over King Adair’s son, but Duchess Florett swayed me, that and Sabine’s request.”
I sat forward in my chair. “I do not know what you mean.”
Arlene frowned. “I thought you were privy to her plans.” She hesitated. “Well, it matters not, the plans are m
ade, and both my sisters are dead.” Pain was etched across Arlene’s features. It was a brief glimpse at the woman she was beneath her queen mask. She shuttered the blinds and closed off her emotions when she addressed me next. “Sabine had been working with the dowager Duchess Florett to kill King Adair. She asked me to in turn make her son my heir and let her return home, where she would be free to marry who she wished.”
I was mute with shock. Beau had once told me that Sabine and Sarelle conspired to kill Reynard. And that Sabine had asked Beau to kill Adair. It is not so far-fetched that she would plot to kill her own husband. Is that why Elenna killed him, at Sabine’s behest? Sabine pushed Beau away. Maybe she did not want to involve him as she had before. I thought I had known Sabine, but it seemed I had been wrong. What other secrets did she take with her to her grave? Why did she want me to come to Keisan? What part did I play in her plans? Perhaps I would never know.
“So you have agreed to take Leonel as your heir?” I replied.
“Yes. We will be taking him and his wet nurse back with us to Sanore, where he will be raised as my heir. He will learn statecraft as I once did. Now to cut to the heart of the matter; before we leave, I would have you name your price for the boon I owe you. I do not like having debts left unpaid.”
After everything that had happened, I had not considered the favor Arlene promised me. I contemplated her offer. What can she give me that I do not already have? I had gotten everything I wanted. I could long for nothing else. My daughter stirred in my womb. It brought to mind Leonel, the child who I had long thought would bring destruction to our kingdoms. My daughter would bring him balance. If Arlene took him with her to Neaux, he may turn into the monster that I had dreamed of. I knew what I had to ask of Arlene.
“I would have you let me foster Prince Leonel until he reaches majority.”
Arlene drew back, and for once she seemed shocked. “How dare you ask such a thing. This child is my own blood. He belongs with his people!”
[fan] diviners trilogy - complete series Page 88