Adrienne

by D Renee Bagby

  “More is the pity it was only ‘nearly’,” Malik mumbled. He didn’t give Kerest time to react to his insult. “What does Iniko wish of me?”

  “A meeting. It is time for the three monarchs to meet and greet one another at last. You are married and Chisisi has returned from her training.”

  “This meeting will have to wait until my queen and I are on sanguine terms once again.”

  Kerest laughed. “It may never happen, then. She looked ready to kill you. I remember that look in your eyes when you were younger. It landed me in the most delicious places.”

  Malik growled at her.

  Kerest smiled. “What shall I tell King Ravalyn?”

  “I will think on it. But his repayment and this meeting will have to wait,” Malik snapped. He could feel Adrienne’s anger waning. In its place came sorrow and despair. Malik needed to find a way to set things right.

  “I shall relay your message, then.” Her seductive look vanished. A look of concern marred her features and she whispered, “I never thought I’d see you this upset over a woman, Malik. I’m happy for it. I’m happy your parents’ assassination didn’t render you incapable of love.”

  She reached out to him again. This time her kiss landed on his cheek. She whispered against his skin, “Be patient. She won’t stay angry forever.”

  Malik hugged her for that. He stepped back from her and called forth an orb. A portal opened to the middle of Ravalyn’s throne room. The least he could do was see Kerest safely home, and a portal would get her out of the palace all the quicker.

  Ravalyn looked surprised by the portal’s sudden appearance. He stood up and peered through it. Once he caught sight of Malik, he smiled.

  Malik ignored him and said to Kerest, “I am happy to see you are well, Kerest. But you will understand when I tell you not to return to my kingdom, ever again.”

  “The Malik I knew is gone. Love has gotten him past his grief. There’s no reason for me to return.” Kerest walked through the portal.

  Malik closed it after her, then faced the door. A sense of doom settled on his shoulders. Adrienne may have forgiven him the harem, but the kiss she witnessed had hurt her anew.

  He didn’t know how to fix it. His every action only seemed to anger his bride. He wanted to explain himself but he knew Adrienne wouldn’t hear him out.

  “This is a nightmare,” Malik said to the empty room.

  Thunder crashed outside. Malik looked out the nearest window. A storm brewed in response to his darkening mood. For the sake of his people and continued trade with other kingdoms, he needed to resolve this.

  No—not for his people, and not for trade. This was about Adrienne’s joy and the happiness he received when he bore witness to it.

  For now, his people would have to suffer the storms and hope Malik didn’t continue to make the situation with his queen worse. He had thought he couldn’t upset her more, and he was proven wrong.

  A sound drew his attention to the two guards who stood on either side of the doorway. Malik’s anger at this new mistake suddenly had a target. He advanced on the guards, a cruel smile curving his lips when the two men shrank from him.

  Adrienne ran until she reached the royal chambers. She burst into the room and ran straight for the bathroom, then locked the door.

  Mushira witnessed this with horror. She turned to look back at Khursid and Qamar, who had followed Adrienne. “What happened? What is wrong with our queen?”

  “Kerest returned to Ulan, acting as an ambassador on King Ravalyn’s behalf,” Qamar answered in a deadpan voice.

  “Queen Adrienne happened upon Kerest and King Malik kissing,” Khursid finished.

  Mushira’s shoulders dropped and she sank into a nearby chair. She whispered, “She was ready to forgive him.”

  “And now the hurt is made fresh,” Khursid said.

  “This can’t go on,” Nimat pleaded. She pointed to the window and the weather outside. “The weather has gotten worse in the last three minutes. Ulan will be devastated if—”

  “I will go speak with Saj,” Mushira announced. She stood and squared her shoulders. “We will solve this, as our queen and king seem to botch the job whenever they try.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  “When will you forgive him, Adrienne?”

  She said nothing. Adrienne and Feyr had gotten in the habit of spending time with one another over the last four days. Her guards trailed her out of sight and her maids busied themselves whenever she was near. She didn’t want to talk to them anyway. This new slight from Malik reminded her of their betrayal and she had become angry with them again, as well.

  Feyr remained the only one not scared of Adrienne’s mood. He purposefully sought her out—since she refused to come to the throne room anymore—and brought Rena with him because he hoped the girl would cheer Adrienne.

  He said, “You two have not enjoyed each other since that time. I cannot smell it on you.”

  “Not in front of Rena, Feyr.”

  “She cannot understand me,” he reminded Adrienne. “Your lessons on how to speak to animals are, as of yet, ineffectual.”

  Rena asked, “What’s not in front of me?”

  “Nothing,” Adrienne said quickly.

  “Everyone always says ‘not in front of Rena’. Is there a reason things shouldn’t be in front of me, Adrienne?”

  “You’re still a child, Rena. Everyone wants to keep your innocence intact for as long as possible. Many of the adults will try not to mention certain things around you,” Adrienne explained in a way she hoped the child would understand.

  “Is that why they apologize?”

  “Yes.”

  “Like Sir Bayard did two days ago,” she said with a nod.

  Adrienne stopped walking and looked down at the girl. “What did Bayard say in front of you that he would apologize?” And had the man made the same apology to the girl’s father?

  “I saw Sir Bayard and Sir Khursid kissing. Sir Bayard had his hand on Sir Khursid where Father told me no one should touch because that is a private place. But Sir Bayard touched Sir Khursid there. Sir Khursid was angry about it. I think he was angry. He made angry noises and asked Sir Bayard to stop. But he didn’t.” She stopped her explanation and looked up at Adrienne. “Why didn’t he stop if Sir Khursid asked him to? Father says people will do things if you ask them nicely. Sir Khursid wasn’t nice when he asked, but he did ask.”

  At that moment a slight breeze could have blown Adrienne over. She didn’t know how to answer the little girl’s question. Only Rena’s expectant look made her respond. “Sometimes asking isn’t enough, Rena. Some people won’t do what you ask no matter how nicely you ask it of them.”

  “Oh,” the little girl said. “Sir Bayard even licked Sir Khursid’s neck. I laughed and Sir Khursid saw me. He said a bad word then ran away. Sir Bayard apologized and told me not to tell Father. I don’t know why I shouldn’t tell Father, but Father said I should always listen to what Sir Bayard and the other Elite guards tell me to do.”

  Telling his daughter something so general made Indivar an idiot. Adrienne would inform him of that later. For now, she had another complaint.

  She smiled down at Rena and said, “I think it’s time for lunch.”

  Rena’s stomach growled and she laughed. “What is Cook making?”

  “I don’t know. Why don’t you go find out?”

  “Okay.” She ran off towards the palace and waved at Khursid when she passed him.

  Adrienne watched her go.

  Feyr chuckled and shook his head. “I shall speak to you at a later time, Adrienne.” He was three steps away when he turned back and said, “My mate has weaned the cubs; you can come to see them at any time.”

  “Thank you, Feyr,” Adrienne said absently. Khursid had her complete focus. Her face must have betrayed her thoughts, because he snapped to attention. Or maybe it was a guilty conscience, since he looked nervous when Rena ran past him.

  “Khursid, come here, plea
se,” Adrienne called. Khursid rushed forward with Qamar close behind him. “Qamar, you can go.”

  “Majesty?”

  “Leave,” Adrienne clarified. She didn’t mean her harsh tone, but it did the trick. Qamar bowed and retreated, but Adrienne knew she wouldn’t leave completely. The woman would go into hiding with the Primaries.

  Adrienne looked around but saw no sign of them. She just knew they were there.

  She called out, “Bayard.”

  He dropped out of a nearby tree. She beckoned him to her. His look was as nervous as Khursid’s. He started towards her but continually glanced over his shoulder. His actions told Adrienne that Indivar was in a nearby tree.

  Good, she would need to talk to him later about Rena.

  She ordered, once Bayard reached her side, “Walk with me, gentlemen.”

  Both men walked on either side of her.

  “Majesty, I—”

  Adrienne cut off Khursid’s words, “Bayard, the next time you tell Rena not to tell her father something, I’ll give you to Feyr. Do I make myself clear?”

  Bayard stopped walking and went to one knee with his head bowed.

  “Get up,” Adrienne snapped. He obeyed quickly. “Do you understand me?”

  “Yes, Majesty. I meant no insult to Indivar—”

  “This isn’t about insulting Indivar. This is about putting Rena in danger. For some stupid reason, Indivar has told Rena to listen to and obey the Elite guards. If one of them does something to her and then tells her not to tell Indivar…” she trailed off with a pointed look at Bayard. “Do you understand my complaint now?”

  “Clearly, Majesty. It won’t happen again,” promised Bayard. “I didn’t think… I didn’t know Indivar had given his daughter such a command.”

  “He’ll rescind it soon enough,” Adrienne said.

  They walked in silence for a few steps while Adrienne collected her thoughts. She didn’t know how to start her main topic now that she had initiated the conversation. The direct approach seemed best, since both men already knew Rena had told their secret.

  “You two have rooms. Why don’t you use them instead of making out where impressionable children can see you?”

  Bayard offered, “The fault is mine, Majesty. I forced Khursid. He didn’t want to be out in the open but I insisted.”

  “So Rena told me.” She laughed at Bayard’s horrified look. “Rena saw more than you think. I doubt she’s told anyone but me, since the news hasn’t gotten back to Indivar yet, but who knows how long that will last.”

  “I should make my apologies to him,” Bayard said.

  “Yes, you should. Now, as a matter of fact. And do it someplace people won’t see if he decides to hit you,” Adrienne said in dismissal. By “people”, she meant her. She didn’t want to see Indivar fighting with Bayard if the man took exception at what his daughter had witnessed.

  Bayard bowed and reversed direction. He went to the tree line and called out. Indivar dropped out of a tree. After a few words, Indivar looked at Adrienne, then turned back and argued with Bayard.

  Adrienne called out to him, “I need to speak with you, Indivar, once you are done talking with Bayard.”

  Her words were enough to get Indivar to follow Bayard.

  Khursid noted, “King Malik will not like you sending away your guard, Majesty.”

  “You and Qamar and Hani are my guard, not the Primaries. They are Malik’s guards and should be with him.”

  “Hani is not here.”

  “Stop trying to change the subject, Khursid. We’re going to talk about your lack of discretion.”

  “Discretion? I thought your complaint would be for my choice of partners. My sexual preference does not surprise you, Majesty?” Khursid asked in surprise.

  Adrienne shrugged in complete indifference. “It’s your body. I couldn’t do it, but I won’t begrudge you your fun.” She smiled at him. “Why? Is Ulan prejudiced to people who like the same gender?”

  Khursid relaxed. “No. King Malik’s father, King Iasion, saw it as a curse, as did most of the kings before him. However, his father didn’t raise King Malik—the palace did. As such, he learned to accept many things in life if they didn’t cause him harm.” His manner became stiff when he added, “My father disdains me. I do not know how he found out, but he sees my preference as a bane. He wishes me to produce heirs and I cannot do that with a man. I will not deny myself by marrying a woman.”

  Pain shone in his eyes. “I wish my father to be proud of me but I do not wish that praise to come from a lie.”

  “I understand. I’m glad you feel you can tell me these things, Khursid.”

  He blurted out, “I should have told you of the harem, Majesty. I wanted to tell you a great many things, but Mushira said I would scare you needlessly. Forgive me—forgive us. We meant no harm.”

  “It’s okay, Khursid.”

  “You forgive too easily, Majesty,” he urged, contradicting his earlier plea.

  Adrienne shook her head. “It’s true I was mad at all of you for not telling me, but the blame falls solely on Malik. I see that now. It was his secret and he should have imparted it.” He probably didn’t volunteer the information because the women were still in his employ, as Adrienne witnessed the other day.

  She held up her hand when Khursid would have argued the matter. “Tell me about you and Bayard. When did you meet? In Kakra while you trained?”

  “We met in Kakra. Bayard instructed me in close combat.”

  She couldn’t help herself; she started laughing. The irony of that statement was too rich. She giggled out, “Close combat? Is that what they’re calling it nowadays?” Her statement made her laugh harder.

  “That was not what I meant, Majesty,” Khursid said stiffly.

  “I know, I know,” she admitted. “I can’t help teasing you, though. Please go on. So Bayard was a teacher? How did he end up coming to Ulan?”

  “No, Bayard was a student like me. Students close to graduation, like Bayard at the time, help the instructors as part of their training. It teaches them how to interact with a subordinate.”

  “That makes sense. Did you figure out you were gay then, or did you know before your close combat training with Bayard?” She tried to keep a straight face and failed miserably.

  “Gay?”

  “Homosexual. We call it ‘gay’ where I’m from—among other things.”

  Khursid nodded. “I like that title better. And no. I knew of my preference for men before I went to Kakra. I wish I hadn’t found out until after though, because I had to keep it a secret and act contrary to my desires. If a woman is treated roughly for being female, men such as me are treated worse.”

  “Hollace doesn’t like homosexuals, then?”

  “No. Most who find themselves attracted to the same gender immediately move away from Kakra in order to escape punishment.”

  “Punishment? It’s that bad?” she asked in disbelief. Adrienne didn’t know why it surprised her. As soon as she asked the question, it jogged a “memory”—by Hollace’s decree, all homosexuals, whether male or female, would be punished for their crime against nature and the natural order of male and female relations. Punishments were severe enough to cause people to uproot and leave their entire way of life to avoid persecution.

  Not knowing Adrienne had already received the answer, Khursid responded, “Yes. Some are tortured until they renounce themselves to live a lie, only to be put to death when they lapse. Others are put to death immediately. It is yet another sore point between Ulan and Kakra.”

  “Malik has laws that protect same-gender relations, and they can marry and live like any other married couple. He even punishes those who would see them harmed, but those laws didn’t come about until six years ago. What changed?” she asked, not truly seeing the answer.

  “Sondo and Iniko.”

  Adrienne closed her eyes. Her reference map popped up so she could see the countries Khursid had named. North of Ulan were the Ashon Mountain
s and Kontar, to the west was the Tano River and Kakra, and Iniko resided on the other side of Kakra. Sondo, the kingdom to the northwest, shared approximately three hundred miles of border with Ulan. Malik had made allies six years ago.

  Khursid explained, “King Malik entered into a treaty with Iniko and Sondo six years ago. Part of the treaty called for Ulan’s dismissal of any and all laws against same-gender relations. Sondo is the kingdom of carnality: they feel all forms of sexual pleasure are acceptable, and they explore them in depth. And though they would never force such compliance onto another kingdom, for they are wholly unique on this world, they do ask their allies to revoke laws that would seem unjustly harsh towards those wishing to participate in same-sex relations.”

  Fact after fact about Sondo bombarded Adrienne. Every fact spawned another question, which spawned another fact. She could barely keep up. What she saw almost turned her stomach.

  She cried in a high voice, “They condone incest and sex with children and…rape.”

  Khursid steadied his queen when she swayed. He looked around for a place to sit. The bushes parted to show a hidden bench. He guided her to sit and knelt before her.

  “Majesty?” he asked in concern.

  “Why? How could Malik want to have any type of treaty with those people?” She didn’t understand. The answer didn’t come to her and that scared her. In all other things, the answers came if she simply thought of the question.

  She saw part of the treaty Malik had signed with Iniko and Sondo, but not all of it. She saw Ulan’s concessions to accommodate Sondo: full acceptance of same-sex relations and couplings, as well as punishments to those who would persecute them. She saw Ulan’s concessions to Iniko: the presence of one their ambassadors in all negotiations, as Iniko was the land of mediators.

  But she stared at a page with words blacked out—parts of the treaty were missing. The information was there, but her brain wouldn’t access it.

  “Sondo’s views are their own. Ulan’s power is its magicks, Iniko’s is its mediators, Kakra’s is its soldiers and Sondo’s is its knowledge of sex and what it can do to people. There are strict rules concerning Sondo’s citizens and those of visiting kingdoms,” Khursid said in a worried voice. “Citizens of Sondo must have the consent of the visitor before they can do anything to them. And Sondo’s people live with the knowledge of what their kingdom is and how it functions. If they didn’t like it, they would leave.”