“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to go where I wasn’t permitted, but the door was not locked and I wasn’t told this room was off limits.”
“You’re fine,” he said approaching her side. He glanced up at the painting she had been studying and smiled. “It’s quite good isn’t it?”
“She’s very lovely. Is it the Queen?”
“Yes, done lovingly by her son’s own hand.”
“He never told me he was an artist.”
“He doesn’t tell many. He hasn’t picked up a brush in years, not since she died. This one was done when he was only twelve.”
She was really impressed now. “Why would he stop doing something he’s so obviously talented at?”
“He hasn’t done a lot of things he should since she passed, but a lot of things he should not.”
“Does it bother him to talk about it?”
“A bit, but I would suspect that anything you asked him about, he would gladly tell you.”
She glanced at him. “Why would you say that?”
“You mean you don’t see it?”
“See what?”
“I’ve been in the service of this household for more than forty years; I’ve known Dain since he was born. I’ve seen all the sides of him, good and bad, and have tried to care for him to the best of my ability. When his mother died, he lost a bit of himself and started to seem lost, floundering around without much purpose. When his father died and he was forced unto the throne, he changed completely. He was good to the people, but he couldn’t be good to himself. He walked down a path of self destruction for years. Both Alek and I were getting concerned. But since you arrived, there has been a new spark in him. A new light is coming back into his soul. He fancies you, Melenthia, and I don’t mean that he’s entertained by you. I think that boy is falling in love.”
Melenthia stared at Emerick, her cheeks filling with heat. She was holding his gaze, but then looked away. He quickly added, “It may not be my place to say. Forgive me if I embarrassed you, Your Highness.”
“It’s alright, Emerick. I know you care for him. I think you’re mistaken, but I appreciate the sentiment. He’s kind and is doing his best to make sure I’m safe and comfortable, but I can assure you that he’s not falling in love with me. I believe I amuse him.”
Emerick smiled kindly, his bushy gray eyebrows raised in question, the wrinkles around his steel gray eyes crinkled. “You don’t believe you’re worthy of love.” It was not a question, so she did not answer. He continued. “Well, I hope that one day you find that you’re wrong.”
Footsteps behind them caused them to turn, and they saw Dain standing in the doorway, leaning on the frame of it, arms crossed over his chest. He was silent, but he had an amused smile on his face.
“I can’t leave you two alone for a minute. I should’ve known you two would have intrigues behind my back. You, Emerick, should know better than to give away all my secrets.”
“She stumbled on this one all on her own, Sire.”
Melenthia was embarrassed, wondering just how much of the conversation he’d heard. He entered the room and came over to her, taking her hand in his and kissing it.
“I’m sorry for intruding on your personal space, Dain, I was just curious.”
“It’s quite alright, Melenthia. If I really wanted to hide it, I would’ve locked the door. Although, I was under the impression that Emerick was supposed to be the protector of certain subjects. I should’ve known you would get under his skin as well.”
Emerick cleared his throat and bowed to his king, then to Melenthia, leaving the two of them alone.
“Why didn’t you tell me that you were so talented in the arts?”
He shrugged. “The subject never came up.”
“I’ve told you personal things about me many times, and you’ve never once given away any of your secrets.”
He took a big breath in. “Very well. From this point forward I promise that for every one tidbit you reveal, I’ll reveal two. Is that fair?”
She giggled. “Yes. But it will only appease me if you don’t pick and choose what you reveal and what you don’t.”
“I wouldn’t hear of it. Anything you want to know, I promise I will tell.”
***
She had been with him for over four months and was getting to know him well. They spent large amounts of time together, when he wasn’t involved in state affairs, and she was beginning to feel very comfortable around him.
He was handsome, the dark bags that had been under his eyes when she first met him were almost non-existent now. His pale blue eyes and bright smile were distracting at times, and she admitted to herself that she had an attraction to him, and it was growing.
He was funny and listened to her intently every time she spoke at length, always seeming genuinely interested in anything she had to say. He was easy going, and her zest for the mundane and her adventurous spirit was obviously rubbing off on him.
One afternoon after a filling picnic lunch and a good bit of ale, they were lazing by the pond at the edge of the copse of maple trees, behind the castle wall. The warm sun and the cooling afternoon breeze was intoxicating and they lay back in the soft green grass, looking into the sky, watching the wispy clouds wander by. They were both dressed very casual today, her in a simple linen dress with ties down the long sleeves, no corset, him in plain black breeches. He had traded his doublet for a plain white shirt, which was now unbuttoned, and both of their shoes had been kicked to the side.
He had his head on his bent arm which was tossed over his head. Her head lay on his upper thigh. Her red hair, just past her shoulders now, was splayed out over his leg, the curls tickling the back of her neck when they moved in the light breeze.
She took in a deep breath and sighed. He chuckled at her. She lifted her head and twisted her body so she could look at him. “What’s so funny?”
“Nothing. I was just marveling at how easily amused and content you are.”
She flipped back over and readjusted herself in her previous spot. “I’m not a high maintenance woman. Never have been. I’m quite capable of amusing myself.”
“I’ve noticed.”
“Life is too short not to find contentment in ordinary things.”
“I wish I had had the insight to do these things before now. My life may have gone a different way.”
“It’s never to late, Dain,” she paused. “You know, you don’t have to be here with me, doing things that I enjoy. I’m only a guest under your roof, and you’re under no obligation to babysit me.”
He shifted and sat up, propping himself on his elbows. “Is that what you think I’m doing, babysitting?”
She turned to look at him again. “I didn’t mean to be petulant. I just meant that you don’t have to be with me every hour of the day, doing things you don’t normally do, just to make me feel more comfortable.”
“You can’t be outside the walls without escort.”
“Yes, I know. That’s not only what I meant.”
He looked into her face, brushing back a loose curl. “I’m not here because I feel obligated. I’m here because I enjoy your company.”
“Really?”
He laughed again. “Is that so surprising?”
“I guess.”
“Why?”
“Because no one has ever allowed me to be me in such an accepting way before, much less wanting to share in my joys. I’m not used to anyone wanting to spend time with me. And you have given me the freedom to be who I am. No one has ever done this besides Kevaan. Especially not a man, and definitely not a man of nobility.”
“Maybe I’m different. Maybe I’m not the man everyone thinks I am. There was a time when I was joyful and enjoyed the things that didn’t get me in trouble. But taking over a throne when I wasn’t ready and ruling a kingdom takes its toll. I started to lose the boyish exuberance I once had.”
She looked at him and frowned. She didn’t mean to upset him. “Forgive me, Dain, if I was
insulting. I didn’t mean to imply that you were incapable of feeling joy for things. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
He reached over again and touched her cheek. “I’m not upset in the least. Don’t feel guilt for pointing out, what up to now, was fact. I’ve been a cad for more years than I want to admit, and I have, up to now, not cared about anything deep in my life, anything with meaning. I was in a daze and am only now realizing that I have many years to make up for. I’m glad that it’s you that has brought me out of my darkness and shown me how many things in life can bring light.”
She was stunned and was only able to stare. His pale blue eyes glowed in the sunlight, and she wanted to get lost inside them. He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead.
She didn’t want him to slip into a melancholy mood, so she changed her tune and decided to dare him to try something invigorating, and a bit naughty. The effects from the wine was causing her senses to be dulled, and she was feeling giddy. She knew that she shouldn’t even suggest what she wanted to do, but she was inebriated, and when she was drunk, she tended to be more wild than normal. If Kevaan found out, or Alek for that matter, they’d be quite distraught. But she wanted to be free, and at this moment when she had him here, alone, her rebellious nature and impropriety went south. The alcohol only deepened the feelings she already had but was afraid to admit, that she wanted him and didn’t care how she got him.
She stood up from the soft grass where they were lying, grabbed his hand, and pulled him up to his feet. She batted her eyes at him and smiled devilishly. “I think I’m in the mood for a swim.”
“What? Now?”
“Yes. A dip in the cool pond will feel good.”
“You can’t swim in that dress.”
“Who said I was going to swim in my clothes?”
He stared at her now, then smiled awkwardly, clearing his throat. “I can’t go swimming in the pond. How would that look if anyone saw us?”
“Since when do you care what people think about you? You said it yourself, it’s too late to save your reputation.”
“Yes, well, I didn’t say I had any plans on tarnishing it further. Alek would have my head.”
“Alek isn’t here.” She pulled him further toward the water.
“If you would like to refresh yourself, I won’t stop you. I will turn my back, and you can splash around all you want. I’ll stand watch.”
“It’s no fun going alone. Come on. Kevaan used to do this with me all the time.”
“Yes, well, Kevaan is your brother, and I would gather that you were probably ten years old at the time. In case you haven’t noticed, you’re no longer ten years old. I, on the other hand, have noticed.”
“Please.”
“It wouldn’t be right. Besides,” he cleared his throat again which all of a sudden seemed dry, and looked at her, suddenly dreaming of her pale soft skin wet in the water. “I couldn’t continue to be a gentleman if I gave in to this tempting and dangerous whim. I promised myself, and you, that I would remain a gentleman while you were under my roof. It would be unfair of you to put me in a situation where I would most definitely go back on my word.”
She smiled at him and decided that her teasing should stop. She was taunting him and it wasn’t right. He’d been nothing but a gentleman, and she was falling for him because of it. She decided she shouldn’t do anything to change that. He deserved more.
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I got carried away. You’ve been a gentleman, and for that I’m grateful. I guess I have just gotten so comfortable with us that I forgot my place.”
“I’m very glad you’re comfortable with me. I’ve tried hard to make you trust me and I’m glad we can talk about things without inhibitions. I probably deserve a test once in awhile, if nothing else than to make sure my resolve is strong. I can say that I’ll change, but without tests to prove it, it really does mean nothing.”
He suspected that most of her behavior this afternoon was caused from too much ale, and even though he had been surprised, he didn’t think too much more about it. For that reason especially, he wouldn’t do anything she would remember today but would most probably regret tomorrow. He smiled at her and tapped her on the nose. “I think maybe it’s time we go back to the Keep.”
“I’m not ready to go yet.”
“You’ve had a bit too much to drink today, something I suspect is not usual for you. Sleeping it off is probably best, before you do something you might really regret.”
She stood on her toes and leaned in, kissing him on the mouth, her hands resting on his bare chest. He felt the warmth of them on his breeze cooled skin.
He was slow to respond, for the shock had him frozen, but her lips were warm and sweet, and he couldn’t help it. He responded back, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. He let her control the moment and was disappointed when she finally pulled away. She looked up into his blue eyes, her lips swollen from the kiss, her green eyes deep as the grass they stood on.
“Thank you for lunch.”
“You’re welcome, Highness,” he said bowing low. “Why don’t we call it a day. I think you need a nap.”
“I’m not sleepy.”
“You will be in a bit. It would be in your best interest to sleep this off. And no more ale for you for awhile.”
They packed up what remained of lunch and picked up their shoes, carrying everything back up the hill to the Keep where Melenthia retired to bed, dreams of the afternoon in her head.
CHAPTER 23
Alek had sent word to Mercer to send guards with wagons to the city of Amaris in order to evacuate the remaining citizens and transport them inside the walls of the city. He knew it would take too much time by road, but there were animals and livestock to think about as well. He didn’t know if Mercer could find place for them all, but he knew he couldn’t leave them here. There were infirmed that needed medical attention and older people that wouldn’t be able to survive without proper food and warmth. He hoped that the farmers with any stock left could find place in the fields outside of town.
He spent two days helping the people get loaded on the wagons and another day going over the message he was sending with Maddon to Alban in Pembroke. He felt that sending this lad, after everything he’d been through, into Pembroke alone, was suicide, but the boy insisted he would be fine. The guards were needed to watch over the citizens on their trip up the road. They were sitting on crates of supplies as they talked.
“I don’t feel right sending you off alone.”
“I fought three of the beasts with my own hands. I don’t fear the road alone.”
“It’s not the road I worry about but what travels on it.”
“I have spent weeks cowering in the tunnels under the city. It’s time that I do something to help in this fight.”
“Helping to protect those that cannot protect themselves is not cowering, it’s part of being a solider.”
“I’ll be fine. I’ll have the message inside my head, and I won’t talk under penalty of even death.”
“You’re not old enough to declare such oaths. You should be chasing maidens and playing in the streets with friends.”
“My boyhood ended when I watched my family die, when I watched my city burn. I’m no longer a boy; I’m a man, and I will do the job of one. Now let’s go over the message again until I can repeat it back word for word with no hesitation or thought.”
As much as Alek felt this was a bad idea, one he admitted had been his in the first place, he was impressed at the young man’s strength and fortitude.
“Very well, again. You’ll travel by night and stick to the back roads as much as possible. You’ll stop for nothing and talk to no one. You’ll carry word into Pembroke that Fallon and the giants have destroyed Amaris, and we think his next move is to come into Pembroke from the sea in order to get into Boones Ferry easier. A garrison must be set up in Boones Ferry in order to solidify position. We think Fallon’s move will be to infiltrate Boones Ferry
in order to march across land and take down the Triple Cities. Once that happens, his path into Aaralyn, and in so saying, to Lachlan Castle will be easy. If Kingswell falls, the castle will fall, and King Randor won’t have a prayer. Do you have all that?”
“Yes.”
“Then repeat it back to me.”
Maddon repeated the message back to Alek without pause, word for word.
“Well, I think you have it now. But, I won’t have you die for this, Maddon. If you’re captured, you’ll tell them you know nothing. You’ll tell them that you were just trying to get into another city because yours was destroyed. You’re young so they should believe you. You won’t get hurt.” He pulled a sword out from a weapons crate and handed it to him. “You know how to use one of these, don’t you?”
“Of course. It was the first thing my grandfather ever taught me, and I was six at the time.”
“Very well,” he said standing, “engarde.”
The boy lifted the sword and sparred with Alek. They went at it for about a half an hour, when Alek finally conceded.
“Well, I’m impressed indeed. Your grandfather was an extremely good teacher. Your form is nearly flawless, and you don’t tire easily. I’m beginning to think my worry is for naught. Anyone trying to capture you will have their hands full.”
Maddon gazed at Alek with pride puffing his chest and straightening his shoulders. He seemed much older than he was, which made Alek sad, before he regarded the youth with fond memory of himself. Alek had been just a half year older than Maddon was now when he took on the job as the kings Bounty Hunter, which seemed so many long years ago. But he felt the same then as Maddon did now. His boyhood was replaced with honor and duty.
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