by Suzanna Lynn
The couple lay panting in each other’s arms in the dimly lit room.
Luana looked up at Baylin, brushing her fingertips over his well-trimmed beard. “I love you, Baylin.”
“And I love you.” Baylin kissed Luana tenderly. You are my life.
Chapter Three
Luana woke when the sun’s sleepy rays peeked in through the nearby window. The winter had been hard. The sun had not shown its warmth in several weeks. As she lay there with her eyes closed, she felt Baylin stir and place his warm hand on her soft, slender stomach. Her heart swelled at the thought of the little life that would soon cause her belly to swell as her child grew inside her. He will be a father soon. Please, you must be a son.
She turned, moving in toward Baylin, and he wrapped his strong arms around her, nestling her in so she felt safe and secure. Luana was certain she could be happy staying exactly in that moment for the rest of her life. At least mostly happy. She stroked her lower stomach. After all, it will be perfect once our child is born and in our arms. She smiled to herself.
Just then there was a soft knock at the door of the chamber. Baylin got up and wrapped a linen blanket around his waist. When he arrived at the door, he found his father’s steward waiting on the other side.
“Your Grace,” said the steward with a bow.
“Yes, what is it?” Baylin questioned. “Is there something wrong?”
Luana sat up in the bed, hugging a fur blanket around her. Is it the King? Has the illness taken him? She worried for the King because she knew the great love Baylin held for his father.
“No, not at all,” the steward answered. “I have been asked to inform you that the King and Queen request you and your bed wife to break your fast in their chamber this morning.”
“Yes, that will be fine,” Baylin agreed. “Has there been any news of the royal family of Mirstone?”
“At last we heard, Your Grace, they set sail from Mirstone,” the boy explained. “With the current against them, it could take several weeks before they arrive.”
“And what of my uncle?” Baylin asked with shortness in his voice.
“I do apologize, Your Grace. I must confess I have not heard any news on his account,” the steward said solemnly. “I’m sure there is nothing to be concerned about. I’m certain he is safe.”
The poor boy doesn’t even know what he’s saying. Luana sighed at the words. There is a lot more going on than Baylin has been telling me.
Baylin nodded. “Thank you. Please inform them we will be there soon.”
As Baylin closed the door Luana asked, “What is it?”
“My love,” he said, crossing the room to her, “I am sorry. You should be resting. I did not mean to wake you so early.” He leaned in and kissed Luana.
“Why are the King and Queen of Mirstone coming?” she asked, sliding from the bed to her feet.
Baylin began dressing, slipping a pair of black leather trousers on. “They are coming for their protection. Mirstone is having troll problems as well, it would seem.”
Trolls. The thought made Luana shiver and wrap her arms around herself. It had been a problem with trolls that almost took Baylin’s life only a few months before.
Luana wrapped a heavy robe around her and tightened it with a sash.
“Do you know of Mirstone and the royal family?” Baylin inquired.
“I know of them, I suppose,” she said, straightening a stack of books on her small writing desk. “Everyone in the villages is taught of the five Kingdoms. Though, I could not tell you who they are ruled by.”
Baylin smiled and laughed, as though he were enjoying a joke that only he had heard.
“What is it?” Luana asked, walking over to the settee in front of the hearth and sitting down.
Baylin followed, kneeling down and throwing a log on the sleepy embers, trying to revive them. “I just found it amusing. I can only imagine how Queen Fia would react at discovering there are people who do not know who she is. She tends to assume the world revolves around her.”
Luana smiled at the remark. “Do you know the royal family well?”
“I certainly would not say we are close,” Baylin replied. “However, I have met them several times on business for the Kingdoms when I was younger.”
“What are they like?” Luana asked, unable to contain her curiosity.
“To be honest, they are a bit…” Baylin had a distant look on his face as he searched for the right word. “Superior?”
Luana laughed at the Prince, covering her mouth to stifle the sound. She looked up and noticed her handmaid had entered the room holding a dress for her to put on.
“Good morning, milady,” Meg, Luana’s handmaid, greeted.
“Good morning to you, my dear Meg,” Luana replied with a smile. She thought of the girl as a true friend. No one in the castle knew the lengths that Meg had gone for her, and she didn’t plan on letting them know. Meg had risked her life to help Luana. Hopefully I will be able to repay her kindness and loyalty.
The handmaid began to dress Luana in a beautiful light blue gown with delicate white embroidery along the bodice.
“Oh, and did I hear right?” Luana asked Baylin as the handmaid began brushing her hair. “Are we to break our fast with the King and Queen?”
“It would appear so,” Baylin replied. “I’m certain it is merely to congratulate us on our child.”
“But why?” Luana was not convinced.
“Why ever not?” Baylin questioned. “You are the mother of their grandchild, an heir to the throne.”
“I suppose.” Luana wrapped her arms tighter around herself to fight off both the fear and the cold.
Meg finished pulling Luana’s hair up into the traditional braids of the bed wife, something that was required when she was out of the bedchamber. “Will that be all, milady?”
Luana gave a weak smile. “Yes, Meg, thank you. That will be all.”
She watched the handmaid leave the room, Luana sighed at the worry that was beginning to build inside her.
“What is it?” Baylin walked up to her and wrapped a fur around her.
“It’s only that… Well… You said I am not to leave the chamber under any circumstance,” she said in a soft tone, making a great effort to examine the fabric on her dress rather than look him in the eye.
“Of course, and we know you’re one to always obey the rules,” he said with a laugh. She could not help but look up and smile at him.
The Prince sat down beside Luana, bringing her into his arms. “There is nothing to worry about. This is my father and mother, a private meal, not a council meeting. I wish you could have been there when I told Father you were with child. He looked so proud. I am certain our child will change everything.”
Luana pulled back, looking up into his eyes. “How so?”
Baylin smiled at her lovingly. “I have made it known that I love you. Father has seen that. He may be King, but I believe in his heart he is my father first. I am certain, with time, he will give us his blessing.”
Luana was scared to hope, but could not help but cling to the thought. Blessing? I could be Baylin’s Queen. The idea made Luana feel warm all over.
“I suppose you’re right,” she said, looking up at him. “I’m sorry that I worry.”
Baylin lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed it. “I’d have you no other way than exactly as you are—worry or not.”
*****
After Baylin and Luana finished making themselves presentable, they made their way up the stairs to the King and Queen’s private chambers. Luana could not help but feel queasy. Yes, it could have been the sickness that came with being with child, but she knew better than to think it was merely that. Something wasn’t right. It did not seem customary for the King to summon her with Baylin to celebrate. She wanted to believe what Baylin hoped to be true, but she was certain something was off.
When they arrived, the room was filled with the yellow and orange tinges of the morning’s rising su
n. The King and Queen were already seated at the table that was covered in a great bounty of bread, cheese, fruit, eggs, fish and even sausage. The smell of the food nauseated Luana further, and she couldn’t help but wonder how the people in the villages could be starving when that table was overflowing.
“Lord Father.” Baylin bowed. “Mother.”
Luana followed suit and bowed also. She did not speak unless spoken to. Everyone knew she liked to try and bend the rules on occasion, but she respected the King and Queen. Her admiration for them ensured that she observed the proper courtesies when in their presence.
Baylin pulled a seat out for Luana. She sat looking at all the savory food and wished she had not come.
“So,” Queen Valasca began as she meticulously peeled the shell off a hard-boiled egg, “I hear your Luana is with child.”
Baylin smiled and Luana could not help but feel joy for him. It meant so much to know how pleased he was.
“Yes, Mother.” Baylin took Luana’s hand in his under the table and squeezed it. “According to Master Keon it is so.”
Queen Valasca gave Luana a sweet, loving smile. “That is wonderful, dearest.”
Luana lowered her head in a seated bow. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
“Excellent!” piped the King. “Most excellent. So once she has had the child and the royal line is secure, you can then begin preparations to choose your Queen.”
Luana looked up, first to the King, then to Baylin. Her eyes were wide with shock as she glanced between them. The past few months had been so wonderful with the Prince, and though she knew the possibility of a betrothal could come, she never imagined it coming so quickly. She looked down at her plate as the sickness rushed over her. She felt faint.
“Father,” Baylin interceded with anger in his voice. “Is that really necessary?”
The King coughed on a bite of sausage. “Necessary? Is it necessary to secure the royal line and the continuation of the Kingdom? Yes, boy, it is necessary!”
“No,” Baylin continued. “I mean is it truly necessary to choose a Queen as well as a bed wife. Could not they be one and the same?”
Luana looked over at Baylin. He had such determination in his eyes, but he also showed a great deal of fear. Baylin was the heir to the Kingdom, but he was certainly not the King. To challenge the King of Grasmere, especially in front of the Queen and Luana, was not something to be trifled with. Even if the King was his father.
“Have you lost your wits? You would have a common villager be Queen of Grasmere?” The King pulled a hunk of bread from a large loaf and threw it down on his plate. “Now come, Baylin, let us be serious.”
The Queen made an attempt to intercede. “Surely, Ashmur, you can at least hear Baylin out.”
“I will have none of that from either of you,” the King said angrily, pounding his fist on the table. “We hold with tradition!”
Baylin pushed his plate of food away from him. “Father, I love Luana. She is the only woman I will call my Queen.”
Luana watched as the King’s face turned red and his jaw tightened at his son’s insolence. The Queen reached out a hand and placed it on Ashmur’s. Her touch appeared to calm him. Even in his anger, there was tenderness between them.
“It is amiable that you care for the girl, but it is folly,” the King said, trying to steady his tone.
“Father,” Baylin tried to interrupt.
“Enough!” the King said.
The room went silent. The tension was thick and heavy in the air. Luana looked down in her lap, fearful to make eye contact with the King.
After a few quiet moments the King continued. “Now, I was thinking that since she is already going to be our guest here, you might consider Princess Isla. You’ve known one another since you were young, and it would surely solidify faith with King Gideon that we mean to make right on our plan to assist in retaking Mirstone.”
“I do not want Isla!” Baylin shouted, knocking his chair back as he stood. “I will not yield on this, Father.”
The King sighed and rubbed his wrinkled forehead. His face changed to a mournful expression as he looked up at his son. “We all make sacrifices for the good of the Kingdom, Baylin. You must do your duty.”
“Ashmur.” The Queen attempted to urge the King to reconsider. Baylin paced back and forth, balling his fists.
Luana watched the scene unfold before her, as though she was not in the room. The three argued about her and this Princess Isla as though they were pieces of property to be secured.
Isla. The name caused bile to rise up in the back of Luana’s throat. So this is who will take Baylin from me. Is there really a troll problem in Mirstone, or was Baylin lying to hide why Isla was actually here?
The large room felt suddenly very small to Luana. It was filled with sounds and smells that assaulted her senses. She could not take it anymore. Respect or not, she had to leave the room.
She stood, tipping her chair back and losing her balance. She extended her arms, trying to catch herself. She reached for the edge of the table, but she missed and her hand knocked a tray of cheese onto the stone floor with a crash. She swayed backward, her feet going weak under her. Just before her body hit the floor, Baylin caught her in his arms. His mouth was open and he was saying something to her, but she could not hear the words. Then there was nothing but darkness.
Chapter Four
Baylin raced down the halls with Luana’s motionless body cradled in his arms. His heart drummed in his chest. Stay with me. He ran up the stairs two at a time, carrying her as gently as possible. His muscles announced how fatigued the journey made him as they burned from the exertion.
Baylin burst into the room. “Master Keon, help!” The Prince tenderly laid Luana down on a nearby bed. “Luana? Please, dearest, you must wake up.”
One of the physician’s handmaids ran up to the Prince. “Your Grace, what has happened?”
“Please,” Baylin pleaded. “Something is wrong. She won’t wake. Where is Master Keon?”
“I am here, my Prince,” the old man said, hobbling over to the bed. “Quickly now, tell me what has happened.”
As Baylin tried to explain, reliving the scene in his mind caused his heart to race. “We were breaking our fast with Father and Mother. Luana was fine and then… she wasn’t. She stood, lost her balance and fell. She will not wake.”
The old physician went to work evaluating Luana’s condition—lifting her eyelids to examine her eyes, using a strange instrument to listen to her chest. While Baylin watched, his mind relived the morning. The sight of her tumbling toward the floor as her eyes fell shut, the feeling of her lifeless body in his arms. Luana, you must come back to me.
Master Keon turned to Baylin and gave him a reassuring smile. “Your Grace, the young lady appears to be healthy. She is very weak, most likely due to the child. Many young women experience pregnancy illness during the first few months of being with child. She needs a good amount of rest to allow it time to pass.”
Baylin gave a sigh of relief. “Then she will recover?”
Master Keon nodded.
Baylin allowed his tense muscles to relax as he willed his heart to slow its pace. “Thank you, Master Keon. You have put my heart at ease.”
The old man patted Baylin tenderly on the shoulder. “You gave the Queen the same ailment. No need to worry. Luana is strong; she will recover easy enough.”
Master Keon crossed to the door of the room. “Please excuse me, Your Grace. I will fetch some herbs to help the young lady rest and ease her sickness. I will return shortly.”
Baylin nodded to the old man, signaling his approval, before he left the room.
The young Prince sat on the edge of the bed watching Luana sleep. He was certain he had never been so scared in his entire life. He stroked her cheek, causing her to stir. Her eyes fluttered open.
Baylin exhaled in relief. “My love, how do you feel?”
“What happened?” Luana blinked, taking in her surroundings. �
�Where am I?”
“You fainted.” Baylin helped Luana rise on the bed. “Master Keon says you overexerted yourself.”
Luana looked up at him with an expression of sadness and betrayal that cut through him. “Exerted myself? I exerted myself?” she spat in a heated tone. “Yes, listening to your father plan your marriage to Princess Isla is very exerting.”
Her tone hurt Baylin, her words too. “You know that is not what I want.”
“What either of us wants matters little in this Kingdom it would seem,” Luana said as she attempted to rise out of the bed.
Baylin put a strong arm around her waist, assisting her. “There is still time. Right now we must focus on your health and that of our child.” He could feel Luana tense as he lowered her into an ornate old wooden carved chair by the glowing hearth. He knelt down before her, placing a hand on her own small hands that lay in her lap. “Luana, I love you and you alone.”
Baylin could see the thin silver line of tears forming in Luana’s emerald eyes. It hurt his heart to know she was in pain. Anything but your tears.
Master Keon entered the room. The hunched-over old man wobbled feebly as he made his way over to the couple. “My dear Prince Baylin, she should be in bed.”
Baylin stood and turned to the physician. “The warmth of the fire comforts her.”
Luana spoke weakly. “Master Keon, thank you for your care. May I please return to my chamber?”
“I must insist,” the old man squeaked, “that you remain on bed rest for the sake of the child.”
Baylin could see the anguish in Luana’s eyes as she spoke. “But I…”
“Master Keon,” Baylin interrupted, “certainly she can as easily stay in bed in her own chamber. Being in the comfort of her own room would surely help her to recover.”
The old man stood staring at the floor, presumably pondering what Baylin had said. He was such an elderly, slow man. By the gods, has he nodded off? The Prince became irritated. Perhaps it is time to appoint a new physician. He was losing his patience. He gave a deep sigh. “Master Keon?”