“I might have given in.” Her voice echoed in the empty room.
* * *
Erhard dropped the document he’d been reading, his eyes wide. “How long are you going to be gone?”
The whine in the king’s voice was enough to drive him to distraction, but Bredych simply lowered his head as if it hurt him to hear the king in such distress. “A moon or so, Your Majesty.”
“Why?” Erhard shoved the wax pot away, nearly spilling the warm liquid across his desk.
Bredych took a deep breath. For reasons I am disinclined to share with you. Ilythra had broken their treaty. He would double the intensity of the fragrances in her room immediately. Keeping her coherent enough to reason but not think too deeply had been a difficult balance anyway. It was better if he wasn’t a visual reminder of what she needed to think about. He cursed silently. For one moment, he’d been sure she’d agree to join him. He focused on the king. “Because there are situations at my estates that will not wait until spring.”
“The snow is already too deep to travel.”
Brilliant observation. And I’ve already been to my manor and back this day. After he’d left Ilythra’s room, he’d gone directly to the tunnel that led to his manor, retrieved a few items and came back. Not that the king would even know that was possible. His patience was at its limit. He needed to leave before he said or did something he’d regret. He didn’t believe in regrets. “I’ll manage. Enough.” He infused some of his will into the command. Bredych walked into the sitting room, followed closely by Erhard. The advisor paused before the Crist board. “Are you and Ilythra still playing?”
“Yes. Almost every day. She’s gotten quite good.”
Bredych smiled and toyed with a clear glass piece. “I don’t think strategy is her strongest asset.”
“She holds her own.”
Bredych turned to Erhard, waiting.
“I’m going to ask her to marry me.” The king reminded him of a puppy hoping for a treat.
“Congratulations.”
“She hasn’t said yes yet.”
Bredych widened his eyes. “You doubt her answer? Why wouldn’t she marry you? You can give her everything she lacks.” Even he could hear the acid in his voice.
Erhard didn’t flinch. From somewhere, the king mustered the courage to look him in the eye. “She doesn’t lack much.”
For a moment he hated the king with a white-hot passion. Hated the simpering dependence and the necessity to keep the monarch on the throne. For now. With difficulty, Bredych swallowed the emotion. Ilythra had chosen her fate, and her fate was the man before him. “No? What about children? A home? Companionship? Don’t underestimate yourself, my king.”
Erhard nodded slowly. “Thank you, Bredych.”
Let the fool mistake anger for passion and loyalty. “When will you ask her?”
“I don’t know.”
“I’d wait a few days. She’s been working too hard, and with the excitement of Emdarech...” He waved his hand. “But don’t hesitate too long. I think a winter wedding would be wonderful, don’t you?”
Erhard smiled, his eyes far away. “Yes.”
Bredych withdrew a dark vial out of his pocket. “Before I forget, here is a new batch of your cologne.”
Erhard took the vial, opened the stopper and sniffed. “It’s different.”
“Only subtly. I thought Ilythra would like it.”
Erhard grinned. “Thank you.”
“I live to serve my king.” He bowed. “If there is nothing further?”
“Will you send a servant to tell Ilythra I’ll be late for our game?”
“I’ll see she is informed, but I think she is still in her room.” If he could have killed her, she’d be dead inside her room. His cheek still burned.
“Good. I don’t like it when she spends too much time in the village.”
“She is a healer, after all.”
“Yes. But she is more than that.” His eyes became unfocused.
She could have been. “That’s true. If there is nothing else, I’ll be going.”
Erhard looked at the petitions on his desk. “No. Go take care of your estate but come back as soon as you can.”
Oh, he would. “Of course, Your Majesty.”
A moment of doubt crossed his mind as he walked down the dark hall. What if something went wrong in his absence? No. Everything was back on track with the expected results. He wouldn’t call his dalliance a mistake, rather a necessary experiment that did not produce the desired result. In the end, it had cost him little and offered much. He did so enjoy sparring with Ilythra and she’d had such potential. It was a shame he had to take her mind from her now.
Part Three
Mohan glanced up toward the castle. It looked formidable against the stark mountains. He’d need stealth and a good plan; too bad he had neither.
Chapter Thirty-Two
“Come on, boy.” Icy wind blew at Ilythra’s cloak, threatening to tear the hood from her head. Standing in the middle of the paddock, she stifled a yawn and waited for Melior to approach.
“Hey, hurry up, it’s cold out here,” she called. Clouds of steam issued from her mouth with the words. She fought an urge to jump up and down or clap her hands to improve the blood flow to her limbs. If she succumbed, the horse would shy away. She couldn’t understand it; Melior had been so tame until the day she went riding with Erhard. Tame for him, anyway. According to Bosky, he still wouldn’t let anyone else near him.
Melior stepped closer, blew hard out of his nose and shook his head. Since the day with Erhard, he’d seemed wary, alert to her every movement, as though he didn’t quite trust her. It had only been a few days ago that he finally let her ride him for a short distance, but not before testing her patience.
She breathed deep. She didn’t really mind. The cold air seemed to clear her head. Bredych. She hadn’t seen the counselor in some time. Erhard had said he had a situation to oversee at his manor. He’s avoiding me again? Why? She closed her eyes. Weariness weakened her resolve to wait for the horse. You forgot your exercises and meditation again. She had only been making a halfhearted effort that would have horrified her grandfather and her attempts at meditation had only left her frustrated. Anger replaced the guilt that the thought provoked. A perverse satisfaction turned her mouth. She wasn’t preforming to her grandfather’s standard. So what? Guilt made another appearance. He’d have been concerned, not accusing.
Melior whinnied then finally trotted over, nudging at the pocket where she kept the treats.
Ilythra withdrew a few carrots. “You need exercise.” She ran a hand under his forelock to scratch his favorite spot. “I guess I do too.”
The horse nudged her pocket again.
“Sorry, no more. How about a ride?” Slowly, Ilythra moved to Melior’s side, making sure the horse knew her intentions. Melior snorted but otherwise stood still. The wind blew his mane in her face. When she swung up, his muscles tensed then relaxed as she settled on his back. Ilythra looked up to where Bosky stood by the gate. He nodded and opened the gate.
Ilythra leaned over and whispered into Melior’s ear, “Okay, boy. Go.”
With a leap of fury, the horse surged out of the corral, racing down the path toward the lake. Icy air numbed her face and brought tears to her eyes. Ilythra managed to slow him on the curves, his hooves sending muddy snow flying in his wake. When Melior slowed and finally stopped, his sides heaving and great clouds of vapor escaping from his nostrils, she dismounted on shaky legs.
And to think, she couldn’t even ride a horse not too long ago. How long had it been? She shook her head, aware of a disconnect between her thoughts and feelings. Shouldn’t she be alarmed that she couldn’t remember? She ran her hand down the horse’s neck and then reached into her other pocket for a chunk of
sugar. With delicacy, the horse retrieved the treat from her open palm, his velvet muzzle soft against her skin. “You knew that was there, didn’t you?” She held her gloved hands over the horse’s muzzle to warm the air around his nostrils. “You know, you shouldn’t run like that when it’s this cold out.”
Melior raised his head then, finished with his sugar, blew at the shrubbery as though he could bring life back into the icy foliage.
Ilythra gazed over the frozen lake, breathing deep the frigid air. She loved it here. In the castle, everything spun too fast. Yet she didn’t feel overwhelmed, rather as content as she ever had. But why? The thought sent a thrill of apprehension down her spine. Why not? She treated the occasional sickness in the castle and, when the weather was good, she made her way down into the village stopping now and then to check on Nenya and the baby, who were both doing fine. It hadn’t been hard to convince Erhard to provide a few days’ worth of meals for all new mothers. Simple fare, stew, bread or a piece of roast—the kitchen hadn’t minded, and the villagers greeted her with smiles instead of suspicion. She made a difference here. Shouldn’t she feel better?
No, she didn’t feel much these days except when she was with Erhard. A smile twitched at the corners of her mouth. When she was with the king, she felt loved, content. She sighed.
The winter sun coaxed diamonds from the solid water. She stretched, reveling in the feel of her leggings. She’d been wearing dresses in the castle to please Erhard. Cassia even ordered a few more.
Cassia. She let out a steady breath, only short of a sigh. Ilythra would have to talk to Erhard about her. More and more she was sure the girl was some kind of relative. If so, then he wasn’t doing right by her, and Erhard was a fair man.
Melior paused his pawing of the icy ground to stare at her.
“You like it better out here too.” A sudden urge to hop on the horse and ride away washed over her.
Leave.
She blinked. She was being silly. Confusion laced her thoughts, shadowing ideas before they fully formed. Why did the voice sound familiar? Ilythra gazed out over the small lake, quiet in the early morning. Silver glinted off the frozen water as the sky paled to pink-and-blue tints. Although she loved the quiet lake, when she was here for too long, she felt a strange discontent, as though something lurked under the icy waters. Something dangerous.
Not the water, the castle. She glanced toward the castle, hidden by the trees, save for the highest towers. That was silly. She knew almost everyone in the castle, and Bredych was long gone.
When the sun threw long shadows topping the mountains with glory before rising above them, Ilythra grasped Melior’s reins. It was time to head back. Today, she would venture into the village to visit some families battling with illness. Later she would join Erhard for their daily game of Crist.
Melior snorted.
As if summoned, the king rode down the winding dirt path toward the lake. Erhard glanced up, a smile stealing across his features. “I didn’t expect to find you here.”
“A pleasant surprise, I hope.”
“Always.” He dismounted and took a deep breath. “I try to visit here as often as I can. It helps clear my mind.”
Ilythra nodded. For a time, it had cleared her head too. Melior jerked his head. Ilythra tightened her grip on the reins.
“My father brought me here when I was little. There’s still a boat hidden in the reeds over there.” Erhard pointed at a forest of dark yellow plants, surrounded by frozen water.
“You must have had a wonderful childhood, growing up here.”
A cloud covered his features. “I’ve tried to give Aclan a wonderful childhood. I don’t want him to struggle as I did.”
“Have you struggled, Erhard? Your kingdom prospers.” No, that’s not true. The villagers... The thought died unfinished. Ilythra led Melior a distance away and tied his reins to a stout branch. The horse settled down, watching her with dark eyes.
“It’s not always been so. My father cared for the land and the people but had no ambition past what was for dinner. Bredych warned him, tried to lead him to greatness. My father wouldn’t have it. He died a lonely man.”
Unease crept into her thoughts. “That’s right. Bredych was your father’s counselor.”
“Yes. He’s a remarkable man. Skilled in many ways. He’s served my family well.”
“Has he? How far is his manor?” Erhard’s fragrance mingled with the fresh scents of morning as she approached.
“If one were a bird, close. But as it is—” he pointed toward sheer rock jutting out of the green trees, “—his home is around that. On the other side. It’s butted up against the mountain, and only good for growing wind, or so the saying goes. I’ve offered him better homes and land, but he’s turned me down.”
“You trust him.” You shouldn’t. Images crossed Ilythra’s consciousness. Black eyes, blood dripping from a sword. Revulsion wracked her body. She touched her lips.
“Absolutely. It is because of Bredych that I’ll pass on to Aclan much more than I was given. My kingdom is small, a few drab villages and farmland. My son will have everything I didn’t. He’ll ride among the kings of the west as their equal.” Erhard paused. “Why don’t you like Bredych?”
“I—I don’t dislike him.” Emotions flitted by, but she could attribute none to the king’s advisor. Her train of thought weakened then shattered into more threads than she could follow. She leaned against the king.
Erhard grasped her hands. “You are both very important to me. The two people whose advice I value the most. I’d like you to get along.”
“I’ll try.”
“Good, then it’s settled. I know Bredych thinks very highly of you.”
Ilythra pulled her cloak around her neck as the wind shifted, swirling the soft dusting of snow on the frozen lake. She shivered. Erhard wrapped his arms around her, his familiar scent reassuring.
“I’m glad you stayed the winter here.” Erhard stared out over the lake. “My people needed a healer and since you’ve been here, I’ve realized what my home is lacking.” He spoke into her hair. “You’ve reminded me there’s more to life than being a king or a father. I’ve enjoyed our discussions. I’ve grown used to you warming my bed. I enjoy even more that you’ll argue with me. Will you consider staying after the thaw?”
“Staying?”
“As my wife.”
She opened her mouth but no words came out. Melior neighed, but it seemed far away. “I—”
Erhard pulled away and placed a finger on her lips. “Don’t answer now. Think about it.”
Ilythra nodded.
He kissed her lips gently before turning on his heel to disappear up the winding path. Ilythra glanced back over the lake. Diamonds sparkled on the surface of the still waters. Desolate—the word echoed in her mind. For all its beauty, this land was empty and so was she.
* * *
Ilythra sat up in bed, her heartbeat rapid. The scent of thyme wafted on the air. Zeynel. She’d dreamed that he was trying to tell her something important. Although his mouth moved, she couldn’t hear what he said. She slipped out of bed. Her steps echoed in the room. Ilythra walked across the smooth wooden floor from shadow to the fickle light of the fire, pausing before the dancing flames and holding her hands toward its warmth without conscious thought.
What’s wrong with me?
Ilythra took a deep breath. Let’s take this one step at a time. Wasn’t confusion normal in her situation? She struggled to reason, to tame the turbulent thoughts until they made sense. She was raised for one purpose and had sworn to complete her mission out of loyalty to her grandfather. The island. Grandfather. The stories. She hadn’t been given a choice.
She was older now. Old enough to question the path laid down for her by others. What did she want? She’d never really asked herself t
hat question. A family. The thought surprised her. She’d had so little family growing up. She wanted stability, a home. Was that so wrong? Erhard offered all those things. You don’t love him.
That wasn’t true. Maybe they didn’t share the consuming passion she’d once felt for Tobar, but the Akier had never really been hers. When she was with Erhard, she felt safe, cared for, protected. She couldn’t remember ever feeling like that before. It was enough.
I could do great good here. Using her influence with the traders, she could convince them it was worth their time to travel to Greton, if only for the exquisite glass the kingdom had to offer.
Was she really considering his offer? She resumed her pacing, her mind registering the severe temperature change as she stepped outside the firelight’s domain. Why not? She hadn’t chosen this life. She didn’t want to be a legend or even a warrior. Anger at her grandfather surged. How dare Willam raise her with no choice? Guilt chased the anger away. He’d loved her. He hadn’t known any better.
She’d still look for the other stone. Bredych was here. She was here. That was two stones reunited. A lie. She ignored the thought.
Her face warmed. Marriage, a wedding, things she never thought would be part of her life. Children. A smile stretched her mouth. Why couldn’t she have both? Her quest and a family. She’d make Greton her base and convince the traders to return every year with news of the outside world. If she heard anything of consequence, she’d leave to investigate then come home.
Home. That was a magical word. Sleepy and contented, Ilythra slipped back into bed, falling asleep almost as soon as her head touched the pillow.
* * *
Ilythra touched a Crist piece then returned it. “I’m sorry, Erhard. I just can’t seem to concentrate on the game this morning.”
Erhard took her hand. “It’s of no account.” He glanced toward the sunlight streaming in through the window. “Would you like to take a walk in the garden?”
She smiled, and his heart expanded.
“I’d love that.”
Shawna Thomas Page 29