The King & His Queen (Pict King Series Book 3)

by Donna Fletcher

“Bring Broc to me,” Talon ordered Wrath after dismounting. “He assured me he would make certain that Hemera did not leave the stronghold alone. He has failed me and I want to know why.”

  Wrath went to do as the King ordered while one of the King’s guards led the King’s horse away.

  Talon entered the feasting house and before turning to go to the High Council Chambers, he looked to see Hemera sitting between Verity and Anin at one of the many tables. He hoped the two women would be able to keep her contained, though he doubted Hemera could ever be contained.

  He turned and stopped after one of the two personal guards that stood at the chamber’s doors when occupied, opened it. He glanced from one to the other. “Guard the feasting house doors and do not let Hemera leave unless someone is with her.”

  They both nodded and went to do as ordered.

  Talon left the door open after entering the room. He wanted to discuss the problem of Hemera with Broc and also Wrath and see it done, then move on to more important matters. There was the Northmen to consider and after ordering Ulric off Pict land, he knew it was not the last he would see of him. Besides, there was still the matter of Northmen joining forces with those looking to see Talon dethroned.

  Many voices had been heard during the talks to unify the tribes under one rule. Talon’s voice had been the strongest. He had made many see how by uniting, instead of warring against one another, they could defend their land against foreign invaders successfully. If they remained divided, they would eventually be conquered and become nothing more than slaves.

  Those that refused to see the wisdom of his words had continued to harbor resentment against him and the Unification. To make matters worse he had failed to produce heirs with his last two wives and secure the future of the Pict reign. The situation then had grown far worse than he thought possible. He had arranged marriages for his last two wives and both were now heavy with their husbands’ bairns.

  Talon went to the head of the table and before taking his seat, he filled a vessel with wine. He took a generous swallow, then shook his head. His appetite for mating was ravenous. How was it that he could mate with so many women and his seed never take root?

  “My King,” Wrath called out as he and Broc entered the room.

  “Sit,” Talon ordered, but offered no drink. He would have an explanation first. “Tell me how Hemera got past your guards.”

  “Hemera did not get past them. She never left the stronghold through the gates,” Broc said, standing firm, his wide shoulders drawn back.

  Though Broc seemed to be sure of his words, Talon gripped his vessels tighter and asked, “You are sure of this?”

  “I am, my King. The men were warned and told there would be no second chance if they failed to make it so. Several of the warriors just now informed me that when they saw Hemera approaching the gates, they intended to stop her and hold her until she could be turned over to me.”

  “She could have slipped past with her hood pulled up,” Wrath suggested.

  Broc shook his head. “No. All hoods must be left off when leaving or entering the stronghold, whether man or woman.”

  “An order instituted after Hemera had slipped out that way a few times?” the King asked.

  A sharp, annoyed nod had Broc admitting to being tricked. “It is not easy keeping track of Hemera. One moment she is there and the next she is not. I do not know how she moves from place to place so fast.”

  “And so quietly,” Wrath added.

  “Has she surprised you at an inopportune time?” Talon asked with a slight grin.

  Wrath’s temper flared when he admitted, “More than once.”

  Broc laughed quietly, it ending quickly when Wrath’s dark eyes turned an irate warning on him.

  “Have there been any complaints about Hemera?” Talon asked.

  Broc shook his head. “Not one, but few know her. She is often with Verity or Anin, otherwise she keeps mostly to herself.”

  “Is she treated poorly by others?” Talon demanded, not one to suffer fools lightly.

  “None would dare,” Broc said, nodding toward Wrath.

  “She is my wife’s sister,” Wrath said as if no other words were needed.

  “Perhaps a husband can be found for her,” Broc suggested.

  “Are you volunteering?” Talon asked.

  “No! No!” Broc said, shaking his head frantically. “I would not be a good husband for her. She needs someone quiet and understanding of her ways.”

  “Broc is right,” Wrath said. “A warrior would never suit Hemera. A quiet man, one who works the soil, would suit her well.”

  “Find some men who would be willing to take Hemera as a wife,” Talon ordered. “And I will decide who is best for her.”

  Wrath was hesitant. “Maybe I should speak with Verity about this first.”

  “I gave an order,” Talon said. “Now sit and drink. We have much to discuss.”

  Wrath nodded, knowing the King would say no more on Hemera, though Wrath knew his wife would have much to say when she learned of the King’s plan to see Hemera wed.

  Wrath and Broc sat and Paine soon joined them.

  Talon had not called a High Council meeting. He wanted no one but the three men present when the issue of the Northmen possibly joining those disgruntled Picts, wishing to seize the throne from Talon, was discussed.

  Traitors had already been exposed in the stronghold and had quickly met their deaths. It was the one who led the traitorous group that Talon intended to find. The longer it took, the more damage was done, and the better chance there was of the Unification of Tribes being dissolved, and the Pict tribes being plunged into chaos. Talon could not let that happen. Too many good men and women had died so that the tribes could unite and work as one to keep foreigners off Pict soil.

  “Word comes that there is no movement,” Paine informed them. “Some wonder if the threat has passed, but I wonder if the quiet means that the threat grows stronger.”

  Talon respected Paine’s opinion and his strength. He was a warrior few would go against, his large size intimidated and his body drawings, covering all but his face, frightened most. That he once was his executioner also had had many fearing him. But Talon also called him friend, having known him and having fought beside him before he was claimed King.

  “This will not end until the leader is found and executed for all to see,” Wrath said.

  The door flew open before Talon could speak, and Hemera entered as if it was not at all unusual for her to do. One of the King’s personal guards hurried in behind her, his face crinkled with dismay and worry for not having caught her before she reached the Council Chamber door.

  Talon bolted to his feet, forcing the three men at the table to stand, though a harsh demand to ‘sit’ had them doing so quickly. He waved the guard off, his blue eyes burning with anger as he turned to Hemera, “What have I told you about entering this room?”

  “To knock before I enter, which I did. Did you not hear the knock?” Hemera asked innocently.

  “Knock and wait until I bid you to enter,” Talon reminded with a sharpness that stung even his ears.

  She gasped lightly, her eyes going wide. “I forgot that, as I forgot to tell you something important before we parted ways.”

  Talon brought his fist down hard on the table, annoyed that she could so easily dismiss his command. “You cannot enter this room at will, Hemera. This room is now forbidden to you. You can never enter it again.”

  Hemera’s wide eyes narrowed in question. “Why?”

  Wrath shook his head while running his hand over his face, Broc lowered his shaking head, and Paine’s lips curled in a slight smile.

  Talon took quick strides and came to stop in front of her. That she had not budged or flinched at his hurried approach made him realize she simply did not understand the severity of her actions and words.

  He calmed himself as much as he could before he spoke. “I cannot have anyone simply entering Council Chambers while imp
ortant matters are being discussed.”

  “Of course not,” she said as if horrified by the notion. She placed her hand on his shoulder.

  Wrath, Broc, and Paine could not hide their shock, their eyes turned wide and a mouth or two fell open. No one, absolutely no one touched the King without permission.

  Hemera took a step closer to Talon. She went up on her toes as she brought her mouth close to his ear.

  The three men looked even more horrified, except for Paine, another slight smile touched his lips, since it appeared as if she kissed his cheek.

  Hemera’s lips almost brushed his ear as she said, “You must be careful who you trust.”

  Her warm breath felt like a fine feather tickling his ear and it sent a jolt to his loins, arousing him. Her red hair whispered delicately across his cheek as she stepped away, the soft strands taunting his flesh. Then there was that familiar scent about her that stung the nose, pine and earth, but that was not all. There was another scent as well, something he could not place, and the urge to step closer and drink deeply of it had him taking a quick step back away from her.

  “That was your important message?” Talon asked his glance settling on her fiery strands that seemed in stark contrast to their delicate softness.

  She looked at him oddly, appearing as if she did not understand the question. “Why would I speak of something important in front of others after what I just told you?”

  “Paine and Wrath are my most trusted warriors and Broc has proven his loyalty time and again. You may speak freely in front of them.”

  “That may be true,” she said, “but it would not be wise.”

  “Are you saying I am not wise?” Talon asked, barely holding on to this temper.

  “Aye, in this situation you are not wise.”

  Wrath jumped to his feet. “I will—”

  “Sit!” Talon ordered without looking at him.

  Wrath was quick to obey and catching a smile on Paine’s face, he shot him an angry look, which only caused Paine’s smile to widen.

  Giving no thought to wait for permission to speak, Hemera continued. “Your trusted warriors are trusted for a reason and surely understand of what I speak and certainly feel no insult by my request. They can wait outside the door. It will not take long for me to say what I have come to tell you, then you may resume your meeting and inform them of my news if you choose to.”

  “You disregard my order, touch me without permission, then tell me what should be done and you find nothing wrong with any of that?” Talon asked the question more of himself, reminding him of her limited ability to understand.

  Hemera tilted her head and stared at the King. She was reminded of what her father had often told her. Others do not see things as you do, even the wisest of men.

  “I meant no offense,” she said softly.

  Talon felt something he rarely ever did—guilt. She offered forgiveness, though she did not understand why. She had believed she was offering help and he had responded with anger.

  “I will give you only a moment,” he said and the smile that lit her lovely face almost had him catching his breath, though he caught it before it could pass his lips. She was far too beautiful to leave on her own. She needed a husband to look after her. Or did she need a husband to protect her from him? “Leave us,” he ordered and the three men left to wait outside the closed door.

  Talon folded his arms across his chest. “Have your say and be done with it.”

  “While in the woods, I spotted one of your personal guards or one who wore the cloak of your personal guards.”

  “My personal guards walk in the woods for various reasons,” he said, wanting to make things as clear as possible to her so that she would not bother him with nonsense again.

  “Why would one of your personal guards meet with others in the woods, away from prying eyes, if it was not to keep the meeting a secret?” She gave him no time to answer. “Would you not know of the meeting ahead of time? Would you not be the one to give permission for the meeting? Unless of course you know the meeting took place and I assumed wrongly.” Again she did not wait for him to respond. It was not necessary. The way his brow tightened was enough of a response. The King had not been aware of the meeting. “I will see what more I can learn, since few pay heed to me and speak as if I am not there.”

  Talon grabbed her by the shoulders and yanked her close. A mistake since her full breasts brushed his chest. He had only had a woman this morn when he woke and she had left him satiated. Though if he was truthful with himself, he would admit he was never left completely satisfied. There was a part of him that he feared would never be assuaged. Still though, his body should not have grown so easily aroused. Annoyance at his reaction had his tongue more curt than he intended. “You will do no such thing. You will leave this be.”

  Hemera shook her head slowly, his words leaving her puzzled. “Who then will you appoint to see if there is a traitor among your personal guards? If anyone close to you, any of your trusted friends, begin to question your personal guards, the culprit will be alerted and take precautions not to be discovered, and worse, continue to betray you.”

  Again his tongue was curt. “It does not concern you.”

  She gasped lightly when a thought struck her. “Anin. She will touch each of your personal guards and tell you what she learns.” She nodded slowly. “It would be the easiest thing to do,” —she shook her head—“but not the wisest.”

  “You question my wisdom in this matter?”

  “If you only wish to discover who among your personal guards betray you, then your decision is a wise one. If you wish to discover how deep the betrayal goes then is not your wisdom flawed? Surely that guard has informed others of Anin’s abilities and he himself knows the wisdom of sharing what he learns, but not being told anything of what is planned.”

  Silence took hold of Talon as he made sense of her reasoning, something he never would have expected.

  Hemera glanced to each of his hands where they gripped her shoulders. “You are quite strong.”

  Talon dropped his hands off her, though made no move to step away from her.

  “Do as you will,” —Hemera held his eyes with hers— “you are King.”

  He did not need reminding of that, though she did. She had to obey his rule just as everyone else did. “And a King is obeyed.”

  “Aye, sadly enough, even when he is wrong.”

  “Are you telling me I am wrong?” he asked with a flash of temper.

  “You anger easily.”

  “It is easy to do with you,” he spat.

  “So I have been told.”

  The sadness that suddenly filled her eyes had him reining in his anger. He had to remember she was slow to understand. She did not make sense of things as others did, though there were times she made more sense than most. She was a puzzle to Talon and he did not know what to do with her.

  “I have told you what I came to say. I will take my leave now and trouble you no more.”

  “Hemera,” he said, stopping her as she turned to go. “Keep a watchful eye and alert Wrath to anything questionable.” A chore would keep her occupied and away from him.

  “I will keep watch.”

  There was something in her tone that gave Talon pause. Who exactly would she keep watch over?

  She had almost reached the door when a thought struck him. “Hemera!”

  Her name so sharp on his lips brought her to an abrupt halt and she turned with a flourish.

  “How did you get out of the stronghold? And do not waste your breath in a lie. I know you did not leave through the gates.”

  Chapter 3

  A knock sounded at the door, then a shout was heard. “An important message has arrived, my King.”

  Hemera hurried to open the door and as Wrath, Paine, and Broc hurried in, Hemera slipped out, though not before sending the King a smile. A shiver raced through her when the color of his deep blue eyes churned like a raging sea before a deadly stor
m. He was not done with her. He would have his answer.

  Verity called to her from where she and Anin sat in the feasting hall and waved her over. Her sister would want to know what happened, since she had warned Hemera against disturbing the King while in the Council Chambers. It had made no sense for such important news to wait and she had paid her sister’s words no heed. Anin had offered no advice and Hemera wondered if there were things Anin knew since first laying hands on her arm that she had yet to share with Hemera.

  “Did all go well?” Verity asked anxiously, reaching out to take Hemera’s arm and gently tugging her to sit on the bench beside her.

  Hemera did not want her sister to worry. Verity had worried enough about her since their arrival on Pict soil, a few moon cycles ago, and she certainly had suffered enough while they had been enslaved by the Northmen. Verity had Wrath now and she was happy. Hemera could well look after herself. Her time with the Northmen had taught her that.

  “Aye, all went well,” Hemera assured her sister.

  “King Talon was not angry with you for interrupting his meeting?” Verity asked.

  “His snarl is not as bad as it appears.”

  “I do not agree with that,” Anin said. “I still fear him.”

  “You laid hands on him?” Hemera asked and was surprised when Anin nodded. “I did not think he would allow it.”

  “He did not allow it. I touched him without permission.” Anin shivered, rubbing her arms to chase the sudden chill.

  Hemera was quick to ask, “What did you feel?”

  “Potent strength and unimaginable power.”

  “Both will serve him well as a King,” Hemera said.

  “There was also a smoldering passion that seemed to remain strong and steady in him.”

  Hemera nodded. “A strong passion would benefit a King.”

  Anin shook her head. “The passion I felt might be more of a deterrent than a benefit for him.”

  Verity kept her voice to a whisper. “There is talk that no one woman can satisfy him and with so many different women having shared his sleeping pallet, it makes one wonder.”

  Hemera lowered her head in thought. It was odd that the King would join with so many women and not sire one bairn. Usually the woman was always blamed when an heir was not sired, but with the King’s two previous wives now with child the blame could not be placed on them. Was it truly the King’s fault? Was he unable to sire a bairn?