The Elf King’s Lady: Wildecoast Saga Book 2
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About The Elf King’s Lady: Wildecoast Saga Book 2
In the midst of a war between elves and men, two unlikely companions find love. But in this battle of ages, can they defy the very blood that courses through their veins?
The human kingdom of Thorius is once again under threat from the dark elven menace. General Kain Jazara has sworn to protect Thorius from all danger, magical or otherwise – but first he must rescue the highborn family of alluring healer Lady Alique Zorba.
Thrown together in their quest to save Alique’s family, and eventually themselves, from the merciless elven clan, the pragmatic General and the impulsive Lady Alique discover an undeniable passion. But when Kain’s world is torn apart by a personal revelation, he turns his back on both Alique and his homeland.
Can Kain find a path back to love and victory in time? Or will he allow revelations from his family’s mysterious past to destroy his relationship, his happiness, and his kingdom?
Perfect for fans of Nalini Singh and C.L. Wilson.
Contents
About The Elf King’s Lady: Wildecoast Saga Book 2
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About Bernadette Rowley
Also by Bernadette Rowley
Copyright
Chapter 1
Lady Alique Zorba ground the dried leaves into powder with more than her usual enthusiasm, her hands clammy despite the early spring day.
“Stupid man,” she said, “perfectly suitable woman right under his nose and he chooses some vagabond from the wilds!” Of course that vagabond was easily the most beautiful creature Alique had ever seen. Even she would admit that, though not to the woman in question.
She paused in the grinding, shaking her head. How was she to convince Nikolas Cosara that he had made a mistake? That Merielle “no-name” was not the woman for him? That only Alique could make him happy? He was probably with Merielle right now. Her face burned to think of Nikolas with her and she returned to the mortar and pestle, adding another herb to the mix.
A sharp knock sounded at the door to the chambers.
“Doctor Mosard,” a deep voice enquired, “I wonder if you could spare a moment of your time?”
Alique closed her eyes, barely suppressing a groan. She knew that voice. It belonged to one of her least favored acquaintances, General Kain Jazara, leader of the Wildecoast army and thorn in her side.
She composed her features and turned to the door. “The doctor is in the herb garden, general.”
Jazara bowed. He looked good, fit and strong, his charcoal gray uniform molding the hard muscles of his shoulders and thighs, his dark hair just long enough to cover the tops of his ears. A pretty picture he might make, but his arrogance made Alique grind her teeth.
“Lady Alique, I’m sorry to disturb you. I’ll leave you to your work.”
“A minute, general.” She must take action on Nikolas as soon as possible and Kain was his best friend.
The general stopped before the open door and turned back to her. “Lady?” he said, eyebrow raised.
Oh he really does not want to be in my company any longer than necessary.
“I am loath to mention this, but I would never forgive myself if I did not and something was to happen.”
“Go on.” His impatience was palpable.
“I speak of Lord Cosara and his liaison with that redhead. She is not suitable for him and I fear he’s making a terrible mistake that he and the kingdom will regret. What do any of us know of her?”
Kain had gone very still. “I admit I’m concerned about Niko, but he’s a big boy and can make his own decisions.”
“But she’s a nobody. We don’t even know her last name!”
Kain closed the door and entered further into the room. “I’m sure the Queen will have her say in the matter. Lady Merielle will be investigated and if she is found wanting, Her Majesty will step in.”
“If,” Alique muttered. “The woman is clearly hiding something, anyone can see it.”
“This means a lot to you, my lady.”
Alique frowned, discomforted at revealing so much of herself. “I had long thought that Nikolas and I were suited, but he has never looked twice at me.”
“That must sting,” Kain said.
“I know what you think of me,” Alique said, “but Nikolas needs a wife and I happen to believe I am more suitable than a beautiful tramp with no background.”
“Calm yourself, Lady Alique,” Kain said, “I agree that this union is a concern and that you would be eminently suitable. I’ve even expressed that to Niko.”
Alique gasped, never expecting the general would have spoken up for her. “Really? What was his response?”
“He told me to butt out, or words to that effect.”
Alique lowered her eyes, lest Kain see how desperate she had become, how disappointed she was. “Oh.”
His fingers lifted her chin gently so he could look into her eyes. “Never fear, my lady. I’ll talk to him and see if I can convince him he is making a huge mistake.”
“You will?” Alique should have been offended that Kain Jazara’s fingers still rested on her skin, but she couldn’t think straight.
“I will.” He released her chin, bowed and strode to the door. “I’ll let you know how I go.”
And he was gone, just like that! Alique placed her fingers where Kain’s had just been and shivered. She took a deep breath to quiet her hammering heart and restore some composure. It was the shock of being touched by a commoner, that was all. It had nothing to do with the handsome and virile man who had left her work chamber seconds before.
*
Kain’s steps took him away from Lady Alique in more of a hurry than usual. She got under his skin far too easily, that one.
But she was right – Lady Merielle was not a suitable wife for Nikolas, the Queen’s cousin and admiral of the King’s Navy. This woman, who had turned up on Niko’s doorstep and taken advantage of his protection, worried Kain. He wanted to know more about her but there appeared to be no more to know. He huffed out a breath. As if he didn’t have enough to ponder over with dark elves threatening. Little was really known of the Lenweri. The last uprising had been almost twenty years before when the King’s brother, Jiseve, had pushed them back into their mountain stronghold. Now Jiseve was dead and the Lenweri were pushing closer and closer to the towns and cities of Thorius. If that weren’t enough, Prince Jiseve’s death and the disappearance of his daughter Alecia had thrown the succession into question. And King Beniel wasn’t coping with the loss of his brother, throwing added responsibility onto the Queen and onto Kain.
Kain was a fighting man, and didn’t relish these social intrigues that the nobility concerned themselves with. It was one of the reasons he loved Nikolas. He was a man of the people and not your usual lord. But a marriage to Alique would have strengthened the Queen’s side of the throne. It didn’t make sense for Niko to disregard the kingdom in his choice of a wife. Kain would tell him that, but whether Niko would listen was another matter.
*
&
nbsp; Lady Alique strolled the drafty hallways of the castle on her way to attend the Queen. Today she would have to mention her medical studies and her need to have more time with Doctor Mosard. She was falling behind in her learning, staying up half the night in an effort to read the tomes the doctor kept sending her.
A week had gone by and she had not seen or heard anything from Kain Jazara. She knew he was absent and hoped that he had been to visit Nikolas. Alique had been on tenterhooks all week, waiting to hear from her unlikely ally. She tried not to get her hopes up, but an alliance with Nikolas would make many things so much easier. It would keep the Queen and her parents happy; after all, the monarch had agreed that Nikolas would be lucky to attract such a wife. Alique had everything going for her: youth, intelligence, beauty, and breeding.
She was so engrossed in her thoughts of a royal marriage that she failed to see the man coming toward her until he hailed her.
“Lady Alique,” General Jazara said, bowing and stopping in front of her.
“General.” Alique swallowed sudden nerves. “Do you have news?”
Kain looked to the side. “I suggest we find somewhere more private to talk. Any suggestions?”
Alique nodded and led the way down the hall into a small sitting room used for visiting guests. Kain followed, closing the door. His dark eyes ran over her body and she shivered.
“Your news, general?”
“I’ve just returned from the Cosara estates. It was good to see Niko, although his lady was in residence.”
“They are living together already?”
Kain snorted. “She has nowhere else to go.” He strode across the room, his hand rubbing the back of his neck.
Alique’s heart warmed further that Kain worried so for his friend. “You discussed the lady in question with him?”
“I did.” He spun to face her. “Damn it, he’s so smitten. I never thought to see it. Niko has never been like this in all the years he and I have known each other.”
Alique’s stomach tightened and tears threatened. So much riding on this and all for nothing. But she could not let Kain see her hurt. She cleared her throat and took a deep breath. “Thank you for trying, general. It was a hopeless cause from the start. I should have seen that.”
His eyes snapped to hers. “You’ve accepted this news better than I could have hoped.”
Alique’s chin came up. “I know when I am beaten.”
Kain frowned at her. “So you’re giving up?”
“What do you advise I should do? Go to his estate and plead with him to reconsider?” Alique sat in a nearby chair and smoothed her skirts. “Do you think that would have any effect?” If she concentrated on her breathing, perhaps she would get through this meeting without embarrassing herself.
“No, that would only annoy Niko,” Kain Jazara said. “He’s under her spell and there’s no reasoning with him.”
“Then I must move on and forget I ever had any desire to join my life with his.”
“You can do that? Just decide to move on?”
“There is nothing easy about this, general, but I try not to waste my time on hopeless causes. Thank you for your help. That will be all.”
Kain stared at her as if he couldn’t believe his ears, then bowed and left, his back stiff and hands clenched.
What did he expect? That she would throw herself on the ground and weep? That she would ride out and plead her case directly to Nikolas? Alique had her pride, and if Nikolas was too stupid to see that Merielle was unsuitable, then she would sit back and watch him reap the consequences. And be smug when disaster followed. The trouble was, smugness would not comfort her on the lonely nights.
*
Kain didn’t know what to make of Alique Zorba. She never acted as he anticipated. He had expected her to be distraught, vocal, angry … but not that quiet acceptance of her failure. It was a pity there was no hope for the union. Nikolas needed a decent wife, one who was used to court life. Alique Zorba was the perfect combination of beauty and breeding – a woman who understood the demands placed on those close to the throne. Instead he appeared to have chosen Merielle, a beautiful woman sure enough, but one who would never make the grade.
He felt a pang of guilt at the thought. He should be supporting Nikolas, not waiting for him to fail. Merielle had been good for him so far, bringing him back to a normal life, but Kain still didn’t trust her. She had no past and that made him suspicious. All Kain could do was keep an eye on the mysterious redhead and be there to pick up the pieces when she made her move.
Chapter 2
The next day after luncheon, Alique attended Queen Adriana with a handful of other ladies in the royal sitting room. She set to mending one of her gowns but her mind was only half on the task. Just as well that was all she needed to complete the fine crimson stitches in the hem. Try as she might, Alique could not get Nikolas Cosara out of her head. It did not help that some of the ladies would not stop gossiping about Merielle.
Alique ground her teeth as yet another lady speculated as to where Merielle had come from. Wildecoast castle was rife with gossip at the best of times but when one of its most eligible bachelors succumbed to a mysterious woman with no past, it was bound to be one of the favorite topics.
“What news of Princess Benae and your brother, Ramón, the new steward of Brightcastle, Alique?” Lady Emmella asked, and Alique could have hugged her. Emmella was her closest friend amongst the Queen’s ladies, and the question was clearly designed to take the topic away from Nikolas.
Alique smiled at her friend. “Thank you for asking, Emmella. I heard only yesterday that Ramón is recovering from the chest wound he sustained defending the King and Princess Benae from the assassins at Prince Jiseve’s funeral. Benae nursed him herself. She is quite gifted in that regard.”
“The rumor is that Princess Benae is pregnant,” Lady Diseta said. Diseta was the oldest of the Queen’s ladies and it was thought that she would never marry. She trained the ladies and Alique believed her fair, if very strict.
“And that the prince died in the marital bed, in the act.” The youngest lady, a blonde called Krina, fixed her wide blue gaze on Alique. “How appallingly embarrassing!”
Alique ground her teeth. “It is tragic, Krina, and I would thank you to remember a man is dead.” She turned to Diseta. “Benae is indeed with child. If it is a son, he will be next in line to the throne of Thorius. Ramón and Benae will administer Brightcastle until the babe comes of age.”
“How cozy,” Krina said. “I remember rumors of impropriety between those two when they visited. Now they will run the principality. It seems Sir Ramón and Princess Benae have benefited handsomely from Prince Zialni’s death.”
Alique glared at the young lady and opened her mouth to deny the charge but was cut off by the Queen.
“That is gossip I will not allow, Krina!” Queen Adriana snapped. “Honestly girl, sometimes I wonder about your mouth. Go and supervise the servants dusting my room, and when they are finished I will have another chore for you.”
Krina looked horrified as she stood, curtsied and left the room.
“I apologize,” Adriana said, turning to Alique.
Diseta spoke before Alique could. “Your Majesty, I am sorry that my latest charge cannot guard her tongue. I will take her aside for special training.”
“I trust that it will not happen again,” the Queen said. “Now, let us have some of that special tea that my dear husband brought back from Brightcastle town.”
Adriana rang the bell for the servant and Alique went back to her hem, trying to dispel the nerves that had her hand shaking. She did not know what upset her most – the shock of Krina’s veiled accusation, or remembering how close her brother had come to death without her even knowing. If she had lost Ramón— Well, she did not even want to think of it. Their last words had been less than adequate: her teasing him about his feelings for Lady Benae and him snapping back in defense. It had been poor behavior on her part and she regretted
it.
Thinking that those words might have been the last they ever exchanged made her reflect on what her life had become in the court of Wildecoast. She did not wish to be an idle lady, manufacturing gossip to keep herself amused. Even if Ramón and Benae had … It did not matter what they had done. The King had blessed Ramón’s stewardship of Brightcastle and he would help Benae with the day to day running of the principality for as long as he was needed.
She came back to the moment to find a messenger whispering to Adriana. The Queen’s eyes widened and she blanched, glancing over at Alique.
What now?
“You are excused,” the Queen said to the messenger. She turned to Alique. “I have just been brought news that your family farm has been seized by bandits.”
Alique sprang to her feet. “My mother and father?”
“It is unknown who is at risk, but I assure you that help is being assembled as we speak. The messenger came to me from General Jazara.”
Alique curtsied to the Queen. “I must go, Your Majesty. Please excuse me.” Without waiting for permission, Alique hurried from the room.
*
Kain Jazara strapped his bed roll to the back of his saddle and stowed his provisions in the saddle bags. A quick check of his sword and knives and he turned his attention to his men. Fifty should be enough. He had no information about the force that held the Zorba estates but he could send for reinforcements if needed.
Kain’s eye fell on a striking blonde woman in a dark green velvet riding habit, and he groaned. Alique Zorba, the last person I need.
He bowed to her as she strode up to him.
“Is it true, general? My family? Held hostage?”
“I can’t confirm anything until I investigate, Lady Alique,” Kain said, “but that is the word I have. One of your workers was released in order that he could let the King know of the hostage situation. I have questioned him and believe he tells the truth.”
“Who was it?”
“A laborer called Dolf,” Kain said.