Antony nodded. “Pity the poor fool who dared take Lady Thalia. Lord Ramtat is amassing an army. Even I would hesitate to go against his fierce Badari.”
“Lady Larania is doing poorly. This morning I shall send my own physicians to tend her. Lord Ramtat believes she is suffering more from melancholy than any real illness.” Cleopatra glanced into Antony’s eyes. “Have you sent word to Lady Adhaniá to return to Egypt?”
“Aye. General Marcellus and Lady Adhaniá had already taken a ship before my messenger reached them. They were on their way here for a family gathering. Unfortunately, it will not be the happy event they expected.”
“Hold me,” Cleopatra said, burying her face in his tunic. “I am afraid.”
He clasped her to him. “You, love? What can concern you when I hold you thus?”
“I don’t know. I have always thought my country was safe, and my children would grow up healthy and happy. But some shadow troubles my mind. The gods may be jealous because I have found such happiness.”
“Then I shall hold you until the fear leaves you, and you see only happiness.”
“Antony, tell me we will find Thalia safe.”
“Hush, now. All will be well.”
But fear for Thalia still lingered at the edge of the queen’s mind, and she could not be rid of it. Her husband’s lips touched hers, and her unease began to fade. When he lifted her in his strong arms and carried her to bed, she thought only of him.
Thalia was surprised when she entered her grandfather’s chamber and found him sitting in a chair with Ashtyn standing behind him. The scribe was seated silently on his reed mat and two physicians stood across the room, huddled in quiet conversation, no doubt discussing the king’s health.
Thalia could feel the men’s gazes follow her as she advanced toward the king. He reached for her hand when she swept into a bow.
“Sit beside me, Thalia,” he indicated the empty chair. “We have much to discuss.”
Thalia saw the king was pale, and his hand trembled. “How are you feeling, Your Majesty?”
He looked into her eyes with an expression akin to sorrow. “Can you not call me ‘grandfather’? For so long I thought myself without family, and now I have you.”
Thalia twisted on the cushioned chair, glancing down at her hands folded in her lap, determined not to be affected by his words. “Like you, there was a time when I was alone. Now I have a brother and sister, and nieces and nephews. My mother is very dear to me, and I want to return to her as soon as it can be arranged.”
His head snapped toward Ashtyn. “Surely you explained to her that this is her home, and she has no other?”
Ashtyn reluctantly looked at Thalia. “I did not put it quite as bluntly, but aye, Majesty, she has been informed that Bal Forea is her home.”
The king put a trembling hand to his brow, causing one of the physicians to rush forward, handing him a goblet of wine. King Melik observed Thalia over the rim. Pushing the physician’s hand away, he asked Ashtyn, “What else did you not tell her?”
Thalia noticed that Ashtyn looked somewhat uncomfortable, and she wondered at the reason for it.
“I spoke to her only of what I was instructed to say,” Ashtyn replied, as if the words had been forced through his lips.
King Melik was grim as he turned his attention back to his granddaughter. “I would have you see for yourself the sadness of a country with no hope. The real sorrow in all this is that we slay our own brethren. I am daily growing weaker and can no longer hold back the tide of war or stave back the curtain of death. You must take up my scepter and care for the people of Bal Forea.”
Thalia frowned. “But I am neither warrior nor diplomat. I am but a woman.”
“And as you pointed out to me only this morning, so, too, is the queen of Egypt. I have heard it said that men would gladly follow her to their deaths if she required it of them. It will be the same with you. Rally my people, let them see they have a future without war.”
She quickly dipped her head, biting her lip. “I am afraid of what you expect of me.”
“Granddaughter,” he said in a gentle voice, “you must never show that fear.” His hopeful gaze settled on hers. “You shall be crowned queen before the sun sets tomorrow, and at that time you must exhibit courage to inspire your people.”
She dropped to her knees before him, grasping his hands. “You dare not place your power or your hope in untrained hands! It takes a king to rule during a war, not someone untried such as me.”
King Melik met her gaze. “Stand up, Princess Thalia. From this day forward, you bend your knee to no man or woman.”
“But I—”
King Melik held his hand up, catching his breath with difficulty. “By the gods, if I had the time I would instruct you in the ways of a queen. But I have no time.” He pinned her with a sharp glance. “My dear girl, a crown does not make a queen, nor does wisdom. Nay, it does not. The blood-right to rule creates a monarch. It will be up to you to decide if you will rule with wisdom, or allow others less worthy to steal your crown.”
“How can I be expected to do that?”
“You will not be alone—you will be a wife just after sunrise the day after you become queen, with trusted advisers to help you.”
Thalia sprang to her feet and backed away from him. “I will do no such thing! I have already told Lord Ashtyn I would not marry a man unless he is of my own choosing. As far as being queen, you must find someone more qualified than I.”
“Child, child, I know I cannot just thrust the title of queen on you and expect you to know how to rule. That is why I have chosen a suitable husband who has been trained in his duties toward you.”
Thalia’s gaze flew to Ashtyn, hoping he would help her, but he did not meet her eyes. “Grandfather, do not do this to me.”
“Now you call me grandfather? Perhaps you think it will soften my heart—it will not. I cannot think of your needs while there are so many with greater needs.”
Fury boiled inside her, and she almost choked on her words. “I will be neither a queen nor a wife!”
“Oh, aye, my dear girl, you shall be both.”
“I shall never marry a stranger!”
“Nay, you shall not,” the king agreed. “Lord Ashtyn is your chosen husband. You became acquainted with him on the voyage, so he is no stranger to you.”
Thalia whipped around, her hardened gaze on Ashtyn, feeling betrayal in the very depths of her heart.
“So the truth comes out at last! You, who took me away from the life I love, think to become king through me.” Words tumbled from her mouth. What a fool she had been not to see the plan all along! “You deceived me, and I will never trust you again.”
“Blame him not, ’twas my doing,” the king told her. “Count Ashtyn was formally betrothed to you when he was but a boy—the moment I learned you existed. Why else would a man such as he still be without a wife?”
Thalia backed away, feeling as if she had been ripped apart inside. “You cannot expect me to marry him,” she whispered. “I had come to think of him as a friend, but I do not care for him.”
“What does that matter?” her grandfather asked, his voice as hard as nails, his face as red as a ripe pomegranate. “Depend on it, you will take the crown, and you will take Count Ashtyn. And if he is the man I believe him to be, he will have you with child before he rejoins his troops.”
Thalia was horrified, wishing she could flee the room. But she planted her feet and stood her ground, her hands fisted at her side.
“And you, Lord Ashtyn,” she asked, glancing into stoic silver-blue eyes, “what are your views on such a marriage?” She wanted him to reject her. She prayed he would.
“I will always do what I must to save Bal Forea. If marriage with you is the only path to peace, I shall marry you.”
“You knew about this betrothal all along. I recall you telling me I would have to marry, but you failed to tell me you were the intended bridegroom.”
Ashtyn took a step toward her. “Thalia—”
His treachery hit her like a knife to the heart. “I will never forgive you.”
“Thalia, you will conduct yourself as befitting a princess,” her grandfather ordered in a hard voice. “You can save many lives if you will but reach out your hand and take what is offered to you.”
Tears stung her eyes, but she would not cry in front of either of these men. Her body shook as she backed toward the door. “I will conduct myself as pleases me. You are a cruel old man who wants his own way and will sacrifice anyone to get it. No one, not even you, can make me marry that man.”
Her grandfather leaned heavily against the back of his chair, his face as pale as Egyptian linen. “You have no choice.”
She glared at the guard who blocked her way, and he moved out of her path.
“Thalia, wait. It is not what you think,” Ashtyn said, taking a step in her direction.
She held up her hand. “I have nothing to say to you.”
“Leave her be, Count,” the king cautioned. “Allow her to think on what I have told her.”
Thalia rushed out of the chamber, hurrying down half-lit corridors, not caring in what direction she ran. Soon she was lost in the maze of twisting hallways, and still she ran.
She had to find some way to escape!
Chapter Nineteen
Thalia had passed a restless night, feeling battered, overwhelmed by betrayal. She was out of bed and dressed before sunrise. She’d ignored the meal of sweetmeats and melons that had been set before her, seeking instead the solitude of the small walled garden off her bedchamber.
A stubborn calm settled over her as she began to plan her escape from the palace. Perhaps she could convince Lord Sevilin to help her get back to Egypt. Once he understood she had no intention of accepting the crown, he would be as anxious to have her gone from Bal Forea as she was to leave.
She had serious misgivings about her half-cousin, but surely he wasn’t as bad as Ashtyn had painted him. Thalia’s problem would be finding a way out of the castle and locating the rebel camp. She was surely being watched.
Thalia paced around the small courtyard and had just decided to return to her chamber when she heard a commotion at the door. As soon as she recognized Count Ashtyn’s voice, she spun around savagely. Ashtyn wore bronze and black armor with the black hawk on the breastplate. His dark hair was tied back with a leather band, his winged helmet tucked under his arm. He moved toward her with a grace that drew her unbridled attention, and she hated him for it.
She glared at him when he bowed low to her. “Highness.”
As always, Thalia was unable to discern what he was thinking. The man was a master at disguising his feelings.
She realized that she had been secretly hoping he’d come to her and explain why he had kept secrets from her.
Thalia ignored her heart fluttering inside her and thought instead of his deception.
“I have no wish to see you, now or ever,” she told him petulantly.
He gazed at her with growing intensity. “I fear it cannot be avoided. I have come by order of the king.”
“If I am to be anointed queen, is my word not law? If I order you from my sight, are you not compelled to leave?”
“When you wear the crown of Bal Forea, I will obey your every command.”
Thalia stood her ground as he moved toward her.
“I have something to say to you, and then you can send me away if it is your wish.”
Just seeing him again stirred heat within her body, and Thalia leaned heavily against a marble bench. “You have nothing to say I want to hear.”
Ashtyn stared at her soberly. “I understand how you feel. You have had so much thrown at you, I can imagine you want nothing to do with any of us.”
Thalia tried to ignore the calming effect his voice had on her. “Say what you will and leave.”
Ashtyn took a step toward her. “Thalia, I would have told you about the betrothal on the voyage, but the time was never right. You must believe me.”
There was no sign of penitence in those mesmerizing eyes. “Just because the king had you betrothed to me does not mean I feel bound to marry you.”
He took another step in her direction and stood in front of her. “Thalia, here on Bal Forea your grandfather’s word is law.”
“Except in the rebel camps,” she reminded him.
He nodded. “That much is true. I wanted to tell you word reached me this morning that the rebels are deserting Sevilin in high numbers.”
Thalia did not know whether to be happy or more concerned. She turned away from Ashtyn and glanced about the courtyard, watching a gentle breeze sway the branches of a tamarisk tree. “What would happen should I go over to Sevilin’s side?”
Ashtyn reached out and gripped her shoulders, spinning her to face him. “Do not dare consider such a thing! Have you not been warned about Sevilin? If he had you in his power, the island would fall into chaos. Do you not understand he sends out warriors to rape and murder innocent women and children if their men refuse to fight for him? Is he the kind of man you would have guiding your people? Is he the kind of man you want to stand at your side?”
His eyes were hard and cold, but she was not afraid. “I have only your word that he commits such atrocities. And your word means nothing to me.”
He glanced down at her. “One of the reasons I’m here is to explain to you about our betrothal.”
Her gaze fell to his mouth, and she melted inside. “I am listening.” She wondered if he’d heard the tremor in her voice.
He glanced up at the sky as if trying to remember a moment out of his youth. “I was but a young boy when I was told by my father that my future wife had been chosen for me. At that time it meant nothing to me. I was more concerned about swinging the small sword my father had given me, and thoughts of females had not entered my mind, much less thoughts of a wife.”
“How could they betroth us when they could not be sure I would ever be found?”
“No one doubted you would be found. Already you had been sighted in Rome. Turk was after you, but so was the king’s man. Did you never see them?”
“I only knew about Turk.”
“The king’s man almost caught you one day when he saw you stealing from a vendor in the market. Later he learned that a noblewoman had taken you away with her.”
Thalia’s mouth flew open. “I recall that day. I thought those men were after me because I was a thief. It is the day Adhaniá found me.”
She saw his chest rise and fall as he took a deep breath, and she realized for the first time that he was nervous.
“It was not until my seventeenth summer that I first asked my father about you. He explained the importance of uniting the island and told me that when you were brought home, I was to be your husband.”
That caught her attention. “What made you ask about the betrothal then?”
He met her gaze. “I thought I had lost my heart to a young woman of good family, and her parents were not opposed to considering me as her husband.”
The thought of him loving another made her ache inside. She wanted to ask if he still loved the woman. Instead she said, “You are now free to marry where you will. If you will help me escape, nothing will come between you and your lady.”
“That I cannot do. My word was pledged to the king, who renewed the betrothal vows before I sailed for Egypt. It is a sacred oath, and I will not break it.”
“But I gave no oath.” She glared up at him. “You are the last man I would ever have for my husband.”
Thalia watched as his silver eyes closed for the briefest moment, and his mouth compressed.
“You have the right not to marry me. If that is your wish, a different husband will be chosen for you. But marry you must.”
“Are you saying I will be forced to marry against my will? That there is a list of suitors waiting to be chosen if you do not meet with my approval?”
“Nay, it is not like
that. I beg you to understand this: if you are not wed and with child, Sevilin will still hold out hope of capturing you. And no matter what you think of me, you do not want to be under his power, or that of his mother.”
Thalia stalked away from him. “Nor do I want to be under your power. I will not marry you, and I will never stop trying to escape.”
His lips curved into a slow grin, taking her by surprise. “Let us put that aside for now. How would you like to go for a ride and see more of the island?”
Thalia’s first instinct was to refuse, but she reconsidered. To get out of the palace she would endure even this man’s companionship. “Is it safe?”
Ashtyn looked deeply into her eyes. “At the risk of my own life, I shall keep you safe.”
“Then I shall go with you. When?”
“As soon as you are properly dressed.”
Ashtyn bowed and departed, leaving Thalia to puzzle through their conversation. She walked inside and sank onto a chair, leaning back against the headrest. Perhaps she had been wrong about him wanting to marry her. Clearly he had been expecting her to refuse him—he must still love the woman of whom he’d spoken.
Wearing her mother’s breastplate, Thalia was delighted with the beautifully crafted helmet Ashtyn handed her when she was about to mount a horse. Like everything else that had been given to her to wear, it was a perfect fit. “My mother’s?” she asked.
“It was made for you alone at your grandfather’s insistence. The goldsmith stayed at his table all night so it would be ready for you this morning.”
She slid it on her head and snapped the strap beneath her chin. She’d thought it would be heavy, but it was of little weight. “I would like to reward the goldsmith for his kindness. You must tell me where he can be found,” she said, smiling.
Ashtyn’s laughter danced on the wind. “His true reward is in everyone knowing he was chosen to craft the helm for his future queen. You can be certain he lost no time in bragging to any who would listen.”
As they rode away from the palace, the morning sun was high. Galloping toward the distant mountains on a fine black stallion, Thalia felt her heart lighten.
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