Chapter Thirteen
Baelan
Baelan stood on the shore for a long time, feeling helpless as he watched the queen and her entourage slowly make their way back into the castle. When he turned to leave, he realized Selene was still there, sitting on the rocks by the water. He went to her and sat down.
“So,” Selene said quietly. “Your new love is an enemy of Zheka, I see.”
Baelan sighed. “She isn’t, not at all,” he replied. He explained about Rillie’s voice.
Selene shook her head. “Baelan, you should’ve known better,” she said, tossing her dark hair over one shoulder and toying with the ends. “Really!”
“What was I supposed to do,” Baelan moaned, putting his face in his hands. “How could I have known Zornaya would do such a thing?”
“Because she is our queen,” Selene said stiffly. “And I doubt that she makes empty threats.” She sighed and scooted closer to her brother, staring at him critically. “And you should have thought about that!”
“Rillie is no threat,” Baelan said stubbornly.
Selene bit her lip. “Baelan,” she said quietly. “I…I do not wish to bring up the past, but remember the lady, Taryn? And how you thought that she was perfect?”
“Rillie is nothing like Taryn!”
“Yes, well, I don’t know that,” Selene said in a gentle voice. “And perhaps the queen only has your best interest in mind. You forget – we were all too recently put in a very dangerous situation.”
“I haven’t forgotten,” Baelan said sourly. “And I joined the navy for that very reason! I wanted the queen to know I am quite serious about making amends.”
Selene let out a deep breath.
“And besides, that woman – that evil captain! – did you ever look at her? She must have been hurting Rillie,” Baelan said. “She directed her men to attack us at sea, and Rillie is the only reason that our ship wasn’t taken! Would the queen rather her own navy be taken, prisoner?”
Selene frowned. “So, you mean that girl stowed away on your ship?”
“Aye, but—“
“Baelan!” Selene said harshly. She got to her feet and wiped her hands on her skirts. “Listen to yourself, brother! You are blinded by love!” She pursed her lips. “Still, I think perhaps the queen would warm if you told her of that tale.”
Baelan shook his head bitterly. “It’s no use,” he said angrily. “I’ve done enough.”
“Now you are being the same stubborn Baelan I recognize,” Selene said.
Baelan didn’t laugh. “It’s not amusing,” he replied. “Why isn’t everyone overjoyed that I’ve finally found the woman I love? My true mate,” he added. “I know there is no other woman for me than Rillie.”
“Because she is a foreigner,” Selene said. “And because she possesses a strange power that could bring dozens of men to their knees, just at the sound of her voice! Don’t you understand, Baelan?”
“Well, then, I should take her and leave,” Baelan said sourly.
“It would not be that simple,” Selene said. “You really think the queen is just going to release her?” She blinked and shook her head. “And Baelan, trust me – as much as I thought I wanted to leave Zheka, I found myself missing it more by the day. You have family here!”
“I could ask the queen to entertain an audience,” Baelan said. He began thinking of what to ask, what to say to the queen so she would release Rillie from the dungeons.
“You could try,” Selene said. She took Baelan’s hand. “Come, walk with me – Phaelenx will be curious where I have gone.”
“It’s all easy for you,” Baelan said bitterly, shaking his head. “Mother was simply happy that you found a mate, no matter what status. And ever since you left, she has been trying to make a match between Aya and myself.”
Selene giggled.
“I see nothing funny about that,” Baelan said. He frowned. “The lady Aya is as dim as she is pretty, and I’ve known her for my entire life. Why, she seems like my sister!”
Selene rolled her eyes. “You forget, mother tried to make a match for me as well,” she said. “And let me remind you, I know how that feels.”
The two lapsed into silence as they approached the royal compound. When they were at the entrance, Baelan pulled Selene into a spontaneous hug.
“What?” Selene pulled away. “What is it?”
Baelan swallowed. His eyes were dark and large and full of purpose. “If Queen Zornaya is willing to release her, we must leave at once,” he said. “And I may never see you or mother again.”
Selene nodded. “I understand.” She leaned in and pressed her dry lips to Baelan’s cheek. “I will be keeping you in my prayers, brother,” she said. “And the girl, too.”
Baelan watched his sister disappear into the royal compound with mixed feelings. One part of him felt that leaving Zheka would be a sweet relief after the recent events. But the other part of him felt a twinge of regret that he had not handled the situation more appropriately.
Still, he set off at a fast pace to the castle. As Baelan entered over the drawbridge, he realized he was attracting a wide array of stares. He frowned – he was used to passing through as a royal cousin. Then he looked down and realized he had yet to change out of the torn, sandy clothing that he’d been wearing when he left Zheka on a stolen ship.
The queen’s chamber was flanked by two guards. Baelan puffed out his chest and strode confidently toward them.
“Please, I need to speak with Queen Zornaya,” Baelan said in his most respectful voice.
“And you are?”
Baelan bristled at the question. “I am Baelan Covendane!”
One of the guards flushed slightly. “Ah, yes,” he said. “I am sorry, sir, I did not recognize you. Please, wait here for a moment.
Baelan fidgeted nervously as he waited for the guard to return. He rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet and twisted his hands behind his back. It seemed to take an incredible amount of time.
When the guard returned, Baelan half expected to be turned away. But to his surprise, the guard bowed.
“The queen will see you now,” the guard said.
Baelan tried to maintain his air of confidence as he strode into the queen’s chamber. Zornaya had changed into a dressing gown of brilliant green silk. She looked haughty and regal and angry.
“My queen,” Baelan said in a low voice. He dropped into a bow.
“You may sit,” the queen said.
Baelan stood and walked to a small chair where he sat hesitantly.
“I expect you are here about the girl.”
“Aye,” Baelan said. “I mean, yes, my queen. That is why I have come.”
“It is no use. She will remain in the dungeon until Captain Maeraria comes for her, at which point I will release her.”
Baelan stared at the queen in horror. He had always known Zornaya as a gentle, benevolent ruler. When had she become so hard, so cruel?
“I know you think me callous,” Zornaya said as if reading Baelan’s mind. “And yet I am not. It is not only in my best interest – it is in the interest of Zheka, and my people.” She got to her feet and walked over to Baelan. “And my people trust me to rule them fairly.”
“My queen, if I may speak,” Baelan said in a low voice. The queen was surprisingly tall and her figure standing next to Baelan was intimidating – it made Baelan realize that she had wanted him to sit for obvious reasons.
“Please,” the queen said.
“Rillie is no threat to Zheka,” Baelan said. “She is a wonderful girl. I have fallen in love with her.”
The queen showed no sign of surprise. Internally, Baelan cursed his mother.
“I am sure you have,” the queen said. “But the kingdom is filled with suitable young women – many of whom are quite beautiful and wealthy.”
Where was this skepticism when I was losing my mind over the lady Taryn, Baelan thought angrily. He balled his hands into fists.
“Baelan,” the queen said, sensing his anger. “You may go to the dungeons and have Rillie released, under one condition.”
Baelan’s heart soared and he leaped to his feet. “That we leave Zheka, forever? Because I will gladly do it,” he said quickly. “As long as I may be with Rillie.”
The queen looked startled. “No,” she said. “No, of course not. That would never do, for what if she harmed you, and then returned to harm us?”
Baelan stared. “What do you mean?”
“I will allow the release of the girl if you swear to cut her tongue out,” the queen said calmly. “Either that or if you will swear to kill her.”
Baelan felt like the queen had ripped into his chest and removed his heart. “What?” he asked dully
“Baelan, I know you understood my words,” the queen said softly. “Now, please, leave. If you are not prepared to do either of those things, she will rot in the dungeons until the captain returns.”
Baelan couldn’t speak. His head was spinning and his heart was thumping wildly. He was in a state of shock, of disbelief.
“You…” Baelan spat at Queen Zornaya. “You are not a fair ruler!”
The queen’s eyes flashed with anger. “You will see,” she said calmly. “When Aerdan is High Commander, you will see his own wife make the same difficult decisions.”
Baelan was so angry that he felt like spitting in her face.
“Guards!” Queen Zornaya yelled.
The two guards burst in and Zornaya pointed to Baelan.
“He is not rational,” she said. “And I wish for him to leave me.”
The guards grabbed Baelan’s arms and began dragging him from her chamber. He was so angry that for a moment, he didn’t even realize what was happening. But as soon as he saw the stone walls of the castle, he began to kick and scream.
Rillie, I’ll save you, Baelan thought angrily as the guards tossed him out into the bright sunlight. Even if I have to kill everyone in my path.