Firebrand

Before long, the visit came to a conclusion. Lady Amalya left them signed copies of her latest works, and curtsied with promises to visit again. Her presence had not been unpleasant, but Slee was only too glad to have his Beautiful One back to himself, alone.

“Thank you so much for asking her to come,” she said. “It was a wonderful surprise, and Lady Amalya is a delight.”

“Anything for you, my love.” It had been a surprise to him, too.

“Oh!” she exclaimed suddenly. “Your children must have liked her, too, for they are all stirred up.”

She let him slide his hand over her belly to feel tiny feet kicking. What was it like inside the womb? How did they look in there? Slee had stolen enough infants to know what they looked like after they’d been birthed. This was the first time he’d really gotten to know some while they were inside. They would be innocent and as glorious as their mother. They were his.

“Sire?”

Slee had placed his face against her belly to feel the movement of the babies against his cheek. Now he sat up, displeased to find one of the black-garbed guardians standing before him.

“What is it?”

“An envoy from Rhovanny has arrived.”

Slee searched the thoughts of the Zachary. This was an important development, but he did not wish to leave his queen’s side.

“Tallman and Javien can handle it.”

The Weapon shifted uncomfortably. “Sire, it may be considered an aspersion if you do not honor the envoy with your presence.”

Slee was about to argue, but the Beautiful One placed her graceful hand on his arm. “Zachary, you must go. You have been waiting for this for a very long time.”

“But—”

“I will be fine, and will await your return.”

Slee struggled with himself, but nodded. It would not do to arouse their suspicions. He would go and play king for a while, and yes, she would be here when he returned.

“Come,” Laren said in response to the knock on her door. She was struggling with her longcoat when, to her surprise, the Weapon, Fastion, and not a Green Foot runner, stepped inside her quarters.

“Fastion? I heard the envoy from Rhovanny has finally appeared. Have you come to fetch me?”

“Not to see the envoy.”

He stepped around her work table to assist her with the coat, and then helped her buckle on her swordbelt. It was disconcerting, to say the least. She felt like a child needing help to get dressed, and that that help was a warrior in black . . . ?

“Doesn’t the king need me?” she asked.

After a considered moment, he replied, “Most likely, but it is the queen who wishes to see you. She asked me personally to bring you to her.”

“The queen? Whatever for?”

“I do not know.”

It was something that he looked uncertain, almost as if he wanted to speak his mind, but discipline stayed him. In their walk over to the castle, he revealed nothing.

The castle entrance was clogged with the envoy’s entourage and attendants, in addition to castle servants coming forward to aid them. Laren was rather astonished by the number of people and horses, and wondered what dignitary of Rhovanny had made the journey to see Zachary. To avoid the crowd, Fastion took her through the servants entrance and through the back corridors until finally they reached the west wing and the queen’s apartments. She found Estora standing before the hearth, her hand pressed against the small of her back. She looked plump and rosy.

“Your Majesty,” Fastion said, “Captain Mapstone is here to see you.”

“Thank you, Fastion. Please see that we are not disturbed.”

He bowed and left them, and Estora turned to Laren. “Good heavens, Captain, what happened to you?”

Apparently word of the mishap with Loon and the fence had not reached this far. “An argument with a horse, my lady.”

“I am so sorry. Please, sit down. Should you even be out of bed?”

Laren took one of the chairs across from the sofa and smiled, thinking she’d done everything but rest in bed. “I ache, but I am well enough.”

Estora seated herself on her sofa, and drew a blanket over her lap. “Usually I think of Green Rider danger occurring out in the world, and not from their own horses.”

“I am ashamed to admit it happened in the paddock outside Rider stables.” Laren smiled briefly. “You wished to see me, Your Majesty?”

“Yes, Captain. I don’t quite know where to begin . . .”

“Is it about Zachary?”

Estora nodded. “Yes. It is rare he is away from my side, so with the envoy distracting him, I thought this a good opportunity to have you here. In fact, he is so attentive that I admit to feeling a little smothered.”

“I was wondering. He’s declined to attend his public audience and meetings.”

“I once wished for such attention,” Estora replied. “There were times when he was distant and I ached to have him close with me. Now he is the opposite.”

“Les Tallman says he is nesting.”

Estora smiled. “Vanlynn said something similar, and perhaps I should relax and revel in his attention while I have it. But it’s a little like he’s besotted.”

“Seeing you in bloom as the mother of his children may have moved something in him. He may not seem it, but he is quite sensitive.”

“Yes, but, Captain . . . Let us not mince words. He did not marry me out of love, but duty. He has been fond of me, yes, but not in the same sense as he loves Karigan.”