Rachel Rossano - The Theodoric Saga (12 page)

Ireic seemed to be doing that now. He stood in a classic pose, a dark shadow against the afternoon light. Shoulders squared, hands clasped behind his waist, and feet slightly apart, his stance suggested quiet and serious consideration. She doubted he contemplated the miniature young people moving about two stories below or the mountains beyond.

The professor was sitting unusually still. She found him watching her when she looked for him. He sat in an overstuffed winged chair between the two right most windows at Ireic’s right. They were close enough to be in conversation, but Eve suspected a lengthy lull stretched before her entrance. Olof spoke softly to Ireic, “Eve is here,” as she approached them.

Ireic turned. She stopped just beyond the end of the last table between her and the windows. His face was in shadow, but his body language spoke of hesitancy. Awkwardly, she waited for him to speak first.

“Princess Eve.” His voice’s steadiness contradicted his body’s report.

She dropped into a small curtsy. Thankful that she had been practicing, she murmured a soft, “Your Majesty.” He nodded as she rose.

“How is my brother?” Concern colored his voice.

“He sleeps, Your Majesty.”

“Please.” Ireic almost pleaded. “Don’t be so formal. I want to put that off as long as I can.” He stepped to the side and forward out of the light. She could distinguish the discomfort in his face as he continued. “Please call me Ireic or brother or…” He had run out of ideas. “…Anything but, ‘Your Majesty.’ Could you?” She slowly nodded. His face relaxed and he turned back toward the window.

“Do you think I will be able to convince Trahern to take the crown?” Eve followed him to the window.

“I do not know.” She honestly did not. “I came to ask some questions of my own…Ireic.”

He regarded her a moment and then smiled slightly. “I suppose you would have questions. Well, ask them. If I cannot answer to your satisfaction, I am sure that the professor would be able to.” He swept a hand toward the strangely subdued man sitting in the shadows to their right.

She glanced at the floor. “What is my husband’s standing legally?” She met Ireic’s eyes. “Was he outlawed or just banished?”

“He was banished at first.” The professor’s voice answered from the shadows. “Then about a year later, he was outlawed in Anavrea.”

Ireic agreed. “More recently Father issued a warrant for his capture, dead or alive. He offered a large reward to anyone who could deliver. That order changed Trahern from exile to fugitive even outside Anavrea.” He sighed deeply. “My father feared Trahern or his offspring would challenge my line’s claim to the throne. I strongly disagreed with his actions and he knew it, but nothing would dissuade him.”

“I understand.” Eve spoke softly, but the prince’s smile reassured her. “How can this be reversed?”

“It already has been. I sent my first royal decree back with the messenger that delivered the news of the king’s death and my ascension. Trahern has been granted a full pardon. The main problem now is whether or not he is to be reestablished into the Theodoric line as an heir.”

The professor stood and addressed them both. “We should wait until Trahern is with us to discuss this.” Eve had been thinking the same thing. “He, no doubt, has some questions of his own for both of you.”

Eve’s head came up as Ireic turned toward the door. “Why me?”

“You are his wife.” The professor stated it in such a way that Eve felt he thought it should be obvious that she would have a say. “If he becomes king, you will be his queen.” She was not sure she felt comfortable with that thought no matter how often she was told. She was only a common slave, hardly royal material.

Olof smiled at her puzzled face. Laying a hand gently on her shoulder, he said, “Eve, you are no longer a possession that is taken and sent as her master sees fit. You must stop thinking like a slave. I know Trahern does not want you to regard yourself that way. Does he?”

Eve remembered the conversation she and Labren had shared over a breakfast campfire. He wanted to treat her like a wife. “No.” She looked up into the wizened eyes of her teacher. “But it is so hard to change something that has been a part of me for so long. It was beaten and starved into me from before I can remember.” She carefully reburied the memories that rose. Labren changed her life for the good. He needed her now and she must not fail him.

“I will go fetch him.” She started for the door, but Ireic caught her elbow gently.

“Can I come?” His dark eyes had a numb, empty look to them. Like the man behind hid from something too terrible to confront. Something was familiar about the look.

She shyly dropped her eyes and turned.

“Where should we meet you, Professor?” Ireic did not release her arm.

“In the back parlor would be best.” The elder man replied. “Is half an hour long enough?”

They consented and quickly left. The professor watched them negotiate the large door together. Ireic had to move quickly to get to the door ahead of her. He made a point to open the large oak panel for her to walk out into the hall. Swiftly, though, he somehow caught her elbow again before she had gone three steps past the doorsill.

They moved in silence to the stairwell, but as she took hold of the railing, Ireic stopped her.

“Han spoke of your most recent confrontation with your brother.”

Heat rose to her cheeks despite the knowledge that her brother was the one who should be ashamed.

“I wish to help. Would my speaking to him assist you?”

She shook her head. “I doubt it. He is convinced that Trahern is abusing me and treating me like a slave not a wife. I have told him repeatedly that it is not the truth, but he will not listen. He refuses to let go of an idea once he is convinced of it.”

“I know the type. Then it would be better to have him distracted by something more pressing.”

“But what?”

He smiled. “That is one advantage of being king. I will find something.”

“Thank you.”

“You are very welcome, sister. Come, let us check on Trahern.”

~~~

Chapter VI

Two days later in the late afternoon, Eve went searching for the brothers. As she pushed the heavy oak door into the library, she wondered how their plans were coming. As far as she last knew, she and Labren were leaving for Ana City with Ireic on the morrow. Labren hadn’t specified how long they were going to be staying in the capital or what he wanted them to take. The view that presented itself to her as she entered the room drove all thoughts of packing to the back of her mind.

The dignified uncrowned king of Anavrea was in his elder brother’s headlock. Both men had abandoned their jackets and Ireic’s hair stood on end. She spotted the missing clothing on a nearby table, but did not see Labren’s cane among the cloth. Their laughter quickly dispelled any possibilities of serious strife.

Labren addressed his brother as she approached. “I see I should have stuck around to teach you how to fight.”

“I know how to fight,” Ireic managed as he tried to get a good grip on Labren’s forearm. “I just never learned how to wrestle.” With that, he went suddenly limp. The abrupt change from struggling to dead weight caught Labren off balance and they both went down laughing, narrowly missing the table behind them. Eve rushed forward to help them to their feet, only to be caught by Labren and pulled down with them.

“Have you come to make me behave?” Her husband’s voice came from behind her left ear. She struggled against his firm grip on her waist.

“No.” She finally succeeded in slipping his grasp. She gracefully arose and smiled down at him from a safe distance. “I have given up on that.”

Ireic had managed to gain his feet also and offered Labren his hand. “I suggest you rise, Trahern. She is more dangerous than she looks.” He shot her a familiar wink.

Taking the hand, Labren pulled himself up onto his good leg. Eve noted his cane was sitting against a desk a few feet away. He had obviously not been following orders. Her brief lapse in focus gave him the chance to cross the distance between them. She turned back to them only to encounter the wall of his chest and his blue-eyed gaze from over her head.

“My wife and brother seem to be getting along well.”

Eve did not look up, but continued to stare at the buttons of his new shirt. She had chosen the blue material because it complemented his eyes so well.

Labren knew she had heard him. Dropping his voice to a level that Ireic could not hear, he said it again. “My wife and brother seem to be getting along well. Maybe he should be the one to break the news.”

“Playing the coward, Trahern?” Both Eve and Labren jumped at Ireic’s closeness.

“Yes.” Labren looked over at his brother.

“In that case.” Ireic looked amused and uncomfortable at the same time. “Trahern warned me that you were not going to be pleased with my plans.” Labren turned to follow Ireic as he approached a nearby desk. “I wanted both of you to come with me back to the capital. I still strongly believe that Trahern is the man who should be on the throne and not me.” Ireic slid a pile of papers off the desk. “As you already know Trahern disagrees with me very strongly, but we have reached a compromise.” He perched on the edge of the desk and faced her.

Labren had moved to her side. Expecting that he would touch her in some way, Eve was surprised when he did not. Ireic continued.

“Labren has agreed to return with me to Ana City for a few months.”

Labren broke in. “Two months.”

“Yes, two months,” Ireic agreed. “During this time he will be helping me to set up the new regime. At the end of that time, I will no longer have any claim on his time. The two of you will be free to disappear, withdraw into the country, or whatever you wish.”

“You are leaving out some important issues.” Labren’s voice came from behind her left shoulder. He was standing closer than she had originally thought. Ireic raised his eyes from hers to her husband’s.

“I want Trahern to be reinstated into the line to the throne.” Ireic continued without lowering his gaze to hers. “Then, if I die before you have children, he becomes king. Your first child would become heir the moment he or she is born.” He dropped his eyes to Eve’s. “If I die before the child reaches the age of majority, Labren would serve as regent for the remaining years between.”

Eve’s mind raced. “Would the child remain with us until the age of majority?”

“We will teach and raise the child as we see fit.” Labren answered. “Ireic and those in government will have no say in his or her training.”

Eve took a step toward Ireic as he perched on the end of the desk. “Have you completely ruled out marriage and children for yourself?”

The Prince’s head came up quickly and surprise spread across his face.

“Trahern asked me the same thing.” He pushed off from the edge and strode into the middle of the room. “All I am doing is trying to secure the throne in the event I die or never produce an heir. I plan on choosing whom I marry on the basis of other things than birthing ability. Unlike my father, I want to have a mutually enjoyable union.” He turned back to them. “Like you.”

Eve smiled and almost laughed. Labren stared intently at the carpet, but when Eve glanced at him his shoulders were shaking slightly. “Although I am sure Trahern would agree with you, we are not a good example of a marriage that started on love or even affection.”

Labren slipped an arm around her waist. “But I, for one, am flattered that you approve of our relationship.” Laughter still lingered in his voice, but Labren tightened his embrace to emphasize his seriousness.

Eve turned and planted a kiss on his cheek. “I need to return to packing.”

She was halfway to the door when Ireic protested. “You have not given your answer.”

She turned. “Where Trahern goes, I go.” After curtseying slightly, she left the library.

An hour later she looked up from placing the last of her new clothes in the last trunk to find Ruarc watching her from the bedroom doorway. Bracing herself for the coming fight, she prayed for strength and wisdom.

“Have you come to say goodbye?”

Her brother frowned. “I have. I leave tomorrow morning for Ratharia.”

Eve stared at her brother in shock. Ireic promised to give her brother a task, but sending him to Ratharia seemed extreme.

“It isn’t that bad, Eve. I have been there dozens of times. King Ireic needs a man who knows the culture to find out what his ambassador is up to. Apparently the reports have been sketchy and unhelpful.”

“How long will you be gone?”

He shrugged. “Unknown.” His eyes narrowed. “You really do love him, don’t you.”

“I told you.”

“I know.”

“What made you finally listen?”

He frowned. “Your new brother-in-law can be mighty persuasive.”

“What did he threaten?”

“A cell in his dungeon if I didn’t stop harassing his sister-in-law.”

A drastic tactic but if the threat worked Eve was content. “So you believe he loves me now?”

“No. But I do believe the king will not let him abuse you.”

It wasn’t what she wanted, but it was a beginning.

“You could come with me if you wish, Eve.”

His desire for her company tore at her heart, but she knew where she belonged. “No, Ruarc. I have found where I belong. It is with Labren.” She closed the trunk lid.

He turned to leave.

“I will miss you, Ruarc.”

He turned back. “Even with him.”

“He isn’t my brother.”

He crossed the room. Enveloping her in a bone crushing hug, he whispered, “I love you, Eve.” Then he left.

Eve sat on the trunk and struggled with the turmoil within her chest.

After an afternoon and evening of frenzied packing and preparing, they set out for Ana City early the next morning. This journey passed differently than the previous. They traveled with twenty armed men to protect them. Secondly, Ireic, Olof, Han, Labren, and she all traveled in a carriage for the first day, making for close quarters. Eve got sick halfway through the day. She spent the rest of the week on the road feeling weak and could barely eat. The professor insisted that she drink a strong tea with every meal, but she did not improve.

She missed the privacy she and Labren shared back at the school. In the traveling party, they never gained a moment to themselves. Even at night, they all slept close to the fire. When they did stay in an inn one night, Labren stayed down with the men discussing important details until she fell asleep from exhaustion. When he finally did come to bed, she could only snuggle close and fall back to sleep.

Then, the night before they were to reach their destination, Eve surprised all of them, as well as herself, by bursting into tears over a spilled cup of tea. Feeling ashamed of her weakness, she fled to the carriage and hid inside. She was hungry, but she was not hungry enough to face a group of men with her eyes red from crying. Pressing her face against the brocade upholstery in the dark coach, she let herself cry.

As Eve fled, Labren felt like someone drove a knife into his chest and twisted it. He dropped his head into his hands. How could he have been so blind? He was committing the mistake he had been trying so hard to avoid. Someone laid a hand on his shoulder and asked, “Are you all right?” Instinctively, he nodded. He was not in physical pain, just emotional. He had neglected the one person he loved more than anything else in the world, all because he did not want to be forced to neglect her for the rest of their lives.

Fixing a passive mask on his face, he raised his head. Atluer was squatting next to him with a hand on his shoulder. Understanding and concern filled his eyes.

“Where did she go?” Labren heard his voice coming out like a growl.

Atluer peered at him a moment before answering.

“She headed in the direction of the carriage,” he finally answered. “Be gentle with her.” Nodding, Labren grabbed his cane and started in that direction as fast as his leg allowed.

He spotted her the moment he looked through the carriage window. Quietly he opened the door. She did not stir as he pulled himself up onto the seat across from her. Pulling the door closed behind him, he looked over at her small form. Strands of hair fell over her arms in waves of gold. Knees drawn to her chest, she rested her head on them. She gave no indication that she knew he had entered the compartment. He waited, not sure what to do.

“I am sorry.” Her tearful voice cut through his thoughts.

“There is nothing for you to be sorry for.”

She slowly raised her head to look at him. The pain, fear and confusion in her eyes pulled at his heart. Her bottom lip trembled and he could not stay away. Crossing to her, he took her into his arms. He held her close and buried his face in her hair, willing his heart to stop hurting. After a moment, he felt a movement near his heart. A few moments later, she spoke.

“Your heart is racing.” Her voice caught.

“I am frightened.” Labren loved the way she fit in his arms.

She pushed away from him so she could see his face in the dim moonlight.

“Of what?” The shadows did not hide the concern in her eyes.

“I have been neglecting you. I am afraid because, I cannot promise that it will not happen again. In fact, I know the next two months are going to be hard.” He stopped because she had placed her fingers on his lips.

Looking straight into his eyes she said, “I love you.”

“I know, and. . . .” She stopped him again.

“That means I will gladly go where you need me.” He stopped her.

“It does not mean I should neglect you. I promise that in two months I am all yours. Can you survive that long?” Labren’s heart strained with each beat. She had to say yes.

Eve studied his face. “Do you love me?”

Without hesitation, he answered. “Yes!”

“Then I can survive.”

With those words, Labren mentally sighed with relief. He pulled her close and kissed her thoroughly. When they finally drew apart, Labren suggested, “We can sleep in here for tonight.”

Eve agreed.

Labren left briefly to gather their bedding and by the time he returned, Eve had picked a place for them on the upholstered benches.

Eve’s lungs labored for each breath. Through sheer will power, she kept the claustrophobia at bay. The two small windows on either side of the carriage supplied inadequate circulation. Part of the problem was her cramped position. Although she and Olof were the two smallest people in the group, they were not the most comfortable.

The carriage continued its swaying way along the dirt road. Eve tried to adjust herself. Then they hit a bump.

“Oomph.” Labren grunted as her elbow connected with his ribs.

“Sorry,” Eve whispered. Instead of complaining, Labren slipped his arm around her and pulled her back against him.

Leaning over slightly so that his mouth was next to her ear, he said, "Hold still."

Catching her breath and biting her bottom lip, Eve tried to comply. Her muscles screamed that she move, and her stomach issued its usual threats. She was crowded, nauseous, and bone weary.