The Heir (6 page)

The remainder of the night was a dizzying
blur to Baylin. He made conversation with his mother and the royal
family, not hearing most of the discussion due to the clamor within
the great hall. The people talked and laughed, enjoying the food
and warmth the castle offered.

By the time the celebration began to wind
down, Baylin could barely keep his eyes open. He excused himself to
return to his chamber.

Once he arrived, he found Luana had fallen
asleep on the fur rug in front of the hearth. She was wrapped in
blankets and had obviously been reading due to the large stack of
books lying about.

Baylin walked over to where she lay and
gently moved the hair from her face, causing her to stir. Her
emerald eyes seemed to glow in the firelight as she looked up at
him.

She gave him a slight smile and he knew the
worst was over.
She has forgiven me.

He took her into his arms and lifted her
from the floor, carrying her to the bed. As he laid her down on top
of the furs, she pulled him in closer and kissed him.

“Promise you’ll always love me?” she asked
with pleading eyes.

He leaned down, kissing her lips softly.
“Always.”

Chapter Five

During the next couple of weeks, Baylin used
the excuse of Luana’s health to avoid having to spend much time
with the royals from Mirstone. He had sent word through a steward,
begging forgiveness for leave due to his being overly concerned
about the health of his heir. However, Luana knew it was only a
matter of time before he would have to meet with them and get
reacquainted with Princess Isla.

Luana woke after sunrise to the sound of her
maids setting out the morning meal and the feeling of Baylin’s arms
around her. She had almost forgotten her worries of the war and
King Ashmur’s attempts to arrange a marriage between the two
Kingdoms.

She and Baylin rose and were dressed in warm
fur-lined clothes by their servants. They then seated themselves to
eat. The sun shone bright and warm through the tall windows and
felt nice against the morning chill.

Luana picked at her food. She was hungry,
but nothing seemed to satisfy.

“Do you not feel well?” Baylin asked.

“Could you get me some apples?” Luana
requested. She had a terrible craving for the fruit at the moment.
It seemed the nausea was beginning to let up and the hunger was
taking over.

Baylin laughed. “Apples?”

Luana blushed, realizing how odd the words
sounded when she blurted them out. “I’m sorry, they sound so
delicious. I know they aren’t growing in Grasmere right now, but I
can’t get over the craving for them.”

Baylin smiled, reaching his hand out and
laying it on top of hers on the table. “I will get you as many
apples as you like.”

Luana smiled and returned to her meal, but
she could feel Baylin’s eyes on her. “What?”

Baylin seemed to be smiling to himself. “Oh,
nothing.”

“What is it?” Luana pressed. His wide grin
caused her to giggle.

“It’s only,” Baylin began, “my mother craved
apples when she was carrying me. My grandmother craved them with
both Father and my uncle.”

Luana smiled warmly at him, understanding.
He thinks it’s a boy because I want apples.

She felt a delicate flutter in the pit of
her stomach at the shared delight in his thoughts. His excitement
about their child was intoxicating to her. She stared at him with
loving eyes.
Please let me give him a son. He deserves to have a
son.

As they were finishing their meal, a knock
came at the door. Baylin rose to answer it.

Luana could not see who it was when he
opened the door, but she could hear a woman’s voice. “Baylin! So
this is where you have been hiding.”

Luana craned her neck so she could see who
it was.

“Oh,” Baylin said. “Princess Isla, what do I
owe this honor?”

Luana turned her head back to focus on her
plate. She tasted bile in the back of her throat, feeling the icy
tingle of nerves mixed with anger travel all over her body.

Princess Isla.
Luana was miserable.
I never thought I would have to meet her, this woman who plans
to take Baylin from me.

“Well, when you refuse to present yourself
to your guests, the only choice is for your guests to come to you.”
The woman cackled as she walked past Baylin into the room.

Luana could not help but look up to see the
Princess. She was tall; closer to Baylin’s height. She had to admit
that the Princess was pretty, but her face and expression seemed
hard and unpleasant.

Isla was dressed as though she was already
Queen of Grasmere. She wore a magnificent rich crimson velvet gown
with a black and gold silk filigree underskirt. The bodice was
encrusted with, what appeared to be, small faceted rubies that
shimmered in the light. The edges of the gown were trimmed in gold
braided embroidery that traveled from the front of the gown all the
way to the back of her long train that trailed behind her when she
walked. On her head she wore a gold circlet with a round ruby in
the center. It gleamed in contrast with her raven hair.

The Princess turned and saw Luana staring at
her. “This is your bed wife?”

Baylin looked uneasy, unsure what to do or
say. “Princess Isla, please allow me to introduce Luana.”

Isla’s jaw tightened as she studied Luana.
She reminded Luana of a snake deciding when to strike a mouse.

The behavior that most surprised Luana was
Baylin’s. He treated her as though she was an equal to the
Princess. She knew he loved her, but she never considered herself
to be on the same level as anyone in the castle.
He really does
want me for his Queen.

“Father says she is with child,” Isla
continued, never removing her eyes from Luana.

“Yes,” Baylin replied. He took a deliberate
step, putting himself between Luana and the Princess. “Yes, she is.
Master Keon expects she will have the baby by the end of
summer.”

Stop talking as though I’m not here.
Luana was furious. This woman had intruded on a wonderful morning
and now she was standing here judging Luana as though she were some
animal.

The Princess walked a few steps closer and
reached out to touch Luana’s hair, causing Luana to seize up with
tension. Isla laughed. “Let’s hope your son does not inherit
certain aspects of her appearance. Can you imagine a boy with this
hair? He would more look like an elf than an heir to Grasmere!”

Baylin ran his hand down the back of Luana’s
hair gently. The soft motion and warmth of his touch helped to calm
her. He looked at Luana lovingly. “Actually, I’m quite fond of her
hair.”

Isla looked taken aback but quickly gathered
her composure in feigned fondness. “Oh, certainly it is very
pretty. Just more suited for a girl.”

To Luana’s shock, Baylin smiled up at the
Princess. “Thank you, Isla. Though I assure you a boy is most
desired, daughters would be just as loved.”

Luana saw a lightning-quick flash of a sneer
cross Isla’s face, but it was replaced with a forced smile. “I’m
certain the gods will bless you with many children. Obviously you
will have this one with your bed wife.” Princess Isla reached out
and took the Prince’s hand. “You must know I pray to the gods every
night that it will be a son. I know how much you and the Kingdom
hope for a boy. However, certainly your main concern will be
producing true heirs with your Queen someday.”

The words cut through Luana like a
double-edged sword.
His Queen. She knows the King plans to marry
Baylin to her.
Luana’s heart ached. She looked down at her
hands in her lap.

Baylin placed a reassuring hand on Luana’s
shoulder as he addressed the Princess. “Right now my only concern
is the well-being of Luana and our child.”

“Certainly.” Isla’s gaze fell on Luana,
piercing so that her blood ran cold.

Baylin began to walk toward the door. “Isla,
perhaps you should go back to your chambers with your family. I
will join you all within the hour.”

Never taking her eyes off Luana, Isla
hissed, “Well, I suppose.”

Baylin opened the door. “I promise, within
the hour.”

Isla finally broke her glare at the bed wife
and walked to the door. She stopped in front of Baylin and looked
back at Luana. Her face was turned so only Luana could see the
slight smirk on it. The Princess tuned to face Baylin with a
sickeningly sweet smile. She reached out and touched his face,
sliding a finger down his jawline. “Don’t be long. According to
Father, we have much to discuss about our futures.”

The Princess leaned toward Baylin and kissed
him on the cheek, throwing a knowing glance at Luana. The sight of
Isla’s hands on him made Luana clench her fists in her lap so hard
that her nails cut into her palms. Luana looked away, unable to
handle the scene any longer.

“Goodbye, Isla.” Baylin shut the door behind
the Princess as she left. He made his way over to Luana and knelt
next to her. Luana was still sitting in her chair at the table with
her fists gripped tightly. “Dearest, I am so sorry.”

She wanted to cry, but she was too angry to
let the tears fall. “She seems to be very pleased with the
arrangements the King has made for the two of you.”

“No,” Baylin protested. “There are no
arrangements as far as I’m concerned. It is you I love. I refuse to
marry Isla.”

Luana turned her gaze to the growing light
out the window. “You cannot say that. As long as your father is
King you must do as he commands.”

“I will change his mind,” Baylin said
gruffly, standing to his feet.

Luana sat in silence for a few moments. She
watched the clouds float in the sky, casting shadows on the land
below as they lazily passed by.
You can’t win every battle,
Baylin. Not even you can fight the King’s will.

He took Luana’s hands and brought her to her
feet. “I must go.”

She looked away, too sad to hold Baylin’s
gaze. She could only manage to nod without crying.

“I love you.” Baylin leaned in and kissed
her lips. He cupped her cheek in his hand. “Please smile for
me.”

What do I have to smile about?
Luana
hated the sadness in his eyes. She forced a small smile.

He smiled in return. “Much better. I will be
back soon.”

Baylin turned, leaving the room. At the sound
of the door closing behind him, Luana let the grief take her. She
fell to the smooth, cold stone floor and let the tears fall down
her cheeks.

Chapter Six

Prince Baylin descended the stairway to meet
with his guests, the royal family of Mirstone.
This is
ludicrous.
He knew the stress that the arrangement was causing
Luana.
She is the only wife I have ever wanted. She is the only
wife I will ever have.

Baylin had never been one to go against
anything his father had commanded or even suggested. The King was a
fair and just ruler and had wise counsel in matters both familial
and royal. However, this, Baylin could never agree to.
Why must
I play these games for Father’s sake? I will do anything else he
asks, but not this. I must make him see reason.

When Baylin arrived at the guests’ chambers,
he could hear Isla laughing through the door. Baylin had to admit
he had always found her attractive and pleasant, though he did find
her laughter to be somewhat abrasive.
None of that matters. My
heart is Luana’s alone.

Upon knocking, Baylin was greeted by a
handmaid. She led him to the sitting room where the royal family
sat, obviously awaiting him due to Isla’s earlier visit.

“Prince Baylin,” Isla called out as he
entered the room.

Though Mirstone was the smallest and least
lavish of the Kingdoms of Wintervale, the royal family made special
efforts to appear as though they were the richest.

King Gideon wore a long crimson red velvet
tunic that was trimmed in a rich gold satin. Situated on top of his
balding head was a ruby encrusted, gold filigree crown that seemed
to exaggerate the two remaining white tufts of hair on either side
of his wide forehead.

Queen Fia wore a luxurious gold velvet gown
that had a black silk underskirt with crimson embroidery. The skirt
was so large that Baylin was unsure how she managed to find her
seat when she sat down.

Baylin bowed deeply as he addressed the
royal family. “Your Graces. King Gideon and Queen Fia, you honor me
with your presence this morning. Princess Isla, you are looking
lovely as always.”

Isla let out a giggle at Baylin’s words. He
worried she took their meaning much deeper than he intended. In
truth, he didn’t want to say them at all, but he had to exercise
the proper courtesies on behalf of his father.

The Prince continued, “I do hope you are
making yourselves at home as our honored guests. I know Grasmere is
far colder than Mirstone this time of year. Is the room warm enough
for you?”

King Gideon stepped forward and took a bow,
the Queen and the Princess followed suit. “Prince Baylin, it is you
who honor us. We are indebted to your hospitality and protection
during this trying time.”

“Yes, Baylin,” Isla said, stepping forward
and grabbing his hand. “I cannot tell you how thankful I am for
coming to our rescue like you have.”

Queen Fia gave the Princess a disapproving
look. Isla had never been one to be guarded in her actions and
often displayed an air of impropriety. When they were younger,
Baylin saw it as one of her charms.

The Princess clung to Baylin’s arm as he
addressed King Gideon. “Your Grace, we are doing all we can to rid
your Kingdom of the trolls. Our first priority must be to the
people of Mirstone.”

“My people!” Isla moaned, not allowing the
King time to respond. “Baylin, I worry for them so!”