Trusted (29 page)

“You have nothing,” Sarea said dismissively.

“My people will rise against you!” Tyron said. “They will rip this country apart until you set me free!”

“And who will lead them?” Sarea asked simply. “Xan, make them kneel before their queen. Then you may take them away.

“I will not kneel in front of you! You are nothing!” Tyron screeched.

Xan came up behind him, grabbed his shoulder and kicked him in the back of his knee, forcing his leg to collapse and Tyron to kneel. Another soldier of the Order did the same to Gersa. Once they were on their knees, Sarea turned her back on them.

“Take them to the darkest, dankest cell in the dungeon we have…and forget about them,” she said.

“Yes, my queen,” Xan said. Then he yanked Tyron to his feet and dragged him away, his shrilly screeching daughter in tow.

Sarea found a seat and sighed. She was still sitting there when Xan returned a short while later. He hunkered down before her, placing a hand on her knee.

“Are you well, my queen?” he asked with concern.

“What are the chances Tyron’s men will rise up against the crown?”

“I have sent Hannibol out to capture all of his highest lieutenants to prevent just that from happening. As well as putting old Lord Tyron under guard so he cannot rally troops in his son’s name. We will give the lieutenants opportunity to swear fealty to the king in trade for their freedom. They have done nothing wrong as yet and we will not convict them just because they are of Tyron’s lands and holdings. Once they realize their master has been imprisoned, the odds are they will remain true to the crown. Once Tyron and Gersa are found guilty of treason, all their lands and holdings will be forfeit to the crown and Garrick will distribute them amongst loyal men. That will defray any lingering idea of rebellion. The best thing will be for Garrick to try and convict Tyron as soon as is possible.”

“How swiftly can that be done?”

“As swiftly as he likes.”

“Good. I would have it over with. I want this kingdom to be safe and settled for my child. It is bad enough we will be dealing with the Umam threat in future.”

“By the way, have I given you my heartfelt congratulations on the imminent birth of our heir?” Xan said with a smile.

“No, you have not. And I thank you. I will feel the congratulations more worthy when the time draws a little bit closer. There’s always a chance I might miscarry the child. My mother miscarried three children and had one stillborn.”

“Do not fret about such things. I have faith that you are of good stock and the king’s child equally so.”

“Thank you, Xan,” she said, giving him a fond smile.

“Now, is there anything I might bring you to help relieve you? Something to eat perhaps?”

She grimaced. “I do not think I will ever eat again. Certainly not chocolate.”

“You must eat. Have you not even broken your fast?”

“I will not eat until Garrick has returned safely with Jesso.”

“That could be some time,” Xan said dubiously. “Please. Let me get you something.”

“No. Thank you Xan.”

“Then at least lie down for a little while,” he said.

“I cannot rest until I know he is safe,” she said. “Please, Xan, do not worry about me. You have much to do I’m certain. Go. Help Hannibol.”

“Well…all right. But try to rest. I will see to it Garrick comes to you as soon as he returns.”

“I’ll be in the conservatory,” she told him.

Sarea stood up. She walked into the central part of the castle and went to the conservatory. The heat within struck her immediately and so did the dampness. She made her way to the little grouping of chairs and the table.

She sat down and she waited.

Chapter Twenty-Five

The warmth of the room had seeped into her, making her feel dozy. She had laid her head down on the little iron table and had closed her eyes just for a moment.

“Sarea.”

Sarea opened her eyes and found herself looking into the violet eyes of her husband. She gasped and sat up straight. He was squatting down in front of her, his hand on her knee and an amused smile tugging at his lips. She threw herself against him, over balancing him and sending him onto his backside. She curled up against him as he laughed and hugged her close with comfort.

“Easy wife. All is well,” he assured her.

“Jesso?” she asked, fighting off a swell of tears.

“Fine as well…though a little worse for wear. The Umam had captured him. Luckily we hunted them down before they could get to Umam territory. It turns out that Tyron sent a messenger to Veddig of Jesso’s approach so he sent a welcoming party to meet him. A fine trick of timing if you ask me. That messenger must have ridden as if demons were chasing him. The woods were swarming with Umam contingents. I’ve sent Hannibol to the woods with more men in case any of those contingents decide to cross into our lands. I hear he has been busy rounding up all of Tyron’s lieutenants.”

“Tyron and Gersa await your pleasure,” she told him.

“Let them wait. I would rather attend to you. Xan says you have not eaten.”

“I am afraid to,” she confessed.

“Well, I will see to it the cook staff is to be trusted. For you must eat. You have a child to feed as well as yourself.”

“I will eat now that you are here. Now that Jesso is safe. Now that Tyron and his wicked daughter are clapped in irons.”

“Well, something like that. I will not treat them ill. I will give no one cause to say I have. They will be found guilty of treason. If they confess I will spare their lives. If they do not…well, the world will be a better place without them.”

“Indeed it will be. But I hate to execute a woman. There is some truth to what she says. She was badly abused by her father. It helped shape what she has become.”

“She made her choices.”

“I agree. And she must pay for that. I am just not certain she need pay with her life.”

“All she need do is confess her part in it and her life will be spared.”

“All right. Hopefully she will see reason.”

“Enough talk of them. Let’s go see to Jesso. He’s been badly used and is at the medic…though it took threats to get him there.”

“Well, he will listen to me and let himself heal,” she said briskly.

“Very well. I will set you on him,” he chuckled.

He picked them up off the floor and together they sought out Jesso. He had both his eyes blackened, and had no doubt had some ribs bruised…possibly broken. Riding back to the castle had been hard on him. He looked worn and weary.

“You will stay abed these next days,” Sarea said firmly.

“Abed! There is too much work to be done!” Jesso protested.

“Abed,” she reaffirmed. “And if you do not I shall have you tied to it.”

Jesso grinned. “And to think I once thought you shy.”

“Shy! I have never been shy. Not of most things. Though the king did intimidate me at first.”

“Well that is all over with,” Garrick said with a laugh. “She is not cowed by me in the least any longer. I don’t know how I will get her to behave. I may have to resort to spanking her.”

Sarea immediately blushed to the roots of her hair, remembering how he had done exactly that. The memory made her warm all over. Garrick chuckled knowing exactly what she was thinking.

“Nothing wrong with that,” Jesso said. “But while I’m abed what shall I do to keep me occupied? Can you recommend a nursemaid?” Jesso asked Garrick jokingly.

The mood immediately turned for Sarea, and Garrick felt it happen. She became subdued and he wondered why. Then he realized the issue. She was jealous of his past lovers. But she had not struck him as the sort to be jealous. Still, if it were him and someone had brought up anything to do with her past lovers, he would be livid.

“None worth your while,” Garrick said to Jesso. “So now you have seen he is well taken care of, Wife. It is time we took care of you. She has not eaten a morsel since yesternight.”

“But it’s almost round to night’s meal now!” Jesso exclaimed. “Take better care of your wife, Garrick,” Jesso scolded him.

“I intend to. I shall feed her then tuck her into bed.”

“Ah. So she won’t be getting any rest you mean,” Jesso said with amusement. He laughed when Sarea blushed. “She’s still an innocent in spite of you,” he said to Garrick.

“She is indeed. And that’s just the way I like her,” Garrick replied, pausing to kiss his wife atop her head. Then he took her hand in his and led her from the room. Garrick had asked a servant to see a meal set out for them in their rooms. It had been done and was set out in the king’s suite. Garrick saw her seated and, sending the servants away, began to serve her himself. He set hot, delicious food on her plate and her stomach rumbled angrily.

“I see my son wants his supper,” he said teasingly.

“He is a demanding boy,” she said with a smile.

“Something like his father?”

“Exactly like his father.”

“I have not put too many demands on you, have I?” he asked.

“None that I did not welcome,” she said shyly. It made him smile.

“Eat something,” he said, putting her fork in her hand.

“But what if…” she trailed off, nibbling her lip anxiously.

“I will not have you starve for fear of poison,” he said, taking a bite of her food then handing her the fork. “If someone is intent on poisoning you, they will find a way. Or perhaps they will just sit by while your fear starves the life from you and our child.”

Sarea had to admit he had a point. If someone wanted to they could harm her in hundreds of ways. She could not live in fear. Besides, the main source of danger to her had been dealt with. She should know she could breathe a little easier. But she would feel better once an investigation into their household and affairs was completed thoroughly. Who knew how many spies Gersa had in Sarea’s household just as she had in hers. Sarea had always been aware that might be the case, so she had never mentioned her spy in front of others. Then again, she had not needed a spy when all she had to do was manipulate poor Hycinth. Hycinth had been completely out of her depth in court and with dealing with Gersa. Sarea did not blame Hycinth, but she did not think she would trust her judgment on things any time soon. Such things made her miss her Isobol terribly.

Sarea put her fork to her dish and placed a bite in her mouth. She chewed and swallowed, though it felt like lead going down. However, by the third bite she began to enjoy the flavor of the food and as her hunger was teased by aromas and flavors she began to eat with relish.

Once he saw she was eating well, Garrick retired to his side of the table. He began to serve himself and soon they were both eating in silence. Finally, once she felt she was done with her plate, she set her fork down and looked at her husband.

“There. I have fed our child,” she said with a small smile.

“I am glad of it,” he said. “It would hurt my heart to see you chased into starvation by fear.”

Hurt his heart? Sarea thought. What did that mean exactly? Could it mean…? But no. It was love for his child that he spoke of. It was clear that he felt love for his unborn son already.

“I am glad that I am able to give you a the son you love so much. I only pray I am worthy enough in the eyes of the Joyous One to give you a healthy boy when the time comes.”

“You are more than worthy,” he said with passion. He came out of his seat and knelt on one knee beside her chair. “You are more than any man has a right to ask for. Sarea…don’t you feel anything special between us?”

She swallowed, hope trembling on a knife’s point.

“I know what I feel for you,” she said softly.

“And what it is you feel for me?” he asked.

She bit her lip. “I am…I am loving and dutiful, as all wives should be.”

He looked immediately disappointed. “I see,” he said, sounding very sad.

“But…but I am afraid that I…I think I might feel far more deeply than I should,” she said in a small voice.

A suddenly lightness washed over his expression. “You are afraid? Why should you fear the depths of your feelings?”

“B-because you might not wish for me to…to be needful of you.”

“Sarea, I am your husband. Of course I wish for you to need me.”

“But…there may come a time when my need of you might prove inconvenient,” she said carefully.

“Sarea, speak plainly to me. I do not understand your thinking.”

“I am afraid to love you!” she blurted out. Then more slowly. “For you might not love me back.”

“Sarea, I love you more than my own breath for you give me more life than it does!” he said fiercely.

“You do not need to say that. I understand that you are not prone to fanciful feelings.”

“Not prone…Sarea, what I am not prone to is saying things I do not mean. If I tell you that I love you, take heart that I mean it most sincerely.”

Sarea’s eyes filled with tears as an incredible lightness of being washed through her. The weight of everything she had been struggling under was lifted and the sensation was dizzying.

“You…you love me?” she asked, still having difficulty believing what she had hoped for was actually coming to pass.

“Sarea, you are my trumate. I cannot love another.”

Trumate! That wasn’t possible!

“You’re mistaken,” she said, feeling immediately crestfallen. He didn’t love her. He thought they were something that they weren’t.

“I know what you’re thinking,” he said, his voice stern. “Even if we weren't trumates, I would still love you Sarea.”

“But…we can’t be trumates. That just doesn’t happen because you want it to. And we don’t feel each others feelings or hear each other’s thoughts.”

“Don’t we? When you were stabbed I felt it go through me as if I were on the end of the knife myself.”

Sarea blinked in surprise. Then she remembered…remembered the day he got shot, the way she had felt as if the arrow had pierced her shoulder and not his. She remembered all of the times she felt she knew what he was thinking even when he wasn't voicing it in words. And most of all, she remembered the passion they had been sharing night after night, the intensity of it, the feelings that they were somehow a whole rather than two halves separate and apart.

“How…how long have you known?” she asked, still stunned by the revelation.

He looked immediately sheepish.

“For a while.”

“How long?” she demanded.

“I began to suspect right before I asked you to be my wife.”

Sarea’s head was spinning. She didn’t know what to feel about that. About any of it! Had he just asked her to marry her because they were trumates? Not because of her, Sarea, but because they were predestined to be?

“Sarea…stop. You’re overthinking. Is it really so hard for you to believe that I love you for who you are?”

“Do you? Or do you just think that you do because we are trumates and legend tells us we should.”

“Sarea! Stop it!” he snapped, making her startle in her chair. “I have never told any woman on the face of this world that I love her, and when I finally do she sits and questions my sincerity?”

“I do not want you to love me because you have no choice in the matter!” she cried.

“I
don’t
have a choice in the matter! Choice was taken from me the moment you jumped into the conversation the day of the games! I fell in love with you the minute I saw you, the minute I heard you. The way you spoke with such independence and surety in the face of those who would discount you because you were a woman…I could not get you out of my mind from that moment on. I could not rest until I made you mine. And that, my love, was long before I ever knew we were trumates.”

“Is that true?” she asked, feeling her heart thump hard in her chest.

“Do you love me?” he asked her.

“Yes! Oh yes.”

“Why should I believe you any less? Because we’re trumates? Trumates only means we were destined to be a mated pair. It does not mean we are destined to love. Love often follows, it is true, but there are no guarantees.” He touched her cheek. “It fills my heart to hear you say you love me. Let me fill your heart as well.”

Tears of joy and relief began to tremble on the tips of her lashes. She blinked them away and caught his darling face between her hands. She leaned in and kissed his mouth with trembling lips.

“From the day of the games?” she questioned.

“From that very day. It took me some time to understand it, but it was indeed instant love. I could not rest until you were mine. When did you first realize it?”

“Oh, much later than that. I was so overwhelmed by you during our courting…but…I believe I could mark the time as the moment you showed me the conservatory. Once I saw all of the love and care you were capable of, I knew my heart was lost. It was how I knew Gersa’s accusations were untrue.”