Chapter 67
"How was your swift release?" I asked.
She had come to my residence some hours after I had left hers, now seated upon the sofa opposite me in the drawing room, her face red.
"It would seem your swift release endured for several hours," I added.
"I did not release!" she protested. "I was suffering for hours, that is what it was. That is why I did not come at once."
"Yes… I see."
"What? You do not believe me? I could have Sir Lorcan attest to it. He was present in the room."
"While your cock was out and about..."
"I had already covered myself!"
I lifted my teacup, cradling it within my hands. I had no thirst, yet its warmth was welcome against the lingering chill in the air. "The reason for this conversation, you are surely aware. Have you come to a decision regarding my proposal for Aelunira?"
At the shift in topic, she calmed and moved to sit beside me. As expected, her arms encircled my waist, her head coming to rest upon my shoulder. "If I were to accomplish something deemed impossible for a woman, would you come to Dunverra with us?"
"I am content here. I find purpose in my work at the House of Gab."
"I could secure you a similar position in Dunverra."
"I am content here, Yseldra."
"Then what if I were to ask Millicent to aid me in constructing a portal between Dunverra and here, one that would allow you to travel freely? Would you then come reside in the palace with me?"
"Millicent has already done more than enough for me. I would not impose further upon her."
"Millicent is ever consumed by her work regardless. It will just take time, as the distance requires a considerable number of stones, but I shall gather them." She exhaled softly. "If only I had not given all of my stones to Millicent."
Could I come to love her once more?
"What stones are required?" I heard myself ask.
"Fumiah stones. I relinquished all of Dunverra's Fumiah stones in exchange for Millicent's aid in removing the enchantments upon Nerissea's contract."
Ah. So that was the cause. It explained why Ivoryspire had come to possess portals across even its smallest towns in recent years, rather than confining them to its great cities alone.
"Very well, Yseldra. If you succeed in constructing those portals, and if you accomplish something no woman has ever achieved, then I shall return."
If she could fulfill both conditions, then I would attempt to love her once more. Such feats would prove a depth of resolve that could not be feigned, a willingness to endure hardship for my sake. If she is unable to achieve those, then I could not entrust my heart to her again. I was healing, and I could not afford to lose that progress. Another wound of that nature would undo me entirely, of that I was certain.
---
At long last, winter withdrew its grasp and spring arrived. Yseldra had not sought me out since that day. As for Romeo, she must have acted, for he had not appeared before me since their duel.
As for Aelunira, our bond continued to grow. She began to open herself to me, no longer the child who concealed her thoughts, but one who now behaved as any ordinary girl of five might. Yet she was never unruly. She remained ever obedient. It would be false to deny the tender joy that stirred within me each time we met.
On days when her tutors did not attend, I would pick her up from Yseldra's resident and took her with me to my work, and she would always bring along Veevee, a small, fluffy white puppy of the most delicate breed. She delighted in the company of the other children, finding particular joy in teaching them how to wield a blade, and I ensured each was given a wooden sword. They were not of noble birth, yet they were orphans, and it was only right they learn to protect themselves.
To spare the children confusion as to why she possessed two mothers, I instructed her not to speak of Yseldra. Fortunately, they did not inquire, for most among them knew little of family themselves.
"My Lady," Neal said, a note of unease in his voice as he stood before me in my study. "The Contest of Champions draws near. Men are departing for Landfox. My cousin is among the participants. Might I request leave to see him off?"
Yes, I had heard him and Andrew speak of it in hushed tones these past days.
"You may," I replied. "Tell him to take great care. Should he find himself overmatched, it is wise to concede. He may lose a limb, or worse, his life if he persists beyond reason. His life is of greater worth than any glory."
"Thank you, My Lady. I shall convey your words."
He bowed and moved to depart, yet paused at the door. "A maid asked that I relay this to you. Queen Yseldra has left Ivoryspire for Landfox. She intends to participate."
My heart lurched within my chest as I rose at once. "Pardon?"
"While I was out delivering one of your letters, I encountered a member of Her Majesty's staff," he said. "She appeared greatly troubled. She told me the Queen has been training with her knights, honing her blade in preparation for this tournament."
"When did she depart?" I asked, my voice unsteady.
"Early this morning."
I rushed past him and fled the residence.
"Andrew, to the city portals at once," I commanded as I climbed into the carriage.
So that was why Yseldra had not come to me. She had been sharpening herself for battle. Why would she enter a tournament filled with seasoned men?! I know her. She would not yield. She would rather break than concede. Was she a fool?!
She… she sought the golden rose. She had resolved to place it in my hands. She had resolved to achieve that which no woman had ever attained.
The carriage came to a halt before the city portals. I descended and stood before its entrance. If she had left at dawn and it was now noon, she would be nearing Cassinee.
"Cassinee," I whispered, and stepped within.
Cassinee was filled with men, more than I had ever seen gathered in one place. Their carriages lined the streets in long succession as their owners paused to take rest, to seek food, or to make use of the outhouse. Their weapons caught the sunlight, gleaming with a promise.
"Pardon me," I said to a tall young man with a sword fastened at his side.
My heart that was already restless seemed to falter further. Yseldra would stand against men such as him. The mere thought sent a chill through me. How could she, a noblewoman scarcely taller than I, her frame so slight, contend with one who bore the build of a brute? And she wielded only a dagger. The blade at this man's side was near the size of a greatsword. And if I had not even known she possessed skill with a weapon, then how much could she have truly trained?
"Yes, little lady?" he said with a grin. "What brings a pretty thing like you here? There are many men about. Best take care you are not carried off."
"Have you seen a royal carriage?"
"Not myself, but a friend of mine has. They have already left town."
I stepped through the portal to the next settlement and made my inquiries there. None had seen the royal carriage. That could only mean Yseldra had yet to arrive.
I waited at the entrance with mounting unease. Carriages passed one after another, men upon horses following in steady streams, yet none bore the royal crest. What if they had already come and gone? What if she had already passed through, now further ahead?
Just as I turned to depart for the next town, the royal carriage appeared in the distance, her guards riding firmly about it.
Relief did not come. Instead, a sharp and rising anger seized me, and I ran toward it.
"Lady Naevia?" Sir Lorcan said, his confusion plain. He motioned for the coachman to halt. "What brings you here-"
I rushed past him and entered the carriage. Yseldra sat within, clad in a fine blue blouse with matching trousers and long boots, her hair drawn into a high ponytail, the ribbon echoing her attire. She was just about to take a bite of bread when I snatched it from her grasp and seized her shoulders.
She stared at me in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"Have you lost your reason?!" I shouted.
"Pardon?"
"Were you truly intending to duel those men?! You could lose your life! They will not yield to a woman! You may prevail in a few bouts, but do you truly believe you can win such a tournament unscathed?!"
"Naevia, wait. Compose yourself."
"Compose myself? How could I possibly?!"
"Hear my plan-"
"The plan to be crushed?! The plan to lose a limb?!"
I released her and seized the dagger resting beside her, its blade sheathed. "This is your plan?! To face men armed with greatswords using nothing but this?!"
I flung it out the open door. She yelped and moved to retrieve it, yet I held her fast.
"If you love me as you claim, why would you go to a tournament meant for men?! Have you considered what I would endure should you return injured?! Or should you not return at all?! Have you thought of our child?! She clings to you now! If you do not return, what am I to tell her?! You are always so damn recklessly-"
My words were silenced as her lips met mine.
She drew back slightly, a soft laugh escaping her. "Are you calm now?"
"I hate you."
She leaned closer with playful ease. "I had intentions of revealing my plan, yet seeing you so agitated…" She paused with deliberate mischief. "I shall not tell you. I rather enjoy when you concern yourself over me."
"Who would concern themselves over you?!"
She drew me into her embrace. "I intended to secure my victory by... cheating."
"Pardon?!"
"They announce our opponents the night before each duel. I planned to have my men poison their food or drink. It is without scent, without trace. A harmless toxin, merely enough to weaken them and cloud their minds come morning."
I pulled back, utterly taken aback. "And if you were to fail?! What then?!"
"A fair inquiry. Sir Lorcan and I have devised numerous contingencies. We have several strategies prepared."
"And you do not fear that others might attempt the same upon you?"
"I am the Queen of Dunverra. Should they so much as consider it, they would answer to the King of Landfox. And I shall be lodged within his palace as a guest. Nothing I consume shall be tainted."
"And you do not fear he may grow suspicious and accuse you? Consider your position. A woman defeating one man after another with nothing but a dagger."
"I stand allied with Millicent. None would dare offend her."
"You are insufferable."
I seized her hand and pulled her from the carriage, dragging her toward the portals.
"But I was to achieve something no woman ever has!" she called after me.
"You already have!" I replied sharply. "By deciding to enter such a tournament!"
She smiled, allowing herself to be led without resistance.
And perhaps… I still loved her. For if I did not, why did such fierce and uncontrollable anger seize me at the mere thought of her placing herself in danger?