The King & His Queen (Pict King Series Book 3) Read online

  She stepped outside her dwelling to greet the morn and see the clouds restricting the sun, letting it shine through only at their whim, and to see that a guard was ready to follow her wherever she went. Her solitude had been disturbed and she could not bear it much longer, especially when Talon returned. They would never have any time alone together if they both were forever watched.

  She had been spending more time on finding out who in the stronghold was involved in the plot to unseat the King. Unrest had settled over the people and Hemera could not blame them. If Hollins, one of their own, had betrayed them who was to be trusted?

  “It is over.”

  Hemera was not the only one stopped abruptly by the sharp retort. Others had stopped and sent a curious glance at Broc. Seeing that he had drawn attention, he grabbed the servant, Simca he had spoken to by the arm and hurried her off to the side of a nearby dwelling.

  It seemed obvious that Broc was ending whatever had been between them and Simca looked none too pleased.

  She continued on as did the others and a smile brightened her face as it did her sister’s when they caught sight of each other. A quick hug was exchanged before they walked off, arm and arm, and it was not even a moment later that Simca ran past them, tears staining her flushed cheeks.

  “I believe Broc and Simca are no more,” Verity said, keeping her voice low and shaking her head. “It is her own fault.”

  “Why do you say that?” Hemera asked, thinking how she would feel if Talon told her it was done between them. She had not given such a possibility thought. She had joined with Talon with no preconceived notions. He was King and would have a queen one day and she would... what? What would she do if he did not want her anymore? She had found herself missing him terribly since his departure and it only grew worse the longer he was away. What would it be like if he was done with her like Broc was with Simca? How would she cope with this unexpected and growing ache while separated from him?

  A small gasp nearly slipped from her lips when a sudden thought hit her.

  She had lost her heart to Talon or perhaps he had stolen it. What was she to do? She had never given the prospect thought, never believed such a thing would happen to her. She favored her solitude and yet she ached for Talon’s return, ached that they never be separated this long again.

  “Did you hear me, Hemera, or do your thoughts wander?” her sister asked accustomed to her sister’s mind straying.

  “My thoughts hold me captive,” Hemera admitted.

  Verity patted her sister’s arm. “We are captives no more.”

  That was not completely true. Talon held her heart captive and she would never be free, but she said none of that to her sister. “Tell me again.”

  “Simca gives her favors to many men, staying faithful to none, then becomes angry when a man no longer wants her. Wrath dealt with her anger once.”

  Hemera turned surprised eyes on her sister.

  “We were not together yet.” Verity’s brief laughter fell around them softly. “He was trying to avoid his attraction to me.

  “That brought a smile to Hemera’s face. “I remember the visions you had about him. It helped in the decision to escape, knowing there would be someone there to care for you.”

  “And you,” Verity said with an excited smile. “There is someone who will soon care for you or has he already?”

  Hemera shook her head. “What are you saying?”

  Verity lowered her voice. “According to my vision, you will be with child shortly and I heard about how King Talon found you having fun in the woods with Bower that day and you have been seen with him a couple of times in the days since King Talon’s departure.” She gave her sister’s shoulder a nudge with her own. “Bower is a good man and I would be happy for you.”

  “Bower is a good man,” Hemera agreed, “but not the man for me. His time with me is spent talking about the tree branches that are best to craft fine bows. I have made it clear to him that I expect or want no more than friendship from him.”

  “Then who could it be that would steal your heart so suddenly?” Verity asked, chewing at her bottom lip in thought when suddenly she stopped walking, her eyes turning wide. “Someone has already stolen your heart.”

  Hemera’s first thought was to deny it, but that would only make her sister wonder more and since her vision she would be curious about anyone who looked Hemera’s way. It would be better if her sister knew there was someone just not the identity of that someone.

  “I was not ready to share it yet,” Hemera said.

  Verity could hardly contain her excitement. “I am thrilled to hear it. Who is it? I want to meet him and Wrath will want to meet him. However did you keep it from us? I am so happy for you.” She threw her arms around Hemera and squeezed tight.

  Hemera could not help but think if her sister would be this happy if she knew who it was.

  “Tell me all about him,” Verity said, taking hold of Hemera’s arm once more to continue walking.

  “He is more than I believed him to be and all that I want.”

  Verity stilled her steps, a gentle smile gracing her lips. “You have lost your heart to him. Has he done the same?”

  Hemera shook her head. “It is all new. I am still learning how I feel.”

  “You will never fully comprehend it all and that is the joy of losing your heart. Now tell me who it is. I am impatient to know.”

  “Not yet,” Hemera said and started walking again.

  “Hemera—”

  “Please, Verity, let me have this to myself just a while longer,” Hemera pleaded, wishing she could share it with her sister yet knowing that was not possible.

  Verity gave it thought for a moment and not hiding her disappointment, finally agreed grudgingly. “A little while, no more. I want to know that this man is good for my sister.”

  “I feel safe with him.”

  Verity gasped, a hand going to her chest. “I feel that way with Wrath.” A sudden frown caught her face. “If you want no one to know, how have you met with him since the guards have been assigned to follow you?”

  Leave it to her sister to realize that, though Hemera provided an honest response. “We have not been together since the attack.”

  “You must miss him.”

  “Terribly,” Hemera said.

  “Hmmm,” Verity said with a cock of her head. “I wonder if we can do something about that.”

  Talon was never so glad to see the burning torches atop the stronghold fence as he rode through the gates, darkness having long claimed the land. He had been gone far too long. It had been imperative that he meet with several chieftains in the surrounding area. He needed to speak with each one of them to see for himself if there was any thought of disloyalty and a surprise visit from the King was one way that proved effective, discussing various concerns was another. They all had voiced concern that Northmen continued to roam Pict land and worried about a possible war with the northern savages. Another grave concern to them was the lack of an heir to the Pict throne. A throne with no heir was ripe for conquest, the more heirs the stronger the sovereignty.

  That was the one concern that troubled him the most. Hemera had not left his thoughts since he had departed the stronghold. There had been times when thoughts of her consumed him and he had had to chase her away and when he did, he missed her intruding on his musings. He could not wait to see her, hold her, and couple with her.

  Women had approached him while away, but he had no interest in them. His only thought was of Hemera and how he felt when they joined as one. He had no desire for any other woman than Hemera and he was sure no other woman could prove as satisfying as her. He wanted Hemera and only Hemera.

  What then did he do about a queen?

  “Go to your wives,” Talon ordered Wrath and Paine a short distance into the stronghold. “The High Council meeting can wait until morn.”

  The two men gave respectful nods and hurried off. He could not blame them. If he were free to go to H
emera, he would not waste a moment. He would be there now with her.

  Not so, he thought. She would be with him in his sleeping chamber. There would be no more sneaking or secrets. All would know she was his woman and that could prove a problem. While he saw her strength, others saw weakness, and none would think her fit to be queen.

  Talon brought his horse to a halt at the feasting house and after a young lad took the animal, he decided he did not want to wait to see Hemera. He would not be able to stay, but at least he could lay eyes on her and know she was safe and let her know he would be returning later. He turned and walked off, one of his personal guards following.

  Hemera had left her dwelling before Tilden took his post just after dusk, wearing Verity’s hooded cloak. Tilden was one of Talon’s more astute guards so when Verity suggested they change places, giving her time to sneak off and meet with the man she favored, Hemera had been quick to agree, though it had to be before Tilden took his post or the task would prove more difficult. Not that she would meet with anyone. Though, it would give her the chance to move about the stronghold without a guard, remaining mostly in the shadows undetected, while seeing or hearing anything that would help discover the identity of the cloaked figure or who else might be a traitor to the King.

  She had watched, hoping she might catch movements similar to the person she had seen in the forest wearing one of the King’s personal guards’ cloaks, but she had had no luck. With nothing else catching her eye, she decided to return to her dwelling, having been gone long enough and not wanting to take the chance of getting caught. She took only a few steps when she spotted the guard, Tarnis who had been at her door when she had taken her leave.

  His steps were hurried and he cast anxious glances about, as if making sure no one paid him heed or followed him. Hemera decided to trail after him since his actions seemed odd to her. Why would one of the King’s guards appear secretive?

  She followed along in the shadows her steps quiet, a skill she had acquired out of necessity while with the Northmen. He was near to the front of the stronghold when a sound distracted her for a mere moment and when she turned, he was gone from sight. He was there one moment and gone the next. She stood, listening. Barely a moment past when she heard laughter—a woman’s laughter. Whispers followed, then it turned silent, though not completely. She could hear them kissing and the fumbling of their garments as they hurried to couple.

  Hemera turned away, disappointed it had proven to be nothing of importance. She had explored enough. She needed to return to her dwelling. She had barely taken a step when shouts filled the air and she rushed to duck behind a nearby dwelling, not sure what had caused the commotion.

  Suddenly the air resonated with the heavy pounding of a drum—the King had returned.

  Hemera hoisted her long cloak all set to run when Tarnis suddenly stopped right in front of where she had taken cover. If darkness had not settled, he would have seen her and if he was not hastier in attending to his garments, she feared discovery, especially since Wrath also had returned and would be looking for his wife.

  When Tarnis finally scurried away, Hemera paused before leaving her hiding nook, waiting to see if the woman would follow him, and she did.

  It was Simca and she called out to Tarnis, chasing after him and disappeared into the darkness.

  Hemera continued to wait after hearing more footfalls passing by until it finally turned quiet. She went to hurry off when a shadow rushed by, turning her still.

  Her curiosity had her stepping out of her hiding nook quietly and when she caught sight of the shadow a short distance away she realized what had piqued her interest. The figure had the same gait as the one Hemera had seen in the woods. The figure was also wearing the black cloak of the King’s personal guards.

  Hemera did not hesitate... she followed the figure.

  Talon was pleased to see Tilden guarding Hemera’s dwelling. He would say nothing of his visit now or later when he returned. He need not explain his presence there, but thought it best to say something since curious eyes had watched him head this way.

  “Hemera is here? I want a word with her.”

  “Aye, my King, Hemera is inside,” Tilden said.

  Talon opened the door before Tilden could and stepped inside. She lay on her side, the blanket completely covering her. He wished he could slip in naked beside her, wrap himself around her and... he reached out and gently touched her shoulder and was about to lower his head and steal a kiss when she turned.

  “Verity?”

  “My King?”

  Chapter 20

  “Where is Hemera and what are you doing here?” Talon demanded as Verity scurried to her feet.

  Verity was so stunned to see the King in Hemera’s dwelling and that he had placed his hand on what he had thought was Hemera’s shoulder that she was at a loss to respond. All she could do was stare at the King.

  “Find your tongue, woman, and tell me what goes on here!”

  His stern, sharp voice vibrated through her and before she could respond, the King walked to the door and threw it open.

  “Tilden! Where is Hemera?”

  The guard entered the dwelling, a baffled look on his face as he saw Verity but no Hemera.

  “Did you see for yourself that Hemera was inside when you took your post?” Talon demanded his tongue remaining sharp.

  “Aye, my King, I rapped on the door and when I received no answer, I entered and saw,” — he glanced at Verity—“who I thought was Hemera sleeping and did not wish to disturb her.”

  “Who stood guard before you?” Talon asked.

  “Tarnis and he did say that Verity had paid Hemera a visit and was returning later.”

  Talon’s deep blue eyes glared as hot as the flames in the fire pit when he turned to Verity.

  Verity paled. She had feared the King from first meeting him. He had not been kind and she did not believe him kind. Many claimed he was a fair King, but fairness and kindness did not always work hand-in-hand.

  “Where is Hemera?” Talon demanded.

  Verity’s limbs grew weak as she fought to find the words to speak and nearly dropped on the sleeping pallet with relief when Wrath walked through the door. She reached her hand out to him as he hurried around the King to her side, his arm going around her. She let her body rest against him and his arm tightened around her.

  “What is wrong? Are you ill? Is it the bairn?” Wrath asked anxiously, his worry over his wife mounting.

  Talon answered, certain fear had stolen Verity’s voice. “What is wrong is that she is here and Hemera is not, and she has yet to explain why.”

  Wrath looked to his wife, concern in his eyes but also a spark of annoyance. He knew Verity well. She would do anything to help her sister and he worried that was what she had done. “Tell me.”

  Talon nearly cursed aloud when he saw how Verity paled even more and went limp in Wrath’s arms. He was quick to order, “Sit with her before she collapses altogether.”

  Wrath was grateful to Talon for realizing the toll the situation was taking on Verity and that was his first concern. His second was that if his wife was this upset, then she worried not that she angered the King, but for her sister who no doubt was doing something she should not be doing.

  Wrath kept a firm arm around his wife as he sat with her tucked against him, and repeated, “Tell me.”

  Hemera tracked the dark cloaked figure silently through the woods, keeping a safe distance and her steps silent. She had asked for help from the forest upon entering it and as always the forest never failed to help or guide her.

  After a short distance in, it was apparent that the cloak figured was well acquainted with the forest. He stepped without fear and with much confidence. He had to have done so often to be so familiar with it. There was something else that had churned Hemera’s thoughts. The figure had followed close behind Tarnis and wore the cloak of the King’s personal guard, so could it be a woman she followed? Or in his haste had Tarnis simply
forgotten his cloak and the traitor had snatched it up?

  An owl hooted, halting Hemera’s steps and she listened. She heard nothing and realized the cloaked figured had stopped walking. Hemera continued with cautious steps, retreating to the protection of the darkest shadows that shifted and changed with the glow of the half moon and the clouds that raced by it.

  She took a few more steps, listening for any sound when a squirrel suddenly ran in front of her, bringing her to an abrupt, but silent stop. She listened and hearing voices treaded lightly along the forest’s ground to get closer so she could hear what was being said. She kept her hood up over her red hair, not wanting a spark from the moon catching it and alerting anyone to her presence.

  When she could finally hear clearly, she settled against the safety of a thick tree trunk that had been there long before the Picts settled here. The old tree sheltered her against harm and she felt safe in its protection.

  “Hollins failed his mission?”

  The voice was low, but the forest carried it enough so that Hemera could hear it, though not distinguish it.

  “He did and now that the King knows his enemy is after the slow-minded one, he has ordered his personal guards to watch over her.”

  “None of them can be tempted to go against him?”

  “No, I would not even try. His personal guards are faithful to him. We may have to change plans.”

  “Ulric will not be happy.”

  “Why is it so important to him?”

  “I do not know or care as long as he helps us take the throne.”

  “We must hurry. A guard will pass this way soon.”

  “How goes the plan with the future queen?”

  “The poison is working well. She will be dead soon enough and the search will have to begin again. With unrest over the King’s failure to secure an heir and the trouble with the Northmen, we will taste victory soon.”

  “That is good to hear.”

  “Is the King still without a woman?”

  “He is and his appetite has waned for any woman, and tongues wag wondering what is wrong with him. It helps our cause, for he continues to grow weaker in the eyes of the people. I have no more to tell you. We must leave now or be caught.”