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

  Hemera stared off a moment, her smile fading. When words returned to her, she said, “You knew I would be queen, yet you said nothing.”

  “Some things are meant to be discovered, not be foretold. You needed to find out for yourself how you would feel about Talon and the same for Talon. You both were meant to discover each other.”

  “I thought you felt only the nature of a person, good, bad, trustworthy,” Hemera shook her head. “You see far more.”

  “It has only been recently that I have realized the change. Actually, it was after the time I spent with my grandmother that I noticed it.”

  “You know more about me than you have told Talon,” Hemera said, worry drawing her brow together.

  “I spoke the truth to Talon and as I said some things are meant to be discovered, though I would warn not to wait too long, for the time to tell him may come too late.”

  “Hemera!”

  Bog hurried to snarl and snap at Verity as she ran toward them.

  “Hush!” Verity warned Bog with a sharp snarl of her own. “This is important.”

  “What has you running like a mad woman?” Hemera asked, her worry mounting.

  “A messenger has arrived with news and a High Council meeting has been called.”

  “Something must be amiss to have the High Council convene so fast,” Anin said.

  Verity nodded. “That is everyone’s thought and tongues are running wild with worry, especially with no word forthcoming.”

  “We will know soon enough,” Anin said.

  Without warning, Verity’s eyes rolled back and her body crumpled.

  Hemera rushed the tiny pup off her lap and into Anin’s hands and dropped down to catch her sister against her before she hit the ground. “I am here, Verity. I will not leave you,” she said, holding her close and chasing the guard away with a wave as he rushed to help.

  Bog did not seem to know what to do. He paced in front of Verity and Hemera while his eyes remained on Anin.

  “Your pup is fine,” Anin assured him and confirming her words the tiny wolf pup gave a soft yelp as if testing his bark for the first time, then settled once again against her chest. She looked to Hemera. “Should we send for Wrath?”

  Hemera shook her head and hurried to say, “No. It is best we see what her vision shows her before we let anyone know she had one.”

  “The King’s guard will tell him about this,” Anin said, keeping her voice low.

  Hemera kept her voice to a whisper as well. “We will hear it first and decide what should be told. As you reminded me, some things are better left to be discovered.”

  Verity stirred, her eyes fluttering, fighting to open.

  “You are safe, Verity. I am here with you. You are not alone.”

  Verity stopped struggling at the sound of Hemera’s voice and after a few moments her eyes slowly opened, then spread wide, and she paled.

  Hemera was almost too fearful to ask, but she needed to know. “What is it? What did you see?”

  Verity gripped Hemera’s arm. “Haggard has landed on Pict soil. He is here for you.”

  Chapter 28

  Hemera sent Verity and Anin on to the stronghold while she saw to settling the tiny pup close to his mum. The three of them wanted to be there in the feasting hall when the High Council finished and learn for themselves what was going on.

  She turned and saw that Gerun had stopped Simca, from approaching. Hemera knew Simca only by sight and what she had heard of her. Not that she paid much heed to what others said, having learned from her own experience of what people thought of her.

  She raised a crock wrapped in a cloth. “Opia sent a hot brew for you.”

  “I will take it to her,” Gerun said and took the crock from Simca.

  If Hemera was not in a rush to get to the stronghold, she would have invited Simca to sit and share the brew with her. Instead, she called out her appreciation and watched as Simca walked off.

  Hemera stared after her, her eyes narrowing as she watched Simca’s every step. There was something familiar about her gait. The wind caught Simca’s cloak and she was quick to tuck it around her and that was when Hemera realized what was so familiar. Her strides belonged to the person in the woods she had seen wearing one of the King’s personal guards’ cloaks. Other memories came to mind as well. Hollins had told her that the person who found her would weep and a man would not weep, only a woman. Then there was the time Hemera had seen Simca and Tarnis together and she had ran after Tarnis upon the King’s arrival. Had she taken his cloak then? Had she been the one Hemera had followed? Simca also served in the feasting hall, a servant gone unnoticed as all those spoke freely around her.

  Gerun interrupted her thoughts when he placed the crock on the table and Hemera lost no time in removing the cover and taking a sniff.

  “Is something wrong?” Gerun asked, placing his hand across the top of the crock, preventing Hemera from going near it.

  “Aye, there is, Gerun. We should waste no time in going to the feasting hall.”

  “The brew?” Gerun asked.

  “I believe it is meant to make me sick,” Hemera said as an icy shiver ran through her. “Dispose of it.”

  Gerun hurried to see it done, then returned to Hemera’s side. “Stay close to me,” he ordered and another chill ran through Hemera as she nodded and followed alongside him.

  She was anxious to get to Talon and not only tell him about Simca but make certain he was safe. Gerun must have thought the same for he kept a rapid pace. She was surprised when Gerun gave a shout and another warrior seemed to appear out of nowhere.

  “Alert the King that there is a problem,” Gerun ordered and the warrior rushed off.

  Hemera was relieved that it would not be long before they were among the other dwellings, surrounded by people. Unfortunately, it was not soon enough.

  Gerun suddenly stumbled beside her. She went to help him and he yelled for her to run.

  Too late, she felt the point of a knife at her back and was shocked to see blood pouring from Gerun’s back when he fell to the ground.

  “I have avoided you, for unlike these fools who think you slow-minded, I know your wisdom surpasses even the King’s.” Simca poked her with the knife. “Walk with me.”

  It was not a request and Hemera did what she said.

  “I realized you saw me in the woods, though did not know it was me, when you began to pay attention to the King’s personal guards’ cloaks. It was only a matter of time before someone as tenaciously wise as you would fit all the pieces together and discover the truth.”

  Simca stopped her when they reached a section of the fence in the far back area of the stronghold and pushed at it with her shoulder. It opened, though not wide. “Step through and do not think to run. My aim is good and you will not get far, though it will take you a while to die from your wound and it would be a most painful death as it will be for Gerun.”

  Hemera held out hope that Gerun would survive his wound, as for her, she had no intentions of tempting such a dire fate. Besides, she was relieved to enter the forest. It would protect her as it always did.

  Simca was close behind her as they slipped out of the stronghold and into the woods.

  “I assume that you are bringing me to your chieftain,” Hemera said.

  “I am bringing you to the true King of the Picts,” Simca said and gave her a shove that almost sent Hemera tumbling.

  “I have upset your plans.”

  “You have. The brew would have made you ill and rid you of any bairn that may already be growing in you and put more doubt in the minds of the people that King Talon cannot protect them. A few more attacks by the King’s enemies along with the Northmen who have joined us and the people would have been demanding the King’s head.”

  “And your chieftain would rule, without anyone knowing that the attacks and the Northmen’s part in it all was his doing. He would be the one to come to their rescue and save them.”

  “The rightful
one to the throne,” Simca reminded once again.

  “I suppose he will return my brutally beaten body to the King along with dead warriors or Northmen he will claim were responsible for my suffering and death. The people will cheer his victory and be ashamed of their King’s failure to protect the future queen and his people, bringing King Talon’s reign to an end.”

  Simca laughed. “That is only part of it. He will show the people the full worth of his strength, wisdom, and ability to rule.”

  “The people already have such a King.”

  “A king who harbors his enemies within the stronghold, had them members of his High Council,” —she laughed— “and is not potent enough to sire an heir? And with all that against him, what does the fool King do? He intends to wed a woman that had been a slave to the Northmen and is thought slow-minded.” Simca sneered. “The fool brings this on himself. He does not deserve to be King.”

  “What did you do? Prepare a special brew for the King’s former two wives and the women he mated with so that his seed would not take root in them?” Hemera asked, more things making sense the more she talked with Simca.

  “Another reason for a change in plans, since I realized too late the King was poking you. We cannot take a chance that you will get with child. It would ruin everything. Though finding your broken body after it has been left a few days in the woods will work well along with an unexpected attack on the stronghold.”

  Hemera nearly fell when Simca shoved her again. She almost rushed her hand to her middle, worried about the bairn, but caught herself. Simca must not know of the bairn, fearing what the woman or her chieftain would do.

  “Move faster, we have a distance to go,” Simca ordered, “and do not waste your hope on being rescued. I know these woods far better than anyone and I know where every sentinel is posted. Now hurry, I am glad to finally be rid of this place and able to join the true King.”

  Hope remained strong in Hemera no matter what Simca said. The woman might think she knew the forest better than anybody, but she was not part of the forest like Hemera. She did not hear the trees whisper or have the animals speak to her, or know its secrets. The forest protected its own and it would protect Hemera and the forest would make sure Talon found her.

  Talon entered the woods with his warriors, rage burning deep in him. Wrath and Paine stood to either side of him, his personal guards flanking them, their anger as palpable as his since one of their own had fallen and was not expected to survive. Orders had been given that they would not return until they had Hemera.

  Talon looked down at Bog standing alert between him and Paine. “Find Hemera.”

  The wolf took off and Talon followed, the others falling in behind and others spreading out along the sides, keeping their King in clear view, no one sure what awaited them.

  Hemera talked with the forest as she kept the rapid pace. She could not allow herself to get too far from the stronghold. Talon would not be that far behind them and he would be wise enough to have Bog help track her. The forest would do the rest. Now, though, she needed the forest’s help in escaping Simca before it was too late.

  With silent words, she called on the wisdom of the forest and after only a few steps a low-lying fog began to creep past the surrounding trees toward them. In no time, it reached them, hugging their ankles and making it impossible to see where they walked. It was not long before the fog reached their waist.

  “Stop,” Simca ordered a tremor in her voice and took firm hold of her arm and pointed with the knife. “Over there.”

  Hemera looked to where she pointed and realized her intention. A vine wrapped around the trunk of a tree and Simca intended to use her to bind Hemera to her so they would not get separated in the fog. It did not worry her. They would never make it to the tree before the fog completely swallowed them.

  “Hurry, hurry,” Simca urged, tugging her along as the fog raced up around them.

  The fog was so thick that Hemera could not see Simca, though she felt her hand tighten around her arm.

  “Do not try to run or you will find my blade buried in you,” Simca ordered.

  “How could I run in this?” Hemera said.

  Simca kept walking, unwisely not slowing down, thinking she still headed for the tree and Hemera waited for the inevitable. She did not have to wait long. Simca tripped, going down hard and Hemera took the opportunity to wrench her arm free. She wasted no time in hurrying off, letting the whispering trees guide her, and she asked the wind to take a message to Talon.

  Talon stopped and wanted to roar at the cursed fog that descended on them and prevented any of them from taking another step. Instead, he called out, “Stay as you are.”

  Fog was one thing that frightened warriors no matter how hard he trained his warriors against it. They believed that angry forest spirits sent it and with it came death. Even Bog stopped and he only knew that because the wolf brushed against him, letting him know he was there. Then he was gone and this time Talon could not follow.

  “You have only one choice,” Paine said, standing beside him, though Talon could not see him.

  Talon agreed, though worried it might not be the wisest choice. “Call out to her and hope she can do the same.” Fear gripped at his insides that he could worsen her situation with his choice, but her situation was already dire. The thought that he could lose her and their child filled him with anger far greater than anything ever had in his life. He had never imagined a woman becoming so important to him that he would do anything to save her.

  He would do anything to save Hemera, even relinquish his own life and a King was not to think that way. When it came to Hemera he was not King, he was a man whose heart belonged to her.

  Tuahna.

  That was what he felt for her and had refused to acknowledge.

  A lone howl suddenly filled the air, Bog thinking the same as them. The howl came again and Talon could almost feel a heavy unease spread throughout his men. They could not just stand here and wait to see what came out of the fog.

  Talon turned to Paine and spoke low so the forest would not echo his words. “Converge.” While his order was passed down the line, he turned to Wrath and said the same. He listened as his men stepped closer together, touching shoulders.

  Follow my voice.

  Talon heard Hemera clearly in his head and he did as she said.

  Hemera smiled when she heard Bog reach out to her with his woeful howl. It meant Talon was not that far away, though the fog would have slowed him as well. Bog would reach her even with the fog, though he could reach her much faster without it as would Talon. Simca would have the same advantage, but Hemera was willing to take that chance. After all, the forest would protect her.

  You are safe, my child.

  She smiled at the familiar voice that was the strongest when she was in the woods and never failed to help her, as it did now.

  Talon’s voice reached her as the fog began to dissipate.

  Do not fear, I am coming for you.

  The fog was almost gone when another of Bog’s howl sounded eerily through the woods and Hemera was about to chase after it when she saw Simca running frantically toward her in the distance. Hemera did not hesitate, she ran.

  Chased. Simca.

  Talon heard her and his feet took flight. He was faster than any of his men and soon they were far behind him. He let his feet guide him since they seemed to know where to go.

  Your knife, you fool.

  The sharp-tongued voice had him reaching for the knife at his waist and wondering who had spoken to him, for it was not Hemera he had heard.

  The trees began to thin and he caught sight of Bog up ahead and in the distance he spotted a figure, running... and his heart slammed against his chest. It was Hemera. He would reach her on time. She would be safe.

  He pumped his legs harder, though they were already screaming in pain. He had to get to her. He had to. They drew closer and closer. Soon, very soon, she would be in his arms.

  Fear s
lammed into him like a mighty fist when a figure suddenly appeared behind her. The woman clutched a knife in her hand and raised her arm high, ready to throw. Hemera stood between him and Simca when all of a sudden Bog launched himself through the air at Hemera, knocking her to the ground and Talon did not hesitate, he threw his knife and sailed through the air, lodging in Simca’s chest.

  Bog hurried away from Hemera when Talon reached them and rushed over to Simca to make sure the woman would trouble them no more.

  Talon scooped Hemera up in his arms before she even realized he was there and when she did, her arms hurried around his neck, burying her face against his chest and holding on tight.

  That was how his men found them, clutched to each other with no intentions of letting go.

  Talon could feel her heart pounding against her chest, he held her so close, and he could feel the tremor in her body as it slowed and dissipated. Mostly, he could feel her joy of being in his arms.

  “You are unharmed?” he finally asked as his warriors took up a protective stance around them.

  “I am, but what of Gerun?” she asked quickly.

  “The healer has concerns as I do of you,” he said and slipped his hand under her cloak to rest it against her stomach.

  “We both are well,” Hemera assured him in a whisper, laying her hand over his.

  Two warriors stepped aside to let Wrath enter. “We should go, since we have no trackers out to alert us to anyone else’s presence.”

  “Simca was taking me to her chieftain or the true King as she claimed,” Hemera said as Talon helped her to her feet.

  “He is here, nearby?” Wrath asked anxiously.

  “Simca told me he was a distance away.”

  Wrath looked to Talon. “How could our enemy be right in front of us?”

  Talon and Hemera answered simultaneously. “Our enemy is also our friend.”

  Chapter 29

  “You are saying that Simca put something in the King’s previous wives drinks that kept them from getting with child?” Gelhard asked, shaking his head in disbelief.