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

  “Hemera. Hemera.”

  Hemera raised her head.

  “Lost in thoughts again?” Verity asked as a servant placed a bowl of meats on the table.

  “More brew?” the servant asked.

  “We have plenty, Simca,” Verity said.

  Though Verity maintained a smile, Hemera saw a shadow of concern in her sister’s eyes as she turned toward her. Verity had always been protective of Hemera, never knowing what Hemera had suffered to keep her sister safe. But that mattered not now. She and Verity were finally free and Verity need not worry about her anymore. Now if only she could convince Verity of that.

  “Busy thoughts,” Hemera said with a grin. “Was there something you said I should know?”

  Anin nodded. “It was something I said that your sister felt you should hear.”

  “About King Talon?” Hemera asked and turned, having heard a stirring behind her. She saw no one, though wondered if the shadows in the corners could be hiding someone. When she turned to Verity and Anin to see them both nodding in answer to her, she tapped a finger to her lips for them to speak low.

  Hemera and Verity leaned in closer as Anin kept her voice to a whisper, “What troubled me the most when I touched the King was that I felt I was of no consequence to him. What happened to me, punishment or death, he cared not.”

  Hemera was all too aware of how ruthless those who ruled, or wished to rule, could be. She had seen it among the Northmen tribes and it seemed to be the same here. Was King Talon heartless or was he a King who kept his heart shielded so that he could rule his people with strength and courage like another ruler she knew?

  “Could his reaction have been due to the situation at hand at the time?” Hemera asked.

  “I had not given that thought at the time and I had little experience of laying my hands on someone then.” Anin frowned. “I also was to be queen, until Paine and I were found sleeping naked together, though nothing had happened between us.”

  “So you betrayed the King,” Hemera said.

  “No, I did not betray the King.” Anin shook her head firmly, though it eased as she appeared to think on Hemera’s accusation. “In a way, I suppose I did, since I lost my heart to Paine.”

  “It is good it happened,” Hemera said with a shrug.

  “Hemera, do not say such a thing!” Verity scolded sharply.

  “Why?” Hemera looked puzzled at her sister. “It was good it happened or else too many would have suffered for what was not meant to be. Anin would be stuck with the King, a man who cared nothing for her, and Paine would suffer every day knowing the woman he had given his heart to was in the arms of another man.”

  Anin smiled and patted Verity on the arm. “Hemera is right. No worse fate could have befallen me than to be forced to wed the King. So it was good it happened as it did.”

  Hemera wondered if King Talon had seen it that way. Had he thought of Paine and Anin and how they had lost their hearts to each other when he had made his decision not to accept her as his queen? Or had he cared only for himself? If he had, though, would he not have had Paine and Anin executed or at least punished severely? Another thing for her to think on.

  The women talked a while longer, but Hemera’s thoughts kept drifting. She wished for some solitude so that she could think on things that would not leave her alone. The problem was getting out of the feasting hall alone. She had seen how alert two of the King’s personal guards, who stood at the feasting house doors, had become when they thought she approached them on her way to the Council Chambers. They intended to stop her. They had become confused and had reacted too slowly when she hurried past them to the Council Chamber’s doors and were too late to stop her from entering.

  She turned to Verity and waited a moment until she finished talking with Anin. “Walk me out of the hall so that the guards do not stop me. I wish to seek the solitude of my dwelling.”

  “In a moment, Hemera, if you please, Anin is advising me on my visions.”

  Hemera got annoyed, not at her sister. It was not her fault, it was her own for being caught outside the gates. Verity could benefit from Anin’s guidance when it came to her visions. She was trying to gain more control of them, instead of the visions having control of her.

  Hemera waited, with little patience, realizing her sister and Anin were lost in their discussion and Verity was not close to leaving. She got up, letting her sister know she was going to warm her hands at the fire pit.

  After a few moments, her hands warmed, though it was not the true reason for her being there, she saw that the two guards on duty at the front door were no longer watching her. She made her way into the shadows along the wall and toward the doors. She stopped in the shadows nearest the doors and waited.

  She smiled when the doors opened and both guards hurried to the Council Chamber’s door, one to open it and one to step inside to announce the arrival of the members of the High Council. It was just the distraction she needed to slip out unnoticed.

  Once outside, she hurried off to her dwelling.

  “I want to know how these men are getting past my sentinels!” the King demanded, his fist coming down on the table so hard the wood creaked.

  “Someone is feeding them information,” Paine said.

  Talon had kept Wrath and Paine after the High Council meeting had ended. He had chosen to inform Wrath and Paine, but not the Council of what Hemera had told him just for the very reason Paine had stated. Someone in the stronghold was feeding information to the enemy.

  “I cannot believe any one of your personal guards would betray you,” Wrath said, having become indignant when told of what Hemera had witnessed. “Hemera could be wrong in what she saw.”

  “Hemera sees more than most,” Paine said with a grin at Wrath.

  Wrath scowled, knowing Verity probably told Anin about Hemera walking in on them while they had been mating. “Because she is in places she should not be.”

  “Does no one keep a watchful eye on her?” Talon demanded.

  “Is she not free like others?” Paine asked.

  “Others do not have her penchant for being in places she should not be,” Wrath snapped.

  “Still, is she free or not?” Paine argued.

  “She is free to obey my rules,” Talon reminded and gave a wave of his hand. “That is enough about Hemera we need to be more concerned that a traitor walks among us. See what you both can uncover, but let no one know what you are about. It is not only the traitor I want, but the one the traitor reports to.” Talon stood. “We are done here.”

  Wrath and Paine got to their feet and followed the King out of the room.

  Anin tried to hurry to her feet, her rounded middle making it difficult to move too fast. Verity went to help, having already gotten to her feet.

  “Stay as you are, Anin,” Talon ordered.

  Paine sent him a grateful nod as he went to his wife’s side and leaned over her to stroke a loving and protective hand over the bump that held his child.

  Wrath went to Verity, though she drifted into his arms before he reached her and splayed his hand over her middle.

  “Something you have failed to tell me, Wrath?” Talon asked.

  Wrath looked to his wife and she smiled. “Verity only confirmed it this morn. At harvest time, Verity will give birth.”

  Anin squealed with joy and Paine slapped Wrath on the back.

  “I am pleased for you Wrath,” Talon said, his stomach turning tight. He wished to hear such words from his future queen soon after they wed, if the woman ever arrived, and if his seed ever took root.

  “Hemera will be thrilled,” Anin said.

  Verity quickly searched the room for her sister, having been so deep in conversation with Anin, she had forgotten all about her. She squeezed her husband’s hand after her eyes roamed the feasting hall and Hemera was nowhere to be seen.

  Verity’s actions told Talon all he needed to know. He turned to the two guards at the door, his voice powerful as he demanded, “
Did Hemera get past you both?”

  The two guards glanced around the room just as Verity had done, everyone else following their lead as if somehow Hemera would suddenly appear.

  Verity finally spoke up, evident that Hemera was not there, though her voice quivered. “Hemera is probably at her dwelling. She had asked me to take her there, but I got lost in conversation with Anin.”

  “It is not our fault your sister sneaks away,” Wrath assured her.

  “Wrath is right.” King Talon turned to the two guards at the door, his voice booming as he called out, “It is their fault. Wrath, see to their punishment.”

  “I will see to my sister,” Verity said.

  Talon’s head snapped around, his eyes glaring at Verity. “No, I will see to your sister.”

  Chapter 4

  “Hemera! Hemera!” Talon called as he approached her dwelling. Seeing no signs of her, his anger mounted. He stopped and cast a glance around. His brow narrowed, wondering if he was in the right place. Was this the executioner’s home?

  It looked nothing like he remembered it, but then there had been no reason for him to be here. The heavy snow, all but gone now, had brought a quiet to the stronghold and most of the villagers spent their times inside as had he. He had had a variety of women warming his sleeping pallet, though he had allowed none to stay the night. He had no wont of being wrapped around a woman until dawn. He preferred his solitude.

  He glanced around again. Half broken crocks were placed around the front of the dwelling with tiny buds peeking out of the soil. An outside fire pit burned brightly with two small benches sitting to either side of it and a pleasant scent wafted out of the flames. On the door of the dwelling was painted a symbol, a Northmen symbol, Talon was familiar with. There was a straight line with two lines extended up from each side. It resembled a person with his arms reaching up to the heavens. The symbol offered protection against enemies.

  Who, though, was Hemera’s enemy?

  “Sit and warm yourself. A chill has caught the air and I fear we may have more than a sprinkle of snow tonight.”

  Her enticing scent drifted over him as she walked past him and sat on one of the benches, holding her hands out near the flames to warm them. He wondered if it was her blazing red hair that smelled so inviting. He thought how easy it would be to take hold of her and bury his face in her wild curls and see for himself.

  He was brought back to his senses when he realized that she was sitting while he stood.

  “You sit in my presence?” he asked with a sharp demand.

  “It is unkind of you to make another stand because you do not choose to sit.”

  “Kindness is not something you will find in me.”

  Hemera cocked her head, her eyes studying him for a moment before she asked, “What would I find in you?”

  Talon took a step closer, the heat of the fire drifting over him. “I am King.”

  She scrunched her face and shook her head. “No. Somewhere within you is Talon the man, not the King.”

  “Talon is no more. I am King and you need to remember that.” The warmth of the fire had him sitting and holding his hands out to the flames. His breath caught when his eyes settled on her over the tops of the flames that seemed to flicker and sway beneath the soft roundness of her chin, highlighting her graceful features. As he watched, he grew annoyed, for the flames appeared as if they kissed her softly and the way she smiled, so content, made it appear that she favored their touch.

  “You do not let me forget you are King.”

  Was that sorrow he heard in her voice? He shook his head as if needing to shake sense back into himself. “And well you should not. I remind you too often to obey me. Need I keep a guard on you at all times?”

  “Am I a prisoner?” she asked, slipping her arms inside her cloak and rubbing them.

  I could keep you warm. The unexpected thought startled him and he snapped at her. “No!”

  “Then why would I need a guard and why do you think I need to be watched?”

  “Because you are too slow-minded to understand things and I do not wish to see any harm befall you. So you will obey me or you will have a guard trailing you wherever you go.” Talon knew his words were unkind, but it seemed it was the only way to make her understand.

  His remark was met with silence. She sat there staring at him and he wondered if his words had hurt her or she simply did not understand.

  “Do you have any other body drawings besides the one on your face?” she asked.

  Silence struck him this time, along with anger, but he tempered it, reminding himself that she was not like others. “My body drawing does not concern you, obeying my every word does.” He stood and spoke calmly and slowly. “Will you obey me Hemera or do I have a guard follow your every footfall?”

  Hemera stood, though remained silent.

  Talon gave a nod, her response in her action, standing since he did. He looked to the heavens, a bit bleak with grey clouds. “No snow will fall, Hemera, rain perhaps, but no snow.” He turned to leave.

  “Talon, you keep me safe,” she said as if it surprised her.

  “I will always keep you safe, Hemera.” Even from me, he thought as he turned again.

  “Talon.”

  He turned again.

  “It will snow.”

  A slight smile caught at the corners of his mouth. “Rain, Hemera, rain.”

  “If it does snow will you grant me permission to find out who it was I saw wearing one of your personal guards’ cloaks?”

  “A wager?”

  She smiled. “If you dare?”

  “You will leave the matter be—”

  “If you win, aye, I will,” she finished.

  “It will rain, I am sure of it. You have your wager, Hemera.” He turned and took only a few steps when he stopped and without turning around, called out, “I am King, Hemera, and you will address me as such.”

  “Aye, my King.”

  Talon walked off, annoyed at his own command. He favored the way she seemed to caress his name as it fell from her lips. It was why he had not stopped her when she first said his name. He wanted to hear her say it again and it annoyed him that he would not hear her say it again. For that reason alone he would keep his distance from her. Or was it that he found himself thinking things about her that he never should think? Either way, he would make sure to see little of her.

  Unless she won the wager.

  The thought had him stopping abruptly and a scowl marring his fine features. Those walking nearby him hurried off and others in his path kept their distance.

  He shook his head. It was not cold enough for snow. It would rain. The snow had passed and there would be no more. The tiny buds in her broken crocks proved that as did the trees that were beginning to bud. He shook his head again. There would be rain. He was right. He was always right.

  Hemera returned to the bench after Talon was out of sight. It would snow tonight, a light coating, nothing more. It was a welcoming nod to the land as it awakened from its slumber. She knew the land well. It was part of her. It spoke to her. It had been no risk for her to wager with the King. It had been a way for her to get him to agree to her plan to search for the culprit in the woods.

  It had not bothered her when he had called her slow-minded. She had been called far worse and in a far more offensive way. He had spoken truthfully, at least what he thought the truth. She could not fault him for that. No, that had not disturbed her at all. What had troubled her was the way he sometimes looked at her and how she was beginning to feel when he did.

  Then there had been the overpowering thought that she wanted him to stay with her and talk more. Why had her insides twisted in knots as he walked away? Why had she felt the need to tell him that he kept her safe?

  Her father had told her when she was a wee bairn that she should never trust a man that men lied and schemed to get what they wanted. He told her to keep her own council and trust her instincts.

  Somehow she felt s
he could trust Talon, the man. Whether she could trust the King was another matter.

  King Talon looked around the crowded feasting hall that echoed with talk and laughter from the warriors and their families enjoying the evening meal and companionship. Wrath, Verity, Paine, and Anin shared one of the tables and he would have liked to join them, not as King but as a friend, and that was no longer possible.

  “With the snow gone, the future queen will be able to begin her journey here and arrive within a moon cycle,” Gelhard said.

  Talon turned a stern look at the man sitting beside him. “You are sure she comes from a line of women who have delivered fine sons to their husbands?”

  “She has five older brothers and her grandmother birthed six strong sons. Her family stock is strong and if she does not give you—” Gelhard stopped abruptly.

  “Say what everyone believes, Gelhard, that it is my fault no heir has been sired, that my seed is no good, that I am not the potent King everyone believed me to be.”

  “It will be different with Daria of the Fermour Tribe,” Gelhard assured him

  “The Fermour are more farmers than warriors, are they not?”

  “True, but her brothers are strong men who do well with weapons when necessary.”

  “What you are telling me is that this Daria is the only woman you could find whose lineage produces more sons than daughters.”

  “She is a good, obedient daughter and sister. She will serve you well as queen.”

  “I suppose that is all that matters,” Talon said, turning away from Gelhard and wondering why Hemera’s lovely face should flash in his mind. He forced his thoughts elsewhere. There were too many important matters for him to think on than to let Hemera trouble his thoughts.

  If he did not quell the opposition soon, it would not matter if he sired an heir or not, the throne would be taken from him and the Pict Tribes would once again be thrown into battling each other. After all the men and women who had suffered and had given their lives for the Pict Tribes to unite, Talon could not let that happen.