The King of Anavrea (Book Two of the Theodoric Saga) Read online

  Lirth’s face warmed at the compliment. “You love each other so much that it is hard to miss. Even I can see it.”

  “Thank you.” Eve closed the small distance between them and squeezed Lirth’s free hand. “I wish the same for you and Ireic.”

  “I also.” Lirth envied the warmth between all of the Theodorics. The way the brothers teased each other made her miss her own brothers. She hoped only to touch a part of the love Eve and Trahern showed to each other.

  “Lirth?” Eve interrupted her thoughts. “Has Ireic told you how Trahern and I met and married?”

  How could he? The thought slipped in before she could censure it. She had not seen Ireic since the day they planned everything. They were getting married in less than twelve hours and he had not appeared yet.

  “I have not had the opportunity.” Ireic’s voice made both women jump. Eve immediately rose to greet her brother-in-law. Lirth roughly pulled her attention back to the present and tried to regain her lost composure.

  “Good afternoon, Eve.” Ireic’s voice warmed as it always did when he addressed her. “Trahern sent me to tell you that Seth is calling for you.” At two-years-old, the lad was a bit attached to his mother.

  “He must be ready for his afternoon nap. Where are they?” With a rustle of skirts, Eve gathered her books. Lirth silently offered the fan she had borrowed. Eve accepted it with a soft ‘thank you’ before she headed toward the door.

  “They are in your study.” Ireic’s voice followed Eve’s retreating steps. The door opened with a soft creak. “Don’t worry about Lirth.”

  After saying something so softly that Lirth could not catch it, Eve hurried away. Her steps quickened at the cry of a small boy’s voice echoing in the hall beyond. The door closed behind her with a soft click.

  For a few minutes, no one spoke. The clock in the hall outside struck two and one of the students called to another outside on the lawn.

  “You are going to make a lovely queen.”

  “Thank you.” Lirth’s stomach twisted so tightly it hurt.

  The whisper of his clothing and the scuffing of his shoes came closer. Lirth desperately wished she could observe him. What was he doing with his hands? How did he walk? His footfalls seemed determined, almost as though he thought about each step before he took it.

  “I want to make this work.”

  Startled, Lirth raised her face. She was not sure how to respond.

  “Not that it is much of a surprise that I want this whole thing to work.” A smile lightened his voice.

  Is he amused? Lirth wondered.

  “I will try my best to be a good husband.”

  Lirth dropped her gaze to her lap.

  “No matter what the council does, I will consider you my wife and defend you as such.”

  Finally swallowing the lump in her throat, Lirth spoke. “Thank you.”

  Ireic laughed then. It was a soft, amused sound. “I should be the one thanking you.”

  “Why?”

  “I have the advantage. For three years now, I have been preparing for an arranged marriage with a woman I would not see until the wedding.” He sat on the other end of her bench. “You did not have the time I did to prepare my heart and mind for the event and the relationship afterwards.”

  Raising her hand to hush him, Lirth shook her head. “You are wrong. For five years I dwelt daily with a fear of tomorrow and what it might hold for me.” A shudder shook her.

  “Baron Tor beat you?” Ireic’s voice clipped the sentence short that Lirth wondered if it was a statement or a question.

  “Yes.” Lirth fought the shame encroaching on her courage. He wanted to know. He has already promised to marry me.

  Ireic caught her hand and squeezed it reassuringly. “You have nothing to be afraid of.” His fingertips brushed her cheek. “You need not fear similar treatment from me, no matter what the future brings.”

  Torn between a desire to believe him and the reality of not knowing him well, Lirth couldn’t formulate a response. She changed the subject instead. “So we are going through with the wedding.”

  “Yes. Are you ready for what comes next?”

  “Eve drilled me on my part.” Lirth’s thoughts dwelling on the ceremony nearly at hand.

  “That isn’t what I was referring to, though. My thoughts were more of the marriage to come. Do you have any questions for me?”

  She tilted her head to the side. “What will my duties be?”

  “Standing by my side, accompanying me to all the official events, pursuing activities that interest you, smiling, looking lovely–”

  “Children?”

  “Eventually.” He groaned. “The council will expect children immediately.”

  Focusing on the reluctance in his voice, Lirth tried to ignore the twinge of discomfort. “And you? Do you look forward to children?”

  “I do. I enjoy my nephew and niece, but I don’t want to rush you. We have so much to learn about each other.”

  “We aren’t complete strangers anymore.”

  “True.”

  Awkward silence filled the room.

  “It sounds like we both need more time.” She smiled as warmly as she could, mindful of his pride.

  “Any other questions?”

  “I would like to know more about the living arrangements.”

  “Tradition rules most of life at the palace.” His fingers stroked the back of her hand, sending delightful shivers up her spine. “All of the council live with their families in a special building on the palace grounds set aside solely for their apartments. The royal bedchambers are spread throughout the palace. Since becoming King, I live in the rooms my father used. They take up most of the eastern wing. The main part of the palace is devoted to entertaining visitors and conducting the governing functions. The royal nursery and my siblings’ apartments lie in the western wing. Most of the rooms for royal guests and other various purposes are also in that wing.”

  Lirth nodded. “And my rooms?”

  “My mother’s rooms were below my father’s in the eastern wing. They haven’t been used since my mother died.” He grew still.

  Lirth wished desperately that she could see his facial expression, a clue as to what he might be thinking right then.

  Suddenly he dropped her hand and shook himself free from whatever thoughts had preoccupied him. “What has Eve taught you so far?”

  “Most of what she has covered so far has been very similar to the etiquette I learned growing up.” Lirth smoothed her skirt. If only her nerves would unwrinkle as easily. “We were just trying to figure out how I could tell if someone honored me with a bow as required.”

  “Trahern and I discussed a similar issue today.” Ireic rose and strode a few steps away. His shoes squeaked when he turned back toward her.

  She lifted her gaze to where she guessed his face was.

  His voice took on a concerned note. “I intend to spending as much time as I can with you. I want to ease your adjustments into your new home, but I am not going to be able to do so as much as I would like.” He set to pacing as he spoke. “The council returned for their fall session a month ago. It is plenty of time to make great strides unhindered by my oversight and interference. I expect to be untangling their knots for weeks after we arrive.”

  He fell silent again, most likely caught in his own thoughts.

  “I will be busy settling into my new role.” Lirth hoped her voice didn’t betray her fear. “I am sure I will be fine. Having a companion, though, would help with the things I cannot do.”

  “Trahern suggested that we take one of the students as a companion to help you. Someone who knows how to function at court and can guide you until you settle in to your roles.” He paused.

  Lirth’s face pricked with awareness of his gaze on her.

  “Eve suggested a young woman named Larissa. She will introduce you before the wedding and by the time we leave tomorrow morning, you can let me know how you like her.”

 
He was giving her a choice? Lirth lifted her face to meet his unseen regard. She had never had a choice before. Servants, tutors, and governesses came and went by order of her father. Even her brothers had no say in the running of their household. Father ruled everyone like they were prisoners. Then she lived as a prisoner in that tower.

  “Don’t look so shocked, Lirth.” He sat next to her and claimed her hand again. “I want to take care of you and try to make you happy.” The warm pressure of his fingertips on her cheek made her jump. Torn by the impulse to lean into his touch and the instinct to shrink away, she froze like a small animal in the light of a lantern.

  “I also want to please you.” As she spoke, she lifted her hand and reached for his face. She encountered the slightly rough surface of his jaw.

  His sharp intake of breath made her pause. Did he like it? Was she being too bold? Just when she lost her nerve and began to lift her fingers away, he caught them. He kissed the palms.

  “Thank you, Lirth.” The vibration of his voice against her skin produced a warmth in her middle. “You already do.”

  A soft knock on the door interrupted them before Lirth recovered control of her tongue.

  Ireic rose and stepped away toward the windows. Making sure they had an acceptable distance between them, Ireic called a reply.

  The door opened. A little girl’s voice said, “Madam Eve wishes the princess to come begin the preparations for the ceremony.”

  Lirth rose to her feet. “Your Majesty?” She curtsied in his direction, schooling her face into what she hoped was a mask of cool indifference.

  Sensing from the lengthened silence that he had dismissed her with a nod, she responded as though he had. “Thank you, your majesty.”

  As she struggled to recall her orientation in the unfamiliar room, Ireic approached and claimed her hand. He placed it securely on his arm. “Allow me escort to you, my lady.” He led her to the door.

  “Again thank you, my lord,” Lirth replied with apparent calm.

  In truth, her heart thumped frantically in her chest. What did she think she was doing? If it had been the palace, she would have had to stand there like a fool until someone else rescued her. Or, she could have walked into the furniture between her and the wall. This marriage was going to be a mistake.

  __________

  Chapter Five

  Lirth tried to smooth stubborn wrinkle in the fall of her skirt. She had crumpled it in moment of anxiety and now it would not lie flat. According to Eve, the gown borrowed its color from a summer sky.

  “Perfect color for your eyes,” Eve said before rushing off to some other duty.

  Spreading the fabric against her leg, Lirth frowned. The silk sprung back as sharply creased as before. Trahern would arrive any moment to lead her down the aisle. She needed the material to lie flat.

  “Nobody is going to notice,” Trahern commented from above her. “Ireic is too nervous and everyone else will be looking at your pretty face.”

  “Make sure Eve did not hear that,” Lirth cautioned softly.

  Trahern laughed. Lirth could not help the responding smile pulling at her mouth.

  “Eve’s beauty surpasses the exterior. The longer I know her the lovelier she becomes.” He paused. “I have a feeling you are going to be another such woman, Lirth. Ireic has made a fine choice. You will be good for him.”

  Something about his tone added an additional meaning to the words. “You aren’t thinking only of him, though.”

  “True,” Trahern admitted. “You will be good for the country too.”

  “You mean for the children I will bear?”

  “That and for you yourself. You are discerning and educated, a perfect confidant. Also, you will give him a reason to take a stand against the King’s Council’s plans to tax and bleed Anavrea into anarchy.”

  “You don’t think they are going to accept our marriage when my blindness comes to light?” The realization made Lirth shiver. Was she prepared to face revolt? Trahern’s description of Anavrea’s governmental instability made her realize exactly how precarious her position would be. “Here I thought I was saving myself by marrying Ireic.”

  “Your marriage might be the one thing that saves this country, Lirth. Remember that when it all threatens to fall apart around you.”

  “How will I manage that?” Her stomach roiled.

  “By making Ireic care. I am not saying he doesn’t love his country. He does, but he doesn’t want to be king. If he thinks that he can possibly, by the smallest margin, improve Anavrea’s chances of survival by abdicating, he would.”

  “Why doesn’t he? He would be happier. That is what you did.”

  “He would not be any happier than I am. Do you think I don’t grieve as my motherland falls apart, riddled with a disease I cannot even fight?” Genuine sadness and frustration rose in his voice. He took a deep breath to calm himself.

  “Why didn’t you accept the crown then?”

  “I couldn’t. Eve would have never survived at court. Bit by bit, she would have wasted away before my eyes, taking my heart with her. No. You, Lirth, were bred for this. You were trained for this. He needs you. Anavrea needs a king and queen, the promise of future stability.”

  “You sound awfully confident.”

  He leaned close. “I am.”

  “Here is your jacket, Labren.” Eve approached and helped her husband with his formal coat. “Is there anything you need?” The shushing sounds of her brushing the fabric underlined her query.

  Lirth wondered how much Eve had overheard of her husband’s impassioned speech.

  Eve gave Lirth a quick hug. “The ceremony will start in any moment.”

  “Then you should find your seat,” Trahern suggested and sent his wife off with a kiss and an order to stay off her feet.

  “Why are you so sure that he will love me that much?” Lirth asked as she adjusted her hand in the crook of Trahern’s arm. He covered it with his own.

  “I am a married man, Lirth.” Trahern leaned in so she was the only one to hear. “Trust me, I know.”

  The time for conversation was past and he began to lead her toward the chapel. Right before they entered, he whispered, “Welcome to the family.”

  ~~~~~~

  The next morning, a well sprung carriage carried the royal couple toward Ana City.

  “Are you well?” Ireic’s voice asked, making Lirth jump slightly at the same moment that the carriage lurched. She tumbled forward and would have struck the floor, but Ireic caught her arm. Pulling her back onto the upholstered seat next to him, he anchored her there with an arm through hers.

  Not trusting her voice, Lirth shook her head. Tears and the desire to lose the contents of her stomach made opening her mouth too risky. Traveling had never made her this sick before, but the constant rise and fall of the foothills proved harder on her body than any journey in her youth. The stuffy confines of the carriage didn’t help. The thought of two more days of travel turned her stomach.

  Ireic’s large, strong hands caught her face and guided it gently to where he could examine it. Although the touch was gentle, Lirth winced at the rough cloth of his gloves. Realizing the problem, Ireic muttered an apology and released her face to remove them. The urge to cry broke through her. Lirth, much to her own dismay, found herself releasing a jerky sob. The dam broke and she could not stop the storm. She only vaguely realized Ireic held her and stroked her hair as she cried.

  After a long while, her tears dried. She lay still against the warmth of her husband’s chest feeling wrung dry. The heat of Ireic’s hand caressing her back brought more comfort than she expected.

  “Better?”

  “A bit.”

  “I am sorry the journey is so rough on you.” He sighed. “If there was a way I could deal with the council from a distance, I would.” His hand ceased moving but did not withdraw. Heavy and pleasant, it nestled between her shoulder blades, keeping her close.

  Exhaustion, a remnant of her illness and the st
rain of the past few days, pulled her toward sleep. She began drifting off.

  “At least you will have Larissa.”

  “Hmm?” She grasped at her thoughts, fighting the enfolding warmth of oblivion.

  “You will have help until I can finish with the council.”

  “Right.” Larissa was name of the young girl Eve chose for Lirth’s companion.

  “How long?” Lirth adjusted her cheek against the warm wool of his tunic.

  “A month and a half.”

  The carriage hit a bump and Lirth jumped away from Ireic. Awake and afraid, she tried to calm her wildly beating heart.

  “Are you hurt?” Ireic caught her hand.

  “No, just startled.”

  He guided her back into his arms, but this time there was no hope of sleep. The challenges she was to face in the next weeks disrupted the peace of the moment.

  She could do this. After five years in captivity without a friend, a month and a half should be easy. At least, she told herself, it will be easier.

  ~~~~~~

  Days later, Lirth no longer believed it was going to be easier. The actions of her attendants made their opinion of her clear. Her matron-in-waiting’s cold hands yanked roughly as they pulled at the laces that cinched the back of Lirth’s dress closed. Under her breath, the woman muttered something that Lirth couldn’t make out.

  “Where are the queen’s nightclothes?” the Head Dresser yelled. Her shrill voice raked across Lirth’s calm, shredding it.

  A second woman strode into the room in a clicking crescendo of heel strikes, a muttered list of complaints marking her movements. “I ordered them made three days ago. They should be here by now. I want my nightgown back.”

  You can have it, Lirth mentally replied. It itches.

  The noble woman’s nightdress contained more lace than any other material. Lirth spent her first night in Ana City willing herself not to move or scratch her skin raw. After little sleep in her big cold bed, Lirth found her nerves more sensitive than usual.