Bridge of Souls (54 page)

Cailech’s long arms reached around Valentyna and hugged her close. They were standing on the small balcony of Magnus’s old war tower. It was the only place Wyl could think of where they might truly be alone.

“Do you have to go to north so soon?” she asked.

There was amusement in his voice. “You’ll handle yourself brilliantly and I’ll be back before you know it, Valentyna. The meeting with the nobles went better than we could have dreamed. You already have them twirled around your little finger.”

She shook her head with wonder. “Thanks to Lord Hartley coming out of hiding and revealing just how treacherous Celimus was, even to his own nobility.”

“We shall be married by summer’s end, how’s that?”

Valentyna nodded glumly, knowing it would not be appropriate any sooner.

Wyl continued. “I know you understand that I want to be with Crys when he returns to Felrawthy. We shall grieve together at Tenterdyn and our prayers will cleanse it.”

The Queen sounded uncharacteristically sulky when she replied. “Crys is so smitten with Georgyana Bench, I’m sure he’ll hardly notice your presence.” She saw his expression turn serious and was instantly contrite. “I’m sorry. I’m just so scared of losing you again.”

“I know,” he said gently, kissing her head. “You won’t lose me again, I promise you.”

“How long will you be gone? It was Aremys who told me you’d be going to the Razors. Were you too scared to share that news with me yourself?”

Wyl laughed. “Yes, as a matter of fact. I may be Wyl to
you, but I have to make an effort to be Cailech to everyone else. I must return to the Razors and do the right thing by his people.”

“You’re going to appoint Lothryn to rule in your stead?”

He nodded. “It’s fitting. The people will understand that now that I am planning to marry the southern Queen, I will spend a lot of my time here. But an absent king is not good for their needs, so Lothryn will administer the realm—and far better than I can, I’m sure.”

“There’s a child, though, is that right?”

“Yes. Cailech fathered the boy, but on Lothryn’s wife. Loth has always thought of Aydrech as his own and now he can rightfully raise him as his son.”

“Will he be King?”

“Yes. Bastard children are recognized as heirs in the Razors.”

Valentyna nodded. “It must feel good to put everything back into balance again,” she said. “I’m so happy for Elspyth, too. She’s glowing. Did you ever think things could work out so right after everything felt so hideously wrong?”

Wyl turned her to him and kissed her softly, his lips lingering on hers so she could feel the tenderness and passion behind his affection. “I never thought I would win you. I told myself that the time at Briavel would be enough, if that was all I could have. Shar has blessed me.”

Valentyna pulled him closer still and whispered into his ear, his golden hair tickling her face, “Shar has blessed you with more than you think.”

He pulled away and looked at her quizzically.

“Shar, but for a king, you can be thick, Wyl Thirsk!”

“What am I missing?” he begged, laughing at her insult.

“Marry me fast, my lord, for I am pregnant. It seems we shall have the first royal heir to the joint throne of Briavel and Morgravia by the close of next winter.”

She watched the light green eyes of the northern King—soon to be a southern king too—fill with tears. She continued talking, knowing he was at a loss for words. “If he’s a boy we shall call him Wyl Magnus—then your name shall live on and
our son will take a favorite name from both Morgravia and Briavel. And I’d better start remembering to call you Cailech all the time—do you mind?”

Finally Wyl found his voice. “And if we have a princess?”

“Ylena, of course. What else but a name that signifies such courage and represents so much love in both our lives?”

“Valentyna…” Whatever else Wyl was going to say was choked by a soft sob of joy. He hugged her tight, showering her hair and face with kisses. “If I died right here and now I couldn’t be happ—”

“Don’t! We’re both going to live until we’re so old we will need servants to help us on and off the privy.”

They laughed among their shared tears. “That’s right,” he said. “We shall grow old and creaky together.”

“Make Aremys bring you home to me quickly. I can only believe you are safe while I can see you, hold you,” she said fervently. Wyl understood. He would have to be very careful with Cailech’s body until they were married and he was rightfully King of Morgravia.

Valentyna sighed, looking out across the landscape. “It’s beautiful here. I miss my woodlands but this is certainly a wonderful view. I feel like I can see all the way to Briavel.”

“That was the point. This war tower was built so it offered a view in all directions, but especially toward Briavel.”

“Well, we shall give this tower a new purpose. I shall dream something up by your return, King Cailech.”

He grinned, and as he did so a shadow fell across them. “What’s that?” he said, shading his eyes against the sharp sunlight as he looked up.

“I can’t imagine,” Valentyna said, squinting into the sky. “An eagle?”

“Not in these parts, and it’s too big anyway.”

Knave, who had been slumped drowsily close by, leapt to his feet and began to bark.

“What is it, Knave?” Wyl asked. He was rewarded with an answer from a voice he had never thought to hear again.
Hello, Wyl.

Fynch!
he sent back.
Oh Shar—is it really you?

Tell Valentyna. She can’t hear us—she’s not linked through the Thicket. And fret not, I’ve made myself invisible to all but you three.

“What is it?” Valentyna asked, baffled.

“My love, you won’t believe it.” Wyl grinned, feeling a shaft of happiness spear his heart. “It’s Fynch! He’s alive.”

“Where?” Valentyna asked, amazed.

“Up there,” he said, pointing.
What are you?
he sent.

A dragon!
He heard the boy laugh in his head and the sound was one of pure joy.

I’m aware that a great number of people have traveled this long and traumatic journey with Wyl Thirsk, so special thanks to the booksellers for recommending the series—especially Steve Hubbard in Minnesota and Jonathan Asay in Georgia, and my gratitude to all readers for giving The Quickening and this new writer a go.

The list to thank continues to extend: Gary Havelberg, Sonya Caddy, Pip Klimentou, and Judy Downs; the ever-increasing gang at the Heartwood Bulletin Board for their support and conversation; and Trent Hayes for a new Web site to make our international readers feel so welcome and appreciated.

Heartfelt thanks to Robin Hobb—quietly in the background, always full of encouragement, ever inspirational through her own work. And to Guy Gavriel Kay—not just for
Tigana
—but for his frequent and funny e-mails across the oceans. Also to Lynn Flewelling for such strong support and encouragement.

To my partner in crime, Kate Nintzel, a terrific editor whom I love working with, and to Jennifer Brehl, both at Eos. You’re a wonderful team to be part of.

Sincere thanks to Chris Lotts at Ralph M. Vicinanza Literary Agency, for all the work on my behalf and for the regular laughs.

Finally, to Ian, Will, and Jack—who make it so easy for me to disappear into worlds beyond our own and yet are the trilogy of reasons I always return.