Queen of Hearts (The Risen King) (13 page)

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Aiofe's hand was still on his arm and he focused on the light weight there, drawing strength from it. He inhaled and exhaled once more and then opened his eyes again. His vision was clear, as was the beautiful face in front of him. He smiled at Aiofe and reached up to touch her cheek.

“Your highness?” The guard who was watching Guinevere stood at the door. “Do you want me to take her back? They're ready to start again.”

Arthur nodded quickly. “Yes, please do.” He slipped his fingers around the back of Aiofe's neck and pulled her close enough so he could press his lips to her forehead. “We'll talk soon, okay? I promise.”

Her lips pursed, but she nodded. “Okay.”

He turned and bowed his head very lightly to Guinevere. “Guinevere,” he said and then he turned and raced up the stairs as fast as his legs would carry him.

*~*~*

SIXTEEN

*~*~*

“Beware the woods in the night of day/traipse and traps and flee.” Lilia twirled as she sang, her bright blue skirts swirling about her knees. She had been a servant for Aiofe for barely a week, but it was the best week she had had in what little of her life she could remember. Born into a world of servitude before she was bound to the castle, she had never known what it meant to be free, so freedom to her was a good master and pretty clothes. Aiofe made sure she had both.

Lilia paused at the window and leaned against the ledge. Below her in the training yard, several of the knights practiced their swordplay. Her gaze flitted over them quickly, though, instead searching for the man she had often seen alone. She found him near one of the corners, practicing with his bow. She cupped her chin in her hand and watched with awe as Tristan placed three arrows on his bow at the same time and sent them soaring into three separate targets.

“Oh!“ Lilia pushed herself up from the ledge and clapped her hands together in excitement before she knew what she was doing. Tristan's head tilted to the side and he turned just enough to look up at her. She slapped her hands over her mouth and backed away from the window as quick as her little feet would take her. Fear froze her for the briefest of moments until she broke out into a fit of giggles. She recovered herself and continued cleaning.

“
All the sprites that come out to play/are the smallest danger you see.” Her feather duster whirled about in her fingers, kicking up small clouds of dust and chasing away the tiny, nearly invisible faeries that had made a home on the mantle in the years of disuse. They jabbered and twittered and swore at her in their faery tongue.

“
Be off with you,” she chided. “Your home is in the woods, you know that. Shoo, and do not return.”

As they scampered away, she spun as fast as her toes could handle, pretending a young suitor was twirling her about the dance floor.

“You're very talented, my dear.”

Lilia froze mid-spin and collided with one of the big chairs near the fireplace. She sent it sprawling and went down with it. As she scrambled to her feet, she tried to bow at the same time. “Miss Guinevere, I am so very sorry. I did not see you there.”

She bowed repeatedly, even as she stooped to pick up the heavy chair. She struggled with it, but managed to right it once more. Then she straightened herself and brushed her hands over her skirt before curtseying. “Miss Guinevere,” she said again. “How may I be of assistance?”

The blond woman smiled and walked toward Lilia. The young girl's heart thudded in her chest and fingers of fear crawled up the back of her neck, but she remained still. Guinevere reached her and brushed her cheek. “What is your name, darling? I know I've asked before, but I've forgotten.”

Lilia's brow puckered. “No, Miss Guinevere. I do not think we have met. My name is Lilia. I am Lady Aiofe's handmaiden.”

Guinevere's grin grew. “Oh, I know, darling. In fact, I need your help with something.” Her fingers brushed down to Lilia's arm. “Do you think you could help me?”

Lilia blinked rapidly, trying to clear the cloud that had come over her. “Of course, miss. Anything you need.” Her lips felt heavy as she spoke and her thoughts became jumbled.

“
Perfect. The first thing I need is for you to call me Lady Guinevere from now on. Can you do that?”

“
Of course, my lady. Lady Guinevere.”

“
And Aiofe, Aiofe is the red-headed witch that we do not like. You will refer to her as Miss from now on.”

“
Yes, my lady. Miss Aiofe, the red-headed witch.”

“
Wonderful. Now, tell me everything you know about her.”

Lilia's tongue tripped over itself as she rushed to share everything she knew about Aiofe. While she babbled incessantly, Guinevere roamed the room, poking into corners, opening drawers, and rumpling the bed covers.

“Does she have any weaknesses?” Guinevere interrupted as Lilia was telling her about the night King Arthur and Aiofe had almost spent together.

“
No, my lady. None.”

Guinevere's nose curled and Lilia thought frantically for something, anything to share with Guinevere to please her. “She does have a locket. A special locket, given to her family by Queen Titania.”

“Oh? And what's so special about it?”

“
It protects her, my lady. From magic and the like. Not completely, of course. Or else she would not have had any trouble with the banewolf. But it aids in her protection and makes it much harder for her to be affected by magic. And it helps her heal faster and--“

Guinevere held up her hand and Lilia clamped her lips together.

“Lilia, will you do me a favor?”

The young handmaiden's head nodded so quickly her neck hurt. “Yes, my lady. Anything.”

“I want you to break that locket.”

“
It is iron, my lady. I cannot touch it.”

Guinevere walked over to Lilia and cupped the girl's cheek in her hand. The fuzziness had started to fade, but now it returned full force. “Find a way. I want it broken.”

“Yes, my lady. Anything you wish.”

“
Good. Do it tonight. Do whatever it takes.”

Lilia nodded. “Of course, my lady.”

Guinevere smiled and kissed the girl on the forehead. “Good girl.” Then she turned and walked out.

When Guinevere was gone, Lilia stood in front of the fireplace for several minutes. Her head swam and she felt confused and lost. But she had a purpose, a goal, and she would complete it no matter what. She did not want to displease Guinevere.

Later that evening when Aiofe came in for her bath, Lilia had formed a planned. She helped her lady undress and climb into the tub. When Aiofe removed the locket and placed it on table beside the bath, Lilia set her plan in motion. She moved to grab the soap and bumped the table hard enough to send it sprawling. As she scrambled to pick the items that had spilled up, she let her heel land on the locket and grind in a circle.

“
Oh, miss, I am so sorry!“ she cried as she stepped back and bent over. “I believe I have broken your locket.” She leaned down and picked it up. Her fingers sizzled and hissed and she cried out as she dropped it again. Not only did the iron burn her skin, but the locket was unharmed.

“
No worries,” Aiofe said, smiling at her as she climbed from the tub. “It's pretty sturdy.” She winked at Lilia and placed the locket on the nightstand, out of harm's way, before climbing back in the tub.

Lilia's first plan was foiled, but she was undeterred. Later, when Aiofe was tucked safely into bed, she sneaked back into the room and dumped the locket into a kerchief. She tucked it away into her pocket and found her way to the kitchen. It was deserted at that time of night and she searched around until she found what she was looking for. The meat mallet was used to pound meat flat, and it would be perfect for pounding the locket flat, too.

She set the kerchief on a thick table and brought the mallet back. With every ounce of muscle she could muster, she brought the mallet down on the locket. Sparks flew and it skittered across the table, taking the kerchief with it. Lilia dropped the mallet and scrambled over to find the locket. She picked up the kerchief and opened it. The locket was unharmed.

Frazzled, Lilia cast her eyes about, searching for a weapon that would help her accomplish her goal. She noticed the poker next to the cooling fireplace and an idea came to her. She flew up the stairs and out into the night. Guards watched her go, but none stopped her. She was inside the castle walls and she was the handmaiden to Lady Aiofe. She was free to roam as she wished.

She reached the blacksmith's shop and found it empty. She grabbed the nearest hammer, threw the locket on the ground, and tried to smash it to bits. She tried three hammers, each of greater size, with no luck. Nothing would touch the locket.

Full of despair, she picked up the locket and tucked it into her pocket. Back inside the castle, she stole down to the servants' quarters and found Guinevere's room. The guards posted outside were asleep. Very quietly, Lilia knocked on the door. It opened and she crept inside.

“Is it done?” Guinevere asked as she lounged on her bed.

“
No, my lady. I cannot do it.”

Guinevere's eyes narrowed. “Why not? Are you scared? Are you weak?”

Lilia reached into her pocket and pulled out the kerchief. “I tried, my lady. It will not break.” She held out the locket to Guinevere.

The woman rose from her bed and plucked the cloth from Lilia's hand. She let the locket tumble into her palm. “So simple. This will be easy.” She closed her fingers around the locket and chanted for a few minutes. When she opened her palm, the iron locket had turned to dust. She tipped her hand up and the locket fell to the floor like glitter.

“Done,” she said to Lilia as her fingers brushed across the girl's cheek. “Now, go to bed. This was just a terrible dream.”

Lilia nodded and floated out of the room. She made her way to the top floor and sank into her bed. She tried desperately to remember what she had been doing out of bed so late, but her body told her it was time to sleep, and so she did.

*~*~*

SEVENTEEN

*~*~*

“Do you really believe him?”

Kane stood just inside the council room door and listened to the conversation taking place outside in the hall.

“I don't know yet. That's what I'm going to find out.”

There was silence for a moment, followed by, “Arthur, please be careful. He's not trustworthy. He's a liar and a traitor. He killed his own father.”

Kane gritted his teeth as Aiofe's harsh whisper ripped through him. He couldn't deny her accusations anymore than he could deny the knot sitting in the pit of his stomach from all the years of pain he had caused her.

“
I know. Zela is in there. She knows him better than anyone.”

“
He fooled her once, too.”

“
He won't again. He's ready to help us.”

“
He should be in the dungeon.”

“
It's not polite to eavesdrop.” The new voice was so close to Kane's shoulder that he jumped.

“
Zee,” he said with a growl. “You startled me.”

His little sister looked up at him with a smirk that was a signature they both had picked up from their father. “Clearly.” She nodded toward the table. “Let's sit. Leave them alone to their little squabble.”

Kane's mouth twitched downward. “They're not squabbling. She's worried, and I don't blame her.”

“
Neither do I. But let's sit anyway.”

Kane followed Zela to the table and sat beside her at one of the empty seats. His head drooped and his eyes remained locked on the wood. He refused to look at anyone around them. He had seen enough dirty looks to last him a lifetime.

Around them sat the other generals of Faery. Deklen sat directly across from Zela, his glare locked on Kane. Norin and Eden were a few seats to their left, talking in hushed whispers. No one else would be present. It was a top level matter only and they had decided to keep the discussion closed. The queens were settled into their own private chambers, ready to listen in. They had broken the link to the South as soon as confirmation came that it fell.

Arthur finally entered and shut the door behind him. As he took his seat, he cleared his throat. “Before Kane begins, does anyone else have anything to say?”

Deklen settled back into his chair and crossed his arms. “Yeah. Why are we going to trust this traitor? He shouldn't even be breathing at this point.”

“
You've made your opinion clear,” Zela spat across the table. “And no one cares. He has important information that we need.”

“
The only thing we need is his head.”

Arthur's hand slammed down on the table. The boom vibrated through the room and both Deklen and Zela snapped their open mouths shut. “Enough.” Arthur's glare danced between them. “Your petty squabbles aren't going to help today.” He fixed them both with one more stare, then he turned his attention to Kane. “We've all heard it before, but will you relate what happened at Castle Eiri Greine once more, please?”