The Heir (5 page)

Baylin could see the thin silver line of
tears forming in Luana’s emerald eyes. It hurt his heart to know
she was in pain.
Anything but your tears.

Master Keon entered the room. The
hunched-over old man wobbled feebly as he made his way over to the
couple. “My dear Prince Baylin, she should be in bed.”

Baylin stood and turned to the physician.
“The warmth of the fire comforts her.”

Luana spoke weakly. “Master Keon, thank you
for your care. May I please return to my chamber?”

“I must insist,” the old man squeaked, “that
you remain on bed rest for the sake of the child.”

Baylin could see the anguish in Luana’s eyes
as she spoke. “But I…”

“Master Keon,” Baylin interrupted,
“certainly she can as easily stay in bed in her own chamber. Being
in the comfort of her own room would surely help her to
recover.”

The old man stood staring at the floor,
presumably pondering what Baylin had said. He was such an elderly,
slow man.
By the gods, has he nodded off?
The Prince became
irritated.
Perhaps it is time to appoint a new physician.
He
was losing his patience. He gave a deep sigh. “Master Keon?”

The physician nodded to attention at the
sound of the Prince’s stern tone. “Oh, I suppose.”

Luana attempted to stand up from the
timeworn chair, but swayed with dizziness at the effort.

Baylin hoisted her up into his arms and
proceeded to carry her back to their bedchambers.

As he made his way down the long stairwell,
Luana clung to him as the chill of the cold kissed her skin. The
halls and stairways of the castle were brightly lit by torches and
candles, but this did little to fight off the icy cold winter had
brought.

As he descended the stairwell, Luana laid
her head against Baylin’s shoulder. “Have you seen her?”

“Who?” Baylin asked.

“Princess Isla,” Luana said. “Have you ever
met her?”

The words hurt.
I do not want to discuss
this. It will only bring her pain.
Baylin managed a slight nod
in acknowledgement of Luana’s question.

“When?” Luana pressed.

“Just a few times over the years. She
visited Grasmere for my parents’ anniversary ball nearly ten years
ago. I have also been to Mirstone with Lord Cadman,” Baylin
explained. “It was all on business for the Kingdoms.”

Luana was silent for a while as Baylin
carried her down yet another long, cold hall. Finally she asked,
“Is she beautiful?”

“Dearest, please don’t...” Baylin
begged.

“It’s a perfectly acceptable question.” He
could hear the pain in Luana’s voice when she spoke. “Do you think
she’s beautiful?”

As he carried her down the corridor to their
chamber, he looked her in the eyes. “Some may say she is, but I
cannot call anything beautiful unless I am speaking of you.”

The words brought a soft smile to her
lips.

Arriving back in their warm bedchamber,
Baylin carried Luana to the bed. “You must rest now, dearest.”

He was making his way over to stir the fire
when Luana’s soft words pierced his heart. “When you marry Isla,
will these be her chambers?”

Baylin turned to face her, bothered not only
by the question, but even more so at the very thought that it was
causing Luana worry and sorrow. “It does not need to be discussed
now. You must rest.”

Luana rose from the bed slowly, making her
way over to him. “I want to know. Will these be her chambers? What
is to become of me?”

Baylin could not look her in the eyes as
they threatened to well up with tears.
Those stubbornly brave,
hurt eyes; why must she force me to do this to her?
He turned
his gaze to the fire. “Tradition dictates that once I have married
and had a son with my Queen, you …” He couldn’t do it; he could not
say it.
It does not matter, none of it. I will have no other
wife.

“What? “Luana grabbed his face hard, turning
his eyes to her. “What are you not saying?”

“It does not matter, Luana.” Baylin put his
hands on her hips. “It will not come to pass.”

“Please,” she pleaded, “I want to know what
could happen. Once you are married and have a son with your Queen,
what becomes of me?”

Baylin sighed in frustration and hurt.
How can I make her see this does not matter?

“Please, Baylin,” Luana begged.

“She,” he began, “my wife, that is. Once she
and I have had a trueborn heir, she can have you turned out of the
castle and back to your family if she so chooses.”

Luana’s eyes grew large with comprehension
as she braced herself, sitting on the padded settee near the
hearth.

Baylin sat beside her, pulling a thick fur
around her shoulders. “Luana, I will say it again, this does not
matter. It will never come to pass. Tradition or not, I refuse to
marry Princess Isla or anyone else my father presents to me.”

Luana’s tears could not be contained as they
slid silently down her cheeks.

Baylin wiped away a hot tear from her face
with his thumb. “It is you I love, Luana, only you.”

He leaned in and kissed her lips tenderly.
I will make this right.

*****

The arrival of the royal family from
Mirstone was to be a grand celebration, even under the dire events
that forced it. King Ashmur and Queen Valasca felt it necessary,
given the status of their guests, to exercise the proper courtesies
that tradition required. Also, in hopes that a grand party would
encourage goodwill in the villages below, the royals invited the
entire Kingdom of Grasmere.

Since King Ashmur remained weak, Baylin
assumed responsibilities for all the preparations with the
assistance of his mother, the Queen.

Generally, when receiving a royal family,
the celebration began upon entering the Kingdom’s borders and
continued to the castle gates. However, given the winter’s bitter
cold, it was changed to take place the day following their arrival.
This allowed them to settle in and kept the guests warm within the
castle, instead of out in the elements.

Baylin made sure the cooks had a full menu
to prepare. Though it was a meal fit for royalty, his larger
concern was having enough to feed the people of his Kingdom. This
was a prime opportunity to make sure everyone was fed and looked
after, and he planned to take advantage of it.

He worked hard to convince Luana that it was
about caring for his people. Ever since she heard that Princess
Isla would be arriving, she was certain his heart lay
elsewhere.

The night of the celebration party, Baylin’s
steward dressed him in his finest tunic. A silver doublet with
diamond-shaped indigo embroidery running along the seams. It was
the same one he had worn the night he chose Luana to be his bed
wife.

The Prince looked over at Luana, who lay
sulking in the bed. “Dearest, you know this is for the people. I
take no pleasure in parading around in silks and talking to people
I don’t know. I would much rather be by your side all night.”

Luana kept silent in her anger. It reminded
him of when he had first brought her to the castle as his bed
wife.

The steward finishing buttoning the Prince’s
tunic excused himself from the room. Baylin went to the bed and lay
next to Luana. “Please, my love, do not be angry with me.”

She sighed. “I feel like a prisoner, Baylin.
I cannot even be by your side. To the Kingdom I’m a simpleton bed
wife.”

“It will be over before you know it.” Baylin
kissed Luana on the tip of her nose. “Besides, you’re supposed to
rest. Our baby needs you to take care of yourself, and a large
gathering such as this would certainly cause you unneeded
stress.”

Luana huffed and rolled over, turning her
back to him. “Just go to your party.”

Baylin kissed the top of her head. “You are
not a bed wife to me. You will be my Queen one day.” He turned and
left the room, knowing she would not listen to reason at this
time.

The Prince entered the great hall, loud
trumpets sounding his arrival. The crowd erupted in cheers and
applause that echoed through the mountain hall.

The castle had been built within the
mountain, which allowed for large spaces and insulation from the
bitter cold. The smiles on the people’s faces were true rewards in
Baylin’s opinion.
They are warm, fed and happy. This is the kind
of King I want to be.

As he climbed the stairs to the throne, he
surveyed the décor of the room. Large iron-worked chandeliers hung
from the high ceilings. Candle flames danced against the detailed
diamond-shaped patterns carved into the ceiling. Heavy velvet Keld
indigo banners draped over the walls, accented with beautifully
detailed embroidery work of silver thread.

Again, the trumpets sounded loudly and
Valasca walked in and stood next to her son as the crowd cheered
for their Queen.

She looked stunning in a deep indigo gown,
which trailed a long train behind it. The bodice had fine detail
embroidery along its edging. The light gleamed off the facets of
the small sapphires that were beaded along her scalloped high
collar. The design had been laid out to create the beautiful
diamond shape of the Kingdom of Grasmere.

She wore her long black hair in flowing
curls falling past her waist, and on top of her head stood a
beautiful silver crown. The filigree crown sparkled with diamonds
and sapphires as she moved in the candlelight.

Baylin raised his hands to quiet the guests.
When the crowd silenced, he addressed all within the room. “Good
people of Grasmere, you do us a great honor with your presence this
night. Our King sends his most humble thanks to you, as he regrets
he is unable to attend the celebration.”

The crowd gave heartfelt shouts of “Gods
save the King” and “Long live the King.” It warmed Baylin’s heart
to know the people loved their King.

Baylin outstretched his hands again to hush
the crowd. “My people, we have called you here tonight to welcome
our good friends from the Kingdom of Mirstone. Please join us in
welcoming King Gideon and Queen Fia, along with their daughter,
Princess Isla!” The room again erupted with applause as the royal
family walked out to join the Prince and Queen Valasca in front of
the throne.

It had been many years since Baylin had seen
the Princess; she had grown beautiful. Isla was a curvy but
muscular woman with long jet black hair that fell well past her
waist in loose waves. Her dark brown eyes appeared black against
her olive skin. She wore a stunning gold gown with filigree
embroidery that reflected a deep crimson color in the light. Around
her neck lay an elaborate gold necklace with faceted rubies that
showered down her chest.

King Gideon wore a rich ruby red tunic with
matching breeches. Over his shoulders hung a gold velvet cape that
skimmed the ground as he walked. He was a rather old fellow, though
younger than Baylin’s father, King Ashmur. He was tall, like all
the men of the Keld, with warm brown eyes. He had a weathered face
that came from years of exposure to the warm sun of the western
lands.

Queen Fia was quite the opposite; it seemed
time had not touched her youthful appearance. Though she was only a
few years younger than King Gideon. If Baylin did not know her to
be Isla’s mother, he would certainly have mistaken her for an older
sister. Like Isla, she had a rich olive complexion and long black
hair that she wore in a twisted braid down her back. Her hazel eyes
had a mysterious intelligence to them, like that of a hawk. To
match her husband, Queen Fia wore a gown of ruby taffeta that
swished softly as she walked. It sparkled with numerous rubies that
had been sewn onto the bodice and train.

The Prince bowed slightly as the royal
family approached, his mother following suit. Though he and his
mother were higher in rank, Baylin extended the courtesy to show
his guests they were welcome at court.

“You do us a great honor,” King Gideon said
over the blare of the crowd, bowing to Queen Valasca, then Prince
Baylin.

“The honor is truly ours,” replied
Valasca.

When the greetings had concluded, Baylin
hushed the crowd for one final time. “Please enjoy yourselves. Eat
and drink your fill. Let the festivities begin!”

The Prince pulled out a chair at the head
table for his mother, just as King Gideon drew a chair for Queen
Fia to be seated. Baylin glided a chair out for Princess Isla, who
blushed sweetly and sat down. He seated himself between his mother
and the Princess as footmen brought out large platters of food for
the royal family.

As they all were served, Isla leaned in and
whispered to Baylin, “Your Grace, it is very nice to see you
again.”

The Prince smiled at her. “As it is to see
you, Princess. I hope your journey was tolerable under such
dreadful circumstances.”

Isla took a sip of wine. “Oh yes, quite.
Your uncle, Lord Cadman, received us at the docks last night when
we arrived. He was so very kind and courteous. He and his personal
guard saw us safely up to the castle.”

“Lord Cadman? Yes, so courteous.” Baylin
took a long drink of wine, nearly emptying his goblet.
Yes, very
courteous; when he wants something, that is. I wonder what his
plans are for Isla and the royal family. I will not let him corrupt
this sweet, innocent girl like he has my father.

“Apologies, my Prince, did you hear me?”
Isla whispered.

Baylin had been lost in thought, not
realizing the Princess had continued talking to him. “What? I’m
sorry. I’m a bit tired from all the festivities. Do forgive me. And
please, call me Baylin, no need for titles tonight.”

Isla giggled and touched him on the arm.
“Not at all, Baylin. I understand. I was saying how happy I was to
be able to make it to Grasmere with all my trunks intact. I have a
very fine collection of silk gowns in them. Of course, they would
be nothing without the matching shoes I had custom made by …” The
Princess rattled on and on about things the Prince had little
interest in. He smiled and nodded in politeness.