Chapter Twelve

It had been over a month since Luana had asked the Queen to smuggle her letter to Baylin. He had sent a reply to her by messenger. His words were simple, but they hit her at her core. I love you always—in this life and in the next. She knew it meant he did not know if he was coming home.

The Queen brought her word whenever she had news. Luana had been told the Prince was alive and unharmed, and the battle had in fact, taken a turn toward ending. However, Baylin remained a world away, so far from her arms.

Baylin’s mother had been very kind and was constantly checking in on Luana. She would also stay and have meals with her from time to time. The biggest service she had provided was to command that Luana was not allowed to be disturbed. This meant that Queen Fia and Princess Isla were strictly forbidden to see her and, for this, Luana could not thank Queen Valasca enough.

Luana had been with child for over six months, according to Master Keon and a midwife who had been brought in by Queen Valasca. The night she first felt the quickening of a strong kick brought tears to her eyes. She thought of how pleased Baylin would be and how sad it made her knowing he had missed it.

It was evening and the villages of Grasmere were hard to see from the balcony of Luana’s chamber. She could make out the tiny flickers of light coming from the windows of the homes, but could not see the homes themselves. The moon was a tiny sliver in the sky, the new moon had passed and it had once again begun to wax in the sky.

The days were getting warmer as summer took hold, and Luana enjoyed spending her evenings under the night sky in the cool evening air while basking in the light of the moon and stars.

Luana’s handmaid, Meg, walked out onto the balcony. “Milady, would you like your hair brushed now?”

Luana smiled and nodded. “Yes, that would be nice.” She followed Meg in and sat down in front of her mirror as the maid began brushing her hair.

Luana looked at the girl’s reflection in the mirror. “Do you have any news to entertain me with this evening?” She enjoyed Meg, who was constantly chattering about goings on in the castle. It was one of the only forms of entertainment Luana hadn’t gotten tired of yet.

The young maid smiled. “Oh yes, something that will please you, I believe. Princess Isla and Queen Fia are returning to Mirstone!”

“What? Why?” Luana asked, stunned.

“Well, according to their maid Gretchen, and mind you she is not privy to all the details, but it would seem that His Grace, Prince Baylin won a great victory! He and his men have killed nearly all the troll horde. She said something about setting the mountain on fire, though I don’t know anything about that. But they heard he has made the castle and villages safe again, so the Princess insisted she return at once to look after her people.”

Look after Baylin more likely. Luana felt the burn of bile at the back of her throat. She wants to get to Baylin before he is on his way back home.

The maid looked at her worried. “Did I say something wrong, milady?”

Luana relaxed the tense features on her face, attempting to soften her expression. “No, my dear, you’ve done nothing wrong. I worry for the Prince.”

“We all do, milady,” Meg said, continuing to brush Luana’s hair. “You should be so proud. Everyone in the Kingdom loves him. He will be a great King one day.”

That, Luana could agree with wholeheartedly. “Yes. Yes, he most certainly will.”

“And once he’s back, you and he can…” Meg continued to prattle on.

A knock came at the door causing both women to startle. Queen Valasca had visited Luana earlier that day, so it most certainly couldn’t be her. Unless there is news of Baylin. What if he’s been hurt? What if… She couldn’t bring herself to think of the horrible things that could happen to her love while on the battlefield.

Meg crossed the room as Luana struggled to stand. She placed a hand on her round belly as she felt a hard kick. You are a strong one, my son.

The maid opened the door to reveal Princess Isla standing in the doorway.

Meg looked back at Luana nervously then back again at the Princess. “I’m sorry, Your Grace, Queen Valasca has commanded that the young miss not be disturbed.”

Isla glowered at the young girl and raised her hand as if to backhand her. The maid cowered, shrinking away from her.

Luana, as quickly as her body would allow, made her way to Meg’s side. She took her in her arms. “It is fine, dearest. Would you be so kind as to draw me a bath?”

Meg nodded and ran into the private bath.

Isla laughed. “Associating with the rabble? Well, I suppose it makes you feel more at home. After all, they are your people.”

Luana turned to face the Princess. “Have you no compassion for anyone, Isla? The girl was only doing as she was bid.”

“Look who’s gained her courage!” Isla smiled slyly. “You’ve forgotten your courtesies, my dear, you should address your betters by their proper titles.” She shoved her way past Luana as she entered the room without invitation.

Luana was not amused, nor was she in a mood to play games. “What is it that you need?”

“I have come to say my goodbyes, of course.” Isla turned around to face Luana. “My family and I are to travel back to Mirstone in the morning.”

Luana had to admit she had looked forward to this day. Yet now that it is here, and I know the Princess’s intensions, I dread it. If only I could keep her here long enough to allow Baylin’s return.

Isla seemed to be reading Luana’s thoughts. “Sorry to see me go, are we? Don’t worry, I will make sure to take good care of Baylin when I arrive.”

“I’m sure that is your plan,” Luana hissed through clamped teeth. “Whether he will have you or not is another story entirely.”

Her anger seemed to please Isla. The Princess looked down at Luana’s swollen belly. “Looks like I won’t have to wait too much longer to cast you out of the castle.”

Luana glared at the Princess. “You forget something very important.”

“Really?” Isla raised an eyebrow in amusement. “And what would that be?”

“Baylin has never agreed to marry you,” Luana said with a smile on her face.

The Princess sneered at Luana. “A formality. It is all but decided by our fathers. It’s what’s best for the Kingdoms.”

A loud burst of laughter escaped Luana’s lips at Isla’s words.

“What?” Isla barked. “What about this do you find at all funny?”

“I realized how delusional you are. Nothing that involves you could possibly be good for anyone, and certainly not the Kingdom.” Luana smirked, knowing she was getting under the Princess’s skin.

It was obvious that the Princess was infuriated. Luana imagined if you provoked a dragon enough, it would share the same expression.

Luana knew she was pushing Isla, but she no longer cared.

In her anger, the Princess pulled her hand back and swung at the young bed wife in an attempt to slap her, but Luana was ready for it as she reached out clamping down on the Princess’s arm, stopping her mid-swing.

When Luana’s hand wrapped around the Princess’s wrist, something strange occurred. Luana saw something—a brief glimpse, something she didn’t understand.

She saw Isla with flames behind her as a forest burned, then an image of a hooded figure chanting over a tattered old book. There was a quick flash of Queen Valasca in mourning clothes, and finally a glimpse of Lord Cadman holding a crying baby.

Upon seeing Cadman’s face, Luana released Isla’s arm. What was that?

Luana looked up at the Princess and, judging by her expression and behavior, Isla was not aware of what Luana had experienced.

Isla clenched her teeth together and glared at Luana. “Well, little bed wife, you have gained some courage, haven’t you? That’s all right. You keep thinking Prince Baylin will be yours. This arrangement was made by Lord Cadman long before you were ever in Baylin’s thoughts.”

“Lord Cadman?” Luana’s brow furrowed as she tried to understand what the Princess was implying.

Isla gave a malicious grin. “Yes, you know him, certainly. He is who you have to thank for this little… arrangement.”

Luana felt sick. Anything that Cadman was a part of was vile, foul and twisted. “Why would Lord Cadman care who Prince Baylin was to marry? He only ever cares about his own gain.”

Isla smirked, poking Luana’s shoulder with her finger. “That’s exactly right! You’re much smarter than you look, little girl.”

Luana’s thoughts swam in a cloudy haze as she tried to figure out how Isla and Baylin’s abominable uncle were on the same side. Why would Cadman need Isla to marry Baylin? It doesn’t make sense. He wants the Kingdom for himself. Isla would simply be another obstacle for him.

Isla cupped Luana’s chin roughly, disrupting her thoughts. “Look at you. Like a child trying to figure out a riddle. Truly adorable. Too bad you won’t figure out the answer until after you’ve been cast out of Baylin’s life for good.”

Luana kept her mouth shut. Isla wanted her to continue fighting, and she would not give her the satisfaction.

The Princess smiled in amusement, assuming that she had gotten the better of the little bed wife. She turned and walked to the door, Luana following close behind. She turned to face Luana. “You try to be so strong, bed wife, but in the end, power, title, wealth… that is what strength is. Those are things you will never have.”

Princess Isla was in the hallway when Luana turned to her. “And you have forgotten that Baylin will eventually see you for the evil snake you are. Even a hundred years of marriage to you will not compare to the year he has spent with me.”

The Princess’s face screwed up and she attempted to retort, but Luana cut her off quickly as she pointed a finger in her face. “There may come a time when he’s forced to allow you to hold his hand, but rest assured, you will never hold his heart. That belongs to me, and me alone!”

Before the Princess could process the words, Luana slammed the door in her face.