Exhausted and road weary, the caravan entered Paderau near dusk less than two weeks after leaving the Narthvier. Ashanni trailed the other horses to the stables, and Taryn slid off, barely able to walk. Her long nights of caring for Kaida, followed by even longer days of trying to keep her a secret, cost a heavy toll. She hid the puppy in her leather bag before she and the princesses dragged themselves to their rooms.
Mayla and Lorilee waited for her, a steaming bath at the ready. When they saw the grierbas pup, they smothered Kaida with kisses while she mouthed their hands. Taryn cautioned them that Kaida would have teeth soon enough and their fingers would make a tasty snack. She shook her head in disbelief when they let the puppy bite the tips of their hair instead. It seemed a puppy, no matter how ferocious she would grow to be, was still adorable.
Once bathed and dressed, Taryn left Kaida with her maids to get milk for the growing pup. Carga already knew about the grierbas and had a fresh jar of milk waiting. She gave it to her with a warning that Kaida would need raw meat in less than a week’s time, explaining that grierbas grew much faster than regular dogs.
Before Taryn left, she took Carga’s hand in hers. “I know you’re Rhoane’s sister.” She’d heard the name whispered during their time in the Narthvier.
Instead of the anger Taryn expected, a look of resignation crossed Carga’s face. “I did not think I could keep it from you once you went to the Weirren.” Carga squeezed her hand. “I am happy you know, but please, keep it to yourself. It is difficult to be a cook when everyone knows you are a princess.”
“As long as you tell me what mi carae means.”
Carga gave her an odd look. “Where did you hear that?”
The memory was foggy, uneasy to recall. “I think I heard King Stephan say it when mentioning Queen Aislinn.”
Carga’s eyes grew soft and misty. “It is an ancient saying of the Eleri. It means my heart or my love. It is not said lightly, as the words themselves are an oath. My father loved my mother very much. Their love was sacred.”
“That’s beautiful.” She took her supplies and left the kitchens, wiping at her wet cheeks, slightly appalled at how easy it was for her to tear up. Before Aelinae, she’d rarely cried. Since stepping into the cavern, she was a bloody waterworks.
When she arrived at her rooms, the other princesses were on the floor with her maids, laughing and playing tug-of-war with Kaida and a piece of rope. The little furball was snarling and snapping at them with all the ferocity she could muster.
“Has she been out lately? I don’t want any accidents in here.”
“We were waiting for you. Have you told Mother yet? She’s meeting with the duke in his rooms, which would make the perfect time to break the news,” Eliahnna offered.
Tessa sat up. “You might want to take Kaida with you. How can she get angry with such a sweet face?”
“I’m sure she’d find a way.” Taryn scooped up Kaida, saying farewell in her best melodramatic voice. “If you never see me again, you’ll know it didn’t go well.”
She stood at the duke’s door for a long time, her hand wavering over the handle, unsure if she was making a mistake. She was about to turn away when the door opened, and Myrddin loomed before her.
“Ah, Taryn, we were just going to send for you. Come in, child.” He peered down at the ball of fur nestled in her arm. “What have you there?”
Taryn put a hand over Kaida. “I need to speak with my mother. I was told she’s here.”
Lliandra didn’t glance up or stop her conversation with Rhoane when Taryn entered, so she took a seat opposite them and waited, making small talk with Myrddin. A few minutes later, the duke and Hayden entered and took their seats. Lliandra glanced at Taryn, seeing her for the first time.
“What in Ohlin’s name is that?”
Taryn cleared her throat. “It’s a grierbas pup. She was abandoned in the vier. I’m taking care of her.”
Lliandra’s eyes popped briefly. “Get that abomination out of here this minute. I’ll not have a wild animal running loose around the palace.”
Duke Anje spoke with a quiet authority that was not to be challenged. “Pardon me, Your Majesty, but this is my home. If Taryn would like to keep a pet, I have no objections.”
Lliandra glared at the duke as if to argue but calmed herself. “You might allow that beast here, but I’ll not have it in Talaith. Is that understood?”
“I understand your concern, but this animal was put in my path by something greater than myself. It is not for me to deny what the gods wish for me. If you won’t allow Kaida in Talaith, then I will gladly stay here, as long as His Grace will welcome me.” Anje inclined his head to Taryn in consent. “Thank you, Duke Anje, for your kind hospitality.”
Myrddin laughed, making them all jump. “Let the girl have her dog, Lliandra. I’m sure Taryn will train her and keep her penned up at night so she won’t eat the horses. Isn’t that right, Taryn?”
She gave Myrddin a sideways glance and smiled. “I’m sure Kaida will be no trouble at all.”
Lliandra twisted a ring around her finger, her angry stare focused on Myrddin. An unspoken argument crossed between them while the others waited for the outcome. Finally, Lliandra tossed her hair with a sniff. “I don’t want that beast near me or my court. You may keep her in the kennels, but away from the horses. If I hear of one accident involving your pet, I’ll kill her myself. Is this understood?”
Taryn swallowed hard. “Yes, Mother. Completely. Except—” Lliandra stared at her, and she mustered her courage. “She will sleep in my rooms with me. If we leave her in the kennels, who’s to say she won’t take to the scent of horses or men as prey? But if she stays with me, then Aelan smells will be imprinted on her as friends.” She stroked Kaida’s soft fur. “Would you like to hold her?” For the briefest moment, Lliandra’s eyes widened; her face softened.
“I think not. She might be cute, but never forget what she is.” She turned away from Kaida, straightening her skirts. “Now, if we can get to the business at hand. Taryn, as my daughter and head of House Galendrin, you are due a monthly stipend as well as property. I’ve been informed you have yet to receive either, a fact that will be remedied when we return to Talaith.”
By the smug look on Anje’s face, Taryn suspected her uncle had intervened on her behalf.
“And, as my niece, I would like to offer you land north of Ravenwood, Downington Grange. The soil is rich and there is plenty of grazing land for sheep.”
Lliandra’s lips pursed into a tight little knot. “That’s very kind of you, Your Grace, but Taryn won’t be needing your land. She will have the choice of three properties to choose from. I am certain she’ll find one suitable for her position.”
The monthly stipend alone made her a woman of means, but the added property made her quite wealthy.
“Thank you. Both of you. Really, it’s more than I ever expected.” Taryn gushed, overwhelmed by their generosity.
“Yes, well, you need to keep up appearances now. As for Hayden,” Lliandra looked away from Taryn’s leather breeches and loose-fitting blouse, “he will travel with us to Talaith and take his father’s place on the Privy Council.”
Again, Taryn suspected her uncle of manipulating the situation so that Hayden could be close to Sabina.
As if reading her mind, Lliandra continued, “In addition, we have learned that Queen Prateeni has granted your request to court her daughter. After much consideration, I have decided to allow this union.”
Hayden barely suppressed his excitement. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
She turned next to Rhoane. “Because your father has lifted your exile, you are permitted once again to speak in chambers and be an active part of the council.”
Rhoane inclined his head. “I am honored to serve, Your Majesty.”
Lliandra stood, smoothing her skirts. “These changes will, of course, be presented publicly once we return to Talaith. I think our business here has concluded. If there are no questions? Very well. It has been a long day, and I am quite tired from our travels. I think I’ll dine in my rooms this evening. Myrddin, won’t you join me?” She held out her arm, not waiting for his reply.
“Rykoto’s balls, it’s about time,” Hayden said once the door clicked shut.
“Hayden.” The duke’s tone had an edge to it Taryn had never heard.
“Father, you know as well as I that the only reason she relented is that she’s terrified Taryn’s rank is higher than hers. If you hadn’t badgered her, then I’d be stuck here and Sabina would be married off to that oaf Herbret. All to benefit the empress.”
“His family is very powerful,” the duke warned. “You do not want to make an enemy of him.”
“I have no intention of making enemies this day. If you’ll excuse me, I plan to celebrate this good fortune with a very special lady.” Hayden bowed to his father and then to Taryn and Rhoane.
Taryn relished in the small victory. Lliandra’s change of mind wasn’t solely due to her, but she’d been a part of Hayden and Sabina’s happiness. That alone filled her with a warm contentedness.
Anje handed her a heavy pouch, placing both his hands over hers. “Take this. A girl needs a little pocket change.” She started to protest, but he shushed her. “If I know your mother, it will be some time before she sorts out your allowance. Just consider this an advance.”
“I promise I’ll find a way to repay you.”
“You are so very like my late lady wife. You have her impulsiveness and generosity of spirit.” He gave a melancholy chuckle. “Not to mention her beauty and dazzling blue eyes. She was there at your birth, you know. Lliandra entrusted her secret to only a few people. When Brandt took you away, I think it broke Gwyn’s heart nearly as much as your mother’s.”
“I remember her. She had the sweetest voice. She told me there can be no Light without Dark and no darkness without light.”
Rhoane and Anje passed a look between them. “I was there when the duchess said this to you. You were naught but moments old. It is remarkable you remember,” Rhoane said.
A chill raised the hair on her neck. “It isn’t a conscious thing. Memories just come to me at odd moments.”
“You always surprise me, Darennsai.”
“That’s a good thing, right?” Then, in a serious tone, she said to her uncle, “I thank you for what you’ve done today. There is so much more I need to understand and not enough bells in the day.”
“Don’t be hard on yourself, Taryn. You’ve had much to learn in a short time. You will be busy in Talaith for the next while, but I want you to know you are welcome here anytime. And your ferocious pet.”
She laughed and thanked him as Rhoane led her and Kaida out to the gardens, where the grierbas rolled over and chased bees. “Yeah, she’s a real killer.”
“Have no doubt, Darennsai, your mother’s fears are not without merit. Kaida might not look like much now, but in time she will be, as you say, a real killer.”
“Then we’ll just have to convince her we’re not the enemy.”