“…And…and that’s just how I feel, Sekal.”
“It will be as you wish, my Gladys.”
“I’m sure it sounds very very dumb to you, but…did you just say it was okay?”
“Yes.”
“Oh.”
“You may have as many vows as you wish. I also will recite as many as you require. In fact, I must apologize: I did not consider your traditions when—”
“Never mind about that, Sekal. If where I came from was so great, I’d probably still be there, right? I’m just so surprised you—I mean, you don’t have to do vows, I thought they were kind of silly myself, but Lois wouldn’t let up, and—and—”
“It is little enough, and it pleases you.” He smiled at her, his large lavender eyes—Damon’s eyes—seeming to sparkle. She had never seen such eyes in her life, and had thought she would never be used to them. But she was. It was almost frightening how quickly she had gotten used to them. “I would do much to please you, Gladys.”
Oh that is so much nicer than “Move over, Wide Load.” “Thank you, Sekal. I feel the exact same way.”
“Do you think sufficient time has elapsed?”
“Beg pardon?”
“For the children to scatter and plot strategies. That is why you dragged me out of the throne room this morning, yes?”
Gladys could feel her face heat up, but managed to smile back. “Yes, I guess you caught me.”
“Your concern for a prince who is not yet yours-by-mating greatly warms me, Gladys. You will make a fine queen and a fine dam to my children. Even if the prince is behaving like a dar—like someone who does not know how to behave in matters of honor.”
“She’s pregnant, Sekal,” she said soberly. “And they’re in love. It changes things. It changes…everything, I guess. Don’t you remember what it was like?”
Sekal shook his head. “I am an old man.”
“That’s not true at all.”
“Only a future mate could say such a thing and not be telling a false tale,” he teased.
She ignored that. “Besides, you just said—you said you’d do a lot to make me happy. Well, where in the world do you think Shakar gets it from? Not only is he trying to keep Rica happy, he’s got the baby to think about. He’s willing to make you mad and risk—I don’t know—exile? I guess some pretty terrible things happen if he doesn’t let her fight.”
“Yes,” he agreed and looked, for a moment, like the old man he had claimed to be. She found it more shocking than the fact that she had to think up marriage vows to keep him distracted. Gladys never thought of herself as old, but she wasn’t exactly a puppy anymore. And Sekal had grown children, too. Neither of them were kids, that was for darned sure. But somehow, to her he had always looked strong and beautiful and…and timeless. Kingly. “Some pretty terrible things.”
“Well, maybe we can head back and talk about it. I’m sure we can all figure something out. I’m sure Shakar will remember his manners and I’m sure you’ll watch your temper.”
“Will I, my Gladys?”
“You’d better.” But she smiled to take the sternness out of her words.
Rica had been in her mother’s land about, she figured, six hours, counting travel time from the jump-off point. And one thing her mother had never mentioned was, the pillows weren’t stuffed with feathers.
Rica didn’t know what they were stuffed with, but they looked like shiny black beads…except they were soft. She’d been in the middle of a real circuit-clearing temper tantrum when she realized. What was that stuff, anyway?
She picked up a bead and examined it. Part of her knew exactly what she was doing: she had a big problem she didn’t want to face, so her mind was casting around for things that she could face. Like pillows without feathers.
She squeezed a bead. It squished, but didn’t make any noise or squirt—thank goodness. She’d been half afraid the thing had been stuffed with beetles…that’s what they looked like, beetles without legs, except squishy. It was—
“Rica, dear? May we come in?”
It was that Gladys. The king’s sweetie. And she said “we” so Rica figured the king was with her. Good. She tossed the bead over her shoulder, crossed to the doorway, and held the curtain back.
“Hello. Come on in. It’s your room, anyway,” she added dryly, and the king smiled at her. Why…he looked just like Shakar when he smiled, all open and boyish. He had a downright pleasant face, come to think of it. And those eyes were really something. Small wonder Gladys looked at him like she looked at a rock star. “I made all the servants go away, but I could get you—”
“You need not be in our service, Rica. We came to be sure your needs are being met. And I must beg your forgiveness for what happened earlier. It seems my son did not inherit his stubbornness, pride, temper, or poor reaction to surprise from his mother.” Sekal quirked an eyebrow at Gladys. “Or so it has been shown to me.”
“Sir, I appreciate you and your lady coming by to make nice, but if there’s been a screwup here, we all know it’s not your screwup.” And what’s the deal with your pillows? she wanted to add, but managed to stop herself in time.
“Ah…yes. About that. Rica, I would beg you to never think I wish any harm to befall you, but—”
“You don’t have to explain, King Sekal. Your son made a promise and then tried to get out of it. I imagine it’s doubly bad if you’re a prince and you try to shirk duty.”
“Yes,” he said simply. “It is doubly bad.”
“But see, the thing is—I’m glad you came by, because I want to make sure we’re all clear—the thing is, when I get over being mad at the big cabbage-head, I’m going to want to be with him. After I beat him severely. Possibly more than once. So I better fight. What I mean to say is, I’m going to fight.”
“Dear, are you sure—”
Sekal cut her off, and Rica could see how that surprised Gladys. The old guy must feel pretty strongly about what was coming. “Rica, this is how I know you are already my daughter-by-mating. You do not ‘shirk.’ I am filled with pride to hear you speak thusly. But I must not set aside my concern for the new princeling—”
“Or princessling,” Gladys added.
“Yes. Do I understand correctly, your dam was from my land?”
“Yes, sir. She fell through a thin spot and mated with my dad, and they had me.”
“Then perhaps you know a bit of what would be required of you at a Groomfight. It is not to the death, of course, but you would have to physically triumph over those whose dams and sires came from here, and that I fear—”
“Sekal,” she interrupted—and now he looked surprised. She figured not a lot of people cut off the king. “Can I tell you something? You and Gladys? Something secret?”