The Scourge of Muirwood (Legends of Muirwood #3)

“We meet again, great king of Comoros,” the Prince said with a bow.

“Well met, Alluwyn Lleu-Iselin,” the king answered in a throaty, raspy-like voice. “King of Pry-Ree for now. May I introduce my fair cousin, Lady Elle Demont.”

As the king stepped away, the Prince was unprepared for the reaction the sight of her would bring. His emotions welled like a flood. She had her daughter’s face – the face that had haunted him in dreams and visions for years, the ghost that walked through life near him, whispering of what was to come. The mother and the daughter were distinctive, beautiful, and for a moment he could only see his visions until tears swam and he lost his composure. Summoning his strength, he subdued his feelings, but there was no hiding the wet lashes from the king.

“The Aldermaston will perform the ceremony straightaway in the Abbey itself. You are both mastons and I am not, so I cannot accompany you inside the sanctuary. You may not believe it, but I do not seek your death, Lord Iselin. I seek peace between our kingdoms. In that vein, I suggest a truce to be consummated with this marriage. There will be no incursions into Pry-Ree for five years. In exchange, you will agree that henceforth there will no longer be three kings in your domain. There shall be one ruler. With my cousin at your side, you will do well. Do we have an agreement?”

The Prince stared at the king’s audacity, at his interference with Pry-rian custom. It was not for the king of Comoros to decide the balance of political power within Pry-Ree. But the Prince was wise enough to realize that if he refused the request, his wife would be returned to her prison at Pent Tower.

“The nobles of Pry-Ree will balk at this arrangement,” the Prince said, doing his best to keep the emotion from his voice.

“But surely you can manage it?” the king replied smugly, his eyes probing and earnest. “What other choice do you have?”

“Indeed,” the Prince replied flatly. He saw the situation as it really was. With only one king to rule the entire kingdom, it would undermine the ambitions of the realm. Rather than co-ruling, others would expect greater favors and privileges. It would also mean jealousy as those who craved the right to rule would be tempted to do away with the Prince. So much easier to overthrow a smaller kingdom when it is squabbling internally amongst itself.

“Shall we ready the ceremony?” the Aldermaston suggested. “To acknowledge, of course, the secret marriage you conducted earlier. Shall we go down, my Lord Iselin?”

“May I speak with my wife before giving you our answer?” the prince asked.

The king looked startled and then shrugged. “We will await you without then. Come, Aldermaston. Let us retire to another chamber.”

The door shut softly behind them.

There was a pause, a moment when they looked at each other, unspoken words passing between them in a rush. Before the Prince knew it, the girl was on her knees in front of him, head bowed submissively. “Forgive me, my lord. I have been a burden to you. I did not know my cousin would place those demands on you. I knew none of it. I am ill to think what harm this will bring to you and your kingdom. If we must delay, I will bear it. If we must part…”

The Prince knelt in front of her and took her hands, smiling through his tears. “No. Hush your fears…I will not be parted from you so soon.” He squeezed her hands and stared deep into her eyes. “You will not spend another day in a Comoros prison. You are the lady of Pry-Ree. You are our rightful queen. I will pay whatever ransom to secure you.”