“You saved my life, my brother, and my kingdom,” Arista replied, returning the embrace. “Do you really think I can feel slighted by you?”
Modina let go. “I’m sorry it took so long. I’m sorry that you had to stay in that… that… place. I didn’t save Deacon Tomas, and I didn’t save Hilfred. Perhaps if I had acted sooner…”
“Don’t,” Arista said, seeing the empress’s eyes watering. “You have nothing to apologize for.”
Modina wiped the tears and nodded. “I wanted to give you something… something special.” She walked to the bed and held up a familiar robe, which unfolded in shimmering cascades.
“Do you recognize it?”
Arista nodded.
“I can’t imagine there are two such robes in all the world. I think he would want you to have it, and so do I.”
Modina had just left Arista’s room and was passing Degan’s half-open door when he called out, “Hang on there!”
She pushed the door open and stood on the threshold, looking at him.
Tall and still very thin, he sat propped against a bank of pillows in bed. “My chamber pot needs emptying, and the room is starting to stink. Wanna get in here and take care of it?”
“I’m not the chambermaid,” Modina replied.
“Oh? Are you a nurse? ’Cause I’m still not feeling well. I could use some more food. Some beef would be nice—steak, perhaps?”
“I’m not a nurse or scullery maid either.”
Degan looked irritated. “What good are you, then? Listen, I just got out of the dungeon, and they literally starved me. I deserve some sympathy. I need more food.”
“If you want, I can walk you down to the kitchen and we can find something there.”
“You’re joking, right? Didn’t you just hear what I said? I’m sick. I’m weak. I’m not about to go rummaging around like a rodent.”
“You won’t regain your strength by sitting in bed.”
“I thought you said you weren’t the nurse. Listen, if you won’t bring it to me, find someone who will. Don’t you realize who I am?”
“You’re Degan Gaunt.”
“Yes, but do you know who I am?”
She looked at him, puzzled. “I’m sorry… I don’t kn—”
“Can you keep a secret?” he asked, leaning forward and speaking in a conspiratorial tone.
Modina nodded.
“As it turns out, I’m the Heir of Novron.” Modina feigned surprise and Gaunt grinned in reply. “I know—I was shocked too. I only recently learned myself.”
“But I thought Empress Modina was the heir.”
“From what I heard, that’s just what the old regents wanted everyone to believe.”
“So do you plan to overthrow the empress?”
“Don’t need to,” he said with a wink. “I heard she’s young and beautiful, so I figure I’ll just marry her. I also hear she’s popular too, so I can benefit from the goodwill she already has. See how smart that is?”
“What if she won’t marry you?”
“Hah! Why wouldn’t she? I’m the Heir of Novron. You can’t do no better than that.”
Modina noticed Gaunt looking her over more intently. His tongue licked his upper lip, sliding back and forth. “Say, you’re kinda pretty, you know that?” He glanced past her, into the hallway. “What do ya say you shut the door and slip on over here?” He patted the covers.
“I thought you were sick and feeble.”
“I said I was weak, not feeble, and I’m not that weak. If you won’t get me something to eat, the least you can do is help warm my bed.”
“I don’t think that is the least I can do. Yes, I can definitely think of less.”
He furrowed his brow at her. “You know, I’m gonna be the emperor just as soon as I get well enough. You might want to be nicer to me. We can keep this thing going, even after the wedding. I expect I’ll have several ladies-in-waiting, if you know what I mean. I’ll be taking good care of them too. This is your chance to get in early and be the first.”
“And what exactly does that mean?”
“Oh, you know. I take care of you. Give you a room here at the palace. See that you get some fine dresses. That kind of stuff.”
“I already have those things.”
“Sure, but you might not after I take over. This way you can make sure that your future is protected. So, what do you say?”
“Remarkably, I think I will pass.”
“Suit yourself.” Gaunt waved her away. “But hey, if you do see a maid, tell her to get her ass in here and get rid of this pot, okay?”
When Modina reached the stair, she met a gate soldier climbing up.
“Your Eminence.” He approached, bowed, and waited.
“Yes?” she asked.
“A man at the palace gates is requesting an audience.”
“What? Now?”
“Yes, Your Eminence. I told him it wasn’t possible.”
“It’s getting kind of late. Ask him to see the palace clerk in the morning.”
“I already told him that, but he says he and his family must leave at first light. They came for Wintertide, and he wanted to make one last attempt to see you before departing. He said you would know him.”
“Did he give you his name?”
“Yes, Russell Bothwick of Dahlgren.”