The Forsaken Throne (Kingfountain #6)

Gahalatine straightened. “I will come as well.”

Fallon looked at them and then at Trynne. “Brythonica must be protected,” he said, “and by soldiers who are brave enough to defy the king’s army and buy us time to return with Lord Owen. My lord Gahalatine, you cannot come without jeopardizing your own people.

There is a magic game of Wizr that has been under way for centuries. It ends when one of the kings is defeated—you or King Drew—and there is no heir. When it ends . . . it ends abruptly. I believe we can get your memories back, but if you leave this world, disaster will befall your people.”

Trynne felt shaken by his words, and she saw Mariette’s eyes widen with distress. So, the game was finally on the precipice of ending. The stakes were as high as they possibly could be. And yet . . . the thought of being alone with Fallon filled her with unease. Not because she mistrusted his intentions but because . . .

“Captain, can we talk over there?” Trynne asked, motioning for him to come with her. She nodded to Gahalatine, indicating that he should join them. Fallon offered to hold Kate while Mariette snuffed out the candle and went to fetch a teapot and warm water.

Both men followed Trynne to the window seat, but as they all got settled, Trynne found her eyes drifting to Fallon for a moment.

Her heart wrung with emotion at the sight of him nuzzling Kate with his nose, whispering soothing words to her as he rocked her in the darkness. Comforting. Loving. Her throat caught with emotions and part of her melted at the scene. But then she saw her husband watching her watching him, and her heart clouded with trouble.

“I’m sorry, my lord, but this may not make much sense to you,”

she said quietly. “To Captain Staeli, it will. My father always told me the greatest lesson Ankarette taught him was the importance of discernment. He said it was the most important of the Fountain’s gifts. Should I go with him, Captain Staeli? My heart tells me that I should. That it’s the Fountain’s will.”

His bearded face turned down into a frown. “You want to know if I think he’s being honest.”

She nodded. “I’m not sure I can see things clearly right now.

Everything was in confusion, but his words make sense. I also want to believe him. I want to believe that he’s true to his sister, to his niece.” She looked down at her lap and didn’t articulate her final thought. To me.

Gahalatine leaned forward, his face showing concern. “Who is this man who has come?”

“The brother of the queen,” Trynne said. “We were raised together since childhood.”

“And you are a married woman now,” Staeli said warningly. “I know your husband has recently treated you ill.” He gave Gahalatine an accusing look. “Don’t think that I’m not tempted to thrash him because of it, whether he remembers it or not.” For a moment, Trynne wanted to smile because she knew he meant it. “But duty is duty, lass. If you go with the Llewellyn boy, you will be tempted to break your vow. Let me come with you.” His eyes said more than his words. He knew how she felt about Fallon, although he respected her more than to say so out loud, especially in front of her husband.

Holding the captain’s gaze, she answered, “I would never betray my oath, Captain. I am an Oath Maiden. Who else can I trust to carry out my will while I am gone? Thierry is a capable steward, but he’s no battle commander. We need time. And I need you and Gahalatine to defend Brythonica while I’m gone.”

“I don’t understand why I cannot come with you,” Gahalatine said seriously. “Your friend, he said something about a game, but it made little sense to me.”

“I know,” she answered, meeting his gaze. “You will have to trust what I say. To trust my promises. If you cannot trust me, then we have nothing together.”

Staeli pursed his lips and fidgeted. “What you are asking tests my loyalty to the utmost. If you don’t return quickly, I’ll be condemned for treason for certain. Your husband may face the same fate.” He let out a pained sigh. But then he lifted his gaze to hers again. “I will do it, lass,” he said huskily. “If your father were back, he could fix this mess. I know he could. Who better to fetch him than you?” He reached up and stroked her slack cheek with the edge of his coarse finger. “I am and always will be loyal to your house. Your father had to rebel against the king once. It was the right thing to do then, and now that the king is under his sister’s power, it’s the right thing to do again.”

Her heart gushed with appreciation for this man, her faithful mentor and friend. She hugged him, feeling tears sting her eyes. “I don’t know what I would have done without you,” she said, trying to contain her emotions. Part of her was afraid she would never see him again, and that thought made her squeeze him even tighter.

“Gack, lass,” he said, patting her shoulder. “I’m naught but a soldier.” He gently pushed her away and she saw him brush something from his eye. Then he put his meaty hand on hers. “You bring your papa back and this will all be worth it.”

Trynne rose and then kissed his balding head. “Thank you,” she whispered thickly.

Then she turned to her husband. “Do you have faith in me, Husband?”



He gave her an intense look. “I can only judge what I’ve seen. I have much to learn and I will have to ask this fine captain about why he resents me so. But it seems to me you are serving others above yourself. That is what a leader must do. If I can help in any way, I will. Trust must be earned. Be faithful to me and I will be faithful to you.”

His words impressed her. He had always been good with words.

She leaned up and kissed his cheek. “I will,” she said firmly.

Mariette returned with a teapot and Thierry, who gave Fallon a wary look as he entered the nursery.

“What is the meaning of all this?” the steward asked with concern. “I only just learned of Duke Fallon’s arrival. Why was I not told?”

Trynne took a deep breath. It was going to be a long night.

Standing before the mirror, Trynne looked at her reflection as she tightened the strap of her arm bracer. She’d considered wearing the full armor she’d inherited from the Maid of Donremy, but such an outfit would have invited attention and conflict. Instead, she was garbed as a simple knight, equipped with a sturdy chain hauberk, a nondescript tunic, and a leather belt. She had both her swords in their scabbards at her waist. Captain Staeli was finishing going through her pack, which contained a bedroll, some food and water, and even some coins from various realms. Gahalatine stood nearby, his big arms folded, watching her with quiet interest. He and the captain had spent a long time talking in solitude, though she did not know what they’d said to each other.

As she stared at herself in the mirror, her hair tied back in a queue, she realized she could pass for a man to the unobservant.

Worry consumed her. Glancing out at the night sky, she realized it would be dawn shortly. They needed to leave.

There was a soft knock at the door and Mariette entered with Fallon. The palace was asleep, but Trynne’s night was just beginning. She tugged on her gloves as Staeli hefted the pack and helped her put it on.

“How is Kate?” Trynne asked the two as they approached.

“She’s looking better,” Mariette said with relief. “She just took some more tea and some broth. I’ll depart to Edonburick with her for safekeeping. I have the sealed letter you gave me for your parents,”

she added with a nod to Fallon. Trynne quirked her brow at him.

“I’ve said my good-bye,” Fallon offered. He gave her an urgent look. “Kate will be safest in Atabyrion. Genny is not yet free, and my parents can secure the babe in places that Morwenna can’t find.