The Forsaken Throne (Kingfountain #6)

Trynne’s throat closed with tears and she felt sadness but also gratitude. Some would listen. Some would heed the warning.

“Mother. What of Fallon? Have you seen a vision of Fallon?”

Her mother’s look became somber. “I have, Daughter. I cannot bring him back. Neither Myrddin nor I can change the covenant that binds the portal. The offer must be made by one who is willing. And I have seen our futures here in this world.”

Gahalatine had been confined in illness to a part of the palace that was little used and visited. It wasn’t the traitor’s tower of Holistern, but it felt like a dungeon nonetheless. A guard was stationed there to keep others out, not Gahalatine in. Trynne gestured for the man to open the door. She heard her husband’s hacking cough before she entered.

She found her husband, sick on his bed, drenched with sweat, and racked by chills. He had gray shadows beneath his eyes, and the signs of his mighty strength were already beginning to wane. As she entered, he scooted back on the bed to try to sit up, stifling a cough on his fist. His hair was slick with sweat.

“You did return,” he said gratefully, his voice hoarse. “Others t-told me”—his words were interrupted by a cough—“Lord Fallon remained behind.”

She approached his bedside and reached out and touched his leg in sympathy. “It grieves me to see you like this,” she said sadly. “I kept my promise.”

He blinked and nodded, looking uncomfortable and achy. “I knew it wasn’t you,” he said, shaking his head. “The strangest feeling wrapped around me when she entered the tower. It was . . . wrong— so different from how I felt with you in Ploemeur. How I feel with you now. I knew that Morwenna could disguise herself. She does so convincingly. But I still knew. She tried to kiss me and I turned away.

It felt . . . wrong. Vindictive. She kissed my cheek instead. And now I

am cursed to die.” He looked at her sadly, but proudly. “I kept my promise too.”

Her heart tugged with anguish. She grasped his hand in hers and slowly began to feed him with her magic, helping him recover some of his strength. She watched the color come back to his cheeks. The tremors began to fade.

It would not cure him. But it would sustain him a while longer.

The king’s council had gathered in the audience hall of Kingfountain palace at the massive Ring Table. This was the first time since Morwenna’s assault on the princess that the king’s loyal subjects had come together without disguise or illusion. Trynne and Sinia had used the ley lines to summon together those rulers whose presence had previously been faked by Morwenna’s magic.

Trynne stood alongside Gahalatine, holding his hand to continue lending him strength, watching with tender feeling as Lady Evie and Iago hugged her father. He was thronged with well-wishers, but she could tell by the look in his eye that he’d prefer to be closeted in the Star Chamber with Lord Amrein discussing politics or on the beach with Sinia than to be the focus of so much attention.

Genny was there, gripping her husband’s arm possessively, and so was Kate, being held and kissed repeatedly by her grandmother, Lady Kathryn.

Only Fallon was missing. Turbulent feelings bubbled up inside Trynne, like one of Liona’s stews in a cauldron, and she dabbed at her eyes. The sight of his empty chair at the Ring Table filled her with pain. She could imagine his boundless energy, watching for a prank or a quick jest.

Gahalatine released her hand and put his arm around her shoulders. His memories had now been restored by the Dryad’s kiss and his entire demeanor toward her had changed. He was chagrined, humbled, and miserable. He already had a clawing cough, but he was determined to do everything in his power to save his people from destruction. They would leave via the Tay al-Ard immediately following the meeting.

“It will take the king a while still to calm the room,” he told her gently. “Can I confess something to you?”

She turned and looked at him. Before he’d lost his memories, he had acted like a stranger to her. His sense of right and wrong had been warped by Morwenna and the Wizrs of his realm. He saw now that he’d been deceived, that she was true and faithful. That she had not tricked him into defeat at Dundrennan. It gave her peace of mind that he believed her once again. There were horrors to come, but they would work together to help the people of the East Kingdoms.

“What is it?”

“While you were gone to the other world,” he said, “I learned that you and Fallon Llewellyn were . . . I’m trying to put this delicately, that you both shared feelings for each other. That he had loved you for some time and proposed marriage. But you rejected him. Captain Staeli confirmed this. I asked how worried I should be that the two of you were alone together.”

She swallowed and glanced over at Captain Staeli, who was looking strangely at one of the chairs. He was rubbing his hand along its carved top. The king was making him a duke for his bravery and steadfastness, and this was the seat that would be his. Duke Staeli. It made her want to laugh with joy and pride.

“What did he tell you?” Trynne asked, glancing back at her husband.

His eyes narrowed and he smiled. “He said I’d be a fool if I didn’t trust your loyalty. He said you’d do your duty no matter what.”

He turned and took her hands in his. “Before you left, I couldn’t remember who you truly were. Now that I remember it all, there’s something I need to say. If I had known how deeply you cared for him, I wouldn’t have asked you to be my wife. I can see, probably more clearly than ever before, that the Fountain was preparing me for a greater service than I had imagined. Your willingness to sacrifice your peace and happiness for your kingdom has inspired me to do the same. I will die soon, Tryneowy. Nothing can alter that.

But I will die a changed man, and it is because of you.

“I let my ambition and pride get ahead of my honor, but no longer. When this meeting is over, I intend to speak to your parents and insist they declare our marriage invalid. It is in keeping with the traditions of my people, for you are still not of age. It is honorable.

And I will feel better if you are set free ere I die.” He patted her hand affectionately.

A lump filled her throat. “It’s my intention to help you save your people. To go the length and breadth of your empire with you to issue the warning. To tend to you while you are sick and uncomfortable. Don’t cast me aside so quickly, Husband.”

Gahalatine’s eyes closed and he sighed. “Your words comfort me.”

“I’ll not forsake you,” she whispered.

He had tears in his eyes when he opened them. He pressed a kiss on her hand. “Thank you.” Then he turned his head away and barked out an anguished cough.

The commotion in the room began to still as King Drew called for those assembled to take their places at the Ring Table. Trynne’s heart brimmed with emotion as she walked, hand on Gahalatine’s arm, toward their seats.

As they approached, she was a little confused to find her father standing behind the chair on Drew’s right side. It had always been his seat—the Siege Perilous. She saw him pat the edge of it and nod for her to take it. Her eyes widened with surprise.

“Yes, Trynne,” Drew said, gesturing to the chair. “You are still my champion and deserve the seat of honor.”





CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE


Faithful


Trynne had spent so many weeks in Chandigarl that she had forgotten that sunset in the East Kingdoms meant sunrise back at Kingfountain. She was exhausted from the ordeal that was now over.

Her husband was dead, and the people—those who had hearkened to him, and there were many—were hunkering in treasure ships that had escaped into the open seas. Drew had offered refuge in his realm to those who were willing to come.