“You certainly try to protect me from everything,” I pointed out.
“That’s different. You are important. You’re the firstborn. You need to continue Father’s lineage.”
“It’s a male who carries the lineage, and please don’t ever insinuate that I am of more importance than you or Lizzy. We are all of equal importance, and unique in our own ways,” I said, hoping she would hear the sincerity in my words. I had never thought myself to be somehow worth more than my sisters. Yes, I was firstborn, but that did not place a greater value on my life.
“Neither of us possesses the power that you have,” Dayna pointed out. “No matter how unique we are, we cannot heal others. That does make you more valuable.”
I didn’t know how to argue that point, though I still did not agree. I did not know why I had been giving the ability and my sisters given none. Magic had no rhyme or reason, as far as I could tell. Some people had it, and some people simply did not.
“What are your plans for the day?” she asked.
I breathed out a tired sigh and sat back, folding my hands in my lap. “I just want to enjoy quiet and rest. Obviously, I want to stay as far away from Cathal as possible.”
“No one blames you there,” she said.
“I had Lidia inform Torben and Brant that they were to stay at their post and not let anyone in before speaking with me first. I know that he will be here soon, considering I did not attend breakfast.”
“Do you want me to leave?” Dayna asked.
I could see that she hoped I would decline. She hated being alone. I had never been uncomfortable with solitude, but for Dayna it was almost a form of punishment. “You can stay,” I said finally, not wanting to be the one to make her feel as though she was being punished.
“Would you mind if I gathered your laundry, my lady?” Lidia spoke up. Sometimes it was easy to forget the quiet servant was there. From what I had learned from Lidia over the years, when servants went through training before being allowed to work in the palace, they were taught two important things. Servants were not to be heard. Servants were not to be seen. Basically, she said it meant that they were to do their job to the best of their ability without disturbing the people of the house.
It didn’t bother me to notice Lidia, and I never wanted her to feel like she couldn’t make noise in my presence, but her training had been drilled into her mind. She did her job very, very well.
“That would be fine. Thank you, Lidia,” I said and caught the small smile she let slip.
When I turned back to Dayna, she was holding a deck of cards in her hands. “What mischief are you up to?”
“After Cathal makes his appearance and stomps off in a huff, let’s get Brant and Torben to play cards with us. Maybe throw in a few wagers.”
“Where did you learn to play for wagers?” Before she could answer I held up my hand. “Never mind, I don’t want to know.”
There was a booming voice from outside the door. I felt a sudden headache coming on, and if it had a name it would have been Cathal.
“I demand that you open this door this instant, or I will hang you myself,” Cathal snarled.
I supposed I should have at least tried to look scared by his threat, but I was too angry. It was like dealing with a disobedient child.
“The princess is not feeling well and has given strict orders that she isn’t to be bothered by anyone. Therefore, I am not required to acquiesce to your demand. That means I do not have to do what you tell me.”
“I know what acquiesce means, you cad.”
I shrugged. “Just wanted to make sure there would be no misunderstandings. I will let the princess know that you came by to inquire about her.” I nearly gagged on my own words. He hadn’t come by to check on her, that was sure. He’d come by to make demands, bully her, and take what did not belong to him.
“I am to be her husband. Her orders do not apply to me. I can see my bride whenever I damn well please. Now, for the last time, open this door!” His face was turning an interesting shade of purple, and his teeth were gritted so tightly together that I was sure they would break at any moment.
I began to answer, but the door behind me opened and closed quickly. Lidia, the handmaiden to Allete, stood next to me, her shoulders pulled back and her chin up proudly.
“My lady says to bid you good morning, but she cannot see you. She has been ill this morning.” She indicated the linens in her arms as if to insinuate that Allete had been vomiting on them. “She doesn’t want to expose anyone else, and her chambers need a thorough cleaning.”
When I looked back at Cathal, I almost laughed. His face showed a level of disgust that I had frequently observed on new soldiers in battle who’ve seen the belly of a man cut open and watched the intestines spill out. The man wasn’t even concerned that his wife-to-be was ill.
“Very well,” he said as he straightened his tunic and took a large step away from Lidia and the soiled linens. “Please tell her I wish her a speedy recovery.” He turned on his heel and strode quickly away.
“Did he just say something that wasn’t an insult?” Brant asked.
Lidia chuckled. “I do not think he cares about the recovery for her sake. I imagine it has more to do with the upcoming wedding. He doesn’t want to have to take a sickly bride to the altar.”
I nodded. “Yes, that seems the more likely motive.”
Lidia stepped in the opposite direction Cathal had gone and looked at Brant and me. “My lady also said that once Cathal was gone, she wanted you both to enter her chamber.”
My eyes widened. “Why?”
She leaned forward and whispered. “She isn’t really sick. These linens aren’t soiled. She’s tired and does not want to deal with anyone today. But Dayna is spending the day with her because, well, she’s Dayna. And the young princess suggested a game of cards. You two were invited to play.”
She turned and moved off down the corridor while we stood staring. Allete wanted us to play … cards? I should probably regretfully decline and explain that I needed to be at my post to keep watch, but I didn’t have the self-control to do such a thing. I wanted to be near her. I wanted to keep her from attempting to put space between us because she thought we couldn’t be together.
“Up for a game of cards?” I asked Brant.
“With the lovely Dayna? Always.”
I knocked on the door and waited until she bade us enter. Allete and Dayna were already seated at a small table, and Brant and I joined them. I was itching to touch her. But it might look strange if I just reached out for no reason and took her hand, and even stranger still if I attempted to braid her hair the way I had the night before.
“What kind of cards do you two play?” Dayna asked them.
“I’ve only played a few times,” Brant said. “But I do not remember the name of the games.”
“What about you?” she asked me.
“Same.”
Allete frowned. “I thought all guards played cards. Aren’t you all notorious gamblers?”