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My guess was he was anxious about attending the feast without me. I smiled feebly at him. “I might be.”
Owein had cleaned up well. His hair was even combed and set with a shiny substance. “I’m sorry. That’s selfish of me to ask as you’re waking. I’m just overjoyed you’re alive.” He was more than overjoyed. Owein was so flustered his eyes were shining. “The king is having a celebration to honor the queen’s recovery. And you’re a guest of honor.”
I scoffed. “Whether I was awake to attend or not, I see.”
“I’ll fetch a maid. She’ll bring you food and find you a gown. Once that’s settled, we’ll see about checking on the queen. She’s been asking for you.”
FIFTEEN
The queen’s bedchamber looked nothing like the weary and depressed room I had entered three days earlier. The curtains to the balcony were thrown wide and the doors flung open. Gentle moonlight swathed the room.
I swished in, wearing a full-length, green, empire-waist gown. The style was fluffy, more so than the elegant dresses worn to extravaganzas in Gorlassar. Even so, the dress smoothed over me as if one with my body.
Sorfrona sat comfortably in a stuffed armchair, looking proper. And blossoming with radiance!
I rushed forward and crouched by her knees, taking her hand in mine. “Your Majesty. Remarkable!”
Sorfrona was still too thin, but life gleamed in her countenance.
She patted my hand. “You sound surprised. Did you not have faith in your own skill?”
Embarrassed, I said, “You’re a miracle. You lay on the cusp of death. I labored for a long time to restore your body, and for a while, I feared the worst. I’m not a healer in my world.”
The queen laughed. “Dear child, what are you, then?”
“A warrior.”
“Well, a warrior of many talents.” Sorfrona touched her throat. “Would you be so kind as to fill my goblet? I can’t seem to drink enough water.”
I nodded. “My throat has been parched as well since I woke. It’s the surge of light. I was too zealous with your healing. You might be thirsty for a few days.”
“I’m a tad shaky, but don’t tell the king.”
I stood and glanced around. I spotted the carafe on a bureau. “Your secret’s safe with me, as long as you don’t tire yourself this evening. No dancing. I suspect it’s the lack of blood. Are you woozy when you stand?” I moved across the room.
“No.”
“Good. I wish my skills extended to creating blood, but emrys can’t do that.”
“You shall have to tell me what you can do after the banquet. I’m afraid I’ll be thoroughly engaged all night.”
“I shall, Your Majesty. I want to talk to you about something too.” I had a feeling asking the queen, in Seren’s behalf, would be easier than asking the king. Even though I was sure his thanks equaled Sorfrona’s.
I filled her glass and was ready to turn around—
“Mother!” an unfamiliar man cried out.
Footsteps rushed into the room. Relief, to the point of tears, rushed in with the owner. I set the glass down and gripped the bureau with both hands because I was so overwhelmed. I choked back his awe.
The man was light. And happiness. He was a spring day waking after a dead winter. Seedlings pushing through cracked soil, fueled by long-awaited rain.
I didn’t turn around but listened as he blubbered over his mother. “Forgive me for failing. Forgive my absence. I never wanted to leave you as sick as you were, but I was determined. And to think, your salvation was here all along. How can this be? Look at you. Kenrik told me your recovery was a miracle. How?”
“Kelyn, my son,” Sorfrona cooed. “You are returned. I am well. Let us not talk of past sorrows. Tonight we shall rejoice. Celebrate the fall harvest—”
“And your life.”
“Yes.”
