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“Oh, just the way it saysyour ally. . . it makes me think that maybe heisn’tspeaking for the King. That maybe the partnership is only between Dulat and Kharon.”
“If that’s the case,” Eldon says, “what does Dulat have to gain that the King does not?”
I mull this over. “If your cousin is overthrown, who is next in line for the throne? Does he have children?”
“He’s married, but they don’t have any children that I know of. I’ve heard he has two illegitimate daughters, but no sons.”
“Is legitimacy a big thing in D’heilar?” Here in the Realms, it’s not. If a man is strong enough, he can rule no matter what his parents have or have not done.
Rina laughs. “The Mother’s sanction of a union is sacred in my homeland. Legitimacy is almost as important as being male.”
“So, you would be next in line?”
She shakes her head. “Like I said, a woman cannot sit on the throne.”
“But your son?”
Dread slowly steals over her. “No,” she whispers. “Never. I’ll never allow any child of mine to return to D’heilar. I’ll die first.”
Eldon, always the level-headed one, says dryly, “That’s not a likely scenario, Luka, since her children will be Northern-born. And unless this advisor is some long-lost distant cousin, he wouldn’t profit from removing the crown from Gaden’s head.”
“But he may be positioning things in his favor for the future,” I muse. “Just like Kharon.”
Noé and Eldon open their mouths to voice their opinions, but I hold up my hand to stop them. “Right now, we don’tknowanything. But there’s someone who might.”
“What? Who?” Noé asks.
“Cayson. Someone approached him while you were in the south and I want to hear all about it.”
Chapter 11
Rina
They talk long into the night, and though I’m desperately tired, I couldn’t be happier to listen to them. I have a full stomach, and the room – named for the large map tapestry on the wall – is warm and inviting with its roaring fire. Plus, my mind is engaged.
I learn much about the Realms. There are six of them that cover the vast expanse to the north of the Colundra River. According to the map behind me, running from the relatively peaceful shores of the west to the vicious wilds of the east, they are Eagle, Bear, Stag, Snake, Mountain Lion, and Wolf. Learning that we are so close to the great, open savage lands sends a chill into my heart.
Also disturbing is the knowledge that Luka’s rule is not as solid as they’d like it to be . . . though I’m not so sure I agree. Luka is under the impression that the people accept him by default, because there’s no other immediately obvious candidate, but I saw the admiration on their many faces in the Great Hall when he asserted himself. His confidence and sheer strength energized them, one and all.
Along with me.
He’smorethan I ever expected him to be; more intelligent, more reasonable, more handsome. Luka, in whose presence I feel safe. Luka, who is rude, but not cruel. Luka, whose kiss sent my heart soaring.
Do I mourn what we could have been?
Maybe.
Okay, yes. Of course I do.
But there’s no point regretting something that was impossible from the start. Not only can I not imagine a man like Luka allowing outside forces to manipulate the course of his life, but I think I’m the only person – literally – who ever wanted the union between us.
That’s not to say that I’ve given up entirely. After the exhilaration of today’s events, I plan to make the most of what’s left of my life.
I must fall asleep at the table because the next thing I know I’m being carried up the stairs. I nestle into his neck and breathe in his divine scent. It’s all man and wood smoke and ale andLuka,and when he puts me down on my bed, I protest with a quiet, “Stay?”
But he only arranges many more furs than I’m used to over me. “Go to sleep, little raven. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
♦♦♦
