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I had wondered if Fenyx might have been honored with a place at the head table, but instead, I spotted him seated with a group of soldiers and noblemen near the front of the room.
The only family member besides Arthur was my uncle. The Master of Potions was just rising to his feet. With a small smirk, he gestured to the large candle clock mounted on the far side of the dining hall. As the candles burned, etched markings tracked the passage of time.
I observed that it was nearly half-past seven o’clock. Apparently dinner had begun at seven.
I gave a tight nod and mounted the dais, then paused, unsure where to sit.
Arthur was looking at me. Before I could choose a seat at the end, he pointed to the vacant one right beside him.
I hurried over to it.
“I see you’ve returned to your old wardrobe, Morgan,” my brother said, looking at me with amusement. “I must say, my queen will probably be relieved to know you’re not interested in competing with her in terms of fashion.”
“Not in the slightest,” I said. “I would never bother to compete with such a lovely woman in any case. Where is Queen Belisent this evening?”
“Apparently, carrying a child is more work than we know. Her stomach troubles her, and so she sometimes misses these dinners. However, I am pleased to see you join us. I hope it will become a habit. In the past, you often hid off on your own.”
“I didn’t hide. I simply didn’t know if... Well, if I was wanted,” I said.
“It has been strange being here for so long without you and without Kaye,” Arthur said, almost echoing my thoughts.
“But you have a new family now,” I pointed out. “A new wife.”
I thought of Guinevere. I knew mentioning her would send Arthur into a fury.
I watched as he ate his meal, lifting his fork to his mouth as if he were just an ordinary man. A man who really had missed his sister. Who missed his younger brother.
He could be so deceptively charming when he chose. And part of me desperately wished to believe that there was still something good in him.
But all I had to do was remind myself that he’d sent our brother to the frontlines and that wish went up in a puff of smoke.
“You must be very excited about the forthcoming birth of your child,” I said, trying to change my focus. I pulled platters towards me, filling my plate with food I wasn’t sure I’d actually be able to eat. Fluffy chicken pastries, roast pears drizzled with honey, and cheese studded with dried fruits and nuts.
Arthur was dipping his spoon into a lemon syllabub, stirring it thoughtfully.
“Yes. It will be good to have a son,” he said. “There are a few things I thought we should discuss. As you’re here now, I suppose you’ve saved me the trouble of summoning you to my chambers tomorrow morning.”
“Yes?”
He took a small bite of syllabub. Arthur, I suddenly remembered, was quite fastidious about his own appearance and hated to be perceived as overly-indulgent. At least, with food. I remembered our last meeting in his chambers a year ago and the noble girl who had nearly run past me.
Suddenly, I wondered just when Orcades had made her first appearance at court. It must have been after Guinevere had already fallen from favor. Did my fae sister know how Arthur had treated his last, mortal bride-to-be? Did she care?
“Two things,” Arthur said. “First, I’ve summoned Kaye back to court. I think it’s time, don’t you?”
I stared at him, hardly believing my ears. “Time?”
“Yes, I suppose you wouldn’t really know. But Kaye was at the frontlines. Has been for some time now. He wished to rally the men. He’s something of a little soldier now, you see. Very brave. You can be proud of our Kaye.”
“I always was,” I said softly.
He nodded. “He’s been on the border of Pendrath and Tintagel.”
“Is he well? Has he fought in any battles?” I asked, my heart beating fast.
“No, he’s far too valuable for that,” Arthur said, shaking his head.
Not too young. Simply too valuable. Well, if it had kept Kaye safe...
