Chess Series: Book Six
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Chapter 1
No one was kidnapped at Ronan’s second birthday party.
However, I did find out a piece of news during the party.
Lt. Thomas Railan — Tom — and I were standing on the sidelines while Anders was introducing Ronan to people. It was more them meeting Ronan than Ronan meeting them, but people wanted to see the king — even though he wasn’t yet in charge.
Tom asked, “Not that it’s any of my business, but are you guys thinking about having more children some day?”
I smiled. “We’d like to have one, yes. But the timing is still up in the air.”
“Two is a nice number. Especially if your second one is girl. One of each and all that.”
“Pity Anders if we do have a girl and she’s anything like me. I’m not sure he could take my quirks in baby form.”
He smiled. “Well, at least Ronan is pretty laid back. I guess he gets that from Anders.”
My heart beat faster, but I managed to keep my voice calm. “Or perhaps from Alecks who is quite level headed. Ronan is exposed to more than one adult male every day.”
“True, but children do get a lot of their personality traits from their parents. Especially the ones that show up early. And Ronan has always struck me as fairly laid back. As babies go anyway.”
I shrugged. “Lucian was more laid back that he should have been. Made him a pretty poor king.”
Tom was quiet for a moment, then said, “I guess you didn’t realize that I figured it out.”
I lowered my voice. “Figured out what, exactly?”
He didn’t say anything for a moment, then asked quietly, “Looking back about three years, do you remember a young, trusting private who had to deliver a message to three of his lieutenants because the king wouldn’t allow the queen to see them? A message to ask them for help in freeing the fourth lieutenant who’d been arrested for treason?”
I nodded. “He was a young man, although perhaps still older than me.”
“Twenty-three at the time. Young enough to jump to the conclusion that the lieutenant must have been arrested for being a spy. Completely forgetting — until it was pointed out to him — that there were other acts that constituted treason.”
My mouth was dry, but I took a swallow of my drink and managed to say, “I seem to recall the young man was assured that the lieutenant in question didn’t commit treason in any form.”
“Oh, he believed that at the time. But, he’s matured a bit since then, and has developed his observation skills. I suppose you could say his critical thinking ones too. And somewhere between three years ago and today, he realized that if the accusation was true, of course the queen would lie about it. He also realized that nine months before the birth of the king, the queen had been away from the palace for a month. With a group of her friends that included the lieutenant who’d just been accused of treason for adultery with the queen.”
He paused, but I didn’t say anything. He took a sip of his drink, then continued. “Now I will say that this young man doesn’t know for sure that the original accusation was true, although he’s pretty sure it was. However, even if at the time of the lieutenant’s arrest he was innocent, he certainly wasn’t after that month. Which makes many other instances the young man’s observed since then make a lot more sense…and fit perfectly into an overall story.”
I swallowed and blinked back tears. Then I whispered, “And if this young man figured it out, how many others have as well?”
He looked at me and must have seen the tears because he whispered back, “I’m sorry. I haven’t said anything. And to answer your question, I would say only those who know you and Anders very well. If I hadn’t walked in on you two, and then found out the following week you were a couple — months before it was official — I wouldn’t have been able to put it all together. After all, rumors and speculation do not constitute proof. Especially when no one saw you two together.” He paused. “The only part I can’t reconcile is the verification ceremony.”
I hurriedly wiped the tears from my eyes. “The Goddess falsified the results.”
He blinked. “Like deliberately?”
I nodded. “Yes. She hasn’t outright said so, but I get the impression I’m under her protection. Or at least she keeps a close watch on me. I never take it for granted, and am always immeasurably thankful when she chooses to help me.”
“Does that happen often?”
“No. But she’s definitely been a literal lifesaver more than once.”
He was quiet for a moment, then he said, “Okay, so there’s a woman across the room who’s been watching us, as well as Anders and Ronan. I wasn’t going to say anything, but she hasn’t moved for several minutes, and frankly it’s a little strange.”
I looked, but I didn’t see anyone out of the ordinary. “I don’t see anyone. What does she look like?”
“Well, for one thing, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone quite so beautiful. She’s got auburn hair and is wearing a dress with a skirt that looks like it’s made of feathers.”
I looked across the room for her, but I couldn’t see her. I smiled. “She must be choosing to only reveal herself to you then. Because I can’t see her.”
He won’t tell your secret. And he’s right, no one else has figured it out. Only those you’ve told are aware.
I took a deep breath, then thought back, But it’s still a secret that could tear me apart.
Then, I saw her. She seemed to appear from the side of the crowd, then walked over to us. She stuck out her hand and Tom took it to shake. She smiled, “I’m Rune.”
“Tom Railan. I haven’t seen you before.”
She shook her head. “No my dear, you haven’t. But I’m a friend of Retta’s. I pop by from time to time to check on her.”
I bit back a smile. “Rune, huh?”
She tilted her head. “Can we not choose whatever nickname we want?”
“Of course. I guess I just never figured you for the nickname type.”
Tom looked confused. “I’m sorry. Am I missing something?”
She reached out and patted his arm. “Yes, you are, but I’ll let Retta explain later.” She turned to me and said, “I’m surprised you decided to have a second birthday party. Two years isn’t usually that big a celebration.”
“Well, considering last year went to shit, I was hoping maybe this year things would turn out better.”
She laughed, her wonderful uplifting laugh. “Don’t worry, there’s some good things ahead for you.”
I bit my lip. “That’s good to know. Anything you want to tell me?”
“No specifics, but a reminder to stay strong — even if it seems the world is falling apart again.”
I frowned. “Wait — you just said there are good things ahead. What do you mean ‘even if it seems the world is falling apart again?’”
This time she patted me on the arm. “You know I’m not going to answer that.” She smiled. “Now, I suppose a raven is a bit too conspicuous, although I know it’s your favorite.” She kissed my cheek, then shook Tom’s hand again and walked out of the ballroom, where I presume she then disappeared.
Tom looked at me, confusion clear on his face. “What just happened?”
I shook my head. “Do you have a guess? Before I tell you?”
He shrugged. “Some kind of seer? Although I’m pretty sure such a thing doesn’t exist.”
I shook my head again. “Not among mortals, no.”
He frowned. “Mortals?”
Before I had a chance to answer, Anders walked over with Ronan at his side. Anders asked, “Did I just see who I think I did?”
I nodded. “And guess what? Apparently she’s decided we can call her ‘Rune.’”
His eyebrows shot up. “Really? Yeah…I can’t see myself calling her by name. Either Filarune, or just Rune.”
Tom’s eyes widened and he said, “Wait — was that the Goddess herself? Really? Is that what you meant by ‘not among mortals?’”
Anders looked at him, then at me. “My queen, I think you just broke his brain.”
Tom blinked. “Seriously? I just met the freaking Goddess?”
I reached out and put my hand on his arm. “Tom — breathe. Yes, you did.”
He shook his head, but did take a deep breath. “Wow. I never thought that would happen. And she just shows up, introduces herself like she’s no one special, then says she’s your friend?”
I nodded. “Apparently.”
Ronan was getting restless, not being included in the adults’ talking. I crouched down and looked at him. “Hey, you wanna do something fun?” He nodded. “I heard there’s a new litter of kittens in the stables. Would you like to go see them?”
He smiled. It would take him away from his party, but so what? He was two, and didn’t care about all the grown-ups. I stood, then leaned down and picked him up. “So, we’re going to see kittens. Anyone want to join us?”
Anders laughed and nodded. Tom smiled and said, “Sure. Why not?”
∼∗∼∗∼∗∼
That night as I washed my hands at the sink, I thought about my conversation with Tom at the party. Anders and I had decided a few months ago that if, or more likely when, Ronan asked who his father was, we’d tell him the truth. Although twenty-two people knew the truth — the number kept growing, dang it — it really was still a well kept secret. And there was no reason for anyone to question the official story.
Then, I thought about what else Tom had asked — about having another child. Ronan was two, so maybe it was time to discuss it. Three years apart seemed like a good age difference. But, I had no idea how Anders would feel about it. And I’d only just had the thought, so it wasn’t like I’d had time to consider it in depth myself.
A small stab of worry went through my stomach. Whenever we had another child, I worried what happened when that child was beyond the baby stage. When people saw our two children together and wondered why they looked so much alike — especially if they both started taking after Anders.
As Ronan got older, I was starting to see a shift in that direction. Not that objectively, that was a bad thing. Anders was damn good-looking, in my opinion. It wouldn’t be terrible if Ronan was handsome as well. Subjectively, though? That was another story.
I sighed. The only thing that could be done about two children looking alike would be to not have another child. And that wasn’t something I wanted. I did want another. As for Ronan looking like Anders? Nothing could be done about that either.
I went into the main part of the bedroom to finish getting ready for bed and took my daily dose of the birth control tonic. The bottle was about half empty, but it was halfway through the month, so in the next few days we’d make the batch for the next month.
Maybe now would be a good time to see what Anders thought about not making a batch for the next month. However, just in case we weren’t in agreement, I went into the dressing room to check on the supplies. Looked like we were running low on a couple of ingredients. Which Anders had to get from the apothecary at the market.
I went back into the bedroom and he was sitting in bed, reading some letters. He looked up. “Marta and Fa’rod send birthday wishes. Mostly for me, but also for Ronan.”
I smiled. “I’ll let him know, although I doubt it will make much sense to him.” I paused, then continued in what I hoped was still a casual tone, “We’re running low on stuff for the tonic.”
He looked back at the letter and wouldn’t meet my eyes. “I know.”
I gave him a confused look. “Okay. Haven’t had time to pick them up?”
He reached over and picked up another letter and broke the seal. “Nope, I’ve had time.”
My heart beat faster. Was he way ahead of me on the second baby question? However, this wasn’t the kind of thing you didn’t confirm. I walked over to the bed, then climbed on and crawled over to him. He still wouldn’t look at me, so I reached out and tilted his chin up with a crooked finger. “Anders, sir knight, were you planning on getting them, or…”
He met my eyes, then lowered his gaze to around my chin. He said, “Maybe…possibly…option ‘or’?”
That was almost a confirmation, but I wanted him to say it clearly. This was too important to presume. I leaned forward and kissed him gently. “Well, if I run out, I’ll probably get pregnant.”
He nodded.
My heart was beating so hard, I wondered if he could hear it. Maybe this discussion would be a lot easier than I thought. I asked, “So…were you just going to hope I didn’t notice until it was too late, or were you planning on actually opening a discussion with me about it?”
I dropped my finger from his chin, and leaned back on my heels. He sighed and put aside the letter. “No, I wouldn’t have let it run out without talking to you. But…I didn’t know how to bring it up.”
I moved and sat next to him so I could lean against the padded headboard. Okay, he was ready too, but was apparently worried I wasn’t. I said, “Well, the conversation is open now.”
He nodded, but didn’t say anything. I tried to think of a way to ask what he thought that wasn’t too serious, or he might think I was saying no from the start. I took his hand and linked my fingers with his, then lowered my voice and asked, “I take it you think we’ve done enough practicing, and are ready to try the real thing again?”
He nodded again, then whispered, “Maybe a girl this time?”
I smiled, then whispered back, “I’ll be sure to place that order with Rune.…So we’d put in the requisition request at the end of the month and take delivery about ten months later?”
He looked at me, his expression guarded, a look I’d seen before that meant he wasn’t completely sure I’d meant what he thought I had. “I can prepare the paperwork if you’re prepared to sign?”
I lifted his hand and kissed his knuckles. “Yes.” I smiled, then said, “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”
He met my eyes and finally smiled, then cupped my jaw with his free hand and leaned over to give me a lingering kiss. He pulled back and said, “Apparently, you can still surprise me.”
I whispered, “Apparently. Now, I suggest you put those letters aside and we have a practice session before we go to sleep.”
“That’s an excellent suggestion.”
"King Excerpt," Copyright © September 7, 2022 by Cathy Draig.