She swallowed and glanced over at Captain Staeli, who was looking strangely at one of the chairs. He was rubbing his hand along its carved top. The king was making him a duke for his bravery and steadfastness, and this was the seat that would be his. Duke Staeli. It made her want to laugh with joy and pride.
“What did he tell you?” Trynne asked, glancing back at her husband.
His eyes narrowed and he smiled. “He said I’d be a fool if I didn’t trust your loyalty. He said you’d do your duty no matter what.”
He turned and took her hands in his. “Before you left, I couldn’t remember who you truly were. Now that I remember it all, there’s something I need to say. If I had known how deeply you cared for him, I wouldn’t have asked you to be my wife. I can see, probably more clearly than ever before, that the Fountain was preparing me for a greater service than I had imagined. Your willingness to sacrifice your peace and happiness for your kingdom has inspired me to do the same. I will die soon, Tryneowy. Nothing can alter that.
But I will die a changed man, and it is because of you.
“I let my ambition and pride get ahead of my honor, but no longer. When this meeting is over, I intend to speak to your parents and insist they declare our marriage invalid. It is in keeping with the traditions of my people, for you are still not of age. It is honorable.
And I will feel better if you are set free ere I die.” He patted her hand affectionately.
A lump filled her throat. “It’s my intention to help you save your people. To go the length and breadth of your empire with you to issue the warning. To tend to you while you are sick and uncomfortable. Don’t cast me aside so quickly, Husband.”
Gahalatine’s eyes closed and he sighed. “Your words comfort me.”
“I’ll not forsake you,” she whispered.
He had tears in his eyes when he opened them. He pressed a kiss on her hand. “Thank you.” Then he turned his head away and barked out an anguished cough.
The commotion in the room began to still as King Drew called for those assembled to take their places at the Ring Table. Trynne’s heart brimmed with emotion as she walked, hand on Gahalatine’s arm, toward their seats.
As they approached, she was a little confused to find her father standing behind the chair on Drew’s right side. It had always been his seat—the Siege Perilous. She saw him pat the edge of it and nod for her to take it. Her eyes widened with surprise.
“Yes, Trynne,” Drew said, gesturing to the chair. “You are still my champion and deserve the seat of honor.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Faithful
Trynne had spent so many weeks in Chandigarl that she had forgotten that sunset in the East Kingdoms meant sunrise back at Kingfountain. She was exhausted from the ordeal that was now over.
Her husband was dead, and the people—those who had hearkened to him, and there were many—were hunkering in treasure ships that had escaped into the open seas. Drew had offered refuge in his realm to those who were willing to come.
The repaired ley lines had brought her back to the palace fountain in Kingfountain, where she had anticipated finding Drew and Genny. Then she would return to Ploemeur to inform her parents of the events. She was greeted by the king’s guardsmen, one of whom gave her a strange look.
“Good morning, Lady Trynne,” he greeted, bowing respectfully.
There was something in his eye, the quiver of a smile on his mouth.
“Is everything well?” she asked him. She was bone weary from the long day, the emotional farewell. It was so odd to see the bright sunlight shining through the hall curtains beyond, to hear the hurried steps of servants preparing for the new day.
“Indeed, my lady.” He bowed again and the two guardsmen regarded her silently as she passed.
She was exhausted and probably reading too much into it. As she walked down the corridor, she kneaded the muscles at her shoulder. The smells of the palace were so different from what she’d grown accustomed to in the months since she had departed. She had returned occasionally to provide reports and seek counsel, but she’d pushed herself to her limits trying to help Gahalatine save his people, all the while tending to him as his health was ravaged by the debilitating sickness that would eventually end his life. She had used her magic to stave off the symptoms for as long as she could. But the fatal kiss was indeed that in the end.
She looked forward to returning to Averanche. It had been a long time since she had stayed in the quiet castle. What she needed, after a long rest, was a chance to spar with Captain Staeli.