Trynne nodded. “I’m glad I missed that part. It was good seeing you, Genny.” She pressed a kiss to the queen’s cheek.
“Trynne,” Genny said hesitantly. She glanced to make sure no one else was around. “I wanted you to know that I did speak to Fallon. About the clothes you found in Morwenna’s chest. Actually, I had someone go up there and look for them. His things were there, just as you said, and it gave me the pretext of asking him about it.”
Trynne’s stomach began to churn with worry, and a queer, bitter ache throbbed inside her. “And?” She could tell the news wasn’t good because of the subdued look on Genny’s face.
“Fallon was surprised by it, actually. He said he had never been to her tower before. It was a place she never brought anyone.”
Wariness and suspicion mixed with relief, which was quickly squashed when the queen continued.
“He rode to Marshaw to ask her about it.” Seeing Trynne’s confused look, she explained, “Forgive me. Not many know of it. It’s a small manor in the Forest of Bowland, close to Blackpool. There are no ley lines in or around that wood, so Morwenna has been sent there. He confronted her with the tunic.” Genny sighed. “Well, she confessed that she’d stolen it from him during one of her stays in Dundrennan. She’d kept it in secret to comfort herself.” Genny’s gaze was piercing. “Trynne, when he returned from Marshaw, he was changed. I think Morwenna has been in love with him for some time. I don’t know much about their conversation, but he was noticeably altered. He asked Drew for permission to marry her. He promised to watch over her in Dundrennan. It’s his belief that she was fully under Rucrius’s sway, and he thinks she deserves better than to spend her life in isolation.” Her hands reached and clasped Trynne’s between them.
“When was this?” Trynne asked, nearly choking on the words, the ache inside her growing unbearable.
“It’s been two months already,” Genny answered. “Drew hasn’t given his permission yet. He wanted to be sure that Fallon’s feelings were constant. His requests have become more and more agitated and ardent. I’ve never seen him . . . well, I thought you should know.
Drew is planning to grant his consent, but he may make them wait until the Feast of St. Benedick.”
“What were you going to say?” Trynne asked, feeling miserable.
At least this settled one of her concerns. Fallon had not been wooing both of them at the same time, but she was still disappointed in how quickly his feelings had altered.
“That’s all I wanted to say,” Genny said, squeezing her hand.
“I know you’re only trying to save my feelings, but I would prefer to know everything. You said you’d never seen him so . . . ? What?
You stopped yourself just now.”
Genny was always honest, even when it hurt. “I’ve not seen him so lovesick. Not since he told me how much he loved you. I was frankly startled by the violence of his feelings. But she is a handsome woman and he has ever been vain. Her very vulnerability was probably alluring. And her secret feelings, when they finally came out, gave him succor. Something to hope for. That he’s smitten with her, I have no doubt. It pains me, but I want to see both of you happy.”
Trynne let out a strangled sigh. “Thank you for telling me the truth, Genny. And for dismissing the guards first. I’m glad it was just the two of us.”
The queen hugged her again. “Go back to Ploemeur and remind Gahalatine that he’s desperately in love with you. I wish we could prove that Rucrius was dead, but the Pisan school still won’t admit to having found his body. Even so, I know you can help him see reason. Gahalatine is still grieving from losing his sister and seeing his city destroyed. He’s misguided, but there is no reason why we cannot mend this rift. Ah, there is Reya.”
Trynne turned and saw her friend approaching. It was small comfort, but it was some. “I will do my best, Genny, but it wouldn’t hurt if Gahalatine showed more trust and humility. He should have come to me straightaway. We’ve been married for more than half a year, and look at us. We’re still strangers.”
When Sureya arrived, Trynne reached out and they clasped hands as friends. They all smiled at one another, enjoying this small moment of peace.
“My father has done all he can to persuade Gahalatine to trust you,” Reya said. “He can be very stubborn when making a point.”
“I know,” Trynne answered. “And I’m grateful he advocated for me.”