Elwis shrugged. “Yes, it could be called that. Gahalatine has showered riches and treasure on the city, opening it to ports and splendors they never had access to previously. Even the lowliest merchants became wealthy . . . nearly overnight. Gahalatine appealed also to their dissatisfaction with how long the war with Kingfountain lasted. Our treasury was nearly emptied to pay for the war. Times have been hard. Suddenly, every man jack is rich.” He shook his head. “Let’s just say there was no shortage of willing confederates who were eager to conquer Marq. My forces were patrolling the coast with a minimal guard at the capital. I truly expected he’d bring his fleet to Guilme again. Retaking my city will not be easy.”
Genevieve touched Trynne’s shoulder. “The same pattern has happened in Atabyrion and Legault. When faced with a choice of fighting to the death or accepting unbounded wealth? Gahalatine is winning their hearts quickly through their purses. If he were murdering innocents and burning fields, it would give the people something to rally against.”
“But where is he getting all this treasure to hand out these bribes?” Trynne asked, feeling conflicted by the news. She respected that Gahalatine was not using cruelty to conquer their land. He’d claimed all along that his goal was to depose corrupt leadership and improve the living conditions for the common people. But what would happen once he’d conquered the world and couldn’t use the riches of one kingdom to bribe the next?
“We don’t know,” Drew said, shaking his head. He glanced at his wife and then back at Trynne. Genevieve kissed her baby girl’s cheek before returning her gaze to Trynne.
“Perhaps you can find that out for us,” Drew said in a low, steady voice. “I would like to send you and Morwenna to the Forbidden Court. Gahalatine’s fleet is raking our borders. I cannot even imagine the vastness of his resources. His army will continue to grow as he finds those willing to believe in his vision and leadership. We need to find his weakness.” He glanced at his wife once again and Genevieve nodded. “And to rescue our lost friends.”
Trynne saw Fallon start, his brow furrowing with worry and concern. He clenched his fists and opened his mouth as if to demand that he come with them. He was the king’s champion now. He had won the Gauntlet of Kingfountain.
But he surprised her by saying nothing.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The Greatest Power
There was a special kind of magic in a baby’s laughter, Trynne realized. She watched from the entryway to the nursery as the queen rubbed baby Kathryn’s feet together and then nuzzled them with her nose and lips until the little giggles erupted spontaneously again. The emotions Trynne felt surge inside her were so akin to the rushing feeling of Fountain magic that it filled her heart and added to her reservoir. She leaned her head against the doorjamb, soaking in the tender moment, watching the pure joy of a mother who loved her child. In that moment, Genny was like any mother in the kingdom. Her child just a child, not a princess. The simple beauty of it overshadowed the looming threat of Gahalatine’s invasion.
“How does it feel to be a mother?” Trynne asked softly from the doorway, enjoying the moment—hungering even for it to happen someday to her.
Genny was startled, but she didn’t stop showering her baby girl with kisses. “Trynne, it is the most wonderful thing in the world. And the most frightening. I haven’t decided which feeling is stronger.” She gently wagged the babe’s foot, giving it one more kiss. “I adore everything about her. Her eyelashes. The little nails that fit so perfectly. So tiny. And yet I fear for her. What sort of world will she inherit? Will it be Gahalatine’s? Or her father’s?” She sighed.
“She’ll inherit the world we leave her,” Trynne said. It made her feel fraught with purpose.
“And what kind of world will that be?” Genny said, not really posing it as a question. She reached out and ran her thumb down Kathryn’s little nose and the baby squirmed.
“I didn’t truly understand what love was before she was born,” the queen continued after a long pause. “I love my mother and father. I’ve always loved them. I loved your father for saving me from being swept away by the river. He risked his life to save mine, and I’ve never forgotten it. I’ve also loved my husband since we were children ourselves. I didn’t know what that feeling was at first, but Drew always fascinated me, even when I was too young to understand why. As we grew older, I hoped he would choose me as his bride, but I did not think it possible.” She flushed a little at the confession, casting a vulnerable look Trynne’s way. “Then I learned that he had chosen me over so many others, others who would have brought peace to his realm sooner. Others who would have brought him more beauty. More refinement.” She pursed her lips. “Isn’t it tragic how we women always compare ourselves to one another? Comparing our faults to others’ perfections? When Drew chose me, I thought I knew the meaning of love.” Then she shook her head and caressed the babe’s cheek with the edge of her knuckle. “I didn’t think my heart could grow any bigger, but it did. It wasn’t until this little girl wriggled out of my body amidst the greatest pain I’ve ever felt that I realized how big love could be. My heart swelled and swelled and it hasn’t stopped swelling yet.” She blinked away tears and dabbed them against her wrist. “Look at me, I am a mother! I’ll be weeping over sunsets ere long.”