Kros Voyeh Ch. 09

Tucked away in the small room she used for Hodrim's lessons, she took a deep breath and prepared to write.

Would it be best to address him as his Highness or as her cousin as she always had? Perhaps both.

Your Highness, Cousin,

She dipped her quill and nodded, thinking of her next words.

Ganas puts things on their right paths if we allow it. You took me to bed and now I believe I am carrying your child. This must be what Ganas intended. Duchess Isonei is too small and often ill. She cannot bear a strong child if she can conceive one at all. You need a wife who can give you children, a wife who believes as you believe and knows you.

She would do far better here at the convent. You saw how she wished to remain after her visit. The orphans adore her and they may be the only children she will have. Put her aside and let her have them all as she wished.

I want to marry you, cousin. She has never wanted that. We are better suited and I will learn whatever you need me to learn to make you content. This is what is right. I am certain and I believe you are as well.

I will wait for your arrival.

Be guided,

Lislora

Fanning it to help the ink dry she read over the letter. It was perhaps a bit blunt, but her cousin would appreciate that. Carefully, she folded the letter and sealed it with the wax that had been given to her. There was nothing left to do now but pray.

°°°°°°°°°°

For two days, she was excused from duties, spending the time in prayer and teaching Hodrim. The child had seemed subdued at first after the spectacle in the dining room. When she had assured him that if the grains sprouted the Duchess would come to stay and she would go to the Keep instead, he seemed to brighten somewhat. It warmed her when he said he would still miss her company.

On the third day, as she rose for the early prayers she was, instead, directed outside to the quarters where noblemen and priests were permitted to stay. Draeseth stood sourly outside the door to the smaller house. He made a sharp gesture for her to follow him as she approached and disappeared into the doorway.

Inside, she saw that the bowl was on the table. She went to peer into it, feeling her heart beating in her throat. The barley had sprouted. Ganas had answered her prayers. Draeseth wasn't smiling when she looked up at him, however.

"Cousin?"

"My father will have words with me about the letter you sent, Lislora. My Duchess has charmed him entirely, and the Queen herself will tell you that Ganas has no hand in the getting of bastards."

"Our child won't be a bastard if-"

He gestured brusquely for her to stop speaking. "My wife is with child. The barley has sprouted for her as well. The pregnancy is difficult for her but we have been joyful. She has been content with me. My wife loves me, that is clear to anyone with eyes."

Lislora felt faint for a brief moment and sank into a nearby chair. "I... What did she say?"

"I wanted to discover the truth before I told her anything. She only knows that I needed to leave the Palace for a short time. Krouth and my brothers will keep it that way."

"What... what is to be done?" She pressed her hand to her belly and the dream she'd been having suddenly became clear. Her child would be taken and raised by Isonei.

"Isonei made me promise that if she doesn't survive the birth of our son," he made a terrible sound in his throat and she looked up at him, the large Prince looked almost tearful at the thought. "If... she would have me marry you and give him a mother. Her only concern is for the child. Once I had promised and plans were made for his care if the worst should happen, she was joyful." He roughly wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

"The woman is bleeding and required to spend her days resting. My son is making her ill but she still glows with joyfulness. My father would have me killed before he'd allow me to put her aside. I will... I will wait. If my wife does not survive the birth of our son you will become my wife and I will have two sons born to two wives. If, Ganas grant me, she survives, we will raise my bastard with my wife's son. I don't believe she will treat him any differently than her own. Arans cannot grasp why anyone would."

"If you show her the letter she might." Lislora closed her eyes and covered her face.

"I wouldn't. She thinks of you as a friend. I doubt it would hurt her if she knew you asked me to put her aside, but hearing you all but call her barren might. I think she does worry about the health of our child." He paused. "Mes?"

"Yes, your Highness?"

"You speak intimately with my wife..."

"Yes, your Highness."

Lislora looked up and saw a woman that looked as pale as Isonei but slightly taller and more robust dressed as a maid.

"What are her worries?"

"She tries to hide them, even in private, your Highness. But she does worry about the child and about your happiness."

Draeseth smiled grimly, "She's a better woman than I deserve. Burgath has told me that several times."

The maid looked as if she were trying to hide her agreement and failing.

"Have Lady Lislora's things fetched. She will return with me to the Keep."

"They were... they were sold." Lislora rubbed her face. All of her best dresses were gone.

"Mes will ask to be certain, and we'll go to your house first if it's true. You'll need clothes to wear. I would have you remain at the Keep until we return after the bouts. It should be more comfortable for you there."

"Thank you, cousin." It would be something of a relief, but to be kept as her cousin's mistress her face flushed with the shame of it. At least she wouldn't be a mistress at Court.

The maid he'd called Mes slipped out and they sat in silence until her return.

"She has only the dress on her back, your Highness. The rest was sold or is in use."

"In use?" His scowl made the pale woman flinch.

"My carriage. I gave it to them as part of my compensation." Lislora clarified, taking pity on her. "You usually travel with Krouth."

"He stayed to look after my wife. She needs a great deal of care in her delicate condition. If he had come with me, father would have her under the care of his healers by the time of my return. The midwives have been summoned twice and the Hallocs look in on her when they come to see to Adareth."

"What happened to Prince Adareth?" Lislora frowned.

"He was injured during the sparring. The little fool refused to summon a healer, if my Isonei had not insisted on having Krouth look in on him he might've died from his injuries. She views my brothers as her own and I think she would fuss over them if I allowed it." He glanced at Mes.

"She's fond of the Princes," the maid made an odd face, "and even Princess Kresh."

"My wife is fond of everyone if they treat her kindly. I don't believe it's ever occurred to the woman that some people aren't what they seem to be. She thinks my father is a sweet, fatherly old man and my brothers are warm and kind." He smiled wryly.

"Your father hasn't..." Lislora studied his face.

"No. She very gently makes it clear at every opportunity that she loves me and will not betray my trust. He's been doting on her as a father would and she rewards him by being a loving daughter. My wife..." He smiled into the middle distance, "She had a dream about another man and felt guilty for it. I have little need for concern."

"Will you allow her to learn Torgan now?" The thought of languages brought Hodrim to mind.

"No. She's far too trusting. If anyone at all could speak to her it would be disastrous. This way protects her."

"I've been teaching young Hodrim Aran, perhaps he can come to the Keep with me? I could continue his lessons."

He made a speculative sound. "Krouth suggested I consider bringing the boy back with me. Isonei feels better when she has someone to mother. It may help her health improve. I know she's missed the boy."

Lislora inclined her head. "You should take her a gift as well. News that-that..." she couldn't bring herself to say the words.

"That my mistress is giving me a child?" He finished the thought quietly.

She tilted her head sharply, "It may be better received with a gift."

Mes cleared her throat carefully and Draeseth gave her a sharp look. The woman spoke anyway, "Xago of Mun had made a gift for her. I was allowed to see it. I don't know what he would ask for it."

"The item she'd requested?" His brow furrowed. "I didn't expect him to make it after I told him never to go near her again."

"He made it hoping to repay her kindness someday. It's one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen."

"You were permitted to leave the Palace?" Draeseth looked at her dubiously.

"Maids are permitted."

"I didn't think slaves were."

"Not often."

He gave a growling grunt. "You'll stay with my wife more as we discussed. I won't have her trying to adopt Xago's bastards as well."

"Yes, your Highness." The maid looked at the floor, "Should I have breakfast fetched?"

"Do. We leave immediately after."