Kros Voyeh Ch. 21

"Who?" Draeseth asked with some consternation.

"Her Grace's maid, Ximesra, has reclaimed her name and as a free woman she no longer needs to keep her close relation to the cook a secret."

"Her brother?" The King sounded pleasantly surprised.

"You knew?" Her cousin's annoyance made her glance up.

"To see them standing next to one another one begins to suspect it, your Highness, but I knew nothing for certain until today." Krouth offered a shallow bow with an impressively neutral expression.

"I may invite the woman back into my service." King Orgath sounded almost cheerful.

"Forgive me, your Majesty," Lislora spoke up cautiously, "I've already-"

"You're saying she'd prefer to be a maid than one of my mistresses?" His tone soured again.

"The woman is more of a companion than a maid and she's loyal to my silver Duchess." Draeseth offered a shallow bow. "You chose well when-"

His Majesty made an exasperated sound but before he could speak the door burst open. Rogath stormed in carrying his daughters.

"I want her in the tower!"

Both of the girls had their faces hidden in their father's shoulders and clung to him as if their lives depended on it.

"Calm yourself, what-"

"Fuck calm, father! That bitch tried to murder my daughter!"

The eldest Prince looked much like her cousin in a rage but Lislora approached and held out her arms. "They're frightened and raising your voice isn't helping. Let me take them."

He gave her a withering look and she lowered her arms. Draeseth, however, came closer and took Kas from him without protest, rubbing the whimpering child's back. "Tell me what happened."

"I had the girls join us for the early lunch Kresh enjoys, hoping she might be more in command of herself with them present. She was sour that the servants seemed to have vanished. When I explained that they'd all been freed, she lost her wits and attacked my Ror." Rogath's scowl would have made a statue flinch as he turned his gaze to his father. "You let that woman murder my brother's son and now she thinks she can murder my daughters. I'll kill her myself if you don't lock that wretch away as you should have done."

King Orgath looked stunned and rounded his desk to get a look at his eldest grandchild. When the Prince gingerly tilted her head for his father to see, Lislora caught a glimpse of marks on the girl's neck and jaw as if someone had gripped her and dug in their fingernails.

His Majesty laid a hand on the girl's head. "She'll be sent at once. I'll have a healer fetch some salve."

"You left her alive?" Draeseth scowled toward the door, "You have more restraint than I do, brother."

"I left the woman in a heap and took the girls." Rogath exhaled and took a seat holding out his hand and beckoning for his brother to return Kas. "I had to protect my girls."

"As you should." Passing Kas back, he rested a hand on the girl, "I can watch over them if you need me to. Krouth is good with herbs. He'll have a salve, I'm certain."

"I thank you. I need to speak to Kresh and see her put in the tower."

"They can join us for lunch with the Kamrus." King Orgath frowned. "I had intended to have you there, but I'll excuse you to deal with this matter. Your brothers will join me in your place."

"I thank you, father."