Kros Voyeh Ch. 23

The Aran snorted and tilted her head at him with a surprisingly sharp look. "I return disrespect when it's given to me. And, in Ara, bedding someone of your own House is incestuous and never acceptable. I understand things are different here, but for the sake of your daughters, I wish you would find someone else who is kind and will love you, and them, more than herself."

"You should get to know her." Rogath gave her a stern look of warning.

"You're the one she's working to deceive. Hide somewhere you can watch her and listen to her, pay attention to how she treats others when you aren't there. She had no difficulty in showing me her true face." Isonei's face softened and she took a deep breath, "It may not be what you want to hear, but you have to bear in mind that you're not just choosing a woman to keep you company, you're choosing a woman to mother your daughters as well."

The resemblance between Rogath and Draeseth when the elder Prince was so angry was remarkable. Lislora tried to put another bite on her fork and suddenly realized her plate was empty. She'd eaten all of her food without even realizing it. Casting a longing glance toward the trays, she wished Draeseth had gotten her more.

Adareth at least seemed able to salvage the light mood. He and the Aran both had surprisingly sweet voices and the girls were delighted by the Aran songs. After a few tunes had been sung, his Majesty stood and warmly wished Isonei a pleasant afternoon. It was very clearly a cue for everyone to leave the woman to rest, and she did seem to be flagging slightly.

"Walk with me," Draeseth spoke quietly as they left the gazebo. "After a meal, I enjoy walking."

"As do I, my joy."

°°°°°°°°°°

The invitation for dinner had taken Lislora by surprise. His Majesty wished to have a small celebration in honor of Isonei's return. The Duchess wouldn't be able to attend and she and Draeseth had intended on sharing dinner with the woman to welcome her back. To be summoned, both of them. She wasn't certain if she should be happy about it or not.

Draeseth, however, accepted the invitation without hesitation.

"She's going to be alone for her first dinner back in the palace." Lislora frowned up at her cousin as they made their way to the dining room.

"It cannot be helped. It would put us in Father's bad graces to refuse." He made a soft noise in his throat, "If it upsets her I will apologize to her for it. The woman understands the complications of the Court and she understands appeasing my father."

The Aran did navigate the Court far better than Lislora could ever hope to. She inclined her head. "It still seems wrong, cousin."

"We will visit with her in the morning, my flower."

The dining room door opened and they entered to see Prince Rogath and Lady Sebba seated next to the King. His Majesty looked pleased by something, "Draeseth, Rogath needs to speak to you about the Arrangements. How is a second wife taken?"

"Aran Arrangements have everything laid out much like a contract, Father." He showed Lislora to her seat and settled next to her. "When and where they will spend time together, how much the husband is expected to pay for, if they will be exclusive to one another during their time..."

"And her father took three wives?" The King leaned forward with a delighted expression.

"He did. When the third died he kept that part of his year free."

A servant poured wine as he spoke and the King picked up his glass allowing those already seated to drink as well.

"He had two wives and took lovers?" His Majesty sipped the wine with a glance to Rogath, "Her father was a man with appetites. I see why she enjoys Draeseth's."

"I look forward to being a second wife." Sebba spoke up brightly, "Especially since I won't have to share my husband with the first one."

Rogath smiled grimly, "My girls need a mother and Sebba is the one I choose."

"They need a good Torgan education as well, my Prince." The almost simpering Torgan woman at his side touched his arm affectionately. "My mother had me spend every other month at the convent near Denicelos. It would do them such good."

The elder Prince looked somewhat uncertain but the way Sebba stroked his arm Lislora felt a certainty that the Lady had watched or at least listened to reports of the way Isonei soothed and persuaded men and was attempting to use her methods.

"How is the little Duchess feeling this evening?" King Orgath inquired as Adareth and Ougath joined them.

"I allowed her to have the solitude she requested after lunch." Draeseth inclined his head. "I had intended to have dinner with her-"

"She can eat with her servants. I was told she enjoys that." Sebba cut him off with one of Duke Shoban's smirks.

"She does." Rogath patted her hand on his arm. "I considered sending the girls to have dinner with her. They enjoyed lunch."

"Perhaps she could go with them to the convent?" The smirking woman might have said more but Draeseth made a loud sound of displeasure and startled her.

His brothers grinned, and King Orgath gave the woman a cutting look, "That expensive little jewel is going to stay at Court where she belongs for the moment. When she's being charming she's almost worth the trouble."

"You might consider allowing Draeseth to send her back to the Kroscur, Father." The eldest Prince shrugged slightly, "She-"

"She will return when I do." The sour tone to her cousin's voice was unmistakable to her and she rested a hand on his thigh.

Lady Sebba seemed to notice the gesture.

"How horrible for poor Lislora to have the constant reminder her husband prefers his Aran wife. It must be unbearable to have to share with a second wife and not be the one... Well, we should change the subject." Sebba's tone was sickly sweet.

"I do not prefer one to the other. I love them both." Draeseth's unrelentingly black look made the woman pale and look away.

Lislora hunted for a topic as silence fell. The King found one first as the food laid in the center began to be brought to him. "What has been decided as far as the Arrangement? I would assume it's been thoroughly discussed?" He glanced at Lislora for an answer.

"Not yet, your Majesty. I had intended to speak to her the day she was poisoned and I haven't had the opportunity today-"

"You should have been doing that instead of wandering the gardens. I want the matter dealt with as soon as possible. It will set the precedent."

"Yes, your Majesty."

She realized that entering into the Arrangement was something she had been putting off. Doing so wasn't safe in terms of the King's displeasure. Neither she nor Draeseth spoke for the rest of the meal. She doubted it was noticed as the topic had returned to second and perhaps even third wives.