Horses pounded into the courtyard of Gegar Red. I knew that Estra, Emalia and Teàrlag were coming to the red castle but I didn't expect them to arrive at the same time as Theodric and Argath from Primiad. Peering out the window, I noticed that Tulin Odovacar was with them as well. I froze, biting my lower lip as I studied the figures so far below. If they had thought him a threat, I wondered why Theodric and Argath would return with the man.
Setting aside my needlework, I threw my black wool cloak over my shoulders and left the tower. As I emerged into the keep, I met Haneric emerging from his room. His step was weak and eyes weary, but he looked stronger, more well fed. He hacked a cough but it wasn't as vicious as it had been when we had first come to Gegar Red.
“I haven't seen any of you, sister,” he muttered as I paused before him. “You never visit me.”
“I have. You have just been asleep. Abbán says you are getting better.”
He rubbed his eyes and wrapped his thin arms around his body. “Who?”
I arched my eyebrows. “The man who has been tending you?”
“Oh, that peasant's son? The Tormod? Yes, yes.” He waved a hand and glanced down the hallway.
I bit my tongue. Argath's words to me about my own arrogance echoed through my brain. I was in no place to reprimand my brother when I was as equally guilty of such snobbery. “Theodric just rode into the courtyard from Primiad along with my daughter. Is that what brings you out here?”
“No... the girl bringing me my meal.” He shook his head, distracted as he peered down towards the stairs leading to great hall and scullery. Rubbing the back of his neck, he walked back into his room and shut the door to me.
I ignored the slight and lifted my skirts, trotting as best as I could towards the main doors of the keep. My hips swung as I moved, spine beginning to sway into a curve. The babe had grown considerably in the last month since I had left Highfire. It was midwinter, only a few months till I would give birth to my son. He would arrive on the cusp of spring, when the rivers were overflowing with the thaw and robins rested on window sills at dawn.
Gathering myself before I walked out of the keep, I smoothed back my braid and veil. My heart leaped as the thought that I would see Emalia again rushed through me. I hadn't realized how much I had missed her until I considered it.
Stepping out into the sunlight, I surveyed the courtyard. Emalia leaped from the litter she had ridden with Estra. Her moon bright face glowed as she looked over towards Theodric and Argath. She raced towards them, lifting her arms towards Theodric. He gave a bark of a laugh and twirled the girl. Envy left me inert on the steps. I couldn't remember a time when she had run to me with the same affection. She had only known Theodric a few months and I was the one who had given birth to her. Then again, I wondered how much of a chance I had given her to love me.
I stirred, feeling eyes on me. Argath studied me, holding the reins of his and Theodric's steeds. Long strands of silver black hair trailed from his queue and over his shoulders, his jaw stern but eyes curious. There was no question from his gaze that he knew my struggle with my relationship to my daughter. My back snapped straight and I glared towards him. If he was wondering if I would be capable of mothering a future king, I would just have to prove him wrong.
Marching down the steps, I forced a smile as Theodric approached with Emalia on his shoulders. I bobbed a curtsy towards him and lifted my hands towards my daughter. Theodric swung her down to the ground.
“Daughter.”
“Lady Mother.” Emalia took a tentative step towards me, hugging my rotund middle lightly. She pulled away and grinned, laying a hand where a small foot was kicking against the taut skin. “The baby heard me.”
I laughed and laid my hand over her's. “He already loves you.”
“So it is a boy?” She blinked up at my excitedly.
“Yes,” I replied with a firm nod, setting my eyes hard on Theodric. “It is a son.”
He crooked his eyebrows. “How are you certain?”
I shrugged. “You must ask your squire, it was his fortune telling that foresaw it.”
Theodric snorted and glanced back toward Argath as he took Tulin's horse from the man. “Fortune telling? Argath? It sounds like you have learned much since your stay here.”
“Well, I have certainly learned much of Gegar Red and it's...unique occupants.”
Running a hand through his hair, Theodric jutted out his jaw. “We have a few things to discuss in the coming days, I believe.”
“Yes,” I agreed, glancing over his shoulder.
Éibhear had exited the nearby smithy's and walked directly towards the litter as Estra was getting out of it. The girl was great with child, more than me, and carrying low. She was clearly much farther along than I and would give birth in the next month to be sure. Estra held out her arms and smiled widely, Éibhear helping her to the stones and then embracing her with familiarity.
Theodric smirked, noticing my interest. “They are siblings. Twins.”
I scoffed, recalling Éibhear mentioning a sister that could do no wrong. I should have known she was Tormod with that fire bright head of hair and sky blue eyes, as blue as her brother's. My eyes drew towards Tulin Odovacar ambling towards us and removing his riding gloves.
“What is he doing here?” I murmured while he was still out of earshot.
“Trust me, Hania.” Theodric answered, pressing his fingers to my wrist. I recoiled from his touch, holding my daughter to me and lifting my chin as Tulin stopped next to Theodric.
“My lord, I am glad to see you again so soon. I trust you both have had a safe journey?”
“Yes!” He boomed, clapping his hands. His eyes fell on my daughter, greed lighting them like a lantern. I wanted to duck her behind my skirts. “Driven fast from Primiad with good news!”
“But for now we must rest until supper. I have already given instructions for a feast tonight to celebrate our return to Gegar Red,” Theodric swiftly cut in. He gripped Tulin's arm and led him up the steps, pointing out features on the castle and explaining them with enthusiam.
I knew Argath was standing a step behind me before I turned to him. He watched the men with caution. I swallowed dryly, dropping my eyes as he met them. “You look well, my lady.”
“You left unexpectedly,” I replied curtly.
“It couldn't be helped.”
“Why is he here,” I hissed towards him, unable to restrain the question for a second time. “I thought both you and Theodric said he was a danger to me and my family.”
Argath drifted a hand over my back and I relaxed. “It is best to keep your enemies close to you. That way, it's easier to tell when they are going to strike. Besides, he is in our territory here.”
I thought of the bears masquerading as men in our midst and let out a breathy laugh. “Yes, I suppose you're right.”
He blinked at me with a sigh. “Pleased to hear you finally admitting it.”
I changed into a gown of burgundy damask and black silk for dinner. It was one of the dresses that I had salvaged from the trunk at Highfire that had belonged to Theodric's mother. As I had been deciding what to wear, I realized most of my wardrobe was made up of her clothes. Though they were beautiful, they had to be well out of date at court. I decided before I arrived at Primiad after my son was born, I would have some more modern gowns sewn for me.
“Enter!” I called out to a knock at my door as I finished struggling to secure the ties on my dress.
Teàrlag bustled into the room. She cocked her head to the side, eyeing my middle. I held my breath. Her ancient face relaxed into a smile. “I am glad to see you and the babe are well. And that you have been safe here instead of traveling the roads like a nomad.”
I clasped her forearms and pressed my forehead to hers. Showing affection was rare for me but in this case, I made an exception. Her presence was a relief. “I trust your journey was well?”
“That Tormod girl your husband got with child is due sooner than she thinks,” Teàrlag grumbled, resting in a chair by the hearth. “I don't think the silly girl can remember clearly the last time she spread her legs.”
I winced at her bluntness. Turning to the brass mirror on the wall, I adjusted the white linen wimple covering my knotted braids. “She will have the baby in the next month.”
“You are quite right. Your mother taught you well.”
“She taught me nothing, I simply watched her,” I snapped. “Though she was a very good midwife. One could learn much from merely watching her work.”
“Either way, you are right. And from what Lord Theodric's men have said this is the right place for both babes to be born.”
I tapped my fingers on the bed post, pacing a little in thought. “I am concerned by Lord Odovacar's presence. I am here because Theodric said it was too dangerous to keep me in his company.”
Teàrlag paused, smoothing her woolen skirts out thoughtfully. “I think he is satiated for now. I am afraid to tell you something I only just learned.”
I whipped towards her. “Don't be. Just say it.”
“I was walking by a room I can only assume is Lord Theodric's study and heard hushed voices. Gods forgive me, I eavesdropped-”
“They'll forgive you. Tell me.” My pulse thudded in my ears.
Teàrlag clicked her tongue. “I can guess this is why they are celebrating with a feast tonight. While they were in Primiad, it seems they have struck a deal with the Vittamars. An engagement has occurred between the boy king, Ardaric, and your daughter.”
I gaped at her. “You must have heard wrong.”
“I may be old but I can hear snow drop from the trees outside. They have already anounced it at court.”
Sinking to the floor, my skirts billowed around me. An old habit, I reached for my father's prayer pendant though it had been months since it was lost. I chanted a prayer to Dylene in my mind. “Without my permission, they have sold Emalia to this family that is so dangerous I was not allowed to travel to court?”
Teàrlag heaved a heavy sigh through her nose and knelt in front of me. With her sleeve, she wiped away tears I wasn't aware I had cried. A sharp knot of betrayal buried itself in my chest, bitterness invading my veins like a drug.
“I told you now so you could gather yourself at the feast when they announce it-”
I pushed away her hands and rose to my feet. Smoothing out my dress, I lifted my chin with a deep breath. “I will speak first before them tonight.”
“Don't get too excited now, child. Think of your baby-”
“I am thinking of my baby,” I cut her off, my voice cracking like a whip. “I'm thinking of both of them.”
I strode from the room without another word to Teàrlag.
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