The Ring Keeper, page 18
“You need to marry as well,” Caldoreth said, “but Callonen’s child will inherit the Warding. He needs to act immediately.”
“You’ve never entertained the princess of Ara,” Haldreth said.
“Ara?” Caldoreth turned his full attention to Haldreth. “We’ve never had friendly relations with Ara. You know this. So, why would you bring it up now? They hate us.”
“Sometimes change is good, Father,” Haldreth said. “Why shouldn’t we try to open negotiations with them?”
“They are treacherous, Haldreth. I’ve invited them before, but they aren’t willing to enter the Warding. They know if they do, I’ll become aware of any deceit they might be planning.”
“Maybe we should visit them,” Haldreth suggested.
That was surprising. Haldreth had seldom taken any interest in diplomacy.
“I have a friend from Ara,” Haldreth said. “He works closely with the king, and he could find out if they are open to receiving us. I can put together a delegation to accompany me.”
Caldoreth stared at him, considering it.
“We can make it work, Father,” Haldreth said.
Caldoreth took a deep breath. “Very well. As long as we can be sure of your safety.”
Haldreth smiled. “I will get started on the details and keep you informed.”
Taking advantage of his father’s change in focus. Callonen rose. “Please excuse me,” he said, making for the door.
“Callonen,” Emperor Caldoreth said, “make sure you’re prepared for Princess Elena’s visit. You know how important this is.”
“Yes, Father,” Callonen said quickly. The lunch had taken too long, and now he’d have to hurry or he’d be late to meet Allia. He needed a way to change his father’s mind.
Allia
WHEN ALLIA RETURNED to her room after the day’s work, she found a note had been slid beneath the door.
Please dust the first of the guest rooms at noon tomorrow. –C
The next day, Allia made sure her work took her near the guest rooms. She’d barely thought about anything else but seeing Callonen.
At noon, she slipped into the first room and found him sitting in a chair in front of the fireplace. He turned to smile at her. It made her feel very warm inside. She could sense his attraction, but also hesitation. Something was on his mind.
He rose and took her hand, then kissed it. “Welcome, my lady.” The feel of his lips on her skin and the look in his eyes made her wish he would kiss more than her hand. “Will you join me?”
They sat down.
“Allia, I need to tell you something important,” he said. “My father has invited a princess to visit Sarine.”
Allia suddenly felt cold. “She’s the one your father wants you to marry.”
Callonen took a deep breath. “I’m twenty-eight years old. He’s been trying to get me to marry for ten years now, and I understand why. If the Warding passes to me and I die without an heir, the Warding will fall and our land will lose its protection. Thus far, I have never felt ready, and I refused to do it.”
“But he’s not giving up, is he?” Allia asked. “He wants you to marry this princess.” How had she let herself become so attached to him? She’d known all along this would happen.
“I will not do it,” Callonen said. “I’ve managed to exercise my wishes in this so far.”
“He’ll force you.” Allia averted her gaze, glancing down at her hands in her lap.
“I won’t let that happen,” he promised. “But I wanted to talk to you before she arrives. I have no choice but to spend some time with her.”
Allia looked up at him. “Does your father know we are friends?”
“I have not told him yet.”
“Will you get into trouble because of this?” she asked.
“I admit it’s not very proper,” he answered, “but I don’t care. I enjoy being with you.”
“But your father would be upset if he knew, and the princess is coming here to be with you. It’s all arranged,” Allia said, a sharp ache beginning in her chest. There was nothing she could do to stop it. After all, she was only the maid he met in secret, and she would never be anything more to him.
By the next day, gossip about the visiting princess filled the palace. Apparently, everyone had heard about her arrival.
“I guess you’ve heard about the princess. I knew you wouldn’t be happy,” Tess said to Allia that night when they finished their work. “Everyone expects Callonen to marry her. And she’ll be here in a few more days.”
“I know,” Allia murmured, trying to hide her sorrow with a smile.
“I’m prepared to hate her on your behalf,” Tess said loyally.
Allia shook her head. “No need. It’s all right. I didn’t think that he… I mean, that we…” She fell silent. She couldn’t bear the thought of him married to someone else. He would never speak to Allia again, never look at her with those brown eyes, never put his arms around her. He cared about her, but his position would force him to marry someone else.
“I’ll check with the stables. Maybe they can find us a snake to put in her bed.”
Allia half smiled and hugged her friend. But that night, alone in her room, she cried.
By morning, she had dried her tears, determined that no one be able to tell she was upset. Putting on a smile, she went about her work. After all, how dare she be so bold as to think the prince cared for her?
Allia hadn’t seen Callonen since their conversation about the princess. She tried not to think about him as she went about her work. They’d received word that the princess would arrive at midday the next day. Last-minute preparations filled Allia’s time. When she got back to her room, a note lay on the floor waiting for her.
I’ve been thinking of you constantly. I’m so sorry about our last conversation. I never meant to hurt you. Will you please meet me tonight? Midnight, on the west tower wall. –C
Allia took the note and knocked at Tess’s door. Tess was already in her nightdress, but she let Allia in.
“Look at this,” Allia said, holding the note to the candlelight so Tess could see. She scanned it quickly and seemed surprised.
“What are you going to do?” Tess asked.
“I don’t know.” Allia felt tears on her face. “His guest arrives tomorrow. What can he possibly have to say to me? And midnight? Maybe he only wants too…” She took a deep breath. “I’m not going to bed with him!” Allia vowed, wiping her eyes. “I know he’s gorgeous, and amazing, and tall, and—”
“Please stop!” Tess begged. “Listen to yourself.”
“But his princess is arriving tomorrow! I still have some self-respect. I will not warm his bed tonight when he’s going to propose to her tomorrow.”
“You don’t really think he’s like that, do you?” Tess asked. “Maybe he only wants to talk to you.”
“Maybe,” Allia said, rubbing her forehead.
“You care about him,” Tess said, putting her hand on Allia’s.
“I love him, Tess! I can’t help it.” As she confessed it out loud, she knew it was true. Her life would never be the same after knowing him.
“You’re not going to tell him ‘no,’ are you?”
Allia sighed. “No.”
Tess knew her too well. Allia couldn’t refuse Callonen’s invitation. So, she put on her most attractive dress, brushed her hair smooth, and waited impatiently for midnight.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Year of Warding 21, White City, Sarine
Allia
GRADUALLY, THE PALACE GREW QUIET until only a few people stirred. Allia crept out of her room and through the empty halls. She knew where the night guards were posted and avoided them. Higher and higher she climbed, past the level of the great hall and the audience chambers, past the elaborately furnished guest rooms, up to the west tower.
Darkness and silence covered the balcony. Allia saw no one. Her footsteps made no sound as she tiptoed from the top of the stairs to the edge of the wall. The city spread out beneath her, quiet and sleeping. Nervous quivers rolled through her middle. Allia crept over to stand beside the tower, where she waited, invisible in the shadows.
What was she doing here? The princess would arrive tomorrow.
Her muscles tensed as someone approached.
A tall black shape walked silently from the top of the stairs and traced her steps out to the wall. The figure wore a cloak and hood, almost as if he didn’t want to be recognized.
Allia stayed frozen in place, torn between hope that it was Callonen and fear that it might be someone else. Finally, she tiptoed forward until she was close enough to sense who it was. Allia whispered, “Cal?”
He turned to face her. “Allia! I was afraid you wouldn’t come.”
“I almost didn’t,” Allia admitted.
“I upset you the last time we spoke. I’m so sorry. What made you come?” he asked softly, throwing back his hood.
“Because… if you have something to say to me, I’ll listen.”
“I wanted to see you,” Callonen said. “The last few days have been so busy, and they watch me so closely. There’s nothing I wanted more than to be with you for a little while.”
He had gone to a great deal of trouble just to see her. But they were meeting at midnight because he wouldn’t want to be seen in public with one of the palace staff, a mere servant.
“Callonen… there’s no way anything could work between us. You can’t even let anyone find out we’ve spent time together. I don’t want to be the girl you only meet in secret.”
“I am sorry,” he said, his tone suddenly stiff and formal.
“I shouldn’t be here.” Allia started for the door.
“Allia… please,” he begged, taking her hand.
“You know I’m right. You should be with a princess.”
“No! Allia, I can’t help being who I am. I have been given power and responsibility that I would never desire if I had a choice. You don’t know how many times I have wished to be just an ordinary man.”
She pulled her hand away from his. “And I can’t help being who I am. I’m not rich or powerful, and my father was not a king.”
“It’s not right to judge someone because of who their father was,” he said. “If the world were perfect, every person would simply be who they are.”
“But it’s not perfect! In reality, royalty does not associate with commoners.”
He shook his head. “No one could ever think you are common. And the difference in our station does not matter to me.”
Allia looked up at him without speaking. She couldn’t make out his features in the dim light, but she sensed he was sincere. Maybe that was only because she wanted so badly to believe him.
“Will you do me the honor of walking with me?”
She took a deep breath and relaxed a little. “Do you always walk in the middle of the night?”
“Sometimes I do when I can’t sleep. Tonight, I waited until everyone was in bed, then I snuck out.”
“Aren’t you a little old to be sneaking out at night?”
He grinned sheepishly. “I admit it has been a long time,” he said. “My brother always got into a lot more trouble than I did.” Pausing, he offered her his hand. “Well, will you consent to accompany me?”
How could she refuse? She put her hand in his, and they strolled around the balcony. She could feel his hard calluses against her palm. Since he was a prince, she had wondered if his hand would be soft. Finding out differently made her wonder if she had misjudged him. She had worked hard all her life, and it had been natural to assume that, as royalty, everything had been easy for him.
The moon rose and bathed them in white light. They stood together, looking out over the city.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered.
“Yes,” he agreed. “The night is peaceful.”
The white stone of the city gleamed in the moonlight. A cool breeze blew past, and Allia shivered.
“Here,” Callonen said, taking the long cloak from his shoulders and wrapping her in it.
“Thank you,” she murmured. The brush of his hands against her shoulders warmed her more than the cloak. But she couldn’t afford to think like that—not with the impending arrival the next day.
“She’s coming tomorrow,” Allia said.
“Yes,” he agreed. “I can’t stop that, but just because my father wants there to be something between us doesn’t mean that anything will happen. I won’t do it.”
“He’s the emperor,” she pointed out.
“He’s my father! I won’t allow him to force me to marry her. I care about you.”
He did care. Allia could sense it. But he hadn’t discussed their relationship with the emperor. “If that’s really true, Cal, then you’ll tell your father about us.”
“I will!” he promised. “I’ve just been waiting for the right moment. It will be soon.” He offered his hand again, and Allia took it.
Summer was nearing its end, and the night air grew crisp.
“It’s getting colder,” he said. “Follow me.” They went down the stairs and through the halls. Allia couldn’t tell where they were going in the dark, so she held his hand and allowed him to lead her. After a few twists and turns, Callonen opened a door, and they slipped through and shut it behind them.
“Just a moment,” he said, dropping her hand. She couldn’t see anything until he lit a candle. A few coals remained in the fireplace, and Callonen added fresh wood until a small, bright blaze burned.
Allia looked around the room. It was impressively furnished, with a throne on a dais at one end. She recognized it, though she’d only been here once before. “Your father’s audience room?”
He grinned. “He never uses it at this hour.”
She had to laugh.
Callonen brought a small table and two chairs and set them in front of the fire. He held one out for her. “Will you sit, my lady?”
“Thank you, Your Highness.” She curtsied and slipped into the chair.
When she spent time with him, Allia forgot everything else. She treasured every moment and hoped he was right about the future. They talked and laughed, and Allia had never enjoyed anyone’s company so much.
“It’s very late,” he said, getting to his feet. He offered his hand and pulled her up.
The soft firelight only made him more irresistible. She reached up and brushed her fingers along his jaw.
“Allia,” he whispered, pulling her close. His lips met hers in a gentle kiss.
The feel of his mouth on hers while he held her was the best thing she’d ever experienced. She slid her arms around his neck and returned the kiss. His embrace tightened, and she tangled her fingers in his hair and pulled him even closer.
The door opened, and the light of a lamp shone brightly in their eyes. Mara stood in the doorway, staring at them, her mouth slightly open in shock.
They hastily stepped away from each other. Without saying anything, she turned to go.
“Mara, wait! Please!” Callonen called after her.
She turned back to face him, disbelief on her face. “Your Highness?”
“I need to discuss this with my father myself. Please, don’t tell him until I’ve had time to talk to him!”
Mara’s face twisted into a frown. “Your Highness, I cannot deceive my emperor, even for you.”
“You don’t have to deceive him,” Callonen protested. “Just wait a little. I will talk to him about it. I promise!”
“But… Your Highness, the princess is arriving today.”
“Tomorrow,” Callonen corrected.
Mara went to the window and pulled back the heavy drapes. The light of dawn shone in. “Today. You know what your father expects of you! Why would you do this now? And Allia! You know the standard of behavior I expect. You will leave the palace at once—”
Allia could sense Mara’s anger and disappointment.
“No,” Callonen broke in. “This was my fault. You will not punish Allia for my… indiscretion.”
Mara took a deep breath. “She can’t stay here as things are.”
“I promise I will work things out with my father,” Callonen said. “Please allow me time to do that?”
“As you command, my prince,” Mara said, “but don’t wait too long. He will not approve of this, especially with the princess arriving.” Her mouth was set in a hard line. She went to the door and held it open.
Callonen disappeared quickly into the dark hall. Mara and Allia returned to the servant’s quarters. Allia didn’t need the ring to sense the tension, and Mara didn’t say a single word on the way. She left Allia in the hallway and headed for the kitchen.
By the time Allia got back to her door, Tess appeared in the hall. After one look at Allia’s face, Tess followed her into her room and shut the door behind them.
“What happened?”
Allia burst into tears. It had been the best night of her life. Callonen had kissed her… “It was wonderful. Every moment with him is… And he kissed me. I never wanted it to end… And then Mara caught us together.”
Tess’s mouth dropped open. “Is she sending you away?”
“She wanted to. Callonen told her she couldn’t. He said he would explain everything to his father.”
Tess gripped her hand. “But that’s good, isn’t it?”
Fresh tears flowed, and Allia wiped her eyes. “It won’t be. Callonen will talk to him, but the emperor will be furious. He’ll march down here himself and throw me out. Unless he sends the guards to take me to the dungeon.”
“He won’t do that,” Tess said, hugging her. “You can tell me more later. I need to go.”
Allia closed the door of her room behind her and curled up on the bed and cried.
Amid great ceremony and commotion, Princess Elena of Paraman arrived at midday. Tess and Allia went to the palace courtyard with everyone else to watch her ride in. Her entourage included many guards and attendants. Two ladies-in-waiting, dressed in matching red velvet gowns, their horses harnessed in red and gold, followed her carriage. The princess herself remained invisible behind the curtained windows of her carriage.
