The Ring Keeper, page 24
“Harrow,” Tess said. “How are you?”
“I am well. Much better, thank you.” He sounded a little stiff.
“Will you come in and sit down?” Allia asked from her chair.
“No, thank you,” he said politely. “I actually came to…” He paused and looked at Tess.
She returned his gaze, waiting for him to go on.
After a moment, he took a deep breath. “I rarely go to these things because I can’t dance well. But I wondered if you would…”—he glanced down the hallway, then back at Tess—“go to the emperor’s banquet with me?”
Tess smiled, and suddenly Harrow seemed much more relaxed. “I’d like that very much,” Tess said.
“Shall I meet you here?” he asked.
Tess looked at Allia, who nodded. “That would be wonderful,” Tess said.
“I’ll see you tomorrow then,” Harrow promised, bending to leave a light kiss on Tess’s cheek. He bowed to them both and strode off down the hall.
The day of the banquet finally arrived. Tess and Allia had planned to help each other get ready, and it was almost time to dress for the evening. Allia hoped Callonen hadn’t forgotten his promise. If he had, she didn’t know what she would wear tonight.
A knock came at the door. Tess opened it to see Mara. “Please, come in,” she invited. “Let me help you.” Mara’s arms were full of yards of fabric. Tess helped her lay her burden along the edge of the bed.
“Thank you,” Mara said, taking a deep breath. “I could have sent someone, but I wanted to bring these myself.”
Her hands now empty, she smoothed the front of her dress. Allia and Tess faced Mara, waiting. She looked as though there was something she wanted to say.
“I’ve been close to the royal family for a long time,” she finally said. “I care for them deeply. When Emperor Caldoreth lost his wife, and he had to raise those boys alone…” She shook her head and sighed. “Maybe I came to care for them more than I should—especially Callonen. He has such a good heart.”
Mara met Allia’s gaze. “And I’ve never seen him as happy as he is with you. I might not have supported the idea of you together at first, but I want you to know I do now.”
“Thank you, Mara.” Allia hugged her impulsively.
Mara held herself stiffly at first, and then softened to return the hug. “He deserves to be happy. And so do you. I wish your mother were alive to see this day. She would be proud of you.” Mara drew back and turned away to wipe her eyes.
“And Tess,” she went on, hugging her as well. “I won’t deny how much I have missed you downstairs the last several days. No one else manages things as well as you do. But I know you are needed here.”
Mara turned to the bed, where she had left her armful of gowns. A wooden box had been hidden in their folds. Mara took it out and looked at Allia seriously. “Emperor Caldoreth would like you to wear these tonight. They belonged to his late wife. Please, make sure they are returned to him afterward.” Her gaze had never appeared sterner.
Allia took in a deep breath. Mara opened the box, and Allia felt light-headed. The jewelry inside appeared priceless. A necklace, bracelet and matching earrings set with pearls, sapphires and glittering diamonds. “He… He wants me to wear them?”
Mara nodded, then set the box aside. Unwrapping the fabric, she held up a long gown that was a deep blue velvet, trimmed with silver and gems. The skirt flowed around it like a waterfall. Allia’s eyes widened, and she glanced at Tess, who was staring at the gown in wonder.
“Oh!” Tess exclaimed. “That’s the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen.”
Mara draped the blue dress across the bed and pulled out a green one, which was the exact shade to complement Tess’s coppery hair and highlight her green eyes.
Tess’s mouth fell slightly open in shock. She stared at Mara in disbelief. “F-For me?”
Mara smiled. “Of course.” She laid out the dress on the bed and brought out two pairs of gorgeous shoes. She hugged them both in turn. “You girls have a good time tonight. Enjoy sitting at the high table instead of standing behind it.” She slipped out, leaving them too shocked to speak.
Finally, Tess picked up the green dress and held it in front of herself, looking into the tall mirror. “I don’t believe it!”
Allia laughed. “Callonen said that you must be appropriately dressed.”
“I think he went a little beyond appropriate.”
“Try it on,” Allia urged.
Tess obeyed, and the fit was good. She looked lovely with her long red curls against the rich green fabric.
“It looks wonderful on you,” Allia said. “Harrow is going to fall over when he sees you.”
Tess’s cheeks colored.
They took turns arranging each other’s hair. Then Allia put on the blue gown. With great care, Tess removed the necklace and bracelet from the box and put them on Allia.
When she looked in the mirror, she almost didn’t recognize herself.
“You really look like the Empress of Sarine now,” Tess said, examining her critically.
Allia stared back at her reflection. “Tess… What am I going to do? Do you think everyone will accept me as Callonen’s bride? I may look like an empress, but I’m still just me inside. I’ve never even gone to a formal party before. The farm was the only life I knew before coming here. I don’t know how to behave in front of nobility, let alone royalty. What if I do everything wrong and embarrass the emperor? Or Callonen? I don’t want to look like an ignorant farm girl in front of everyone.”
Tess hugged her. “I’ve worked with royalty for years. They’re just people, Allia. Callonen chose you. He loves you. You’re brave and kind and quick-thinking.”
“Thanks, Tess.”
“Just remember us little people when you are Empress of Sarine.”
Allia peeked down at the gorgeous blue-and-silver dress and the pearl and sapphire bracelet on her wrist. She took a deep breath and nodded.
Another knock interrupted their talk. They opened it together to see Harrow wearing a snow-white shirt and a dark-blue coat that complemented his eyes. He seemed a little uncomfortable, but he smiled when he saw them.
Harrow’s eyes widened when he took in Tess, as if just noticing her for the first time. “You look wonderful.”
“Thank you,” Tess said. “And you look very handsome.”
Bowing to Allia, he said, “Thank you for saving my life. If not for you, that spider bite would have killed me.”
“I am happy I could help,” Allia said.
Harrow offered his arm to Tess. She took it and gave Allia a quick smile over her shoulder as they left for the banquet hall.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Year of Warding 21, White City, Sarine
Allia
ALLIA WAITED IN THE DOORWAY for only a moment before Callonen appeared. He stared at her with obvious admiration. His eyes slid from her hair along the gown down to the beautiful silver shoes that went with it.
“They’ll have to cancel it,” he said.
“What?”
“The party. I can’t go… because when I look at you, I forget how to speak. Everyone will think I’ve lost my mind. You… You look amazing.”
She felt her cheeks warm a little. “You are too kind,” she said.
“I’ve never seen anyone look more beautiful. I can’t believe you would spend the evening with me.”
He must have that reversed. She could have stood staring at him for an hour. Callonen appeared every inch a prince in his dark coat with polished buttons and gold braid trim. He looked elegant and powerful, and Allia couldn’t believe she was going to be with him.
But underneath the fine clothes, he was just Callonen. He cared about her, and he had chosen to make her a part of his world. He had even been willing to leave all this behind for her. His presence made her nervousness about the evening’s events fade into warmth.
“I love you,” she said.
“And I love you.” He slid his arms around her and kissed her. For a moment, she forgot everything else besides him, but her nervousness came back as she thought of standing in front of all those people.
“Are you ready to go?” he murmured in her ear.
Allia smoothed the gorgeous blue-and-silver skirt and said nothing of her fears. Instead, she tried to focus on the hope that everything would work out. “Before we do, I want to give you something.”
“Your presence is more than enough.”
“This is important to me, and I want you to have it.” Allia took out a tarnished silver band. “My father died many years ago. This was his, the only thing I have that belonged to him. He wore it every day for many years, and I loved him very much. He was a good man, and he would have been happy to have you as his son-in-law.”
Callonen smiled and took the ring. “Thank you for honoring me with something so close to your heart. I will treasure it. With your permission, I will wait and allow you to place it on my hand when we wed.”
“Don’t you want something finer as a wedding band?”
“What could be more precious than something of yours?” He brought the ring to his lips and kissed it, then slipped it carefully into his pocket. Thank you, Allia.”
She smiled up at him. “You’re welcome.”
He offered his arm. “It’s time to announce to everyone how much I love you.”
She extended her hand, glittering with jewels, and took his arm. Everything would be all right as long as she was with Callonen.
They walked to the door of the great hall, and a herald announced their entrance. “Prince Callonen and Lady Allia.” She waited for him to add “she used to be a maid”—but he didn’t, of course.
Callonen and Allia entered the hall. The room seemed alive with whispering voices, but perhaps she was only imagining them. Time seemed to stop as they made their way toward the front of the room. She felt as if every person there stared at her. It was a relief when they reached the table and sat down.
Allia found herself at the high table, from which she could see the entire room. She carefully avoided looking behind her, not wanting to turn around and see someone she knew standing back there with a pitcher. Allia resolved not to empty her glass, so whoever it was wouldn’t be forced to come and fill it for her.
Callonen sat at her side and held her hand under the table. Next to him sat Emperor Caldoreth, and beyond him, Prince Haldreth. Allia avoided looking at him.
On her left were Talon and his wife. Allia felt relieved to have Talon there. She no longer feared him. Instead, she found his presence comforting.
Harrow and Tess were seated at a nearby table. They appeared to be deep in conversation, and they were both smiling.
Allia took in the ridiculous array of silverware spread on both sides of her plate. She had often washed all the utensils, but never learned how to use them properly.
“I’m the second son of a blacksmith,” Talon whispered from beside her. “Just act confident and start from the outside.”
“Thanks!” she replied. She had been so afraid that all these important people would laugh at her or look at the prince and pity him.
Despite that, she had a wonderful evening. The food was glorious, made even better by the knowledge that she didn’t have to wash the dishes, and Callonen guided her through the evening gracefully. With that and a couple of tips from Talon, she did fine.
After dinner came the dancing. Allia didn’t have much practice, but Callonen led expertly, and it didn’t seem too difficult. She spotted Harrow with Tess a few times, but though Tess danced well enough, Harrow displayed more grace in the saddle.
Then came the moment Allia had been nervously waiting for. Complete silence fell, and the emperor spoke.
“Crown Prince Callonen,” he said, looking out at everyone, “has an announcement.”
Callonen and Allia walked to the front of the room, and everyone stared at them expectantly. Her insides twisted into a knot with all those eyes on her, but he didn’t seem concerned. He simply smiled and said, looking at her, “Thank you all for being here tonight. I know this is an announcement you’ve all been anticipating for many years. It is my pleasure to introduce Lady Allia, granddaughter of the wizard Zarekathus. You might have already heard a rumor or two about how brave and talented she is. Because of her efforts, four people lived who would have otherwise died. I have come to care for her with all my heart. I’ll be forever grateful that she has consented to become my bride.”
Callonen took her in his arms and kissed her. The people applauded.
Even all those people could not distract her from this moment. Allia let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. The moment had come and gone, and she was officially engaged to the prince.
Even before the engagement was announced, in the days after Callonen and Allia had returned to the city, the story of the strange healing had spread. Like all rumors, the story grew as it traveled, until they heard scraps of it that were nothing like the actual events.
Now, in addition to the rumors about the healing, Allia was notable for her betrothal to Prince Callonen. Crowds of people came to the palace wanting to meet Allia and to beg for her help. They suffered from maladies ranging from sprains and broken bones to people who were lame, blind or seriously ill.
Two weeks after their announcement, Callonen met Allia at her door, and they walked to the royal dining room for breakfast. As servants set out food for them, he took her hand. “Allia, I’ve received word that there are people at the palace gates who wish to ask for healing.”
Allia’s eyes widened. She’d gone through her life never being particularly noticed before. Of course, it made sense if these people were in need and were searching for a miracle. “I want to help as many as I can.”
Callonen nodded. “I understand. But when you healed for the first time and collapsed, for a moment, I thought you were dead. And then I thought you might sleep forever, never regaining your health. Even now, you’re still tired. Do you know what the long-term results of using this ring will be?”
She shook her head. “I’ve never heard of anything like the ring before. I’m sure my grandfather would have told me more about it if he hadn’t died so unexpectedly.”
Callonen met her gaze and held it. “I know you want to help as many as you can. That’s one of the things I love about you. But there’s no way you can cure everyone. You must reserve space for your life and protect your own health.”
“But how can we turn away people in need?”
“I suggest this,” he said, rubbing his chin. “I will assign someone to talk to the petitioners and learn more about them. If they’re here asking for help, none of them can be dying at this moment. You must have time to recover fully before you try to do this again. I will have them select the person most in need, and we will arrange to have them come back in two weeks. If you feel strong and well, and you choose to do it, you can attempt to heal them then.”
Allia agreed to his plan.
Allia’s new position put so much attention on her that she couldn’t leave the palace without guards. The one time she and Tess decided to go to the market, crowds of people gathered around her, and the six guards who had felt like too many when they left the gates, now didn’t seem nearly enough. Everywhere, people called to her, spoke to her, asked her questions. She briefly met the eyes of a young woman who seemed filled with worry and desperation. Allia suddenly stopped and turned back to her.
“My son,” the woman said, and Allia glanced down to see a little boy with large dark eyes. Instead of standing straight, he bent to one side and stood with the aid of a crutch. “His lame leg causes him great pain, and he’s been very ill. He falls unconscious often, his limbs shaking and jerking. There’s no way to control it.”
Allia could sense how much the woman loved her son, how worried she was. She only wanted him to grow up and be strong and happy.
“Please, help us,” the woman pleaded.
Allia couldn’t refuse. She beckoned one of the guards near. “I’m going to try to heal the child. I might not be able to walk after. Will you make sure I get home safely?”
“I will, my lady,” he said.
Allia had only done this once before. As when she’d healed Talon’s son, she could sense the child’s pain. She put her hand on the boy’s curly head.
Tess
TESS STOOD BESIDE ALLIA as a flash of green light came from the ring. Allia crumpled, and the guard caught her. Exclamations of wonder came from the crowd.
The little boy dropped his crutch and bounced around in excitement. He threw his arms around his mother, who embraced him tearfully. Still holding the child, she stood and looked at Allia’s unresponsive form. “Thank you!” She turned to Tess. “Tell her thank you! This is a miracle for us!”
Tess and the guard holding Allia pushed their way through the crowd with the rest of the soldiers behind them and walked back up the hill to the palace. Callonen must have already been near the palace gates. As soon as they were inside and away from the crowd, he appeared beside the guard who carried Allia and bent over her, checking her breathing and pulse.
“What happened?” Callonen demanded, looking at Tess.
“A woman came to her with a little boy who was very ill. Allia healed the child.”
“Couldn’t someone have at least brought the boy here?”
Tess exchanged a look with the guard. “I’m sorry, Your Highness. I should have advised her to wait.”
Callonen had a point. Allia was defenseless after she healed, and it wasn’t a good idea for it to happen out in the crowded city. None of them had anticipated the reaction people would have when they discovered what Allia could do. Their days of shopping unnoticed at the market were gone.
Allia
WHEN ALLIA WOKE IN HER ROOM, she found Callonen watching over her. As soon as he saw her eyes open, he reached out to take her hand.
“I owe you an apology,” she murmured. “I failed to keep our agreement.”
“We made it for a reason,” he said. “Can you imagine the panic I felt when I saw a guard carrying you home? I didn’t know what had happened.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. “Although, I should have guessed. I’m sorry I was so worried. Your safety is very important to me.”
