Queen & Conqueror (The Queens Red Guard Book 1), page 37
“Majesty, please, think what the king would want,” the Ley begged.
He wouldn’t want her riding recklessly to him. It didn’t matter. She didn’t answer to her husband, and she wouldn’t allow him to linger in death when she could go to him.
“I’ll not abandon Ouest,” Almira said in a low tone. “Ley Wallace, I name you Steward of Easima, you hold the capital until my return. Did no one hear me? I said ready my guard!”
Suddenly, everyone in the great hall rushed about in a flurry, shouting orders. She turned to her grandmother who watched her with wide fearful eyes.
“Oh, my darling girl... he’s in terrible shape.” She shook her head.
Almira grasped her hands. “I shall get him and bring him back home. Alive. I want you to go to your old home, he made it safe for you and we must trust his judgement. Nadim will escort you and stay with you. If Alton–” Almira looked around the room. “If Alton dies, I’ll need to lead the army, be I with child or not. If I don’t come back, you go home. You go to Thebo. You must trust in your son, Nanai. He will protect you; he’s a good man.”
Poelia looked stricken and Hester wrapped her arm around her.
“You’ll be used against me. Please, don’t put me in that position,” Almira said.
Hester understood but Poelia fought against leaving her, though she allowed Hester to lead her out.
“We will see one another again, Nanai.” Almira kissed her as Hester pulled Poelia to their quarters.
Sanaa took Almira’s arm. “If he’s dead when we arrive, I’m taking you to Suid even if I have to tie you to a horse.”
“If the king has died, then I’m the living monarch. I didn’t want war, but war has come to me,” Almira said resolutely. “These are my men dying on my orders. I’ll not abandon them.”
“You’ve never led an army. You know nothing of war,” Sanaa hissed.
“I was never a queen before either.”
A part of her knew Sanaa simply protected her, as she always did, but her thoughts were wrapped in Alton. The feel of him, the sight of him, the pain he was in, how he called her name. She focused on getting to him. She must arrive on time. She wouldn’t lose him, she wouldn’t lose another husband, not if she could aid him. Damn this heart and its chosen attachment.
It was a week’s ride to the camp and they were running against time. She didn’t fare well. Not only was she worried, but she was also with child. She kept her complaints of discomfort to a minimum–after all, she was their violent task master–but Sanaa’s tension rose. They rode until the Gatland River was visible in the distance. It was ferocious this time of year. Even from far away they could hear it, the sound of its angry waters capturing the land with its roar.
“Impossible.” Keilly looked at the wild rapids.
Delara’s horse stomped on the muddy terrain. “Not impossible, but difficult. We can go around the Gatland and cut through Morrow’s Bridge if you wish, majesty.”
M, who was bent down washing her neck on a small stream, looked at Delara. “That would be an extra two-day ride.”
Almira stared at the wild waters. She was a child of the water. She wasn’t afraid of its fury, not when her love was beyond those rapids. She shook her head and placed her hand on her stomach. “We go through the river. I can handle it. We’ll rest a few then continue.”
Hira jumped from her horse and helped Almira sit against a tree. “Rest. You cannot endanger the life of the child so recklessly,” her younger cousin whispered.
They slept under a canopy of yellow trees that night as they prepared to cross the Gatland. The morning birds and their songs woke the party. The hours were fleeting. Almira’s body coiled tightly to the sleep she’d been denied. She shivered against the frigid morning air, and for a mad moment, she wished she was in Korkoran, her father’s fortress, warm in her pillowed bed with little care in the world.
“Sanaa went to procure transport over the river,” M said when she saw her wake.
All night long, the waters’ noise pounded in her ear. It was deafening. Her nerves were on edge, and she swore she heard Alton’s voice in the dissonance of the river. Those men dying in the fields at her decree.
Hira knelt before her and grasped her hand.
“It’s time to leave,” Hira whispered, and the queen nodded.
M let loose the horses and smacked their rears so they would find their way back to Easima. “The water is calmest before dawn.”
“What are you doing?” Almira looked aghast.
“The horses will drown.” Keilly strapped her weapons tight around her body.
“We’ll get fresh horses in Pandamon, a small town on the other side of the river. It’ll be a rough journey over water.” Delara tied her long hair and looked at the queen in doubt.
Perhaps they all thought the journey was folly, perhaps they all thought her a fool who wouldn’t be able to manage, dragging down their pace with her weak body.
“I said I can handle it,” Almira ground out. She knew their thoughts, how they covertly studied her frail body compared to theirs.
It wasn’t long before Sanaa arrived; she found a man with a small boat to carry them across the river.
“I paid him well. He won’t ask questions,” Sanaa said.
They gathered their things as Almira shivered under her cloak and slowly ate a piece of stale bread. She had never felt more tired or scared in her life. Each moment that passed, more men died. The Favia counted and collected. She must reach Henders. She must reach Alton and she must save those men. Even if she had to speak to Dag herself.
The boat was rickety and unsteady. M prevented Almira from toppling over as the swaying motion of the vessel left her unsteady. The queen clutched the sides of the boat and her face paled from the rocking. They pushed themselves off the shore as the boatman stared at Almira with acute curiosity.
“He knows,” Almira hissed at Sanaa.
“He knows nothing. They’re not used to seeing a lady in these parts.”
Delara had not exaggerated when she warned about the waters. Despite the early hour, the boat teetered on the edge of tipping over. The boatman, Sanaa, and Delara used their powerful bodies to navigate the tide. They rowed hard with little rest as they crossed the river. Keilly vomited twice over the side, much to M’s amusement, but Sanaa’s face was a mask of determination. Almira held Hira’s hands as she fought back a wave of nausea mixed with terror. She’d never been afraid of the ocean, but river currents were an entirely different story. These waters didn’t recognize her.
When they made it to the other side, Hira jumped out, her body lithe and agile. She helped Almira who stumbled on the grass and shivered violently under her soaked clothes. Keilly vomited again, this time near a tree, as Sanaa handed the boatman more coin to ensure his silence.
They rested and changed into dry clothing, but Almira still shook. Hira rubbed her hands together and pressed them against Almira’s face to warm her.
“I keep thinking he may be dying, holding on for me to arrive,” Almira whispered.
Hira’s face softened and she pushed Almira’s hair back. Suddenly they were young girls, huddling in corners of the fortress, whispering secrets and crafting adventures. Now, they lived it, and it was never what they imagined.
“You love him dearly,” Hira said, nodding.
Almira didn’t have to confirm. She’d changed toward Alton, that couldn’t be denied. The way she sought him out in a room or looked forward to their dinners. She would smile at his comments where before she scowled. Her guard saw it all.
“We’ll reach him in time, I swear it,” Hira promised her.
“I’m glad you’re with me, cousin. I’m glad you and Sanaa are. I couldn’t imagine doing this without the two of you.” There was a wave of emotion that filled her and without warning, she shed a few tears. She angrily wiped them away and hid her face into her tunic.
Hira kissed her forehead. “I’m glad to be with you too. Rest a bit and we’ll continue.”
They rode for five more days, and when they were only hours away from the king’s camp, they were ambushed by Norrian stragglers.
Keilly pulled Almira behind a tree. She used her arrows to dispatch as many men as possible while the Red Guard battled. Hira sliced her sword through flesh, embedding her ruby knife into a man’s eye. He screamed and grabbed her robes as she shoved him off. M decapitated a man using her dual blades, his head rolled to the tree. Delara swung her sword and killed two men with one swing. But more men came. They descended on the women, and Almira thought all hope was lost.
As the first rays of sun came through the trees, riders thundered into the area and surrounded them. It was the king’s black knights who helped kill the last of the Norrians! The black knights didn’t recognize her red guard, and their leader jumped from his horse, pointing his sword at Sanaa.
Almira stumbled from behind the tree. “My lord, hold your sword!”
“Majesty!”
At the sight of her, they dismounted and bowed.
“Your grace, what are you doing here?” The black knight looked at the rest of the Red Guard.
Almira walked to the center of the clearing. “You’ll take me to the king immediately.”
Chapter Forty-Six
ALMIRA
The black knights renewed Almira’s energy. They provided her and the Red Guard a royal escort to the camp, and she let out a cry of relief at the sight of the black army’s tents illuminated by torches and fire pits.
“We made it!” Hira turned to her and smiled.
Almira would’ve returned it had she not paused to take in her surroundings. The men didn’t look at the end of a terrible defeat. Where were the fields of wounded? Where was Alton? She hoped against hope he was still alive. Perhaps they had regrouped? Perhaps he was better than he was when she saw him in the witch’s vision?
They rode straight through the camp to the king’s tent.
The soldiers shouted, “THE QUEEN! THE QUEEN IS HERE!”
Almira halted her horse as none other than Alton rushed out of his tent. Was it a vision? Was she asleep? She didn’t understand! He seemed real, fully dressed in armor, surrounded by General Vine and his knights.
“What is this?” Sanaa rode next to her as she looked at the king and his men.
Alton ran to her and helped her dismount. At the feel of his hands, Almira gasped and let out an anguished cry against his neck. He was alive! He wasn’t hurt!
He looked her over, confused and worried. “What happened, what’s wrong?”
“You’re alive!” She touched his face.
“Of course, I am. What is the meaning of this?” Alton looked to Sanaa for answers.
“Sire…” Sanaa let out of breath. “The battle, the terrible battle, you were wounded, your men dead…”
“What battle?” Alton looked from Sanaa to Almira.
“A witch…” Almira shook her head, trying to make sense of reality.
Alton cursed and pulled her to him. He rushed her to his tent along with General Vine. It was warm and comfortable and a better place than she’d seen in a week.
Alton turned to her. “What witch?”
Almira clutched his arm, confusion marring her thoughts and words. “I saw you! Sanaa, tell him, I’m not crazy!”
“We saw you, sire. You were at death’s door,” Sanaa said, looking at the men surrounding him. “All of you were.”
General Vine raised a brow. “There’s not been a battle since Livian, and that was weeks ago. Dag plays hide and seek with us.”
“It’s true, I saw it too,” Hira said and stepped forward. “A witch came to us, showed us a terrible battle. You were gravely wounded, majesty.”
“Then it was a lie,” Alton said and clutched Almira tighter.
“How can this be? We’ve ridden for a week with little rest!” Sanaa said and turned to Almira with an angry look. “Tricksters! I’ve said it, you’ve not listened!”
Alton took Almira’s hands and kissed them. “You look exhausted.”
“I thought I was too late.” Almira touched her forehead to his.
Alton grasped her shoulders. “Why would you come to me in this manner? Do you realize I would have sacrificed the entire fucking kingdom to get you back if Dag captured you?”
“The hell he would’ve,” Sanaa said.
“I’ve full confidence in your capacities, captain.” He glanced at her then turned back to Almira. He pushed back the strands of hair, which escaped her braid. “But none of us are impervious to arrows and steel.”
“And I was safe in the castle? All I had was the castle guard and my ladies who are worth twenty guards each! Other than that, I was unprotected! We were attacked by Norrians earlier this month–”
“Norrians? In Mavros?” General Vine asked in amazement.
Alton touched her face and hair. “Were you hurt?”
Almira came to a sudden realization. She looked at Sanaa, then at the men. Oh no. What had she done?
“What is it?” Alton asked.
“Oh gods! Sanaa it was a trap! Alton, this was a trap. They wanted me to clear out the castle! The witch… she’s working with them! I’ve left Easima without a monarch!”
The king’s face fell. He looked to the general who understood her meaning. Almira pressed a hand to her forehead and swayed.
Hira pulled her to sit. “She’s exhausted and won't admit it!”
Alton kneeled before Almira. “You’re not well.”
He pointed to the water basin and Keilly grabbed a cup and brought it to her. Almira drank noisily then took deep breaths. The tent cleared out at Alton’s command.
“Why would you come like this? This is not like you.” His face was tight.
She grasped his shoulders and assured herself he was well and not dead.
“I thought you were dying! I smelled your blood; I touched your fingers! Nadim said it couldn’t be duplicated! I’m rational, Alton, you know this! I wouldn’t have come if I wasn’t certain.”
Then she cried more out of anger at herself for her foolish behavior. She had let it be known that she would be persuaded into foolishness. She left the capital vulnerable, the castle unguarded, and had ridden in madness to his side. She pressed a hand to her face. These conflicting emotions! She knew better than this. She realized this was all part of being with child.
“Alton, I’m pregnant,” she said in a harsh tone, and he startled.
“You’re…” He swallowed. “Are you certain?”
“Yes, a witch confirmed it.”
He blinked. “Another witch or the same?”
“Yes, another witch!”
Her anger at herself and her meddling nearly sent her to hysterics. How could she do this? How could she showcase her foolishness? What sort of queen was she that would allow herself to be persuaded by visions and conjuring? She fisted her hands on his shoulders and shook her head as she tried to keep her angry tears at bay.
As her frustration escalated, Alton kissed and touched her face. He pulled her to him and held her tightly, searching her eyes, and his mouth quirked as he took her in. She’d never felt more relieved than to smell his scent and feel the warmth of his arms. It was the only comfort in the midst of her greatest mistake. Oh, why had she not asked him to stay? Why had she sought out a witch to begin with?
“I’m alive and you’re pregnant, my darling. You could’ve gotten hurt; I couldn’t live with that.”
“Alton–”
“Let me cherish this moment,” he pleaded. “Let me hold you, damn the whole world–damn it for a moment. Let it burn itself to the ground. Let me just… I just–”
He kissed her and pressed his forehead to hers. She grasped his hair, those fine, silken blond hairs.
“Alton,” she whispered against his temple. “We must go back. We can’t hide here; the world cannot be damned. It’s the world our child will one day rule. Everything we do from this moment on is for that child. General Vine and the army can handle the border. Easima needs us, I will call on Istok and Suid to meet us there.”
“You will rest. I will ride to Easima–”
“I shall not be separated from you. Do not ask it of me, I can’t take it!” Her voice broke and he looked at her with concern. “I can’t, Alton, I cannot.”
Her hands shook despite her determination to remain calm and focused. She needed to see him, to keep her eyes on him. Despite the witch not harming him, it felt as if she had. What if she subjected her to tangible visions of him being tortured as he screamed for her? For how long could Almira distinguish reality from falsities? She’d go mad.
In his arms she was able to calm herself, reassess the situation and the conditions she left behind. Who would a witch answer to? Or did she answer to no one but herself?
“I’m afraid of the loyalty the castle guard has to Hestian,” she admitted.
“He cannot hold a siege with only the castle guard.”
She pulled back and stared at him. “We were attacked by Norrians. How did they enter the castle? We captured Ivar, Lord Dag’s nephew, and hid him.”
“Ivar? In Mavros? Why would you hide him?”
The realization of what she’d been blind to came and she gasped as she stood up.
“Because of Arrigo! Arrigo and Hestian are conspiring! There never was a man with a golden eye! It was a ruse! The witch is somehow working with Arrigo. Old magic, that’s what Nadim called it! There are rumors of ancient witches in the northern forests of Norr. Arrigo doesn't want Norr, he’s never wanted Norr! He wants Easima, he wants New Verden! He wants your throne! He releases Hestian and with a few soldiers and his witch he’s got control of Easima. He’s got Ivar to bargain with Dag and he has Nanai! He’s got Nanai, I know it, oh Alton! I’m so damn stupid!”
Alton shook his head, his blond hairs falling over his eyes. “You’re not stupid. He’ll not harm her, she’s too valuable.”
“Nanai was with me when the witch came to me! She saw her!” Almira felt she would vomit. “He can threaten Suid and me in acquiring her!”
