Allegra's Dream (Avador Book 4, a Books We Love Fantasy Romance) (18 page)

“Because I had met the real Prince Arnou, who lived not far from me in the south of the country. He had dark hair and was short, nothing like the man I just killed.”

“We have only your word for this,” Rowan said.

“I assure you I speak the truth. You see, the real Prince Arnou was a recluse, since he had a club foot. I had occasion to meet him once when I visited him at his castle to ask a small favor of him, which he granted.” Oliver’s gaze covered the great hall, his gesture indicating its immensity. “He resided in a small castle, nothing as grand as this, with but a few servants.”

“He lived alone,” she asked, “aside from the servants?”

“Yes, his parents had died of a fever years before I met him. And he had very few servants.”

More confused than ever, countless questions rampaged through her mind, so many she didn’t know what to ask next. “How could he fool everyone, make them believe he was Prince Arnou? And what was his name?”

“Madam, I don’t know his real name. I suspect the imposter murdered the prince and stole his identity.”

“How in the world did he get away with that?” Rowan asked. “I find this all difficult to believe.”

“As do I,” she remarked.

“As I told you, Prince Arnou stayed in his castle. No one from the village ever saw him. I suspect the imposter bribed his servants to ensure their silence, or else murdered them,” he said under his breath.

“But surely other people would learn of this,” Rowan protested.

“Sir, how would they know? Look how isolated the people of Fomoria are. The rich reside in their castles and the poor live in their huts. The villages are far apart.”

“You said nothing about all of this when I came to the dungeon,” she stated.

“Madam, what would have been the use? Would you have believed me? And you can see by the questions you’ve asked, the explanations are long in the telling.”

“You speak the truth there,” she concurred. “And the leading families? Why would they accept him as the prince?”

“He and his retainers defeated the war faction and brought peace to the country, preventing, we hope, any future wars with Elegia. But was the price worth it? In the short time since he gained the throne, he has ruled ruthlessly, torturing and killing those who questioned his rule. But as long as he brought peace–which he did–very few questioned his right to the throne.”

She shook her head. “Peace or not, that still doesn’t explain why the leading families accepted him without question.”

“The man who posed as the prince was obviously quite wealthy. He entered the capital clad like a prince in splendid clothes, riding an equally splendid horse. His retainers rode with him. And here’s another suspicion of mine: I believe he stole certain objects from Arnou’s castle, such as his signet ring, any other objects that would prove his identity. And of course, he must have bribed his retainers to accept him. “Money talks,” he said, rubbing his thumb and forefinger together. “Money will get you anything.”

“Except integrity.”  Allegra breathed deeply, trying to absorb all this information. It was just too much. And yet it all made sense. She caught Rowan’s sympathetic gaze on her and felt certain he sensed her disquiet. She addressed Oliver again. “And you–I thought you would be miles away by now. You took a great chance in returning to the castle.”

He smiled. “Madam, it’s odd how things work out, when everything falls into place. After you freed me, I hid out in the woods. I had intended to sneak into the castle this evening and find the imposter to murder him. At the time I arrived here, the imposter king was dueling with this gentleman,” he said, nodding at Rowan. “This presented a problem, with so many people about. But none of the servants noticed me. They were all too intent on watching the duel. When the imposter said ‘To the death!’ I knew my moment had come. And you see how it all worked out.”

“Yes, I see,” she said, still too puzzled to think clearly. “How did you get the knife?”

“I sneaked into the kitchen. It was empty, all the servants watching the duel. Had it been otherwise, I meant to visit the room where the weapons are kept. Like I said before, I know this castle like I know my name, madam.” He sent her a look of entreaty. “So what will you do with me now, arrest me, return me to the dungeon?”

“It’s the fate you deserve, whether or not the murder was justified.” She sighed deeply. “I think it best if you go far away from here. Later, once I am crowned queen, I will declare amnesty for all the fugitives.”

She noted Rowan’s face set in sorrow and realized he must think that she, as queen of Fomoria, would be gone from his life. Ah, no, my love, never!  She must assure him of her plans, but later.

She addressed Oliver again. “Now, you told me I have a half-brother whom King Corvell intended to name as his heir. Have you any idea where he is?”

“No, madam. He disappeared right after the assassination of the king and queen, your father and mother,” he said quietly.

“Very well. As soon as possible, I’ll send out word that it’s safe for him to return.” She nodded his way. “You are free to go, but go far away from the city. Later, after I declare amnesty, you may return if you wish.”

“Thank you, madam. And may I say I look forward to your coronation.”

Whenever it takes place.

As he walked from the great hall, she let her shoulders sag. Yet so much remained to be done.

Now all she wanted was for Rowan to take her in his arms and kiss her to drive them both out of their minds. Weak from wanting him, she needed to tell him all that was in her heart. She took his arm. “Come, let’s go to one of the apartments.” A few steps took them to one of the royal apartments. Upon closing the door, she found that the room lay in complete darkness, so she left it partway open.

“Rowan!” Kiss me now, tell me how much you love me!

He surprised her with a question. “What’s this about you freeing the prisoners?”

As quickly as possible, she related the circumstances and why she had freed the captives. “My darling, did you really want to hear about the filthy dungeon? Is that why we came in here?”

“You tell me, because I must admit I’m in a state of utter confusion.” He shook his head, his face set in sorrow. “So I suppose it’s goodbye, my lady, for soon you will be queen–“

”Oh, stop calling me ‘my lady’ and no, it’s not goodbye.” Mental fatigue and all the problems she faced were dragging her down. She couldn’t think clearly ,was becoming snappish.

She placed her hands on his shoulders, saw the passion in his eyes. “Just kiss me, darling, and tell me you love me as I love you.”

“Ah, if you only knew how much I love you!” He took her in his arms and covered her face with kisses, then kissed her long and fully on the mouth. “Sweetheart! I love you so much, more than I can ever say. You are all I want, now or ever.” He drew back, a teasing look on his face. “There! Is that what you wanted to hear?”

“Yes, and it is the same with me. I want only you.”

He eased his hold on her. “But there is still much I don’t understand. What is this about your half-brother?”

“ Oliver, the former steward, told me that my father had an illegitimate son, one he intended to name as his heir. I respect my father’s judgment, even if I don’t approve of his infidelity.” She frowned. “If only he can be found. . .”

“Then no one knows where he is?”

“Apparently not. I hope to be crowned soon, if no obstacles stand in the way. But I will reign as queen only until my half-brother is found.”

“And if he isn’t?”

“Oh, but he will be found!” She shook her head. “Of course, I have no idea how long that will take. Besides which, the Fomorian people will have to accept yet another monarch, a new king, once he returns to the capital. I will do my best to prepare my people for his arrival and coronation.”

“What if he doesn’t want to serve?”

“Surely he knows that my father intended to name him as heir. If he hadn’t wanted that honor, he would have refused.” She looked away, as if she could see into the future. “There was a time when I wanted to be queen of my country, more than anything in this world.” She smiled his way. “But now I know that titles and riches mean little, if I can’t have you. And no, I would never ask you to live in my country. You have an important position in your own.”

“Oh, my love, my dear love!” He pressed her to him again, whispering words in her ear, his hands moving across her back and down to her hips. “That you should love me that much!”

“I want only to be queen of your heart.” She smiled a little. “That sounds poetic, doesn’t it?”

“But you are queen of my heart, you are!”

She drew back and gazed at his face, those features she could never tire of seeing. “I’ll admit that I could easily find satisfaction in ruling my country, but that is nothing compared to loving you and knowing that you love me. And you will wait for me?”

“Never doubt it!”

“Let us hope it will be only a few months that you must wait.” She laughed with joy. “I should say ‘moonphases’ as you do in your country. So let us hope it is only a few moonphases before my half-brother is found. Then I will go to you.”

“May that day come soon.” He kissed her again with a passion so new, so wonderful, she thought she could die from wanting him. Her body pressed close to his, those strong arms binding her to him, she had never known such happiness. How she loved him, could never get enough of him.

She would count the days until she could go to him. Yet she feared she had a long time to wait.

Chapter Twenty-two

Eight moonphases later

“I thought this day would never come.” In her new gown of rose silk, Allegra clasped Rowan’s hand as they mingled among their guests. Their hand-fasting ceremony completed, she could scarcely believe she was his wife now, that she would live with him for the rest of her life, and love every minute of it. “Now that my half-brother is on the throne, I want only to be with you.” She shook her head. “What a long time it took us to find him and convince him it was safe to come to the capital.”

He drew her close. “Oh, the waiting was hard. Sometimes I almost gave up hope.” He smiled down at her. “If only I could kiss you now, but that will have to wait.” He winked. “Later, I’ll get as many kisses as I want.”

Her face warmed, and she turned to look at all the people in the vast hall. They had chosen to have their ceremony in the Hall of State building, a grand structure where so many people had gathered for their binding, Rowan’s friends and employees, a few of her childhood friends from Fomoria, and of course, Elsa.

She smiled and greeted everyone, her heart overflowing with happiness. Food and drink had been set out on tables, mead and elderberry wine, ham rolls, oat and raisin cakes spiced with cinnamon. Talk and laughter flowed around them as she took Rowan’s hand and introduced him to her friends from Fomoria.

Leaving her friends, she looked around the room, her gaze covering all the guests, over one-hundred, she felt sure, then turned back to him. “Didn’t you have a lady friend with light silvery hair?”

He thought for a moment. “Oh, Neala.” He looked at her quizzically. “How did you know about her?”

“You spent time with her at the queen’s party several moonphases ago. Don’t you remember?”

“Ah, yes. I invited her to our hand-fasting but obviously she didn’t come. She’s in Partholonia now, where her father is ambassador.” He grinned. “Jealous?”

“No, why should I be? You’re my husband now.” Her gaze covered the room again. “Oh, I see Elsa talking to an older gentleman. They look to be deep in conversation. Maybe something will come of it.”

“Rowan!” Donat Fand worked his way among the crowd and came forward to greet them. “Wishing you both much happiness.” His look settled on Rowan. “From what I hear, even as far away as I live, you’re managing the Ministry of State quite well.”

“Keeps me busy,” Rowan replied.

“And you have a lovely bride,” he said, turning to her. “Ah, madam, I recall the day you came to me, asking about this man of yours. I’m so glad everything worked out well for both of you.”

“As you see, but it’s been a long and difficult road.”

“Life is never easy, but now I mustn’t keeping you from your other guests,” he said, bidding them goodbye. 

A short while later, the number of guests dwindled down to just a few, and soon, all the guests had left, first wishing them happiness and hopes of seeing them again.

“You got all of your belongings from your apartment?” he asked. Upon coming to Avador, she and Elsa had stayed at an apartment, and Elsa lived there still.

“Yes, the few possessions I already had, and of course, my new clothes that I bought here in the city. They’re in two bags that I left in your office.”

“Wait for me while I get them.”

She laughed. “As if I’m going anywhere.”

A few minutes later, he returned with the bags, light enough for him to carry both in one hand. Holding her hand, they walked out into the bright sunshine, the air still but redolent with the scent of roses and other flowers that bloomed here and there.