Mid-kiss, Audra picked up on the steamy scent of simmering mutton stew being brought in, along with the mouthwatering aroma of honey-fried bread. Thus, she and Maxen separated, watching the crowd part as the servants brought in tables and chairs. The workers were used to this routine, and in what seemed like a half moment, the tables were set, piled with food and drink, and Audra and Maxen took their seats.
Having eaten little all day. Audra’s stomach rumbled, and she wanted to tuck into supper, but before she had the chance to sample the fried bread, Vaughan—who sat at her left—rose, goblet in hand.
“If I was not close to dying from hunger, I’d make a long, heartfelt speech, one so momentous you’d all speak of it for ages,” quipped Vaughan,
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If her life lasted one more day or dozens more years, she would recall how she was enveloped by love at this moment.
For now, the angst of the future would wait.
XXXX
Full with bread, stew, and wine, Audra reclined on her chaise in her bedchamber as Maxen relaxed in a chair, his feet kicked up on a stool.
“I waited patiently through supper,” said Audra, “and now, I want you to tell me everything you know about Rory. What did you hear this evening? What did you see? Spare no details.”
“I’ll tell you all I know,” he said, gazing into the hearth fire, which he had made sure was burning brightly on the blustery night. “He spent most of the day in Ynyr’s cabin with Corsen. It was difficult to hear from our hiding spot—”
“Which was where?”
“There’s a copse of brambles right out back. Rignuth, Vaughan, and I hid there.”
“Amongst the thorns?”
“Yes. Regardless, what we know is that Corsen kept him calm, and he sounded upset for the most part. Shouted about how he’d been deceived and lied to, about how he’s not the man he thought he was.”
Audra nodded her head. “Corsen is there for him.
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“Who’s calling?” she asked the guard, as she blew out a few candles, casting the room into shadow, hoping the low light would create a soothing atmosphere. In her experiences as a leader, she had learned people quarreled less vigorously when cloaked in shade.
“Corsen, Ynyr’s daughter, my lady.”
“Please send her in.” The door creaked open and Corsen walked in, her hands folded in front of her. She dipped into a low curtsey. “Your Highness. Sir Maxen. May I offer congratulations on your betrothal?”
“Thank you Corsen,” said Audra, as the guard closed the door. “Please have a seat next to me.” She motioned toward the long chaise.
Corsen perched herself on the very edge, as far away from Audra as possible, and took what appeared to be a deep, steadying breath. “I am here because I care very much about your son. I must disclose that he has informed me about the news he learned earlier, which came to him as a great shock.”
During her sixteen years as queen, Audra has been subjected to being called a variety of crude names by their enemies in Gwent—godless, heathen, whore, dictatorial, masculine, the Queen with Bollocks… Plenty of people regarded her poorly. However, if this young woman—obviously dear to her precious son—held Audra in low regard, Audra wondered how her heart might take it. And not only that, this young woman possessed the ability to destroy everything in Audra’s life, including her very