Sins of Basilia (Shrouded Thrones Book 4) Read online

  SINS

  OF BASILIA

  Shrouded Thrones, Book 4

  Jeanne Hardt

  Copyright Jeanne Hardt, 2019

  Cover design by Rae Monet, Inc.

  Edited by Cindy Brannam

  Formatting by Jesse Gordon

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any likeness to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. References to real places and people are intended solely for the purpose of providing a sense of authenticity.

  Masa’s Prophecy

  Wars will rage, and men will die.

  Their women weep, their children cry.

  All shall fear the light of day,

  Until she comes in dark array.

  No truer aim of archer’s bow,

  Or fiercer sting of steely blow.

  The rightful heir to reign on high,

  Not king, but queen, will satisfy.

  She alone shall rule the lands,

  And peace will come at her commands.

  Yet not until the earth runs red,

  And every king is lying dead.

  Chapter 1

  I am such a fool!

  Tesher’s head pounded as he sprinted down the long corridor to his bedchamber. Whether from actual pain, fear, utter disgust, or anguish, he was not certain. No matter the reason, he needed to leave Basilia immediately.

  He had forgotten Carmela’s promise to wait for him and stopped abruptly upon seeing her.

  “Tesher?” She arose from the window seat and hurried to his side. “You look dreadful. What happened? Did you see my sister?”

  If he told her the truth, it would destroy her impression of him. Yet, in all honesty, he deserved to be despised. “I must leave here at once.”

  “I know you wish to go home, but I can tell there is more to your distress. Were you able to console my sister?”

  He rushed around the room, gathering his things, and tossed them mindlessly into a cloth sack. “Angeline has betrayed me and made me a fool.” With tightened fists, he stopped in the middle of the floor and faced Carmela. “You did not lie when you told me she was not what she seemed.”

  He yanked a tunic from the wardrobe and stuffed it into the bag.

  “Tesher.” Carmela grabbed his hands. “Stop this and explain yourself!”

  Her raised voice snapped him from his crazed, frantic actions. He latched onto her and held her close. “God will never forgive me for what I have done.”

  “You make no sense.” She eased from his hold, then framed his face with her palms. “What did Angeline do to you?”

  He shifted his eyes to the door, fearing everyone and everything around him. “I cannot speak of it here.” His hands shook uncontrollably. “I know not where to go! I cannot return to Oros. They would find me there.”

  “Who?” She searched his face—her concern growing by the moment. Her features scrunched together. “Who, Tesher?”

  Even the walls surrounding them frightened him. Angeline’s spies could be anywhere. “I cannot say,” he whispered with as much intensity as possible, praying she would not push him further.

  “Shall I go to Angeline and speak with her myself?”

  “No!”

  Carmela’s head jerked back, then she let out an exasperated breath. “If you do not wish to speak here, nor return to Oros, then come with me to Thanwine.”

  “Shh!” He leaned close. “They may be listening.”

  “This is foolishness, Tesher. We are a great distance from anyone of importance.” She searched his eyes. “Fine,” she whispered. “We shall sneak away to Thanwine. In doing so, your father will likely despise me, but I cannot bear seeing you this way.”

  “You will risk your good name and help me?”

  She stroked his cheek. “I love you, Tesher. We are bound to one another. If I turn my back on you at the first sign of difficulty, I am not worthy to be called yours.”

  Though Angeline had cautioned him not to readily give his heart—or trust for that matter—he felt safe in regard to Carmela. Yet, he certainly did not deserve her affection.

  “Very well. Gather your belongings and we will flee together.” He kept his voice hushed low. “Are you a capable rider?”

  “Yes, I am quite accomplished. But the journey to Thanwine is long, and I have no horse in this realm. I was to return to Thanwine by Basilian carriage and escort. Can we not travel in that manner?”

  “No. It is too easily seen. Since we came here with your sister in a Basilian carriage, I, too, have no available horses from my kingdom. Regardless, we will borrow the mares that brought us from Oros. They proved to be fast and capable.”

  “Borrow? And how might we return them?”

  He huffed a frustrated breath. There were too many details to master, but his state of mind would not allow him to see things utterly clear. Even so, he had to leave. “We will manage somehow. Basilia has abundant horses, I doubt they will notice the absence of two.”

  She stared at him as if he were daft, yet he had no time to argue. “If you do not wish to involve yourself in this, then remain here. Besides, when we reach the cold mountains, we will find travel to be miserable without the protection of cover.”

  She shut her eyes and shook her head. “This is idiocy, Tesher. Eventually, everyone will know we have gone to Thanwine. How will it help us to travel by horse alone?”

  “I must distance myself from this wretched place, and it will be quicker without the carriage.”

  “Word has been sent to my brothers in Thanwine regarding Frederick’s death. If we make this journey, we will probably pass them on the road to Thanwine.”

  Frederick’s death.

  Tesher doubled over and held his stomach.

  “What is it?” Carmela wrapped an arm around him.

  “I have to go now.” He carefully pushed her aside, grabbed his cloak and put it on, then slung the cloth bag over his shoulder. “If you still wish to accompany me, meet me in the stable. I will ready the horses.”

  “I will be there.” Her words sounded hesitant and lacked conviction.

  He wasted no more time and fled from the room.

  None of this made sense.

  Carmela had urged Tesher to go to her sister and offer comfort over the loss of her husband, yet something out of the ordinary had transpired. It seemed she would not understand what had happened until she distanced Tesher from Basilia.

  She had never seen her poor beloved so out of sorts. Angeline had done something despicable, but Carmela could not fathom what.

  Tempted to go to her sister and uncover the truth, instinct cautioned her it was unwise. So, she hurried to her room and gathered her belongings, then headed for the stables. If only there were some other solution than taking the Basilian horses. She hoped Tesher was correct, and they would not be missed.

  It felt odd leaving without seeking permission. She also found it exhilarating. Angeline would be furious when she discovered her absence, but the thought of her rage did not trouble Carmela. She had spent her entire life coping with Angeline’s displeasure, and if she had done something despicable to Tesher, she deserved her disobedience.

  Normally, travel to Thanwine from Basilia by carr
iage took five days. On horseback, they could likely dwindle it down to three. But with those days would come nights, and once they reached the snow in the mountains, they would need to rely on each other for warmth.

  She smiled at the thought. As unpleasant as minimal shelter would be, the idea of being in Tesher’s warm embrace appealed to her. Then again, they could very well freeze.

  She focused all of her attention on her surroundings as she made her way to the stables, fearing discovery. And yet strangely, not a single guard was about.

  “You can relax, Carmela,” Tesher said as she approached. “I noticed your cautiousness as you entered, but all the sentries are in counsel. I, too, worried I would be found out, yet the kingdom is in turmoil. We shall not be missed for a great while.” He secured the saddle on the white mare, moved on to the brown, patted its rump, then looked her way. “I worried you would not come.”

  “I said I would, and here I am.” She jerked her head toward some furs pegged on the wall. “We should take those. We will need their warmth when we reach the mountains.”

  He grinned, seeming somewhat calmer than he had been within the walls of the castle. “I was about to retrieve them. It appears you have changed your mind about taking what is not ours, but in these circumstances…” His face shadowed over.

  “Will you tell me now why we must flee?”

  He stopped what he was doing and stepped close. His face grew horribly pale, and his chest heaved. His beautiful turquoise eyes held so much pain, it made her hurt.

  Long, silent moments passed, and she feared he would not utter a syllable.

  He soundly gulped. “I am responsible for the king’s death.”

  Her heart seemed to stop beating, and she could do nothing more than gape at him.

  “I will not say another word about it, until we are far from here. But if knowing my deed has changed your mind, then go and rid yourself of me.”

  “I cannot.” She rubbed a hand over her aching chest. “Even without greater detail, I believe Angeline is somehow behind this. My poor, Tesher. What did she do?”

  “As I said, she made me a fool.” Frowning, he spun around, returned to the horse, and tightened the second saddle. Once he tugged on it and appeared satisfied of its fitting, he grabbed the furs from the wall and draped them across the animal’s back. “We must tie our belongings in place. This will not be an easy venture, but if you are as capable a rider as you claim, we can make haste and be done here.”

  “Do you fear conviction?”

  He proceeded to secure their possessions. And though his hands shook horribly, he somehow managed to tie appropriate knots.

  “Tesher? Did you hear my question?”

  He looked toward her, his eyes still filled with utter despair. “Aside from you, those who know of my crime are either dead or unwilling to speak of it. So, no, it is not conviction that frightens me.”

  “It is Angeline, is it not?”

  His jaw grew rigid and his fists tightened, but he said nothing.

  No matter, she had guessed at the truth.

  She braced a hand on a slat of wood, then noticed the words imprinted on it. It had been engraved with King Roland’s name. “This is where King Roland was slain.” She shuddered at the thought of his blood spilling in the very place she now stood. “I wish to remain here no longer. Are you ready to depart?”

  “I cannot leave here quickly enough.” He pulled up the hood of his cloak and covered his head.

  Carmela followed his action and did the same, then mounted the brown horse he presented.

  “I believe she is a good mare,” he said. “Fast and sure-footed.” After checking their belongings a final time, he mounted his own ride.

  They raced from the stables and kept going until they were far away from the eyes of Basilia.

  “As you surmised,” Denali said. “Tesher and Carmela have fled Basilia. On two Basilian horses nonetheless.”

  Angeline laughed. “My dear Tesher has truly become a criminal. Murder, and now horse thievery?” It pleased her knowing how capably she had corrupted him. “I imagine they believe they were unseen. Is that not so?”

  She stood at her window and peered to the grounds below. It had taken the ridiculous guards a great while to remove Prima’s splattered remains, but they had finally accomplished it. Although, a large red stain lingered.

  Denali stepped closer. “They may believe it, yet surely they are wise enough to realize they were being watched.”

  “They are silly spoiled children who think themselves intelligent. Their stupidity will end them.”

  “Shall I send Kendor to retrieve them?”

  “Kendor…” A delightful shiver ran along her spine, contemplating him. “No. Leave them be. Even if Tesher tells Carmela everything, they will not speak of it. My sister loves the boy and would not endanger his life by revealing his role in Frederick’s death. As for Kendor, I have other plans for that particular guard.”

  With a disgusted huff, Denali scowled. “I know you well, my queen. What reason would you have to bring him to your bed?”

  “I need him.”

  “I am so weary of this.” Denali grunted and put his back to her. “Only hours ago, you claimed to need only me. Am I now not enough?”

  She placed her hands on his shoulders and firmly rubbed. “My dear, dear, Denali. How many times must I say, it is you I love?” She pressed her body into his and kissed along his neck. “But I must have my playthings. Besides, you know very well the reasoning behind my desires. Once I bring a man to my bed, he does my bidding without question.”

  Ever so slowly, he pivoted in her grasp and faced her. “Just as you accomplished with me all those years ago. Is that not so?”

  She frowned and stepped back. “You wound me.”

  “Please, do not scold me, my queen. How can I not challenge your love for me? Your husband has been dead less than a full day, and you already speak of lying with another. Are your passions so necessitous they cannot be temporarily stifled?”

  “I do not intend to seduce him today, I merely plan to set his mind contemplating the idea of having me. If I rush things, he might believe me to be insincere.” She pursed her lips, then let out a soft laugh. Even so, Denali kept his hardened stance.

  He studied her as if trying to delve into her thoughts, yet she would allow no one there. They were hers alone.

  She kept her gaze love-filled, until finally, he broke.

  He took a large breath and reached for her hand. “I know you have reasons for all you do, and I will always be your faithful servant. Regardless, I cannot help but want you for myself alone.”

  She stared into his eyes. “It cannot be. You, more than anyone, know my hunger as well as my plans. Soon, I will overturn the ridiculous laws that bind our God-given passions. Perhaps you should put your eyes beyond me and find another woman to lay with.” She ran her fingers along the back of his hand. “Many women would appreciate your gifted touch.”

  He scowled. “I had hoped you would set aside that particular part of your plan. Yes, I believe you are the prophesied queen meant to rule all realms, yet why change the laws? Can you not see the difficulties that would surely arise? Our people are not ready for such an enormous change.”

  “Our people must be set free. Everyone longs for others than those they are bound to by marriage. The hunger is instinctual and should not be stifled. I believe your love for me has blinded you to other possibilities.”

  “How can you say this? My eyes are wide open, and I want only you.”

  “As you have often said…” With a sigh, she released him and wandered to the bed, then perched on the edge. “You are cheating yourself of unknown bliss. Do you not long for that first encounter? The curiosity of what another being might be capable of doing to you? How they might make you feel?”

  Denali firmly crossed his arms and frowned. “In the same manner Frederick treated you?”

  She looked away. “He was a beast.” Memories of
his wretched treatment darkened all other thoughts. She snapped her head back in Denali’s direction. “Why speak of it?”

  “Because you must be reminded there are beasts in this world. Men who would harm you for their own pleasure. You take great risk anytime you bring a stranger to your bed.”

  “The very reason I will not bed a stranger.” She sat taller. “From this day forward, I alone will make demands in my bedchamber. I will never again be forced to do something against my will.”

  He trudged across the room and sat beside her. “I fear for your safety.”

  “Is that not an acceptable reason for me to enlist the realms’ most capable guard?”

  “Enlist…” Denali released the saddest of sighs. “An odd word for it.”

  She faced him squarely, then lightly stroked his cheek. “My love for you will never be overshadowed by any other man. You alone are in my heart.”

  He kept his eyes focused downward and shook his head.

  “Denali? Please, look at me.”

  His gaze begrudgingly lifted. “Yes, my queen?”

  “We have much left to do. Will you continue to give me your aid?”

  “You hold my heart with a tight fist, and even if you did not, I could not deny the prophesied queen.” He spoke with little emotion, and bore no smile. “I will stand beside you until every realm comes to see you as their savior. It is my destiny to serve you, so yes, I will give whatever aid you require.”

  “And yet, you have lost the fire I so love. Your eyes have dimmed.”

  “I do not wish to share you!”

  “Are we not alone at this very moment?” She inched her face closer to his. “I am yours, Denali.”

  He fiercely grabbed her and covered her mouth with his. She returned his intense kiss, and temporarily chose to dismiss thoughts of others.

  She needed Denali’s wisdom and loyalty, so proving her affections weighed heavy. Besides, she did indeed love him, though he would never be enough.

  It had been difficult for Angeline to convince Denali to leave her bed, and even more so, enticing him to seek out Kendor and request that he come to her chamber. She assured Denali that for now, she would use Kendor merely as a means of information and security. However, she would not permit anyone to tell her she could not have him. She alone would decide when to act on her desires, and Denali would have no say in the matter.