Sins of Basilia (Shrouded Thrones Book 4) Read online

  She swallowed the painful lump in her throat. “Perhaps you are right. But please, promise you will take care and mind yourselves when you are with Angeline.”

  Varlan tapped the hilt of his sword. “Talman and I can capably defend ourselves. No harm will come to us. Besides, we do not fear our sister. She has her reasons for her grievances with you, yet she holds no ill will against us.”

  Carmela locked her gaze onto Becca. “I am so sorry for what befell your family. I know Sebastian to be a good man, and his wife a fine woman. I am also well aware what it is like to carry on without a mother. None of them deserved to be cut off from the other realms of this world.” She gently laid a hand on Becca’s leg. “You are a woman, and as such, you are able to see things differently than my brothers. Please, watch over them.”

  Becca dabbed at her eyes and nodded, while Varlan chuckled under his breath, adding to his already demeaning attitude. Carmela cared deeply for her brother, but at times, despised his arrogance.

  She opened the door to leave, then looked from face to face. “I love you all very much.”

  Talman released his own laugh. “Little sister, you speak as though you will not see us again. We will return to Thanwine in a few short weeks. In the meanwhile, if your beloved is truly ill, see to him. Should he die, King Callum would not forgive you.”

  “I will not allow him to perish. As for Tesher’s father, can you see to it he is unharmed?”

  Varlan patted her hand like he would a child’s. “As much as it hurts our dear Becca to have her family ostracized, because of it, the realms are at peace. No further harm will come to anyone. My intention is to use this gathering of the realms to make my claim on Pasha. In doing so, a stronger alliance will be made between Thanwine and Oros—unlike the trouble you have created in your activities with their prince. You may tell him a marriage celebration may be looming. It might aid King Callum’s disposition and soften the boy’s reprimand.”

  “He is not a boy.” Her brother’s intended actions should please her, yet she could not manage a smile. “I wish you well, Varlan. Your stake on her is long overdue. But please, take my words to heart. Do not trust Angeline.”

  “We hear you, Sister.” Talman fluttered his hand at the door. “Go now and tend to Tesher. Upon my return, I expect to see him roaming our halls in good health.”

  She covered her head once again and exited. Her feet had barely touched the ground, when the driver snapped the reins and got the horses moving.

  Prepared to tell Tesher all, she returned to her own ride. Her heart weighed so heavy, she found it difficult to step up.

  Tesher sat tall in his seat. “I heard plainly what you said before you became enclosed with your brothers in their carriage. It is good that we continue on with the falsehoods you told Darius, and I appreciate your devotion. But tell me, did they listen in regard to Angeline? Will they be cautious?”

  “No, I fear not. Yet I hope Becca might help them see reason. Angeline’s support of Sebastian’s banishment never set well with her.”

  Carmela continued on and told him everything that had transpired. Neither of them was comforted by the outcome.

  With several hours remaining before they would reach Thanwine, she encouraged Tesher to sleep. He seemed even more feverish.

  It took him little time to comply, and when he did so, she contemplated what more she could do to set things right. Sadly, nothing came to mind.

  The halt of the carriage brought Tesher fully awake. Sweat dampened his brow. Oddly, no matter how many blankets he piled atop himself, he could not get warm.

  Carmela reached toward him, then quickly pulled her hand to herself as if she had briefly forgotten it would not be wise to touch him. “We have arrived in Thanwine, Tesher. Are you able to stand?”

  The carriage door opened, and Perrin stepped in. “Allow me to assist him, Highness.”

  “Very well.” Carmela hesitated, staring fearfully at Tesher, and did not move aside for the man.

  Though shaky, Tesher eased onto his feet. “I will be all right. Go on ahead of us, Carmela, and we will follow.”

  She frowned, nodded, and reluctantly left.

  Perrin positioned a blanket around Tesher’s shoulders, then put an arm around his middle. “I may be old, but I am strong. I will not permit you to fall to the ground.”

  “You have been more than kind.” He wavered slightly in the man’s grasp, yet managed to leave the carriage without slipping on the snow.

  They trudged slowly up the steps to the castle entrance. Regardless that he felt horrible, he managed to look around at the sea of white encircling them. Beautiful in its own right, but so very cold.

  He shivered, even after they entered the massive structure.

  Carmela kept glancing back as she hurried along the corridor to what he assumed would be his bedchamber. The worry in her eyes bothered him more than his aching body.

  A young chambermaid appeared out of nowhere and gasped. “Forgive me, Princess Carmela.” She placed a hand to her heart. “I thought all the royal family had departed.” As if finally aware of her error, she awkwardly curtsied. “Do you require aid?” The girl cautiously eyed Tesher, no doubt unable to recognize him.

  “Yes, Glynn. Have Clarinda prepare some chicken stock for the prince of Oros, who will be staying with us indefinitely.”

  Glynn’s blue eyes widened as she again took in Tesher. This time, no trepidation lay in her gaze. “Of course. Are you ill, Highness?”

  Carmela stepped between them. “Yes, he is, and it would be best if everyone kept their distance.”

  “What of Perrin?” Glynn asked, pointing at the driver.

  “Worry not about me,” he said. “No illness has struck me down in all my long days. Go on now and do as the princess requested.”

  Glynn coyly dipped her head. As she lifted it, she smiled at Tesher, while brushing back an unruly strand of her blond hair. She moistened her lips, then hastened away.

  Tesher had seen similar behavior from his mother’s chambermaid, Agatha.

  “Inform Clarinda I will come to the kitchen for the soup in half an hour!” Carmela called out after the young girl. “I, alone, will deliver it to Tesher!” She continued on along the hallway.

  Tesher cleared his throat. “Are you not fearful of my illness?”

  “Like Perrin, I have somehow avoided sickness. And even if there is risk, I will not have Glynn fawning over you. Since Talman’s wedding, the girl has spoken endlessly about the handsome prince of Oros. When she realized you were under that quilt, I thought she might faint.”

  Perrin chuckled, but Tesher groaned. “I do not understand how anyone would find me handsome in my state of being.”

  Carmela glanced over her shoulder, rolled her eyes, and kept walking.

  “Jealousy transforms even the finest of temperaments,” Perrin whispered.

  It seemed strange to have the driver speak so boldly, but the man obviously felt at ease having been in the service of the royal house his entire life. Tesher could not fault him for his words. Even so, he chose not to respond. After all, Carmela had no need to be jealous. He was hers alone.

  Hers alone.

  Had he not said that very thing to Angeline many times? He had learned better of it, yet why should Carmela trust him to be true to her?

  At present, he did not have the strength to defend himself. Besides, he had not done anything wrong in regard to the chambermaid, so why should he? He had plenty of other issues that required proof of his resolve, so it was best to set this minor incident aside.

  Carmela pushed open a large ornately carved door, then motioned them in.

  “I see you have chosen the finest of rooms for our guest,” Perrin said. “Are you certain your brothers will not object?”

  “They are not here to voice their disapproval, so, at present, I will not concern myself with that issue. I want to make Tesher as comfortable as possible, and this is the softest bed we have to offer.”

&n
bsp; Tesher took in the massive room. The fineries reminded him of his mother’s chamber. They were a bit too feminine and delicate for his liking, but in his condition, it mattered little.

  Perrin guided him to the bed, and Tesher perched on the edge. The mattress was indeed soft and inviting.

  “Let me help you remove your damp cloak,” the man said, and did so before Tesher could voice a response.

  The moment it was stripped from him, he shivered even more. “It would seem we did not bring in my belongings. I have nothing dry to wear.” Even his tunic felt damp against his skin. Likely from his abundant amount of perspiration, which had grown cold the moment he left the carriage.

  “It was more important to get you indoors.” Perrin spoke as sternly as a father. “I will go now and gather your belongings.”

  “Warm yourself first, Perrin,” Carmela said. “I can acquire something from my brother’s chamber for Tesher.”

  The man bowed low. “Very well, Highness.”

  She smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I appreciate your service.”

  With another bow, he left the room.

  Carmela took a long deep breath. “This was my mother’s chamber,” she whispered. “In the many years since her death, few have rested their heads here. Still, I often come to this room simply to feel a closeness to her.” She fluffed the pillows and turned back the coverlet.

  “Did you not tell me she died when you were born, and her death is the reason for Angeline’s hostility toward you?”

  “Yes. I never knew our mother, though I wish I had. Even with all of Angeline’s lies, I would like to believe her stories of the splendidness of our mother. Angeline claimed her to be kind and giving.” She wandered to a life-size portrait on the wall and fingered the face of whom Tesher assumed to be her mother.

  They scarcely resembled one another in appearance, but it would seem they had a similar demeanor. “Kind and giving like you,” he boldly said.

  She pivoted to face him. “Not so kind, leaving you shivering and in need of warm clothing.” She glanced at the portrait again and sighed, then wandered toward him. “I will leave you to acquire a nightshirt. In the meanwhile, if you must relieve yourself, there is a chamber pot in the corner cabinet. That is, if you are able to cross the room. If not, I can bring the vessel closer.”

  “I can manage.” He loosened the strings of his tunic and removed it.

  Carmela took it from him, all the while staring at his bare chest. “Once I am gone, you would do yourself well to remove your damp trousers. When they are shed, get beneath the covers, so you do not catch a further chill.”

  He sluggishly nodded, then grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around himself. The comfortable bed beckoned him, but he would wait to appreciate it and do as she requested.

  Although Carmela seemed urgent about getting him a dry shirt, she had not made a step toward the door. She tentatively placed a hand to his head. “You are still much too warm. While I am gone, I will get a cool cloth to place on your forehead. We have plenty of snow to chill it. I pray we will not be required to fully cover you in ice.”

  “As cold as I feel, the idea of it is dreadful.”

  “As I said, I will pray it to be unnecessary.” Finally, she moved away from him and wandered around to the other side of the bed. She tugged on the sheer canopy until she reached him again. “I long to kiss you, yet I know it is unwise.”

  “Simply knowing you desire it satisfies me.” His heavy lids desperately wanted to close. “Thank you for bringing me here, Carmela. When I am well, we will plan for our future.”

  “Yes. When you are well.” She frowned and stepped back. “I shall not be long.”

  As if he were not troubled enough, seeing her frown added more questions to his plagued mind. Was it from worry over his illness, or did she wonder whether or not they would have a future? Perhaps they were one in the same.

  He sluggishly removed his trousers and undergarments, then worked his way beneath the bedding and lay back. The mattress embraced his body and the pillow enveloped his head. Such bliss was reserved for only the greatest of royalty. True, he was a prince, but he doubted he had earned such fineness.

  What kind of future might he have with Carmela? He knew very well what he wanted, yet his desires had been squelched before. Life never promised joy and often brought hardships.

  He succumbed to weariness, and within moments, he began to drift. Perhaps when he woke, his world would seem brighter.

  Chapter 10

  The great hall did not feel wonderful in the least.

  Angeline put on her best front, but wanted nothing more than to be rid of everyone present, with the exception of Kendor, who had proven his quality time and again. If not for their midnight trysts, she would surely go mad.

  Very little conversation took place then and now. In Kendor’s arms, she relished the lack of words. Sounds were much more gratifying. Yet the disdain-filled silence at the meal table churned her stomach and worsened her already dismal appetite.

  She looked from person to person, contemplating what might be strolling through their minds. With some, it was simple.

  Yakar desperately wanted to ravage Pasha, and if Angeline were not mistaken, the girl appeared to be receptive to his eagerness. They toyed with one another through simple glances—ones of which Angeline was well aware. She had cast many of her own. If not for King Callum’s watchful eye, no doubt the pair would already be entangled.

  She pitied Varlan. Surely he would make his own advances toward Pasha upon his arrival, and Callum would be more open to his affections toward his daughter—being that he despised every Issan breathing. However, if Angeline’s plans went as smoothly as she anticipated, Varlan would not live long enough to enjoy the girl.

  A smile emerged of its own accord. Thank goodness for her veil. It perfectly hid her delight, as well as her roaming eyes. Once she rid herself of all the vile, power-hungry men, her world would become a blessed paradise.

  King Imran rarely looked her way, but she had strong suspicions where his thoughts rested. The man had wanted her—just as he had her mother—yet she capably stifled his desire. He likely regretted revealing the truth about Carmela. Had he not, he and Angeline would have had their own little romp. She assumed he would be a capable lover, but she preferred to think of him cold-skinned and entombed like Frederick. Or better still, in a heap of ashes, as was customary for the dead in Issa.

  She turned her head just enough to see King Callum. A permanent scowl had grown on his face, and his dear wife bore a similar frown. Even so, the man had an unapologetic appetite. He chomped on a leg of lamb as if angry at the poor beast.

  Eural and Estelle sat near him, poking at their own food. Every now and then, Eural would smile at his wife, then pat her growing belly and urge her to eat.

  The site added to Angeline’s churning stomach, making her want to vomit. His devotion, however, would be short-lived. The child would never know its father.

  At the far end of the table, Darius eagerly ate. Since that dreaded night when all of her lovers had come to her door simultaneously, he had made himself scarce. They had not had any further discussions about Shireen, nor had the girl mentioned him. Angeline assumed her maid had rejected him, yet she could not bring herself to ask either of them and chose to let the issue lie. And since Kendor was keeping Angeline fully satisfied, Darius’ absence did not bother her in the slightest.

  A tap on her shoulder brought her from her thoughts. She looked up to find Denali smiling down at her.

  “Yes?” The instant she said the word, it felt like every eye in the room was upon them.

  “A word, my queen?” He nodded away from the large gathering.

  She dipped her head and stood, then walked with him some distance from the table. “Is there trouble?” she whispered.

  “The room is full of it, yet it goes unspoken.”

  “What is your purpose for removing me from my meal?”

  He f
olded his arms over his chest. “There are issues in need of discussion, and since I have learned to keep myself from your chamber, I ask that you to come to mine. When you finish eating, honor me with your presence in my room, so you can see what I have accomplished.”

  He had never displayed such cold demeanor or blatant condescension. She thought she had softened his anger, when they had discussed her plans for the kings in depth. He apparently held onto his ill feelings over her ongoing dalliances with Kendor. She regretted telling him, but he had guessed at the truth, and she felt it best to stand her ground and defend her position. As queen, she had every right to do as she wished with whomever she pleased.

  “Dear Denali…” She spoke with genuine feeling. “Of course I will come.” She tried to meet his gaze, but he stared straight ahead.

  “Good.” Finally, he faced her. “I have done exactly what you asked of me, and I want you to witness the proof of it.”

  She smiled. “Your loyalty has never been in question. Return to your chamber, and I will come momentarily.” She let out a small laugh. “Your request has saved me from torment,” she whispered. “I despise these people, and you have given me a grand excuse to leave them.”

  He dutifully dipped his head. “When you arrive at my chamber, there will be no need to knock. Simply open the door and enter.”

  “Very well.” It seemed an odd statement, since she rarely bothered knocking. The man was completely out of sorts. Once enclosed with him in his room, she intended to soften him with a kiss, or more than likely, several. She missed his former self, and somehow, she had to melt away his icy exterior.

  She returned to her chair, sat, and cleared her throat. “Forgive the interruption.” With a raised voice, she addressed everyone in attendance. “You may have been aware, I find it difficult to eat. My healer informed me he has made a concoction to ease my stomach. One that will not harm my growing child.” She peered around at all the questioning eyes. “Please, continue enjoying the meal, while I go to my healer for aid.”