Allegra's Dream (Avador Book 4, a Books We Love Fantasy Romance) (16 page)

Yet another man spoke up from a far cell. “Madam, you still haven’t told us who you are.”

“And I’m telling you that is not important. I work in the castle, “ she lied, “and hope to improve conditions for all of you.” She paused. “How often are you fed?”

“They often forget to feed us. We were last fed yesterday morning. And we have only enough water for a few sips.”

Another man spoke, his voice rising above the others.  “Madam, I was the steward under the former king–King Corvell.” This must have been after she was taken hostage, she thought. She didn’t remember him.

“–know.”

She focused her attention on him. “Sorry, please repeat what you said just now.”

“Madam, as steward under King Corvell, I know something that King Arnou doesn’t want anyone to know.”

“Oh? And what is that?”

“King Corvell had an illegitimate son–“

His words dizzied her. Her father had sired an illegitimate son. Oh, no, it couldn’t be true.

“–one he intended to declare his heir and future king. The present king imprisoned me because he didn’t want anyone else to know.”

“And where is this son now?” she asked. If what he said was true, she had a half-brother somewhere in the kingdom. She could not believe it, would not believe it. Yet how could she doubt the steward’s words? Surely he spoke the truth.

“No one knows where he is. He escaped and went into hiding after the assassination of the king and queen.”

“Please help us,” a prisoner cried, bringing her back to the present.

She thought quickly. She must do the right thing. “If I come back later to release you after dark, how will you manage? You can’t go back to your home. That’s the first place the authorities would look. Besides that, how will you escape the castle without one of the guards seeing you?”

“As the former steward, I know the castle like I know my name. There is a secret passageway,” he explained, jerking his head in the direction of a door at the end of the dungeon. “That door leads to a secret passageway that would take us far beyond the castle.”

She considered his words. “Still, you would be taking a chance. If caught, you would be severely punished.” Had she lost her mind, preparing to set these prisoners free? What would happen to her?

“After we escape, we will go our separate ways,” the steward said. “I can’t speak for the others, but I intend to travel by night and sleep by day.”

“Yes,” another prisoner said. “That would be best.”

Her mind made up, she spoke with conviction. “I will come back later to release you, after dark.”

“Promise?”

“I give you my word.”

* * *

Later, after darkness had fallen, Arnou still hadn’t returned. Following her evening meal, Elsa came upstairs to her room. Allegra spoke with her in a desultory fashion for a few minutes, scarcely able to concentrate on Elsa’s words.

Thoughts of her father’s illegitimate son continually plagued her. She couldn’t believe it, yet it must be true. And she must find him.

With a few final words with her maid, she left for her final trip to the dungeon. Her heart pounded, her breath coming in gasps. How long would it be before their escape was discovered? What would Arnou do to her once he found that she had released the prisoners? She would have to confess. She would not let anyone else be accused of the deed.

I’ll be glad when this is all behind me, she thought as she wended her way down the stone steps. But no, her troubles had only begun. Arnou would learn soon enough that it was she who had freed the prisoners. What if he imprisoned her, tortured her? Midway down the steps, she stopped and pressed her hand to her stomach. She couldn’t go through with her plan, could not do it. But she had given her word to the men. She would not fail them now.

She opened the door to the dungeon and lit the lantern, then closed the door behind her. As she had recently–was it only this morning?–she descended the few steps to the cells. Seeing only one key hanging from a nail on the wall, she assumed the same key opened all the cells. Her pulse quickened as she approached the men. She saw the frantic look on their faces, heard their cries for release. She had put her life in danger; she realized that now. What if one of them had lied to her and really was a murderer? She drew a deep breath, convincing herself that she was doing the right thing.

Lantern in hand, she faced the men to address them all.  “Now, once I release you, then you must understand that you are on your own.”

They agreed.

Her heart pounded so hard, it beat against her chest. Her stomach roiled. What if the jailer came now?

Fitting the key in the lock of the first cell on her right, she spoke to the man inside. “After I set you free, I want you to unlock the other cells.” She looked him full in the face. “Do I have your word that you will do this?”

“Yes, madam,”

She unlocked his cell and handed him the key. Watching him unlock the other cells, she knew there was no turning back. When it was discovered that the prisoners had escaped, she must face the king’s wrath. For one hopeful moment, she considered that he would hate her so much for her treachery that he would no longer wish to marry her. Yet she feared she expected too much. No matter how much he hated her, he would still force her to marry him, if only as punishment.

All of them free now, the prisoners thanked her as they turned to leave.

“I wish you all well,” she said and meant every word. “May life treat you kindly from now on.” Yet she feared it would prove otherwise. They were fugitives now. If caught, they would suffer a horrible punishment, if not death. Had she done the right thing? Or had she made a bad situation worse? She could only hope and pray that she had bettered their lives.

* * *

Rowan arrived the following day in the late afternoon. Ah, to see him again, to look upon his face! Her heart sang with joy at the sight of him. She had thought never to see him again, yet here he was, with her now. She must conceal her happiness, pretend he was only a casual acquaintance. How wonderful he looked, tall and strong, his tan face as she remembered. She walked down the stone stairs, telling herself she must never reveal her absolute joy at the sight of him.

He looked her way as he presented his credentials to King Arnou. What did she see in his look? Did he long for her, as she desired him? If she could only get him alone, bare her heart to him and ask him to take her with him when he returned to Avador. Did she mean anything to him? She couldn’t tell by his somber demeanor as he spoke with the king.

Obviously, she didn’t mean a thing to him, else he would have asked her to stay in Avador. Only vaguely did she hear the exchange of words between Rowan and the king, heard the king say they had not wed yet.  Her heart was so full of love for Rowan that nothing else mattered. As much as she loved her country and despite her joy at her return, she would give it all up, just to be with him again.

He turned away from the king. “And you, my lady, how have you been?”

“Happy to be home again.” Ah, no. I want only to be with you.

As darkness fell, the servants brought in platters of roast beef, supplemented by a melange of carrots and onions in a rich creamy sauce. After filling silver goblets with red wine, a servant left a flagon of wine on the table, then left.

Taking their places, Arnou explained his plan for receiving Rowan more formally in a few days. “I thought it best to have a small informal dinner, then have a reception for you later this week. The leading families of Fomoria will meet you then.”

Rowan reached for his goblet and sipped his wine. “I appreciate your hospitality and realize I gave you short notice of my visit.”

His bass voice, everything about him, I can never get enough of him, this man I love more than life.

Rowan continued, “I just recently assumed the position of Minister of State, so had much to tend to. But my main consideration was to meet you and renew diplomatic relations with your country.” He smiled her way. “I’ve met the princess before, as doubtless you know. So this is also an opportunity to renew my acquaintance with her.”

When will I get a chance to speak with him alone? she wondered. But what if he no longer cares for me? While Arnou busied himself with cutting his meat, she threw Rowan a beseeching look and mouthed the words ‘help me.’ His puzzled look told her he either couldn’t read her lips or didn’t understand their meaning. She must talk to him later, had to!

“Now tell me,” Arnou began, “what–“

”Sir!” A man rushed to the table. The jailer! She had seen him before. A jolt of fear grabbed her, but she stiffened with resolve.

Arnou slammed his fist on the table, knocking his wine goblet over. The wine trickled across the table and dripped onto the floor. “Do you see we are dining? Do you see we have a guest?”

“But sir, the prisoners have escaped!”

Chapter Twenty

In the days leading up to his journey to Fomoria, Rowan could think of nothing but Allegra. Oh, to see her again, to hear that dear voice of hers, as soft as a whisper. But surely she was King Arnou’s wife now–Queen Allegra. He hadn’t heard anything about her to enlighten him since Arnou had defeated the war faction and taken the throne. How could he bear to see her as another man’s wife? Yet he had to see her, if only to assure himself of her happiness. If she was happy, he’d have to accept that fact and get on with his life. If she was married to King Arnou, this visit would be a bittersweet reunion for him.

Reaching his destination several days after leaving Avador, he gazed up the steep hill as the majestic castle came into view, the royal flag whipping in a stiff wind. The sun was setting, and dark clouds covered the sky, a chill in the air. He guided his horse up the hill and past the pine trees. As he rode into the outer ward, a servant came forward.

“Good afternoon, sir.”

He returned the greeting as he dismounted. “It’s been a long ride, so give my horse a good rubdown and plenty of food and water. . .not too much, of course.”

“Yes, sir.”

His pulse quickened as he walked on and approached the great hall. Soon, soon, he would see Allegra again. And if she was Arnou’s wife, he must deny his desire for her, pretend she was only someone he’d known in the past, a lady who had once been his ward.

Striding into the great hall, he needed several moments for his eyes to adjust to the dim light, but soon enough, a splendidly-clad man came forward to greet him, surely King Arnou. The king appeared young, perhaps in his mid-twenties, an attractive young man who seemed at ease in his royal role.

“Welcome to Fomoria,” the king said. “How was your journey?”

He made a small bow before the king. “As good as could be expected, riding a horse for several days, but I’m grateful to be here.” But where was Allegra? Wouldn’t he see her? A pang of disappointment shot through him, but he reminded himself that he had only just arrived. Surely he would see her in due time.

As if he had conjured her, Allegra walked down the stone steps, her face and manner as lovely as he remembered. He glanced her way, too well aware that he must not stare at her, yet scarcely able to concentrate on the king’s words. Dressed in a woolen gown of sapphire blue, her long black hair hanging loose, she was all he remembered and more. Oh, so much more.

“Hello, and welcome.” She walked his way and surprised him by greeting him in the Avadoran manner, her right hand on his left shoulder. He responded likewise, his heart pounding so hard at her touch he feared she could surely sense its beating. After their greeting, he turned from her, lest the king suspect his desire.

Sighing inwardly, he presented his credentials to the king, after which Arnou related conditions in the kingdom and how he had defeated the war faction. And eliminated them? Rowan wondered but didn’t ask. If Arnou had brought peace to Fomoria–and it appeared that he had–that should suffice for now. More than anything, Fomoria needed an end to bloodshed, and if the king had reconciled his country with Elegia, that was all to the good.

Small talk ensued for several minutes, discussions of conditions in Avador and other countries throughout the continent.

At a signal from the king, the servants arrived with platters of steaming food and a flagon of wine. The three of them took their places at the trestle table, with Arnou insisting that Rowan sit at the head as an honored guest. Until that moment, he hadn’t realized how hungry he was, but the sight of roast beef and the scent of sage whetted his appetite and reminded him that he hadn’t eaten a full meal since breakfast.

While Arnou cut his roast beef, Allegra threw him a look of unhappiness and mouthed words he couldn’t identify. What was she trying to say? He had to know, had to talk to her alone before the evening was through.

“Now tell me,” Arnou said, “what–“

One of the servants rushed into the hall. “Sir!”

The king slammed his fist on the table, knocking over his wine glass. “Do you see we are dining? Do you see we have a guest?”

“But sir, the prisoners have escaped!”