Allegra's Dream (Avador Book 4, a Books We Love Fantasy Romance) (2 page)

Her thoughts wandered to her maid, who sat in a nearby chair, knitting a sweater. What about Elsa? Surely she missed Formoria, too, even though she was a widow with no family. They were two exiles, set down in a strange land. At least she wasn’t alone in her exile.

Settled in a suite at the palace, she couldn’t complain about her accommodations. She had a large, comfortable living area with wide windows that let in the sunlight. She marveled that this palace had so many windows, when her own castle in Fomoria had only a very few windows coupled with slits in the walls. Rose-colored brocade draperies matched a sofa in the center of the room, and chairs with a rose print flanked the sofa. The white marble floor shone with such a high gloss she could almost see her reflection in it. A spacious bedroom with a canopied bed and a clothes chest led off from the living area. Her maid had a separate, smaller bedroom.

Stopping by a window, she stared out, seeing a horseman approach the palace. To see her? She hoped so. No one had come to see her since her move to Avador., She felt almost wild with the need to know what was happening. Her only outside contact was with the servants who brought her meals and those who did the housekeeping. Queen Keriam and Prince Roric had left the country before she had arrived., They were on a state visit to Galdina, a visit long in the planning, she’d been told. She’d never before met them but hoped to have the opportunity when they returned. How she wanted to get outside, go horseback riding, visit the shops in the cities. any activity that would take her mind from her fears for her parents.

Enough whining! She must find a way to return to Fomoria. She had to--

A knock at the door interrupted her musings. As Elsa rose to answer the door, she fought to maintain a calm expression, reluctant to let anyone sense her anxiety.

“Princess Allegra.” A tall man bowed before her, so like the man in her dream! “Rowan Leinster, at your service.”

Her pulse quickened, her mouth gone dry. Was she finally going to learn what this was all about? Her heart hammered in her chest. “Elsa,” she said, “please leave us alone for a while.”

“But my lady–“

”Please.”

“Yes, my lady.” Elsa left the room, lips pursed in disapproval.

Clad in a dark green tunic and black trousers, a gold pendant sparkling around his neck, Rowan Leinster looked to be a man of importance.

“My mother and father–“ she asked, trying to keep a tremor out of her voice.

”My lady, please sit down.”

“No, I’ll remain standing.” A lump settled in her throat; tears misted her eyes. If he was here to tell her the bad news she feared, she would remain standing. She wanted no one to think she was weak.

He sighed, his mouth working. “My lady–“

”Just tell me.! What has happened to my parents?”

“Princess, the king and queen were assassinated. I’m so very sorry.”

“No!” She clutched the back of a chair, the room spinning around her.

A look of sorrow crossed Rowan’s face. With infinite tenderness, he took her by the arm and helped her sit. “ I am deeply sorry, Princess. I truly wish it were not so.” He paused, as if searching for the right words. “Word reached us of their. . . their demise only recently. I understand that even your former guardian wasn’t told. The Elegian authorities felt you were in danger so they had to move quickly to get you to safety.” He sighed. “My lady, there is more I’d like to say, but I think it would be best if I left you now. I can’t tell you how sorry–“

“Enough! Please, just--.leave..” Despite her every effort to control herself, tears streamed down her face. She didn’t want this stranger see her at her weakest point. “I feared this on the night we left. . . .” She choked on her words and shook her head, unable to say any more.

He pressed his hand to her shoulder, then left the room.

* * *

Anger grappled with sorrow as Rowan left the princess and rode from the palace minutes later. Someone else should have told the princess of her parents’ assassination. The task should never have been left to him, a stranger to the princess. To hear of her parents’ deaths in this manner. . .

Determined to throw off his depressing thoughts, he recalled the princess’s looks. He had expected to see a young girl, but Princess Allegra was a grown woman, and a beautiful one, at that. Her ivory-hued skin presented a lovely contrast to her dark hair flowing down her back, and he’d never seen such delicate coloring, nor such violet eyes.

For now, he must forget his other obligations and think of the princess’s sorrow. To lose both of her parents, so far from home! His heart ached for her.

Family was important, he thought with a newfound appreciation of his own. When would he see his family again? he agonized, his mother and father, his three brothers. For too long, his duties had kept him from visiting his folks in Gairech, several days’ ride away. His family were all farmers. His brothers had always gravitated to the farm, but from the time he was fourteen or so he had sought a wider world, a world of travel and diplomacy. They had supported him despite not being able to understand his wish to leave the family farm. When he married again, he’d want his family to meet his new wife.

More than the princess, thoughts of
Fomoria vexed his mind. With the assassination of the king and queen, he feared what the war party would do next. If war broke out again between Elegia and Fomoria, Avador might well be drawn into the hostilities. Avador would not accept the defeat of Elegia. The two countries had maintained peace for centuries, long before Fomoria had stretched its warlike muscles. But what would happen now?

Riding past villages and farmland, Rowan breathed in deeply of the early spring air, cool but with a promise of warm weather and budding crops. How he loved his country, every hamlet and city. Avador must remain at peace. He would do all in his power to assure that outcome.

* * *

After Rowan Leinster left, Allegra fought to control her emotions. In spite of her efforts, tears flowed down her cheeks. She brushed them away, well aware that tears would gain her nothing. She must not show any weakness, nor feel any faintheartedness.

Tired of being shunted from one place to another and letting other people dominate her, she vowed that from here on, she would be her own mistress. She would determine her own destiny and make her own decisions. And if Rowan Leinster thought he could manage her, he had a surprise coming.

She resolved to return to Fomoria and avenge her parents’ deaths. But how? She was just one woman, and an exile, besides. Yet despite her years away from her country, she knew that the people of Fomoria were–had been–loyal to the king and queen. Oh, yes, she recognized that there was still a war faction in Fomoria, ambitious men who wanted to continue the war with Elegia. But both countries had declared a truce; to renew the war would undo all the good the armistice had obtained, all the good that her father had accomplished. Too many men on both sides had lost their lives in this war.

She recalled years ago hearing her father and mother discuss a distant cousin who had a legitimate claim to the throne through his mother. What had happened to him,? she wondered., How did he fit into the scheme of things? Did he support the war faction? Surely not, for if he cared about his country, he would want to see it at peace.

And that’s what I want, she vowed, ! More than anything, she longed to see a prosperous country, where no one starved and all men had a livelihood. A country free of war.

But first, she must avenge her parents’ assassination. She saw a long, hard road ahead, but she would let nothing stand in her way!.

Chapter Three

“Rowan, when do you intend to be hand-fasted?”

“I’ve thought about it lately,” Rowan replied. He wondered why Donat Fand was asking him about his marital plans, as if the minister cared whom he wed.

He sat across from the minister, his mind working. “I need to find a woman who would make a suitable wife, a good companion who could help me with my career here at the Ministry.” He thought of his first wife, dead these many years, and wondered if anyone could replace her.

Yes, he needed to marry again, needed someone to help him advance in his career. Neala Dechtine, the daughter of the ambassador to Partholonia, came to mind. A lovely woman with silvery hair, she was intelligent and well-read, good company for a lonely man. She would surely make him a suitable wife, even if he didn’t love her. The ambassador from Galdina was holding a reception this evening; possibly he would see Neala there.

“I hope to marry again, and soon.”

Donat nodded. “Many suitable women here in Avador, daughters of ambassadors or well-connected daughters of prominent merchants or businessmen. But your wife must be from Avador. A foreign woman would not be appropriate. Actually, it’s not permitted by law.”

“Good to know.” Neala Dechtine came to mind again, a lovely woman if often a bit domineering.

Donat shuffled a few papers on his desk. “Normally, I don’t concern myself with the personal lives of my assistants. But lately I’ve had health problems,” he said, lightly touching his chest. “This position can be very demanding. For a long time now, I’ve had you in mind to replace me.” He nodded. “I intend to recommend you to the queen as my replacement whenever I retire.” 

Rowan’s heart leaped, but just as quickly he berated himself. He admired Donat and regretted that he suffered a serious illness. “That means much to me, but I’d hate to see you leave. You’ve managed the Ministry of State quite ably and have kept the peace in Avador.”

“Thank you, but I am getting older and tired. I hope to return to my home in Ros Creda soon, devote more time to my family.” The minister smiled. “Now, you spoke of peace. We can thank Queen Keriam and Prince Roric for the peace we have enjoyed, and of course, King Tencien before them. May it remain so.  Now, the Parholonian ambassador is hosting a party this evening. I trust you will attend?”

“I’ll be there.” And hoped to see Neala. Despite his nebulous plans of marriage, the prospect of seeing her didn’t thrill him.

* * *

The Partholonian ambassador’s residence was truly splendid, a three-story sandstone mansion of thirty rooms, one Rowan had always admired. The reception room held a crystal chandelier, where a host of candles burned. Candles in iron sconces throughout the room bestowed a warm glow on the vast marble-floored space where hundreds of men and women had gathered.

Gold goblet in hand, Rowan sipped dry wine and surveyed the room, recognizing many of the guests. Dressed in silks and furs, their jewels gleaming, the guests mingled in groups, their voices rising and falling. Sounds of laughter carried throughout the room.

A strong musk scent drew his attention to a woman who approached him from the right. “Rowan, I haven’t seen you for a long time.”

He grinned. “Not since last moonphase.”

Clad in a gown of deep blue satin, Neala was as beautiful as ever, her gown revealing ample cleavage. Diamonds glittered from her silvery tresses, her hair arranged in an upswept style.

She waved her beringed hand. “That doesn’t count, only a few minutes when we met by accident in Talmora’s Square.”  Her voice was low and sultry, as if trying to seduce him. And was she? For some inexplicable reason, he didn’t care. She tapped his arm. “Word is that the Minister of State intends to name you as his successor.”

Rowan’s head jerked in her direction. “Where did you hear this?” How had word gotten beyond Donat Fand’s office?

“Here and there. It’s well-known that Fand thinks highly of you. Also well-known is the fact that he suffers from heart trouble and has been thinking of resigning his position.”

He pretended nonchalance. “Let’s hope that Donat Fand stays in his position for many more years.” He had to deflect the conversation. “How have you been? Are you planning anything special?”

“Actually, yes I am. I plan to journey to Galdina next nine-day to see the mountains and volcanoes.” She smiled. “I’ll be away for one moonphase. Will you miss me?” she asked with a sultry glance.

“Of course,” he answered with a smile. At least he hoped he would miss her. She was an engaging woman, but she failed to set his pulse racing.

A few minutes later, she walked away to seek out the ambassador to Elegia.

In the early hours of the morning, Rowan left the ambassador’s residence and headed for his apartment on Granno’s Way. The night air was cool and crisp, a light breeze whispering among the trees and bushes. Drifting clouds hid the moon and stars on the coal black night.

Marriage came to mind again. He needed a wife, he realized with a newfound regret for his single life. He needed a woman to come home to, to bear his children, someone to love until the end of time. But he didn’t love Neala. Should he wait until he found someone to love?  No, that might never happen. He’d propose to Neala, he decided. If she refused him, it wouldn’t break his heart.

Chapter Four