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This drew a snort of amusement from the priest. "Relax, Korvarr. No one's saying you're the father."

"Of course not! I would never do such a thing to the princess."

Owden cocked his brow. "Truly?" He looked to Tanalasta, then drew the blanket back over her. "I don't know how you should feel about that, Princess."

Korvarr's face reddened. He began to stammer an apology, then seemed to lose his way and settled for simply clamping his jaw. The lionar's embarrassment drew a deep chuckle from Owden, and the humor proved catching. Tanalasta found herself laughing and crying at the same time, then crying with laughter, then finally just laughing. She motioned the lionar over and took him by the hand.

"Don't be embarrassed, Korvarr. I may be your princess, but I'm also just a woman," she said. "A woman and a friend. Never forget that."

This seemed to put the lionar a little more at ease. He smiled stiffly, then bowed. "Thank you, Highness."

Owden rolled his eyes, then said, "Korvarr, perhaps you should inform Queen Filfaeril that her daughter has awakened. As I recall, she can be touchy about that."

"She did leave instructions to be notified," said Korvarr. Despite his acknowledgment, he made no move to leave. "But it may be some time before she is available."

"Really?" Owden looked doubtful. "I would want to be certain of that, were I you. The last time, Queen Filfaeril seemed most eager-"

"As she is this time, I assure you," interrupted Korvarr, "but she is occupied with a matter of state."

The slight furrow in the lionar's brow did not escape Tanalasta's notice. "What matter of state?" she asked.

The lionar glanced in Owden's direction, clearly appealing for help and receiving none.

"Lionar, I asked you a question," Tanalasta said. "Where, exactly, is the queen?"

Korvarr arched his dark brow at Owden one more time, then sighed and said, "She is in the Audience Hall with the Lords Goldsword and Silverswords, and some others."

Tanalasta threw her covers back and swung her legs out of bed. "Discussing what?"

This time, Korvarr knew better than to hesitate. "You, Highness, and what should be done."

"Done?" Tanalasta stood, then nearly fell again when her head grew light and her vision blackened.

Owden caught her by the arm and braced her up. "I know you're concerned, Princess, but you must not rush. You have been in bed for days. Go slowly."

Tanalasta paused long enough to let her vision clear, then looked back to Korvarr. "Done about what?"

"About Sembia's offer, Highness," said Korvarr. "Ambassador Hovanay has repeated it, and Emlar Goldsword has been working hard to convince the more conservative nobles that the, uh, uncertain paternity of your child-"

"Uncertain!" Tanalasta fumed. Practically dragging Owden along, she started across the room toward her wardrobe. "Didn't anyone tell them?"

"I'm afraid not," said Owden. "Given your previous discretion, the queen thought it best to keep the matter secret."

Korvarr scowled in confusion, but was too much the soldier to ask the question on the tip of his tongue.

Tanalasta answered it anyway. "There is nothing uncertain about the parentage of my child, and I think it's time we made that clear to Lord Goldsword and his ilk."

Korvarr mustered the courage to follow her toward the wardrobe. "I beg the princess's pardon, but I may have put the matter too delicately. It is the child's legitimacy they are complaining about. That your first born should be misbegotten-"

"It is not 'misbegotten,' Korvarr." Tanalasta could sense the disapproval in the lionar's voice, and it was all she could do not to whirl on him. "It was 'gotten' by my husband."

Korvarr stumbled over his own feet and nearly fell. "Husband?"

"Rowen Cormaeril," Tanalasta said. "And I think it is time the realm knows it-before Lord Goldsword and his cronies sell our kingdom to the Sembians."

22

The King of all Cormyr took a cautious step forward on the damp forest moss, then froze. Overhead, through the dappling of many green fingers of leaves,