Naamah's Kiss - Jacqueline Carey [142]
I frowned. "I beg your pardon, your majesty?"
"She didn't tell you?" he asked. "We agreed to certain terms before we wed. Thierry is my heir and I love him dearly, but a monarch with a sole heir is ever fearful. I want Jehanne to bear my children. She begged me to wait. We settled on a period of three years. It ends on the Longest Night. On the first day of the new year, Jehanne will light a candle to Eisheth and beseech her to open the gates of her womb."
"Oh," I whispered.
Daniel clasped his hands behind his back and stared into the fire. "She's afraid."
"Of what?" I remembered Thierry accusing her of being too vain to bear children, but I thought it must be something more.
"Her mother nearly died giving birth to her," Daniel said. "And, too, I suspect Jehanne is afraid of herself." His mouth quirked. "She brought joy into my life when it was empty of all meaning. For that alone, I'm willing to forgive her any betrayal save one: Bearing another man's child."
"Oh," I repeated.
He gave me a wry look. "You can see why I was pleased she chose you over him."
"Aye." I had the urge to comfort him. "Your majesty… I do believe the Queen is distraught over her own actions. She wants your forgiveness."
King Daniel's clasped hands tightened. "Yet she confessed to you!"
"She's afraid to face you," I said. "And she didn't confess. I accused her."
His lips quirked again. "That must have gone over well."
"She threw things," I admitted. "But afterward, she wept and said she wanted your forgiveness." It wasn't exactly true, but I thought it was true enough. And he didn't need to know about the other part.
He gazed at the dancing fire. "You may tell her she has it."
"I will," I promised. "Thank you."
Daniel gave me a sharp look. "Tell her also that I'll be less forgiving after the Longest Night. If she consorts with Raphael de Mereliot while we're trying to get with child, I will dissolve our vows and set her aside."
I bowed my head. "Aye, your majesty."
His face softened. "They say you're good for her. I do believe it. Few folk would have had the courage to accuse her, and fewer still to come here to speak to me in person." He cocked his head. "I'm curious. I have men assigned to keep watch over de Mereliot. How did you know Jehanne had been with him?"
"Ohh…" I shrugged. "I know his scent."
The King blinked. "His scent."
I nodded.
"Elua have mercy!" He laughed shortly. "My wife and her bear-witch." He waved a dismissive hand at me. "Go, go to her. Take care of her. Tell her I'll see her on the morrow."
I headed for the door, grateful.
"Moirin." King Daniel's voice halted me. I turned. He picked up a sheaf of papers from his desk and let them fall, scattering. "These are petitions," he said. "Petitions from various members of Parliament urging me to send an embassy to Terra Nova. You're an outsider. Objective. And yet you're a descendant of House Courcel. I know Thierry's spoken to you. What are your thoughts on the matter?"
I hesitated. "I don't know, your majesty. I'm a child of the Maghuin Dhonn. I would have been content to spend my life in a cave if She hadn't willed otherwise. But since you ask, I will say that I think the peers of Terre d'Ange could use a better pastime than wagering on how many days will pass before the Queen makes a chambermaid cry."
He stirred the strewn papers with his fingertips. "Thirty-seven days and counting. Thank you for your honesty." He tilted his head at the door. "Now go."
I went.
In my chamber, I found Jehanne lying on her belly on my bed, still unclad, reading the treatise on apple propagation. She glanced up when I entered. I'd never seen her naked by lamplight before. In the dusky plant shadows, she looked like a creature spun of gossamer and starlight.
"Well?" she asked.
I closed the door softly behind me. "He was having Raphael watched. He knows, Jehanne."
She turned pale—or more pale. "Is he furious?"
"No." I sat on the bed. "He said you have his forgiveness. But he also said to tell you that if you consort with Raphael de Mereliot while you're trying