Page 42 of Enamored
The queen kissed his hand as I had, her eyes filling with tears. Earlier, she’d beseeched the king not to go, to let Sir Ansgar lead Norvegia’s army against King Canute’s. The Knights of Brethren, especially Ansgar, had encouraged the king to allow them to go ahead and determine the magnitude of the threat.
But the king had protested staying behind, had wanted to lead his knights. His Sages had agreed the army would benefit in seeing their king in charge. He would show his prowess and strength, sending the message that he wouldn’t allow anyone to trifle with him.
With a final farewell, the king steered his horse in the direction of the gatehouse. Ansgar took his spot at the king’s side. As their horses’ hooves clattered against the stone path leading away from the castle, a battle was waging in my heart.
I wanted someone to free the sword as soon as possible to aid our army in defeating Swaine. But I also hesitated, my heart protesting much too loudly the prospect of being with anyone but Maxim.
Chapter
14
Maxim
Twenty-four hours. I’dstood as overseer of the Sword of the Magi for exactly twenty-four hours before Rasmus sent one of the Royal Sages to take my place. The line of noblemen continued to remain steady as more arrived from their family estates in the Richlande Lowlands as well as other port cities along the coast.
With the news of King Canute’s army marching into Norvegia, most of the nobility came with their retainers and villeins, ready to join King Ulrik’s forces straightaway after their detour to the royal castle for a chance to free the sword.
As I stumbled exhausted into my chamber, Dag met me and led me to my bed before I collapsed. I fell asleep forthwith. But as tired as I was, my sleep wasn’t restful and was filled with strange dreams about freeing the sword and using it to slay anyone who opposed my ascent to the throne.
When Dag shook me awake hours later, I realized I’d been allowed exactly twelve hours of slumber—likely by Rasmus. Only he operated with such precision. Dag laid out another new outfit from Rasmus—given in an effort to make me appear more important and wealthier than I truly was. I hastily began to dress, fearing Rasmus would send Elinor to my door again. All the while, I peppered Dag with questions about what had transpired over the past hours.
He informed me that no nobleman had yet been able to free the sword from its case. Also, word had just arrived that the king and his army had set up camp near the Valley of Red Dragons with the hope of blocking Canute and his army from drawing any closer to Vordinberg.
Before I finished donning my attire, a knock sounded on my chamber door.
“Hurry, Dag,” I whispered, slipping into my final shoe even as Dag attached my stockings.
Although I didn’t know for certain, I suspected Rasmus intended for me to free the sword and stand by Elinor’s side as her betrothed. He would therefore expect me to continue spending time with Elinor so that she would eagerly accept me even though I was a commoner. No doubt Rasmus would use her affection for me as a catalyst to change the law—or at the very least make an exception this once, convincing everyone that a man of my lowly status should be eligible to marry her.
The knock sounded again, this time louder.
My pulse kicked a punishing beat against my chest. It would be all too easy to continue doing Rasmus’s bidding and step in as Elinor’s husband. Because I wanted her. Desperately. I couldn’t deny it even if I tried.
My words to her came rushing back. I’d told her she was my everything. And that was the truth. I hadn’t spoken the words to win her affection and bend her to my will. Rather, the words had tumbled out without thought to ramifications... because somehow, in the process of spending time with Elinor, every single wall I’d erected to protect my heart had crumbled, leaving me defenseless.
She was and always would be the sunrise in the dark shadows of my life.
I swallowed a groan that needed releasing. The simple truth was that I cherished her too much, and I couldn’t use her any longer. No matter how that might infuriate Rasmus. And no matter how that might interfere with my future aspirations.
The other simple truth was that I’d allowed myself to become entrenched in Rasmus’s web of deceit. Somehow, I needed to find a way to extricate myself from his web before it became impossible to do so.
As Dag opened the door, I straightened my doublet and then quickly combed my fingers through my hair. At the sight of one of Rasmus’s scribes holding a scroll, I let my hands drop, unsure whether to be relieved or disappointed Elinor wasn’t waiting for me.
I hadn’t seen her since last eve when she’d approached Rasmus in the great hall and exchanged words with him, the second time that day. Though I hadn’t been close enough to hear her on either occasion, her body language told me she was angry.
I surmised she’d complained to Rasmus of his refusal to allow me a break, had perhaps even threatened him. That’s when Rasmus had permitted me to go back to my chamber. The princess might have believed she’d influenced Rasmus’s decision, but no doubt he’d been testing her to see how much she cared for me and putting her affection on display for everyone to see.
The servant handed Dag the scroll. “His Excellency would like Maxim to translate and study this scroll. In two hours, he should report to His Excellency’s chambers and be prepared to discuss the contents.”
I wanted to refuse, to tell the servant to report back to Rasmus that I was finished, that I didn’t care about my punishment. He could put me in prison for insubordination or send me to the Frozen Wilds to live out the rest of my days in solitude.
But I clamped my mouth closed and resisted. I would visit Rasmus in two hours and tell him myself that I was putting an end to whatever role he had carved out for me in his scheming.
I’d already betrayed Elinor enough with my dishonesty. And I wouldn’t do it any longer.
Elinor
At the patter of footsteps descending the stairwell, I jumped back into the hallway and flattened myself against the wall. I didn’t want anyone to see me heading into the Sage’s wing of the castle and guess I was on my way to visit Maxim. Surely such a rumor would cause a scandal for both of us.
