Chapter 21
The sweetness of William's love surrounds, entombs me. I worship in his affections, bath in his joy and live in the rapture of his heart. Truly I had not begun to live till the day he kissed me, brought me out of my lifeless slumber.
Still in the darkness I lay next to him, my fingers dancing across his skin like flecks of moonlight. How beautiful he was like this to me. The Duke's son did not exist behind these doors; he was a man of want and lust, of need and love. He was a man that feared, cried, rejoiced and loved. No royal title would make him a better man, the man I adored.
For hours I gaze upon him, wondering why this beautiful man loved me. All those years in Duke Hammond's castle, listening to him lament over Snow. To have him here like this was but a dream, a girl's fantasy.
Yet, here we are, together. I bear his name and will soon bear his child. How far have we come from that foolish girl that gave all to love him and that impetus boy that thought he could love only Snow.
Grabbing my dressing robe, I make my way to the window. The moon shifting silver streams of light on the crashing waves below. My heart becomes heavy, thinking of Princess Flora, how desperate she must have become.
I clasp my hands over my heart, knowing if I lost my William I would do the same. But know I carry his child and am responsible for this small life. A part of me and a part of William grows inside me. I know I must do whatever it takes to see my babe born and healthy.
A dark blue dress lies over the dressing screen, its modest features exactly what I am looking for. I dress quickly, taking time to braid my hair over my shoulder. A stroll through the garden would be what I need to solve my sleeplessness.
The cold marble floors reverberate my footsteps. A bitter chill crosses my bare skin, making me wish I was still in bed with William. I scurry off to the garden only to find it occupied.
"Sorry, I did not know you would be here. Pardon the intrusion Eric." He takes my hand, helping me up the steps.
"Stay Lily, I welcome the company." I rub my arms, the chill still with me. He reaches for a blanket Snow had left and places it over my shoulders.
"The night air is crisp these days. Summer nights should be warm or at the very least warmer. I think this is the Baron's doings. He tries to poison the land just as Ravenna did." Closing my eyes, I lean back against the lattice. "I'm sorry Eric. I do not think I will be very good company." He laughs, his face half smirking.
"Nor I, m'lady. Snow has something on her mind and until she is ready to share it I will leave her with it. Do you know what makes her toss in her sleep?" I feel his gaze bearing down on me.
"She worries for her kingdom and for those she loves. She is a good Queen, Eric. In the midst of all of this she still holds court, speaking to those that need her, listening to their concerns. Eric, may I ask what do you know about Baron Grey?" I turn the tables; see if I can retrieve some answers.
"His castle lies just north of the Dark Forest. It would seem the forest protects him. We tried to gain entrance but were denied on every turn. The trees attacked us, noxious gases would feel our lungs, and the forest itself was fierce to battle. We lost men out there Lily, good men. After several hours William and I decided it was time to take a different approach. We wait for him to make a move. So far he has sent out small raiding parties to a few villages. He has made no move on the castle." Eric seems a bit uneasy, shifting across the bench.
"Thank you. I believe I will return to my bed and my husband." I stand only to feel my knees give way. Eric catches me, steadying my wobbling legs.
"I will walk with you back to your chambers." His eyes glance at me from time to time, his hands hanging loosing at his side.
We make it back to the cold corridor, my body shivering again. "You feel that too?" Eric rubs his hands together as if they were freezing.
He waits for me to open my door before entering his. I step in side, William calling for me. "Lily, come to bed love."
Sliding off the dress, I crawl back in the bed; William's arms instantly engulf me. I feel his lips on my neck and up to my jawline. He stops when he gets to my ear as he begins to whisper. "I hope all that activity hasn't tired you out. But then again, you did all the work."
I know my face gives off a brilliant scarlet light, remembering exactly what I did with him this very evening.
"A Lady does not kiss and tell my Lord." I hear his chuckle; feel his lips caressing my temple.
"So true you are wife. Rest my love, tomorrow is a new day." My body molds to his with my back to his chest. I feel his fingers swirling circles on my belly, hoping my growing form still pleases him.
Another week and my husband still spends his days with the Royal Guard, battling the Baron. By now I am certain for myself that I am with child. My flow has not begun and my body changes. I feel tenderness in my breast, my stomach rolls every morning resulting in me being bent over the chamber pot. William smiles with glee, knowing the truth of his impending fatherhood.
Fatigue plagues me daily as I try to go about my day. Clara takes up as my hand maiden, helping me bathe and dress. Snow spends what time she can with me, the raids on the villages causing her to spend more time in court than usual.
My dreams have all but ceased. No visions, no nightmares, only sleep. Even when I nap I see nothing.
Sirra calls on me one morning as I try to hold down my breakfast. She examines me, concluding what she already knows. "You are very much with child m'lady. Since your cramping has stopped and not bleeding is present, you may return to your wifely duties."
I scowl at her; wifely duties are the furthest from my mind.
At the end of another week, I lay alone in my bed. I reach out to William's side, fighting back my tears. My small bump reminds me that I am not alone. These three months of being with child have seemed the longest of my life.
A blazing light draws my attention to the window. I gaze out it to see the hills across from the ocean on fire. Running to Snow's room I find her gazing at the same sight. "What do we do cousin? He will see my kingdom burned to the ground."
We watch the blaze till it becomes a glow. Snow's tears soak her alabaster face. I hold her as she watches the once rolling green hills burn to a darken ash.
The sound of footsteps wakes me from my sleep. Eric taps me on the shoulder, calling out for William. I look upon my love's ash, smoke covered face. I leave Snow to her husband as I tend to mine.
Clara sends for warm bath water, Thomas making haste in the deed. Kneeling I start to bath William, his body limp in the tub. Sponging the warm water across his chest and down his long torso, I start to have those old feeling of want again.
With the last of the smeared smoke gone from his handsome face, I lay out his clothes. He takes my hand, holding it tightly. "No luckier man than am I. You are an angel my sweet Lily. "
He gazes down to my belly, the water having soaked my night shift. His palm stretches out across my expanded skin. "I will die before I let anything or anyone harm you or our child Lily, this I promise."
"I know you would my love and I would for you as well." I help him dress in plain tan pants and a white over shirt. He collapses in the bed, falling asleep quickly.
"Clara, send for some bread and cheese. William will be hungry when he wakes and a bottle of wine; he has had a very hard night." Clara goes off to carry out my order, leaving me to watch a sleeping husband.
Becoming restless again, I wander down to the royal library. Baron Grey was a Romani, a gypsy by birth. Whatever power he gained form this I would do my best to find it out.
The stories for the Romani people, the book my mother told most of her stories from. That is where I think I will start; hopefully the stories will give me an insight I do not have already.
Taking the book I settle on the chaise. Reading story after story, I find nothing of powers or dark magic. Then like an answered prayer, I find it.
The story before me was of a dark man with the dark touch. He was so vile so evil that nature itself recoiled from him. The story goes on to tell of how he was born without a soul, a prophecy of the Romani people.
And to a favored daughter shall be born a son. His father shall be wise among our people, a leader. This blessed daughter shall conceive by unnatural ways. Although her womb is barren the fruit shall grow. She shall bargain her soul for a son. This son shall be born soulless, his darkness concealed till he becomes a man. His touch shall destroy, his words casting out the venom of hell itself.
Could this be Baron Grey, could he truly be soulless, dark and demented. I take the ribbon from my braid, making the page. Quickly I make my way back to my chambers. "Clara, send for Snow and Eric. Tell Eric it concerns the Baron."