Chapter 25

I woke with a determination I had not known in some time. The need to flush out the truth drove me to discover it. Rain Bassett had cast her darkness upon my kingdom and my love ones yet again. Before the sun would set this day I would know the truth and cast the harlot from my lands.

Eric watches me intently, his blue eyes locking on to mine. "Snow, are we in a hurry this morning. You barely chewed your food."

"I am husband; there is much to be done today. Rose and I will be in the throne room if you need us." I kiss his cheek as he takes my hand.

"Rose is tagging along today? Are you taking Hope as well?" He kisses my hand and lays it upon his cheek.

I rub the scruff around his face, my thumb gliding across his lips. "Lily is keeping Hope today; she is taking the children to the lake. Rose will tend to Willow until she needs nursing. I do not wish for her to be far from my side. Are you and William riding out to the Romani village?"

"Aye, we are. Snow, when you touch me like that it does things to me. I know I must wait till you are better but you are making it very hard." I grin at him, my playful mood showing itself.

"I'm making it or you very hard." His blue eyes flash up at me, surprise dripping from them.

He pulls me into his lap, kissing me so passionately I want to give in to him right there. He pulls up from me, want and love gleaming from his face. "Wife, you best go before I change my mind." I slide from his lap and quickly feel his hand swat my behind.

"Eric!" He shrugs his shoulders, taking another sip of his cider.

Rose brings Willow's cradle to the throne room, making a place for her in the visitor's seating area. I straighten my dress and pull at my cuffs as I wait for Farron to bring Rain in.

Rose looks up to Farron, as if she's admiring his features. His wavy auburn hair and blue eyes set off his square jaw and long graceful nose. He is an attractive man, still early in his years. Rose did seem to be smitten with him and she had fallen out of favor with Seth as late. Perhaps when the matter of Ms. Bassett was squared away I should sort those two out as well.

Farron bows to me, presenting Rain. "Ms. Bassett as you ordered my Queen. Will there be anything else?"

"Yes, stay close by Farron. I may have need of your sword should things go aria." He bows to me again, standing close by.

I wave for her to come closer, having Farron bring a chair for her. "Rain, there is much to discuss. This can be a civil discussion or an unfriendly one that is your choice."

Rain leans back in the chair, her hands rubbing her large belly. "You want me to say this child isn't William's and I cannot. I remember that night in the wagon; he was so beautiful lying there. I was under the books spell, my will not my own. William is a beautiful man and my want for him still stands. But me acting the way I did was not me my Queen; I would have never harmed him in that manner. I remember being naked, my body aching to join with him. He welcomed me, my power over him complete. I took him in, his body and mine mingling in the night. He said he loved me as he spilled his seed inside me. I pulled his pants back up, leaving him to rest. You see my Queen, this baby is William's and I am in love with him. That book Lily burnt was only part of my powers. We Romani women are strong with magic but most deny themselves the taste of it. From the moment I laid eyes on William in the forest I knew he was the one. He will remember in time that he made this child with me and we will be together. Lily can never love him the way I do, he will be mine." Her smug looked makes me cringe. Without realizing I was doing it, I raise my right hand and smack her across the face.

Her eyes water and she looks quiet startled. "Lies, all lies Rain. I have no doubt you still have some magic and still plot to take William away from Lily. What you do not see my dear is William loves Lily; his heart will never be yours. True loves binding can never be broken. William would never make love to you, not even if spelled. His love for Lily is too strong. I know this to be true, I've seen it. His kiss brought Lily back from the brink of death. Rain, you have failed."

I walk victoriously back to my throne, my heart thumping in my chest. Rain wipes the blood from her lip, her green eyes blazing back at me. I return her gaze, my eyes just as intense.

"True love you say. If that be true then why did he give himself to me? Believe me or not little queen, but William Hammond was mine that night, all of him." Her smug grins curls back on her lips. I pull myself from my throne, ready to wipe it from her face again.

Rose approaches me, her blue eyes showing just a glint of giddiness. She leans down to my ear, her hand covering her mouth and whispers. "Duke Hammond and Ms. Bassett were not alone that night my Queen, Rebecca was witness to it all."

Joy and rapture seems to fill the air, as I understand what Rose is saying. I wave for Farron to approach me, whisper for him to retrieve Rebecca Connelly and have her brought to the council room.

When Farron returns he simply nods at me to let me know his deed is done. I excuse myself to the council room, Farron standing guard over Rain.

Rebecca smiles at me, her hands knotting into her dress. I sit and she follows suit. "Rebecca, I need some answer and I believe you have them. The questions may be a little unsettling to you, I know you wish to forget the night Rain took you but I must know."

"I will do my best my Queen." Her voice was smaller than I remember and her eyes looked so haunted.

"Where were you when William was tied to Rain's bed in the wagon?" I try to keep my voice small as well, trying to put her at ease.

"She had me tied to the wagon door my Queen. I never left the doorway. She came in twice, checking on Duke Hammond. She took off his boots and shirt then disrobed herself. She laid her naked body over his, her hands running all over him. I didn't wish to see what she was going to do to him so I turned my face. She screamed and I turned back to them. She was trying to revive him, slapping his face and shaking him about the shoulders. I watched her slip her hand into his trousers, it made me ill. When she did not get the affect she wanted she pulled her hand back out and screamed again. I watched her kiss him but he never kissed her back. When he woke she tried again to have her way with him but Duke Hammond never showed any inclination of wanting her. I saw the loathing and hate in her eyes when she told him she would kill Lily so they could be together. Duke Hammond was beside himself with anger; he cut his wrists pulling to his bindings. Is there anything else I need to tell you? Farron said you may need to know if Duke Hammond and Ms. Bassett were together that night." Rebecca closes her eyes as tears begin to roll down her cheeks.

"William and Rain never had relations; he never touched her in that way?" I reach my hand out to her, her own hand shaking.

"No, of course not my Queen. Duke Hammond is an honorable man and loves Lady Lily very much. He fought to keep Rain away from him. Most men would have given into her cunning ways but not he. His love is strong as is his will." She holds my hand, her fingers gripping mine.

"At any time were they alone?" I had to make sure.

"No, I never left Duke Hammond's side and Rain did not care if I was there. I think she forgot I was my Queen." Rebecca sounds steadier now, more herself.

"I am sorry but I have to ask Rebecca, at any time was William naked? Did she remove his trousers?" Rebecca's cheeks blush fire red, her face turning from me.

"No, never. She unlaced his trousers but they were never off his hips my Queen." I pat her hand, trying to calm her.

"One last question Rebecca, were you spelled to do Rain's bidding?" Rebecca lowers her head, covering her face with her hands.

"No, I brought her the book and those items willingly. I did not think any harm could come of it. The only spell she cast was her charm my Queen. I hurt for her, felt sorry for her, that is my fault. I will never be able to face Duke Hammond or Lady Lily again; they were in danger because of me." I brace my arms around her shoulders till her sobbing ends.

"You have done well Rebecca, you may leave now." She dashes out of the room, her tears beginning again.

I had the truth I need and now it was time for Rain to own up to it. I would know the truth, would know who fathered her child. The Romani people are good people and just like my subjects there are always those who craved what they could not have, what was not theirs to take.

I go to Farron and have him send for River; perhaps her tongue will loosen with the right leverage.

After attending to Willow, I hand my sleeping babe to Rose. I go back to the throne room and await Farron's return.

River enters his head bowed down. "Forgive me my Queen. How can I serve you?"

"If you know the true parentage of this child speak now." I wait for him to answer.

"My Queen, my sister has not left my side since she was branded and took no lovers as we traveled her. The only man I know that she could have been with is Duke Hammond. I cannot say if they did lie together, I was with Lady Lillian during their time together." He steps back from me, lifting his eyes slowly.

"Very well then, the only solution to the predicament is to take the child from Rain after it is born. William and Lily will raise his child as their own. Because your sister still possess some power she is a danger to my kingdom so you and your people are here by banded from Tabor. If you return it will be upon pain of death. I will allow the elders to stay on." River glances up at me, his green eyes full of helplessness.

"My Queen, my people will starve before we make it to our lands. Please, can you not show us some mercy?" He clasps his hands together, bending down on one knee.

Rain bounds to him, throwing her arms around him. "Please River you have to help me. They mean to take my baby and corrupt it. You cannot let them take my child from me, I beg you. William will want me here; will want us to raise our child together."

River pulls her off of him, watching her crumple to the floor. "You have done this to us Rain. You and your agenda to win the heart of Duke Hammond. Our people will be homeless and some may die. They will take our babe and our homes and there is nothing we can do to stop it. You have killed us all."

River walks towards me, extending his hand. Rain jumps on him clawing at his face and pulling his hair. "You will not betray me River, you will obey."

Farron approaches with his sword drawn. I take the dagger from his belt holding it to Rain's throat. With a handful of long dark hair, I jerk her head back. "Let him go or you will spend the night with Sirra. If you were not with child I would end you, you gypsy trollop."

Rain releases River, her screams bouncing off the throne room walls. Eric flings open the door with axes in hand. "Snow!"

I wave at Farron to go to him, throwing Rain to the floor. "I am fine Eric, take Rain to her quarters."

Eric glances at me, giving me his concerned look. I wink at him, making him smile.

River and I go to the throne room, River looking completely drained.

"Tell me what she would not allow you to River. You are safe here." He takes a deep breath and begins.

"Rain is strong with Romani power but the book made her stronger. Once it was burned she lost her strongest magic. When she found that damned book she linked us together, binding my soul, body and mind to her. We are twins in every way my Queen. Her lust for William has driven her to madness. He is all she wants, all she thinks about and she even concocted this story to win him from his wife. He truly does love Lily and that is why I knew she would never win. My Queen I am sorry for my part in this for aiding her in this lie. I am ashamed to say the child she carries is mine." I feel the room spin around me, his words reverberating in my head.