Later that day, Melinda walked through Oakheart's many corridors heading after the feast and to her chambers. The king was due to arrive soon, a group of scouts had arrived that afternoon informing the council that Jim had passed through Stone Hedge saying that he would be with them within the next few days.
The queen had to admit to herself that she welcomed the prospect of Jim's return. She had not expected to be in love with whoever was to be her husband, such things were unexpected in a highborn marriage.
When her father had betrothed her to Rick Payne originally, her heart had sunk at the prospect. Rick was a monster, one that she had thankfully never met, but from everything she heard he enjoyed war. He enjoyed killing people, and that was not something any kingdom needed in a ruler.
Melinda knew she would share a small measure of power, but that was all. She had resigned herself to a loveless marriage and hoped that children and power would offer her some solace. There was not likely to be either with Rick.
Somehow, God had lifted her from that bleak future and rewritten her destiny. For that, she would be forever thankful. Jim Clancy was much the better match. He was strong, handsome, and virulent. And he desired her in a way that she never wanted Rick to have a chance to.
What's more, he valued her. He appreciated her mind and sought, and heeded her advice. A woman could expect no more in this world.
The queen hoped, believed, that she would be granted official powers from her husband once they were in the capital and things were back to normal. The power to act autonomously on his behalf if need be.
Jim knew he was an awful politician. He was from a culture that was blunt-talking and honest speaking. That would do him no good on the throne for anyone but the people from the north. He needed her and he knew it.
She paused in her thoughts, realizing just then how much she needed and desired Jim in return. Melinda's hand went to her belly and stroked affectionately.
Soon, my child, your father will be back with us.
During the day, whenever she had ventured from her rooms on some business or other, Melinda had seen servants looking at her in an odd fashion and talking to themselves in muted tones. Her efforts had yielded fruit, she realized and could see the tale that the queen was with child had definitely made its way around the castle rather quickly.
The thought of Jim's return now excited her even more. He hoped his reaction in person when he finally saw her would make up for everything, she thought as she absently stroked her belly, remembering the last time she was with her husband. The night their child was conceived.
Smiling at the memory, Melinda returned to her chambers. It was just past midnight and she hadn't intended to stay at the feast as long as she had, but it had been quite entertaining even with the sour mood around the castle since Harold York passed away.
She nodded to the guards as they admitted her, and waved off her two handmaidens as she entered. The hearth fire burned keenly, heating the chamber. She stood in front of it for a moment letting it warm her and then heard a sound from her inner bed-chamber.
Melinda walked into the room which was lit by several candles. Here she identified the source of the sound that had disturbed her thoughts and saw Sera and Katherine were talking to one another in hushed tones in the corner.
Even though the light was low she could see that Sera was, or had been crying, but upon seeing their queen enter the room the two girls stood from their chairs and curtseyed abruptly.
"Sera? What on earth is the matter?" She asked, making eye contact with Katherine who gave only a shrug.
Her handmaiden could not meet her eyes. "It's nothing, your grace," Sera whispered, her voice trembling as much as her hands were.
"Sera," Melinda said warningly, but kindly as she stepped closer. "Do not lie to me. You've been crying and I would like to know the reason why."
"Honestly, it's nothing, your grace." Sera cried, still not looking up. "It's just me being silly. You don't need to know the reason I was upset, I swear."
The queen turned to her friend then and they talked in hushed voices. "Katherine, do you know what this is about?" She asked.
Katherine looked nervously between her and then back to the handmaiden who sat beside her. "I'm not sure, Melinda…"
A flash of anger crossed her face. "Do not play games with me, Katherine," she said, her temper was threatening to burst after everything. "I won't have you give me such a dumb answer when you know the answer to what I am asking you. What is going on?"
Katherine straightened and sighed. "All I know is that Sera has heard another rumor going around the castle, your grace. It upset her." Her friend gave her a warning glance, but she ignored it.
The queen felt the beginnings of a headache. Melinda reached gingerly to massage her temple with her fingers. "I see," she replied, closing her eyes to the pain as she soothed her head. "What was this rumor?"
"It's nothing but lies!" Katherine said firmly. "You don't need to hear it."
When Melinda turned around, she noticed Sera nodded vigorously as well. "Well, lies or not it was enough to upset Sera. So what was it?" She asked again.
The handmaid's eyes remained focused on the floor, refusing to look up, but her friend took a deep breath and turned toward her. "I hear a rumor that the king had taken a lover on the road," Sera told her meekly. "Some whore was apparently seen visiting his tent at a late hour after a victory near Silverhill."
"What is this nonsense?" Melinda asked, her eyes were angry and her fists clenched. "Who is saying such things?"
"The rumor is being talked about all around the castle, your grace," Sera said, her face sad as the girl finally raised her head to look at her queen. "It was the scouts who rode in a few hours before the feast that said they were part of the advance guard heralding the king's arrival in Oakheart tomorrow."
"I am aware of when the King will be arriving! He is my husband," Melinda said angrily and looked from Katherine, who was standing as still as a statue, to Sera who was wringing her hands and beginning to cry again. "Stop fucking crying Sera and tell me the rest, now!" She ordered, yelling now, all sense of kindness and compassion gone from her voice and face.
"The details are a little scarce and as Lady Katherine said, they are baseless, " Sera said, she took shallow breaths, "but the word is that after a small battle was won on the road and the royal host made camp... the king was accompanied afterward by some woman in his tent for some time." The girl looked miserable telling her this and she felt just as bad for practically beating it out of the girl. "And then she was seen leaving rather hurriedly toward Lord Buckley's tent. Though I'm not quite sure why she would be going there."
No! That's not possible. The queen was struck mute for a moment. Melinda's hands went instinctively to her stomach. She felt like she had aged a decade in less than a minute and an awful silence descended on the room.
"I'm so sorry, Melinda," Katherine said and tears had begun to form in her friend's eyes. "I wouldn't believe it. Not until you know the truth. It's nothing but baseless gossip."
"Like Ned's bastard?" She asked harshly, meaning to have only thought it in her head, but it was still the truth.
Katherine only eyed her quietly before she turned to leave, and with a simple look from Melinda, Sera left quickly as well. When they had both left the room, she moved to sit on the edge of her bed, trying to keep steady breathing and trying even harder not to cry.
Ned had a bastard child sired with some noble girl he hardly remembered. Would Jim do the same?
The candle slowly burnt down, the fire from the hearth guttered and died, the sputtering embers being insufficient to hold back the cold night chill that blew through the rooms' large window. Melinda hardly noticed. She was so taken with her own thoughts that the diminishing light and creeping cold was nothing to her.
It felt nothing like the cold she felt inside.
She sat, shrouded in a shawl on the window ledge overlooking the rushing red river. Inside the castle, this was, by far, her favorite place. It allowed her an unobstructed view of the Tumblestone as well as the sight of all the area southwest of the castle, including the River Road.
How many nights had she sat here thinking of Jim? Wondering where he was, what he was doing, whether he was safe. She stifled a sob. Whether he was thinking of her.
She wiped her eyes of the tears that had started. God, she felt like such a fool.
Melinda glanced at the door to her chambers. Part of her was angry that she gave the vile rumors that pervaded the castle any credence at all, but after she heard it she had dispatched her handmaidens to find out more. She had had Katherine flirt with one of the scouts and find out all she could. Plus, it had come at a good time. Her friend had wanted to make Prince Ned as jealous as he could be, being that he'd embarrassed her.
To her dismay, Melinda had been unable to find holes in the telling of her husband's activities. All of the stories agreed that the king had been victorious at beating some remaining rebel soldiers that tried to attack them on the road and that his squire Alexander had been knighted near Silverhill.
It was a cause for celebration and many soldiers rode to the brothels in the two nearby villages. Jim had not been seen at the brothel, but whores always made their way through the camps whenever they hear of the arrival of rich men, and one of them had been seen entering and leaving the king's tent at the late hours of that night.
"Please," she prayed, looking into the night. "Please God, let Jim stay true to me."
On the outside, the issue of her husband's inconstancy presented very little problem. Lords were unfaithful to their ladies all the time and the numbers of bastards in the realm were prolific. On the inside it was different. It always was. In the few months since she met the king, Melinda had come to love Jim.
True, she had been sent north to win his affection but she had never expected to fall in love as well. It had surprised her, and of course, love had made her vulnerable to pain. The fact that she had been so foolish angered and scared her in equal measure. That being said, part of her refused to believe it. Jim had always seemed like an honest man, honorable and true.
This was the thought ever-present in her mind, but no matter what she did she could not shake the feelings of betrayal. What if it was true? Maybe he had taken advantage of being away from her, but maybe this whore wasn't even the first. And so it went, round and round like a monster feeding on itself until she was an empty shell of herself.
If the rumors were true, Melinda's own abilities were suspect. She had been taught from a young age to read people and to understand them completely. Until recently, she would have wagered all she had on the fact that Jim loved her and that he did not have it within him to be unfaithful to her.
If he had then she couldn't trust herself. That was perhaps the worst pain. It couldn't be true. If nothing else Gabriel had just ridden from the capital according to his most recent letter. Melinda knew her brother would be able to settle this. The likelihood of Jim betraying his wife when her brother was acting as his bodyguard now was laughable, but there were ways around even that…
She had to shake the thought from her head and return to her bed. She needed sleep and would find out the truth tomorrow.
The next morning came too soon and yet not soon enough for the suffering queen. As her handmaidens knocked and entered to prepare their mistress for the day ahead they were disconcerted to find Melinda wide awake and staring at the chamber ceiling. The queen barely registered their presence as the girls busied themselves around her. They might as well not have existed for all the attention she gave them.
Finally, Katherine could delay no longer. "Melinda, forgive me," her friend was sympathetic but firm. "We've had word that the king will be here within the hour. You should get ready for his arrival."
Must I? Who cares if I stay in my bed? I could just blame it on my condition.
Melinda looked at her dear friend and the girl had a stubborn look on her face. After a silent struggle between them, Katherine broke the silence.
"It is your duty, Melinda," Katherine stated resolutely, her mouth setting and her eyes drifting away. "It would be unthinkable for you not to be in the courtyard to receive the King."
Curse the northerners and their notions of duty. Where was Jim's sense of nobility when he slept with another woman?
She nodded slowly and rose from her bed, walking into the center of the room and standing there in her simple shift. Within moments, her handmaidens had removed it and got her into a bath. Melinda did not say a word as they bathed her, cleaned her skin, brushed under her fingernails, and poured scented water through her hair. All she could think about was her husband abed with some whore and before she knew it she was out of the water and being dried off in the middle of the room, before the roaring hearth that warmed her skin.
She felt none of the usual pleasure she received from such attention. Slowly and with their usual efficiency, Sera was the only handmaiden left in the room and she readied her for the day ahead, having prepared her silver-green dress that hung off her shoulders. Its intricate pattern seamlessly incorporated aspects of the north and the south. Then Sera went on to do her hair, having gathered her long braids and set them high up, holding them in place with ornate silver pins shaped like roses, a nod to her family's sigil.
As the girl finished, Sera stepped back respectfully so that Melinda could regard herself in the full-length mirror in front of her. She had to admit she looked stunning. Her dress hugged her figure in a flattering way, her hair and skin shone. She looked every inch the queen she had always wanted to be, but she didn't feel any bit of happiness about it.
It wasn't supposed to be like this.
She had longed for the day she and Jim would be together again, and now it's sullied by the rumors that were making their way around the castle like the bloody flu.
"Thank you," she said with a slightly warm, but fake smile. "Leave me."
Her handmaiden curtseyed and quickly made her way from the room. She turned to see Katherine was standing near the chamber door looking apologetic.
She sighed, "Yes, Katherine, you can stay. What is it?" She asked.
Her dearest friend walked right over to Melinda. They had been friends since they were children, but somehow even Katherine couldn't console her. "I wanted to tell you…tell you that..."
"Go on," she urged with reluctance coiling in her gut.
What now? Please let there be no more bad news.
Katherine straightened and looked at her. "I just wanted to say to you that I, for one, refuse to believe the rumors coming out of the west and so does Ned. You should too."
"Oh?" Melinda said, her voice barely above a whisper. "You do?"
Katherine stood directly in front of her and held her hands, "I had the honor of attending you at your wedding and I saw, first hand, how the king looks at you and how you are together. Anyone with eyes could see how much he loves you." A defiant expression gripped her friend's face as she took a deep breath. "I refuse to believe that Jim would ever be unfaithful to you."
Oh, Katherine. She could tell from the loyal friend that the girl was, that she truly believed that and it was priceless. She had no idea how much Melinda wanted to believe in Jim too. It wasn't that easy. Not when everything was pointing toward betrayal.
"That doesn't appear to be the story coming out of the west, sweet Katherine," she whispered, shaking her head. "It's hard to ignore it all."
"I know. It has been just as hard for me to push past all of this nonsense with Ned," Katherine said, stubbornly shaking her head. "I haven't done so completely yet, but maybe with time, it will become more clear. I know after several discussions with him myself that the king wouldn't betray you. He couldn't. It's not in his nature."
Poor girl, you've read too many fairy tales. It's in everyone's nature, Melinda thought darkly. She willed away the black mood that threatened to engulf her and smiled. "Thank you for telling me that, Katherine. It means a lot to me," she said sincerely. "You are a good and loyal friend, and your words have helped me see some slim chance of hope."
Katherine smiled sadly, and then took her to leave. She knew of many others who felt the same as her friend, but they were outnumbered by the ones who believed her husband to be the same unfaithful man most men were when it came to their wedding vows.
Lady Faith had even tried to speak with her numerous times, but Melinda had refused to grant her an audience. She was not ready for a conversation with Jim's mother just yet, but now, it appeared she was out of time.
The queen stood by the window watching the view of the west when suddenly horns broke through the morning air. She discerned movement at the tree line some leagues away, only visible to her because of the height of her chamber. Without warning, a screen of scouts emerged from the trees spreading out and making for Oakheart. In the distance, she could make out a column of troops winding their way down the River Road.
At their head, surrounded by his honor guard was the King. Jim sat astride a gray horse as he rode confidently toward the castle. Without warning, she watched as her husband turned in his saddle and shouted something over his shoulder. Jim spurned on his mount and the animal broke into a gallop.
With a holler of triumph, his honor guard followed, breaking away from the main column and making for Oaheart at speed. As the small group neared Melinda could start to make out her husband's face. Her heart flipped as Jim rode hard for the castle before him. Was he riding to see her?
Melinda put her hand on the side of the wall beside the window to steady herself. An involuntary sob uttered forth from within her. She realized she had spent the last two days being so angry with him the last two days that she had forgotten how good it was to see him alive and well, that the fears for his safety that had gnawed at her constantly for months were unfounded.
Jim, my sweet, sweet Jim. My love. He would be in her arms against today and sleep beside her tonight.
Melinda turned quickly and walked from the room. It's time to put this issue to rest. She hoped her faith in him would prove worthy.
The queen entered into the courtyard at Oakheart just as the first of the honor guards arrived through the gates. Melinda sidled up and, unobtrusively as she could, took her place at the center of the waiting dignitaries. She saw Faith Clancy give her an intriguing look but refused to meet the other woman's eye.
Not now. Later. God willing, perhaps not even then, she thought.
The smallfolk of Oakheart had gathered to cheer their King. While some shot her knowing looks, others looked upset, and clearly felt for their queen. At least she knew that her efforts to win support among the people was met with some success.
More riders came through the high archway that marked the entrance. The smallfolk and nobles had lined up in the courtyard as their king entered. Jim wore no helm and smiled broadly as the denizens of his great uncle's castle cheered. He urged his horse towards a group of them, waving left and right, but when he looked down, his eyes sought hers.
Melinda stared up at her husband's deep blue eyes but she refused to match the smile he gave her. Jim's grin faltered slightly and his gaze moved back up. He waved at the people one more time and then kicked his legs out of his horse stirrups and deftly landed on the ground in front of her, he handed the reins of his horse to a waiting squire.
"My queen." He said brightly and stepped closer to her. "You look… radiant."
Melinda had no choice. "Thank you, my king," She said, coldly, and curtseyed before him as was expected of her. "Welcome back to Oakheart."
Protocol dictated that the king take her hand, either kissing it or perhaps her cheek, but he did neither. Jim reached under her arms and lifted her from her feet. Twirling her around, he set her down and sought her lips with his own. Jim hungrily kissed her and for a brief moment, the turmoil of the last few days faded away. The crowd went mad for the display of affection.
The cheering and hollering went up considerably, the sound deafening in the enclosed space of the courtyard. Melinda gave herself to the moment and returned the embrace, having missed her husband being so close and in her embrace. But, after a few moments, he withdrew and was smiling at her broadly. This time she returned it, though it lacked a lot of the usual warmth she would have offered him.
He quickly moved to one side to hug his mother. "I'm so sorry about grandfather, mother," he said but fell quiet when Faith whispered something in his ear as they parted.
A look of concern crossed Jim's features but this was quickly replaced by one of sympathy as he came face to face with Harrison York and they shook hands. Lastly, he was met with Prince Ned and the two brothers clasped arms and embraced.
Looking uncertain, he returned to her. He placed one arm behind her back and drew her to him. He angled them both around so they faced the people. Seeing their king and queen together once more the crowds' cheers increased once again in volume. Melinda could feel Jim looking at her from the side and sensed his eyes on her. He knew something was wrong. Perhaps he knew that she knew because of Faith's whisper in his ear.
She turned her face to offer her husband a wide smile as she waved to the people. With a troubled face, Jim did likewise though with less enthusiasm than she had. After a few moments, the royal couple turned and walked back through the main doors to Oakheart's interior. They walked hand in hand for a few moments through the hallway.
Finally, the king pulled her around to face him and took both her hands in his. "My God, it is good to see you again." Jim breathed, leaning in to kiss her.
She avoided the touch of his lips in private. "I am pleased to see that you are safe, your grace." She told him.
"Pleased?" Jim looked a bit indignant, "I would hope for more, my love."
Melinda looked over his shoulder, past the king. Through the doorway members of his honor guard were starting to troop through the wide-open door. The men, and one woman, were swapping jests and laughing.
After a quick search of their faces, she looked up at Jim. "Where is my brother?" She asked.
Jim smiled. "He's safe, my love." He told her. "I've sent him ahead to Shadow Creek with Lord Harrison in order to ensure the man will court his choice of a Dillard bride before the wedding."
"I see," she muttered, her harsh tone reflecting her frustration at Gabriel's absence.
Her husband frowned and looked apologetically at her. "I'm sorry my love I should have thought you'd want to see him first, but I owe him my life several times over and when he asked to be my great-uncle's personal guard I did not think to refuse him."
They've quarreled. Melinda thought. Her brother would have objected to the way Jim treated our marriage vows and he'd sent him away before she could see him.
"He has been of use to you then?" She asked, politely, dropping the subject for now.
Jim's eyes lit up. "Oh, absolutely. He and his men are fantastic fighters. They've cut through the rebel's lines like you wouldn't believe. Then there's Lord Buckley. The man's a marvel at warfare. I must write to your father and compliment him on the quality of his men." He chuckled quietly, "Between you and me I'm tempted to sit the war out and let Harrison and Lord Buckley deal with the enemy themselves while I stay in bed with you."
"You can't get me pregnant twice, Jim," she muttered, with a slight eye roll.
Jim looked at her adoringly. "But I'm forgetting myself. Are you well my love?" Before she could protest or move away, he reached out and lightly placed his hands on her stomach. "How are you feeling?" She could see his earnestness in the way he asked the question and felt herself melting.
"I'm quite healthy thank you." She replied, dutifully. "I had thought you would reply to my letter, and I received nothing."
The king smiled sadly. "Yes, I do apologize for that. I did not want my letter to be intercepted by the enemies." He offered his arm, which she had no choice but to accept.
Together they began to walk towards the far wall that would take them away from the courtyard and the milling crowds. Melinda knew she had to keep up appearances. She linked her arm around her husband's. "How was the campaign?" She asked, attempting to make small talk. Just as she was taught in Aurora by her mother.
"Almost a complete success," Jim replied, nodding and smiling to a group of nobles occupying one corner of the room. "With the exception of Rick Payne slipping through our hands, this war is all but finished."
"You must be pleased," she replied.
Jim eyed her, puzzled. "Well, I think we should all be pleased. The south, west, and the Riverlands are secure." He took on a solemn expression. "If we can just liberate the north then this mess of a war would be over…" He left the next bit unsaid.
There was much left unsaid between the two of them that night.