Chapter Fifteen
Tassin soon grew bored with Queen Mirrial’s company. She was a pleasant woman, but rather empty headed, her conversation limited to clothes, food, babies and her husband. Tassin allowed her mind to wander while Mirrial rhapsodised about the contents of her wardrobe. She had been with Mirrial for two hours now, and her patience was wearing thin. It was almost dark, so where was Victor? For that matter, where was Sabre? Had he been so angry that he had abandoned her? Of course, she did not need him now that she was safe amongst royalty again, but it irritated her that he would leave without her permission.
She interrupted the Queen’s detailed description of a velvet gown she had received for her last birthday. “Mirrial, I am expecting my man-at-arms to join me. Do you know if he has arrived at the palace yet?”
The Olgaran Queen looked confused by the sudden change of topic, her account of her peacock-plumed dress stumbling to a halt. “I have no idea. I would have to ask the guard sergeant.”
“Would you be so kind?”
Mirrial smiled and reached over to pat Tassin’s hand. “You have no need of a man-at-arms here. Do not look so worried.”
Tassin schooled her features into a placid smile. “Of course, but would you ask?”
Mirrial signalled to a hovering servant, and the man hurried over. Tassin looked around while Mirrial conversed with him, spotting two soldiers loitering in the shadows. When the servant left, she enquired, “Do you usually have soldiers so near your private quarters?”
Tassin sat with the Queen in her morning room, a place where soldiers were not normally found, and Tassin thought it suspicious. Mirrial gazed at the men. “No, but perhaps Xavier is concerned for your safety.”
Tassin frowned. “Why would I be in danger? Especially within the palace walls.”
“Well, naturally you may not be, but he is a cautious man.”
Tassin’s hackles rose. No would-be kidnapper could possibly get into the palace, never mind into the morning room. Besides, why would she be in any danger at all? Xavier did not know about Torrian. Or did he? No one else had any reason to harm the Queen of Arlin. If Xavier knew about Torrian, were the guards there to keep him out, or her in?
The servant returned and informed Mirrial, “Queen Tassin’s man-at-arms did arrive, Your Majesty. He is in the billets.”
Mirrial beamed at Tassin. “There, you see? All is well.”
“I want to see him.”
The Olgaran Queen recoiled. “Whatever for? He is a common man. He belongs in the billets.”
Tassin indicated the lurking soldiers. “So do they. If I am in danger, I would prefer to have my own man guarding me. He is very good.”
“Out of the question,” Mirrial said. “Foreign soldiers are not allowed to bear arms in the palace.”
“You can take away his weapons.”
“Then what good would he be? You are in no danger, I assure you.”
“Then get rid of those men.”
Mirrial sniffed in patent disapproval of Tassin’s peevishness. “That is up to Xavier.”
Tassin gritted her teeth at this flagrant evasion. Naturally, Xavier would be unavailable and the soldiers would have to stay. Mirrial had the power to dismiss them, but chose not to, which roused Tassin’s suspicions.
Rising to her feet, she said, “In that case, I will return to my lodgings in the city. I object to these hovering soldiers. I will feel safer with my own man.”
Mirrial rose too, clearly flustered. “That is not necessary. You will be far more comfortable here. An inn is no place for a queen, really!”
“I may do as I wish, and I wish to leave.”
Tassin spun on her heel and swept out, brushing past the astounded servant. The soldiers clumped after her, doubtless on Mirrial’s order. Tassin got as far as the main hall, where Xavier stepped out in front of her. He looked unhappy and tugged his beard, his eyes avoiding hers.
“I understand that you wish to leave us.”
She inclined her head. “Good news travels fast.”
Xavier clasped his hands behind his back and rocked on his heels. “I am afraid I must insist that you stay.”
“Insist?” Tassin’s brows shot up. “What sort of hospitality is this, that a guest may not leave when they wish? Or am I no longer a guest? Perhaps prisoner would be a more accurate description?”
“There is no need to get upset.” He made a soothing gesture. “Your betrothed, King Torrian, is on his way to collect you. You have been through enough foolish hardships. Now it is time to return to the life to which you were born.”
“And how much has he promised to pay you, to hand me over?”
“He merely expressed his concern at your strange behaviour, and asked that I inform him should you arrive here.”
“Well, you have informed him,” she retorted. “So now I shall leave.”
“I also promised to detain you.”
“I see. Did it ever strike you that Torrian is not my betrothed, and I am being forced into a marriage to which I object?”
“That is not my business. You will remain in your suite until he arrives.”
Tassin drew herself up. “So if I choose to walk through that door, you will order your men to lay their hands on me?”
“Unfortunately, yes. I hope it will not come to that, for it would pain me to treat a queen so. I urge you to remain in the palace, and spare us both a great deal of embarrassment.”
“Is my man-at-arms also a prisoner?”
“He is being detained, certainly. You must not think of yourself as a prisoner, merely an honoured guest.”
“An honoured guest who is not allowed to leave is a prisoner. Obviously you do not wish to continue your alliance with Arlin.”
“Most certainly I do,” Xavier protested. “You misunderstand. I am trying to help you.”
“You are helping my enemy. I declare our alliance at an end.”
Xavier eyed her, and she revised her opinion of him, deciding that he looked rather cunning. “Once you are wed to Torrian, it will be for him to decide with whom he wishes to be allied.”
“I will die before I wed Torrian, and if not, he will die shortly thereafter. When you throw a snake and a mongoose into the same pit, one will always die, usually the snake.”
Xavier beckoned to a hovering servant. “Show Queen Tassin to the best guest suite.”
Tassin swung away and followed the man, her mind in turmoil as she cursed Torrian with fresh venom. Only he would sink to bribing the king of a poor country to ensnare her. Her only hope now was to offer marriage to Victor, but where was he?