The Born Queen

He suddenly felt breath on his lips.

"Hush," A

She smelled like the wine and apricot and fresh green apple. Her tongue searched against his, and his whole body flashed hot. He fumbled his wine down and stood, reaching for her head, cupping behind her ears, and drawing her up against him. She laughed and pressed close.

Cazio took a breath-and lifted his head.

"Wait," he said. "What-what?"

"I had to shut you up," she said, reaching back up with her mouth. "You would have gone on like that all night. Come on; you know you wanted this."

He released her and stepped back a little. "Well, yes," he said. "But you weren't interested, and then Austra…" He floundered off.

"So all of those things you said in Vitellio, when we met, and on the road home were nothing, just lies?"

"No," he said. "No, but it was before I knew who you were and before-"

"Austra," A

"No good for her but fine for you?"

"I'm different," A

"But not you?"

"Once, maybe. Not now."

"Well, I've no intention of hurting Austra," Cazio said.

"No. Otherwise you might do something like, oh, kiss her best friend."

"You kissed me!"

"That's how you tell it," A

"Now, wait," he began, suddenly feeling that everything was out of control.

A

"What?"

"If you really love Austra. If you're really faithful to her. If you can be trusted."

"Oh," he said, his head whirling. "Then this was all for her?"

"Well, it certainly wasn't for you," A

Cazio did as he was told, desperately trying to sort out what had just happened. He'd felt more competent on his brother's boat, and he not only knew nothing about the sea but never felt adequate around his brother. He tried to sneak a glance at A

When he'd first met A

So why did he want to grab A

A light rap at the door caught his attention. He glanced up and saw that it was one of A

"Majesty," he said. "Duke Artwair of Haundwarpen begs a word."

"Yes, of course; send him in."

A moment later the duke appeared, an imposing man with steel-gray eyes and close-cropped hair. One of his hands was made of wood.

"Majesty," he said, bowing.

"Cousin, it's good to see you. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

He smiled uncomfortably. "I was riding in the area."

"That's an odd coincidence. This place is rather out of the way."

"Indeed. I was riding in the area because reports were that you were here."

"I see. You've come to collect me. Is that it?"

"You are the empress," Artwair said, "I ca

"My people have seemed rather pleased to see me freeing their towns from torture and oppression."

"Yes, I agree. Your…adventures…have made you very popular. But now some begin to wonder if you are neglecting the larger issue of the war that seems sure to come."

"I've you to general my army."

"And you've an army to do the sort of thing you've been risking your life at these last few months. And this place-why did you come here? A monastery in the country, not so far from the Hansan border. Have you any idea how exposed you are here?"

A

"The last what?"

"The last of my 'little adventures,' as I was just telling Cazio. When I'm done here, I'll return to Eslen, I promise."

"Well, you've reduced the place," Artwair pointed out. "What more did you have in mind?"

"Don't you know where we are?" A

The duke's eyes widened. "You wouldn't-"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"B-because that is the business of the Church," Artwair sputtered.

"A Church I have stripped of authority in my kingdom," she pointed out. "Of temporal authority, yes," Artwair said. "But this is different. Here you are definitely stepping into the realm of the sacred."

A

"I don't understand," Cazio said.

A

Artwair's face was still red, but the expression on it was turning thoughtful.

"It's an interesting idea," he said, "but a dangerous one. Forget the ire of the Church-"

"Done," A

"Well. Forget it, then. But you aren't the first worldly ruler to try this, you know. Twenty years ago, Marhgreft Walis bribed the monks to let his bodyguard walk this faneway."

"And?"

"There were ten of them. Seven died walking it. Another went mad immediately."

"And the other two?"

"Were very good bodyguards. But the sacrifice-"

"Even bribed, I expect, the monks were loath to give up the power they guarded," A

"I'm just urging caution, Majesty."

"I know. But the enemy has Mamres monks and knights that ca

"Nor do I dispute it. Just be cautious."

"I shall. And then I shall return to Eslen, I promise you, Cousin."

Artwair left, and Cazio stayed close on his heels, looking more than a little relieved to be leaving her presence. She poured herself more wine, took a swallow, and went to the window.

"What have I done?" she whispered to the faintly visible evening star. She closed her eyes, but lightning seemed to flash there and made her mind busy. Her body was humming head to toe with desire.

She and Austra had been best friends for all of her life. She loved her like a sister and in a moment had betrayed her.

She wasn't entirely stupid. She'd known her feelings for Cazio had been changing these last few months. Despite her first impressions of him, he'd proved more reliable and noble than any knight she had ever known with the possible exception of Neil MeqVren. He was also handsome, amusing, and intelligent.

And Austra's now. She'd tried to keep that firmly in her mind. But Austra should have known better, shouldn't she? Austra knew what A

"What sort of friend is that?" she wondered aloud.

She knew that she probably wasn't being completely fair, but who was there to hear her?

Austra had no place in a fighting force and had proved that by getting injured on their first ride against the gallows of Brithwater. Nothing serious, but she'd sent her back to Eslen. These last few weeks, without her maid around, she'd felt that something was happening between her and the swordsman, something inevitable.