The Skull Throne
Page 92

Tears rolled down her nose in fat drops. She hadn’t even realized she was crying.
Creator, I think I’m in love.
She opened her mouth, wanting nothing more than to promise herself to this man and make his dreams come true.
But the words caught in her throat. He looked at her with such sincerity, such love, that she could not stand the thought of betraying him.
She pulled her hands away, taking a step back from him. “Thamos, I …”
“What is it, my love? Why are you not …” And then, suddenly, he put it together. Even without wardsight, she could see the change in his eyes as he stood.
“Night, the rumors are true,” Thamos said. “I had three of my men whipped for such talk just last week, but they spoke honest word. The demon of the desert. The man who conquered Rizon, killing thousands and filling all Thesa with a vagrant refugee class that will last for generations. You ripping stuck him.”
“And you stuck every maid in Angiers, to hear gossips tell it,” Leesha snapped. “I wasn’t promised to you when I lay with him, Thamos. We hardly knew each other. I didn’t even know you were coming to the Hollow.”
“Those maids weren’t killing by the thousand,” Thamos said, making no effort to deny it.
“If they were,” Leesha asked, “and you could slow their advance and learn their plans by bedding them, would you have hesitated?”
“So you were whoring, then,” Thamos said.
Leesha slapped him. Thamos’ eyes widened a moment in shock, then shut tight. His face was a snarl as he balled his great fists.
Leesha was edging her hand toward the pouch where she kept her blinding powder when he gave a shout and stormed away from her, pacing the room like a caged nightwolf. He gave another shout, punching the goldwood post of his great bed.
“Aaaahhh!” he cried, clutching the hand.
Leesha rushed to him, taking his hands. “Let me look.”
“Haven’t you done enough?!” Thamos shouted, his face a mask of anguish, reddened and tear-streaked.
Leesha looked at him calmly. “Please. You might have broken something. Just sit still for a moment and let me see.”
Thamos limply allowed himself to be led to the bed, where they sat as Leesha pulled his protective hand away and examined the damaged one. It was red, with the skin torn at the knuckles, but it could have been much worse.
“There’s nothing broken,” she said. From a pocket of her apron she took an astringent and cloth, cleaning and dressing the wound. “Just put it in a bowl of ice …”
“Is there at least a chance it’s mine?” Thamos’ eyes were pleading.
Leesha took a deep breath, shaking her head. She could almost feel her heart twisting and tearing in her chest. There was still a chance with Thamos, and she had just crushed it.
“I love you,” she whispered. “I swear it. If I could go back and change things, I would. I know I led you on. At first it was to protect the child, but only at first.”
“What was it after?” Thamos asked.
“Because I want to be your countess,” Leesha said. “More than anything, I want it.”
Thamos yanked his hand away, standing and beginning to pace again. “If that’s honest word, then prove it. Brew Weed Gatherer’s tea and flush the child. Start anew, as mine.”
Leesha blinked. It had not surprised her when her mother suggested it, and no doubt Inevera and Araine would want the same. Women could be cold about such things, when they had to. But she never thought Thamos would murder an innocent child.
“No,” she said. “I drank the tea once—without even knowing if there was a life growing in me or not—and it was the biggest regret of my life. More even than bedding Ahmann. Never again.”
“Augh!” Thamos cried, taking a vase and throwing it across the room. Leesha stiffened. Thamos had to work himself up to violence in the night. Why would it be different here? She rose as well, edging toward the secret door to the gardens.
And Wonda.
But again Thamos surprised her, the rage leaving him with a sigh as his shoulders slumped. His face was one of defeat as he turned to her. “You realize all Hollow County, and my mother, thinks it’s mine?”
Leesha nodded, weeping. Her legs turned to water, and she stumbled back to the bed, covering her face in a vain attempt to hide her sobbing. She sat there for long moments, wretched and convulsing, but then there was weight on the bed, and Thamos put an arm around her.
Leesha leaned in to him, wondering if it was for the last time. She clutched at his shirt, holding tight and breathing deep, remembering his scent.
“I’m sorry to involve you in this,” she said. “I didn’t expect you to start courting me, or that I would fall in love with you. I was just trying to protect my baby.”
“Protect it from who?” Thamos said. “No one in the Hollow would have harmed the child.”
“The Krasians would cut it from me, if they knew,” Leesha said. “Or worse, wait till it’s born and then take it from me, raising it to believe it’s the heir to the green lands.”
She looked at Thamos. “And your mother might take it hostage, too. Don’t deny it.”
Thamos dropped his eyes, nodding. “She would likely think it best.”
“And you, Thamos?” Leesha asked. She was pressing too soon, but she had to know. “A moment ago you could not go on without me. Would you see me imprisoned at court with your mother?”
Thamos slumped. “What am I to do? Rhinebeck still has no son. My mother thinks you may be carrying the next heir to the ivy throne in your womb. How am I supposed to tell her it’s the demon of the desert’s heir instead?”
“I don’t know,” Leesha said. “There’s no need to decide now. There’s been no formal announcement of my condition. Let’s just act normally and try to figure things out.” She squeezed Thamos’ hand, and when he did not pull away she leaned in for one last kiss.
Thamos jumped to his feet as if stung by a bee. “Don’t. Not now. Maybe not ever again.”
He took a step back, waving his hand at the hidden door. “I think you should go.”
Leesha sobbed as she slipped through the exit, running from the manse as quickly as she could without stumbling.
CHAPTER 17
GOLDENTONE
333 AR WINTER
The Angierian heraldic coach looked out of place in the Hollow, but Rojer would have known it anywhere. He and Arrick had ridden in it countless times back when his master was still in Rhinebeck’s favor.
Only now it belonged to Jasin Goldentone.
Rojer’s bow skidded off the strings as the coach pulled up in the Corelings’ Graveyard, escorted by a dozen Wooden Soldiers on sleek Angierian coursers. The other Jongleurs and apprentices, following his lead in the bandshell, ceased their playing as well, following his gaze.
Kendall caught his eye. “Everything all right? You look white as a cloud.”
Rojer barely heard her. His head swam with a mix of panic and fear, remembering the screams and laughter of a bloody night not so long ago. He watched, transfixed, as the footman lowered the steps and moved to open the carriage door.
Hary Roller put a hand on his shoulder. “Go, lad. Now, before you’re seen. I’ll give your regrets.”