God & King (Book II the Realm) by J. L. Spohr

Author:J. L. Spohr [Spohr, J.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: J. L. Spohr
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

“Highness, what a pleasant surprise.” Daniel rose from behind his desk. “How may I be of service?”

“I’m so glad you asked, Your Grace.” She gave him a tight smile back. “I would like to see the letters from the king.” She heard Daniel’s men shift behind her. His secretary studied the rug.

“Please, Highness,” Daniel said, “have a seat to give you ease. I was going to bring you the letters.”

“Seeing them will give me ease,” she said, her facile look still in place.

“Of course.” He removed a chain from around his neck, a large gold key appearing above his collar. He gave it to his secretary, who used it to open a small box at his side. Inside the box yet another key was revealed, which Daniel used to open the bottom left drawer of his desk. He extracted five letters in a bundle and handed them to Anna.

She sat in the chair facing him and scanned them. The first three, in a clerk’s hand, reported the army’s progress. They had forded the Orlea, taking more time than planned. They were caught in a squall crossing the Truss Mountains and again delayed. The going was slow, but spirits and supplies ran high.

Even these dry records made her heart burn, knowing William had dictated these words, touched this paper. That somewhere, miles from her, he was still there.

But the last two letters stopped her breath.

“These are addressed to me,” she said, her voice deadly quiet. Daniel had the decency to blush. “These are personal letters, from your king to your queen.” She rose, all trace of playacting niceties gone. “There is nothing—nothing in them of import to you or the realm.”

She’d never seen him look so uncomfortable. “The king made it clear that all letters from the front should come through me, so as to not expose you—”

“Your instructions did not include reading my personal letters!” She slapped the letters on top of a neat pile on his desk, tipping the papers. “We’re to run court in tandem. You may not unilaterally decide what I will and will not be exposed to!”

“Majesty, my allegiance is ultimately to the realm, to keeping the king and his kin on the throne. While I may agree with you personally, my higher duty is to the heir you carry.” He gave her a pleading look. “Do you not see? If any word were to come that might upset you—any word that might cause you again to …” He looked at her belly, his eyes almost yearning. “You must know that I seek to protect your child, and that so doing means shielding you from undue pain.”

“Do you think me so weak?” Her tone was softer now. Daniel was no Robert, and she shouldn’t treat him thus. Still, his actions frustrated her. “Don’t you think I take every measure for the care of the babe?”

“Please accept my humble apology.” Daniel bowed his head, then looked straight into her eyes. “But also, please allow me to continue

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