Chapter Sixteen

E lysande tried to keep her gaze forward when she was brought before the Empress in her solar. The room was filled with knights and her lady attendants. Reynard and Richard stood against a wall near a window and were as still as any marble statue that Elysande had ever seen. There was a brief moment when Reynard's steel grey eyes flickered to meet hers when she entered but now there was not any sign of emotion from him… absolutely nothing.

Reynard and Richard were not the only ones she recognized. Blake Kennarde and Kingsley Goodee were also present, as was Constantine Warin who hovered relatively close to the Empress. A sly grin and a slight nod of his head told Elysande much. Whatever the reason she had been summoned to the empress and this chamber, Constantine had been informed and was pleased about it. Her eyes took in the rest of the knights who were here as they all began to bow. Some she had danced with during her time here at Oxford Castle. Others, she had been introduced to even if she barely knew anything about them. The world of the court was still strange to her—so different from the quiet life she had left behind.

"You must be wondering why I have brought you to my solar, Lady Elysande," the empress began, sitting down in a chair that dominated the room. Another throne for the lady's pleasure and to show she was in charge of all.

"I am at your service, my Empress," Elysande murmured bowing her head. When she raised her eyes, they met Beatrix's and there was no way Elysande could miss the concern that washed over the lady's visage. Something was happening that involved her, and she could only dread what was about to happen to change her life once more.

The empress drummed her fingers on the arm of her chair until her gaze swept the room. "As Lord Constantine informed you—without gaining my permission first…" her head turned whilst one brow rose in his direction to show her displeasure, "he has asked to take you as his wife."

"Please, my Empress…" Elysande began but the lady held up her hand to halt any further protests.

"He is not the only one who has come before me to attempt to lay some claim upon you," the empress said with a slight smirk. "Norwood has also done so. He is one of my most faithful knights, but he and Constantine are not your only potential suitors. Several of my other nobles who are in this room have also expressed interest."

Elysande turned her attention to Reynard but he continued to stand at attention, still without any sort of emotion lighting his face. That he had gone before their empress to ask to marry her filled her soul with joy but there was still more here and she was afraid what might come next. The empress continued.

"Grancourt would make a suitable husband for you, but he has assured me his affections lie in another direction—not that I believe such a falsehood. But that is of little matter when there are other men who have stepped forward to be considered. So now all that rests is to make my choice as to what response I should give." The empress stood and began to pace. "I have thought long and hard on what I might do to resolve such a situation with so many vying for your hand, Lady Elysande."

"I continue to be your most humble servant," Elysande said quietly. What else could she say? Whatever was about to happen, she could do nothing but obey.

"You are more than aware of how those who have sworn their fealty to me have suffered when the usurper and his men ransacked the land in their wake. Castles lie in ruins along with their fields, people are starving, and the winter months will be long and cold. You have experienced this yourself, have you not?"

"Aye. Blackmore is in desperate need of repair, Empress," Elysande said as she again surveyed the room of knights.

"Aye. Norwood has informed me of the condition of Blackmore and the reason he insisted you travel with him," the empress replied and she once again took a seat.

"I was most grateful for his… offer," Elysande replied and for the first time since her entrance, she saw the briefest hint of a grin light Reynard's face before the mask fell back into place.

"Since there are many who would make you a suitable husband, I have decided to have a tournament with the winner to be granted your hand in marriage." The empress seemed satisfied with her solution and sat back in her chair. "I am sure my people will enjoy a small diversion to distract them from the burden that fills their lives."

Elysande's mouth hung open in surprise before she snapped her lips shut. It was only then that she could find her voice and thoughts. "And when will this tourney occur?" she dared to ask, trying not to let her voice be colored by her disbelief that her life would be determined by the winner of a game.

"I will plan the occasion for the beginning of April. That should see most of the winter's snow gone from the land and will give you the next several months to spend time with your… suitors."

"April…" was the only word she could squeak out past her lips.

"I know… you are too overwhelmed to convey your gratitude for such a brilliant idea." The empress waved her hand in the air as if this tournament would be the answer to all of Elysande's problems. 'Twas so far from the truth of the matter that she wanted to run from the room.

"My Empress, if 'twould please you, I would like to ask you to reconsider," Elysande said bravely, trying to hold on to her strength of will even though she knew such a suggestion would not go over well.

The empress sat forward again and gripped the arms of her chair. "Reconsider? Whatever for, dear girl? The people will have a tourney to attend to fill several days with merriment, and you shall find yourself a suitable husband who will be worthy of you. Why should I change my mind when I put a fair amount of thought into your future?" she warned with a frown.

"I only thought that mayhap—"

"You would do well to adhere to my suggestions, Lady Elysande, and become obedient to my directives," the empress commanded.

"Aye… of course, my Empress," Elysande said even as she swore her knees were about to buckle.

"Norwood," the empress said summoning her knight to come stand before her.

Reynard bowed. "My Empress," he declared, holding his position until he was ordered to rise.

"See that Lady Elysande is escorted to her chambers. I fear the surprise has been too much for her and that she must needs compose herself before the evening meal."

"'Twould be my pleasure," he answered holding out to Elysande. "My lady… shall we?"

Elysande took hold of the support Reynard offered after she curtsied to their monarch. The moment the door closed behind them, her knees gave way and she found herself once again in Reynard's arms.

"What am I to do?" she asked as despair washed over her like the darkest cloud.

"Obey, as we all must," Reynard suggested as he began to help her down the dimly lit passageway. Once they arrived at her bedchamber, he opened the door. She expected him to leave but instead he, too, entered the room and slid the bolt.

Elysande went over to a table that held a pitcher of wine and poured herself a chalice. Once she took a drink to calm her nerves, she offered the cup to Reynard. He stepped forward, taking hold of the goblet and then turned the cup so he could place his lips where hers had just touched the rim. A lover's gesture that was clearly deliberate and one she could not overlook.

"You asked to wed me," she said as the thought of becoming his wife filled her heart.

"Aye." He did not give any further explanation and she waited for him to continue. Instead, he gave a heavy sigh and returned the chalice to her without another word.

"You said you would speak to the empress, and you kept your word to me, Reynard. I appreciate that you made an attempt to ask for my hand," Elysande said, placing the cup back down on the table. The bedchamber seemingly grew small with this warrior towering over her in the room.

"As you saw for yourself, there were others who had already spoken to our empress," he finally declared. His words were not necessarily what she wished to hear and yet she appreciated that he spoke the truth all the same.

"I honestly do not understand why I am of such interest to those men. My holdings are small in comparison to others and are in need of extensive repairs. I can hardly be considered an eligible match when there are others who are far wealthier than I," she murmured whilst a frown formed on her brow. "Why me?"

Reynard stepped forward taking hold of a lock of her black hair. He twirled the tresses around in his fingers and Elysande held her breath pondering what he would do next. They were alone in her bedchamber and she knew she never should have allowed him to bolt the door, but she was not about to ask him to leave. His hand dropped off of her hair and he then took hold of her about her waist bringing them close. She swore she could feel the heat of his body and hers trembled knowing he was near.

"You are a rare beauty, Elysande Thorburn of Blackmore. Any man in his right mind would be happy to take you as his bride," he said whilst one of his long warm fingers traced its way down her cheek causing her to shiver in delight. Those steel grey eyes pulled her into his web, and she swore she was lost all over again.

"Including you, Reynard Norwood?" she dared to ask.

"Most assuredly, my lady," he said with a slight chuckle.

Her hands came to rest on his chest and she could feel his muscular build beneath the fabric of his tunic. "And what of Johanna?" she inquired softly knowing how much the woman of his past had meant to him.

"What about her?" He brought them closer, the feeling of his nearness so overwhelming that Elysande was barely able to hold on to her thoughts about another woman. But no, this was important. She needed an answer.

"You must know I have to ask. Will I only be a replacement for her?"

"Nay. You are the only woman in my life and Johanna is where she belongs. A distant memory and nothing more."

The right words, but did he mean them? Only time would prove the worth of them. For now, she could only move forward and live each day as it came. After all, Reynard would not be the only knight who wanted to wed her. But when his hands came up to cup her cheeks and he began bending forward, Elysande could only think of the kiss that was just waiting for her. Their breaths mingled on a heartbeat and as they stared into one another's eyes, she saw the future that awaited her with this man.

A heavy-handed knock on her door broke them apart and they heard Richard's voice on the other side of the portal, demanding Reynard return to their empress. He quickly placed a hasty kiss upon her lips before he headed toward the door.

"Reynard," she called out as his hand was about to slide open the bolt.

"Aye?"

"About the tournament…"

"What about the tourney?"

"What do you plan to do about it?" she finally asked, voicing her concerns that she would be married to some other stranger.

"Do about it?"

"Aye. What do you have planned?"

He came rushing back to her and kissed her hard as though taking possession of her this very day instead of months from now. She could only stare up at him in wonder when he finally let her make an attempt to catch her breath. 'Twas impossible for he had stolen it from her. She watched him return to the door to leave as she waited for his answer.

"I plan to win!" A cocky grin lit his entire face. He gave her a hasty salute and left her standing there in awe.

Her handsome knight had a plan after all and the coming months would be sheer torture whilst she awaited the day she would learn exactly who would be her husband.