Chapter Thirteen

Nori woke alone again. She'd have to speak with Gavin about leaving their bed without waking her to say goodbye. She wanted his skin on hers, his lips pressed against hers. She blushed at the memory of all they'd done the evening before. Then she remembered her grandfather and Buckingham and that Rory's father would be showing up soon. Feeling guilty for not thinking of any of that first, she jumped from bed and did a quick job of washing and dressing.

She was delighted to see Cris when she opened the door.

"You're okay!"

Cris gave her a cocky grin. "Of course, my queen."

"I was worried when Gavin said you rode off after Robert and those with him."

"I assure you, I was never in any danger."

"It feels like that's what all of you are in. Constantly," she murmured. "Don't think I've forgotten why I was brought here in the first place."

"Because you're our queen," Cris suggested.

"Because I was a pawn in a game between kings," she replied. "One taken to prevent a war."

"War Kings and their warriors don't fear war," Cris told her.

"I'm sure they don't, but maybe those who love them do," she offered, thinking of Rory and the baby she carried. Nori startled at the sudden thought that she might be pregnant at this point. If not, it was only a matter of time. The thought of losing Gavin the way her mother had lost her father was inconceivable.

"What are you thinking?" Cris asked, giving her a curious look.

"That War Kings and warriors think awful highly of themselves," she fired back. "Why no one holds a candle to any of you, do they?"

Cris grinned. "I'm glad you realize that."

"I realize you are as bad as my husband," she countered but grinned back before turning and making her way down the hallway. "I plan to check on my grandfather before breaking my fast."

Cris nodded then bowed at the shoulders. "After you, my queen."

The soldiers outside the door moved out of the way when they approached. Cris knocked on the door once before pushing it open. Whatever he saw must have appeased him as he continued, pushing the door wide, so she could enter. A soldier was in the room with her grandfather and another man. She realized quickly the second man must be her grandfather's private physician.

"How's he doing?" she asked softly, taking in the sleeping form on the bed.

The physician glanced up then stood quickly when he saw her standing there. He bowed his head to her.

"He's resting, m'lady. He managed to rip the stitches Lord Kingsley's healer used to close the wounds. I've given him a tonic to help him sleep then redressed the injury to ward off any infection. His temperature has risen slightly. I'll keep a close eye on him until he's out of the woods."

"A temperature?" She knew how bad that could be. "How did he rip his stitches?"

"I understand he left this room last night to speak with your husband and obtain information on the man responsible for him lying here."

Her gaze went to his face. "You know who I am?"

His smile was soft, kind. "You look like your mother, Queen Montrose."

"You knew my mother?"

"I have been your grandfather's physician for a long time. I knew many people in his family. Rosamund was the light of his life. She was as kind and beautiful as her mother. You look remarkably like her," he offered. "Now then, you should head below to break your fast. There's nothing you can do here. I'll keep watch and make sure you're kept informed."

She moved to the bed, not acknowledging the man's words. Instead, she sat beside her grandfather, taking his limp hand in hers as she leaned close to place a kiss on his brow. He was warm to the touch but thankfully not burning.

"I'll have those stories from you," she whispered to him. "Rest. I'll be back to check on you soon." She glanced over at the physician, who nodded at her words.

She rose then glanced down at her grandfather for a long moment.

"Don't let him die."

The physician swallowed, his glance going behind her to where Cris stood.

"I'll do everything in my power to see that our king survives," he promised.

"Your king," she replied without thought. "My grandfather."

"My queen." Cris pulled her attention then nodded at the door. They were halfway down the hall before she spoke again.

"Why did he leave his room when he was recovering from an arrow wound?" She shook her head before Cris could answer. "To make sure my husband didn't kill Robert. Why? He can't possibly want to pardon the man responsible for putting an arrow through him."

"He wants justice to be his and knew my king would want the same. They came to an agreement, and King Montrose sent your grandfather back to his room with firm orders to stay put until he was healed enough to be about," Cris told her.

"What agreement?" Nori asked, not sure if Cris would answer her or not.

"Buckingham will face our king in battle. Normally, it is a fight to the death, but Phillip wants Buckingham to die…" He paused, clearing his throat. "In the manner befitting treason to the crown."

"Decapitation," she murmured, knowing what the price of betraying king and country entailed. "Gavin will grant my grandfather's wish as long as he's the one wielding justice."

"Yes, my queen," Cris confirmed.

She nodded, not saying another word as they made their way to the great room below and the head table where Rory sat with Marcus and Genevieve, Lord Kingsley, Serena, and Jo. She wasn't sure where the others were and didn't ask. Gavin would be putting things in place for Robert's execution, which is what it would be. He wouldn't stand a chance against a man of Gavin's strength and cunning. She should feel something for Robert since she'd been a part of his household since she was an infant. Maybe, if he'd ever treated her with kindness, she'd feel some remorse for what was coming. He hadn't, and so she didn't. She was glad Justin wasn't alive to see what had come of his brother, though.

"Queen Montrose," Lord Kingsley greeted her, waving his hand toward a server nearby. "It's lovely to see you this morning. I hope you slept well."

She kept her gaze down as she thought of all the things she and Gavin had done before she'd drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.

"Very well," she agreed as she took a seat beside Rory.

Rory immediately grabbed her hand and squeezed it as she leaned in. "Are you okay?"

Nori nodded. "You?"

Rory shrugged, but Nori noted the lost look in the other woman's gaze.

"He hasn't arrived yet," Rory told her. "Jamie went to meet him. Serena's father and Geoffrey went with him."

"Is that a good idea?" Nori couldn't help asking. War King Jamie Drake wasn't known for his ability to put people at ease. Plus, he was fiercely protective of his wife. If he thought Rory's father was unworthy of even meeting her, there was no telling what he'd do.

"Geoffrey and my father are with him," Serena offered. "It will be fine."

"It helps that Rory's father never knew Rory's mother was pregnant or even where she was sent. Apparently, Phillip told him she'd been given in a political marriage," Jo told her.

"How do you know that?" Nori wanted to know.

"Your grandfather's physician," Genevieve shared. "He took one look at Rory when he arrived this morning and knew exactly who she was."

"He cried," Jo added.

"Apparently, he knew my mother," Rory said, tears brimming in her eyes and spilling over. "Told me how beloved she was."

"He said Anne was a woman of beauty and grace, and that Rory favored her in both," Jo continued, grabbing Rory's free hand and squeezing.

"He knew my mother also," Nori told them, leaning closer to Rory. "But I still don't understand how a commander in the army wouldn't know what had been done to your mother."

"He wasn't as high ranking at the time," Lord Kingsley said. "Rowan York was merely a foot soldier, but even then, he had a presence about him. I met him a few times in those early days and have seen him a few since. He might never have been knighted, but he's an honorable man. Had he known what happened, he would have died trying to save the woman he loved."

"But wouldn't he have heard something? It was news when Lord Montrose and his daughter were both taken. I remember Baron Buckingham speaking of it," Nori told them.

"Montrose's daughter," Marcus said. "From what I've been able to find out since Rory and Jamie married, no one knew who Rory's mother was at the time. Only that she was wed to Montrose with the king's approval."

"He would have kept it quiet, just as he hid who you were," Lord Kingsley stated. "I saw Montrose several times and never suspected Rory wasn't his daughter. I'm sure Phillip believed he was protecting both of you."

No one said anything, but Nori saw the judgment on the faces around her. She didn't blame them. Her grandfather had made numerous mistakes, especially when it came to her and Rory's mother. He should have kept them with him. Should have protected them by loving them and keeping them close. There was no changing the past for any of them, and she refused to let it harden her. She'd find a way to forgive him. Even if no one else could.