***

Modina had just left Arista’s room and was passing Degan’s half-open door when he called out, “Hang on there!”

She pushed the door open and stood in the threshold, looking at him.

Tall and still very thin, he sat in bed propped against a bank of pillows. “My chamber pot needs emptying, and the room is starting to stink. Wanna get in here and take care of it?”

“I’m not the chambermaid,” Modina replied.

“Oh? Are you a nurse? Cause I’m still not feeling well. I could use some more food. Some beef would be nice—steak perhaps?”

“I’m not a nurse or scullery maid, either.”

Degan looked irritated. “What good are you, then? Listen, I just got out of the dungeon, and they literally starved me. I deserve some sympathy. I need more food.”

“If you want, I can walk you down to the kitchen and we can find something there.”

“You’re joking, right? Didn’t you just hear what I said? I’m sick, I’m weak. I’m not about to go rummaging around like a rodent.”

“You won’t regain your strength by sitting in bed.”

“I thought you said you weren’t the nurse. Listen, if you won’t bring it to me, find someone who will. Don’t you realize who I am?”

“You’re Degan Gaunt.”

“Yes, but do you know who I am?”

She looked at him, puzzled. “I’m sorry…I don’t kn—”

“Can you keep a secret?” he asked, leaning forward and speaking in a conspiratorial tone.

Modina nodded.

“As it turns out, I’m the Heir of Novron.” Modina feigned surprise and Gaunt grinned in reply. “I know—I was shocked, too. I only recently learned myself.”

“But I thought Empress Modina was the heir.”

“From what I heard, that’s just what the old regents wanted everyone to believe.”

“So, do you plan to overthrow the empress?”

“Don’t need to,” he said with a wink. “I heard she’s young and beautiful, so I figure I’ll just marry her. I also hear she’s popular too, so I can benefit from the goodwill she already has. See how smart that is?”

“What if she won’t marry you?”

“Hah! Why wouldn’t she? I’m the Heir of Novron. You can’t do no better than that.”

Modina noticed Gaunt looking her over more intently. His tongue licked his upper lip, sliding back and forth. “Say, you’re kinda pretty, you know that?” He glanced past her, into the hallway. “What do ya say you shut the door and slip on over here?” He patted the covers.

“I thought you were sick and feeble.”

“I said I was weak not feeble, and I’m not that weak. If you won’t get me something to eat, the least you can do is help warm my bed.”

“I don’t think that is the least I can do. Yes, I can definitely think of less.”

He furrowed his brow at her. “You know, I’m gonna be the emperor just as soon as I get well enough. You might want to be nicer to me. We can keep this thing going, even after the wedding. I expect I’ll have several ladies in waiting, if you know what I mean. I’ll be taking good care of them, too. This is your chance to get in early and be the first.”

“And what exactly does that mean?”

“Oh, you know. I take care of you. Give you a room here at the palace. See that you get some fine dresses. That kind of stuff.”

“I already have those things.”

“Sure, but you might not after I take over. This way you can make sure that your future is protected. So, what do you say?”

“Remarkably, I think I will pass.”

“Suit yourself.” Gaunt waved her away. “But hey, if you do see a maid, tell her to get her ass in here and get rid of this pot, okay?”

When Modina reached the stair, she met a gate soldier climbing up.

“Your Eminence.” He approached, bowed, and waited.

“Yes?” she asked.

“A man at the palace gate is requesting an audience.”

“What? Now?”

“Yes, Your Eminence. I told him it wasn’t possible.”

“It’s getting kind of late. Ask him to see the palace clerk in the morning.”

“I already told him that, but he says he and his family must leave at first light. They came for Wintertide, and he wanted to make one last attempt to see you before departing. He said you would know him.”

“Did he give you his name?”

“Yes, Russell Bothwick of Dahlgren.”

Modina lit up. “Where is he now?”

“I had him wait at the gate.”

When she lived in Dahlgren, the Bothwicks had been as close as family. They had taken her in after the death of her mother, and the excitement of seeing her old friends overtook Modina. She trotted down the stairs to the main entry, causing the guards to rush to open the huge double doors for her. Modina hurried into the snowy courtyard and regretted not bringing a cloak the moment she stepped outside. The night was dark, and as she crossed the courtyard toward the front gate, she realized she could have used a lantern as well. Seeing Russell and Lena was too good to be true. She would give them the finest suite in the palace and stay up all night reminiscing about old times…better times.

As she passed the stable, a voice close by said, “Thrace?”

She spun around and was surprised to find Royce there. “What are you doing out here? Come with me to the gate. The Bothwicks are here.”

“I want you to know I am very sorry about this,” Royce told her.

“About what?”

He had a sad expression in his eyes as one hand clamped over her mouth. She struggled for a moment, but it was over quickly. The last thing she heard was his voice whispering in her ear, “I’m sorry.”