Page 22 of Knight of Havoc
“I can talk to the empress—”
“And tell her what?” she bellowed, turning to face him. Her hands became fists at her sides before she continued. “Will you ask to take his place? Commit yourself to me as you did to Johanna?”
“I do not know that she would give us permission to wed since I do not have the wealth and security that Warin could offer you,” he said honestly and for the first time in his entire life, he wished that things could be different. Wymar had had the family’s name and lands rightfully returned to him, which was as it should be. Theobald had been forced to wed but it turned out to be a love match and he gained more than just a wife with his union to Ingrid. But where did this leave Reynard without his own title and lands? He supposed he was at the mercy of the empress and what she might bestow upon him, but he did not wish Elysande to think he would only wed her for what she, too, would bring him.
Another sob escaped Elysande before she squared her shoulders and wiped away her tears. She came to him and placed her hand upon his cheek. “If only things were different and we had perchance met in some other place in time. You would be so easy to love if you were to open your heart to me, Reynard…”
Her words trailed away and she offered him the smallest of smiles. Going onto the tips of her toes, her hands went to his shoulders, and she leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss upon his cheek before she fled from his side.
The sound of the bolt sliding to allow her to leave caused him to turn, but he only had time enough to watch her rush through the door once she opened it. He should have gone after her but somehow he could not move. The warmth of her lips upon his cheek had almost been his undoing and suddenly the vow he made to himself years ago no longer mattered. Nothing mattered but somehow having Elysande in his life. Somehow Elysande had crept into his heart and he wanted her to stay there. Hewould speak with the empress at the first opportunity. He could not have his lady marry another…
Chapter Sixteen
Elysande tried tokeep 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.
