James could not help but let out an annoyed sigh as the three women approached.
He blamed himself for their appearance. James had thought of the older daughter while talking with Shanna, so naturally the universe would send her walking across his path soon after he re-entered the palace. That's just how things worked. The blonde Lusia was with her dark haired mother, and younger sister, whose hair matched their mother. If one did not know better, it could be assumed there were different fathers involved. Maybe there were, but given the husband was blond James was willing to believe it was just normal genetic randomness.
The three stopped where they were in the hall, curtsying with well practiced grace. Resigning himself to at least a moment's conversation before making his way to that evening's dinner, he stopped before them, bowing his head slightly.
"Ladies."
"Your Grace," Lady Jasinski replied. Her head came up, regarding him with confident eyes. "We have not seen you much these last few days."
"Business," he replied. To be truthful, he usually forgot they were around. He had offered the family a few unused rooms in the palace, temporary lodging. There was no point sending them off to live in a tent while more permanent housing was created. A thought crossed his mind. "Your husband has returned to the mainland?"
"With our son. He felt we were better off staying here, for now." Of course he would. James knew where Ludoslaw and his son would be sleeping, and it was no place for well-bred ladies... at least, the ladies in question would think so. James nodded.
"I trust your accommodations here are suitable. I will see to arranging housing for you in the city as soon as possible."
"No hurry," she said, too quickly. James caught both of the daughters rolling their eyes a bit. That amused him. So too did the mother quickly changing subjects. "Your Grace, if I may be so bold, it occurs to me that while you have met my daughters, you have not been formally introduced to the young ladies. Perhaps, if it pleases you..." Lady Jasinski trailed off, obviously seeing something on his face. So. This one, too, wanted to toss her daughters into the Queen sweepstakes. He couldn't blame her, but that made it no less annoying. He glanced at the girls again. Those blue eyes of the eldest seemed to laugh. Not at him, but at all around her. The younger, not even as old as Ewa's little brother, had eyes more innocent but no less lively. He had a thought.
"Lady Jasinski," he said, turning to the woman. "I'm on my way to my usual evening meal with my closest companions. Perhaps you and your daughters would care to join me?"
"Oh! Of course!" She glanced at the two girls beside her. "If you will give us time to freshen up..."
"Nope," James said, grinning. "I'm hungry, and this is not a formal meal. Let's go."
He motioned them to proceed. Ewa would be upset, but what better test for the blue eyed Lusia than to have her face Ewa's wrath?
If nothing else, he'd have his entertainment for the evening.
****
Shanna approached Piotr's quarters with dread.
She could delay this. SHOULD delay this. She should just go home, eat, get some food in her belly. Maybe come back in the evening. Or tomorrow. Tomorrow would be perfect...
Shanna entered the Mounted Royal Guard's common room. Only one of his men was there, Godko, a lithe brown haired soldier not much older than Piotr. All his men were in their late teens, if still strong and well trained. His father had probably not wanted the young Piotr to feel unworthy of leading true adults. A training wheel, she felt, he no longer needed. Not that these were poor soldiers. Not as good as hers, true, but...
"Shanna."
Godko's greeting was less formal than usual. More, there was a tone she was not used to from the man. She paused, frowning, arms crossed over her chest.
"Evening. Piotr here?"
"Yup." His head motioned towards the closed door. Again, his tone. She nodded.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome." His eyes never met hers. Not liking this, she moved across the room. Now it felt like the teen's eyes were on her. Shanna had a crazy desire to whirl, catch him in the act. That would be childish, though. Stupid. Reaching the door, she knocked.
"Piotr."
There was a pause. There was never a pause. Unless he was asleep? He shouldn't be. Piotr wasn't one to nap. She placed her hand on the door handle, just as his voice came from inside.
"Come in."
He was standing before the small room's one window, looking out at the stable yard. The quarters were neat, functional. Those of a single soldier, whose focus must be kept on defending the King. Shanna's self designed "fort" was a palace by comparison. She didn't feel guilty about this, although at times she felt she probably should. The small, thin bed was neat, although from the slight wrinkling of the blankets he obviously had been sitting on it earlier. Stepping into the room, Shanna closed the door behind her.
"Hi."
He turned as the sound of the door latching filled the silence. His face was one of sorrow, disappointment. Shanna's heart sank. This... this was not going to be good.
"Rumors are spreading, I see," she said, trying to keep her voice light. His head cocked a bit, mouth almost a frown.
"Are they true?"
"Which ones?" She shrugged. "I'm an evil Elf loving bitch, apparently, which we both know is true on all counts. What have you heard?"
"You were in town? With Anelie?"
"Yeah. Did some shopping. Saw the announcement of the Royal Dance go up."
"Were you holding her hand?"
Shanna blinked.
"I..." She tried to remember. Had she held the girl's hand? She had thought about it. Maybe she had. And... if she had, so what? She frowned. "Why?"
"I thought you were MY girl."
He was jealous. The guy was jealous. Well... shouldn't he be? That was why she had come here, right? To deal with all this, to be honest with him.
Only Shanna had not expected news to beat her to her fiancé.
"Look, Piotr... it's only Anelie. You know how she is."
"Oh, I know how she is. I know she's crazy about you. Follows you everywhere. Probably wants you to dump me and marry her, or something perverted like that."
"That... that's not perverted."
He was silent. Anger built in Shanna. She had been over this with him. About Ola being gay, about it being OK. Had he just been humoring her? Or had she been foolish to think a few words could overturn deeply held cultural norms? She crossed her arms over her chest.
"So what the fuck is the problem?"
"Are you my wife?"
"No." His eyes shot open. Shanna realized what she had just said, realized it had NOT been what she wanted him to hear. Her hands shot up, palms out, voice pleading forgiveness. "I mean, not yet! We're not married yet!"
"You're acting like we're not even together!" Piotr stepped forward, fists clenched. "Tell the damned girl 'NO'! It's not that hard! Do you see me with any of the young girls chasing after me? No! I send them away at the first sign of flirting, because all I want is you! Why can't you do the same?"
Why couldn't she?
"Look..." She stepped towards him. "I'm sorry. This... it's a misunderstanding, that's all. Anelie said she had never been to a Ball, and I told her she could go. She thought I was asking her to go as my partner. That's all."
"So you're going to correct her, right?"
Shanna's hands found themselves on his chest. He stayed still, eyes hard. She swallowed.
"I can't do that. It will devastate her. Can't... can't she come with us? Please? The three of us." She slid one of her hands up, cupping his clean shaven cheek. Piotr reached up, taking her hand in his.
"Do you love me?"
"Yes!" She did. Shanna loved him. He squeezed her hand.
"Do you love HER?"
Shanna hesitated. Piotr's eyes widened. His grip strong, he removed her hand from his face. His free hand took her other wrist, pulling that hand away from his chest.
"I love you, Shanna," he said, almost whispering, "but you can't have us both."
"But..."
"It's over, Shanna."
****
Shanna stood outside the closed common room door, back against the wood paneled wall.
Stupid.
She was so stupid.
One fight. One fight, and it was over.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
She wasn't going to cry. Wasn't. Those weren't tears in her eyes, weren't tears flowing down her face. She was not going to stand outside her man's door, bawling.
Pushing off, she staggered down the passage.
****
James suspected it was the presence of the three kids which kept things civil.
They were friends, for one. James had not realized this. Six year old Gizela had been playing with both Felek and Ruta for the past few days, the two preteens more than ready for a new playmate. Their laughing and giggling across the dining room table did much to diffuse any tension. Lady Jasinski sent many scolding looks towards her daughter, but seemed loath to actually say anything in the King's presence.
One of the benefits of Kingship.
As for Ewa, she was staying silent. His hope that some conversation would develop between her and Lusia seemed to have come to naught. Indeed, the girl Lusia herself was keeping quiet, letting her mother do most of the talking. A change from what little interaction James had experienced with her. Her gaze would occasionally go to James, or Ewa, before returning to the half eaten meal before her. James was definitely regretting this.
"So... Your Grace." Lady Jasinski caught his eye, straightening. He noticed her left hand going under the table, her older daughter suddenly startled as if goosed. "We have heard today of the Royal Ball to be held this weekend."
Of course she had. That was the whole point of this gathering, the whoring out of her daughter. He smiled.
"It was Ewa's idea. I have been very lax when it comes to the social side of being King." Ewa seemed annoyed to have been brought up, even as his knowing eyes caught a flash of pleasure at having been given credit. He smiled at her, before turning to the mother. "You and your family are coming, of course?"
"Of Course! One reason we did not accompany my husband and Lubor. We need the time to acquire new dresses. We were not able to bring much with us, you understand."
He nodded understandingly, even as his eyes shot an amused look at Ewa. He saw her biting a lip trying not to curl up into a smile. The woman's husband had set sail the night before. He returned his attention to the Lady.
"Do not fret too much about that. Few here have much finery, as we have been much more concerned with providing clothing for all as opposed to pretty dresses for a few. I am sure there are some tailors with fabric to spare if you are truly in need, but the price may be high."
"Well... we can not go in dresses such as we are wearing. Surely they are too plain for such an occasion!"
If this woman thought he was going to intervene, she was mistaken. Smiling, he reached a hand over to take Ewa's.
"True beauty shines regardless of the dress. Your daughters will shine even in their current rags."
"They are not rags," Ewa said, startling him. From her eyes it was clear she got the attempt at humor, but she spoke as if rebuking him. "That is a lovely dress, Lusia."
"Thank you, Lady Ewa." The blond shot a glance at her mother. "I am sure what we have will do, Mother. There are more important things than our ranking in the newest fashions."
"But you MUST look your best!" James tried not to laugh as the poor woman tried to convey her meaning without insulting the King sitting near her. "All the young ladies of the Kingdom will be there!"
"Am I going?" Ruta asked. James cocked his head at the young lady in waiting.
"I don't know. Has Felek asked you yet?"
"What? No!" The boy looked disgusted at the very idea. The look his female friend gave him was one it would take years for him to interpret correctly. James laughed.
"I'll invite you, then! Felek, you're missing out on an evening with one of the most beautiful women in the Kingdom!"
"So? Ouch!" There had obviously been a kick, unseen under the table.
"Hey!" Now Ruta jumped. Ewa leaned over, placing a hand on her brother's arm.
"Stop that."
"But..."
"Stop. You too, Ruta, or you can't go to the Ball."
"Yes, Ewa."
"Crisis averted," James said, looking back at the three guests. The two girls were grinning. Their mother, not so much. She did force a smile as she saw his gaze return to her.
"Your Grace," she asked, "the rumor is you will pick your queen at the Ball."
"That is what is written on the notices, yes. I'm sure the actual rumors are much more interesting."
She gave a confused laugh. James flicked his eyes to Lusia. Hers seemed to laugh back. As he watched, a wave of indecision seemed to flow across her face. The girl reached over, touching her mother's arm.
"Mother, enough."
"Lusia!" Lady Jasinski looked at her daughter with astonishment. Lusia met her gaze.
"Mother, it's not right to try to trick him." She looked at James. "Your Grace, I am not in the running to be your Queen. I am infertile."
"Lusia!"
"It's true, Mother! I'm almost sixteen and I have yet to bleed! Would you have the King marry me, only to have to annul it when I can not bear a son?"
James sat back in his chair. She was barren. That was... interesting.
****
Shanna dismounted inside the fort walls, darkness falling on the land. Lamps were already lit, two hanging on either side of the main barracks door. From the stable, two boys ran to her, hurrying through the hint of snow falling from the sky. Removing her ridding gloves, she tossed the reins to the closest one.
"Any news?"
"One of Piotr's men was here a while ago. He left after Anelie got back."
Ah. So that was the start of this. She nodded.
"I'm done for the day. Treat her well."
"Yes, Lady."
Shanna walked towards home, the two leading Black Beauty away behind her. It was past dinner time, or at least in the middle of it. She had not come straight here, instead doing some riding through the more empty trails surrounding them. She needed to think. Think, and decide. It wasn't over between her and Piotr. No. Not after just one fight. Their relationship could recover. They could be together again, even get married as they had planned.
But did she want to?
The door opened, Anelie stepping out onto the long porch running the length of the building. She held a lamp in one hand, the other clutching closed a hastily tossed on light jacket.
"Lady Shanna! When you didn't come back we thought you were eating at the Palace! Are you hungry?"
She wasn't, really, but hot food would do her good. What Shanna wasn't in the mood for was company. She walked past Anelie, who fell in beside her, closing the door as they entered the foyer. Stairs before them led to a landing, another set continuing upward set against the back wall. Through the open door to her right she could see and hear her men laughing, talking. With a shrug, she let her coat fall from her shoulders.
"Bring my meal to my quarters if you would, Anelie. Not much, but something hot. And a pitcher of beer." Handing her coat over, she went upstairs.
****
Shanna sat at the small table near the fire as Anelie arranged the tray before her. A bowl of fish chowder, with a large hunk of that morning's bread and a slab of butter. There was a second, smaller bowl, along with a second empty mug. As Shanna watched, eyebrows raised, Anelie pulled out the chair opposite her and sat. She lifted the pitcher and poured herself a drink. Shanna chuckled.
"Please, join me for dinner."
"I think I will." Her eyes met Shanna's, then dropped. She lifted her spoon, stirring the chowder. "I... you didn't look like you should be alone. I hope you don't mind."
"Naw. You'd know if I did." Shanna could feel her cheeks heat. Probably from the fire. "Thanks." Lifting her mug, she took a long drink. Anelie did the same. As the girl lowered her mug, she looked nervously across the table.
"I... I was thinking, Lady Shanna. After I got back. It's probably best I don't go to the Ball. I mean, what will people say? And Piotr will get mad! I know you don't want that. So..."
It was too late for that, Shanna thought. Too late. And...
"Don't worry about it," she said. "You've never been to a Ball, and I'm not going to take this chance away from you. Don't worry about Piotr. I know I'm not going to."
Her tone must have alerted the girl. Shanna ignored the redhead's gaze as she began spooning the chowder into her mouth. After the second mouthful, she looked across the table, surprised.
"This is better than usual! Did Domka find a new recipe?"
"Adanya showed up while we were in town with a wagon of supplies. She offered to help in the kitchen." Her voice lowered. "I think she came just to see Bogdi."
"Really."
"Yeah. You should have seen him get all excited when she showed up. It was weird."
"I can imagine." Unfortunately, Shanna now did, the hulking Pole and the splotchy skinned Kikker woman passing through her mind. With a shudder, she took another swig of beer.
"I don't mind, though," Anelie said, sipping some of the broth.
"Mind what?"
"My brother and Adanya. I like her. If she makes my brother happy..."
And, Shanna could tell, the girl was telling the truth. She didn't mind. Her brother supported her in her desire for another woman (or at least Shanna), and Anelie supported Bogdi with someone not even human. Shanna felt a pang at the void in her life that was her family. Anelie, at least, had that. Shanna raised her mug.
"To being happy."
Anelie copied her, eyes full of love.
"To being happy..."